Georgia turns 4 months!

4 months seems like a major milestone in my book.  I mean, I remember seeing and hearing about friends' babies who had turned four months and I would think, "wow they are growing up so fast!"  Well, now my own sweet little pip squeak has turned 4 months.  And it's true!  She really is growing up wayyyyy too fast.  Anyone know where I can find a machine that freezes time around here?  If so, let me know!  Until then, here's G's 4 month update!

this pretty much sums up what we've learned this month.  hands in mouth? check. feet in mouth? on their way...

Weight: G weighs 15 pounds even and is 25 ¼ inches long!  WAHOOOOO!  She is now in the 67% for weight and 85% for height!  Supermodel?  Maybe…

Health: So blessed to say she is a healthy baby, despite her annoying stuffy nose/cold that we have been dealing with for the past 2 weeks.  But I’ll take a cold any day.  My baby girl is healthy by all other standards J

Sleep: HAHAHAHAHAHA.  What sleep?  She went through a bit of sleep regression as I mentioned in her 3 month post, and now throw a stuffy nose into the mix?  Yea we don’t sleep at our house.  But I am hopeful that baby girl will get well soon and we can begin the process of retraining her to sleep.  Because mama looks like a crazy lady with circles so dark it looks like she’s been in a fight.  The only thing getting me through is the fact that everything is a season.  This too will pass.  And she will keep growing.  And growing and growing.  And sometimes I just want it to stop.  No sleep and all.  Because really even when she does wake up at 11, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630 and 730 (I only wish I was exaggerating), the gummy smile I am greeted with melts my heart.  I love her.

Social: She looooooooves some attention.  We attended our first Kindermusik class and well?  She loved it.  We went with old friends and left with some new ones and we are headed back twice this month (once on mama’s birthday!  Yayay!).  And holidays?  They are her thing.  Being passed around like a hot potato and smothered in kisses and tickles by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – yea she digs it.  She is quite the ham.

the dancer in her is practicing her heel stretch

Diet: Still going strong on breast milk!  I have had some trouble in that department so I am currently exclusively pumping, which to be honest, is really rough.  But I feel fortunate to be at home and have the time and energy right now.  I feel blessed to be producing enough milk and will keep going as long as I possibly can!  If you want more about my struggle or have any questions, email me!  I won’t put all the gory details on here J

Clothes: Can we talk about how inconsistent baby clothes are?  I mean, G wears some things in 3 months, some things in 6 months, and her pants?  9 months!  The 9 month pants are a little big in the waist but she needs them for length or else she’d be in capri’s constantly.  But honestly, it depends on the brand that’s for sure.  All baby clothes run different!  And she is still rocking mostly summer attire with her turtle kneck and long-sleeve onsies she got from H&M under them.  PS – can we also talk about her Thanksgiving out?  I showed a little taste on Wednesday, but a fur vest?  Really?  I’ve died and gone to Heaven.

Baby Gear Love: Still looooooove my best pump, because well – it’s my new best friend.   Also loving our Bumbo seat!  And for Christmas?  G is getting this adorable, larger-than-life bunny, this adorable tee-pee and some Spanish/English board books so she can work on becoming bi-lingual of course.  Although we are in the market for a high chair – any of you mamas out there have one you love?

Crying: She’s a happy little lady!  She really only cries when she’s hungry, bored or over-tired (which we try to prevent by having a bit of a routine).  She really hasn’t been fussy since she’s been sick either! 

Likes: Her mama and her daddy and huge favorites in her book right now.  When daddy comes home, her face lights up like a Christmas tree and mama works for that smile all. Day. Long.  She loves this little bunny blanket thingy.  And her thumb.  Huuuuge fan of her thumb right now.  And being tickled.  She cackles when mommy’s tickle fingers comes out, even in the anticipation stage.  It’s amazing.  She also loves her hands, and her feet, and pretty much anything else she can grab to go in her mouth.  And she loves laughing at herself in the mirror too!  Ahhhh, the best.

Dislikes: A dirty diaper is not her friend that’s for sure.  And when she gets tired, she needs to chill out – aka no tickle monster or funny songs/voices.  Other than that she’s likes everything and everyone!

Postpartum:  Feeling normal woop woop.  Still haven’t gotten on board with the exercise thing yet.  Maybe in the New Year?  I know I need to, I just haven’t been able to yet.  Soon though.  I feel it. 

Milestones: Oh man – smiles are still coming!  And now her laugh!  It’s HILARIOUS.  So funny.  And adorable.  She can roll over now too.  She can roll from tummy to back and back to tummy but not all at once.  Her tummy time has gotten immensely better as well.  She is holding her head up great and loves straightening her legs to “stand.”  

