Day Spa

Dearest Joshua David~

We woke up to snow again today! It got warmer today, so some melted, but there's still a good amount left of the roads, cars, sidewalks, and houses.

Grandpa Jim and Gigi came over for lunch. Since they don't live that far, they hopped in Grandpa Jim's truck and braved the snow on the ground (though by then the roads weren't that bad). They both held you while you were sleeping.

Today daddy and I did some laundry for you and us. We washed all your dirty outfits, linens, and towels. Now everything is fresh for you. :-)

Well, little man, today was the last day of pumping for me. I wanted to finish up the month to give you some extra milk. But, now with work starting, it's getting harder to keep on a pumping schedule and feeding schedule for you (and still get some rest/sleep!). Plus, I would always feel bad whenever I put you down to pump when I could be holding and playing with you. I have some mixed emotions about this, so this will take some time to get through. This will be hard for mommy. But, have no fear! I've been working really hard for you, and have been pumping milk for three and a half months .... so, I have built up a pretty good supply for you during this time .... we have 266 containers of milk in the garage freezer and fridge freezer! The garage freezer has nothing but milk in there for you! So, by combining that with your formula bottle a day (which may go to two a day in the next week), we can make this milk last a good amount of time for you! :-)

I gave you a bath today, and daddy clipped your nails. Your toe nails were getting long, so he tried to clip at least the big toe. We told you that you were at a "day spa" since you were getting your hair and nails done (or at least getting your hair washed!). ;-)

We'll see what the roads are like tomorrow. Maybe things will clear up more.

Sleep tight little fellow!

I love you so much! :-)

~Mommy

Winter Wonderland

Dearest Joshua David~

Welcome to our Winter Wonderland! This morning, we woke up to lots of snow on the ground! How exciting! It doesn't snow that often here in North Carolina, so when it does snow, it's a pretty big deal.

Daddy and I walked you all around the house so that you could see all the snow. There was snow covering the back deck, the yard, the roads, and all over daddy's car!

We took it real easy today. Of course, with all the snow, we were trapped in the house, but since you and I don't leave the house too often that wasn't a big deal. Daddy went to the grocery store thursday evening, so we were prepared for all this.

You slept a lot during the morning. Daddy and I watched some television and drank some hot chocolate. :-)

You started your nightly fussiness later in the evening, and it didn't last as long as other nights. You appeared to be a little constipated, because it took you a long time to have a good diaper. :-P At one point, you acted hungry so we warmed a bottle. Once we started to feed you, you didn't want any! Little man, don't you know that once you start drinking from a bottle we only have an hour until the bottle is no good anymore (due to bacteria build up)? You were really pushing that entire hour to take that bottle. After about an hour, you were out, and there was about 20ml left of milk. Oh well, you still took 80ml overall, so it wasn't a complete loss.

I don't know how long this snow will last, but we're enjoying it! When you get bigger, we'll bundle up in coats and make a snowman. I'll also show you how to make snow angels as well. When your Uncle James and I were little, we used to sled down the hills in the subdivision. :-) In college, we had a big snow storm so my friends and I took trays from the cafeteria and went sledding!

Ok little man .... sleep tight!

I love you so very much! :-)

~Mommy

Fifteen Weeks

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little thing! Today you are 15 weeks old! :-)

Today it was just you and me! Daddy left for work in the morning, and while you slept, I tinkered around the house. I paid some bills (yuck!) and did some dishes.

With the new ottoman downstairs, daddy and I have been trying to figure out a way to move some furniture around to make things easier. I moved a little end table from upstairs to downstairs, next to the ottoman, so that we have a place to put things. Now, when I give you a bottle downstairs, I have a place to put the bottle while burping you (instead of trying to balance it between my legs). ;-)

I held you a lot today, since I was gone yesterday and wasn't able to hold you as much. This afternoon, you had a nice nap for about 2 hours while I was holding you! I gave you a bottle around 2pm, and a little after 3pm you fell asleep on my chest as I watched a little television. When daddy got home, that's where he found us!

This evening you were fussy again! I took a little video of you being fussy so you can see yourself years from now.



This evening we had snow! This is your first big snow fall! We kept holding you up to the window so you could see it. It's suppose to continue snowing through the evening, so tomorrow morning we may have a lot of snow on the ground!

Sleep tight little man and dream of snow!

I love you very much!

~Mommy

Off To Work We Go

Dearest Joshua David~

Well, this day has finally come .... my first day back to work and your first day home with a babysitter. :-( I prepared all your bottles this morning, and daddy changed and fed you before he left for work.

It was really hard for mommy to leave you today. We had some time alone together this morning before Penny got here. You were sleeping, so I just whispered to you while you rested. I told you that I didn't want to go, but that I loved you very much and would come back home as soon as I could. You stirred a little, but kept sleeping. I gave you a little kiss on your nose.

