So Wyatt is 8 months old today. And he's got to be the cutest, fattest baby ever.

Yep. There he is at his cousin's 2nd birthday party wearing his birthday suit, looking all handsome.

There is nothing like a fat baby!

But a chubby momma is another thing. I know you're sick of hearing about it, but it's a tough situation for a momma.

It's hard to get back into a healthy eating and workout routine, but it is definitely do able.

I did get started on weight watchers, and that lasted 1 week. For some reason, I didn't track the 2nd week which is no good.

So this time I mean it. I'm no a weight loss mission.

I know you people keep telling me I loko great, but my arms are flabby and none of my clothes fit. And it makes me unhappy. I just want to be able to fit into my pre-baby clothes.

I actually wish I would have been writing at this point with my other 2 so I would remember that I have done this before successfully. And I was frustrated then. And it just took time.

So I've decided that I'm going to quit complaining about it, and actually do something about it. And that's why I need you.

I really need some accountability. So here's my plan.

I'm planning on doing some form of activity every single day. I know that seems a little extreme, but I need to re-create an old habit. That does not mean going to the gym or even getting in a full workout. But it means committing to some form of strength training or cardio every single day.

I don't know that I'm re-committing myself to weight watchers at the moment. My "work out every day plan" is going to be enough to think about for a bit.

But I know that working out everyday will help me eat better. I make better choices when I'm working out.

Plus, I am going to be making notes every day here about the physical activity I did for the day as well as the meals and snacks I had for the day. (Accountability is good.) Maybe it will help someone else on a similar journey.

Next week I am also going to let you know my current weight, my pre-baby weight, and my goal weight. Then I'll check in every week with a weigh in to see how it's going.

Losing the baby weight and re-gaining that lost muscle is no overnight fix. It's definitely a commitment, and it's time to commit. So this time, I mean it.

This should be fun. Here we go folks.

Blah Blah Baby Weight

I keep complaining about how I still have baby weight.

Yes, he is 7 months old. Yes, I'm still claiming that I just had a baby. No, I'm not going to get over it. It's kind of a big deal.

I have done well for short periods of time when it comes to working out post baby. I did really well right before we left for New York.

And then we went to New York where all I did was eat. And since we've been home (yes, it's been 2 weeks, and no, my suitcases are not unpacked yet....don't judge me.....I have things to do....like watch TV) I have not worked out once.

Until yesterday.

Thanks to my friend. Who forced me to go Barre3 with her.

And now, I hate her.

Not really. But almost.

I love barre3. I met the owner of the OKC metro area barre3s at my daughter's school auction a couple years ago. My sister and I started going to classes, and I fell in love.

But I have not been in over a year, and yesterday, even the old ladies in the class kicked my tail. It was sort of embarrassing.

I think my friend invited me because she knew I was the weakest of the group. (Invite the friend we just had a baby....she has no muscles....you'll be able to out perform her for sure!)

Yeah well it worked. I wussied out multiple times.

And even though I spent the class thinking about how my childbearing hips were bigger than anyone's in the room, I spent the rest of the day proud of myself for getting up and going to workout at 8:45 in the morning.

That is until the night of tornadoes broke out last night and I did my stress eating thing. Ya know, that thing you do when you keep going to the fridge to get more food when you're anxious. No? Is that just me?

Well at least when I got up from the couch, my legs hurt. And then I got more food. There go the calories I burnt in class!

But in all seriousness, I'm getting serious about losing my last 15 pounds. I am not the person who loses weight while nursing. What's up with that? I know I won't lose the last of it until I quit. And we're on the downward slide....only nursing in the morning and at night. I'll probably be done soon.

But I'm over my clothes not fitting. I'm over the mom chub.

So I'm going to keep you updated. I know so many of my friends have recently had babies too. And losing the baby weight is no easy feat! And I think it's super annoying when moms claim that it's easy....liar, liar, pants on fire!

I don't do crazy juice fasts or "don't eat brownies diets." Maybe not eat brownies on a regular basis is a good idea. But I digress. I believe in moderation. I'm not a crazy fitness person. I know that I need weight training and cardio to lose weight, and I know I have to make better choices about the food I choose to eat.

It's all about moderation, goals, and just a tiny bit of will power.

That's my story....blah blah baby weight.

