Oh Hey Friday!

Linking up with September Farm and The Farmer's Wife today for Oh Hey Friday!

1.  Happy Halloween!
It is our first Halloween as parents and we are so excited!  As much as I would love to say that we are doing a family dress-up this year, we aren't :(  It is scheduled to rain tonight and my hubby isn't really into dressing up as it is.  But just wait until next year!  I am thinking that we will all be a character from Thor!  LOL  But until then, enjoy the cuteness that is my little boy in his 3 Halloween outfits and stayed tuned with IG to see what he goes out as tonight.

2.  FitBit Flex
That's right!  This mama got a FitBit Flex!  We were at Verizon on Sunday and the hubs put it on the counter and before I could tell him reasons why we shouldn't purchase it right now we got it.  I am so excited!  I have been wearing it non-stop and I am loving seeing my activity throughout the days increase.  It is so nice and will hopefully continue to help me in my Operation Pre Baby Body.

3.  iPhone 6
So this is why we went to Verizon on Sunday.  While we were in Colorado in September we went to Verizon to get Ryan's phone looked at.  We both have had our iPhone 4 since October 2011 so we knew they were on their last leg.  While we were there they were having a deal for the iPhone 6.  Let's just say it was amazing and we bit the bullet.  We got them shipped to us and they arrived last week.  On Sunday we took them in to our local store and got them activated and all pretty.  I am so in love with it and so excited!  I have never had a "brand new" phone!

4.  I have an 8-week-old
I really can't believe it!  My little 7 pound, 14 ounce baby is now 8 weeks old!  It is hard to believe that it was that long ago that I was pushing him out and falling deeper in love with someone than I ever believed possible.

5.  I have a 1 year old
Confused?  Well don't be.  Hank Hughes turned 1 year old on Wednesday!  I can't believe how fast it went.  Granted we didn't have him for the first 8 weeks of his life but we love him just the same :)  I can't believe that he went from being our little 15 pound puppy to a 90+ pound love bug!  Happiest Birthday Hanky Poo!

 

Blogger Men Tell All - PART 2

I am linking up with Samantha, Becca and Melissa today for Blogger Men Tell All.

I unfortunately missed last months link up but I still wanted the hubs to answer those questions.  So today we have both Part 1 and 2.

Part 1:

• If you had a blog what would you call it and what would it be about?
• It would be called Once Upon A Time In The Wetlands.  It would be about teaching my son about the outdoors.   ohmygosh!  Is that not the sweetest??
• If you could live inside any videogame, which would it be?
• Nintendo Duck Hunt   Are you noticing a theme here?
• Who is your best player on your fantasy football team this season?
• Don't have one
• If you could play for any professional sports team, which would it be?
• San Jose Sharks
• What do you typically do with an hour of free time?
• Hunting.  Fishing.  Nothing.  Very, very true.

Part 2:

• Is Halloween your favorite holiday? If not, what is?
• No.  Duck Season is my favorite.  105 days of holiday.  Can you tell I am like a widow during the winter due to hunting??
• What will you be dressing up as for Halloween this year?
• Myself   So original
• What is your go-to drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)?
• Crown and Coke
• What is your favorite scary movie?
• The Notebook.  It's a scary thing to watch.   Oh men!
• What is your best Halloween memory?
• Eating dinner out last year with my wife.  We went to a restaurant and there was no wait because everyone else was with their kids Trick or Treating!   It was one of my favorite Halloweens also :)

What's Inside Our Diaper Bag

Must Haves:

