1. It’s Fridayyyyyyy. And believe it or not, it’s actually the last Friday before my maternity leave comes to an end. Ugh…I’ll probably have a post up sharing some more details about all of that sometime next week. But seriously, where does the time go?!
2. We had a package of ground chicken in the fridge that needed to be used up the other night. My intention was to make some sort of chicken burgers (Cheddar Bacon Ranch // Hawaiian // Caesar // Chicken Parmesan) but I got lazy. So instead, I cooked up some pasta, browned the meat and mixed it in with some of my leftover homemade sauce, and topped it with some fresh mozzarella and fresh basil.
Quick, easy, delicious!
3. An added bonus? We actually ate at the kitchen table, as opposed to the floor. Which happens often around here.
Anyone else with infants relate?
4. I SO badly want to buy this chandelier for over our kitchen table. I’ve been eyeballing it for months, but the price makes me hesitate every single time. Blah!
5. My boys. Unfortunately, both kiddos have developed quite the stuffy nose. It started with Lucas over the weekend, and then Alex started with the stuffy nose a couple of days ago. Poor guy.
Sadly, no matter WHAT we try, we cannot help Lucas figure out how to blow his nose. We’ve tried everything, but all he does is sniff in. Gahhh! Thankfully I can still at least use the booger sucker on Alex!
6. So you know how I decided to host a party last week with Usborne Books? Well funny enough, I wound up falling so in love with the books that I decided to become a consultant. It was a quick decision, but a solid one. As a mom and former elementary school teacher with a Masters degree in literacy, reading is always something that’s been incredibly important to me, and I’m so excited about having my hands in something that I feel so strongly about. If you’re ever interested in checking out the books you can always visit my site at any time; and if you’d like to host a Facebook party with me, I’d love to get in touch and tell you more about it (you can earn a TON of free books right now!!). Just email me! (sweettoothcourtney at gmail dot com)
7. I have been absolutely loving the Ergo this week! It’s been working out great for the late afternoons and early evenings when Lucas wants to play outside and Jay isn’t home yet. Most days, Alex has actually been taking a short cat nap in it which is perfect.
The only thing I’ve noticed is that my lower back actually seems to get quite sore after using it. I’m not sure if it’s just the carrier, the way I’m wearing it, or how I’m standing? Either way, he’s happy and Lucas is happy, so that = mom is happy.
8. I reached a step record on Wednesday with my Fitbit…check those numbers out!
9. As I mentioned on Instagram, however, I’m pretty sure at least 10,000 of them were likely from bouncing, swaying, or rocking around Lucas that evening. MAN…I’m just totally thrown for a loop?! He takes great naps during the day (most days) and I make sure that his bedtime isn’t too late. We have a full bedtime routine, I know he’s tired…he goes to sleep fine but then wakes up anywhere from 10-60 minutes later and will sometimes take hours to fall back to sleep?!
As soon as we pick him up he’s fine and his eyes will open/close/roll back/repeat so he’s clearly tired, but it’s like he’s just wired and can’t fully get to sleep. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand that baby sleep is a total mystery and that this is likely a phase that will pass…but mama needs her evening down time to be able to eat her nightly bowl of ice cream! Or ice cream cake.
10. P.S. – Zulily had Fitbit on their site yesterday!!
11. I got quite a fun little package in the mail last week from Target and their #MadeToMatter campaign, which included these banana chips + peanut butter from Justin’s. And they are DELICIOUS!
If you spot them while you’re out and about, be sure to grab ‘em!
12. The number of tabs that have been open on my computer this week has been ridiculous.
13. Also ridiculous is the number of peanut butter and jelly crusts I eat in a week…what can I say? Lucas loves his PB&J, and I love his crusts.
Alright my friends, I’m off for today! I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead, whatever you may be doing! <3
Mallory says
I support the buying of the chandelier.
Courtney says
LOL thanks Mal ;)
Brynn says
I would suggest adjusting the ergo. Check out YouTube for tutorials, too. Poor boys, I hope they feel better soon. And I agree with Mallory- get the chandelier!
heather @Lunging Through Life says
I am thinking the Ergo isn’t positioned correctly. Well, that or you did just have a baby and core strength is at a minimum ;) But I do know sometimes I have it velcroed too low and it hurts my back. I love the Ergo and wish I used it more when mine was a babe. Have a great weekend!
Meghan says
Courtney, my friend had a baby who REFUSED to sleep unless she was being held. My friend, being the uber creative person that she is, created a stuffed pillow that mimics being held and I’ve heard nothing but praise from the people I have gifted them to! They are called snuggle spots and her website is http://www.laneybug.net
She does custom fabric and personalizations :)
Courtney says
Those are AWESOME! Thanks for sharing, Meghan!
