Wilder Ray | six months

HALF A YEAR! 

how in the WORLD is our baby boy 6 months already?!

i know, i know, i say this every monthly post, but i literally feel like i gave birth to him yesterday. 

time is the biggest, fattest thief! 

as bitter as it is, it's also the sweetest gift, being able to watch our healthy baby boy THRIVE!

he is growing by the millisecond and i'm in awe that he's a product of me.

like, HOW did i create that. it's unbelievable. 

he is moving in all directions, eating big boy food like a champ, and his personality is really starting to shine.

oh, sweet boy, don't ever stop being a mama's boy, ok?!

Wilder Ray at SIX MONTHS

weight :: 18 lbs 

(birth :: 6 lbs 11 oz)

length :: 27 inches

(birth :: 21 inches)

Wilder Ray + FOOD

this month, we got real adventurous with big boy food! first of all, let me just say, that i'm a strong believer in breast milk being more than sufficient for a baby's needs until six months of age, but because this boy was nursing every 90 minutes, mama needed a break, so we decided to add in some solids a few times a day just to help lengthen the time in between feedings. and my instincts were telling me that Wilder was ready.
and that he was!

foods he tried
:: avocados
:: sweet potatoes
:: butternut squash
:: carrots
:: bananas
:: oatmeal
:: apples
:: pears

we introduced each new food for 5 days before moving onto something else. it worked great, and so far, no reactions. most days, he LOVES food and does really well with it, and then others he just wants to nurse and could care less about food.
either way, it's really more about introducing healthy flavors and textures to him than getting his tummy full, so i'd say we're on the right path!

this month, i'm excited to try out more of a BLW approach by giving him less purees, and more "hard" foods!


Wilder Ray + SLEEP

this month was another doozy when it came to sleep.
this boy just wants to party all. night. long.
buuuuuut, i was desperate to get more than two hours of sleep in a row, so i did some research and decided to try out the Baby Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit.
YOU GUYS!
this thing really is MAGIC!
Wilder has been sleeping IN HIS CRIB for one whole week!
sorry for all the caps, but i'm so happy that my big boy is sleeping independently.
to me, this is huge.

here's why i think this particular sleep suit works:: 
ever since Wilder was born, he's slept in a cozy area, whether it was the rock n play, the swing, or in between mom + dad.
so when i tried to get him to sleep in the crib, he probably felt like he was in the middle of the ocean.
this suit is thick and keeps him comfy cozy and he LOVES it.
he knows when we put it on it's now time for bed.

he's still waking up a few times during the night, but the stretches seem to be getting farther apart and the fact that he's sleeping so well in his crib makes me feel like i can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. when he does wake up, i feed him for about 5 minutes and then he goes right back to sleep.


Wilder Ray + DEVELOPMENT

it really seems like this kid has changed so much this past month.
he is so happy!
he smiles all. the. time. and is starting to become pretty easy going.
he does so much better in the car, which makes driving all the 40 miles to Target a lot easier.
mama needs Target!

he is allllmost sitting up unassisted and rocks back and forth on all fours like it's nothing.
i see crawling in his very near future.
he can rotate all the way around on his back and can scoot himself backwards on his tummy. but he hasn't quite figured out how to go forward just yet.
he also is wanting to stand holding onto things already!
he still needs help but his little leggies are getting so strong!

-----

Wilder Ray, I cannot believe it's been a half a year since you graced us with your presence sweet boy.
you are everything we never knew we needed...


six month photo dump

until next month...

xoxo

gift guide for the new mom

in all honesty, there are very few things i need. 

i have a happy husband, a healthy baby, and two lovable dogs. i live in beautiful Montana and we all have a very sturdy roof over our heads.

however, as much as i LOVE the simple things in life, i'm a girly girl at heart, so i thought it would be fun to compile a list of a few things that have caught my eye lately.  

aaaaaand if my husband happens to glance at this, i won't be mad about it :)

in this list, you'll find great gift ideas for the new or expectant mom.
but who am i kidding, most of these are perfect for any woman!

let's go!

Spanx Faux Leather Leggings
i have heard nothing but RAVE reviews about these leggings. seriously, every fashion blogger and their mom gushes over these bad boys! plus, what new mom wants to wear anything but leggings?! 
seriously, the perfect gift. 

Skip Hop Chic Diaper Bag

this backpack diaper bag is seriously so cute! and as a new mom, i can vouch that the backpack style would be so much more convenient than the standard style. i personally love the caramel color, but they're all pretty! 

Cozy Pullover

every new mama needs something warm + cozy to lounge around in during the winter months and this pullover looks like the dreamiest! i'm pretty positive i would live in it.

