Intuition

Over the past few days, I have learned a thing or two about my own intuition. Being a mom requires you to use it quite a bit more than I did as a wife or daughter.

We have had sleep-less nights recently becuase I wasn't trusting my own intuition. After reading, no joke, 6 books on sleep for infants, I was making myself insane. They have contradictory statements which in turn made me question everything I was doing. When Reece finally fell asleep in his swing, I would pick him up and put him in bed because one of the authors said that babies must nap in their own room. Within 10 minutes, he was awake and screaming and would not fall back asleep. At night the same problem would arise - do we wake him at midnight to feed him? do we pat him in his crib for 20 minutes, do we pick him up and hold him and then put him down - just to have him cry again??? I was seriously going crazy.

Friday night, I had dinner with a friend of mine who reminded me that Reece was my son and to do what I think is best for him - use your motherly intuition. The books are for guidance and to provide suggestions. You, the MOM, have to decide what will work for your family. So... last night, after we bathed him and fed him, he slept with me. And we slept all night long with small breaks for eating - at 2, 4:30, 7. So, will he sleep with me every night, probably not. But I learned something... that it's okay and he isn't going to suffer his whole life b/c he actually slept - on his mom's chest. My intuition also tells me that we need to feed him more so he wakes up less during the night... And some day, a full night sleep awaits us. For now, one without fits of crying works for me!

Call it intuition or "cause and effect"... I knew as soon as I lifted Reece into the air a few times after eating, he might spit up. In fact, I said to myself, "Oh, don't do this b/c he may spit up in your face." I stopped. Phew - no puking here. Well that was until Monty picked him up to hold him...

I just had this feeling... intuition?? or If you shake up a bunch of formula and then give it a minute, it will erupt! I am just so glad when the eruption occured, it happened on Monty! :)

And the last bit of intuition occured yesterday. We were getting Reece ready to go to his grandmas house - Mia and Duffy's... and we were getting dressed to go to church. I let Monty dress Reece.... and this is what happened....

There is a little baby boy's body somewhere in those pants... and the print on the shirt is black.

Mother's intuition - Don't let Dad pick out the outfits!!!

I had to know it was coming....

We had a pretty rough day yesterday - myself and Reece. I guess I had to know that there would be days like this but was rather surprised when it actually happened. I thought since I was doing pretty well with our routine and found the best invention - Gripe Water (organic chamomille, ginger, and fennel with some sugar and water thrown in for good swallowing measure), we were good to go. Not so much.

I don't really know what happened but my sweet baby boy was a screaming monster for the entire morning. I now think it was because he was, as the experts say, overtired. We had a bad night of sleep the night before so I was "overtired" too. I was trying everything - rocking, paci/sucking time, diapers, burping, laying down with him on my chest... and nothing would get the kid to sleep! So, I decided to feed him and go for a car trip b/c he sleeps when he's in the car seat. That was at two- he slept in the car, at my fave store - Super Target (needed ground turkey and diapers: got the diapers, forgot the ground turkey and bought 2 long/lean tanks)- and when we got home. I decided to leave him in his car seat to sleep. I woke him at 5 to eat and he went back to sleep until 6ish when Monty got home. He had some family time up in his room and then his feeding at 730.

And now to the best part of our day.... his bath. He loved it!!! And he slept until 2 a.m.!!!! even better Monty did the night feedings last night so I could rest :)

The best part of my day

and we are out- snug as a bug in a rug... or as a frog on a pod...

there is a picture with Mom and Reece.. but Mom looks like cacapoopoo :) I was lucky to have had a shower- but that's it!

On a COMPLETELY different note...

I have had some time to watch t.v. recently. And you just have to check this show out.

http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/my-big-redneck-wedding/series.jhtml

My Big Redneck Wedding - it's a documentary style show that is narrator with jokes by Tom Arnold. People from all over the country voluntarily submitted themselves for this show. It is quite funny and just crazy. It has given us some great laughs late at night! We dvr'd it and just watch when we need to have something entertaining. A really good one is episode 5.

Got to go.. he's getting "fussy" - i.e. crying a lot!

Night out on the town

Whoever "invented" babysitters, I must give them props! Especially when it's the grandmas - or in Reece's case - his Mia and Duffy. My friend Maggie had a birthday party on the McKinney Ave Trolley this weekend and I really wanted to have a night out - so we had a baby sitter for 3 whole hours. I was surprisingly fine leaving Reece at home.Monty on the other hand, was not so fine. But once, we got to the MAT, he seemed to relax- after I convinced him that we are indeed good parents - it is healthy and normal for us to leave our child and have some time for ourselves. I am hoping to have a date night that involves SUSHI very soon -- (hint hint darling. )

It was so fun to go out where we used to live; Monty and I loved living downtown - and we had a great time travineling our old "stomping grounds" on the trolley. We spent about 30 minutes on the trolley before our 1st stop - The Idle Rich Pub, where we had a quick bite to eat before getting back on the trolley. Monty looked at his watch as we got back on and said to me "Babe, we are going to have to get off before the next stop." "What!?! - we just got here and we have to go?!" Wow - the life of parents. His Mia and Duffy were waiting - so we left at 10!! A time that just a year or so ago would have seemed early! We were in bed by 11, but up again at 145 to feed the little man. I was tempted to text the girls to tell them that we too were still awake but thought against it as they might have just gone to bed.

I called him the "Conductor" and was quickly corrected... he's a "Motorman!"

Reece as a bunny bear. It was rather cold yesterday and so he dressed in his little fleece bear outfit for the first and probably last time as it is warming up now. Under there is his cute snuggle bunny shirt from Claire and Darren.
(not the best picture of him, but I could get of his shirt..)

