Esther Pisano

Sawyer Harvey | 5 months

5 months old. Life with this baby just keeps getting better. His joyful spirit continues to grow and he is just the happiest little thing.

I think God knew what he was doing when he gave us Sawyer (duh) because he has been so go with the flow! I mean we all have our off days, but for the most part he is just so easy going and I am so thankful, because it helps when we are out and about to not have a super needy baby. I try to stay super consistent on days we are home and I think that helps when we need to be flexible but over all he is just c h i l l. Last week we went to the pumpkin farm and we left when it was his morning nap and he was definitely getting cranky but he dozed off in the car for a bit, then I wore him at the farm and he was content just looking around being worn, then he slept for a while, woke up and was still chill with being worn and then he nursed in the car before we headed back home. What a blessing it was to have him be so easy while I was chasing two toddlers thru the farm (insert praise hands). We keep joking around that he is doing what Siena did by being so sweet and tricking us into having another baby before showing his true colors haha. We will see but for now he is just the sweetest little guy! Well not so little. He is a tank. I can’t believe he is already fitting into 6-9 & 9 month clothing! I don’t know where this big boy came from because the other two did not grow at his speed. It’s ok tho because I am obsessed with the chub and hoping it will make me buff ;) When we weighed him at home he was 21lbs!

EAT.

Sawyer is still nursing awesomely and will take a bottle if he must, which gives me peace of mind!

Right now he eats every 3-3.5 hours. It all depends on how long his nap is because I like to feed him when he wakes.

I pump every morning after we wake up anywhere from 20-40 mins after getting up for the day. I usually get around 5 oz out. Sometimes more and sometimes less. I have a decent stash building in the freezer!

I don’t plan on starting solids until next month!

He nursed quite a bit during the night some nights, but I think that had to do with the sleep regression.

SLEEP.

This month Saywer’s naps improved so much! He was cat napping a ton and therefore needing a lot of naps! This month he (more towards the end of the month) started lengthening his naps and would need anywhere from 3-4 naps.
I have to give a recommendation for an awesome sleep consultant I found on Instagram! Her handle is @takingcarababies and I love watching her stories. I feel like because I read baby wise before having Noah, and I was in a bunch of Facebook groups for it, that I have the whole sleep thing pretty figured out, but I am always learning! Cara said that it’s normal and totally OK for a baby to have a 20 min nap when they’re 4 months or younger and sometimes if you need to lengthen it by holding them then that’s fine too! It made sense as to why Sawyer was having cat naps after learning that. She also mentioned that at 5 months naps should start to lengthen and sure enough they are. I know I personally value sleep so much that I want my babes to have healthy sleep habits too!

This month he could handle about an hour sometimes a little more of wake time in the morning and then have a nap. After that it was about 2 hours of wake time before going down again. He is still holding strong with taking naps in the swing! I will probably use that until he outgrows it!!

Night time sleep was a bit of a struggle this past month. I can only assume it was the 4 month sleep regression but I don’t really know.

Getting him down for bed was tough most nights. I would go round and round trying to get him settled and then he would wake shortly after. I read that when they are going thru the regression it happens because they don't know how to transition from sleep cycles like we do. They have to learn how to put themselves back to sleep when they wake in a sleep cycle and this can be hard! I have been trying to help him learn how to do this. This was when I discovered that he likes the pacifier again! haha. One night in a moment of desperation and sore nipples I offered him the Paci and he took it! He has liked it ever since that night. Now it is a great tool for me to use during nap time and at night. It has allowed me to not always nurse him first thing but see if he wants the Paci first. He is loving the Pat Pat Paci from Ryan and Rose. I have so many of our sleep essentials linked in my last post about my baby must haves!

If you can't tell I totally enjoy learning about HOW babies develop. I want to support my baby the best I can.

He had some nights he woke up numerous times and early mornings he ended up in bed with me more mornings than not. If it is between 5-6:30am then I just pull him into bed with me because I am way too lazy to nurse him in a chair and try to get him back down. ha. Plus I kind of love the sweet snuggles!

Most days he is up around 7 am just like the other kids. He wakes up so happy too! I suppose his sweet day time demeanor makes up for the rough nights we had.

He is still going to bed later between 8:30&9:30 pm but it works out with the other two being in bed already.

FAVORITES.

