To my Dad ♥

…and Max’s Dada ♥

How did we get SO lucky?!

LOVE YOU and HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!

XOXO

p.s.  (He gets goin’ at 20 seconds…but I couldn’t cut out that cute smile at the beginning!)  Max says…

High Temperature: 84° 

via

Well, there I am.  But, minus the dumbbell and tan.  And…if I’m being honest…minus the flat stomach.  And shoot.  Who am I kidding?  I avoid whisk-holding like the plague.

Otherwise, it’s practically me.  Really!  Like looking in the mirror!

Except that Max is CRAWLING now.  Holy on-guard-every-second, Batman!

If I’ve learned nothing else from Motherhood (yes, I capitalize this word on purpose!), it is how to multitask.  And when I say “multitask,” I mean do things ONE-HANDED.

The days of propping this little man up on the bed with toys are officially over.

Less of that, and more of THIS…

He ain’t mad about it!

Kiddie jail is where it’s at.

But for reals, I could win a one-handed competition.  Max on right hip (held with dominate hand) with left hand accomplishing it all.

Make a bottle?  Duh – 4 times a day!  Take apart the exersaucer, including unscrewing 9 screws?  I did it this morning!  Toothbrushing, makeup donning, dressing oneself?  Piece of cake!

Luckily, Scott is the best Daddy in town…so it is not all me.  But sweet Jesus, having one-handed skills is clutch.

I think multitasking is at its finest when getting ready to exit the building.  Our biggest challenge yet?  Going to the beach with said adorable baby in tow. Oh.my.heavens.  Packing up the car, unloading the car, and then setting up our sandy real estate.  For an hour/hour and a half TOPS of keeping the little man from shoveling sand into his mouth?  Oy – this subject deserves its own post! (Hubs – AMIRIGHT?)

We WILL get better at it!

Juggling 40 bags (okay-at least 3!) with baby simultaneously on hip while trying to unlock the car (where are those keys again?), putting fussing baby into the car seat while checking to make sure you have the stroller, highchair/shopping cart cover, diaper bag (preferably with diapers inside), toys, water, bottle, food, bowl, spoon, washcloth, bib, burp cloth, change of clothes, picnic blanket, baby’s hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and at least three pacifiers (we’re going through a I-throw-my-pacifier-when-I-most-need-it phase).  MOTHER!  Did I lock the front door?  [After pulling out of neighborhood - "Where are my sunglasses?!"]  Yup, I’ve lost 2 pairs in 2 weeks. #FAIL

And imagine – there are people out there with more than one baby.  AT A TIME!!!

I bow down to you, Moms of multiples.  I bow down to you hard.

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I know tomorrow is Father’s Day, but today I salute all the Moms out there. While you’re enjoying your cocktail of choice at 3:00pm this evening, imagine me clinking your glass.  And then me chugging mine.

Cheers!

High Temperature: 86° 

This past Sunday was a BIG day in the Trottier household.

All of our fellow New York Giants fans can thank our little man for the win.

Max wore his too-big-but-even-more–too-cute Giants jersey onesie.  But that’s not all folks.

He ALSO gave us his first purposeful, reactionary smile.  I am SO HAPPY that I caught it on camera!!!

This is how it went…

Yes.  Heart melted.

{love sigh}

So – you’re welcome Giants fans.  Let’s see if Max is their lucky charm again tonight.  

GO G-MEN!!!

XOXO

p.s. We took a little trip to Dada’s work today.  Check back tomorrow for Max and Dada in matching work outfits.  No – seriously.  

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 82° 

Well hello there, friend.  It sure has been a while.  Boy, have I missed you.

Welcome back into my world…in very small, planned-out doses.

I will fight for you and do what it takes.

I will sip you slowly, savor you, and whisper you sweet nothings until kingdom come.

Forevermore, forevermore.

 Mommy’s Time Out – Thanks, Mom!

And NOW…all is right with the world!  ::wink::

XOXO

p.s. Fall has arrived in Charleston.  LOVE this weather!  (Max has gone on some walks!)

My boys at Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 86° 

Oh.  Labor Day was 4 days ago, you say?  

