Dear Monkey,
Another month in the books; I can’t believe how time is flying and how much you are growing. In the evenings before you go to sleep I just look down at your innocent face as you look back at me and both of us are smiling. I love our evenings together in the soft darkness of your room rocking to the hum of the noise maker and fan lulling you to sleep. You are truly an angel sent from heaven. I wrap you up like a burrito and rest your head on my shoulder and breathe in your scent, it is so very intoxicating. I know these nights won’t last so I cherish everyone.
This past month we found ourselves in the doctor’s office. Your “movements” (another word for poop) were very loose and frequent. I had to go pick you up from daycare on two occasions. The doc said a bug was going around and you weren’t dehydrated, that was a relief. It took about seven days before you got over it. Now…you are regular as clockwork. I thought you would appreciate that.
You are working on your next milestone – sitting up. You hate laying down these days and you love…love…love to sit up. You can do it a bit if your hands are bracing you in sort of a tripodish fashion. After a minute or two you start to lean and whoop…there ya went.
You have discovered your feet as well and you love to grab them all the while squealing in delight.
You are doing great with your food. Bananas seem to be your favorite right now. Soon I will start the veggies and perhaps beef or chicken stuff. We will see.
As far as sleeping goes it is hit or miss. Some nights you sleep all the way through others you get up at 2 or close to 5 but I can pretty much always get you back to sleep easily and on the weekends we can sleep in till 7 or 8.
Turning over is getting stronger but you hate being on your back so much I am not sure if you will be able to master it…you have to be standing or at the very least standing up.
Turkey day is next week and you will get to meet Nana and Papa from California. You will love them and Nana is going to eat you up!
Tomorrow you will visit Miss Jodie for a couple of hours; I know you will have fun. Next newsletter it will just about be Christmas, I can’t wait.
Until next month...
Love,
Mom
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Newsletter: Month 4
Dear Monkey,
You may notice that newsletter for month three is missing. You may wonder if I forgot or if the World Wide Web ate it? Nope…it was Iked. A new terminology I’m starting.
One month before your third month birthday we headed to Dallas to escape the wrath of Hurricane Ike and nothing has been the same since.
Leading up to your three months on this planet you and I were enjoying our last week at home and getting ready to embark on a new chapter of your life known as daycare. We were very rudely interrupted by Mr. Ike.
Unfortunately you live on the Gulf Coast and by living here you and yours are subject to potential hurricanes during the summertime months. Hurricanes are mean and nasty. They are dangerous and destructive and in order to protect you and your bother we headed to Dallas as a safe haven. On the bright side…you experienced your first evacuation…I mean vacation.
You were not happy on the drive up there; you cried 5 out of the 6 hours it took to get there, poor monkey…you hate the car seat. I ended up sitting between you and your brother in order to offer you a bit of comfort.
Once we got there you took a liking to the big D and we had a tolerable time as a family. You slept in the pack n play just like it was your own bed back home. I even had one lady comment on what a good baby you were when she would see you down at breakfast every morning.
You visited your first zoo in Dallas; you slept through most of it which is ok.
You visited the grassy knoll where the thirty fifth President of the United States was assassinated.
You went to the State Fair Park…and it sucked.
Back at home we ended up being without power for 18 days! So we lived with Ms. Jodie for about a week in order to keep you comfortable and minimize the stress.
Shortly after things started returning to normal and that meant I had to go to work and you to daycare.
You are officially in daycare now and you are doing amazing. You have never once cried when I left you, maybe the first day when it was for a few hours but since then you just smile. The ladies love you and you reward them with your handsome smile and they tell me you are a joy to be around.
Milestone update…You started turning over, a couple of weekends ago you were only able to go from your stomach to your back and this past weekend believe I saw you go from back to stomach…if you can just get that arm out of the way. I have footage. CUTE!
You went to the doctor this past Friday for your four month checkup. Score…only three shots. You weighed in at 13 lbs 15 ounces and 25 inches long. You grew three more inches. You are still 10% on your growth and 50% in your height. Doc said you were beautiful and healthy. When the big bad nurse gave you your shots she must have gotten you good because you cried for an extra long time. I couldn’t help myself and I shed a tear or two as well. Your Dad was there to comfort you and he was about to quiet you down pretty quick, he’s good like that.
