That’s all. Just wanted to say “hi.”
xoxo, Mallory (and Harry)
PS LOVE A Beautiful Mess app (this was one of my first pictures, thus the extra little bit on the side there… don’t worry, it’s really easy to use, despite my initial confusion). LOVE it.
I can’t tell you how exciting it is for me to dress Harry. No joke. Cute pieces for little girls are everywhere, but for boys, you’ve got to dig a little to find the best stuff. You know, the stuff without green tractors and blue baseballs and orange monkeys all over them. The stuff that makes my little boy look like the cutest little man. But when you find that stuff, holy moly is it cute. A well dressed little boy is my kryptonite. Especially if he’s got a spiky brown mohawk and his Papa’s nose.
So today, I’m pulled together a few fabulous pieces from Zara. You know Zara. Made extra famous by the fabulous Kate Middleton. And the best thing? Free shipping. Oh, and everything here is nice and inexpensive (like a whole outfit for under $20). All in all, some basic “must-Haves” for a fashion forward little boy’s closet.
Harry celebrated turning four whole months old by growing out of pajamas overnight. Seriously, three inches of his bare legs sticking out the bottom.
Hello smiley baby. This month, Harry has turned into the happiest, laughiest, smiliest baby. He gets jokes, and thinks they are hilarious, especially when told by Mickey Mouse. Or his dad. But with extreme happiness, comes the tears. He’s also started letting us know he hates nap time, by fighting it with every ounce of energy he has in his body (including lots of tears) until he passes out. 35 minutes later, he’s up and happy!
He’s started standing on his own (with a little help from the windowsill), which of course is altogether hilarious, scary, and amazing to watch. He has his favorite toys and books, but only likes one at a time. Too many is not fun (sound familiar? He’s definitely our kid). Nothing is better than being outside, be it on a run with Mum or a walk in the Moby. If we’re outside, we’re happy. This big boy now wears shoes (and is so proud of them) and sits in his high chair during meal time.
Every day is a new, exciting adventure with this kid, and we’re loving every single minute of it, tear free and otherwise. He is our everything and we love him so.
xoxo, Mallory
Growing babies are altogether the most exciting, most amazing, and most sad thing in the whole wide world. Watching Harry trying to figure out how to put his pacifier in his mouth, and getting the leg of a monkey time after time, until finally doing it right, is so inspiring. He doesn’t give up. No matter how frustrated he may be, he sucks on that leg like that’s what he meant to do all along. And then when he finally gets the pacifier, he looks at me like it’s no big deal at all. He knew he could do it.
Watching him hold on to the windowsill, holding himself up on his own two feet, all on his own is scary. It’s phenomenal. It’s sad, that his Papa wasn’t here to see it the first time.
At this age, they grow so fast. Each milestone comes too quickly. Every day, he is older than the last, and every day he gets closer to the times where kisses from Mum won’t be his favorite thing in the world. I picked him up last night and I swear he was 6 inches longer and 5 pounds heavier.
But as sad as I am, I’m 10 times more excited to see him grow. To watch him learn and develop. To help him, and to not help him. To see the sweet, little synapses in his brain firing away.
All this to say, my baby is four months old today. Pictures to come soon.
xoxo, Mallory
I’ve had a big response to the slight mention of co-sleeping in one of my comments. It seems that everyone wants to hear about this. And I don’t blame everyone. It’s such a hot topic, which was, indeed the reason I was avoiding it on the blog all together. Everyone has an opinion and people tend to get pretty vocal about it. But because so many of you are interested in what we’re doing, I’m talking about it. I’m even going to leave the comments on, because I love hearing from you. But please be respectful of me and my family, as well as anyone else who comments. Otherwise I’m turning them off. How’s that for my Mom Voice?
Okay co-sleeping. Before I had a baby, I was 100% against co-sleeping. I thought it was dangerous. I thought it was setting your child up for disappointment when they move into their own big, lonely bed. I thought it took away time, intimacy, cuddling, love from your marriage. I was not going to co-sleep. If my child had a nightmare, he could sleep in my room, but not my bed. If he was sick, Mum or Papa would cuddle with him in his bed for part of the night, but again, our bed was going to be off limits.
