April at the Adams & One Month Favorites

April at the Adams...Cam's first month of life!  This has definitely been a month I will never forget.  Late nights, early mornings, emotional rollercoasters, returning back to school, getting a new car, leaving the masters project behind, getting A JOB INTERVIEW (yes that's right!) conditioning Penny to her new brother...  Oh, and that new little responsibility called being a mommy?  YEAH...THAT!  I'm sure I can think of more as soon as I hit the post button...but as you can tell - this month has been pure craziness.  In some ways it feels like it lasted an eternity, and in others it feels like it happened all too quickly.

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In honor of Cam's first month of life, we are going to share our favorite things so far...

DISCLAIMER:  I'm not going to recommend anything that we don't absolutely love!

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One Month Favorites 

Boppy: This is ESSENTIAL.  My sweet friend Samantha brought hers to me and I wondered just WHY I didn't already have one.  ABSOLUTELY a MUST for breastfeeding and also great for tummy time, naps, laying in laps, etc.  LOVE

Snoogle:  Ok I've already bragged on this pillow in the past...BUT I have to again.  I still use it (and probably always will) because the Camster will rarely sleep anywhere other than on me.  So to do this safely I sit up in bed and wrap it around us so we aren't going anywhere.  Yeah...not much sleep for me but at least he is happy and that's what matters!

Bouncer/swing set: I use this bouncer ALL THE TIME.  The bouncer can be removed from the swing, and when he's not swinging I take the bouncer where ever I am.  It vibrates which is kind of an amazing thing for a crying baby- we just tend to go thru a D battery a day.  Sure I want to hold him all the time, but then I think of how SPOILED he would be if he isn't sat down sometimes...so here is where the bouncer comes in handy;)

Gap Favorite Bundler:  My sis in law (aka Auntie) got Cam these before he was born.  The poor thing lives in them BUT he is comfortable, it is easy to change diapers, AND it covers his little hands which keeps him from scratching himself (something he is notorious for so far:/)!  Not to mention...they are adorable!  He looks like a cozy little worm with paws.  I know that's kind of a bizarre description...but it's true!

Stroller: this stroller is the bomb.com.  It is so cute and easy to stroll-AND it has an Ipod dock!  I absolutely AM IN LOVE with it!  It has made walks (and hopefully jogging in the future) easy peezy and something to look forward to!

Marc Jacobs Eliza Diaper Bag:  Absolutely love my diaper bag.  I love all the pockets.  The fact that it will pretty much hold ANYTHING.  The comfort.  Easy clean.  Chic look.  I just LOVE it.  No regrets!

Pacifier Wipes: if your little one loves pacifiers like mine does these are a must!  He tends to spit them across the room (especially when mad) and if we don't have one of these handy...let's just say NOBODY is a happy camper.  Soooo these are somewhat of a lifesaver.

Cam's Favorite Passy's-MAM:  Cam's little friend Kynadee gave him her "favorite" passy's at his baby shower and let's just say she KNEW what she was talking about.  He LOVES these pacifiers.  He will not take anything else!  Big thanks to Kynadee;)
Graco Pack and Play:  The thing I love about this is that you can stick it in your room and not have to travel all the way to the nursery to change a diaper in the middle of the night.  The little sleeper on top vibrates and plays music/noises, it has a blue light...lots of cool features!
Boon Lawn Countertop Drying Rack & Accessories:  This is the cutest thing.  I've never been into drying racks by the sink, but with baby stuff and all the little parts and pieces...I figured we had better cave and buy one.  Not only does it do its job well, but its adorable while it does its job!  The tree branch accessories are a must as well.  Great for pacifiers, nipples, and pump parts. 

Do you have any one month favorites I haven't mentioned?  

Things a Mother Should Tell Her Son

I came across this the other day on Pinterest (what else???) from the blog, "Werdyab," and it just came across as something I want to keep close by to refer back to for the years to come.  This is adorable and very sound advice to pass on to our little men:)  I better start memorizing so I can fluently spout this stuff out when it's needed and appear to be full of wisdom and whit!  

What would we do without Pinterest?

1. Play a sport.  It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble.   And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee.  Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young because you're going to need it some day.   

5. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom.  Now please go use them. 

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly.  Forever is a long time to live alone and it's even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance. 

11. Be strong and tender at the same time. 

12. A woman can do everything that you can do.  This includes her having a successful career and you changing diapers at 3 A.M.  Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts" is because they're "private".  Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing.  Be a good leader and others will follow. 

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason is always a good idea.

17. Be patriotic.

18. Potty humor isn't the only thing that's humorous.  

19. Please choose your spouse wisely. 

20. Remember to call your mother because I might be missing you.

Product Love: Fedoras

Hats.
One of my obsessions.  ESPECIALLY for little ones!
I sense a lot of hats in Cam's future...that is- as long as he is cooperative!
And maybe I can even talk the Mr. into wearing one with us???  Hmmmm.
Family picture moment;)

In lieu of hats...I am in the search of the perfect fedora for a "Cam summertime accessory."  For some reason, I gravitate toward fedoras for myself...AND the Cam-ster as well.  

Here's what I've found...

For Cam:

                                       

Baby Gap, 16.95

Quiksilver, 24.00

Old Navy, 12.94

For Mom:

Piperlime, 34

Comes in Pink too!

Gap, 29.95

Gap, 16.95

For Dad:

Etsy, 160...esssh!

American Eagle, 19.95

American Eagle, 19.95

While we wait on the perfect fedora for summer, I'll just try conditioning him to be a hat loving kinda guy...

We shall see how this works out...

The Camera & Cam

I think I have a camera ham on my hands.  These pictures were taken when Cam was a week old...and just LOOK at how he worked it.

Probably one of the only times he has ever remained swaddled...

or EVEN partially swaddled!

Here's the Elvis lip...

Our little Easter bunny:)  He may kill us one day...but this will prob be displayed on

my "holiday shelf" with all the other Easter nick-nacks for the rest of his life!  Haha:)

This is the smile that melts my heart.

Sweet baby feet:)

Seriously...all of these hats...I could die!  I have a hat fetish...especially for him!

Photos by Dana Cochran Photography

Honestly...this has been an emotionally hard week for me.  To look at Cam ALWAYS cheers me up, and these pictures just makes me smile.  I hope it does the same for you...babies are such a blessing and reminder of our amazing creator and what he is capable of.  ANYTHING & EVERYTHING:)  Have a great Thursday:)

In a Month's Time...

This is it!  The first of hopefully many Cam milestones.  Are you ready to watch him grow?  He is officially a month old today...Happy One Month BABY!  I CAN'T believe it.

  He is definitely the most beautiful gift God has ever given me aside from salvation.  Cade is way up there too:)  

NOW I can REALLY start to enjoy him.  The Masters Project is behind me!  After this experience, God really has shown me what little faith I have.  All the worry...all the stress...oh and SHEER TERROR...all to find three people (aside from the judges) show up to my presentation (as opposed to the 40 some of my classmates had).  Talk about one happy girl!  How could I have ever doubted him?  

Cam was my audience as I practiced for the speech.  Does the hand over the head mean I bored him??

Thanks to my sister-in-law Caitlan, who watched my little man during my presentation, all of my classmates and professors got to meet Cam after watching the whole time he was cooking away in my tummy.  It was a pretty cool experience:)  And...he may have been definitely was the reason Mommy got an A on oh...only the biggest AND LAST (woot!) presentation of my life.  Can we say best good luck charm EVER? ;)  

SLP status here I come!

Cam waiting on me during the presentation:)

All of that being said, I am SO excited to get to devote more time to this blog.  The era of 21 years of school for this girl is finally coming to an end...summer is just around the corner, and even though work is inevitable- there will be more free time without having to devote home time to homework and studying!  

So excited about the new chapter of life ahead...

I hope you follow along:)

Cam's Big Weekend of Firsts!

WHAT a weekend our little family had!  This year is going to be a year full of many firsts for our little guy, and every single one is so fun to stand back and watch!  I have a sneaky suspicion that I will forget many of them if I don't start writing them down...I have really got to start working on that baby book!  I'm dying!  Right after I finish up my Master's Presentation Friday...that baby book and I have a date.  Soooo ready to be done with that great educational experience nasty thing.  I'll just let Cam tell you about our weekend, he just turned 3 weeks old Friday anyway...I think he can take it from here!

