My boys

Our little Chunky Monkey!!!

Today Colby was SO happy on his changing table that I used it as playtime and tummytime! He loves to lift up his feet and his head...he's getting so strong

HAPPY!!

Buddy and Colby sharing some tummy time yesterday

No! We don't let Colby sleep with us, BUT this morning his feeding time was a little later than usual so Travis tucked him into bed with me while he got ready for work. I loved it!!

Last night I was holding Colby so that he could look all around in the living room (he loves sitting like this) and Buddy decided to climb in my lap too!! He just couldn't stand it!

Babywise venting...

Sooooo....I feel like I haven't posted in forever...I guess it's only been a week. We have been going through a little rough patch with this little guy. Early this week he was super fussy- I think because of gas. I'm really not sure...it just seemed to be a painful cry. :(

Now, the gas seems much better, but yesterday we started trying to implement the "babywise" routine, and that has brought on a whole new cry...it's the "get me out of this crib" cry. Basically, with babywise, babies need to be fed, then need to have some time awake, then need to nap. Then, 2 and half to 3 hours after you started feeding them, you wake them up and go through all of that again. If you keep them on this schedule during the day, eventually they will be able to sleep through the night. It seems like it makes sense, right?

Here are some issues we are having....

1) CRYING/SCREAMING- the babywise book says that when you're transitioning into this routine, it is normal for babies to resist the napping and cry for a little bit. My baby cries more than a little bit...he will scream for 5 minutes or so, then pause to take a breath or even fall asleep for a minute and then start screaming again...and he'll continue for a looooooooong time....like an hour!! I have gone through this hour of torture twice...once at night and once yesterday morning and I don't think I can do it ever again. It's the worst thing I have ever sat through. AND, by the time he finally starts to settle down, it's time for him to eat again...so then I feed him and he's so tired from crying, he falls right asleep without any "waketime". Do you see my problem???

2) No sleep props- this means don't rock them to sleep or let them fall asleep in a swing or in bed with you, because they'll get used to this and need it every time to fall asleep. Well, this morning, Colby fell asleep in his vibrating bouncy chair, and I just left him! Sorry babywise, but I needed a break and I didn't want to chance him waking up. I understand the philosophy behind this, but it's easier said than done...he takes such good naps in the swing and bouncy chair!!

3) You need to feed them a full feeding when you wake them up and don't let them snack. Well, sometimes Colby likes a snack....hmmm....

Ok, I think those are my major problems right now. I will say that today has been better than yesterday. Although, right now Colby will fall asleep for a few minutes and then wake up crying again- over and over...I don't understand!!! I love that little guy though!!!!! How could you not love this face?? :)

I'll keep you posted on our babywise progress...

Catching up

I can't believe Colby will be 6 weeks old tomorrow!!! The past few weeks have gone by so fast. I have loved being at home with him, and I'm finally starting to get used to being a stay at home mom. I'm sad that I have to go back to work soon, but I'm so thankful for the 6 weeks that I've had so far, as well as the next 2 weeks that I still have at home.

Travis and I have both noticed that Colby is starting to get a little personality. He's awake for longer periods of time looking all around, he's grabbing things TIGHTLY (including my hair and Buddy's hair!), he grabs my hands when I'm feeding him a bottle, he holds his head up pretty well when he's laying on his tummy or when he's up on our shoulder, and he's sleeping in his crib during naptime and at night. Our routine is still a little rocky. Every day is a little different which makes every night a little different, but it's all getting better. Typically, we will put him to sleep around 10:30 or 11, (sometimes we have to let him cry himself to sleep...which is not fun) he will wake up around 2am, and I'll feed him and put him back to sleep, then he'll wake up again around 5 or 6 and Travis will feed him.

Last night we took him to Corona's with some friends. It was his first time out to a restaurant! (I can't believe I didn't think to take a picture!!) He slept the entire time.

Today, I took him out for his first walk. It was great! He stayed awake for the first half and then fell asleep for the end. I think he really enjoyed it, so we'll have to do it more often. (My goal is to lose 10 more pounds before we go to Destin in July, so walking may be my new best friend.)

I think that's really all of our "new" news. We've been trying to have lots of playtime and tummy time. He is still not really grabbing for things yet, but he does enjoy watching toys and music for a short amount of time.

nappin' in the crib

his legs, arms, fingers and toes are so loooooong!!! (just like his daddy)

hanging out in our bed

tummy time!

such a happy little boy

loving his stroller

and loving the cute Polo cap his "aunt" Ashley gave him!!

Supper Club and Spending the night

Saturday was such a super weekend day. After the rain cleared up, Travis went over to the Armstrong house to "help" Lee cook a brisket as well as a little pig that he killed this past fall. (it fit in a vacuum sealed bag!)

Colby and I stayed home for the afternoon...I just thought that would have been too long of a day to have him out and about. The problem was that when I started getting ready, I realized I had so many things to do and I couldn't get it all done in time for supper club...we ended up being REALLY late, AND we missed Travis BUZZING HIS HEAD!!! Thank you to Sally and Chana for snapping some pictures since I wasn't there. There is seriously never a dull moment with these boys!!

