Baby Blues

Steve and I used to joke about what our children would look like. Blue eyes? Check. Blonde hair? Check. Who knows, maybe Christian's future sibling(s?) will have brown hair and brown eyes...hmm, probably not likely.

How can you resist these bright, beautiful blue eyes? I sure can't :o)

Christian's 2 New Favorite Things

After coming home from Florida last week, Christian has been really into:

1. Grabbing his toes

(Before his bath)

2. Sucking his thumb (I'm not so sure about this habit. The pacifier just hasn't been cutting it the past couple of weeks.)

(After his bath)

Uh, oh! Caught in the act!

My Favorite Baby Products...So Far

Here are a few favorite baby items that I don't think I could live without. (Or at least I don't think I could live without.)

1. CleanWell Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer Spray A fabulous alcohol-free hand sanitizer. I was using alcohol-based sanitizers for the first 3.5 months and it started to kill my hands, especially with the dry and cold Colorado winter weather. I also like that this is a spray versus a gel, safe for children's little hands too. Nice herbal scent.

2. The Moms on Call Guide to Basic Baby Care: The First 6 Months Reading by topic. No extra wordy chapters when you just want a straight-up answer. I received this book from my brother and sister-in-law and love it!

3. Boppy Nursing Pillow with Slipcover, Lots of Dots Super helpful for nursing mommies, especially for the middle-of-the-night feedings when your baby's head becomes so heavy and you just need a little support.

4. Graco Element Pack 'n Play Playard

(No, Christian's is not girly like the picture above. His is gender neutral.)

So Christian has yet to sleep in a real crib, and will not get the chance to until we find a place to live in South Carolina, settle down, and finally build it. In the meantime, his pack n' play has been wonderful. They are made so neat these days and you can get all sorts of different features ($$) but I just wanted one with a changing table and raised "bassinet." He has slept in it since day 3 (when we were able to bring him home) and doesn't know the difference.

Here is a helpful post from Simple Mom about things you probably don't need to have for a new baby. However, we are guilty of owning a few of these things which have actually been a convenience - (thank you Susan!)

Look at Me!

Chillin' in my Bumbo.

Playing on the floor...getting stronger and stronger. Such a big boy!

Help! I Am Becoming Addicted to Coffee

Its not the caffeine that I am addicted to, because really, my day doesn't seem all that different if I have caffeine or not. It's the aroma and the warmth and the creamer (yes, I use a lot) and the comfort. There is something about cozying up with a good book and delicious hot coffee, or a social outing of coffee with a friend. It also helps that my mom drinks coffee (whereas Steve doesn't) so it is more readily available since I am currently living at my parent's house. Also, I suppose if it were not winter maybe it would not seem so inviting (or at least, that is what I would like to think.) But really, because I am a nursing momma, I know that I need to cut back. What suggestions to do you have to kick the habit? I am only drinking a cup a day, but I still feel guilty. Do you know of any good caffeine-free teas? (I have never been a huge tea lover, but I am always willing to give it another shot.) I heard of this caffeine-free herbal coffee called, Teeccino, which is a blend of herbs, grains, fruits, and nuts that are roasted and ground so that you can brew it just like coffee, and supposedly it is a pretty good substitute with health benefits. I am supposed to be receiving the "Java" sample soon to try it out. We will see. So in the meantime I will try and use a little more will-power to resist the cozy splendidness of coffee.

Christian's Little Mommy

My niece Linden loves her cousin Christian "Tin-Tin." She enjoys mothering him by bringing him toys, covering him with blankets/burp cloths, attempting to share her cookies (and other food,) and holding him. Here are a bunch of cute pictures from today of Linden doing just that:

Sharing her food:

"Holding" Christian:

Putting her shoes on Tin-Tin's feet:

And proceeding to bring him lots and lots of toys (notice how there is a new toy for Christian in each picture?):

What a good mommy!

Christian is 5 Months

What? Where is the time going?

Christian weighed 16 lbs. 5 oz. on Monday when I took him to the pediatrician for a nasty rash on his arms and legs...it is finally beginning to clear up.

This month Christian has been busy moving (still scooching himself around,) smiling, and grasping anything in his reach. He is definitely a little flirt (he loved this Italian lady at a restaurant at EPCOT and would coo, smile, and giggle every time she came near.) He has the cutest little belly laugh and we love him so.

Weekend in Orlando

"Oh Daddy, how I've missed you."

All bundled up, glad I brought his hat and some warmer clothes.

