Upcoming Events....

Poor baby...I don't know why he's being so fussy. I think that is the hardest thing so far about being a Mom..not knowing what he wants. It's really just a matter of going down the list of possible things that could be upsetting him and hoping you get it right. He is still eating like a horse so I don't think he's sick. Its just frustrating when you want to fix the problem, but you don't know what the problem is! (And this is just a random picture of Mac in his little Teddy Bear robe after his bath)

Tomorrow we are going to go over to see my grandparents for a little while. They have been out of town for the past 2 weeks or so and they didn't see Mac for a little while before they left so I think they will be shocked when they see how big he is getting! Plus, the best part of the visit is that Grandmama will make me her chicken salad! I cannot get enough of the stuff! I know that sounds like a very simple thing to make, but nobody makes it like her for some reason! Same thing with my other grandmother...she used to make this "Mexican Chicken" stuff...it's still good when I make it, but it just will never be like hers!

I am also very excited about Thursday morning. Mac and I are going to go to a Mommy and Me yoga class (if he seems to be a little less fussy by then). I am very interested to see how it goes. I don't expect to really get a workout from it (I mean how much of a workout can you get with a 7 week old in your lap?), but it is supposed to be a great bonding experience and just fun to get out for a little bit!

Sunday will also be a big day for Mac...it will be his first time to go to church! I had not planned to take him until he got his shots (in 2 weeks), but we are actually going to go to his baptism class and it is only offered once a month. When I registered for it we were the only people attending so even if people have signed up it should be a small number. I am hoping that we can schedule his baptism while we are there...I really want to do it on Mother's day. I am sure that they have a few things going on that day so I"m not sure if they will let us, but I was told that they will usually do it on any Sunday. How special to have him baptised/dedicated on my first mother's day! I am hoping to run into a few familiar faces in the hallway while we are there too. There are 2 people that I work with that attend our church (St. Lukes United Methodist) and few others that Eric and I are friends with. Fortunately the class is during the 11am service so we don't have to try to get there by 8 am or anything like that. We also just found out that the church is opening a "crying room" this Sunday for the mothers. I'm not sure if I am comfortable dropping Mac off in the nursery once we start going back (he has to have his shots before they will even allow him to go). Lots of friends/family have been so helpful and watched him since he was born, but I know them. Dropping him off with a complete stranger makes me a little nervous...I know, I'm probably just being a new mom, but I don't know if I'm ready for that or not. I think I may just let him come into the service and take him to the crying room if he starts to get fussy.
Eric is very excited because Mac can finally fit into his Aggie onesie...and it actually seems to be a little snug! He is really growing. Eric keeps asking me if we are feeding him too much, but his Dr. said to keep doing what we are doing. And here is another cute picture of Mac and his proud daddy...and Heisman looking depressed as ever. Poor guy. Eric is so cute when he comes home at night...he is so excited to see Mac. He gets his bottles ready for the next day, reads him books, and just plays with him. Oh, before I forget...Mac has started mimicking certain facial expressions. I have been reading up on it and apparently at this point they really can copy the faces you make! If I stick my tongue out he will copy me...and he has even given me a few little smiles...I know, I know...it's probably gas, but it made my day!


And thanks for all the sweet emails about my blah day...made me feel much better!

Blah Day

Ever just have a "blah" day? Mac was NOT a happy little boy today. He cried and cried and cried. Nothing seemed to make him happy. We tried the swing, the bouncy chair, the stroller, walking, rocking...you get the idea. And now that his little tear ducts are working it's so sad...his little face turns red and tears just roll down those chubby cheeks. It breaks my heart =(.

Our friend turned 30 today so a few of us decided to get together for dinner tonight. Now I do realize I had a baby less than 2 months ago and as I've said, I am pretty pleased with the post pregnancy bod, but I'm still female and I still have fat days! I should have NEVER tried to fit into some of my old jeans...that just made it worse! Most of my shirts are too tight to fit over "the girls" and the shirts that do fit just don't look right anymore. Pants are just not happening at all...it really frustrated/upset me! I know this is just part of having a baby, but it's not fun. I don't want to go shopping and buy a bunch of clothes because even though I don't plan on losing weight I do plan to tone up a few areas so who knows what will fit me in a month or so...I think I need to just break down and buy a few staple items for the in between time (1 pair a jeans and maybe a few tops?).

