First Trip to the Pool!!!

I know I'm crazy and should probably have my head examined, but today I took Michael to the pool for the first time.  My sisters were all planning a trip and I didn't want to miss out, so off we went!  I knew it was going to be hot, but I wasn't expecting another day with a heat index of 105.  Can't we have some nice, middle-of-the-road weather days???

No worries though, we were in the shade for the most part and he was slathered with tons of 50 spf sunscreen.  I know sunscreen is not "recommended" for a 4 1/2 month old, but neither is sunburn.

He didn't not like the water, but he didn't seem too thrilled with it either.  I was just happy that he was content with being outside in this heat.

I also kept him well-hydrated and we weren't outside for more than an hour and a half.  See, I'm really not a bad mom!!!

We had a a bath, bottle and a good, long nap when we got home.  That outside air sure was tiring for my little guy!

Here are some pics of our day at the pool with my sisters and their kiddos!  (By the way, I did ask my sisters in these pics if they were okay with me posting their pics in their bathing suits.  They both said yes :)  I'm not that cruel!)

Michael and Mommy chilling in the pool!

Kate and Brooklyn

Dee and Wyatt

Miss Jayde.  She carried that water bottle around a lot!  Super cute!!!

Michael's first dip in the pool!

The Bumbo.  He liked looking at the water!

Worn out!

But still has a smile to show off!

Miss Brooklyn...she hated the water at first, then I look over and she's standing under the sprayers...voluntarily!!!  What a kid!

Happy Summer!  Stay Cool!

Cereal!!!

It's been a while since I've posted an update and we've had a few fun things going on around here lately.

First, we've started Mr. Michael on rice cereal!  He started waking up in the middle of the night, which he had not done the past few weeks.  Not that I don't love to see that smiling face at 3am, but I am also a huge fan of sleep!  His pediatrician also said we could start him on cereal at any time.

His first day of cereal was this past Tuesday, June 28th.  He slightly enjoyed the first few bites until he realized it wasn't his bottle.  He then starting pitching a fit until he got the bottle back.  Not such a great try.  The past few nights have gone a little better until the full success story of tonight!  He had his bottle first, let go of a few good burps and ate all of his cereal!!!  It took a little convincing, but he eventually got it all down the hatch...and so far it's staying down!  Yay!

The set up

The first bite

Not so sure!

Gagging :(

I had to drop the camera to get to him, therefore the blurry pic

Success!!!

Speaking of staying down, he has been spitting up alot more lately.  That normally is not a big deal due to his reflux,  but he has also been screaming when he does it, so we had to increase his doseage of Prilosec.  So far, so good!  The doctor wants us to give it a week, but even after a couple days, we're already noticing an improvement.

We're also trying to not swaddle him a night.  I've had too many scares lately where I wake up to him squirming in the cradle and he has his face covered with the wings of the sleeper!  The problem with that is, at some point during the night, he usually wakes himself up with having his arms out.  I know he can't be swaddled forever, but it'll be a while before he's fully done with it.

Don't worry, the monkey was moved after theis picture was taken (it's his pacifier).

Here are a few other "four month" pics that didn't get added last time.  Enjoy!!!

Really, Mom???

I love those little feet!

I caught a smile!



Four Months!

It has been four months since this new little person came into our lives!

Everyone says this about their babies, but he is growing so fast!

At his 4 month well check yesterday,

He weighed 14 pounds 13 ounces (51%).

He was 26.6 inches long (94%).

His head was 17 inches (75%).

He got 3 shots yesterday and was less than thrilled about them.

Go figure!

There are so many things that I love about this little guy.

I love how he laughs when I tell him stories (made-up ones, but still :)).

I love how focused he is when I read him books.

I love how, when he sleeps, he crinkles his forehead when I kiss it.  It's like he's trying to keep my lips on his head a little longer!

I love how he loves to sleep on my chest for naps and can do so for hours!

I love how he magically calms down when I sing to him...a voice only a son could love!

I love that I know what his cries mean...tired? hungry? diaper?

I love how he smiles at me at 3am, 5am...basically anytime in the middle of the night that he wakes up.

