A Sweet Message from Daddy

This morning, as I was feeding Colin and checking my email, I was delighted to find a very heartfelt note from Marshall.  It meant so much to me that I wanted to share it here as well!  I'm so lucky to have a husband who is so appreciative and caring.  It's only because he works so hard at his job that I'm able to stay home and raise our baby - and I'm loving every moment.  Being a mom is what I was truly meant to do!

Good morning sweetheart!  I hope you are able to get a little more sleep until Colin decides he misses you too much and wakes up J.  Watching you with our baby bring such a profound joy to my heart, words can’t justify what I feel… Mostly because it is a feeling that I have never experienced before.  My heart grows double the size when I see you two having music time; when he smiles at you when you get him up in the morning; when you talk to him on his changing pad and he really responds back!  It is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced!

You are the most amazing mother I have ever seen!  I knew you were going to be a wonderful mommy; but I never thought it would be like this!  It all comes so natural to you (or at least you make it look that way)!  From creating a schedule for him, to feeding, to understanding what his cries mean… I am in utter awe of you and the amazing job you’re doing!

Proud doesn’t begin to describe my emotions seeing you together and how amazing you are with Colin! I just love you so much and thank God every day for you!  You are AMAZING and I fall more in love with you every day we are lucky enough to spend together!!!

Have a great morning and a wonderful day!

ILYM (I Love You Madly)!

Dreading the Doctor

Colin's 2 month birthday was this past Tuesday.  With that came many new milestones, all documented on the chalkboard wall in celebration of the day (see photo below).  Colin has really grown over the last month, and is looking more and more like his daddy each day :)  But with the 2-month mark comes the dreaded visit to the pediatrician for a round of vaccines...1 oral, and 2 shots.  Colin had a shot during his last visit, and handled it pretty well.  He screamed in pain when the needle went in, but was just fine afterwards, and was easily appeased with his paci and a cuddle.  So after a good exam, I knew it was time and winced at the memory of his red-faced wailing a month ago.  I reassured him calmly and held his little hand - and wondered who was going to hold my hand!  The shot in his left leg was a breeze.  My brave little boy didn't even cry!  The nurse told me the 2nd shot in his right leg would be more painful, and that it was.  After it was over, I scooped him up and held him close.  He was calm after a minute or so, and I was able to dress him and put him back in his carseat.  He was sleepy by the time we got home and went easily down for a nap.  After snoozing for about an hour, he woke up ready to eat.  But then, it was all downhill.  My poor baby howled in pain and tears ran down the sides of his cheeks - the first real tears I had ever seen :(  I could only calm him by holding him close and walking around the house.  I had no idea that these shots would cause him so much pain, since the last one was fairly uneventful.  Marshall was going to bring home some infant Tylenol after work, but that wasn't for several hours.  Luckily, I was able to borrow some from a neighbor to give Colin some relief.  The medicine worked almost instantly, and we were both incredibly relieved.  He had another dose before bed, and slept for 7 1/2 hours straight.  He's back to his sweet and happy disposition today!  At least I'll be more prepared for the next round of vaccines at his 4-month check up.  Here's our baby on his 2-month birthday.  Such a big boy!

Valentine Snowpocalypse

This has certainly been a very interesting week.  Mom came for a visit since Marshall had to travel all week for work.  She arrived on Sunday afternoon and Marshall left early Monday morning for Laguna Beach, CA.  Mom and I nervously watched the weather/news channel as the impending winter storm moved closer and closer to the Carolinas.  We stocked up on food at the grocery store and hunkered down for the next few days as "Snowpocalypse 2014" made it's way into town.  The snow began to fall around 9 am on Tuesday, and continued straight through Thursday afternoon!  I've never seen so much snow in the 10 years that I've lived in Charlotte...all in all, the news reports say we got 9 inches total!  Needless to say, our city completely shut down - we just don't do this kind of weather in the south!  School was cancelled for the rest of the week and kids all over the neighborhood (both big and small) were building snowmen and sledding.  We stayed cozy next to the fireplace and watched the world outside turn pure white.  It was so beautiful!  Marshall sent us a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean from his balcony, but he was really wishing he was here to see this too (well, maybe he was wishing for the snow to come next week so he could have the best of both!).  While Mom and I are now starting to develop a little bit of cabin fever, we had fun talking, watching trashy TV, and of course snuggling with the baby.  Colin is both of our valentines this year!

SnOMG!  Take a look at this!

And because it's Valentine's Day, I have to share a few of my favorite pics from a V-Day photo sesh I had with my little cupid :)  Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

Success! Video of Colin "talking" on the changing table

A Very Busy Boy!

Throughout the last week or two, we've been taking Colin out and about in the car and stroller!  He's been on two shopping trips to Southpark Mall, for a stroll along the 4-Mile Creek Greenway, to happy hour at Napa on Providence to meet Marshall's EMBA classmates, and to a few friends' houses for dinner and even a Superbowl party!  While Colin still fights getting into his carseat at first, he usually falls asleep after riding around for a few minutes in the car.  The carseat attaches directly to the stroller, so it's an easy transition when taking him out of the car.  I'm starting to get more comfortable with taking him places, even though I usually pack as if we're going to the moon for a week!  My next venture will be to take him to the YMCA with me so I can get back into my gym routine.  Our Y branch has a great drop-off child care service, which my neighbors use regularly and all rave about.  You can drop in with your child during the morning or evening hours and they'll babysit for up to 2 hours at a time.  I stopped by last night to register Colin and check it all out.  The facility seems nice, and I'm currently working up the courage to drop my little baby off sometime in the foreseeable future!  I'm ready to get back into ALL of my pre-preggo pants, and am eagerly anticipating warmer weather and spring clothes.  Bathing suit season will be here before I know it!

Colin's little personality is really starting to shine these days!  He smiles at me all the time, and makes lots of cute noises...his version of conversation with me.  He also mimics sounds that I make and even sticks his tongue out to copy me!  Marshall and I are amazed at how strong he is.  He can easily hold his head up on his own now, and he pushes out his legs as if he's trying to stand.  He loves laying on his activity mats and kicking the keys on the piano.  He notices his reflection in the mirror that hangs above him and reaches for the other dangling toys as well.  Colin is very alert and it's so cool to watch him interact with and explore the world around him. 

Here are some photos of our outing on the greenway, and a couple new ones of Colin playing on his activity mat (I'm working on figuring out how to upload videos...having some technical difficulties at the moment!)

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