Just Some Cute Pictures

Mom and Josiah in the Mirror

Josiah looking cute in flannel:)

Josiah pets Toonses for the first time!!

Josiah wearing his "Grandpa Love Me" Onsie and loving it:)

Josiah trying to fit his entire fist in his mouth!!

Dad and Josiah in flannel and jeans

FYI: Josiah rolled over today!!! He did it once a very long time ago...but today he did it for real:) We also had a laughing fit last night...absolutely hilarious...I was laughing so hard I almost had tears and so was Josiah. Toooo cute!!

The Lion King

It was absolutely incredible...everything I had hoped it would be. When I was in high school the cartoon movie "The Lion King" was very popular!!! My friends Karen and Debbie and I had all the songs memorized and most of the movie:) It brought back some fun memories. Actually Karen had a baby around the same time that I did...Dec. 18th I believe. A little boy!! Samuel Michael. I just can't get over all the baby boys that were born. To fun for us to have so many of our friends have boys at the same time!!!

Anywhooo, back to the Lion King:) I still can't get over the costumes and the props!! The music was incredible and the lighting and just about everything was awsome. Dan really loved it too and said that he would like to go to these kinds of shows more often:) Yaaahhh!!! I love going to the theatre and didn't really know that Dan would like it too. It is so great when our men continue to surprise us!!

Funny little tidbit...we are always looking for ways to save a few bucks. Well we made it to campus early to find parking. I had planned on parking at the Childrens Gardens...that way we wouldn't have to wait in line to get out of the parking garage at the Wharton Center. Plus I thought it would be free to park there. I was wrong...there was an attendant waiting to take your money even at that parking lot. Dan missed the drive to get into the parking lot anyways and took the next turn...and low and behold Dan noticed a leased parking spot that said no parking from 7am to 6pm. Lucky us it was 7pm and no one had parked there yet....free parking!!! Yaahhh!! We felt that our 10 years combined at MSU had just paid off:)

Soooo we had a new babysitter last night for the show; Julia and Heather (and Bert Alex:). I wrote out this big long list of things to do and when to feed him and when to play and sleep. I probably looked a little neurotic, but it just eased my mind. As we were leaving to go to the show Heather said they would call if there were any problems and we were to just have a good time and mind our own business:) hehehe So that is what we did...I didn't even call during intermission to see how things were going because I knew that Josiah was in good hands:) Well about 5 minutes into the 2nd half my phone started to vibrate and I panicked. I took the phone out and it said a message from Heather...aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh....what do I do? We had center stage seats and I had to crawl all the way out to the isle...I couldn't go fast enough! I was almost in tears and by the time I got out where I could open my phone up and call my voice mail, I had a few tears. I then opened my phone (a new phone, mind you) and where it normally says to call for a voice mail...it said read. She had sent me a text message...didn't realize that back at my seat or I wouldn't have crawled over everyone to get out. Then I read the message and this is what it said "Jo is doing GREAT!!!" Phew!! I felt stupid, but not yet anxiety free:) But by the time I sat back down..Pumba and Timon were doing their skits and they are always funny and in no time I was laughing and enjoying the show again!!! Crisis averted:)

Dan and I had a really great time. We laughed alot, which is so great!!! After the show we even raced to the car and laughed the whole way there...I laughed really hard when I realized that my milk machines make it near to impossible to run:) Flopping everywhere...hehehehe!!!! What a great night...panic attack and all:)

Catching up!!

It has been almost a week since I posted...not sure where the time has gone!! Most likely I have been scrapbooking...which takes up most of my days...but now that I am almost caught up I will have a little more time to blog...but hten again maybe not;)

First of all, last Friday (2/17) I gave Josiah his first haircut. The funny thing is; I thought he was 12 weeks old last Friday and I had been waiting to give him his first haircut until he was 12 weeks old...not sure why really...just had it in my mind I guess. Well after all was said and done...I looked at the calender and discovered that he was only 11 weeks...so I felt jolted and a little sad for some reason...I'll blame it on the hormones still;) Then I forgot to do a before and after picture...I will never have that chance again to get a before and after picture of his first hair cut...even more sad now. At any rate, I only cut the back of his hair and around his ears because it was always sticking out overtop his ears. I left the top of his hair alone, because it is just way to cute to cut and how would you go about cutting the top of his hair anyway??? So here is a really blurry picture of the back of his head after I cut his hair (If you can see it the red mark is his birth mark on the back of his head...it's called a stork bite and some of the go away as they get older and some of them stick around forever). The other picture is of his hair after it was cut;) I had to have something that showed how much hair I actually cut off:)