Fast forward to January 9th, 2013. I had Harry. This sweet little boy who stole my heart in a way I never even knew anyone could. But I still wasn’t going to co-sleep. He could sleep in his rock ‘n play next to our bed. He could even cuddle in our bed while we were all awake. But still, no co-sleeping. Until he was about a week old. And we all napped in our bed together. It was magical. Some of the best sleep of my life. But, I told myself, it was a one off.
Again, hit that fast forward button, this time to about one month in. Harry was still sleeping next to us, yet in his own space. However, he started waking up at 5:30, an hour after eating, and the only thing I could think to do to get more sleep was to pull him into bed with us and cuddle him. Worked like a charm. He fell asleep the second he felt my warm body next to his. We started doing this a few mornings a week.
The co-sleeping really started picking up. We would put him to bed in his own crib, then move him to his bassinet when we went to sleep. Then sometime between 4-6am, he’d come into our bed to finish out the night’s sleep. I never second guessed myself. I wasn’t worried about rolling over on top of him. It’s just this biological thing. I can’t explain it, but it’s just not going to happen. I’m ultra aware of him being there, yet I sleep soundly. We don’t have big fluffy blankets or pillows on the bed that could suffocate him. He’s safe.
I don’t think it takes a single thing away from our marriage, either. Sure, we’re sharing our bed with another person, but it’s our son. Our son who is a wonderful extension of us. We still have our time, Jon and I. I don’t feel like we’re missing anything, on the contrary, I feel like it has brought us together.
And because Harry spends his naps and a large part of the night in his own space, I don’t think it’s going to be a terrible adjustment when we decide co-sleeping is done. He’s used to his crib. He sleeps in his rock ‘n play just fine. It’ll be an adjustment, yes, but I can’t imagine it’s going to be all that terrible.
Will the co-sleeping stop? Yes. We need to have boundaries, and there will be a point where Harry doesn’t sleep in our bed anymore. But for now, it works for us. He’s still waking up 2-3 times a night, and having him that close is great. I get so much more sleep having right next to me in the rock ‘n play, or even closer on the bed. Plus, I’m under the impression that there is nothing sweeter to waking up smooshed into the 8 inches in between the love of your life and your life’s love. That is my kind of snuggle.
I’ve learned so much in these past four months. About parenting, about Harry, about Jon, about myself. So many things that have surprised me. We always think we have it all figured out, right? It’s times like these, though, that remind us that we don’t have a clue. And I love that. So consider this my giant apology to anyone who received an internal eye roll when they talked about co-sleeping with me before I had Harry. I’ve really learned that you just do what is best for your family. And only you know what that is.
Okay. Remember to keep it nice guys. But I’m curious. What do you think about co-sleeping?
xoxo, Mallory
PS This article inspired me to sit down and write this all out. It’s a very different approach to co-sleeping than ours, but it’s kind of amazing. And the pictures, ugh. My heart melted.
This Sunday happens to be my very first Mother’s Day. Last year Harry was smaller than a poppy seed, and very few people knew I was pregnant, so we didn’t celebrate. Plus, there was the suspersticious side of me that didn’t want to jinx anything.
But this year. This year is my year. It’s my very first Mother’s Day as a Mother. And to say I’m excited is an understatement. I’m more excited for Sunday and the chocolate chip cookies it will bring than I was for my last 5 birthdays combined AND the giant jar of peanut butter in my pantry. It feels like such a rite of passage.
The best present of all is the little boy who sleeps best on my shoulder, and a close second is the mega batch of cookies I’ve planning on whipping up for months, but I figured I’d put together a little gift guide in case you’ve got a mom in your life who deserves a little something extra…
1. Zhena’s Coconut Black Chai Tea | I can personally vouch for the fact that this tea is worth having to order it online. It’s amazing. And mom’s love a good cup of tea, especially with a little side of girl talk.
2. Paper Roses from West Elm | What mom doesn’t love a gorgeous bouquet? And the best thing about this one is that it won’t die in a week or two. It’ll last as long as your love for mom. (Aw…)
3. Lindt Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt | Chocolate is the way to a mom’s heart. And the touch of sea salt is irresistible. Just ask me. I’ll tell you.
4. Accordion Brag Book | Because I don’t know a mom who doesn’t love to brag about her kids. Fill ‘em up with your favorite kiddo pictures and send it to Mom.
5. Papercut Card | With the perfect sentiment. How stinking cute is this? I think I would frame this one.
6. Everlane V | Haven’t heard of Everlane yet? I’ve been dying for one of these amazing t’s since before I was pregnant. Get one for mom. She’ll thank you. (Plus! Nursing friendly!)
