Five Month Old Baby Jax

Rolling, rolling, rolling, Jax just keeps on rolling! Our 5 month old Jax has been keeping us on our game lately. He is super active! As he continues to learn how to roll, we continue to move our furniture out of his way. He can rotate 360 and roll from both back to belly and belly to back. He has been working his way into solids and has tried carrots however, he could really care less. He just wants the leche. We have started using sign language with him and he has learned his sign for "milk." His little reaction and smiles are so cute when we ask him, "quieres leche?" He will grab our hand like it's the bottle and start looking for the milk.

 

He is working through his 6-9 month clothes and has started to fit into some of his shoes. He is still very much like his mama and loves being barefoot. Feet are tastier when they are barefoot anyways right? He is going through a bit of a sleep regression right now but we're working through it. He has so many wiggles that he wiggles himself awake before it's time to get up. Thankfully this has only affected his naps, he still sleeps for 10 hours at night like a champ!

He has started to babble and it's so fun to watch him try and put words together and figure out how his tongue works. I can't wait until he learns how to blow raspberries. He is transitioning out of Papi and Mama's room into his very own room this week. Poor boy has been sleeping in the hallway in our bedroom since he was born.

 

Jax just keeps getting cuter and more fun as he grows. Nothing more to report for this little update, so we'll leave you with some nicknames that Jax has acquired over the past 5 months.

"Curly fry"

"Squishy" (he is always extra squishy after sleeping)

"Sweet potato"

"Jax-son Tennessee."

"Jaxi Boo"

- F & B

We have a four month old!

Thinking about parenthood sometimes all you can do is go one day at a time. Well one day at a time has gotten us to 129 days! That's right, I can't even believe that Jax is four months old! He weighs 17.5lbs and is 26.75 inches long (we will just say 27 though). I think he is going to be tall like his Papi and Tio Nate! He is stretching his way out of his 3-6 month clothes and into his 6-9 month fall outfits!

This past month of development has been exciting to watch. As his eyes follow us around the room he is becoming so much more observant of his surroundings. He loves to talk, laugh, and sing along to Papi playing the guitar. Of course if you smile at him he will smile right back! We've found some tickle spots and have also realized that if you quote Nacho Libre to him he will crack up. This was our go to movie while I was pregnant and let's face it, it's still our go to movie. This month his personality has been coming out and we're seeing different sides to his temperament. He is social like his Papi but when surround by a lot of people he tends to just observe like his Mama. He is such a great mix of both Fabian and I.

We took Jax on his first little road trip last month to Waco. It's only an hour and a half drive but that's the longest stretch he has gone in his car seat. He did great! Our little trip was so encouraging because we know there are more road trips in the future for this family.

As Jax rolls into this next month there is a lot in store for him including, transitioning into his own room! We're excited to be entering into Fall and the holidays. It's going to be so cool to now share our traditions with our son. We will continue to show him the importance of faith, family, and Nacho Libre.

-F & B

Our 3 Month Old Baby



The developmental leaps that our Jax has made in the past month makes me feel like time is going by too fast. Y'all we have a 3 month old! He has been changing into this perfect mix of Fabian and I. There are moments when he looks so much like his dad, an expressive face with slicked back hair. Then there are times when he looks just like my twin, with his quick moving eyebrows and round little cheeks.  

He is developing his personality and it's so evident that we are going to have our hands full as he gets bigger. This boy is active! He will sit and sing along with us and is so gracious when we forget the words to songs. We've been working our way through, Jesus loves me and I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy. I even learned to sing them in Spanish for him. I love hearing his little coos. He responds to voices and smiles with the cutest toothless drooly grin. He is trying to figure out how to suck his thumb but hasn't quite gotten the hang of it. His hair continues to be one of his greatest features. And he is giving us more belly giggles too which are seriously the best!

He surprised us last week by showing us he can roll over! He is not super consistent with it yet but give the boy something to push off of and watch him flip! Since he was already sleeping through the night I wanted to tweak his bedtime just a little bit to allow more solid nighttime sleep. He gets up at 6 with me in the morning before I head to work. I once again kept paying attention to his queues and was able to adjust it by an hour after slowly moving it up for two weeks. He naturally fell into his new little pattern and gives us a longer stretch of nighttime sleep. Seriously, this child is such a reflection of his parents. Sleep at our house is a must!

This past month it has become easier to bring him out and about for longer periods of time. Outdoor walks, weekend errands, and time with family have been such a joy to share with our osito. He is getting too big too fast and we love every second of it.

Is it too early for him to say, "mama" yet?

-Bee



New Season. New Day

I once heard Khloe Kardashian say, "you make a plan and then God laughs at it." Obviously that quote didn't originate with her but there is some truth to that statement. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think God is laughing at us because our plans are horrible. I think God sometimes may chuckle because He knows that His plan is way better than what we think we can do on our own.

