Sweet & Scrumptious

That's my little Graham. As sweet as can be, and I love him more every day. He's starting to get the hang of this thing we call life at the tender age of 7 weeks. The other day I marveled that he sat happily in his swing, alert and awake, while I dried my hair and made a piece of toast. We are making great strides. And right now, he even put himself to sleep in the swing. It's almost unheard of! We are short on daytime sleep, but the nighttimes are so much better, so overall we are doing great. G2 wakes up around 1am and then again at 4-something usually. It's not so bad. He knows how to fall asleep again after eating at night, and it's not completely torturous like it was in the early weeks. I broke down and bought a Rock 'n Play after hearing so many testimonies from new moms about how it was the only thing that would keep their baby asleep. We were spending lots of time co-sleeping, and the bassinet wasn't getting much use. I was beginning to get nervous. A big plastic piece of colorful baby crap was about the last thing this house needed, but it's worked like a gem, and so it's been a welcome fixture in our room.

Graham had his lip tie fixed today by the pediatric dentist. It was sad, but I can already tell he is nursing differently...which hopefully equates to nursing more efficiently. And which hopefully means we won't spend 95% of our waking hours nursing, and that Graham will feel satiated and less fussy. If any one (or hopefully all) of these things happens, then it will have been more than worth it.

I'm trying to remember where I left off, but life has never been more a blur. Gavin accompanied the Jordans and some friends to Monster Jam on Saturday night. Dylan was so excited to bring G to this event, and then he found out he had to fly just after purchasing the tickets. This is supposed to be the exception, rather than the rule, at his new job, so we won't get too disappointed yet. Anyway, G had a blast and came home at 10:30 deliriously tired. After I had sent him off for the night, I settled into my nursing chair with the baby and turned on the TV for the millionth time in the last seven weeks. I thought it would be a peaceful night, but instead I just felt bored. So, I did the unthinkable and packed up the baby and took him to a party with my work pals. It was only for an hour, and most of the people there do not have kids and never will (by choice), so it was interesting for everyone. But it was fun! It was the annual PJ and casserole party, and since I have hardly gotten out of PJs lately I decided to wear normal clothes instead. I got the green light to show up empty-handed (not my usual style, I promise) and mowed through some delicious food before trekking back up the hill. I was happy to see everyone!

I love this house, he says.

Monster Jam!!!

The kids at dinner before the monster truck show.

Thanks so much, E, for taking my boy to the show!

Shawn and the boys

They're so cute!

Snoozin' through big bro's swim lesson

Swim hair!

Cup of Joe at Good Egg (or is it First Watch now?)

Monday mornings...

Look at that head!

Driving the spaceship at the dentist waiting room.

The photo below wins for my favorite of the week. Love all those boys so much!

Pizza night with cousins! Something about the Star Wars game draws all these guys in like a magnet.

Taking a pit stop for a snack at Fashion Square.

The next day, Gavin and Luke had another opportunity to play together in our own backyard. Dylan invited the crew, new and old, from his previous job for dinner. He made a delicious roast, and it was a really nice time. The prep was hectic being that my hands were completely tied up with the baby, but Dylan rocked it and pulled everything together in the nick of time. Graham spent most of the night under the nursing cape, but the company was delightful.

And the most exciting thing of all...I finally made an escape from this house and both kids for the FIRST time since the baby was born. Jess, Nora and I hit Frank n Lupe's for dinner and a margarita. It was awesome. I was very chatty, given the lack of adult conversation I've had lately, but everyone had great stories to share, as always. G2 did okay at home...he had a little trouble with the bottle, but finished off 6 oz before I made it back home. Yay! Dylan, of course, was a perfect dad and kept everything under control at the home front during his first shift with both boys together.

We also had another first...our family of four went out to breakfast/lunch at The Good Egg. A tiny baby and a toddler makes it almost never worth it to eat out, and this was no exception. However, we missed the restaurant environment and the one-of-a-kind food they serve at one of our favorite places, plus we had to kill time between swim lessons and G2's lip appointment. Gavin did okay for a while...until he didn't. Even so, we left with full bellies and smiling faces.

I am happy to have kicked things up a notch this week. I was going absolutely stir crazy, but still staying happy as ever. We have more adventures coming our way. Tootles for now!