Big Number 3! .... UPDATED

Hey baby boy! You are three months old today!!!! We celebrated in grand style, by putting on your onesie with the "three month" sticker and having a photo shoot. Hopefully one day, you'll look back on all these pictures and marvel at your growth the same way we do each day when we look at you! So what have you been up to these days:

-You don't have an official doctor's appointment this month, so I don't have the official stats, but I think you are around 16 pounds right now. I am going to get you weighed and check you length in the next few day. Regardless of the specifics, you are a big, healthy baby.

-You are getting so very strong. You can hold your head up with the best of em and when you are laying down on your stomach, you can push up fully and look around. You scared me last night when I felt someone looking at me and realized you were peering over the side of your bassinet :)...Speaking of the bassinet, you are almost at the weight limit for it so you may be moving to the big crib soon!

-You are extremely social and I love it. You hold conversations with us and try so hard to get words out. Your little sounds are the best in the world and you respond just like you know exactly what you are trying to say.

-You light up when Joshua comes into the room. You love to see your big brother in action. Now that you are more aware and "talking" to him, Joshua loves all over you. He entertains you in the car and loves to be a helper for you, doing anything from putting your pacifier in your mouth to helping close diapers.

-Bath time still is one of your most favorite times of the day. You laugh and talk and laugh more. Just recently, you realized that if you move your feet, the water splashes up, so you are just a kicking and splashing until you get out the tub.

-You have also discovered your hands. You try your hardest to get your thumb in your mouth all the time. When you can't quite make it in there, you'll settle for putting your entire hand in your mouth and just sucking away. You love playing with your fingers.

-You are eating six ounces of formula every three hours. We tried a few times with rice cereal, but your little tummy doesn't yet like it, so we are sticking to milk. You drink your whole bottle (we just switched from the "baby" bottles to Tommee Tippie bottles and you like them okay) and burp like a champ!

-And wow baby boy, you waited until the eve of your three month birthday to SLEEP. Last night, you went down around 10:30pm and woke up at 4am, ate and went right back to sleep until 8:30am. Yay Brayden :). So mom only had to wake up once and it felt good. Of course, I kept checking on you all night to make sure you were okay, but you slept very well. Let's make sure this is a new pattern, okay? Thanks!

-All the newborn clothes are gone, over and done with. You are now in 3-6 month clothes. You have the cutest little shoes that I can't wait to get you in. Right now, you aren't really a fan of shoes, but you'll get there :)

I think that's about it. We'll transition to mom going back to work here shortly. I know you'll adjust just fine as you are the most easy-going, calm baby (except when you're hungry or sleepy). You love people and they love you! Of course, mom will miss you every second, but I am thankful to have all this time at home to snuggle with you all day and all night. We all love you to pieces.

Happy 3 months B!

***UPDATED*** My unofficial weigh-in for B suggests that he is 18 pounds now!!!! Holy batman boy! I am gonna say that maybe it's a little off, but um, yeah, he is "Beefy" as his Uncle Trey calls him :)

Waiting Room Chatter

Over the past few days, I have found myself in medical waiting rooms for one reason (B or J) or another. As always, I am observing my surroundings, keeping watch on my boys and listening to the communication around me at the same time. Well, today for some reason was different. I wanted to just yell SHUT UP as the same tired chorus of stay-at-home mom chatter was going on around me. (before I go any further, PLEASE do not take this as a negative post about those blessed to stay home with their kids, I admire yall)...Okay, back to my thoughts. As I was listening to the ramblings about who ate what and how many unwanted pounds they had all packed on, I just couldn't relate to them. I mean, well, yes, I am a mom, I have two great boys, I have unwanted pounds, etc, so on the surface, we have a lot in common, but deep down, yeah, well, there must have been something more. And I am not sure what that something is...

