SOCIAL MEDIA

Friday, May 29, 2015

Butler Babies are 5 Months!

So even though it is Friday and I usually post my five "things", today will be different because my sweet baby girls are 5 months. Wow! I still can't believe it.

I am still linking up today with my favorite gals.

So let's get down to business.

nicknames: Avery: Avery Girl, Avey, Bunny, Chunky Monkey  Sutton: Sutton Muffin, Sutte, Bear Cub, Little Miss

weight: We haven't weighed the girls in a few weeks, but at their 4 month check up they were: Avery 10 lbs 3 oz and Sutton 9 lbs 10 oz. I believe Miss Sutton has been going through a growth spurt, so they are probably at 11 and 10 1/2 lbs or maybe even bigger. Their legs are getting chunky and Avery has the biggest, cutest cheeks.

sleep: They are doing pretty well in this category. They sleep from 9 pm to 5:20 am ish (so around 8 plus hours a night). They sleep in their cribs the entire night. Currently, they still sleep in their Halo Sleep Sacks, but it is getting too hot, so they won't be using those anymore (starting tonight) unless we go somewhere that it is colder (like maybe at Graeagle is they aren't rolling machines by then).

eats: The girls keep on adding more and more to their feedings. We were having some issues this last month with crankiness around the 2 hour mark, but we upped their mls and they have been a lot better. Currently they are both eating 140 mls each feeding, 6 times a day. So they are getting 28 ounces per day, per baby. I can barely keep up with them. I hope to pump for at least another month and then maybe start weaning over the next month. We will see. I might stretch it out longer and start weaning just before 7 months. It is so hard because one day I want to be done pumping and the next I say I want to go longer. Formula is expensive and we can only get so much for free (from the pediatrician).
 
loves: Sutton: She loves her Wubba Nub, the Kick N Play, bumbo time, starting to like tummy time, sitting up at ALL TIMES, chewing on her hands, chewing on blankets, drooling, eating, smiling, grabbing mommy's hair or necklaces and laughing at her sister. Sutton rolled over this month for her first time on May 14th. She rolled from her stomach to her back while laying in her crib during her sisters diaper change. She hasn't done it since then, but she tries all the time. She is so close to doing it all the time. She also loves to scoot herself off the boppy. Not sure how much longer we can use it. She has also taken a liking to grabbing plates and things to try to pull them off the table (when she sits in my lap during dinner).

Avery: She also loves her Wubba Nub. But she is also liking her hands more and more. She likes to grab things and put them in her mouth. Mommy and daddy have to watch her more now. Avery loves the Kick N Play. She thinks it is the best thing ever. She has also taken a big liking to her jumper. She can finally move herself enough that it moves. And she can almost touch the ground (about an inch away). Avery also loves drooling, smiling, eating, pulling mommy's hair and holding her sisters hand. Avery seems like she is going to be so athletic. She is very strong. She also scoots off the boppy and tries to scoot everywhere. Avery has really taken a liking to tummy time this month.

Both babies are gaining so much strength in their necks, heads and back. They are on the move and mommy and daddy have to keep an eye on them at all times. They both love their nightly lotion massages that mommy gives them. They smile and coo the entire time.

dislikes: Bath time has still been one of their least favorite things. One baby is usually happy in the bath and the other hates it. Oh well. Maybe next month when they can sit in the bath they will like it more. The girls also hate when mommy or daddy leaves the room. They will cry until they can see us again. Also Sutton loves to be held and look out at everything. So when you hold her, she must be sitting on your lap or in your arms being held outwards.

clothing size: The girls are in 0 to 3 month, but mostly 3 month clothing.

diaper size: People, we moved up to size 2 diapers. The girls are getting so big! (and we may have had way too many blowouts in their size 1).
Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Another Post Pregnancy Battle

Today I am here to talk about hernias. More specifically, umbilical hernias.

On Tuesday, I went to my family physician for a yearly check-up. No big deal. But I wanted to have him take a look at my belly button. You see, when I was pregnant with the girls, my belly button popped out. I would always joke that it meant the girls were almost done baking. I guess I jinxed myself because they were born soon after that happened.

