2 Months Old

2 Months Old
May 23, 2012

Our little Collier-bug,

You're two months old now, and it seems like our lives are smoothing out a bit from the crazy unpredictability of newborn-ness, as you settle into a routine.  It feels like both yesterday and a hundred years ago that we brought you home, and we can't imagine our lives without you now.

You had your two-month checkup on May 24th, and are such a healthy boy!  You're meeting all of your milestones, and growing just like you're supposed to.  You weighed 11 lbs, 13 ounces, and were 24 inches long.  You also got your first set of vaccines.  Let me tell you, Mommy was SO nervous about this.  I had to take you by myself, and I dreaded the thought of you being in pain.  Sweet boy, you were such a trooper.  You only cried for a second, but still managed to break my heart a little.  Afterwards, you were kind of clingy and fussy, and I was happy to hold and rock you all afternoon.

We brought your glider into the living room, so we could spoil you after having your shots. 

Playing, showing off your little band-aids

This month, you have developed quite a few new talents.  You are smiling, cooing and talking to us more, which we love!  You sometimes make a smacking sound, and you turn toward us when we kiss your sweet chubby cheeks.  You love to have our full attention, but are also content to sit on your own (provided you are not hungry, wet, or tired).  You are starting to figure out your hands, and seem happy when they find their way to your mouth.  You're also sleeping like a champ--most nights from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am (thanks! :).  You've also discovered how to pout.  Bug, you totally know how to work that sweet sad face, and we fall for it every time...you've got us figured out!  You like playing under your gym or just on the floor.  You like to be sung to while you're playing:  we mostly sing made-up songs about your toys or body functions, but you also like "If You're Happy and You Know It".  You still dislike bath time, and you also dislike being held lying down--you want to see what's going on!  You really dislike being tired.  When you're sleepy, nothing will do but getting you to nap.

Collier and Mommy

Having some tummy time, which you usually don't mind too much.  You usually look a little like Superman when we put you on your tummy--arching your back to look up and around. 

Talking to Daddy--you always have lots to say!

Demonstrating your new pouty  face....works every time :)

We've had some ups and downs this month...some days it seems hard to keep you happy, and some days you don't want to sleep when you are clearly tired, but don't understand why you feel badly.  But we know that you're just trying to figure out this big world, and we're so excited to watch you do just that!

7 Weeks Old and Kathryn and Miller Visit

I'm a bit late on catching up our blog..sorry!  :)

Collier's 7th week of life was super-exciting!  He celebrated his awesome mommy on Mother's Day (I'm sure he thinks I'm awesome...I'd think anyone who'd wake up in the middle of the night to make me a snack is awesome :), and our friends Kathryn and Miller came to visit!  Kathryn is one of my best friends from high school, who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Her husband is a tennis pro, and they spend the summers in Banner Elk, NC, which is closer to Tennessee, making the trip to visit easier (Hurray!!  6 hours instead of 9!!!).

Kathryn is one of those friends they write Hallmark cards about.  Seriously.  There aren't words for the kind of genuine, true friend that she is.  If we have to go a day (or, God forbid, a weekend) without talking, I just feel off.  We don't get to see each other often; the last time was when she came to throw us a shower for Collier back in February (read about that here).  This time she brought her adorable one-year old son, Miller, who I have not seen since he was four weeks old.  He taught us a lot about the baby-proofing that will be necessary in our house in the coming months! :)  We had a wonderful, low-key time while she was here:  playing with the boys, eating yummy food, going to the park, and a special playdate with our friend Ashley and her twins Mac and Paisley.  Thanks so much for coming to visit, Kath!  I miss you already!

Kathryn and sweet Miller at the park.  He turned one last week.

Collier and Mommy swinging. 

I'm still amazed at how people have two babies at a time.  I have several friends with twins...how do they do it?!?!

Collier and Miller in their matching outfits.  Thanks, Aunt Kathryn! :)

Collier wasn't thrilled about our continued photo session.  Miller, however, is super excited about a balloon leftover from Chris' birthday.  Precious! :)

Collier getting some Aunt Kathryn love

On our play date with Ashley, Mac, and Paisley.  I wonder what our neighbors were thinking (probably that they aren't going to drink the water around here anymore...)

We love you!  Thanks for visiting!

My first Mother's Day

I remember when I was little, trying to make Mother's Day special for my mom. I'd make a home-made card (which I'm sure was a fantastic display of construction paper and glitter), pick flowers (or dandelions from the yard), and go with my dad to choose a gift (I'm sure she needed another bathrobe). Isn't it fitting that we set aside a day to celebrate Moms? Mine is pretty awesome. She taught me a lot (topping the list...how to sew and make a grocery list organized into departments at the grocery store. Brilliant!), and has always loved me like no one else. As a mom for the first time, I can say with certainty that a Mother's love is something completely different than anything I've ever experienced. I read once that choosing to become a mother is choosing to forever have your heart walking around outside of your body. So true! Now I better understand how my own mother loves me, and that's pretty cool.

