Peck Life

Around the House

It’s officially summer when the cherries arrive! We don’t typically eat them with sporks, we just happened to have some handy.

My only lonely peony. I had so many buds and all of a sudden, they turned brown and fell off. So sad! We have had crazy weather lately…maybe they got too cold?

Little clothes….still too big for Ben but washed and ready to go.

A new houseplant and a new tablecloth – ah, what a difference.

A stash of trucks hidden underneath the coffee table…

Making chocolate chip cookies from scratch for my best girlfriend who just welcomed her second baby boy! All new moms need lots of cookies.

FINALLY some art hung on the wall. This happens to be our main hall bathroom.

Daily eats – greek yogurt, granola, and fruit.

Comfy cozy couch.

My favorite summer brew!

Another new little plant. Spiky!

Our days are full around here. We haven’t done much of anything exciting but feeding, changing diapers, and normal housework seem to fill the time. The weather has been pleasant and there have been a few evenings of staying outside late in the mild sun but I wish we could get out even more. Most days we are housebound.

I’m happy summer is just around the corner….looking forward to farmers markets, strawberry picking, babies in shorts, BBQ’ing, more walks outside, and my favorite holiday – 4th of July!

Curb Appeal

Given how difficult it seems lately to accomplish big projects around the house, I’ve been trying to do small things – both to spruce up our space and make me feel better about crossing something off the to-do list.

After sitting empty for nearly 3 months, the planter next to our front door finally has some flowers in it! Ben and I took a leisurely trip to home depot and picked out purple fountain grass, a sweet potato vine, heuchera, and a geranium. It filled the pot nicely and I love the contrasting colors.

A hanging basket was also purchased to add a little more color. I know it will be hard to tackle the yard this year so it makes me happy to have something blooming and full of life. It’s a mix of verbena, million bells, and a huge geranium.

My next project is this:

The front of our house slants down so this is the highest part of the front yard, right next to the street. The soil is very very old and compact. The carpet roses were planted about 5 years ago and although they bloom, they aren’t the healthiest. The two sorry lavenders make me sad and will be moved to a better home where I can hopefully revive them.

My plan is to rejuvenate the soil, keep the roses but prune them, and add in two large shrubs {possibly hydrangeas}, as well as some smaller perennials. After the planting is complete, it will get a thick layer of mulch to keep the weeds down.

If I can accomplish this in the next month, that will be a huge win. I think it’s possible because Sky likes to play out front and this is an area I can easily work on while keeping an eye on him at the same time {we live in a cul-de-sac so it’s pretty safe and he LOVES riding his power wheels and bike around the loop}.

Next up, a trip to the flower nursery to see what we can find!

Two Month Update

Let’s see….where to begin. First, TWO MONTHS? I can’t believe it. In some ways, I feel like the newborn days are already over. Time needs to slow down!

Now that Josh has been back to work for a while, I feel like it’s me and the boys a lot of the time. We haven’t been too adventurous yet. A few play dates, lots of hanging out at home, and visiting with grandparents on the weekends.

If there is one constant, it’s that each day is a little different and similar at the same time.

Some days, noon rolls around and I realize I haven’t had anything to eat or drink…brushed my teeth…I’m covered in spit up…Sky has wiped syrup on the couch…I’ve been peed and pooped on…and on and on and on.

Other days, I’ve managed to get coffee AND a shower AND breakfast AND was able to cross a couple things off the to-do list.

It’s unpredictable.

However, it never fails that there will be 8-9 nursing sessions, at least two loads of laundry, one load/unload of the dishwasher, 10-12 newborn diapers, five 3-year old diapers, one or two 3-year old potty accidents, a few spills and messes, meals that Sky requests and then refuses to eat, playing toy trucks, rocking and walking with Ben, and lots and lots of snuggle time.