Spring Break

This week is spring break for many of us teachers. It has been great for me because each day I have had a friend come by and spend some time with me and Reece. Thanks girls for the visits! In our "down" time, Reece and I have been getting ready for his birth card announcement photo shoot. He scratched his face the other day and he has a tiny scab still on his cheek, so we can't use these - I don't know how to "airbrush" or photoshop it out. But I am trying to get the best pose, outfit, eyes open or closed, etc in the mean time.

he's not always that perfect! :)

Oh, and we went grocery shopping at Central Market yesterday. This was big for me - I haven't been grocery shopping alone for a lot of food in months. While I was pregnant, Monty would stop at CM on the way home from work! I love this man~

Rub a Dub - Dub!

Reece's first bath!!

I am turning his head towards the camera - not pushing him down! ;)

The little guy really did well in the tub. It was just hard to capture his excitment on the camera. He needs to work on conveying his expressions so that the "viewers" can feel his emotions~ A little lesson learned from "Make Me A Supermodel" - Thursday Nights on Bravo (my fave network).

Last night, I was able to get caught up on a couple of shows because we aren't really heading to bed these days until 11-1130ish. Reece eats at 730 and likes to be awake until 930 and then sleep an hour or so, wake up for his "4th Meal." You know, Taco Bell's idea for the one between dinner and breakfast - or in his case the one between dinner and 3 a.m. The past 2 nights we have eaten in the family room instead of our room so his dad could sleep - someone has to go to a paid job! This works out well for Dad and me too, IF, I can fall back asleep after Reece's breakfast - between 6 and 7. If not, my day does not look very exciting.

Today, however, the little Kermie and I slept until 8:45! We got up and dressed for the day by 9:30. For me, I brushed my hair, my teeth, put on mascara, and even running shoes! This was a huge accomplishment since The View hadn't even started. And we headed to the best place on earth (well within a few miles of our house)...

Super TARGET!!!

Yes, ladies and gents, Reece had his first trip to the fabulous Super Store. I have had one trip but was sans baby. He did great the entire time - not a peep. He did sleep most of the time, but when we were looking at onesies, he did open his eyes and check it out. As to say, yes Mom, that is "Fierce!" (a la Christian from Project Runway - another fabu Bravo show).

Needless to say, I do believe that Target will be a weekly excursion for us - if not more. It's a great place to walk around in the morning and find so many necessities - Monty would argue that they are obviously not necessities but things I find on sale and need to have :)

Monty was in charge of Reece on Wednesday night while I was at a girls night in with my small group (which was so fun and relaxing!) This funny conversation occured yesterday when Monty came home from work at 6ish and I was still in my pj's... I had at least brushed my teeth and put in my contacts!

Me: Sorry babe for not having the dishes done AND the bottles not sterilized. (bad day yest)

MK: I am not going to say a thing about it.

Me: Why not?

MK: B/C I realized last night (Wed) how busy and hard it is with the little guy. My arm was sore from holding him and my back is sore too. So, I think that it's normal that your back hurts ( a complaint I have had for a week now). I hardly had time to do anything with feeding and changing diapers and rocking him.

Me: hehe... I know!!!

We are so ready for the weekend! We need some family bonding time!!! And I may need to run a few errands.... :)

Jen, Monty, and Kermie... aka Reece

After a scrub down...

Reece has scaly skin right now - somewhat resembling a lizard. He was in the belly water a wee bit too long!! So, for now he is being exfoliated instead of gently washed. It has helped some - we are still waiting for his feet and legs to get to normal.

Do all babies have crazy arms?! I think they do.. it's so funny to watch him have no control over them. ;)

Such a cute little outfit from his Aunt Ash in California!

And yes, it appears in pictures that he has red hair. In real life, it looks light blonde/brown/reddish... including some wicked side burns. He might be shaving by the time he's in kindergarten.

Best Friends

Marley has found a new friend~

He definitely has spent his fair share of time smelling him!

NO snow!!!

Every city around Richardson received inches of snow today, but no, our house just got buckets of rain! :( boo.... hopefully more will come tonight!

Kermie!!!

Kermit the Frog!

Marley and Reece do the "frogger"

I only wore this for 2 hours-- because I peed out the back of my diaper!

(Ms. Jessica made it for me!)

I think that Marley sent vibes to Reece in my belly and convinced him of the best way to get comfy. They are both so funny in this position!

I am loving being a mom. It's truly the most amazing feeling. I am in love with Reece and even more in love with his dad!

Yesterday, I experienced what it is to be a "boy mom." I was sprayed twice 2x's!! in a two hour period with pee. It was like a water fountain - sprayed the floor, my bed, and the dresser. I was laughing so hard and no one else was there to see it. I am learning to cover him with something-anything to avoid getting water-hosed.

more to come... Ms. Piggy :)

I may be biased

But I think that MY baby is the cutest thing ever!!! :)

We were attempting some activity time -- and his eyes were open until the flash went off.

Precious baby boy

Happy as a clam!

What an amazing experience we have just had.

Reece is truly a miraculous gift from God.

We love having him home with us. He's a great baby and adjusting well to life with his fur brother and sister. Grandma Jayne left this morning so Mom is all on her own starting tomorrow! Here are some pictures from his birth-day as well as a few from him at home.

Dad, Reece, Grandmas - Jayne and Patty
Dad, Grandma Patty, Mom, Grandpa Ken, Grandma Jayne, and Uncle Brian

Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Sara made as soon as they could - they live in Arkansas.

Brad and Dad with Reece - Brad's baby is just a few weeks away. He and Reece are going to be best friends!

Taking a nap in the Moses' Basket - or as Uncle B calls it "the Jesus Basket"

My first day at home - still a little yellow - but the jaundice is all gone now!

Love you all so much!!

Mom, Dad, and Reece

a.k.a - Jen and Monty