Baby boy loves to JUMP! We got him the same jumper that N&S used and he loves it! He has the motion down and now every time you hold him he starts jumping. It is so funny!

The bath, his swaddle, lion and play mat are alls still favs! He still loves to be worn and held.

He loves to stick his tongue out and it is the cutest/funniest thing! He basically mastered hanging onto things and reaching for things himself more and more all on his own this month! Watching him play more and more is so enjoyable.

I swear he loves this thing but this was the first pic I took of him trying it out and I think he was still figuring it out. Now my phone is full of videos jumping like crazy in it!

When Sawyer was sticking his tongue out it reminded me of this picture I took of Noah. He was probably around 7 months old there.

FIRSTS.

He ROLLED OVER! YAY! Back to belly and he is so quick at it now!

First ride in the stroller! We went to the children's museum with my sister and after he was in the carrier for a while we tried out her stroller since my nephew wasn't using it and it worked great! The way the pads on the straps were positioned it offered great support for his head. Now he loves to go for rides in our double stroller when we take the kids outside. We use the infant headrest for extra support.

Sawyer’s first jumper!

First trip to the pumpkin farm!

We are all so happy to watch you grow sweet boy! It has been so fun watching you interact more and more with your big brother and sister. They adore you so much and so does the rest of the family. Your smile is contagious and those sweet eyes. I just feel like I won the lottery with being chosen to be YOUR mama (and your sib’s too ;) ) I am excited to see what this next month brings. You are so loved baby boy.

love this pic of sawyer and daddy so much!

That little smirk!

Happiest boy!

enjoying tummy time at the park!

That tongue haha

Thigh goals!!!

Snuggles from great grandma

and grandpa

The brightest rainbow in my sky!

0-6 month baby must haves

* this post includes affiliate links.

Sawyer is going to be 5 months next week (cue crocodile tears) and I thought now was a good time to make my baby must have list. These are all things that he loves or loved during the new born phase!

1. Fisher Price Sit and Play chair. I love this chair because Sawyer is super chunky and would most definitely get stuck in the bumbo. He fits easily and it has a pretty good back to it for small babies. He started wanted to sit up around 3 months or so and this was perfect for him! When his neck got tired he was able to lean back a bit. I love that this particular one has the tray so when the time comes he can sit and have some snacks.

2. Solly baby wrap. This has been my favorite wrap for siena and now sawyer. I have used the same wraps for both of them and there is just something so special about being able to reuse baby gear like that. I love this wrap because it is so easy to use and is perfect for the 0-3 month stage. I am able to easily keep it in the diaper bag and wear baby when needed. This wrap works great as baby grows as well but I have been using it less lately because Sawyer is a chunk and I need better back support.

3. Lille baby all seasons carrier. I love this carrier! It has such great back support and I love that it allows you to carry baby in so many different positions. I like the all seasons because it can get hot baby wearing and especially here in AZ. This one gives some good ventilation and the back support is great. My husband also really loves this carrier! The third baby ends up getting warn so much because you always need your hands free for the other kids, and if baby wants to be held but you're at the park or something the into then carrier he goes!

4. Fisher Price Jumper. All of my kids have uses this specific jumper and just love it! It bounces really well! I like the jumpers that actually lets them jump and not just bounce around. They take interest in the toys on this one as well!

5. Boppy Newborn lounger. This lounger is great up to 4 months or so. I don't use it as much now that sawyer is rolling over but before that it was awesome! I love having something I can bring from room to room easily for baby to lay on. It also makes for a great place to stick em' for pictures! haha.

6. Milk Snob car seat cover. I love this cover! I have used some variation of this cover with S and now Sawyer. I love that I can use it as a cover for the carseat and also pull it right off the carseat to then cover myself to nurse. Now that we're out of the new born phase and he doesn't sleep as much in the car seat I keep the cover in my diaper bag for nursing. I pull it out the most on Sunday during church when he wants to eat. I love that it will also work as a grocery cart cover when he's older.

7. Love to dream swaddle. We LOVE this swaddle! I wish I would have tried it with Siena because she would always break her arms out of the swaddle. This is so perfect for that and I totally believe that the swaddle/sleep sack is awesome for sleep training and developing sleep habits so baby knows it is time for nap or bed. He wore the newborn size and is now in the medium. I have the large all ready for him when the time comes and I got the version that the arms unzip off so that when he is ready to transition out of it and just have a sleep sack then we can use that.