• Diapers - I have a diaper holder that keeps them nice and organized inside the bag.  It held up to 8 newborn diapers, but now that we are in size 1 diapers we can only hold 5 at a time.  It is still wonderful for keeping them organized
• Wipes - You can never have enough wipes
• Blanket - The swaddle blanket used to be enough but now that it is Fall and my baby loves to be warm we have nothing but big fluffy blankets with us at all times.
• Burp Cloth - My hungry hippo baby is a very messy eater.  On top of that he loves to spit a little extra up after almost every meal.
• Extra Outfit - We have only had to change his outfit once while we were out, but it is always a good idea to have a backup for times like that.  I have ever heard of moms having an extra outfit for themselves.  I figure if it gets to that point, I have bigger things to worry about then my clothes.
• Pacifiers - I am a pacifier hoarder - well hoarder in general.  I have at least 3 pacifiers in the diaper bag at all times.  You never know when you might lose one?
• Bib - Like I mentioned above, my little babes is a messy eater and to preserve his outfits for as long as possible he must wear a bib while he takes a bottle.
• Gripe Water - Heaven sent!!  This magical water helps the littles when their tummies are a little unhappy.  Caleb has only needed it a couple of times, but when he does it works literal magic!
• Infant Tylenol - I haven't had to use it yet, but I don't want to be without it when I do.  With the winter coming up and possible teething in the not so distant future, I don't want little man to suffer at all if possible.
• Pacifier Wipes - Those little buggers can fly!  Caleb will spit them out when he is done and they almost always land somewhere that isn't clean.
• Bottle - For feedings out and about
• Formula - For feedings out and about
• Changing Pad - I don't trust the sanitation of the changing pads in public.  I have my own that we lay on top of the tables and he lays on.  Plus it is useful if I ever have to change him in the car or in someone's house.
• Nursing Cover - I always nurse Caleb before he gets a bottle just so that he can have whatever milk I have possible for him.  I know breastfeeding is natural and beautiful but I am not confident enough to nurse in public without a cover.  Plus there are just certain things that I would like to keep to me and my babes.
• Ring Sling - Savior!  Caleb loves to be held and since we don't have a removable car seat a ring sling is the perfect solution.  It folds up so nicely so it doesn't take up too much room and he loves being close to his mama.
• Chapstick - Because sometimes you just need a little moisture on your lips!  I always have my EOS on hand.
• Poop Bags - I'm sure there is a more technical term, but that is what I use them for.  They are scented so they don't smell up your entire diaper bag and they are convenient for smelly diapers or blown out clothing items.
• Water - For me because I can drink water like my body is in the same drought as California and just in case I need to make an additional bottle.
• Pads - Nursing pads that is.  Although I don't have very much milk production, when my baby screams it comes to the surface and soaking through my bras and shirts is not how I like to spend my time out of the house.
• Wallet - I must confess that since having the babes I have not carried a purse once.  I just throw my wallet in the bag and go.  It is already tough enough carrying around an 11 pound baby and then two bags on top of that?  No thank you!

I restock our bag every morning before we leave the house.  Usually I just have to add a clean bottle, a clean burp cloth, and possibly some diapers and wipes.

What do you have to have in your diaper bag??

Tips for Traveling with a Newborn

When Caleb was 2 weeks old we went on a road trip.  Caleb and I packed up a suitcase and drove with my mom from California to Colorado.  We left on a Sunday morning and arrived in Colorado Monday evening.  It was a long drive and I wouldn't want to do it again, but we survived.

That's right, an 18 hour drive and over 1000 miles with a newborn.  We stopped the first night in Salt Lake City and then drove the second half on Monday.  Caleb was amazing but it was long and tiring.

After a wonderful week in Colorado and getting joined by his daddy, Caleb and I flew home.  Yes, a flight and road trip all within a week and while he was 2 weeks old!  Call us crazy, but we were all off work and when else would we all be able to do it?  Here is how we survived it.