A few stats about Mr. Benjamin:

• We’ve been trying nursing in a more horizontal, flat lying down position. It’s helped tremendously with Ben’s latch and spitting up. When he’s hungry, he pumps his right leg like he’s trying to ride a bike. It’s hilarious!
• Ben is not a huge fan of the binky. I think this might be a good thing…
• At 6 weeks, he was 8 pounds, 4 oz. At 2 months, he was exactly 10 pounds.
• 7 weeks, 2 days: no more newborn diapers! We’ve also just retired the newborn clothes. They were getting too snug as of a week ago.
• 6 weeks, 3 days: first smile at mama
• He likes to be held and cuddled. He doesn’t like to be alone. He loves to snuggle up in a carrier. Baby K’Tan was nice enough to send me a wrap to try and Ben does really well in it. I like that it’s sized to my frame so I don’t have to worry about wrapping! The newborn kangaroo wrap felt a little snug but I think that’s just because I wasn’t used to the feeling. I can’t wait until he’s a little bigger and we can try the other positions!

We’ve been given one 5 hour stretch of sleep but otherwise, it’s every 2-3 hours {sometimes 4} for nursing. Even though Josh has to be to work at 4:30 am, he’s still been getting up with me, changing Ben’s diaper, and handing him to me…which might not seem like that much but it’s a HUGE help.

“Mommy! Take my picture!”

A Sky update {Oh…Sky….}:

• Sky is a busy busy boy. Lately, he has not been sitting still, he’s been getting into things he wouldn’t normally, throwing things, jumping off furniture, and general shenanigans paired with a mischievous grin that tell us he knows exactly what he’s doing…
• Can this child get any MORE loud? Especially when Ben is sleeping…
• Also, why does he always have to display said loudness about 6 inches from where Ben is sleeping?
• He’s been resisting bedtime AND getting up early. Help me.
• Potty training is…I don’t know. Sort of coming along? See note above about each day being different. :\ I’m already having anxiety about preschool starting in September. Will my kid be the one who pees his pants all the time?
• Everything is WHY WHY WHY all day long and “Mommy, Watch me!!!!!!”.
• On the sweet side, he always reminds me each night that we need to snuggle {“Don’t forget mommy!”} and anytime I ask if I can sit with him or have a bit of his food or whatever….it’s “of course! of course!”.
• He is very independent and wants to do everything himself….everything. I’m trying to let him learn to do basic things like get dressed/undressed, use a zipper, cut things, open boxes/lids…rather than me doing it all the time. He’s gotta learn sometime right?

Some days I get to eat breakfast…and sometimes I even have a few extra seconds to wash blueberries!

Like with two boys so far is good…I love them both so much and enjoy taking care of them even though it’s REALLY exhausting. Isn’t it funny how once you have two kids, getting to take care of only one of them for a day is a “treat” vs. when you had #1 and it seemed like there was never downtime or a free second to do anything? There’s been a few times where I’ve only had Ben and it’s relaxing…but I don’t ever remember feeling that way when I only had Sky, haha.

P.S. – I announced the winner of the $100 Minted giveaway. Was it you?

Small Moments

This week has been consumed by sore throats, sniffles, and a lack of sleep. While we mend, I thought I’d share a few recent phone snapshots.

I’ll see you next week with a full 2 month update {WHAT?!}.

Happy weekend!

May Garden

I really can’t take any credit for this gorgeous woodland garden – it all goes to my grandparents, who carefully picked out so many different varieties of rhododendron’s and azalea’s during the 40 years they lived in this house. It’s so pretty isn’t it? May is surely the best month in this garden.

We enjoyed the tremendously huge lilac for half of the month. It’s too bad lilac’s are so short lived. They are one of my favorite flowers, next to peonies. Speaking of peonies….there are two bushes here with buds! I can’t wait….!

Friday Favorites

I used to be excited that it was Friday…but being on maternity leave, every day is the same. In fact, I rarely know what day of the week it is anymore! haha. Oh sleep deprivation, you are great. At any rate, I came across a few fun links this week during my many hours of nursing/phone surfing. Hope you enjoy!

{Photo courtesy of The Sweetest Occasion}

1. The National Stationery Show just happened….{droooooool}. So many gorgeous paper products. Cyd has done an amazing recap: Part 1 and Part 2.

