First Visit to a Restaurant

Today was Anderson's first time going out to a real restaurant. He's been out for a quick meal one time with my mom, but not a place where you actually have to wait for your food, and then wait for the check, etc...

I met my friends from work today at Cafe Luxe near the mall and I was a little worried about it for the past 2 days- wondering how he would be. Would be be just fine up until we ordered and then I would have to go out to the car and feed him for 20 minutes while they enjoyed their meal? Would he be ok until we sat down and then FREAK out! It didn't help that I hadn't been to this place before so I had no idea if it was loud or not. Turns out he was great! The place was amazing- excellent food and service- and it was loud which made me feel better. Plus, the gals I was with were super helpful and understanding so I felt more confident! We were able to enjoy our food uninterrupted as AJ slept until just when the check arrived. Then he finally started fussing. I was smart and brought a bottle so that held him over until we paid and then I just took him into a family bathroom and fed and changed him. I was SO proud and relieved!

On another good note, I'm feeling MUCH better about letting other people hold him and I'm not so freaked or emotional about it as I was a few weeks back. So long as I know and trust the person, I'm really ok giving him up for a few minutes. It could be that I hold him ALL day and am happy to have a small break.

I... NEED... SLEEP....

People kept telling me to sleep when the baby sleeps; that lack of sleep is going to catch up to me. And as usual, I figured this wouldn't happen to me! Well, I realized this morning around 4am, that it's happening. I'm seriously more tired that I think I've ever been. I do get sleep most nights- probably even 6-7 hours or so- but it's never consistent or 6-7 hours in a row and it's not good sleep because I'm just waiting to be woken up.

Last night started out as a "good" night- Anderson slept well for Jason until about 10:30 (I could be wrong on times as I've pretty much lost my mind) and then Jason brought him upstairs and he fell asleep in the bassinet. I think Anderson woke up at 1am, then at 3am or so, and then again at 4am. This time he was WIDE awake and ready to rock and roll (or whatever you do at 2 1/2 weeks old) Well, Mama was NOT thrilled by this. Had he been old enough for a lecture, I surely would have given him one. So... I fed him, rocked him, changed him and did all the things I do 3-4 times a night and assumed he'd go back to sleep. No suck luck. 6am rolled around and we were STILL awake! By this time, I'm crying because I'm just so tired! Finally Jason wakes up and I decide to put AJ back in his bed- only to have him PUKE all over me, himself and his bed. And this wasn't just a little puke- this was ALL the food he'd just eaten in the past 2 hours. What does this mean?? It's time to feed again! UGH!!

Thankfully, Jason took Anderson downstairs and I don't know what he did- All I know is that I was able to go back to bed until about 8am when Jason needed to get ready for work. It was only about 90 minutes of sleep, but hey, it's something!

I better get some SERIOUSLY good Mothers Day cards from this child in the future!

2 Week Doc Visit

Well, today we had Anderson's 2 week doctor visit (he's 2 weeks and 3 days today) and it went well. He was up all night last night so he was super cranky this morning, but all in all it went just fine. The doctor said he looks super healthy, they did his little heal prick test (which I was DREADING, but he actually didn't cry as long as I thought he might) and they weighed and measured him. He's now 9.4 POUNDS and 21 inches! I cannot believe he's already almost 2lbs more than when I had him! Well, I kinda can believe it because all he does is eat! She was really pleased with this as was I. I'd been really curious to see how big he's gotten as he's starting to get a little chunk on his arms and legs.

As mentioned last night was pretty rough- Anderson's least favorite time of the day starts around 8pm and lasts until about...oh...11pm or so? Could be that it lasts until 3am; it just depends on the day. I've noticed that we'll have one good night of sleep (up every 3 hours or so) and then the next day is a bad one. If all goes as planned, I should get a good night tonight.. Fingers crossed!

Yesterday we started using his Little Einstein's Play Mat. He likes it for about 5 mins at a time and then he's over it! Here's a pic:

Finding a balance...

