Cousins

Last Saturday we had a family picnic. My uncle, aunt, and cousins from Virginia came up to meet the babies. While James and Tyce were both awake we took a couple pictures of them together.

Thanks, Angi!

My friend Angi sent this outfit for James. I have put it on him several times with the intention of taking a picture to post for her. Each time he spit up on it or dirtied it in some way before I got the camera out. I finally captured it this weekend.

Doesn't he look like he thinks he is a cool dude?

During our photo session I was talking to him and he gave me this grin.

5 weeks old already!

This week James has started smiling at us occasionally. Nothing melts my heart like that tiny little toothless grin! I'm going to have a hard time getting anything else done when he is awake because it is so much fun trying to get him to react to me with a smile.

He has also really started cooing and talking to himself. It's a lot of fun to listen to him entertain himself (except when he does it in the middle of the night).

On Friday Daddy gave him a haircut. It was really bright out so we took James into the shade of the tree in our front yard and put him on a towel in the grass. Apparently baby hair is extremely fine and shows every little mistake. Daddy did his best but it isn't exactly straight! Today while James was sleeping I trimmed his hair a little more. I was able to layer it a bit so it doesn't look so harsh.

He is starting to enjoy bathtime. We usually put the baby bathtub on the kitchen counter. He gets all soaped up and gets his hair washed then I hold him over the kitchen sink and Rod uses the sprayer to rinse him. The only time he complains is when we turn the water off and try to dry him. He does NOT like to be cold.

We have taken James to church the past two weeks. He has done great both times. His little cousin Tyce slept soundly in his carrier the whole time which allowed Aunt Lindsey to hold James during the service.

I never imagined having a newborn could be so much fun. We are trying to cherish every moment. It's a good thing he is not allergic to kisses because he gets hundreds of them every day!

1-month doctor's visit

James had his 1-month appointment today. They measured him, did the PKU test, and gave him a Hepatitis B vaccine. He now weighs 10lbs 10 oz (67th percentile) and is 24 inches long (98th percentile). Although he cried at first when he was stuck with a needle, I was able to comfort him and get him to calm down in less than 1 minute. He is such a good little baby!

Saturday afternoon in the park

Rod and I took James for a stroll at the park near our house on Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful 75 degrees out!

Our little family

His face is covered in baby acne but he is still cute as a button!

Hehe...look at that face!

Thanks for looking!

James at one month...

(I want to keep track of his milestones so I can put them in his scrap/baby book. I thought I would jot them down here so I don't forget before I get the pictures printed and have a chance to write in his book.)

* James now weighs 10.5 lbs.
* Sleeps well at night. He usually goes to bed at 11 then wakes up at 2 and 5 to eat. He wakes up for the day at 8.
* Enjoys talking to his stuffed bear while we change his diaper.
* Likes to lay on his tummy and look at books.
* Eats 3-4 ounces per feeding.
* Favorite place to sleep is on his daddy's chest. He also sleeps well in the swing, pack 'n play, on the floor, in the car, on the couch...pretty much anywhere!
* He wears size 0-3 month clothes.

The video I promised...

OK, I've been working at this for days. This is the best video of James' whining that I have been able to capture. He cracks me up!

Happy Easter!

Random Tidbits

* I don't have any pictures for you today. I'm still trying to capture the crazy performance he does when I change his diaper. Each time I change his diaper I get the camera out to see if I can get a video of it, but by the time I get all set up he is beyond whining and into the screaming mode. We will keep working on that.



* This morning he spit up on me which, thankfully, is really rare. "Spit up" is not really the correct term. It was more like projectile vomit! He got it all down my back, in my hair, all over the front of him, inside his sleepsack, down the back of the couch, and some even made it in between the couch cushions. At least he did not seem bothered by it.



* His sleep patterns are still great! It is 12:30 and he has been asleep since 10. During his nap I took a shower, ate breakfast (more like brunch I guess), took out the trash and recycling, emptied the diaper container, rinsed some dishes, sorted 200 photos, sent a couple of emails, and now I'm blogging. Who knew I could acccomplish so much with an infant? Before he was born I was envisioning still being in my pajamas at 3 in the afternoon!



* Please keep my sister and her little one who is 6 weeks old in your thoughts and prayers. Due to his cleft palate and reflux he has a lot of congestion which makes it very difficult for him to sleep. My sister is very patient but I know it has to be wearing her out.

Reading, cuddling, and shopping

James and I have been enjoying our time together the past couple of days. We have been trying to expand our horizons and engage in new activities each day.

One thing James really enjoys is looking at his train book. It lights up and plays music which keeps him entertained for at least 30-45 minutes at a time.

He has discovered that every time he cries his mommy picks him up. Apparently, it is much more comfy to sleep on my shoulder than in his crib. I don't care if I'm spoiling him, he's only this little once!

Today I ventured out to the doctor's office to drop off a form and then we went to the grocery store. James slept like a little angel the whole time. I thought about going to Target but figured he would probably wake up before I was finished there so I went straight home after the grocery store. He slept for another hour and a half in his carseat after we returned home!

Right now he is sitting in his swing giving me a fake cry. His little whine cracks me up. I will try to get a video of it in the next couple of days to post for your enjoyment.

My Sentiments Exactly

James and I are sad today because Rod had to return to work. It was so nice having him home for 2 1/2 weeks. During his time off he took care of our every need and now we're on our own. I'm sure we will survive just fine but it will be a lot more work for me and won't be nearly as fun without Rod. Although we will miss him, we are so thankful for the sacrifices he makes for us (not the least of which is driving an hour and 20 minutes each way to work). I suppose his absence during the day will just make the evenings that much more special.

The infamous "poopy face"

James makes this hilarious face when he is preparing to fill his diaper. His eyes bug out, his face turns red, and his lips go straight across. It makes me laugh every.single.time. I know this probably gives you a glimpse into my immature sense of humor but I don't care...it's funny!

(This picture was actually taken when he was only 6 days old but I haven't been able to capture this face on camera recently.)

Superdad!

Rod's multi-tasking skills are being put to the test with a newborn in the house. He's doing a wonderful job of being superdad while still working hard at his job and being the best husband in the world. I'm one lucky girl!