Collin's first outdoor excursion

Pre-Collin when we went on a day trip we grabbed our backpack and jumped in the car. Today when we went 1.5 hours away to hike around Silver Falls for a couple of hours, this is what we brought:
1. A bunch of diapers
2. Wipes
3. Extra onesie
4. Blanket
5. Baby backpack for carrying Collin
6. Stroller
7. Water and granola bars for us

Anywhere with a baby involves preparation and more diapers than you think necessary (especially when you have a kid who gets at least one blowout a day). I also feel like I'm now chronically late whenever I go anywhere with Collin. It's amazing how just as I feel like I've got everything together and I'm all set to go he'll grunt and I'm running upstairs to change him. Or he screams in hunger. Or I realize I forgot the wipes.

Today, we hiked around Silver Falls, which is a beautiful setting and perfect for an outing with baby as it's not too challenging--mostly flat with some hilly elevation but nothing that hard. Still it's a pretty good workout when you strap an almost 14 lb baby to your chest.

Collin's eyes got big as he peered at the waterfalls for the first time. He passed out after about an hour and got a little bit burned on one of his cheeks. It didn't seem to bother him so we're hoping it doesn't start to itch. And of course Mike and I felt like irresponsible parents who are setting up our son for skin cancer. Sigh.

Here's some photos of the day:

First glance at a waterfall

Already!?

Everybody says babies are easier at three months--I was skeptical. What, like some kind of magic switch goes off and the baby suddenly realizes that there is more to life than eating, pooping and sleeping?

Well it's true.

Collin is much more content than he was even a month ago and life is suddenly ready to be explored. He smiles, giggles, bats and kicks at his toys, sucks his thumb and has a new trick of blowing spit bubbles. He likes hanging out on his back preferably to stare at things that move like fans or mobiles. And he even rolled over from back to tummy! Mike casually mentioned this two days after it happened--hello milestone?! He also did it for my dad/grandpa so I know one of these days I'll catch him at it. Of course he still has his meltdowns and cranky times but overall he seems to be liking this baby phase. And I hope I'm not jinxing this but he slept 9 whole hours last night! I woke up at 630am, stared at the baby monitor and hoped my son was still alive. Then I heard him stirring and went to check on him; he gave me a big smile and some coos. Sleeping through the night makes everyone happier!

He spends time with grandpa a couple days a week which allows me to actually work, and there's the added benefit of him bonding with my dad. We also hired a babysitter to come over once a week while I'm home. The balance between family and work is starting to get easier.

We go for Collin's second attempt at his follow-up hearing test on Wednesday (he has to be asleep for the test and last week decided shrieking would be more fun). Hopefully he'll stay asleep and we'll get some results. He definitely reacts to sounds so he doesn't seem to be getting any worse. He also has an appointment with the ear/nose/throat doc at the end of the month. My little guy may have a hearing aid in just three months. Hopefully we'll get some clearer answers, stay tuned...

A Tribute to Dads

I admit I was slightly nervous about some of the tasks that Mike would take on as a father--mainly diapers(if you saw our cat litter box you'd understand). However, Mike always ensures that Collin is promptly changed (and as he likes to remind me, he does most of it). Mike is a natural dad and despite early trepidation, it's evident that he loves fatherhood.



Collin snuggles with dad in bed and Mike reads him books, goes on walks, and gives our little guy lots of kisses. Rewind five years ago when we first started dating and Mike's choice evening would probably be out with his friends at a bar or restaurant, drinking beer and cracking raunchy jokes. Now most of our nights are spent watching a DVD with Collin in-between us and passing out before 10pm (believe it or not, it feels like a pretty sweet life).

Both of us were raised with supportive, loving dads that instilled important values in our lives, played and had fun with us, and helped us grow into responsible adults. I'm thankful that Collin will get to learn and bond from each of our fathers as well and of course he has a great role model at home.

No napping = Mom goes crazy

Lately Collin has decided he does not need naps. I should clarify; he has no problem falling asleep while eating, or in my arms, but once put in his crib will either a) start shrieking, or b) trick me into thinking he is actually asleep so when I begin to do some sort of activity he will start screaming shortly thereafter.

