Andrew: 9 Months

Happy 9 Months Andrew!

This update is a little delayed because you've been a sick baby this past week. You're still a congested coughing mess, but hopefully we will all be feeling better by the weekend.

Oh Drewski-Man, you are a crazy baby! I feel like all of a sudden your true personality has emerged. You are LOUD and impatient! Maybe you are just trying to be heard above the noise in our house...but you literally cry and yell at us. One of your favorite things to do right now is to grab my skin and try to rip it off of me.

If your needs are not immediately met, if you're bored, if you're hungry.....you have no patience. You get upset really quickly and cry and yell and bang on things to get our attention. You are just not a content baby! And don't get me started on diaper changes. Ohhh boy they are getting difficult!

Speaking of banging...you have started banging your head against your highchair. Please don't turn into a head-banger like Lucas! You will slam your head back against your highchair, and you do it rather violently! Maybe you will turn out to be just like Lucas. You two seem to have a special bond. He adores making you laugh, and he is always the one rolling around on the floor playing with you.

You are a really awful sleeper. You literally nap for 20 minutes and then you are awake screaming. And you are not content to just sit and play. You want to be held by me. I keep saying I need to sleep train you, but I don't want to do it while you're sick. And you keep getting sick! I know you are old enough and capable of sleeping in your crib at night, but instead you are right next to me, waking up about every hour. I keep trying to figure out why I feel so tired and unproductive lately. Well I think this is my answer. We need to sleep!!

You are a really messy eater. You love feeding yourself, but most of your food ends up on the floor or in your lap or wiped in your hair. I've been giving you a sippy cup with water for the past few months, but you still can't figure it out! You just treat it like a teething toy.

You have mastered the skill of pulling yourself up to stand. However, you still aren't attempting real steps. Ryan is the winner in our family (walked at 9 months, 5 days). We'll see if you can beat your brother Lucas, who walked a little before his 10 month birthday.

Your hair has gotten thicker and wavier this month! You get called a towhead a lot when we're out, but I doubt it will stay this light.

One of your favorite things to do right now is to grab my skin and try to rip it off of me. I don't mean to be so negative....but you're seriously at a tough age right now!

So much for the cute 9-month sticker I put on your shirt. Everything either goes in your mouth or gets destroyed!

Happy 9-month birthday baby Andrew! My hope for the month ahead is lots of sleep and happy baby smiles!

Stitch Fix Review #32

I received my 32nd Stitch Fix box last week and it was a great one! (Psst: Use this link to get your first fix for FREE!!)

So I actually received a fix a few weeks ago and didn't blog about it. It was kind of a mess. I think there was a disconnect between what I was requesting and what I actually wear in real life. I was brutally honest in my feedback. I believe my exact words were "How do you expect me to change poopy diapers or wash dishes in these tops with huge bell sleeves?". Stitch Fix customer service reached out to me to try and get things back on track. They refunded my styling fee and set me up with a new stylist.

For this fix I created a new Pinterest board with very casual outfits. Think sweatshirts, jeans, joggers, and casual sweaters. My new stylist did a fantastic job and hopefully my fixes going forward will be just as realistic for my glamorous lifestyle. Ha!

Folsom Essential Knit Top by Mix by 41 Hawthorn

This is a very basic black and white striped top. A shirt like this is a great staple to own, as it can be mixed and matched with many tops and bottoms. Surprisingly, I don't own a basic striped top like this. So I'm keeping it. One thing I also love is the price point. Lately I've been noticing some great prices from Stitch Fix, comparable to those at Old Navy. This top was one of the least expensive items I have received from Stitch Fix, but the quality still seemed great. Status: KEPT 

Rene Plaid Knit Puffer Vest by Skies Are Blue

I love this vest! It is so comfy and cozy and I love the pockets. My stylist suggested pairing it with the striped top, so that's exactly what I did. We were heading out to cut down a Christmas tree so I threw on my new top and vest, added my favorite Stitch Fix jeans and rain boots, and I was good to go. I love vests because my torso is the area of my body that seems to get cold the easiest. Sometimes I don't feel like wearing a jacket or big sweater, so a vest is the perfect option. Status: KEPT

Bella Button Up Skinny Jean by Just Black

I was excited to see green jeans in my fix! I've been wanting olive green cargo pants or skinny jeans for a while now. When I put these on they fit like a glove. Adam said they actually looked a little tight. I agree they are very form fitting, but they don't feel too tight. They are more like jeggings than jeans, so they fit like leggings. The style card showed pairing them with a cream sweater, so I grabbed my favorite tan cardigan and brown booties and I like the look! I think these would also look great with my black sneakers and a black top. I also like green with light pink. Maybe my stylist can send me a light pink sweater next time?? Status: KEPT

Haight Embroidery Cold Shoulder Pullover by Alice Blue

When I first saw this sweater I thought it was cute. Embroidery detailing is very "on-trend" right now. Then I saw that it was a cold shoulder sweater and I wasn't so sure. I think if it had regular shoulders I'd love it. Or if it was a solid white cold shoulder sweater, without the flowers, it'd be great. But both trendy details on one sweater at once is just too much for me. I'm going to keep it and sell it on a Facebook Stitch Fix buy/sell/trade group.