When we finally made it to Lee and Sally's house, we had a great time catching up with everyone and watching the little girls play. They are at such a fun age and so funny!!

After dinner, we dropped Colby off at my parents house to spend the night (YES- SPEND THE NIGHT!!), and we headed downtown to the Jerry Jeff Walker concert at the Bloomin' Temple Festival. SO FUN!!! I was worried about leaving him for the night, but once we left my parents house, it was really nice to have a night to ourselves. We slept until about 10 the next morning, enjoyed our coffee, Travis worked in the yard and I played at Target. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore, and I went to pick up our little man around 2:00!! It was SO good to see him again!!!! :) Distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?? Thank you mom and dad for giving us a night off. That sleep was much needed!

I love these girls!! (Colby and I were scrambling at home to get ready at this point...ugh...I'm still getting used to getting 2 people ready)

Thanks Lee!

Wow....at least Travis wasn't the only one :)

Sally, me, Kayla and Jenn at JJW concert....the humidity was not kind to our hair

We had so much fun!! Can't wait until next month...

Totally Cuter than Daddy

and he knows it!

hmmmm....not sure if this is cuter than daddy...haha

it cracks me up when he sleeps with his hands on his chest like this...like a little old man!

checking on daddy outside...Sunday was yardwork day and garage organization day

5 weeks= 5 hours

Today Colby is 5 weeks old and he slept for 5 hours in a row last night! YAY COLBY!!!

Playtime

I decided to try to lay Colby down yesterday and see how he would react to this little play gym that was given to me by a student. He really enjoyed it...but only for about 10 minutes or so... we'll have to work up to some longer playtimes. It's so fun because he is really starting to move his arms alot, reach for things and grab on tight. I think he's figuring out what his arms and hands are for. We also can't swaddle his arms at night anymore...he likes to keep them right up by his head- not tied down by his sides.

Buddy is still learning to SHARE the attention!

Fake Bunko

Usually our fake bunko group is only for girls, but this week, the girls were kind enough to let Colby join us!!! We met at Tiffany's house and actually played a new game called Pokeno!! I loved it. Everyone brought a $10 gift wrapped in a brown bag. The game is played like BINGO, but with playing cards. I ended up winning some wine-a-rita peach belini mix...whoo hoo!!

Christie finally got her picture taken with Colby :)

Mayra and my sweet boy

This picture is especially great because I used to babysit Sydney (right) when I was in high school!!! Now she is in high school and it looks like the tables have been turned. :)

Breaking News!

Colby is taking a nap in his "real" crib for the first time today (his one month birthday)!! I have tried to lay him down in there a few times in the past, but he has gotten so upset that it wasn't even worth it. Today he cried for a few minutes, I went in with a pacifier, he laid awake quietly for about 15 minutes and then he slept for 2 and 1/2 hours (so far)! yay!

Soon we're going to try to put him to sleep in there at night, but for now, napping in his room is a huge step.

thank goodness for the video monitor....how did our parents raise us without them?!? :)

If we don't swaddle him up, he sleeps with his arms up like this- I love it!

Mama's Boy

Gotta love the early morning bonding...

lazy Easter Sunday

This year, Easter was very laid back and wonderful. We didn't feel rushed around and we even snuck in a much needed nap! It was nice. Due to our crazy night schedule, newborn baby and the downpour outside, we didn't make it to church. We spent some time with Travis' family for lunch and then spent some time with my family afterwards. When my parents offered to watch Colby while we went home to nap, we jumped at the offer! Although we missed our little guy terribly, it was nice to sleep knowing that someone else was looking out for Colby. It's impossible to sleep soundly when you know that you may be woken up at any moment to take care of a tiny crying baby. :)

Erika kept waiting for him to wake up, but he slept the entire time we were over there!!

Colby loves a lazy Sunday...

hanging out at my parents while his mommy and daddy SLEPT

Although we didn't make it to church, we did have time to reflect on the blessings Christ has given us. A wonderful marriage, a precious baby boy, incredible friends and family, and best of all, eternal life...this is a great time to celebrate God's love and grace!

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

Lots of Babies!

Saturday night, Colby got to hang out with lots of new buddies!

First we went to visit Karington

so sweet!!

Then we visited the Martins- Colby and Mason were so sleepy (in this picture Mason is ready to eat!!)

Then we went over to Hope and Jeffrey's house and we got to see Jill and Chad and meet baby Claire!!

It's fun to trade off babies sometimes. :)

I am so excited to watch all of these precious angels grow up together and see what God has in store for all of them!!

Bath Time!

Our bath time seems to get easier and easier. We have found that the BEST way to give Colby a bath is to actually get in the real bathtub with him. He loves being submersed up to his neck in the warm water and just hanging out for awhile. He gets so calm- it's fun to watch him. Travis loves his bonding time in the bathtub!! :) (he was a little nervous about me taking pictures!!)

I love these boys!!