Wifey Wednesday | My Baby is Five (and a half) Months!

Riley will be six months old in 10 days, so I figured I should give her monthly update.

My goodness, she is cute.

She is sweet. Above everything she is sweet. I hear that all the time. She still looks a lot like Jeff, but I like to think she is starting to resemble me, too. Maybe. What do you think?

Jeff

Claire

Riley

Riley weighed in today at 15 pounds and 2 ounces. She is on her stomach most of the time, but she doesn't know how to flip back over. She scoots a little bit and can move about 3 feet in 15 minutes. :)

Well, that's about where things are at for us.

Good night!

#WifeyWednesday | What I Love About Motherhood + Family Updates

Good morning!

I am excited to post about my favorite aspects of motherhood, but first I will talk a bit about this last weekend. This was the first Saturday Jeff didn't go to school this semester! I love Friday exams (as opposed to Monday exams) because we get to spend the whole weekend together.

This weekend we went swimming, got snow cones at Bahama Bucks (Snickerdoodle snow cone with cinnamon sugar. Ahhh), and had the sweetest date: we went grocery shopping together and got all the goods for a salmon, salad, and mashed potatoes dinner then we cooked together. However, Riley wasn't too into the romance and required nursery visits every 20 minutes or so. It is what it is. :)

I loved spending time with my family. They truly are the best.

On Sunday we taught the 11 and 12 year olds about feeding Christ's sheep. It was a great lesson with fantastic participation. I am astounded by the strong testimonies of those kids. I have to share; children will tell you exactly what they think. I had this exchange with two kids during sharing time on Sunday.

Boy: Sister Falco, I like your lipstick.
Me: Thank you.
Girl: I'm not the only one who likes your lipstick today I guess!
Me: Aw, thank you!
...
Boy: Sister Falco, you have a long nose. It's very pointy.
Me: I do have a long, pointy nose; just like Pinocchio.
Boy: [laughs]

Honesty, I tell ya.

Now comes the main purpose of this post: What I love most about being a mom.

I love a lot of things about motherhood; maybe that's because I have such a sweet, smiley baby. Seriously, today she was bubbling over with joy. I just sat in front of her she cracked up laughing. What a cutie!

That is something I love about motherhood. I love seeing a happy baby. I love learning what makes her react. Riley loves kisses. She loves when we come into the room. She smiles like crazy while she waits for us to get her out of her crib. She loves her morning routine (particularly getting her hair and gums brushed).

Another thing I love about motherhood is how tiny babies are. I adore miniature socks and dresses and skinny jeans. Even more I love the little baby inside them. I particularly love when she is in fuzzy "feety" PJs. Hands down my favorite outfits. I love watching her little feet. I love watching her watch her little feet. My goodness, babies are cute.

I am realizing how much I am gushing here. I'm a hardcore baby fanatic as you can see.

I love, love, LOVE smelling Riley's hair. Maybe it's because it smells like lavender or because it's soft and wispy, but it's the best. I refuse to think this is weird. Go find a baby and smell his or her hair. Or don't.

I love my baby's curiosity. Since she was born I have found her interest in the mundane so funny. Today she stared at her shadow, wanted to taste a door, smiled and "talked to" a novel blanket, and tried to grab Jeff's dinner. She is kind of all over the place, but she's discovering everything around her and I celebrate that.

These are just a few reasons why I love being a mom. It's a sweet gig.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments! Also, come back for Satur-DIY where I will be sharing a knotted baby bow tutorial.

If you missed my post 20 Dates for Medical School Students, it's calling your name. Go to it.

Have a good week!

#WifeyWednesday | A Printable + Some Great Reads

First of all, I made something and I just want to share it. I am challenging myself to read the Book of Mormon by January 1, 2016 (I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Feel free to learn more here. If you want a free copy of the Book of Mormon, you can get one here!) I decided I need some extra umph in my life and this is how I am going to get it.

Let me know if you care to join me. I would love some camaraderie. You could even finish by Christmas!

Download my Book of Mormon Reading Chart here

If that is too Claire for you, I made an alternative:

Download this Book of Mormon reading chart here.

If that's too color printer for you, use this:

Download this Book of Mormon reading chart here.

Obviously I have a lot of time on my hands...

Okay.

Monday I announced my new posting schedule. I will have three regular features:

Med School Monday: I will exclusively talk about all things school related

Wifey Wednesday: I will give family updates and talk about marriage here and there

Satur-DIY: I will post a new craft and/or tutorial every week

Keep coming back to hold me accountable. :)

 If you missed this week's Med School Monday post, go check it out; I caught up with my husband about how M2 (second year of school) is treating him.

Here is a brief family update and some thoughts:

We had an interesting week, for sure. Overall it was good. Jeff had an exam (and punched it right in the face). Riley rolled from back to front three times! We went to the pool, the library, JoAnn Fabric, church, and Target. We spent time with friends and we got ourselves some new neighbors.

Also, when we went to the library I found so many good baby books! Side note: the local library lets you check out 100 books at a time! That blows my mind. I only got six. :)

I cannot wait to dive in. Let me know what you think of all of these. See any favorites? Any other suggestions? See any selections that stir a fiery rage in your soul (because I know that happens sometimes)?

I also just finished Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber. We tried the Ferber method for oh, less than 24 hours, but we just couldn't do it. It was too stressful. So yeah, still sleep deprived.

