Give me the PEAS, please!

MMMmmm, peas!

Jack has been eating rice cereal for a few weeks now. What to Expect the First Year suggests waiting until babies are four months before introducing any type of solids. I decided to go against my baby-raising bible when I realized Jack was drooling when I would cook dinner, still hungry after 6 ounces of formula, and almost sitting up on his own at 3 months. I guess some babies do things on their own time, right? So, last week I ventured into homemade baby food --- and Jack got his first try of my creation --- PEAS! He was all smiles after his first few bites.

Baby food is really, really hard for me. I'm such a clean freak. And, feeding a baby mooshy peas is anything but glamorous. If Jack is over his food, he'll do this cry/spit out attack move that covers him and me with baby slobber and food. Yum! I decided I'm going to strip him down to almost nothing and feed him, at least until more food gets into his mouth than on the bib.

It has been fun experimenting with making my own baby food. Why would anyone pay so much for the little packaged baby food when it's cheaper and healthier to make your own? So far I've made homemade baby peas and carrots. I have big plans for the future once we're settled in our house and I have a new kitchen to cook in! Watch out, Gerber!

Thanks for the new grub, Mom!

Get these stinkin' peas of my face...NOW, please?

Happy 4 Month Birthday, Jack!

I can't believe I'm saying this: Jack is four months old!

Milestones: Jack has figured out rolling - both ways! Sometimes we go into his nursery and find him comfortably laying on his side to sleep! He can roll over from his tummy to his back, and from his back to his tummy. He doesn't do it often, but he knows how. He has the most adorable giggle. It's more like a "hhhhuuuuhhhhhaaa" grunt than a "ha ha ha" usual giggle, but we love it all the same. We can usually get him to giggle by changing his diaper, peering over him while he's playing away at his gym, or when we give him raspberry kisses on his tummy. Adorable!

Weight: Huge? He's probably over 15 pounds would be my guess. His last "official" weigh in was months ago and he was pushing over 13 pounds. Whenever a stranger peers over his carseat and asks how old, we usually get "wow, he's big". Yes, we know! I'm glad I have a chubber butt.

Diaper size: Size 2. I have boxes and boxes of this size, so I'm hoping he stays in them for awhile...

Clothes size: 3-6 months for most clothes; some jammies we're bumping up to 6-9 months so his little tootsies have room. He's got some big feet! He has a huge wardrobe of 3-6 month winter clothes that we're trying to make sure he wears. I'm excited for his 6-12 month wardrobe that's filled with plaid shorts and polos.

Sleep: We have a champion sleeper on our hands, and we're crossing our fingers it continues? We put Jack down for bed around 8, he wakes up cooing around 6 or 6:30, and then naps until about 8 or so. We did, however, decide to change up our schedule one night last week and instead of putting him to bed around 8, we tried around 7. STUPID mommy and daddy! Jack was up every few hours and my aunt said he ate and ate at daycare the next day. Lesson learned...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Favorite activities/things: Gym, cuddling with mom and dad, getting kisses from Maggie, getting his diaper changed, bath time and being naked.

Eating: We're onto solids, people! Jack chows down on rice cereal. We've even ventured into homemade baby food. His first adventure: peas! They are nice and green, and I've discovered the amazing Dreft stain remover this week. He's still trying to figure out what this whole solid food stuff is, but it's pretty cute! Otherwise, he's eating about 6 oz of formula every 3 hours.

Nicknames: Big man, Buddy, Booger, stinky butt, "yaaack", Baby Jack Ribs, I'm sure there are more...

Talking: just babbles. He's a chatter bug, though, which I love!

New adventures: Solids, rolling, babbling.

Eric and I are really enjoying this stage of babyhood. He's fun-loving, playful, and genuinely excited to see us! We can toss him up in the air without being afraid of him not being able to control his own head. We can usually figure out what each whimper and cry means, and we've figured out a perfect team routine. It's amazing that we just get to enjoy our little booger together.

We love you little {well more like big} man.

One week from today...

One week from today we will be finishing up packing our little lives into perfectly organized and labeled u-haul boxes...for the last time.

One week from today we will spend our last night sleeping in this little apartment that we've called home for the last two years. No longer will we be seconds away from all of the West Des Moines amenities we are used to. Good-bye Tan World, Maximum Fitness, Super Target, and Kum 'n' Go up the street.

One week from today we will say goodbye to Jack's first home. The place we vowed would never be too cluttered with baby stuff {yeah, right}! The place we put our feet up after our three-day stay at the hospital after having our little man. The place where we figured out how to be a mommy and a daddy for the first time.

