Grandparents visit...

So, Friday afternoon Colin and I were just sitting around waiting on Grandmama and Papaw to get here...

Finally around 5 they pulled in our driveway!  Colin usually has his last feeding around 7/7:30 and then goes to bed, so they didn't get to visit too long.  But yesterday they got to hang out all day!

Colin showed them how well he rolls, how he can kick and splash in the tub, how he can scream at the top of his lungs... it's been great =)
But last night, my baby decided to get a cold.... him and I were up at midnight, and he finally drifted to sleep in my arms in the recliner.  Sweet boy.  I am hoping he can get rid of this soon!  It's so sad to hear him congested.
At least he isn't acting like he feels bad!  We have two more days with my parents!  Woo hoo!

Conversation with Colin...

Me: Hey Colin!  You are such a cute baby!!

Colin: Hey mom!  Thanks!  You're a cute mom! 

M: Oh thank you honey!  Let's talk about last night... remember, you woke me up a lot...

C: What?  Who?  Me??

M: Yes my darling boy.  You.  You know, ever since you started rolling from your back to your tummy you do it all. the. time.  Everytime you are laying flat, you flip. 

C: Hmmm...  Yes mom, I guess you're right.  I just love to flip!  But honestly once I'm on my tummy I have no idea how to flip back onto my back!  So I get really mad and just start screaming!

M: I noticed that last night - ya know when you woke up every. single. hour.  Mom is going to have to start trying new techniques to get you to stay asleep.... or at least stop screaming every hour when you are on your tummy.

C:  Aw shucks mom!  Look how cute I am....

M:  You are so right son!  I love you so much!  What were we talking about again?...

Rolling...

So, I finally got our boy rolling on video!  Just ignore me in the video (does anyone ever like the way they sound on camera?!)  And you'll get a glimpse of the squealing I was talking about in the last post! =)

4 months old...

My little man is 4 months old today!!

~ 13 lbs. 9 oz.
~ 25 in. tall

~ Loves sitting up (with assistance) and looking around
~ Smiles all the time!
~ Rolls from his back to his tummy any time he is on his mat
~ Concentrates on his toys and then tries to grab them
~ Sucks his thumb (and loves sucking on the rest of his hand too!)
~ Laughs
~ Likes being read to
~ Grunts a lot!  (The doctor said it's because "he's a boy" haha)
~ Loves his baths!  He loves splashing in his tub!
~ Has slept from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. a few times (which was awesome!), but normally still wakes up around 2 a.m. for a feeding.
~ Wakes up around 5:30 a.m. no matter how early/late he is put to bed, and no matter if he wakes in the middle of the night or not
~ Screams - he doesn't even have to be upset... sometimes he just wants attention =)
~ Drools constantly - he now has a bib on all.the.time!

He is such a sweet boy!  When he is hanging out on his mat, or in his swing, and Garet or I walk over to him, he just lights up!  I feel so blessed!  I just can't believe how fast time flies!!

Making moves...

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet!

On January 14, Colin rolled over!

He had been trying for a few weeks... He would get almost all the way over but then couldn't pull his arm through.  I tried to capture a picture of him almost rolling...

See how his right arm is still stuck under him?

But last Friday he was on his mat and I looked away for like 5 minutes, when I looked back he was completely on his stomach!  It surprised me!  He was so happy!  haha  Since then he has done it a couple more times.  He has also been on his stomach a couple times in his crib when I get him in the mornings.  I don't think he can figure out how to flip back yet.  He just stays on his tummy.

Suzi likes to show him how it's done!



Our weekend...

We started the weekend with some naps...

=)
We have enjoyed having movie nights.  Garet has always been into movies... I get hooked on anything that's on t.v.  Commercials drive Garet crazy... he always mutes the t.v. when they are on.  So, I have kind of picked up on that - and I have gotten way more into movies since we've been together!  We have Netflix, and we have it where we get it through our Wii.  So there are tons of movies to choose from!  Every now and then we will make it a "date" and cut out all the lights, make popcorn, and curl up on the couch to watch a movie.  Since this little guy has gotten here, it is a little more difficult!

But we still manage to make it work.  Especially since he has been good about going to bed between 8-9.

Since starting A Beane A Day I have really been loving that I have taken so many more pictures!  I don't want to miss any of these precious moments!  And I love capturing Suzi with Colin.  She is so funny around him!

What do you think they're planning???

Colin's doctor told us he really didn't want to have Colin in the nursery or anything until after flu season.  So we have been taking him into Sunday school and church service on Sunday's.  But during church one of us always has to leave with him because he is making noise (even his happy noises are loud!)  So we decided to put him in nursery this Sunday.  He did awesome (so did I!) and we got to enjoy the entire service together! 

