Luke's Christmas Photos

OK, I PROMISE these are the last of the Christmas photo's/posts I will do until December 2015! I just had to include these photo's I got of Luke under the Christmas tree. I had been trying to get these photos for weeks and finally on December 21st, Luke decided to cooperate and give some big gummy smiles for Mommy! They turned out great and I just HAD to share them with you all! :)

Christmas 2014

Luke Andrew

Christmas Day 2014

It's January 28th and I am still recapping Christmas...but it's OK because I want to remember Luke's Christmas and if I don't blog about it, I am going to forget all about it.

We went over to Andy's parent's house to celebrate Christmas. When we arrived everyone was just getting settled and ready to open presents. As usual, Andy's parent's went above and beyond on presents and Luke raked it in. We had a pile of presents surrounding myself, Andy and Luke. It was crazy! We also enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner with his family.

Unfortunately I had to go to work the next morning, so we were unable to stay late. But we had a great time with family.

Luke and Daddy opening the play gym from his Great Grandpa

Luke was very content on "opening" presents

Stackable rings from Aunt Kelly

Andy's mom Lynn, his sister Kelly and her fiance Justin

Great Grandpa Al

Luke and Grandpa Tim

Having a good time playing on his new play mat

Keeley keeping watch over her baby, so sweet!

I'm watching you Mom!

I so sleepy, I'll just take a nap.

Soooo happy playing!

He had a blast!

Why I'm Returning my FitBit Charge HR

Oh FitBit Charge HR, I am so disappointed in you. My husband and I were thrilled to hear about the new line of FitBit's coming out that calculated your heartbeat also in conjuntion with counting steps, stairs, etc. 

For Christmas of 2014, Andy and I decided to gift each other with a new FitBit but we had to wait until FitBit released them. Finally in mid January we could order the FitBit's. I used FitBit's clever sizing chart and determined to get a size small. I had about an inch of extra room for the strap and thought it would fit just right. I hate it when watches "flop" around on your wrist. My husband had to order an extra large. Our wait times were 1-2 weeks on the small and 6-8 weeks for an extra large. 

My FitBit arrived on Thursday, January 22nd and I was so excited! My husband tore open the package and we immediately set it up. I let it charge before allowing myself to wear it. The charging process only lasted an hour and I began to put my FitBit on. I had to use the 3rd to the last hole on the strap and even that was tight. I tried to put it on the 2nd to last strap but I couldn't use to strap holder to hold down the strap so I was screwed using a strap that was too tight! I wore it anyways and slept with it on. The next morning I woke up to a sore wrist and had to wear the FitBit on my other hand. 

All day Friday I had the FitBit on and was starting to get use to the idea of having this device on my wrist 24/7. Saturday I decided that I was going to get my exercise on get hit my goal of 10,000 steps. We walked around Lowes, I took a neighborhood walk with Keeley and Luke and even hit the treadmill that night to get my goal of 10,000. I then realized that I was so close to my stairs goal of 10 flights. So up and down I went on the stairs in our house. It took me 2 times of going up and down to get 1 flight of stairs on the FitBit which I thought was rather odd. It was NEVER hard for me to get my stairs goal since I have a 2 story house and my office is on the second floor and you can only use stairs to get up there. My husband then said you have to move you arms when going up and down the stairs for the FitBit to count the flight. Odd I thought but moved on. That night I was so sore and down right exhausted and couldn't figure out why since I only walked 10,000 steps....but none the less I figured it's because I am really out of shape.

Sunday I took it easy but still was able to put in decent amount of steps in. While I was brushing my teeth I noticed I was at 4,860 steps. Shoot that's only 140 steps away from 5,000 so I figured I'd walk around my house to get 5,000 and then it hit me. I could just "sway" my arm back and forth and get my 5,000 step goal for the day.....and IT WORKED! I was cheating but didn't care because I was just experimenting on how this FitBit works. 

Monday I put the FitBit on and began my day of work. I was up and down the stairs several times and was really concentrating on moving my arms while going up and down the stairs and even while just walking regularly. After a while I started to get annoyed at how much I had to concentrate on my walking. I shouldn't have to work so hard to walk around. It should just count my actual number of steps, flight of stairs, etc. I talked to my husband about how un-happy I was becoming with my FitBit and he did some research and found this: 

WILL CHARGE HR COUNT STEPS WHEN I’M PUSHING A STROLLER OR A SHOPPING CART?

