Home Again

After almost 2 weeks of constant attention and spoiled-ness, Isaac, me, and Ben have returned home and are trying to get back into the swing of things. It was a great trip, and I am really glad that Isaac got to meet and spend so much time with his family and our friends. It was very overwhelming at times, and extremely tiring for everyone, but I am glad we took the extra days just so we weren't constantly running around with Isaac all the time. As it was, we really only saw one person/family per day with a few exceptions.

His dedication and family fish fry went so well! It was very overwhelming and there were a ton of people there, but Isaac was a champ. One of the best tips I can give to any one throwing a party for or with a new baby: Keep him close to you and establish limits. We put Isaac on his blanket in the center of the living room floor when he was awake so people could see him. If people asked to hold him, I of course said yes, but I didn't really volunteer him up to anyone. And when he slept, I kept him on me. That way he could sleep without people poking at him and such. He only really cried a few times, and he slept like a rock that night...I got a good 6 hour stretch from him.

Easter was great as well. Oddly, the family party was not as large as his fish fry, but still did the same protocol as above. He got lots of present in Ohio, and I discovered the beauty of the flat rate priority box. We got alot of books, which I asked for. Our favorite is Mars.hmall.ow. :) I also discovered a deep love for the Fish.er Pri.ce Prec.ious Pl.anet collection. He now has the monkey bank, hooded towels, washclothes, bibs, and two blankets.

The flight home was just as smooth as the first, amazingly so, as this one was 5+ hours. He slept for most of the flight. When he woke up, he ate and then had his diaper changed in the lovely bathroom cubicle. He spent the rest of the flight cooing and smiling at pther passengers. Did you know that you can't have a baby in a Snug.li during landing or take off? Does that make any sense to you? Wouldn't I want the baby attached to me in case of a turbulent/violent/rough landing or take off rather than have him pitch across the cabin? Hmmm....

Anyway, Isaac is 11+weeks old now, and has hit alot of mini and mega milestones/firsts during our Ohio trip:

~He rolls from his back onto either side now, as opposed to side to back to side.

~He will take a bottle from everyone but me. Like, he can't even see me in the room or he screams.

~Ben and I had our first two dates sans baby and they went well. He stayed with either set of grandparents

~He attended his first sporting event: my state-champion track star brother's first meet of the season.

~He had his baby dedication and first Fis.her Family Fish Fry and met his godmother and almost everyone in the Ram.sey, Fish.er, and Ols.on families

~He had his first exposure to large dogs, my parents' and Ben's. This did not go over so well. Especially when they bark.

~ He has actual tears now when he cries. Precious and heartbreaking at the same time

~He holds his head up like a champ. We are still working on tummy time, which he still hates, but when he is sitting up, his head is perfectly held. :) He also pushes out from my chest when I am holding him and stares at me.

~He grabs my hair, necklaces, and collars and won't let go.

~He figured out that if he kicks at certain toys on his bouncer, the music and bubbles turn on.

~He has moved to the half swaddle, only around his legs. This is because....

~....He loves his hands in his mouth. Hasn't found the thumb quite yet, but definately found the hand.

If I had to fathom a guess, I would say he is at 11 pounds. Many of his 0-3 month clothes are still loose on him, but he fits most of them. He is way more active in the afternoons now, often forgoing a nap of mention and opting for occassional 20-30 minute catnaps. He plays on his back most of the time with bouts of swing and bouncer action. We take walks, but not in Ohio...it was DAMN cold. He also has conversations with us. :) I still have him in his bassinet. I think we will get a few more weeks out of it. He is still definately in the size range, but I am starting to get anxious about the movements. He sleeps with both arms out and often above his head, and he is rolling from side to back quite frequently. I have ordered the Crib tent cover...I came home to discover quite a bit of kitty fur in the crib...

I think he has hit another growth spurt. He is eating about every two hours again and gobbling both sides, which I would guess to be about 5-6 ounces. I was going through his pictures alot while we were gone and I just can't believe how big he is getting. My itty bitty baby. :) I really want to get started on his baby book soon, and finish printing out pictures. I got a special frame for my desk.

I go back to work in about 2 weeks, on May 4th. I may take him to daycare for a half day next week and a full day the week after that. He is only going for 3 days a week, sometimes less. One of the great things from our trip was that he got used to being taken care of by other people and waking up to see someone else but me. I was there for most of the time, with the two date exceptions, but I let my mother and MIL do alot for him. I have gotten a daycare box around for him which has some emergency stuff in case I forget something in the diaper bag: tylenol, mylicon, aspirator, desitin, extra burpie clothes, a bottle brush, bottle warmer, extra nipples, extra binkies, socks, a hat, a wipes refill, and two extra bottles. I also have his extra adventure gym ready to go. I do want to get another carseat base for the sitter's car. We didn't use one in Ohio, just strapped in the carseat, which worked perfectly fine, I just feel safer with him in the base as well.

And since I muttled this post something fierce, I will close with pictures. :) Thanks for bearing with my randomness in getting out all things baby. :) The first is with his friend Luke:)

This is friend Lily....

4 generations at Easter....

With future girlfriend Lila....she's an older woman ;)

With cousins Gracie and AJ

And lastly....my little Easter bunny baby.... :)