Two Months



Weston at one month and two months...we are losing hair and gaining fat rolls and pinchable cheeks.

 Holy moly!  How can a baby change so much in just one short month?!  And how can I already love something so much?

Weston, you are, without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I feel like in the last few weeks I've finally become the person I was meant to be...all because of you.  I don't know how else to describe it other than to say that being your mom makes me want to be the best of who I am.  Everyday with you brings me the greatest joy. 

You are such a happy baby and you love to smile and laugh...my favorite sound.  You are getting good at lifting your head up but you still prefer to exercise those legs during tummy time.  Lately you've been staring at your hands and feet and figuring out they are attached to you.  When you're awake, you are always alert and looking around at what's going on.  And, Lord have mercy, you are the squirmiest little thing.  I'm guessing this means you will be very active when you start crawling and walking???  Daddy and I are trying to prepare ourselves.

Happy two months to the little boy that makes our world go 'round.  We love you more than you will ever know.

Photo Card

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I'm posting our birth announcements that I just ordered (2 months late...I know, I know) so I can get a discount on my next Shutterfly order. I just can't resist a discount. :)

Sunny days, chasing the clouds away...

I give today's weather a perfect 10.  And yesterday's for that matter.  It. is. awesome.  There's something almost magical to me about when the seasons change from summer to fall and winter to spring.  And those first few days of change when the weather is so absolutely beautiful that you can't help but spend time outside...perfection. 

So today, we decided to have some tummy time in the backyard.  We also read a book, sang some songs, and played fetch with Dixie.  Here are a few pics.

Instead of lifting his head up, Weston likes to push with his legs and lift his little booty in the air.  :)

I couldn't get a smile out of him...I think he was distracted by all the new sights and sounds.

I cannot get enough of the eyelashes.

Or this face.

"Enough pictures mom."

What a great day.  Come to think of it, everyday I get to spend with my baby boy is a great day.  But we prefer them with perfect weather. :)

What's up doc?

One health baby...that's what's up! 

Today was our two-month checkup and first round of vaccinations.  Ugh.  But our little guy was a super trooper (as long as we ignore one small hissy fit when we first arrived...and by small I mean so loud I could barely hear what the nurse was saying) and only cried for a few seconds after his shots.  Plus J took a long lunch break so he could go with us which means he got to hold Weston while he got poked and I didn't even have to watch.  Thanks daddy!

Weston now weighs 11 lbs. 10 oz. (55th percentile) and is 23.8 inches long (80th percentile).  Our baby is growing so fast!  The doctor says he's doing great and even told us...wait for it..."You're doing an awesome job."  Sigh...sometimes you just need someone to say it out loud...even if you're not entirely sure it's true. :)



On our way to the doc!  Could I love this little punkin' any more?  Doubtful.



Battle scars.

Hangin' out with big sister makes everything better...Dixie's not so sure. 
(I'm loving the little jelly rolls on his legs!)

Bonus:  Brother man has slept like a champ all afternoon.  And check out those eyelashes.  I die.

Does anything feel better than knowing your child is healthy and happy?  I'm thinking no...so grateful.

Around the house

We've finally gotten semi-settled into a routine around here...ya' know, now that I only have two weeks until I go back to work (sniff, sniff) and it all gets shot to heck again.  I'm very hesitant to even put this in print because as soon as I say he will behave a certain way, the complete opposite happens...but, Weston's been pretty good about napping during the day and sleeping for several hours at night.  Thank you Jesus.  The crying marathons are getting fewer and further between and, most of the time, we can figure out how to make them stop.  So, right now I'm feeling pretty lucky and blessed because, for the most part, we have a happy, healthy baby.

Here are a few pics from around the house this week.

Sharp-dressed man

Male pattern baldness.  That full head of hair he was born with is slowly receding and being replaced by some nice peach fuzz. :)

This happy baby loves bathtime.  It's always a prime chance to pee on mom and to stare at himself in the mirror. 

Baby's best friend

We celebrated my grandmother's 97th birthday with family this weekend.  We ate lots of food and Weston got passed around and played attention hog. 