Charge HR will count your steps when you are pushing a stroller or a shopping cart because we do want to give you credit for this activity. That said, because your hands are not moving, your step count will be lower during this activity.

I was quite frustrated at this fact because I just had pushed a stroller around Lowes and the neighborhood with Keeley on Saturday. I then remembered how tired and sore I was on Saturday and realized that I bet all the steps I put in pushing that stroller weren't counted. I am betting I walked a good 15,000 to 20,000 steps that day.

That right there was the straw the broke the camels back and I was set in my mind to return my FitBit back to them for a refund and just stick with my FitBit One. There was nothing wrong with it and if I hated the FitBit Charge HR so much, why keep it! I had actually emailed FitBit on Friday to get a replacement. Monday I still hadn't heard a thing so I emailed them again. Monday afternoon, still nothing; so I tweeted them. Nothing. I then tweeted for a second time and finally got a response at 10pm asking what was wrong after I had asked that they just direct message me. During my 1am feed I asked again for them to direct message me and I receive the response, "Can you please share it now?" What part of DM me do you not get. I was mad and just figured I'd call them in the morning.

I called this morning, got my return information and cancelled Andy's Charge HR (it was on back order for 6-8 weeks). So now I am having to wait until they receive the FitBit for a refund. UGH! I fully plan on sending this out tomorrow morning in the mail and getting my refund as fast as possible.

I will say, I do love my FitBit One and am wearing it today. I am just irritated with this new technology that just doesn't work right. I was suggested by a co-worker to wear it on my ankle, but why would I spend the extra $20 for a heart rate monitor when it won't work on my ankle. Just remember to DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST! If you log into FitBit.com and go to their community page, you will see lots of pros and cons and see first hand if this is the right product for you or not.

Note: I was NOT asked to review the FitBit by FitBit personally. All thoughts and suggestions are based on my own opinions and personal experiences with FitBit.com. 

Loving Lipstick

Oh Happy Day, it's Friday!!!!!

1. 

I don't know why, but lately I've been about lipsticks (which has never happened in my 30 years of life), but lately, I want a little color on my lips. I found a lipstick at CVS that was half off from Covergirl and it was ok, I wasn't a fan of the color on. Then I went to Target on Saturday and found these; Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie and Peach Parfait. The main reason I picked them up was because I was the sign advertising the price was $1.97. Well heck yeah, I'll try these two lipsticks at only $2 a piece and if I don't like them, then who cares! They then rang up at $6.97 a piece. I told the cashier about the price I saw and she pulled the tag and said you get the $1.97 price. I was then kicking myself and should have picked up the red color that I was debating. But oh well! I tried them on at home and LOVE the colors! They are not too much but give you at least a little color to your lips. 

2. 

Look what came in the mail a day early!!!! I was so excited to wear my new FitBit Charge HR last night. I got it all set up with my computer and phone. Wore it all night long and it killed my right wrist (I write and eat left handed which makes watch wearing on your left hand feeling bulky). So now the FitBit is on my left wrist and I am still not as fond of it. I am thinking it's because it is too small. I ordered the Small size and I have the FitBit on the 3rd to last notch. I cant use the last 2 notches because the piece that holds down the strap doesn't have a place to "lock" it into place. Sooooo I am thinking about sending this back and getting a size Large. We shall see. I love everything else about it though. 

3. 

Mr. Luke has had a cough and it likes to wake him up at night. So we decided to put an "angle" in his crib to help him sleep at night. Well this small angle plus he is moving more in bed had made him wake up vertical when I put him to sleep horizontal in bed. What a silly goof. 

4. 

For Christmas from my Dad and his wife, Deb, Luke received many presents including this little fun number. I found it on Amazon and thought it would be great for his high chair or when we are out to eat and he is bored. It suction cups to the table so it doesn't go anywhere and its fun to look at and spin. You can find this fun little Sassy Wonder Wheel toy here. 

5. 