As these ladies exchanged labor and delivery stories, I could have chimed in. The thoughts in my head were reeling but the words left me rendered as mute. I just wanted it to stop. It seems as though each person was trying to one up each other, like each person wanted to make their story of labor tougher, their children brighter, their motherhood badge of honor more worthy...and I couldn't take it. I know we each have our journeys that are filled with peaks and valleys. We each have things to be thankful for and things we wish had worked out differently. Yet somehow, sitting among the mindless talk of strangers, I just wanted to transcend the conversations and get the hell out of dodge. So I did what I do--I zoned out and started some personal reflection...

Yes, my boys are the greatest ever. Yes, my c-section was something to contend with. Yes, breastfeeding and engorgement sucked big balls for me. Yes, I work my ass off at home to do what needs to be done...and yes, I could relate to those stories being tossed about with an indiffernt type of pride...and yes, I ignored the talk and really, I could have cared less...

The Countdown is On

Only a little over a week before I head back to work. I have been very lucky to be able to have over three months at home with B. It's been awesome. J was born in the smack of an event, so he learned early on what life with mom would be like. I was at an event and at work when he was two weeks old (thanks to Mimi's help). So there was not really and leave per se with him. B's arrival came in between events...after my first football game and before my basketball event and bowl game. Because of the timing and extra support, I decided to maximize my leave. So with medical leave, saved vacation time and a few unpaid days, B will be almost 15 weeks before I go back to work. I don't have to tell you how that just doesn't happen for most folks who have to get back to work immediately. So I don't take it for granted. We have great arrangements for B when I return to work that hopefully will work smoothly. I am spending this week getting prepped for the transition. Granted I will only be in the office a few days a week, but those of you who know me IRL know that I want all the details ironed out so that we are ready to roll without incident. I am also trying to figure out what B's schedule is. I think I have a good idea about it, but I have pretty much been letting him dictate his own schedule, so I am not sure how I would write it down for someone else to follow. And alas...

***B is becoming a better sleeper***

Yes, that deserved its own line, LOL. Pretty much he's down by 9:30, wakes between 12:30am and 1am to eat and is right back to sleep. For the past few days, he's stretched out that sleep period until (can you believe it?) between 6am and 7am!!! Wooo hooo :)...then he'll go back to sleep until I am ready to wake him to get J off to school. He's done that two out of the last three nights, so now, I am calling it a new pattern (let's not jinx it). So that's technically only up once a night for mom and I am loving it. Let's hope it continues (and the church said AMEN). Of course, it will be nice when he eliminates that midnight feeding, but yes, I am celebrating this as a victory!

In other news, J is doing well at school and has gotten several wonderful reports. He's amazing to say the least! We are still debating organized sports for him and will probably take the leap sometimes soon. He LOVES his bowling team and is quite the bumper bowler, LOL. We shall see what's next...

And project "fit my clothes" is officially back on! I have a new pilates instructor and a bike, so yes, I am riding a mile to class and taking that butt whipping and riding a mile back home. So far, so good...

Love yall...Have a good Monday :)

Tomorrow is a New Day

Today I put a (dirty) diaper in the washing machine and a bib in the trash can...It's been that kinda day. Tired much? #Motherhood! Oh well, tomorrow is a new day. Let's try again :)

and goooooooooooooooooo Saints!

We Need a Resolution?

Something about the turn of another year on the calendar naturally prompts everyone to do their best to pull out their list of intentions for the year that is new. It's a time to reflect on mistakes and successes and a time to focus on what can be done differently and better in the new year. I have never been one to make (or keep) too many resolutions in the past and I don't know that this year will be any different. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the sentiment of starting new and fresh, I just don't like the cliche of waiting until January 1st every year to do so. I'd rather make change when change needs to be made. But with that said, six days ago, I did take time to make a promise to myself that in this year, I will more specifically focus on living in the present and being more appreciative for the here and now. It's so super easy to look toward the next transition and put all your time and energy into getting there. In high school, I couldn't wait to graduate and go to college. In college, well, I wanted to just be done. In grad school, I was ready to get away from the snow and start my career. Once I got started at work, I looked for the next promotion and move. Once I became a mom, I looked toward the next milestone for J--sitting up, crawling, walking, talking, etc. So for this year and with my three guys, I just want to be fully present and fully thankful. Of course, there are still goals that I am working toward, I just won't be as consumed with them that I forget to enjoy the blessings in the here and now.

