Author: Leelo

First Words

Five days ago Teddy started intentionally trying to repeat what I was saying while we practice our daily, “Dadas” and “Mamas”. I was really trying to stress the “mamas”, to which my mom said, “Ohhhh, good luck with that. It’s ALWAYS ‘Dada’ first!”

Then Teddy and I got sick. The lessons stopped and the cuddles, humidifier and Vicks vapor rub began. Nothing but a few coughs and squeals from our little Mr. Sunshine.

Finally, today we were just starting to feel better… And Daddy gets sick! We still had an errand we needed to run so we hoped in the car with me driving and Alex in the back. He figured, let’s give it a shot. He started saying, “Dada.” And would you believe???? Teddy started saying it!

“Dadadadadada! Dadada! Dada.”

I was driving, but luckily Alex caught it on his phone so I could watch it back later. At least I got to hear it for real. It was just the cutest thing in the whole world. I didn’t even mind that it wasn’t a “Mama” first. And even though he’s still coughing and hacking he’s been going non stop! “Dadadadada!” Alllll the live long day!

Just the cutest.

I imagine it’s hard being the working parent so I’m just very glad Alex not only got the first word, but it was “Dada.” Just melts your heart.

Hair. Everywhere.

Starting about right around Teddy turning 4 months old my hair started falling out. Juuuuust a bit. Not that we’re two weeks in, it’s literally flying off my head. Every pass through of a comb, fingers or brush ends in a wad of tangled hair. In the shower, the walls are covered with it (as to try and avoid clogging the drain).

Alex has been very understanding but last week, there were three clumps on the shower walls and as I stepped out he said, “Oh my gosh Nat! It looks like someone murdered a furby in here!”

Hah! Yes, it’s true. It’s that bad. I truly did not think when other Moms talked about their hair falling out it would be this bad! But I’m here to tell you, it is!!

I wonder if I’ll be bald by the time he’s 6 months old?

Teddy | 4 Months

Teddy, I know I say it all the time but you are just the best baby! You are so easy, friendly, cuddly and so darn sweet.  You make everyone feel like a million bucks with your sweet smile and you’re growing leaps and bounds. Your doctor says you have the biggest personality and you are so strong. He’s right! You are constantly on the move, squirming and scooting and rolling everywhere. You are getting very tired of your playmat and find it boring. You always have to exploring whatever I’m doing. It’s so sweet to watch you intensely taking in all my moves when I’m making dinner or doing dishes and playing with Boone.

You love to grab and pull. And you really love your puppy Boone. He dances around for you and you laugh. You started laughing some really deep laughs this month and it brings Daddy and I so much joy to hear it. Thank you so much for not growing up too fast — I love every moment I get to spend with you.

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Teddy is now 15.25 lbs and well over 2 feet long now. He is usually in the 90th percentile for weight, but he’s dropped down to the 70th which the doctor said is probably because of all his moving around. He rolls everywhere and squirms all the time.

My favorite thing that Teddy has done more intentionally now is holding my hand and reaching for Daddy’s & my face. It is just the sweetest thing every time. He LOVES to intertwine his fingers with mine and he even finds it comforting while we drive in the car if he can hold my hand.

Some of Teddy’s favorite people are his grandparents. He LOVES to Facetime with them and we do it as often as we can.

Some new tricks Teddy learned this month was sitting up on his own. I still prop him with pillows but he sure has some strong abs! He can sit up all on his own from a reclined position. He’s using his strength any way he can, from turning over his play gym to throwing things, and kicking and grabbing. If he wants something he just goes for it!

Another thing he’s been up to this month is getting up on his knees while on his tummy. He is working so hard to crawl, but I think he’s still going to hold out until 6 months to actually do it.

Alex thinks that he’ll be crawling by the end of this month. We’ll see!

Teddy is also obsessed with his feet. He grabs them all the time, even in the bath, which makes it hard to keep him reclined. Once he’s fully sitting up on his own we will have to transition him to a bigger tub, that’s for sure! He can’t quite get his feet into his mouth yet, but he does everything he can to try. It is so amazing to see him trying to accomplish things on his own. I’m so proud!

Now, some new things Teddy is doing that are not so awesome… He has been waking up more during the night. The doctor said it’s probably because he’s so much more aware and that putting him in his own room soon would be a good idea. I agree! It’s like every sound wakes him up. And, he’s eating a lot more — which is most likely because he’s going through a growth spurt.