Everyone kept saying how cute it was. I didn't think so. It is weird to have your belly button be such a cute innie to become a weird looking outtie. But  my doctor's assured me that soon after delivering my girls that my belly button would go back in. Guess what, it hasn't.

It is still almost all the way out. A tiny portion has gone back in. And now you can see where I had my belly button piercing for years too. So I have lost all the weight and then some. And I am working on toning my belly and everything else up at the gym a few times a week and still nothing has changed.

So yesterday we did the trick to see if I have diastasis recti which means separation of the ab wall. I do have a slight separation, but not more than a a finger or so width apart which means that is ok. But my belly button bulged out completely and there was a ridge on top of my belly button that extended upwards. This pretty much means I have an umbilical hernia.

It also means, I can just leave it alone or have a minor surgery to treat it. But first, I am going to see my trusty doctor who did my breast abscess surgery for another opinion. My doctor was just worried that my abs or bowels could get caught in the hernia as I have been having stomach aches lately, but couldn't pinpoint why. I couldn't tell if I was hungry, just had an upset tummy or what was going on.

So I get to go see the trusted Dr. Devia again. And can I just say that these girls wrecked havoc on my body, but they are the best and I don't regret any of this AT ALL.

Have any of you had this? Did your belly button eventually go back in on it's own after pregnancy? Did you ever get yours checked out?
Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Memorial Day Weekend 2015

This weekend flew by in an instant and it was one day longer than normal. Maybe it was because my dear sweet Sutton Bear has been a bit cranky. I think she is going through a growth spurt which also means a bit of sleep regression going on in the Butler house. That or she is teething. But even though she is a cranky bear, she is still so cute.

Friday morning I was sent pictures and videos to get me through my work day since my husband had the day off with the girls. So jealous.
 Tummy time pros

After work, I met him at his hair cut appointment to take the girls from him and show them off to the girls at the salon (I go to the same place). Then we did a bit of shopping where Avery did not care for being in the dressing room with mommy. So I was hurrying to try to find an outfit for this weeks family photos. So hard. Spoiler...didn't find anything in the short time I had. Then we met daddy for lunch and then off to our house for some nap time.

Saturday morning we tried a new place for breakfast. It was pretty good. I had yummy biscuits and gravy. I love biscuits and gravy, but so many places don't do them justice. This one was pretty tasty.

Saturday was sort of a blur. It was rainy most of the day, so we relaxed inside the rest of the day. But we had to get a photo of these cuties in their Patagonia jackets.
Patagonia ad?

That night we managed to cook dinner at home. Big feat I tell you. And check out Miss Avery in her jumper while we cooked.

Sunday morning we made breakfast (another feat) and did things around the house. That evening we headed to Truckee for a family dinner. The girls met their cousins (third and fourth) and had a great evening. They were cuddled all evening and enjoyed all the love and attention.

Monday we did more things around the house while daddy took a bike ride and then mommy went out on her own adventure to look for an outfit for the photos and grocery shopped. This time away was good for both mommy and daddy as Miss Sutton was not having a good few days and it was wearing on us. But she was super happy this morning, so maybe it has passed? Hopefully!? Please!?
Bumbo time while Mommy and Daddy cooked dinner

The night was ended with bath time (which Sutton enjoyed and Avery did not) and very sleepy parents. The girls did sleep most of the night which was a change from the last few (sleep regression, maybe?). 

And now we are onto a new week where the girls are 21 weeks old (can you believe it?) and will be 5 months this Friday. Time is flying.

How was your Memorial Day weekend?
Friday, May 22, 2015

MadBum Friday

Another Friday, another week that has gone by.

Can you believe it is almost June? Time is flying by and my girls will be 5 months next Friday! Seriously crazy stuff.

Onto my Friday five.

ONE. And can you believe the unbelievable Giants game yesterday? MadBum hit a homer off of Kershaw! Epic. Loved it. Only wish I could have saw it live instead of way later. I sure do love me some Madison Bumgarner.
 Proudly sits on my desk. There are a few Dodger fans here at work with their awful (Puig) bobbleheads.

TWO. In other news, I got a mini fridge at work. I know super exciting right? Well it is for me because now I can pump and store my parts at work without having to wash them every.single.time. And I can store my breast milk in there too and not worry about putting it in a cooler in the fridge so no one freaks out. Pretty excited.

