Look who is 5 months old! Jack turned the ripe old age of 5 months on Sunday, all while battling his first infection, the flu. The flu hit our household while we were visiting family in Missouri and Wisconsin. We rang in the new year with snot-filled noses, ready for 2014. Actually, we all crashed before the actual ball drop, and I do believe this is the first time I didn’t stay up until midnight. Sadly, the bottle of champagne is still in the refrigerator. But I digress. Our baby boy turned 5 months last Sunday, and with the addition of movement and grasping, these pictures are becoming increasingly difficult to take. Both the hubs and I were laughing at Jack the whole session.

But don’t worry, we got a couple good ones…

The little man is oh-so-close to sitting on his own but prefers rolling and grasping objects. He also loves his feet! It seems with every diaper change, he rediscovers them. Otherwise, we’re just loving how 2013 changed our world and looking forward to learning 2014’s plan for us.

Happy New Year, Friends.

It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in the newborn waiting room crying over sore nipples and sleep deprivation, when a cute mom (she clearly had showered AND put on make-up) came into our waiting room claiming her baby was now 4 months, and she was sad that it would be the last time he would be allowed in the newborn waiting room.

She could tell both the hubs and I were much like deer in headlights after one night with our newborn at home. Jack was all but 4 days old, and I couldn’t even conceive him being 4 months someday. She and her baby looked so put together. I, on the other hand, was lucky I remembered the baby. I checked in late, and was just happy he was still breathing.

Now, with the tables turned, I’m the one holding Jack on my lap, as he laughs and smiles. I have showered, gotten eight continuous hours of sleep and am ready for the day and his appointment. In the waiting room with me is a new mom. She looks longingly at Jack, her own newborn sitting in her car seat and she looks sleep deprived. In my little time I had, I tried to give her confidence and encouragement, much like that mother had helped me. That she wasn’t crazy when she felt like she might actually shake the baby and the obligatory – “it gets better” and you will miss those sleep deprived nights.

Okay, I’ll stop talking and show you that little man! Here’s his 4 month goodness!

Jack’s definitely developing a personality! He’s such a sweet baby and gives us a lot of smiles! Besides the rolling over which he started last month, he has added grasping toys, lots of cuddles, and lots of smiles. He’s also been talking and giggling more and more! I love it. This is Jack at about 3 1/2 months talking away, Turk Talk. Anyway, we’re just enjoying the holidays.

Today, Jack turns three months old!

It is so true what everyone says, enjoy every moment with your little one, because they grow up so fast. I don’t think there is an event or outing where the hubs and I don’t hear parents tell us just that; enjoy them, it goes so fast. They look longingly at Jack, thinking of their own children and maybe their grandchildren, emphasizing how precious and fleeting these moments really are… We try to love Jack as much as we can and enjoy all his discoveries! It isn’t hard with his cute face and all those smiles!

That being said, I still cannot believe he’s mine… and three whole months.

Milestones in Jack’s world have been many. I find it hilarious how excited we get over Jack following objects, noticing colors, grasping at toys, or laughing at the dogs. His squeals of delight are some of the happiest sounds I have ever heard. He has definitely started to develop a personality. Plus, he has this shy smile that turns into a toothless grin, which makes his mom and dad both melt. Jack also started rolling over. Two weeks ago he started rolling from his tummy to back, and just last week he rolled from his back to tummy! Both the hubs and I clapped in amazement with his new tricks! He’s a pretty cool little guy.

Happy Week!

I still remember leaving the hospital that day. First, waiting to be discharged. Me from my obstetricians and Jack from the nursery. Once that was done, we had to wait, wait for our nurse to get a wheelchair. I wasn’t allowed to walk, I had to be wheeled down to the car. I thought this was quite odd and even asked if I could just walk myself. The nurse looked at me strange and was very adamant, this was procedure. I must be wheeled.

They were leaving me to fend for myself and nurture a child, yet I couldn’t walk?

My nurse was too busy to wheel me out, so they enlisted an older lady (a hospital volunteer) to wheel me down from our perch on the fourth floor down to the basement. The hubs walked out to fetch our car, and the lady struck up a conversation with me. Asking how much Jack weighed. I noted I would be saying this number a lot, so I should actually really know the answer, instead of saying 8 pounds… and picking an ounce. She said she liked bigger babies because they don’t have as many problems, slept longer, etc.

Being me, I joked and said, he might have problems if they are letting me take him home! She laughed as the hubs pulled up. He grabbed the infant carrier, as the lady wheeled me to the car and said just figure out his four cries and you’ll be fine.

She then smiled, said goodbye, and closed the door.

I looked back at Jack while waving at the lady and said to myself, Four cries? What?

– – – – –

It was one of those sleep-deprived nights when I came to Paul and asked if Jack sounded different to him. Does that cry sound different than his nighttime cry? The husband looked at me strange and said No? I don’t know? It was one of those male responses, not knowing the answer that wouldn’t make me cry.

I let him into the idea of there being different cries, and he said you’ll figure them out, in time; it’s only Week 2.

