This Moment

Linking up with Soule Mama this morning for This Moment:

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

(Not boiling yet, but this was our test run and it sure was exciting to see the steam coming from the stacks!)

From Germany, With Love

My grandma was in Germany visiting my uncle when my mom was pregnant for me.  She brought back this stroller sleeping bag.  It's the softest, most wonderful baby item.  As we begin transitioning Liam into his crib, i found this to be perfect.  Boy likes to be covered up with heavy blankets.  This sleeping bag does just the trick and he can't kick it off!  He took a hour long nap in it the other day, which was so nice.  His naps are very random, so an hour to get some work done was so appriciated.

Oh, how i love re-using passed down baby goods.

Saturday

My guy

We were deeply immersed in a sweet little boy's first birthday party.  Games were played and pizza was served.  Liam was being passed around, loving the excitement of all the kids.  At one point, i took a moment and watched.  A mix of grandparents, parents, 5-8 year olds and babies 3 and under.  The little ones clearly reaching their limit as nap times approached.  The older kids, wild with the new Nerf guns they won at the arcade.  And the adults.  Mostly chatting and talking about their kids, wrangling their kids and taking bites of pizza when they can. 

Then, i notice my husband.  So naturally holding Liam with one arm, chatting with some of the other dads.  He laughs and jokes and tells of his adventures.  Suddenly, a bullet from the Nerf gun shoots by and without a second to spare, he is completely involved in the 8 year old's game.  Two little boys running around, shooting at each other, and my husband playing just as hard.

I then take a moment and look at the other dads, still deep in conversations.  Their kids asking a question, responded with a "hold on, daddy's talking" answer.

I'm not here to judge other parents, but simply to say this is why i love him.  I knew he would be a good one.  I knew he would play with our kids.  I knew he would be so protective and observant of what they need, what we need.  I grew up with parents that played, actually played with us.  Interacted and sparked our imaginations.  I always wanted that for my kids.  Both parents believing in the power of play and make believe. 

I totally get the need for adult time and conversation. Liam's Grammy came over last Saturday and watched him while Jason and I went on our first date. It was so needed and so refreshing.  I feel like having breaks sometimes makes us all better parents.  So that when we are with him, we are truly, 100% with him.

Liam is 3.5 months old and has been having daddy days three days a week while I'm at work.  At first, a tiny little part of me worried that he would get stir crazy with the daily rhythm of Liam's schedule.  But, of course, he continues to amaze me.  I get home and he tells me stories of their daily adventures.  Some days still in pj's from the night before.  Other days full of productivity and errands.  He gives me tips on what Liam likes.  He talks to Liam like he is the best thing in the whole world.  And my goodness, he is. 

This week i had a busy week at work, so Liam had four daddy days in a row.  On the last day, they plowed driveways, they brought a load of used things to Goodwill.  They made a pot roast in the crock pot, did a few loads of laundry and ran the dishwasher.  They greeted me with loving, happy eyes upon my return home.

Yes, i am bragging about my husband, but he totally gets a high five for jumping into fatherhood with both feet.  Everything i had imagined about parenthood and how we would adjust is just so much better.  Tomorrow i have my first photo shoot, so Liam will spend a few hours with daddy again in the morning.

Granted, we have our moments, like any couple.  But we have grown into this partnership that is so strong and true.  Never in a million years would i have ever thought i would say this, but i can totally see Jason being a stay at home dad.  I love my job, and being at work a few days a week has been good for me.  I always thought i would be the one at home, but really, i can see this morphing into a daddy thing.  You never can plan what is best for your life, it happens as it should.

Right now, i feel so blessed to have found a partner so perfect for me.  We both encourage each other to continue with our hobbies.  He spends hours on his sugaring business, i spend hours taking and editing photos.  Then we come together and love on each other and our boys.

This post will totally embarrass him, but seriously, husband, you are the bomb.
Liam, Charlie and I are so lucky.

Sunday Afternoon

We slipped out the basement door as Liam and his daddy settled into a nice afternoon nap, warmed by the cookstove.  

The air was crisp, cold even, but refreshing.  The sun was beginning it's decent, casting long tall shadows throughout the woods.  The warm glare was well received our our sun deprived faces.  Charlie and I, we hiked. 

This guy is seven today.  Seven.  The sweetest dog i ever did know and such a good guy to Liam.  His jealous eyes look for our love, our attention as we fret/love/talk to our baby.  As we snuggle Liam, he just snuggles in closer.  Some nights will find the four of us bundled together on one couch.  Just as it should be.

So on Sunday afternoon, we took a walk in the woods, just the two of us.  He was ecstatic.  He jumped and galloped.  We played and ran.  His eyes said "thanks mom."  Quality time always does the trick.  

In the woods, and with my pup.

3 Months!

We've made it through the forth trimester, as I've heard it called (and concur).  Our baby has become alive.  He's happiest in the mornings.  Waking up in our bed, we go in to scoop him up as he stirs.  We say "good morning love," while he greets us with the biggest smile across his face.  The smiles are interrupted by coo's and stories about his dreams.

His bedtime falls about 8pm.  He begins to get fussy around 7.  I pump the last bottle for him and we settle in on the couch for his bedtime snack.  Once he's out, i lay him in the pack and play in our room.  He typically sleeps until 3 or 4am, nurses and falls back asleep with us in our bed until 6-ish.  He nurses and dozes back off until typically 9am.  I continue to pump after this feed and get ready for my day.  He then eat about every two hours during the day, 3-4 ounces.  I pump exclusively during the day and it has really helped my supply and making sure he gets enough.  We were supplementing in an ounce or two of formula a day, when my supply was down.  But man, that stuff makes him super gassy and uncomfortable.  So now that I'm working on building my supply up, we barely have to give him any formula now.  I'm so glad we have the option of alternate food for him, but I'm also thrilled that i have made it 3 months breastfeeding him.  

He has begun to enjoy books.  He sits through all of our board books, and now we've mixed in some bigger books.  He loves to be sang to, read to.  He loves standing on our laps and talking to us.  The bumbo is another favorite.  While we cook or clean the kitchen he sits happily and chats with us.  The newborn inserts were tucked away from his car seat and Ergo.  We took our first hike in the woods on a warm (32*) January day.  Charlie was thrilled to be in the woods with his mama again.  Liam slept happily in the Ergo the whole time.  My dreams are alive, being with this boy and watching him grow.

I always thought i would dread my baby moving out of the newborn phase.  As sweet and small and precious (and extremely hard and tiring) that phase is, I'm in such awe watching him grow.   I love love love 3 months.  I love him interacting with us and toys.  He loves his taggy blanket, his blue ball and his horsie.  He loves when daddy makes the horse gallop around him.  He loves sitting on daddy's lap while we eat.  We let him sniff what we're eating.  He bursts out laughing as i start singing the ABC's.  He blows bubbles and still loves bath time.

But oh, this boy.  He has our hearts.  At just a short three months in, we can't imagine what we did and who we were without him.

Sunday Morning