Dylan's Baby Book

Back to School Tips

2009-08-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's back to school time! Dylan is starting preschool this year, although he is going to be attending only on Saturdays. With the start of the school year around the corner for myself, also, I am coordinating a million things at one time!

Here are some of the strategies I am using to stay sane (and tips for you, too!)

1) Don't overschedule yourself. Never overschedule yourself, or your child, especially during times of chaos when one of the parent is supplementing their full-time schedule with college courses. What we have done is postpone swimming until the end of November, and are pursuing soccer. Nate really wanted to do both, but we just don't have the time.

2) Menu plan ahead of time. I know that it seems like a difficult task to take on, but having a recipe book of about 40 recipes, a calendar, and accompanying shopping list is a huge help during those weeknights when you are struggling to put something together for dinner. Also, it will save you money - eating at home is always less difficult. Use Tastyplanner.com for these things.

3) Have a 30minute, night-before planning time. Take out the kids clothes, pack their bags, get lunches ready, layout your own clothes, look at your calendar and your to do list. This will help counter the morning struggles.

4) Delegate. Make sure you keep a list on the refrigerator about who is responsible for what chores.

5) Hire a housecleaner. You don't need to have a service come in and spend exhorbent amounts of money for you to have a housecleaner. Find a struggling college student, and have them come in at least every two weeks to give your house a clean. No, they aren't as thorough as a housecleaning service, but if you are broke - the help is well worth it.

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I Sleep with a Pepsi Box

2007-11-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving day, my mother was playing with my son. They put random pieces of paper in a empty pepsi case. Ever since then, Dylan has been going around with the empty pepsi case (the same one, mind you) and forcing us to stuff it with random pieces of paper...

"my mailbox".. he says... since Daddy is a mail carrier, it makes me wonder if he's just following in his footsteps; somewhat of an admire my daddy type of thing...

so, since Dylan still sleeps with us... I am sleeping with an empty pepsi box... I wonder how long this will go on for :)

Time at Grandmas

2006-01-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

You went to Grandma Mazz's last night and played with her puppies. We used her new digital camera to take pictures of you and they turned out really nice. Oh, and you decided you would crawl, so on January 1st, 2006 you began crawling. We are in trouble now!

Letter to Dylan, 9 months old

2005-12-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

Dylan,

You are getting so big. You have fgrown from a 7lb 11oz peanut to a 21lb, 32" tall big boy who is just about to crawl any day now. It is the holiday season, and you are fascinated by the Christmas lights, both our own that we have strewn throughout the house and the ones that are put up around our neighbors' houses.

You are starting to sleep through the night once in a while, and this has really given mommy and daddy a break. We thought we wouldn't make it this far, but we certainly did. You have been quite the active child :)

You awake in the morning and you are still really tired. I sing you the same song every morning:

Good morning, good morning
good morning to you !
You are the sweetest baby ...

Good morning, good morning
good morning to you!
You are mama's boy...

You stretch out in your crib, the diaper on you is so wet that it looks uncomfortable. I pull you out of your crib and lay you on the floor, so I can change your butt and get you ready for daycare. You don't mind dressing so much, but you really hate your winter hat. Your winter coat is not your favorite, either, but with these Minnesota winters, you are the first to dress warm - I don't want you to get sick. I worry about you constantly (I am sure you will always remember this about me).

We go to Ernie's house... you love Ernie. Ernie is a hippy lady; she is 58 and has been doing daycare for over 16 years. I chose Ernie as your daycare lady becasue she is so affectionate and sweet. We gave her a Christmas gift this year - a Target gift card, and a note in a beautiful Christmas card that says how much we appreciate her. She has taken such good care of you while I have been at work.

You had your picture taken with Santa. You didn't even cry. It was so nice.. all the other kids were like FREAKING out, and there you were, just sitting there. I have the picture to prove it - you wore your red and black running suit.

Well, Christmas is on Sunday. You are going to open presents for the first time. You got a lot of good things, and I think that your whole family (as huge as it is) has officially spoiled you.

I love you little man ;)

2005-07-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in the computer room with you, and you were bouncing like crazy in your bouncey chair. You are only 4 months old, but you love that TV already.. we call you TVaholic. I think the colors and the lights of the TV really excite you. You love Sprout TV, with Thomas the Tank Engine, Noddy, Sesame Street and the Berenstein Bears. I keep trying to tell Daddy to turn off the action flicks around you, and he has really gotten used to watching the "Goodnight Show" on Sprout with Melanie (she's the lady who runs the show). Daddy comments how she wears the same clothes everyday.

The picture of you and the Hooters onesie is with Auntie Chris holding you. Uncle Nick bought you that shirt...

