Our Pea in the Pod is 3 MONTHS!

Weight/Length :I’m going to guess about 14 pounds and 26 inches long. This little nugget continues to grow and his 3 month old pajamas are starting to look small. He is a very long baby. We don’t own a scale, but maybe I will convince Matt to pull out the measuring tape soon so we can for sure know the length.

Eating: Mommy’s milk every three hours during the day and he will cluster feed right before he goes to sleep so he can sleep his full 10 hours.

Bedtime/ Awake: This is an amazing development for the Clem family. One week before I started back at work, this little cutie started sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night. We put him down between 8:30 and 9:30 every night and he will go a full 10 hours. We had one night this past weekend where he was up every 2, but I think that might have been because he didn’t get enough food during the day or he was in a small growth cluster feed. Either way, it has been an amazing God-send.

Diapers: He is in 2’s. I think he will be in this size for a while. We change his diaper from 6 to 8 times a day depending on the blow outs. Boy oh Boy, we have a rooter tooter! 

 

Clothes: He is in 3 month clothes. The 0-3 outfits are too small. Matt still likes to try to fit him in the pants but they are like tights and look so silly. He has thunder thighs like his mamma did.

Favorites: Long walks, “standing”, being carried, sitting in front of the mirror, bath time, snuggling, and smiling/laughing

Dislikes: he doesn’t like to take naps, but he is so fussy sometimes that it’s obvious that is what he needs, he hates to lose his pacifier, and he doesn’t like when Matt and I don’t pay attention to him. Spoiled? Why yes he is!

Tricks: Noah Walker can sit up and stand with a little help. He has crazy strength for only being 3 months old.-people are always amazed when they hold him. Noah has really never been a “floppy” baby.  He rolls from stomach to back. He has found his hands and plays with them all day long. He is really good at gripping and putting his hands in his mouth. He likes to put my hand in his mouth too. He is reaching for things on purpose. He is very interactive. He smiles and laughs when I get home from work. Matt knows what to do to get him to giggle and he does it all the time. Noah Walker loves to look around and be a “big” kid. This is all fun, but it means he constantly wants to be stimulated which can be a lot of work.

We love this little boy with all our hearts. Noah Walker, you are LOVED! 

Bear Trail Girl

In college, I think I probably ran the Bear Trail over a thousand times. I was an avid runner and could not get enough of that darn trail- which tokened me the name “Bear Trail Girl” for a lot of college. Boy, how far I have fallen from that title. I was reminded today that running is about 90% mental and 10% physical. One mile without stopping was IMPOSSIBLE for me mentally. I laugh at myself. I mentally don’t know how I ever ran 26.2 miles along highway 1 in California with two of my best friends. I seriously don’t know how I did it. I can’t even run a MILE right now. It is humbling, and I’m accepting it *or trying to at least*.

I thought I’d share my thoughts for any of you moms out there worried about exercising, dieting, whatever while breastfeeding. I realize that if I try to exercise too much too fast I have a chance of losing my milk supply. A lot of people try to diet and REALLY exercise right after they have a child and they end up not being able to breastfeed. This is the last thing I want to do. I’ll be honest and confess that every month I do breast feed; I mark it off the list and continue my countdown to the year mark. But I want to last for a year, and I don’t want to do anything to make that year get cut short. So,  I decided that I’m going to set simple goals right now for exercising/weight loss/toning.  My simple goals consist of running/walking three times a week and sit ups five to seven times a week. This should be very doable seeing that on my days off I try to walk Noah three to five miles, and I can do sit ups while he naps. This should be a mission accomplished- I’ll keep y’all updated- but my goal is to do this for 2012.

The Bear Trail Girl may never be back, and I’ve accepted that. I think my marathon days are over, and if I can do a couple halves in the near future that’d be great. By near future, I mean maybe in 2013. It is kind of nice not having the massive running thighs right now and pants fitting a little loose around the legs.

I think my next simple goal to add to the list in 2012 is to try out Zumba. One of my new co-workers is an instructor and it sounds awesome (as long as nobody watches me). We are trying to convince her to give us some lessons on our Saturday busy season days, so we can work off all the Cinnamon rolls, Breakfast Tacos, and Chick-fil-a sandwiches.

Peace and no more chicken grease (I’m seriously trying to restrict my chick-fil-a intake),

Natalie

Giving up running for these boys and that drool? Yes Please!

What I'm learning....

I've learned so much since becoming a mom in October...

I've learned selflessness in a whole new light

I've learned patience

I've learned to be more independent, but I've relearned how to dependent on Christ

I learned to appreciate quality time with Daddy while Noah naps

I've learned that breastfeeding/pumping is the key to weight loss for me and weight gain for Noah but it is also painful and annoying some days

I've learned about the instant bond that comes when you meet a new mom/mom to be- Babies R Us is the place to  hang :) 

I learned that everybody has theories on everything and you have to listen and take what you think its correct and leave behind the rest

I've learned to appreicate friends, family, and community to the nth degree

I've learned that a silly face from Noah can turn any frown upside down

Wouldn't you agree?

