Dollar Dollar Bill Yo, Graduation, and BPA

So my mom is in town...we have done lots and lots of shopping, which in turn means I have spent lots and lots of $$money$$...sad story! We drag poor Riley around all over the place, feed him and change his little bum in the back of my car and keep him in his car seat for extended periods of time (I am a horrible mom!) It's been fun to get out of the house, but at the same time I am worn out to the max because I'm not used to all the running around.
Jeff is graduating on Friday...hallelujah!!! We have been waiting for this day forever it seems like. I can't wait for him to not be stressed anymore, to not feel so guilty waking him up at night to help with Riley, and to hang out at night and not have to worry about him having homework to do. It will be nice to be a "normal" family. By normal I only mean working a 9-5 job because we all know Jeff and I are FAR from normal!
What is all this crap about BPA...everything causes cancer...breathing air causes cancer...I'm not going to throw out my newly purchased Avent bottles because they MIGHT be bad...they don't even know that they are...and how many people have used bottles for hundreds of years and now it's an issue...whatever! It's annoying, and my little man is going to use bottles...so there!

Wendy's, Sheep, and Knockers

Two posts in one day! I needed to post about the photo shoot with Riley that happened on Friday, but then Saturday was adventurous and I totally needed to post about that too...so you have all been blessed with two posts! Anyway, on Saturday my cute friend Kim came to visit! She wanted to see our house and meet our little man Riley! Well we hung out for awhile and it soon became lunch time. Jeff suggested we go to Wendy's to eat and we all thought this was a great idea. So there we are sitting in Wendy's talking about Jeff's friends from high school. I start to describe the wife of one of his friends and here is how the story goes: Kim, she is like this big (stick thin) and has HUGE knockers, and I am like this big (not so stick thin :) haha) and have HUGE knockers and here I am eating Wendy's. Jeff turns and looks at Kim and I and says, "Carrie it's ok...your husband is like this big (not stick thin either) and has HUGE knockers!!" Lol...so Jeff has man boobs. It is great and always fun to joke about. In fact, some of the pictures we took on Friday Jeff HATES because his man boobs are very prominent...we asked Sara to photoshop them out and she said she can't work miracles. Well just when we finish laughing our heads off about the knockers these random animals run by! I think they are goats so I say hey look at the goats and Kim was like I think those are sheep. So as brilliant as I am I yell out, "Can you eat sheep meat?" We then proceed to laugh for another 10 minutes til we can't breath, I am crying, and our stomachs hurt. When we entered Wendy's almost all the tables were full...now they are empty...I think they only let us stay because we were $paying$ customers.

One Month Old!

So Riley is a month old now. It is wonderful. Like I said before in my last post I went and got his pictures taken on Friday. My friend Sara has a little studio in her house and she takes amazing pictures!! Riley was so good. It ended up being an all day event because she has a baby too and we needed to feed them, change their diapers, and the lights that you needed to use to get good pictures run really hot so we had to take frequent breaks so Riley wouldn't overheat. Through it all he was a trooper and we got really good pictures. Here are some of our favorites:
Ok I love his stinkin feet...they are so little and cute...we took lots of these kinds of pictures! So We put Riley in this polka dot box and this way way soft fuzzy blanket...needless to say he peed in it haha...I was proud of him though...it was the only time he peed all day when he was out of his diaper! We did some pictures in black and white and some in color...He was actually awake for some of them too! I love my little man! He is so cute and so good...this picture makes me happy! Last but not least a picture with his daddy! They are my two favorite people in this whole wide world!!!!
This is no where near the end of the pictures...we took over 200 but I am not going to post them all...to see the pictures check out our picasa website: picasaweb.google.com/JeffMaas/Riley

Things you're grateful for when you're a mom!

