What a busy time lately! I went back to work last Wed (7/23) and I don’t want to delve into that too much or I’ll start to cry….and as usual I have something up my sleeve. So, our little love is lucky enough to be watched by Kaki. They watch Baby Genius and have tummy time, but his favorite thing to do is sit by the pool (he’s not sitting yet, Kaki holds him) and just walk around outside. But for the most part he sleeps, so he is awake for me when I get him! I love that. He eats b/t 9-10 and goes down for the night-all night. So cool. I have to wake him up in the morning to leave. He gets the funniest, yet grumpy, look on his face b/c no one has ever woke him up before. I put him straight into the car seat in his jammies and we leave. He eats when he gets to my mother in laws and then goes back to sleep. She changes him into one of his cute outfits (and still not duplicating!). Good routine so far. However, our wonderful daycare provider has gone to Brazil for 2 wks (planned before I had Tyler early), so his other grandma, Bryce’s step-mom (Sissy) is keeping him this week. He’s a good baby and the trick is to take him outside, and they have the best backyard! I hope the grandmas don’t fight over him in a couple of wks, haha! Next week will be an adventure b/c a new family member will be watching him every day, except Bryce and I will each take a day. It has been nice to have a short week and then leave early everyday this week to get him though. Easing back into the working mom thing is the way to go, maybe.

Mini B has been teething lately. Apparently 3 mths is the age this all starts, even though there aren’t any visible teeth yet. He is eating his fists, but not drooling as much as I’ve seen other babies. However, we have learned not to cover up those fists! Check out the photo of him in his Pooh Bear night gown. Pooh goes over the hands (prevent scratching), his other gowns have a piece that we have to fold down, which we don’t b/c he doesn’t like his hands trapped. So since the gown was like that we left it and thought it was pretty funny. We put him down and as soon as we go to our room we can hear him on the monitor, then he starts to sound a little more agitated so I told Bryce that I bet he is mad at his “Pooh paws”, so daddy goes to check on him and he said that the Pooh paws were soaked, he had been trying to eat them apparently. He was instantly relieved when they were removed. We got at good laugh, poor kid.

Other teething cuteness-He loves to be held to where he is looking over my left shoulder, and he’ll prop his arm up and suck on it. It’s a really cute noise in my ear. He is completely holding his head up now, so I can get a little more done while holding him like that. He is just sooo observant and alert. He is constantly looking around and stretching his neck out and his little eyes get so wide. I just love the look on his face. I cannot even believe how much time I have spent just staring at that beautiful baby since he’s been home. And I get to see that look from behind b/c we play in the mirror. Sometimes he likes “that baby” in the mirror and he’ll giggle and smile at him, other times he’ll get shy and duck down and bury his head in my chest, and occasionally he will start to fuss at that baby. It’s pretty amusing. Anyway, I put the teething toys in the fridge to cool, but they are kinda too big for his mouth right now, so his fists will have to do. He is really into his Baby Einstein toys right now, especially the ones that spin or turn when he hits them. He has a special buddy that I need to take a pic of. A blue bear that plays twinkle twinkle and cheeks blink. He will just stare at him in silence and follow him with his eyes. Silence is a rare thing. He is ready to talk, and stand. Tyler’s chubby lil legs are deceivingly strong. He loves the jumper thing more and more. He focuses more on the piano toy that lights up. He really likes music. I’ve also been letting him play on baby websites on my laptop. It is small and his hands can hit the keys and little animals pop out or there is one where different instruments play when you hit a key. He is very into the bright colors and musical sounds. I just try to keep his brain spinning when he’s awake, only when he wants to of course. When he wants to sleep or just lay on my chest and stare at the stripes that is fine by me.  I’ll just never leave him in the crib or the bouncie seat while he is awake.

Speaking of observant, he knows the camera. He may even think it is part of the family. He is probably confused when he doesn’t see it in his face all day at Kaki’s house. We were “playing” last night with a toy (which he is starting to realize the concept of holding it) and Bryce got out the camera. Tyler just stopped and stared right at it. He had no interest in the toy until the camera was put away. Our baby knows how to strike a pose! I think that is adorable. And I have pictures of everyday of his life.  I know, a little excessive, like with the endless wardrobe, but my little miracle is treasured and that stuff isn’t necessary to make him know that, but I have so much fun being crazy about him. Emphasis on crazy.