If you haven't figured out yet, we are amazon.com fanatics!!! This little fun number we order from there too: The Mum & Bubi Solids Starter Kit. We made baby food over the weekend (sweet potatoes and summer squash) and froze them in the Mum & Bubi freezer trays. At first we couldn't figure out how to get the frozen food out of the trays and that's where YouTube helped us out. After we watched a 30 second video we tried the trays and and they came out with little to no effort! Score! I plan on blogging about making baby food next week. But for now, I highly suggest these trays! :) 

Confessions

Anyone else have the Usher song "Confessions" in their head after reading that title? Anyone? No? OK, I'm weird, It's alright. I admit it! :) 

I'm not going to lie, I am kind of excited that I came up with this idea for a blog post today. 1. Because I got this idea at 2 AM while feeding Luke. 2. Because it's a new "original" idea I came up with all on my own. 3. Because I am pumped to write it. I have like 8 drafts going in my box, but today I just want to write something new and post it.

Confessions....

1. I've been eating awful lately and can tell that some of my food choices have not been settling in my stomach very well. Yesterday's lunch: spaghetti, corn, side salad and bread. Yesterday's dinner: McDonalds (Big Mac meal)...and I wonder why my stomach isn't feeling great.

2. I'm craving donuts but didn't stop this morning because I ran out of time. That's seriously the only reason why I didn't stop. Otherwise I would have and felt even worse about myself.

3. I've been purchasing my doTerra oils from Amazon.....ugh! I know, I shouldn't but I cannot commit just yet to doTerra or Young Living! I do love the doTerra oils but the deal Young Living offers for their Sign up Premium Kit you cannot beat the price on it! A diffuser and 11 essential oils for a cheap price is a plus on my list. I'd also really like another diffuser because I like keeping the one we have in Luke's room to diffuse lavender at night. 

4. I have a FitBit (had the FitBit One since November of 2012) but am anxiously awaiting my new FitBit (the FitBit Charge HR) so that I can start working out again. I am waiting to workout because I want my new FitBit....that's just sad. P.S. It should be here today!

5. I hate it when anyone likes to say anything negatively about the size clothing my son wears....I've heard it all but the worst is that he was called "stocky" which is far from the truth! He currently wears 9 months and is getting close to wearing 12 month clothing. He's only 4 months old. He's not chunky, or stocky, or overweight at all. In fact his weight for his age is in the 68th percentile. He's just tall people! 

6. I do my makeup when I get to work. I could wake up that extra 10 minutes early to put the makeup on, but I don't. People get smoke breaks, I get put on makeup breaks. 

7. I'm addicted to caffeine. I got off the caffeine band wagon over a year ago and now I am back on it. A morning cup of coffee and more times than not, a Diet Coke in the afternoon. I wish I could stop, but the over night feeding(s) take a lot out of me.

8. I started Luke on solids. Insert horror face! We began with rice cereal on January 1st and sweet potatoes on January 19th. Formula just wasn't cutting it and he was more than ready to eat off of the spoon. He has never once had a problem eating off of a spoon. 

9. I also began to put rice cereal in his bedtime bottle. Yup, I'm that mom! 

10. I wish it would just snow. If it's going to be cold, then gosh darn it, let it snow! I saw that Texas has received more snow than in some parts of Alaska. What is going on with this world?

11. I am not liking the iPhone case I purchased for my iPhone 6. It's already discolored and is only 2 months old. I get that I use it everyday, but the pink color is just plain gross now on the phone. I picked this case up and wouldn't suggest it if you want it to stay a pretty pink color. I just want a case that is pretty, that won't turn an ugly color, doesn't cost and arm or a leg, isn't the size of a "Zack Morris brick phone" (the case) and really protects my phone. Why is that so hard to ask for?

12. I'm ready for Ikea to open here in St. Louis, but know that I am probably going to have to take a day off work just to be able to go to the one here in St. Louis. It's going to be PACKED on weekends for quite awhile I am betting.

13. I need a vacation but we will probably not be able to go on one again this year.  While I am sad about it, I am glad I have my Luke! :)

14. Has anyone caught the tv show "Whalburgers"? I did several weekends ago because nothing else was on and you know what, that show is kind of funny. I even set the DVR up to record it because sometimes there's nothing else to watch.