I just love this picture that I took that morning... I hate that it was blurry!

Garet and Colin were dressed alike =)  Love these guys!!

Snow days...

We woke up yesterday morning to 7" of snow!  It was so pretty! 

After breakfast we bundled up and went playing!  Suzi just pranced around at first, but then started running all around!  She really liked eating it!  At one point she started pawing at the ground - next thing we knew she pulled out a tennis ball!!  There is no telling how long that ball had been there! 

I got Colin bundled and we snapped a couple pictures of him in the snow.  (I know, I know, I forgot to put on his mittens... but he was only out there for a minute)

On A Beane A Day I posted my favorite one of him outside =)  He wasn't thrilled about it, but he never did cry!

Garet made a snow angel in our front yard - the actual angel didn't show up too well.  In the picture you can't even tell it's an angel.

We also made a snowman!  It has been forever since I made one!  We had a blast!!

(Now is it bad that I'm ready for the warm weather??????)

Back to normal...

I guess we are finally getting back to normal around here.  It sure was nice to ba able to spend two weeks with my family!  I always miss them so much once we are home - but it is nice to be back. 

Garet has had lots of work this week.  Colin and I got to take Suzi to the vet.  Boy was that interesting!  I was wearing him in the Baby Bjorn... it was raining, and there was an emergency so there were a couple dogs in the waiting room with us.  Then Colin decided to cry.  I love our vet and they did everything they could to make it a fast and smooth trip!  The vet assistant even took Suzi to my car for me!

We found a place for all of our Christmas goodies!  While we were straighting, we found a pack of size 1 diapers... have I mentioned that Colin now its in a size 3?!  Wow. 

Yesterday we ran to the store and we were amazed at the crowd!  They are calling for snow tonight (like 4-8"!) so everyone was out getting their milk and bread.  We'll see if this snow really happens!

Here is a cute picture!  Like father like son!  (Although I think in this case it is - Like son, like father!)

Something new...

Guess what Colin has started doing?

If you can't tell, he is sucking his thumb!  For a few weeks now he has been sucking on his hands... and every once in a while he'll manage to get one finger to suck on.  But while we were in Charlotte, he has figured out how to suck his thumb!

365...

I am so excited to start this... project, yes I will call it a project (or maybe a resolution...)
I follow this blog, she is a photographer here in Huntsville and she does a photo a day for 365 days (you can see hers here).  I have decided to do this (or attempt to do this!)  Take one picture every day for the year.  It can be of anything... mainly, it's just snapshots of day-to-day life.  And I found out that I know someone else doing this!  So, Lacey, you can make sure I am on top of this!
I started another blog to keep track.

Here is the new blog:  A Beane A Day

And let me just say... I am bad about getting my pictures uploaded onto my computer... so if I miss a day it might just be because I haven't had a chance to get the picture onto my computer =)

Catch up...

I am going to try to catch this blog up!  We were in Charlotte for two weeks!  For Christmas and New Year.

I will make this as short and sweet as possible =)

Soon after we got to Charlotte, we got news from Eric that he only got 4 days leave for Christmas...
Kailey had already packed their house for their move to Camp Lejeune, so my dad and Garet loaded their stuff and drove the Uhaul to their new place.

I was sooo excited to see Eric!  I am so proud of him, and can already see a huge difference!  It was so wonderful to finally introduce Colin to his uncle!

We went to a Christmas Eve service (which Colin made himself known.  Lets just say he was testing his vocal cords).  Christmas morning was the best!  The whole family was there!  Including all four dogs!  (Suzi, my parents dog, Rusty, and Eric and Kailey's dogs, Macy and Biscuit)  My uncle and Patsy came by too!

Christmas day the family came over to my parents house.  It is always so nice to see everyone!  I am glad most of my family still lives close by so they can still get together easily!  That afternoon it started snowing!  By the next morning it was completely white!

That evening Garet, mom and I started a game, and the power went off!  It stayed off until we started eating dinner!  That was interesting!  We had all the candles lit!

Eric and Kailey had to get back to base for a few days (they came back to Charlotte for New Year).  Before they left we got a picture of Colin, Eric and my Dad)

Garet and I took advantage of having the grandparents and went out on a date night!  Dinner and a movie!  It was perfect!

And Colin enjoyed hanging out with his Papaw...

and Grandmama...

Garet was able to meet a couple of his friends in Boone to go skiing - and I was able to catch up with a few of my friends!

 Meghan and Sophie (age 4)

 Garet's sister Merideth and Abbi (2 weeks)

 Marsha

Andrea and Christy

Then we celebrated the NEW YEAR!!!

Whew! That was very simplified!  What a great trip!  Colin had a perfect 1st Christmas!

