Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Mixed Emotions
This year, for my 34th birthday, (wait...is that NEXT WEEK?!?!) Marshall is taking me on a trip to the Bahamas! This will be our first REAL vacation, for just the two of us. We've gone on some amazing trips together for weddings, to visit family, and even to Europe with Marshall's EMBA program, but there's always been a separate agenda. This vacation is just for us, and we're both really excited. Oh, and REALLY anxious. Well, more ME than Marshall, but that's just a part of who I am! As the trip approaches (we leave on Monday), I am finding myself to be more and more emotional about leaving my precious baby boy (yes, there have been a few teary meltdowns!). Everyone has assured me that not only will everything be FINE, but it's really healthy for both us and Colin. The pediatrician even said that this is really a good time to be taking a trip because Colin isn't having the attachment issues that he'll most likely have by the time he's about 6 months old. So, it'll just be a matter of getting over MY attachment issues! Colin will be in good hands with Grandma Kimmie and Grandpa John, so no worries there. I've typed up a completely obsessive list of schedules and notes about sleeping, eating, playing, and bath time (hey, at least I can admit that I'm totally neurotic, right?). And we'll just have to suck up the extra cost to text, call, and FaceTime when I'm really missing our little guy. We're staying at an all-inclusive resort on Paradise Island for 3 nights. Aside from having to pump, it will be a much needed break for us both. I'm looking forward to sipping drinks with umbrellas, working on my tan, eating yummy food, and sleeping in. And at least I won't have to worry about being sad when it's all over, because we get to come home to our sweet little baby!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
No Longer a Newborn
Colin is 3 months old today! Where, oh where, has the time gone?! Now that our little man is a quarter of a year old, he is starting to develop quite a little personality. Colin is already turning into a social butterfly. He seems to love everyone, and is very intrigued by both new and familiar faces. It only takes a smile to get a big grin in return. Colin has also realized that there are a few cute things he can do to get a reaction from us. His latest silliness is pretending to cough. My mom said she used to get this from us too, and would say "bad cough!" whenever we did it. It probably began accidentally with Colin, but now he thinks it's a hoot and will fake cough several times in a row, eliciting giggles from Mommy and Daddy :) Yes, it's safe to say he's learning to be quite a ham, and maybe even a little bit of a flirt!
Colin also seems to be experimenting with different vocalizations. Nothing recognizable yet, but he'll string together several vowel sounds, and sometimes even imitates the sounds that we make. It's so much fun to have these little "conversations" with him. He's also recently discovered his hands, which constantly make their way to his mouth. He still uses a pacifier (mostly at bed and nap times), but it's great that he's learned to self-soothe by sucking on his fingers. There seems to be a lot more drooling going on these days as well...maybe the first stages of teething? I'm sure we'll know for sure when that is happening!
We've also been working on some daily exercises. Colin has always disliked "tummy time," but the pediatrician says it's necessary to build his arm and torso muscles in preparation for crawling. He's getting better, and seems to tolerate it better when on his changing table (which is where we interact the most). He will stare at GloWorm while on his tummy, and sometimes I'll even get a smile out of him. We're also doing some baby sit ups. I'll let Colin grab my fingers on each hand and pull him up to a sitting position, then slowly lay him back down. We do this a few times to strengthen those core muscles and to help him get comfortable with sitting on his own. He does a great job with this, and seems to like having a new vantage point as well. He holds his head up on his own with ease now, and has really strong legs too...he kicks his piano keys on his activity mat with some intensity! He also loves staring at his reflection in the mirror that hangs above him.
Our little angel is blossoming before our eyes, and Marshall and I are both trying to being mindful of how fast it all goes by. We're reminding each other to savor these little moments as we witness him grow and learn. Colin is like a little sponge, taking in all the new sights and sounds from the world around him. It's amazing to think that these are all experiences he's having for the very first time. He'll be crawling, talking, and walking before we know it...so for now, we're enjoying each little milestone!
Here's the latest picture of the updated chalkboard wall celebrating 3 months!
GloWorm helps out with tummy time :)
This is one happy baby!