15. I am also hooked on the "Challenge" shows on MTV. Always have been and was a huge fan of Diem Brown's. Unfortunately, Diem lost her battle with cancer in November and last night was her last ever showing on MTV. I cried and it made me so sad to think someone who had such a big heart (at least that's what we saw on TV) had to lose their life like she did.

Luke Andrew - 4 Months Old

Month - 4 Months Old, January 12th, 2015

Height - 26.5 inches (2 ft, 2.5 inches) (95th percentile)

Weight - 16 pounds, 4.5 ounces (68th percentile)

Diaper Size - 3!  We just finished out the size 2 diapers and now were onto size 3 diapers. I have a hard time buying in bulk of diapers right now because of his height and weight gain. I don't want to be stuck with a bunch of diapers that don't fit him.

Clothing Size - mostly all 9 month clothing and some 6 month clothing (pants only and those are getting too small). His jammies were just too short for his long leggies so we moved him up in the New Year! I also noticed that his onesies were getting tight and hard to button up, so we are in the 9 month onesies.....is this kid ever going to slow down in the clothing department? I was joking with Andy that he will be in 24 month clothes by his 1st Birthday!

Sleep - we've gotten into a sleep routine but it's not sleeping through the entire night...ugh! Bedtime process starts between 6 and 7 pm. Bath, bottle then bed. You are really good at just falling asleep now when I lie you down. Sometime you whine but you usually put yourself to sleep. Then you start to stir around midnight. Sometimes you will go back to sleep and other times you want to eat right then and there. Then you're back up anywhere around 4-5 AM which works perfect on weekdays so I can feed you, change you and then get ready for work myself. On weekends I put you back down and you will sleep until 6:30 or 7 AM. 

Eating - 5 ounces and we started on rice cereal on New Years Day. I could tell that the formula just wasn't filling him up. He's done great so far on the rice cereal. We haven't been consistent with it though because you got your first ear infection in both ears and have been quite crabby lately.

Likes - when it's time to eat, his pacifier "Bink", bath time and baby massages, mornings when he is the most happiest, car rides, his light up play mat, being held, looking around when we are out shopping and he is awake, comfy cozy blankets, kisses from Mommy, people talking to you,playing with Daddy (air drumming, rocket ship noises, air karate), Mommy singing silly songs to you and having you dance along 

Dislikes - sitting in one place for too long, sitting in his car seat when the car is NOT moving, stuffy noses, coughing, getting his blood drawn, getting his nose un-stuffy (although he is getting use to it and doesn't fuss as much), being tired, being hungry, being ignored

Firsts - Christmas, New Years, ear infection, trying rice cereal, 9 month clothing, sitting on Santa's lap, going to work with Mommy, car shopping, taking the newborn insert out of the car seat (you fit so much better in there now)

Nicknames - Mr. Luke, bubba, little dude, little buddy, buddy, Mommy's baby, booger, cutie patootie

Christmas Morning 2014

Christmas morning we woke up at the reasonable time of 7 AM and just spent some special time together. We decided on the yummy breakfast of french toast and bacon. Nothing wrong with that! Luke of course enjoyed the ever tasty bottle of formula. Next year he will get to join in, in the tasty breakfast that we make! 

The rest of our morning was spent lounging around with Luke, Keeley and Smokey. Luke did get some Christmas presents from us. We got him an O Ball, a Wobble Bobble, a Laugh and Learn Puppy, and a pair of Christmas PJ's from Carters. He wore those jammies that day for Christmas. Andy and I decided to not exchange gifts this year because we both knew what we wanted, but it just wasn't available to purchase at the time, but it is now! We are both getting a new FitBit Charge HR. We have the FitBit One and have used it for 2 years now, but now its time to upgrade and get a new FitBit! Especially since I have washed Andy's FitBit more times than I'd like to admit. 

Merry Christmas Keeley and Smokey! 

Christmas morning nap

Hanging out in the bathroom while Mommy and Daddy get ready for the day!

Mommy and Baby!

Whoa! This thing is cool!

Napping in the Moby wrap

Our family Christmas photo. 3 of the 5 of us looking at the camera.

Hey at least we got one!

This photo came out cute!

Merry Christmas!!