a little laugh for your Sunday

I really love imagining that Henry grabbed my camera and took this himself- for his Myspace profile, of course. So many captions could go with this photo, but I think the best is "hey ladies." hahaha! I love my little (myspace-picture-taking) man.

Happy Sunday!

Henry: 4 months

This post is a bit belated, as Henry turned 4 months old last week, on the 22nd! He didn't have his checkup until yesterday though, so I wanted to wait to publish this post until then. He is doing very well and his appointment was wonderful...our tough guy didn't even cry during his shot. ;) Henry currently weighs 14 pounds, 14 oz. (50th percentile) and is 26 inches long (70th percentile).  This month it seems like H. is really coming into his own- his personality shines through a little more everyday, and it's so amazing to watch him figure things out on his own. He's been love love loving his Sophie the Giraffe and is happiest when she's in his hands...or his mouth! He also has been liking his Glowworm at nap time.

This month Henry:

rolls over, from back to front, and front to back
has taken to screaming and squealing
started teething
can fully move his head and hold it up
is starting to reach for things
can recognize people
knows his name (at least I think so)
smiles all the time
laughs a lot more often
drools constantly
loves putting his feet and hands into his mouth

Breastfeeding is going well as usual, and he is still sleeping with us in the cosleeper in our bed, but napping in his crib (or on me) during the day. He was sleeping through the night, 12 hours, but now he goes to sleep at 7pm and wakes up around 4 to eat, then sleeps a little more until 8 or so. Some nights recently have been more difficult, with him waking up every few hours, but the past couple of days have evened out and he's doing much better now that we are home and won't be traveling for some time.  We're probably going to move him fully into his crib at 6 months, and I think that transition is going to be a lot harder on me than him! We'll see.

So, yay for Henry and yay for 4 months! I am just starting to plan his first birthday party (crazy, I know) and I am REALLY excited about this little idea I've concocted. I think it's going to be amazing. And even more amazing? He's 1/3 of the way there. Bittersweet.

Here's to another wonderful month full of wet baby kisses and belly laughs. We love you so much Henry!

Roll with me Henry!

Henry's been rolling over for a few weeks now, and like the new parents we are, it's the hugest deal! When he first did it, I bet our neighbors thought we had won the lottery with the cheer we let out. It's just so awesome to see him try, try, and try again, then finally accomplish something. And now can go from back to belly, and belly to back. Yay Henry! I initially realized he could do this a few weeks ago when I placed him on his play mat and turned around for a second- the next thing I knew, he was on his belly! In the past month he's become quite the little rolly-poly and is moving around like crazy. So, in the spirit of rolling over, here's a short little video I put together. Thanks to my friend Allie for sending me this song so many months ago! Enjoy.

Tattoo...Wednesday!

{I forgot to take a final picture so this photo was taken before we touched up the black again and 

added a tiny more blue- I'll post a better photo later, of course!}

Today was a great and super special day- I finally got my mama tattoo for Henry! I had gone back and forth about what I wanted to get, and years ago (before I was a mama) I knew that one day when I had a little one I would want to get his or her silhouette. When Henry was born I originally wanted to get that for him, but thought instead that I would wait until we had all of our kids and do something a little more traditional now, like an anchor or just his name in script. I realized though that it was silly to wait to do something that I really wanted (and had wanted for ages), so I made the appointment, and today was the day!

Mondo at Immaculate Tattoo in Mesa, AZ tattooed me (he previously did the "Sweet Darlin'" above my knees), and as always I loved it. I have been going to Immaculate for years and years, back when Jason tattooed me, then Cory, and now Mondo. It's a great shop with great artists, and I highly recommend you check them out if you're in the area.

I am so, so in love with it with it and of course, it's my new favorite (like every new tattoo I get)! I'm just so happy with how it turned out, and I can really see Henry in it- his tiny little button nose, chin, and the bits of hair.  I hadn't thought about a frame before Mondo brought it up, but I'm so happy I ended up getting one. I have never seen a silhouette tattoo before and I have a hard time picturing things in my head, but as usual with good artists they manage to produce something that is better than you could have even attempted to imagine. I love that.

So, today was an excellent day. I'm just so excited for big-kid Henry to one day realize that this tattoo is of him, and for him to look at my arm and know his mama loves him oh-so much.

Today, Sunday

Hank and I decided to stay another night at my parents', so in the morning we all went to IHOP for breakfast (my Dad's choice). I'm not a fan of breakfast places like this- I really, really love eating big, healthy breakfasts at home...but I did find something good to eat and it was really fun. Definitely a great morning, and we headed out fairly early and stopped by Scottsdale Fashion Square before we actually headed up the mountain. The mall was fun, but super super crowded. It's weird- ever since I moved to our small town five years ago, I really cannot handle or stand big, crowded places. The parking lots are too much, all of the bustling crowds are too much, and I just would rather avoid it all together. However, we got there right as the mall opened so it wasn't too bad.

