Hello Ladies - Travis

First Smile Caught on Camera!!

Like Father Like Son

11 Pounds 5 Oz. With Clothes On - Travis

It was hard to get him to lay still in that 9x13 pan.

Growing boy - Travis

The two pictures of him in the bath are 1 week apart. We are fattening him up.

A Praying Parent

Travis and I have come to the realization that being a parent turns you into a prayer warrior. Having a newborn, and all the stress that comes with it, is just too much to take on yourself. You need God's strength and patience just to make it through the day, even the hour.

I hadn't noticed how out of touch with God I had become. Travis and I had both become plain lazy about praying together and going to church. It seemed like we kept making excuses. Now all we can talk about is how amazing God's love is. About how He can bring you through any storm and create a rainbow at the end. He will never forsake. He answers all prayers - in His time, not yours.

Parenting is the epitome of selflessness. To be a good parent, you must give up all of your WANTS so that your child's NEEDS can be met. The ultimate act of selflessness was God's plan for our salvation. What an amazing Father. What an amazing parent.

Nightly update - Travis

Neck Exercises - Travis

My Man

I must brag on my Travis. Few women are as lucky as I am to have a husband who plans a relaxing evening for his wife AND offers to take care of the baby.

A couple of weeks ago, the doctor gave me some Ambien and prescribed a night of complete rest. She gave me 10 tablets so that I could use it 10 weeks in a row if I wanted. Well last night was one of the nights. For a week, I pumped enough milk so that Travis could give Henry his 3AM and 6:30AM feedings. I knew about this part - but what I didn't know about was the hot bath and massage that Travis had planned. I haven't felt that relaxed since the baby was born and I got a full 9 hours of sleep (minus the two times I had to get up to pump for my own comfort).

I woke up this morning rested and more in love with him. I made him chocolate-chip pancakes for lunch to re-pay the favor. For me, it's massages and sleep. For him, it's syrup covered desserts.

THANK YOU!!

Look at what my lovely ladies at Curves sent me today!

I had to get a picture off the Edible Arrangements website because I started eating it and the bouquet doesn't look pretty anymore :) It came with a balloon as well. When Travis and I were in Colorado, I befriended many strong, wonderful women at the Curves where I worked. God definitely placed them in my life to give me some "surrogate mothers" at a time when I was so far away from my own mom.

Thank you so much! I miss you guys alot and can't wait to come visit as soon as we can.

Growth Update - Travis

Who do you think he looks like? - Travis

Like a different child

Up until last Saturday, Travis and I were under the belief that Henry was, in fact, a demon child. The kid cried inconsolably for a good two weeks and just about drove us crazy. We did alot of bouncing, used the vacuum cleaner, and decided it was worth the $3.80/gallon in gas to keep him pacified. I just knew I had a colicky baby and that the next 3 months would be hell.

Then something happened... my son is an angel!

The thing is - I have no idea what the change was.

I cut almost all of the dairy out of my diet. We put him on a schedule that is working out beautifully (Read Baby Wise or Baby Whisperer). Or it could just be that God is giving us a big break and Henry is growing out of his discontent state.

Whatever the reason may be, I am thankful that I am actually starting to ENJOY my child. Henry is now content after his feedings and he is starting to take in his surroundings. I can actually put him down on his belly or in his swing for 45 minutes and he doesn't fuss. He is a pleasure to be around. Mom swears he smiled at her twice. He really only cries when he is hungry or tired.

Day by day, this is getting easier. Just like everyone said it would. Now if he would just start sleeping through the night :)

Henry's Bald Spot - Travis

This Morning's Activity - Travis

In this morning's activities we worked on tracking movement with our eyes.

I think he is wondering why all the animals are going around backwards.