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!