An Anaya Christmas

Is it just me, or did Christmas fly by??

After all was said and done, Chad and I sat on the floor in our living room - amongst all the gifts, clothes, decor, etc. and just let out a huge exhale.

We were toast.

...Where's Bennett??? haha

Since the past few days have been nothing short of jam packed...I think a Christmas weekend photo montage will do the trick!

Rolled around and giggled on Christmas Eve!

Got a new recycled sleep sac and highchair on Christmas Eve!

(p.s. yes I know I'm about two holidays off on Bennett's wardrobe, but the kid finally fits into his Halloween stuff...don't judge me!)

 Woke up smiley on Christmas morning!

I apparently didn't get the flannel memo.

Babies Cousin Presley Girl got bangs and new jammies.  

I can't believe she's almost 3!!!

 Became a sittin' man and played with my new drum from Uncle Bret 

(Gracias Tio Bret)

Sarah came to visit and brought some sweet clothes including Benny's cozy Dodger hoodie.

...was just plain old cute.

The end!

Merry Christmas!

-The Anaya's

I Scream for Ice Cream

Phew...

What. A. Weekend.

I had been looking forward to this past weekend for a good while.  My work was throwing a Christmas party at our office in Century City and I was really excited about going for two reasons:

1.  Chad and I rarely get to go out anymore not that we have the little man.
2.  I was super excited about showing Chad our amazing office space and for him to finally meet all my co-workers.

Friday we were lucky enough to have a 1/2 day at work in order for everyone to prepare for the evening's festivities.  And honestly, it was a typical Catie day.  I worked, then worked out, then headed home to see Bennett for a little bit before my Mom and Dad took him for the night.  Only our second night away from him since he's been born mind you.

After my parents left with Benny, Chad and I started getting ready for the party.  My tummy was feeling a little off but I just brushed it off as nerves or excitement for the night.  We headed back to my work all decked out and about an hour and a half into the party...something just wasn't right.  I began to feel so incredibly sick that I told Chad that we had to leave NOW.  We rushed home and i'll spare the details but it was without a doubt the WORST 48 hours of my life.

All I have to say is my husband is literally my hero and I cannot be thankful enough little Bennett was with my parents.  I couldn't imagine having the baby around while being so sick.  After a trip to urgent care and a shot of god knows what to stop my tummy from further catastrophe...I began to feel human again late Sunday, early Monday morning.

UGH....THE WORST!

Now, how about a little cuteness to deter from all the yuckiness.

Tickle time with Daddy.

Professional Toy Chewer...or ANYTHING chewer.

The Russians are coming!!!

And remember our mention of Bennett's new found skill of screaming...well, check out the ear piercing loudness first hand.  I swear our neighbors probably think we torture him sometimes.

5 Whole Months

On Tuesday, Bennett Brandon turned 5 months old.  Our tiny little munchkin is hardly a tiny little munchkin anymore...let. me. tell. you.

Your introduction to solid foods has been going great my love.  So far you've had your rice cereal, sweet potatoes, bananas, and carrots...thankfully loving them all.  I'm sure once we start getting to the green veggies we'll get some classic baby stink faces.  Don't worry, I'll have my camera ready for those!

Your sleeping has been nothing short of AMAZING lately too!  Perhaps its the extra calories from all your yummy solids.  You've be knocking out at 7:15 PM on the dot every night and sleeping like a rock until 5:30 AM when mommy comes to wake you up.  As much as I miss snuggling with you at 4:00 AM (when you used to usually wake up)...mommy and daddy greatly enjoy the extra hour of necessary sleep!

Lastly, your love of your toes has become almost remarkable.  I mean, I know babies love their feet but that is an honest to God understatement when it comes to you.  Not only do you love them...you crave them.  Its ravenous really. 

The second we pull your sockies off, or finish changing your diaper you literally throw them up to your face in a contortionist like fashion and make gnawing and sucking sounds as if we never feed you or something.  Needless to say, you're our wonderful little weirdo and we wouldn't change you for anything!

Dont believe us?



We love you little rollie pollie,
-Mommy & Daddy

Sweet Release

Some days, more than others, I'm sure everyone feels as though they need to just throw their arms up, fall to their knees and surrender to all that life throws at you. 

Yesterday was one of those days for us. 

For anyone that knows me, I'm the type of person who thinks I can and should be able to do anything and everything.  But to be quite frank, I really can't.  I'm lucky enough to have the world's most supportive husband, who constantly reminds me that I'm not superman and no one expects me to be...and although I set myself up to try and accomplish more than I should, even if I don't, it does not mean I've failed in the slightest.

