3 months old!

Dear Bauer with love,

 

 

You turned three months old last week.  You are growing and changing so much.  Mama and Daddy snap so many photos of you.  We love every moment ~ every outfit, every expression, every milestone.  Being your Mama and Daddy brings us so much joy. 

 

 

 

 

Mama went back to work October 1st.  It was a hard decision to return to work 4 weeks early, but Daddy and she feel like it's the responsible thing to do.  We want to save time in Mama's sick bank in case of an emergency or  to have that extra time when you become a big brother someday.  We are learning to adjust to this transition.  Monday and Tuesday you are either home with Mama (this is very hard ~ she must juggle working while you are sleeping... getting up before you awake, while you are napping, or after you go to bed...) and when Daddy wakes up from sleeping from his graveyard shift.  Mrs. Lori or JJ are on call to help if needed and are helping us fill in the gaps.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday you are home with daddy.  We call it Daddy Daycare.  Mama never has to worry... Daddy is so good with you and she knows that you two have fun with each other.  Daddy jokes that he gives you Coca-Cola in your bottles and lets you watch cartoons all day.  Mama doesn't believe him.

 

 

We packed in a lot of fun during the last few weeks of mama's maternity leave.  Grandmama came to get her Bauer fix for a long weekend.  She spoiled you, as usual ~ lots of snuggles, kisses, lap time and one on one time.  Mama and Daddy celebrated part 2 of their anniversary and spent an overnight in The Little Italy district of San Diego. (This is where we had their second date... and... first kiss... :))  A first anniversary is something to celebrate... and we had fun... knowing that you and Grandmama were having good bonding time at home. 

 

 

 

Mama and Daddy joined a small group through our Church.  It is a disciple group of newcomers who meet at the home of a couple who have a heart for welcoming those new to the congregation.  We asked if we could bring you along, knowing that most likely you would fall asleep and not be a bother to the group.  You didn't disappoint.  Every week we dress you in your jammies, bring in your stroller and bassinet attachment (we love our Bugaboo!) and rock you to sleep before our group starts.  You've awakened a few times to make your presence known, but a little snuggle from Daddy or Mama and some binky time and you are quiet as a Church mouse.  We love how flexible you are and that we are able to attend a small group as a family.

 

 

Aunt Olivia from Oregon visited for a week.  Mama and Daddy asked her to be your Godmother.  She is so excited to be your special friend and simply adores you!  Aunt Olivia even took "Bauer duty," one night to let Mama sleep through the night (a treat!)  You had your first non family member babysitter, Camryn, while Mama and Aunt Olivia had some girl time.  And you spent your first day with Mrs. Lori while Mama and Aunt Olivia joined Ms. Kathi at Glen Ivy Hot Springs to celebrate mama's 34th birthday!

 

 

 

Mama and Daddy have been trying to eat healthy, shed some pounds and get back in shape.  That went out the window when Aunt Olivia arrived.  We ditched our Lean Cuisines for eating out... a lot more than we should have!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to Disneyland on Mama's 34th birthday.  It was your first visit.  You were perfect the entire time.  We are so blessed that you enjoy being in your stroller and people watching.  Mama and Daddy love showing you new things and watching your reaction to new people, places and things.  Your first ride was Toy Story Mania.  Mama wasn't too happy with this choice, but Daddy wanted you to have a boy ride be your first Disneyland experience.  You didn't like all of the stimulation too much.  Daddy held you extra tight and Mama did her best to try to calm you down.  Lesson learned!

 

 

 

While at Disneyland we showed you off to Daddy's coworkers at Guest Services.  They swooned over you and took turns passing you around.  Daddy is so proud of you.  Mama loved see Daddy's eyes light up as he introduced you to everyone who, up until now, had only seen you in photos. 

 

 

Mama had her first business trip the first week of October.  Daddy and you came along with mama to Las Vegas!  In your three months you have visited 3 states (California, Oregon and Nevada!).  My boss and coworker got to meet you at dinner one night.  You were an angel and flirted with both of them.  You are the happiest baby and aren't shy about smiling... both with a huge grin and your sparkling blue eyes. 

