Catch up!

Preston went to the Dr last Wednesday for a check-up.  We found out he is 24 in long and weighs 12.4lbs.  We also found out that the reason he has been having extremely dry skin and breaking out around his face is because he is allergic to all scented body wash, shampoos, and laundry detergent (You think I would have thought about that before!)  We have switched everything out and his skin is getting back to normal.  The Dr was a little concerned about the back right side of Preston's head.  She said that she would diagnose him with Positional Plagiocephaly (Flattened Head Syndrome)  When I heard that word come out of her mouth I instantly started to freak out.  While tears were in my eyes she explained to me that it was nothing serious, painful, or long term.  She referred us to a physical therapist that we will be meeting with this week.  She said that with the help of the therapist, changing the position he sleeps, and LOTS of tummy time should clear up the problem with in a few months.  She said that if his head didn't start to round out then we would try a helmet.  I'm praying he does well with the therapy, I can't imagine wearing a helmet all the time could be comfortable.  But all in all, Preston is one very healthy baby boy.  He laughed, smiled, kicked, and talked to the Dr the whole time... until it was time to get his shots.  I have never heard him cry like that before.  I know every different type of cry Preston has, and I know exactly how to respond to each one... but this one scared me so much.  Knowing that your child is in pain is by far the worst experience in the world.  Praying that Preston never brakes a bone has now been added into my daily prayers for him.  I know him experiencing pain is just a part of life, but I so badly wish I could take any pain or discomfort away from him.  Hearing that cry really made me think about how lucky I am to have such a happy and healthy baby.  I read stories all the time about babies with diseases and babies who are injured, and my heart brakes not only for the children but for the parents as well.  It really is true that you don't know what unconditional love is until you become a parent.  Preston has to go back on his 4 month birthday and get the same 3 shots again... and I am definitely not looking forward to it.

On a happier note, Preston rolled over on his side by himself yesterday for the first time.  I had put him down for a nap and he apparently was not tired because I watched him for about 20 minutes turning to his side, then on his back over and over and over again.  He loved it, and so did I.  I have also made the decision to put Preston on formula full time now.  It was a very hard decision, but I just wasn't making enough to satisfy him.  The nursing experience went from a calm and peaceful one to a very un enjoyable one for both of us.  I tried for several weeks to keep nursing and was hoping my body would come through for him but it just didn't work out.  He has adjusted to bottle feeding extremely well and feeding time has become pleasant again. 

Preston, Chip and myself went to dinner with Aunt Kelly and Lexi Friday evening.  We sat on the patio and enjoyed the beautiful weather (but not so much the birds in the trees above us)  Lexi made us all laugh as usual.  At one point during dinner I needed to go to the bathroom to change Preston.  Preston literally had an explosion in his pants... and it wasn't the best surprise when I realized I left the wipes at home.  Aunt Kelly and Lexi came into the bathroom while I was debating on what I should do.  We decided to use some wet paper towels.  When I took Preston's diaper off the first thing that came out of Lexi's mouth was "OH MY GOSH!!!"  Kelly and I started dieing laughing.  Chip and I can't get enough of that little girl.

All he wanted when he got back from the Dr was to be held.  We rocked for over an hour, I loved every second of it.

Day after his shots.  He was still not feeling very well.

 Preston was back to normal on Friday, starting to get the concept of peek-a-boo!

                                               Dinner with Aunt Kelly and Cousin Lexi!

Tummy/Daddy time!

STUFF!

Stuff here, stuff there, stuff EVERYWHERE!  I am so incredibly overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that is in this house.  I start to clean and organize one room and all the stuff just ends up in another room.  It seems to be a never ending cycle.  As I was going through the laundry room trying to purge all the junk that is in there I came across 14 light bulbs... 14!  Why on earth do I need 14 light bulbs all at once.  2 or 3 I can understand, you know when the bathroom light goes out while you are in the middle of drying your hair and you need to change it out real quick, got it, but 14?!  It really makes me think about all the unnecessary junk we buy on a daily basis.  Every chance I, and probably the majority of people, get the chance to go out and buy the newer, better, cooler version of what you already have you take it.  When in reality what you had in the first place was perfectly fine and a lot better then what a lot of people have.  Want another example, trust me I have tons... I have 9 bottles for Preston, and not the inexpensive one, the best bottles I could find... PRESTON IS BREASTFED!  Case in point, there is absolutely no reason why I need 9 bottles for him.  It really is insanity.  I am to the point where I don't even want to go grocery shopping because it is just more stuff to find a place for, and we have PLENTY of food.  I could find recipes for the food we have and not have to buy anything new for who knows how long.  But we always "NEED" things right? No, we always "want" things.  I am going to make an extreme effort to use what I have and to be happy with it.  Now back to the "stuff madness" .