You had your first babysitter outside of daycare the other night, your Dad and I went to see Neil Diamond. You will soon discover your Dad and I love music and we so enjoy seeing bands live. I hope you will share in your Dad’s affinity for many music genres.
Your personality so far seems to be very relaxed and happy. You smile ALL the time and only truly cry when you are tired or hungry. You have been a delightful addition to our family and when things tend to be chaotic as they have been the last month you have become someone that can turn our focus from the negative and find joy in your lovely smiles.
Your sleep patterns…well…let’s say they are patterns but I have yet to figure out what pattern they make up. You teased me by sleeping a couple of nights in a row through the night but alas it didn’t take. We are back to getting up every three hours. Actually you get in about six hours before you get up around 2AM then like clockwork you are up in three hours. I can handle this. What I can’t handle is the getting up every two hours! BOY, you best be working on that.
I introduced you to rice cereal, first with the spoon, which you did great with by the way and second I tried to put some of the cereal in your milk. Well that didn’t go so well. The flow is too much for you right now so we will hold off on putting it your bottle and stick with the feeding before bed and see if that helps your growing appetite.
Halloween is coming up at the end of the month and you are going as a monkey. We borrowed the costume from Miss Jodie and you are so very cute!! It’s a bit big but we will make it work. There is significance in being a monkey for Halloween since that is your nickname. Your brother went as a bug for his first Halloween as his nickname is bugamug. I can’t wait.
You are one of many blessings son. I can’t imagine this family without you. You seem to be the calmness to this family when we are in the middle of chaos. You are loved and I am so happy you are here.
You may notice that newsletter for month three is missing. You may wonder if I forgot or if the World Wide Web ate it? Nope…it was Iked. A new terminology I’m starting.
One month before your third month birthday we headed to Dallas to escape the wrath of Hurricane Ike and nothing has been the same since.
Leading up to your three months on this planet you and I were enjoying our last week at home and getting ready to embark on a new chapter of your life known as daycare. We were very rudely interrupted by Mr. Ike.
Unfortunately you live on the Gulf Coast and by living here you and yours are subject to potential hurricanes during the summertime months. Hurricanes are mean and nasty. They are dangerous and destructive and in order to protect you and your bother we headed to Dallas as a safe haven. On the bright side…you experienced your first evacuation…I mean vacation.
You were not happy on the drive up there; you cried 5 out of the 6 hours it took to get there, poor monkey…you hate the car seat. I ended up sitting between you and your brother in order to offer you a bit of comfort.
Once we got there you took a liking to the big D and we had a tolerable time as a family. You slept in the pack n play just like it was your own bed back home. I even had one lady comment on what a good baby you were when she would see you down at breakfast every morning.
You visited your first zoo in Dallas; you slept through most of it which is ok.
You visited the grassy knoll where the thirty fifth President of the United States was assassinated.
You went to the State Fair Park…and it sucked.
Back at home we ended up being without power for 18 days! So we lived with Ms. Jodie for about a week in order to keep you comfortable and minimize the stress.
Shortly after things started returning to normal and that meant I had to go to work and you to daycare.
You are officially in daycare now and you are doing amazing. You have never once cried when I left you, maybe the first day when it was for a few hours but since then you just smile. The ladies love you and you reward them with your handsome smile and they tell me you are a joy to be around.
Milestone update…You started turning over, a couple of weekends ago you were only able to go from your stomach to your back and this past weekend believe I saw you go from back to stomach…if you can just get that arm out of the way. I have footage. CUTE!
You went to the doctor this past Friday for your four month checkup. Score…only three shots. You weighed in at 13 lbs 15 ounces and 25 inches long. You grew three more inches. You are still 10% on your growth and 50% in your height. Doc said you were beautiful and healthy. When the big bad nurse gave you your shots she must have gotten you good because you cried for an extra long time. I couldn’t help myself and I shed a tear or two as well. Your Dad was there to comfort you and he was about to quiet you down pretty quick, he’s good like that.
