Swaddles

For all you moms trying to decide on a swaddle...

 The personal favorite..its the convertible Woombie

*Zips from top and bottom

*Comes in all sizes

*Allows arm to be exposed for when he begins to roll over

*Arms can be easily tucked in to ensure a good swaddle

*Baby is able to easily move arms up and down in the 

swaddle to stretch them yet keeps them close to their bodies

*Con-pricey around $30.00

Favorite swaddles from left to right

Green Swaddle Pod

*works just like the woombie except a smaller version

*reasonable price

*cons-only one size up to 12 pounds

Lion Swaddle

*Fits up to 12 pounds

*Velcro scares baby in middle of the night & complicated for daddy

*Baby is able to wiggle hands out of swaddle

*Have to expose entire baby to change diaper

Halo Cotton Swaddle

*Too bulky

*Able to wiggle hands out

*If you make it tight he is as stiff as a board

Halo Fleece Swaddle

*Too bulky (hard to nurse)

Too Warm-baby is always sweaty (increases risk of SIDS)

A Growing Boy

 Uriah being a stud muffin

 My baby boy getting so big!

The souvenir shirt from the Dominican Republic..we thought he 

would be wearing this shirt in the summer..well its winter and it fits. 

Warm Winter

 Uriah on a walk in January!!

Don't mind our variety of colors..Uriah & Mommy 

grilling hamburgers outside for lunch..in January!

Haidyn's Birthday

 Haidyn combing D's Hair

 Her new silly smile 

She LOVES to sing..she sung happy birthday to herself

Full Time Mom vs. Full Time Working Mom

     I made my decision early on in my pregnancy that I would go back to work.  I plan to still do that but can't help but to feel sad leaving my baby.  This week (my last week) has been especially difficult.  It seems like just days ago I was telling people 5 more weeks, 3 more weeks until I go back and now I am saying "See you Monday!"  I would do anything to stop the clock.  Although I have chosen amazing sitters for my precious little guy nobody cares for him best but his mommy.  Not even his daddy stands a chance :)  What will my little guy do without his mommy reading and singing to him, telling him his colors and abc's, describing his toys to him, kissing on him, drying his tears and knowing exactly what he needs all day long??  I know I know all daycare kids survive but its the mommys that it kills! I feel like I am mourning a loss this week in anticipation for what is to come Monday.  My little guy will be spending at least 32hrs a week with someone else besides his mommy.  What's hard is these are his "prime" hours-the hours where he is so alert and happy.  

     So this week through the sadness I have been asking myself tough questions about what it is that gets me going back to work Monday? I took this job when I was 15 weeks pregnant.  It was a dream job, a job I could see myself going back to after Uriah was born.  I work for someone who totally gets how important your family is and values the same things I do.  I trust the people who I have selected to spend the "prime" hours with my baby and to comfort and care for him like a mother would.  It was an ideal job for a full time working mom.  How many people can be considered full time and work just 32 hours, very few half Saturdays and have Wednesday's off?  I enjoy my co-workers.  It's not a financial decision it truly is just a personal decision and I am thankful to even have a choice to think about. It makes me feel good knowing I can help provide for my family and it helps to alleviate some pressure off of my husband.  I think a little daycare is good for a child.  I will value all the precious time I do have with my baby in the evenings.  
     By changing my focus from everything I will be missing by being a working mom to the positive reasons that have enabled me to return are helping me as this last week is coming to a close.  I already know I will be bringing a large bag of items I know my baby loves to daycare with him because it makes me feel good.  I have spent some time convincing myself that I am not a bad mother for going back to work.  I might be the best caretaker for my baby but that doesn't make someone else unfit to care for him.  I get to nurse my baby over the noon hour..how great is that! I find this to be such a privilege and it will help me get through my day.  So all in all I will still probably shed some tears and try 10 times to get out of Randi's door Monday morning BUT I do feel good about returning to work and feel good about my decision to be a working mom!  

2 Months Old

Yes---I wrote 2011..It makes me sad
Things about you...

-You smile, coo, kick your feet and hold your head up

-You LOVE to blow spit bubbles

-You had your first official babysitter for 6 hours (Gma & Gpa)

-You are now in size 1 diapers and 3-6mo clothes

-We are working on the pacifier and bottle

-You are so happy in the mornings and love to stretch

-You are beginning to like bath time

-Your favorite toy is the gym light up play mat

-You rarely cry probably because mommy does whatever she can to avoid it :) 

-You weigh 12#4oz and are 23 inches long-75thish percentile

Took a break from the camera to eat AND he fell into a milk coma

Two Handsome Boys...

Bottle Battle

Aww God Bless Derek's smile through all these bottle battles. 

Our little boy inherited his mother's stubbornness and is having a hard time

 accepting his mother going back to work.  I am glad he loves his mother and

 prefers me but he makes it difficult to send him to daycare! 

Uriah's First Christmas