Hm.  Close enough, I say.  I’m on baby time now, kids!

I made a video documenting Baby Max’s start in this world.  [cue the tissues] Thankfully, I started it before his arrival.  Otherwise, I think I would’ve completed it just short of Max’s sweet 16 (man, it’s hard to get things done while taking care of an infant!).

It’s 6 minutes of your life, so watch at your own discretion.  I, myself, can’t get enough.

I suggest watching ON YouTube by simply clicking “Tube” on the lower right corner of the video box in order to see the video without having parts cut off. File under: I-have-no-idea-what-I’m-doing-with-videos.

ENJOY!

  ♥

p.s. A call out to my besties.  I’m sorry this is the only type of call that I’ve made to you in weeks.  I love and miss you.  I suggest calling me.  again.  repeatedly. everyday.  (no, but seriously.)  XOXO

p.s.s. HI GRAM!  Skype next week?!  xoxo

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 90° 

Max is now 1 month and 1 day old.

That’s 4 weeks and 4 days.

32 whole days.

[Sigh]

My baby’s growing up!

Here is our little man in all his 1 month glory.

1 month new! (monthly pic idea stolen from Pinterest)

Max celebrated by sleeping (duh).  It’s okay…we took care of the cupcakes for him!

That’s Scott’s Death By Chocolate on the left and my Samoa on the right (thanks, Cupcake!)

So I’m going to share Max’s stats on a month basis, sorta like my weekly pregnancy updates.  I look at it as my most detailed baby book for our little man. Here we grow go!

ONE MONTH OLD

Weight: He was just shy of 8 lbs. at his last Dr. appointment, so we’re guessing 8.5ish…?  Where I gain weight in my thighs first (and mostly), Max gains them in his chin–s.

It’s okay, bud.  Someday you’ll have a neck!

Hair: Well, little man has definitely lost a lot of his hair.  Particularly on the top and front of his head.  We may or may not call him Benjamin Button sometimes. Scott says that now he knows what he’ll look like when he loses his hair someday. Haha!

Eyes: Still steel/dark blue.  We’ll see if they stay that way or not!  Scott has green eyes and I have brown. 

Clothes: Max is still wearing newborn diapers and mostly newborn clothes. Because he doesn’t have a whole lot of newborn choices, Max is also wearing some 0-3 onesies.  Some fit okay and others are ginormous – depends on the brand.  I think the days of newborn diapers are numbered.  The Daddy’s and Mommy’s Big Guy, green gingham, and polka dot onesies are our favorites!  I also can’t get enough of him in his pjs!

Eating: Well, I’m breastfeeding (TMI?) so baby boy is totally running the show right now!  Every 3 hours (from the start of feeding) is the average, but we are SO not on a schedule.  My little man is getting what he wants on demand at the moment.  Why shouldn’t that cuteness get what he wants?!

Sleeping:  Max currently sleeps in the bassinet (part of his Pack ‘n Play) in our bedroom.  He sleeps in 3-5 hour blocks at night, but 4 hours is usually his jam. When he wakes up, he is typically allll business.  Scott changes his diaper, I nurse him and attempt to burp him (he is NOT a big burper) and then put him right back down.  Scott and I have both been off from work for the whole month, so we’ve been able to sleep in.  Therefore, the broken up sleep really hasn’t been a big deal.  Big changes next week – Scott goes back go work!  ::Fingers crossed that we all transition well::

Nicknames: Max, Maxie Boy, Baby, Baby Boy, Bud, Buddy, Little Man, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Face (maybe I’m excited for Fall?!), Sweet Pea, My Littlest Love, Daddy’s Big Guy, Big Guy, Sweet Love {mush, mush, mush!}

Funny Things/Moments: Although Max isn’t a burper, he is big into farting. He and his Dada bond over this.  I’m pretty sure they have already farted the alphabet together or something.  Seriously though, when I’m in the other room I often ask, “Was that YOU or THE BABY???”  Hilarious!

Scott is an AWESOME Daddy (that’s a whole other post), but he must’ve been really tired when he dressed him this time.

First onesie, THEN pants…silly, Dada!