2. LATTE ART!!!!!!

3. The most scrumptious looking no-bake blueberry cheesecake pots. Possible Father’s Day dessert?

4. I’ve officially migrated all of the blogs I follow to Bloglovin’. Still trying to get in the habit of reading in there vs. opening up Google Reader! You can follow me {here}.

5. Remember when I shared a list of the best sunscreen’s for kids based on the annual Environmental Working Group report? Well, the 2013 list has been updated and released! The report is lengthy so click here for a good, short summary.

6. A really fun free font!

7. In case you are looking for a new blog to read, I love Inspired by Annetta. She is a beautiful artist, photographer, and friend {that I’ve actually never had the chance to meet in person even though we live close to each other…that should change!}

8. These soap clouds look pretty cool. Has anyone tried this before?

9. We rocked our March of Dimes walk. I love all of these people so much! 20 people, $6870 dollars raised!

10. This was my favorite video to watch on Sesame Street growing up. So naturally, I LOVE this post: The Story of Crayola Crayons.

Happy holiday weekend!!!

Birth Announcements {Giveaway}

It took me a while but Ben’s birth announcements are finally complete!

This time, I was happy to get to work with Minted to pick out something beautiful. Minted is one of my favorite sources for announcements and invitations and their baby selection just keeps getting better and better! They are one of the only places that offers a large selection of shaped cards, like bubble scallop, which I used on our Christmas cards, and my other favorite, curved frame.

It was really hard to decide but I ultimately ended up taking the simplistic route and selecting a square “stats” card, printed on their signature paper, which is thick and produces great color output {amazing considering they have many more tiers of paper options all the way up to triple thick museum board! – can you imagine how beautiful that would look?}.

I paired the announcements with vintage flower stamps and a brand new return address stamp from NoteTrunk on Etsy. {P.S. – use “new10” for 10% off your first NoteTrunk order!}. Overall, I was very happy with the way they turned out!

Would you like to win $100 to Minted for your own upcoming announcements, invitations, or art {which is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G might I add..}? If so, you can enter below! I will announce the winner on Monday June 3rd.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to Justina S. for winning the giveaway!!!

The Best Toys

From the time I was 6 months old, I was taken care of during the day while my parents were at work by a woman named Donna. I don’t know whether to call her a friend, a caregiver, a second mother…? I love her. I have fond memories of being at her house and all of the fun toys we used to have; lots of wood toys, learning toys, puzzles and painting. Oh yes, and the old ice cream maker we used to churn!

Donna and I still get to visit from time to time and each time I see her, it seems she has unearthed some little treasure from her garage – gems I would think she’d want to pass down to her own grandchildren but somehow she has decided to gift to Sky.

This time? It was some “vintage” puzzle dominoes, an animal puzzle, AND {not pictured}, a fold up tee-pee covered with rainbow fabric. I’m so appreciative to her for thinking of us and I LOVE to see things I remembered as a kid. Even more, I love that Sky {and soon Ben} will get to enjoy them too.

A Busy Week

Blogging has taken a backseat this week in favor of soaking up sweet baby snuggles. Can you blame me?

While I usually jump at the chance to sit down and work on a post, I can’t seem to pull myself away from the comfy recliner post nursing when Ben is full and cuddly. It’s all I feel like doing. Well, that…AND eating chocolate.

Today we ventured out to my 6 week post partum visit and a check in with the lactation specialist. I’m almost 100% recovered and the feeding appointment went wonderfully. I got some new tips on positioning Ben and weaning him from the annoying nipple shield, which is going well so far. Annnnnnd, the nurse was able to reassure me that he was gaining weight at a good pace and that I was making enough milk; always good to hear! Ben was 8 pounds, 4 oz. today – the same weight as Sky at birth. He’s my little squishy peanut and I love him so much.

I’m hoping for some renewed motivation soon! In the meantime, I’ll be on the couch.

Motherhood

When reading the May issue of Real Simple magazine, this photo and quote by Claudia Lucia struck me. It perfectly sums up how I feel about motherhood at this very moment. It’s a big, hard, long job but in the end….everything WILL be ok.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful mama’s out there!!