You had your first babysitter outside of daycare the other night, your Dad and I went to see Neil Diamond. You will soon discover your Dad and I love music and we so enjoy seeing bands live. I hope you will share in your Dad’s affinity for many music genres.
Your personality so far seems to be very relaxed and happy. You smile ALL the time and only truly cry when you are tired or hungry. You have been a delightful addition to our family and when things tend to be chaotic as they have been the last month you have become someone that can turn our focus from the negative and find joy in your lovely smiles.
Your sleep patterns…well…let’s say they are patterns but I have yet to figure out what pattern they make up. You teased me by sleeping a couple of nights in a row through the night but alas it didn’t take. We are back to getting up every three hours. Actually you get in about six hours before you get up around 2AM then like clockwork you are up in three hours. I can handle this. What I can’t handle is the getting up every two hours! BOY, you best be working on that.
I introduced you to rice cereal, first with the spoon, which you did great with by the way and second I tried to put some of the cereal in your milk. Well that didn’t go so well. The flow is too much for you right now so we will hold off on putting it your bottle and stick with the feeding before bed and see if that helps your growing appetite.
Halloween is coming up at the end of the month and you are going as a monkey. We borrowed the costume from Miss Jodie and you are so very cute!! It’s a bit big but we will make it work. There is significance in being a monkey for Halloween since that is your nickname. Your brother went as a bug for his first Halloween as his nickname is bugamug. I can’t wait.
You are one of many blessings son. I can’t imagine this family without you. You seem to be the calmness to this family when we are in the middle of chaos. You are loved and I am so happy you are here.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Newsletter: Month 2
Dear Monkey,
Two months in the books and we’re getting this family thing down. You had your two month visit at the doctors and you weighted 10lbs 10 ounces, doubling your birth rate and grew to 22 inches in length. Unfortunately you had to get four shots and Mom cried right along with you as your Dad held your arms and tried to distract you by talking to you so you would forget the nasty stuff going on with your legs. You were a champ, after a few minutes you settled down and fell fast asleep.
You took a nap when you got home and when you woke up it was obvious your little legs were hurting. When you weren’t crying you were whimpering, I put cold compresses on your legs and that seems to help, along with Tylenol, enough to get you back to sleep and we had a decent night.
You attended your first birthday party at Maddox’s house. Mostly you hung out in the Bjorn and watched the kids run around.
As far as sleeping you are down for about three hour increments at night like clockwork. I can work with that. This week we made the move from the bassinet to your crib. The transition was seamless; I’m getting ready for crib sleeping as you are going to day care in a few weeks.
You spent an evening with your Dad and brother without Mom last Friday. Let’s just say you did…uhm…ok. You gave your Dad a run for his money by crying most of the time I was gone. I went to a concert with Miss Nicole and you didn’t like it one bit. I always come back boy…I always come back.
You began talking (read cooing) a bit and you have a smile that lights up your face. I am really enjoying staying home with you; we have managed to stay busy with daily chores, errands and occasional visits with the girls down south. We were walking in the mornings but it was starting to get too hot and I began to worry about you overheating plus you started crying the last couple of times halfway through so I believe my suspicions of being to hot were true.
You love to watch and listen to your big brother and he MUST give you a hug and a kiss when he gets home from school and he always ask how your day was. He loves you very much and he can’t wait until he can play with you.
It’s going to be hard putting you in daycare in a few weeks while I’m preparing to return to work. Let’s just take it a day at a time and not dwell on our weekday days ending and make the most of our time together.
I love you very much!
Love,
Mom
Two months in the books and we’re getting this family thing down. You had your two month visit at the doctors and you weighted 10lbs 10 ounces, doubling your birth rate and grew to 22 inches in length. Unfortunately you had to get four shots and Mom cried right along with you as your Dad held your arms and tried to distract you by talking to you so you would forget the nasty stuff going on with your legs. You were a champ, after a few minutes you settled down and fell fast asleep.
You took a nap when you got home and when you woke up it was obvious your little legs were hurting. When you weren’t crying you were whimpering, I put cold compresses on your legs and that seems to help, along with Tylenol, enough to get you back to sleep and we had a decent night.