Must Have Baby Items 0-6 months

We recently welcomed baby #3 into our home. (I guess you could say he was technically baby #5 after our 2 foster babies, but he was our baby #3.)

We literally had no baby items left after our foster babies left, so we set out on a journey to get ready to welcome a new little being into our home.

Things have definitely changed since baby #2 (3 years ago), and having been a mom with 4 littles in the house, I decided I didn't need as much stuff as I thought I did with the first 2.

So here is my list of my favorite baby products for babies ages 0-6 months. Whether you're expecting a new baby yourself or just looking for a gift to wow an expecting mom, you'll find all kinds of great goodies on this list.

Aden + Anais Sleep Sack:

Oh the blanket issue! After Wyatt no longer wanted to be swaddled (around 4 weeks), we ran into the blanket issue. He was kicking any and every blanket we put on him over his face. That's not a good thing obviously! But I discovered the Aden+Anais sleep sacks, and problem solved!

I love a lot of other Aden + Anais products (as you'll see) so this was a natural brand choice for us. We have a 4 layer sleep sack (pictured below) that is Wyatt's favorite. It is fairly heavy and seems to help him sleep the best. We also have several light weight sleep sacks that we use as needed as well.

While we're talking about Aden +Anais, I might as well tell you all the other goodies I love that they carry!

Mum + Bub lotion 

I ordered this lotion on a whim hoping to find something that would keep Wyatt's dry skin moisturized, and this lotion did the trick. I was so impressed, that I bought a 2nd bottle to keep in my car to use on myself! I seriously love it. 

Aden+Anais Bamboo Swaddling Blankets

These blankets are amazing! And they are not not just for swaddling. We are still using them, and Wyatt is almost 7 months old. We used them as swaddling blankets when he was tiny, and now we use them as burp rags, blankets, lovies, nursing cover....you name it, we use these blankets for it. I always have a least 2 in my diaper bag. 

Important note: There is a difference between the cotton swaddling blankets and the bamboo. We have both. The cotton are great, but the bamboo are amazing! They are incredibly soft and get softer the more you wash them. The bamboo ones are a little more pricey, but they are totally worth it! 

Sophie the Giraffe

I could not figure out why every baby I ever saw had this silly little giraffe, so I bought it. And I still don't know why every baby has this giraffe except that babies LOVE it! Wyatt is obsessed with Sophie. I have no idea why. But hey, a baby knows what it likes I guess. And this is still one of our favorites. 

Coconut Oil 

Any old brand will do. Both my boys (Luke age 4) and Wyatt (the baby), both get horribly chapped cheeks. I guess it's the Oklahoma wind! And I have literally tried everything. The winner: good ole' coconut oil! Natural and incredibly moisturizing, coconut oil is where it's at! Plus you can find it at the grocery store in the baking aisle, and it's good for about a million other things as well! 

Timi and Leslie Diaper Bag

So confession time, I should probably be carrying a Grace Adele bag as a diaper bag, BUT I need a big diaper bag. I want something big enough to throw everything into it. And my Timi and Leslie bag does just that (with enough room to fit a Grace Adele clutch!) I have the 'Charlie' bag (pictured below) in turquoise.

Paul Mitchell Baby Don't Cry Shampoo

all of my kids have had cradle cap. I absolutely despise it. This time by pediatrician recommended Paul Mitchell's Baby Don't Cry Shampoo. I ordered it online, and fell in love! Wyatt's cradle cap was gone within a week or so of using this shampoo while gently brushing his head with a baby brush. It's a super clean shampoo and rinses clear of all residue. I love it so much that I use it on my 4 year old and 6 year old too. 

The Tummy Tub 

While we're on the subject of bathing...insert the tummy tub! I know it looks like a bucket, and you're probably going to think I'm crazy, but this is seriously my favorite baby product ever! So it is supposed to simulate the womb....stay with me here! And it's incredibly soothing for babies. And my almost 7 month old still bathes in it every night. That's him just a few nights ago! If you are in need of a baby tub, this is the one. It takes a little getting used to but it's great because the baby is completely submerged in the water instead of halfway in one of those normal baby tubs. 

Tiny Love Classic Mobile

All of my babies have used this mobile. It is whimsical, happy, and plays classical music. Plus it makes this soothing sound as the plastic beads fall down as each arms turns. I realize that sounds weird, but all my kids have loved it. and I think it's adorable. 

