Popping In - Five on Friday!

Hi long lost friends!

Wow, this blogging break has certainly been what the doctor ordered. I've missed popping in with updates for y'all but to be completely honest, it has been so refreshing not logging into blogger and just spending that time with Caroline Grace. All you mamas out there who can juggle work, blog and mommyhood - hats off to you! I can't promise I'll be updating my blog often (outside of Caroline's monthly updates) but I will try my very best to pop in from time to time!

So what have we been up to? Here are 5 updates...

1. Working and Hanging with our Moms...

Returning to work has been so much better than I had anticipated. It's been great getting back into my routine and I am really happy with my decision. My projects keep me really busy so I am distracted throughout the day and I come home chomping at the bit to hold my mini.

My MIL stayed with us the first two weeks after I returned to work and now my mom is with us for the next two. I love both of these moms so dang much and feel incredibly blessed that they are the ones watching Caroline while Matt and I are away at work until her daycare starts. I swear Caroline thinks she is at summer camp. Every day I get home and hear about her daily activities and it goes a little like this..."well, after you left we did morning yoga and stretched, we read books, did tummy time, played on the activity mat, sat in the Bumbo, drank all of our bottles, napped, sang songs, walked around outside, etc." I love it and am so spoiled by them!

2. Pumping...

Many of you have checked back in on me to see how breastfeeding has been going and I can't thank you all enough for thinking of me! I've been exclusively pumping the past few months and my milk production has only slightly increased since returning to work and pumping 6 times a day. On a good day I can pump about 12 ounces of milk and we supplement the rest with Earth's Best Organic Formula. However, I've decided to throw in the towel and am starting to slowly cut pumping sessions out of the day. It's bittersweet. 

3. Dieting...

I am not going to bore you with regular updates on my post-partum weight loss, but I do feel like since I dragged y'all into it with my weekly "bump dates" I owe you an update on what has happened to those 28 pounds I gained. The update is short...half of those pounds still remain and I am working my booty off to get rid of them (diet and exercising). And while 12-14 pounds may not seem all that bad, I am less than 5 feet tall and have very petite features so all of those extra pounds currently hide in my lower belly giving me the appearance that I am 5 months pregnant still. Prior to pregnancy, I wore size 4 jeans. Now I wear....maternity jeans. So that's that. And no, I will not be posting any picture updates.

4. Matt...
Big update coming soon. Stay tuned. Proud of this man!

5. Weekend...

Dad was sad he was missing out on all the fun mom is having watching Caroline so he's decided to fly into town for the weekend to hang with his favorite grandbaby. And oh, Lindsey got sad too so she booked a "work trip" and is staying with us half of next week. Saturday night, mom and dad have asked to watch Caroline for the evening so Matt and I could have our second date night ever. Since Caroline arrived we've been really bad about breaking away just the two of us so we are really excited to try a new restaurant, Baku, for dinner. We always drive by and say "we should try that place sometime" and now we are finally going to! 

And because every post needs a picture of my cute baby who doesn't sleep anymore (early 4 month sleep regression?)...

Happy weekend!

Caroline Grace {3 Months}

Happy 3 months my sweet Caroline Grace,

I am so thankful to have spent most of this month at home with you. Returning to work has been difficult but we make the most of our mornings, evenings and weekends together. Your personality shines brightly these days and everyone you meet falls in love with you. You are such a happy, smiley baby, especially in the mornings and during bath time, and your little grins melt me to pieces. You win my heart more and more each day and you are such a blessing to us. I love you, little one.
 

Love, 

Mommy

Three Month Highlights:

• You hit 10 lbs this month!
• I was in denial for probably a couple weeks too long, but we finally graduated you to size 1 diapers as well as 0-3 month clothes. It was a hard transition for me but your cute wardrobe has helped me cope.
• 98% of the time people comment about how much you look like your daddy. We still don't see it but apparently everyone else does!
• You are still eating 4 ounces per feeding (every 3 hours or so) and you go back and forth between breast milk and formula equally. Mom is pumping at work 3 times a day now to keep you fed and has even seen a little increase in my milk supply (yay!).
• You took your second beach trip this month - Bald Head Island.
• You met your great grandparents.
• At bath time you get really playful and vigorously stomp the side of your bath tub.
• You are super smiley, especially during the mornings when you are happiest.
• You hate your car seat, especially when you're not in the car. You prefer to be out and about and especially love to be worn facing out. 
• You love to suck on your fist, have become uninterested in pacifiers (even the wub) and really enjoy your time playing on your activity mat.
• Your grip is so strong and you now help hold your bottle, books and toys.
• You despise wet diapers, even before the line turns blue you let us know you are ready to be changed.
• You have found your voice and babble all day long now.