2014 - You Have Been Great To Us

I'm alive!  Can you believe it?!?  I survived our first Christmas with an infant and as a family of four(we include Hanky in that count)

As I sit here and review our year I am amazed at how spectacular it was.  I am also in awe of the fact that for the past 3 years now, I didn't think it could get any better - and yet - it has!

I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for our family and hope that you all continue to follow along on this journey that we call life.

2014 - Year in Review

January
We celebrated me turning 1/4 of a century.  25 - holy cow!  I also knew that we were pregnant and kept it a secret from everyone until we were 8 weeks and then we told our families.

There were actually 6 of us in this picture - Caleb and Emma are in the mamas bellies :)

February
We went to Colorado to visit my brother, sister-in-law and our nephew.  We also announced the most exciting news that our family would be growing by two feet in the Fall!

March
We thought we found the house of our dreams and we were devastated when we found out that we didn't get it.  We continued to watch my little bump grow and look more like a baby, rather than just me eating too many cheeseburgers.

April
We found out that #babyhughes2014 is a boy!  We were thrilled and had a gender reveal party - that kind of busted.  We continued our house hunt and finally found "the one".

May
We bought a house!  It was an amazing experience, although tough, and we are so happy to be home owners

June
I had an amazing baby shower - that I know I never blogged about.  Is it too late now? LOL.  We kept settling into our house and enjoyed our time with just the two of us.  We also took our maternity pictures with the amazing LG!

July
We celebrated two amazing years of marriage.

August
I went out on maternity leave and waited for the arrival of our little.  Little did I know he wouldn't come for another 5 weeks, but I sure loved hanging out with my mama and getting everything ready for Caleb.

September
Caleb Tyler Hughes was born and we are over the moon.  He was healthy and happy and is such a joy to our lives.  We also went on a road trip to Colorado and spent 8 days with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew so that they could meet Caleb.  He went on his first road trip and plane ride all in one week.  We got his newborn photos done by Lisa Anne Photography and we fell more in love with our little boy.

October
We took Caleb to his first pumpkin patch and celebrated Halloween.  We also got our family pictures taken, by the amazing LG, and - of course - I haven't posted those yet.  Here is a sneak peak and I swear they will get posted next week as a fresh start to the new year :)

November
We celebrated Thanksgiving with family and kept loving on our little boy!  He turned two months old and we can't believe how fast he is growing.

December
We celebrated Hubs' birthday - and this year we didn't have a present disaster like last year.  We celebrated our first Christmas as a Mommy and Daddy.  We all got spoiled and love all of our presents :)

2015, I can't wait to see how things change and grow :)

Parenting Is Hard

I wouldn't change my  life for anything in the world - but parenting is hard.

Caleb has decided - mostly since I went back to work - that he is going to push back his bed time.  The first week it wasn't that bad.  He was staying up until about 8 - an hour later than he usually was going to sleep - and it was working out to where he would still sleep on the way to my mom's house in the morning.  

Sounds fine right?  Quit complaining Sara!

Well this last week he has been not only pushing back his bedtime, but also screaming uncontrollably for about 2 hours each night.  We walk, we bounce, we sing, we feed, we bathe - you name it, we've tried it.  Eventually he tires himself out and finally falls asleep.  

He is still sleeping through the night - once again, I know, shut up Sara!

Parenting is hard.  The hubs will hold him in one position and because I can't stand to hear or see my baby scream I always offer to take him.  This then usually turns into a little "discussion" about how the hubs is fine and nothing we do will help him at this point.  

I hate having "discussions" with my hubs.  He is the best Daddy a boy could hope for, but I find myself getting frustrated.  I'm not only getting frustrated with him, but others who are around Caleb also.  I know that people have the best intentions and hopes for my baby, but I am his mom and can anyone else care for him like I can?

This is where I start to question - only halfheartedly - how hospitals just send you home with a human.

You have to take a class and test to get a driver's license, but you can just have a baby.

You have to wait until a certain age to smoke, vote and drink alcohol, but you can just have a baby.

Parenting is hard.  I know that I am doing the best I can - and so is the hubs - but we have no idea what we are doing.  We don't have the answers and I find myself wondering how our parents do.  How does my mom know that he is hungry?  How does Ryan's dad know that he wants to be held closer?  When will we get these magical powers?

If you have any suggestions to the screaming baby at night thing, please let me know!

Also, if you have the same thoughts and feelings please let me know so that I don't think I am totally insane!

Further more, if you see me and I look like a cracked-out monkey, please just give me a hug and tell me he is a happy and healthy baby and that we are doing it right! 

I hope you all understand that no matter how frustrating this is, I can't be upset or frustrated with this little snuggle muffin at all...I mean, look at that face! :)

My Dearest Little - Three Month Letter

I know this is late - but it is better than never.

My dearest little one,

I cannot believe that another month has come and gone.  It seems like just yesterday you were wanting to come out and meet the world.  You are now a big 3 month old little man and filling our hearts and home with joy and love each and every day.

3 months was a big one for you.  We started out the month working on more tummy time.  Although you are good at it, you definitely only want to do it when it is convenient for you.  You will be happy as clam on your own terms, but if you don't want to do it you have no problem letting anyone know.  You have successfully been holding your head up on your own now with only a little assist when it somehow falls to the side. ::you really hate that::

We had lots of fun with your friends Abby and Emma.  Abby Grace always loves seeing "the baby!" and Emma Rose loves that she can now sit and talk to you.  I love that you all are close in age and love each other.

I left you for the first time this month with someone other than your Mima or Grandma/Pop.  It was your Aunt Leslie, but still.  Big step for your mama little one, I'm a little emotional still.  You did great and it was good for mommy to get out also.  Aunt Leslie found a monkey in your toy box and it is now your favorite toy.  We take it everywhere we go.

Another big thing you did this month was go meet your Great-Grandma. I am still so sad that you will never really get to know her, but don't worry, Mima and I will tell you all about her.  She is a funny lady that you would have loved to hang out with.  While we visited her you did great.  You were smiling and happy the whole time we were there.  She loves babies and was so happy to see you.

Veteran's Day came around and it happened to be on your daddy's day off from work so we explored the city all day long.  We went from place to place and enjoyed wonderful food and treats to honor those who have helped keep our freedom, including your daddy.

As a wonderful surprise your Aunt Lorraine came to town, from Maryland, and you got to meet her.  We spent an afternoon with her, Aunt Leslie and Mima.  You were such a good boy and she loved getting to meet you.

Maybe one of the biggest things we tried this month was the Bumbo!  We got it off the military yard sale site on Facebook and it is great!  You love it!  The first time you tried it you couldn't stop laughing and smiling.  I am still so amazed at how big you are getting.

You celebrated another holiday this month - Thanksgiving.  You weren't too impressed, probably because you couldn't eat any mashed potatoes, but let me tell you - next year, you will love it.  It was nice.  We got to see both sides of the family and you were such a good little turkey.

I love you so much Caleb Tyler.  I know I tell you so many times throughout the day but it is still just as true.  I can't wait to see how the next month goes and what milestones you will hit next.  Mommy will always love you snuggle muffin!

**************************

Now for some stats shall we?

3 Months Old
Weight: 14.5 pounds (59th percentile)
Height: 25 inches (71st percentile)
Clothes: 3-6 months