Colin also seems to be experimenting with different vocalizations. Nothing recognizable yet, but he'll string together several vowel sounds, and sometimes even imitates the sounds that we make. It's so much fun to have these little "conversations" with him. He's also recently discovered his hands, which constantly make their way to his mouth. He still uses a pacifier (mostly at bed and nap times), but it's great that he's learned to self-soothe by sucking on his fingers. There seems to be a lot more drooling going on these days as well...maybe the first stages of teething? I'm sure we'll know for sure when that is happening!
We've also been working on some daily exercises. Colin has always disliked "tummy time," but the pediatrician says it's necessary to build his arm and torso muscles in preparation for crawling. He's getting better, and seems to tolerate it better when on his changing table (which is where we interact the most). He will stare at GloWorm while on his tummy, and sometimes I'll even get a smile out of him. We're also doing some baby sit ups. I'll let Colin grab my fingers on each hand and pull him up to a sitting position, then slowly lay him back down. We do this a few times to strengthen those core muscles and to help him get comfortable with sitting on his own. He does a great job with this, and seems to like having a new vantage point as well. He holds his head up on his own with ease now, and has really strong legs too...he kicks his piano keys on his activity mat with some intensity! He also loves staring at his reflection in the mirror that hangs above him.
Our little angel is blossoming before our eyes, and Marshall and I are both trying to being mindful of how fast it all goes by. We're reminding each other to savor these little moments as we witness him grow and learn. Colin is like a little sponge, taking in all the new sights and sounds from the world around him. It's amazing to think that these are all experiences he's having for the very first time. He'll be crawling, talking, and walking before we know it...so for now, we're enjoying each little milestone!
Here's the latest picture of the updated chalkboard wall celebrating 3 months!
GloWorm helps out with tummy time :)
This is one happy baby!
Friday, March 7, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Week 11 Update
I'm happy to report that Colin and I have both become pretty comfortable getting out and about these days, especially as the weather is starting to get a little warmer. We try to make the gym a part of our daily routine now, and the ladies at the YMCA childcare just adore him! I have to admit that the first time I dropped him off was a little nerve-racking, but probably more for me than for him. He did really well, and gave my confidence a boost enough to return the following day. It's been several weeks now, and I'm really glad that we're both used to it. Not only is it a great way to break up the day, but it gives Colin a chance to interact with other caregivers and allows me an uninterrupted break for some much needed exercise. I'm really proud of us both :)
We've also had several successful outings to friends' houses, shopping trips, and to the grocery store. I've learned that Colin is really an easygoing baby, and I know we're very lucky for that! My next big challenge will be to leave him for a few days at the beginning of next month, as Marshall has planned a surprise getaway trip for us! Colin will be staying with Grandpa John and Grandma Kimmie, and I know he's in good hands. Just as long as I can check in and do some FaceTime, cause I know I'll be missing his sweet little face so much! Here are some new photos, because I'm sure you're missing him too :)
More bath time fun! He looks so much bigger since the last bath tub photos at 4 weeks!
Marshall put together Colin's activity bouncer this week. He hasn't learned to bounce (his feet don't quite reach the floor yet!) but he loves looking at all the toys.
The weather was beautiful this past Sunday, so we enjoyed the afternoon on the lawn in John and Kimmie's backyard. There were so many new things for Colin to see and hear! Bring on Spring!
We've also had several successful outings to friends' houses, shopping trips, and to the grocery store. I've learned that Colin is really an easygoing baby, and I know we're very lucky for that! My next big challenge will be to leave him for a few days at the beginning of next month, as Marshall has planned a surprise getaway trip for us! Colin will be staying with Grandpa John and Grandma Kimmie, and I know he's in good hands. Just as long as I can check in and do some FaceTime, cause I know I'll be missing his sweet little face so much! Here are some new photos, because I'm sure you're missing him too :)
More bath time fun! He looks so much bigger since the last bath tub photos at 4 weeks!
Marshall put together Colin's activity bouncer this week. He hasn't learned to bounce (his feet don't quite reach the floor yet!) but he loves looking at all the toys.
The weather was beautiful this past Sunday, so we enjoyed the afternoon on the lawn in John and Kimmie's backyard. There were so many new things for Colin to see and hear! Bring on Spring!
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