With that, my PRAYER (not resolution) for myself is that my family remain healthy and happy and that I am the best ME for me and for all of them.

I see building the blocks of success for the boys and implanting in them all that they need to raise up and be great and successful in their generation.

So do I need a resolution? I guess in some ways, I have them.

And We're Back...

As you can tell from my previous (short) post, we are back home and back to reality. Sometimes that leaves very little free time for me and on a rare moment where I can steal away some peace and quiet, I opt for a nap (when I am lucky), but more often than not, I am in fast forward trying to clean the house, do laundry, wash dishes, cook dinner, talk to mom, reply to text messages and brush my teeth all at the same time :). Despite the craziness, it's good to be back home. I will have to admit that it was nice not to have to wash a bottle or prepare formula for eleven days (thanks mom) and it was even more nice (or nicer, which is correct?) to have extra arms to love on baby B and entertain J (thanks Guncle).

Anyhow, baby B, you are 12 weeks old today! It seems like the same chorus line on repeat, but really, um, where did the time go? You are an awesome baby and now you are even more amazing when you smile, talk and laugh with us. You LOVE talking to your big brother and have just recently discovered your hands and the connection between your hands and your mouth. Well, you'll be three months old next week, so I will save the full updates for that time. But yeah, so you have finished your last trimester according to the baby books. You are out and in the world and we wouldn't have it any other way :). I try not to miss a moment of enjoying the time that I spend with you and your brother and I am so grateful that I am still able to enjoy every day with you without the pressure of working right now.

J, you are such a big boy. I was sooooo proud of you this am. You were so super excited to be going back to school that you literally RAN down the hall when I dropped you off to get to your classroom. You are doing so well in school and are the smartest kid in the class (well, of course, I think so, but yeah, so do your teachers!!!). Keep up the good work :)

To recap the holidays and the past week or so (I know this is a bit out of order, but just indulge me)...B, you did super well on your first airline flight. The flight was about an hour and ten minutes and mom, dad and J were so proud of you. You ate upon take off, fell asleep for a little bit, talked to us and refused the bottle when we were descending. I was worried that you would be fussy with your ears and the change in pressure, but you didn't make a sound. I think you're going to be an expert flyer by the time you are four just like your brother!

The boys met lots and lots of family and friends while we were at home. With my grandmother's funeral, they were able to see and meet more family than they would have on a normal holiday visit, so that, of course, was bitter sweet. I am still trying to get over the sadness that my grandmother never got to meet baby B (so don't get me started on the emotions I still have when I think about how much my dad would have adored him...it chips away at my heart each time J asks for his PawPaw as well)...Anyhow, my uncle, aunt and cousins came to visit us and we had a grand time. We also enjoyed time with the boys' paternal grandmother and great aunts. Everyone is amazed with J's growth and the development of his language and capitvated by the new little man in the family.

We brought in the new year separated. Dad had to get back home to work and we stayed behind for a few more days. Nonetheless, we were all grateful and blessed to see the year turn on the calendar. As he usually does, J stayed up with Mimi to see the stroke of midnight and celebrate in his own little way. B and dad brought in the new year in their dreams. Mom hung out with Guncle a little bit and had a good time, but missed being together with everyone. Next year, we know our celebrations will be different as we will all plan to be in one place and start our own traditions!

Well, I think that's all for now. I leave you with one of my favorite pictures of my dudes...(as the little one now awakes for food--BTW, I added a teaspoon of rice cereal to his night bottle for the first time today, let's see how it goes...)

Love yall!

Well, Maybe Not

I was just logging on to post the lengthy (and I hope interesting) holiday and new year updates, but alas, some little 14 pound being has another idea in mind. So with that, I will try again later... #bloggingtakesabackseat