I also made something really cool, but I am keeping it under wraps <-- unintentional hint-- because I am sharing it on the very first Satur-DIY. Let's just say Riley can roll both ways so I needed something other than a swaddle... Come back to see it on Saturday. I am a little bit proud of myself. :)

Okay, you guys are ah-mazing!

Have a great Wednesday!

Looking Back: Two Little Lines

I just realized it has been a year and two days since I found out I was pregnant with Riley. :)

That just makes me happy.

In honor of this realization I will share a story and a throwback video I made!

I knew that God wanted me to have a baby when I did. In fact the story of how I found out I was pregnant leaves me with no doubt.

One August evening my friend sent me a text message which essentially said, "I don't want to overstep my bounds, but I felt really strongly that I need to share this church talk with you..." We had talked recently about how I felt apprehensive about starting a family because we are poor and Jeff is in school and blah, blah, blah.

I read the talk. It is called "Children." Here, you can read it, too! It shared an anecdote about a husband and wife in my same situation; he was in medical school and they wanted to wait to have children until they were more financially independent.

--I have to make a quick disclaimer here. The decision about when to have children is between a husband and wife and the Lord. You do you. Okay, moving right along.--

They ended up getting some advice that the Lord commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the Garden of Eden and why would the Lord want the aforementioned couple to put off His first and most important commandment in the name of becoming a doctor?

This talk went on to say that there is no "right time" to have children; it will always be inconvenient timing. Further, for generations people and prophets have borne children in times of tribulation. It will all work out.

Well, after reading this I knew that the Lord didn't want us to put off having kids. I said a prayer that evening and I got a little bold; I prayed that we would be pregnant right then. I said amen and got a prompting to go take a test. I knew it was unlikely that I would get positive results because of the timing.

I decided I would take a test anyway. I covered it up and waited three minutes.

And it. was. positive.

I felt so exhilarated and grateful. I couldn't believe that the night I aligned my will with Heavenly Father's I found out I was already pregnant.

I believe in Heavenly Father's timing. In my case, I believe He was waiting for me to have a little more faith.

I am so grateful to be a mom.

Riley is Four Months!

Four months is fun, but doesn't offer us as much in the sleep department, except for this one time Riley fell asleep just in time for a photo shoot. Cute baby. :)

Riley Lately According to VSCO Cam

Riley Lately:

Visiting Daddy at school for the first time

Busting outta her swaddle. Can't do that anymore anyway because she can roll both ways now!

Wearing FUNcle Nick's missionary tag

Falco Family Pictures

I am so grateful for McKenna Jeffrey for taking our family pictures this year. Cool story: we both live in College Station but vacationed in Utah this summer. She took these gorgeous pictures in Park City. I can't wait to put them up alllll over my house!

Anyway. Just a few. ;) Isn't McKenna amazing? Check out her McKenna Mary Photography page!

Have a great day everybody!

Fourth of July + Other Overdue Updates

I love the Fourth of July. This year was a little weird though. It was the night before Riley's baby blessing and we had to get everything ready for the big day so we didn't even watch fireworks. We did, however attend the Kaysville parade. I ran into my very good friend, Missy! I didn't take a picture. Meh. 

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

We look so happy but #realtalk, I was sweaty and being super first-time-mom. First it was the sirens are too loud for Riley, then it was too hot outside for Riley, then it was I don't want Riley to get sprayed by the fire truck, then it was we need to get the car cooling down. That Claire is always a joy.

Little cutie.

 How about some official Riley updates? How about three monthly updates in one post? Because that is where I am at in my life right now, haha.

M O N T H  O N E

She started socially smiling (not just gas or dreaming).

She was still tall and skinny. At her two-month appointment she was 9 lbs 9.5 oz. and 22 and 1/8th inches long. 25th percentile for weight; 75th percentile for height.

She also started sleeping through the night. Riley would go down at 10 PM (shameful), wake up to feed between 4 and 6 AM and go back down until 7:30-9:30 AM. Cannot complain about that.

M O N T H   T W O

She started batting at her toys and interacting MUCH more with us.

Riley really started smiling.

M O N T H  T H R E E

Riley started putting everything in her mouth.

She rolled over from front to back. I am not sure if it was because she was on a soft surface though. Who know? It's cute, though. :)

She can grab her toys most of the time now.

She has a ready smile for everyone. She is a very happy baby.

M O N T H   F O U R 

At Riley's four-month check up she weighed 12 lbs. 2 oz. (11th percentile) and was 24 and 1/4 inches long (40th percentile). Her pediatrician isn't worried. She said that she is just petite. Also at her check up her pediatrician said that she does some six-month-old things like standing really well and pulling her head off the ground while laying on her back. So advanced, haha. Go baby!

Favorite activities include playing with mommy and daddy, talking to her ceiling fan, and chewing on everythang. She also likes getting her gums brushed. She likes a lot of things really. I was telling Jeff the other night that we should have named her Joy because she is such a pleasant, joyful, little baby, pretty much around the clock. 

Also new, she hit the four-month sleep regression. I have been reading as much as I can about baby sleep. I am working on her routine and we will just see how things go. She slept all night last night though and is just finishing up a three hour nap... Who knows. 

Pictures to come. She just turned four months old a few days ago after all. 

Have a great weekend! :)