With all that being said, my maternity leave has come to an end and God has told me to head back to my job. Let me be the first to tell you that I did not see this curveball coming. This was not the plan. Not my plan at all. This is the part where God is probably laughing because He knows the end goal of His plan. He knows that it's a real stretch of my faith to trust Him because my true desire is to be home raising our little Jax.

When I look back at all the different seasons of my life and all the plans that I thought were perfect, I am realizing that God pretty much took things into His own hands. He reworked what I thought was a flawless plan and rocked my world with something even better.

So on this Monday as I am entering my office again, sipping my coffee from my Mom mug, I am going to remember that I am a Mom who is following God's plan for her family. That this once again, is a new season. I am going to remember that God already knows the reason, the purpose, and the why behind this plan. I am excited for the moment when my family will look back on this season and say, "God knew it all along."

-B

5 Mama Life Hacks

Yesterday was one of those Monday's that nothing got done at my home. However, the reason nothing got done at my home was because my husband took the day off and we spent it together as a family. I loved yesterday but the mama in me wanted to get the laundry done, finish my grocery list, and for the love of all things holy...take out the garbage that was stinking up the kitchen.

When Amanda from allthatsdarling tagged me on instagram to share my #mumlifehacks I thought how perfect! I am a new mom (7 weeks and 3 days to be exact) so my mama hacks are still under construction. But, yesterday I was able to put one of them to the test.

1. Family over everything, and that includes the laundry. 
What doesn't get done today will get done tomorrow. We've all left a load of laundry in the washer, dirty dishes in the sink, and gotten McDonalds because we still haven't gotten groceries. It's ok, your family functions better when you're connecting and spending quality time with one another.
2. Say yes to the help.

Whether it's your baby daddy, grandparents, or a grocery store employee. Say yes to the help. I am learning this even with my husband, it's like I want to be this super mom who does it all. Obviously I have a pride issue that is still being worked on. But when he says, "I got it love." I need to let him. When someone offers to load up my groceries, I need to let them.

3. Your life is great but it's not just about you.

Conversations when you have a newborn can be very self centered. I've been consciously reminding myself in conversations to really make the other person the focus. Turn it back on them and remember their life is just as cool (if not more) than mine. I need to ask them about it!

4. Your crockpot is your bestie! 

I've been letting my crockpot cook my dinner one night a week. Not only does it make my husband think I've been slaving away in the kitchen all day because our house smells amazing but it saves me mucho time! 

5. Celebrate your success.

Sometimes as a mama you feel like you're doing nothing right. Take the time to celebrate your success. Whether it's a conversation with your baby daddy talking about how your teamwork was awesome that day or arriving to an event clean and on time. (looking passed the fact that only one hand has nail polish on it because you didn't have time to paint your other nails.) Celebrate the fact that your a mom and you're killing it! 

-B

5 Lipstick Must Haves [National Lipstick Day]

In honor of National Lipstick Day (yes, there should be a day dedicated to lipstick) I thought I would give you my 5 lipstick must haves to throw in your purse, wristlet, or diaper bag that come straight from my collection.

I believe a good lipstick shade can really pull your look together, make you feel confident, and can make your smile shine even brighter! I don't claim to know all the greatest shades out there, I just know what I like. These are my most worn, most repurchased, and best bang for your buck lipstick shades.

1. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid in Nude Thrill: $7.99

2. Mac Stain Lipstick in Brave: $17

3. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01: $14

4. Milani Color Statement Lipstick in 26 Nude Creme: $4.99

5. Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in Nice to Fuchsia: $4.99
[click the links to add them to your collection]

-B

My Mama Moment

I found myself using the phrase, "I need a mama moment" yesterday as I was talking to my husband on the phone in the Target parking lot while a waterfall of frustrated tears were streaming down my already makeup free face. Despite having a child constantly attached to me I was feeling alone. Here I was, this stay at home mama who was doing everything for her family and her home to function smoothly but I was feeling like I was flying solo. Can you relate?

I needed a couple hours to check myself before I wrecked myself. A couple hours to regroup and stop any selfishness that was trying to creep up and steal my joy. A couple hours to find the root of my emotions. A couple hours to remember that when I feel alone, God is right along side me cheering me on. A couple hours to really step back and look at my life to see how blessed our little family has been. A couple hours to realize that my communication in my marriage needs some work. A couple hours to really appreciate how hard my husband has been working for our family in order for me to be a stay at home mama. A couple hours to smell the popcorn that permeates the Target aisles to snap me back into reality. A reality that is pretty amazing. 

This mama moment for me was significant. I needed it in order to put me back in a truly selfless position. To help organize my emotions in order to allow myself to communicate them successfully to my husband. I am discovering that feeling alone is only a small price to pay for the experience of bringing my son into this world and growing together as a family. Instead of "sucking it up" (my hormonal cry fest Target parking lot solution), I am going to embrace this season. This God given season of Motherhood. A season where in the solitude of my home, while I hear the little toots coming from my son's crib, that I truly feel whole in Him.

-B

One Month!