Isn't it funny how we used to get excited about going out, what we were going to wear that night, our next adventure, etc. and now I get excited over appliances.

THREE. Crisis adverted on getting myself a dress for my dear friend Nathalie's bridal shower. The theme is Marie Antoinette, pretty in LIGHT pink and I didn't have much around the house. Sure I have a wide variety of pink things, but not light pink. And I am not even sure my BRIGHT pink dress would fit these huge knockers. I have a very similar dress to the one I picked out, but the other is shorter, strapless and tighter. All bad combos after having a baby. This one makes me look "normal" again after having twins. I got it from Nordstrom and will show you all after the shower. (meaning I am too lazy to photograph it now)

FOUR. My babies get to meet their second cousins this weekend and I am pretty excited. Little Harper is just over 3 months old (she was due the day before the girls) and I can't wait to see how my girls interact with her. The girls are really starting to notice each other. Just last night they were staring at each other, smiling away and then kept holding hands and watching each other while sucking on their pacis. Major heart melt right there. Man they grow up way too fast. Love this stage right now!

FIVE. I really want to shop for things to wear next week for our family pictures and our trip to Graeagle next month. Here are a few things I would love to add to my closet.
Spring/Summer Wants



Happy Memorial Day weekend all!
Thursday, May 21, 2015

Random Thursday Post

Sorry I have been MIA all week. I spent my free time (during work) Monday and Tuesday at the gym, followed by an awful lunch time dentist appointment yesterday. Why did I make a dentist appointment during lunch? Those are the worst kinds of lunch times.

Good news is....no cavities. The bad news is...I have to have two fillings replaced from when I was a kid and my teeth are still sore from my cleaning. I guess my teeth have taken a backseat since having new babies. Luckily, no new cavities, but I still have to get stupid shots to replace those pesky fillings. Why can't they last forever? No one wants to get unnecessary shots unless they are the whiskey kind.

In other news, we are finally biting the bullet and fully changing to new bottles in the Butler household. Big news, right? Haha. We have been avid Dr. Brown bottle users (we received some from the NICU that the girls used), but were tired of cleaning 7 parts per bottle, 8 bottles when we got home from work. And that doesn't include the 5 am feeding nor the 8 pm feeding. It was a laborious 15 plus minutes of my day plus the other feedings and my pump parts. Way too much time spent when I could be cuddling those precious babies of mine.

So we went with Tommee Tippee bottles. Plus we had to transition out of our 4 ounce bottles to 8 or 9 ounces. The girls seem to do very well with their medium flow nipples (we tried the slow flow and they hated them) and it is only 3 to 4 parts to clean per bottle. Win-win for this momma.

I am so looking forward to this weekend. For one, it is a long weekend (3 day weekend!). Two we get to see some family that the girls haven't met yet. Three, this momma can sleep in. I fell asleep on the way to work again (my husband was driving). But we do have a million and one errands to run.

I do have a question for you pumping mommas, when did you transition to less pumps per day? I currently pump 6 times a day and want to drop to 5 times. When I dropped from 7 to 6, my supply increased. I want it to stay the same or up again (wishful thinking). Is it too early to do it at 5 months? On a related note, can you believe my girls will be 5 months next Friday? Time is going way too fast!
 
 
   Cutest babies EVER!
Monday, May 18, 2015

Graduation Weekend Recap

This weekend was super busy. From the time I got off work on Friday until my head hit the pillow Sunday night.

Friday I finally got a pedicure. My feet were in desperate need of some TLC. I had partial gel on some of them, super long nails and rough feet from wearing sandals. After they got a little love, I finally got to eat for the first time that day. So bad of me to wait all day, but I forgot to pack some breakfast. It was super rainy that day, so when the evening hit, we watched some NBA playoffs and relaxed by the fire. But first we fitted ourselves with our baby carrier. Finally. And the verdict...the girls loved them. Sutton took a bit longer to love it, but eventually she did while walking around.

