Four months...

When you're pregnant (or in my husband's case, about to be a parent... There was no pregnancy for him), everyone tells you how fast it goes. You smile, and shake your head, as you do with all the other pieces of advice and tips that everyone gives you, thinking they are clever and that no one else told us the same thing. I mean, how fast could it really go, right?

My son entered his fourth month of life on Sunday. Four peasly months. In the grand scheme of things, four months is still brand new. If it were a four month old appliance or phone, it would probably still have a protective sticker on it. Four months. Our little man is rolling, making noises like he's having a full blown conversation with you and expects you to understand (and respond). His facial expressions are priceless, as are his laughs. His cries break my heart, and when he lays his head on my shoulder, I melt. In four short, yet crazy long, months, everything we thought we knew about life changed. We are wrapped around the tiny little finger of a four month old.

Now, our four month old is not petite. At his check up yesterday, he weighed in at 19lbs 11oz and measured 27", which would explain my need to visit the chiropractor on a weekly basis. He's growing way to fast. I told him to stop, but he just won't listen. Today he got his first taste of food. After discussion with our pediatrician and my own little research, I decided we'd try oatmeal. I made it (found something I can actually cook) and was surprised how well he took it. Although, the initial look on his face said, "what the hell!?" I was impressed at how he attacked the spoon (though, at nineteen pounds, it shouldn't surprise me he likes to eat).

At four months he is constantly craning his neck to take in the world around him, and has a new found interest in what the dog's up to. He is having fun playing with his toys (and by playing I mean putting in his mouth) and I take every opportunity to change him into a new outfit because he's growing out of his 3-6 month clothes way, way, WAY too fast.

Why am I writing this tonight, and why does it seem to have no point at all. Because my little man is asleep in his crib, and I hate it. The bassinet next to my bed is empty and I really want to go get him out of his crib and keep him next to me.  I like being able to roll over and see him breath, check to make sure he's not to hot or to cold, or put his binky back in his cute little sleeping mouth. It's so much better than rolling over to a beaming baby monitor.

How is it possible that in four short months, no amount of time spent with this new little creature is enough? What did I do before I was a mom?

Seriously, get with it.

Remember me? It's been two and a half years since my last post. Life has changed in so many ways since the last time I wrote. Mainly, my job title has gone from teacher, to stay at home mom. That's right. It hasn't been long, but I already think it was the best decision my husband and I made.  (Both the having a baby and me staying home.) Challenging, absolutely, but the benefits are incredible. It's nearly impossible to describe to someone what it's like, emotionally, to have a child of your own. Everyone tries, but really, it is indescribable. I still can't wrap my mind around it. Writing this, I am crazy tired, have a terrible headache because I can't drink coffee anymore, and really have to go the bathroom, but I can't move because there is an infant napping on my chest. I should be miserable; it sure sounds miserable. But I am not. I look down at my little guy and I could melt. I'm with him 23.5 hours a day (24 if I can't manage a shower) and I don't ever feel like I've gotten enough kisses, hugs, cuddles, or laughs in that time. Tears, there's always plenty of.

Why have I decided to (attempt) come back to the blog you may ask. So many of my friends are new mommies and daddies that I thought it would be nice to share the trials and tribulations of being a new parent... And, as I found out from a recent Facebook post, a lot of them might appreciate if I let them in on some of my couponing... Specifically when it comes to baby products.

Yesterday was a busy day. Six months ago, when I was six months pregnant, I made a dentist appointment. I assumed I wouldn't ever be sleeping or leaving the house with an infant, so I made my appointment for 8am. I could go before my husband had to leave for work and not have to take the baby. What a bad idea. I could've slept in. I should've slept in. We are extremely fortunate that our little guy usually sleeps through the night... I actually had to set my alarm and leave everyone else in the house sleeping to go to the dreaded dentist. Now the dentist interrogated me about the amount of times I floss, to which my reply was that many days, some time between breakfast and lunch I realize I forgot to go the bathroom, brush my teeth, and put on deodorant. But sure, I remember to floss after every meal. Jokes on me I guess because I have to go back next week for a filling.

Thanks to my very helpful mother-in-law who dropped by, I was able to shower and eat lunch before the next to-do of the day.

I fortunate enough to have, yet again, another doctor's appointment. This one was with the doctor that delivered my little guy. Usually, I would think that the "lady doctor" appointment would be more dreadful than the dentist, but after going through countless exams and the birth of my son, I'm not hiding anything from this woman anymore.

After being at the doctor for over an hour, my two minute long exam was over, and my son and I were headed off to Target. I knew I was pressing my luck because it was nap time and dinner time, but thanks to a very well behaved newborn and the Maya Wrap ring sling, the trip to Target was a great success.

The cashier was a great help. Here is my Target breakdown:

Box of 124 count Pampers Swaddlers Size 3 $32.49

Target deal is buy 2 get a $20 gift card.
ALSO, spend $40 online for in store pickup, get $10 off.

2 boxes=$54.98 (-$20 gift card = $32.98)

Paid $54.98 and took my two $5 off Pampers coupons with me to pick them up and got a $10 credit back to my card. So, when all is considered, 228 diapers cost me $22.98! I'm hoping to do the same purchase again before it ends, tomorrow.

Today's plan: tons of laundry, clean the house, bathe myself and my son, and figure out dinner since my original plan fell through. What I expect to accomplish: bathing my son.

Loving every minute. Well, almost. :-)