Shiloh

5 months

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

These days are flying by, folks.

Flying by so fast I barely have time to get on here and keep track of all the wonderful things that are going on in our lives.  Each day gets better and better and just when I think I have this motherhood thing out….BAM.  Life (otherwise known as Easton) throws me a curveball.

I may sigh.
I may roll my eyes.
I may have a slight panic attack.

But, I am seriously loving it.

This 5 month old is growing so fast. He skipped right through the 3 and 6 month clothing and has decided to move right on to 9 and 12 month clothes. 

So here’s what’s been going on leading up to month 5 for our little E man. 

He’s a talker.  Not a quiet talker.  More of a loud mouth.  I have no idea where he gets it from.  Ha!  Poor little guy really didn’t stand a chance.  Between his mother running her mouth and his father schmoozing work people over all the time it’s probably all he heard in the womb.  Wah wah wah.

We celebrated his first Easter.  It was actually the day before I had to return to work and I have to say it was really nice to spend it with family to keep my mind off of the dreaded day.  I shed some tears when my sister offered to hold him for a nap at family dinner.  I realized it would be on of the last snuggly naps during the day for a while and I just wasn’t ready to give that up.  We visited the creepy Easter bunny and he was still little enough to just stare at the camera and not scream and throw himself around causing a scene.  We did some typical Easter poses with him grabbing an egg but truthfully he had no interest at all in what the kids were doing.  He just drooled and checked out all the colors. 

We also attended my sister’s annual EGGstravaganza.  Again, we posed for pictures.  We pretended he was enjoying coloring eggs.  He just sat there like a bump on a log God love him.  He looked so precious and had no idea why the paparazzi were back again.  He does love all the colors and his big cousins and the loud noises they bring!

After Easter, Easton met Miss Jenny and all of his new friends at daycare on March 28th.  I cried the night before as I read him a bedtime story.  I cried most of the night as I watched him sleep.  I cried as I got him ready.  I cried as I held him basically refusing to put him in his carseat.  I cried the whole way to Jenny’s.  I cried and she held me.  I cried as I walked out her door.  I cried the whole way to work.  I cried as I walked into work.  As soon as I saw my students I pulled it together and held it fairly well until lunch time when I cried again.

Then, all was well with the world.  No more tears.  When I picked that baby up and he was happy as can be with some new friends and friends he loves and a babysitter who loves him dearly all my worries and tears washed away.  He seriously loves it there.  She says he’s always a happy guy.  He loves the other kids.  He naps well.  He eats well.  He’s loving life because he’s socializing and I can rest easy knowing this is the second best option for us.  First would be hitting the lottery and me staying at home.  Miss Jenny is amazing and I don’t worry at all during the day because I don’t know how she does it, but she does.  She loves every single one of the kids like they are her own and she is a miracle worker. 

Being out and about more brought on the usual….runny nose….then cough.  That went on for a couple of weeks.  We used our best friend the “nose frida” and judge me all you want….using that thing is the most glorifying task that motherhood has brought me yet.  (kidding!)

Obviously the chick above is not me.  But it shows you hot to do it.  No, Easton does not lay there that happily and take it.  He’s becoming a serious mover and thrasher for nose suction and diaper changes.  However, he totally is starting to appreciate me a little more when he can breathe.  Then I get to clean the snot from the tube and wash it sludge down the sink.  It’s so gratifying.  It’s disgusting.  Really the disgusting part isn’t that you taste their snot because I promise you don’t.  It’s hearing the snot coming out, seeing it, and washing it away.  It’s like you’ve saved their life.  Just not that grand.  
We use it every morning and every night still because the congestion issue hasn’t gone away.  I know some day this boy owes me a lot for literally sucking the snot from his brain to allow him to breathe better.  I’m his savior, basically.  
On April 11th he rolled from his back to his belly.  He freaked out just a bit because I screamed like a lunatic and scared him and I think he scared himself trying to figure out how in the hell did he do that?!  Lately he’s doing it more often and just tonight he did it twice while chilling on the floor so momma could eat some dinner.  Still each time he does it he looks at me with this confused look about what he’s suppose to do next.  

He’s really starting to notice Shiloh now.  He watches her every move.  She could still care less about him.  She licks him occasionally and then walks away.  I think she’s thoroughly disgusted we brought him home and would like to return him.  Too bad for her!

His chunky thighs and man boobs are super ticklish and I love to get him going.  He sort of tenses up and forgets to breathe when he’s being tickled.  Not too the point of concern but certainly to the point of total cuteness. 