Tips for traveling with a newborn:

1. Pack plenty of diapers and wipes
   My little guy is a pooping machine!  I had brought a pack of 200 wipes with us on our drive and an entire pack of diapers.  I know this was overboard, but since we would be gone for 9 days, I knew he would go through all of the diapers plus some.  
2. Make sure your roadtrip partners know that you will need to stop to feed the babes
   I made sure that my mom understood that if I drove out there with her that I would have to stop and nurse the babes whenever he woke up and that it would take up to an hour.  We got super lucky that he only woke up every 4 hours!  I think we only stopped twice on the first day and twice on the second day.
3. Bring a pillow to nurse on while in the car
   Nursing takes a million things it seems like, but the most coveted item to us is a pillow.  I can hold him while he nurses but after 20 minutes your arms get tired.  A regular bed pillow is good enough plus my mom was able to drive it home with her after we left.
4. Wear your baby
   I wear Caleb anytime we are out and about and it is awesome.  When we flew home we did the same.  Wearing him made it so easy to board the plane and he slept the entire flight.  People are so much nicer also when they see a sleeping babes on your chest!
5. Pack bottles and milk - formula or breast
   I always had at least one bottle ready for him to eat on the drive and flight.  I nursed him whenever he wanted, but in the off chance that i didn't have anything to give him - because at the time I still had a good milk supply - I had a bottle as back up.
6. Schedule your feedings and naps as well as possible for traveling
   Caleb is a very scheduled boy.  Give or take an hour he usually eats and sleeps at the same times every day.  Flying home I was nervous, but luckily we planned it all just right.  When we arrived at the airport we got through security and to our gate before he fussed.  I nursed him and followed up with a bottle to get him nice and happy full.  I then got him in his carrier on my chest and rocked him to sleep.  He slept the entire flight and didn't fuss once!  

I know that we got super lucky on our traveling but I don't think people should be afraid to travel with an infant.  I think the less mobile they are the easier it would be.  I guess I will let you know if that is true once we travel again when he is older :)

 

Guilt: One Hell of an Emotion

My whole life I have wanted to be a mom.  I always told everyone, from a very young age, that I was ready to be a mom.  I knew that I wanted to get married and have babies and stay home with them and be the ever so stereotypical "soccer mom" - without the soccer part, I know absolutely nothing about it.

I completed high school, graduated college, got married and got pregnant.  All my dreams came true.  I was going to be a mom!  10 months came and went and I was blessed with the most handsome little boy in this entire world - yes I am bias because he is mine, but he is pretty dang cute either way.

Caleb Tyler has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.  He has made my life complete, even when I didn't know anything was missing.  He has shown me the ability to love someone so much that it actually pains you on the inside thinking about them not ever being around.  He has taught me patience and to not worry about being in control as much.  Isn't it crazy to believe that one little boy, one little 7 week old baby boy can have such an impact on you?

Well the one thing he can't help me with is my guilt...

