8 Months!

Not excited about the picture!

Alex is 8 months old already! Where is the time going!

 

Likes:

He loves playing with socks! He usually pulls off his and chews them so we started giving him one to play with.

He likes crawling around. He does a great army man crawl but also does an ok more traditional crawl.

He loves to have us hold his hands while he walks. He often just walks in circles but he enjoys it!

Music! He LOVES music! We put his music toy on legs and he loves playing with it and moving around it.

 

Dislikes:

There really aren’t that many. He doesn’t like fruit but he will eat it especially if there is a veggie with it.

He doesn’t like napping at daycare (I think he is afraid he will miss something!)

 

 

He is so easy to get along with and easy going most times. We can't wait to see what the next month brings!

7 months!

Alex is 7 months! He sits up alone, gets on his hands and knees and rocks and scoots where he wants to go. He loves the TV remote! When he sees that he moves quickly to get it. He also loves computers. He saw Jake on his and got so excited. I was holding Alex over to see and he was touching the keys. Unfortunately he grabbed the w and pulled up. It is still attached but Jake never knows if he will get one w or 50 when he uses that key!

Alex has two teeth on the bottom now and two on the top. He really hates having anyone look at them. We have found holding him upside down is the best way to check on them.  I think more teeth are coming soon since there is still so much drooling.

 

Likes:

Baths (with his toys)

Going in the car

Holding my fingers and “walking”

Holding his bottle to eat

Having his picture taken

Dislikes:

When we leave the room

Going to bed

Going into a dark room

 

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is very low key at our house. This year I did get a card for Jake from Alex. I put the pen in Alex’s hand and he made his mark on the card. When we got home there was a balloon for Alex. He wasn’t too sure what to do at first but he figured it out.

 

 

The grandparents sent cards for Alex and he loved them! Mostly he enjoyed licking them but he did get very excited about something new to lick!

 

Hope you had a great Valentine’s day!

6 months!

Alex is 6 months! He can do so many things now! He started buzzing his lips- all the time! He started rolling from his tummy to his back. Now he can get things he wants and go places.  He giggles and laughs very easily now.

He likes:

His jumpy chair

Music

Sweet potatoes and butternut squash

Chewing on everything!

 

                                         He doesn’t like:

Naps

Waiting for his bottle

 

Shhh! Don't Tell Anyone!!!!

I have to be fast. My mom doesn't like me to use her computer and with all the drooling I do she will figure out quick that I was messing around with it.



She has gone a little crazy. I call it Crazy Christmas Mama. She saw a picture on Pinterest and so she thought I needed to be like that baby.

Well, I'm doing the best I can but that baby can sit up and I can't and I REALLY like to put things in my mouth (it really is the best way to find out about them you know!) and I like to wiggle a lot! So I hear a lot of NO NO NO.

Then she saw more things on Pinterest and she thought I should make these ornaments. (If you are a greandparent don't look any farther!!!!!! Grandma Allen this means you!!!) I tried but - holding still isn't my best thing yet. SO she puts me in the chair that I eat in (I think I am going to eat) and all of a sudden she comes at my foot with paint. It wasn't too bad but I really wanted to play or eat or something else.

I am hoping that with the presents open maybe things will be back to normal. Maybe Dad and I can keep her off Pinterest!!!



5 Months

Oops! We forgot the sign!

Alex is 5 months! He is getting bigger and can do more!  He is taking a bath in the regular tub and eating rice cereal. He loves the bath. He kicks his legs to splash and laughs and giggles. He also loves to look at himself I the mirror. He even licked the mirror one night and was so shocked that it was cold.

 

Alex is rolling over! He can only go from his back to his tummy so far. This is great until he gets tired of being on his tummy and then he cries. We think he will roll tummy to back any day now but it hasn’t happened yet.

 

He likes:

His jumpy chair

Baths

 

Grabbing his toes

Going places

Chewing everything!

What a cutie!

 

Doesn’t like:

Naps

Socks

Rice cereal that is super runny

4 Months

 

Alex is 4 months! He is getting bigger and stronger everyday!  He is starting to help wash his hair in the bath.  We went to Bass Pro Shop to see the Christmas decorations and he was great. He seems to get a little overwhelmed in big places but he enjoyed waving at all the people (with Jake’s help!).

 

November 14 they gave me a shower at work. Jake was able to bring Alex. He was so charming! He hasn’t been passed around much but we gave it a shot and he was darling! Lots of ladies held him and he smiled and cooed at all of them.

 

He likes:

His jumpy chair

He's a little short so he jumps on this!

Baths

Going places

 

Doesn’t like:

Naps

Socks

 

Update:  I know this is super late (he was 4 months on November 14) but maybe it falls under the better late than never clause?

3 Months Old

Alex is 3 months old!

 

Alex is 3 months old already. Lots of things have changed but the things he likes and dislikes are about the same. I am back to work and he is handling it really well. (Me not so much. You can see how late this post is. He was three months on October 14!!)

He weighs 15 lbs and is just starting to wear 3-6 month clothes. He seems to be long through the body and have shorter legs. He wears some of the 0-3 pants.

He likes:

His swinging chair

Baths (now he sits in a plastic tub and splashes!)