He’s still taking 4 naps a day, 2 longer ones and 2 shorter ones.  He’s up and at em ready to go at 5 am.  He eats and then talks happily while we get ready to head out.  Sometimes he falls back asleep and chills with daddy but that never lasts long.  This also means that he has no idea when it’s Saturday and Sunday and still wants to be up super early.  Not gonna lie, I totally miss sleeping in on the weekends.  However, you should see all the shit someone can really accomplish before 8 am on a Saturday.  It’s insane.

4 month sleep regression.  It’s real.  It’s totally real….and it sucks.  Big time.  4 months and back to work/daycare hit and I swear it’s like he knew I really needed my sleep and just lost his mind every night usually around 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30.  And 3:30 is just late enough that I really never could go back to sleep before waking again at 5.

But guess what?  That phrase “this too shall pass”?  It’s for real.  It passed and we survived.  He started sleeping 7:30-5 again.  Hallelujah!

Then, he got sick.  That whole runny nose thing turned into a cough.  A cough that woke him up and scared the crap out of me.  So I finally took him to the doctor this week.  I thought it was just a cold.  He never ran a fever.  He was never crabby.  A cold will pass too, right?  Well I was starting to feel like it might be something else and got advice from my sister and aunt and we headed to the doctor.  He had a sinus infection and got his first antibiotic.  His ears and lungs were good and clear but poor baby has his momma and poppa’s sinus issues already.

Good news is that he loves the medicine.  I think he would down the whole bottle if I let him but 4.5 mL will have to do.  I hate starting him so young on an antibiotic but I also want him feeling better.  You would never guess the poor kid is sick til you lay him flat and he starts to cough. 

He’s still totally breastfed and that works for us. We will try some food in a month but for now his mommas milk obviously does this little body good!
I take every nap snuggle I can get. That will never change!
He still loves loves loves his baths and found he’s toes and can’t stop playing with them!

His smiles are endless and we are so lucky to have a happy baby!

He loves to read, especially all the touch and feel books. 
Sometimes he watches momma get
ready in the morning. This is my favorite stage so far. Happy and Snuggly yet still immobile. 
We may not get to see his girlfriend, Gracie, as much but they are still madly in love. Can’t wait for the summer!
All dressed up for church. 
Cool dude in his shades. 
As each day passes I love him more and more and can’t figure out why my heart hasn’t exploded into a million little pieces. 
He’s not perfect. 
We aren’t perfect parents. 
But I feel like we are getting pretty damn good at it and our babe seems pretty pleased with our skills. 
I consider that a WIN!

Photo Shoot!

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment
Over Fall Break we went down to Bloomington to visit my sweet little cousin, Codi.  
She is super talented in so many ways, especially behind the camera. 
She took us to an extremely unique old mill in Bloomington for a few photos of the ever growing belly with our sweet pup, Shiloh.  
Take a look!
I had a little fun editing with PicMonkey too….

This shot took FOREVER to try and attempt.
It never quite worked out the way I had envisioned but Codi did the best she could!
Look at those little baby Toms!

My husband loves a good bridge.
Although you can’t totally see the bridge in the background it is there and I must have been sitting high on this log because I’m not taller than him!

He hates this photo but I think it’s adorable. 

I could kiss him all day every day!

I love love love this sign “For this child I have prayed” from a sweet coworker.
So true, so true.
(and something I have to keep remembering as I lose sleep from this uncomfortable bulge and constant urination!)

Thank you Codi for the amazing pictures!
We are so blessed to capture this moment before Easton arrives.  One last family photo shoot before baby boy!

A new low.

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Shiloh has hit an all time low.  

Yes….she’s still eating trash. In fact, our trash can is on the deck because that is the only way to prevent picking it up off the floor every time we come home. 
We are looking into other options since obviously the dog proof $40 trash can DIDN’T work!  Cinnamon spray maybe?
So this morning when I left I told her if she was really good when I got home from work I would give her the rest of the doggie whoopie pie I had bought her at Three Dogs Bakery. 
She clearly doesn’t listen because I came home to this….
The dog bed she loves to lay on and has been in the living room for days and weeks is now in hundreds. 
So I yelled and screamed and she cowered and tried to cuddle me.  
Then I left for my Relay meeting and while I was gone she managed to hit her all time low. 
She actually got on the kitchen counter, which she has never done, and ate half the bag and the rest of her doggie great. 
I guess she showed me.  
She showed me she has a serious problem and that we need a new dog.  A dog that doesn’t chew beds or couches and doesn’t eat trash or stuff off the counter. 
I’m so over her. 