I feel guilty about not loving being a stay at home mom at first - The week Ryan went back to work was a disaster, to say the least.  It was probably normal from everyone else's view, but to me it was rough.  I didn't know how I was going to do it for the next six weeks.  Don't get me wrong, I love my baby and I love being with him, but not getting sleep and not knowing what he needed was rough on me.  I am someone who loves having a plan and control of things, a newborn - they make the rules.  I told my mom that I would go back to work when he was 8 weeks old.  She told me it was fine and that I could stay home with him when he was older.  It helped for a second, but the guilt continued.
I feel guilty about wanting to go back to work - Now this might be confusing, but I have no desire to go back to work to escape my baby, but because I can't handle the stress of money.  In California we are given 4 weeks before your baby is born and 6 or 8 weeks after your baby is born of paid disability.  They give you 2/3 of your pay or the max payout, whichever is less.  Once the 6 or 8 weeks after birth are completed you then switch to Paid Family Leave and the pay is the same and you can be on that for an additional 6 weeks.  blah blah blah.  Well the weekly pay I receive from the state is the max allowed, which is not 2/3 of my normal pay.  We have been pinching the pennies since I went out on Mat Leave, back on August 1st, and it has been getting to me.  I feel guilty because I am stressing about money rather than focusing all of my undying attention to Caleb.
I feel guilty that my house is not immaculate every day when the hubs gets home from work - I try every single day to get the dishes done, laundry done and the house vacuumed.  If I managed to get one of those things done I consider it a victory.  But the guilt sinks in still.  There are plenty of women out there who manage these things everyday with the same amount, if not more children.  I hear it from multiple people about "so and so manages it all"  I know that we shouldn't compare ourselves to other mothers, or women for that matter, but it is a lot easier said than done.
I feel guilty that dinner is not made every single night as according to plan - just like the house stuff, dinner is the same.  I plan on having dinner made every night, while we eat every night, I am not always the one to make it.  Ryan and I have always made dinner together, but with an infant who happens to be awake during that time, it has become difficult.  This is probably the thing I feel least guilty about out of all of these things above and below - silly right?
I feel guilty that I can't provide him with enough breast milk to fill him - If you read my post from last week you know all about my struggles with breastfeeding.  I am sad to say that things have not improved in the booby department and it still makes me feel shitty.  I know that my baby loves me still and every drop that he does get from me is better than nothing, but guilt doesn't care about any of that.  It has a magical way of ruining the beautiful bonding moment we have by having him scream bloody murder after he detaches because he is still hungry.
I feel guilty that I have to go back to work and leave him - As much as I wanted to go back to work in the beginning I can't imagine it now, and now we are only 6 weeks away from that happening.  He will be staying with my mom and mother-in-law while I am at work but I can't imagine not being with him all day.  The guilt of not feeding him every bottle and nursing him when he is upset is enough to put me into a panic alone.
I feel guilty that I haven't spent "enough" time with my husband - enough is a relative term, but it is one that I am holding myself to.  Ryan and I have always agreed that as much as we love our children, our marriage will come first.  Without a happy marriage they can not have as happy a life.  I must say that I am guilty of being overly frustrated with him when he gets home and says he is tired.  He is justified to be tired because he works hard to provide for us, but am I not tired when I am the one getting up with the baby every single time?  This is where more guilt comes in.  Stupid, ugly guilt.
***************
I love my baby and husband more than anything else in this world.  I didn't know a greater love until Caleb was born.  The guilt I feel is real and rears it's ugly head every single day, but I am working on pushing it aside and telling myself that I am doing the very best that I can.  I don't want to feel guilty for worrying about money because it just means that I will be able to provide a more stable life for my family.  I don't want to feel guilty about my house not being clean or dinner being made because I married a wonderful man and we are a team and together it will get done.  I don't want to feel guilty about not spending enough time with Ryan.  We will have our time together and we will cherish it, just like we cherish our little boy every single day.

While staying at home is not in the cards for me long-term, I am okay with it.  I know that being a working mom will help me be more emotionally healthy and that is what is important for me and my family.

Have you felt guilty about some of these same things?  How did you handle them?

Pumpkin Patch 2014

For as long as I can remember we have gone to the pumpkin patch every year.  And when I say pumpkin patch, I mean "The Patch"!  I have been going to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm my entire life.  When I was little, it was this larger than life experience and I looked forward to it every year.  Not much has changed actually.  I still get excited and love going each and every year.

Bishop's Pumpkin Farm is a 40+ acre family-owned farm that grows their own corn and pumpkins every year.  They have a train to take you around the property, a petting zoo, flower farm, corn maze, zipline, carousel, pony rides, slides and play areas, food and beverages, picnic areas and even pig races!  It has always been a 30 minute car ride until this year.  That's right folks, my little small town that I love oh so much is home to this magical Fall wonderland!!

This year we go to take Caleb for his very first trip.  I was so excited.  We planned it for a few weeks and I was counting down the days until we went.  I know Caleb is too small to 1-remember it and 2-to care, but I couldn't wait.

We went on a Tuesday since the hubs was off and hoping it wouldn't be as crowded.  We got there in the afternoon and were hoping that it wouldn't rain on us.  We have finally been getting some real Fall weather here in Northern California and we are loving it!  We loaded up the babes in the stroller and headed out to the fields to find our perfect pumpkin.

