Three Months Old

I can’t put any official weight and height measurements because Sweet Pea doesn’t go back to the doctor for another month. I can only say that he is definitely growing – bigger, longer, stronger and more handsome! He is officially out of the 0-3 month clothes and I need to start using the 3 month clothes up because I have no idea how much long he’ll be able to use those. We could probably move him into size two diapers too but we have a ton of size ones we want to use up. Waste not, want not and all that.

Lots of events this last month so I’m probably not going to remember them all. The big ones were his first Christmas, first time staying at the Jess’ parents’ house (and first official road trips) and the start of ‘daycare’. I’m continually in awe of how much love this little guy receives. Our trip to Spring, TX for Christmas showed us that multiple times. We got to show off the baby to the extended family and friends and he received lots of attention from his aunt, uncle, nana and grandpa. Babies really do bring hope and love to the people around them – even though they are the most self-centered little beasts!

Grandpa Love

Nana Love



First Christmas!

His girlfriend (he wishes)!

I started back at work right before New Year’s which meant Sweet Pea started going to Rachael’s home for care during the day.  The first week was really rough: just going back to work and getting used to that again; figuring out a morning routine for getting out the door with him and getting to work on time; and waking up for a feeding in the early AM without the possibility of a nap or sleeping in. With his last feeding at 10:00 PM, he’s waking up between 3:30 AM and 4:30 AM (though I heard rumor that he slept to 5/5:30 at Nana’s a few times). I’ve got to say that the first time he slept to 4 AM instead of 2 AM, which was the week before Christmas, was amazing to me! I felt so refreshed and over-joyed at my champion sleeper. But now that I can’t go back to sleep with him until 8 AM, I’m wishing he would extend this time by another hour or so. It would really help me out if you could work on that, Sweet Pea. 

The biggest adjustment with returning to work is simply not being with him during the day and getting used to someone else caring for him and experiencing all the ‘firsts’ before we do. His daycare arrangement is awesome though. We are so grateful that Rachael and Donavon opened their hearts and their home to our baby. He gets to be entertained by their beautiful, loving kids during the day and is utterly exhausted when he gets home! I know Rachael will care for him like he’s her own and that makes me feel at peace while at work.

Sweet Pea, even though there were times during the last three months that I was longing to go back to work just to get away from you (I know, but I'm just being honest - it was hard!), I’m sad that we don’t have that time alone together anymore. It was such a huge time of change and adjustment but there were many precious moments that I will cherish. The last few weeks of the year were especially fun – you started really looking around at things, taking an interest in your surroundings and in your dad and me. You started smiling every day, multiple times a day and laughing and entertaining yourself with babbling thoughts that you found hilarious. I actually put you in your crib one day over the weekend and you stayed there for forty minutes without crying! Every time I checked on you, you’d smile up at me and then go back to moving those arms and legs and laughing. You probably would have stayed content longer but I picked you up wanting to share in your happiness and get some more smiles for myself.

There is nothing better than your smiles. Your eyes literally twinkle and your smile has this shy, flirty quality to it that melts my heart – if you could bat your eyes, I think you would! You’ve gotten so much stronger and can basically hold your body upright when being carried (as long as you’re not too sleepy – then the bobble head comes back). On your tummy you can pop your whole upper body up reminding me of a prairie dog and when I put you in your crib, I often find you with your feet where your head used to be. You have also discovered the TV this month and it is utterly mesmerizing to you. We try not to let you watch because it is bad for your new little eyes but you’ll fight us and contort your body to get a glimpse! We haven’t put you in your crib to sleep yet but should probably start because that bassinet is getting a bit too cozy; you’re head and feet almost touch both ends at the same time! I just find it easier being in the same room with you during the night still.

Your legs are moving like you want to crawl, your mouth is moving like you want to talk and you no longer want us holding you all the time and actually stop crying when we put you down sometimes. I can see the future and it is filled with pure energy with my baby boy on the move wanting to explore everything!  

Love you!




Crazy eyes

Bottle bliss

Back to Work

First day back to work and I'm missing my baby intensely. I know he's being taken care of but I wish he was home with me. So, I'll add to my misery by looking at pictures of him for most of the day! These are from his photo session. Isn't he adorable?!?!

Holy Water and HOLY, ICE!

Sweet Pea was baptized on December 8, 2013. This also corresponded with one of the worst ice storms in DFW history (at least my history in DFW). My family and Jess' family were planning on coming in to witness and celebrate this event in the little guy's life. Then the Icepocalypse hit. My parents came into town the night before the storm so they were only stuck at the hotel for most of the weekend - unbelievable! At least they got to spend some time with the baby and see how much he's already grown in just a month. (I can't wait to take him to Arizona some time this year - I hope.) The Atlanta contingency didn't have any problem with flights but David's flight was cancelled and delayed numerous times. He finally was able to get on a flight that arrived late on Saturday. We told Jess' family to not even attempt the drive - the roads were horribly dangerous and we didn't see the point in risking their lives for a 15 minute ceremony. Sweet Pea's Godparents, Bryan and Colleen, were great sports about making the trek to UD and we were fortunate enough to have Rachael, Donavon, their kids, along with my cousin Peter and one of his adorable kids, at the church as well. The ice remained until the middle of the next week and flights out were cancelled and delayed as well. I think it is safe to say that my family will not be travelling back to Dallas during the winter for years to come.

Sweet Pea was asleep through the entire Mass; therefore, he was wide awake and more than willing to cry during his entire Baptism. I was thinking we needed an exorcism instead. My mom helped me dress him in the gown that her grandmother had made into a Baptismal gown out of her wedding dress. Several generations in my family had worn the same gown and it is wonderful that he is now apart of that chain as well. Father Dan Dvorak did a great job and I think Jess and I were the only ones cringing and stressing out while trying to hush our newest little Catholic. All the crying wore him out (and maybe a bit of that sanctifying grace helped) and he slept for the next four hours straight. Go figure.

St. Luke and St. Andrew, please pray for our little guy. And welcome to the Body of Christ, Sweet Pea!