Breaks are rough

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment
It’s Fall Break.  2 weeks off.  
I couldn’t have needed it any more than I already did.  
Back on July 31st I would have told you I hated our balanced calendar and going back to school when it was still so warm out.  Now, I would tell you how much I love it.  
We have no plans, unfortunately, because we had to cancel a trip out west due to a late harvest. 
However, the “no plans” has turned into a nice, relaxing do what I want when I want staycation. 
First, at 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning Shiloh’s trip to the vet.  She’s never been before.  Only the Humane Society to get her shots and be spayed.  I think she knew that as soon as we put her harness on her and then put her in the car she was going some place she probably didn’t want to. 

She seemed a bit nervous.

While waiting in the room she could barely sit still and watched the shadows under the door after sniffing the entire room.  


Then, we were told she was “a bit overweight” and she was disheartened.

So we decided to start taking walks when we got home.
 Due to the rain over the weekend I was fortunate to get some time in with my guy as well.  
As soon as the fields dry up I’m sure I’ll be spending a lot of time alone again. 
After our walk she was quite pooped…and slept most of the day. 

The rest of day 1 consisted of breakfast somewhere new down the road (Sunrise Cafe….yummy), shopping for new clothes and craft items to conquer Pinterest, and a home cooked meal for dinner.  

Day 2 I spent the day with my best friend organizing and getting some things ready for baby #2. We got a lot accomplished while her MIL had baby #1.  Once baby #1 came home it was a little difficult to get much done because she’s so darn cute and hard to resist.  
She regressed a little bit as we were going through baby clothes.  

I learned that when you’re pregnant it’s difficult to bend down and pick things up.  Sometimes you have to get a grabber thingy to help you out.  I laughed a bit.  She said something like, “I can’t wait until you’re pregnant and understand.”

We talked about how as a mom she’s doing all those things she said she would never do.
But, how could you say no to this face? 

Her little one does truly love herself and seeing her gorgeous little face on the phone.  

After Day 2 we got another 2 miles in late at night.  I hate how dark it’s getting so quickly. 

All in all the first two week days of Fall Break have been quite successful. 
And for day 3 it’s 11 am, I’m still in my pajamas drinking coffee, and writing to all of you. 
Life is rough, 

5 days sober

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

Shiloh has been trash sober for 5 whole days. 

The first 3 days were due to us putting the trash on the counter. 
I got sick of that pretty quick. Let’s face it.  A trash can on your countertop is pretty disgusting and not quite accessible ether. 
So Thursday I ventured out to find this Super Human trash can I was told about. Lo and behold they actually make a trash can that is dog proof. Problem is….it’s freaking expensive. 
Thanks to Bed, Bath, and Beyonds weekly 20% off coupons I saved a bit of money on the worlds most expensive receptacle that will contain everything nasty from our house. Ridiculous. 
Shiloh owes me big time 
And since Thursday we have found the trashcan upright and the floor trash free when we come home. Thank God. 
It was definitely worth it. 
Now, if we can just remember to always lock it. Mike’s still working on it. 
Maybe I should have bought the $140 trash can that locks with the touch of a finger. 
Wait….no way. 
If this thing doesn’t work we are getting a new dog with that $140. 
Fortunate to have a sober dog, 
Ashley

Trashy obsession

/ ashleyeileenp / 1 Comment

Shiloh’s latest obsession with trash continues. 

This time I wanted to shame her in hopes that maybe that’s what she needed to STOP the obsession. 
We shall see…
She’s really on a roll. To put it simply- she sucks. 
She now runs off to the neighbors and refuses to come home after being hollered at. 
She waits to fart until she is laying or sitting right next to you. 
She rolls in the horse crap…..and then maybe comes home. 
When she gets hosed off or bathed she finds the one spot of loose grass, rolls in it, then needs to be hosed off again. 
She follows all the little children around and snatches goldfish or cookies right out of their precious hands. 
She simply sucks. And can’t manage to do anything adorable or lovable…besides morning and evening cuddles 

Ok she doesn’t totally suck. She has just really irritated me lately. I need more of these lovey moments than picking up trash. 

I need more of these cuddles than washing off horse crap from her body. 
I need more cuddles than taking 20 minutes to find her late at night. 
Basically she needs to get it together. 
Because if she doesn’t I’m going to start looking at boarding schools for dogs. Or military schools.
Or maybe just ship her to her grandma…Mike’s mom where she never does anything wrong. 
Frustrated but still Fortunate, 
Ashley