Tomorrow we're off to the doctor for two-month shots and this girl is having severe anxiety about my sweet baby getting stabbed with a needle.  I'm gonna say there's about a 100% chance we will both leave in tears.  Here's hoping all goes well. 

Target and pumpkin spice lattes...these are a few of my favorite things

What makes this girl happy? Well, that question has multiple answers, but one of them is a successful trip with just me and my boy to Target. Some may or may not be aware of a slight obsession I have with Target...as in, about 75% of my wardrobe comes from there. So when my first attempt to take Weston a few weeks ago was an epic fail, I thought my Target shopping days were over.  But yesterday I decided to try again.  And I knew it was gonna be a good day when the first thing I saw was that the in-store Starbucks is now serving pumpkin spice lattes...mmmm...heaven in a cup.  And besides a short crying session in the shoe department, Weston was a perfect little angel.  Apologies to the man who came around the corner and heard me shushing, then turned around and shushed his wife...I promise I wasn't telling you to be quiet.

So, mama was able to buy some shoes and baby got some new shades.

And a happy mama makes a happy baby. :)

If you're wondering why I would write about a trip to Target, it's because this is big for us me.  A few weeks ago, I was afraid my life would be limited to 30 minute trips to the grocery store before J calls and says the baby won't stop crying...or the only eating out we would do would be from a drive-thru.  But this Target trip gives me hope.  Hope that I won't die of cabin fever and that as much as it irritates you when you have a tiny baby and people tell you "it gets better"...it is actually getting better. 

We're learning what Weston likes and dislikes and how to keep him happy...and I think that may be my most favorite thing of all.  Plus raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.

Picstitch

I'm sure I'm way behind for just now discovering this, but I just downloaded the free pic stitch app on my phone. Love it!

Sounds like a good excuse to post pictures of an adorable baby I know! :)

This little fella has been practicing his sweet smile on mom lately. It's sure gonna be hard to say no to that face!

Update

One month.  How is it possible that this baby has been here one month?  (Update: Weston is actually 6 weeks now...his mama has just been too busy to finish this post that's been sitting unfinished for over a week.)  And he's changed so much already, I can hardly keep up.  I've found that a HUGE part of being a parent is hanging on to fleeting moments and trying to enjoy them to the fullest...at least it's been that way for me.  It's so easy to get overwhelmed with a newborn when he's not able to do anything for himself, but I've had to stop and remind myself that he's only this little for such a short time...and I'd better soak up every second.  Because all too soon he won't need me to put his paci back in when it falls out, or feed him, or change his diaper.  So, that's what's been happening around here...me trying to enjoy every little detail about this short time when I'm home with my boy and it's just the two of us. 

But, there have been a few happenings other than sitting on our butts at home.

We've had LOTS of visitors...these are just a few.

Cousin Brittany

Cousin Bre.  Shout out to Bre and Britt for driving 2 hours and cleaning my house, folding my laundry, and taking me out for Mexican food before I went to the hospital.  I've said it before and I'll say it again...best. family. ever.

 

My good friend Christy

Aunt Debbie

Weston's great grandma "KK"

My best friend Brittany

Cousin Amy

We had our first photoshoot.

The pictures are by Natalie Gray Photography...we loved her!

 Weston met his grandpa for the first time.

My dad had to move to Colorado for work a month before Weston arrived, so he wasn't able to be there with the rest of the family when he was born.  Now my mom has moved out there too...tears :(

We survived a wedding on a boat with no major meltdowns.  Congrats to my cousin Brittany and my new cousins JB and Noah!

Eyes closed...classic.

This is me praying Weston wouldn't start screaming at the reception.

We've made the two and a half hour trip to grandma and grandpa's twice before they officially "moved" but I don't have any pictures.

And I've done lots and lots of snuggling with my sweet boy.  I hope he's always down to cuddle like this with his mama.  Nothing makes my heart happier.

Please ignore hair...mine, not Weston's.

Now that my parents live on the other side of the country, I promise to try and keep the blog updated...especially with baby stuff.  If you're not into baby stuff, then you just don't know what's cute. :)

A few things...