This past holiday weekend we visited Steve in Orlando. Steve drove 7 hours from Hurlburt Field and we flew in Thursday afternoon and left early Monday morning. Christian had a few outbursts on the plane ride there and it certainly was difficult trying to manage a large car seat, suitcase, stroller, and baby, but we made it to the hotel. The weather was cold and rainy but it became warmer each day that we were there. On Sunday we even got to take off our jackets and get a little sun. We went to EPCOT twice (my favorite of the Disney World parks,) the Magic Kingdom, and Downtown Disney every night...Ghirardelli hot cocoa anyone? Simply Amazing. Steve held Christian or had him in the baby carrier majority of the trip, as expected. :o) On our flight home we had a stop in Chicago which made for a VERY long day, but Christian was wonderful and slept on my shoulder during both flights. What a good little traveler. The weekend really flew by as they always do when you are having a good time. It was so nice to be able to spend some time together again as a family in between Steve's trainings. A little refresher and encouragement to keep going. We cannot wait to see Steve in 4 weeks when we meet up again at our new base and home in South Carolina. A whole new adventure awaits us!

Love Never Fails

Love Never Fails
~Brandon Heath

Love is not proud
Love does not boast
Love after all
Matters the most

Love does not run
Love does not hide
Love does not keep
Locked inside

Love is the river that flows through
Love never fails you

Love will sustain
Love will provide
Love will not cease
At the end of time

Love will protect
Love always hopes
Love still believes
When you don't

Love is the arms that are holding you
Love never fails you

When my heart won't make a sound
When I can't turn back around
When the sky is falling down
Nothing is greater than this
Greater than this

Love is right here
Love is alive
Love is the way
The truth the life

Love is the river than flows through
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love is the place you will fly to
Love never fails you

Sweet Pink Marshmallow

Linden received a sled for Christmas from Grandpa "Papa" and Grandma "Nana." Surprisingly we really haven't gotten all that much snow since I have been in Colorado, but it finally snowed Sunday and Monday, so Linden and Nana were able to try out the new sled today in the front yard. Remember those fun days of sledding?

Less than 2 Days!

Thursday morning Christian and I will embark on our plane trip to Florida to visit Steve. We are SOOO excited! I don't think Steve will be able to share Christian during the 4 days...except maybe for feedings ;)

Number 100

This is my 100th blog post! It seems kinda crazy that I have posted that many entries since April of last year. I originally began this blog so that I would have a place to document our family adventures while in the military and away from our dear family and friends. It has even become a place for Steve to see what is going on with us while he is away on trainings. As many of you know and have experienced, it is quite difficult living in another state from family, so I am trying to keep this blog fresh with new happenings, pictures (especially of Christian,) and a little randomness here and there. I love to receive your comments so keep them coming! Here are just a few of my favorite blog posts since April 2009:

• First Baby Picture


• Halfway There and We're Having A...

• 36 Weeks


• Our Baby Story ~ A Surprise Arrival


• Colorado Dreaming


• Stripes
  
• California Favorites


• Like Father, Like Son

• First Shoes

Do you have a favorite?

Grandpas

One Year Ago Today...

...we found out that we were expecting!

Today is our 6 year dating anniversary....as in, the date that Steve and I became an "official" couple. We actually began dating in December 2003, but that is not the real purpose of this post.

One year ago today my in-home pregnancy test tested positive. (You can imagine my excitement!) I took the test while Steve was at work and decorated our home office with a heart of Hershey Kisses (a favorite in our relationship.) On the garage door that led into our house I posted a sign that said "Happy 5th Anniversary!" so that when Steve pulled into the garage he would see the sign. I think he may have been a little confused as he unloaded his wallet and gear from the workday in the office. We are not really the couple that celebrates every single big moment in our relationship (ex. our engagement, dating anniversary, etc.) so I think he may have thought that I was a little silly...or maybe just sentimental. Then I greeted Steve with a big hug and kiss and said: "Congratulations! You are going to be a daddy!" It was a good day :)

"The Atonement Child"

I just finished reading my second book since Christian was born titled The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. Rivers is known for her popular Redeeming Love novel which is excellent by the way. Finding time to read has been especially challenging. When Christian is napping I should be getting things done (although I am often blogging or finding other distractions) but I am trying to make it a goal to get back into reading. I was especially spoiled while living at Edwards AFB because I had a personal library and book recommendations supplied by my friend Susan. I read more after I met her than I had in a VERY long time. Now I have to use a real library....Anyway, back to the Atonement Child. This "easy read" (despite the topic) centers around the sanctity of life which has always been important to me and my values, but really struck me, especially now that I am a new mommy and loving every minute of it (okay, almost every...late night wake up calls anyone?) I am still amazed by the precious life of our little guy that began with something so small and seemingly insignificant. God is so good and life is a miracle to be celebrated. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is on the fence or interested in this topic.

First Shot

I thought this was a great picture of Christian with his Grandpa and Grandma R. taken last weekend. This was the first and only picture I took- don't you just love it when you get the picture on the first try?

Christian and Emily

My best friend, Emily, finally got to meet Christian on Sunday! Christian instantly took to her and even fell asleep while she was holding him. They were so cute!

She looks like a natural to me...don't you think?

Wordless Wednesday *Christian's Hero*

First Shoes

Christian wore his first pair of shoes yesterday, even though we don't expect him to go walking anytime soon. He is developing more and more personality every day.

"Yeah, I know I'm cute"