Slippers

i actually just got these slippers for myself HAHA! because every mama human being needs cozy slippers. i like to buy quality slippers because i think it makes all the difference. case in point, i've had an old pair of Ugg slippers that have lasted me literally 10 years! buuut they're well beyond their prime, what with the dogs chewing, my running outside in the rain/snow, and just constant wear and tear. it was time for a serious upgrade. Ugg doesn't make that style anymore, but these are really similar so i'm excited to get them!

Cozy Robe

and to wear with the slippers, a cozy robe of course! this one looks so comfy and is under $30!

Wild Bird Sling

i LOVE my Solly Wrap, but i've been dying to try a ring sling too! this buffalo check print is the cutest!

Espresso Machine 

it's no secret that my coffee maker and i are best friends, but i would gladly kick it to the curb for a fancy schmancy espresso machine. i mean, ESPRESSO!

Mug

and of course, what woman doesn't need a cute new mug too!

Lactation Bars

because we need all the help we can get!

She Reads Truth Bible

in my opinion, every single woman needs this bible. no matter your age, lifestyle, or relationship with Jesus. this bible is GOLD. it has blessed me in so many ways and would make the absolute perfect gift for any gal on your list :)

that's it friends!
hope you found something you can gift (or buy yourself!)
happy shopping!



SHOP THE POST!

thanksgiving weekend recap

this past weekend was so good!

it flew by and here we are, already staring Monday in the face...

Holidays are bittersweet now that we live far away from all our family in California, so I wanted to share some snippets of our weekend with everyone back home!

Joey's parents came up and stayed with us for the week and his sister and her boyfriend drove down from Seattle for the weekend. 

we all had so much fun!

eating way too much and exploring Montana.

Thanksgiving day was spent mostly inside: eating everything in sight, playing games, and chatting until way past my bedtime :)

on Friday, we slept in (!), went for a mid day hike and then out to brunch.

on Friday night, the boys went out to a camp spot for the night, and us gals + the baby met them out the next morning to cut down our Christmas tree!

on Saturday night, gramma + grandpa watched the baby while us "kids" went out for a double date night! we drank mulled wine and talked and laughed! it was so nice to be able to have a date night and not worry one bit about the babe :) 

everyone left Sunday morning and Joey and I spent the day cleaning and relaxing. we got out all our Christmas decorations, but were too tired to actually put them up HAHA!

we also got our family Christmas pictures back from the amazing Stella Kelsie Photography, so i spent pretty much all day staring at them, creating our Christmas cards, and ordering prints!
i'll share them all soon, but here's a sneak peak!

i hope you all had a great Thanksgiving as well! 

i can't believe Christmas is here! 

my absolute favorite time of the year!

cold weather style | sweaters

the Holiday season is here!
i could not be more excited because this is truly my favorite time of the year!
basic, i know, but also, AHHHH!
there is definitely magic in the air and people are happier.
also we're going home to CA this year and i am just dying thinking about Wilder getting to meet his
ENTIRE FAMILY.
yup, both sides.
it's going to be one crazy week, but i'm ecstatic.

on a bit of a different note... 
i recently purged my entire wardrobe (working on a post for that) and since then, i've been slowly adding new pieces to fill the gaps. so, since i've got clothes on the brain (let's be honest, i always have clothes on the brain) i thought it would be fun to chat a little bit about style + fashion during the colder months!

being a born + raised Cali girl, i was used to sporting breezy long sleeve tees throughout the Fall/Winter months, so when i moved up north to Montana two years ago, i got a bit of a rude awakening... 

i quickly found myself needing to get a little creative when it came to "cold-weather style". 

what.

dressing for warmth was something i was not used to at all. and trying to maintain your personal style while wearing a parka can be difficult, to say the least.

needless to say, i've become a bit more knowledgeable since then and have discovered some new ways to stay warm without jeopardizing style.

.....

so, what's my secret to staying stylish when it's (literally) freezing?!
disclaimer: it's no secret.

SWEATERS! 

one of the things i've learned about living in a colder climate is that you bundle up when you're outside, but the second you get inside, you immediately start to take layers off because people crank the heater.
this is why sweaters are essential.

you can layer thicker sweaters over long sleeve tees when the weather is bearable.
and add a heavy coat (third layer) when the temps drop below zero.

plus sweaters scream COZY and i'm all about that.

i always stock up on a few new ones every Fall, so i thought i'd share my current favorites with you!

a few notes about my personal style (what i always need + look for in a clothing item)

:: comfort

:: quality

:: affordable

:: long lasting

:: timeless, while still being "trendy"

.....

ok, let's dive in!

