Reed has a lot to be Thankful for

While the turkey and mashed potatoes are going to have to wait until next year, Reed was able to enjoy some special moments over the past week as he celebrated his first Thanksgiving. On Wednesday night we went to dinner at my parents house and he finally was lucky enough to meet another pair of Great Grandparents.

Great Grandma Norma and Great Papa Ken

Thursday was a really big day we party hopped for about 12 hours, which included 3 nursing sessions, 3 naps, 1 very good baby, and 0 outfit changes!!! First up was Aunt Penny and Uncle Mark's where Reed was the center of attention for awhile, at least until we found out his Aunt Kari was in Labor.

Reed distracting the Hosts

Impromptu Family Photo Session

Even Great Papa Dean stopped by for a bit

After some yummy appetizers for Mom and Dad we headed over to Nonna and Pepe's for dinner. Our timing was a little off and I ended up feeding Reed while everyone else ate dinner. Lucky for me, there was lots of food and willing baby holders when it came my turn to eat. Reed got to meet three of his Great Aunts, three Great Uncles, and a handful of cousins "something removed" too.

Aunt Diana

Cousin TJ

Stoothoff even got in on the action and finally held Reed

Aunt Lynette and Uncle Allan

The fun thing about Thanksgiving is that a lot of our out of town friends come back for the long weekend. Our friends are so sweet and all made special trips to come meet our little one.

Aimee and Vince

Benjamin

Melissa and Jake

And although we haven't met her yet, someone came into our lives on Friday that has given us all new roles . . . Auntie Sarah, Uncle Jon, and Cousin Reed. Congrats to Kyle and Kari!!!

Introducing Annaliese Noelle Gillette

2 Months and 4 Years???

My Baby Bear turned 2 months yesterday and my Big Bear turned 4 years old today!!!

So while having a dog is nothing like having a child, it definitely does help prepare you, at least a little bit. You can't go on vacations at the drop of the hat anymore, they teach you patience and compassion, when they are young you get up during the night with them, you are responsible for feeding them and cleaning up after them when they go to the bathroom, and when they get hurt it is the worst feeling in the world. I remember when I was pregnant I would look at Dodger and say to Jon how I loved my dog so much it scared me that I knew I would love my baby even more. While things have changed around here in the last few months we have tried to do our best to not let Dodger feel left out of our new family. His arthritis diagnosis has made it a little harder to accomplish this, but I think he understands his new place in the family and definitely loves his little brother.

Mommy, Reed, and Dodger going for a walk

Dodger can't have a Birthday without a few presents and a special treat. This year he got a few new plush toys and his favorite - Greek Yogurt, along with a Birthday song.

Now onto my other baby . . . he is two months old already!!! In the last few weeks he has become more and more fun with his smiles, coos, and even reaching out for his Big Brother this morning.

Oh my how you have grown!!!

Monthly Statistics

Weight: 13.25 lbs

Length: 24 inches

Head Circumference: 15.5 inches

Clothing Size: 3 month outfits are now too small, while 6 month outfits are too big, but 3-6 month clothes seem to be just right.

Can't live without: Baby Bjorn, Sound Machine, Play Mat, Miracle Blanket Swaddler, Bouncer

Those darn birdies never stop

Nicknames: Reedster, Reedcito, Baby Bear, Duder

Where/How Reed is sleeping: In his crib, swaddled, usually with one arm out

Eye Color: Blue

Favorite Moment: Pretty much every time he responds to us with a smile or coo is amazing

Smiles!!!

Milestones:

10/30/11 First play date (with Cole)

11/12/11 First time away from home without Mom and Dad

11/21/11 Reed Reaches out for Dodger

Embarrassing Picture:

Baby Acne/Rash (he's all cleared up now)

Who did Reed get his good looks from?

I have to share a few pictures from the week, before I explain the title of this post.

Russell holding Reed for the first time

Rockin' the HMC polo shirt when he went into the office

Cuddles from Penny's Mom Linda

(Dale was here for the visit too)

Pepe and Nonna babysitting

Okay . . . It has been a pretty popular topic of conversation around our household the last two months . . . who does Reed look like? When we first brought him home all I could see was Jon and most people agreed. For awhile Jon really thought he was starting to look more and more like me, but I just didn't see it. Now, I get little glimpses of both of us from time to time and I think he is turning more and more into a pretty good combination of his parents (hopefully he gets all of our good parts and none of our bad parts)! What do you think?

 Sarah and Reed get their diapers changed

 

Jon and Reed just relaxing in their chairs

Sarah and Reed with their Dads

Like Father like Son . . . those little devils!

