Operation Deswaddle = Fail

So we are in the midst of the Operation Deswaddle, which is turning into an epic fail.  On one hand Jack can't fall asleep without it.  It calms him down, and it most importantly prevents his hands from punching and scratching himself in the face.  On the other hand, he is beginning to fight the swaddle.   I have been attempting to deswaddle him for naps which just turns into a fight and a failed nap. I then tried the one arm swaddle which just ends in him scratching and punching with one arm instead of two.  We have tried the double swaddle, the escape proof swaddle; you name it we have tried it. 

I now wonder if we should stop cold turkey and have a few nights of awful sleep to get him off the swaddle, or if we should continue to swaddle him, even though he wakes up screaming at times trying to escape. Either way I think it is going to be a long battle; I don't see Jack giving up anytime soon.

If you have any successes on deswaddling your little one, I would love to hear them.

Back in the Saddle

So I am starting to get back in to things at work.  This is my first full week and it is going a lot better than I thought.  Sure I miss Jack and I think about him every second and still wonder if he misses me or doesn't.  I still worry if he is mad at me when I pick him up after work and he doesn't smile right away, but I know with all of the worry, he is in good hands.

Everyday I notice new things he is doing.  Yesterday he sat in his bouncer and kicked at the fish for 30 minutes.  Its amazing how everytime he looked at the bubbles and fish it was like he was seeing it for the first time, laughing and talking to them.

I have to say looking back that those first three months were tough, with the screaming, spitting up, reflux, lactose intolerance, and I am glad they are over.  I love seeing Jack's personality come out more and more everyday,and I can't wait to see it evolve even more. 

Free $5 Babies R Us Gift Card

Great deal for all of the facebook users.  If you become a fan of Babies R Us on Facebook today you will get a free $5.00 e-gift card.  This deal is today only!

My First Giveaway!!!!

CLOSED

Congrats Nikki!

I was so excited to have a giveaway on my blog and even more excited with what this giveaway is. 
CranberriesandCapers on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/cranberriesandcapers) sells the most adorable handcrafted hair clips and accessories for your little one.  What's even better is that they are affordable which makes them the perfect gift for a new mom, mom-to-be, or yourself!   You can check our her blog at http://cranberriesandcapers.blogspot.com/ or her etsy shop for other items and request a custom order.
She has most graciously donated one of her handcrafted pacifier clips for my first giveaway.  These are perfect to keep your baby's pacifier from getting lost or dirty and will attach to clothing, blankets, etc. 

Winner will be able to choose from

Owl-ivia, or

Owl-bert.

You will receive one entry for each of the following:

1. Follow my blog

2. Vote for me on Top Mommy Blog (brown button on the left)

3.  Visit CranberriesandCapers  shop on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/cranberriesandcapers) and comment below about your favorite item in her shop.

Leave a comment telling me that you've done one or both with your email address so that I can contact the winner.

Contest will close Monday night at 7pm, winner will be contacted by email then!  Good luck!

Working Mom Meal #3: Gram's Chicken Pot Pie

So I decied to post two recipes today because I know there are many people looking for easy recipes.  This one is another great meal for a cold winter day.  It is so tasty and very easy to make. Feel free to use whatever veggies you like.  Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Kraftrecipes

Gram's Chicken Pot Pie (adapted from kraft.com)

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 Tbsp. Italian dressing
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
8oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (1/2 of 17.3-oz. pkg.), thawed
1 egg, beaten


Directions:
Heat oven to 400ºF. Cook and stir chicken in dressing in large skillet on medium heat 5 min. or until done. Stir in vegetables and soup. Spoon into greased 9-inch square baking dish; top with cheese.

Unfold pastry sheet; place over chicken mixture. Fold under edges of pastry; press onto top of baking dish to seal. Brush pastry with egg. Cut several slits in pastry to permit steam to escape.

Place dish on baking sheet. Bake 30 min. or until crust is deep golden brown. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

Working Mom Meal #2: Orzo Pasta with Shrimp

Recipe number 2 is one that I actually got from my dad.  He was laid off last year and decided he would make dinner for my mom a few nights a week.  He found this on the Filippo Berio Website and voila!  IT is soooo amazing and another easy meal when you just want to eat and move on with your life.(recipe and photo courtesy of Filippo Berio website)


Orzo Pasta with Shrimp
• 8 ounces uncooked orzo pasta
• 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon  olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-1/4 pounds raw small shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 1-1/2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• Salt and black pepper


Directions :

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente (tender but still firm). Drain.
2. Toss with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil; set aside.
3. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add garlic; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until golden.
4. Add shrimp; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until shrimp are opaque (do not overcook).
5. Stir in pasta. Add tomatoes, cilantro, parsley and lemon juice. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

20% off at BabyStar.com

Baby Star has wonderful apparel, bedding and accessories for your little one.  All of their products are made out of combinations of 100% cotton and formaldehyde-free fabrics, which makes them safe for your baby and for the environment.  Their products include an organic range of apparel, blanket and denim like this baby kimono set pictured here.  What's even better is you can get 20% off at Baby Star.com by clicking on the link on the side of my page!

