2 months old!

Dear Bauer with love ~

You are two months old this week.  Everyone warned me that it would happen, but we had to find out for ourselves ~ you are growing up too fast.  At just two months old you have lost your sweet squeaky newborn cry, your wrinkles are smoothing out and your once skinny little legs are getting the cutest little chub on it.  You've learned to smile and melt our hearts when you get that cute little grin on your face.

 

 



Mama had to box up your newborn clothes and most of your 0-3 month stuff.  She cried as she folded each little outfit.  Blame it on hormones, but she's just not ready for you to grow up quite so fast.  Your two month old pediatrician appointment (where you had to get 2 more of those ouchie pokie vaccinations) revealed that you are now 12 pounds and 2 feet tall!  WOW!  You are fitting in 3 month old clothes.  This makes Mama a little happy as you have the cutest little man button down shirts, shorts and even overalls waiting in your closet.  Mama loves dressing you and costume changes, as Daddy calls them.  You have more clothes than Mama and Daddy COMBINED.  We can't help it.  Everyone has been so generous with gifts of clothes, you've inherited some adorable hand-me-downs and Mama just can't stay away from the consignment stores or clearance racks at Target. 

 



 

Your Daddy is so amazing with you.  As this is being typed he is laying next to your crib and singing to you.  You can hear him softly sing,

Goodnight Bauer,

Goodnight Bauer,

Goodnight Bauer,

It's time to say goodnight

 

He has you (double!) swaddled and your favorite UGA  (Georgia) binkie is in your mouth.  He bathed you tonight and helped Mama massage sweet smelling baby lotion on you from head to toe.  Daddy fed you your bottle (of Mama's milk) and rocked you softly while singing slow versions of the Yo Gabba Gabba tunes. Even after a long graveyard shift he plays with you, snuggles and kisses you and tells you how much he missed you and that you are the cutest baby in the world!  You are so blessed to have your daddy, Bauer.  Mama prays that you will grow into a man with the qualities that your daddy has.  He is so tender and patient with you when you are upset AND is the first to lay with you on the floor and play with you or carry you like a sack of potatoes through the house. 

 

 

 



 

 



You are working on learning to take daytime naps.  So far naps are not your favorite.  If Mama insists on you snoozing, it will most likely happen in your swing (for about an hour) or in your car seat during errands.  All of the advice givers warn her not to get into this habit... but sometimes Mama needs a break and you need your sleep... so snoozing outside of your crib happens from time to time (almost daily!).  We'll have the rest of your infant and toddler years to master the nap thing.  Mama loves her naps, and Daddy could take them or leave them.  Not surprising, you take after Daddy.

 

 

 

 

You LOVE bath time.  We fill up your blue plastic bathtub in the kitchen sink with warm water and bubbles, strip you down and lay you down on the little tub's sling.  You relax right away.  We think you'd be content to stay in there until your fingers and toes wrinkled... but we'll save that for when you are bigger and in a big tub!

 

 

Your favorite toys are the ones attached to your activity mat.  You tolerate the bouncy seat (a lifesaver when Mama has to clean the house or take a shower) and recently started enjoying your swing... but only if it's on the fastest speed.  You have so many toys waiting for you to play with.  I wonder which ones will be your favorite?

 

Everyone comments on your sweet disposition.  We won the baby lottery with your temperament.  You continue to be super laid back.  You really only cry if you are hungry or need an urgent diaper change.  Watching the fan blades spin, lights shining, listening to music (which is on constantly) or sitting on the couch with Mama or Daddy keeps you pretty content.  You don't mind the stroller or car seat one bit and even tolerate us taking you in and out of the car multiple times on our marathon errand runs.

 

 

You are a wiggle worm and never stop moving.  Mama and Daddy laugh when we peek in your crib just as you are waking up.  Your legs are bucking, head turning from side to side and torso twists about. It's pretty comical considering you are swaddled and look like you are trying to escape a straight jacket!  We are excited to see you try out the Johnny Jump-Up when you get a bit bigger. 

 

We hope to get you in the pool more this month.  Crazy that we waited until the end of summer... but we live in southern California and we pretty much have an endless summer.  Mama wants to read you more books, catch up on documenting our days on our family blog, take you for more walks in the stroller (now that the weather is cooling down) and soak up these last few weeks before Mama goes back to work next month.  (Sad face :()  Oh, and if you can get the nap thing down Mama and Daddy will be overjoyed.

 

Things we don't want to forget:

     *Your first flight and trip to Oregon.  We stayed at Nana and Papa's Oregon house in Sisters and met a lot of their friends.  (You have so many surrogate grandparents!) Aunt Olivia, Aunt Dee and Aunt SoSo hosted a baby shower for you at Aunt D's house.  More presents, books and drooling over your adorableness.

     *The way that you break out of your swaddle (even when daddy has you double swaddled) and then stretch out as far as you can with the sweetest little yawn.

     *Mama struggling to cut your tiny little fingernails and figuring out that the best time to try is when you are eating.

     *All of the comments on how you and daddy are twins.  Mama can't find much "Hughie" in your features.  I know they are in there though... I made you too!

     *How horrible mama and daddy felt in having to have under your tongue clipped (you were "tongue tied" and had trouble latching.)  Daddy held you tight and we had to hear you scream while the doctor made the snip.  It was the worst seeing you scream.  We comforted you and, thankfully you stopped crying as soon as you were given a bottle.

     *Your first time to Church.  We dropped you at the Church nursery and then came back twice to check on you!

     *The way that daddy carries you facing front in the Baby Bjorn. You love to look around and take everything in.
     *Being a guest at your first birthday party.  Benni Wach turned 2 and had a fun backyard birthday bash.  You were content to watch all of the big kids play and enjoyed watching the leaves in the tall trees sway.

     *Your first overnight at JJ's while mama and daddy celebrated their first wedding anniversary in Los Angeles.

     *Mama working with you to nurse.  Still not your favorite ~ you prefer mama's milk from a bottle.  But if you are good and sleepy and hungry, you will latch on and eat.

     *Your first trip to the beach ~ Huntington Beach.

     *Getting your hand and footprints done in clay and made into a ceramic piece.

     *Our daily field trips to get out of the house ~ Vons, Kohls, Costco, Target, Babies 'R Us, Pottery Barn Kids, Children's Orchard...
     *Your breathing:  the way your little nose gets congested and you make little snorting noises.

     *The way that you will snuggle with your head right under mama and daddy's chin.
     *The way you will take your morning nap right after your morning feeding.  This means mama can go back to sleep until after 10AM...  this makes mama smile.
 

We love you, Bauer John-Thomas!

Always remember,

You are smart.  You are kind.  You are important.  You are loved.