Moving

As 2011 comes to a close, and we look ahead to 2012, I have decided to move to a new blogging platform...wordpress.com. It seems to be a much more sophisticated platform which also has an app to allow me to blog from my iPad. The app I have used with Blogger does not work with the iOS5 update so I have not been able to blog from my iPad for the past couple of months. The new site is still under construction as I clean things up and organize a few things.



Please continue to follow me:

http://theunclutteredsoul.wordpress.com/

Farewell

Dear Aunt Carrie,
   
     Little did I know, when we first met, that we would become fast friends.

    I just wanted you to know how much fun I have had with you over the past 2 1/2 months. I know things started off kind of rocky when you and mom had to find a good bottle that kept me from being gassy and while you guys tried different schedules for me, but in the end we've had a good time together. I have a really good schedule and with your help I have learned to fall asleep on my own. I'm sorry that I pooped on you that first day, but I just wanted to make sure you could handle me. I knew everything would be alright when you laughed it off even though you didn't have a change of clothes ;) You took me on walks, read books to me, did tummy time with me, sang to me, fed me, rocked me, and played toys with me (I think my favorite was the wind up rubber cars that made me giggle really hard).

                 

     I know I've done my fare share of crying, but you have really gotten good at figuring out what I need and for the most part I just get fussy when I'm hungry or tired. Since you started watching me you and Uncle Jason found out that are expecting your first baby. It's going to be so much fun having a cousin nearby. I think I did a good job helping you practice. I know you'll be a great mom to your new baby.

     Mom, Dad, and I wanted to thank you for the sacrifices you have made in order to come watch me. Since you live an hr away, you have stayed at our house during the week. I'm not gonna lie, we have all gotten pretty used to you being around. It's going to be sad not having you here. Every night I go to sleep and every morning I wake up you are here.

     I know I'm enrolled in a day care, but mom is trying to find any possible alternative so I don't have to go. She is so worried about my schedule and whether or not I'll get the attention I deserve...oh and sleeping with all the other commotion going on (you've spoiled us;) I know I have it pretty good here at home in my own bed where its nice and quiet with my own clean toys, but I just want mom to know I'll be ok. I've come a long way the past couple of months and besides, I think I'll have fun with the other babies (can you see I'm still trying to convince myself of all that).

     I love you and I'll miss seeing you every day, but at least your not too far so we can come see you.

Here are some pictures that you and mom took of me while you were here

This was the very first day that mom had to go back to work. She said that was a pretty traumatic day for her, but knowing you were here made it a whole lot easier on her

I'm trying to show Aunt Carrie that there are other channels besides Lifetime :)

 

Aunt Carrie is helping me learn how to sit

Aunt Carrie lets me hold my own bottle. Aren't I such a big boy now?

 

Meal Planning Monday

Sun - Gumbo

 

Mon - Stuffed Pepper Soup  

 

Tues - Chicken Spaghetti, salad, rolls

 

Wed - Tomato Basil Soup, Grilled Cheese sandwiches

 

Thurs - Beef Stew

 

Fri - TBD

 

Sat - kitchen is closed

5 Months Old

My Dear Lucas,

 

  You are FIVE months old today

Stats:

Height - ???

Weight - 13 lbs 8 oz

Head Circumference -

Food:

You currently eat 5-6 times/ day. 7a, 10a, 1p, 4p, 6:30p, and 4:30a (sometimes you are gracious to skip this feeding) I have been at work now a little over 2 months. Fortunately you are still a breastfed baby. I am able to nurse right before I leave for work, you take 3 bottles during the day(which I pumped the day before) and you nurse again right before bedtime and then sometimes you wake up around 4-4:30 which is a killer since I have to be up at 5am anyway.  I continue to be amazed at how flexible you are at going from bottle to nursing each day, although I do think you prefer the nursing over the bottle 

Clothes:

You are still wearing some size 0-3 months, although it is just about time to retire them.  For the most part, you are pretty much wearing anything that is 3 months or 3-6 months. Depending on the weather, you wear cotton feety pajamas, or fleece feety pajamas under your grobag at night.

Diapers:

Within the past week or so, I have officially transitioned you to wearing size 2 diapers full time, day and night. I am blown away that just a few short months ago, you were wearing newborn diapers. While small, you are growing at a very steady rate.

Milestones:

You continue to amaze your dad and me at how much you connect with the person you are looking at. You focus and lock your eyes on every object you come across. Pretty much every person who sees you comments on how alert you are

You had your first Thanksgiving which was spent with my side of the family down in Fredricksburg. We go down every other yr for this Holiday. As your first road trip, you did great. You slept and kicked your toys. There were times when you got cranky, so your dad and I would get silly singing to you which usually held you off until we could stop for me to feed you. It is a pretty big family and since you have never been around so many people, I was a bit worried about how you would handle it, but you were amazing. You went from arm to arm to arm without batting an eyelash.

Within a day or two of returning home from Thanksgiving, you came down with your first cold. It was heartbreaking to see you hurting. It was also scary that your nose was so stopped up, and because that is how you breathe, we had to be diligent on keeping your nasal passages as clear as possible. (Yay for the NoseFrida) You grew to hate us cleaning out your nose, especially at 2am, but it had to be done. In addition, we propped up your mattress to aid the drainage and we put a humidifier in your room, which seemed to help. You had a couple of choking/gagging  incidents and were starting to scream and resist nursing which really scared me so off to the Dr. we went. It was a fri so I wanted to get you in before the weekend. Your doctor said it was good we came in as you had the potential to develop a sinus infection. He prescribed you an antibiotic in case things got worse, and thankfully they did not lasted about 10 days and overall while you woke up at different times throughout the night, you still slept quite well, and when you did wake up I didn't mind as I knew you just needed a little extra loving.

You have started wanting to hold your own bottle. While I have still never given you a bottle, I have seen you insist that Aunt Carrie let you hold it when she's feeding you. You look sooo grown up.

Your hair is still making a come back, slowly, but surely AND your eyes are still Blue

You have started a new thing, but I was not expecting to happen for a few more months... if you are in someone else's arms and I walk in and out of the room, you start  crying. You can get really mad. It seems to happen when you are really tired. I'm not going to lie, it is flattering, and I'm sure it always will be, but I can guess that at some point it might get a little old. Since I work at home a couple of days/week, I do my best to keep my distance and leave you with your Aunt Carrie, but I think you seem a bit confused sometimes which at times leads to you being a bit fussy.

Sleeping:
You are still doing really well at sleeping. For the most part, you take 4 45 min naps/day. Lately you might take a 1 1/2- 2 hr nap once or twice/ week. When you got sick, while you would wake up a few times at night, you still kept the same schedule. I play with you a bit when I get home from work and then at about 6, I bath you and get you ready for bed so that I can nurse you around 6:30 and put you down to sleep.

I want you to know what a joy it is to have you in our lives. I'm still surprised when I see myself holding you in a mirror. Your dad and I both feel so blessed and couldn't imagine life without you.

Watch Me Grow

 * Unfortunately, our little guy wasn't in the best mood while taking his pictures.

12/14/11