Fall Beauty

Thanks to our wonderful friend Megan, we were able to catch a bit of Texas Fall with a few pictures of this new family!

 

3 Months

James

 

3 months old, Buddy! I can't believe it.  I have been waiting on this day for oh...about 3 months now ;) Not because I wanted to wish away your newborn wonders...but I was sort of  looking forward to what everyone referred to as the "miracle age", when things get a bit simpler, you cry less, and begin to (shhh...dare I say)..."sleep through the night"?? Well the day is here and for the last two nights you have slept from 8-6!!!!!!! I hesitate to even type this, in fear of the curse of "speaking too soon". Mommy feels like a bright and shinny new person with this uninterrupted sleep.  I can't thank you enough and I BEG you to continue.  As for crying less...you are doing that as well.  However, the first two days after your big 3 month bday...were not good and I was cursing all those who raised my expectations ;) To give you credit, we were just getting home from your first trip to Ohio and you also got your first head cold.  Needless to say, I have never seen you quite so out of sorts and exhausted.  You are catching up now with two nights of good sleep and a 3 hour nap this morning. You are in much better spirits.

This month has also brought new firsts. You started laughing, which is the absolute best part of my day.  You laugh the most when chasing Charlie around the house as we fly you like "superbaby" after him.  Charlie is not as amused ;)

You have also started holding and batting at your toys.  You hold your head up like a champ and have even started to try a baby push up! Rolling over will be next.

Your new toy! You can almost touch ;)

 

 As for me, I finally gave up on the breast milk.  You continued to have trouble, despite my best effort, so it is 100% formula for you little man and you are doing just great.  I envy those women I see, happily nursing their little ones...but it just wasn't for us kiddo. Solid foods are just around the corner!!

 Happy Birthday Baby! Love you more than words. Momma

2 Months Old

James,

You are two months old today! Two months has been a major milestone for you as we have finally figured out your allergy to milk and soy.  After many weeks of trying new diets, new formulas, new medications....we now have the answers we were desperately searching for and you finally have relief.  The days of agony and tears (for you and for mommy!) are far and few between these days, and for that, I am so grateful.  Mommy is still on a pretty strict diet as you are very sensitive to any dairy, soy, soybean or soy lectin products.  We even tried to give you a hypoallergenic formula and you had an adverse reaction to that as well.  We are still breast feeding, although you have decided to only take it from the bottle....you prefer the faster output ;) We have also started to supplement some even more hypo-allergic formula that we get from the Doctor, called Elecare, and that seems to be working just fine.  You definitely don't love the taste, but you humor mom since you know how hard this diet is for me and I just can't continue it for a full year.  You're such a team player ;)

At 2 months, you are talking up a storm (and complaining too). You also love to sing and scream at the top of your lungs...just for fun! You continue to suck on your fists and much prefer that over the paci.  However, the paci does the trick to get you sleepy while wrapped in your "baby straight jacket" (aka swaddle). You still need to be swaddle to sleep and are sleeping pretty good at night 8-10, 10-4, 4-7.  You are napping great too...however...only in the swing...ughhh. We are going to have to work on that.  I really don't want a 4 year old climbing into his swing to sleep ;) HA.  Still eating every 2.5-3 hours during the day, hence the chubby cheeks! You still love your bath and spend lots of time kicking and splashing. You do hate getting out and throw a huge tantrum when lifted out of the water, temper, temper!  Still hate your car seat and stroller, but we are working on that as well.  Mommy makes you get in every day...like it or not! Activities you love: bath, playing on your play mat, listening to music (love Wheels on the Bus), watching the ceiling fan, talking to mom and dad, being naked ;), bouncing on the exercise ball, swinging in your swing.

You were a trooper at the doctor for your 2 month check up where you had to get 3 shots and 2 oral vaccinations.  You cried of course, but were soothed easily once in momma arms. Here are your stats:

Weight: 12lbs 6oz: 67%
Height: 23 inches; 56%
Head: 23%

We love you big boy and can't wait to see what next month brings!