Next on the list of firsts: He is now blowing bubbles and making zerbet noises with his tongue...too cute!! Now that I think of it...he almost always has his hands together when he is blowing bubbles...I think it helps him concentrate.

Next on the list of firsts: The outfit you see him in his first new 6-9 month outfit that fits. I was noticing that alot of the outfits are really short through the body, so I thought I would try and see if an outfit that I just bought and had not had a chance to shrink would fit him. And low and behold...it did:( My boy is just getting to big to fast. Now not all 6-9 month clothes fit thank goodness and 3-6 month clothes still fit for the most part...it is just the jumpsuits, where it is all one piece and there are no feet in them, that are getting to small already.

I just thought these next pictures were tooo cute to keep to myself and I am sure all the grandparents will just eat these pictures up!!! Josiah misses all of you and can't wait to see you all again soon!!!

Saturday Night

I just haven't had a chance to get to my computer since this weekend. Busy, busy...but now Josiah is asleep and I am in for the day:) Kind of nice to just hang out at home after 2 days out and about. However last week, I was feeling like I so needed to get out and about...I was having adult withdrawel!!!

But Saturday night cured that!! My friend Sarah, has started a "Girls Night In" one Saturday a month. She has invited all these women from her various circles of friends and we all come together and do girlie stuff:) The first month, we did a Taco Bar and watched Anne of Green Gables. The second month, I had to miss because I had just given birth, but I was bummed I missed it because they did spa night...definatley going to have to do that one again:) I have a foot spa and parrafin wax dip and I love to do pedicures and manicures:) The third month was game night and I love games, but I had to bring Josiah with me because he wasn't taking a bottle yet and I was his only food source. So I was really distracted most of the night...but I learned a new game and that is always fun. Apples to Apples, I think it was called and what a riot!! I think I am going to have to add that one to my collection.

This month was "Hobby" night! I had decided that I wasn't going to bring Josiah with me. I really needed a night out without having to think about Josiah...ok I thought about him all the time, but I didn't have the responsibility of attending to his every need:) That was Dan's job that night. Dan was going to have to put him to bed for the first time with a bottle. I had no idea how that would go...but we have a nightly routine and Josiah really does know that it is nighttime because he gets a bath every night. That is his cue to go to sleep while he is eating after the bath...and it has worked fabulously ever since we started doing it. And "Thank You Lord" Josiah went right to sleep for Dan. I was sooooo excited!! I now have the freedom to go out at night and not have to be home before 10:00pm. I was soooo proud of Dan that night!!!! I knew he could do it, but I didn't know if Josiah would be willing to go to bed without the boob:)

So on my way in to town I went to Michaels to return some things and get more scrapbooking stuff. If I haven't posted yet about scrapbooking...I am totally back into it and having a blast putting it together. I feel energized and creative again....I absoultely love to scrapbook and had forgot just how much I loved it. I just haven't had much to scrapbook in a long time, but now I have hundreds of pictures to choose from every month:)

I then called up my friend Mindy to see if she wanted a ride to "Girls Night In." Glad I had called her because she was on the fence whether she was going to go or not, but with a ride and a nice warm car awaiting her she decided to go and I bet she's glad she went because everyone pitched in to help her with her hobby. Stamping is fun when there are lots of people to share their creativity:) I tried to do some scrapbooking, but realized that I like it quiet and then I ran out of tape anyways, so I just simply enjoyed being in all adult women's company!!! I can't wait until next month!!!