Bigger news-Bryce Tyler rolled over from his tummy to his back this morning. Now, the story isn’t that great though. Today was the first day he woke up on his own before we had to leave the house, which apparently I wasn’t aware of b/c I forgot to turn the monitor in my room on! Terrible. So I shot out of bed at 5 and turned it on b/c a “feeling” woke me up. Yep, he was fussing around. Not crying, thank goodness, but awake and wondering where his breakfast was. I was expecting to find him doing his pushups like usual, but he was on his back kicking his legs around! I scooped him up and he was quiet again, but what a shame that I missed it. So you know that is what we will be doing when I get him home today. So by 2:15 he will on one of his quilts with me saying “roll over” a hundred times. I wonder if the cat will learn how too, haha. Or maybe Tyler just has super human strength in fits of hunger. We will find out!

Our punkin got his first cold Friday night…from mommy. I got the cold the Wednesday before and was almost done with it. I thought I had successfully kept my germs away from my sweet baby. I kept his formula supplements at every 3^rd bottle instead of increasing to every other bottle like planned, b/c I figured my milk would help keep his immunity high. I also purelled constantly and didn’t kiss his face, which was the hardest part b/c that is how I usually spend a good bit of my day! But 3 days later, he seems all better. He slept a lot this weekend, so I think he “slept it off”.  He never got too grumpy either…he was way better than mommy.

In other weekend events, Tyler and I went to Holly’s bridal shower Saturday. He slept on me for 99.9% of the time (.01 was when he ate). I love hearing what a good baby he is and how beautiful he is. Virtues that I am fully aware of, but it’s nice to hear affirmation from new people on the pure perfection that is my baby boy.  We went straight from there to his first play date with the Hastings.  Thomas is daddy’s bff from age 3! His little boy Logan is a little over 1.5yrs old so playing really isn’t happening yet, but Logan got to see baby Tyler for the first time. Momma Amy was the most excited b/c she only sees mini B on this site, and we all know how awesome it is to hold a baby! And when she did, Logan shed some crocodile tears. So sad, but eventually he realized that the baby belonged to me and not his parents-haha! So we had a very long day with a big audience, and he only got fussy once…and a bottle fixed that.

Such a sweet boy. He’s on my chest right now, as usual. When he’s not sleeping lately, he is really smiling a lot. If you get close to him and smile he gives you a big gummy one right back! I love that he is such a happy baby. My hope for him is that I can make everyday the best day of his life.

 Ever since we had Tyler I had planned on bringing him to good ole Baton Rouge to meet my fam at around 3 mths of age. I just thought that he would have a good schedule by then and be used to his carseat by then. Well, the 3 mth mark was last week and it was time to make the trek. Pops drove from BR to pick up  me and mini B Thursday morning and took us back into town. I’m not prepared to make that drive by myself until he is closer to 10! Bryce met us down there Saturday about noon. He had to “work” aka avoid days jammed packed full of family time.  Anyway, Tyler got to meet a few of my wonderful friends-Brandi & Nick, and Lil’ Aimee, who is expecting her 1^st (girl) and Ashlee who just had her 4^th girl a few wks after me—he will have all those girls fighting over him soon, haha. And of course, he met his grandma, great aunt, and 2 great grandmothers. Everyone thinks he is sooo pretty and such a good baby. We agree! We took a bunch of photos and spent a lot of time with the fam. His great gramere (I call my mom’s mom gramere, French) couldn’t get over how heavy and pretty he was. She says that she “has seen pretty people have not-so-pretty babies, so it was great to see that we made a pretty baby and didn’t have to lie and call him cute instead”. Gotta love her! My side of the family is used to only girls, but they seemed to love him anyway : ) It made me a little sad that they can’t see him as much as Bryce’s family, but I send photos once a week and will send dvd’s when he starts getting more active.  He is a lucky little boy to be so loved by so many.  Oh-and Pops took us shopping at a very cute baby boutique and we added to his posh wardrobe and blanket collection. We came back Sunday and he handled this road trip a lot better than the one to Austin, even though this was 4 hours. He also didn’t seem to need any re-adjustment time when we got back, which was nice. All in all it was a good trip. Didn't have to listen to any crazy backwoods LA baby advice, which is just as nice.