*some of these are on sale for cyber week!*

1. Barefoot Dreams Cardigan: i scored one of these incredibly soft cardigans a few months back when it was on super sale and i'm so glad i did. it is lush and buttery soft and is the kind of cardigan you can lounge around in and also wear to the office. it is a timeless piece and i don't imagine ever getting rid of it. 

2. Pocket Cardigan: this sweater is probably my current favorite. it's what inspired the color scheme for our family photos and i guarantee i will be rocking it all season long. it's the prettiest caramel color and the softest fabric. it's on the thinner side, so it would be perfect layered under a coat in the colder months. 

3. Plush Waffle Knit Cardigan: this is a great affordable cardigan (it's currently on sale for $19!). it's a thin material, but would fit great under a coat or just for lounging around the house. not gonna lie, i've been wearing this one like a robe around the house. it's incredibly soft and cozy.


4. Bell Sleeve Cardigan: i just scooped this one up during their Halloween sale and am so glad i did. it is the coziest sweater i've ever owned! i love the longer length, which makes it perfect to wear with dresses or leggings. it's beyond soft and is thick enough to wear on its own. 

5. Rib Trim Long Cardigan: are you seeing a pattern here?! i guess when i said sweaters, i really meant cardigans. HA! i'm slightly obsessed with cardigans. it's mostly because they're long, soft, and cozy. this one is a staple and great quality for being under $50.


6. Rib Knit Cardigan: i've had my eye on this bad boy for awhile now. it's just sitting in my cart, waiting for me to make the move and i'm still contemplating whether or not it's worth the plunge. i've already bought enough cardigans this season, but i just might have to add this last one. it looks incredibly cozy and i love the off-white/ivory color of this one. mmmmm. perfect for the Winter months.


7. Flare Sleeve Sweater: i don't own too many short pullover sweaters because they don't work with leggings (i need it to cover by butt!) and i pretty much only live in leggings during the colder months. but this one screams HOLIDAY and it might need to make its appearance on my birthday (December baby!). plus, those sleeves. and the price point. ahhhh. i die.


8. Oversized Chenille Sweater: THIS. SWEATER. is the coziest thing i've ever worn. no joke. it is insanely soft and has the most perfect oversized fit. it looks adorable with skinny jeans and booties, but is also long enough to wear with leggings! i got it in the charcoal color as a basic, but all the colors are beautiful!

well friends, that's my recap of my go-to sweaters for this season. i hope you enjoyed and i would love to hear about your favorites for the season too! message me in the comments below if you have one that i need to know about!

happy shopping!

random thoughts from a sleep deprived mama

i've only carried the title of "mama" for a little over 5 months now, but it's amazing how much you learn (specifically about sleep) in that short amount of time when you're caring for a tiny human.
and although i still have SO MUCH more to attain as time goes on, i want to always remember this phase of life.
the completely sleepless, utterly exhausting, insanely beautiful phase we're living right now.

there is never enough coffee.


falling asleep needs to be taught.
who knew?!
and when you don't realize this until your baby is four months old, it becomes VERY difficult to teach.


speaking of which, the four month sleep regression is REAL.
and even if your newborn slept 5-6 hours at night, does not mean it will stick.


co-sleeping is the only way i've gotten a decent nights sleep in the past month.


forget sleeping like a baby, i want to sleep like my husband.


if i had a dime for every time i said i'd never do something, but then in desperation realized it wasn't that crazy of an idea, so i did it anyway, i'd be RICH.


there's no bigger insult than someone who says their infant is a great sleeper.
i want to punch those people.
and then scream into a pillow.
and then punch them again.
STOP BRAGGING.


i do believe there are babies who are naturally great sleepers and babies who aren't.
my kid falls in the latter category...


the tiny morning smiles + giggles make up for all the lack of sleep.


it's amazing how three hours of uninterrupted sleep can make you feel like super woman.


i know i shouldn't let my baby fall asleep on me, but i do it anyway.
because babies are meant to be held.
and babies don't keep.


as my amazing, supportive and helpful husband (really, he's so great) puts it: this sleepless phase of life is the biggest test of endurance we've faced yet.
and that couldn't be more true.


i think back to when i used to run 5 miles at a time (back when i had time to run that far!) and how i just had to keep going, looking ahead, putting one foot in front of the other.
when i thought i didn't have anything left, i had to give even more.


and as amazing as parenthood is, it's a true testament to our strength + endurance.
when we feel like we have no energy left and are living off of fumes, we're somehow filled with the most intense, burning passion, that gives us the strength to get up each morning.


that, and coffee. lots of coffee.
also, beyond thankful for a husband who sets up the coffee maker every night to start brewing at 6am.
because i swear that saves me.


i've never had a more important job to do than raising this small babe. than loving this little guy.
i've never felt more exhausted, yet strong.
more valuable, yet small.


this motherhood gig is pretty crazy like that.
emotions on emotions.


and if i had to do it without coffee, i would.
that shows you just how amazing it really is.

