First Cold

It may sound silly to blog about this but this blog does serve for the most part as Brantley's baby book and book of first (when I have it made in to a book on his first birthday). So, this week Brantley got his first cold. It's actually been passed around between us. The only person in the house who hasn't gotten it is Sadie. Lucky dog. Literally.

It probably would have been a lot easier on him if he didn't have a mama taking care of him that was just as sick and worn out. This week has been exhausting. I'm not going to lie. I am spoiled rotten apparently when it comes to my sleep because I have a baby that sleeps from 7 pm to 7 am and I had forgotten what it was like to be up every few hours throughout the night with a crying baby. BUT enough complaining because we are on the mend. The plus side to having a sick baby is all the extra loving I get in. He's still got a nasty cough that I think is just the drainage breaking up. But we're getting better and hoping to get back to sleeping all night sometime soon!

This is what the week started out as. Pitiful.

This was Saturday. He LOVES being outside. Can't keep this little man down.

Lose for Shoes

I have a total of 45 pounds to lose. If we’re being exact that number is actually 46.6 pounds to reach my goal weight. As of this evening (Mondays are actually my “official” weigh in days), I am down 11.8 pounds. I went shopping today. I tried on clothes. This has become very UN-fun the last few months. The ‘ole body has changed a ton since the boy was born. But today was encouraging.

And since I was encouraged, I put the dresses up that I REALLY wanted to buy and headed to the shoe section. Because I’m going to keep losing weight and I’m hoping to drop more sizes, but my feet aren’t changing. I got this idea from a magazine I read. So for every 10 pounds I lose I’m buying myself some shoes. Here are my first 10 pound shoes. Cute aren’t they?

I am doing this. Something inside clicked and I don’t want to be a fat anymore. My first goal was to lose the baby weight. It’s now gone. My next goal is to lose 28 pounds by my 28th birthday. I have 16 more pounds to go to reach that goal and another pair of shoes waiting on me!

Brantley's First Lake Trip

We have been going to Lake Mitchell with a group of friends for about three years now. I met Donna when I worked at the Solicitor's Office. She invited us up one weekend and now we are regulars. Everyone gets along so well and it's just always an easy trip. Even with a five month old. Brantley had an awesome first lake trip experience. We took a couple of boat rides. Brantley got to wear his life jacket (given to him at one of my baby showers from his lake buddies). He was not too sure of it, but got the hang of it (with the help of his pacifier)! I love experiencing new things like this with him.

Laughing with Dad. Craig's goatee tickles him and it's the cutest thing!

He is such a ham for the camera. Just make a random noise and he is all smiles.

Family picture down by the water.

Out on the water together. One of my favorite places to be.

The life (aka straight) jacket. Not so sure of this thing.

Brantley's First Valentine's Day

I love this kid. Love having two Valentines now. Brantley AND Craig? It can't get much better than that. I woke up to a huge card sitting on the counter. Behind it was a Helzberg Diamonds back. Craig gave me the most gorgeous ring with lots of little diamonds in it. I was so surprised.

Grandma gave him this balloon. He keeps his eye on it! Happy Valentine's Day, Buddy!

Sweet Dreams, Mister.

Dear Brantley,

Tonight after you finished your bottle I sat and rocked you and fought back tears. I quietly pulled out my cell phone and texted your dad to come take a picture of us. In my favorite place with my favorite little man. Because there will come a time when the feeling of your little hand on my chest will be gone. The sound of your heavy breathing and the smell of the top of your head will be memories. Memories I will desperately be trying to keep from fading. And I wanted this picture to help keep me in this place.

I don't remember what our life was like before you. I don't remember what nights were like before sneaking in to your room to feed you your last bottle of the day while you sleep against my chest. And I'm okay with that.

Sweet Dreams, Mister.

{Not So} Wordless Wednesday

I said to Anna today, "I need to stay off Facebook because I'm comparing what Brantley is doing to what other people's kids are doing." Being my best friend, she understood this.

I got a text from June this afternoon of Brantley sitting up all by himself (which is what I had been "worrying" about).

Tonight when I got home, we played together in the floor with his toys while he sat upright!! So much fun! I just love watching him learn new things. Love love love him.

Happy 5 Months, Brantley!

At 5 months, you...

• (Unofficially) weigh 19 pounds.
• Are up to 4 foods now: carrots, bananas, sweet potatos, and pears. You could do without the bananas, but have loved everything else. We are going to try to start peas this upcoming weekend. I'm a freak about giving you new foods and like to be the one to introduce them to you so I can watch and make sure you aren't allergic. So we wait for Saturdays to introduce new foods.
• Wiggle all the time. Constantly. You do not know how to sit still. Your dad's nickname as a kid was "worm" for that same reason. Like father, like son.
• Still haven't learned to roll over to your back in the middle of the night after rolling yourself to your stomach. I think your big baby belly gets in the way. Most of the time you sleep through it but there is the occassional middle of the night wail for us to come help you out.
• Your favorite toys this month are still your doorway bouncer and Sadie. You love watching her and are starting to reach for her. She, of course, is loving the extra attention. We just introduced the exersaucer a week or so ago and you're loving that.
• You are still in most pants that are 3-6 months. Some sleepers that are 6 months. And a little bit of everything (onesies, sleepers, and some pants) that are 6-9 months.
• You are wearing size 3 diapers.
• Your favorite book is still On the Night You Were Born. When we get to the page with the polar bears face you slap your hand against it almost every time.
• Your bed time is like clock work every night. We take a bath, read a book, I sing "Stand By Me" to you, and put you you in your crib. By 7:00 to 7:15 you are out. I am very selfish and wish you would stay awake longer so we could hang out more in the evenings. You sleep until between 5:30 or 6 am when I wake you up to eat before we get ready to leave in the mornings. You are definitely a morning baby.
• Are the cutest baby I know. We love you so much!

Wordless Wednesday