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

4 Months Old ( 11/14/11)

Dear Lucas,

     You are FOUR months old today

Stats:

Height - 24 inches (25th percentile)

Weight - 12 lbs 10 oz (10th percentile)

Head Circumference -15.75 in

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 1 month. Fortunately I am still able to nurse you exclusively. 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 was a bit worried about how you would adjust to the bottle vs nursing but you do great going back and forth.

Clothes:

You have pretty much grown out of size 0-3 months and are pretty much wearing anything that is 3 months or 3-6 months. You are now sleeping in a grobag every night. Depending on the weather, i am putting you in either a long sleeve onesie, feety pajamas, or fleece feety pajamas. its a shame how many clothes you have never worn. Since you were so small at birtyour here were a handful of cute 0-3 month outfits that you couldn't wear because it has gotten cool outside now.

Diapers:

You are in size 1 diapers during the day. Within the past couple of weeks you started waking up soaking wet so I have started putting you in size 2's at night which has worked quite well. It just seems like yesterday that you were wearing the newborn swaddlers.

Milestones:

You have grown so very much in the past month.You have become so incredibly alert. You love to be held facing outwards now so that you can see what is going on. I have started putting you in the K'Tan and Bjorn facing outwards and you really seem to enjoy it. Whether we are running errands or throwing fetch outside with the dogs, you are just a happy little camper. You still like your mobile and have taken to being put in your swing and chair for longer periods. You like looking at the objects circling above your swing now.

You have started getting MUCH better in your car seat. You like looking at your little animal toys on the handle... You even like to kick them which keeps you a bit distracted. A couple of weekends ago we took our first overnight trip to GiGi and Pops' house in McKinney. We ended up having to drive separately from Dad which made me really nervous as that was the farthest I have had to drive with you on my own. I said many prayers that you would do well. You did GREAT going there and back home. It made me feel so much better for the longer trip we will be taking to Fredericksburg for our family Thanksgiving that we do every other yr with my family. I hope that trip goes just as smoothly.

Last month you lost most of your hair, but this month it has been growing back. Your dad and I are taking bets on what color it will be. So far your eyes are still blue. We are wondering if they will change or not

Morning time with you is by far my favorite. You wake up in such a happy, playful mood. I hate that I don't  have much time with you in the mornings, but I'll take what I can get. If you are not up already then I wake you up around 7a to feed you before I leave for work. Because you are so refreshed you just want to "talk" to me which is the cutest thing. You still love the changing table, but it also allows us to be able to see each other. I like to stand over you and make noises clicking my tongue. As I make these noises, you stare intently and start moving your lips and your tongue as if to mimic me. I'm blown away at how alert and inquisitive you are. for the past month we have thought you were teething. You drool like crazy and love to put things in your mouth and gnaw on them/ gum them...especially your hand.  You have started finding your voice this month with some giggling, screeching, and talking

Sleeping:
At your 4 month Dr's appointment I learned how lucky we were to have such a great nighttime sleeper. Typically I start your bedtime routine around 5:30 to include a bath (every other night), massage, and getting dressed. Then i feed you and put you down around 6:45-7p. You will usually sleep until 4:30a, wake up to eat, and then go right back down to wake back up around 7a. Sometimes you will sleep all the way until around 6. During the day

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

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

Meal Planning Monday

Sun - Baked Chicken (Bone-in) with Lemon pepper & Herb dry rub, steamed broccoli, Rice

Mon - (Crock Pot)  Chicken and Dumplings

Tues - Ham Steaks

Wed - Grilled Chicken with Baked Potato/sweet pot

Thurs - Chicken and Rice

Fri - sandwiches

Sat - Steak with baked potato

Meal Planning Monday

Sun - ???

 

Mon- Chicken Chili by GiGi

Tues - Hormel pot roast with green beans, mashed potatoes 

 

Wed - Stir fry

 

Thurs - Ham Steaks with Rice, fruit salad

Fri - Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken

 

Sat - TBD