You attended your first birthday party at Maddox’s house. Mostly you hung out in the Bjorn and watched the kids run around.
As far as sleeping you are down for about three hour increments at night like clockwork. I can work with that. This week we made the move from the bassinet to your crib. The transition was seamless; I’m getting ready for crib sleeping as you are going to day care in a few weeks.
You spent an evening with your Dad and brother without Mom last Friday. Let’s just say you did…uhm…ok. You gave your Dad a run for his money by crying most of the time I was gone. I went to a concert with Miss Nicole and you didn’t like it one bit. I always come back boy…I always come back.
You began talking (read cooing) a bit and you have a smile that lights up your face. I am really enjoying staying home with you; we have managed to stay busy with daily chores, errands and occasional visits with the girls down south. We were walking in the mornings but it was starting to get too hot and I began to worry about you overheating plus you started crying the last couple of times halfway through so I believe my suspicions of being to hot were true.
You love to watch and listen to your big brother and he MUST give you a hug and a kiss when he gets home from school and he always ask how your day was. He loves you very much and he can’t wait until he can play with you.
It’s going to be hard putting you in daycare in a few weeks while I’m preparing to return to work. Let’s just take it a day at a time and not dwell on our weekday days ending and make the most of our time together.
I love you very much!
Love,
Mom
Friday, August 1, 2008
Smilin Sage
You started smiling this week...Monday July 28th to be exact. It is the best smile ever.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Newsletter: Month 1
Dear Monkey,
It has been one month since you officially joined the family, in the flesh, and it seems we have had a pretty good start. Of course all you do is eat, sleep and poop but as easy as that sounds it ain’t so much. This is because we have our schedule, that we’ve had for much longer than you I might add, and you have your own schedule and they are at constant odds with each other. Right now you are in the lead but not without a fight from me. That fight centers around sleeping and swaddling.
For the first few weeks of your life you slept on me and while that provided comfort emotionally for both you and me it did not provide comfort for me physically as I was on my back and at an angle. Not to mention you were wide awake come 2 in the AM while the rest of the free world was asleep.
About a week ago I decided to finally make my move and I was determined to get you to sleep in your bassinet, and here it is…while swaddled. You fight the swaddle but when you finally accept your fate you are able to get a couple of hours of shut eye. Plus I’m the master swaddler and there ain’t no way you are breakin free of that one no matter how much grunting and Houdini antics you try. Just as your brother! In the latter part of the month your days and nights are becoming more in line with NORMAL human beings, there is hope for a somewhat normal schedule yet.
You will soon discover that it is all about schedule with your mom, this is what I do for a living and it translates to a happy mom. I can plan for stuff and get stuff done oh and sleep which is my most favorite thing to do in the entire world. Now your bother was a most excellent sleeper when he got the hang of it and I expect no less from you young man. You still have a couple of months to work on it but come month four…sleeping through the night, ok…you have one pass a night and getting up at 9:30 in the am is expected and I know it can be done. Get to it.
You and I have been sequestered for this first month, your dad and I think it is best in order to prevent untimely illness while your immune system is still trying to kick in, we know we can’t protect you from getting sick your entire life but if we can prevent it these first few weeks while we are all trying to get used to each other then we all benefit.
You are growing with intensity and vigor. That explains the eating you require every waking moment it seems. When you become a man my guess is that you will be a boob man since that is what you are all about, I have a sneaking suspicion you are using me as a human pacifier. Ouch.
Your dad, brother and I are so happy you finally joined us; you are fitting into our family just fine.
Love,
Mom
It has been one month since you officially joined the family, in the flesh, and it seems we have had a pretty good start. Of course all you do is eat, sleep and poop but as easy as that sounds it ain’t so much. This is because we have our schedule, that we’ve had for much longer than you I might add, and you have your own schedule and they are at constant odds with each other. Right now you are in the lead but not without a fight from me. That fight centers around sleeping and swaddling.
For the first few weeks of your life you slept on me and while that provided comfort emotionally for both you and me it did not provide comfort for me physically as I was on my back and at an angle. Not to mention you were wide awake come 2 in the AM while the rest of the free world was asleep.