 

 

You and Daddy spent some time together in the hotel while Mama worked her event.  Mama missed you like crazy.  She was only gone for a few hours... but couldn't stop thinking about you the whole time she was gone.  It is so hard for her to have to leave you.  She is thankful that you are with Daddy and that she's not away from you like she would be if she worked in an office 8-5pm every day. AND that we are able to make the sacrifices necessary to not have you go to daycare full-time.

 

 

 

We took you to the Vegas strip. Rather, we walked all over the Vegas strip.  Mama had the bright idea to walk from the hotel (near the Las Vegas Hilton) all the way to MGM.  It was quite a trek through all of the tourists.  We stopped along the way to see the touristy stuff.  You just chilled in your stroller.  Well, until your mini meltdown at dinner.  You were ready or bed.  We opted to take the monorail back to the hotel.  Good call, Mama!

 

 

 

We heard you laugh for the first time this month!  It is the sweetest sound, and one that we hear often.  You are blowing bubbles now, grasping your silkies, (a boy after Mama's own heart!) and "talking" more.  You still love your activity mat and swing and they have become your preferred catnap location.

 

 

We fall in love with you more every day, sweet B.!

 

Things we don't want to forget...

     *Mama and Daddy making the decision to ditch your swaddle blankets for sleeping.  It prolonged your going to sleep for a bit at first... but now you are an old pro at swaddle blanket-less snoozing.  You almost always sleep with your hands above your head and a silky next to you and a binky in your mouth.  Melts our hearts!

     *The way that you fall asleep with Daddy on the couch.  You snuggle right in and snooze away.  You are the perfect size!
     *My first birthday present from my son ~ a ring from Tiffany!

     *The time that Mama and Daddy tried you in the Johnny Jump up.  You are still a little too small... but looked so adorable with your head peeking right over the top of the seat.

     *Trying out the bumbo seat.  Mama and daddy are a little too ambitious... you aren't quite ready to sit up in the seat yet.  You are still a little to bobble head-y.

     *Your middle of the night feedings.  If ONLY we could just stretch that before bed bottle... but... sigh... you almost always wake up at 3AM and 6AM for 4 - 4.5 oz. of Mama's milk.  It's okay though... you chug it down (with an occasional spit up... usually on Daddy!) and are back to sleep after your milk coma.

     *Wearing your first shoes!  UGA slip ons from Mrs. Nita and little white leather LaCoste velcro tennies.  You look ADORABLE and mama wants to put a pair in a shadow box to always remember how itty bitty your feet were.

     *Your second time being a birthday party guest ~ our friend and neighbor McKenna turned 2 and had a birthday bash at the park.  The women took turns holding you.  You just relaxed and took everything in.  Mama and Daddy are excited to host your first birthday.  9 months to go! LOL

     *The way you will chill in your bouncy seat while Mama takes a shower and gets ready.  You just chill and suck away on your binky.

     *Your love for Mr. Frog , Ella the Elephant and Mothra (daddy named him) the firefly.  You tuck them (or a silky) under your arm like y'all are old friends. 

     *Dinner at JJ's and meeting Mrs. Karen, Mr. Mark, Ms. Kristy and celebrating cousin Andrew's 19th birthday.  Everyone said they felt like they knew you from all of the photos that mama and daddy post on Facebook.  They loved on you and brought you some sweet gifts.

     *Wearing jeans for the first time.  Real big boy jeans.  Daddy cursed them, but Mama insisted that you wear them. You looked so grown up.  You screamed bloody murder in your car seat on the way home from Church.  Daddy was convinced it was because you didn't like the jeans.  Mama thinks you were just extra sleepy!
     *Switching up to size 2 diapers.  They are a little big and we have to wrap them to make them work.  Growing boy!!

     *The way that EVERYONE, even strangers, comment on how much you look like Daddy.  Daddy and his mini me - you two are twins... 43 years a part!

 

We love you, Bauer John-Thomas!

Always remember,

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