Updates on Baby Liam and Pregnancy 2!

Baby Liam is thriving and doing well despite the challenges that have been thrown his way!  He has taken on fifths disease and it looks like he is one resilient little man!  This week at our weekly appointment with the high-risk doctor, they evaluated his anemia and took measurements.  His anemia levels were still in the 1.2 range.  I'll take it!! This is still considered the normal to mild range.  We have at least 3 more weeks to see the high-risk doctor.  Our doctor feels that by then we will be in the clear!!  We have been so appreciative of everyone's prayers for our precious baby boy and we ask that you please continue to keep praying for him!

This week I was 23 weeks at our appointment.  Liam was estimated to weigh 1 lb. 9 oz which would put him in the 65th percentile for his weight!! Looks like he's headed in the same direction as his big brother! Only time will tell if this Momma is going to have another 10 lb. baby! lol


Pregnancy Updates!!!

• Today, January 14th, I'm 24 weeks 2 days! Over half-way there!!! 
• I've officially joined the 20-lb club! That's right, I hit the 20 lb. weight gain mark! Ugggg!  I'm determined to keep weight gain within the recommended 25-35 lbs, though!  It will be hard, but I think I can do it! 
• Acid Reflux has hit me hard this month! (groan!)
• I feel pretty good most days! (Thank goodness!)  Just a little tired here and there.
• "Occasional" cravings for milkshakes! lol
• Liam is on the move! I love feeling his kicks and flips all the time!
• Officially wearing maternity clothes... I still have 2-3 pairs of regular pants I can squeeze into with the belly band, but that probably won't last much longer! lol
• Next "regular" OB appointment is my glucose test! Say a prayer for us that I don't have gestational diabetes! We DO NOT need that on top of everything else!
• "Nesting" mode hits me every now and then! I'm ready to get this house organized for two little ones!!! lol
• Here's the belly pic... FINALLY:

Liam Andrew at 24 weeks :)  We can't wait to meet you baby boy!

Look for more updates on baby Liam and Momma soon!

Baby & Toddler Favorites :)

Lots of friends (especially new moms) ask me what my favorite baby & toddler items, stores, etc. have been.  Well, here they are! I am by no means an expert, but these are the things that I have LOVED for Connor.

Favorite Baby & Toddler Items:

1. Dr. Brown's Bottles

These bottles were the BEST for Connor! Connor had acid reflux when he was really small and was also colicky.  These bottles have a vent system that helps prevent air bubbles, which means fewer upset tummies!  The down side... there are LOTS of parts to wash.  6 parts per bottle to be exact.  I also recommend the wide-mouth bottles for breastfed babies because they position baby's mouth similarly.   Also... the BEST ADVICE someone gave me when I was pregnant with Connor was to buy 1 bottle of a few different brands to see which works best for your baby.  BEST ADVICE EVER! I plan to buy Tommee Tippee, Breastflow, and Dr. Brown's Wide Neck Bottles to see which works best for Liam. :)

2.  Angelcare Deluxe Movement & Sound Monitor


This is by far my FAVORITE baby item.  I'm totally one of those moms who was checking to make sure my newborn was breathing ALL. NIGHT. LONG.  I purchased this when Connor was only 3 days old and I WILL have another one for Liam too!  This is not only a sound monitor, but it also monitors baby's movements.  The sensor pad goes under baby's mattress and it can feel the tiniest movements (breathing)! If the monitor doesn't feel movement for 20 seconds an alarm sounds.  This is totally worth it just for the PEACE OF MIND! lol

3.  Thirty-One Bags

The organizing utility tote makes the PERFECT diaper bag! I have a black one with Connor's name embroidered in red.  I'm LOVING this one (pictured) in the Pin Dots pattern for a combo bag for Connor & Liam.  I want to monogram a large "S" for Shacklett in baby blue on the bag too!  And seriously, where can you get a diaper bag this cute for $25??

