Nick's New Trick... sort of

I am so sorry that I haven't posted lately. It has been crazy around here. Nick just doesn't seem to understand that I need to post. He prefers that I hold him, play with him, talk to him, and just attend to his every whim. Obviously, by my lack of posts, you can tell what I have been doing.

Things have been going well. Nick had a dr. appointment last week. He weighs 9lbs 3 ozs. He is 21 inches long. I was a little disappointed in his weight. I thought he would weigh a little more. Then yesterday, I put him in some shorts that 3 weeks ago, didn't fit at all. They were way too big. Yesterday, they fit. They will still a little big, but they fit well enough that he could wear them. So, not really sure what the deal was with the weight, but he is definitely getting bigger. We also had to go up a size on a lot of his onesies. So, while the scale may not show it much, he is growing!

Now on to Nick's new trick. He desperately wants to suck his thumb. He has never been much of a pacifier baby. He will take it every once in a while, but only for a little bit. Lately, he is even less interested in the pacifier, and really wants to suck his thumb. He puts his thumb up to his mouth, then moves his head and thumb, trying to make the two unite, however, he is usually unsuccessful. I thought babies just knew how to suck their thumbs, but apparently not. So while this continues for a while, he then gets really mad and throws a fit, all the while still trying to find his thumb with his mouth. On the off chance that he actually connects, he sometimes gets a little enthusiastic and sticks his thumb in a little too far. This results in him gaging. If he has recently eaten, spitting up often follows as well. All in all, the thumb sucking is not successful. There is a big part of me that hopes he gives up on this soon. I have heard horror stories about trying to ween their kids from sucking their thumb.

I hope to write more than what I have been doing lately. Here are some photos from today... all smiles!

All Smiles

Wow, being a mom is hard work. I guess most of you already know that, and for those who don't, it should be evident by my lack of writing the last few weeks. I finally have a few extra minutes, and thought I would share what is going on in our lives, as well as a few cute photos that I just took...

Nick continues to do well. He is a really great baby. He sleeps on and off through out the day. He still loves to be in his swing, although if there is someone around willing to hold him, that is his preference. He eats well. He usually takes 2-3 ounces every 4 hours or so. His nightly sleep patterns aren't too bad. I have heard horror stories, so I consider myself lucky. He usually goes down about 9:30, wakes around 1am, then again around 4am. Each time, he usually takes a bottle, gets his diaper change, then goes right back to bed. Again, I consider myself lucky for that.

All in all, while it has been busy...( seriously, how much laundry can such a little person create?) it has been wonderful. He is starting to smile more when you talk to him. We just had our own little photo session.

Many Faces Of Nicholas

Friday, my mom brought Nick to my work so that he could have his first portrait made. He is so expressive, he let Susan take photos of all his many faces. I loved the way so many of them turned out, here are a few of my favorites. Just wanted to share these photographs with you!

Dear Nick,

I think I have been writing this letter for the last 4 months. Funny thing is, I can't believe it has been 4 months. Maybe that is because you have only been home for a week and a half. I can't believe you are actually home. The day I picked you up, it felt so surreal. I am not sure that it feels real even now. Bringing you home was the happiest day of my life. I really still can't believe you are here.

Right now, you are asleep in your crib. You absolutely refuse to sleep in the basinett. You really like your crib. When it is time for bed, you like to watch the aquarium crib toy that is on the side of your crib. It lights up and plays music. You love it. You turn your head toward it the minute I put you in your crib and wait for it to come on and sing you to sleep.

You spend your days alternating between the swing, bouncy seat, being held, and sleeping in your crib. Your favorite of those is being held. If you had your way, you would have someone hold you every second. And there is a long line of people who would volunteer for that job!

I may be biased, but you have the cutest face! I love how expressive you are. You raise your eyebrows when you see something that interests you. You certainly have your mad face down, when someone doesn't pick you up when you think it is time. Your sad face is so cute, I can't help but smile sometimes when you cry. You suck your bottom lip in and have the saddest little face. You still make the "O" face that I have grown to love. Now, I tell you that when you make that face, that is an invitiation for me to kiss you.

You have certainly taught me how hard being a mom can be. More important you have taught me how much love I can give. I never stop thanking God that I can hold you everyday, or kiss you every night. I love that I can be there when you cry all the time instead of just for a few hours a day. Even in the middle of the night, seeing your face, and giving you a kiss, makes it all worth it.

The last week and a half have been fantastic, exhausting, but fantastic. If this week and a half has brought me this much joy, I can't wait to see what the rest of your life brings!

I love you munchkin man,

Mommy