Shempp's Come For a Visit

Popsie and Mimsy came for a visit this week and what a great time for them to come, as James finally turned the 'happy corner" after a long few weeks of battling not only a milk protein allergy but also a soy allergy. The doctor continued me on my strict diet...and thankfully it did the trick! This week we got a bunch of smiles of out Mr. James as well as some new sounds (that sound a lot like words!) "HEY", "OOOH", "OUH". We also had 2 nights of great sleep 7-5:30!!! We sure do love this happy baby and are so glad that Popsie and Mimsy could come!

All The Faces of James

 

Hanging Out :)

 Watching the ball game!

 

 Bath Time with the Boys

 

Getting Ready to Cheer on the BUCKEYES!

 Pumpkin Patch

 

James, Popsie & Mimsy

 The Shempps

 3 Generations of Peter James Shempp

1 Month Old

James, you are 1 month old today! The old saying is true "time sure does fly by".  I remember so vividly the day you were born. It was the most emotional and physically intense day of my life.  Daddy and I recount the events of that day often to each other and we both agree that there is nothing more amazing than the birth of your first child...and you, my dear little boy, are the most amazing part. You have truly made our lives so much richer.

As a 1 month old, you are sleeping great (Momma and Daddy thank you!). You take little cat naps (45min-1.5 hrs) throughout the day.  You take your long naps in the evening around 3:00pm and 6:00pm.  You are your most happy during these evening hours.  You love to sit out on the patio and talk with us about your day ;) You take your final meal from daddy (1 bottle a day) around 9:30-10:00pm and then you are off to bed until 2:30-3:00am.  Yea James! You want to eat around 6:00am and then are ready to start your day!

Mornings-early afternoons have been a bit tough lately, as we discovered that you are allergic to milk protein. It affects you most after you have been sleeping all night.  All this really means is that Momma can't have any dairy in her diet (goodbye ice cream) because you have trouble digesting it :( We feel so bad for you as it is taking a few days to get this "poison" out of your system.  However, I can already tell (1 week in) that you are feeling much better and are much less fussy and more comfortable while you eat.  Dr. Terry gave you some antacid medicine as well, which is helping you feel better.

You weight a whopping 9lbs 11 oz now and I know you are getting bigger and stronger each day :) You can hold your head up very well during tummy time and have also found your fists, which you love to suck on. You also started "cooing" this week...which we love to hear among all that grunting ;)

Happy 1 Month Birthday!

2 Weeks Old

James, you are two weeks old and had your second check up with Dr. Terry.  The first appointment, just a few days after you were born, you had regained the 6oz lost at the hospital and were back up to 7lbs 8oz. You were down slightly in height (20 inches) due the little "cone head".  Grammy and Daddy said they could see you growing by the minute, but it was hard for me to see.  Low and behold, they were right, you weighted in at 8lbs 11oz and 21 inches! We were amazed.  Dr. Terry said you were the winner for the day for most weight gained! Ha.  "Mommy must be making cream instead of milk,"  she said.

You are such a funny little man, who loves to look around and participate in the adult's conversation. In the doctor's office you were very vocal while we were talking about you...you wanted to make sure YOUR voice was heard as well. The Dr. thought you said "HI" really loud. First words?!

You are not much of a napper. You sleep about 6 or so hours during the day and then are up for most of the evening.  You are always so tired by around 6pm, but refused to shut those pretty blue eyes. You sure know how to wear mommy out!  However, you have been (so far) a great night sleeper.  Two nights now you have went 5-5.5 hours straight! Go James!

James, we are enjoying you so much and look forward, each day, to your new discoveries. You're our little miracle and never cease to amaze us.

James' First Week

We have had a great week getting to know our bundle of joy.  He has been such a good baby, eating every three hours and sleeping in between.  We are still trying to figure out the best way to keep him comfortable at night.  He loves to sleep in our arms or in the swing, but is not so sure about the crib or bassinet.  He makes his discomfort know with a multitude of grunts and squeaks :)

We  are probably biased, but he seems to be so strong, despite his young age! James does a great job of holding his head up when on his tummy and turning it side to side to better identify the voices around him (so proud!) He "smiles" a lot and give us lots of funny faces that keep Daddy, Grammy and I very amused. 

Milestones..

 First Bath

 

First Play Mat Time

 

First Ohio State Game! Go BUCKS!

 First Date with Finley Marie ;) He likes slightly older women