Memorial Day Weekend

We are having a great holiday weekend!  So far Uncas and I have been able to get a lot of yard work done.  We have a huge silver maple in our front yard that drops little helicopters in the spring.  We finally got around to sweeping them up from our driveway and patio.  Now we will be plucking little maple trees from the flower beds for the rest of the summer!  This week we also got a new tree planted in our yard.  The city of Richfield planted a new boulevard tree in our front yard.  It's an ironwood (hop-hornbeam) tree.  It looks really nice, although rather small right now.  I was also able to get into my shade garden that I started last year.  It's very much a work in progress, but I really needed to clean it up.

Yesterday in addition to yard work, my friend Jacqueline and her two kids stopped by to meet Eddie.  It was fun to them.  While Jacqueline held Eddie, her kids played with Sammy and our Wii.  Then last night we went to Ashley's house.  You'll recall that is Eddie girlfriend.  I didn't take pictures of the kids :-(  It was fun to hang out with Ashley's parents.

Today we did some more yard work.  The great thing right now is that Eddie has been taking some long naps during the days.  This enabled Uncas and I to both be outside at the same time today and yesterday.  Hopefully this is a trend that continues as I envision all the things that I can accomplish now during nap time!

And speaking of sleeping - the most exciting thing that Eddie has done this week was sleep for 10 hours straight on Friday night!  Of course I was up for a couple of hours, just waiting for him to wake up!  Last night wasn't quite as long, but it's much better than the 3 or 4 hours stretches he has been doing lately.  We'll see how tonight goes!

Here are some photos from the weekend so far!

 Happy baby after bath time!

 Meeting Jacqueline

 Little Cubs fan!

 Mmmmm . . . tasty fingers!

 Mama and Eddie showing their support for the Cubs!

 Eddie supervising Daddy while Daddy installs new blinds

 Love this picture of my two sweeties!

Bath time!

Me and My Bebe!

Yesterday I had Uncas take a picture of me with Eddie.  I am usually the one behind the camera, so I seem to have few pictures of Eddie and me.  Or at least ones that I think are decent. 

I also had Eddie in a carrier yesterday, so I could get a few things done around the house - you know, like making a sandwich so I could eat lunch!  I snapped a picture of us. 

And finally - Uncas took one of me with both of my babies!

First Road Trip!

This past weekend we traveled to northern WI to visit Uncas's grandma and to introduce her to Eddie.  It was a quick trip - we left on Saturday morning and we returned by Sunday evening (hey, we had Lost to watch!)  Eddie did fabulous in the car - it was about a 4 1/2 hour drive, although with stops it was closer to 6 hours.  In terms of a first trip with baby in tow, it really went smoothly.  It helped to have the two of us - one on dog duty and one on baby duty.  With the dog, we were unable to go into a restaurant together, but Grandma P. was just as happy to see and to play with Sammy!  In fact, on the way home, we stopped at gas station/fast food place that had picnic tables, so we didn't even have to eat in the car!

Great Grandma loved meeting her first great grandson!  She was in love with his big smiles that he gave her.  Here are some pictures of our time with Great-Grandma P!

 Grandma and Sammy

 Eddie telling Great Grandma about the car ride

 Playing with Great Grandma

 I love this picture of the two of them!

Grandma with the boys!

It's Gonna Be a Long Summer . . .

Let me tell you why it's going to be a long summer. It's not because of the heat, although it did reach 95 degrees here in the Twin Cities today. It's because I will not be able to enjoy the goodness of a DQ Blizzard. Or a cheeseburger on the grill. Or a tasty chocolate milkshake. Or pizza. Or cheese curds from the MN State Fair (my husband suggested that one).

What do those things have in common?

If you guessed dairy - you are correct.

I discovered recently that Eddie has a tendency to spit up when I consume dairy. And it's not just a little spit up - it's a lot!

I sort of feel stupid for not realizing this sooner and a little bit like a bad mama. I think part of me was in denial. I love, love, love DQ Blizzards. The thought of not having one all summer long - any ice cream in fact, is very depressing. But at the same time, if that's what I have to do, then so be it. I know if I really wanted one, I could just deal with the spit up. I am just not sure if the actual spitting up bothers Eddie. I kind of think it does, so I really don't want to have to put him through that if I can help it.

Don't feel too bad for me though. Giving up dairy certainly isn't the end of the world. I can still eat chocolate, cake, cookies, and pie - some of my other most favorite foods!

LOST!

I have been thinking about doing a post about Lost, the tv show, for weeks now. It's my favorite tv show of all time. It's coming to an end tonight.

