Watch Me Grow: 1 Month

Well, we've made it one whole month Big Boy!

You survived four weeks under the care of me and your Dad. When you read this someday, you won't understand how scary that is, but just know that you have completely turned our world upside down!

We never realized how much joy you would bring to our lives. We fall more in love with you every day.

Carson's 1-month stats:

Weight: 10 lbs 2 oz

Height: 22 in

Head circumference: 15 in
In the Closet: 0-3 Months
Diapers: Size 1
Grub: Breastmilk
Sleep: 4-8 hours, very inconsistent
New Activity/Development: Lots of cuddles, very alert for a baby, unintentional smiles, starting to really notice things around you
Loves: Eating, sleeping and pooping, repeat, repeat, repeat.
Hates: Tummy time, sleeping by yourself.

Carson, I don't know what I did to deserve you. I am so proud to be your mommy.

I'm pretty emotional these days. Just thinking about you and staring into your eyes makes me cry. I feel so blessed to have you. Don't tell Dad I told you this, but he cries just thinking about you too.

My favorite time with you is at night, when we two step in the kitchen to get you to go to sleep. You nestle up against my chest, and make the sweetest noises.

Sleeping has been a struggle my dear boy. You wouldn't sleep on your back for the first three weeks of your life, so Daddy and I pretty much held you all night long. We tried the swing, the bouncer, your crib. You just want to be held, so we rotate shifts in the recliner. We've had some looooong nights, but you are so very worth it.

The doctor said you have acid reflux and that's why you didn't want to sleep flat. We got you some medicine and it seems to be getting better. You now sleep in between us in our bed. It's a king, so we have lots of space. We're not supposed to do this, and know you won't stay there for long, but you sleep so well in between us right now. Shhhh...it's our little secret.

Your first month in this world has been eventful. We've been busy trying to get you on a schedule, but you seem to have another plan for us. You had your days and nights mixed up for awhile, so we started placing you in the sunlight in the morning and encouraging play. But for the most part, you eat and sleep when you want. Can we say spoiled?

We just returned home from your first road trip. You did so well. Slept pretty much the entire time in the car. I'm not surprised considering you always sleep in the car. Are we going to be those parents who go for car rides just to get you to sleep?

Your cord finally fell off a few weeks ago and you received your first bath! We also captured our first pic of your precious dimple. We're not sure where it came from, but you make it look so good.

I'm so smitten with you Big Boy. I spend hours and hours staring at you wondering how something so perfect was given to me. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself just to realize that this is real life. You are mine.

I can't wait to spend the next eight weeks with you at home my little love bug.

Love, Mommy

Newborn

Home for the Holidays

When I first found out we would welcome a baby this year in mid to late November, I thought to myself, "What a great time to have a baby and be off work."

Plenty of time to design my holiday card/birth announcement, time at home to get out all the decorations, on maternity leave to get some holiday shopping done. Sounds ideal, right?

Well, little did I know that I would have a c-section and be quite sore for weeks, and have a hard time finding any time during the day to get anything else done besides caring for the little angel I just gave birth to.

Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I thought he would sleep a lot during the day. Don't they say infants sleep a lot? :) Well, he does sometimes...but only in between 2 to 3 hour feedings, throwing frantic fits when his paci falls out*, fusses to let me know he has wet himself or wails simply because he wants to be held.

Trust me, it's all so very worth it. But there are times that I can't even get a shower in until Brian gets home.

I did manage to finally get our holiday cards out. Every year, I question whether I should continue this tradition. I love receiving a Christmas card in the mail just as much as anyone, but seriously, postage costs are ridiculous!

And to think I didn't even send them to my entire family! I have a ginormous family (Dad is one of 11, so it gets quite ridiculous with all the cousins and second cousins).

120 cards, check
120 stamps, check
120 address labels, check
120 return address labels, check

After all this, I was left with a nasty taste in my mouth. Envelope licking is so gross.

I usually use a sponge stick, but mine had dried up:(.

I think it would be funny to watch me on video in an effort to get things done while very carefully holding my child at the same time and trying to keep him from getting upset.

I was tasked with this on Tuesday while trying to bake cookies for a Cookie Exchange party. Hold Carson with left arm, open oven with right, insert cookie tray with right, catch the pacifier before it falls out of his mouth onto the floor with left hand and while leaning backwards, close oven door with right. Seriously, it's quite the task.

But my Chocolate Crinkle cookies came out delicious. I just wish they would grow legs and leave this house so I can get my body back sooner.

The cookie exchange with the girls was just what I needed. A few hours away from baby (I still missed him though!) and a glass of red wine. It was nice to get outta the sweat pants and in to regular clothes. Although, next year, I vote we go back to a scarf exchange. Makes it easier on the muffin top.

Speaking of cookies, check out the awesome new cookie plate I received as a gift from my dear friend Megan!

Isn't it fun? Carson will love leaving cookies for Santa on this plate some day. Until then, you know when he can actually talk and make good eye contact, the plate will sit nicely next to my other fun decorations including my K-State snowman. Love!

A few other additions to the Christmas decor this year. A beautiful personalized ornament (a gift from my BFF Lyndsey) and a stocking for the little booger of course.

Purchased at Pottery Barn Kids. Love it! I had intended to put Carson in the stocking and take a photo to use on our holiday cards, but to my astonishment, the stocking wasn't stretchy and Big Boy didn't fit in it!

I can't believe Christmas is only a little more than a week away. We will be taking our first road trip with Big Boy home to Wichita. Should be an adventure!

What are you doing for the holidays this year?


*Isn't there some invention out there that will keep a paci in an infants mouth? I don't know why he continues to spit it out if it's just going to make him cry. Hmmmmm...