Sometimes, when we have reached our limits of tolerance...I think it's important to take a break and recollect on all that is important to us and filter out all the junk that is metaphorically weighing on our hearts and minds.




At the end of the day, Chad, Bennett and I sat on our living room floor and played this song over and over again.  We were surrendering to everything that was being thrown at us.

We were releasing all the muck.

Because sometimes, honestly, it's incredibly important to:
STOP.
Find peace of mind.
And flood your heart with what really and truly makes you happy.

For me...sitting on our living room floor cozy by the fire...just the three of us. 

...That was it for me.

Santa Baby.

With Christmas quickly approaching, I feel like life lately is almost just one huge blur.  Everyday Bennett is becoming more and more like a little person its just incredible. 

Your rolling over is getting so erratic and crazy, I'm really quite nervous for what's to come.  Sometimes I find you stuck in between like a little turtle on your shell waiting for someone to turn you over.  Really funny to watch by the way...except when it's in the middle of the night and I hear your poor little self calling for help because you've rolled yourself into the side crack of your crib unable to get out. 

...Oh the joys of motherhood.

Benny, you've also matured so much on your own that I cannot help but be incredibly proud of you.  You no longer want/need your paci...quite the opposite actually.  You've been getting mad and quickly spit it out when I try to give it to you, as if you are privy to my attempts to get you to shush or put you to sleep...smart little man.

You've also become talkative...which yes, you've always been, but we've reached a whole new level the past few weeks.  I swear you find pleasure and joy in hearing your own voice because I'll catch you giggling and smiling even when you're simply talking to yourself.  Along with the talking, you've also learned screaming.  Not the crying negative type of screaming, but the attention grabbing, "look at this mom" scream.  If I'm ever in the other room or not closely paying attention to you, you'll scream at the top of your lungs as if you're shouting "Hey Lady!!!"...then you laugh because, like I said, you think you're just soooooo funny.  Which you are my love, you are.

We took you to see Santa yesterday, and yes, I almost cried.  I don't know why but for some reason, these rite of passages like taking you to see Santa, or your first time with solids...they make me so weepy.  I think because the more we encounter, it's just a reminder of how quickly you are growing up...but that's a whole other issue. 

You were so much like yourself yesterday with Santa...being the quiet observer that you are, sitting there studying him.  The photographer even offered to take another round of photos because we just couldn't muster a smile out of your Stone Cold Steve Austin mugshot type expression.  Little do people know you have a time limit.  When you come across a new or unfamiliar person, it always takes you about 30 minutes to warm up to them...then once you wet your feelers and feel comfortable with them...you immediately become your happy, playful self, smiling and chatting up a storm with them. 

Thirty more minutes with Santa, you two would have been best buds huh?

Our little koala bear turns 5 months old in two days and its almost unreal to even think about.  Stay tuned for a 5 month update.

Sending love,
Momma Anaya

A day in the crazy life...

The life of a new mommy and daddy may seem like an incredibly fun and moving experience (which trust me it totally is), but it's very easy to overlook the 24/7 bottles, diapers, naps, toys, etc. that are entirely necessary when it comes to having a wee little man.

I thought it would be fun, since alot of people I know just had or are having babies soon, to put together a day in the life of being Mommy and Daddy to baby Bennett

A Typical Weekend Day for the Anaya's (since both Chaddy and I work during the week):

5:15 AM - I wake up, make a pot of coffee and make Bennett a bottle

5:30 AM - Wake up smiley little Benny and change his diaper

5:45 AM - Bennett finishes his bottle and we turn on the news and set up a play area on the living room floor (blanket, boppy, toys, etc.) Where he will sit, play, and roll around for a good 45 minutes. Mommy drinks coffee and plays on the floor with the little guy

6:30 AM - Benny starts to get bored with his toys and gets a little fussy so I move him into his swing.

7:00 AM - Benny starts to doze off in his swing for his early morning nap.  I pull him out and place him in his crib so he can sleep soundly while Mommy makes herself breakfast and another cup of coffee.

8:00 AM - Chaddy is usually up by now and Bennett wakes up from his nap as well.  We change his diaper and Chad and Benny snuggle on the couch and play on the floor while I try to load the dishwasher or start separating laundry since I have my hands free for a while.

9:00 AM - Time for Bennett to eat again (We alternate rice cereal and new foods daily since he's recently started solids).  After he eats his food, we finish him up with a bottle so he has a nice full tummy.

