**This is a letter I would write to my dad on today, July 18th, his 61st birthday if he was still with us. Instead, I can remember all the great advice, love, concern and care he gave me for 25 years and now years in heaven. I love you dad and miss you everyday.
Hey Dad!
Hope you're having a great day! It's so hot down here! Liam and I have pretty much stayed indoors recently. He loves being outside but it's just too hot and with the mosquitoes, it isn't worth it. I can't believe school starts in just a few weeks...I'm really going to miss this time with him. But hopefully, you and mom can visit more since you're retired. Thanks for the advice when he was sick. Sometimes, it just helps my perspective. I know I need to have patience right?! But that's not yours or my strongest attribute. Liam is actually starting to use his left hand for things although I'm not sure that means anything, but thought you'd want another fellow lefty in the house!
I'm not coaching this year and will miss it terribly. I remember your first year not coaching football and how difficult that was. Any advice? Maybe I'll just teach Liam how to throw a ball and run super fast! I'm also losing an hour at my job and insurance! I bet you're glad you're out of education now! I know you say it will get better and to hang in there, but again, where is that patience when you need it!?
It was great seeing everyone last weekend and we'll have to go to another Cards game soon. Our seats are always pretty good but it's the food and beer we know we love. Soon, Liam can go and you can show him the ropes of the stadium and maybe catch him a ball! (remember Wrigley?!).
Do you and mom have any plans for today? I bet you're going to mow the lawn, drink a big glass of iced tea on the deck with Sadie while listening to the radio and maybe go out for dinner with your friends or Tim and Jess. Is Grandma Mullen coming by for a drink? Let me know what you want....a new grilling tool? Cards wear? Buffalo Wild Wings gift card?
Well, I won't keep you, but the three of us love you and wish you the best birthday to the best dad and grandpa!
Love,
Kelli
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Liam - 3-4 months
Well, Liam has grown leaps and bounds these past two months. He has surprised us in many ways (sleeping 10+ hours a few nights, than back to up every 3 hours =(. I swear I will never figure this kid out, which I realize is how kids go...
It's awesome to see his transition from sleeping, eating, repeat, to play time, smiling at us, and finding his hands and feet. He loves chewing on his hands and grabbing at his feet when he can reach them. He's figuring out cause and effect. Like if I touch this thing, it will spin! Amazing! He's also become a bit needy. I'm flattered really that he can only be happy with me in the room, but come on! So, we have started baby wearing and moving his little chair into the kitchen so he can watch me cook or wash dishes. What a boring life I live!
We survived his first cold too! He came down with a runny nose and cough the night Nathan had planned for my big birthday dinner out. We still went but I was worried then entire time. When we got home, we did everything we could....humidifier in his room, elevated his bed, suctioned his nose like crazy and when he woke at 2, we just held him and slept on the couch all night long. It was sort of a sweet moment looking back. Nathan and I were up talking for about an hour after Liam fell back asleep and it was just, nice. I can't really describe it, but I will remember it forever.
His naps are still sporadic and so is his sleeping schedule. What schedule?! I started waking him from his naps b/c I was afraid he was missing a daytime feed and thus, waking up at night. That worked for about a week, and just like everything else, this kid defied books and what other babies do. He will go 2-3 nights of 8+ hours of sleeping, than be up after 6 hours the next night and then 5 the night after that. Without any change to our day or his eating. He is just going to be his own person I suppose. I've asked about every mom friend I have if this is normal, or if I'm doing something wrong and the consensus is that this is normal for a baby! Gosh, I do not want another one...for a long time!
He is definitely a mover and a shaker. Sometimes when I go in his room in the morning, he will be facing the exact opposite way and has worked both fists out of his swaddler and is chewing on them. It's awesome that he doesn't cry every 2 seconds now and he will just chill in his crib for a time. But I'm realizing he's pretty smart. He tried very hard to knock down his blanket off the back of his crib last week (we promptly relocated that one) and he is easily bored with things. He figured out that his jumpy thing does not play music unless you bounce in it which he can barely do but he still tries after it stops. He does not get into "baby talk" and actually looks offended when people speak to him that way. When I really talk to him, he just smiles and coos. He'll even forget to eat b/c he's smiling.
His favorite things: Llama, Llama (we're making it his favorite), chewing on his fists, drooling, bouncing in the jumper, being outside, reaching for toys, car rides
His least favorite things: tummy time (he'll last about 3 minutes before burying his head), not sleeping =), getting changed when he's hungry
**He's ok with baths as in, he tolerates them if the water is warm enough. Maybe once he's able to sit up, he'll be able to splash and enjoy it.
I don't know how much he weighs but my guess would be around 15lbs. He's very long (25+inches). As we are almost at the 4 month mark (on July 24th), I've realized a few things. They aren't brilliant and most moms will be like, "duh," but hey, I've never done this before....