Each year I search for a large pumpkin as the centerpiece of our outside decor.  I was so excited when Caleb was awake for our search.  It made for the perfect picture opportunity.

After our mini shoot in the field of pumpkins we walked around for a bit and chose the rest of our pumpkins and gourds.  Bishop's Pumpkin Farm has a tractor hayride that takes you out to pick your own smaller pumpkins but since Caleb is still so small and the weather wasn't the best we chose from the bins.  We got one good-sized pumpkin and tons of gourds.  Who doesn't love gourds, right?

I can't wait to carry on our Bishop's Pumpkin Farm tradition with our littles and see how they grow over the years.

I Will Cry Over Spilled Milk

Lactation.
Breastfeeding.
Milk Supply.
Nursing.

These are all things on my brain lately.  And by lately I mean within the last 2 weeks.

Caleb was born on Thursday, September 4th.  I breastfed him as soon as possible after the whole placenta ordeal.  I fed him on command for the three days we were in the hospital and continued when we came home.

The first night we were home he wouldn't sleep at all.  I was up every 45 minutes nursing him.  I didn't get any sleep and was overwhelmed and exhausted.  Over my dead body Reluctantly, we gave him an ounce of formula at 4 in the morning and he finally slept for 3 hours and so did I.

I absolutely hated that he had to take formula so soon.  I had no intention of ever giving him formula.  I was going to be the "perfect" mother.  I would breastfeed him exclusively, pump and build up a supply for when I went back to work.  He would have only breast milk until he turned one and could then have cow's milk.  This obviously didn't happen.

We went to his first appointment at 4 days old and his pediatrician agreed that he might need a little supplementing for a few days until all of my milk came in.  As upset as it made me, it did help us get more than an hour of sleep at a time at night and wouldn't hurt him, so we did it.  I was breastfeeding the little hungry hippo all day and he would get one bottle at 8:30pm to help put him to sleep.

His pediatrician made us an appointment with the lactation consultant the next day.  We went and to say it went well was not the words I would have used.  She was great and helped with his latch and all that, but she is totally anti formula, understandably because it is her job to encourage breastfeeding.  The part that I didn't like though was where she told me that he wouldn't be as smart if he had formula and how he doesn't need anything more than what I can give him.  She said I would be fine with supply and to enjoy my time bonding with him.  It ended and we went on our way.

We continued with our routine of nursing all day and then one bottle at night to go to sleep.  This was working great until we went on our road trip to Colorado.  I developed a rash 4 days into the trip and whether it was related or not, my supply stopped.  I would nurse him ALL day and he would act as if he hadn't eaten in days!  Have you ever felt like a piece of shit?  Well me too, but it was nothing compared to how I felt in this moment.  My mom, sister-in-law and husband all convinced me that he needed formula to supplement, even more so than we already were.  It upset me, frustrated me, devastated me...all at the same time.  I felt like the worse mom ever.  I couldn't give him what he wanted.  I had this stupid rash and all of a sudden my milk was gone and my baby was starving!  They all kept telling me it wasn't my fault and that Caleb still loved me, but it is a lot easier to say than to believe it.

The formula amount didn't decrease and I wasn't emotionally dealing with it well.  I made an appointment to see a lactation consultant again.  We went in on Friday, this time to a different consultant, and while I liked her, she didn't impress me either.  She decided to tell me that I was overfeeding my baby and that he was gaining too much weight.  FANTASTIC!  As if I didn't already feel shitty enough now this lady tells me that I am making my baby fat?!? ::insert dramatic, hormonal mama here::  She instructed me to start pumping as much as possible and to start taking Fenugreek Capsules to help increase my supply.  She also said that we could feed him 1 to 1.5 ounces of formula after nursing if he was still fussy.  Of course he is going to be fussy lady!  I have no freaking milk to feed him with!