One week from today I will be the newest member of the Waukee community. I will be literally seconds away from my school, a jump across the street away from a perfect little city park, and a skip and a hop away from some great friends.

One week from today we will sign the paperwork and grab onto that little keychain of keys. We will nail the very first nail, hang the very first towel, and light the very first fire in a brand new house that we'll soon make our home.

{My pathetically wonderful new stash of Bath and Body Works goodies!}

I'm looking forward to perfectly spotless and cushiony carpet and fresh paint. I can't wait for my very own garage stall to park my Venza in. I can't wait to sink to my nose in a big, gigantic bubble bath. I can't wait to put together all of the new furniture and decorations we've searched for and picked out over the last few months. I can't wait for guests to have their own room and bathroom to stay. But most of all, I can't wait to finally have a place we'll call home --- forever.

What is Love?

Love is...

...getting butterflies when 5:00 hits. That means Eric will be home soon! I stare at the clock, play peek-a-boo with Jack, and wait patiently for his arrival. After 10 years of being together...I'm still so much in love with Eric.

...the gigantic smile I get when I get close to Jack. Whether it's 6 am and he's waking up in his crib, or when he's just playing in his gym and I peer over him from the top -- there's nothing better than his big smile. I've waited for the day that he recognizes me...his mommy.

...the big tail wiggles I get from Maggie when I walk in the door. Her little face lights up, her tail wiggles so fast, and sometimes she hyperventilates when I come home! She smothers me with kisses for several minutes as I am running around.

...having the best friends in the world. I have a perfect little group of go-tos who are there when I need them, and there when I don't. They understand everything about me -- from my terrible phone answering/call back habits to my blunt and obnoxious stories =). It used to be about how many people came, now it's all about who's there.

...walking into my classroom after a week-long break with an ear infection, and the kids are quiet and respectful! I wrote a simple note on my board "my ear hurts =(" and the kids totally acknowledged that. In one class, a student who's labeled a 'trouble maker' read aloud the directions for me and helped get class started. In another, a student quieted down class for me and got all of the students listening and paying attention.

...waking up everyday excited for what's to come. I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my job, and my life!

I am so blessed.

"Wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure." Paulo Coelho

Before...

It's amazing how one little man can change a life so much.

It's almost hard to remember life before baby. I remember wanting to wait to have a baby until we were ready...and our lives finally got to the boredom point. The point where going out wasn't much fun anymore, our careers were set and stable, and most of our friends were getting married and having babies of their own. When going to the mall wasn't about people watching for bad outfits or purses, but stroller searching for cute little ones and being envious of baby bumps.

Before Jack,
I would drag myself out of bed for yet another day. I wasn't greeted by a cooing, smiling baby waiting for a cuddle. I wasn't rushing out of work to drive as fast as I could to Jack's daycare. My focus was work and Eric- to be the best teacher and wife I could be. I'm glad I focused on those two things for several years. Now, I can focus on being a mom.

Before Jack,
Eric and I would work on the plans for the next weekend...that's about as 'in advance' as it got. We looked forward to visitors and nights out with friends. We spent all week trying to plan to fill up our days off. Now, we're not sure what a day off would look like. We talk all day long about coos, feedings, and diapers. We lay on our apartment floor covered in burp rags and bright, colorful, noisy baby toys oodling our little creation. We're almost more content when there aren't any plans for the coming weekend...

Before Jack,
I would run around every day and night looking for things to buy, do, and work on. I was so selfish! It was always about a new outfit, a haircut and highlight, or a new Coach purse. Now, Jack looking cute totally overrides myself. I'm due for a new haircut, I just forget to call to make an appointment. I haven't even thought about a new purse - my diaper bag is what I carry most of the time. And, I hardly go to the mall and pick something up for me to wear! And, that's just the way I want it. Instead of Gap, I'm rushing to baby Gap. Instead of swinging into Loft, I'm pushing a stroller through Pottery Barn Kids.

I remember watching new moms before I was one myself. I remember wondering how they did it all. How were they both a mom and a wife? How did they manage work, baby, husband, friends, cleaning? How could they not spend every waking second with their little. Now, I understand. Priorities change...for the better. It all falls into place. Everything that's meant to be, happens. Everything that doesn't matter is washed away by something more important. And that something more important is usually the adorably amazing little man you see at the top of this post...

A new baby is like the beginning of all things -
wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
Eda J. Le Shan

All Things New...

This week was full of firsts.

Friday marked the first day of a much needed spring break for me! Whew! It couldn't have come at a better time. I can't wait for an entire week of cuddling my big man, shopping, and time with Eric and friends. I am actually looking forward to the packing I plan to do as well.

