9 and 10 weeks

Trying to figure those fingers out ...

Finally, I got a smile on camera ....

And another.

Our family.

Serious playtime

Mommy's Chunky Monkey

Bathtime

My peanut sleeping like a big boy


Here is Franklin in the trash can

Life is back to normal and we are finally back to our normal routine. I returned to week last week, which would explain why I have not updated in 2 weeks! I was very upset about returning to work, however, it turned out to be just fine. Daddy and Evan were waiting at the top of the steps when I came home my first night! I have now worked 5 shifts and Jason is doing great with Evan, while I am at work. It was nice to see my co-workers, patients, families, and just get back to normal life. I think that the mental break away from being home is good for all of us. Jason and Evan can bond, while mommy gets a break and back to adulthood. Plus, I think that it has been good for Evan to have a break from me also. I just made it through 3 days without having spit up on me and was able to take a shower and get ready in peace! But I missed my peanut without a doubt!

In the last two weeks we have made some changes and Evan has really started growing into himself! He is now officially on a bedtime routine and doesn't even fight it. He gets a bath at 7:30, then a bottle, and then to bed. He doesn't even cry when we put him down!!! HUGE accomplishment! Now we are on to trying to develop a schedule for nap times. He is now 11 weeks old - one week away from being 3 months. It is so hard to believe that he is already nearly 3 months old. I am really excited about hitting this mark since everyone keeps assuring me that things start getting a little easier at 3 months. We will see .... :)

In the last week, he has started blowing bubbles, babbling, smiling more, and 'playing.' He just started really moving his arms and legs - playing on his back for up to 30 minutes at a time. I love to watch him 'exercise' and try and figure out how to move those arms and legs. He hasn't officially giggled, but he has been smiling much more. I will play with him and he will light up - which in turn, makes mommy light up as well!

The nap situation is still a problem, but I have accepted that I need to stop fighting it. He does better if I just let him take them on his own time. He usually takes two 30 minute naps throughout the day - which is much better than not taking any at all. What can I say, the kid doesn't require much sleep at all. Plus, our nights run pretty smooth (other than having to wake him every 4 hours to eat) so I am not going to push it too much. He thinks that it is time to play at 4:00 in the morning, but is getting better about falling back to sleep. We are going to start self-soothing again. I cringe at the thought of starting this all over again, but I am hoping that the 3 week break and growing will make it much better this time around. He is the appropriate age to start self soothing, but it really wears on mommy and daddy! Wish us luck.

On another note, our dogs are still completely jealous. In fact, in the last 2 weeks, they have chewed up 2 bottles, ate a nearly empty bottle of mylicon, tried to adopt Evan's boppy as their bed, chewed up a pair of shoes, and even more. We are not quite sure what we are going to do at this point - we would love for Caesar Milan to visit our house! :) It is hard enough to adjust to having a new family, but then adding in all this chaos in the mix is not helping. I have posted a picture of Franklin stuck in the trash can. I had just put Evan down for bed and went to throw some diapers away and when I opened the lid, he was balled up IN the trashcan with his little eyes poking out. It was hard to keep from laughing because he looked like he was just all snuggled up. So now I get to give Evan and Franklin frequent baths! :)

Tomorrow we are going to be tackling another milestone and going to a friends pool. This will be Evan's first swimming experience and pretty much his first extended outdoor experience. I am excited to see how he does. Mommy and him when shopping for a floatie today so he could just relax in the pool. The kid LOVES baths, but hates to be cold. So he is either going to love it becuase of the water, or hate it because it is cold. Check back in the near future for some pictures of my little water baby!!!