We left and went about our weekend.  We had another appointment scheduled for the following Tuesday, with the original consultant.  I started taking the Fenugreek and felt like there might be an increase.  Pumping was no different though, no milk was coming out - DROPS!

Tuesday came and we went.  I will say that this time, I liked her.  She was much more sympathetic and didn't make me feel completely shitty.  We sat there and nursed and we talked about life as if we were old friends.  After the session she gave me her opinion on the issue.  My boobs are not the correct shape to exclusively breastfeed.  In her words, "Your breasts are tubular shaped and not ideal."  Well thank you?  But as rude as it might seem, at least I finally had an answer.  My body wasn't built to breastfeed.  As hard as it is to accept I have to do just that.  My babies will nurse as much and as often as they want, but they will always need formula after they are done.

I have come to the conclusion that I am not the worst mother in the world.  My baby will survive with formula, after all both my husband and I did.  I will continue to take the Fenugreek capsules and nurse Caleb as often as possible.  He will know that I tried my hardest and it was the hardest thing I've ever had to face being told that he will need formula.

Happy Birthday Life As A Hughes!

I cannot believe it has already been a year since I started this little bloggy.

I never assumed I would be a famous blogger, although secretly in my dreams I would  have hoped so. I can't believe that anyone besides my mom reads my thoughts.

I think over this past year my posts have gotten better. I am realizing, slowly but surely, that I can't worry about what I write or how often I write. I need to focus on documenting what I want and if people read it, then great - if not, oh well.

I plan on continuing to post about our little, our home, our marriage, our family, recipes and crafts. This is a space for me to have word vomit and be able to look back on it later on.  I love that I will have my Bumpdates to look back on and also now they monthly updates for Caleb.

For this next year I have updated my "About Me" information and included the top 10 read posts from the past year.

1.  19 Week Bumpdate
2.  Caleb's Birth Story {Part 1}
3.  Caleb's Birth Story {Part 2}
4.  Caleb's Birth Story {Part 3}
5.  Anniversary Weekend Recap
6.  I Am An Army Wife
7.  Our Wedding Day: DIY and Etsy
8.  26 Week Bumpdate
9.  Our Wedding Day: The Dress
10.  I'm Not A Fashionista or A Foodie

Thank you so much. I hope that those who do read enjoy it and if you have encouraging ways for me to continue to grow and improve please let me know.

My Dearest Little - One Month Letter

My dearest little Caleb,

I honestly can't believe that you are already over a month old.  This first month has been home to a ton of emotions for me, and I assume you as well.

We started out your life quite differently than we planned. I was devastated that I didn't get to hold you until you were almost 3 hours old and yet so in love that it all changed the moment I did get to hold you.  We stayed, with Daddy, in the hospital for three days and then got to go home.

Our first night home was interesting.  Your grandma stayed with us and you took your first bottle. I was terrified being home with you that night.  I kept checking to make sure you were breathing while laying next to us in your rocker. You weren't sleeping for anything and I was super frustrated, but looking back I know that it was just supposed to be that way.

The next night your Mima stayed the night and helped mommy emotionally so much. We gave you your first bath at home, in the kitchen sink, and you hated it. I know it is because you were cold due to not being able to have water on you because of your cord and I don't blame you little one. I hate being cold too!  You, once again, didn't want to sleep and Mima stayed with me on the couch while we tried everything imaginable.

When you were 4 days old we went to the doctors for your first appointment. We met your pediatrician and fell in love with her! We got your blood taken, once again, to check your jaundice levels. We enjoyed our day with Daddy and then had our first night alone with you. To say we were scared is probably an understatement, at least for me - your Daddy is a superhero and gets me through most days. We figured out a bedtime routine and we were so in love with you, our precious angel.