1. Parenting. Is. Hard. I knew, but I didn't KNOW.
2. Somehow our less than two-week-old is spoiled. After swearing it wouldn't happen, it happened. How?  I don't know.  He will not sleep unless someone is holding him...he cries...and cries...and cries...and that makes doing anything else (eating, going to the bathroom, brushing teeth, etc.) pretty much impossible.
3. I may or may not have had an epic meltdown caused by #2 on this list.
4. My lunch sat in the microwave for over an hour before I had time to eat it today.
5. J goes back to work on Monday and I have no clue how to do this on my own. I am in need of prayer.
6. I am having severe anxiety about traveling 2 hours with a newborn to be a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding next weekend. Xanax may be in my near future.  Did I mention the wedding is on a boat?  I have nightmares about people throwing themselves overboard when Weston won't stop crying.
7.  My mom left yesterday morning after staying with us for a week and a half...and I cried...hard.
8.  My baby still will not breast feed.  Many tears have been shed on both sides.  (Anyone noticing a pattern here?  Crying and anxiety...poor J.)
9.  I would pay someone big bucks to hold a paci in a newborn's mouth all night.
10.  Despite the whiny tone of this post, I am so in love with our sweet angel.  Like, a words-can't-describe-do-anything-in-the-world-for love.  And due to #2 snuggling with a side of kisses is now a favorite pastime around here...so I can't  complain too much. :)

I'm hoping I have time to be back soon with some non-whiny posting.  Until then, here is another picture of our precious baby.

Hello World!

My name is Weston and I am the sweetest, cutest, most precious baby in the whole world.  I am good at sleeping, snuggling, making dirty diapers, and melting my mommy's heart.

Likes:

• Squirting Mommy and Grandma
• Sleeping in my crib
• My pacifier
• Staying in a routine

Dislikes:

• Breastfeeding (this makes Mommy really sad)
• Wet or dirty diapers
• Being too cold
• Overstimulation

Stats:

• Born July 23 at 7:35 pm
• 7 pounds 10 ounces
• 21 and a half inches long
• Lots of black hair from my daddy

Now, I am off to do some more snuggling. :)

Mission Accomplished

Last weekend J and I were on a mission to finally get everything hung on the walls in Weston's room.  We put this off intentionally because it's been a long-running joke that we cannot hang a picture, shelf, anything on the wall without it turning into an argument.  Or maybe it's not a joke if it's really true ;)... but combine that with pregnancy hormones and you've got the makings of a full-scale meltdown.

However, this went surprisingly well considering J cringes every time he nails a hole in his freshly painted walls.  The only thing we're not completely sold on is this wall above the crib.

J is not a fan and I'm still undecided.  I'm thinking maybe the crib looks a little naked without a mobile?  But, husband might be a tad unhappy to take this down after putting several holes in the wall.

I've had a vision in my head of a mobile similar to one of these hanging over the crib:

Image from Apartment Therapy

Image from Apartment Therapy
(Love this entire rom.)

The tutorials look pretty easy, but I'm out of motivation, not to mention time, so I'm thinking the wall will probably stay as is.

We also hung this hand-painted sign over the changing table:

I painted the sign and the dog tails are from Ikea.

And these shelves over the twin bed:

These were made for us by a family friend (thanks Mr. George) but similar to the photo ledge from Ikea.

All in all, I'm so pleased with how the room turned out.  The design (or lack thereof) may seem random, but almost everything in here is either handmade or recycled and has some special meaning.  So much of it has a history or a story behind it that tells how much Weston was loved even before he got here.  That's much more important to us than having a designer nursery that costs thousands of dollars.

Now if baby boy would just get here, he could enjoy it with us. :)

Life Lately...in numbers.

I spotted this on one of our random drives and had to get out and take a picture.  It makes me laugh...and has nothing whatsoever to do with this post.  Unless I tell you that a stop sign has 8 sides.

I recently sat through four days in a math workshop .  And in four days, pretty much the only thing I took away from it was that you should start your math instruction by having students make a list telling what is mathematical about them and share a list of your own as well.  (Side-note:  to the person who decided teachers need 60 hours of professional development...you and I are not friends...I really wouldn't mind listening to someone talk all day if I were actually learning something valuable that I could apply in my classroom...but otherwise, it is a waste of 60 hours of my time...rant over)

Anyway, here is my mathematical list.