9:30 AM - Usually bath time after Bennett eats solid food...since he loves to chew on his hands and smear his cereal all over his face, hair, eyes....sighhhhh.  Chaddy usually bathes the little guy while I clean up the aftermath.

10:00 AM - Dress up the little man in a new diaper and clothes for the day and have a little more play time in his room or living room before Benny goes down for his next nap.

10:30 AM - Bennett starts to get fussy and Mommy rocks him to sleep for his mid-morning nap.  This is usually Bennett's longest nap of the day and he will typically sleep until it's time to eat again.

12:00 PM - While Benny naps, Chad or I usually go run necessary errands.  Chaddy has been really great lately about doing our weekly grocery shopping, while I stay home and tidy up and do laundry while Bennett naps

1:00 PM - Lunch time...Benny wakes up, we change his diaper and he has a bottle for lunch (we're waiting until he's about 6 months to start giving him a second solid food feeding either now or at his 4:30 feeding).  After Bennett is fed, one of us entertains the little guy while the other makes lunch for us.

1:30 PM: Lunch clean up while Bennett plays.  Most weekends we always have something or somewhere to go so usually we plan to attend things after Bennett's lunch feeding.

3:00 PM - Bennett starts to doze off for his late afternoon nap until it's time to eat again.

4:00 ish PM - Wake Benny up, change his diaper and feed him another bottle.  Bennett will usually stay up until bedtime after this nap, however he will sneak in a short nap if we drive somewhere or he's too overtired from all the daily activites

5:30 PM - We start to make dinner while one of us plays and entertains Bennett with his toys.

6:00 PM - Story time...Bennett loves books and gets so excited everytime we turn the page.  It's seriously the cutest thing to watch.

6:30 PM - Bath time...Bennett gets a night time bath every other night and he absolutely loves them.  He's recently started to splash and kick and giggles when water gets all over his face...I melt.

7:00 PM - Put the little guy in a diaper and cute jammies and his sleep sack and get him ready for bed.

7:15 PM - Bennett's last feeding of the day

7:30 PM - Bennett is usually passed out in my lap after his bottle and I put him in his crib for the night until we start all over again at 5:30 AM


Here's to the weekend!

-The Anaya's

Dear Benny...

To My Drooly Little Angel,

Bennett my love...yesterday when I went to pick you up from nursery school, my heart leaped at the sight of this photo hanging so causally outside your classroom door.

I've been reminiscing a lot lately about you and all that you have grown and accomplished in the past 4 and 1/2 months.  I sometimes secretly wish, in a Peter Pan-esque mindset of course, that you’d never grow up.  Honestly, it’s just all happening so fast and I wish I could abruptly hinder the hands of time and just hold you as my precious porcelain cheeked baby forever.

I lied in bed last night and scrolled through all the photos your daddy and I took on the day you were born.  I swear pesky mommy tears attempted to escape as I recollected all the remarkable and prodigious aspects of your arrival. I vividly remember the night before you were born...going to sleep with the possibility of meeting you the next morning inherently etched in my mind.  They told me you weren’t growing well and I was incredibly sad that you may have been in distress.  Needless to say, I hardly slept as thoughts of your captivating face and tiny baby parts played beneath my eyelids as if it were a premonition of the lovely life that lied ahead of us.  You were perfect then…and even more perfect now.

Let me be the first to tell you that your mommy has a very sensitive soul.  I love to love and I’m hoping by now that is very apparent to you.  I don’t mind your highly sporadic fussiness because it constantly teaches me patience.  I secretly love your occasional 4:00 AM wake ups (note: the word occasional), because it’s just an excuse to pull you out of your crib and snuggle the crap out of you for a good hour.  I love that you chew on your toes and roll around with your chew cloth like a happy baby, clandestinely teaching us to remember the simple things…like being able to chew on your toes. I love your exuberant baby giggles whenever you are being tickled or come home from school and see Mommy and Daddy for the first time.  It honestly is a sound I wish I could jar up and keep forever.

You truly are my angel Bennett. 
My silly goose and perfect piggy. 
My porcelain doll and intoxicating spirit.

You touch the lives and spark joy in the hearts of everyone around you that I can’t help but be entirely grateful and proud to be your Mommy.

I love you in a thousand ways little owl.

xoxo,
Mommy

Need a laugh???

...yesterday I was in such a crummy mood going back to work after the long holiday weekend, I couldn't help but relive this silly moment to put a smile back on my face!




Oh the little things...

xoxo,
Momma Anaya

Fanksgiving!!!!!

Bennett's first Thanksgiving was definitely one for the record books.