AND THE WINNER FOR THE $25 HARRIS TEETER GIVEAWAY IS.......

VUNDA VALL!  Congrats!  I will be emailing you shortly :)  xox

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a thankful heart

because on thanksgiving we wear fur vests.  faux fur of course.  but nonetheless, we are matching.

This thanksgiving was the best.  The best I’ve ever had.  I have so much to be thankful for and topping that list is that sweet little tiny human who follows me around all day (ok so she can’t walk or anything, I just carry her, but if she could I know she’d follow me!).  Her very first thanksgiving!  Can you believe it?  I still can’t.  I took a ton of pictures but realized only late night that we hadn’t taken a single video!  So Matt rushed to get the camera and immediately started video taping little G getting into her PJs.  So we have that.  Whew.  Crisis averted.  And she was such a happy baby all day, despite that fact that she has come down with her first for real cold and has been sleeping in her car seat upright for the past 5 days!  I mean, I’m not a nice lady when I am stuffy – but G?  The nicest baby lady you’ll ever meet – even with a stuffy nose.

But I can’t help but think back to last year and get alllll emosh.  Matt and I were still healing from our miscarriage but we were so hopeful.  And you know what?  Georgia was alreaaaaaaaaady in my belly!  Unbeknownst to her mama as her mama happily sipped on lots of vino – but hey!  Maybe that’s why she’s such a mellow babe? 

But all this is simply to say I am grateful.  For the people in my life, for the experiences I’ve had and for a hopeful and bright future.  Each day continues to get better and better, and I simply don’t know how that is possible.  I still pinch myself that I get to be her mom.  Man, I’m lucky.  No not lucky – I’m blessed. 

Hope y’all had a great Thanksgiving too!

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#SeasonsEatings: Pin to win with Harris Teeter + Puppy Chow Recipe + GIVEAWAY

This time of year it's so hard to get me out of the kitchen.  That's not to say I'm an excellent cook or anything.  I just love it.  I love the smells, the sounds and the mess that typically come from a well-loved kitchen around the holidays.

One of my favorite things to make every Christmas is the always yummy "puppy chow mix," however - I like to add a little Christmas spin on it and I call it reindeer food!  My best friend always brings it to our Christmas exchange and it won't last 5 minutes before it's gobbled up.  It's so easy to make, so yummy to eat and so pretty to look at!  It looks like reindeer food set out in the snow.  Put it in a mason jar with a cute sticker - and viola!  Christmas in a jar.  I made one of these for each of my neighbors this year and the children loved it (as did the adults!).  I also plan to make this every year with Georgia to leave out with Santa's cookies (Rudolph needs love too!).  Annnnnd I like to put my own little twist on the recipe.  Instead of 1/2 a cup of peanut butter, I use 1/4 cup of peanut butter and 1/4 cup of Nutella, because Nutella just makes everything better don't ya think?  Here is the skinny on the recipe:

Ingredients:

9 cups Corn Chex, Rice Chex, Wheat Chex or Chocolate Chex (or any combo of these)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup Nutella

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, Nutella and butter on HIGH for about a minute.  Stir until smooth.  If needed, microwave on HIGH for another 30 seconds.  Stir in Vanilla.  In a large bowl, stir in mixture with Chex.  Next, pour Chex in to a 2 gallon Ziploc bag (a large tupperware will work too!).  Pour powdered sugar over Chex.  Seal tightly and SHAKE!  Enjoy :)

hubby clearly helped make and eat this yummy-ness

So what's the big deal about holiday food this year?  Well... funny you should ask!  Harris Teeter is launching a Pin it to win it Contest with some pretttttty fabulous prizes!  And all you have to do is get busy on my favorite guilty pleasure - PINTEREST!

DETAILS HERE:

I have been working on my very own Pinterest board and let me tell ya my kitchen is a busy one!  I am slowly making my way through all of these delicious treats and having the best time.  I hope you'll join me :)  You can follow my board here!

Follow Denise Lopatka #SeasonsEatings on Pinterest

And it keeps getting better.  Just to say thank you for entering the contest and for being one of my FABULOUS readers, I am giving one lucky guy or gal a $25 gift card to Harris Teeter!  All you have to do to enter is to be a follow of Gratefully Inspired on FACEBOOK and/or BLOGLOVIN (if you follow on both, that's 2 entries!).  A winner will be randomly selected this Friday!

Follow here:

FACEBOOK

BLOGLOVIN

Come back Friday to see the winner!!

xoxo

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