12 Weeks!

Preston is 12 weeks old today and has grown so much in just a week.  Here are a few things Preston has been up to lately.

-He has more control over his arms and legs
-He is grabbing and pulling objects towards his mouth
-He has almost found his thumb and he intensely sucks on his fists
-He now has name recognition and will turn when you call his name
-During tummy time he props himself up on his elbows and looks all around
-He "plays" with his Taggie blanket and puppy
-He occasionally chuckles
-Smiles constantly
-Rubs his eyes when he is tired
-Rubs his hands through his hair when he eats
-Gets excited when someone sings to him
-If he wakes up during a nap and someone goes in to check on him, he will look up, see you  then   smile because he thinks you are going to get him out.
-Loves looking at himself in the mirror
-Lifts his whole lower body off the ground and sways it to one side
-Grabs his legs
-Fascinated with TV
-Kicks in the bath and LOVES being in the water
-Loves getting his hair brushed
-Closes his eyes and smiles when he feels the wind outside
-Sticks out his bottom lip and pouts when his paci falls out

Preston was scheduled for a Dr. appointment this morning at 9:30.  Well, I got up at 6 so I could shower and get ready before he woke up at 7.  We were dressed and ready to walk out the door at 9 when I remembered that I left my wallet in Chip's truck.  So I called the Dr. and asked if I would need my ID and of course... I would.  So I had to reschedule his appointment for tomorrow morning at 9:30.  I guess pregnancy brain still resides inside of me.  I am very excited to see how much Preston weighs and even more excited to see how long he is now.

Now that day light savings time has happened and the days are longer, Chip will be having much longer days at work.  I know he hates coming home and Preston already being in bed and leaving in the mornings before he wakes up, but it just makes the time they get to spend together even more special.  Preston's face literally lights up when he sees Chip, I love it!

Here are some pictures from this past week!

We had to get the next size up in swaddlers, he has a little bit harder time escaping... but it still happens.

Preston loves looking at himself in the mirror on his play mat, loves the feeling of his skin on his giraffe rug, but doesn't like to be cold... so he has to have a blanket to cover him... HIGH MAINTENANCE :)

                                                       
                                                          The two loves of my life <3

       
                                        The only two feet I don't mind kissing constantly

My Reality

When I was a little girl, I played make believe.  I pretended to cook, clean, and to be a mom with my baby dolls.  In my naive mind I imagined a man, a husband.  He was brave and strong and very handsome, and he loved me.  It was just a dream.  Some might call it a fairy tale or the immature longings of a girl who believed in romance.  But today I am lucky enough to say that I call it my life, because you are the man of my dreams.  Your humor drew me in and your kindness kept me there.  It wasn't long (a week to be exact) before I knew I loved you, I could marry you, raise children with you, and grow old with you.  Watching you now, as Preston's father, makes me see how right I was.  Preston and I could not be more blessed.  You are a man among men.  You stand out as you lead our family.  You are my heart, my life, my best friend, and my soul mate; not to mention you give the best foot massages Texas.  You are unique and beautiful, and you are mine.  As time goes by, I stop and think about all the memories we've made, the good times we've shared and the love between us that keeps growing.  You are a blessing from above - one that I do not take for granted.  I thank you for all the things you've done and do for Preston and me on a daily bases.  Not only are you a wonderful husband, you're a terrific father, provider and caregiver.

We don't agree on everything, but the respect we have for one another I would not trade for anything.  You listen to me, and really hear me.  You encourage me when I doubt myself.  You cry with me when times are tough and you love me like no one else could or can.
More than anything Babe, I want you to know that I love you more than I ever dreamed, more than words, more than life.  I'm forever grateful for your love and I am proud to be your wife.

Preston, while you are growing into a young man, I hope you look to your father as an example; they don't get much better than him.  The love he has for you runs deep and he is proud to have you as his son.  Listen to him, laugh with him, and most of all respect him.