First Week as a Working Mom

First week back to work and I survived.

Yes, I did it. It’s 75% time, so it isn’t the full load that I was used to before I left, but it is still back to work and leaving my baby 9 to 10 hours a day. I arranged with my work that I will now only work three days a week and Saturdays during busy season. I ended up choosing to work on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday due to Matt’s heavy course load and new TA positions. Matt is working 20 hours a week- 10 hours for two different professors- and it is amazing (well, so far-not overwhelmed yet). It is helping supplement our income and allowing us to afford a nanny to come to the house 15-20 hours a week to watch our sweet boy.

So for my first week back, Monday and Tuesday weren’t too bad; I left him and felt great about it. On Wednesday, I was home with him all day and got some work done. It is a little tough getting everything done with a baby around, but I know I will get used to it. 

These past two weeks I have started to notice that he has become quite the mama’s boy. For example, I went to lunch with my mom and two friends on Wednesday and Noah would only really let me hold him- started to fuss with anybody else. I actually like it because I feel super loved and important BUT today *Thursday* I did not love it. Noah has been going to bed around 8:30 (amazing) and waking up around 6:45. Thursday was not so easy of a morning-he was up at 6 which was fine but usually, I had just been feeding him and then heading to work at 7- not really interacting with him. This morning we hung out for an hour before I left- he helped me get the apartment ready and put make up on. He was all smiles. He loves when I brush my teeth and do make up in front of the mirror because he can smile at himself too. We are quite the team. Anyways, after having a grand old time getting ready I brought him to daddy at 7 am. Within a couple seconds of handing him off, he starts screaming. Yep, you said it, separation anxiety. This boy didn’t want me to leave. He wanted me to hold him and wanted my attention. So, needless to say, I had to leave a screaming baby with daddy. Matt texted me thirty minutes later and said he had just gotten him to calm down.  This was a rough start to the morning for both of us, but I think it will get better.

I love that I get to be a wife, mom, and an accountant. These are seriously my three favorite things (well, besides being a daughter of Christ). God has been so good, and I could not be more thankful for such a great place to work. After a long day at work, it’s nice to know I will be home three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).  I will work while he sleeps, but I still get to be home and the separation anxiety will be at a minimum. J More to come. Let me just say I’m thankful for a baby who sleeps 10 hours a night at 12 weeks- Matt and I are blessed!

(I wrote this last night- things get busy, so it is a day late...oooops)

Noah Picture Attack

Why Hello Tongue!

COW A BUNG AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Really Mom?

So Serious.......

Look who found his HANDS!!!!

AND HAS HAD THREE NIGHTS WHERE HE HAS SLEPT 10 HOURS STRAIGHT!

He could go Gerber....in my humble opinion!

Oh Happy Day! I guess you can tell who I love to take pictures of all day long..

Some of My January Favorites...

1) The TV show Parenthood- seriously 100% amazing altogether. Matt and I really enjoy each of the characters and think that it is a quality show. The best part is that we love to watch together. We have found ourselves relating some of our daily experiences to the show and continue to laugh and relive different episodes. It is one of those shows that makes me feel ooey gooey inside.OBSESSED.

2) The book Real Marriage. If you know anything about us, you know that the Clem's love Mark Driscoll. He recently wrote a book with his wife Grace on the tough stuff that happens/goes on in marriage. Matt and I read the chapters separately and discuss each one at a time. We both already see the molding and shaping God is doing through this book. It is a great read, something I would give any married couple no matter what stage of life they are embarking.

3) My BOB stroller is a HUGE favorite. I have been trying to walk three times a week, and this little mobile has been nothing but wonderful. Noah loves being outside and loves that he can see out of the BOB. It has provided such a fun way for me to get exercise and Noah to be stimulated. I couldn't live without it.

 

4) My sewing machine has been so much fun to start using this January. Matt gave it to me for my wedding present and I was super intimated by it. I just got the courage to pull it out and have had a blast. My goal is to first make a bib for Noah, then a blanket, and maybe a onesie. We will see how these goals go. My New Year's resolution list gets longer by the day. 

                                      

5) And of course....these BOYS!

                                    

One Sentence Journal

At the Alamo Bowl with My Boy!

I was reading Good Housekeeping today thanks to Oma and her sweet Christmas subscription for me this year, and I loved an article on creating a one sentence journal. I have always loved to journal- used to prayer journal a lot in high school and the beginning of college but somehow things got busy and I started slacking. One of my New Year’s resolutions starting today is to keep a one sentence journal on 2012 for the Clem's. This sentence can document a special moment, a sweet thought, a wild adventure, a vital lesson learned, or practically anything. I loved this idea and hope to stick to it. The lady who started this concept has been doing it for is 6 years and says looking back on it brings back special moments she never would have remembered. Six years of journaling might be a little farfetched for me as of right now, but who knows-I’ll just fly by the seat of my pants after the one year mark.

Hope the weekend is treating all well!

Natalie

I kind of really LOVE this boy!

You Know You are a Parent When...



Noah was about 10 days old here- I LOVE THIS PICTURE!


