a moment for new things

Hey - whew. Looks like I have a moment *cue fussing babe*

...

Ok - no fussing, here we go.

I sit down to write every now and then but Jake uses that as his cue to wake up. Much like when a plate of food is ready for me to eat - cue hungry Jake. He's got wicked discernment that one *wink*.

I go to work next week. I am excited to get back to it and watch kiddo's learn and grow...but I am going to miss (understatement) watching my own kiddo learn and grow. I'm pretty sure he will love being with other people. Every now and then he gets bored with this house and my face and we have to get out - doesn't really matter where we go, he just wants to be out. Our original plan was for him to stay with a good friend from church and her two little girls...then she found out she's pregnant. So plan b went into effect and he'll be with her for 1 week and then a daycare. Either way he'll have other kiddo's to watch, ladies to smile at, and fun new toys. Who knew a 10 week old could be so high maintenance? Anyway *bonus* the daycare is right across the street from my school. It's small, only 4-5 infants and 1 caregiver in his room. Added bonus: should I be able to escape for lunch I can head across the street to nurse my little guy.

Do you see it? In the picture up there? Red! Hair! It really looks more brownish in person, except on some days, in the right light, with the right clothing. Red. And it still is holding some wave. I can't wait to see how he grows with it.  See his fist there, I caught this picture at a moment when it wasn't lodged in his mouth. It's one of his new things this week, sucking on his fist. He spent a couple days staring at his hands and now it's *usually* up near his mouth. We do the pacifier thing but sometimes he'd rather just chew on that fist.

Week 10 *new things*

**sleeping basically "through the night" (9pm-5am, 8:30pm-3:30am, 9pm-4am)

**sucking on his fist

**laughing when I put a shirt over his head

**eating every 1.5-2hrs during the day

Ha - well, obviously, he woke up so I had to switch to a bullet type format. 

One more quick note - I am sad that I can't participate in the String of Pearls 3k/5k this year. I hope to return to it next year! And run! I was looking at my calendar for October and saw "Sammy's 2nd birthday". I mean, I know it's coming, but seeing it in print...

Sammy's Cabin

When we were in Minnesota, Jake and I attended a family reunion for my dad's side of the family. It took place at the camp ground that Sammy's cabin was built on. I was able to visit and take lots of pictures. Inside there is the name picture that my cousin Deshi made and a small write up about Sammy's short life. Pictures are taking forever to load (probably because they are so big and with all my expertise - ha - I don't know how to make them smaller) but trust me, it's an amazing cabin. I'm quite proud of my Dad for raising the money to build the cabin and helping see the project through to fruition.

jake's room...so far...

I like to think of it as a work in progress...mmm yeah. 

So. Here I see a blank wall, I think it is where I want to hang his birth info plaque and maybe a ginormous picture/canvas of some kind. 

That's the diaper stack so unorganized on the right there. I got that dresser handed down to me from a friend that received it for free. I gave it away about a year ago and then got it back. When I found out I was pregnant I decided to paint it. I had planned to paint it for Sammy...I used Annie Sloan chalk paint.  It is super easy to use. No sanding or priming, its low odor so I was able to do the painting indoors. Time will tell how I like having furniture that requires wax in Jake's room.

My mama made that changing pad cover and the crib skirt to match his blanket. I love them! Kinda babyish with lots of stripes. I have a thing for furniture sitting kitty corner in a room. With the placement of Jake's mobile it just worked. I can also see the crib from the stove in the kitchen, added bonus. 

I had different plans for Jake's mobile. I'm glad I went this route. It was a huge, gorgeously shaped lamp shade with ripped fabric so I was able to buy it separate from its lamp. I started by wrapping yarn around the frame. I found the balls at Anthropolgie at their after Christmas sale and they are dangling from plastic shower curtain rings that I had in my craft box. I wrapped the rings with yarn as well. A couple spins and Jake will watch himself to sleep. 

Next to the crib is the rocking chair and Sammy's shelf. I bought that shelf a long time ago in Detroit and it's finally getting some use. It's seriously moved 4 times with me. On the shelf - Sammy's star certificate, his name in found objects done by my cousin, a piggy bank, Sammy's birth information plaque, and his moon urn. Oh - and an air freshener from William Sonoma that is divine.

I didn't think I wanted a rocking chair but this one turned up for free. It is also chalk painted. Having used a couple gliders at different places, I totally have rocker envy and hope to one day upgrade to a super comfy glider. 

This is the big wall. I thought I would use the daybed instead of a rocker. I have used it a few times for middle of the night feedings and we've had one family (including puppies) nap on it but really it just collects junk - as can be seen here. 

The window frame still needs something...not sure what yet. The two black frames are old t-shirts that I decided would be cuter on the wall than on me. I think I heard somewhere that 30 year olds shouldn't wear message t-shirts? Next to that is a collage of pictures from Jakes first few weeks. I had some chicken wire from a previous project and have used twisted paper clips to attach the pictures.

That's the room so far. Jake loves it ~ occasionally he will only quiet down when he is in his room. Could be the temperature, we keep the vent closed so it's a few degrees warmer, or maybe it's just his happy place.

*two months*

*it was late in the day, all my smiles had been used up*

Jake is 2 months old! I don't remember what I wrote last month so I'm just gonna write what I know about him now and see what's changed *smile*.

*edited to add* not sure why/how but this is written from Jake's POV 


*I am 12lbs 15oz and 24 inches long. Mama says this puts me in the 90th percentile for both :-)

*I rode on an airplane to Minnesota to meet my Boppa, Papa D, Uncle Paul, Aunt Linda, Isabel, great Grandpa Scrabeck, great Grandpa & Grandma Miller, and a whole bunch of other family. I have now met all my grandparents and nearly all the greats. I was a champ on the airplane and I was a little fussy around all the new people.

*I have lost some of my hair on top of my head but the stuff on the side and on the back looks a little wavy!

*I can see much better! I had a great time watching Isabel run around at Nana's house. Mama caught me looking at the puppies too. Sometimes I watch mama or dad until they look at me and then I reward them with a smile! I found the mobile that hangs above my swing and spend some time each day studying it.

*Mornings are my favorite. Evenings are a close second.

*I can speed nurse in around 20 minutes - a big change from the hour it used to take me! I drink from a bottle even faster!

*I'm still wearing 0-3 month onesies and clothing. Diapers: size 1.

*Sometimes I like my paci, sometimes it offends me. This confused Isabel immensely.

*I spit up a lot. Every single time I'm in my car seat (which I really don't like).

*I still love all the carriers that mama puts me in. Being close to her, bundled up in a ball is my favorite.

*Mama's noticed I get fussy a couple hours after I eat. Usually because I'm ready for a nap, sometimes because I want to eat again.

*Every now and then I sleep in longer chunks and have long periods between feedings. The longest was 7 hours! I am *not* consistent.

*I am enjoying baths more and I really love showers.

I used to hang on for dear life...now I can relax a little.

*While we were in Minnesota it became clear that I do favor my mama over strangers.

*On my two month day mama put me to bed in my crib. I love my room and I am happy almost every time I am in it. Sleeping in my crib is great!

we've been busy

riding on airplanes 

and cuddling with Nana

watching our big cousin play

and meeting all kinds of new people