Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Ways to Survive Marriage Post Baby

Hey Everyone!

One thing I can say for certain is that a baby changes everything! Before Patrick came along we were convinced we would be that couple, who still went out, whose relationship did not change. Well that bubble was burst June 4 with Patrick's first cry, as it should be! He changed both our lives and our life as a couple. In turn we have had to make changes to our relationship. I won't lie and say this has always been easy, this has probably been the hardest time in our entire relationship but also the best. So here are a few things I have learned about marriage, post baby...

Always know you are a team! I can say the first few weeks of Patrick's life flew by in a blur. I was overwhelmed by breastfeeding and lack of sleep and found myself snapping at Chris all the time. Finally one morning I realized this is my partner, we are working towards the same goal, to raise a happy healthy boy. So instead of snapping and pitting against each other, work as a team, decide who will do what when. Sometimes you will be the coach, sometimes the quarterback or the water boy...but always make sure you are your partner's biggest cheerleader!

Make your spouse your number one priority, your children your number two. I know to some this sounds crazy, you just carried this beautiful bundle of joy and they occupy 100% of your time. But in eighteen short years you will be waving at the car as they drive off to some distant dorm room and you will be left with that handsome man you met on aisle way back when. In short, you kids are reliable on you for a only short period of time in their lives, but you and your partner are in it for the long haul. So remember that, he is the person you share a bed with, share your hopes and your dreams with, don't forget about him!

Don't go looking for a fight! It's easy when you are exhausted and spread thin to seek out confrontation and see fault in the smallest of things. So instead of freaking out about the dirty clothes on the bathroom floor or the idiot comment he made last night try and focus the morning he let you sleep or planned a surprise date. We aren't always 50/50 in relationships, sometimes it 70/30 or even 99/1! Learn to focus on the good not the flaws!

Date your husband. Make sure and carve out time for the two of you, whether it be a night out or just catching up on DVR at home. Just as long as it is reserved for the two of you. Unplug and focus on each other. Talk about your days, all the things you used to do before that little person made all your conversations about poop and milestones. Be spontaneous, have sex, laugh together, don't let the crazy world around make you forget that this is the person who used to you butterflies. Try and keep the butterflies in your relationship, they are so important!

Carve time for yourself. Did you like to take baths or read before baby came along, find time for these things. Same goes for your husband, if he enjoys video games or music or time with his guys friends make sure and accommodate these things for each other. We can only be the best partner when we are our best self.

Stop husband bashing.  Yes we all need to vent, but I find they "bashing" of husbands becomes almost like a sport. I find it breeds negativity and problems and just gives a false impression of your husband to your closest family and friends. I never bashed or really even talked about issues in my relationship before baby, so I didn't feel a need to start after. My rule of thumb, if I wouldn't say it to my husband's family I won't say it to mine or my girlfriends.

Get some rest! It's amazing what a good nights sleep can do, so try and go to bed early. If you are exhausted ask your partner for help, on the weekends Chris and I trade off days so one of us gets a chance to sleep in. It makes a world of difference!

So to Chris, my best friend, father of my children and love of my life thank you for going on this crazy ride with me. You inspire me everyday to be a better person, wife and mother. You are and always will be the most important person in my life. I have loved you from the first moment we kissed, and continue to only love you more and more everyday. Thank you for doing the dishes, all the help with Patrick and making sure we are happy and taken care of. Thank you for being the best father Patrick could ever have. And most of all thank you for choosing me, loving me, and making me your wife. I hold your heart and know you hold mine always and forever!














xoxo
Katie


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Cutest Kid 2013

Hey Everybody!


 My son Patrick was nominated for Cutest Kid 2013 in Hilton Head Monthly magazine, all you do is click on the link and like the photo on Facebook to vote! 




xoxo
Katie

Easter Fashion Show

Happy Tuesday!

My trip to Hilton Head is coming up faster and faster. I started packing this morning and am so thrilled for warmer weather and sunshine! I also am so excited to celebrate Easter with my family. Easter is such a fun holiday to dress up our little ones. Here are some of my favorite Easter finds for little boys and girls!

easter



I can't wait to show you all Patrick's Easter outfits, I will be posting from HHI so stay tuned!

xoxo
Katie


Monday, March 25, 2013

Weekend Recap!