Where has it gone?

Time that is.  Jack turned three months Thursday, and while in some aspects I am elated; less crying, less waking at night, more smiles, coos, and giggles, I also have this awful feeling of sadness in my heart that he is growing so fast already. 

It's amazing how fast time really does fly,  he has had so many firsts already, first smile, first roll, first time he lifts his head, how he notices things with such excitement.  I also notice (and maybe it's my working mommy guilt) that he doesn't need his mommy as much anymore. Doesn't need, or want to be held as much and is already getting to big to cuddle like he did when he was a newborn.

I already am having flashes of him going to prom, meeting girls, getting married and I feel like it will be here tomorrow, until then I just have to enjoy every second with my little guy and be happy with the fact that for now, I am his only girl.

Who Needs Sleep?

:::raises hand::: I do!  So for the past week or so Jack has been sleeping 6 to 6 1/2 hours a night.  I figured things can only get better right?

I could never have been more wrong.  Last night Jack was up every 2 or 3 hours to eat, fight his swaddle, get his pacifier put in his mouth, whatever.  I am exhausted.  I don't know how I can keep functioning on this little sleep. Maybe it was just a bad night, but whatever it was I hope it doesn't last.

If anyone has any tips or ideas of how to get him to sleep through the night, please share.  I know people say "when he's ready, he will sleep" but maybe I can make him "ready" a little sooner.

My Heart Belongs to Mommy

I was able to spend the day with Jack because I was off for Martin Luther King day.  I am not looking forward to having to leave him again tomorrow.  It's amazing how fast this weekend left.  It makes me value every minute I have with him.  Hopefully things will get better as time goes on, and this will still not be a full week. 

This is my new favorite onsie for him.  I found it at Buy Buy Baby, and it is adorable, and not only for Valentine's Day!  And I must say, he looks quite handsome in it. 

New Feature: Working Mom Meals!

I love to cook, but since Jack has been born, I have been slacking in the dinner department.  I am now constantly looking for an easy, but awesome tasting meal.  So I thought "Why not post an easy meal for the working (or non working) moms! So every Monday, I will post an easy, delicious weekday meal! I would also love your suggestions of meals you have made that are you favorites.  I'll also feature some of yours along with my own.  To submit a recipe just click the "Email Me" button on the side of the page!

My first meal is one of my husbands favorite and so simple Jack could do it.  I sware it is ready in 10 minutes flat.

picture courtesy of Tracey's Culinary Adventures.

This tortellini with balsamic brown butter recipe is origonally from Everyday Italian and Giada.  This recipe would work with tortellini or ravioli, and while it may not be the healthiest meal, it will make your tastebuds sing out with joy!

18 to 20 ounces store-bought tortellini (or ravioli)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup toasted, chopped walnuts

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook according to the instructions on the package (until tender but still firm to the bit), stirring occasionally. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan cook the butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the foam subsides, and the butter begins to turn a golden brown, turn off the heat. Let butter cool for about 1 minute. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Transfer the pasta to the saucepan with the balsamic brown butter. Sprinkle walnuts and Parmesan over the top before serving.

I made it....

So I had my first two days of work this week, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was.  Probably because it was only a two day week for me.  I am dreading my first five day week.

Even though it wasn't nearly as bad, it still was bad.  I thought about him every second.  I wondered what he was doing, and if he was being taken care of as good as I would.  I called to check in like 10 times each day.  And when I came home last night and said hi to Jack, he didn't smile at me, which made me worry even more that he is mad that I left him.

I know all my thoughts are silly and untrue, but I still have them.  I am hoping it really will get better like everyone says. How many days until Spring Break???

Polkadot Peacock Sale!

Polkadot Peacock is one of my favorite online baby stores.  They have so many unique items from nursery decor to apparel.  I just happened to be browsing their site today and found these:

They are adorable, and on sale!!! Check out Polkadot Peacock's website for more sale items.

Time is Up.

So it's time to start work tomorrow and I won't ramble on because I have a million things to get ready before then.  It's amazing how time flies.  It seems like just yesterday I was in a panic at the hospital about how my life was never going to be the same, and now here I am thinking the same exact thing.