Matt and I laugh all the time at the hilarious moments of becoming parents. Babies are full of wonderful surprises-seriously, you learn so much so fast with very little sleep. Anyways, we decided to begin a list of different situations when we have said to ourselves "WOW, we actually are parents."

We had two examples last week that really made us start jotting down the list. I thought I'd share the oh so funny yet embarrassing moments...

1) You know you are a parent when you go throughout the whole day with your cardigan inside out tag and all. You finally are at the end of the day and the check out lady at Babies R Us says "I can tell you are tired, your sweater is inside out." NICE!

2) Matt knew he was a parent when had spit up all over his shoulder for the majority of the day-group meetings and all and had zero idea until he came home that night and I had to tell him. I told him it was CUTE- shows a good sign of an active daddy.

More to come....I'm SURE of it.

Happy Friday!

Noah's 2nd Month Stats

So the verdict was out-Matt and I started guessing Noah's stats on the way to the pediatrician today. I came to the conclusion that Noah was 13 pounds even and Matt guessed 12 pounds 8 ounces. Matt was closer (I hate when he wins)-Noah weighed in at 12 pounds 10 ounces-55th percentile for weight. He measured at  23 3/4 inches-80th percentile for height. I thought the chub was going to be putting him a lot higher, but it turns out our boy is tall and "lean." Somehow with the bazillion rolls on his legs and arms- I still don't believe it.

This "little" noggin was 15 and 1/2 inches around putting him in the 55th percentile for head circumference.

After all the of the fun statistics and hearing how "cute" and "sweet" he was, it was dooms day time. Noah had to get three shots and an oral vaccination. BLAHHHHHHHH. (The two pics above were taken yesterday).

This is what we have been doing all day since the shot trauma. We are giving him Tylenol every four hours, but you can tell his legs are bothering him. Poor guy, it's heartbreaking.

Confession: I had to leave the room and let Matt handle the shots. I knew I'd probably cry and I HATE needles. My parents never had to worry about a tattoo phase- I get weak at the sight of needles and blood. I haven't minded the snuggling, but I have been sad with the tears and fussiness we have seen today. Oh well- all for the safety and health of this boy! We have a break from pedi visits now- next dooms day is February 29th. I am going to have to do this one by myself- I'm not looking forward to it at all.

Happy Tuesday! Blessed to have such a healthy boy!

P.S.- The nurse Noah peed all over when he was a couple weeks old took care of him again today. She walked in the waiting room and looked at Noah. She said  "I remember you- since our little incident I now always cover the wee." Noah makes LASTING impressions- what can I say?

Surrounded

 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
  the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
 what is man that you are mindful of him,
  and the son of man that you care for him?
(Psalm 8:3-4 ESV)

I was challenged today as reading the Psalms to think about the different ways that God has been mindful of me this past year. At first I started listing general things such as a husband who loves me, Noah, great family (Matt's and mine), a job with people who take care of me, Austin Stone, friends, a college education, etc. After listing off maybe thirty things in my head-I realized I was being way too general. It was easy to list off broad topics, but ultimately I wasn't giving our Creator credit for the little things. Yes, the small ways he's provided big answers. How is it possible that the God of the universe that painted the heavens has fingers and hands that mold me every day to be the wife, mother, friend, co-worker, daughter, sister, and neighbor that I am?

I started thinking about after five months of being married the terrifying news of finding out we were going to be parents and the ENDLESS ways God provided as we desperately cried out to him "US? We are not ready?" I mean for real- God showed up and made it evident that he was painting the picture of our lives. A couple examples-I was lent maternity clothes by a co-worker- huge expense saved and a small easily overlooked way of God providing. Matt knew he was being called out of the rehab center and into grad school. After three interviews for his PhD and three responses of "you are on the waiting list," God opened the door for a Master’s program at the University of Texas that he didn't even apply for. This program has turned out to be the exact fit for him and despite having Noah in the midst of all his studies-he still did VERY well. My best friend then gets pregnant and gets to walk through the joys and hilarious moments of gaining thirty pounds, peeing every two minutes, and craving sweets after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. God made pregnancy so much fun having her by my side. I then think how we have been surrounded with meals, groceries, free date nights, amazing advice, and love- all given from family, friends, and co-workers. I look back at three weeks when Noah was up every two hours and the thoughts of how can I have more kids- this is the toughest thing I've ever done. He provided. God seriously provided. He brought patience, a helpful husband, surrounding family, encouraging words from college sorority sisters- all when I thought the walls may fall. He surrounded us in the midst of what I thought was defeat, but honestly, it was victory. Victory over fear, doubt, and anxiety. God made sure I knew that I wasn't just following his footsteps through the valleys; he was actually carrying me and my family through them. This is the creator of the universe, designer of the heavens, painter of the sky CARRYING ME! As I reflect on 2011, one word comes to mind- Surrounded. This was a year I've truly been surrounded by God in big ways and small. God, the one and only who knows every hair on Noah's head, has shown himself in greater ways than I could ever imagined.

From this....

To this...

With a little bit of this....

And now a LOT of this.....

Peace, Love, 2012, Natalie