Bryce has been taking him running in his new stroller, which he loves. That boy loves to be outside! If he gets fussy in the evenings (getting tired but not quite ready for bed), we just step outside the door and he instantly stops and just looks around. So cute. He has also started loving to look at himself in mirrors this week. He has some toys that have mirrors on one side and he just stares and laughs at “that baby”.  His feet and legs are also non-stop moving. I set up a Baby Einstein jumper that we have, but his legs aren’t long enough yet ,so no bouncy. He is still content in the Bumbo and is really showing off those skills by holding his head up super well.  Tyler’s newest habit is sucking on his hand, but not fingers. I bought a bunch of teething stuff in preparation, just in case. So at 3mths we are just  lovin and laughin together, and all is wonderful in babyland.

My mini B has had a few “firsts” this past week-good and bad.  My milk supply is leveling off at 5 ounces, which I know b/c I’ve been pumping in preparation for my return to work in a couple of weeks. So I decided to slowly introduce formula after he was 12 wks old. I did my research and Earth’s Best organic was my choice, however it wasn’t available in any stores around me and I don’t have time to go to all the specialty shops in town with our 2 hour window in b/t start to finish feedings.  Then I noticed that Kroger has an organic formula so I bought it to take home and compare the nutrition label to Earth’s Best online. Amazed-exact same amounts of every vit and min and they have the same organic ingredients (whey protein is what I was looking for and no sugar cane, which Similac and other organic formulas contain the opposite).  So Thursday we tried it out for the first time and he ate it just as fast and furious as he does my milk. So we have been trying 1 feeding of it a day, and this week I will bump it up to 2. His digestive system wasn’t fully formed at birth so I was nervous on how he would take it, but he has digested it just fine. I’m going to supplement as long as I can before going all formula feedings. 

His other first was a road trip! We had a great 4^that our house with Ashlyn (her 2^ndvisit since his arrival) and our friends/neighbors Holly and Chris (Aunt Holly visits alot these days :)). Saturday morning we took off to Austin to take the boat out on the lake with Kaki and Papa Bob. He lasted about 1 hr before fussing so we pulled over and I fed him early and let him play for a minute. He has never been in the carseat for more than about 45 minutes, so we knew we were testing him. Once we got there he was fine. I stayed at the hotel b/c we don’t want the baby on the boat just yet or out in the sun that long. So Tyler got to meet some new friends, Aunt Bridget and Uncle Mitch. They were so excited to see him that they drove from College Station for the day just to play with him in the pool. We hung out at the pool for an hour…until he had his first public melt down. We were getting out of the pool and he just flipped out, and it was a long walk back to the elevators and to our room. I fed him b/c it was a/b time anyway and then put him in the sling that I “wear” him in and he fell asleep. We hung out on the patio for a few hours where he took turns sleeping on their chests. Such a sweet boy. He had too long of a day. The ride back Sunday was ok, but he really has ab a 1hour limit. He was also over-tired and it took him a bit to put him down but then he slept for 5.5 hrs instead of his usual 4 at night. So that was a plus for mommy! But this was a damper on hopes of going to BR. I guess we will just have to make frequent stops. It is sooo hard to see him upset b/c he really never is.