In a tizzy, Scott by mistake tried my breast milk.  ”How was it a mistake?” you ask. Again – a whole other post!  (LOVE YOU, BABE!)

Scott and I have both been peed, pooped, and spit up on.  It’s funny how much you don’t care when it’s your little pumpkin doing it.  (I’m pretty sure his pediatrician felt a little differently about being peed on…twice!)

Our little man sneezes a ton and never just once.  It’s super cute…except when he spits up simultaneously!  (Okay, that’s still cute.)

Max is easily startled, but just sometimes by some things (hates the dryer door but loves the vacuum…?).  It’s funniest when he scares himself!

Max’s Likes: Time on his play mat, MUSIC (particularly Zac Brown Band…for real), his sound machine (more music), time on the rocker in our screened-in patio, dancing, his Rock ‘n Play Sleeper (LIFESAVER!), farting with Dada, eating with Mama, spending time with his grandparents, being read to, his red ball, being out and about/fresh air, his duckie Wubbanub

Oops! Green line = dirty diaper

Max’s Dislikes: Tummy time (other than on people’s bellies), bath time, diaper changes, not being held for a long period of time, having tummy aches

Random: Max is SO CUTE when he yawns!

He’s super strong (we think!) for a baby his age.

He’s like a baby bird when he’s hungry.  Watch out – he’ll peck at you, too!

Although Max isn’t intentionally smiling yet, his little by-mistake (probably I’m-farting) smile is THEE CUTEST.  Here’s a semi-smile…

We can’t wait for more of these, little buddy!!!

I could really go on forever!  We are LOVING parenthood and time with baby Max Joseph!

I hope all is well with everyone…thanks for still checking in even though I’ve been so spotty with my blogging.  I’ll get back on a schedule, I’m sure…eventually!

XOXO

p.s. Congrats to Giuliana and Bill Rancic on their baby boy!  (Congrats to that Snooki character too, I guess. Ha!)

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 82° 

Yes – pun intended!

Oh.My.Goodness.  

Max is THEE BEST little man on the planet.

He is SO sweet ♥

He sleeps more than expected.

He’s a good eater [OUCHIES for Mama!].

He smiles (okay, not on purpose yet – but still!).

He likes music and singing and bright lights and Daddy’s dance moves.

He’s a pro at Skype and was an angel during his newborn portrait session (can’t wait to share these pics with you soon – once we get them!!!).

He has the cutest, little feet.

He has razor sharp nails, the most adorable double chin, and HATES bath and diaper time.

He likes to keep one eye open more than the other…even sometimes while sleeping (trust no one – ha!).

He holds my finger while he nurses (pitter patter).

He’s (obviously) advanced beyond his years weeks.

We are enjoying every second.

I am SO THANKFUL that Scott has been home with us and will continue to be until the little pumpkin is 5 weeks old.  BLESSED.

Max’s birth story, my newborn must-haves, and other random posts will be coming your way in the next couple of weeks.  Here are some Max pics to hold you over!

Swooooon!

Who loves their Daddy more?

Just stop it…

Just chillaxin’ – watching some PGA with Dada

I’m semi-watching you!  (Happiest Mommy in the world, by the way!)

NOT a happy camper!

“Daddy’s Big Guy!”  We have a “Mommy’s Big Guy” onesie, too!

I can’t get enough of these two!

Our little family

Love ♥

Thank you to EVERYONE for the heartfelt well-wishes and congrats, both on this here blog and on Facebook.  I am too overwhelmed with love to answer back everyone, but please know that every single encouraging word is very much appreciated!!!

XOXO

p.s. We have company in town for 2 full weeks…maybe Max will get to explore some of Charleston???  We’ll see!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 89° 

BOY!!!

Can you believe it?  We have a healthy baby BOY and our hearts could not be more full.  BEST. SURPRISE. EVER.

BIRTH STATS

Gender: BOY

Name: Max Joseph Trottier

Date: July 30th, 2012

Time: 7:55am

Entrance: Via c-section (little boy was breech!)

Weight: 6lbs. 12oz.