I have to admit I cried a little in the car as I drove off this morning. But, daddy, Gigi, and our friend Stephanie, all sent me phone messages that we both would be ok today. :-) I asked daddy to call Penny at lunch to check on you, and you two were doing well. You had just finished a bottle and were sleeping.

Once I got home, daddy was already there and had changed you. I gave you a bottle and then played with you. We're suppose to get some heavy winter weather tomorrow night, so daddy ran to the grocery store this evening. While he was gone, I curled up in the bed with you and rocked you. You fell asleep on my chest again and I took a picture with my phone. :-) Once daddy got home, he curled up in the bed with us .... it was the best part of my day!!

Sleep tight little man!

I love you so very much! :-)

~Mommy

Cleaning and More

Dearest Joshua David~

Today was a busy day for me! I tried to prepare the house for tomorrow, when Penny will come over to watch you as I go back to work.

I straightened the downstairs and tried to organize things. I cleaned the kitchen and vacuumed the living room. I did some laundry and made my lunch for tomorrow to save time in the morning. I plan on preparing your bottles tomorrow morning fresh so that you'll be ready to go. Also, I stocked up your changing table so you have plenty of diapers and wipes. Daddy took all the trash out when he came home from work and helped me with last minute things to prepare.

I made an emergency phone list for Penny. That way, if something happens, she could also call one of your grandparents or the Pediatrician. I'm sure you all will be fine, but it's better to be safe!

Guess what? Daddy and I ordered an ottoman for the downstairs to go in front of the couch. It's nice and soft with no sharp corners, like the table that's there. The table is actually your (Great) Uncle Laurence's. He made it when he was in high school. Gigi said she could put it in her house. This way, when you start to become more mobile, you won't hurt yourself on the corners of the table. The ottoman's cozy, and we've already played on it. :-)

I held you for a long time today. I figured out a trick to get you to fall asleep. It doesn't work all the time though! But, tonight, when you were getting fussy, I placed you on my chest and put the pacifier in your mouth. You usually calm down with the pacifier (not always), but once you drop it you cry again. So, with you on your belly, I positioned you in a way that it was hard for you to lose the pacifier. Plus, I could keep your head to the left to help your neck muscles. You eventually calmed down and then slept on me for 2 hours! I felt bad because after a few hours I had to move and stretch, but I didn't want to wake you! Oh well. ;-)

You're a sweet boy and I don't want to leave you tomorrow.

Sleep tight!

I love you very much!

~Mommy

Ice Cream Drip

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little man!

Well, after your all night cry fest yesterday, we didn't get to bed until early this morning. So, you and I took a nap today! You slept pretty well! I did a few chores after I napped and continued to let you sleep.

You still appear to be taking your one formula bottle well. I usually give it to you around mid-day (when I'm the most awake!) so that I can keep an eye on you for any reactions. So far so good. You're still taking 0.5ml of Poly-Vi-Sol with Iron each day (multivitamin). I put that in one of your bottles, and so far, you haven't had any problems with that either. :-)

We danced some today. I was trying to make you sleepy, but instead you became more alert! ;-)

After dinner today, daddy and I had some ice cream for dessert (you couldn't have any). I was holding you and accidentally dropped a bit on your head. It was a very small amount, but daddy and I couldn't stop laughing, so daddy took a picture! Ha! Sorry little guy! It made for a humorous situation. :-)

I hope you sleep better tonight!

I love you very much! :-)

~Mommy

Case of the Mondays

Dearest Joshua David~

Hello little precious!

Today started out pretty plain, but then it ended with a bang! Let me explain ....

The morning was pretty typical. A bottle and diaper change here and there. You napped a little. I cleaned a few things and tried to rest when you were resting. Even the cat was lazy (though that's not too unusual as cats go!).

Once daddy came home, it was still pretty typical .... you sat in your chair with daddy watching you and cooking. I ran upstairs and took a shower. But then, after dinner, starting around 8pm .... you started your longest crying performance to date! It was quite a feat! Daddy walked with you. I tried the pacifier. We swayed with you. We tried your chair. We gave you a bottle. Finally, at around 1am, you began to really doze! Whew! Hope we don't have too many of those nights again!

Penny came back over this afternoon. We showed her where things are in the house so that thursday will run smoothly for you two. She's very excited to watch you!

I'm in the book of Exodus for my daily Bible reading. I'm getting closer and closer to the stories about Joshua. I've already read about the battle between Joshua and Amalek. Joshua won, with the Lord's help, and Israel prevailed. :-) Joshua was a strong man of God, and you will be too! The Lord's already looked after you so far, and daddy and I have faith that He'll continue to protect and be with you. ;-)

Try to sleep better little fellow!

I love you very much!

~Mommy