So our little prince's personality is starting to show more and more. He has been smiling and focusing on his toys all weekend. His giggles are getting more frequent and he is making different noises-and I love it! Today was the first day he grabbed at a toy in his bouncie seat that he was visibly focused on. He has also been pointing at things. I don't think he realizes he is pointing, but it is still cute. We have been waiting for his eyes to focus on objects farther away and recognize us and it looks like he's finally done it. I can't wait till he zeros in on the kitty! He's is going about 4 hrs at night still. Except he had his 2nd sleepover at Kaki's Friday, and he slept 5.5hrs! Shocking. Mamma needs that treatment at home! I'm not sleeping on the floor anymore, so my couple of hrs are alot better. He is so much happier on his tummy, and I'm happy with listening to every breath on the monitor.

wardrobe update: he has only worn about 4 onesies twice b/c we were just around the house, but other than that he hasn't had to wear the samething twice since he's been home...that's 9 weeks in 2 days. So he is still in 0-3mths, but almost out of it (depending on the brand) and he has 3 outifits yet to wear. So I did buy the perfect amount of clothes, despite being told I was crazy. I've been stocking up his 3-6mths lately-I'm obsessed!

(11 wks old) Bryce Tyler had his 2 mth check up today...more like 2 1/2 mth. His doc was very impressed with his weight gain and growth, as usual. He is in the 75th percentile for his weight and 50th for height. Lovin those fat rolls! He is being compared to full term 2 mth olds, when technically he is only 1 mth old so those stats are great! I asked the pediatrician how I should track his development since he is an 'early arival', and he said that it is hard to compare to other 2 mth olds b/c he may be behind, but can't compare to other 1 mth olds b/c he is already doing things that they wouldn't do (smiling, hold head up, pushing up, etc). So basically he is in his own little relm.

We have been putting our little guy in his crib, in his room, the past three nights. So, mommy has slept on the floor in his room like a crazy lady but I'm so paranoid. He has taken to sleeping on his tummy which makes me more nuts. I don't know what I'm accomplishing by depriving myself of much needed z's, but it makes me feel like he is safer with me in there. And during the day he still takes his naps on me. He is the best thing in the world.

Our cutie pie laughed for the 1st time, at daddy. He came home and picked him up and he just looked up at him and started giggling. Tyler's been smiling alot more lately, but no laughs until daddy's birthday-what a cool gift! It was such a sweet sound and we can't wait till our home is filled with it. We later went to dinner with family to celebrate the bday. I've been taking mini B on "outings" more and he is sooo good. He is awake a good bit of the day now so I was kinda nervous taking him around stores b/c I know he gets bored quick, but he hasn't made a fuss yet...I know the toddler time is coming so I am taking advantage and running errands while he is good. I just love showing him off! In other good news, he is going 4 hrs instead of 3 at night. Friday and Saturday night he had a 6 hr stretch...but he was sleeping on my chest so I think that helped.

I put up a new video of Tyler in his 2nd pool.

Oh how awesome motherhood is. My sweet baby boy is 10 wks old today and I'm so lucky to be his mommy. Besides his recent poolside milestone, he got his 2 mth vaccines last wk. We both cried, imagine that! I was alone with him and not prepared for that. Fortunately he hasn't had any sideffects yet, which I'm looking for until 7 days after. That was maybe the 3rd time I've seen/heard him really cry, so total heartbreak. He is still such a calm baby and makes the cutest faces and still grunts and moans. He is ready to talk! Today he smiled for the first time when he heard my voice coming close. He was hanging out in his bumbo, which he does everyday to promote sitting up on his own. And yes, I am still "spoiling" him and don't plan on stopping until I have to return to work and grandma Kaki will be the one not putting him down then. The only thing that has changed is that I kiss his little face even more, b/c those cheeks are so fat and perfect! He's losing his baby hair and his eyes are turning so blue (they may be prettier than daddy's). He also plays with daddy more when he gets home. They have more tummy time and Tyler loves just staring at him. He definitely knows that's his daddy. I'm trying to get creative with all of this new awake time he has, but his favorite thing is to stare at lights and do push ups on my chest. He is also very aware of his hands now and grabs at everything-which includes hair. He is constantly just waving around his chubby little arms and opening and closing his hands.  Rachel came in town this weekend and she asked if it was hard-referring to motherhood. I told her it was far from hard b/c I don't miss the sleep or anything else I was told I would. It's a different life now, that I honestly wake up every 3 hrs still thrilled about. Makeup has become something I don't have time for (b/c it is the one thing I can't master w one hand), but who cares. She also said, while he was laying on her chest, that he was easy to fall in love with. My sentiments exactly.