Obviously, being a Mom is wonderful (all I have to do is just look at that sweet little face), and being able to fit into a pair of jeans is a superficial concern, but this part of the motherhood experience is not so glamorous. I just have to remind myself that I have to give my body time..and of course actually go to the gym!

Sigh...tomorrow's a new day =)

6 weeks!

I didn't have time yesterday to post on this, but I have to say Happy 6 week birthday to my baby boy! I know I'm probably starting to sound like a broken record, but it's just going so fast! It's amazing to see him grow. He is really starting to track with his eyes now and he's starting to get a little more coordination with those chubby little arms! Plus he's back to sleeping in the bassinet now that that pesky cold is clearing up...
I went to the Dr. yesterday as well and all is good! I got the green light to start working out so I'm excited. I'm going to check out the pilates/yoga studio next to our house today. I'm ready to get some tone back in those abs! Having Mac has really changed my outlook on my body though. After weighing in at the Dr's office I am exactly where I want to be weight-wise so I'm very pleased. I definitely do not want to lose anymore weight, but I want some definition back. For the first time in my life I am not overly concerned about the way I look and I couldn't be happier. Don't get me wrong...I have the "problem areas" that need some attention, but THAT'S OK! I have just realized that in order to take care of my baby I need to take care of myself. I just want to be healthy and happy...and obviously want the same thing for my guys...there really isn't much more that I could ask for. I can honestly say I am at a place right now...a great place...filled with happiness (plus exhaustion)!
Happy 6 week B-Day baby boy!

Silence Is Golden...

Truer words have never been spoken! While the first time your baby cries is music to your ears, hearing it at 3am may not sound so sweet. Mac is asleep right now, Heisman is outside "pouting" on the deck and I'm just sitting...no t.v., no music...just sitting in silence. It is really nice. Eric will probably be shocked to read this because I usually have 2 t.v.'s going and maybe even my itunes on on the computer when I'm at home. I like noise...and I like it loud. Eric often questions my auditory abilities because I crank everything up just about as loud as I can. But today I just decided to sit here and relax without any interruption (that is until Mac decides to eat again). I am even foregoing my daily dose of The Golden Girls (yes, I watch it and I'm not ashamed!). I feel like the past few weeks have just been a whirlwind. Having a newborn doesn't really allow for "normalcy" and schedules. Planning with a newborn really isn't possible, because if he decides he's hungry or angry or wet there really isn't much I can do about it. It seems that if Mac is sleeping, Heisman is barking, or I'm doing laundry, etc. so to just sit here and write is nice (the last few times I've blogged I've been feeding Mac). Anyway, take a second to just sit in the peace and quiet if you get a chance...it is actually quite relaxing!

The Boys and Their Bath...

Well, I decided that it would be fun to get in the bathtub with Mac (mine not his ..ha ha). He has really started to be more active in the past week...especially when he's in the water so I thought it might be fun. The boy loves the water. If he's upset it immediately calms him down. And check out that belly! And don't worry, it's baby wash that's in the tub....I'm not soaking my kid in Victoria's Secret bubble bath or anything. Eric came and got Mac out of the tub and the next thing I know, our non human child decided he needed some Mommy time too...Heisman just hopped right on into the bath tub! I feel bad for the guy and all, but bathing with my dog is really not on my top list of things to do....

Anyway, Eric's sister and his brother's girlfriend Kirstie are coming into town this weekend. Robin met Mac when he was born, but this will be Kirstie's first time. I'm really excited for them to see him. He is a little more "fun" now than before when he was first born...you can acutally catch him with his eyes open now! He "talks" to himself quite a bit now too...it's really cute to hear him during the day, but it keeps me up at night. I am probably one of the heaviest sleepers you will ever meet, but the mere sound of him exhaling seems to be enough to wake me up. Even if we get 4 hours of sleep out of him I usually wake up at least 5 times because of a noise he has made.