I love how he stretches in such contentment!

The list could go on and on, but those are my favorites!

And right now, he is my favorite!

Mommy and Daddy Love You Michael!!!

Michael's Baptism

I am Christian.  I Love my Lord.  However, I would be the first to admit (not proudly) that I am not someone who is overly expressive in my faith.  I don't know why that is.  I can say, however, that since Michael has been born, my relationship with God has grown considerably.  Prayers have been said everyday, sometimes multiple times per day in celebration, praise, thankfulness, exasperation (usually in the middle of the night or when he won't stop crying) and hopes for good things for my little man (health, happiness, etc).

Today Michael became one of God's children.  I couldn't be happier!  We decided to baptize Michael in the Catholic Church.  Rob is Catholic and I am Lutheran..the product of a Catholic father and Lutheran mother.  I was actually supposed to be baptized Catholic, but the priest at the time wouldn't do it.  The reason?  My dad was hauling milk and I, as a 2 month old, would have to go to a Lutheran Church since dad was on the road for most church services.  I think that's why I don't mind Michael being baptized in a more open, welcoming Catholic community.

We were lucky enough to have Deacon Al baptize Michael.  He married us and also happens to be a close family friend...particularly with my Grandpa Pieper.  I don't think Grandpa could have been more pleased having Deacon Al baptize his great-grandson!

We were also very lucky to have the entirety of our families there (with the exception of Tony...yes we missed you, Tony!)!  Most of them had to drive a considerable distance to join us...Thank You!  My Mom and Dad were gracious enough to open their house for us to celebrate.  Let's face it...30 people were NOT going to fit in our little townhome!  Thanks Mom and Dad!  Thanks to all my sisters for helping get the house, food, play set and everything ready for today!

Michael has 3 wonderful people as his Godparents!  Rob chose his nephew Joey and I chose my sister and brother-in-law, Jodene and Andy.  We really can't go wrong on either side in choosing Godparents for our child.  We both have wonderful families!  It was a tough decision!  Thank you Jodene, Andy and Joey for being role-models to Michael and helping to guide him as a Christian.  We love all of you very much...Michael does too!

Michael got to wear a baptismal gown made by his Aunt Deanne when his cousin Ava was born.  Michael was baby #5 to wear it as they become God's children.  When my sisters and I were baptized, we wore the gown worn by my Grandpa Harms.  Unfortunately time, the number of wearers, and fragility of fabric led the gown to deteriorate to the point of not being wearable.  Something similar happened to a gown worn by Rob and his ancestors.  Thank you, Deanne, for helping to personalize the gown by adding blue ribbon to it for Michael's day and for the hard work you put into such a beautiful gown!

Here are some pictures from the day.  It's becoming more and more evident that our little guy is growing so fast!  We are enjoying every minute!!! 

Michael, Mommy and Daddy

Michael with Papa and Nana

Michael with Gramma and Grandpa

I LOVE his little hands!

All Smiles!!!



Is there drool on my chin?

Michael's cake made by Mommy!



Back to Work...

Well...
Yesterday was my first day back at work since Michael was born.
It was interesting.

I started my day at 5am.  My little man must have know that his Mommy needed a good nights sleep cause he slept from 10pm - 6am.  That's right, I had to wake up before he did!  I didn't know how long it would take to get all the little things ready for daycare, and I didn't want to be late for work.  Turns out that 5am is the perfect time to wake up!

I talked to him about how Mommy wasn't going to be hanging out with him today and that he'd be okay and I'd see him later.  That's when I started to tear up.  I had to turn away before I really let the tears loose!  Then Rob picks him up and gets ready to feed him.  He turns back around and says "Did you give him a kiss?"  That just about put me over the edge!  I gave him a little kiss (okay, lots of little kisses) and I was out the door.

Thankfully, I didn't have to be the one to drop him off at the center.  Rob had that privilege.  I called him about 2 minutes after he dropped him off to see how it went.  He said he thought he was talking too much and giving them too much info cause they finally told him to have a good day and they'd see him later:).