I never thought leaving someone for 8 hours a day would be such a painful,heart wrenching thing.  I never thought I would wish to be a stay at home mom.  I never imagined I would love another human being the way I love Jack.  But what I need to say over and over to myself is that this is for him, to make his life better, to give him everything we can.

I worry that Jack will wonder where I am when wakes up, or that he will wonder why I am not there to sing to him all day or cuddle him when he cries.  I know he won't remember these times, but I will and I know I will spend every second of every day at work thinking about him.

For now I need to get through this one day at a time and enjoy every second I have with Jack.  I only hope it gets easier.

Watch Them Grow!

When Jack was born, I received so many gifts. One of my favorite gift is a custom growth chart for his room.

I love it. It looks great in his nursery and will be something that will last for years.

The artist, Amanda is a stay at home mom who makes these in her free time.

I think it would be a perfect gift for a mom, or soon-to-be mom.  You can visit her gallery of other charts here, and you can contact her for pricing and ordering at paintinglady@hotmail.com!

Picture of the Day

I have become a picture manic since Jack has been born.

He has never liked his Bumbo seat until today.

It's also rare that Lenny will go near Jack.

Little does he know they will soon be best friends.

Letting Go

COUNTDOWN UNTIL WORK: 2 DAYS

So I am sitting here writing my "instruction manual" for Jack's day care providers.  He will be with my dad one day, my mother in law two days and an in-home day care for two days.  I laid in bed last night staring at the ceiling wondering how any of them could possibly take care of Jack the way I do. How could anyone else figure out what makes him happy or what makes him stop crying, or how he likes to play, and what songs he you to sing to him the most?

I have become one of "those moms".  The mom I SWORE I would never be.  I would see moms telling people how their child liked certain things or how you should talk to them this way, or sit with them this way, and I would think "you are absolutely crazy".  And now here I am.  It's not that I don't trust anyone.

I know all of them will do a wonderful job with him, I just worry.  I worry my mother in law will continue to let Jack suck on an empty bottle because "he wants to", or that she will shove a bottle in his mouth everytime he cries. I worry my dad will not want to sing to him, or play with him like I do, and I worry that the day care will not have the time to give him the attention I can.

But there comes a time when I have to let go,and trust that they will take care of Jack just as well as I do, that one way of parenting is not always right.  I need to let go and know that Jack will still know I am his mother, and will understand I am working to make life better for him.  Twenty years from now Jack won't even remember where he was during these months.   I need to learn now that there will be a lot of "letting go" of Jack in the future so I better get used to it.

I know it will get easier day by day, but I just with I had a few more days with him; to play, and cuddle in the mornings and to just be Mommy and Jack.  It's amazing how fast these first 12 weeks have gone.

Maybe I'll win the lottery in the next 2 days.......

Shout Out

My husband wanted to make sure he was recognized for his hard work, so I want to say thank you to him for designing my blog header and button.  Without him, this blog would be a very boring place.  : )

Who's the Baby?

So we just got back from the second round of Jack's two month shots.  We are spreading them out just for peace of mind.  I don't know who cried more, Jack or me.   It's amazing how your heart can break so much for another human being.  I only hope I can become more "brave" as time goes on.

I also only hope he never truly has to know what real "pain" feels like.

Merry (late) Christmas to me!

I thought I would post another Etsy find. Today I received a gift I bought myself for Christmas. I figured I deserved it, I carried and pushed a life out of me, why not buy myself a gift to remember it.  I wanted something with Jack's initial and birthstone and also something that doesn't scream out "I'm a Mom!!"

So I ordered this:

This necklace by another designer necklace was featured in In Style magazine for $68.00, but I found the same thing on Etsy for $34.00!  Mine of course has the initial J and his birthstone. 

I think it's beautiful and simple and can be worn with anything.  Etsy seller "ArtWark" has so many other great pieces of jewlery in her "store",  and I think you should check it out.

You can buy her great designs here:  Etsy seller Artwark

Lesson Learned

Last night my husband and I decided to have our first date night since Jack was born. We have had a couple nights out before, but none just us.  We wanted to celebrate us making it 12 weeks of an unpaid maternity leave without going broke.   I sure did celebrate, and I also spent the night cuddling the toilet instead of my husband.

The lesson learned?

I do not want to be taking care of a screaming baby hungover.

EVER AGAIN.

The New Must Have Fashion Accessory for Mom

As Jack will be teething soon I am looking for some good teethers that will also hold his interest.  He loves his Sophie, but I came across these and will be placing my order this week.  These teethers are multisensory which is great for their exploring fingers, and mouthes.   They are are BPA, and PVC free and I must say....make a great accessory for a night out on the town.
You can get these great teethers here.

