4 Christmases

Aaron survived the whirl-wind that was his 1st Christmas. We usually have 4 Christmases to celebrate. Aaron did pretty well overall. There were a few meltdowns, but to be expected for such a small baby & lots of stimulation. I think it's just more stressful for me than anyone else. And boy did this little boy get spoiled. He got some very special gifts, and we are very lucky to have such wonderful family and friends to share Christmas with. 

First we celebrated on Sunday at Bryan's grandma's house. Aaron's GG Nickel gave him a rocking horse that was made by her dad in 1962. It was given to Aaron's Grandpa Jay, then handed down to Bryan, and now handed down to Aaron.  

With his cousin, Taryn, at Nickel family Christmas. 

On Christmas Eve we celebrated at Grandpa & Grandma Nickel's house.

Aaron with his Uncle Reid sporting his elf hat.

Aaron with his rocking chair.

On Christmas morning we celebrated with Grandpa & Grandma Bosch & his GG & Great Grandpa Thomas. 

Me & my baby on Christmas morning.  

With his Grandpa & Grandma Bosch

I love this picture of Aaron & his Uncle Adam. 

Christmas afternoons are always spent with the Bosch family.  This year we went to my Aunt & Uncle's house in Springfield. 

Passed out with his Great Aunt Linda.

 Annual Bosch grandkid/great grandkid photo - minus Lauren. We missed you, Lauren! 

Bosch cousins.

It's crazy to think that last Christmas I was pregnant and didn't even know it. I can't wait to see Aaron experience Christmas next year. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Blessings

I can't wait to celebrate Aaron's first Christmas this year! He has no idea what is going on, but it's still exciting. He is such a blessing to us. 

Growing

My smiley baby is 3 months old!

Here are some new things about Aaron:

- He smiles & laughs a lot.
- He loves when I sing him songs & tell him stories.
- He coo's & babbles.
- He's very drooley & LOVES sucking on his hands.
- He's starting to grab & hold things - like mamma's hair (ouch!).
- He loves watching Mickey Mouse - he's mesmerized by the colors & sounds.
- He's doing great at the sitter. She says he's a very happy baby, and I think it's helping him get in a routine.
- He slept for 6 hours in a row last week!!

The time just keeps flying by! I'm having so much fun with this little boy. He's growing, learning and changing every day.

Sleep....What's That??

Monday, September 10th, 2012 - a day I will always remember. The last night I slept. Nobody should have to see 2am, 3:31am, or 4:42am on the clock, unless it was a really good night of partying. I see these hours most nights.

Lots of people had babies around the time I did. I hear so many of them say, "he/she slept 10 hours last night!!". To that I say, "Say What?!". I mean, how is that even possible? Are you putting Robitussin in that bottle? Just kidding. We have not been that lucky yet. Our little man must really enjoy my company.....all the time. I would be fine with him getting up a couple of times a night. But last night he was punking me real good. I've read the books, and tried new things. We just have to get into our own groove.....we're working on it. Like I said, I'm not expecting my 2 month old to sleep through the night. But sleep a little more than he does, yes, that would be nice. It's a good thing he's so darn cute. It makes it easier to function on fumes.

Now if only I had the touch that a couple of the great grandmas have. They get him to sleep every time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a lot of things to be thankful for this year. My husband, family, friends, health, my job (I guess), sandwiches with cold lunch meat, COFFEE, and most importantly.....my baby! He has brought such happiness and joy to my life. I honestly can't imagine him not in it. It's incredible how one little person can change everything. And for that, I am truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving from our little turkey!

Another thing I'm thankful for - making it through another week of work. It was the longest, short week ever. It was Aaron's first week at the sitter. I was a hot mess come Monday morning, so Bryan had to take him to the babysitter while I cried the whole way to work. Bryan has been put in charge of taking him, I just can't do it. It's so much easier picking him up. Thankfully, though, Aaron has done really well at the babysitter. He has been happy, taken good naps, taking his bottles like a champ, laughing....oh yeah, he just started laughing this week! It's so awesome! Come Wednesday, it was a little easier for me to leave the house....just a little. Next thing I have to get over, germy babysitter kids around my child. Gross. "Your child is soooo cute. Could you please wipe their runny nose?"

Back to Work

I've done some hard things in my 29 years of life. I'm still 29, right? I moved away from home, I ran a 1/2 marathon, labor ('nuff said right there). But by far the hardest thing I've had to do is leave my child in order to go back to work. 