It's a little bittersweet because Uncas and I have watched this show together since the very beginning. When we were just dating, our weekday date night revolved around watching Lost. We have watched every episode together. I just knew that I would be in labor on Tuesday night because that it when Lost is on (and for the record - I was in labor on a Tuesday night - we watched it on Saturday).

It's the one show that we both put down our laptops and give it our full attention. I have spent hours reading about Lost online, talking about it with friends. I know it's only a tv show, but I think it also represents time that Uncas and I have spent together. I don't know if we'll ever have another show like Lost. It's hard to find time to watch tv now with a child and I find myself not wanting to watch as much.

And as much as I could go on and on, I have to sign off now to watch the finale!

Play Date!

On Monday Eddie had a play date with Eliza.  Well, I guess right now the playdate is more for the moms :-)  Ella and I enjoyed lunch and a walk. 

But Eddie and Eliza did get some "playing" time in too.  I finally had my camera handy and took a bunch of pictures.  They were so cute together!  Eliza is currently 6 months and she is just darling!  She loves babies and dogs, so Sammy was able to get some attention as well! 

Here are just a few of the pictures I took!

 Eliza petting Sammy - well, grabbing at his tags which jangle!

 Someone pointed out it looks like Eliza is casting a spell on Eddie

 Sorry - I don't know how to turn this picture.  But we put their hands together and I think it's cute!

 Tummy Time together!

 Notice in the last picture Eliza was looking at the camera - now Eddie is - never at the same time though!

 Let's roll over!

 Eliza kissing Eddie's hand!  Probably more like trying to put it in her mouth, but notice that Eddie doesn't seem to mind.

Second Month

Today Eddie is 2 months old!  I think this month went by even faster than last month!  It actually started out a bit rocky due to the antibiotics that I was on, but after that things have gotten even easier.  Some highlights from the month:

- He has moved up a size in cloth diapers.  This next size is a little bit big on him, but the other ones are definitely too small.

- He only has three pairs of socks that actually fit his big feet.  Luckily it's getting really warm here and hopefully he can go sockless for a while!

- He smiles all the time and laughs and coos too!  It's the best feeling to smile at him and to receive a smile back.

- When Eddie plays in the Pack N Play, he does a great job of reaching and grabbing for some of his toys.  He loves to kick and "talk" while playing in there. 

- I am starting to see somewhat a schedule taking shape during our days.  I am getting much better about reading his cues for when he is starting to get tired, when he is hungry, and when he needs a diaper changed.  He currently sleeps for about 5-7 hours at a time at night for the first stretch.  After he wakes up and eats, he goes back to sleep for about 2 hours.  Maybe 3 if we are lucky. 

- He now sleeps in his crib at night and he is starting to sleep in his crib during naps.  Today I managed to get him to fall asleep on his own in his crib for a nap.  We also put him down in his crib tonight while he was sleepy and he fell asleep on his own.  This is huge because we used to hold him and rock him for a good 30-45 minutes before we would put him down at night.  We do still swaddle him at night and I am getting better about doing it during the daytime for naps.  He moves his arms way too much otherwise, and he constantly wakes himself up when they jerk! 

- I am finding it difficult to find the time to trim his nails.  Because we swaddle him at night, I can't trim them while he is sleeping.  Today his face looks like Edward Scissorhands because it's all cut up! 

- He still loves his bathtime!  It's like our secret weapon.  He also likes to be naked.

Here is Eddie's 2 month picture with the whale. I didn't even realize this morning when I was getting him dressed that he is in the same onesie as last month!

Happy 2 months!

Eddie and Daddy having a conversation!

Weekend with Grandma N

This weekend Grandma Nimz had a workshop down in the Cities, so she stayed with us.  She was here Thursday night through Sunday morning.  Saturday night she generously offered to baby-sit in exchange for staying at our house.  Uncas and I gladly accepted the offer, and went to dinner and saw the movie Robin Hood.  We really enjoyed our date night and Eddie enjoyed his time with Grandma.  He gave her lots of smiles and showed her how well he could move his arms and legs.

 Grandma with Eddie and Sammy

 Grandma, Daddy and Eddie

 Grandma and Eddie

In other weekend news - I finally got some flowers planted in and around my yard!  Uncas also managed to get out and enjoy the fishing opener weekend today.  He didn't catch anything, but his new outboard motor worked great.  He figures in two years Eddie will be able to join him fishing!  I also made my second rhubarb pie of the season from fresh rhubarb that Grandma brought us.  All in all, it was an excellent weekend.  

Here are some other pictures that I took from this weekend.