I want to go to Janie and Jack sometime in the next week or so to find little man an Easter outfit....I just have no idea what size to buy him. He is probably right at 9lbs, but he is kind of short I think, so some pant outfits are just way to long. Do they let babies try on clothes at the store? Don't think I've ever seen that....

And here's a cute picture of Mac...this is what Mom does when she can't sleep and gets bored...look at him rock'n the faux hawk!

Here Comes the Bride!

Just a quick update on my little sister's wedding planning...I went with my mom, sister, and her friend Jennifer today to look at wedding gowns (for my sister). She looks absolutely gorgeous in the gown she chose. She is going to be the most radiant bride....I am so excited for September to come! I have always thought that Melanie was so beautiful, but seeing her in her wedding gown took it to a whole new level. I still remember walking down the aisle at my wedding and seeing the look on Eric's face. I felt like we were the only 2 people in the room. It is obviously one of the most special days of my life and I can't wait to see the look on Travis' face as Melanie walks down the aisle.

My Top Ten

Mac is officially 5 weeks old today. I just can't believe how fast this is going. It seems like I was just leaving the hospital with him...

So before I get too far removed from my pregnancy I decided to do my top 10 list of things I LOVED about being pregnant...

10. Having a little "shelf" to rest my arms on
9. Being able to get out of pretty much anything if I was too tired =)
8. Watching Mac rock out anytime I played Elvis
7. Maternity Jeans....elastic, though not stylish, is VERY comfortable!
6. Baby Showers
5. Being able to eat anything you want....guilt free!
4. Laying in bed while Eric talked to my belly
3. My big belly (I'm sure I complained about that one a few times though!)
2. Seeing Mac on ultrasounds and trying to figure out who he was going to look like (Daddy
won)
1. Feeling Mac kick...I miss it =(

Now I also have a list of the things I have learned after having a baby....

10. Newborns are EXHAUSTING (go figure...)
9. The best sound you will ever hear is the first time your child cries
8. Breastfeeding may be natural, but it is not easy
7. When a baby is hungry he means NOW!
6. There are some great reruns on at 3am
5. The love you feel for your child is the most amazing feeling in the world
4. Eric, Mac, and I are so blessed to have so many friends and family that love us
3. Healing from a c-section was a lot easier than I expected!
2. I have the cutest/smartest baby....EVER!
1. Having a child is the greatest thing I will ever do in my life

New Stats on Mac...

Mac got to make a trip to the Dr. today because he has been really congested this past week. I was afraid that I was suffering from "deferred hypochondria" (a term that I created to explain a new mother's constant certainty that her child has contracted every disease known to man). The Dr. said he is actually quite stuffy right now, but fortunately it is all up in his sinuses and not in his lungs. We have to let him sleep sitting up (i.e. in his car seat, bouncer, etc) for the next week or so. This also explains why my child snores like a chain saw. Hopefully this will run its course and everything will be alright. I have to say that I feel a little guilty/bad...poor guy has been crying quite a bit lately when we try to lay him down to sleep...and it turns out it was because he couldn't breathe. He is in his car seat right now sleeping. It's probably the best I've seen him sleep in the past week.