7. Slim Staking Ring | This delicate golden beauty is perfect for Mom’s hand. I’m obsessed. And here’s the less expensive version.
xoxo, Mallory
Today’s a random day. My brain is a little scrambled, but there are a few things I just want to talk about. None of them post worthy… but all together, maybe? Sorry if my life is boring.
+ Calvin scratches up my stairs. Like crazy scratching. Like I’m super scared we’re going to have to pay to replace them when we move out. So last night I decided to put him in the laundry room while I was sleeping. (Don’t worry, he has food, water, and a litter box in there. I even made him a little warm bed out of a Duke towel.) This morning, I heard him meowing through two closed doors, a flight of stairs, and over Harry’s sound machine. Needless to say, he wasn’t overjoyed to be in there. But what was the first thing he did when I let him out? Run to the stairs and start scratching. Looks like I made the right decision last night.
+ I’m a serious tea addict. I could do 3-10 cups a day. Easy. I also just spent $36 ordering tea online. Because apparently my favorite tea is like the finding that perfect little store in a big, busy city. You know, the one which sells every fabulous thing for $4, cash only. But since you forgot to bring cash, you make note of where it is, and set out to find an ATM. Then you never see the store again. That’s my tea. Once in a Whole Foods, and I’m forever searching. I figured it was time to just suck it up and buy it in bulk online.
+ The raised beds are doing well. They’re kind of amazing actually. Growing like crazy. All thanks to Jonathan, honestly. I spread a little dirt on there, and I water them once in a while, but Jonathan loves them. Like LOVES them. The day’s not done unless he’s taken us out there 4 times to “look at the garden.” I owe you a post on those.
+ This.
+ I have a serious itch for travel right now. It’s been a while, since I was largely pregnant, and then had a little baby boy. So traveling has been out of the question. But now… I want to go somewhere. Somewhere I’ve never been before. Preferably someplace in Europe… but since we’re spending our vacation this year in Michigan, I’ll have to settle for a restaurant I’ve never been to. Blah. Next year, Europe. Next year.
+ OH! Actually, this fall. NYC. Yes, I’ve been, but I’m dying to go back. And check out all new spots. So this fall. And you’re coming with me Anne Shirley.
+ I’m self teaching myself Photoshop. It’s ugly. But it’s happening.
+ Yesterday, my baby was the cutest. He’s getting such a personality. He missed his Papa. Weird, but I know this was the case. He was a bit more serious all day. And lit up when it was Time for Papa’s Face on the computer. He also fell asleep on me for 2 hours, meaning I worked from the laptop in bed. Kind of heaven. Except I forgot my water. Seriously, look how cute he was yesterday (yes that sweater has elbow patches):
That’s all. Have a good weekend!
xoxo, Mallory
Let me introduce you to my friend Tracey. We met in college, moved in together, and the rest is history. She will forever be one of my best friends. Tracey also happens to be pregnant. So as a first time mother, and a pretty lady expecting her first baby (a little girl!) you can imagine what we talk about. But when we’re done talking about hockey and physics, we do talk a little bit about babies. And pregnancy. And parenting.
The other day, we got to talking about motherhood, and more specifically, all the things we want to be (and don’t want to be) as a mother. And the more we discussed these things, the more we realized we need to keep ourselves accountable. Sure, it’s easy to say now I’ll let Harry go to the prom without me as a chaperone (Tracey will go in my place) but when the time comes, I need someone to remind me I said he could go. And other things like that.
So we’ve decided to write ourselves letters. Sort of “Dear Me, Remember to savor every kiss because who knows how long they’ll be coming” and “Dear Me, please, please try to refrain from kissing him in front of his friends past the age of 5, unless he’s been naughty and it’s punishment.” Things we’d like to remember, ideas we have now.
The plan is to pull these letters out whenever we need a little reminding. Or a little laugh (I’m sure, as the naïve new Mum I am now, I’ll have a couple things in there that might strike me as funny somewhere down the line). And to hold ourselves accountable to be the kind of mother we’d like to be. And not the kind of mother we don’t want to be.
This makes me curious though… parents out there, is there anything you’ve done that has surprised you in the name of parenting? Harry’s not even 4 months old, and I’ve already got a nice, long list.
xoxo, Mallory
PS you’re welcome for that gem of a photo, world.
