Daycare

Well, unfortunately, it's time for this momma to head back to work (Why can't the US not have similar maternity leave policies as other countries?  Some countries give women a full year or more of maternity leave).  I cannot explain how hard it is to know that I will be missing those 8 precious hours with my boy during the week.  I have cried A LOT over the last few days.  While I would love to be able to stay home with him, we are just not able to do that right now.  With passing my National Boards last year, I have to work a certain number of years or repay everything.  Plus, I don't want to make Mike work more than one job just so I can stay home - that's not fair.  I've talked to some of my working mommy friends and they have been praying for me knowing what I'm going through.  They tell me it WILL get better and that it makes the time you do get with your baby that much more precious.  I mean, how could anyone want to leave this sweet face for any time during the day...

 What a precious little boy - I am so very blessed!

While I am not going back to work until Thursday (tomorrow - boo!), we took Matthew to daycare for a few hours on Monday and Tuesday to help him me transition.  He doesn't know if he likes it yet or not because he was asleep the whole time both days.  Here he is ready for his first day of daycare.

Mike was a little disappointed that his class has only boys because he won't be able to have a girlfriend - ha!  We have plenty of time to worry about that :-)

Please ignore the fact that I am in desperate need of a tan

Before he found out he was going to daycare... 

...and after!  Even crying he is so cute!

His adorable backpack is packed and ready to go (thanks Mrs. Abbott).

To those who actually read this blog, if you think of us over the next several days, please lift us up in prayer.  This is a major transition that will be very hard, but I know the Lord will pull us through.  Thankfully, I only work for 12 days before Thanksgiving break and then 4 weeks before Christmas break.
 

2 Months

Where has the time gone?  Matthew is now 2 months old and will be starting daycare next week (that's a different post).  My boy is growing so fast!  Each day just gets better and better being Matthew's mommy :-)  He's still a good mix of both Mike and I - he looks just like Matthew as my dad says.

~ At your 2 month checkup today, you weighed 12 lbs 5 oz (65th percentile) and are 23 inches long (55th percentile).  Your head is now 15 3/4 inches (50th percentile).  You had a great checkup again and that's all we can ask for - a healthy baby!

~ You are now wearing 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes.  It was sad to pack up your newborn clothes :-(

~ You are on a solid eating schedule now - 5.5oz - 6oz of formula every 4 hours.  You eat at 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, and 10pm.

~ If you look at the schedule above you'll see that you are sleeping through the night consistently now!  You started sleeping through the night right around 5 weeks - mommy and daddy are so proud!  You regularly sleep from 10:30pm to between 5:30-7:00am.  Once you start daycare, you'll be up at 6am with daddy each morning.

~ You've had your first cold thanks to mommy and daddy.  We both caught the same thing and passed it one to you, but you were a trooper!  Your cough didn't seem to bother you too much.  Those were the only 2 nights that you didn't sleep through the night.

~  Your head/neck control is still getting better.  You lift your head whenever you can.  You like to look at lights, fans, letters, and the bookshelf in your room.  You still have somewhat of a "bobble-head", but it gets better everyday.

~ You are starting to enjoy/tolerate bath time now that you've found the frog on the shower wall (the Boon Frog that holds your bath toys).  You stare at that pretty much the whole time.

~ You are talking, smiling, laughing so much more!  It melts my heart when you smile at me and coo when I talk to you.  It also makes me smile to see you do the same with your daddy.  You think he is one funny guy!

~ You've started tracking mommy when she is walking around.  I guess you're making sure I don't go too far :-)

~ A new favorite soother is the Baby Einstein Press & Play Panda.  You love the music.  Really, you love any music, but being able to look at the Panda makes it better.

~ You are figuring out your hands and what they can do.  You still like to put your fingers/fist in your mouth.  Each time we feed you, you put your hands up to your bottle like you want to hold it.  You have also figured out a few ways to use your hands/arms to put your paci back in your mouth.

~ We have not transitioned you to your crib just yet, so you're still in the pack-n-play in our room.  We were going to move you to your crib, but you got sick and I just couldn't do it.  I still like being able to pop my head up and see that you are okay.  We'll try moving you to the crib soon.  You've taken a few naps in there, but wake up after 30-40 minutes.

~ You've survived your first few trips in public.  We've taken you to Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and Kristin Todd.  We haven't attempted a meal at a restaurant yet - that will be interesting!

~ You enjoy family walks around the neighborhood.  When I say enjoy I mean you sleep through our family walks.  But, you've been a big hit with our neighbors and their kids while we're on our walks.

You have grown and developed so much this month - I can't wait to see what you learn to do next!  I thank God everyday for such a precious gift and the chance to be your mommy.  What a blessing!

Life Lately

Lately our life has been busy with bottle feedings, changing diapers, singing/humming lullabies, bath times, tummy times, nap times, book reading, and LOTS of smiling and cuddling!  We are settling into parenthood and loving every minute.  It is so much fun to watch the new things Matthew does every day.  Here are a few, well several, pictures of our first 6 weeks as a family of 3.

 Newborn Appointment

 At the Pediatrician's office

 Visiting with "Aunt" Lena

 Supporting daddy's Wisconsin Badgers

 "Play" dates with my besties Jackson and Sydney

 Fun on my playmat

Blowing bubbles before bedtime (love his dinosaur slippers)

 Going on a walk around the block

 Bella is still not sure about Matthew - haha!

 Going to see where daddy works

Another walk with mommy, daddy, and Bella