But, seriously will we ever get to sleep again??

The last thing that hasn’t been that awesome is Teddy’s lack of enthusiasm about the adventure chair. We started calling it that because we wanted him to like it and be excited for all our adventures. We were doing great there for a while, but now he seems to be very aware of the fact that he’s strapped in. He can’t grab for things as easily and he can’t reach his toes. He gets so frustrated! I hope that goes away soon because we drive a lot!

Overall though, this kid is amazing. He’s the best Teddy around. I can’t wait to hear his little voice in the next few months and see how he will continue to grow!

Until then, he are a few pictures from this month.

Happy 4 Months, Teddy!

A Weekend Away

This past weekend was the first time I’ve ever left Teddy over night. In the days leading up to it, people would ask, “How are you doing?” “Are you nervous?” And I would just say, “I’m trying not to think about it.”

Honestly, I felt if I dedicated any of my brain to thinking about leaving my baby over night and how he would cry without me and probably not be able to function I would either a) crawl into a ball and cry my eyes out and never leave his side or b) discover that the opposite was true and then do a).

I just decided to take it one step at a time.  I knew I was leaving him in eager grandparent hands who would probably pay him more attention then I ever do, so that helped make things easier.  And, I was only going to be 45 minutes away in Palm Springs.

After the drive down on Friday night my parents offered to let Teddy sleep in their room and they would bring him to me so he could get use to sleeping there and so I could get a good night’s sleep. It worked wonderfully.

I left early Saturday morning for the Bachelorette Brunch for Jeannemarie at the Mission Inn which was so lovely and tasty.  Then, since we couldn’t check into the timeshare until 4:00, Julie Ann and I went back to the house to see Teddy. Yes, I was already missing him and it had only been 4 hours. I got one last feeding in and we took off!

I picked up JM and we made the trip down to Palm Springs. We stopped by Julie Ann’s apartment and then hit up Ralphs for drinks, dinner, snacks, and trashy magazines. Some of JM’s friends that I invited came out too and we enjoyed an evening of girly drinks, crosswords, silly games, friends re-runs and pizza.  Then we soaked our feet in the spa and passed out on the couch around mid-night.

I only woke up twice in the night thinking that I had to feed Teddy or that he rolled out of his bed or something and I just prayed that he was being good. I got a few pictures and video from the grandparents which helped soothe the sting of missing him.

On Sunday we relaxed in the lazy river and ate out at Ruby’s. I think it helped that we were busy chatting away all day so I didn’t have to think about Teddy every two seconds and realize that he wasn’t with me.

Around 4 we left to head home and I couldn’t wait to smoother my little guy with kisses. I got to my parent’s house and there he was, totally fine and still alive!

He had such a wonderful weekend being entertained by Grandma and Grandpa and alllllll the people at their church. They even went over to Grammy and Pa’s house for lunch afterward. It made me so happy to know that he got to help create such fun and sweet memories with them and it all at once broke and filled my heart.

Sometimes it’s so hard to be away from family, especially as Teddy is growing so fast, but I know the Lord has us here for a reason and we are fully expecting and continuing to receive His blessings.

So, I survived! Goooo Teddy and Gooooo Mommy!!

Our First Family Vacation

We finally had our first little family vacation over the Labor Day weekend.  Earlier last month we found out that Alex didn’t have class on Saturday or Friday (a very rare occasion), so we decided to turn a three day weekend into a 4 day adventure!

We packed up the car on Wednesday and headed out right after Alex got out of work on Thursday.

We visited my parents and stayed the night there to break up all the driving. Then Friday morning we had breakfast with Grandpa and met Grandma for lunch at her school.  All the fourth graders were “oohing” and “ahhhing” over Teddy.  One girl even said (as Teddy was yawning), “Man, it’s hard to be so adorable. He needs a nap!” And he did.  He fell asleep right there in the midst of all the craziness.

After that we began the trek to San Diego for a fun filled weekend.  We stopped at Seaport Village to walk around and eat ice cream. YUM! It was a million degrees out though so we decided to check into our hotel and make a plan.

The Cotsenmoyer Clan joined us later that evening and we planned out the weekend.  Sea World on Saturday, then Hotel del Coronado on Sunday and the beach!