Wilder Ray | five months

guys. time is flying way too darn fast. our boy was five months on Halloween!

SO MUCH has changed this month. this kid is growing up right in front of my eyes and i'm having trouble keeping up!

Wilder Ray at FIVE MONTHS

weight :: 15 lbs 

(birth :: 6 lbs 11 oz)

length :: 26 inches

(birth :: 21 inches)

this month has been a doozie, not going to lie. the four month sleep regression hit us hard and we are still struggling. Wilder has never been a great sleeper, but up until last month, it was always manageable. now, it's like he's a completely different baby. waking up every. hour. at night.
no joke.
we are exhausted.
defeated.
and open to any advice!
in the meantime, i've accepted the fact that this phase won't last forever and all i can do is give it my best.
and drink 846 cups of coffee a day.


Wilder Ray + FOOD

Wilder LOVES to eat!
he still nurses 367,942 times a day/night and we started him on some solids this month!
first up was "rice cereal" (it was actually quinoa based, which is healthier than rice and easier for their little tummies to digest!)
now, we've moved on to avocados + sweet potatoes!
so far he's loving it!

little guy has a sensitive tummy (gas issues/acid reflux), which is why we're introducing solids slowly. 

he also had a bad break out of eczema this month that covered his whole belly and face. our pedi ran a food allergy test, but it was inconclusive. his rash has cleared up, so we've decided to start introducing foods anyway. we'll try one food out for a week to make sure he doesn't have a reaction to anything.

all in all, i plan on doing a BLW approach. i'll continue pureeing the food down this month and then once I feel he's ready, start giving him food he can pick up on his own.
next up: bananas, squash, and homemade apple sauce!

Wilder Ray + SLEEP

(sorry in advance for this novel of a paragraph...)

homeboy wakes up every 90 mins at night screaming and i am losing. my. mind.
right now, we're stuck between whether it's his tummy issues keeping him up or just bad sleep habits. honestly, my mom gut tells me it's a little of both, but mostly bad habits.
we moved him into his own room, hoping the detachment from mom would help him sleep longer. but near or far, he wakes up wanting to eat.
i'm not a fan of the CIO method, but i think a mild version of it is in order.
or else i might die from lack of sleep.

i think the hardest part is that for the first three months of his life, he slept great (compared to what he's doing now). he's never been an excellent sleeper, but he would sleep for 3-4 hours at a time, and that was enough for mom + dad to feel like normal humans.
but ever since the four month sleep regression, it's been torture every night.
it's gotten to the point where i dread going to sleep at night because i know i'm just going to have to get up in an hour...
honestly, i'm normally a pretty positive, upbeat, and happy person, but lately i feel slightly depressed, and it goes to show how important sleep is.
i just keep telling myself this phase won't last forever and before i know it, he'll be sleeping through the night and i'm going to miss those midnight snuggles.

or maybe i won't because sleep is LIFE!

he still naps great for the most part. resting for at least an hour each time he goes down, with a cat nap here and there. 

he still LOVES the swing. UGH! biggest mistake i've made as a parent thus far. i know i have to wean him from it soon, but i'm dreading that day.
don't get me wrong, i think swings are great, i just wish i wouldn't have let him sleep in it as much as i have. now it's hard to get him to sleep anywhere else.

the next step is going to be sleep training him in the crib, but even if i get him to fall asleep in the crib, how do i get him to stay asleep?!
if anyone has advice, please send it my way! 

Wilder Ray + PLAY

this little guy is on. the. move. he's pushing up on all fours wanting to crawl. rolling over like it's nothing. and rotating around from one direction to the other.
i love helping him try new things. we "practice" crawling and it's the cutest thing.
he's also so close to sitting up by himself and can hold himself up standing for a hot second too.
this kid just keeps growing and it's such a crazy experience to witness as a parent.
but mostly, incredibly awesome.


Wilder Ray, don't ever stop being a mommy's boy, ok? ok.
i know this time is fleeting, so for now, i'm holding tight to those midnight feedings + cuddles. because before too long, they'll be gone and i know i'll miss them.
we love you to the moon + back sweet boy...


five month photo dump

until next month... xoxo