James' First Christmas

Oh, how these last few weeks have gotten away from me! I have been wanting to sit down and post about how wonderful our first Christmas with James was, but in a rush of visitors, going back to work, and holiday fun...I realize it has been almost 3 weeks and still...no post. So here I am, finally sitting down, with the house quiet this Saturday morning remember back a few weeks ago...

Auntie Jacqueline and Uncle Danny were the first visitors! We had such a blast with them, opening presents, going out for Mexican food, carriage ride through Highland Park, cocktails and dinner at Neighborhood Services.

 Charlie found a new best friend

Then came Christmas with Grammy & Gramps

 Morning cartoons ;)

 Pathetic...right?!

 James' favorite toy...Charlie!

 Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

 Christmas morning!!!   Gramps' new Ipad Keyboard (Kurt and Katie watch over Facetime!)

 My new 'J' charm necklace

 Charlie's new toys

 Daddy's new blender!

 James missed most of the present opening...but woke up just in time to survey the mess :)

 Christmas breakfast

 Mommy goes back to work...sighhhh

 Merry Chirstmas!

4 Months

4 months

14 lbs 10 oz

25 1/4 inches

James,

4 months old! What a month it has been, full of change for both you and I. Biggest change for mommy has been the day after your 4 month birthday my maternity leave concluded and work commenced. It is a bittersweet thing, going back to work.  I miss you terribly but I am also enjoying intertwining my old job at Bayer HealthCare with my new job as your mommy. 

Morning before I left for work

For you, little man, so much has happened this past month.  Unfortunately, you had to face your first real sickness. You came down with RSV the week before Christmas. You woke up with a horrible cough and stuffy nose. Just as I was contemplating calling the Doctor, I received a call from your sitter, Teresa, who was calling to let me know that 3 of the daycare kids were out sick and one was diagonalized with RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus).  This disease is so contagious, so I wasn't going to be suprised if this was also RSV rearing it's ugly head in the Shempp household. By the time we got to the doctor that day, you were having a lot of trouble catching your breath and the cough was getting worse by the minute. I have never been more scared for you. You were so miserable and watching you struggle to breath...awful. I hated not being able to help you. After a few days and a few trips to the doctor to monitor your breathing, check your oxygen levels and ears for infection, we went home the 4th day with antibiotics and a breathing treatment. You didn't love the treatments but by the end of the day were you breathing much better.  Of course once you were on the mend, both mommy and daddy came down with horrible colds ;) Thanks buddy.

You were doing so well with your sleeping and eating, having many nights of sleeping from 8-6 and eating 25-30 oz of formula a day (5-6 oz/5 times per day).  However, after your bout with RSV you have regressed a little, taking smaller meals of 4-5 oz per feeding and getting up twice a night for a snack (11pm and 4am).  You are still going to bed around 7:30pm and waking up at 6:30am (for the most part, happily).  You take 4 naps a day of 45 minutes to 1 hour.  You will only sleep longer if we rock you back to sleep.  I know it is probably a bad habit, but it is one of my favorite things to do.  Nothing better than snuggling you and watching you sleep.  You still insist on being tightly swaddled and we have since had to buy you new types of swaddles that are harder for you to break free.  You think you want your arms out, but are really mad once they are ;)


New tricks this month...rolling from stomach to back. You hate being on your stomach so much that the minute I put you there, you roll right over.  You also have really started playing with your toys and putting everything in your mouth (except your paci, which all the sudden you hate!)  Your favorite toys; anything that sings or krinkles.  You have also been insistent on sitting up as much as possible.  You can't quite it do on your own, but you want us to help you so you can sit up and interact with your world.  You have also started cereal, although you are not quite sure about it, so we are taking that slow.  You are really laughing and smiling now. What really gets you going is "play fighting" with daddy (punching and kicking him) and chasing Charlie around the house.  Goodness...you are all "BOY"! I love that about you ;)

You are growing up so fast little man, I'm trying to soak you all in. Happy Birthday. Love you so very much!

Ohio Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was such a wonderful event, full of exciting things to celebrate. First, new family members! Of course, the new addition of PJS III and "officially" joining the family with a May 2013 wedding, Danny, who proposed to Jacqueline a few weeks back.  This year we also had the whole Shempp clan in for a visit.  Peter's Grandmother and Grandfather flew in from Buffalo as well as his Aunt Emily from NYC. We were so thrilled that James was able to meet all of his great-grandparents on Peter's side. Not many people have the opportunity to do that. We had a wonderful time and James did great despite all of the commotion!  He was a party animal and was exhausted when we got home.

 Wilie, around for his 18th Turkey Day ;)

 Enjoying time with Grandmother

 Mimi and Poppy

 

A few of Jacqueline's beautiful event decorations

 I love this picture of the two James'

 Aunt Tracey made this beautiful sapphire baby ring that looks so similar to Jacqueline's engagement ring! I cherish this little ring and wear it everyday around my neck. Thanks Aunt Tracey we love you!

 Tuckered out...

 We are so Thankful!

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