Length: 19 ½ inches

Hair Situation: A dark, sweet combover

Eyes: Steel blue (for now)

Cuteness (on a scale from 1-10): Um, the scale is broken..seriously.

Our first family picture (relax, it’s just a boob)

He eventually warmed up to the whole car seat idea

I look forward to sharing my whole birth story (and other stories), more pictures, and more of everything.  But for now, I’m going to go enjoy my little family.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WELL WISHES, PRAYERS, AND VIRTUAL HUGS.  Max sends his love and wet kisses to all! ♥

My parents, Scott, and I tackled the freezer meal situation last week.  As in – organized it, cleaned it out, and filled it to the brim with meals ready-to-go.

Success!!!

This is what we did…

First Mom and Dad made some meals of their own to freeze for themselves (they have A LOT of company headed their way in the next few months!) and then shared the wealth with us.  Thanks to them our freezer now has lasagna rolls, chicken madeira, bolognese sauce, and a gazillion meatballs (Mom made 100 or so…she’s incapable of just doubling a recipe – ha!).  That was an AWESOME start!

I had specific ideas of what else I wanted at my fingertips.  The garbage bread was already taken care of, but I wanted to tackle macaroni and cheese, turkey burgers, some crock pot recipes, cooked bacon & chicken for salads (or whatever), and blueberry muffins.  Mom and Dad came over for the day and we banged it all out (other than the muffins, I did those the next day).  I found the crock pot recipes on Pinterest (thanks for the tip, Heidi!) – terikyaki chicken, chicken enchiladas, and sausage & peppers.  Strawberries were also on sale, so we got some of those to freeze as well.

I am not at all saying that my freezer is full of the most nutritious and fat-free meals; instead I went for easy, filling, and yummy.  We organized everything by container/freezer bag, shelf, and bins – all labeled and ready to go.  I wrote the cooking directions on everything so it’s fool proof while I’m cooking through my eyelids.  We’re also ready for company (hello turkey burgers, thanks Christina!).

Look at the list that now lives on the side of the fridge…I am my parents’ daughter!

42ish meals later – I am ready for some easy meals on some maybe not so easy evenings.  Who else is excited?!

I’m embarrassed to say how excited I am that we now have bins in the freezer. WHAT…a dork.

In lieu of making this blog post ridiculously long, I am going to refrain from posting recipes.  However – if you want ‘em, I’ll share ‘em.  Ya just gotta ask!

This week, I’m going to make spicy Chex Mix, sweet Chex Mix (monkey munch or whatever people call it), and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

I absolutely suggest doing this pre-baby, if you can.  I am so glad that this task is completed!  

How was everyone’s weekend?!  Week 38 post coming atcha tomorrow!

xoxo

p.s. I’m a die hard Bachelorette fan and was THRILLED with last night’s finale!  (I won’t spoil it, just in case you haven’t seen it yet!).  How about Emily saying that she wants to get married in CHARLESTON?!  LOVE IT!!!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 92° 

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for making yesterday the day with the most ever views on Charm of Charleston!

ALL OF YOU have been so incredibly supportive and positive throughout this pregnancy…it honestly warms my heart.

I, of course, appreciate all of my friends and family for following us on this journey.  But I also very much appreciate my blog family (blamily? okay – maybe not) – the family of people who comment and follow religiously, even though we have never even met.  THANK YOU!

Even though this blog started as a way to share my love for Charleston (which I still love to pieces), it really is a blog about my life.  The focus of my life has changed, as it tends to do, and hence so has this blog.  This is my life documented, folks; heck – lately, it’s been a pregnancy journal!  Stick around to see what’s next – it’ll be a surprise to both of us!

But for now, just know that you’ve made my day!!!

Taking it back to this blog’s roots real quick, check out this article that was published last week on the Huffington Post website - Nine Things We Love About Charleston, SC.  I’m not sure how they ever narrowed it down to nine! 

 Downtown Summerville this week (The Eclectic Chef was delish!)

xoxo

p.s. Thoughts and prayers to Aurora, Colorado.  My brother was at the very same midnight showing in NYC.  Feeling pretty thankful.

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 91°