15 weeks

Fifteen things about Drew at 15 weeks.

1. He wants to hold his own bottle. He's not a pro yet, and usually gets frustrated because he pushes it out of his mouth.

2. He coos. Ooh, aah, mmm, eee. It's all precious and is usually accompanied by some pretty adorable facial expressions.

3. He went almost two straight weeks sleeping through the night. He's been waking up the past few nights, but we are hoping it's just a growth spurt?

4. He still sleeps in our room in his sleeper. Last night he fell asleep in the swing in the living room, so we left him in there, and I had a hard time falling asleep without him in the room with us. I like it better with him close.

5. I'm pretty sure he's already teething. He is constantly gnawing on his fists, drooling, and stops eating to chew on the nipple of the bottle.

6. His belly button is no longer herniated.

7. The hair on the top of his head spikes up, but the hair in the front lies flat. He almost looks like a british rocker from the 80's. Haha! Somedays it looks like a Mohawk. Either way, it's adorbs.

8. He likes to be stiff as a board at most times. He keeps his legs straight and stiff and doesn't like to be held in a position that forces him to bend. I wonder if this relates to his tummy issues.

9. He's drinking 5 ounces every three hours, except at night.

10. He loves his swing, bumbo, and play gym. He kicks his feet to play the piano in the play gym, and stares at himself in the mirror. It's precious. Liz also just lent me a bouncer that her kids outgrew, and he likes sitting I'm that too.

11. His blue eyes melt my heart. His smile lights up the room. When he smiles, it's a big smile.

12. He usually wakes up happy. He coos and stretches and when he sees me, he gives the biggest grin, which is the best way to start my day.

13. He knows me and Zac and our voices. This is really rewarding. When he gets do excited to see one of us, it makes me want to cry.

14. He's not a big fan of tummy time, if he can't sleep through it. He loves naps on his belly, but doesn't like to lift his head. He's getting better though.

15. He has fallen in love with a blue puppy lovie. (for my non-mom friends, a lovie is a little soft blanket that comforts the child-his has a puppy head on it that rattles.) He looks at "pup" with adoration and amusement, it's pretty priceless!

3 months

I am sure this will not be the last time I say this, but THIS (this right here, this moment, this week, this chunk of time), is my favorite stage. Drew just turned three months and it just keeps getting better.

I remember our pediatrician explaining to us when Drew was about a month old, that colic usually fades away by three months. Three months old...that seemed so far away at the time. I remember telling myself on those long nights "new year, new baby," clinging to the idea that his fussiness would be gone around the new year. And just like that, it has. Well, mostly.  It was not an overnight change, so it kind of happened without us noticing. But then on January 8th, his 3-month birthday I suddenly realized that we don't have evenings with three hours of crying and screaming anymore, taking late-night drives, and taking turns. Of course he still has the occasional fussy-spell, like all babies do, but nothing like it was.

On top of less crying, he is SO FUN! He smiles, and even laughs!!! He coos and responds, and shows us new facial expressions daily. He grabs for toys and has found his fists. Oh, the fists. He loves them, and sucks on them as often as possible. He's sleeping through the night a few times a week, and pretty easy on the nights he does wake up to eat. We are starting to get into more of a routine during the day, and the predictability provides some new freedom too. Life is good.

I am so in love with him. Obviously I've loved him all along, and it's been a crazy strong love, but lately I've just been so crazy about him. He is so much fun to be around and we have this intense bond that stronger than ever. He knows I'm his mommy and it's the best feeling in the world. He smiles at me and it melts my heart. Will I ever get used to him smiling? Will there ever be a day that it doesn't make my heart skip a beat? If not, that's okay too. I could gush on and on and tell you how lucky I am, and how perfect he is, but that might get annoying. So I'll just say it one last time. I'm in love. =)

PS-He was extremely fussy all day today. I took him to the doc, fearing it was an ear infection, and luckily it wasn't. We aren't sure why he's been a little cranky lately, but the pedi upped his Zantac, since he could've possibly outgrown his previous dosage. Hopefully that will provide some relief...if that's what has been bothering him. He weighed 11 lbs, 12 oz.

My Main Mommy Must-haves...

(Like that title? Yeah, I love a little alliteration. LOL, there it is again!)

Okay, so there are several items that I love and think to myself several times a week, thank goodness for_____.  These are my personal favorites, that I would not want to parent without....

1. Boppy

Zac has been using this for bottle feedings from the beginning, but I didn't start until a few weeks ago. I was missing out! It's so soft and helps support his weight, and saves my arms and back a little. :) He can also be propped up on it now.








2. Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag

This is my exact diaper bag. I love it! People compliment me on it wherever we go, but most importantly, it's designed really well! It has two straps and can be worn like a backpack, which is so clutch because it stays out of the way. On the rare occasion I wear the shoulder strap, it drives me crazy because it inevitably falls forward and just gets in the way. I love the pockets and fold out changing pad. It was pricey, but since I'm not carrying a purse these days, and don't dare leave home without my diaper bag, I am glad I sprung for this one! :)



3. Fisher Price Snuggabunny swing

  I didn't register for a swing and didn't think I wanted/needed one, plus thought I didn't have space for one. Then came the colic. I read several places that colicky babies like swings, and being desperate for anything that might or could help, I caved and decided to get one. I bought a used swing online and met the lady in a parking lot to get it, only to get home and realize it didnt' work because the old batteries had corroded. Luckily she met up with me and gave me my money back! I was sharing this whole swing saga with my mom and she said she wanted to buy him one for Christmas, and we'd just get it early. :) (this was the week of Thanksgiving) Once we got home and set it up, it's been such a lifesaver! He can sleep in it, be alert and stimulated in it, or just chill out. It's given me the ability to set him down more often throughout the day and do a few things here and there without him freaking out. Once he even fell asleep in it and took his entire three hour nap in there. :) Hey, whatever works! I love the looks of this one, and that it plugs in! I'd hate to keep changing batteries all the time. I like the features, like how it can swing in three different directions, make music or nature sounds, and has a spinning mobile and mirror. My vain little boy LOVES looking at himself! :) Just kidding, he's not vain. But seriously, who wouldn't want to stare at that face? haha!


4. Johnson & Johnson "Honey Apple" baby wash and body lotion

 It...smells...AMAZING! There is nothing I love more than a freshly bathed and lotioned child, and this is my absolute favorite! It's a very light scent, but smells so so yummy. When Drew is thirty years old, this smell will still remind me of him! I also love the purple bottle, the bedtime one with "calming aromas," but the honey apple is the best!