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.

 



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.

    

    





1 month old!

Dear Bauer with love ~

 

 



How can it be?  Our sweet boy is one month old.  A month of so many firsts for mama and daddy.  We are adjusting to parenthood well.  It feels natural.  Mama's known it her heart all of her life ~ she was  born to be a mama!  We are getting in a good groove and loving this experience.  All of it.  The middle of the night feedings, changing a diaper for the third time within five minutes... the full time job it is for mama to pump milk and alternating feedings with daddy.  THE LAUNDRY. (Which is never ending)...  We both still have this euphoria... a giddyness when we think that you are finally here... healthy, happy and ours. 

Mama is so thankful that, as of now, she's escaped the baby blues.  A huge blessing.  She worried that she might feel overwhelmed and that her hormones might make her slip into that postpartum depression.  She didn't want that and prayed that God would spare her from that pain. He did.  Daddy helps so much with that.  He makes sure that mama has all of the help she needs with you.  And we get out of the house every day.  It's one of his rules.  And it's good for all of us! 

 

 

 

You sleep in our room in a mini crib.  It's right by (daddy's side) our bed.  The first half of the month you seemed to have your days and nights mixed up.  You'd sleep all day and then want to be up all night.  As much as we tried to tire you out during the day, come ten o'clock you'd become bright eyed and ultra alert.  Somehow we managed to reset your clock and now you are such a good night sleeper.  Mama and Daddy have a bedtime routine (bath, lotion, songs, swaddle, binky, kisses, bed...) and you are usually in dreamland by 7pm.  We have to wake you to feed you every three hours to feed you ~ but that's only until we know that you are gaining weight the way that you should and getting enough to eat. 

 

 

You've had so many visitors.  Nana and Papa Oregon stayed with us for a week when we brought you home from the hospital.  It was so nice to have extra sets of hands and advice from folks who have raised five children of their own.  Everybody wants to meet you.  They drop by for snuggles and Bauer time.  Your cousins have brought us yummy meals (so appreciated) and lifelong friends call constantly to see how our special boy is.  Grandmama visited for ten days.  She cried tears of joy the first time she met you.  We were waiting for her at the airport.  You had a big sign saying, "Welcome, Grandmama" resting in your stroller.  She spoiled you with lots of new clothes, (you have more clothes that Mama and Daddy combined!) toys and baby gear. 

The pictures.  By now you are used to the camera being in your midst.  The black iPhone and huge Nikon DSLR are always in Mama and Daddy's hands.  Oh, that, and the flip video camera.  We don't want to miss a thing.  AND you are so dang cute, we can't help ourselves.  We may get a little carried away with posting your pics on Facebook... but we want your friends, near and far, to see your sweet face.

 

 

You are our binky boy.  You definitely have your preferences.  In the hospital in was only the Tommee Tippee.  Then you moved to the soothies, and now it's the UGA one from Grandmama.  Daddy and I elected to give you a binky in lieu of you sucking on your hands.  We are trying to avoid a thumb sucker!

 

 

 

 

We love you big like Heaven, B.!  You're making our dreams come true!

  

Things we don't want to forget...
     *The way Daddy can make Mama laugh by making you into a dancing machine.
     *The way Daddy props you up and says, Look mama, I'm sitting like a big boy!
     *The first time Mama attempted to trim your nails.  She cut a little too close and your thumb started to bleed. You stuck out your bottom lip and cried real tears. Mama cried real tears too and sought the advice of many seasoned baby nail trimmers.  She now uses Tweezerman nail scissors - muuuuuch better!
     *The way you stick out your bottom lip when you cry.  So pitiful.
     *The way Daddy lays you on his pillow in our big King size bed.  It's one of your favorite places to be.
     *The way that you make yum yum noises when you eat.
     *Your first vaccinations.  Mama and Daddy both cried right alongside of you.
     *The urgent trip to the doctor to see why you were so restless.  Turns out you weren't getting enough milk when Mama nursed you.  You prefer the bottle, and now we know why.  There's talk of you needing to get underneath your tongue clipped so that you can have a better latch.  Daddy and Mama are researching it.  We hate to do something that will cause you pain.
     *The kissy face that you make when you are ready to eat.
     *Your huge baby blue eyes.
     *Your first trip to the pool.  How laid back you were and what a natural you are in the water.
     *Your "air in your tummy" and how frequent you release the gas!
     *How strong you are.  You hold your head up really well and have a very strong neck.  It surprises many!
     *How easy going you are.  Not much bothers you!
     *How to-do lists get neglected because you are our priority and most things will just have to wait.
     *The presents and cards that keep appearing in our mailbox and doorstep to welcome you.  You are so spoiled!
     *Your newborn photo session and how you didn't want to sleep.  The sleepy poses we wanted became shots of your bright eyes staring sweetly at the camera!

We love you, Bauer John-Thomas!

Always remember,

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