They weren't even going to weigh him when we went in today, but I asked if I could use the scale just to see if he had gotten any bigger. Now, the last time we went in to the Dr. he was 3 weeks old and weighed 6 lbs. 3 oz....today he was 8 lbs. 6 oz! Baby boy likes to eat! He is actually eating the amount of a 2 month old, but the Dr. said since he started off small he's just playing a little catch up right now so it's fine. She also thinks that he may be in the middle of a growth spurt so he probably won't be gaining quite as much the next time we go in (April 16th). I guess when you see him every day it's hard to tell how much he is gaining. What's funny is that he is about the weight they told me he would be at birth. He is growing up so fast. We have already grown out of most of the newborn onesies, but the 0-3's are still a tad too big. But hey, at the rate he's going he'll be filling them out in no time!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Exactly one month ago today my sweet little boy was an hour and a half old! I cannot believe it has been a month already! I am just amazed at how much he has grown and change din that time. I am sitting here with him in my lap right now just thinking about how excited Eric and I were when we found out we were going to be parents...how surprised we were to find out it was a boy (we were convinced we were having a girl!), and how truly blessed we felt when we saw our healthy little boy for the first time. I cannot even begin to imagine my life without Mac...people have told me that you can't explain how it feels to be a mother and it is so true! I love him so much it hurts! Now I'm sure as we enter into the teen years the "hurt" of love may feel a little different (lets be honest...teenage boys are just strange strange little creatures)...I just pray that he knows that I will ALWAYS love him. You can see by this picture that Mac is definitely growing...he has NO PROBLEM eating!

And let me just say, my love for my husband has changed in the past month as well. As much as I loved him before, I love him more now! To see him with Mac just makes me melt...he is going to probably kill me for posting this, but last night when he got home he said "you know what I like about coming home....it's like I know I have a little present waiting for me every night when I get to hold him." Awwwwwww! Tell me that doesn't just make you smile! He loves his son so much and I cannot imagine a better father for a little boy. So Eric, I am sure I have frustrated you to no end in the past month (well, probably since I got pregnant!), but I want you to know that I really do appreciate everything that you do. I know I do not say it enough and I'm sorry for that...you are such a great provider and we both love you!

Last night our friends Jarrett (aka Big Truck) and Courtney came over to watch A&M completely embarrass themselves against Texas Tech...Courtney is so great with Mac. Anytime they come over she always takes care of him. They even watched him for us the other night so we could go out to dinner like big people do. So thanks to you two for the little break!

In other news....I called yesterday to report his birth to the church and find out about getting him baptised...we MAY (we really have no idea) have him baptised on Easter Sunday...or maybe Mother's Day...who knows. I would love to do it on mother's day (what a perfect gift for me!), but as most of you know...Alana is not good at waiting for things so if they say Easter is okay we will probably do it then.

Now all you Mom's out there...do you have any tips for getting rid of hiccups! Poor guy keeps getting them after he eats (and we even got those expensive Dr. Brown's bottles). Any ideas?

It's AMAZING!!!

I have recently learned there are so many amazing things in life....the fact that an actual person grew and developed inside of me, the fact that that person is actually here now, and even the amazing love that I have for him...but let me tell you something brand new that I found to be amazing....my child somehow knows that today is my first day alone with him and he is trying to make it as "interesting" as possible for me. We started the day as we usually do with a bottle and then bathtime....we have really been enjoying our baths lately and today was no exception. Unfortunately as we neared the end of our bath, Mac got a little "gassy"...I thought I had time to wrap him up in his towel, get him to the changing table, and slap a diaper on that cute little booty...I was wrong, very very wrong. Lets just say that he made a HUGE mess in the towel which managed to drip out onto me and all over him....then comes the question...do I clean this off of myself or do I clean the child? Of course I cleaned him so I literally smell like you know what right now. It's fabulous. You are probably asking yourself, "why are you writing on a blog if you smell like poop."...well let me tell you. Mac has decided that he now wants to be entertained or he will scream at me until he turns bright red. Now please keep in mind that Mac has been such a mild mannered, sweet baby up until today when daddy walked out the door for work. I think he is trying to see what he can get away with when daddy's not home. And as trying as he is right now...I can't help but smile at those big blue eyes!
Now here is something else that I find amazing (this one is actually cute though)...Mac has already figured out that when a bib/burp cloth goes around his neck it is time to eat...he immediately opens his little mouth just searching for that bottle. Isn't he just so advanced =). I can't believe he will be 1 month old on Thursday!
Okay, the beast has returned so I must tend to him before he really gets mad =)...more to come!

Farewell Cammy....

