Mr. Chubs

today, after our walk.  a bit crabby because I left his hat on.

our current fav position... a la ErinL, aka Baby Whisperer

summertime!

Big boy chair we inherited from Leslie now that Liam is too big for it.  Right now he can only take it for a minute or so before he wants to get out of it.  good practice for sitting up.

this outfit was way too big for him.  but he looked cute in it anyhow.

stretchy little bean.  this is what he does after I take him on a walk in the bjorn.  pretty adorable.
he literally held this pose for about 45 minutes. he's really starting to discover his hands lately.
der.
twinzies.
HIPPY BABY!!! more stretching.  he's really good at that.  thanks for the onesie, Auntie Ann!

It's the Desi Show!

today is Desi's 8 week birthday.  I've been counting weeks for most of the past year and can no longer think in months.  one day I will graduate to months again.

check out this little guy and how big he is now.  11 lbs, 4 oz. at his last Dr.'s visit.  

check out those leggings.  what a bod.

grumpy old man face.  on our way to Alex & Amy's wedding in Oxford.

tex mex restaurant for roasted salsa & chips, vegan sandwich, & margaritas with Uncle Sean & Aunty Liz.  condiment baby.

brighteyed and bushytailed

priceless

Miles of Smiles

Well, I'm happy to report that lil' Peanut is getting bigger.  The past month or so has been super challenging but the rewards are priceless.  Clusterfeeding happens c. weeks 3 & 6, coinciding with his growth spurts, and despite lack of sleep and D being a little fusspot, it has made us a lot closer.  I know him so well and his sweet face even shows up in my dreams now.

Things I've learned from my son (so far):

1. patience.  I knew T was patient, but patience is not one of my strong suits.  I never thought it would be so enjoyable to learn.

2. unconditional love.  duh!  all the pooping, crying, spitting up, & general damage to my attractiveness level can not put a dent in this one.  even when he cries, I adore him more than life.

3. just when you think you know all the tricks, they stop working.  keep looking.  keep searching.  he is a dynamic creature and consistently challenges me to find new ways to entertain him and keep him satisfied.

4. a walk out in the fresh air can do you a world of good.  put him in the sling & he'll fall fast asleep.

5. make time for mommy.  enlist helpers; allow yourself to feel guilty.  I need alone time for myself to feel "normal".  this one is harder than it sounds.  especially when nursing every hour.

6. skin-on-skin time for at least half an hour everyday (at least for the first few months) makes for a happy mommy & baby.  

7. raising a child is a 25/8 job.  totally harder but more rewarding than any other task or set of responsibilities.  it never ends.  there is really no "time off".

8. multi-tasking!  it's the only way to get anything accomplished.  I've learned you can do damn near anything with just one hand.   

9. selflessness.  that's the name of the game.  I used to think deciding to bring a child into this world was the most selfish thing one could do.  oh, how wrong I was... 

10. being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to me.  as awesome as my life was before Des, and as hard as it will continue to get, I have never felt so... fulfilled.  

Desi Days

more cutie pie pics

Mommy's little peanut

Life has changed so much with Desmond here now.  Tim has had the past week+ home with us and the two of us spend most of our time just looking at him; adoring our beautiful baby boy.  I have about 50 more pics of Des just hanging out being cute, sleeping, looking innocent.  He is a dream.  

It's funny how, for so long I thought I wasn't ready for a little one, yet how natural and right it actually feels.  He is all that we expected and more:  sweet, good natured, quiet, a big sleeper.  But he also is really funny.  He spends a lot of time messing around when I feed him.  Sometimes he's all business, but other times he just wants to play around.  He has a battle cry he makes before he latches on that is pretty hilarious.  He's definitely his dad's boy.  We got a card from Grandma and Grandpa Reeder today and they sent a picture of Tim as a newborn.  The resemblance is uncanny.  As you can see from the picture above, he also holds his ear like T used to do when he was a little guy.  Adorable.

Of course I'm exhausted, sore, hormonal, ravenous, etc. etc.  All of which is expected given the major adjustment to life with baby and life after giving birth.  But I'm overjoyed most of the time.  And totally in love with this little guy.  He is now the boss of the house and I don't mind it.  I'm just trying to make the best decisions for him on a daily basis about what he needs, how to satisfy his needs, and setting the bar for him as the most important person in our lives.  

I wish you guys could see him.  I want to show him off so bad.  Recently got one of these for Des and it makes him so snuggly and gives me two hands to do what I need.  I'm actually using it right now and he is fast asleep yet close by so I never feel like I'm not giving him the proper attention and care that he needs.  

Okay, that's enough gushing for now.  Love to you all.