Got Cake?!

So, I'm looking for a cake baker in the Atlanta / Athens Area to make a special occasion cake...Any of you who are located in this area, do you have any suggestions?

My usual cake baker is unavailable due to a planned vacation on the weekend that I need the cake, so I'm on the hunt for someone new. I'd like someone who is reasonable, as well, because I don't want to spend a fortune.

Thanks in advance everyone!!

One Month

On Saturday, Weston had been part of my life outside of my belly for one month, and I can't believe that the time has passed so quickly. It really feels like it was just yesterday that I was scheduled to go into the hospital for an induction, and we were anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Our little guy is not so small anymore, and he's definitely a little piggy! :) He tells me constantly that he's hungry, and it's just unreal how quickly he is growing and changing. Our life as a family is so happy, and we are so grateful for our little guy! He is just too precious! He is a semi-fussy baby, and he spends a lot of his evenings crying, and we try our best to soothe him though it doesn't always work. It breaks my heart to see him so upset! He does sleep though, and it makes me so happy. He usually sleeps a five hour stretch at night followed by another three hour stretch before we get up for the day.

Now onto Weston's Stats & Milestones for Month 1:

• 10 lb. 4 oz...Unbelievable! He started off his life at 7 lb. 2 oz, and he got down to 6 lb. 13 oz. after birth, and he's bulked back up to 10 lb. 4 oz. We are exclusively BFing.
  
• 23 inches long...Again, so crazy! He has grown three inches since birth!
• Moved up from Newborn Diapers to Size 1
  
• Outgrown most of his newborn clothes, especially in the length, and he has moved on to 0-3 Month clothes; however, many of these are still too big!
  
• Lifts his head and moves it from side to side
  
• Holds his head up briefly
• Holds focus on Mommy
• He has become so much more alert...he keeps his eyes open watching and looking around, as well as, moving his hands all around!
  
• He has such a serious face and people always comment that he looks so much like an old man! Ha-Ha!
  

And a few pictures...

My first bath!

My serious little boy! :)

Looking confused...

30 Day Shred

So, as the six week mark approaches, and I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym, I decided to start the 30 Day Shred which I bought about a year ago, and I haven't started yet! That's sad, and I can't believe that I just admitted that!

I realize that the gym regularly might be a challenge with this little guy at home, especially since I want to spend time with him, and I like going to classes rather than just working out on my own, so I thought the 30 Day Shred would be perfect for me.

I know that there are three levels on the 30 Day Shred, and I was curious...If you have done or are doing the 30 Day Shred, did you start with Level 1? If so, how long did you stay on Level 1 before you moved to Level 2? And how many days did you stick to Level 2 before you moved to Level 3? I want to make sure that I challenge myself, and I'm afraid that I might not do so, if I don't start out with a goal in mind of when I'll move up to the next level.

Also, did you stop the Shred after 30 days or are you continuing it? Thanks for the input! :)

65 in 365

Edited on Monday, February 15th - I'm editing this post to update for items that are already In Progress, as well as, adding one new item. I'll update this post and status on a monthly basis after today! :)

So, I saw this "65 in 365" on Michele's blog, The Story of Us, and I thought what better way to start out an amazing year than to set goals for myself and my family. I think that this will really help me to be accountable for the things that I want to do, as well as, hopefully stay organized and get things accomplished. I'm looking forward to seeing what items I get completed when the 365 days are over. I'll start on my list tomorrow, February 11th, 2010, and I'll end on February 11th, 2011.

I've only listed 52 items, because I can't think of anymore at this time, but as I come up with things or update the list, I'll post an update for everyone to see. I may not get 65 items on my list, but I'll do my best!