But Mother's Day isn't just about celebrating the moms who gave us life...it's about celebrating all of the women who mother...those who teach, heal, love, and serve those around them. I don't think it's birth that makes you a mother, it's love.

Sorry for the sappy sound-off. :) Now, for some cuteness! Look what I woke up to Sunday morning. Two super cute guys to love on me. Love these two!

Road Trip!

Chris and I have always been "on the go" people.  At least one weekend a month, for the entire time we've been married, I think, we've been going somewhere.  I can't remember how many times we were told, "Once the baby gets here, it's not going to be as easy to just pick up and go!".  Boy, were they right!  We went away for the weekend for the first time last weekend, on a fun trip to Chattanooga.  We had a great time, and we all enjoyed a change of pace, but preparing for a weekend road trip has changed quite a bit!  Where we used to take 10 minutes to throw some stuff in a bag, I now need 3 hours to pack...change a diaper...pack more...feed a baby...pack and repack...rock a baby.  Here's a summary of preparing for our first weekend adventure:

Several million changes of clothes, blankets, burp rags, etc.  I still managed to forget a jacket for the little man.  Whoops!

All of our feeding accessories.  Because, of course, nursing is the more "convenient" choice, and you don't need to pack formula and stuff. (Can you sense the sarcasm? :)

Our other accessories:  pack and play (which was the bane of my existence...it took an HOUR for me to figure out how to fold it up.  I'll admit, there were several "non-mommy" words that came out of my mouth), rock and play seat, sound machine, boppy...

Our stuff takes up more room now!  I also managed to forget any of the dog's stuff.  Luckily Chris' folks' dog, Jack, was willing to share some food. 

Collier is so excited!  Have we mentioned that he LOVES his car seat? :)

He's a little more chill now.  And always super precious. 

Turns out, our little adventure was fairly painless.  We spent some time with family, got to take in our nephews' baseball game, traveled to Atlanta for a concert, and had some sweet Mother's Day time (see next post).  We also left Collier with his Papa and Gram for the first time, while we went to the concert.  I'll admit, I didn't think I would be as anxious as I was leaving him...I knew he was in such great hands, but I felt like a little part of me was missing the entire time we were gone.  I'm sure that will get a little easier as time goes along, but it's just another indication of how deeply having a child changes you.  That, and the amount of junk you need to survive a weekend away. :)

Happy Birthday, Chris!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Chris' 28th birthday was this past weekend, which means that he is MUCH older than me.  Until October, anyway.  As many of you know, I am a really big fan of birthdays, and really don't feel like one day is enough time to celebrate the people that I love.  (I have my own "Birthday Extravaganza" every year).  So, we spent the weekend celebrating Chris, and doing many of the things that he enjoys the most.  Chris is a pretty low-key guy, so his favorite things are pretty easy for me to accomplish:  dinner on a patio, sleeping in, the Kentucky derby (my horse never wins...maybe has something to do with the fact that I pick the one whose jockey is wearing the shirt I like best), grilling out with friends, a picnic, and hiking.  We are continuing his birthday celebration next weekend as we see his favorite music group, Zac Brown Band, in Atlanta.  It's great to spend a little time letting Chris know how great he is, and how glad we are to have him in our lives.

Blowing out the candles

Chris is explaining to Collier how the derby works

Picnic-ing.  Note that Avery is showing off her good table manners.

Pooped out after our hike

Family Resemblance

I've been meaning to post this for awhile now, and time has just gotten away from me.  At any rate...

For Collier's first several weeks, we've had a great time trying to figure out just who he looks like.  Sometimes I think he has my nose, sometimes I think it's Chris'.  Sometimes it's my chin, but with Chris' chin cleft.  Sometimes it's just Chris' chin.  But, my analysis goes back and forth.  Luckily, Chris' mom brought me a photo of him at about one month so we could compare.  I think it's safe to say that Collier is definitely daddy's boy, with maybe a little bit of mommy thrown in for good measure.

Chris, June 1984 (1 Month Old)

Collier, April 2012 (1 Month Old)

On a completely unrelated topic, several people have asked how Avery is adjusting to being a big sister.  Other than discovering that it's necessary to keep dirty diapers out of her reach (gross.), she's doing great!  Here's the proof:

I think she'll let us keep him