1. It DOES get better
2. And then it gets worse (for example, sleep!)
3. I still have meltdowns and the "can I do this" mentality
4. It is very much the hardest job in the world and don't anyone think it's not
5. I have no idea how I'm going to go back to work
6. His smiles make it all worth it
7. At times, I feel I have failed as a parent, forgetting that he's still figuring out the world
8. I have great friends, sisters-in-laws, and family who give great advice even when I think I'm in this alone
Today, I am a frustrated mommy, sleep-deprived, and broke down crying a few times. I wish he slept through the night. I wish I could find just 3 days a week to run and not have to send him to a sitter during that time. I wish he was an "angel" baby. I wish he could sleep on his tummy at times (fix that flat head =(. But, this too shall pass (and all too quickly it seems) and the Lord's mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3). Tomorrow is a new day and I praise God for every small hurdle we clear. Even if we fall down the next two hurdles.
Hug your kids, friends =)
It's awesome to see his transition from sleeping, eating, repeat, to play time, smiling at us, and finding his hands and feet. He loves chewing on his hands and grabbing at his feet when he can reach them. He's figuring out cause and effect. Like if I touch this thing, it will spin! Amazing! He's also become a bit needy. I'm flattered really that he can only be happy with me in the room, but come on! So, we have started baby wearing and moving his little chair into the kitchen so he can watch me cook or wash dishes. What a boring life I live!
We survived his first cold too! He came down with a runny nose and cough the night Nathan had planned for my big birthday dinner out. We still went but I was worried then entire time. When we got home, we did everything we could....humidifier in his room, elevated his bed, suctioned his nose like crazy and when he woke at 2, we just held him and slept on the couch all night long. It was sort of a sweet moment looking back. Nathan and I were up talking for about an hour after Liam fell back asleep and it was just, nice. I can't really describe it, but I will remember it forever.
His naps are still sporadic and so is his sleeping schedule. What schedule?! I started waking him from his naps b/c I was afraid he was missing a daytime feed and thus, waking up at night. That worked for about a week, and just like everything else, this kid defied books and what other babies do. He will go 2-3 nights of 8+ hours of sleeping, than be up after 6 hours the next night and then 5 the night after that. Without any change to our day or his eating. He is just going to be his own person I suppose. I've asked about every mom friend I have if this is normal, or if I'm doing something wrong and the consensus is that this is normal for a baby! Gosh, I do not want another one...for a long time!
He is definitely a mover and a shaker. Sometimes when I go in his room in the morning, he will be facing the exact opposite way and has worked both fists out of his swaddler and is chewing on them. It's awesome that he doesn't cry every 2 seconds now and he will just chill in his crib for a time. But I'm realizing he's pretty smart. He tried very hard to knock down his blanket off the back of his crib last week (we promptly relocated that one) and he is easily bored with things. He figured out that his jumpy thing does not play music unless you bounce in it which he can barely do but he still tries after it stops. He does not get into "baby talk" and actually looks offended when people speak to him that way. When I really talk to him, he just smiles and coos. He'll even forget to eat b/c he's smiling.
His favorite things: Llama, Llama (we're making it his favorite), chewing on his fists, drooling, bouncing in the jumper, being outside, reaching for toys, car rides
His least favorite things: tummy time (he'll last about 3 minutes before burying his head), not sleeping =), getting changed when he's hungry
**He's ok with baths as in, he tolerates them if the water is warm enough. Maybe once he's able to sit up, he'll be able to splash and enjoy it.
I don't know how much he weighs but my guess would be around 15lbs. He's very long (25+inches). As we are almost at the 4 month mark (on July 24th), I've realized a few things. They aren't brilliant and most moms will be like, "duh," but hey, I've never done this before....
1. It DOES get better
2. And then it gets worse (for example, sleep!)
3. I still have meltdowns and the "can I do this" mentality
4. It is very much the hardest job in the world and don't anyone think it's not
5. I have no idea how I'm going to go back to work
6. His smiles make it all worth it
7. At times, I feel I have failed as a parent, forgetting that he's still figuring out the world
8. I have great friends, sisters-in-laws, and family who give great advice even when I think I'm in this alone
Today, I am a frustrated mommy, sleep-deprived, and broke down crying a few times. I wish he slept through the night. I wish I could find just 3 days a week to run and not have to send him to a sitter during that time. I wish he was an "angel" baby. I wish he could sleep on his tummy at times (fix that flat head =(. But, this too shall pass (and all too quickly it seems) and the Lord's mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3). Tomorrow is a new day and I praise God for every small hurdle we clear. Even if we fall down the next two hurdles.
Hug your kids, friends =)
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