Decal is up!

COUNTDOWN UNTIL WORK: 4 DAYS
So I thought I would follow up with how great our decal looks in the nursery.  It did take us about 2 hours of deciding where the stars should go yesterday,  but we think it looks great. 

Forget the Mall!

Something that I have always loved is shopping.  And I love a good deal.  Since becoming a new mom, I have turned to shopping online, because it's hard to get out.  I am in amazement at how many wonderful things there are online, and may just change from a mall shopper to a permanent internet shopper.

One of my discoveries has been Etsy.  Now I know it has been around for a while, but I am a little slow with these things.  I love Etsy.  I could spend days looking at all the shops and items. One item I came across is this vinyl wall sticker.  

Now I always told my husband that I would NEVER buy one of these because they are cheesy.  Well cheesy or not, I bought this one, and I received it today! I can't wait to put it up, and Etsy seller Leen the graphics Queen,( http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeenTheGraphicsQueen) does a great job and I received this so fast! 

This quote is from a book I have read many times to Jack, while sobbing my eyes out at the thought of leaving him for work.  Anyways, the quote is perfect, because that is exactly how I feel about him . I will post pics of it our nursery once it's up. 

Actually.....

 Actually, forget TIVO, this is better than any TV show, hands down.

I Need to Get Tivo

COUNTDOWN UNTIL I AM BACK TO WORK: 6 DAYS

So as I am sitting here watching the napping Jack sway back and forth on his swing I thought I would make a list of the things I will miss and not miss as I head back to work. As this is my last Friday as a "stay at home mom", I thought I would start with what I will miss first:

1.  Jack (of course)
2. Wearing sweats around the house and not having to shower.
3.. Playing with my dog Lenny
4.  Kathi Lee and Hoda
5. The Today Show
6. Days of our Lives
7. Ellen
8. having a clean house

As I look at my list I realize many of these are shows.  I never liked Ellen or Days of our Lives before Jack, now I find myself addicted to them.  I also have to admit my favorite on this list is Kathi and Hoda.  This may make most cringe, but I love them and I find them funny.
So tonight I am going to ask my husband if we can get Tivo, to which he will probably reply "NO we are saving money".  Maybe I can watch them on Hulu. 

As for what I won't miss..the list is short:
1. The fits of screaming all day.
2. Turning everything I say into a song.

Even those are really not that bad, and I have to admit, I have become quite the singer.

A little about me

email me here:
justanothermomdayblog{at}gmail{dot}com
OR fill out this contact form...

Hi.  I'm Amy. A wife to my best friend, new(ish) mom to the sweetest little guy in the world, Jack, and a Special Education teacher. Being a mom has taught me many things..about myself, and about life.  Being a working mom has taught me so many more things; (organization being one of them). I love cooking, baking , shopping, blogging, and working on my photography.  I thank all of you for reading and taking the time to comment, and I love meeting you all too!


The hubs, Tom. We met, at a bar, on Thanksgiving Eve, 2004.  We had our first date the next night.  The rest, they say, is history.  He is my "Mr. Fix It", the best dad, and my best friend.

This is my little man Jack.  He came into this world on October 21, 2009.  He is everything I imagined children would be and more.  He is always amazing me and will ALWAYS put a smile on my face.  Oh yeah, and he is growing up WAY TOO FAST.

Lenny, is Jack's big brother, and the most patient, loving little yorkie (and doggy) I have ever met.  He gives us all unconditional love, and he loves having his belly rubbed.

Welcome

So before I start, I want introduce myself. I am a 33 year old new mom to Jack (born October 21). I never in a million years thought mommyhood would be this amazing. He is the love of my life, and I still can't believe this amazing little man was once inside me.

It has also had it's ups and downs. We are dealing with awful reflux, lactose intolerance and nights of non-stop crying. I have learned alot about myself these past 11 weeks, mostly, that it for sure is not about me anymore. As for my husband, I think he has still not realized that yet.

As for the blog, I decided to start a blog as I make my way back to work next week. I am a Special Education teacher and love my job, but as the weeks have been dwindling down, I have realized more and more how I would love to be a SAHM. Since this is not possible I wanted to blog my days (and nights) as a working mom. Trying to juggle cleaning, cooking, working, mommying, and being a wife seems like an impossible task right now. Hopefully through this journey I will become a more organized, humorous, and calm person, and I just might learn something about myself.

I hope you enjoy reading my "diary" and I would love to hear from you with any comments, stories or support. I know there are many others like me out there, and I hope you can relate and laugh a little as you read along with me.