Maddy Pullover by Pink Clover

I mentioned in my notes that I'd like a pullover sweatshirt. I own a lot of sweaters but nothing more casual like a sweatshirt. This one is okay, but if we're getting nitpicky I don't love the color. I like light gray and dark gray, but not this in between grey. Ha! Also, there is a white thread on the front of it that is attached to the sweatshirt, making it look like a stain. Stitch Fix is going to let me return the sweatshirt, but keep the other 4 items and still receive the 25% buy-all discount. How's that for great customer service? Status: RETURN

So I'm keeping the jeans, the vest, and the striped tee. I'm returning the sweatshirt and selling the sweater, but still receiving 25% off of everything. Pretty sweet deal! Right now Stitch Fix is waiving the $20 styling fee for new customers. If you've ever considered trying out this fun styling service, NOW is the time! They rarely offer their services for free. Please consider using my referral link to sign up, but do it soon before this offer ends. https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3168832?sod=w&som=c

PS: What would you have kept? Do you want to buy the floral sweater from me?

Thanksgiving Week 2017

Thanksgiving week was a busy one! It started off with Jenna's birthday, including a very pink party. 

She received a pink scooter from us and immediately wanted to ride it like her brothers.

Adam's family came and stayed with us for a few days. The boys learned how to play Rummy.

While the girls snuggled on the couch.

Adam was in charge of the turkey, as usual. This was our first year brining our turkey, and it turned out really well!

Somehow I got a great shot of the raw turkey, but no pictures of the finished product.

Andrew and Luke!

The kids all watched the parade on TV while we prepared the food.

We all fit around the dining room table Adam built for us!

Poor Lucas was upset that there was on food on the table he liked. The rest of us enjoyed the food, though.

Andrew had his first tastes of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

Today our guests left and we got out the Christmas decorations from the attic.

Goodbye Thanksgiving, Hello Christmas!

Jenna: Three

Happy 3rd Birthday Jenna Mae Nullmeyer!

I remember the day we found out your gender. It felt like such a gift to be having a girl. And now more than 3 years later it still feels that way! You are such a special addition to our family; a much needed ray of light and happiness.

When I asked Daddy what is special about you, he said "She's the happiest little thing we've ever had. Just happy all the time". I would have to agree! Obviously you have your moments, but for the most part you have such a sunny disposition. You get excited about really simple everyday things. You are so appreciative and content, and I hope you always stay that way.

You have always had a big vocabulary, but over the last few months you have been talking a LOT. You talk to me nonstop during the day. And sometimes you say really grown-up sounding things. The other day I was being stern with you, telling you that when Mommy asks you to do something, you must obey me. You smiled sweetly and said "Ok you're the boss Mommy!"

Likes: You love watching Paw Patrol, and beg to watch it every morning after breakfast. You also love playing with your big brothers. Some of your favorite foods are cucumbers, eggs, ground meat, sunflower seeds, toast fingers, peanut butter sandwiches, spaghetti, smoothies, granola bars.....I could go on and on. You're a great eater!

Dislikes include getting water in your face (OH the drama!), and eating anything too peppery or spicy.

You love making lists. You love asking me what we need from the store. I will name off items and you will pretend to write them down. The other day we were doing this, except I asked YOU what we needed. You opened up the cupboards and actually told me 5 things we were out of. I am constantly amazed by how smart you are!

You don't seem to be overly shy. You easily go to your Sunday School class and never make a fuss about leaving me. I think you will do great in preschool next year.

You haven't napped in quite a few months now. Instead, you have a "quiet time" in your room most afternoons. You easily go to bed at night. You give me a big hug and a kiss and a "goodnight Mommy!". And every morning you wake up happy. I go into your room and pretend that I can't find you. Eventually I find you under your covers and you think it's the BEST game ever.

One thing I really need to work on with you is potty-training. I figured you'd be fully trained by now, but I think adding baby Andrew to the family this year has delayed us. I promise to work on this more with you soon!

Despite how amazingly happy and go-with-the-flow you are, you are showing some signs of 3 yr old stubbornness. Nobody's perfect, right? You want to do things yourself, like getting your own water from the fridge or taking off your socks. You occasionally throw little tantrums, but will always go to a timeout and stay there, and then apologize afterwards. Recently we have caught you sneaking candy a few times and hiding with it behind the curtains.

Daddy's Nicknames: Baby Girl, Shingy Ma-Bopper. I call you "my girl". Oh and Jenna, you have the cutest most little cartoonish voice right now. People comment on it a lot.



Happy Birthday Jenna! We love you so very much, and I hope you have a fun birthday my precious daughter.