A Real Horse!

Jack met his first real horses face to face yesterday. My Sunday morning small group (I say my, because Craig is in Kid Zone while I go to this group,)had a get-together. The host and hostess had promised a fun surprise. After we had been there a little while, a couple Percheron (sp?) horses wearing slay bells, came into the driveway pulling a hay rack. It was fifty degrees outside, so we had Jack bundled up to go for a ride. It turned out to be windier than we thought. It was too cold for Jack. I ended up staying inside with him, while daddy enjoyed the outing. Before they left, Jack did get up right close under the horses' noses. He made some funny faces when he felt the warm breath of the horse on his face. Uncle Marc and Aunt Nikki will be so proud! (My brother and his wife have horses.)

Little Book Worm

Mommy and Jack have been reading books together lately. Jack really looks at the pictures as I read. Today he sat very quietly for two long stories. It is so much fun!

Tougher Than Boiled Owl

Craig says Jack is tougher than boiled owl. This may be, but he is still my baby. Today he had his two-month shots. He had his two-month appointment a couple weeks ago, but we had wanted to visit with the doctor and do a little more research on vaccines. I was sick to my stomach all morning thinking about it and was glad that Craig was going to be able to go with me. A nurse in a class we took at the hospital where Jack was born, said that they have found if you touch the baby in the spot where they are going to get the shot and say, "Jack, you're going to get a shot right here," they take it much better. Craig did that and we dipped his pacifier in sugar before the nurse gave him the shots. He whimpered for a few seconds after the first needle went in and that was it. I think I cried more than he did. I HATED it!!! He did so well. He has been his normal self all afternoon since we got home. He was even smiling and cooing on the changing table afterward. I love the three bandaids on his cute little legs. :)

The Swing

Jack loves the swing right now! It has helped with my giving piano and flute lessons so much. He loves to watch the fish and usually falls asleep within a few minutes of being put in the swing. That's where he is right now as a matter of fact. In the first picture he is smiling but the fish hid his smile.

Cookie Day

Monday and Tuesday this week, my grandma and I made cookies all day at her house. We took turns entertaining Jack when he was fussy. He did a great job! He was content most of the time to play in the Pack-n-Play and watch us. He also took some really long naps. We got a lot accomplished and had fun doing it. I now have cookies to take to the neighbors and some other Christmas get-togethers. Thank you Grandma!

Our Tree

I love putting up the tree! Craig does not. It's a wonder one of us doesn't have a black eye when we're done. Just kidding. It's not quite that bad. He complains about all the ornaments every time we put it up (this year being just the fourth time.) When it is all done, he always said it was worth it and he does like it. Another tradition my mom had, started when my brother and I were each born. Every year she would get us a couple ornaments that had something to do with our lives that past year. When we each left home, she gave us our collection of ornaments to put on a tree in our own homes. Each year as I hang them, I can remember and tell Craig what the ornaments represented. He has a great time, making fun of them and making up his own stories to go with each ornament. It is quite entertaining as I'm sure you can imagine. I am now carrying on this tradition with Jack. I think we're going to need a bigger tree!

Tradition

My mom loved Christmas! I loved coming home after finals at college for Christmas break and walking into our home decorated for the holidays. It was beautiful! The tree, the greenery, ribbon and lights over doorways and on the banister going up the stairs, the smell of baking cookies and bread for the neighbors, the colorful packages wrapped under the tree, the various nativity scenes, and the lighted village. My mom had given me a couple pieces of the same village she had, as gifts, with the thought that I would someday have her village for my home. My dad gave me her village this year. I enjoyed memories as I carefully arranged the pieces in my home this year.

Two Months On Oreo

I can't believe how much Jack has changed in just one month!

Daddy

I love this picture of Jack and Craig. When we tried to get one of Jack and me, he was tired of having his picture taken. We'll have to try it again later. (Just a side note: All Craig wants for Christmas is his two front teeth.)

The Tree

Jack is mesmerized by the lights on the tree. We can keep him entertained for quite a while just watching the lights.

We Made It Fit

I loved the puppy hat so much, we had to make it work!

Growth Spurt

I think Jack has had a growth spurt lately. He had seemed so little to me and all of a sudden, his cheeks are full and I noticed he is definitely heavier. I also noticed yesterday that some of his 0-3 month clothes are short and getting smaller. I decided to try an outfit last night that was 3-6 months and to my surprise really wasn't big on him at all. It's fun and a little sad at the same time. I really like a lot of his 0-3 month clothes and we had so many that he has only worn some once. He's also not my tiny baby anymore. It is fun to get out new clothes though. I have been sorting and packing tonight to organize his clothes.

I had all these grand plans to get A LOT done today and Craig ended up having to work which was a bummer for him and me. I have been flying around since he got home to get some things accomplished and didn't have near enough time. I know he has things he wants to do too. The swing occupies Jack for a few minutes and then one of us takes turns holding him. I keep reminding myself to treasure this time!

Happy Anniversary!

Three years ago today, we were in Staunton, Virginia for my brother, Marc's wedding. I can't believe he married Nikki three years ago. The time has gone so fast. We are looking forward to seeing them at Christmas time and are also excited for them to meet Jack. We are wishing them a very happy, special day today with many wonderful years to come!

Bring On the Cold!!!

We are ready! Jack is sporting his new puppy dog mittens. We think they are just so cute! His matching hat is a little big right now. It might fit by next fall. We were all bundled up today to run some errands. It sounds like tomorrow might be cold enough that we will need to stay cuddled up inside all day, which is one of our favorite things to do. Jack is a cuddler and mommy loves it!

Mommy's Sweetheart

A Break for Mommy

Craig stayed home with Jack tonight and I got to go out with the other girls from our small group. I missed both of them! Jack was an angel and slept most of the time that I was gone. Daddy had fun.