Life as a mom is rad...it truly is! However, your life does a COMPLETE 180 when a little one enters it. I struggle to find the time to get ready these days (Jeff certainly has noticed because the other day he said to me, "Oh wow, you are wearing make-up!") but I am trying more and more every day. Anyway, to get anything done around the house I need to stick him in one of the following:
1. His crib (he's not too big of a fan of this when he is awake...I think I need to invest in a mobile)
2. His bouncer
3. His swing
The latter are wonderful as you can tell by the pictures! He likes his bouncer but he is too little still to strap him in so he slides down a lot. However, when you first put him in it he is able to see the cute toys hanging down and he likes to look at them. The swing is G-R-E-A-T! It can swing side to side or front to back and the mobile on the top moves around and has multiple music choices. He LOVES to look up and stare at the mobile when you turn it on. What's even BETTER about the swing is it puts him to sleep which allows me to get even more done (like blogging lol)
The next thing I am grateful for is diaper bags. I got a way cute diaper bag at one of my baby showers, however, it's not as practical as I had anticipated. What it IS good for though is church! It is totally cute and fits a lot and definitely looks church-y. However, I needed to invest in an every day diaper bag to replace this not so practical (but totally cute) one that I had. So I looked around and here is what I found and have purchased. So the smaller thing is an amazing changing pad! It has a spot for diapers and wipes and you can take it separate from the diaper bag if you just need the changing table where you are going to! Hanging off the diaper bag is a binkie holder, which is wonderful because they always seem to get lost in the bottom of the bag. There is a cell phone holder, a place for your iPod, the front has a magnetic flap so you can put YOUR stuff in it like your wallet, pens, chapstick, etc. Anyway, I am going to stop going on and on about this diaper bag, but as you can tell I LOVE it and am very grateful for it haha. I picked this color because it is not girly, but still stinkin cute, and Jeff is willing to use it!
The next thing I am grateful for is binkies! There is a funny story behind this...so we had Riley home for a few days and hadn't used one yet. Anyway, my visiting teacher came over to bring us dinner and to see how we were doing. Well she told me about these binkies that Primary Children's just did a study on, and they are supposed to stimulate brain activity. So I ran out a bought a couple. The thing is they aren't so cute and they are huge! Jeff's aunt was like what the heck is that in his mouth and why is it so ugly!!! I have to admit they aren't the cutest thing ever, but he looks so cute when he sucks on it! (See the swing picture)
Anyway, this is how exciting my life is these days...Looking back on my single life, it's sad that these are now the things that make me happy...but I wouldn't want my life to be any other way...I am proud to be a mom and therefore I will always brag about Riley and talk about him endlessly!

A little B-O-R-I-N-G because nothing's new...

So I haven't posted for a few days...nothing new or too exciting has really happened. Riley will be a month old on Thursday...I can't believe where the time has gone! He is definitely getting bigger :) We are going to go get his pictures taken so check back! He is still a good baby! I am waiting for the day that he sleeps through the night...I am pretty sure Jeff is too. We haven't heard his alarm the past few mornings because we have been so tired so he's been a little late to work. We are going to try and be better about this! Jeff is now using 2 alarms to wake up!
Yesterday was wonderful. It was so beautiful outside. I ran a few errands in the morning (babies r us- my 2nd home, the bank, and then mall) and then I went to Ogden and hung out with my friend Zjani and her little baby Makayla (probably spelled wrong). It was so nice out that we HAD to go on a walk. We walked on the Ogden parkway for about 1.5 hours. It was so nice to get out and get some fresh air...I think Riley enjoyed it...he slept through it though (big surprise)
My moom (thats not a typo thats what I call her!) is coming next week...I am super excited! She is going to be here for 2 weeks. It will be nice to have her around to help with little Riley. She hasn't met him yet and I am pretty sure the anticipation is killing her! It's always an adventure when she comes to visit. We are two crazy gals and her visits always include laughter (so much of it your stomach hurts), peeing- somehow we always pee in our pants, yummy food, shopping, and happiness!
Then my dad is coming out on April 29th for a week! He is a big man on campus at his job so he can only get a week off...anyway, it will be way exciting when he gets here too. He hasn't met Riley either so it will just be one big trip of love and happiness. I'll keep ya'll updated on the McGowan adventures!

RanDomNesS...Continued!!

So there have been even more random events that I would like to add to this lovely blog...