 

 

A baby will make days shorter, nights longer, bank balances smaller, and dirty laundry larger. But you, my sweet boy... are COMPLETELY worth it ♥

11 Weeks!

Today Preston is 11 weeks old! I can't believe it.  It's weird how it seems like it was yesterday around this time (10 pm) I was holding him for the first time, yet I also can't remember life without him.  I love how his personality comes out more each day.  He is such a happy baby, always smiling and "laughing".  I just love him so much, and I will never get tired of saying those words!

Catch up time!

Saturday- Chip had to work so Preston and I went over to Sari, Pappy, and Janie's house.  We spent the whole afternoon mesmerized over our little miracle.  Nap time came quickly and we had to improvise with a laundry basket, but Preston slept great.  (Makes me reconsider "HAVING" to have the best crib because I thought he would sleep better in it).  Later that night Chip and I enjoyed a relaxing night with a couple bottles of wine.  It is nights like those that make me really think about how lucky I truly am to have such an amazing husband.

Sunday-  Chip had the day off so we hung out around the house for most of the day.  Sari, Pappy, and Janie came over that evening and Chip grilled steaks which in my opinion are the best steaks around!  Chip use to grill us steaks when we were in Korea all the time, he really knew the way to my heart :)  It was a fantastic way to end out the weekend!

Monday-  Preston and I got up early and headed to McKinney to baby sit Lexi.  Lexi helped give Preston his bottle, she sang him songs, and she helped keep his feet warm by putting on his shoes for him.  She is going to be one heck of a mom one day.  Lexi also held up flash cards with words on them to teach Preston.  She would hold up a card, ask me if they were upside down, then ask me what the word was.  She would then repeat the word to Preston and ask him if he could say the words.  The most she got out of him was a grunt so that game ended rather quickly.  I love that Preston will have Lexi while we are in Dallas.  It makes me sad that he does not get to see his Houston cousins very often though.

Today was spent cleaning, laundry, bills, and brainstorming decorating ideas for Chip and my room.  I think I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do, but who knows, I change my mind daily.  Chip purchased his first set of brand new golf clubs today.  Our budget wasn't to thrilled, but there is no one I know who deserves them more.  He work so hard to provide for Preston and myself and always keeps a smile on his face, and for that I am so grateful. 

Here are some pictures from the past few days!

Thursday or Friday?

Chip came home from work today and said that he wants to have a date night on Saturday.  I told him that I had way to much to do tomorrow so we may need to wait till next weekend.  He then reminded me that today was only Thursday.  So needless to say my days have been running together!  I am in a strange transitioning place I believe.  I stay home with Preston everyday and he naps ALOT but I still feel like I don't have time to get much done around the house.  Now that Preston is established with Babywise, I think I need to come up with a schedule for myself.  I feel like I wake up in the morning and before I know it I am getting into bed for the night.  This new schedule for myself will start tomorrow!

Things have been pretty calm around here lately.  Preston is growing and filling out even more every day that goes by.  He now has significant rolls of fat on his legs and I love it!  Chip and I are so lucky to have such a healthy baby.  He has a well baby check-up early next week and I cant wait to see how much he weighs.  He has completely outgrown all of his 0-3 month clothes and is filling out 6 month clothes.  Preston and I are going tomorrow to take all of his clothes he has outgrown and offer them to our neighbors who have a newborn baby boy along with a box of 1 diapers that he can't wear anymore. 

Preston is loving his super soft giraffe mat.  He loves it even more when I let him lay on it in only his diaper but I am trying to get him to love wearing clothes for obvious reasons.  He has started lifting both his legs and bottom off the ground and swaying them to one side.  It is strange to think that the day he rolls over for the first time is coming quick.  He has also discovered that he has feet.  He doesn't know what they are or how to tell his hands to grab them, but the staring process has begun.
Babywise has been going very smoothly for the most part.  He has not fallen asleep in any one's arms since he started it.  *Confession* I got him up 15 minutes early from his 2 o'clock nap today and held him while he slept the last fifteen minutes.  I miss it, but I know it is whats best for him.  Last night he went right to sleep at 7, and I got in bed around 8:30.  I set my alarm to wake up at 10 for his dream feed but somehow my alarm didn't go off.  He woke me up at 4:30 this morning to eat.  When I realized that he didn't eat at 10 I could not believe that he slept 9 1/2 hours straight.  We will see tonight if that was just a fluke event though!