Back to Work

Well, this is my last week of maternity leave. It is crazy to think that on Saturday it will be 12 weeks since our little guy was brought into this world. We just love him so much!! Anyways, that means back to work for me. Luckily, I will only be working 16 hrs. a week and from home. I think it will be a little challenging initially with Ryan's schedule varying, but if he does as well as he's done this weekend and today with napping everything should work out just fine. I plan on him staying home with me, but having my Mom or sister, Maggie to come over occasionally when I have important demos/calls, etc. I will try to group them together for everyone's convenience. I think it's a great opportunity that I've been given and I will do my best to make it work out, but I'm being open-minded and realizing flexibility will be a must. If things don't go well then I will ask to take extended time until Ryan is a little bit older.

The weather has been getting much nicer lately and Ryan and I have taken a few walks around the neighborhood. I'm also getting braver about taking him out on my own for errands, grocery runs, etc. (I found this to be a little intimidating at first- esp with his 2hr feeding schedule- sheesh!) He has a very nice 3hr sometimes more between feedings now and is generally waking up once during the night to feed (although sometimes twice). I'm hoping this stays consistent or gets even better!! Ryan's been eyeing his feet and hands a lot lately and even grabbed onto his foot for a minute during bath time last night. It was so cute- he was very happy about it! Which reminds me, Moms- do you typically bathe your little babies at night or in the morning?? Up until now I've always bathed Ryan in the morning sometime after his first feeding. However, last night I bathed him before bed and then rubbed Johnson's Bedtime lotion all over him, fed him and put him to bed. He seemed to sleep really soundly and very well. Not sure if these factors had anything to do with it or not, or if he was just tired. I do plan to repeat it tomorrow night and see if the results are the same. I wonder if you could comment on any of your experiences- pros/cons. Thanks!!

~Emily

Favorite Photos

Some of my new favorite photos so far from this month. Ryan is developing such a personality already. When he is happy he is SOOO happy, but when he is upset- look out! He can have a temper. Most of the time fussiness happens because he's 1) hungry or 2) sleepy. He even laughed for us last week which was so cute. We haven't gotten another good laugh out of him just yet, but I know there will be many more in the future. Hope you enjoy the photos.
~Emily

Napping with Daddy

I love this one w/ his Grandpa

Precious smiling baby

Play time

Naptime with Mommy

Hanging out with Toby

Smiling in his cowboy pj's

2 Months Old

This month's favorite


Also pretty cute

Funny face and glare on the camera, but looks like he's showing off the sign

Our little angel is now 2 months old! Where has the time gone? I hope things slow down a little bit because I don't want him to grow up just yet. He is growing up a storm though and had a great Dr.'s visit on his 2 month bday, minus the shots! I hated having to watch him get them, but after some love and food from Mommy he was all better.

His new stats are 24.5 inches long- 95th% and 12lbs 6.5oz- 75th%. Ryan is still wearing size 1 diapers and is wearing size 0-3 and 3 month clothing. However, I think we will start putting him in some 3-6 month outfits soon since his torso is so long. The 3 month pants are still a little big, but he's quickly outgrowing the bodysuits/onesies.

Some of his latest growth and development include:

• Loves to smile @ Mom and Dad's kisses and tickles and has the cutest smile!!



• Loves to look at the bears on his mobile in pack 'n play and crib



• Enjoys splashing his legs in the bathtub



• In the past week he's actually started hitting the toys on his bouncy seat & smiling at them. He hasn't figured out how to pull the frog to make it sing yet though



• Vocalizes w/ sweet ooo's and aahh's



• Just beginning to really notice his hands b/c I've seen him looking at them- also brings them together and holds his own hands which I think is cute



• Won't reach for a rattle yet, but if you put it in his grasp he will shake it for awhile



• Favorite time is eating. He still rotates 2-3 hours during the day, but mostly 4 hours some 3 hours at night. He's typically up for 2 nighttime feedings, although the night he turned 2 months old he slept after his 8:30pm feeding until 3am, then up at 7:30am after eating. So far this week it's only happened one other time, but I think he's getting close to that 1 feeding during the night. Yay! :)



• I'm afraid he might have a bit of a temper, but only time will tell. He cries really loud when he's not getting his way- tears and all and turns bright red in the face. Sometimes when I'm putting him down for bed and he's not ready yet he'll cry and when I finally pick him up to rock him back to sleep he just grins up at me as if to say "Ha, I got my way." It's all I can do not to laugh or smile back at him at moments like that.



• When you walk around with him now he turns his head from side to side to look at everything.



• Enjoys laying on a blanket or in his pack 'n play just kicking his legs and making lots of fun noises. He can entertain himself for 20-30 minutes this way before getting bored or mad.


• Lifts up his head about 45 degrees when doing tummy time

He is such a blessing and each day shows us more and more of his personality. He is truly such a miracle from God! We love him very much and can't imagine life without him! :)

~Emily

Happy Easter!

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration. We started off our morning with Ryan opening his first Easter basket and gifts from his great grandparents. Then, we celebrated our Risen Savior at church with a wonderful worship service followed by a large family gathering for lunch out in Aledo. Attached are a few pictures of Ryan with the Easter bunny last week, opening his Easter basket, his Easter church attire, and Easter play outfit. Enjoy! :)

~Emily

Opening his first Easter gifts

Ryan with his first Easter basket

Ryan got $20 for his piggy bank, an outfit, a ducky toy, books and candy for Easter

Ryan ready for the Easter service at church

Family Easter picture

Another Family Easter picture

Easter pictures in a big basket with his cool sunglasses

Ryan hanging out in a large basket on Easter

Pictures with the Easter bunny @ Hulen Mall

Precious Ryan with the Easter Bunny

Ryan and Naomi with the Easter Bunny