I'm posting this to say "Thanks" and "Bye" to my mother-in-law who has been staying with us since Tuesday. She has been a great help and I'm so glad that she got to spend some time with Mac. No one can possibly love Mac as much as Eric and I, but the grandparents come in a close second! Cammy (that's her official grandmother name) is heading to Austin tomorrow to watch Eric's sister dance (she's a ballerina) and then heading back to Colorado. Heisman has definitely enjoyed her visit as well...he has enjoyed getting some much needed attention since he's been a little neglected the past 3 weeks. He's gone on walks, played keep away, and even tug of war...so let me just say thanks for tiring him out! On Thursday I decided Heisman needed to have a little fun and go "swimming" in the backyard. Here are some pictures of our "first child" enjoying his "Day O Fun"

When we moved into our house Cam gave us a rocking chair that she has had for a while...we have it up in the guest bedroom and she enjoyed rocking Mac just like she had rocked Eric when he was a baby. She also brought us water from the Jordan River (she just got back from Israel) that we will use at his baptism in a few months. Here is a sweet picture of the two of them in the chair:

The gifts continue to pour in for Mr. Mac (and if I haven't sent you your thank you note yet I apologize...it's coming!). One of his latest gifts was the cutest little hooded frog towel from my friend Shauna's Mom.... I love this picture because you can see that he is finally starting to chub up...and not to mention those beautiful blue eyes!

And to end the blog for the evening....here is a picture of Mac, passed out after eating. He loves to sleep on our chest and he just looks so darn cute! I know I have 100 pictures of the same thing, but I just love all the little faces he makes! Plus he sleeps just like his mommy...mouth wide open =)

Time Flies

Mac will be 3 weeks old tomorrow! It amazes me to see how much he changes everyday...he is just too cute for words! I took a little nap today and had a horrible dream...I dreamed that I had Mac and another baby just 3 weeks apart! I love my son to pieces but two of him would be tough...and this other baby was a monster! Of course Mac was perfect =). I woke up in a cold sweat. Let me just say for any of you out there with twins...God bless you...I don't know that I could do it!

He has gotten to where he really likes just being in his diaper. My theory is...he likes it, he doesn't mess up anymore clothes, and therefore I don't have to do anymore laundry...win win, right? So we took some pictures today. You can really see those pretty blue eyes! He is starting to really stare at things now. He will just sit and look at you (obviously you have to be pretty close to his face, but still). And that beautiful dark hair...well, it's slowly thinning out, but I can see some little blonde ones sprouting! I hope he's a blonde just like daddy and mommy (I didn't say mine was natural)...

One thing that has really surprised me about having a baby is how difficult breastfeeding can be. It would be so easy to just throw in the towel...no more pumping every 3 hours, no more soreness...it goes on, but I just think it's so important for him I can't bring myself to stop. I really want to get him through 6 months. So many people have really helped to encourage me to keep going. I'm not giving up yet, but pray for me!!!

Here are a few random pictures:

Here is a picture of Pop and Noni...This is the happiest I think I have ever seen my dad. It is the cutest picture:

And here is a shot of me, Nana, and BB:

And of course here is one of my Aunt Barbara (aka "Lala"):

Okay, gotta go eat and feed Mac, but I'll update more later!

New Mac Info...

Well, I took Mac to the Dr. on Friday and he is definitely growing! In 1 week he went from 5 lb 8 oz to 6lb 3oz. And in 2 weeks he has grown from 18.5 in to 20.5 in! I guess all that milk really isn't just coming out in the diaper!

This was a big weekend for Mac...he made his first trip to College Station! We were actually going up there for a wedding and just stayed with my cousins. My sister came with us as well to take care of Mac Friday and Saturday evening. Thanks BB! Now we couldn't go to CS without getting a picture of little man at Kyle Field. Of course it was so cold Sunday morning, but we managed to snap a quick picture of Mac and his proud Papa in front of the stadium. I know you can't see it, but he even has on his A&M beanie for the occasion =). We also had a great time at the wedding. As much as I love Mac it was really great to get out and see our friends.
Okay, Mac is telling me that it's time to eat so I have to run, but I will update more later!