Going for a walk

Pretending to stand up

Giggling, laughing and cooing at us

Watching us eat

Sitting up with help

Loves music (all kinds)

He dislikes:

Burping (he kicks and fights as it gets closer!!)

Wet or dirty diapers (if he is fussy that is the first thing we check

When his bath is over

Being too hot (he would love to be in just a onesie all day!)

2 Months Old!

Alex is 2 months old already. I am amazed at how fast the time has gone and how much he has grown!

September 14, 2012

 

He weighs 12 lbs 12 oz and is 23 inches long (up 5 lbs 9 oz and 3 inches from when we brought him home!)

 

He likes:

His swinging chair

Playing on the floor

Baths (especially splashing in the sink!)

Going for a walk

Pretending to stand up

Giggling, laughing and cooing at us

Loves music (all kinds)

He dislikes:

Sleeping on the couch

 

Wet or dirty diapers (if he is fussy that is the first thing we check

When his bath is over



Taking a nap in his bed during the day (he sleeps great at night)

Showing his wounds

 

              Shots

 

 

 

 

 

Alex is a great baby! He is usually happy and if not we can change his diaper or easily help him be happy. We see more and more of his personality everyday. I am excited to see what the next month will bring!

The Story part 2

A few weeks ago there was a documentary about birthmothers on TV. I wasn’t going to watch, but somehow did watch a few minutes just to see how it was. The show followed three expectant mothers who had chosen to place their babies for adoption. It was interesting to see how these expectant mothers bonded together, how they made their decision and their hospital experience.  In the documentary, the hopeful adoptive parents and the expectant mother were separate. They didn’t seem to spend any time together.

 

Our experience was very different. We got the call to come to the hospital at 5:00 am July 14 and were there by about 6ish. We went into K’s room where she was resting (the medication had just kicked in). We were in and out as different doctors came in and privacy was needed. Things were progressing nicely (according to a nurse) and by 9:30 Jake was out in the waiting room and the baby was on his way. Alex was born at 10:30 am. I am so grateful and honored that K and her mom allowed me to be there. Jake and I spent the next 2 and a half days hanging out in K’s room with her family and the baby. We all took turns holding him, feeding him and changing his diaper. The hospital found a room for Jake and me so we were able to stay Saturday and Sunday night.

Jake holding Alex for the first time!

It was wonderful to meet K’s brothers and sisters and spend time with them. We were able to look at the baby and see who he looked like. Did he have K’s eyes or one of her siblings? Was his temperament like her or one of her siblings? It was a wonderful time.

I was really nervous about Monday and signing the papers. I wasn’t sure how it would go- or how K would feel and react to it all. Her whole family was there with her when she signed the paperwork. There was such a feeling of support in the room.  It was wonderful.

In the documentary, the girls placing their babies were in a room alone with a caseworker to sign the papers. All three were very emotional and I felt so bad that these young mothers were alone at such a time. For us, our lawyer talked to K first and then came to get us for our part at the end. He left and we thanked K, gave her our gift and since K was being checked out told her and her family to take all the time with the baby they needed and wanted. 

Our experience was so much better – not easier but K had so much support. It was an emotional day but a day filled with happiness and some sadness. When K left she looked gorgeous. She was absolutely glowing and we made plans to see them again.

Getting ready to go home!

 

Happy 1 Month!

Alex is 1 month old today! We have learned a lot about each other in the last month.

Likes:

Making faces

Slowly waking up (there is lots of stretching and groaning during the waking up)

Reading magazines with Dad

Bath time

Taking a walk

Looking people in the eye

Hates:

Wet or dirty diapers

Putting clothes over his head

Being swaddled

Important Facts:

Alex burps easily but some of the burps are so big and loud they scare him!

He makes lots of different facial expressions- not for any reason that we can figure out but they are so fun to watch!

He sleeps well during the night.  We have learned to keep things calm, quiet and pretty dark so he will go back to sleep quickly.

He is already growing out of his clothes! He is not chubby but long through the body. He weighs more than 8 lbs now!

He seems to enjoy machine sounds, the vacuum, the dryer, the dishwasher etc.

We are enjoying every day together! We are excited for what the next month will bring! Some days it seems like Alex has always be part of our life and other days we can't believe he is here. We are so blessed to have him be part of our life and family.

Changes

Things have really changed at our house.  Alex is a delight but does take lots of time. Not all the things are must do’s though. I spend lots of time looking at him, holding him and all the regular things like feeding, changing (this boy hates to be even a little wet!) and getting him to sleep.

Being a baby is tiring work!

We have a little bit of a routine and so far we are doing pretty well. The house isn’t always clean and tidy but there are bottles for the baby and clothes for him to wear. Every day we notice some changes- Alex is awake more, he is looking at us when we talk to him, he is making happy noises, etc.

Are you STILL looking at me?

I wasn’t really sure what to expect when we came home from the hospital.  Jake kept saying he didn’t really know what to do with babies- but he is great! He has changed diapers, fed Alex and rocked him to sleep. We have stumbled through things like- is it too quiet? How warm does Alex like to be? Does he like the bottle warmer? So far we have learned a lot and know there are lots more things to learn!

Relaxing with Dad

the pajamas say Little Cowboy

Our Miracle

Alexander Aiden was born July 14!

We came home July 16. He is perfect in every way!

Things have been busy ever since. I’ll post the full story soon!

Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts that helped our miracle happen!