*Quick question though- I fell in love with a dress at H&M, but they didn't have my size. If you are headed to one soon and wouldn't mind checking and possibly picking up something for me (I can paypal you), could you email me at sometimessweetblog @ gmail? This is the second time I've done this at H&M recently (I had my friend send me a top last week) but I adore this dress and would love to own it. I'd appreciate it so, so much- and thank you in advance for any and all responses! :)

Doesn't the snow look beautiful? This is what we came home too. One thing I really enjoy about living up north is that we get all four seasons. Although I'm not a huge fan of the cold, it is nice to have snow and to really experience so many different types of weather. People think Arizona and automatically think HOT...but our beautiful state really has a little of everything. It's neat that Henry will grow up having snow days like I did growing up in New Jersey. It definitely brings back memories of my Mom making hot chocolate and letting us watch daytime television under the big blue blanket. Ahh, I love it.

But anyway, great weekend! I'm excited for a wonderful week too. I'll be down in Phoenix again, heading to the Children's Museum with my pals Natalie and Anita, and our little ones. Although Henry isn't quite big enough to enjoy it, I think he will like checking out some new scenery and being with other kiddos. I also have a hair appointment with Rhonda, and I'm excited to cut it all off! Juust kidding. I wouldn't ever do that- I love love my long hair. I do want to darken it a little more and trim my bangs, but that's about it. I've mentioned it before but Rhonda's been doing my hair since I was 14...how insane is that?! I love her and she really is like family. I feel lucky to have her in my life.

I hope all of you have a great week! I'll leave you with some photos. xo

I like to imagine that Henry is saying "heeeeey!" in this one. It makes me giggle.

at breakfast

Dad looking squinty, mama, and Lauren

 Hank's

mine! Veggie omelette and a banana

bathtime, I snapped this photo about an hour ago. How darling is he?!?

after bathtime with Daddy

Henry: 3 months

3 months?! 1/4 of a year? Whoa, Henry. Slow down there. I am in total disbelief that it's been an entire 12 weeks since this little-big baby was in my belly, and I was only daydreaming of what these days would be like. Now that I'm smack dab in the middle of "these days," nothing in my wildest imagination could have prepared me for the amount my heart would grow in such a short time. To be a mother is an indescribable thing. This love I have for my son, the way I want to protect him, guide him, nurture him, it's amazing. I feel like he makes me a better person, and if this is how great it is at just 3 months, I can only imagine how much more this love with grow over our lifetime.

Our darling boy has been growing and growing, and something changes everyday- there's truly always something new. Hank and I were just remarking about how remarkable the speed of growth is. One day he wasn't able to reach up and grasp his toys, and now he is. One day it took a lot to get a smile out of him, now it's all he does. It's truly amazing.

This month Henry:

• is still breastfeeding. Hoping to go a year. 
• is a LOT more vocal. He's making some sort of noise all of the time- lots of vowel sounds and squeals.
• can reach above his head and grasp at the toys hanging from his playmat
• can hold objects in his hand and will try and move them to his mouth
• has become a thumb sucker and soothes himself this way. The sucking noise is so loud at night sometimes it makes me laugh.
• is all smiles, all the time
• first sort of real laugh (on Super Bowl Sunday while lying on our bed) but only does it once and awhile- I think the real thing is coming soon!
• loves his Sophie Giraffe. If he's crying all I have to do is squeeze it and he stops what he's doing and smiles and smiles.
• is liking tummy time more- can hold his head up, but still doesn't push all the way up on his arms- he can do a little mini one though.
• has a lot more head control 
• is starting to like sitting in his Bumbo.
• has been drooling like crazy
• has been trying to put things in his mouth- the head cushion on his swing, toys, etc.
• went on his first hike
• went downtown to the square for the first time

Our typical day is as follows:

6 or 6:30am- wake up and eats, goes back to sleep for a short while
8am-wakes up for the day
8-8:30 or 9am- lays in bed with mama and cuddles, listens to music
9am- plays on mat in the living while I make myself breakfast, then I go sit next to him on the floor and eat
10am- Henry eats again.
10:30am- nap time, usually sleeps for about 2 hours and during this time I'll blog, eat lunch, etc.
12:30ish- wakes up, we change it up over the next few hours- play on the floor, use the swing, read in the glider, dance around to music, go on a walk
4pm- eats again
4:30ish- takes another nap until about 6 or 6:30
6:30- wakes up, plays, hangs out with his papa
8:30pm- start winding him down for bed, bathtime if needed, quiet playtime
9:00 on the dot- feed him
9:30pm- asleep for the night...and start all over again!

We're really lucky because he's been sleeping through the night for quite awhile now. At first I got a little nervous about not feeding him during that time, but my milk kind of adjusted itself and I've had no problems. He still eats like a champ and feeling rested is definitely something I'm thanking my lucky stars about.  I've heard from a lot of people that he's an "easy baby," and I've also heard that the next one is always the opposite! ha! So we shall see. Not that we are into having another baby any time soon for goodness sakes...don't get any ideas MOM. ;)

So, happy 3 months Henry! You are amazing and we love you so.