I have this weird issue where I always get really nervous about taking Benny to large, all day extravaganzas.  I don't know why but I always just fear for the worst as if he'll be screaming bloody murder the whole time (something he has never done by the way).  I think mainly because both of mine and Chad's families are, shall I say, quite extensive.  But the funny thing is, is that Bennett is usually always quite the opposite and absolutely loves and thrives in large groups.

The day before thanksgiving was a really fun and exciting day!  Both Chad and I worked a half day and we made plans to have Lizzy and Rich over!  We absolutely love that they live right down the street!  It's so easy for them to just swing on by or vise versa.  When Rich and Liz got to our place, we hung out for a little bit and gabbed about all that has been going on since we've last seen each other.  The boys went to pick up dinner from The Habit...yum! and Liz and I chatted each other's ears off while Benny napped in his swing.  He's seriously sooooo good around people...I die.

Thanksgiving morning Chad, Benny and I slept in and we attempted feeding the little guy solids again.  He seemed to be getting the hang of it and about half of his food was eaten...the rest, well was everywhere else.

His hands.
His face.
His hair.
Yes, and his eyelashes...silly boy.

We bathed the little guy and got all the food crusties off of him which is much harder than one would think.  We all got dressed and ready and headed to Aunt Rosie's for some family and food!  This was a really special time since those in my family that had yet to meet Bennett were going to be there.  Aunt Lynette, Uncle Joe, Curtis and Uncle Larry all got to meet Benny for the first time.  It was so nice for them to finally see the little man.

Needless to say I think Benny was the hit of the party, getting passed around from person to person and people calling dibs on who got to hold him next.  Thankfully Bennett took a little nap in Michael's room then woke up and ate just before our big thanksgiving dinner.  My heart literally melts when I see how good he is.  People are honestly amazed that he isn't so easily overwhelmed or overstimulated by all the photo taking and people holding him...I love it.  We are so lucky!

Dinner was so delicious and my Aunt Rosie is probably the best hostess around!  After dinner everyone joined in the usual "Thankful" game where we all write down things were thankful for and read each other's aloud trying to guess who's is who's.  Some were easy enough to distinguish like my brother who was thankful  for the sesame seed crackers from Costco that he happened to fall in love with while there or Lizzy's who thanked Rich in advance for the french bulldog that he's hopefully going to buy her one day haha.

Of course Maryann cried when she read that I was thankful for my sweet little baby, cos it wouldn't be a holiday if that didn't happen and everyone cracked up when Curtis was thankful for not being a paralegal cos they are crazy (Hint Hint: His mom Lynette is said paralegal).

Everyone began to wind down and munched on yummy dessert and coffee.  We decided to take off in order to get home to feed Bennett and put him to sleep and everyone just showered him in love and kisses.  Once we got home, Bennett stayed up an hour later than usual...but trust me we didn't mind.  It was the first time we got to snuggle our little baby all day.

The next day, my Dad called me just to tell me what a proud Grandpa he was.  He said some adults can hardly handle our family and Bennett blew through the whole day with smiles and giggles and hardly made a peep.

Gosh I love that kid.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Now let's bring on Christmas!

Love,
The Anaya's

Saturday, Oh Saturday

Bright and early yesterday morning, Bennett had his 4 month check up.  I've really been anticipating this doctor visit since little Benny is at the weird transition point of possibly starting solid foods and has been going through crazy growth spurts and tummy bugs.

I swear this kid is ALWAYS keeping us on our toes.

Bennett was checked out and we were given his 4 month stats.  As of yesterday, our little guy is weighing in at 14lbs 10oz which was a little shock to us since he dropped from the 55th percentile in weight down to the 29th percentile, but his stomach bug two weeks ago could account for his slowed weight gain.  He did however grow an inch and a 1/2, measuring at 25 inches long which is just so crazy to me.

No wonder why all of his pants suddenly turned into capris!!

Along with doctor visit of course comes shots...ugh! This is Bennett's third round of shots and it was without a doubt the worst set yet! (more on that later).

After Benny's doctor visit we came home and with our doctors suggestion, we attempted to feed Bennett solids for the first time.  I've been very reluctant to start Benny on solids because I just think he's still too little, but because of his slow weight gain, his doctor wanted us to try and get some more calories into the little man. I'm not going to say our first try was unsuccessful, but my suspicions were confirmed when Bennett simply would slurp up his rice cereal then spit it back out and look at me with his "I don't know about this" face.

Oh well, we tried.

I told Chad I'd be more comfortable in a few weeks, so we'll see how that goes when the time comes.

After our solid food attempt, Bennett napped until our favorite little Presley girl came over with Chad's brother Kurt.  I couldn't help but snap a photo of Benny's sweet sleeping face.