The Return of Ramon Noodles and Hotdogs

Back in college, Dan and I were part of a college youth group called the Wesley Foundation. We met every Sunday and since the dorms didn't have dinner on Sunday night, we cooked and shared a meal to start out every meeting. Well Dan was in charge of the dinner one Sunday eveningand he had the brilliant idea of making ramon noodles and hotdogs....not separate mind you...but all mixed in together. He went down in Wesley history for that one! Well old habits die hard!!! He absolutely loves ramon noodles and requests them every time I go to the store. So the other night he was making ramon noodles and I saw that we had a couple of left over brats in the fridge from teh night before and thought I would have a brat. That gave Dan the idea to put the brat in the ramon noodles. He thought he was genious. A cheesy brat and ramon noodles...crazy guy!!! But he just said that the brat made him more mature or something like that:)

I'm so proud of my hubby!!

More Potential Job Professions

MAYBE A MAGICIAN!!!

(Look mom, I'm floating)

OR A BOXER!! (Put up your dukes, buddy)

The Results are in for Month 2

My boy is just getting to big to fast!!!!

I took Josiah to the Dr. yesterday and got all of his measurements and the dreaded shots. From the advice of friends, I nursed him a little when I got their and saved the rest for after his shots. I also gave him Tylenol right before the shots.

He did so great! The nurse came in and weighed and measured him first thing:

Height: 24 inches (75-90&)

Weight: 13lbs 0oz (75-90%)

Head: 16 inches

Then I nursed him until the Dr. came in to have a look. He has a mild case of eczema on his forehead...but the Dr. said it could just be from the dry weather also. So he prescribed some lotion that would help out in either case. Other than that he was in perfect health:) After the Dr. left, it took some time for the nurse to get the shots ready, so Josiah got to charm the entire office staff. He smiled at everyone which is just his nature...he is a smiley guy:) Then I went back into the room and started to sing "Do Lord" to see if he would cooh for everyone and right on cue, he sang like a little angel:) The physician's asst had to come in to see what all the talking was about. He is great with kids, as is his Dr. We are very lucky that they are right here in town.

Then came the shots. I thought I was ready, but not really sure you can be fully prepared for two nurses poking your son with needles and the other holding his legs down. I thought since I had been there for his circumcision, this would be nothing...but I had forgotten how drugged I was;) The shots were tough...he screamed, I almost cried, but it definately broke my heart, just like it does every time he screams at home (which, thank you God, isn't very often). But as soon as they were done, he calmed down and I picked him up and cuddled him. Then I went in to nurse him on the other side to relax him the rest of the way.

I thought we were going to be in for a rough evening. But when we got home, he fell asleep for 4 hours got up ate and played with Dad for a little bit and was back to sleep for another 4 hours. I had to wake him up for his bath and to eat again before bed. Then he slept 7 hours last night. I know there is still a possibility that he might get fussy tonight, but I am thankful he did so well last night.

Fun at Home with Mom!!!

We have finally settled into a nice routine:) Everyone kept telling me it would happen and it finally has....although I am not naive enough to believe that the routine will continue as it is today, but we will deal with the changes as they come about. Someone once told me that if times get tough, just wait a week or two and things will change. Everything with babies is only a phase...they are continually changing and learning new things.

Some fun new things that Josiah is doing and learning:

1. He is now actually watching the little animals on the mobile instead of just the shadows as they cross over his eyes:)
2. He can now palm a little basketball (not sure if he will be left handed or right handed, so I thought I would make sure to get a picture of both).

3. He is blowing bubbles and making brr sounds with his lips (definately potential for a future trumpet player in our midst:)
4. He is getting a little attitude when it comes to burping...he hates to do it and screams quite loudly in my ear...so I have just started standing him up and turning him from side to side a little and usually if I tell him to "burp for mom" I get a nice little burp right in my face...better than a scream I suppose:)
5. He is definately talking more and more. It is just the funniest thing though with him singing. I do have it on video, so as soon as I figure out how to incorporate videos into my blog I will have to share that with you all. We sing all kinds of songs, but he definately has a favorite..."

Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me, (oh Lordy)

Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me.

Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me.

Look away beyond the blue.

6. He is laughing alot now...I don't think I have ever heard a 2 month old laugh so much...we are sooo very blessed with this child.

