5 Months!

Thomas turned five months on the 26th.  Time is going by so quickly! Some of his new tricks (skills?) include blowing raspberries, sitting up on his own for longer periods of time,  rolling all over the place, and babbling.  He has been rolling over and sleeping on his stomach.  When he first started doing this I completely freaked out.  I would continually go in and try to roll him back or tilt his head.  After multiple times of various failed attempts (and seeking advice from experienced friends), I finally gave up and now I let him sleep however he wants.  He actually sleeps better now.

I am so grateful to have this time with him.  It's such a blessing to be able to watch him grow and change.  I don't want to miss a moment of it! Every day brings new changes and developments.

We've been going to story time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which has been so much fun.  Thomas loves the little songs we sing, and to hear the books read, but mainly he is fascinated by the bigger (more mobile) kids.  I've also met some great mommas at story time and highly recommend it!

Here are some of Thomas' five month old pictures.  He obviously loves playing with his toys.

 

More Eden Pictures

I've gotten into (amateur) photography since having Thomas.  It has been something that I've really enjoyed, especially since my models are so stinking adorable.  Here are some more pictures of my beautiful niece.  

Nashville and Baby Eden

This weekend Thomas took his first big trip to visit his brand new cousin Eden Faith.  He did really well for his first long car ride and overnight trip in a hotel.  We got stuck in Nashville traffic on our way in and Thomas became really tired and hungry.  But, we survived the hour of fussing and Thomas slept through the night in his pack-n-play.   After we put him down, John and I didn't really know what to do.  We weren't ready to sleep, but we didn't want to wake Thomas.  So we made a pallet in the bathroom and put towels and extra pillows down and watched Downton Abbey on our computer, while we ate snacks.  I could pretend that this was a selfless sacrifice and last ditch effort to make the best of a difficult evening, but we actually had a lot of fun.  It has made a wonderful memory of a great time spent together as new(ish) parents. 

I couldn't believe how small and fragile baby Eden was.  I just kept thinking that four and a half months ago Thomas was that size.  It's hard to believe how much he has grown and changed since he was born.  I was so glad that we were able to share that time with my sister, nephew, and brother-in-law.  It brought back a lot of not-so-distant memories of Thomas' first day in the world.

Baby Eden is beautiful.  She is dark haired and dark complected like her daddy.  Thomas just watched her when she would whimper or grunt.  He didn't really have much to say (as if he ever does).    But I'm just crazy about her and can't wait to spoil her. 

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day to my little love bug!

Sleeeeeeep

It's almost Valentine's Day and this year is particularly special because I am able to share it with John and Thomas.  John and I decided to celebrate early, because my niece is scheduled to arrive on the 15th!! We will be taking our first big trip to Nashville to see her.  I'm so excited to spoil her.

 I decided to take some Valentine's photos of Thomas in an adorable big boy bow-tie.  I didn't want to buy one, because I knew he would outgrow it so quickly, so I just made one myself.  Doesn't he look handsome? 

We've been really working on Thomas' sleep schedule and routine.  After a period of not sleeping consistently you begin to refer to sleep as if it is something you once had, loved, and will probably never have again.  It's almost like an amazing meal at a five star restaurant that you tried once, but can no longer afford.  You can't even say the word "sleep" like a normal person anymore.  It has instead become the long drawn out "sleeeeeeep," as if hanging on to the word will somehow get you closer to the actual activity.  Needless to say, sleep is important and becomes even more important the longer you go without it.  Getting it down has taken about a month of hard work.  Now, he sleeps from 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and takes 3 short naps during the day in his bed.  I have tried various sleep routines, methods, and techniques to get this schedule down.  I know some people naturally have easy babies who sleep whenever and where-ever.  If you are one of those parents thank your lucky stars and quit bragging about it (just kidding)!  If, however, you are anything like me, you have a child who loves to be awake and active.  Thomas doesn't want to skip a beat, which is a blessing and a curse.  I'm so happy to have a child who loves to play, explore, and socialize, but it takes extra special care to get him to sleep properly.  His reluctance to sleep had gotten so bad that he became overly exhausted and (the irony of babies) had an even HARDER time sleeping.  John and I were in a down-whirl spiral of parental misery.  First, we had to break him of being overly exhausted.  This required some gas and antacid drops and just plain ol' rocking for a couple of days.  I had to get him into a routine of sleeping, so I read that after a baby becomes fatigued you may have to rock them to sleep at the same time for three days.  This worked for us.  After that period we were able to put him into his crib at the same time that he was typically rocked.  I had to adjust our routine, making sure to do the same things before naps and bedtime.  This typically consists of a couple of stories, a couple of songs, and then to the crib while he is still awake (that's important).  At night I had to break him of his habit of waking up at 1 a.m. to eat.  To do this I first tried crying it out (at our doctor's suggestion).  It was horrible. Many long nights were spent painfully listening to him cry.  We could never make it to the 30 minute mark, which is what our doctor recommended.  I always gave in much sooner.  I eventually couldn't stand the  CIO technique so I turned to a gentler Ferber method of progressive waiting.  With this I would go back every 3-5 minutes to pat him, give him his paci, sing to him, or hold his hands.  The key was to not pick him up.  After two nights he stopped waking up and would sleep anywhere between 8-10 hours.  Although this method is exhausting the first two nights (expect not to get much sleep), it's a lot easier than having to listen to him cry and it worked like a charm.  He still fights his naps and there are times that he becomes overly tired and then he REALLY fights them.  During these times I do some progressive waiting and go back every couple of minutes while he is fussing to give him his paci, pat him, etc.  After 5 or 10 minutes he usually falls asleep. 

