Pool Time!

I have been a bit hesitant to take Luke to the pool just yet because there is no shade and you are not supposed to put sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months. But it has been just so darn hot and so we decided 5 1/2 months was close enough. It was fun packing up the pool bag and putting Luke in his little swim trunks and swim shirt (again, excited about the dress up!). He wasn't so sure about that cool water, though. Daddy took him in first and he visably stiffened his little legs and arms as he went deeper into the water, sort of like we all do until we adjust to the temperature. We took him out for a while and then he went back in with me. He was a little more interested in the water that time, but still not yet a little fish. Maybe next summer. :)

Here are some of pictures of our experience:

(in case you can't tell, Mommy and Daddy haven't been out in the sun much this year)

New Trick

I have been trying to explain just how much Luke loves to watch TV. He is so into it that he has even developed a new trick to get around the different positions I put him in to keep him from facing the TV when we are downstairs together. I think I have finally concluded that the only solution may just be no TV on at all. Or else I just need to get over it.

5 Months Old and SO Adorable!

We can hardly believe that our baby boy is already 5 months old! He has truly progressed to "baby" and is well out of the newborn phase. He is such a joy to be around. He loves people, smiling and flirting often. We love his little giggles, how he kicks he legs up and down in excitement, and all the "talking" he likes to do. Everyday his movements become slightly more refined as he learns to better grab at and grasp his toys. He is so interested in everything around him. He watches intently as we cook dinner or eat and loves to look all around in new places. He thinks he is a big boy and does not enjoy being held like a baby cradle-style unless he is on the verge of sleep because it inhibits his ability to see everything going on around him. Won't it be interesting to see how this further develops in his personality? I continue to see a strong-willed child in our future....

At 5 months there is no regularly scheduled check-up so I cannot say with accuracy his updated weight, length, and head circumference. The next check up is at 6 months. However, Allen got onto our home scale with him and, according to that, he current weight is about 17.8 pounds.

Here we go with the 5 month updates:

• Weight approx 17.8 lbs
• Graduated to size 2-3 diapers
• Wears size 6 mo and 6-9 mo clothes
• Laughs and giggles often, kicks legs up and down
• Grabs at his feet/toes
• Bats at and actually grabs hold of the toys hanging from his play gym
• Puts EVERYTHING in his mouth
• Continues to drool copiously
• Still hiccups often, but not every day; that ceased at about 4 months
• Has taken very much to his blankie and does not go to sleep easily without it
• Goes down with a paci and needs to be "plugged in" if he wakes up and it has fallen out, but does not take it much during the day
• Still not sleeping through the night (darn it), wakes up twice to eat. The only reason I continue to get up with him vs letting him cry through it at this age is because he does not eat that well during the day despite all attempts to get him on a regular feeding/napping schedule. We have what the books call an "irregular" baby. This is much to the frustration of a mommy who so desires and thrives on a schedule and routine. But I have tried, my mom has tried, and this little guy just likes to do something a little different every day! Maybe #2 will give us an easier time of it. Luke is happy and healthy and that's all we can ask for, I guess!
• Makes new little noises and "talks" constantly. It's like he's engaging in full conversations with us. He goes on and on and his tone and inflection change. When he does fuss I tell him to use his words to tell me what's wrong. No whining. :)
• We stopped the rice cereal and solids for a while. His little system was really having a tough time with it and we went a full week without a dirty diaper until a little, um, intervention. I will be switching to oatmeal rather than rice cereal when we start up with it again, which is a little less binding. Of course, I had bought the organic, whole grain, brown rice cereal as I was intent on starting him out right. Now that his little tum was having so much trouble with it and we had to switch to oatmeal, I am also moving to single grain and could not find an organic brand. Well, I guess I will just have to be flexible and do what is best for him, right?
• Still wants what he wants when he wants it. Will arch his back when he doesn't want to be held a certain way or doesn't want to eat or wants a new position. We have to be especially careful when he decides he has had enough of the Bumbo seat. He will arch his back and almost fall out the back he is so strong! It is very easy to see we have an opinionated and strong-willed child. I keep telling my mom that because I was (and still am!) such a strong-willed individual that I will be all over this and totally prepared for his "episodes". Or at least I can tell myself that, can't I?

Enjoy these super cute updated pics:

4th of July Fun!

We all wore our red, white and blue and celebrated with a BBQ with friends at the Charles' house. No fireworks for us this year for 2 reasons: 1) we have a little one with an early bedtime and 2) Allen bought a Mac earlier in the day and couldn't imagine being parted with it for something as mundane as fireworks. ;)

Luke even had 4th of July pajamas on in this pic. Too cute.

It's no secret that I have been having a hard time making the transition back to work. I really don't think it is going back to work so much as returning to my particular job. My job is super high stress and the workload has increased since layoffs took place the day after Luke was born. Yes, I was blessed to hang onto my job (especially since C. acquired GWH and those let go were from C.!), but there are now fewer people to handle all the accounts in Southern CA and the increased load has been quite a burden on me. Although I had 3 1/2 months off with my maternity leave, I did not use up all my FMLA hours and so have been taking Fridays off to give me one more day at home. While I cherish this day with my little guy, it also means that I have to find the time to do Friday's work on the weekend before Monday starts. Unfortunately, I do not have one of those jobs where someone else does my work if I am out. On the flip side, I set my hours, come and go as I please, and have the flexibility to work from home some as well. While I have considered another job (and have actually sought other opportunities several times in the 7 years I have been with this position), God has always changed the circumstances or changed my frame of mind to keep me going with the same company. I do not understand this, but we have always been blessed by it. There have been days when I thought my hair was going to fall out because I was so busy and stressed, but I have the BEST coworkers and we keep each other going.

I am again in a place where I don't understand how this path could be what God has for me as a new mom who would much prefer to work only part time, but a very good friend recently reminded me very sweetly that God cares less about the circumstances I am in and more about the way I respond to those circumstances. At the end of the day, all our God wants is to be glorified in our lives. It is our choice as to how and if we do this.

So do I want to be home more with my baby? Without a doubt. Do I understand my circumstances any better having stated what I shared above? No. But I do feel slightly better equipped to handle each day knowing that all I can do is pray for the strength and energy needed to make through that one day and know that He will do the rest.

My sweet friend, Jolyn, was aware of the tough time I have been having and knew just what to do in response. She happens to be my cupcake buddy (as in the speciality cupcakes shops) and just knew what I needed. She sent a red velvet bundt caked with cream cheese frosting from Nothing Bundt Cakes to my house! It was so cute and so tasty!

As tough as things are right now, I am blessed to have my mom taking care of Luke and helping with everything at home, great coworkers, supportive friends, and a husband ready to give as many hugs as I need. As I write this, I realize just how lucky I am....