Jack has his first cold. I picked him up from daycare on Friday afternoon...only to hear this awful little baby cough. It was Jack! His nose was running like crazy and his little eyes were glazed over. His first little cold. He was surprisingly happy, despite the bug he caught from daycare. We've been doing a lot of boog sucking, baths, and baby Tylenol, but otherwise he's been normal, happy little Jack!

Here's sick little baby Jack with Mr. Snuggles...his favorite new toy!

Eric and my first night out without our big man. Jack spent some quality time with Aunt Ally and Uncle Brandon as Eric and I headed for dinner and drinks with some friends. I was nervous and excited. It proved to be a fabulous night; we had a great time out and Jack loved spending time with my sister. We have some really great friends and it was nice to spend time together.

I love Eric :)

This picture pretty much sums up our night :)

Jack's first time holding his own bottle! We are working on getting him to help hold his bottle. He's got this 'smoosh it' move. When he's hungry, he'll smoosh our hands and arms to his chest and face! So, we are trying to get him to smoosh his bottle on his own. It's probably the cutest little milestone we've seen so far.
And another big first: our house is almost move-in ready! Our scheduled close date is just weeks away and we couldn't be more excited! We actually walked through it for the first time in a month today, updated pictures are coming soon...

3 Months!

Well, she's done it again! Our wonderful photographer, Jennifer Waters, took Jack's three month pictures over the weekend. It is hard to choose which ones I want to order for my desk at school!

These are just a little sampling of our big man. Can you believe he's 3 months old already!?


http://jenniferwatersphotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/jack.html

Dear Jack,

It has been three whole months since I kissed goodbye my gigantic belly and said hello to a brand new baby. Oh, how our lives have changed since the days before you.

Instead of staring at each other from across the perfectly spotless apartment, we're tripping over burp rags and blankies to watch you roll over and coo. A good night for us is no longer how long we stayed out, but if the bottles are washed and your diaper stacker is stocked up and ready for the next round of changing.

You always amaze me. I will never get over your adorable smile, attempts at giggles, and your stinky farts - probably the only thing you get from me! I love that at three months I know exactly what you want. When you cry your "waaa" cry you're just telling me "Mom, I'm bored...get me outta here!" When you rub your eyes or clench your little hands to your chest you're telling me it's time for bed. It's amazing how you aren't able to talk, however I'm able to listen.

Just a warning big man - your dad is goofy! He sings to you and he plays the Iowa fight song to you every Saturday just to get you ready for football season. He takes care of you in the mornings and makes sure you make it to daycare. You have him wrapped around your wrinkly little one-inch fingers already. I have a feeling you'll get away with everything when Daddy's in charge.

Being a mom, Jack, is the most rewarding job in the world. There are no words to describe how I feel when I'm cuddling with you. I can't wait to spend our days this summer splashing in the pool and taking walks around our new neighborhood. I can't wait for all of the little milestones that keep popping up as you grow older already. Thank you for the good night's sleep and the wet, slobbery kisses. Thank you making our little lives complete.

You are one lucky big man.

We are two lucky parents.

I love you to the moon and back,
Mom

Happy 3 Month Birthday, Jack!

Can you believe it? Time is flying by! Jack is one quarter of a year old already. The days weeks are just flying by, just like everyone told us they would. I already look back at his newborn pictures and think about how sweet, small, and innocent he was. Now, he's holding himself up, learning to roll over, and I even got his first crack at a giggle yesterday! Talk about melting my heart.

Milestones for month three:

• Slobber - is a new word I say more than 10 times in a night...maybe more! Our little man has learned how to salivate, and it's never-ending!
• Routine - is a big deal in our house. Jack has the perfect little schedule. He eats close to the same time every day and night. We put him to bed around 8:00, he wakes up around 6:30 - just like clock work! It's so amazing to expect what's next. It makes for a very happy and well-rested baby and parents!
• Giggles - which are melting my heart! He's a talkative little fella, and when he's smiling he's trying to talk, which comes out as a little chuckle. SO CUTE!
• Jack leaves his poo at daycare - we rarely have to change a stinky diaper! Only on weekends... =)
  
• Rolling over - well sort-of. While on our first "date" since Jack was born, Eric's mom called to tell us Jack rolled over for the first time! He's yet to do it since! Such a stinker...
• Size 2 diapers - now fill our closet! We've stepped it up a notch!

Keep growing, big man! I can't wait to watch you roll, crawl, and talk! Happy 3 month birthday already :) Love you, Mom