Let me start off by saying that Presley has a special little place in my heart.  Although I have countless younger cousins and been around babies my whole life, Presley was the first baby that I can honestly say I experienced from birth to the present.  I remember the whole time Abby was pregnant with her and I remember exactly when she was born.  Chad was still living in San Diego at the time and he sent me a picture of her in the middle of the night.  I remember all of her funny quirks, tantrums and milestones like walking and talking and I literally cannot believe she is almost 3!!!!

Bennett absolutely loves his cousin.  She's so silly and exuberant that Benny cannot help but crack smiles and laughs whenever she dances and showers him in kisses....She's such a silly girl.

While Kurt and Presley were over, Bennett started to get very fussy which is just so out of character for him.  I put the little guy down for another nap and he completely knocked out the second his head was horizontal.  Kurt mentioned that the shots were probably bothering his little leggies and we kept having to correct Presley girl from saying "Baby Bennett got shot" to "Baby Bennett got shots"..seriously she's so silly.  Kurt and Pres headed home and Bennett literally slept until it was time to eat again.

I fed the little man some dinner and we snuggled on the couch and watched Friends until Benny passed out on my chest...AGAIN!! 

Why the heck is he so tired?!?!

It was around 6:30 pm so I decided to simply put the little guy down for bed.  Fast forward to 10:00 pm...

Shortly after I had fallen asleep, I wake up to Bennett screaming at the top of his lungs in his crib...something that NEVER happens.  Usually when Benny wakes himself up in the middle of the night, he'll simply chit chat himself back to sleep or quickly doze back off (We're very lucky...I know).  I just knew something was wrong. 

I checked on the little man and found him in his crib almost in hysterics and scooped him up in hopes of comforting him.  As I pulled Benny close to me it felt as though the poor little guy was on fire.  I called for Chad over the baby monitor and asked him to take Bennett's temperature...

101!!!!

A fever!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know they always say that shots can have reactions such as fevers or irritability, but Bennett had never even made a peep during the nights after any of his other shots in the past.  Poor little guy.

I undressed Bennett down to just a onesie and made a make shift bed on the floor with some cool sheets to try and break the fever.  We dozed off around 10:45 and I slid Bennett back into his crib to get some good, much needed rest.  Then again, at 12:30 am, Bennett woke up again with the same sad cry.  My heart just broke.  Chad was so great a rocked him back to sleep and our little guy slept until 7:00 am...something I allowed since I know how tired he must have been.

Thankfully this morning after Bennett ate some breakfast, his fever dropped down to 99 degrees.  PHEW!!!
I think we'll take it easy today and cure our little man with some cuddles and kisses.

Pesky shots...we're not your friend!
Thank goodness we have two months until the next set!

...here's to a lazy Sunday.

--The Anaya's

Thanks...

I am a girl who recognizes, yet absolutely hates the concept of money.  Ironic that I'm married to an accountant and process multi-million dollar reimbursement claims for a living huh? 

I've always told Chad that I could care less if I had loads of money...as long as I don't owe anything and have a penny to my name - I'd be satisfied.

It's simple...

I don't need a big house, cos in my mind that's just more square footage to clean.
I don't need a nice car, cos really the only time it will get washed is when it rains.
I don't need nice clothes, cos hand me downs and trading with friends is just fine by me.

...i could go on for days, but I'm sure you catch my drift.

Becoming a mother has put the concept of money into a much larger spectrum...so quickly does the shift of selfishness to selflessness happen.  One of my biggest struggles as a mommy is making the decision to go back to work.  Every morning I force myself to walk out the front door and head to work in hopes of little Bennett never having to worry about diapers or food or warm clothes.

I've been thinking a lot about what really matters the most lately...especially with the holidays coming up.  And I can't help but be so thankful that Chad, Bennett and I have a roof over our heads and food in our tummies.

...that we're all healthy and happy.

I'm so thankful for my baby and how much joy he brings to my life.  I sit in awe most of the time, staring at him baffled at the fact that this little person is half me.  He's so happy and loving that I just wish I could spend my days snuggling in bed with him, never missing a moment of his life.

I'm thankful for my husband...my honest to God best friend.  The person who has seen me at my worst and has loved me dispite my flaws.  The person who I've let down, yet still finds strength in my weaknesses.  The person I met when I was a teenager and still unconditionally love til this day.  The person God chose for me and the father of my son.

What are you thankful for?

P.S. One of my favorite favorite songs right now...For you, Chaddy my love.





xoxo,
Catie