A Girl Named PJ

levi’s first state fair

August 23, 2011

Earlier this month, when Levi was one month and two days old, he went on his first out-of-state road trip to the Iowa State Fair. Jordan, his mom, his uncle and I planned in advance so that Levi was fed before we left, once while we were there, and again at a rest stop on the way home. We even attempted — and succeeded! — in changing his diaper in the back of our SUV (after we parked — don’t worry!).

Although Levi won’t remember anything from his day in Des Moines, we adults won’t soon forget the butter cow, itty bitty baby farm animals and pushing Levi around in his stroller. Baby guy proved to be a good sport the entire time, allowing us to fulfill the true purpose of our excursion — indulging in foods on-a-stick.

We tried…
Pork chop on-a-stick
Cajun chicken on-a-stick
Lamb on-a-stick
Deep fried Snickers on-a-stick (my fave!)
Fried pineapple on-a-stick
Fried butter on-a-stick

Not everything we tasted came on a stick. We also enjoyed Saratoga chips and red velvet funnel cake, which tasted like regular funnel cake with red food coloring. Despite our initial assumption that we’d spend 2 hours or so walking around the fair, we lasted almost four-and-a-half under the blazing summer sun. Levi had it easy, enjoying relief from the heat thanks to his Babba car seat cover. Meanwhile, the rest of us, bellies full of fried yumminess, were covered in dust and sweat!

Want to see more of my iPhone photos? Follow me on Instagram — @pjfeinstein!

guest post: sending thank you notes doesn’t have to be overwhelming

August 19, 2011

While I take some time to bond with my little man, please enjoy guest posts written by moms and moms-to-be from some of my favorite blogs. Today, I’m happy to introduce Bridgett from Perideau Designs!

You just got home with a newborn baby, perhaps have a toddler already home, laundry piled up and a house that you would deem unpresentable. Not to mention the corner of your newborn baby’s room is full of new toys and books from loving friends and family. You know you should send a thank you note for those gifts, but you’d rather get that extra hour of sleep while your babies nap.

Does that sound familiar?

I went through the same thing three years ago when I had my little (or not so little anymore) baby girl, Kendall. After 24 hours of labor followed by a C-section, I was in no mood to write out thank you cards. I knew that my friends and family knew I appreciated them and their gifts but for someone who loves receiving something in the mail, other than bills, I couldn’t let this one slide.

So I had a little system in place that helped ease the drudgery of writing thank you notes.

Purchase a return address stamp. Luckily we had just moved into our new home and getting a return stamp was on the top of my to-do list anyway but it’s super helpful to have around. Just pre-stamp a bunch of envelopes while nursing or while the baby is cooing ever so cutely in their swing. You could even get your toddler to help. Have them stamp the back so they don’t accidentally cover the space on the envelope intended for the mailing address or postage.

You can also purchase address labels. Use the same technique and address the envelopes ahead of time. This will save you a ton of time looking for your stamp or labels.

Send thank you notes as soon as you receive a gift. This sounds so simple but easily and often forgotten. You receive a gift and make a mental note to write the thank you note later. But days, sometimes weeks go by and the thank you notes haven’t gone out and you scrap the idea thinking too much time has passed.

Try setting a certain time of the day to write out a simple thank you. It can sound like a lot to do it every day but soon it will become routine and not feel like such a chore. If writing 10 thank you notes a day sounds overwhelming, try scheduling just 20-30 minutes a day and get as much done. Soon, within a week you’ll be all caught up!

Don’t write a novel. A simple short and sweet thank you will suffice. I usually write something like this:

Dear Kathy,
Thank you so much for the stuffed brown bear! I know Kendall will cuddle with it every night!
xo,
B

Be sure to include exactly what they purchased for you and how you intend on using the item. Hopefully these little tricks will help ease the doldrums of writing thank you notes. Trust me, it isn’t that bad! But if you need some thank you cards, pop on over to my site. And if you like personalized ones, I’d love to work with you on a custom design.

levi’s monthly baby photo (one month old)

August 18, 2011

Dear Levi,

What a surreal month it’s been! I still can’t believe that you are mine. I can stare at your little face all day long.

When you were born you looked exactly like your daddy. You have the longest eyelashes, the cutest button nose and the most adorable dimple on your right cheek. You break out into a sly smile like you just heard a big secret whenever you’re milk drunk and sometimes when you have gas. I can’t wait for you to smile in response to our silly songs and funny faces. You absolutely hate having a wet diaper, and when you get really worked up you snort like a little piglet. Your sweet snorts made us laugh so hard in the days after you were born! We also giggled when you would simultaneously poop and eat! When you cry because you’re hungry it now sounds like you’re screaming, “Gee! Gee!”