I also have the picnic thermal tote in black with Connor's name embroidered in red.  I LOVE it! It is perfect for packing his food/drinks/snacks while Momma is away at work.  I REALLY want this one (pictured) in the Harvest Plaid pattern for my combo bag for Connor & Liam!  I think it would be sooooooo adorable with a big "S" monogrammed in brown!  It also looks super cute with the Pin Dots diaper bag!!! :)

4. Mam Pacifiers

I LOVE these pacifiers.  How adorable are the newborn pacis above??  They are so tiny and perfect for those tiny mouths.  My absolute favorites by Mam, though, are these:

They are the glow-in-the-dark pacis!  They make hunting for pacis at 3 am sooooo much easier! lol

5.  The Safety First Complete Air 65 Convertible Car Seat
 
Love, love, LOVE this car seat! I did lots of research on seats before I picked one, and I have been sooooooooo happy with this seat! I feel like Connor is very well protected.  On the downside, its big, and takes up a lot of room, but he's totally worth it! ;)

6.  Organic pouch Baby Food

I loved baby food pouches! They were soooooooo much easier than jars and plastic containers.  I tried to make some of Connor's food, but let's face it, that didn't happen very often.  I LOVED the fact that these pouches were made from organic fruits and veggies, and were super easy for on the go!  My favorite brands are Ella's Kitchen and Plum Organics! :)

7. California Baby Products
 
I SWEAR by these products.  I LOVE the Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion, Calming Body Wash & Shampoo, as well as the Calendula Cream! They are a dream!  The best part is that they have absolutely NO harsh ingredients.  Every single ingredient is super safe for baby's sensitive skin! I even use they products myself!

Favorite Stores:

8.  Etsy


I LOVE Etsy! It is such a great website for finding unique, personalized, and adorable baby finds!!! I have bought several things for Connor off of the site. Right now, I'm totally digging these gown and hat sets by Chez Whimsy. I think this would be sooooooooo cute for Liam's hospital pics!!!

9.  Children's Place

I love this store for many reasons! I can always find something adorable (which is hard to do with boys), they always have great deals or coupons, and their clothes just fit Connor "right."  I love the clothes in many other stores, but have trouble with fit sometimes.  I NEVER have issues with clothes from here fitting my little man.  I also swear by their stretchies (pajamas - pictured).  They are super comfortable, affordable, soft, and zip!!! No snaps for this Momma! lol

10.  Pottery Barn Kids


I absolutely LOVE this store! I have found soooooooooooo many great, adorable finds for my boys!  Here's a sneak peek at what Liam's nursery will look like! (pictured).  You'll have to wait to see the rest when its finished! ;) I'm soooooo excited! I think his room is going to be ADORABLE!!! I also happen to be a sucker for a monogram, and they pretty much monogram everything! lol

Favorite Books:

11.  Super Baby Food


 I adore this book: Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron.  She is fantastic!!! Not only does she provide recipes for homemade baby and toddler foods, but she provides an abundance of information pertaining to health and nutrition for babies and toddlers...broken down month by month!  This book has been my "food bible" for Connor!  As a first time mom, I had LOTS of questions and she answered every one! 

12.  The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding


Another Favorite: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by the La Leche League.  This is my "Breastfeeding Bible!" lol  I have read tons of books on breastfeeding and this is by far my favorite and the one that I feel is the most helpful!  It answered every question I had and has great resources for additional help!  I was constantly using this as a reference! Love, love, LOVE it!


I'm sure there is a lot more that I could add to my list, but I don't want to keep you here all day! ;)  What are some of your baby/toddler favorites??? I'm always curious to know what ya'll like too!!

New Year's Resolutions :)

In 2012 I resolve to...

Eat healthier.

Stay within the 25-35 lb. weight gain recommendations for pregnancy.

Successfully and exclusively breastfeed Liam. (for at least a year!)

Exercise regularly... 3-4 times per week.

Stick to our budget! :)

Drink the recommended 8-12 glasses of water a day.

Cut out the sodas!!  :(

Learn to say NO when my plate is too full.

Finally add some color to the walls in my house!

Lose the baby weight (after Liam is here, of course!)

Potty train Connor. ;)

Purge my house when needed... no hoarding here!

Go on a date night with the hubby at least ONCE this year! lol

Get out of the "mommy wardrobe" rut.

Actually wear my contacts... some :-P

Enjoy life with 2 beautiful babies!!!

 

What will you do in 2012???

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!!!

Christmas 2011 was a pretty exciting day in the Shacklett house!! Last year, Connor was only 5 months old, so he didn't really understand too much of what was going on.  While 17 months is still a little young to understand the concept of Jesus' birthday and Santa visiting, Connor did understand that there was a living room full of brand new toys!!!! Of course we had to document his surprise with a billion pictures! :)

Connor was obviously a really good boy this year! ;)

Here is our sweet, unsuspecting bubby freshly out of bed.  He has no idea what's around the corner!!