The 2nd random word of the week: Oober..like oober excited :)

Random FUNNY: Last night when I went to get Jeff at the bus stop he came over to my window to kiss me, well the visor was in the way so I went to move it and slammed myself in the face...it was HILARIOUS...we are still laughing about it now

Random thought I won't explain for the common good of man kind: I like to look at it like the fountain show at the Bellagio than milking a cow...mooooo

Random N O I S E S: I was pretty sure we had a mouse in the attic...I kept hearing these noises coming from the ceiling when I was in the kitchen..haha have no fear, the culprit was just some magazines on the desk hitting the wall :) I feel much better now

Random craving that is not so random: A Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory APPLE...now this is not so random because they are DELICIOUS and the saying I.S. an apple a day keeps the Dr. away

Random stupidity: So I thought it would be a good idea to put the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds...why I thought this was smart...the world may never know

That is all the randomness I can think of right now. Nothing too exciting has been going on so I don't have a real post to put up here. Jeff and I are getting haircuts tomorrow which will be fun. I am not really cutting mine...just trimming it, and it will be a pretty new color...stay tuned for pictures!

RanDomNesS...

So I am taking a quick moment while Riley is sleeping to give you some random things to ponder:

Random Word of the Week: Redunkulous (kind of like ridiculous but it's my version and way more fun to say)
Random Thought of the Week: Matilda and Harry Potter should go on a date <3
Random Goal of the Week: Take pictures of the blondness as it is soon to be not so blond
Not so Random Happening: My k i t c h e n seems to get messy EVERY day...therefore, I have yet again cleaned it

That is it for now...stay tuned for more

A fresh breath of air...

So Riley decided today would be a good day to sleep and not be up every 2 hours! As a result, I was able to actually accomplish something other than listening to the radio and peeing! Here are the things I have accomplished so far today:
1. SHOWER!!!
2. Cleaned my bathroom
3. Cleaned the kitchen and desk
4. Cleaned the bedroom
5. Hung out with my newly engaged friend Sarah!! (She stopped by on her lunch break)
6. Used the computer :)
7. Ate a real meal (breakfast and lunch)

It's very refreshing to actually get something done. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I slept til 7 today and made Jeff get up with Riley at 5:30 this morning because Riley didn't sleep very much last night so neither did I. Anyway, I am in a great mood today...Jeff will be thrilled when he gets home from work :)

Squeaky Clean and New Lessons!

Riley is so stinkin' cute! I am totally loving this mom thing :) So he is pretty good at bath time. I love to give him baths because he smells so good afterward and is very very calm after too. I like to try and do new hairdos when he has a bath since he came out with lots of hair! My favorite is the mohawk. I haven't been able to get a good picture of it though...when I do I'll be sure to post it though. So what normally happens is he has a sponge bath on his changing table and then a new diaper, then lotion, and then some tummy time so I can get lotion on his back too. We like tummy time because it strengthens his already solid neck muscles. (He has been lifting his head to look around since he was born) Well I got this AWESOME shot of him during tummy time the other day. He is so adorable :)
We have been kind of bad at taking pictures of him because I am home all day by myself and he doesn't do a whole lot but sleep and eat and poop. Then when Jeff gets home we are busy making dinner and attempting to pick up the house. However, last night we took the opportunity to take a few pictures of Jeff teaching Riley about computers. Jeff has been teaching him lots of things like how to hold his own binkie so it doesn't fall out, carnival songs, how to dance, etc. It's great fun watching all the new lessons. I'll be sure to get some pictures and videos up so you can all enjoy!

Things I am Grateful For...

I've been thinking about the past few days and experiences I have had. I think the best way to communicate those events is to make a list of the things I am grateful for (not really in any particular order except for the first one):

1. Jeff
2. Riley
3. The fact that Friday is over
4. Sleep
5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, General Conference, a Prophet. and my Heavenly Father
4. Tax Returns
5. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Apples
6. Good deals at Costco
7. In-laws wih a membership to Costco
8. Ipods
9. Friends who come visit me to keep me sane!
10. Family

I think sometimes we just live day to day and forget our blessings and the things that mean the most to us. I have had a few rough days lately and I wanted to take the time to look at the good things in life and hopefully this will be a reminder to myself to reflect upon the good things more often!

Tragedy and Flip Flops (Warning: This is really long but I promise you will laugh!!)

