Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
According To The Kitchen Scale....
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Should I Stay or Should I GROW?
Dear Reid,
Your dad and I will love you at every size.
love,
mommy
Thursday, August 4, 2011
To My Wonderful Husband and My Precious Son
Dear Jeff & Reid:
I'm writing to you this morning to express my sincere gratitude for the events of last night. I woke up at 4:50am with success on my mind and a big smile on my face. I thought to myself, "this is how it's supposed to work!" Of course, I've quickly learned that there's no "supposed to" when it comes to babies. They are all each unique and beautiful in their own way.
Last night around 9:30pm, we began our bedtime routine (I know, mommy needs to start this earlier in the evening but it's so hard to do because we want to maximize our time with daddy when he gets home from work in the evenings). After feeding you your evening snack, I took you to the nursery to get settled in. First, I swaddled you nice and tight because at seven weeks old, you still enjoy a snug swaddle. The Miracle Blanket was clean, so we got to use mommy's favorite swaddle blanket. After getting you nice & snug, we settled into the rocker for some bonding time. You ate a little more, burped a little, grunted a bit in the cute way that only you can do, sucked on the pacifier a little (we tried a new one tonight - the one your daddy gave me with my Mother's Day present - it says "Mute Button" on it). It took you a minute to decide whether or not you liked it, but eventually you accepted it as your own. I knew you would since it was a gift from your dad. By about 10:30pm, you were in a pretty deep sleep so I laid you in your crib for the night. After turning on the humidifier & your sleep sheep (I think I chose the ocean sounds - mommy loves the ocean and I'm sure you will one day too), I left you in your slumber and headed to bed for the night (or at least for a few hours, I hoped).
I put the video monitor on dad's side of the bed since he so graciously agreed to give you your midnight bottle. To my surprise you slept well past midnight! In fact, you slept for three solid hours. Around 1:30am I awoke to hear you stirring. I was only awake for a few seconds when dad jumped out of bed and headed to your room to begin the routine of diaper change, bottle feed, burp, and sleep. I haven't talked to dad yet this morning, so I'm not sure how smoothly that went, but I have a feeling it was a piece of cake because you proceeded to sleep for almost another three hours! Dad must have done an excellent job! I slept soundly until I heard you moving around again at 4:50am.
Those six hours of sleep were wonderful. Today is going to be a great day! We'll be on our "A" game little buddy!
I wanted to be sure to write this letter to you so that I'll have something to refer to during those not-so-successful sleep nights. I know we'll have them again (kind of like the night before last...you were up just about every hour sweet child!), and we'll survive even the longest night of no sleep because all I have to do is take one look at you and I'm reminded that God gave your daddy and me the single greatest gift there is in life - a healthy son who is amazing and wonderful in so many ways! We are so blessed!
So again, I offer my sincere gratitude and thanks to both of you. You continue to make me the "happiest mommy on the block" (you guys must have read the book!).
Love,
mommy
I'm writing to you this morning to express my sincere gratitude for the events of last night. I woke up at 4:50am with success on my mind and a big smile on my face. I thought to myself, "this is how it's supposed to work!" Of course, I've quickly learned that there's no "supposed to" when it comes to babies. They are all each unique and beautiful in their own way.
Last night around 9:30pm, we began our bedtime routine (I know, mommy needs to start this earlier in the evening but it's so hard to do because we want to maximize our time with daddy when he gets home from work in the evenings). After feeding you your evening snack, I took you to the nursery to get settled in. First, I swaddled you nice and tight because at seven weeks old, you still enjoy a snug swaddle. The Miracle Blanket was clean, so we got to use mommy's favorite swaddle blanket. After getting you nice & snug, we settled into the rocker for some bonding time. You ate a little more, burped a little, grunted a bit in the cute way that only you can do, sucked on the pacifier a little (we tried a new one tonight - the one your daddy gave me with my Mother's Day present - it says "Mute Button" on it). It took you a minute to decide whether or not you liked it, but eventually you accepted it as your own. I knew you would since it was a gift from your dad. By about 10:30pm, you were in a pretty deep sleep so I laid you in your crib for the night. After turning on the humidifier & your sleep sheep (I think I chose the ocean sounds - mommy loves the ocean and I'm sure you will one day too), I left you in your slumber and headed to bed for the night (or at least for a few hours, I hoped).