 All my boys hanging out on the couch

 Big Smile!

Daddy and Sammy cuddling

Two Month Check-up

Yesterday Eddie had his 2 month check-up!  He is currently 11 lbs. 12 oz. and 23 inches long!  He's in the 59th and 60th percentile, which is great - he is right on.  The pediatrician was impressed with how well he holds his head, how much he responds and smiles, and how well he reaches and follows objects. 

He started getting his vaccinations as well yesterday, and he did great.  While he did cry, I have seen him cry harder and longer when I have tried burping him before.  I didn't shed any tears which is pretty impressive considering how sensitive I am.  The whole thing was over with before I knew it, and a minute later as I started to get him dressed, he was all smiles!  Last night he was a bit fussier than normal.  We discovered that the cloth diapers actually hit his leg where at least of the shots was injected, so we switched to disposables and gave him a bath (which does wonders for his fussiness) and he was fine.  When he got up at 3 am for his feeding, he was all smiles!  Today he hasn't been any fussier than normal, so I am pretty relieved that there were minimal side affects to his first shots!

Probably the best thing the doctor said at the appointment was directed at me.  I had to go on some antibiotics which did not agree with Eddie a few weeks ago.  The first one I tried resulted in a trip the pediatrician to find out what was wrong with Eddie.  We determined it was the antibiotics, so I ended up switching antibiotics only to have them also not agree with Eddie.  I wasn't ready to quit nursing him, so for 7 days I pumped and dumped my milk supply while we switched Eddie to formula.  After 7 days I started nursing again and fortunately he took right back to it like it was nothing! 

When I told the pediatrician what we ended up doing, she was shocked and said "Wow, you must be really committed - that is wonderful!"  I am not going to lie - it was the hardest week to date.  Trying to find the time to pump when I was home by myself was so difficult, but somehow, some way, we made it through.  I wanted to quit so many times, but for some reason I didn't and now I am so glad that I stuck with it.  To hear the pediatrician say that to me made me feel like the best mom in the world!

Hanging Out at the Shopping Mall

Today Eddie and I took a trip to Mall of America (MOA) to meet up with his friend Ashley and her mom Lisa. The babies were really good as we walked all the floors of the mall and grabbed some lunch. Lots of people commented on how the two of them were so cute! We even met another baby that was 8 weeks old (same age as Eddie and Ashley)

 Ashley and Eddie looking at their toys on their car seats

Cute Ashley

Wordless Wednesday

Eddie's waving hi!!

My First Mother's Day!

This little smiling face is what today is really all about. This time last year I had no idea when I would be a mother. Just a few weeks ago I was trying to figure out ideas for gifts to get my mom and mother-in-law for Mother's Day. After a several minutes it finally dawned on me that this year I am a mother and I will be celebrating in a different way! It still seems strange after all these years of recognizing mothers, that I fall into this category.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband who really made not only this day fabulous for me, but this whole weekend! I got some much needed time to myself each day. Friday night I went out to dinner and shopping with a girlfriend. Yesterday Uncas took Little E shopping so I could clean and take a nap. And then today Uncas took Little E to Cabela's for the first time (but surely not his last) and I was able to do some yard work. While it probably doesn't seem to be an overly exciting weekend to many, it was exactly everything I could have hoped for!

Motherhood is hard work and yet it's the best job that I have ever had! It makes me appreciate not only my own mother that much more, but all the mothers that are out there. I hope all you mothers had a great day today (for the record, I believe that being a mom to furbabies count too!) And a very happy Mother's day to my own Mom and Mother-in-law!

Wordless Wednesday

Visit from Grandma Jo (and Grandpa too)

I love this picture of Eddie with Grandma Jo. I think it sums up the weekend. Eddie loved spending time with his Grandma and Grandpa. Uncas and I also enjoyed the much needed break after a long, tough week (that's for another post).

My mom spent a lot of time holding Eddie, feeding Eddie, putting Eddie to sleep, changing him, comforting him, and playing with him - it was great! She even got up and did the middle of the night feedings, so the hubby and I could get some extra sleep. We can't thank her enough!

Because she spent much time with the baby, Uncas and I were able to do other things. Uncas worked on his boat and motors and I baked. I made a homemade coffee cake for Saturday morning and then a fresh rhubarb pie with rhubarb from the Richfield Farmer's Market. Oh it was a tasty weekend.

The last time my parents were here, I was still recovering from labor and they did so much around the house to help us out. This time it was nice to actually do stuff for them while they were here.  And next month Eddie will be traveling down to their house for the first time!  We can't wait!

Family picture at Eddie's first Farmer's Market