We woke up early on Saturday because Teddy boy doesn’t sleep past 6:30 am. Amy thought there was a cat outside their hotel room and Trav said, “No, that’s just Teddy.”  Mr. Smiley needs to learn that not EVERYONE loves to be all “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” at the booty-crack of dawn. Anywho, Tenley and Camden came over to our room (meaning they busted in through the door between our rooms and hung out with us while we all got ready for the day. Tenley is so sweet with Teddy. She loves to hold and hug him — I seriously die every time.  If they do end up getting married we have some seriously awesome wedding slideshow material.

Sea World with a three month old is a total blast and one he’ll obviously remember for his whole life. Juuuuust kidding.

The trip was really more us adults remembering our childhood trips to Sea World and watching Tenley freak out over all the cool animals. Still, it was fun!

Teddy was a champ. He napped whenever he was tired and practically lived in the carrier. Go me and Daddy for caring him around everywhere.  Amy and I even ducked into a few dark exhibits to nurse our kids and get them to sleep — because we’re pros like that.

We caught almost every show and hit every exhibit. Then we went back to our hotel ate pizza, jumped on the beds with Tenley and went to sleep.

Sunday was more relaxed. We slept in a bit (Teddy slept the entire night, which Auntie Am credits to herself for her awesome skills at putting children to bed). We grabbed a buffet breakfast at our hotel and then packed up the car for the beach. We drove over to Hotel del Coronado and grabbed parking spots a million miles away and apart from each other. Then we enjoyed some chips and a half a glass of moscato (ahhh, crisp and refreshing).

Then we took our rag-tag group and all our ish down to the beach. Amy pushed her crazy mess allll the way down to the shore with her double bob. She’s a beast! We parked it and set up the umbrella. Tenley ran into the waves with Trav while Teddy and Camden slept. Then once he was awake we took the Bubs out into the water. It was freezing and he wasn’t a huge fan, but as always he’s up for anything and he was a trooper. I honestly can’t imagine how my Mom would just let us drift out into the water and play in the waves. It’s totally scary. I may just keep Teddy chained to me until he graduates high school so he can’t ever get hurt. Okay, fine… I won’t. I’ll only do it until junior high.

Anywho, we all parted ways and then drove back to Riverside to spend the rest of our weekend with the Lopez family. But first, I got to have a little break with my best. Amy called me up on Monday morning and told me to meet her at the nail place. We grabbed Starbucks and had a wonderful pedicure — kid free. I miss that girl like CRAZY!

Then, it was off to Nana and Papa’s. It’s always such a sweet time when we can get the grandkids together. I really do cherish it. We always have a blast. It breaks my heart and makes it full every time we see them. Julian LOVES his little Tito and always wants to hold him. Emmy is just the sweetest little thing and I want to squish her all day.

I can’t wait to see how the Lord continues to grow our family on both the Lopez and Thomazin sides and who knows… maybe one day the Cotsenmoyers and Lopezes will join forces?

1 Year Ago A Pregnancy Started

Today is Labor Day and it’s fitting because it was a year ago, TODAY that we found out we were pregnant. After a YEAR of trying. We were finally pregnant. I can’t believe it’s been a year. I remember shaking in total shock at the TWO LINES on the pregnancy test. After many… many 1 liners. I remember friends and family praying for us to get pregnant. And I remember my friend Amy in tears telling me she was pregnant and worried that I would stop being her friend because she’s just so darn fertile. I remember the look on Alex’s face and the tears in his eyes when I gave him the bear. I remember the shock on our families faces when we told them. Our little one was loved so much already and he didn’t even know it.

I look back and I’m so grateful. Just so in awe. That year we were trying seemed like an eternity. I can’t even imagine how hard it is for those who have to try so much longer. The heartache after heartache. I feel for you. I pray for you! I promise you, God has a plan. In the midst of it, it’s so hard to see and it doesn’t make the heartache any less painful. Be in it. It’s real and it’s okay to feel that way.

But oh, when you come through it. It’s glorious! God is so amazing in His timing. Teddy coming into our lives could not have been any more perfect. What a crazy adventure we started — just a year ago!

Teddy | 3 Months

You’re three months old today! As much as I’d like to say that I can’t believe it, I do. You’re getting so strong and big and independent these days, but you really know how to make me feel like a million bucks with your sweet smile and cuddles. You’re such a sweet and easy baby. You’ve been on tons of adventures this month and you are always up for anything. You even started sleeping 7 hours a night! Last night you gave Mommy and Daddy a wonderful treat and slept for 8 hours. We all woke up refreshed and ready for another adventurous day!