Playtex Nursing Storage System

With my first 2 babies, I felt slightly overwhelmed by nursing. When I had Addison, I was still teaching. I nursed for 6 months, but I felt slightly overwhelmed by it all. With Luke, I got frustrated because he spit up every time I nursed often numerous times, and he never spit up after having a bottle. That will make a momma crazy. 

Turns out the same thing happens with Wyatt (is this TMI?....Sorry if it is), but I have stayed the course with Wyatt because I haven't been so uptight about it. 

He has formula when need be. He drinks from a bottle, he nurses, we do it all, and it's made me a better nursing momma. 

So to make a very long story shorter...I love this playtex nursing storage system. I do not have a pump that attaches to these, but I use them to freeze my milk, and it makes life so much easier. They go straight from the freezer to our bottles. And of course, this will only apply to you if you use Playtex bottles. 

Baby Jogger Summit XC

I know. I know. Everyone is crazy about the Bob stroller. I am kind of that person that gets annoyed when people buy things because they're name brand. So I sort of refused to buy a bob stroller.
In reality, I read all the crazy reviews and decided to go with the Baby Jogger, and I absolutely love it. The only issue I have with it is that the storage is virtually non-existent, but that is basically true in most joggers. (Also another reason I love my Timi and Leslie diaper bag....thank you stroller straps!) 

I use this as my everyday stroller. I have a car seat adapter and a tray for the front for when he gets a little bigger.

Chew Beads

One of my sweet friends got me hooked on Chew Beads. We have a couple necklaces and a couple bracelets. I wear the bracelets all the time, and I love the necklaces because I can strap them to the stroller and he can't throw them out! Plus they're dishwasher safe, and Wyatt loves them. What more could you ask for?

Lamaze Light and Sound Crib Soother

This one has been a favorite from early. Soothing sounds and lights are a winner in this super soft and ultra cute crib soother. Also works great for playing on the floor. Wyatt loved it when he was tiny and still loves it now. 

Fisher Price Deluxe Bouncer

With this baby, we decided to forgo the swing completely. In all reality, swings are huge, and babies only use them for a few months before they out grow them. So this time I relied solely on a good bouncy. We got this precious monkey bouncer this time, and it has been well worth every penny.
It has both a music/sound feature as well as a vibrating feature in addition to the bounce. It is our go to nap place even still. I highly, highly recommend a good bounce seat. Forget the swing. You can live without it. 

That about rounds up my favorite baby products for babies 0-6 months. I hope this was helpful. Did I leave anything out? If there is something you consider a must have for this age range, please feel free to comment below! 

Baby Lag...because it's a real thing

I'm inventing a term....it's called "baby lag."

It's going to be a real thing, people. I'm telling you now. Start using it with your friends because it's real!

I recently had a baby, and by recently, I mean less than a year ago.

That's recently if you ask me.

and I still have baby lag.

I feel like I'm slowing emerging from the fog of baby lag, but it's a very slow and arduous process.

I am in complete awe of you super moms who have a baby and then return to normal life and work as if nothing odd at all has happened in a mere 6 weeks.

Seriously?

I'm still complaining about my back pain and the inability I have to breathe when I go up the stairs, and I have not been "with child" in 6 months!

(oh, I'm sorry....did you say that's just being out of shape? Oh, okay, then that's what I am too.)

I am suffering from baby lag AND out of shapeness. There. Are you happy?

Great.

Me too.

So back to that baby lag thing...in case you have not yet caught on, I'm doing a play on words...instead of "jet lag" it's "baby lag."

So now we're all on the same page.

I tell you all this to tell you that I'm sorry that I apparently forgot how to open my computer in the past 6 months. If you have emailed me, tweeted me, facebooked me or tried to link me in (I'm still confused about that one too),  I have probably not responded to you.

This post is not a reassurance that I will respond to you, just a clarification that I am not unsupportive or unresponsive or uncaring, I am simply suffering from baby lag, and I cannot guarantee a time frame in which my life will return to standard operating procedure.

But in the meantime, I have decided (in my midnight, "I'm still nursing, therefore pumping while I should be sleeping state") that I am supposed to and will be writing from this point on until you can't stand my craziness any longer.

Just thought you should know that I have a legitimate excuse and it's called, "I recently made a baby, and I'm still not over it."

Hoping you still love me and didn't forget who I was.