I put the video monitor on dad's side of the bed since he so graciously agreed to give you your midnight bottle. To my surprise you slept well past midnight! In fact, you slept for three solid hours. Around 1:30am I awoke to hear you stirring. I was only awake for a few seconds when dad jumped out of bed and headed to your room to begin the routine of diaper change, bottle feed, burp, and sleep. I haven't talked to dad yet this morning, so I'm not sure how smoothly that went, but I have a feeling it was a piece of cake because you proceeded to sleep for almost another three hours! Dad must have done an excellent job! I slept soundly until I heard you moving around again at 4:50am.
Those six hours of sleep were wonderful. Today is going to be a great day! We'll be on our "A" game little buddy!
I wanted to be sure to write this letter to you so that I'll have something to refer to during those not-so-successful sleep nights. I know we'll have them again (kind of like the night before last...you were up just about every hour sweet child!), and we'll survive even the longest night of no sleep because all I have to do is take one look at you and I'm reminded that God gave your daddy and me the single greatest gift there is in life - a healthy son who is amazing and wonderful in so many ways! We are so blessed!
So again, I offer my sincere gratitude and thanks to both of you. You continue to make me the "happiest mommy on the block" (you guys must have read the book!).
Love,
mommy
This was you last night as we began our bedtime routine
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Whetstone Family Visits Reid
My dad, Danice, Anthony, and Bentley spent a week in Dallas with us in July. We loved every minute of it! We were sad that Sean and Jamye couldn't make it. Sean was on his high school graduation trip (we wouldn't have wanted him to miss that for anything!), and Jamye was in San Diego with Brent. Jamye will be coming to visit in September sometime, so we're really looking forward to that!
The family arrived on Saturday afternoon & proceeded to spend the evening gushing over Reid and recapping all the ways he had changed in just one month. On Sunday, we met the Andersens at Twisted Root Burger Company for a belated birthday celebration for Jeff. Even though he slept through most of it, I think Reid enjoyed his first of many family birthday celebrations...especially because it was his dad's!
We had a great week of errand running, swimming, relaxing together, and visiting with friends. Dad & Danice spent most nights on Reid-duty, and with the help of a 3am(ish) bottle feeding, mom got anywhere from 5-7 hours of sleep for three nights in a row! Thanks so much guys, and come back anytime!
Super Jeff
Anthony - pondering his next dive
Got air?
He's not a big fan of the pacifier (at least not this one). You have to hold it the entire time if you want it to stay in his mouth. Not the most effective soother!
Emily came to visit & she not only brought a yummy poppyseed chicken dinner, but she brought wine and dessert too. She definitely knows how to make a new mom happy! Thanks Em!
Heeeey Reid...
Look over here, Reid.
There it is...we've got eye contact!
Hi sweet boy!
Look at evil Uncle Tony in the background. What is he doing to poor Hudson?
Danice & Reid make a lot of the same faces
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Again...poor Hudson!
peace
Best buds - Bentley and Hudson
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Reid's 1st Play Date!
Jeff, Reid and I visited Jordan, Elizabeth and Larkin Brazeal tonight. Larkin was born on July 6th, so he's about 3 weeks younger than Reid. This was their first of many play dates. Jeff grew up with the four Brazeal boys, so Reid & Larkin's friendship will mark the 2nd generation of the Andersen/Brazeal team. I'm so excited to see them grow together!
Speaking of growing, it's amazing how fast they grow in the first few months of life. Reid seemed like a giant next to sweet, little Larkin. How I miss Reid at that size already! Makes me sad to think about it, but then I quickly remember his chunky little thighs, his eye contact with those big blue/gray eyes & his intentional smiles and all is well again in emotional mommy land.
Speaking of growing, it's amazing how fast they grow in the first few months of life. Reid seemed like a giant next to sweet, little Larkin. How I miss Reid at that size already! Makes me sad to think about it, but then I quickly remember his chunky little thighs, his eye contact with those big blue/gray eyes & his intentional smiles and all is well again in emotional mommy land.
Elizabeth & Reid, Me & Larkin
So adorable!
Friends already! In hindsight, I should have turned Reid's head to face Larkin for a better picture. Not sure what Reid was looking at the whole time, but he seemed intrigued.
"Come on dude. Look over here! I'm trying to play with you so our mommies can get a good picture."
"Hey Reid...over here!"
"Watch out, man! Haven't your parents taught you that hitting is bad?!?"
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