So yesterday was an interesting day. I took Riley to the Dr for his 2 week well being checkup. The good news is he has gained almost all of his birth weight back, his head is not misshapen and never was :) and he peed on the Dr! Well I was worried about his circumcision because the ring thing hadn't come off and looked like it was going to but was still attached to some skin. I had the Dr look at it to make sure it wasn't infected (thats why he got sprayed) and he said it was fine and would probably come off in a couple of days and not to worry about it being attached to the skin. Well my worries gone at that point. So little Ry guy and I went home and hung out, he ate and I went to change his diaper and he peed all over me for the like 5th time that day. Then he pooed all over his changing table. I cleaned all that up and thought it would be a good idea to take the band-aides off of his little feet from where they pricked him earlier that morning. Well in reality it was a BAD idea. His foot started gushing blood (that's a little bit of an exaggeration) so now there is poop, pee and blood everywhere. I look at his pee-pee and the ring has come off...YAY right? WRONG!!! It is attached to some skin and hanging to the side. I started to FREAK OUT and called Jeff up. Well I am crying so hard he can't understand me and probably thinks I've killed Riley or something. So I can finally breath and explain the last 5 minutes of events in like 2 breaths. Jeff calms me down and tells me to call the Dr. So I call the Dr and he is like well if you have small scissors you can cut it off but if you are worried just bring him right in and I'll do it for you. I hang up the phone and am like you want me to cut in that area and not cut it off...heck no!!! I call Jeff back and tell him I am bringing Riley to the Dr to get it fixed. So Jeff meets me there and the Dr cuts the ring off, Riley cries for like 1 second and is fine. Pretty sure I would have performed a castration if I had done it at home. So we turn around to leave and there is a mirror and I take a quick glance in it and I look like a train wreck. My hair is everywhere, my eyes are bloodshot from crying so much, my cheeks are rosy red and my nose is running. Everyone in that office probably thought I had totally hurt my child or something...no no, I was just being a first time mom who was super scared. Anyway, it ended well...Riley was fine and Jeff and I went to Wendy's for dinner :)
So the other exciting event of the day was my trip to to Target. After Wendy's I had to drop Jeff off for his night class. Instead of driving all the way to our home and then have to come back out to Layton to get Daddy, Riley and I went shopping!! We first went to Barnes and Noble and bought lots of Linux magazines for Daddy and a baby shower gift for my friend. Then we were off to target. I got some more baby shower gifts and then ventured to the shoe section. So the reasoning behind the shoes is that I have had these amazing black flip flops for about a year now. I probably have worn them 360 days out of the 365 days in a year. Well, the strap part of them was white with sequence things on it. Well that white part is now a dark gray and when I wear the flip flops my feet turn blacker than black. Jeff has been begging me to throw them out but I just can't bring myself to do it. I decided to look for a new pair at Target because they always have way cute things there. Low and behold I found the CUTEST pair of new flip flops and the best part is they were only $9.99 So this weekend I will be throwing the old flip flops away. It's a bitter sweet feeling, but I am excited for the new adventures with the cute new flip flops :)

Sleep Deprivation...

Jeff and I are finally adjusting to having a baby around all the time. It's been an interesting adventure...life is definitely not the same...but it is so fun and worth every second of it! I didn't listen to people when they told me to get lots of sleep before the baby came. I mean that last month it was hard to sleep anyway...you can't ever get comfortable and you wake up ALL the time to pee. Well the baby is here and now that I can and want to sleep...he doesn't let me! So Riley has been sleeping in our room in a bassinet since he came home from the hospital. Well...he makes lots of weird squeaking noises when he sleeps, which you hear in that place between asleep and awake and it makes for a long night and a tiresome next day. Since he was 12 days old yesterday we decided he was all grown up and needed to graduate to his crib! During the day he has been sleeping on our bed and loving it so I figured the crib would be more comfortable than the bassinet and we needed to try it out. So we left our comfort zone and put him in his crib last night and had a monitor in our room...oh man it was AMAZING! He still woke up every 3-4 hours to eat, but the in between sleep was wonderful. Jeff didn't even hear Riley at all last night and this morning wondered if he had ever gotten up! (I let Jeff sleep and try not to wake him up since he has to work all day long and I sit home and make food, change dirty diapers, feed the baby, hang out on facebook, write in our blog, etc. So Jeff is not a bad dad, he just has a wife that wants him to sleep so he can earn us some $$!!) So our 1st lesson learned (of many more soon to come I am sure)...and all of you that don't have kids yet, remember this when you do...the crib rocks!