Checking In

These past few months have been a total whirlwind, and these past two weeks were no exception. Between rushing around for last minute Christmas shopping, cleaning the house and hosting family from out of state for almost a week, I haven't had a second to breathe! We have been go go go, pretty much home just long enough to crash in bed. It was hard to say goodbye to family last night and this morning knowing we won't see them for quite a while. The thousands of miles between us and our family in New York is very tough!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! With my bff's wedding in TWO days, I won't be catching up with any of you until 2011. Have a fabulous time ringing in the new year!

Merry Christmas, Lovers

From my family to you and yours: Have a very Merry Christmas! I hope Santa is extra special to you all this year. Love you!

I think I got the best Christmas gift of them all. ;)

Just Call Me Bessie

Oh, that is SO what you think it is...

I pumped this in less than TWENTY MINUTES, in ONE sitting! Is Blue Bell hiring? Mooooooo.

Our One-Month-Old

I never get tired of looking at him!

Nolan turned one month last Thursday, 12/16/10. He seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. I commented just this morning how I swear he looks bigger from only yesterday! Let's see what this month has brought us...

• We think you weigh between 7 and 8 pounds now. Daddy weighs himself than weighs himself with you. You are definitely longer than the 20.5 inches you were at two weeks.
• You drink breast milk like a champ. An Olympic gold medalist champ. You heart the stuff ALL.THE.TIME. Mommy has decided she enjoys pumping more than feeding you from the boobie because it takes less time to feed you from the bottle.
• Mommy has no shortage of breast milk. I can pump 4-6oz in one sitting, 8 or more ounces if I've waited too long to pump. I make several large bottles a day for you, and usually freeze at least one 5oz bag for future use. Mommy is the envy of dairy farms everywhere.
• You are strong. You love to kick, grab fingers, lift and move your head. When having tummy time, you scoot quite far before tiring.
• You are much more alert after feedings now. You love play time. You have started to smile and coo while playing 'peek a boo.' You stare at your toys longer and even grabbed hold of one and lifted it yesterday!
• One of your favorite things is definitely bath time. You also love rocking and laying on our chests, any kind of music, dancing and talking. I swear you tell me "I love Mommy" all the time. ;)
• One thing that is really driving Mommy crazy? You spit up. ALL.THE.TIME. It doesn't bother you at all; you actually smile most of the time after spitting up. But we go through several outfit changes before leaving the house (you AND Mommy), and we're constantly mopping up behind you. As long as it doesn't bother you, than I guess it's just something I'll have to get use to until you grow out of?

Nolan, you are one amazing little boy. Mommy and Daddy love you more and more every second of every day.

Fill in the Blank Friday

And it's actually Friday; and it's not another post about Nolan!

1. Giving is so fun for me. I feel like I have a knack for finding/putting together the perfect gift when I really put some effort into it. I love giving gifts to others knowing it's something they'll really love; watching that smile on their face is priceless.

2. Receiving is fun, but not as much for me. Of course I love getting gifts, who doesn't? But opening gifts in front of others makes me kind of uncomfortable. I don't get super emotional, so when someone is staring at me expecting me to get so excited as I open their gift--kind of stressful. Weird? But sending me a gift in the mail is wonderful. Hint hint. ;)

3. The best gift I ever received was a new bedroom. My parents closed off my bedroom and my sister's for several months (we had to live in other parts of the house!), and we weren't allowed to peek. Together with my grandfather, they put their head's together and expanded our bedrooms and adjoining bathroom. My grandfather did the construction. We got new flooring, paint, beds and decor. Loved it!

4. The best gift I ever gave was two Christmas's ago, Aaron and I gave my parents framed photos of the chapel where they were married. Back story...my dad's sister had drawn them a picture long ago of that same chapel and Mom naturally had a framed photo of them on their wedding day next to the drawn picture. For Thanksgiving that year, Aaron and I had gone to upstate New York to visit family. I had my grandmother take us to that same private estate chapel. It's gated and locked. Aaron and I snuck in and had our photos taken in front of the chapel in the snow. My parents were going through some rough times with other family members (my entire family is a bit psychotic), so when my Mom opened that gift it brought tears to her eyes knowing how much we cared for her and thought of her.

5. Something intangible I wish I could receive is unconditional love and no deceit from the members of our family that are hell bent on ripping this family apart.