About a week ago I decided to finally make my move and I was determined to get you to sleep in your bassinet, and here it is…while swaddled. You fight the swaddle but when you finally accept your fate you are able to get a couple of hours of shut eye. Plus I’m the master swaddler and there ain’t no way you are breakin free of that one no matter how much grunting and Houdini antics you try. Just as your brother! In the latter part of the month your days and nights are becoming more in line with NORMAL human beings, there is hope for a somewhat normal schedule yet.
You will soon discover that it is all about schedule with your mom, this is what I do for a living and it translates to a happy mom. I can plan for stuff and get stuff done oh and sleep which is my most favorite thing to do in the entire world. Now your bother was a most excellent sleeper when he got the hang of it and I expect no less from you young man. You still have a couple of months to work on it but come month four…sleeping through the night, ok…you have one pass a night and getting up at 9:30 in the am is expected and I know it can be done. Get to it.
You and I have been sequestered for this first month, your dad and I think it is best in order to prevent untimely illness while your immune system is still trying to kick in, we know we can’t protect you from getting sick your entire life but if we can prevent it these first few weeks while we are all trying to get used to each other then we all benefit.
You are growing with intensity and vigor. That explains the eating you require every waking moment it seems. When you become a man my guess is that you will be a boob man since that is what you are all about, I have a sneaking suspicion you are using me as a human pacifier. Ouch.
Your dad, brother and I are so happy you finally joined us; you are fitting into our family just fine.
Love,
Mom
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
4th of July
You experienced your first 4th of July celebration this year. The 4th of July is Independence Day and honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.
This year we kept it low key because you are still so new to the world, we had steak that we grilled and yummy food, all standard operations on this day, and we finished up the night with fireworks. You slept through most of the activity but your brother and our neighbor had a great time.
This year we kept it low key because you are still so new to the world, we had steak that we grilled and yummy food, all standard operations on this day, and we finished up the night with fireworks. You slept through most of the activity but your brother and our neighbor had a great time.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Two Week Checkup
I am happy to report you are doing great and growing like a weed. Weighing in at 6 lbs 9 ounches and measuring 19 1/4 inches long. Normally babies are at their birthrate (5 lbs 11 ounces) at the two week checkup...you are almost up an entire pound over your birth weight, don't I know it. BIG EATER.
Everyone says you are so little and you prolly are but mommy doesn't think so. You are just right and you are a Wayne and you will show them! You'll be top of the class when you get ready.
Your two week habits...sleeping during the day and not so much at night. Plus you only like to sleep on Mommy. Yeah, we put a stop to that last night. Although you are too young to understand what is happening it is for your own good and mommy's sanity. I moved you to the co-sleeper last night and after a lengthy episode of crying you settled down and excepted your fate and slept for three hours straight...on your own. Progress, that's all I can hope for.
Your first fourth of July is coming up this weekend and we plan on having a good time and fun with the neighbors and fireworks.
You have begun to hold your head up really good and with tummy time you seem to be getting stronger and stronger.
Your dad thinks you don't like him but I assure him it is only a matter of time before you can't spend enough time with him and want nothing to do with mommy...your brother did the same thing.
Let's work on altering your sleeping patterns to normal human beings, hopefully we're on the right track.
Everyone says you are so little and you prolly are but mommy doesn't think so. You are just right and you are a Wayne and you will show them! You'll be top of the class when you get ready.
Your two week habits...sleeping during the day and not so much at night. Plus you only like to sleep on Mommy. Yeah, we put a stop to that last night. Although you are too young to understand what is happening it is for your own good and mommy's sanity. I moved you to the co-sleeper last night and after a lengthy episode of crying you settled down and excepted your fate and slept for three hours straight...on your own. Progress, that's all I can hope for.
Your first fourth of July is coming up this weekend and we plan on having a good time and fun with the neighbors and fireworks.
You have begun to hold your head up really good and with tummy time you seem to be getting stronger and stronger.
Your dad thinks you don't like him but I assure him it is only a matter of time before you can't spend enough time with him and want nothing to do with mommy...your brother did the same thing.
Let's work on altering your sleeping patterns to normal human beings, hopefully we're on the right track.
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