My Little Artist

I keep forgetting to post my Mother's Day gift from Baby B.!
This poem is on the back:

I miss you when we're not together;
I'm growing up so fast.
See how big I've gotten
Since you saw me last?
As I grow, I'll change a lot,
The years will fly right by.
You'll wonder how I grew so quick
When and where and why?
So look upon this hand print
That's hanging on your wall.
And memories will come back of me,
When I was very small.

His teachers helped him (just a little).

Jump Up, Jump Up and Get Down

Baby B.'s teacher just e-mailed us this photo of his first time in a Jumperoo. They say he really liked it!

Cheeky Weekies

B. told me that other day that he now understands why old ladies like to pinch babies' cheeks.

In Good Hands

Coming back to work after maternity leave was not an easy thing to do. I missed Baby B; I felt guilty for leaving him in Child Care; and (here's the worst part) when we picked him up in the evenings, he smelled like someone else.

Now that I've been back to work for a month, I've come to the conclusion that Child Care is an amazing opportunity for Billy.

At his parent/teacher conference (not nearly as silly as you'd think), I could tell that his teachers adore him and know him. He's not just another baby in their room - he's Billy, with his own likes and dislikes and personality. And it's not just his direct teachers that know him - the entire staff says hi and comments on an aspect of Billy's day nearly every day. You wouldn't think much would happen in his day worthy of comment, him being less than 4-months-old and all, but it does. Yesterday, the kids went on a 'field trip' to the gym on campus. A few weeks ago, he went on a stroller walk. Last week, he made me a Mother's Day gift (which I'll post a picture of later). With any luck, he'll even have an entry in the Child Care Art Show to be held in the campus gallery next month.

I feel a lot better about leaving Billy at Child Care now that I know how much fun he's going to have, how much he's going to learn and how serious his teachers are about his care and education. As evidence of that, the above picture was taken by one of his teachers and then e-mailed to me because it was one of the first times he'd grabbed a toy. If they are that excited about that step in his development, I know Billy is in good hands.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Baby B. went to his first Mud Hens game last night. I think he liked it, but it was hard to tell since he kept looking the wrong way!

Our family has expanded.

A few years back I was unable to make it to my Gram's house for Thanksgiving dinner. I have been helping my uncles deep fry the turkey for a few years and they needed me there. In my absence my uncles designated a winter decoration as a replacement me, so my spirit would be there with them. Well with A and my addition to the family, my uncles designated a similar but smaller winter decoration as baby B. They set us both out by the deep fryer for the Mother's Day turkey cooking. I guess they want to start baby B off the right way and include him.

Cross Your Fingers. Hold Your Breath.

I think we can finally officially say that Baby B. sleeps in his crib. Things have been heading in the right direction for awhile now, but the kicker was when we had to wake him up while he was in his crib this morning to get ready for our day. This is a first.

Over the past few months, we've tried a sleep positioner, a wedge, a new mobile, CDs, a heating pad, putting our clothes in the crib, laying him down when he was out, laying him down when he was groggy, laying him down when he was awake, a bassinet, a Pack-n-Play, etc., etc., etc. to no avail.

We're not sure what made Baby B. turn the corner. Could be that he's growing into his crib. Could be the heavier blanket we've started putting on him. Could be that he knows we'll be there when he wakes up. Could be that B. literally showed him that his crib is cool. Whatever it is, we love it. Now let's hope it's not a fluke!

Baby B.'s First Picnic

B. and I love to eat outside - luckily Baby B. does too!

Confused Bear

I kinda think that one of the funnest things about having a baby is dressing them up and taking their picture.