Saturday was again busy with running errands to get some graduation cards, breakfast and ready for a grad party. Then we went to said grad party with the girls looking darling as ever. They got SO much attention and loved every second of it. Plus it gave mommy and daddy a second to relax sans baby with a glass of wine. Saturday evening we had family dinner at my in-laws. Steak. So good.

Sunday morning we took family generational photos for our university. And let me tell you, getting the girls and ourselves ready by 9 am is hard. We get ourselves ready to leave at 6:10 am every weekday, but try to get us somewhere by 9 am and we fail. We are usually 15 minutes late. Can't seem to figure it out.

After pictures, we went to breakfast with the family and then I headed to Carson to spend time with my mom, sister, aunt and our family friends. We went and saw Pitch Perfect 2. This was a late Mother's Day treat for my mom. Oh and I got her a gift certificate to Picasso and Wine for a fun girls day. I can't wait to go. My mom has never been and I love it so much, so why not share it with her? As for Pitch Perfect 2...I really liked it. I didn't even think I would like the first one, but after my mom got me to watch it with her during my maternity leave, I loved it, so I had to go this time around. Have you seen it? So good.

Then I headed back to Reno for another family dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. Definitely the way to this girls heart is through spaghetti. And the girls got more family time. They met so many new family members this weekend and had a pretty awesome weekend. The girls are definitely loved by ALL.

But since we were out and about ALL WEEKEND, we had things to finish that night. Ugh, laundry and not even my babies laundry (that comes tonight). Several laundry loads, prepping bottles and things for daycare, giving Walter a bath instead of the girls (because he got into the compost pile....GROSS), making our bed, etc. We didn't even get to bed until 11 pm which is so late for this momma now a days. The girls....asleep by 8:45 pm.

And that was our busy weekend. How was your weekend? Did you go to any graduation festivities?
Thursday, May 14, 2015

My Fours

I have seen this post floating around on quite a few blogs, so I figured I would jump in and let you get to know me a little bit better.

Four nicknames I've had:
D
Dirty D
Dizzle
Danni G

Four movies I have watched more than once:
Devil Wears Prada
27 Dresses
Knocked Up
Sex and the City

Four jobs I've had:
Web Designer
Agent
Cashier at a video store
Secretary/student worker at the University (while attending school there)

Four things in my purse:
Iron pills (from after delivery of the babies and I had to take them before every meal)
Southwest drink coupons
Lotion
Candy

Four places I've lived:
Reno, NV
Carson City, NV
College Dorm
and nowhere else...so boring.

Four places I've visited:
Australia
The UK
Canada
Hawaii

Four places on my travel bucket list:
Italy
Germany
Ireland
France

Four things I don't eat:
Bugs
Pate'
Spam
Eel/Unagi

Four tv shows I watch: (Currently)
Grey's Anatomy
House of Cards
Modern Family
Deadliest Catch

Four cars I've driven:
Honda Prelude
Toyota Tacoma
Chevy Trailblazer
Subaru Legacy

Four things to look forward to in 2015:
Watching my babies grow
Graeagle trip
Beach days this summer
Babies 1st Birthdays
What are your fours?
Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Finally Back in the Gym!

Monday marked my first day back at the gym. This is a big deal for me as I was a big time gym rat prior to being told to stop working out while I was pregnant (mid-October). I have been dying to get back to the gym, but hadn't found the time to do so at lunch time. Sometimes it was, I would rather see my babies than hit the gym. Other times it was, Sutton got pink eye and this momma had to make her time up which meant short lunches and no gym time. I know....all excuses.

But I am back and it feels good. I am taking it really easy as I have a lot of catching up to do. But I am really looking forward to the day when I can go running again. Then I can compete in Reno Tahoe Odyssey and Tough Mudder (next year). In the meantime, its light weights and elliptical for this momma. Now I just need to buy some new cute gym clothes (all are stretched out from pregnancy) and get back at it. Though I did buy some new ear buds (mine broke around September). Baby steps.

Anyone out there have some workouts that are lighter and can help put my abs back together? They separated a bit from pregnancy.