"So, what's your sign?"

Some guys use pick up lines to try and get a date, but all this little guy has to do is flash his cute little pout face and the ladies just fawn all over him.

"Be mine or I'll cry."...works everytime!

Happy Valentine's Day from my family to yours.

xoxo

Sunday fun

Today was one of the best days I've had in a long time. I had been feeling a little down for a few days on and off, so Hank planned a really fun day for us to get me out of my funk. It worked! We woke up and got some things done around the house, and then headed downtown. The three of us walked around, stopped by various shops and picked up some cute things for friends, went by the candy shop and got some sweet treats, etc. etc. It was so fun. Henry slept the entire day away, and only woke up for a moment when a huge parade of Harleys went by. After that we changed into warmer clothes and drove over to Thumb Butte to go hiking for an hour or so. Hank strapped on the ERGO carrier and the three of us climbed and hiked the afternoon away. It was so, so nice to be in the fresh air, and the weather was just perfect, if not a little overcast. It definitely made me even more excited about spring, and thinking about doing all sorts of outdoor activities. I love exercising outside, and our town is great for doing just that- we have a ton of trails, both for running and hiking. It's pretty awesome. After our hike we came home (exhausted) and cooked dinner. We made our own sweet potato fries (I'll blog about it this week- it's so easy, healthy, and delicious), and had Boca burgers. Now little H. is sleeping, and Hank and I are just lounging about. Totally great end to a great day.

Here are some photos- a mix of my Nikon D-SLR, Instagram, and Diptic apps:

 

 

What are YOU excited about?

{image via weheartit}

I'm excited about a lot lately, and I think this is partially from the change in seasons- even though it's still February some of our days have been quite spring-like. When winter turns warm, and when summer turns to fall, I feel happiest. I feel inspired. And I feel optimistic about all that is to come. Summer and winter are great too, but there's just something about fall and spring that feels so right. So today, here's what I'm excited about:

-the random warm days scattered amidst the colder ones. Sunny afternoons and longer days.
-the first smiles from baby Henry in the early morning. They melt my heart.
-the "almost laugh" he's working on. All of those little sounds and squeals.
-our summer trip to the East Coast, I can't stop daydreaming about the fun we'll have.
-date nights on the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore. Yes, that Jersey Shore. My beloved Jersey Shore!
-spring time clothing- skirts and shorts and sun dresses - oranges and grays and mint greens. Lots of stripes and florals.
-getting our house put together, spending time decorating and making it a home.
-the upcoming blogger meetup, and getting to meet so many of my favorite friends.
-on the same note, getting to meet so many new people I don't yet know.
-trying out new recipes with Hank- we're choosing one per week from a new cookbook so we can build up our arsenal of go-to dishes.
-thinking about Henry's future, looking forward to so much.
-my new lipstick on the way from MAC "Shy Girl." I tried it the other day with my sister, and it's the perfect everyday color.
-my sister's wedding, in exactly one month. I can't wait to see her walk down the aisle.
-today's plans: spending the afternoon downtown, Henry's 3 month photos, and maybe a hike too.
-the kale we are having for dinner tonight. Have you ever had kale? Sauteed, steamed, etc. So good. And so good for you!
-the fact that Cadbury eggs (the hard-shell ones in the purple bag) will be here soon if they're not already here. They're my one candy weakness.

And I'm kiiiind of excited about this cuteness from Friday, too:

So, that's my list! What are YOU excited about?

Half of a weekend (and some of the week) in photos

What a wonderful week this has been! Super busy and chock full of people I love. I still wake up every morning in awe of the fact that I get to spend another day with my little guy- I absolutely love love love being able to stay home with him and I feel like it just keeps getting better and better. Now that he's about three months old, he's starting to really interact with us, and it's neat that every day he does something new and different.

Last night was pizza night, which is one of my favorite things that we do together as a family. We go to Bill's, split the cranberry/feta/almond salad and get a small pizza with Bill's sauce, which is a mixture of tomato and pesto sauce. So good. It's also totally baby-friendly, so it's no problem bringing the little guy and he just hangs out while we eat and talk. I'm not sure if the way Henry is is the way all babies are, but he is really easy when it comes to going places. He loves the car, so he's usually asleep by the time we get anywhere, and if he does wake up he'll look around and take it all in. I love that he has just fits right into our little life- now I can't imagine life without him.

Here are some pictures from yesterday and a couple of Henry throughout the week:

first time using our ERGO carrier....I absolutely loved. It was super comfy and Henry fell right asleep. Tomorrow we are going to go on a hike with it too! Can't wait.

*little shoes from Elsie and the cute tuxedo onsie from Julia. So sweet.