I spent my morning in the OR circulating for 3 c-sections.  It extremely wierd being in a room that just 3 months ago, I was the one laying on the table.  I got a little teary during the first delivery just reliving that moment of when I saw Michael for the first time.  I told the scrub tech to remind me if I forgot to do anything cause I hadn't been there for 3 months.  She said not to worry cause she hadn't been there for 4 months!  What a team we were!  All of my co-workers were so great with welcoming me back and asking to see pictures.  It was a great way for me to see pics of my little man too! It was also great to have some adult conversation. 

I didn't want to be the typical, annoying, first-time mom and call daycare to see how the day was going.  Since I was busy in the OR, it didn't really bother me until around 1pm.  I was contemplating calling and asked my co-workers what they thought.  Their response?  "You haven't called yet?!?!  I would have called by 8am!  You're a first time mom and it's his first day of daycare!  Call them!"  Thank guys!  You made me feel so much better!  It turns out that he was having a good day and only cried when it was time to eat.  I also didn't hear any screaming in the background which made me feel better.

When I got home, I snuggled that little guy and enjoyed every minute of the bedtime bottle and sleepiness that follows.  He also must have known that his mom needed a recovery nights sleep after that first day cause he slept for 8 hours again! 

Being back to work definitely makes me enjoy those days home, that's for sure!  I am truely blessed!

My First Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day and I am thrilled to be celebrating my very first!

My sisters (sans Jo), aunts and I actually started the Mother's Day festivities yesterday at the Mall of America.  For the past 4 years, we have been volunteering for the Race for the Cure instead of actually walking it.  I know it's a thrilling experience and seeing all those people walking in honor of, in memory of, or just because.  For us, the thrill is being able to register and see all those faces one on one.  We get to hear their stories.  One woman I registered yesterday was from out of town.  She and her relatives from Norway were leaving this morning and were not able to be at the race/walk.  She just happened to be walking by and asked if she could donate.  As we got to talking, she told me she had been diagnosed in December after finding a small lump during a self-breast exam.  This lump had not been detected on x-ray or mammogram.  Today she is doing well and is in remission following surgery and radiation.

Along those same lines, our family is thankful for the initiative 2 of my aunts have shown.  Two of my maternal aunts have been diagnosed with breast cancer and both found it on their own.  One has been a survivor for over 13 years and one was recently diagnosed and is still goin through treatments.  We are thankful that we can celebrate their recovery and health with them!  Kinda makes me want to do and exam right now!


Today, we spent the day at my parent's house; had some brunch, played some cards and just hung out. All of the family was there except for my sister, Jo, who had to work again. Then I realized that if I weren't on maternity leave, I'd be at work too! Thank God for maternity leave!  Here are some pics from the day.  Please note that Miss Ava is holding Michael in all of the pics.  She's quite the persistant little thing!

Ava singing "Twinkle Twinkle" to a fussy Michael



All 5 cousins!

Papa and Nanny with the Grandkids

Wyatt doing "tummy time" with Michael

Blowin' Bubbles

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms and Mommas-to-be!



Michael and Harley

Another question we've been getting alot is...
"How is Harley doing with the baby?"

The answer?  He pretty much ignores him.  He'll occasionally sniff around his swing or at his toes, but all-in-all, he's shown little interest.  We'll just wait and see what it's like when Michael is a little more mobile and figures out what his hands can do!

Michael is also 11 weeks old today.  I can't believe how fast it has gone.  Only one more week until I have to go back to work.  I'm trying not to dwell on that fact though.  It'll be nice to get out of the house and have some more adult interaction, but I dread him going to daycare.  Shocker, huh?  I don't think it would be so bad if he still wasn't a fussy/screaming baby.  I can tolerate it.  I'm his mom.  But what about a stranger?  Will they hold him till he falls asleep?  Will he sit and cry in a bouncer or swing?  I just can't think about it or I'll be a bawling mess.  instead I'll enjoy these next 9 days.

I'll just look at these lovely pictures.  Something that makes those fussy moments disappear!  And it's all because I talk to him and sing him Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  I love that little face!