3 Months Old!

... being away at work has really made me appreciate my time in the evening and on the weekend with Brooks.  Just when you think you can't be more in love the saying rings true that "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."  I am also noticing all the growing up he's doing:

This week he has been caught grasping a toy for the first time, sitting up with mommy's help, and he just LOVES to stand!  He has become quite the vocal baby- babbling all day and night.  Tim and I enjoy standing outside his room after he has gone to bed and listening to him talk to himself.  Another new habit is the drool/ spit bubbles :)

It's like the 3 month mark has quickly graduated us from newborn and thrown us head-first into full on baby!  He is beginning to sleep 8 hours at night, which makes mommy and daddy quite happy!

He has also begun to laugh, which melts my heart everytime!  We hear from many people that he is a really good baby, although we wouldn't know any different at this point!  His teachers at daycare love him and are taking good care of him.  We got our first "craft" this week- a card with a shamrock and Brooks' footprint in the middle.  It was very sweet :)

My best friend (since we were 1 year old) had a baby boy on Tuesday!  I know he (Dayton) and Brooks will grow up to be the best of friends too!  Right now Brooks looks humongous next to him, but I already warned him that Dayton could catch up to him some day! 

Next week Brooks will also have a new cousin, Maddox!

We are truly enjoying his presence in our lives and can't wait for what's to come!

St. Patrick's Day with Papa!

                                      Don't laugh at my chubby legs :)

A Letter to my Son

                                                                                                         March 2, 2012

Brooks,

I just dropped you off at daycare for the first time and I had to practically run out so that no one caught me crying.  I knew that you were safe and so I thought long and hard about what those tears meant.  Here is my conclusion:

Some of those tears were shed for the ending of our time at home together. Shortly I will be returning to work and not have 7 days a week to enjoy your morning smiles.  You have grown up so fast and I am in awe that our precious 12 weeks is over. 

Some of those tears were shed because you seemed so independent.  I gave you a kiss and you just looked back at me as if to say, “I got this!”  You were making your first friend, sitting next to each other smiling.

And some of those tears were shed because I truly realized your impact on my life. I walked into our empty house without the diaper bag and car seat for the first time in 3 months- my hands were empty.  For the last 3 months my time has been devoted to you.  I have kept the weight on my shoulders of knowing that I am the one to care for you and make sure you are safe 24 hours a day.  Normally, a weight on your shoulders is a negative thing.  But when you weren’t at home for me to take care of, I realized I can’t live without that weight on my shoulders.  Without it I am incomplete. 

God took part of me and your daddy and made this perfect person for us to care for.  It is an absolute privilege to raise you.  I only pray that I can follow God’s will and help you become a faithful, loving leader. 

Words cannot express my Love,

Mommy

Let Them Be Little...

...because they're only that way for a while.  I think I can finally listen to this song without breaking into tears!  Tim made a "Brooks" mix on the iPhone for my delivery and this song was on it.  We tried listening to the song around Christmas time and I had to insist we change it... too many emotions running wild!  Now, I use this song as a reminder on those "needy" days to enjoy him!  For those of you who have not heard this song, I strongly suggest you take a listen: "Let them be Little" by Billy Dean.


We are quickly approaching 3 months and Brooks is getting better at tummy time.  I can tell how strong he is getting! 

 

As a matter of fact, he has rolled over from his tummy to his back four times now! I finally caught it on video :)

Brooks also experienced his first fire in the fireplace:

I will be going back to work in 1 short week!  It's really bittersweet for me.  I have loved every moment being home with Brooks, enjoying his morning smiles and walking each afternoon.  I am timid about him starting daycare.  I know his teachers are great and he will receive the attention he needs, but its still not me!  I wonder: should I tell them that he likes to be held with one arm through his legs, that he needs to be swaddled to sleep, that sometimes he acts like he is finished with his bottle when he isn't, that he doesn't like to be in a poopy diaper for a minute, that he likes it when you "talk" back to him, and so on and so on?  I know they have plenty of experience, but its still difficult. 

At the same time, I do have some excitement in returning to work.  I miss the people I work with and the sense of normalcy.  I know my idea of "normal" is forever changed, but back to a consistent schedule.  Not to mention, I can rid myself of the sense of guilt I get when I multi-task with Brooks at home.  It has been hard to find the balance between giving him undivided attention and getting things done around the house.  My hats off to all you stay-at-home moms out there!

This may be my last post as a stay-at-home mom, so the next thing you read may be about my desire to be back at home and how I miss the special time with Brooks...