Another busy weekend at the Flynn house. The boys are still recovering from the never ending colds that have infected our home for almost three weeks! Sick baby means lots of PJ time!




My brother and sister in law were also in town for the weekend from Boston so we decided to venture out and take Patrick to see the Easter Bunny. I haven't had a chance to scan the picture but here is one off my iPhone


He loves his big boy stroller!


First carousel ride with Mommy and Daddy!



When we got back to my in-laws we celebrated an early Easter since Patrick and I will be in Hilton Head




Overall considering everyone is still not feeling well, it was a great weekend!


Weekends are exhausting!


xoxo
Katie










Thursday, March 21, 2013

Patrick's Nine Month Favorites!

patrick's nine month favorites



Britax Convertible Car Seat I have to say it was very sad retiring the bucket car seat, but PJF was defiantly ready for the upgrade. He is so much more comfortable and able to look around and out the window. It makes a huge difference in his mood in the car. Also I did a tremendous amount of research and I can rest easy putting him in the seat knowing it is the safest option!

Gerber Organic Crunchies These are the equivalent of crack in our house. Patrick LOVES them! They have really helped him with exploring solids foods and are also great in a pinch to keep him happy.

Fisher Price Step N Play Piano This was one of Patrick's Christmas gifts and he still loves it. Now that he is more mobile he loves spinning and walking back and forth.

OBall Rainstick Rattle This is a new favorite in our house. It is easy for him to hold but also stimulating with the noises from the rainstick. His new favorite game is rolling the ball back and forth to us, we spend alot of time doing this!

Zubels Rocker Monkey This organic hand knit lovie is one of Patrick's favorite!

Sound Machine This is key of for us for traveling! It helps Patrick nap in unfamiliar places and the noises are soft and peaceful.

Maclaren Triumph Stroller I love this umbrella stroller. You can fold it with one hand and its is easy to carry. It is also comfortable for baby and easy to navigate with. A must have!

Happy Thursday!
xoxo
Katie

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Giveaway!

I am part of a giveaway with Helene over at Helene In Between! Head over there to join in, or just use the entry below!



Good Luck Everybody!
xoxo
Katie

Weekend Recap...a few days late!

First off I just want to say thank you to everyone who had such kind words and prayers for me after my last post! I genuinely appreciate more than you all will ever know!

I figured I would give a recap of our weekend a day late, Chris had Monday off so it felt like a long weekend!

Friday night we made a nice Irish dinner, corned beef and cabbage to start the St Patrick's Day weekend. It was so yummy!


We also retired the baby bucket seat. Someone was a little too big for it!



A little Irish music for our ride!

Saturday morning we had a birthday party but we were still in the spirit!


I also got a chance to use my Erin Condron gift label for the first time, way to exciting! 


The birthday party was so much fun! It is so crazy to think that all these little people in our lives are turning one! It has been a crazy few years for our friends between weddings, pregnancies and new arrivals, but I love the amazing memories we have all shared. Saturday we also got snow, yes snow! I am so done with Winter. We also got another five inches yesterday. I am ready for flip flops and sun my trip to Hilton Head can not come soon enough!

Snowy drive home!

Saturday night we stopped over at my In-Laws to help them and have some dinner, they were watching our niece for the night so we had a fun cousins dinner!




Sunday was St. Patrick's Day so we were up bright and early for a special breakfast!



Green pancakes and a few lucky charms!


My husband had a cold pretty much all weekend, so we missed out on our usual pub fun for St. Patrick's Day but I still got Patrick all the dressed up for a little photo shoot!








Monday morning Chris was feeling much better so we decided to take a little family date to lunch and the aquarium. It was great but by the time we got home hubby was feeling worse than ever, we later found out he had a double ear infection and Patrick had a hacking cough! Not a fun way to end our weekend.










On top of all that I found out that my sister who is a student at Coastal Carolina lost her condo to a forest fire. We are so thankful she was at home visiting for St. Patrick's Day and that her roommates are safe as well. 




But my heart is broken for her lose, all her photos, journals, things that can simply not be replaced on top of just clothes and neccesities. We are trying on best to get her back on her feet, another reason I am so happy to be heading down there is a little over a week. I think some shopping trips and pedicures are in our future! Please keep her and her roommates in your thoughts and prayers

xoxo
Katie