Summer 2014

I feel like I have said this for every age so far, BUT this age by far is the best SO FAR. Brandon is getting to be more and more fun the older he gets. I think part of this is due to the fact that we are just able to do so much more now than when he was a baby. And, he is actually enjoying, asking, and understanding much more which is awesome. We have had a blast so far this Summer and I'm a bit sad for it to end. However, I think once the weather cools down a bit we will be able to do even more; Florida in the fall is awesome. We can still go to the beach (without the tourists) and actually enjoy it without it getting so hot that the water isn't even refreshing. Check out all of the fun we've had over these past few months.

Just a Moment

The best moments of my day. Loving on this little guy.

My Wish For You

Hindsight is always 20/20. Well, that is how the saying goes at least. I think we all look back at certain times in our life and think about how we would have done things differently, or wish we would have known then what we know now. Ya know, the shoulda, woulda, coulda's in life. 

I do my best to not think about how things might have been or if only I would have done this instead of that kind of thinking. There's no point to it as you can't change the past. BUT, there are things that we learn from past experiences that we can pass along to others. In my case, there are a lot of things that I am glad I did and some others that I wish I would have; especially when Brandon was first born. 

Below is a compilation of glad I did/wish I did/hope you do's that will surely be useful to first time mommy's to be.

• Take lots of pictures. This I did and still do. I have a ridiculous amount of pictures of Brandon's first year of life as well as video's. I am so glad that I have these as we cannot get those moments back and the only way to relive them is through photos. You will treasure these photos and videos like nothing else so make sure to always have a camera or camera phone or video camera available to capture as many moments as you can.
• Ask for help. I am the world's worst at this. I have always had the mentality that I can do it myself. I didn't want help but let me tell you. I needed it. Even if I couldn't admit it to myself then, I look back now and realize that it's almost impossible to do this alone (well, at least for me). Take advantage of the support around you, especially those first few weeks. Have someone else make meals, clean your house, run your errands so you can really enjoy this little bundle of joy without dealing with all the other stuff.
• Rest as much as you can. Again, those first few weeks, maybe even months are rough.  The saying sleep when you baby sleeps is repeated over and over for a reason. I get that its almost impossible to do that all the time but try your best to take advantage of it when you can. 
• Remember the lasts. We have always been trained to celebrate the firsts in a baby's life. But what about the lasts.  I am glad that I documented some lasts as well as the firsts. Those are bittersweet moments to remember but it makes so much sense to do. Document the last time they used the swing, or last time in the infant seat, bumbo, last bottle, etc. Or, as they get older, the last time your baby needs to be rocked to fall asleep. (tear)
• Trust your gut. As a new parent, we are inundated with information. Some of it will be useful and some of it won't be. Just use your own instinct with parenting. What works for one child won't necessarily work for your's. Everyone has an opinion but only your's will matter. No one will know or understand what you baby needs more than you. Trust in that and it will get you through.

Happy New Year and Other Random Stuff

I am not sure if I am happy or sad that the holiday season is over.  I am looking forward to my house getting back to normal.  Christmas decor always makes it seem more cramped.  It is always interesting to me that I get sooo excited to put the decorations up right after Thanksgiving and then I am sooo ready to take them down once New Year's has come and gone.  I guess my OCD starts kicking in and I just want all of the clutter to go away.

We had a nice Christmas but Brandon was sick with a cold which he then passed on to myself and Nick for New Year's.  (That's my baby, he's a giver.)  Our New Year's was a very quiet one.  We stayed home and just relaxed.  It was much needed.

Brandon went to the doctor on Monday for his well check-up.  While there we learned he has a double ear infection.  Not a bad one but this is the 3rd time so he is now on a different antibiotic that will hopefully keep it at bay.   I am thinking Brandon got my small ear canals since I also had continuous ear infections as a baby.  I am hoping that this will be the last for a while because I really do not want him to have to get tubes in his ears.

Speaking of the antibiotic he is on.  This is the first that he refuses to take.  It takes both Nick and I to hold him down and get it in his mouth.  He has figured out how to spit it back at you so doing this twice a day really stinks.  It is a 10 day antibiotic and we are only on day 3 (oh, joy).

I'm not one to normally make New Year's Resolutions because I never keep them so my resolution this year is to NOT make a resolution.  HAHA  Maybe that means whatever I decide to do I will actually complete this year.  Here's hoping.

Happy New Year Everyone!

My Happy Face

My Serious Face

My Silly Face

See You Later Alligator

Might be my favorite outfit now.  Unfortunately, he is already about to grow out of it.  I wish I would have put this on him sooner. 

BTW, Brandon slept through the night last night.  I am hoping this isn't just a one time thing and we can do it again tonight.  

December Photo Challenge

I was on Pinterest last week (what's new) and found this and thought what a great idea.  So, I decided to go for it and do my darndest to take a pick a day based on the list below.  This came from acontenthousewife.com.  I will be posting the pics to Instagram daily but they will also be under the hashtag #ACHdecember on twitter if you want to follow and join in as well.  It will also be a great way for me to have a post a day (or as close to as possible) this month on the blog.  Hope you all join in :)

Day One:  View from Fort Walton Beach Landing

Day Two: Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown.  I love all this Charlie :)

Day Three: Red! 

If you enjoy following this blog then please take a moment and click the link below and then the owl on the left to vote for my blog. Brandon and I thank you :)