7. He sleeps through the night. He has always been a great sleeper, sleeping 6 hours almost from the time we got him home. But now he is sleeping for 8 to 9 hours a night. Being a sleeper myself....I am loving this 100%. He even sleeps through his bath most nights. We have found that giving him a bath every night before he goes to bed let's him know that it is time to go to bed for the night and it relaxes him. I know I love a nice hot soak right before bed:)

Well that is about all for now!! We go for his shots tomorrow though. The advice I have received so far is to take Tylenol to give him immediately following the shots and be ready to nurse him right away since that will calm him right down. If there is anything else that people can think of, let me know!! I really am not nervous or scared about the shots (shoot I was there when he was circumsized, so I figure I can handle a couple of shots:) , I just want to make him as comfortable as possible.

Crazy Hair

This one's for Grandma Weaver!! She just loves the crazy hair. And I didn't style it like this, it just sort of ends up sticking up by the time he wakes up in the morning. I try and comb it, but before long it is standing up on end:) Too cute though!! However, he has ring around the head going on....he likes to flip his head from side to side, so there is an entire ring around his head that is bald. Silly kid!! What can ya do though? I love the spike though, very 80's!!!

Bath Time

Yah gotta love a baby that will fall asleep in the bath tub!! He absolutely loves his bath time and loves the taste of water too:) Sometimes he is awake during his bathtime, but mostly he sleeps!!

Josiah is 2 Months Old Today!!

It is sooo hard for me to believe that Josiah has been part of our lives for 2 entire months now...then again, I can't believe that it has only been 2 months. He has just slipped right into our lives like he has been there all along. We can't imagine our lives without him in anymore!! What a blessing he is to us and we just love him to pieces:) We go for his 2 month check up next week...but I took some preliminary measurements at home today and he weighs between 12lbs and 12 1/2 lbs. His length is right around 24 1/2" and I forgot to check his head measurement. According to those measurements that puts him in the 75% range for weight and 100% for height. I think we are going to have a big kid on our hands. But who really cares about all this stuff when he wakes me up in the morning with a huge grin on his face!!

"Alone" Time

I have been meaning to post about my "alone" time since Tuesday morning, but I just haven't had a chance yet!! I feel busier now than I ever did while I was working!!!

After writing the last post, I realized that I needed to do something for myself in order to get alone time, it wasn't going to just magically appear. So I called up my good pal Mindy on Monday afternoon to see what she was doing that night. Thankfully she had no plans and was excited to get together. She decided she would cook us a meal and I provided the movie:) Then I called Dan to make sure he didn't have plans, because now he did;) He was going to take care of Josiah for the entire evening!!! He agreed without a fuss (thankfully). I had plans for a night out without Josiah and I was thrilled!!! I realized earlier in the day that "alone" time didn't necessarily mean by myself...it simply meant, time where I didn't have to think about anyone but me:)

So I made up a couple of bottles so that Josiah was all set with food for the evening. I packed up the breast pump and headed out for an evening of no responsibilities:) First I weighed in at weight watchers (where I lost 2 pounds, yipeee!!) and then I was off for a a fun girls night. Mindy cooked an awesome meal followed be even more awesome cupcakes...hmm yellow cake with chocolate frosting my favorite!!! We just sat around talking about this and that and it was sooo great not to have to worry about whether or not Josiah was going to sleep for his entire naptime or if he was going to wake up early and fussy. I had such a great time!! Thank you Mindy for being home and for cooking for me.

I gave Dan a call on my way home and Josiah had been pretty fussy most of the night. I think Josiah is getting back into his fussy evenings...it had subsided for awhile, but it seems to be creeping back into his schedule. Not fun!! But at any rate, the two survived and both were glad to see me...Dan was glad so I could take over and Josiah was glad to see the boob. Instant comfort!!!

So Dan is going to start watching Josiah one night every other week to start and hopefully that will get easier and easier for Josiah. I know he loves his mommy but he needs to get used to being without me a little more.

Thanks for the advice and comments to Sarah, Kari U. and Terra! I really do need alone time and so does Dan. He needs to have time either at home or with his friends where he doesn't have to hear the fussing or worry that he isn't taking Josiah enough or dealing with me;) Everyone needs time alone or with their friends away from their children to remain sane!!! So we are going to try and do that more, now that we have settled in to life with a child!!!