Also, I tried fruit bars from Trader Joes on recommendation from someone at Trader Joes and I am in love. Have you tried these? What is your favorite flavor? I love coconut so these are right up my alley. But I do wish they had strawberry and coconut or mango and coconut.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Nursing and Pumping Clothes

Recently, I was contacted by Figure 8 Maternity and Beyond to review some products. Since I am a new mom, I jumped at the opportunity. I am nursing/pumping and I need shirts and dresses that easily allow me to do either.

I can wear regular shirts if need be while pumping/nursing, but wearing a dress isn't so easy. So when I was contacted, I wanted a dress. Really badly. And since I wanted something I could wear to work, for a date night or just casually, I chose a little black dress. More specifically, the Sophie and Eve Charlotte Bamboo Wrap Dress.

* I received this dress complimentary to test and review, but all opinions are my own.
Note: I am definitely not a model.

This black dress is AMAZING. I can wear some heels or flats with it to work with some simple jewelry and then when I come home, I can throw on some black boots and a fun necklace for an evening out with my husband or a wine night with my girlfriends.

The dress isn't see through at all, sits just above the knee and is made of the softest material. I wore it to work recently and was able to easily pump. I just moved the outer bra area to the side and comfortably put on my pump parts. Since it has an inner area (cut-out), the pump parts stay easily and keeps your breast more secure.
 Easy access for nursing and pumping


I love that it is a wrap dress, so it ends up being very flattering to all shapes and sizes. This dress can be worn even after you are done nursing or pumping.

I have my eye on several other items including a Cake Lingerie bra, Seraphine Alana Sleeveless Nautical Nursing Dress and Vidia Nursing Dress for an upcoming Bridal shower I am attending at the end of the month.

Being a mom who nurses and pumps, it is hard to find clothes that fit, look cute and are functional for pumping. So far, I love what Figure 8 Maternity has to offer. They have maternity clothing too (as it implies from the name). They have super fast shipping and everything comes wrapped up nicely which is a great because it's the small touches that matter.

Again, I received this dress complimentary to test and review, but all opinions are my own.
Monday, May 11, 2015

My First Mother's Day (Weekend)

Monday's sure do come way too fast now-a-days. Not to mention, I am beyond exhausted. My baby girls have been sleeping all night (9pm to 5:20am-ish), but I am just TIRED. I did fall asleep on the way to work this morning. Don't worry, my husband was driving.

Before I get into my weekend, I forget to show you all what I did last Tuesday night. I went to Picasso and Wine with some of my girlfriends. The painting was of a colorful giraffe which is going into the girls room. I can't wait to go again. Love painting and wine.

This weekend was a pretty good one. Friday we did get to golf. The weather held until the last 3 holes. Then it got gusty and chilly. But we finished. Though I didn't finish that strong. But it did feel good to get back out there and do pretty well. Now I just need to keep going. Taking a year off, really does mess up the game.

After golf, we stayed for a celebratory beer and then picked up our little ladies from my parents house. My aunt came by my parents house to drop something off, and ended up staying to hang with the girls. They sure do love their great aunt.

Saturday, we grabbed brunch and then I headed out to get a facial/massage combo. Amazing. Felt like a million bucks after. After my treatment, we ran a few errands in between feeding the girls. It was a nice little Saturday.

Sunday was Mother's Day which started off with this munchkin looking up at me (after her 8 am feeding).

 Then it was off to brunch with my in-laws. So good.
 My face looks seriously bloated here. Not sure why. Maybe it's because I had no make-up on?

After brunch, we headed home to feed the girls and get ready to go to Virginia City. We had one thing on our minds...getting me some cowboy boots. But first, my husband gave me a handmade card from the girls and a succulent plant (which now resides at work).

We walked around Virginia City and bought some amazing cowboy boots. My first pair too. I need to take a picture. They are very pretty. Then we had a little snack and hung out in the sun while feeding the girls. Next up, was a shopping trip to Trader Joes. Half way through, little Miss Sutton decided to have a massive poopy diaper that came out everywhere. What were we to do? Up and leave? Finish our shopping? We chose the latter. But when we got home (we quickly finished shopping), it was a big ordeal to clean up. Laundry, baths, new clothes and tons of clean-up. Happy Mother's Day, hahaha.

Then we ordered in some pizza since Sutton's carseat was out of commission for the evening (major cleaning happened to it) and relaxed. It was a pretty awesome first Mother's Day if I do say so myself.

