Must Have Item: Rocker Recliner

When Alden came into the world I didn't realize how much we would be rocking. When he was born, we had two hand-me-down recliners. One reclined but didn't rock and the other rocked but the recline was broken and it was tilted to the left a little so it was super uncomfortable. This is what happens when you are young and poor and have a new baby. There was no way we could drop $500 for a new chair.

Right before Collyn was born, we were so blessed. My parents were buying a new recliner and so they were getting rid of their old one. There was no problems with their old one, but my mom didn't think it was the most comfortable for her. She needed one lower to the ground. So, we took their chair off their hands. It fits me wonderfully. We were so lucky to get one.

I would recommend every parent of a baby to get a rocker recliner. They are plush and comfortable and you can nurse in them and fall asleep in the night and not worry that the baby will fall. I never thought I would fall asleep while sitting until I had babies.

Our rocker recliner is in our living room and in the nursery we have a glider. I didn't know if I would like it, but I LOOVVVEEE it. I like the glider over a normal wooden rocker for one main reason....

*Rockers move when you rock. They usually push you backward and you have to pull it forward away from the wall after a few minutes. Gliders don't move. You rock babies for an hour or more. And, when they drift off, there is NO WAY you are going to attempt to stand up, pull the rocker forward and start rocking again. That is a plan for a crying baby. :)

Looking for a rocker recliner I would recommend (Buying new or used)

1. Make sure the rock and the recline work smoothly and quietly. There is nothing worse then reclining and getting comfortable and the baby goes to sleep and when you pull the lever and the chair makes a horrible noise to release the recline. Or a lovely squeek everytime you rock.

2. Make sure your feet plant flat on the ground while sitting relaxed. Rock a little bit and make sure it's comfortable. I can rock for hours in mine because my legs make a perfect 90 degree angle and my legs don't get tired.

3. Make sure it fits and supports your lower lumbar area of your back.

4. Put your head back and relax. Some recliners are uncomfortable for your neck when you try to relax. Make sure the top of the recliner is tall enough for your head to rest.

I couldn't live without my rocker recliner. Wooden rockers are cute and decorative, but not practical for long-time rocking. You need something soft, comfortable and big to support both you and baby. I would also recommend a glider rocker for the nursery. Especially if you can get it with the foot glider. AMAZE-FEST!

Mr. C- 10 Months

My baby boy is 10 months old today. Oh my WORD!! I think it is hard for me to have it sink in that we will have two toddlers in the house soon, and I'm already tired. What were we thinking?? Even though I am completely exhausted chasing two little ones around (Don't get me wrong, they are such WELL BEHAVED kids, I shouldn't be complaining at all) I wouldn't change it for the world. I can sleep when I'm older.

Here are some updates on my little man... My almost one year old... I think I'm going to get choked up.

GROWTH: I havne't weighed or measured him at all since his last doctors visit. I would guess he is around 17 1/2- 18 pounds and he grew probably 1/4 inch since the last check-up. But, I'm not sure....

SLEEP: I can finally say it... Our house is getting sleep. HALLELUJAH! PRAISE THE LORD!! It only took us 10 months to get to this point, but I love it and I will take what I can get. Collyn's bedtime is at 9:30 PM and he sleeps until 7:30-8 AM. He takes a morning nap at 10-11:30 and an afternoon nap at 1:30-3 PM. He isn't taking an evening nap at all. We are down to only two naps per day.

EATING: Mr C is eating up a storm. He eats pretty much anything we eat, and also eats baby purees. Breakfast is baby cereal with fruit or some yogurt (Or both, if he is that hungry). Lunch is baby cereal and a veggie and bits of whatever we are having. I will cut up some bread or bananas or something and he eats at the table with us, like a big boy. Dinner is a meat, veggie, grain combo Gerber baby food, plus the leftover veggie and fruit from the previous meals. He drinks 4 8 ounce bottles a day and FINALLY is holding his own bottle. He refused for a while because I nursed him so long and he didn't understand the fact that there was something to hold.

CLOTHING: 6-9 Month

DIAPERS: Size 3

DEVELOPMENT: Pulling himself up to stand. He will kind of walk back and forth on the couch, just a few steps though. He is climbing on anything he can get his knees on. If you hold his hands, he will walk everywhere. We have a toy fish bowl with balls that you put in it and he can put the balls in and take them out. He likes to "Share". Which is, hand it to you and take it back. He plays with his brother really well. New words: Bye-Bye and Papa. He points at things that he wants and directions he wants to go. He shakes his head "No."

Alden's First Track Meet

On Hannah's last day of school, she got a recreation department letter in her backpack. There was a track meet on the weekend for toddlers and up. Alden is finally able to do these things.

We got there late morning and my sister signed him up while I got the stroller out of the car and Collyn ready for the day. I sprayed the kids with sunscreen and put a hat on Collyn.

Alden did all the events. He did the running long jump, the standing long jump, the softball throw, and the 25 yard dash and the 50 yard dash. He was the only 2 year old that fully committed to every event. He was so cute trying it all.

The awards come in the mail (Everyone is a winner right? So, we can't hand out awards at the meet) but I know he got first in the 25 yard and 2nd in the 50 yard dash. He got a ribbon for showing up and participating.

He had such a fun time. My nieces, Hannah and Hayden and my brother, Johnny also competed that day. They all did a wonderful job.

I am so proud of all of them.

Alden is Superman

Alden has been Superman for the last couple weeks. He has two action figures that are Superman.

One day, I was walking through Wal-Mart while Lyndon and the boys waited in the car for me. I was running in to get formula for Collyn when I saw a Superman cape on sale in the center of the aisle. I figured I could spend $5.00 for a cape. Best $5.00 I have spent. He has worn this thing everywhere. We play Superman a lot.

One night, I was changing Alden for bedtime and he got up and ran away. I told him to come lay back down to get his jammies on, but he came back with his cape on. I let him run around for a few minutes with the cape before getting him dressed for bed.

Trip To The Barber

Alden had his 3rd hair cut yesterday. That first 2 times, he has sat on my lap and the barber cut his hair. This time, I convinced him in the car that he could do it by himself and he gets a special chair to sit on, which is true.

The barber, Martin, has a wooden board that he puts across the arm rests so it lifts kids up high. Alden was also excited because he knew he got a sucker for being good.

Alden did SO GOOD! He sat quietly and so still the whole time. Barely moved a muscle. Collyn sat on my lap and watched his brother get his hair cut. There was an elderly man waiting for his ride to get him. He leaned toward me and told me that I had very well behaved little boys. It made me feel great. I work so hard with these two boys, it's always nice to get encouraging words.

After the hair cut Alden got 2 SUCKERS! A red one to eat and Martin dropped a yellow one in my purse for later. Later was about 5 minutes because Alden finished the red one as fast as he could so he could have the second one. While we were leaving, Martin told me he wished all little boys were that good getting their hair cut.

What a wonderful time.