Merry Christmas...

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

3 months...

Wow!  My baby is three months old!  and about to celebrate his first Christmas!

So... here is what he has been up to:

- Grabbing his toys

- Don't think he's discovered his hands, but he sure likes to suck on them!

- Laughing!  It's the most wonderful sound!

- Kicks and scoots around
- Loves looking at books that we read to him, he really concentrates on all the pictures

- Follows us all around (with his eyes)!

- Is very alert during the day!

- Still hates tummy time, but can hold his head up like a champ on my stomach

- Is getting really good at holding his head up in general.  He gets a little "bobble head" at times, but is improving =)

- Sleeps up to 7 hours straight at night (although sometimes he wakes up every 3 hours)

- "Talks" all the time!

He is such a blessing to us!  We really have a good baby!  I'm not just saying that because I'm his mom either!  We are just so thankful to have Colin and are so excited to help him celebrate his first Christmas!

Christmas decorating...

We decorated for Christmas a coulpe weeks ago.  We didn't go all out since we aren't spending Christmas here... but we wanted to at least have a tree up for Colin's first Christmas (even though he won't remember it!)  I was very happy that Colin's stocking got here in time!

We got a small tree this year.  It's fun to see the decorations we have gotten over the years!
I like this picture because you can see Colin in the background =)

My [not so] expert opinion...

I know a lot of people blog about what they like/dislike once they have a baby.  When I was pregnant I really liked to know what others liked... so I figured I'd do a post about what has worked or hasn't for us so far.

Colin is almost 3 months old and so far here are a few things that I have liked:

- OXO Guardian Night-Light

This has been used since day 1.  I love it!  The blue light stays on while it's charging, and when you take off the white light it gives off a soft light that is just enough to do night time changing.  It's the only light I need... and it allows me to see without turning on the big lamp.

- Prefold Cloth Diapers - for burp cloths
I didn't get a picture of these, because really any prefold cloth diaper cloth works.  I am AMAZED at the amount of burp cloths we go through!  And these really hold up!
- Boppy

I know everyone puts these on their registry, and I know some people don't like using them, but for me - love it!  In the early days it really helped with breastfeeding, and now that he is getting older it is being used to help him sit up.  (It is also a good prop for photoshoots =) just put it under a blanket)
- Tiny Love Gymini Play Mat

I have also used this since day one.  As you all know, we have an indoor dog - Suzi.  She is my first baby and is so loved, but boy does she shed!  So this is the perfect place for Colin to lay and not worry about getting hair on him.  (Suzi knows she isn't allowed on it)  Now that Colin is a little older, he has really enjoyed looking at the toys and pulling on them.
- First Years Sure Comfort Tub

For one of my baby showers I got three (yep 3!) bathtubs!  This one has a sling type thing that goes in it for newborns.  It is great!  It holds him up and he seems very comfortable.  I have used a different type (without the sling) and he hated it!  I think the sling makes him feel secure in the water.
- Lil' Lamb Dream Swing and Infant Seat

(I only posted a picture of the swing, but there is also a smaller seat that I use too)
These have been WONDERFUL!  Colin loves both of them!  The swing we use every.single.day.  He normally falls asleep in it, but he also enjoys just looking around.  It's hard when they don't have head control but yet want to look around, this is perfect!
The smaller seat is what I use mainly when I am taking a shower.  He is so content in it.  Doesn't fall asleep but just enjoys sitting in it - oh and it vibrates.
- Nursing Tank Top from Target
I didn't get a picture of these either, but I wear these ALL the time when I'm around the house!  They are simple and they look just like tank tops - but with easy access for breastfeeding.



There is a couple things that haven't worked for us... I don't really have that many yet...
- SwaddleMe

These are good in theory... Colin was swaddled in the hospital and that is how he fell asleep.  Well, it takes a few a lot of practices to be able to swaddle correctly.  So I got these to help.  They worked at first, but once we got Colin home he would bust his arms out of the swaddle.  So, we just ended up swaddling him without his arms in it... these blankets just didn't work for us.  For those that are pregnant, take advantage of the hospital blankets!  They work perfectly!
- ItzBeen Baby Care Timer

I was so excited about getting this...
but I haven't used it.  Not once.  My mom has a friend that wrote a breastfeeding book and I used this for the first 2 months of Colin's life.  It helped me keep up with how often Colin was eating, which side to start with next, how much I pumped, and there was a place for notes.  So I used this instead of the Itzbeen.

I also got way too many bottles.  You never know if your milk supply will come in, or come in enough, so I was just praying that I wouldn't need to use all the bottles (in case I needed to supplement formula).
I also have tons of washcloths.

That's about it for now.  I'm sure I'll have more to add once Colin is older!