It has been one month since our little Jax was born. Everyone always says that time goes by fast when you have a little one, and that is so true. My husband and I have learned a lot about our son and the value of teamwork in a marriage over the past month.

Jax has still kept all of his hair that he was born with and grew so much more over the past weeks. He loves grasping your fingers when you feed him. He will give you flirty little smiles as he is falling asleep. Those little smiles help to remind us how much we love him when we're up at 3am feeding him. Thankfully we haven't had any sleepless nights, Jax is an excellent sleeper! He still doesn't quite enjoy his baths but loves the towel snuggle at the end. 

Having a newborn is definitely a different lifestyle. Life is less spontaneous. You can't just decide last minute that you want to go to the movies. We've learned that magical love that is like no other. Our love for each other as husband and wife is different than the love that we feel for our Jax. Fabian and I both have learned a new level of patience. Patience with each other and patience while we still learn our sons cries and queues. Our teamwork isn't perfect but we're making it better day by day. I've learned that I need to be less stubborn and when someone offers to help, accept their help. I've also learned to conquer my fear of breastfeeding in public the moment my sons cries started echoing through the isles of Hobby Lobby.

Our lives have changed for the better and we wouldn't have it any other way. Happy 1 month Jax!

F&B

6.17.17: Now a family of 3!

Friday, June 16 I was at my lowest point in pregnancy. I was so large and so uncomfortable. I was 39 weeks +4 days and so amazed that I was still pregnant! I had been on maternity leave for 2 weeks already and needed to get out of the house, so I decided to treat my swollen feet to a foot massage. I had tried everything else to help the labor process begin except a foot massage so I figured it wouldn't hurt. I left the massage relaxed but still feeling like this baby needed to come out so I called my mom on the way back home and broke down sobbing. "I just want this baby out now!" After pulling over and getting myself in control my mom was able to talk me out of calling my doctor to have her induce me. I went home, laid in bed, and put Iron Man on with every intention to fall asleep. 

My husband came home early from work around 3 and we just relaxed and continued to watch Iron Man while discussing what we wanted for dinner. At this time I was timing contractions that were about 5 minutes apart but still irregular. By 4:40 my husband went to pick up dinner for us as well as insisting that I needed a yoga ball to sit on. I told him do not get me a yoga ball because, what he didn't know was, I had just used the restroom and felt a tremendous amount of pelvic pressure. So much pressure that I was unable to sit back on the bed. I moved into the living room to wait for him to bring dinner back. Well 5 minutes later I called my husband (who had not listened and was on his way to get a yoga ball) and told him to turn around because...my water broke! (side note: I had been praying towards the end of my pregnancy that God would allow my water to break. To me that's a tell tale sign of "hey, you're gonna have a baby!") My husband came home and handed me a towel to wrap around my waist as I stood up to get ready to go. All of our stuff was packed so we just grabbed it and headed out the door. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 5 o'clock on a Friday afternoon which meant that traffic was going to be rough. We drove halfway to the hospital with our hazard lights on while I continue to lose more amniotic fluid soaking the towel beneath me and my now dark grey joggers. On the way to the hospital we called our families and texted the prayer warriors that have been praying with me throughout this pregnancy. Everyone was so excited for us! 

Once we arrived at the hospital I walked my soaking booty in the door and into triage. "Are you here to have a baby," the lady at the front desk asked me? "Yes, please" was my response. Like my soaking wet pants weren't a dead giveaway. I was admitted and dilated to a 4. On the way to my room we passed the anesthesiologist, I told him to feel free to follow us into my room. He came in and hooked me up with my epidural which went to work immediately! Now the waiting game began. 

By 4am I was finally dilated to a 10 and it was time to push. I pushed for 2 hours and was not making any progress. Little Jax was not budging. I was tired and knew that I needed more strength. I asked my husband to put on Do it Again by Elevation Worship. I needed that delivery room to really be full of God's presence and I needed some supernatural strength. We then called my mom who was in Michigan and put her on speakerphone having her intercede and pray that Jax would move. I also asked my husband to get his mom from the waiting room and have her come in. I had one Mama praying in English and one Mama praying in Spanish. Jesus was in that place! After 1 more hour of pushing, it was decided that baby Jax would not be able to fit. We made the decision to have a c-section. I was exhausted and I had no desire to be a hero and keep pushing. I wanted a healthy baby over everything. And after 3 hours of pushing, I already felt like a hero. 

Once the decision was made for a c-section everything moved quickly and in a little over 30 minutes we were hearing the little cries of our son. I remember being in the operating room and feeling so much peace. I knew I was about to have major surgery and that the recovery was going to be different but it all was overshadowed by the peace that I felt about the whole situation. God knew that this large little boy was going to have an amazing story and that there was a fight to bring him into the world. 

At 7:37AM on June 17, 2017 our Jax was brought into this world. Words cannot describe the feeling his father and I felt when we heard his first little cries. We are both honored and so blessed to be the parents of this amazing little boy. We pray with him every night and empower him already to be the man of God that he will become.