How was your Mother's Day?
Sunday, May 10, 2015

Mother's Day

Dear Baby Girls,

Thank you for choosing me to be your mommy. I believe wholeheartedly that you could have chosen so many mommy and daddy's out there, but you chose me and your daddy. You knew that we would love you unconditionally, take care of you, teach you about life, help you grow, help you mature into amazing human beings, share unforgettable memories and walk through life together.

I have wanted to be a mommy for a very long time. I dreamed about it for so many years, but now that I am living it, it is better than I could have ever imagined.

You have forever changed me, but in the best imaginable way. I may be more tired, have a different body and found a new definition for exhaustion, but loving you two is more than I ever dreamed of.

You are constantly learning new things, tracking mommy and daddy and those smiles melt my heart.

I love our mornings together when you two stretch your tiny bodies out and smile up at me. I cherish our feedings and the snuggles we experience after. I could lay in bed for hours with you two forgetting the outside world. Mostly, I just adore you two more than you could ever know.

Thank you for choosing me to be your mommy. And thank you for forever changing my world. I am so grateful to have you two precious girls on my very first Mother's Day.
Friday, May 8, 2015

Finally Friday

Per usual, its Friday link up time.

Friday, what do you have up your sleeve today?

One. Golf. Yes I am supposed to play golf today for a work tournament and I am nervous. I haven't played since July or August-ish when I pregnant, so this could be a disaster. Plus it is May and May brings unpredictable weather here. Hence the blustery winds with a forecasted 65 degrees. Please oh please let it warm up. I am a baby with no little fat left and don't want to be miserable all day.

Two. Did you know daycares have picture day? I didn't. But I am so excited to get even more photos of the girls. I can't ever have enough. Plus I need to cover my desk in photos of the girls. Yes I am THAT mom.

Three. I finally caved and bought the Milly Triangl bikini I have been obsessing over. I am not sure I will look as good as the model does in it (post-pregnant body), but I am sure as heck going to try. Plus it is payday, so I HAD TO.

Four. My first Mother's Day is almost here, and I wrote my girls a special letter thanking them for choosing me to be their mother. That post is to come Sunday.

Five. We have family photos coming up in a few weeks. We are contemplating whether to take them inside or outside. Our girls are 4 months. What do you all recommend? And should we all be sort of matchy? These are our first family photos. Heck the first time we have all four been in a photo other than one taken at the basketball game on an iphone. This is a big deal people and I don't want to mess it up. So any and all advice is welcome.

And so we survived another week. Another week back to work. Another week at daycare. Another week older (19 weeks old this coming Monday) for my baby girls.
Thursday, May 7, 2015

Mother's Day Guide

Mother's Day is upon us. Like in 3 days. I am pretty excited about this Mother's Day. Not only do I get to celebrate my amazing beautiful mom, but I also get to celebrate my mother-in-law and my FIRST Mother's Day.

I have dreamed about this day for a long time because it meant that I finally have a child or in my case, children. My mom always said I could never do anything "normal". I always do everything extraordinarily.

I can't wait til my girls are big enough to hand make me things to hang up at work. But in the meantime, they can spoil me (through their daddy). And don't worry, Father's Day is another month away and my husband will have a pretty awesome Father's Day. Already planning it out.

So first, my ideal day for Mother's Day.

I want to wake up and snuggle my girls. Since we have to work (I wish I could be a stay at home mom sometimes), we don't get enough cuddle time in the mornings. But on weekends we do. And on this weekend, I want extra snuggles in bed. Then I want to have a delicious breakfast. Something like eggs benedict or decadent french toast (carbs don't count on Mother's Day).

Then I want to go out and do something with my family. A walk, shopping, nice lunch or appetizers outside, picnic, go to the park or something with my family. And finally I would love to either go to dinner with my husband and kids or have him make me an awesome dinner...complete with wine.

Basically I just want to spend the entire day with my babies, husband and doggie.

Now onto the gift guide.

I have something up my sleeve for my mom, but I am not sure if she will read this post, so I will hold off on putting it on here. But I know she will love it.

But here is just a few items I would love for Mother's Day.
Mother's Day Gift Guide