Mini-Me

A friend asked if this was Frank and his mini-me. (Frank is a friend from church and was holding Jack at another friend's b-day party.)

Harrison and Jack

Some of my friends and I have gone to a breastfeeding support group (which Craig refers to as Nipples Anonymous.) It is fun to get out, meet with other moms, ask questions about nursing and other issues, and learn a lot! Jack and I went with Harrison and his mommy last week and had a good time!

Meeting Relatives

Jack met my dad's side of the family over the Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great time with them.

Neighbors

I was fortunate to grow up on a street with great neighbors. There were always a lot of kids to play with. As neighbors have changed on that street, my parents were still fortunate to have wonderful neighbors. My parent's neighbors couldn't wait to meet Jack. We had only been in the house for a few minutes and the doorbell rang. I am thankful they are there. They are very special.

Max

Craig thinks we need a wiener dog. I insist that an infant is enough for right now. Jack will have to settle with visiting other dogs away from home. He had his first visit with Max, Craig's cousin's dog, on Thanksgiving.

Our Little Cowboy

And of course, dad has nothing to do with this :) !

Active Little Guy

When Jack is awake, he doesn't stop moving. He is constantly moving his arms or legs or both. He has started to really take an interest in his little gym. We moved some of the toys so he can reach them with his feet and he will kick them. I love to just sit and watch him!

Catching Up

Yeah!!! Our computer is up and running. I have a lot of blogging to do to get caught up. Things are going well here at the Butlers. The tree is up (but leaning A LOT - not sure why.) Jack had his two-month check up and is growing and doing very well. Craig is gearing up for Guatemala and is excited. We are trying to get ready for Christmas. I am trying to get back in the swing of piano and flute lessons which has been much more challenging than I thought with Jack. Jack is trying to smile. I can't think of anything else at the moment.

Broken Computer

I am behind on posting. Last weekend, Craig and I rearranged the office so that Jack's changing table would not be right under a window. In the process of moving the desk and computer, the computer quit working. Craig had it looked at and we have to order a part for it. I am at my parents' house this weekend checking up on everyone's happenings from the last week. I feel so disconnected. I have taken a lot of pictures lately, but will have to post them later. Jack is becoming more and more content all the time. He is just on the verge of smiling. He almost does and then makes another face at us. We have his two-month check up on Monday. I am anxious to see how much he has grown.

Overwhelmed

I just put Jack in the swing a few minutes ago. He is doing better about being able to stay content for quite awhile watching the mobile and listening to music. I was doing some dishes and decided to peek into the living room as he had been quiet for so long. I was just overcome with emotion as I looked at him. I love him so much! I was just thinking that I wish my mom could see him. It just really hit me at that moment. Pastor Dan said to me at my Grandpa's funeral that he thinks that God opens the windows of heaven and lets our loved ones see us from time to time. I am trusting that my mom has seen Jack and shared our joy.

We have grown a lot this week in many ways. I had started nursing with a shield as we had some trouble in the beginning. Jack has successfully weaned away from the shield and is nursing very well. It makes feedings so much faster and easier! Jacque and I went to a nursing support group yesterday and learned a lot and had a lot of fun together. While there, I weighed Jack and he is just over 10 pounds! Craig thinks he lost a few ounces with the diaper he filled on the way home. It was the worst one he has had so far. We put him right in the bathtub. I am so glad Craig was here to help.

Jack has slept every night for a week for 5 1/2 - 6 hours before waking up to eat. I feel so much better. I am just enjoying staying at home with him so much. He is such a blessing! I told Craig yesterday, that my dream was to be a stay-at-home mom. The first few weeks I was wondering why this had been my dream. Don't get me wrong, I love Jack with my whole heart, but taking care of him wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped. Now that things are starting to get a little easier, it is all I had hoped. I love Craig so much for supporting my decision to stay home, and managing our finances so well to be able to make that happen. I love these two men so much!

Exciting Accomplishment

Jack slept 6 hours last night before he woke up to eat! He slept from 11 to 5, woke up to eat, fell back asleep around 6:00 and we slept until 9:00. I felt pretty good today. I'm still working on letting things go. I'm trying not to notice all the housework, thank-you's I still need to write, birth announcement that still needs to be done, etc., etc., etc. I'm really hoping that his sleeping longer is going to become a habit. We'll see what happens tonight.

Big Eyes

When Jack is awake, he has huge eyes and is so alert. It is as if he is hanging on every word we say to him. I can't wait for him to start smiling. He is starting to notice more things around him like the fish on the mobile on his swing. Today he was really watching them as they went around. It is so fun to watch him change and grow.

First Walk

Yesterday and today the weather has been so beautiful, Jack and I have taken advantage of it by taking some walks. It is so good to get outside while we have a few more chances.

Our Family

I recently realized while looking back through pictures that we did not have a picture of the three of us. I had been planning all week for my dad to take some for us while he and my stepmom were here this weekend. Craig really wasn't thrilled with the idea. I had pictured the perfect family portrait in my mind, maybe even one that could be used on a Christmas card. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Why do we look so much different in a picture than how we look to ourselves in the mirror? I knew I had pregnancy weight to lose and have been working on it, but was really reminded just how much when I saw the pictures. That along with Oprah today, ( she had several weight loss success stories for the topic today) remotivated me to really work on it now. Hopefully, success will come somewhat quickly and painlessly. We did get a couple nice pictures.

1 Month Old

Jack is just over 1 month old. The month flew by! He is growing and starting to sleep a little bit longer between feedings at night. He is so much fun and we are so blessed. Borrowing the idea from other friends who blog, because we thought it was just so cute, here is 1 month old on Oreo.

My First Horse

Grandpa and Grandma Butler brought me my first horse this weekend. I named him Oreo.