All of us with our Mommies

So what do you think - does Reed look more like one of us than the other? If anyone has any other family baby pictures (Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, etc. I would love to see them too).



A Day in the Life of Reed

So when Jon and I found out that I was pregnant and due in mid-September we were both thrilled and a little anxious. September is one of the busiest times of year for Jon and October has always been a crazy month for me at work. We also weren't naive to the fact that babies, especially newborns are a lot of work. We acknowledged that the first six weeks of our little one's life were going to most likely be a little rough, but that if we could make it through fairly unscathed the next couple of months would be so much better. This last week Reed hit the six week mark and we both took a big breath and relaxed into parenting a bit.

On Tuesday we headed to the pediatrician for Reed's six week check-up. He is still a five star baby and growing like crazy, here are his statistics:

Weight: 11 lbs 6 oz
Height:  23 inches
Head:  15 inches

We are not anywhere close to having a schedule and each day brings something different (going out, staying in, me going to work, a different grandma babysitting, etc.) but we have a few things that have become pretty routine so I thought I would offer you "A Day in the Life of Reed" . . .

Friday November 4, 2011

7:00 am Reed wakes-up, we do a diaper change and then he nurses until about 7:45. Jon is usually heading out the door around this time so we go back to hang out with him for a few minutes before he leaves for work. Unfortunately we find him still in bed and while he rushes around trying to get ready Reed and I play in the bathroom for a bit.

He LOVES mirrors

After Jon heads off to work we let Dodger in, say good morning and give him some loves, and then Reed goes down on his play mat while I get breakfast for myself and the dog.

Around 8:30 Reed has tired of the play mat and all of the silly songs I've been entertaining him with so we head back to his room for a diaper and costume change.

I decide to brave the world of Tummy Time which Reed detests but all the books, etc. make a big deal out of so I try to have him spend at least a little time on his stomach every day. I have found that propping him up a bit helps so we usually use the Boppy or my legs during this time.

Not a Tummy Time Fan

The good thing about Tummy Time is that often crying for the last few minutes wears him out and he goes down for a nap pretty easily. Around 9:00 am Reed passes out in my arms and I lay him down for a snooze.

The once hated swaddle is now a lifesaver

Reed's naps normally last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours so while he is sleeping I usually rush around like a crazy person, trying to get as much done as possible. Today is my lucky day - he is out for a full 2 hours. During this time I manage to do a 45 minute workout video, wash his cloth diapers, sterilize some baby bottles, eat a snack, check my work e-mail, water our potted plants, clean off the benches on our front porch, make our bed, brush my teeth, address some thank you notes, talk to my Mom on the phone, put away Halloween decorations, put away some stuff that arrives from Amazon, go through the mail, pay some bills, and most importantly order Dodger's Birthday presents.

Around 11:00 am the little guy rouses and once unswaddled he begins his stretching routine.

If only you could hear the noises that go along with this!!!

After he is recovered from his nap we do another diaper change and then I nurse him until around Noon. He is pretty content, but wide awake so into the bouncer he goes while I have lunch.

The Blue Bird is his favorite

Now that it is colder we've started walking in the afternoon instead of the morning. Today is also a big day because we take Dodger along with us. The day before my Doctor told me I could resume all of my normal activities (I wonder if he knows this includes walking a 100+ dog that pulls violently on his leash?). Sorry I don't have any pictures of our outing, the baby and dog were already enough to juggle without adding in a camera.

Around 1:15 we get back from our walk. Reed has fallen asleep towards the end of our outing so I lay him down in his crib and have just enough time to take a shower and fold some laundry. He's up again around 2:00. We do a diaper change and I nurse him - do you see a pattern developing??? Around 3:00 he goes back in his bouncer so I can do my makeup and hair (Jon and I are going out, otherwise this step would definitely be skipped over).

Confession - this pictures is from a different day, but

is a pretty accurate depiction of what happens

when I try to get ready usually

At 3:30 Jon surprises us by coming home early and I'm so excited to get to spend time with all three of my boys!

Guy Time

The rest of the afternoon follows suit with the day; 4:00 nap, 5:15 diaper change and nurse, then play time. Around 6:00 my parents came over to watch Reed while Jon and I go out on a "date" (we needed to celebrate surviving the first month and a half).

Smiles for Grandma and Papa Jay

Well that is a DAY in the life of Reed, maybe I should do a "NIGHT in the life of Sarah" post to help explain the bags under my eyes!!!