Blair @ One Month

Ben and I went to his sister Kate's house for a newborn photo shoot with Blair at her 4 week-old mark.  I thought the pictures turned out so cute and I was happy we captured her at this point in time.  She's still so tiny and just barely beginning to fill out.  I'm glad Kate took a few of me and Blair and the three of us - the comparison really emphasizes just how small she is.  I know I'll treasure these pictures as time goes on.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Thanks Kate!

Lovely Bracelets for Baby

Among my favorite baby gifts Blair received are the bracelets my sister-in-law McCall gave me.  She came up with the design and started out making them for her two adorable daughters.  Recently she  decided to branch out and sell them.  They are so cute! I think they are a very stylish departure from the typical beaded baby bracelet.  Also, with all the colors McCall made for Blair, she has one to match each dress and even pajama!  Testimonial:  Blair absolutely loves her carly bracelets and hates to go anywhere without wearing at least one. :)

McCall set up a shop on Etsy.com and you can find her items here or by going to carlybracelets.etsy.com.  She has all kinds of different ribbon colors and makes different sizes for babies and kids.   I know she will do custom orders as well.  Recently her Young Women's leader asked her to make bracelets for the girls in their ward - how brilliant!  What a great way for those girls to represent themselves by wearing the value colors.  Maybe the trend will catch on like silly bands. :)

Fall Shows - Finally!

Hooray for the fall.  I love when the leaves change, the weather cools and the change of seasons is in the air. Second to those things I love when the lame summer reruns are over and the season premieres begin!  This fall, I'm excited for some of my ol' standbys to come back:  Private Practice, The Office, Cougartown, Glee and Fringe.  I'm also going to record the following shows to see if they're worth adding to our list: Modern Family, Better With You, Undercovers, The Defenders, Running Wilde, Hawaii Five-O, and My Generation.  (for quick reference, see full list here - via TV guide)

Summer tv was good for one thing - in Monty my parents got us hooked on a couple of shows that we caught up on due to summer reruns:  Castle and White Collar. They are now two that top our list. When do those come back?  And what about Burn Notice for heck's sake?

Wow - now that I've written these all down I look like a huge tv addict! (or vidiot, as Taryn would say) Well, seeing as we have a newborn at home we're not as mobile and free-wheeling as we once were.  Truth is, it's nice to have something entertaining to look forward to in the evening. Channel surfing is so passe, don't you think?

What are some of your favorite shows?  I may have room left on my dvr for a few more worthwhile suggestions. :)

Blair Loves Mommacat

 What would I do without my Mom? I know this post is entitled "Blair Loves Mommacat," but really it is me who is forever indebted to her.  My mom came a few days before my due date and she was in it for the long haul.  She is arguably the world's best 'baby nurse'... she knows how to soothe babies, understands their cues, cuddles them best and wraps them in her signature 'tunnel' that keeps them asleep and cozy for hours and hours. 

Having a baby has made me much more grateful for the supportive people in my life. How do single mom's do it?  I have relied so much on Ben - he is a great help and a very loving father. However, having the support of my mother has been an experience I will never forget.  She not only helped me with all things motherly as my live-in 'baby nurse' for three weeks, but was also my companion all day long when otherwise I would have been housebound with a brand new, needy and non-conversational newborn.  She helped my recovery so much and most of all helped me get out of the house without having a break down.  She instills confidence in me as a mother and I have a feeling I'll be seeking her sage advice for many years.  I think it's true when people say, 'You never stop being a mother.' I love my mother for continuing to mother me.

 

This is the tunnel I was telling you about - works like a charm

When we'd go on our outings people would stop me and say, "wow, how old is she? And you're already out and about?"  My response: "Oh, no no. I'm not really out. I'm with my mom."  Are you kidding? Like I would have ventured out on my own at baby's ten-day mark? :)

And now to the title of this post:  Blair LOVES her Mommacat.  They are like kindred spirits... knowing each other already.  Mom seems to know what Blair needs and exactly what she's thinking. :) Seems fitting for a namesake, right?

Labor Day 2010

On a bit of a whim,  Ben and I drove up with Blair to Montana for Labor Day weekend.  It had only been a few days (five to be exact) since my mom had left my side since baby... but it seems I was ready to see her again and Ben was excited for the prospect of a golf-filled relaxing weekend.  Plus,  my sister Lindsey and her husband Mike were up from San Diego and got to meet Blair - otherwise I'm not sure when they would have.  Linds is due with their first baby (a girl!) in just short of ten weeks and it was great to visit with her on all things baby!  Hopefully I didn't overshare.  We had a great time with Mom and Dad as we always do when we visit.  Summer in Monty w/ the family never disappoints.

We spent some time at the lake - the motion of the dock had Blair asleep in no time.  Uncle Mike wanted to make sure the sun was out of the baby's eyes. 

Three Weeks Old and already So Much to Tell

I can hardly believe it has already been three weeks since Blair came to us. She is such a precious baby and I'm so glad I have nothing better to do all day than snuggle her!  That is the first piece of advice I'd give any new mom... don't put any pressure on yourself or have any expectations about what you'll be able to do (or when) after the baby comes.  I can hardly think about anything I used to do before baby, even trying to blog stresses me out. :)

Blair is a sweet baby and she and I are learning more about each other every day.  I can't wait until she starts to focus on our faces and smile more than just while she's dreaming, which is so cute by the way... I wonder what she's dreaming of - cupcakes and ponies?

In three weeks Blair has already done some very grown up things!  Two days ago she had her very first photoshoot.  She's been to a golf tournament with her Dad, to Nordstrom with me and Mommacat, to sushi dinners and even the Apple store and Ikea.  She also had her first bath and a stroll around the neighborhood. She's a trooper. 

More blog posts to come. It's wild how different the day goes by for someone who works 9-5 and someone who stays home with a newborn.  I have a goal to make our bed every day.  That's all I promise.  Beyond that, I have two 'to do' lists.  One is 'to do' while Ben's away... the other is 'to do' while he is home and able to watch Blair.  When the baby is awake, I love to play with her and when she's asleep in my arms I can hardly stand to put her down.  I'm getting better though. 

Here are a few pics from the last few weeks.

 

Love these tiny pj's on her! Most of her clothes are a little big still but these fit nice and snug.

first sponge bath

I feel like most of the pics I take don't really look like Blair as I see her but I love this one - Ben loves to lounge with the baby at night when we're relaxing in front of the tv.

Blair does really well in a sling - these pics are from the Utah Open last weekend at Oakridge. Ben was delighted to have exposed Blair to golf at only two weeks old.  She showed her interest by sleeping through nine holes.