Laugh Out Loud

I can't believe it, my little boy actually let out his first chuckle Monday afternoon. He was just waking up from a nap and I was talking to him and he laughed. I was in complete shock and awe. The babysitter had just arrived and got to witness the whole thing. A good part of that is she was a witness so I knew I didn't make up the whole thing. It actually happened. I couldn't believe it. Of course he only did it that one time. I have been hoping he would do it again especially when his daddy is home but nothing yet. Just give it time and I'm sure the laughs will just roll out.

He also has started graping at things, mostly blankets but hey that's a start. He has a toy that my dad gave him that is a blanket with a puppy head attached and Caleb loves it. He has figured out that he can grab it. He also plays with another blanket. He likes to bring it to his mouth. We have started making it a game like "what are you doing with that blanket in your mouth?" Makes him smile from ear to ear. And of course peek a boo is a fun game for him right now.

We have tried playing on the play mat several times but he didn't seem very interested. However; yestereday he actually grabbed at the giraffe. Not sure if it was on purpose but I'll take what I can get.

I just love how much more interactive he is getting. He is constantly looking at everything around the room and taking everything in.

I love being a MOM!

I just wanted to write to say how much I truly love being a mom. I never knew I could love someone so much as I love Caleb and my husband. My heart is truly full. It is such a joy to wake up every morning to such a beautiful smiling baby boy. Everyday it just keeps getting better.

He has slept so good the past two nights. I really hope this is a start of sleeping through the night. The first night he went a 6 hour stretch and last night he a 6 1/2 stretch between feeding and then another 4 hour stretch. He is also sleeping most of the night in his bassinet now. I am slowing trying to transition to get him in his crib in his nursery. I think it is going to be harder on me than actually on Caleb. I like being able to just look over in the bassinet to check on him. Also with breastfeeding it is a lot easier having him close by. I am hoping that he is being to not need to eat as often during the night and that will make the transition easier. Once he goes all night or a good big stretch I will begin the big room transition. I'm having to take it one step at a time though. I know it sounds silly but it's just me.

Things I enjoy about being a mom to Caleb:
1. I love watching Chad talk to Caleb and interact with him. It melts my heart and makes me fall in love with my husband over and over again.

2. I love listening to Caleb babble and coo especially first thing in the morning. Once he wakes up for the day, he is full of stuff to talk about. We lay in the bed and he just coos and kicks. He's such a happy boy. Even on those rough nights with little sleep for me, it is easily forgotten when I look at those beautiful blue eyes and his smiling face.

3. I love his little naked body at bath time. Of course we have to watch out for the occassional sprays and I don't mean from the facet. LOL. Bath time has become mommy and baby time. He just stares at me. I think he really enjoys the warm water and having mommy's undivided attention.

4. I love the closeness we share during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is definitely not what I expected. It was a lot harder at the beginning than I could have ever imagined. I'm so glad I stuck with it though cause I know it is what is best for my baby. I love how he looks at me as if he is admiration. I know he is content and I'm doing something right. It amazes me how my body can produce what he needs to eat. It is among one of the miracles of God. As if having a baby wasn't enough of a miracle in itself.

5. This one is going to sound crazy but I love how if someone else is holding Caleb and he is fussy....he immediately calms down once I get him. This is what makes me really feel like a MOMMY. I remember when I would hold someone else's baby and they would cry and instantly calm down when their mother got them. I would be so envious. I now have that and absolutely love it. I really can't explain why I like it so much but I do.

Well that's it for now. I'm sure there are tons more reasons I love being with Caleb but he is waking up from his morning nap so that will have to do for now. I will write more later. Gotto go play with my little man!

Mom of a 2 Month Old

Wow, Caleb is 2 months old today. Where has the past two months gone? I can't belive how fast 2 months has gone by. Caleb has grown already so much. He looks more like a little baby boy instead of a newborn baby everyday. He actually doesn't look like a newborn at all anymore. He is so handsome. I love taking pictures of him. I have to admit he is such a good baby. He is happy most of the time. He only cries when he is hungry or tired. He has been a little fussy when his tummy hurts. Overall, he is happy and smiling while awake. He is a joy to be with and the light of my life.

He is smilling all the time. It is the greatest to see his beautiful smiling face. It lights up the whole room. He also interacts with you so much now. It is amazes how he is able to recognize us now. He definitely knows when I walk into the room. He also makes cooing sounds in response to you. I love when he gets excited. His feets just kick and kick and he makes the cutest noise. :)

As far as sleep goes, it is still sporatic. Nights are still good and bad. We have had a few nights where he slept 6 hours straight. I woke up in pain and knew there had been a few missed feedings but also glad for the rest. Most nights are 3-4 hours at a time. I know it will just take a little more time before he sleeps through the night. If he didn't have such tummy troubles, I'm sure he would sleep better.

I can't believe 2 months have already come and gone. I look forward to many more months and years with my wonderful Caleb.

2 month old shots

Today my little man had his 2 month old well child visit at the doctor. He is growing great. He weights 11 lbs 6 oz (50th percentile), 23.5 in length (75th percentile), and head circumference 36.6 (10th percentile). The shots were the worst part. He had to get 3 shots and one oral medication. I think the shots hurt me more than they hurt Caleb. He was such a trooper. He only fussed for a few mintues and was calm once I picked him up and placed him at my chest. I on the other hand was an emotional mess. I teared up just watching the nurses hold him to get the shots. Hearing him scream made the tears roll down my face. I just hate seeing my baby hurt. Also hearing him cry out in pain throughout the rest of the day has been rough for me. I can't believe I have do to this at 4, 6, 9 months and so on. Hope it gets easier. Caleb was also given a different medicine for his reflux. He was having a hard time with the Zantac. He really hated taking it and the taste. His new medication should taste better, it smells like bubble gum. Guess we'll find out later tonight. I just hope it works. After he took the Zantac, he was able to sleep 6 hrs at night. I need that as much as he does. I will keep you posted on his reflux.

Visit with Papa and Nana Cauthen

It was so nice to have my parents come and visit with us. My parents came on July 3 and my dad stayed until Wednesday July 8. I had the pleasure of having my mom stay two weeks with us to help and visit with her new grandson of course. I absolutely loved having my parents here. The best part was they were able to celebrate my birthday with me. Having my husband, parents here and Caleb for my birthday was the best. I couldn't have asked for a better day. During their visit we also got to celebrate Independence day. A first of course for Caleb. How nice is it for Nana and Papa to be able to celebrate such a great day with us. We also took Caleb to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. It was a beautiful day to take a walk along the boardwalk.