Routine:
7:30pm - get pajamas on
8:00pm - have night time bottle with Daddy
8:30pm - lay down in rocker and sleep until somewhere between 2 and 3:30 am
Nurse and go back to sleep within an hour
Wake up between 6 and 7 am

Over the next week we got your blood drawn a few more times, twice in 1 day even because of a "mix up at the lab" and I was so thrilled to hear that after a week of testing your levels went down enough that we wouldn't have to do it again. We had our first days alone together when Daddy went back to work.  Mima came and hung out with us and we tried to get on a daytime routine.

Your umbilical cord fell off while we were changing your diaper when you were 7 days old. Okay, so maybe "fell off" isn't the correct term. We were standing there changing your cute little butt when we notice, that after some blood had been getting on your onesies for a day or so, that your cord was dangling there. I started to panic and called Mima. She told me to have Daddy pull it off like a tooth. After analyzing the situation Daddy decided that he wouldn't pull it, but rather cut it. Lol. It came off easy breezy and the next night you had your first real bath and loved it.

You had your first photo shoot when you were 8 days old.  We went to the AH-MAZING Lisa's house and had your newborn photos done.  You decided that that was going to be the day that you would stay awake for 3 hours straight.  Luckily, we got some great photos out of it though :)

At 12 days old you went to my work and got to meet everyone there, most importantly Heather :) everyone awed over you and I was one proud mama.

We had your two week check up and you successfully gained all of your birth weight back and then some. We had a great routine going and you were sleeping for 6 hours straight at your bedtime. Mommy and Daddy couldn't have been more excited.

When you were 16 days old we got ambitious and decided to road trip it halfway across the country and go see your Auntie, Uncle and cousin. To say we should have flown with Daddy is the understatement of the year.  You were the best little road tripper. You only woke up twice each day and we made great time considering we were nursing.  You can now tell people that you have already been to 4 states before you were 1 month old :) we stayed for a week and your Auntie, Uncle and cousin were so happy to meet you.

Now that we are home, your routine is all messed up but we are slowly getting one established again. You are growing so fast and while I don't want you to ever grow up, I also can't wait for you to hit all of your milestones.

You are almost completely unable to wear newborn onesies anymore. You are getting too long for them, which is a problem only in the fact that 0-3 month clothes are way too wide on you. Do they make Big and Tall onesies for newborns? Because that is what we need! Lol. You have gained 1 pound and 11 ounces and have grown almost 2 whole inches! We all assume that you will be tall like your Daddy, which I'm not complaining about because I love how tall he is.

You eat like it is going out of style and you let everyone and their Mama know when you are hungry. You love to nap on anyone's chest and take a solid 4 hour nap in the middle of the day like clockwork.  You absolutely L.O.V.E. your changing table, although not while you are getting changed. It is the silliest thing and we wish we could leave you on there because you are so happy, but unfortunately we cannot.

You hate being swaddled. I guess I should just clarify that you hate having your arms constricted. You love being swaddled as long as you have free range with your arms. You must sleep with your hands covered because you tend to claw yourself in your sleep. You are like your Daddy and want your hands touching your face at night.

You smile constantly and while everyone will say it is just gas, I swear you know what you are doing. It is the cutest thing ever and I'll continue to stick up for your superior genius-ness.  You think that you are a big boy and try to stand on your own and hold your head up anytime we try to burp you. Oh speaking of burping, you absolutely hate it!  You will not burp for me for anything and everyone else gets you to burp but not until after you cry as though they are pulling your hair out. After you sneeze you make the cutest noise EVER and we are still trying to get it on video so that we never forget it. Wish us luck!

Caleb Tyler, you are the best thing that has ever happened to us and we love you so much. We can't wait to see how you continue to grow and learn.

I love you forever and for always little one.

Caleb Tyler - One Month

This past Saturday my baby boy turned one month old.  Excuse me while I ball my eyes out over here.

Current Statistics:

Weight: 9 pounds, 9 ounces (28th percentile)

Height: 22 inches (38th percentile)

Clothes: Growing out of newborn onesies, they are becoming too short for his long legs.  Pajamas are the hardest items to find that fit him right now.