I went back to work on Monday. The second he was born I knew it would not be easy to leave him. I have cried every day. I'm only working part time until the end of the month, so that helps. And he's been at home with Bryan this week, which makes it way easier to go into work. Next week he starts with the sitter. I think it will be even harder on me then. I took Aaron to meet her yesterday. He did really well. He was happy, told her some stories, and even fell asleep in her arms. I know she's going to do a great job, but I still don't want to take him there. I cried the whole 2 minute drive back to our house. Everyone says it will get easier. When?!

Aaron has been doing so well with Bryan, though. He's been happy and taking good naps. I'm glad that they're getting this time together. And once 4pm hits, I'm running out of work to get home. All I want to do is get in all the cuddle time I can before he goes to bed, and I crash on the couch.

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things at work. It's a good thing I enjoy my coworkers, because there have been enough changes since I've been gone to make anyone go mad. I've only worked 2 days this week, and I'm already feeling the stress. I caught myself yelling "STELLA!" at one of my files today. The policyholder's name is Stella, and I am not a fan of her file. I think when you start channeling your inner Brando at work, you're losing it.

We had Aaron's 2 month appointment yesterday. He weighs 11.7 pounds and is 23 inches long. And he is in the 90th percentile for his head circumference. The doctor was very pleased. My baby is plumping up! He was doing pretty good at the DR until the shots. I didn't get a picture of his face during the shots, but it was priceless. He was mad! I felt bad for my buddy, but I couldn't help but laugh. He was fine after it was over.

Happy at the DR

Sleepy boy after shots

I'm still taking suggestions for good stay-at-home mommy jobs! What if I were a personal grocery shopper?? I love to grocery shop! Aaron and I could totally do that. There has got to be a good market of people who would want/need that service. Or I could make a CD of my lullabies. I come up with a new one every day. Today's jam - "I like big burps and I cannot lie". That would be a huge hit, I'm sure of it!

OK, back to some much needed cuddles.

2 Months (almost)

Look who is 2 months!

Seriously, where did the past 2 months go? The 2 month milestone is a little sad for me, it means I have to go back to work. How am I not going to be with my precious boy all day long? Do I really have to go back? I've posed all of my entrepreneurial endeavors to Bryan, and he's turned them all down. So much for being a traveling home organizer/Avon seller/caterer/Mary Kay seller/in home daycare/professional blogger/stay-at-home-mommy. FINE - I'll go back to work!

What has Aaron been up to this past month?

He was baptized on Sunday. It was a very special day. He hated having water poured over his head, but, other than that, he was so well behaved. (I'll try to do a separate Baptism blog)

He is really developing a personality. He is smiling more, especially at his mama (which really melts my heart). And he is having way more times of alert/awake time. I feel like he's always awake, actually. This mama needs a nap....and a drink. I've been working with him on sleeping in his crib. Even though I feel like it's so soon for him to be in his room, I think we're all sleeping a little (very little) bit better. He gives us a 4 hour stretch, wakes up to eat, goes back to bed for a couple of hours, and then is up every hour. So while being up every hour from 2 - 5 sucks royally, at least he's sleeping pretty well until then. If I can just get that 4 hour stretch to start later than 8pm. Like I said, working on it.

He really loves movement & vibrations. AKA - he likes to be held. Praise the Lord for the Baby Bjorn. When I need to get stuff done, I just strap him in & get to movin'. Or we go run errands. He LOVES riding in the car, until you stop at a stop light - Lord have mercy!

We've been doing more tummy time, too. NOT his favorite, but a necessary evil.

I'm also trying to get him to like his activity gym. He is mesmerized for a little bit, then he is done. He's still just a little too young for it, I think. The cats really enjoy playing on it, though.

I've been soaking up these special moments with him all week, our last week of just us. I love this boy.

And I can't forget about the other boy in my life. It's crazy how your relationship and priorities change with a baby in the mix. Today is our 4th anniversary. While many people go out and celebrate, I really just wanted to stay in. It's still very hard for me to leave Aaron. And the thought of trying to get ready & go out sounded really exhausting since I didn't sleep last night. So we're cooking a nice dinner, having yummy dessert, and enjoying some Pumpkin Wheat Ale. Bryan even had roses delivered to me today. I think it's a perfect anniversary date. I would have been happy just getting 15 minutes to take a hot shower without having to peak my head out every 30 seconds b/c I swore I heard my kid crying. For me - it's all about the little things. I love this boy, too.

Happy Anniversary, babe!