8. 4moms mamaroo swing. I used this with Siena and now Sawyer too. I mostly love it because it is so compact and there is a lot of baby "stuff" that you end up accumulating over time. All my kids like white noise so I love that this swing has it built in to use during naps. Right now Sawyer does ALL his naps in the swing! He like the car motion on the highest speed and the white noise on.

9. Lovie. Now I know that not all babies need this but all of MY babies love their lovie! and I kind of love it too! It is so special when they have that attachment to a special (small) toy. We do not put this is bed with Sawyer at night but when he naps in the swing we tuck it by his cheek and then we stick it in his car seat. When he was upset after his 2 month shots holding his lovie really calmed him down! When my babies get older and they start to soothe themselves to sleep I swear the lovie helps with that! Noah has a giraffe he still sleeps with, Siena a bunny she sleeps with and still drags around the house, and sawyer has a lion.

10. Pat pat pacifier. Sawyer is my first baby to still like a Paci at this stage of the game. Noah was never a fan and Siena was for a hot minute.
Sawyer liked the soothie style Paci for a while and one other brand. Then he had a period of time that he could care less. I tried the Paci again a week or two ago and he's all about it. It's been nice to have at night and during naps. I decided to order the PatPat because if he decided he wasn't about it again then it doubles as a teether and he is nawing on everything in sight these days! Also, I think they are so cute!!

11. DockATot. This is just a must over here. Sawyer has loved it since pretty much day one and Siena liked hers as well!

12. Skip Hop Play Mat. I am just in love with this darling play mat! I was so drawn to the muted colors but when it arrived I loved it even more. The cloud portion of the mat is SO soft and Sawyer really loves the toys on it! He loves to watch the lights on the star, the little lamb plays "you are my sun shine" and he likes the rattle a lot too!

13. Fisher Price rock and play. I do not have the auto rock one so this isn't a must, but boy do I wish I did have it. haha if I were to buy it again I would definitely get the auto rock one! He really liked it as a newborn and as he's gotten older he likes to just chill in there. He will prob out grow it soon since he prefers the play mat or jumper when he's awake, but definitely recommend for the newborn days!

14. Sound Machine. We are currently using this one and like it a lot! After having babies in my room over the years we have even gotten used to the white noise ourselves and will probably need our own machine when sawyer moves into his own room! I think this is a great thing for creating good sleep habits because along with the swaddle being a sleep cue the white noise works the same way and helps lull baby to sleep.

Well there ya have it! Sawyer's current or past favs! I hope this helps a few mamas out there and if there is anything I missed or should know about please let me know!

Sawyer Harvey | 4 Months

Our sweet Soy Bean is 4 months old! The months keep flying by like they ALWAYS do and I am just so happy to be this boy’s mama. He is such a blessing to our family.

For the most part Sawyer is a really easy going baby. He makes our days fairly easy and for that I am so grateful. He is in a somewhat clingy stage where he loves to be held and sometimes fusses when he is put down but he also gets held A LOT, sooo he might be a tad spoiled. Honestly I KNOW that babies don’t keep so I am going to hold this boy every chance I get. He is still loved and adored by his big sibs. Noah is over the moon about his brother and wants to match him every chance he gets. Siena can be rough so we have to watch her reeeeal close. I think the transition to 3 has been somewhat easy because Noah and Siena have each other and do so well playing together. They are little bestie`s and pretty much understand the needs of baby brother so it doesn’t bother them too much when he needs to nurse or be put down for naps. Now keeping Siena quiet during his naps are another story. That girl has ONE volume level and that is LOUD. ha.

Sawyer is our fastest growing baby so far! The others were still in 3 month or 3-6 month clothing at 4 months old, while Mr. Soy bean is wearing 6-9 and some 9 month clothes already! It’s mostly onsies he outgrows quickly. Pants are huge still and we size down. It is so funny when people hold him and have to hand him back to me after a while because he’s so heavy. I think I am just used to it because I could hold him all day. When he has his 4 month appointment I will know his exact stats but I would guess he’s around 18lbs…maybe

more.

