Blog-slacker

I know I've been a blog-slacker, but with good reason. Work has been keeping me busy, so I haven’t been getting off early much lately. When I get home I want to spend all of my time with my family. I’m also a little sleep-deprived since Hayes has started waking up around 2 am almost every night for the past 1 ½ weeks. He usually won’t settle down until he eats & then he wants to play for a while before going back to bed! I get up with him when Blaine has to work the next day, and Blaine gets up with him on the days that I work. Maybe he's going through a growth spurt??

Last week was Hayes’ 4-month check-up. He finally made it to 12 lbs! We realized right before Christmas that he had lost some weight when we weighed him at home. After talking to our pediatrician, we decided that my milk supply was low & we started supplementing with formula. So his length is still in the 50th percentile but his weight is now in the 10th percentile. He may be a little thin but he's healthy (and totally adorable!), so for that I am thankful!

Hayes helping Blaine with his lunch

Waking up from his nap this morning

Future Singer?

Hayes loves for us to sing to him! Right now his favorite song seems to be the ABC's. It almost sounds like he's trying to sing with me!!

Working & Reflecting

I've been away from my blog for awhile...we've been so busy lately! We had a great Christmas with Hayes. Most of his new toys have already found their way to his mouth! Since Christmas we've been putting up decorations & trying to finish repacking and reorganizing our upstairs storage space. Of course, this takes a lot longer when we're using the "Lauren method." Seriously, most people would laugh! I'll have to post a picture when we're finished.

I also went back to work last week. Thankfully, the transition was pretty smooth, and it helped that it was a holiday week so I worked only Monday & Tuesday. This week will be my first full week back. Blaine has been at home with Hayes on the days I've worked so far, and he's been so great at keeping me updated on their day together. He sends picture or video messages to my cell phone throughout the day - I love it!

Hayes is doing so well! His favorite thing to do right now is see how many fingers he can fit in his mouth! He's been holding his head up pretty well for awhile, but it's getting increasingly more steady. So I thought it was time to try out his Bumbo...

I've also spent some time marveling over 2008. It will definitely be the most memorable year of my life! Where do I even begin? Loving my pregnancy, building a house, celebrating 5 wonderful years with my husband, becoming a parent, spending 3 amazing months with my precious son...God's blessings are truly awesome!! I'll leave you with just a few of the endless memories from my 2008.

A Very Merry Christmas

I just wanted to share a few holiday photos...

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!

Time Flies!

Hayes is 3 months old today!!! Yes, I guess I'm to the point where I have to keep track of his age in months, not weeks any more. To me, this is yet another reminder of how fast the time is passing! Hayes and I are celebrating by hanging out at home in our pajamas. No better way to spend such a dreary, rainy day.

I took this photo this morning while he was playing with his toys in his bouncy seat. He stopped when he saw me and gave me this sweet smile...

This was taken a few days ago when he was checking out an ornament on our tree.

I hope everyone is having a good time getting ready for Christmas! I'm looking forward to doing some baking this weekend. Now if I could just decide on a recipe...

The Real Reason

I love the Christmas season! The gift giving, the decorating, the baking...but most of all I love that it's all about Jesus! We are honored that Hayes was asked to play baby Jesus in our church's Christmas program. Seeing him wrapped in swaddling clothes made me think -- isn't it amazing how God, who is so mighty and powerful, chose to send His son as a helpless little baby, dependent on his earthly parents to meet all of his needs? We are blessed to have had this experience and consider it an excellent reminder of the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Christmas Card Coming Soon!

Well, I finally finished my photo shoot with Hayes for our Christmas card picture. Thankfully, Hayes was very cooperative and patient with his picky mommy. The type-A in me really comes out during times like these. I admit I'm hard to please, and I'm very critical of my photography. After all, you only get one chance to send out your son's 1st Christmas card, right? But, all in all, I had fun and I think the photo turned out so cute!

Look for yours in the mail soon...