Look at that expression!!! LOL  He was in shock and momma had to encourage him to check out his loot!

There's that sweet smile! Now he's getting excited!! 

Gotta check out the kitchen first!

Then, help momma unwrap a few small presents!!  He loved Finding Nemo!

Gotta check out my new table and chairs!  Perfect size! :)

What's this?? A tent to play in?? Awesome!  Check out that smile!

This is so cool!!!

Slam dunk!!

Smile of approval from our little bubby! This is the best Christmas EVER!!! lol

It will be so neat to watch our bubby grow and learn more about this special holiday each year!  It will be so neat to see him realize the magic of Santa and the true reason for the season!  We hope you all had an exciting Christmas as well!

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours

Connor is 17 months!!!

17 things to celebrate about our super 17 month old...

1.  You are a little energizer bunny! You are are the go and never stop.

Here you are helping with the laundry. :)

Step 1:  Remove laundry from basket.

Step 2:  Pile laundry in my toys.

Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2. :)

2.  You have decided you are ready to hold your own eating utensils and are doing a great job feeding yourself!
3.  You are slowly becoming a picky eater.  Many of the foods you used to like, just aren't cutting it for you anymore! :(  Momma's trying to figure out a plan to get you to eat better!
4.  You now say "love you!"  And Momma just LOVES that!
5.  You think there is a problem if the TV isn't on.  You run around telling us "uh oh!" and point at the TV until we turn it on. Once its on you think you must be in charge of the remote and channel surfing for that matter.
6.  You like VeggieTales and Sesame Street even though they only keep your attention for about 10 seconds at a time. lol
7.  If we sit on the couch, you must climb all over the couch and us as well.
8.  You think something is wrong if you can see the living room floor and proceed to empty your toys and spread them across the room.
9.  You LOVE riding toys.  Your Cozy Coupe car is by far your favorite, but you also love your Winnie the Pooh train.
10.  You love your Pottery Barn chair! You take your snacks and milk to your chair and watch Elmo.  You are so cute in your chair too! Its the perfect size for you!

11.  You love to go bye-bye.  You don't care where to... you just like to go! lol
12.  Sometimes you are a great napper, and other times you like to protest.  You protest by throwing your blankets, paci,  socks, and any other clothing items you can remove - out of the crib and onto the floor! :)
13.  You love to dance! Anytime you hear music your break out into a jig.  It doesn't matter where the music comes from... toys, commercials, Dada singing, cell phone ring tones, etc.
14.  We found out this month that you are getting a baby BROTHER!!!
15.  You have no idea that you are going to be a big brother, but I can't wait to see your face when you finally realize you get to keep Liam!
16. You have graduated to sippys with straws! You like them much better! 
17.  You like the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes!"  You point to your head and toes, and it is adorable!

Head!

and Toes!!!

You are the sweetest 17 month old!  We just love every little thing about you... your sweet hugs and kisses, your "busy-ness," and how curious you are! You are such a little sponge... learning so much every minute! We can hardly keep up! lol

Happy 17 months Bubby!  We love you to the moon and back a million times over!

Love,
Momma and Da-da

Updates on Baby Liam

We had our third visit to the high-risk OB yesterday, and we received such great news!!!  Our precious baby boy, Liam, is still slightly anemic, but his numbers were better than last week, which means he is getting better!  I can't think of a better Christmas present than that!  Fifths disease kills off the baby's red blood cells, causing them to become anemic.  If the anemia becomes severe, then life-saving blood transfusion (in utero) are required.  The doctor explained to us that we want Liam's "numbers" to be below 1.5...  if they go above that, then transfusions would most likely be required.  At our first visit, Liam's numbers were 1.10.  Last week, they went up to 1.26, and this week they are back down to 1.20!!!  So, most likely Liam is on the mend, and we are sooooooooo thankful!  God is so good! We want to thank everyone for their prayers and support! The prayers are working!  Please keep them coming our way.  We are hopeful that baby boy continues to heal and make a full comeback!

Here's a picture from our visit:  Liam Andrew Shacklett at 21 weeks.  Can you see him stretching his little legs straight up?