I broke down in hysterics stating I don’t know? I don’t know the difference? I’m not good at this, and I think I mentioned something about him taking paternity leave because I obviously couldn’t be a good mother not knowing his cries…

– – – – – –

Honestly, I haven’t thought about it since… Until this Friday afternoon.

I was finishing up cleaning the kitchen while Jack was in his swing; he was getting fussy and started to cry. I walked over to him, picked him up, hugged him, and said you’re just bored baby.

I stopped and thought to myself, wait, I know because of his cry. He’s just bored! I know why he’s crying bit*hes! (sorry for the profanity)

And that’s the day I realized – I’m a mom! Or at least I’m on the right track!

I’m sure there will be many times I don’t know why he’s crying, but at least I’ve got a few down!

Happy Weekend!

There is a crazy time phenomena going on in our household… the time between 8am and 6pm seems to go slow and I fumble through the day, yet this month has been the fastest month of my life. I have learned so much in this last month about myself and this kid, and I think I googled more in the last month than I ever have as well.

You can put a newborn back to bed if they have hiccups. Don’t worry, I googled it.

Jack started to give us a couple more hours of sleep at night. Thank God, because I thought we were going to have to return him. We have had a couple nights where he has slept 5 – 7 hours! We both thanked him, personally.

He’s starting to be more aware of his environment, too. Following objects and loving those ceiling fans. He’s also working on his tummy time, and I cannot wait for him to get the dogs in his sights, making tummy time even more fun. I’ll keep you posted. We also think he’s grown quite a bit, though I don’t know how much these pictures convey this? His pajamas which he was swimming in, now are beginning to fit! Go Jack!

I just cannot believe how attached I have become to this kid in such a short time. He makes me laugh daily with all of his expressions. Serious old man face (that center part in his hair and chin rolls I want to eat up!) to Toothless grin and Katy Perry “Roar” impressions! Ha. He’s such a ham and I love him SO much.

Happy one month, Jack! I’ll love you more than you’ll ever know… well, maybe when you have your first baby, you’ll realize just how much.

*Thanks Rachael, Matt, & Will for the adorable overalls!

Since having our dogs, I never thought twice about spending money on them. I would think long and hard if I was considering something for myself, but with our dogs it was another story. Otis our pug was referred to a dermatologist for his allergies. Before we knew it, he was getting patch tested and put on immune specific allergy shots, ketoconazole shampoo, and a strict rabbit formula diet. Because rabbits are less allergenic? I’m serious. Yes, it was expensive, but these were our babies and we want the best possible life for our K9 family!

That being said, that idea has now extended to our baby boy. I can see it already. While we were in the hospital, they had a photographer come in and take a couple pictures of him. It took all of 20 minutes to get him naked, prop him up on some white sheets, and the photographer to do her thing.

I thought to myself: I could do that at home. Don’t agree to the photos Sarah.

She then uploaded them and put them to some sentimental music and loving quotes on some generic PowerPoint deck, inevitably making me feel these days are fleeting and obligating me to buy the photos. I looked at the hubs and he knew all too well, regardless of what I said prior to the photographer coming into the room… we’re buying them. They are only that little once, right?

Don’t worry, I bought them without the cheesy backgrounds and music. I have some standards.

With that, I wanted to share some of the expensive 20 min photo shoot with you! Jack’s all but 3 days old here! He’s already changed so much.

Maybe this will prepare me to saying “no” to the 96 count crayons and make Jack get the 24 count instead. Or the Air Jordan’s he’ll claim he needs to play basketball that much better.

… I’ll probably say yes to both. Because he’s worth it, the photos where worth it, and his mom’s a sucker for him already.

This week the hubs headed back to work, which left Jack and I alone to fend for ourselves.

I’m a rather anxious person by nature, and the idea of being alone was no exception. What if I don’t know what he needs? It reminds me of the those survival shows. They send contestants out to some remote destination and see if they survive. Except, I’m in Dallas, and have all the amenities one would need to succeed. Plus, it’s my kid; my prize is keeping him happy for a whole week.

Though it does feel like I’m in an African desert because of this Texas heat! Horrible. It’s been triple digits all week, making it not the ideal environment to head outdoors with a newborn.

It turns out, Jack is pretty easy. Right now at least.

• He likes his sleep. Just not at night.
• He doesn’t like hats or being swaddled when sleeping. Hands above the head is a must. Genetic? See above.
• He’ll fall asleep 99% of the time while feeding, so I must change his diaper, clothes, etc, between sets.
• He’s a sweetheart and going easy on his mom.

Other than that, I stare at his face for hours and take way too may pictures of him.

Happy Weekend Friends, and thanks Jack!

We survived a whole week with Jack in our lives! I guess, more like, he survived a whole week with us! Either way, here’s his one week photo! I plan to do these until he leaves for college…

I’m only mildly joking.

BUT I might refer to him in weeks or months until then. Ha.

And one outtake that makes me laugh every time! What a ham!