Since it's been a while...

I know it's been a while, so here is an update:

We are expecting a little girl next March! We are so excited that Caelum will have a little sister so close in age and, of course, I am so excited to be able to buy a bunch of pink :)

Eric has been working alot and I am home with Caelum. We spent alot of time at home for the first few months and now we do lots of things during the week. We:

Go to swimming lessons

Gymboree

Story time at the library

We also have playdates and

try to just get out of the house. I think it's good for Caelum to be able to

interact with other little babies and for me to not be stuck at home.

Caelum is almost 8 months old (I can't believe this!) and is about 20 lbs.

He grew out of his infant seat (based on comfort, not stats), so he now has a big boy carseat:

He is crawling and getting into everything, so we have an are of the living room set up as "Caelum Zone"- but, most of the time he is pretty much allowed to roam around.

Caelum really likes:

Playing with his toys, esp

ecially if they light

up or make noise

All sorts of things we have to take away (dog bowls, wii remotes, wires, cat and dog toys, shoes)

People's feet

Playing with Paper

Flying and Being "dropped" on the bed

Trying new foods

Crawling around

Pulling up on anything steady enough to let him

Playing with Fenway

Books and Blocks

His time with his daddy in the morning

Going to bed

Bath time/ Splashing in the water with his duck

Silly songs and noises

Being lifted in the air

Towels

Paper

Playing with balls

Looking under rugs

Straws

Caelum tolerates:

Falling over/down

Me cutting his nails

Getting into his carseat

Taking naps

Caelum doesn't like:

Waiting on his bottle

Being told "no"

Being woken up (I RARELY do this, but he is not happy when I do)

Loud or sudden noise- he has a really sensitive startle reflex

Pulling up to stand on something and then not knowing how to get down

Swim lessons

It's so crazy how fast things change- we have already packed up the swing,

playmat, and bouncy seat- when just 3 or 4 months ago they were some of h

is favorite things. He can choose which toys he wants out of his toy basket and roam around if he doesn't want to be in one place.

Some other fun things we have done lately:

his first 5k

Baby Dedication

Taken Caelum to meet a bunch of family

Spring!

Since Caelum is napping and I haven't updated in a while, I figured now is a good time.
Even though it's a rainy day today, I love that it is spring. Living in Winter Haven, when we go outside we are able to smell the orange blossoms and it is so nice.

Since New Year's...

Caelum was born! He arrived February 8 at 5:28 PM weighing 9 lb and 7 oz after an induction and subsequent emergency c-section (cord prolapse). I really wanted a natural birth, so having a C-section was a bit disappointing- especially since I missed his first cry (I was completely out since I hadn't had an epidural) and not meeting him until 5 hours after he was born. Eric was great in the hospital and bringing him home- helping to take care of him (and me) while we all adjusted. Writing his birth story and all that went along with it has been a huge help in processing everything.


He really is just perfect. After coming home and getting adjusted to life with a newborn, things have been really great.

He met Fenway. Everyone asks how she has been with the baby and, so far, she has been fairly uninterested. When Caelum is on the floor, she sometimes likes to go and try to kiss him- other than that, she leaves him alone.


Has been swimming

He has gone to the Strawberry festival- not a great idea with a newborn.

Taken his first trip to Disney- he didn't last long at Disney. I dressed him for much cooler weather than it was and he got pretty hot in his car seat, so my mom came to pick him after about an hour, but we did get his personalized Mickey ears and took a family picture in front of the castle.

and been dressed up for all the holidays!



He is now 10 weeks old and still sleeps alot- unless we are out and about, he pretty much sleeps and eats. In what little time he is awake, we look around the house, have tummy time, look at a mirror, play with toys (he isn't very interested in toys at all yet), etc. He is not rolling over and doesn't even seem interested in the idea. He does like to stand on his legs when someone is holding him and he will tolerate lifting his head during tummy time for very short periods. In the last two weeks he has started smiling at us- and loves to smile at his daddy when he gets home from work (if he awake). He is growing really fast- his newborn diapers were too small the very first night we brought him home and most of the newborn outfits are too small (including my favorite fuzzy sleeper).