Teddy, you’re smile is contagious and you spread so much love. You love everyone who holds you and you have a special talent to make every single person who meets you feel like your most favorite person (even though we really know that your favorite person is me — right Teddy boy?).

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I’d say these last three months have blown by, but they totally haven’t. I am so blessed to be able to stay home with this little guy and the blessing is that I get to soak up every moment. I really take care to savory every milestone and I try and capture as many memories as I can while I’ve been given this time with Teddy. Don’t get me wrong, I love to look back at the beginning stages and see how far we’ve all come. Alex and I as parents and Teddy as he’s now a wiggling, rolling, smiling machine!

Teddy doesn’t have a three month check up so I don’t have any stats, but as far as I can tell he’s growing perfectly. He’s lifting his head like crazy, and he’s even a fan of tummy time now. Just yesterday he rolled over from tummy to back for the first time!

Then, when Daddy came home Teddy did a double roll! When this kid decides to do something, man he goes for it.

I’m trying to mentally prepare for him being more mobile now. No more, leaving him just for a second and his naps on our bed are limited if he’s going to start rolling as soon as he gets up. Just this morning he rolled over in his crib and bonked his head. Sheesh, time for bumper pads already!

We visited family a lot this month and Teddy is a champ in the car. This month, though, we did have a scare when Papa went into the hospital for what we thought was some heart problems. After a few days though, he was released and we went back home. We did have fun though visiting family and creating precious memories with cousins, aunts and uncles.

Some fun memories from this month included go to Farrel’s Ice Cream Parlor and celebrating Grandma’s birthday. She used to work there when she was 19 year old!

Also, Teddy has shown some favoritism of his left hand. We jokingly say how stoked we are that he’s going to be a left handed pitcher. But, we just want him to do what he loves. As long as it’s baseball. Juuuuust kidding.

Another big adventure Teddy had this month was a trip to Lake Arrowhead with Andie (Alex Creswell) to do a photoshoot for The Show Ponies! They asked me to style it for them and Creswell totally brought the vision to life with vintage items and a huge American flag. Teddy brought the charm and such an easy-go-lucky little guy. We drove all the way from Camarillo and up the mountain then got out and did the whole shoot just strapped to me! I swear, he’s such a easy baby.

Finally, we were extremely blessed not only to spend some great time with Creswell, but have her offer to take some family photos of us! Teddy, again, turned on the charm for these photos. I mean, seriously, this kid is too much.

Onto another precious month with our sweet Mr. Smiley!

 

7 Hours!

Teddy slept 7 glorious hours last night! And then he ate and slept an additional three hours. He may have even slept longer if I had remembered to change his diaper when he woke up. Poor guy peed all over himself in the night (you’re welcome future Teddy who will read this and be mortified).

Recipe | Blueberry Banana Bread

I’ve been craving banana bread lately. Maybe it’s because it’s summer and I used to spend lots of time at my Grandmother’s house during the summer and HER banana bread is the BEST I’ve ever had. But, this isn’t her recipe. I had planned on sharing her’s with you, but then I realized it called for butter and I didn’t have any… shoot!

I also wanted banana with a crumble topping like the spice muffins from Mimi’s Cafe, so I set out to find a banana bread and crumble topping and found this one from bon appetit! I also decided that I REALLY wanted it to have blueberries so I added those to the recipe and altered the crumble topping a bit.

Serves: 1 (just kidding more like 10, but it could serve just one)
Cooking Time: 60 mins

What You’ll Need:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 medium ripe or frozen (thawed) bananas
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil, because I’m fancy like that)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water
1 (or two) handfuls of fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar (I used Trader Joe’s Organic)

What You’ll Do:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil and flour 9x5x3-inch metal baking pan.

Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl.

Whisk next 5 ingredients in large bowl until smooth. Add dry ingredients; stir to blend.

Then, add those oh so tasty blueberries.

Transfer batter to pan.

CRUMBLE TOPPING:
Mix 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and brown sugar; sprinkle over batter.

Bake bread until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Honestly, if it’s not ready in 60 minutes, only add 2 mins at a time otherwise you’ll over-bake it.

Cool bread in pan 30 minutes (Or don’t. I didn’t).

Enjoy!