I mentioned in Instagram stories that he is in leap 4 and he still has 6 days left. There were a few super fussy days I noticed and it actually caused me to download the app to see if he was in a leap. I followed The Wonder Weeks really closely with Noah but not so much with S. I feel like it is a great guide especially for 1st time moms to follow your baby’s development. I love to read WHAT is happening developmentally and kind of piecing together WHY they are acting a certain why, because a lot of the time babies can be a mystery.

This is definitely the time where baby is noticing more things, looking around at surroundings and becoming distracted at time while nursing. I had a hard time nursing sawyer in the mother’s room at church the other day because he was so interested in what this new room was. He is rolling side to side (not yet a full roll), grasping things SO well and even starting to reach for toys and our hands and things. It’s pretty amazing to see personality really start to bloom and your baby becoming SO aware and smart!

EAT.

Sawyer is still nursing like a champ. Lately he loves to hold my hand while he eats and it is kind of my favorite thing. He nurses about 5 times a day not including his middle of the night feeds.

I got my hair done yesterday and left him home and after an hour of crying and refusing the bottle he finally gave in and ate 4 oz. I guess if he’s hungry enough he will cave but boy not without a fight! I felt bad but it was going to be so hard to keep him entertained at the hair salon. It was safe to say that he was happy to see me, but at least I know if there was an emergency that the milk I am pumping each morning won’t be going to waste!

He usually isn’t very interested in eating first thing in the morning when he wakes up and if he does he usually chokes on how fast the flow is and then spits up, so I kind of just gage on whether or not I should try to feed him. If he wakes up in the 5-6 o’clock hour to nurse then I know he won’t want to eat until later. When I pump I get out 5 oz give or take. I like to pump first thing because I get a decent amount and it keeps my supply up! If there is a day I can’t pump I sure do feel it later in the day. Makes the biggest difference for me!!

SLEEP.

This last month Sawyer was ALL about cat naps. Because he was taking such quick naps he would need more of them. Usually 4-5 naps! He goes down about an hour after waking in the morning and is still in his Love To Dream Swaddle, in the Mamaroo on high with white noise. It works, it’s routine and until I need to change it I am will stick with it!

I put him down drowsy and he will suck on his hand, jabber or sometimes even cry (not for long) until asleep.

I am thankful that he goes down for naps so easily!!

He sleeps in the dock a tot at night still after being nursed to sleep.

I start the bed time process after Noah and Siena are in bed so around 8pm. Sawyer is usually in his bed for the night around 9:45. I can’t wait until I can’t start to get him down earlier! I know that time will come but for now it works.

He was a little back and forth on sleeping this last month where he’d only wake once some nights and other times more than that. I know if he wakes up between 1:30-2:30 he’ll likely wake again before morning, but if he can stretch it out and wake after the 3o’clock hour he can go longer. It just depends but as time goes on I know the wrinkles in his sleep will be softened. He is easy to get back down for the most part and I am happy with how he is sleeping so far!

Now, on nights that he is up more than once and one of the older kids happens to wake as well that can make for a tiiired mama in the morning, but it’s just a season that will eventually pass!

FAVORITES.

Sawyer is still loving all the things he loved last month including his play mat.

I can tell he’s really starting to love music! It seems to calm him down. His play mat has a toy that plays “you are my sunshine” and he loves it! I love singing it to him too, because he truly is my little sunshine! He also totally digs the "friends" theme song haha. Robbie and I have been watching it every night before bed. He clearly has good taste ;)

He loves grasping onto things including my hands when he’s nursing and holding onto his toys!

He still LOVES bath time and kicks and splash so fast! It is so fun to watch!

SAWYER'S FIRSTS.

This month Sawyer had so many cute firsts!!

He sat in the high chair like a big boy for the first time!

He had his first giggles and I know that belly laugh is right around the corner!!

He wore overalls for the first time and it was basically the cutest thing EVER! All the heart eyes baby boy!

He “played” at the splash pad for the first time at the new park that opened nearby and he loved it! We are so thankful he is so easy to take along with us! He is def a 3rd kid!

His eczema is mostly cleared which is SO exciting! I love the beautifying oil from Aveda coupled with the Tubby Todd all over ointment. I am so impressed with their ointment.

Oh Sawyer Bean, we love you so much. You are growing so fast and just bring so much light to my days. I thank God for you everyday and can’t wait to see what this next month brings us. Although, I wish for each month to slow down because it is going SO fast, I am just so so grateful for everyday I spend with you and your siblings!