Today I realized that my life has become about finding a balance in everything I do. I have this FANTASTIC son in my life who takes up a large majority of my day and still all the other things that I need to try to fit in as well. He obviously takes priority and I want to spend as much time with him as I can- but I also have things to get done, friends I need to see and catch up with, errands to run, a house to clean, a husband to care for and then there's me. I need a shower sometimes!

So, I've come to realize that when Anderson is sleeping I am running around the house trying to get as much done as I can. Brush my teeth, shower, eat- then he wakes up- feed the dogs, clean up my mess in the kitchen, do a load of laundry- then he wakes up- fold the laundry, check my email, ask Jason about his day, write a list of needs from the grocery store- then he wakes up. I'm not at all complaining- I wouldn't change my life for ANYTHING, but it's certainly changed!

The other thing we're learning to balance is Anderson's sleeping and eating. He either sleeps too much during the day and then not at all at night, or vise versa. And he will snack a lot during the day and eat hourly or he'll eat too much at once and puke it all up! We're learning..

He woke up- gotta go!

Andersons First Bath!

Today Jason & I decided to give Anderson his first real bath- he's been getting sponge baths for a while now but today was the real deal. I was totally expecting him to HATE it as he usually isn't happy being naked or changed and the sponge baths have never been fun for him. Luckily, I think we must have gotten the bath water temperature correct because he was pretty content! He did cry in the beginning, but I kept pouring warm water over him and so he was happy. (Maybe happy isn't the right word, but he wasn't pissed off!)

Who knew it would take THIS much stuff in order to bathe a 2 week old! The towel, wash cloth, diapers, wipes, fresh clothes, soap, lotion, etc.. I was getting it all together thinking "How often can I actually do this??" It was funny.

On another note, I finally worked out today! I did the elliptical for 20 (LONG) minutes and did some squats, lunges, push ups and sit ups. It was really hard work, but I feel really good having done it. I felt like I had more energy after I did it- a great feeling!

Taking it easy the rest of the day- Jason's allergies are bothering him and we could all use a rest. Anderson slept well again last night- up every 3 hours or so.

Here are some bath pics:

Just before the fun begins


Not quite sure about this...


All done!


Clean boy


Hanging out; feeling clean

What a week!

Sadly, today we had to say goodbye to Grandma. She's been here a little over a week and just had a great time with her first grandchild. She fed him, changed him (MANY times), played with him, talked to him, bathed him and just had fun with him. She's a WONDERFUL Grandma. She also helped Jason and I out TREMENDOUSLY! She cleaned my house 2 times while she was here (and tidied things up every day), made dinners, watched Anderson a few times so I could go to doctors appointments, coffee with Holly, and allowed Jason and I to have a "date" to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. She also got me tea in the mornings, allowed me to sleep a little extra each day, did laundry and so much more. We truly appreciated it!

This week will be an interesting one. I was getting a little used to having 3 adults in the house and so I was able to get more help this week than I will next week. Jason will be working and of course will be helpful, but I will still be doing a lot of stuff on my own. I realize this might sound strange, but my plan this week is to start working out on the elliptical very slowly, but also take it very easy and try to nap while Anderson is napping (sometimes). I feel like the lack of sleep is going to catch up to me quickly, so I should try to beat that. We'll see if I actually do this as I have a long mental "to do" list.

We've got no plans this weekend which sounds wonderful to me. Might wash my car or may just sit around and do nothing. It's been in the high 90's all week and tomorrow should be in the high 70's they say so we're looking forward to that.

2 year anniversary pic:

First Professional Pics!

Today my mom and I decided to take Anderson to Kiddie Kandids to get some professional pictures taken. I realize it's very early to do this, but my mom is in town this week and I thought she'd enjoy it. Turns out we all enjoyed it and they turned out so cute!

Anderson did a really great job. He was tired, had a rough night last night (gassy, etc..) but he wasn't cranky or anything during his photo shoot.

Enjoy the photos!

Anderson, Grandma & Mom



Anderson & Mommy