1. Run two 5K's - One in Spring and one in Fall - In Progress: Spring 5K Scheduled
2. Walk in the neighborhood with Weston a minimum of four days a week (weather permitting)
3. Work-out on my own aside from walking in the neighborhood three days per week
4. Get a babysitter (grandparents) and go out on a date with Grant at least once per month - In Progress: February - Check, March - Scheduled
5. Leave Weston with my parents for the night, so Grant and I can go away for our Anniversary - Scheduled and Hotel Booked!
6. Clip coupons for Grocery Shopping - In Progress
7. Maintain a $150-200 per Grocery Budget
8. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Baby Book - In Progress
9. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Sticker Calendar - In Progress
10. Join a Ladies Weekly Bible Study with Church
11. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Scrapbook
12. Make small photo books of Weston's Newborn Photos and give to the Grandparents - In Progress
13. Make weekly grocery shopping lists and stick to list! - In Progress
14. Develop a Family Notebook to include a calendar and menus - In Progress
15. Make Weekly Menu and plan ahead - In Progress
16. Keep Weston's Clothes organized and box in Storage boxes as he grows out of them - In Progress
17. Keep a cleaning schedule and follow through with schedule as designated - In Progress
18. Create a website for Weston to include information and photos to keep family updated on his progress - In Progress
19. Host my parents and sister for dinner at least twice - In Progress: Scheduled One Dinner
20. Host my in-laws for dinner at least twice
21. Try out one new recipe each month
22. Develop a budget and STICK to it!
23. Record all expenditures to keep on track with budget
24. Develop a daily schedule and stick to it with Weston - In Progress
25. Start working with Weston on a few sign language signs to help us communicate better
26. Plan Weston's 1st Birthday Party at our House
27. Finish up and follow through with "The Love Dare" with Grant
28. Read and sing to Weston every night before bed
29. Start infant swim lessons with Weston this summer (Indoor Pool)
30. Join Baby Music Class once a week and attend at least two-three times per month
31. Start Weston on "Your Baby Can Read" videos at 3 months
32. Breastfeed for an entire year or until no longer able due to unforeseen circumstances
33. Take photos of Weston at a minimum of once per week
34. Make time for myself...I want to do everything I can for Weston, but take care of myself, as well...get a manicure or pedicure, eyebrows waxed, take a long shower and fix my hair, wear make-up, etc.
35. Come up with a new Family Tradition for our little family
36. Join Weight Watchers after getting the "go-ahead" from my doctor at six weeks - In Progress
37. Meet my Weight Watchers goal
38. Spend more time in the word and in prayer with God
39. Resume an intimate relationship with Grant...I know that this has been one of my fears that having a child will change our intimate relationship; however, I realize that it will change regardless, and I just want to be sure that once we get the "okay" that we resume an intimate relationship and work on keeping it strong.
40. Visit Grant's grandparents in Greenville at least twice this year - In Progress: 1st Visit Scheduled for March
41. Visit my grandparent's in Buford at least twice this year - In Progress: 1st Visit Scheduled for March
42. Take a trip to Memphis & Nashville with Grant in the Fall
43. Take Weston to his first Atlanta Braves Baseball Game - In Progress: Date Selected in September
44. Take Weston to his first UGA Football Game
45. Take Weston to his first UGA Baseball Game
46. Start Banks on his Senior Hunter Tests to gain Senior Hunter Title - Attend at least one weekend of Hunt Tests before end date
47. Get photos taken of Weston at Newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year - In Progress: Newborn Photos completed!
48. Start and complete the 30 Day Shred - In Progress: Bought DVD, once get OK from Doctor...Get Started!
49. Keep up with Weston's Monthly Photos with Sticker Number Months - In Progress: Took "0" month, and I have 1 Month Onesie ready!
50. Read six adult books (not childrens books) - In Progress: Re-reading Dear John, so I can go see the movie !
51. Buy a new bathing suit for myself - In Progress: Picked one out!
52. Take Weston to the Lake
52. Take Weston to the Beach for Family Vacation - In Progress: Scheduled for last week / weekend in June
53. Get Birth Announcements sent out for Weston by March 15th - In Progress: Designed and waiting for them to arrive in the mail!

Must Be Doing Something Right...

