Smiley Baby

It is amazing to me the number of changes that happen in any given week, well let's make that day.  The most recent is your smiles and laughs.  My favorite is when you laugh and smile on the play mat or when we are changing you on the changing table.  Your dad always seems the best at catching you in these moments, I think it's because he thinks to take the pictures, whereas I am having too much fun just enjoying the moment.  Thank goodness for the pictures so we will be able to remember the moments when we look back in the future.

Maternity Leave

It's my last week of maternity leave and I cannot believe our 12 weeks together without me being at work is almost up.  In the last 12 weeks you've taught me so much.  I think I am a lot more patient with things in life, as your crying just doesn't stop sometimes when I pick you up, instead I loop from the kitchen to the living room many times before you're content.  I also never thought I could love another person so much and care for someone as much as I do for you.  Not to mention, as much as I was a morning person before you came along (this is not sarcastic - I used to be up around 5 am on weekdays and before 7 am on weekends), I have realized that hanging out with you in those early morning hours is the best, especially when it includes your snuggles.  Finally, I think seeing your smiling face and beautiful eyes wipes away any tension or stress I have felt in the last 12 weeks.  I am hoping this will be the way you greet me when I get home from work next week. 

Now enough about the changes in me.  You've changed so much too.  You now weigh 4 pounds more and are 2.5 inches longer.  One of the biggest changes is that your eyes are open so much more during the day!  This provides a lot of time for you to coo, smile, and laugh, it also means you are crying less (maybe this is because Dad and I have figured out what your cries mean and we are better adjusted).  You also love to play on your play mats or sit in your chair and look around.  Finally, you've developed a schedule throughout the day which includes times when you nap and those when you're wide awake and ready to play.  It's so crazy to me how much you've changed throughout these weeks and I love all the moments I have shared with you.  I hope we have a lot of good moments this week and in those weeks to come when I adjust back to going to work.

The end of my maternity leave also means you get to hang out with Dad now each day.  He's staying home with you and as I was talking to you on the changing table this morning (trying to keep you calm while you got dressed and while your stomach was growling), you were smiling and giggling and loved to hear about hanigng out with Dad.  I think you two will have great moments this summer too and Dad will love this time at home with you.  I'm excited to hear about the things that you do with him in the months to come! 

As a look back, here's two pictures for you.  One from your first couple days of life and one from this past week.  You've changed so much, but one thing remains the same - you still love to keep your hands up above your head or out to your sides.

Mother's Day

Sunday was my first mother's day to celebrate with you.  We had a great day.  You must have known it was mother's day, because you put yourself back to sleep after your early morning feeding and then you slept for a good stretch after the next feeding so I could get ready for the day (generally I am rushing to get through a shower and getting dressed before you start fussing).  We then had a good morning playing plus Grandma Jean and Grandpa Charlie stopped by to see us since they were close by.  When Dad got home from work we all relaxed and Dad had presents from you two.  While it was fun to get gifts and celebrate the day as a family, I'd say my favorite part of the day was hanging out with you in the morning.  During that time you were laughing and smiling, you've been doing this every day and I have yet to get sick of it!  Here is a picture of you during that time.

2 month check up

You had your two month check up this week (yes, it's crazy to me that you are already having that two month check up). 

You weighed 11 pounds 14 ounces and you're 23 inches long.  You have grown quite a bit since you were born (at birth you were 7 pounds 11 ounces and 20.5 inches)!  The doc gave you a good report and said everything looked good.  Of course, we figured that was the case, but it was good to hear from the doc.

The two month appointment also meant that Dad and I got to experience your first set of shots.  I was so nervous about this traumatic experience and did not sleep well on Monday night.  However, I was happy when two nurses came in to give you the shots at the same time and get it done more quickly.  I'm not entirely sure you thought it was a good idea.  The nurses prepared us by saying you were not going to be a happy camper when they started, which I knew, but I'm still not sure your Dad was prepared.  You made it through like a champ and stopped crying as soon as the nurses backed away from you.  Of course, my stomach still wretches thinking about your face and cries during that time.  I'm thinking this will happen several more times in the future as I encounter times when I know you need to go through experiences, but there is nothing that I can do to ease your pain or make it better.

You were pretty worn out when we got home so you ate and slept all afternoon.  Dad and I were shocked as you slept in your crib for a very long stretch of time.  Of course, when you got up that night you wanted to snuggle with me, which I gladly welcomed. 

