Summer Days

     We've had a good week. Got the AC on the car fixed, so it was in the shop and we missed library, but got to hang out with Gigi, Jen and Graham a bunch. Lainey had theater camp all week. She starred as the lead in Alice in Wonderland and, as expected, performed amazingly. She is very impressive and cool as a cucumber- no stage fright, never misses a line! We had lunch at The Luxury one day, a beautiful outdoor restaurant on the newer part of the river walk. We've also had some lazy days at home.

     After his 4 month shots Monday, Jeffrey got thrown off schedule. He wasn't feeling well and had a fever for 2 days and I think it messed up his sleep pattern. He's been waking every 1 1/2-2 hours in the night to eat! Wearing me out! (Before this week, he was sleeping 5-6 hours, then 3-4 hours, only waking once or twice each night.) We have stayed home all weekend to try to get him back on track. He's taking the best nap he's had in a long time right now! I don't know if it's a growth spurt, teething or what. Like everyone says, as soon as you think you've got it down, it all changes! So true!!

     Two cute memories I have from this week: 1. Reading Big Red Barn before bed, which we have read probably 30 times before, but this time Jeffrey was just cracking up at it. He was laughing and talking through the entire book. Brant had to grab the camera and took video of it because it was so funny and cute. 2. Every night before I put him down, I read to him, say a prayer and sing a lullaby. This week he was cooing long and slow coos as if he was singing with me. Precious moments! 

Hanging out at Gigi's

The Luxury

 

Getting our picture made with the star!

 Gemme some knucks!

 I think those beautiful eyes are officially brown! Brant thinks the jury's still out!

 Quality time!

 Our baby fawns are growing so quickly

 More quality time!

 

 

 Monitor view: I will remember looking at this in the future-many times a day, at ALL hours! : )

Meeting Alyssa!

Jeffrey met his same-age cousin, Alyssa today! She is actually 11 weeks old, Jeffrey is 18 weeks.  Mama Cara, Alyssa and Gigi came over for lunch and a good visit. The afternoon included eating, breast feeding, pumping, several diaper changes, mama talk and naps. Sadly, Jeffrey was not feeling himself because of his 4 month shots he got yesterday, but we are so glad they came! Glad to have a cousin to play with!  We look forward to many good times together in the future!

 

 

4 Months Old and FULL of JOY!

Jeffrey is so much fun! He's been laughing for a while now, but in the past week or so, he's become very ticklish. He laughs when I wash under his chin and under his arms in the bath. He usually hates getting dressed but laughs while I'm putting on his onsies. He laughs when taking his disgusting medicine too! I guess he's learning that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! The best is when he smiles at me when I kiss him goodnight. Or maybe his smile when I go in to get him out of his crib in the morning or after a nap. We now have numerous videos of him squealing with delight! He is so, so sweet. He is a very easy going, calm baby most of the time. A very happy little dude.

He's been reaching and sucking on his fingers and just yesterday, his thumb. I'm ready to ditch the binky and the swaddling, so this is good news to me.

Apparently, exclusively breast feeding for 4 months has given Jeffrey a year's worth of protection from ear infections and respiratory diseases among the many other benefits. We have overcome so many obstacles together, but he is still feeding so often that I can hardly do anything by myself! (I can't even go get my hair cut.) He's still waking twice a night to feed, which other breastfeeding moms tell me is normal. Because of this I thought I'd try a bottle. He refused many times, (at first laughing at me like it was a funny game, then complete refusal.) He finally took about an ounce yesterday. I thought I wanted a little freedom, but it made me a little sad! (It also upset his tummy, so I don't know if we'll do it again.) As my mom has said, each day a baby becomes a little more independent and it's a good thing. My job is to make him independent eventually and it starts so soon! I'm still planning to breast feed for a year. I would miss the way he stops and "talks" to me quietly then smiles and goes back to eating.

We are going to Babytime at the library every week and La Leche once a month. It's nice to have a place to chat with other moms and get the babies together. I made a friend at the library today that lives right around the corner from me and has a boy one month older than Jeffrey, so that's exciting! We're going to join the play group in our neighborhood once a month and I'm looking into Gymboree, Little Gym or Kindermusik too. Suggestions are welcome! : )

Good times ahead!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving Quilt

Friend's loving hands that have created such awesome gifts for Jeffrey just amaze me. Julie finished his sock monkey quilt recently and I finally hung it up last week. I have known Julie for about 25 years and babysat her three kids for so many years when they lived across the street. They are a very special family to me.
When I brought the quilt home, Brant was impressed by it too and told me how he loved to sleep under a certain quilt when he was young. He said it always felt cool and comfortable. I know Jeffrey will enjoy this one for years to come. As for now, it is hanging above his crib. He can gaze at it like I do when I'm in there, noticing all the patterns and intricate design. An engineer sure can make an impressive quilt! It's all about the math! Thank you so much for this very special gift, Julie!

Special Family Weekend

Instead of going to Colorado this year, we had a San Antonio family weekend. John and Katie joined us for the first time together since they've moved back to Texas. We caught up with each other while visiting, eating and playing. The weekend closed in a special way as we celebrated Dad's life by placing part of his ashes at the columbarium at church. Ron spoke, read scripture, told a story and we each placed a rock on the "tomb" like is done traditionally in Jewish culture as a symbol that Dad was here and we were there remembering him. Jeffrey hung out with the family all weekend. I don't think he cried once! He took his naps at Gigi's and was a trooper, laughing and smiling a lot!

Meeting Aunt Katie

Chillin' with Aunt Jen

Watching a movie, (napping)

Giggling with Gigi