6. Something intangible I wish I could give is peace for my mother. Her heart has been broken.

7. The one gift I always wanted as a child, but never got was my own phone line in my room. I was a total brat and didn't want to have to share phone time with everyone else. Having a phone in my room just wasn't enough. =)

Christmas Came Early This Year

From Santa

My parents went to great lengths to ensure my sister and I believed in Santa Claus for as long as possible. Mom would bake cookies with us and help us in writing Santa a letter, leaving both with a glass of milk near the fire place. Dad would actually go on the roof above our bedrooms and make thumping noises while mom was up in the middle of the night wrapping presents. He'd also make powdered sugar "Santa" footprints with his boots from the fireplace to each of our bedrooms. Oh yeah, we believed in Santa for quite a long time.

I'm remembering all this since I caved and went a bit overboard on buying my (soon to be) one month old son Christmas presents. I mean, he doesn't even know what his hands are for, for goodness sakes! I couldn't help myself today, though. I love the holidays and picking out just the right gift. As I started wrapping his gifts today, I couldn't help become completely giddy when I realized it was my turn to pass on the tradition of Santa. I actually get to sign a gift "From Santa!" It may irk me just a little that he gets all the credit while Mommy & Daddy are paying the bill, but it's the thought that counts. ;) Next year, Aaron and I will really get to play up the role of Santa since Nolan might actually understand what Christmas is by then. I can't wait to pass such warm traditions on to my son, and watch his face light up as he "hears" Santa or sees Christmas morning that Santa ate all his cookies and took the time to respond to his letter.

What lengths have you gone to ensure your children still believe in Santa?

Webster's New Definition of Cute:

What I've Learned Thus Far

Three weeks into Mommyhood I've come to learn my life has flipped upside down, for the better, but nonetheless it's changed completely. As I sit here wondering if I'll even be able to complete this post (feeding time is coming soon), I want you all to know I truly miss you. I miss stalking your blogs and being a teeny part of your lives. To let you in on the newest chapter of my life, here's what I've learned in the past three weeks:

• Being a Mommy is hard. Really hard. No book/website/words of wisdom can truly prepare you for what's to come.
• You learn as you go. Screw the books. Nolan, Daddy and I make our own rules, according to what makes Nolan happiest, of course.
• Call me Bessie because I've turned into a dairy farm. I am so proud I am able to breastfeed my son well, but seriously child, you eat every hour to two hours. And you wonder why I haven't been blogging? Speaking of which....feeding time. This post will have to wait...Mooo
• A good tough swaddle is my new BFF.
• I respect my Mom so SO much more. I pretty much want to gravel at her feet. After knowing what I know now, how could any child ever turn their back on their mother?
• It's okay to ask for help! Something I have to continually tell myself everyday.
• Don't bother getting anywhere on time. Schedules and prior commitments need to be thrown out the window. We're on Nolan time now. Whatever he "says," goes.
• Slow down and breathe. There is no point in rushing anything. Rushing makes baby upset, which makes Mommy upset.
• Better to catch pee in the hand than in the face, I say!
• A loud belch, wet fart or yellowish poo are all signs I am doing a good job.
• Focus on baby and nothing else. Trying to do too much too fast will only make you frustrated, exhausted and sick. Lesson learned...I spent the last several days feeling like death and having a newborn that needs my attention 24/7.
• Give your husband and baby space. Let them have Daddy and son time without you.
• My heart breaks when you cry; My heart beams when I can figure out why you're crying and calm you in less than a minute and a half. Oh, I've timed myself.
• I am not a bad Mommy just because you sleep in your crib, already take a pacifier and sometimes drink boob milk from a bottle.
• I can stare at you all day long. I love every inch of your body, facial expression, hand motion, fart, cry, dirty diaper, smile and little changes I can see in you everyday.

You are my whole world, Nolan. Mommy loves you!

I started this post at 3:40pm today. It's now 9:20pm. Oi vay.

Giddy

I'm still behind on my blogging (obviously), but swear I'll catch up soon! Anywho...who else is jumping out of their skin that Eclipse is released TOMORROW??!! I totally am..Duh. Not that I'll be able to sit down and watch it in a whole sitting, but still, I'm excited. It took me three days to watch the latest episode of '16 and Pregnant' (you know I've got to get my trashy tv on!). I can only sit down long enough to feed Nolan, then it's off to change his diaper, clean house, entertain him, bathe him, etc. Being a Mommy is tough work--and I love every freaking second of it!!! Since I'm behind on my blogging, I'll leave you with a little something that will hopefully put me in your good graces...