He was on soy formula but due to a milk protein allergy has recently had to switch to Nutramigen. He seems to like it and I like it better because it smells more like poptarts and less like that disgusting formula smell (BUT, it is more expensive... good thing it has cleared up all the issues he was having so we can see that it is worth it). He is a really good sleeper- takes great naps and is sleeping ok at night- he still wakes up 2/3 times and thinks that morning starts at 6AM! I have tried, multiple times, to tell him that we prefer to sleep in until 10 or 11, but he doesn't agree yet. Thankfully, while I get up with him during the night, Eric is great at waking up with him then. We swaddle him, which seems to help him get to sleep and stay asleep, but sometimes, he escapes:
He is super noisy when he sleeps and after he eats and is falling alseep, he makes the cutest faces. I just love them and hold up the camera as he falls asleep to try to capture them all.

Eric turned 34 last week! We went to the beach to celebrate







and made Chicken Tikka Masala- that was excellent




and I made my first ever Rhubarb pie, which I think turned out pretty great



We had a great time and went to see 'Date Night' on the way back home- we both really liked it- very funny.

I should post more often, because now it seems like so much has been going on. Eric is still working long hours which seem even longer since we live 45min-an hour away, so it seems like we don't get to see him very much.

We are starting to look at apartments and house rentals in Orlando (!!!!) as our lease here is up at the end of July.

We have been busy and it looks like we will be for the next couple of weeks- I am going to the KY Derby with my family (Eric has to work...) and then we are going to Houston for my aunt's graduation and to see Eric's family. We have mother's day, a concert, baby showers, etc. all coming up- and I will try to update the blog more often.

Here's to a year that is already better than I imagined it could be...

And to flowers for no reason...

and to miracles...

Happy New Year

I can't believe it's been so long... We are about a month out from when our little guy should be making his appearance and we are so excited! All the baby gear is set up, the diaper and hospital bags are packed and we are finishing the nursery this week. He is happy in my tummy right now and I love him being there. I am getting a little sad that he won't be in there much longer :( I love feeling him kick and knowing he is safe and warm- I can't wait to see his face and hold him, but still.

Since it's the beginning of the year, I wanted to do this survey (I love them!) It's been a busy year for us- getting married in March and moving to Tampa, finding out I am pregnant in June and then moving to Winter Haven, some wonderful family celebrations, trips to Atlanta and NYC together, Eric opening two new stores, etc. Now we look ahead to the year that we get to meet our son :)

Where did you begin 2009? The Ritz Carlton- dinner and fireworks

What was your status at Valentine's day? Engaged

Were you in school? No

Did you have to go to the hospital? Yes- for dehydration early in the pregnancy and for a tour

Where did you go on vacation? Atlanta, Puerto Rico, Canada, NYC, TN/KY

What did you purchase that was over $500? Camera

Did you get married or Divorced? Married! March 7

Did you know anyone who got married? Yes

Did you know anyone who passed away? No

Did you move anywhere? Yes- Tampa and then Winter Haven

What sporting events did you attend? Magic playoff game

What concerts did you go to? I don't think I went to any...

Where do you live now? Winter Haven, FL

What did you do in 2009 that you thought you'd never do? Got married

What has been your favorite moment? The moment I found out I was pregnant

What's something you learned about yourself? I am learning alot about myself through being married...

Any new additions to your family? All of Eric's family!

What has been your best month? March

What music will you remember 2009 by? Probably the boom boom one by black eyed peas because they seemed to be performing everywhere and I love them!

Any regrets? I have said some things I wish I hadn't

What do you want to change in 2010? Stay more on top of housework- I doubt this is realistic though, as we are about to have a newborn

Overall, how do you rate this year? 9

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? Prpb. my parents house

Did you change your hairstyle? Yes- I cut it short in June

Get a new job? No

Have a New Year's resolution? Not really

Do anything embarrassing? I'm sure I did...

What was your favorite purchase? new camera

Did you start a new hobby? I kept meaning to learn to knit... never happened

Go snowboarding? No

Are you happy to see 2009 go? I am happy to have a new year and all that it will bring!

Drink Starbucks in 2009? Yes

What are you wishing for in 2010? A healthy baby and a good transition to mommyhood.