Every day you’re becoming more aware of the world around you, and I wonder what you’re thinking when I catch you staring at the wall or the ceiling. You’ve been an excellent bath-taker since day one, and bathing you is a team sport for me and your daddy.

We’ve given you a bunch of endearing nicknames like “Bug,” “Baby Guy” and “Little Bear.” It actually took me a while to get used to calling you Levi because I spent so many months before you were born referring to you as “the baby.” Sometimes it still feels funny to say your name out loud!

You’ve just about outgrown all of your newborn-size clothing, which makes me a little bit sad. I think I’m actually in denial that you are no longer the tiny baby burrito we brought home from the hospital one month ago! But you are still such a sweetie. I love you!

xoxo

************
Inspired by all of the creative mamas out there, I’ll be photographing Levi monthly to document his growth this first year. He’ll be wearing a numbered white onesie corresponding to his age in months, and I’d like for him to be posed similarly in each photo for continuity. I snapped these three on August 12th when Levi was one month old, but I can’t decide which I like best!

So, friends, I’d love your opinions. How should I continue to photograph Levi for this monthly project?

In the chair with his BlaBla doll
On the rug (full length)
On the rug (close up)

Please cast your vote in the comments section below!

guest post: surviving baby’s first year

August 17, 2011

While I take some time to bond with my little man, please enjoy guest posts written by moms and moms-to-be from some of my favorite blogs. Today, I’m happy to introduce one of my besties, Jessica, who doesn’t have a blog…yet!

Hello, I’m Jessica. PJ and I have been friends for 13 years. I can’t believe it has been that long – seems like yesterday, I chose PJ as my little sister in our sorority. Well, maybe not yesterday. Life has certainly changed since those carefree days in Boston. I am now a wife and mother of a 1-year old son (Mr. A) and 2-year old golden retriever (Mia Girl). We live in the suburbs about an hour outside of New York City.

While PJ is getting acquainted with her new little man, I volunteered to share some of my motherhood experiences – the good, bad, ugly and just downright crazy!

A few weeks ago, we celebrated my son’s first birthday. My husband and I spent each hour replaying the events of the year before. Yes, the memory of my 27 hours of labor is still quite vivid.

We took Mr. A to his favorite restaurant for blueberry pancakes. It was a great day. The weather was perfect and thankfully he took his morning nap and was in a great mood for his birthday lunch. I had a smile on my face all day. However, I have to admit that my celebratory mood was a bit more about me than him.

I did it! I successfully survived his first year – and it felt real good.

I was not even close to being prepared for how challenging the first year of motherhood turned out to be. At every turn, I doubted my own capabilities and patience. Was I really cut out to be up all night with a crying baby, have spit up and poop fly at me at 3am, sit in our living room day-after-day playing with the same toys? These questions still haunt me.

Every night before I go to bed, I check on Mr. A sleeping soundly in his crib (it was a LONG 8 months before he slept through the night…we’ll save that experience for another post!). Watching his sweet face for just a few minutes often gives me the fuel I need to recharge. During those moments, I simply get to enjoy him.

I loved Mr. A the moment he was born but I have to admit that it has taken me his entire first year to really appreciate him and enjoy his presence in my life.

As I finally climb into bed and get comfortable, Mia Girl (all 65lbs of her) jumps in and snuggles up as if to say “my turn now” … a mother’s job is never done!

{image of Mr. A’s first birthday party courtesy of Jessica}

the week ahead on b&d

August 15, 2011

How was your weekend? Can you believe it’s already the middle of August? The summer is truly flying by!

Today I’m over at Elizabeth Anne Designs Living sharing my inspiration for Levi’s nursery. Since we’ve been changing, dressing, feeding and letting Levi sleep in a bassinet in our bedroom, we’ve hit the pause button on decorating his room. Once we get around to hanging art on the walls and tidying up the shelves, I’ll post the big reveal!

This week I’ll be sharing two fantastic guest posts, including one from Bridgett of Perideau Designs. I’ll also be posting Levi’s “official” one month portrait (we celebrated last Friday!) and photos from his first big outing to the Iowa State Fair.

Stay tuned, friends!

{photo taken August 13, 2011}