He will fall asleep on walks and on drives in his car seat but that's obviously not always convenient. I've tried reasoning with him (doesn't he know he's supposed to be getting 15 hours of sleep with day and night?) and begging him (he thinks this is funny). But alas to no avail, he triumphs with his quivering bottom lip.

Then of course there are all the so-called sleep expert advice: Swaddle him (he manages to be Houdini with a blanket), routines (he doesn't seem to care if 1 pm is supposed to be nap time); crying it out(any more than 15 minutes of screaming feels like forever and cruel for a 2-month old). I guess at this point all I can do is hope and pray and wish and whatever for Collin to decide this is a phase.

I know I can't complain too much because he's not a bad night sleeper. He has been sleeping in his crib for long stretches--two nights in a row of seven hours. Of course last night he decided it was time to party at 2 - 4 am. Still it would be nice to have a little "me" time during the day--which at this point usually means laundry, exercising, or working.

Now I will attempt to put the sleeping creature on my lap in his crib. Mwahhahaha (insane laughter erupts).

Coos and smiles

Lately Collin has become quite the conversationalist. If I actually understood his language he'd probably be saying things like, "Hey mom, give me your boobs I'm hungry," or "I'm sitting in my own poo here, help me out."

Hearing my baby's coos is no doubt one of the sweetest sounds. Complete with big smiles and even some laughs, Collin is definitely starting to grow into a little person. And finally do more than just sleep, eat and poop.

2 Months!

Two months in grown-up time is nothing--it's a countdown to a deadline or a vacation. But in baby time, it's leaps and bounds. On Collin's birth date he was a pink wriggly creature with eyes that barely opened. Now he has a peaches and cream complexion with chunky rolls of healthy baby fat. His cheeks long to be pinched and his sandy colored hair forms a perfect swirl. He has already outgrown some of his onesies and will hit the 15 lb mark in no time (instant arm sculpting/back breaking for parents). Collin is awake 70% of the time during the day and gives us a break with a few naps. He sleeps pretty well through the night and usually wakes once to eat.

His huge blue eyes look around in wonder and fixate on lights and faces. He opens his mouth wide to smile and lets out squeaks, grunts, and coos. His hands still operate on their own wavelength however he has figured out how to self-sooth by sticking a couple fingers or a whole fist into his mouth and has also started batting at toys. He seems to like his Infant to Toddler Rocker which vibrates like a bed at a cheap motel. The car seat is generally an instant "off" switch to crying and fussiness. Unfortunately he has decided the swing is some sort of medieval torture device.

In his second month Collin has spent lots of time with both sets of grandparents, met new faces, hung out with his Uncle Devin and continues to grow and discover the world every day. It's exciting to watch his little personality develop and see everything fresh and new through baby eyes.

Happy Mother's Day!

I admit I'm not a big celebrator of the greeting card holidays, however there is something kind of cool about being part of the "mom's club" this Mother's Day. I don't expect jewelery or some new piece of electronic equipment like the ads dictate, but do look forward to those days of homemade cards made from construction paper and glitter, the lopsided ceramic bowls and Popsicle stick picture frames. My mom still has the ugly green and pink "hanger cover" I made a long time ago for a Mother's Day gift in Girl Scouts in her closet--I have no idea what purpose the hangar cover serves, but that's beside the point. Being a mom is truly one of the toughest jobs in the world and mom's deserve far more than one day a year of recognition. This reminds me of when I was a kid and I used to say that it wasn't fair that there was a Mother's Day and a Father's Day but no Kid's Day! Parents reply: "Every day is a kid's day!"

So thank you Mom. Of course your job never really ends, you've given me advice and guidance, and helped me become who I am today. I really couldn't understand how hard your job was until I stepped into these shoes.

And on a final note...I got an early Mother's Day gift when Collin flashed his first real smile yesterday (it wasn't just gas). His eyes lit up and he gave me a big gummy grin with a little coo sound. I spent the rest of the day trying to get him to repeat it and catch it on camera of course.