Mammarazzi Monday!

Fabulous Friday! Mammarazzi is Bringing Home the Bacon!

Happy Friday - I hope it's Fabulous!

Last Thursday I headed back to work! I am so fortunate to work for such a great firm that is really supportive of families and has really eased me back into work!! Wish me luck in balancing both work and motherhood and hopefully avoiding as many of these below looks from Archer as possible!

My first day back, Archer and I were up at 6 and I feed him and then let him nap in my office while I catch up on email until his Babysitter arrives.

Here he is napping on the chair in my office:

First Love

Archer has met his first love - his Babysitter - N! She lives down the street from us and spends 2-3 days a week with Archer while I am home alone working. I finally figured out why he slept for 7 hours the morning AFTER she was sitting him the 1st time-  he refused to nap while she was here - he just wanted to stare at her all googly eyed. What a flirt!!

30 Rock - A Baby After My Own Heart

I sat Archer in his Bumbo Chair while I made dinner. I came back to see him totally mesmerized by 30 Rock!! I have more videos of him LAUGHING hysterically while watching the show! That's my boy!!

Video Tuesday!

Shameless Bath Picture

Mammarazzi Chasing Baby A

These are a few of my Favorite Things....

Baby Things that is! Here's what we never knew we couldn't live without having a baby!

1. Boppy Newborn Lounger - everyone knows about the Boppy pillow. But the Newborn Lounger is fairly new and Archer has loved his since he arrived home from the hospital. When he wakes up we put him in this and it sits next to us wherever we go. He naps in and eats in in. It's fabulous and not too expensive. Thank you to Aunt Ally for sending us this for Baby A!! On Amazon right now, it's only $29.90 and it's worth it! I defintely recommend that parents to be register for this item! Almost all of our earliest pictures are of Archer on this!

2. Wubba Nubb Pacifier - Archer has yet to lose this pacifier and was able to pick it up and hold onto it earlier than I think he otherwise would have been able to. We have a few different stuffed animals, but he prefers the Monkey and loves to cuddle with it. These are super popular right now and can be found all over the internet and in-stores at Babies R Us.

3. Bumbo - this will strengthen baby's neck early and also gives him / her a chance to sit up with everyone else!!

4. O-Ball - still his favorite toy!!

5. Swaddle Blankets
At first, we just loved these to Gerber blankets / burp cloths swaddle Archer in - and I believe these are the secret to getting baby to sleep through the night!!  These have so many uses - diaper changing, blankets, burp cloths, etc...We graduated to making our own large ones out of sheets as he has grown and also sometimes use the Aden + Anais Swaddle blankets. If you are on a budget, I would recommend making your own out of sheets as baby grows - it's not necessary to spend the big bucks on Adne + Anais - even though they are super trendy. I would also not recommend buying more than 1 of the Miracle Blankets or other swaddle wraps - if you do or if you get them as gifts keep the receipts - Archer hated all these and could get out of them really early and really quickly.

Aden + Anais

6. Hugga-Bebe - Not many people know about this one - I have raved about it and will continue to. It's an insert to allow younger babies to sit in Jumperoos and other Activity Center. It supports their heads and holds them in a standing position. Archer now plays in his Activity Center for 45 minutes at a time!! Thank you to my cousin Katie for this tip and gift for Archer!!

That's all for now! More of our Favorite Things Next Month!

It's FABULOUS FRIDAY!

Happy Friday, Ya'll - I hope it's FABULOUS!

When I was pregnant, I imagined myself  "wearing" my baby and looking FABULOUS.

Like this:

Instead....I look more like this:

Archer strongly prefers his Chicco Car Seat and it's wonderful and all, but it's DAMN HEAVY (like all car seats).

Earlier this week, we went shopping and I had to buy a LOT of groceries, so to save space, I pulled out the shopping cart seat cover so we'd have extra room in the cart.

Here is Mr. Archer:

This lasted until we walked into the store and he screamed bloody murder. So I ended up holding him the entire time.

I am going to keep trying new things, but always have the car seat as a back up plan. Will continue to share all my "wearing" pictures.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

XOXO,
Mamma MPatts

Video Thursday!

When I was pregnant with Archer - he had the hiccups all the time. I always heard about Pregnant Mama's feeling their baby's hiccups. And I always thought, how do you know? Well, you just know! That's the answer. He still gets the hiccups pretty frequently. Here's a video of Archer with the hiccups.

Playtime Pictures

Archer is really getting into playing!!

Relaxing on the Deck

Archer, Oliver, and I like to spend most evenings relaxing on our deck, especially enjoying this beautiful fall weather and scenery. We each have our own chairs - Mommy sits in one of the rocking chairs, Oliver sits in one of the comfy chairs, and Archer sits in his blue Bumbo chair. Here are some pics. Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler fall weather!

Oliver relaxed for quite a while. But, he then remembered the Groundhog who he has been hunting who has dug a hole in one of our firepits and is now burrowing under our driveway (ugh) and he decided to take a stroll to check on the Groundhog.

Reading the paper

Last Friday, Marshall, Archer and I went for a 4 mile + walk in Gypsy Hill Park. We then stopped by Newtown Bakery for some coffee and reading the paper.