• Days past due date: 1
• Days I have been pregnant: 281 I had to use a calculator for that one.
• Pounds gained: 25
• Pounds I hope to lose: 30 I'm putting that out there for accountability reasons.
• Thank you notes written: 153 <---not a typo...Weston racked up on the baby gifts.
• Time I woke up this morning: 4:22 Booooo to insomnia.
• Trips to Sonic: 2 in the last 24 hours
• Pieces of chocolate cake consumed: 4 in the last 24 hours
• Episodes of The Office watched: 12 in the last 24 hours Steve Carrell, I miss you so.
• Times a day I check Facebook: 50ish
• Times a day I check my email: 20ish
• Pieces of dog hair on our clothes, bed, couch, floor,  and every nook and cranny in our house: 80 bajillion...it's seriously taken over my life.
• Weight of dog who tried to lay on top of me this morning: 52 lb.

That's about all I can think of.  I think my four days of math training paid off. 

D-day

40 weeks...and still cookin'.

Dear Weston,

I guess you forgot to mark your calendar...or maybe you'll be like your daddy and have a hard time remembering birthdays.  But for the past nine months we were told that today would be yours...and you have not shown any signs of wanting to make an appearance.  I know it's comfortable in there and all, but I promise if you will just come on out, we will take good care of you.  There are so many people who can't wait to meet you, so you will always be the center of attention.  Plus, your Aunt Debbie REALLY wants to share a birthday with you.  

We've been reading you lots of books and one of our favorites is Oh, the Places You'll Go!  And you know what Dr. Seuss says about "the waiting place."  It is not a good place.  

So, come on little buddy...it's time to get this show on the road.  I'm ready when you are.

I love you so so much.

Love,

Mom

Redneck Girl?

Recently, my parents and my brother bought some land about 15 miles from where we live.  My brother and his wife are clearing trees to build a house and every once in a while J and I will drive out to look at the progress. (I'm not sure if this is a man thing or just a J thing, but he loves to drive around and look at "land"...try not to be jealous of the exciting life we lead...it's hard I know.)  So today, when asked if I wanted to go out there, my thought was "Ride around in a pick up truck on a bumpy gravel road when I'm two days from my due date?  Sure!"  Anything to get this baby moving, right?

And clad in my dress and flip flops I headed out thinking I would not be getting out of the car.  Well, as my dad says, "that's what you get for thinking," because when we got there, my brother happened to be out there working...and of course we wanted to get out and see what he was up to.  Well, in case you weren't aware,  flip flops don't mix well with ticks, snakes, or poison ivy (neither do I for that matter) so my bro offered to let me wear some boots he had in his truck.  

I only share that story to offer an explanation for this picture, which may be the most ridiculous pregnancy picture ever but was just too random not to share.

Classy, right?

And if you were like me and thinking the bumpy gravel road combined with the nine-months pregnant girl tromping around in ginormous boots might speed the labor process along...well, you'd be wrong.  

What I'm loving right now...

Dixie using Weston as her pillow

This furbaby has been extra sweet and snuggly lately.  I don't know if she senses something is going on or she just needs some extra lovin'.  Either way I'm not complaining.  Can't wait for her to meet baby brother.

Although J would never let me dress Weston this way, how cute is this?  I don't know if other mom's of boys have this problem, but it has been HARD to find cute boy outfits.  I swear every children's store I've been to is full of girly stuff and has a tiny corner for the poor boys.  If anyone has a suggestion on where to find cute clothes for boys, I would love to hear it!

I've got nothing but time on my hands lately.  So when I'm not obsessing over baby stuff, I'm also loving thinking about clothes that I will wear when I'm no longer carrying a basketball under my shirt.  Here are some looks I've pinned that I love...

Oh, skinny jeans, will we ever be friends again?

I'm thinking a skirt worn this high could be very forgiving of a few jelly rolls.

In other news, I went to the doctor today.  Baby seems content to just hang out and stay in his warm little space for the time being.  The doc thinks he will probably be a late arrival but we are hangin' in there!