-I attended my first church service!

Dad had to work the nightshift, we wish he could have been with us!

-Wore something other than a gown or onesie!  And I looked pretty dapper!

-My first trip out loafering with Mom and Dad in Knoxville.

- I rode in my stroller for the first time!  (It took Mom, Dad, AND the Car salesman to figure out how to get it ready for my car seat...)

Me at Toyota of Knoxville...We were waiting on all our paperwork for our new car!

-Went to my first restaurant...Texas Roadhouse.  I don't understand why it wasn't the Red Lobster...they eat there EVERYTIME they go anywhere?  I'm ready to see what it's all about!

Me asleep at Texas Roadhouse while Mom & Dad ate

-Test drove (well...in the backseat) my first car

-Bought our first car (with me in tow)!  I have A LOT of room and can see a lot from the windows and sunroof!  Turns out...Dad couldn't fit his legs in the Sorento due to my carseat...oops!  

-Went to the grocery store with Mom!

Mom was a sanitize freak!!

-Watched my first episode of "Duck Dynasty..."  Hey! Those guys are crazy, Jack!

Think I'd fit in with the Robertson's?

We had a lot of fun!  I wonder where we will go next?

Cam & 

Body After Baby Diary

It's that time.  Time to buckle down and get back into pre pregnancy form.  So far, I have been able to eat whatever I want and still lose weight (I'm breastfeeding).  While that's all well and fabulous right now...let's just face the music - it is not going to last forever.

A week before Cam arrived...He came a little earlier than the expected 12 days!

While I still have this awesome metabolism/fat burning benefit, I have got to buckle down and get back into a realistic eating routine.  I started with a trip to the grocery store yesterday-the first one in about a month!  

Diet Pepsi (Caffeine free that is!  Haha I am definitely making up for lost time)  Oikos Greek Yogurt is the bomb.com, I'm feeling some peach smoothies in my future, and my friend suggested that chocolate milk was great to drink while breastfeeding...no complaints there!  Chewy Peanut butter chocolate granolas for the sweets cravings, and oatmeal chocolate chip breakfast cookies are quick & easy for busy mornings.  The rest of the groceries are clean eating friendly...besides what I have to buy for my hubby.

On my list?  Protein, dairy, fruits, and veggies.  Like I have mentioned before...clean eating is my goal-but I have got to figure a way to do so at a decent price range.

I figured the most practical way to do this would be a Weight Watcher's approach with an emphasis on wholesome, non-processed foods.  I'm not joining the meetings or online communities or any of that jazz, just simply calculating my daily points.

I have lost around 20 lbs since leaving the hospital without following a diet plan.  At 2 weeks post partum, I am 8 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight.  I want to lose this (and maybe some more) while building muscle and tone that I have lost due to taking it easy for 9 months while baby Cam was making his way into our lives:)

         

These pics are so awkward and embarrasing...

I hear it takes several weeks (maybe even months) for a women's body to return back to normal after giving birth.  I know that I had some major swelling in my belly, but it continues to go down one day at a time.  Here's to hoping the rest of my body finds it way back to the norm in weeks rather than months!

If your interested in figuring out your own points, click here.  Also, click here for an online points calculator.

As soon as I'm cleared by my doctor at my 6 week follow-up (Hello May 3rd!), I am planning on hitting up Jillian Michael's Body Revolution.  I am so excited to begin this, I CAN'T wait!  I have SO missed working out.

Well...here goes!  I plan on continuing to blog about my progress every week as a way to keep myself accountable and motivated.  (Inspired by Lindsay Brin...her Mom's Into Fitness Blog is one of my favorites!) Hopefully there will be lots of recipes, yummy food finds, and time efficient work out tips in the near future:)

If you are also in the process of losing baby weight or beginning your own weight loss/fitness goals- I would love to hear from you and any advice, tips, or recipes you may have to share!  Just leave your comments or email me at:  

radianceandwhimz@hotmail.com

Cam's 1st lake trip:)