Andrew: 1 Month!

Dear Andrew,

I can't believe you have been with us for one month already.  I know I've said it before, but boy does the time fly when there are two little people to care for!  You have blessed our lives in more ways then you'll know.  Our little family is just buzzing with energy and love since your arrival.

You are one of the calmest, yet alert babies I have ever seen in my life.  At this point you rarely cry unless it is time for a feeding or a diaper change.  Thank God for your easy going personality because I really don't know how I'd care for two, high energy children!

Your big brother absolutely adores you.  I love to watch the two of you interact with each other.  You love to watch Ethan during tummy time and he loves sharing his bed with you briefly before going to bed himself.  I can't wait to see your relationship grow as the two of you get older.

You've already learned how to do so much in your short time here on Earth.  You have started to focus on objects/faces and follow the movement with your eyes.  You can lift your head and keep it lifted for a short period of time.  Just today I was having a conversation with you and you cooed a response back to me several times!

You love being held yet are perfectly content hanging out on the floor or in your Rock N Play.  When Pawpaw Don and Daddy hum and sing to you, you instantly calm down.

You love bath time and getting baby lotion massages afterwards. Most nights bedtime is around 8:00 and you wake again to be fed anywhere between 12 and 2.  You get fed every 2 to 4 hours depending on when you decide to wake up and cry!

You still wear NB clothing and diapers although we've put you in size 1 diapers recently because we have so many of them!

Birth Stats
7 lbs 5 oz. (41st percentile)
20.5 inches long (78th percentile)

1 Month Stats
9 lbs. 6 oz. (
22.25 inches long (

We love you Andy Bear!

My boy is so Sweet!

In preparation for Alex and Mel's wedding, I actually put on a little bit of makeup and dressed in a new outfit.  Other than work, I rarely take the time to get myself "do-did up."  As I woke Ethan up from his nap that day, Ethan took a look at me and said, "Mommy your eyes is pretty."  How stinking cute is it that from a 2 1/2 year old?!  Too sweet!

Uncle Alex Gets Married

Yesterday, Alex and Mel finally got married!  Ethan was the flower girl escort in the wedding while Chris was the best man.  Ethan did an excellent job!  We were anticipating mid ceremony meltdowns with Ethan running around from me to Mimi but that didn't happen.  He did choose to sit next to me rather than up front but, other than that, he did wonderfully.  Andrew was introduced to Aunt Dorothy during the ceremony and spent a few minutes getting acquainted! 

Despite a temperature of close to 90 degrees, Ethan was a champ, keeping busy with his Madagascar ("move it, move it!") toys.

Somehow Ethan managed to hang out at the reception until just after 10:00 when things started taking a turn for the worse and the poor kid became exhausted.  Both kids fell asleep as soon as the van bumped along on a few roads.  I know Ethan had a great time at the beautiful wedding and reception because he keeps asking when "Alex and Mel get married again?"

Summer Bucket List

Fly a kite
Sleep in a tent
Parkys

Berry picking (Cancelled this year due to "bird activity."  This really stinks and I was really looking forward to stocking up on blueberries for the winter.)

Loveland Castle
Starlight Drive In
Duck boat
Cincinnati Nature Center
Catch lightening bugs
Cupcakery
Beech Acres water park
Eat a snow cone
Recreations Outlet

Birth Weight

Andrew had his follow up weight check on Monday (2 weeks 2 days).  After only weighing 6 lbs 14 oz at his last appointment, Andrew has surpassed his birth weight.  At this appointment, Andrew weighed 7 lbs 8 oz!  Yay Little Porker!

Family of Four

Life certainly is entertaining as we adjust to being a family of four.  Andrew had his very first doctor's appointment on Friday, June 1 to check weight gain.  Unfortunately he only weighed in at 6 lbs 14 oz so we go back again for a repeat weight check this Monday.  The doctor did explain that this is normal, however, so I am not worried just yet.

Andrew has spent a majority of the past 11 days sleeping, eating, pooping and repeating it all 24 hours a day.  He eats every 2-4 hours around the clock and usually falls asleep immediately after eating.

Ethan continues to struggle in the middle of the night and usually wakes  up 1-2 times each night.  He's recently given us trouble falling asleep at night and throws the world's worst tantrums just when we're needing rest the most.  We've tried everything to get Ethan to return to his wonderful sleep habits but we're having no luck so far.

On a positive note, Ethan seems to be absolutely enamored by his little baby brother.  The first thing Ethan does each morning is ask to see "baby brother."  Ethan is constantly hugging and kissing on Andrew and wanting to be around him.  We are constantly reminding Ethan to be gentle so the poor little guy doesn't get a flying foot to the face!

Chris and I are exhausted and dream about the day we'll get a small nap or, even better, a full night's sleep.  Chris returns to work next week and I'll be on my own most days (when Ethan's not at the sitter's.)  I am a bit nervous about how I'll juggle two kids needing my attention NOW rather than in a few minutes.  I am so grateful Ethan will continue going to the sitter a few days.