We'll be back to see your doc in a couple months and I've already started preparing myself for the second round of shots.  Judging by the little girl that was in the room next to us that we heard getting her shots after you got yours, I think we should start preparing ourselves for the shots when you're older and can remember them.  She was definitely not a happy camper and did not want to let anyone get close to her during the process.

Exploring

I noticed this morning as I tried to rock you back to sleep after your way early morning feeding, that you are more aware than the last time I attempted this (your Dad has been doing this since late last week as he was off for many consecutive days).  Last week you snuggled into my chest and would go right back to sleep, but this morning you were wide awake looking around the room and focusing on things the night light illuminated.  It had me thinking, maybe we should get a night light that is not so bright.  After you had scanned the entire room and were finished exploring from my arms, you closed your eyes and fell back to sleep.  While this process took a lot longer than your tired Mom had hoped for, I realized that this is exactly what I want you to do, even if it is at 4 am and I'm tired.  Now I only wish I could figure out a way to know what you're thinking as you're exploring the world.

2 Months Old!

You are 2 months old today!  I cannot believe how quickly the time is flying, not to mention, how big you are getting.  In addition, you are cooing up a storm, you tend to sleep between 6 and 9 hours between one feeding at night (which lets dad and I get some good sleep too), and you're alert, looking around, and enjoying all the new things in your surroundings.  In addition, you really like to kick our bellies with your feet when you are eating and you like to play games like steal the burp cloth and then provide a little spit up for us.  Tonight, you got dad twice and you were laughing at him afterwards (it was classic and had us laughing too). 

#1

#2 (although a little harder to see since Dad is wearing a white t-shirt - but you got him around the center)

You also really enjoy taking baths.  If you're fussy or not having a good night, when you hear the water running and Dad is getting you ready for the tub, you settle down almost immediately.  This week you really enjoyed the duck towels and of course we thought you were super cute with the ducky on your head.

Finally, another picture of you on your two month birthday. 

You're growing so big and changing every day.  We are taking pictures all the time to make sure we remember all these moments and trying to store the memories in our brains so we never forget these times with you (although I'm sure they will be replaced by others in the future).  Love you little man, Happy 2 month Birthday!

Iowa Weekend

This weekend was your first trip to Iowa (Dad's home state).  This marks the second state you have been to and the second overnight trip you have been on since you were born.  We headed south for a shower with Dad's family and to visit Grandma and Grandpa Weber.  Plus you were able to meet your Auntie Liz and your cousin's Tayton and Owen.  We have several pictures of you with them.  You boys sure enjoyed being around each other and I think Tayton and Owen are excited to play/rough house with you when you get bigger. 

Here's pictures of you with Tayton and Owen (both of your cousins wanted to hold you!):

Here's you with Auntie Liz

And one more picture of you with your cousin Owen.  He was so taken by you and loved to come give you kisses (he even enjoyed giving you kisses on your piggies) or look at you.  When you cried throughout the weekend he tried to calm you.  Both boys were so excited to see you, but Owen could not stay away and always wanted to check on you to make sure you were doing ok.  Here is one more picture with your cousin Owen.

Auntie Liz threw a great shower for you and you got a lot of nice things from all of Dad's family.  You are definitely one spoiled little man.  We are so thankful to have so many amazing people in our lives and so glad they could all meet you this weekend. 

We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Weber's house this weekend and you loved to look at their lights.  You were such a good boy and slept very well in a room with Dad and I.  The rooster woke you up this morning and I think you enjoyed your first visit to the farm as you didn't cry much at all but enjoyed looking around to see the new things around you.  I'm sure you will love visiting the farm when you get bigger and can go out to explore and work on the farm with Grandpa.  He already has big plans for you and was thinking you should start helping him this weekend.  You and your cousins will definitely be following Grandpa in a line as you get older and we are excited for you to experience life on the farm like your Dad did when he was little. 

On our way home today, we stopped to see Dad's cousin Eric, his wife Brenda, and their son Elliot.  Elliot was born in January and is just about two months older than you.  We thought it would be fun to chronicle your lives with pictures at milestones throughout your life.  So today was the first time you met and a picture was taken.  In this picture, cousin Eric is holding you while Dad holds Elliot. 

So your first trip to Iowa was a success and we are so lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives.  Once again your Dad and I were reminded of all the great blessings in our lives.