We went to Weston's second pediatrician appointment on Monday for a weight check at two weeks and five days old. Weston was born at 7 lb. 2 oz, and he was 6 lb. 13 oz. at his pediatrician appointment at five days old. The doctor wanted us to come back for a check-up and weight check this past Monday (02/08), and I was shocked to learn that he was 8 lb. 8 oz. Weston had gained 25 oz. in 14 days! I was shocked, because they had told us to expect him to gain approximately one ounce a day, but he exceeded our expectations. He also has grown an inch and a half!

I was a little worried that I wasn't producing enough milk, and he wasn't getting enough from me, because he constantly seemed hungry, especially in the evenings and since I don't know how much I'm feeding him, it's hard to know. I was SO proud to know that I was feeding him enough and that he is growing and is healthy! It was a HUGE relief! I'm glad to know that breastfeeding is working for us despite the fact that I'm the only one that can feed him, unless I pump, but that's okay. It can be trying at times, but I'm so proud that we have been able to make it work!

New Mom Questions

So, to all you mothers out there...I've got some questions. I'm 100% Type A, so it's difficult to have a newborn that's tough to plan around, but I understand that, and I feel like I've been adjusting well. Wes is sleeping for four hours at a stretch then waking to eat, then sleeping for another four hour stretch at night, so I feel like things are going well in the sleeping area, and we are all feeling much more rested and happy around the Harvey household.

However, as a mother, I worry. I think that's only natural, but I'm so worried that I'm doing something wrong, so I need your advice on how you guys did things.

Here are my questions:
1.) Sleeping - Wes is doing pretty well (knock on wood) sleeping! I know that books and people typically say that he needs to eat every three hours at night, so I should wake him, but he has been sleeping four-five hours through the night, and I haven't been waking him. He is peeing and pooping enough, so I know that he is hydrated, and I know he's getting enough, so I just don't wake him up. I know that he is gaining weight, as well. How did you get your little one to sleep through through night or was it ever a problem for you? I know he isn't ready to sleep through the night yet, because he needs to eat at least once through the night, but when he is how to you cut back his/her middle of the night feeding?

2.) Nursery - How did you get your little ones to sleep in their room? Did you start them off in their room right away? Or did they sleep in your room for the first little bit? If they slept in your room for a little while, how did you get her to switch and sleep in their own room? Wes is sleeping in our room right now, because the first few nights he was really fussy, and we couldn't get him to sleep, so it was really tough having to get up and down all night with him screaming. Secondly, it's just tough having to get up and go to the other room to nurse him at night, so it was easier having him in our room.

3.) Schedule - If you had your little one on a schedule, how do you work them up to that schedule and what was your schedule. Right now, he's obviously not on any type of schedule. We wake at the same time every morning, so he's eating at basically the same time every three hours everyday, but he's not going to bed at a specific time yet, and it's fairly late that he's going to bed, because it's when we go to bed. We do have him in a nightime routine of bathing him, putting him into PJ's, reading him a book, nursing him and then going to bed. But when did you start putting your baby down in their crib at a certain time each night and how did you start that routine. When did you get them on an eating and napping schedule and what was that like?

4.) Nursing - Wes seems to nurse for a really long time...people say 15-20 minutes, but it takes Wes at least a half hour. I know that he is getting milk, because I see it in his mouth, coming out of his cheeks as his nurses, etc., but it just takes him SO long. And he is also a fussy eater...I could never take him and nurse in public at this point, because he shakes his head back and forth, and he he screams like he can't find it sometimes, but he's right on it. I'm not sure what that's about, but it's like he's just getting SO excited, so it takes a lot of patience to feed him. We are up close to an hour nursing in the night, so that's tough, but I love the bonding that I have with him, and I'll do whatever it takes to successfully breastfeed. Any advice or suggestions on making this process easier for both of us?

Anyways, if anyone has any advice or suggestions that would be great. I'm just looking for any ideas that people have or ideas on how you did things, so I can hopefully do things a little easier than I'm doing now. Thanks in advance for any ideas you might have! And what post is complete without a picture of my little guy! :)