Out on a date night with mommy & daddy! It was so easy going out with just one kid haha

Sawyer Harvey | 3 months

Wow, another month is here with our sawyer. I feel like I was just snuggling him exhausted and sore in the hospital. Time is a thief I tell you!! They say they are no longer considered a “new born” at 3

months and you guys, it kinda stings a little. Can’t he stay my tiny baby a while longer?? Yeah, yeah I know. He was never very “tiny” but to me he is!

I haven't weighed him this month but he is in 3-6 month clothing and is just the most delicious thing with all his rolls!

His personality blossoms more and more each month and he is just the happiest little guy. He smiles and coos at you and just LOVES attention from anyone. Robbie says I have him spoiled because he kind of does love to be held and even catch a nap (or two) being held, but I can’t help it. I know how fast this season goes and that in a blink of an eye he will be keeping up with Noah and Siena! You can’t really spoil a baby anyways, right??? Right.

He is more than adored by Noah and Siena and sometimes a little overwhelmed by Siena. She likes to get riiiight in his face.

Sawyer started to grasp at things this month. He loves holding my fingers and will hold onto my shirt or his. Siena thinks this is just the best and will try to get him to hold random toys all day long, or he’ll grab onto her when she’s “holding” him and she thinks it’s so funny!

She says his cooing is “talking” and it’s so fun to watch him start to interact with his big bro and sis. For now Noah thinks it’s cool to match his brother so I’ll be doing that for as long as possible ;)

By this point I feel like we have a pretty good routine down for days that we are home all day, and on days that we aren’t he is pretty go with the flow!

Morning hangs! Siena being a goof as always :)

If you read last months post then you know we were trying reflux meds that were helping (so we thought) his mood and witching hour(s). Well we got to the bottom of the bottle and forgot a few doses and decided to see what happens if we didn’t give it to him. He is still totally happy and fine, so it may have been coincidence with the time frame we began the meds or he outgrew it. We’ll never really know but I am so happy he doesn’t need meds and they were harmless if he did for the month we used them!

Witching hour is now super manageable and I know he’s just getting tired and fussy but he doesn’t just cry to cry for hours on end like he was around 3 weeks old. Praise the lord! All things seem to be just a season, so remember this mamas when you're in the thick of it! A baby at 2 weeks old is totally different at 2 months old and so on.

Sawyer is drooling like crazy! All my babies start to drool around 3 months old but don’t cut any teeth until later (thankfully). I officially need to get him some bibs! I have lots from when Noah was a baby but they’re in storage until we move :( I’m going to be so sad if sawyer doesn’t get very many hand me downs because of our current living arrangements, but I have saved so much of Noah's things that he is bound to have some of his things at some point :)

He has suddenly gone from never having blow outs to becoming the blow out king. I am constantly rinsing onesies and praying his clothes come out unstained haha. One Sunday we got to church and he had pooped EVERYWHERE and I didn't bring a change of clothes for him...rookie mistake! I had a major mess to clean in the bathroom...I'm talking him, the carseat, myself...it was bad! Soy Bean (his new nickname) got to chill in church nakie. No one minded tho! I def need to remember to pack the bag with extra clothes for the future!!

EAT.

Boy does he love to eat! I mean obviously. His rolls can attest to that! I am still feeding him on demand during the day but it’s pretty much worked itself out to a good schedule!

He eats every 2-3 hours until the evening when he likes to cluster feed starting around 5. If he is having a rough time falling asleep for a nap I don’t mind nursing him to sleep! He’s still so little and since he really isn’t interested in a pacifier (sigh) it works.

He’s had a few bottles this past month most easily given to him by my mother in law. She figured out the perfect position to mimic breast feeding that he seems to like. Obviously if it’s available he likes it straight from the tap ;), but this bottle technique has also helped my husband give him a bottle. I’m relieved that if he’s hungry enough he will give in because I pump every morning, and I get anywhere from 3-6 oz out and it’s making a small freezer stash available!

I have enjoyed nursing him so much. It doesn’t feel like a chore like it sometimes can. I think because I know it will be over in a blink. I tell ya, third babies really make you hold on for dear life!!

SLEEP.