Sleep can be one of the biggest challenges with children.  It requires a lot of patience, prayers, and love.  Continually we are having to re-evaluate and adjust our methods to make things work for him.  I'm not going to lie and pretend it's been easy for me.  It hasn't! There have been moments that I've held Thomas screaming in my arms and I've had to ask for God's grace, peace, and help.  If you want to see yourself at your worst (and who ever would?), deprive yourself from sleep for 4 months, add the normal stresses of every day living, and sprinkle a good dose of screaming, fatigued baby on top of it.  It's incredibly humbling.  These moments are just a wonderful reminder of how much I need God and the love and support of others.  I think that realization has ultimately made me a better mother and a better person.  In difficult and joyous moments, in times of exhaustion and times of rest, in days filled with laughter and days filled with tears, I hope I am always able to remember that God's grace is sufficient.  To remind me of this lesson I've posted the words of 1 Peter 5:10 in Thomas' room: 

" After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen, and establish you."

4 Months!

Thomas turned four months old on Saturday.  I look at him and am amazed at how fast he is growing.  The swift changes that happen to children this young make the months feel like years. John and I reminisce about how different he was a month ago as if years have gone by.  "Remember when Thomas would sleep on our chest," or "remember when Thomas could fit in this onesie?" Then it dawns on you, that was last month!  Each day rolls in new developments and each week brings big changes. It's astonishing to watch.  More and more Thomas is looking less like the fragile, unblinking baby, who, with wide eyes, stares at you trying to take in and process his world.  It has become less satisfying for him to just watch, he's now ready to be a part of it!  As a result, our place is beginning to reflect his new need for exploration.  It now looks like a rainbow exploded in our house.  brightly colored toys are randomly dispersed around each room.  John and I were making the bed when we found a blue baby sock, a green pacifier, and a red chew toy.  I thought, wow, you know you are a parent when you start discovering toys tucked inside your bed.  But, to be honest, I love it.  There is an element of whimsy and an essence of childhood when you start seeing less color coordinated rooms and organized order, and start seeing sprinkles of brightly decorated toys lying around.  I love the lighthearted music, the silly books, and the soft, fuzzy, comforting cushions, and seats.  It reminds you that there is fun and life in this home.  NEW fun, and a brand NEW life. What a blessing it is to be a parent! 

 

 

All of the Small Things

 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.  

^{Psalm 139:13 & 14}

I am beyond excited to celebrate Christmas this year as a new mom.  It has amazed me how much fun I’m already having (mostly at my newborn’s expense).  There is something about pictures of babies in Santa hats that gets me, every time.  It could be worse, right?  Might as well enjoy it until he can officially tell me no.  We were able to take all of Thomas’ Christmas pictures at home.  I couldn’t bring myself to take him to a professional studio.  I envisioned screams, tears, and dirty diapers everywhere. Basically I replayed our first doctor’s appointment (shiver).  Because of that "fond" and not yet distant memory, I decided to take the cheap and easy way and just do it ourselves. I’m pretty happy with how they turned out. Of course, any picture with that face can’t be bad, right?

Despite of having a two month old, we managed to get our Christmas decorations up.  It wasn’t easy, but we did decorating spurts during his naps.  I really wanted to find Thomas his own little Christmas tree for his room.  Randomly, I got my heart set on finding him an antique feather or tinsel tree with antique ornaments.  Something about his rustic room led me to believe that he needed a unique tree. I I ended up finding a really cute green tinsel tree and bright antique ornaments at “Feather Your Nest Antiques.”  I fully anticipate having to relocate it one day and replace it with a “cooler” tree full of Lego, star wars, and car ornaments.  

Everyday Thomas continues to amaze me. Some of his new skills (tricks?) include laughing and huge smiles, rubbing his hands together, holding his head up for extended periods of time, and plenty of new noises (squeals and squeaks).  John and I have started reading books to him and he will coo and gaa back to us.  I imagine he’s making some intellectual and stimulating comment about the weak portrayal of the protagonist.  Who knows?  He could also be telling me to shut-up, but I can only speculate at this point.  Regardless, It’s really cute so I will continue for my own entertainment: Benefits of Motherhood. 

            Thomas continues to grow.  He has officially outgrown his bassinet (cue scary music!).  I plan on transitioning him to his crib after Christmas, but for now he is sleeping in his pack-n-play.  Am I crazy to be scared of this?  There is something incredibly comforting about having him next to me.  I can look over and check on him anytime during the night.  Stalker mom?  At least I’ve stopped putting my finger under his nose to make sure he is breathing.  Baby steps.

The world certainly looks different with an eleven week old.  Thomas has brought so much joy, adventure, and education into my life.  Who was I a year ago? I’m not sure I fully understand that person anymore.  It’s amazing how a child instantly changes your perspective on life. Not only perspective, but also personhood: My entire being.  It’s interesting, almost entertaining, to recall my life a year ago.  Little did I know what was waiting on me (that he was waiting on me).  Thomas has certainly humbled me.  It’s difficult to be prideful when you spend your days covered in spit-up, being unimaginably exhausted, totally disheveled, and in complete awe at this little person who has his daddy’s eyes and my nose.  I’m his mom and he depends entirely on me.  The very thought catches me off guard sometimes.  What an amazing system of human relations that has been immaculately created.  What a unique bond that is only able to exist within very specific circumstances.  I can only give glory to God for my ability to experience this.  It is such a rare and unique gift.