Happy B-day Daddy

Today we celebrate Jimmy's first birthday as a daddy! Though Danny can't express his birthday wishes for his dad yet, I know the "holiday" is extra special for Jimmy nonetheless.

Can't wait to spoil him with dinner, sweets and gifts this evening and continue the festivities into the weekend. Jimmy, we love you and all you do for both of us so very much. You-are-our-hero! Xoxo

Accessories

Someone I know likes his "things.

With his monkey lovie blanket...

Danny and Soph...

G-Pa, Beth & Mac Visit

This past weekend, my Dad, also known as G-Pa, Beth and Mac all came for a visit. We were in the midst of sleep training - update to come later - so we had to be "tip-toe nazis" around his nursery, which happens to be right off our kitchen. Not ideal. It was a great weekend nonetheless! We had two nice days on the beach, great food and good company.

Morning cuddles

Polo "Twins"

Barking up the wrong tree, Danny boy...

Danny at 4 Months

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3 - Nice face!

2, 3 and 4 month comparison

While mommy and daddy recognized their 3 year wedding anniversary yesterday, today marks Danny's 4 month birthday. Day after day he continues to amaze us with his cheery and silly personality, especially in the tub! I keep saying I'm going to film his bath time. It's too funny. I get completely soaked from his splashes. We just couldn't love him more. As far as milestones go, he's still rolling over tummy to back and he rolled over once from his back to tummy, but I haven't seen any repeats yet. He's totally grabbing with his hands and movement is becoming less jerky. He's not great about bearing weight on his legs, but we'll get there! He goes to the doctor for his 4 month appointment next week. I'll be interested to hear how much they brag what they say about him.

Weight: Approximately 14.8

Likes: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (for sheez), music, dancing, watching football with daddy, his activity mat, monkey lovie blanket, itsy bitsy spider and patty cake, Green Eggs and Ham, pulling mommy's hair (ouch), sitting in his bumbo, baths, being naked.

Dislikes: Same old, same old - riding in the car, playing independently for too long, napping.

Sleeping: Oh sleep, how I both love and hate you so. I love you because when I get a few hours, it makes me feel so good, but I hate you because you make things so complicated. While we've been messing around with a partial swaddle for some time, we've finally broke him of the swaddle all together this week. He now rocks this sleep sack. Considering Danny is already sleeping terribly, we figured flailing arms/reflexes from being newly freed from the swaddle couldn't hurt.

Why the short naps, Danny? "If I told you, mom, it wouldn't be such a fun game, now would it?" You take your guess - too little stimulation, too much stimulation, up too long, up not long enough, bad habit, wants a snack, can't self-soothe, just wants to say hello, farts and wakes himself up, you get the point. In all seriousness though, I think it's largely that he's not able to self-soothe yet, which is something we're working on. Supposedly at around 4 months babies' sleep patterns evolve to be more like adults, so they cycle into periods of light sleep, the first period being at 45 mins. This might explain why he wakes up from every nap at 45 mins on the dot. We're also up a couple times at night again, like as often as when he was a brand new baby, and sometimes for the day at 4am. Sigh. He's pretty much cried himself to sleep the last two nights and goes down easily (most times) after nursing in the middle of the night. I know he's hungry when he wakes, so nurse him I will! Cry-it-out hasn't worked for naps though, so not quite sure what to do since I really aim to be consistent.

Eating: Nursing has become quite a sport lately. Danny is way too interested in what's going on around him to care about sustenance. No longer can I pawn myself off as a pacifier while Jimmy and I try to grab a drink or dinner out. In fact, I can't even talk to Jimmy or anyone else in my quiet home while I'm nursing. My (naturally soft) voice is way too much distraction. Ha! I can definitely tell he's gotten more efficient and doesn't need to nurse as long as he once did, but I still feel at times like he needs to focus and just eat a little bit longer. We'll see what the doc says about weight gain. What's a new mom to do, but push on??

At our anniversary beach picnic last night. Nice bags, mom!

from North Carolina to California and back...

Happy 3rd Anniversary Kaylie! It has been and always will be an amazing journey with you. You're my one true love...

3 Years

Today marks our 3 year wedding anniversary! My how things have changed. Last year, while we were in Charleston celebrating our 2 year anniversary, we found out I was pregnant.

Now we're officially no longer just Jimmy and Kaylie, but also mommy and daddy to an amazing baby boy...who happens to be turning 4 months tomorrow. I'd be lying if I said that having a baby doesn't challenge your relationship because it definitely does. But each day we overcome any stress or exhaustion, we become stronger and even closer than before. And...Danny pretty much melts our hearts on the turn of a dime. If he's not a reminder to always love one another, I don't know what is. And seeing Jimmy interact with him is just the sweetest thing ever. Confession: I knew Jimmy would be an amazing father from the moment I met him. In fact, it was partly what made me fall in love with him and ultimately want to marry him. 

In typical old fogie style, Danny and I are just meeting Jimmy for lunch today, but otherwise waiting to go on our anniversary date until Nana is back from her trip to CO. And instead of surprise gifts for one another, we're talking about a new mattress for our aching backs. But don't let my anti-climatic tone fool you - life is truly grand. We are unbelievably fortunate. I can't wait to grow old...and raise our family together, Jimmy. Love you the most!

Duds

Check me out in my UNC "tie" onesie from Auntie Catherine and Jeff and my kicks from Auntie Stef. Such a stud...

Heaven help me if I ever have a girl someday. I'll probably have so many pairs of "novelty" baby shoes!