Sawyer is sleeping amazing at night!! I am just blown away with his night time sleep and also so happy to be getting some rest at night. Most nights he sleeps better than siena who calls me in for the most ridiculous things at night. It is safe to say I’ll be happy to have her in her own room once we move, but that’s a whole other story.

Anyways, sawyer mostly cat naps during the day unless he decides to stretch his afternoon nap (usually when being held) but he sleeps awesome at night so I can’t complain too much about his naps. It just makes it a bit more difficult to get things done during the day, but wearing him usually solves that problem. His first nap I am still getting him down easily in the mamaroo swing, but he likes the speed all the way up and the white noise on loud! Haha hey, whatever works!!

The rest of his naps are either in the swing, being held, worn or in the car seat.

We have a pretty solid bed time routine and he is usually always ready to be down for the night in his dock a tot between 9:30 &10pm. I have been able to get him down a little earlier a few times but for the most part that’s what he’s doing. I think he’s just used to going down after we get the other kids asleep. The few times I got him down early was when the “bigs” went down early too. Hopefully in the next few months I can flip flop it and get him down before them! But for now it works!

I change him and get him swaddled into his favorite Love to Dream swaddle (he also wears this during most naps during the day). He nurses to sleep and will sleep off and on in my arms until I know he’s ready to be put down. If he wakes and cries I try again but can typically get him down first try. He then sleeps anywhere from 5-7 hours before waking up to nurse!! The last week or so he’s finally stopped pooping at night so I sized up in diapers and just nurse him and lay him right back down.

Sometimes he will wake again in the 6 o’clock hour and then I’ll just pull him into bed with me and nurse him laying down. I can usually sneak out of bed when the other kids get up (if robbie doesn’t get up with them) and he’ll stay sleeping. He wakes up for the day between 7:30&8:30 am. I haven’t shouted from the roof tops that he’s sleeping thru the night because he’s a baby and anything can change, but he legit does most nights! Now say a prayer that it stays that way and we don’t get the 4 month sleep regression next month!

We sized up this month from the small swaddle to the medium!

one of his favorite napping spots

FAVORITES:

A lot of his favs are the same as previous months like his lion luvie, nursing, swaddle, rock and play, mamaroo, being worn, his dock a tot and bath time.

Bath time is a whole new level tho, he full on kicks and splashes and just has a ball!! I love it so much!! He is just so dang joyful! I love bathing him before bed time because it really tires him out and makes it easy to get him down for the night.

He loves his play mat but more specifically the star that lights up! He loves the lights!

He loves flirting with that star!!

We got him a chair a week ago that he really seems to like! I knew he’d be too chubby for the bumbo (ours is in storage anyways) so this is perfect! And it’s nice because when he gets tired of holding his head up he can kind of lean back on the chair.

He is loving to "talk" to anyone who wants to have a conversation with him and it is just the best. He definitely found his voice this month!

NOT A FAN:

He's still not a fan of the car seat! Boo. I was hoping it would get better but so far it’s just looking like he won’t like it. He sometimes does a little better if I keep the cover off for him to look around and see Noah. We got a toy that lights up and plays music that hangs across his car seat for when he’s awake. Noah will push the button and spin the toy to keep him kind of entertained! It’s a work in progress for sure! I think every baby has a quirk and you just have to work with it/deal with it. As you have more kids things just don't seem like that big of a deal.

SAWYER’S FIRSTS:

lots of cooing and starting to “chat” with us

Grasping things and our fingers and he's getting really good at it too!

Drooling like crazy!

First 7+ hour stretch of sleep at night

He had hist first dip in the pool and conitnues to love it! We take him out in the evening which is perfect for the fussier time of the day. The sun is lower so the pool is shaded and he enjoys it so much! His siblings get a kick out of him "swimming" too.

first time in the pool with papa!

Unfortunately, this guy developed his first bought of eczema this month. Siena had it as well but more seasonally in the winter time. Sawyer has dry patches on both knees, arms, belly, side etc. I have finally got it managed with some oil I like. I am excited to try a new ointment on him to see if it helps so stay tuned for that!!

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Sawyer, everyday I fall a little more in love with you. You are are definitely a missing puzzle piece to my heart and I am so thankful for each day that we have with you! Your rolls are perfection and I love every ounce of your chunky body!! SO happy to have another month with you!