Bethany @ LuluRuns says
I love it when kids don’t eat their PB and J crusts- more for me ;) haha!
Lindsay says
It looks like your ergo is too low so the baby’s weight is centered too low and hurting your lower back. He should be high enough that you can easily tip your head down and kiss his head, otherwise he’s too low. Try moving the bottom band higher on your wasit and tightening the two side adjustments. I love my ergo and have used it with my last two all the time! Hope that helps :)
Courtney says
Thanks Lindsay! I did adjust it and that seems to have helped a bit!!
Tricia says
Love the chandelier, but I was wondering where you got your pendant lights that are over your sink and kitchen island (noticed them in the pic of your new window valence). I’d love to find them for my kitchen!
Courtney says
Thanks so much, Tricia! We actually got them from ELK Lighting!
Paula says
Courtney, long-time reader (super infrequent commenter) here. Love your blog. I have a baby boy born June 2 and I just had to comment to say that we’re dealing with the exact same issue with bed time (#9)!!! It’s nuts. I have a 2.5 year old little girl and don’t recall this. I’m baffled. Cole (my son) goes to sleep so easily for naps and is definitely tired but is fighting it just like Lucas. Please please share if you figure something out that works. I guess I’m hoping it will change soon on it’s own? Maybe it’s something developmental? Also, I just went back to work this week – good luck next week. Man, it’s hard! In some ways, though, I already feel like it’s a bit nice to get into a routine. Have a great weekend!!
Courtney says
Hey Paula! Thanks so much for reading!! Oh man, isn’t it tough?? I don’t remember Lucas doing it either – it’s so odd?? Let’s hope this phase passes for us sooner rather than later!
And thank you for the luck! I’m dreading it in some ways, but in others, I’m also looking forward to being back into a routine and being with adults, haha! :)
Jamie says
Hi Courtney! This may not be helpful in that all babies are different, but it has worked for my baby girl who is now 8 months old and just thought I would share in case it could be. My baby girl starting sleeping from about 9, 9:30 pm to about 7 am when she was 11 weeks old, however she too would wake up about 10-60 minutes after being put to bed. She was still tired, but just seemed like she was having trouble getting into the next stage of her sleep cycle. Every time she woke up, I put her wubbanub pacifier in her mouth and didn’t let her see my face. She always seemed to get more stimulated if she could see my face and would want me to pick her up. But if I just held the pacifier in her mouth even while she was crying, she eventually always fell back asleep. After I knew for certain she was asleep, I took the pacifier out of her mouth. Every night varied. Some nights she would wake up once or twice. At most three and that has maybe happened once. The time I had to spend holding her pacifier also decreased over time. Now, she sleeps through most nights and if she does wake up now, I can walk in her room, let her see me, give her the pacifier, and she goes back to sleep on her own.
Courtney says
Thanks for sharing, Jamie! Unfortunately, my guy won’t take a paci so I don’t have that “crutch” to fall back on. Ohhh, kiddos! ;)
Kim says
Love the chandelier! There is a similar one here for a lot less https://www.overstock.com/11198208/product.html
Courtney says
Thanks for sharing, Kim!!
Emily says
My little guy is 12 weeks old and he does this wake up thing for naps but not at night time! Luke a previous commenter, I read it’s because of their sleep cycles. SO annoying! I wish he would take a paci, but won’t. Let me know if you find anything that works! I’m so hesitant to rock him because I don’t want to start bad sleep habits.
Courtney says
I hear you – mine won’t take a paci either (which is frustrating, but at the same time, possibly a good thing haha?!). Major props to you for not already being in the habit of rocking him! Ay yi yi.. :)
KT says
The chandelier is cute! I was looking for lightning fixtures myself the other day, and I remember seeing this one on Wayfair: http://www.wayfair.com/Tuscany-4-Light-Chandelier-BL9172-BL9172.html
Same exact one you wanted except with 4 lights instead of 6, but it’s a good $160 cheaper!
Courtney says
Yes, I saw that one at Birch Lane too! I’m trying to figure out if it would give off enough light (because I’m definitely all for it being cheaper!)
Jessica says
Hi! Weird question, but I was wondering what you now do for work? I ask because I am a teacher as well and have been thinking of moving to something else, but don’t really feel qualified to do anything but teach! Any thoughts or advice would be great ,thanks!
Courtney says
Hey Jessica! I actually work for an IT/software company now (totally different from teaching!). One thing I always say to people that ask the same thing: don’t focus on the degree itself. Focus on the skills that are required to be successful with that degree! Once you focus on that, as opposed to feeling like you’re cornered into a teaching career, you’ll realize you can utilize those strengths (organization, teamwork, leadership, communication skills, etc.) across SO many fields!! Best of luck to you!
Beth says
We love our lillebaby carrier! It doesn’t hurt my back like the K’tan did.