Dylan 4 months

2005-07-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

You were a ham today. I put you on the couch and took pictures of you in your GAP onesie and GAP hat. You have the best smile :)

We're off...

2005-06-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Dylan you and I are off to see Grandma Mazz! I have you dressed in your Harley Best.

You hate this outfit, too.

Why do you make the weirdest little faces when I get my camera out?

Is it because mommy takes pictures with her Palm Zire 71?

Onesie on the couch...

2005-05-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

I could sit and watch you for hours. But no, as you get so angry with my odd staring at you that you start to cry. Then, anger hits because now I'm laughing at that cute little face...

Dylan's First Doctor Appointment

2005-04-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

You went to the doctor today for the first time. Dr. Neely is really nice, and she adores you. Youlaid on the table and was totally into the crinkly paper, and you kept kicking like crazy because you loved the sound. It was so funny! Oh, and then you proceeded to pee in the air. Thanks Dylan you big poop :)

More Pictures of Dylan

2005-04-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Great-Grandma Gloria (Nonna) holding you for the first time.

My hand, compared to your entire body

You refused to eat for a while. Even though I felt horrible, I kept going down to the NICU, trying to get you to eat. Look at how small that bottle is!

Dylan is here!

2005-04-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

Baby Dylan was born 3/28/2005. It was a long, hard, heart-wrenching process. But, he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. He looked just like his father - same eyes, same mouth. He had my face shape, and my nose. He was very alert.

I love this little picture. Look at that hat :)

Nate was so engrossed in Dylan. In every move, every feature. He just stared at him. I think he was shocked that this little man was what he was expecting for nearly a year.

I couldn't believe how numb I felt. It had been a hard day. I can't even begin to explain the was of feelings that came over me when I saw his little face...

Here comes baby!

2005-03-24T07:35:00.000-08:00

Here comes the baby! I am going in now! Wish me luck! I am really nervous!

Baby Names!

2005-02-20T06:16:00.000-08:00

We have chosen Dylan Joseph, but here are other names:

Boys: Aidrick Trevin Trevor Sawyer Drake Calvin Drew Elias Travis Parker LandinAlex Collin Aidan Logan Riley Samuel

Girls: Ella Serena Natalie Ariana Marisa Sofia Lydia Nadia Tori Alaina Marina Sylvia Lena MaraCarina Sidney Lauren Mia Kira Nina

Twins Boy-Girl: Aidan and Nadia

Girls: Cara and Mia

Dylan's Nursery!

2005-02-11T06:18:00.000-08:00

Dylan's Nursery!

Is it over yet?

2005-01-19T06:16:00.000-08:00

.. and I am almost at my wits end! I am so sick, tired, and huge. I cannot wait until Dylan makes his arrival this April. Everyone around me is so excited too.. buying stuff, gettin giddy..

We did get the nursery done - it is super cute.. everything is a duck theme. The walls are a light baby blue and the crib and the dresser are brand new. I will post a pic up here for everyone to see.

Working is getting tough. Everyday, it's a struggle to get up, get myself to work, and do my job with any bit of success. I am really trying to go until the end. If my Mom calls me everyday and gets me started laughing, I might just make it. She is usually the one to get me out of the bad mood. As long as I don't pee a little :) Her and my brother both get me going, laughing hysterically all the time. My mom swears that my water is going to break one day when Joe and I are laughin.

I am having another ultrasound on February 7th. I am going to ask for pics and if I get some, I will post them here.

Baby Dylan Ultrasound

2004-11-20T06:18:00.000-08:00

Dylan's Profile

Ultrasound Picture, 20 Weeks, Hand over eye

2004-11-18T06:10:00.001-08:00

Dylan Front Shot

Ultrasound Picture, 20 Weeks, face shot

2004-11-18T06:10:00.000-08:00

Dylan's Face

Ultrasound Picture, 20 Weeks, side view

2004-11-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

Dylan's Profile

20 Week Doctor Visit

2004-10-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

Today, Nate & I went to see the new OB/GYN. I really like this woman better than the last one; she seemed to take more of an interest in the baby and less of an interest in how many patients she can see in an hour.

Anyways, they did the ultrasound and we found out that I'm carrying a healthy baby boy! He is in the 82% percentile for size (wow!!) and I am carrying him really high, which explains why I look so big for being pregnant. Also, he measures perfectly and has no signs of downs syndrome, etc.

I was told I would get 3D pictures, but when they went to give me the ultrasound, the baby was too high up and moving around too much to get a good look. 3D pictures are not nearly as nice as I thought they were; the internet really spices them up.

The actual pictures look much better. I'm so excited!!