What are you up to at 2 months old???

We had James' 2 month appointment with his pediatrician today! James is 25 inches long (97th percentile), 12 lbs 12 oz (50th percentile), and his head measured 15 3/4 inches (90th percentile). Dr. Smith said James is a beautiful baby and is so alert. She also noticed that he is very strong and is already lifting his head up really well. Our "homework" is to have more tummy time, let him hold different textures, and read 3 books a day (I have already been reading to him but usually just 1 or 2 books so we will add another!) If only the appointment could have ended there. Unfortunately at the 2 month appointment James had to get the most shots he will ever get at one time. The nurse came in and gave him one oral vaccine, no problem, he loves pacifiers and sucking on just about anything so he didn't mind that one at all! Then the nurse proceeded to give him one vaccine in his arm and three shots in his little legs! As he lay on the table Sean stroked his head and I was holding his hands. I was fine for the first two but by the third I had tears streaming down my face! It was such a helpless feeling watching James cry so hard and pout with his bottom lip trembling and I knew she wasn't done! When the nurse was finished I think I was crying as hard as James was. I picked him up, held him so tight, and kissed him over and over. While I was holding James Sean just smiled at me and wiped away my tears. The "good" news is at the next appointment there are only three shots instead of four. Oh yay, can't wait. Surely it will be easier the next time?

So James Peyton, what are you up to at 2 months old???

• You are 25 inches long (97th percentile) and weigh 12 lbs 12 oz (50th percentile), long and lean with adorable chubby cheeks!
• Your eyes are dark blue most of the time but still change colors. Sometimes they look a little green with gold in them too so maybe they will be hazel?
• You wear a size 1 diaper
• You wear 0-3 month clothing, mostly onesies since it is summer
• You like to "talk" a lot!
• You smile and laugh all the time too
• You are very alert and observant
• You love your hands and try to put your whole fist in your mouth and get a little frustrated when it doesn't fit
• You sleep through the night, 8-9 hours in your crib in your own room! (Mommy checks on you a lot though)
• You usually take a short nap in the morning and a longer one in the late afternoon
• You eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day
• You hold your head up when you are being held upright but it is still a little wobbly
• You like riding in the car and usually fall asleep right away
• You are so good when we do take you out places, but we still like to stay home most of the time especially since it is so hot out!
• You love to be rocked and Mommy and Daddy both sing lullabies to you
• You love it when we read books to you

I can't believe it has been 2 months already. The summer is flying by. James, we love you so much!

Look how I have grown!

Our big boy

James is a big boy now! He has slept through the night in his crib in his own room the last three nights. I noticed that during his nap time he seemed more comfortable in his crib then when he slept at night in the pack and play in our room. So we put him down in his crib at 10:30 p.m. and he slept until 7:00 a.m.! I fed him then he went back to sleep until 9:30 a.m. I really thought it would be a harder transistion and wasn't quite ready for him to be in his own room yet but I am not complaining! I just loved having him near me in our room. I now sleep with the monitor on my nightstand so I can hear him when he needs me.

The above pictures are some of my favorites. James was 7 weeks and 3 days old when I took them. He is 8 weeks old today and is constantly smiling, laughing, and "talking". For a while he just said, "ohhhhhh" but now he is really cooing. Of course I think it's the cutest thing I have ever heard! He has also discovered his hands. He sucks on his little hands or makes a fist and tries to put the whole thing in his mouth! Here is what babycenter.com says about how James is growing this week:

Your baby can tell the difference between familiar voices and other sounds, and he's becoming a better listener. He can also show you that he's in tune with his environment. Notice how he looks to see where certain noises are coming from.An ongoing conversation (although seemingly one-sided) can help your baby develop his sense of place. He may even watch your mouth as you talk, fascinated by how it all works. You'll be amazed by his ability to communicate with a growing repertory of coos (musical, vowel-like sounds), smiles, and unique cries to express his different needs.

We are taking James to his pediatrician for his two month appointment a week from today. I will write an update with his stats next week!

Father's Day Weekend

Ellie, Simon, & James

Ellie reading to James

Daddy & James napping & watching golf on Father's Day

Simon & Ellie

Grandad & James

We had a wonderful Father's Day weekend. Simon & Ellie spent a long weekend with us and were so helpful with James! It is cute to see how much they love him and Simon is especially excited to finally have a baby brother! (They have two little sisters at their mom's house so he is always outumbered by all the girls)Sean loved spending time with all three of them together. Sunday I made pankcakes for breakfast (Sean's special request since it was Father's Day) then we went over to Dad and Jerri's house to swim! Even though James has an adorable baithing suit and matching hat, we are going to wait until the end of summer when he is a little older to swim with him in the pool for the first time.

James Peyton-May 28th, 2009-One month old

Raising his eyebrow

Same picture as above but black & white and turned

Look at that hair!

Little fist

My hands holding his feet

Talking to him between takes

Mommy holding James

Our sweet little boy


I am so excited, we got the cd from our photograper with the pictures that were taken of James at one month old. I am posting a few that I love. My absolute favorite is on the baby announcements which have been ordered and I should be getting back very soon. I will let that one be a surprise!

The first picture is James raising his right eyebrow. Definitely a trait from my side of the family! My brother and I both raise our left eyebrows when we are irritated, frustrated or mad. I think it's James' inquisitive look. I think Terry, the photographer, did an amazing job capturing some of James' many expressions. I also love the pictures of his hands and feet. She will be taking pictures of him again at 6 months old!

Sleeping baby

I had James on his tummy for tummy time earlier today on the bed then I decided to use his boppy. We were playing then all of a sudden he was out. He got so comfortable he fell fast asleep!

Itsy Bitsy Yoga

The weeks keep flying by! James is 7 weeks old today. Last week we went to our first Itsy Bitsy Yoga class. Blaire and Harper told us about it and we absolutely loved it! The first hour is for the babies. We all sit on the floor in a circle and each have our baby in front of us on a blanket. We stretch their little arms and legs and do different baby yoga exercises. There were 14 babies ranging in ages from 6 weeks to 6 months. The second hour is optional, it is a yoga class for all the moms. The babies can stay on their blankets or hang out in their car seats in the room with us. Of course it is not quiet and serene the whole time like a normal yoga class but that's ok! If your baby fusses or needs to be changed or fed you stop what you are doing and tend to your baby. I was lucky though, James slept through the entire second class! I guess he was worn out from the first hour. It is so nice to be able to be able to get a workout in and have James with me! The class is at the Pea in the Pod maternity store across from Northpark. There is a studio room at the back of the store. Did I mention the class is free? How great is that?!? We are going to try to go every Wednesday and the instructor said they are adding a Friday class soon. Eight of us (with our babies of course) went to lunch next door at Blue Mesa afterwards, which was completely counter productive to working out but oh well. It was so fun to meet other moms !

James is continuing to try to "talk" saying "ohhhhhhhhh" a lot. He also smiles really big when he wakes up from his nap and sees come into the rook to pick him up out of the crib. It melts my heart every time! Here is what babycenter.com says about how James is growing:

Your 7-week-old
Your baby's brain is expanding in size and complexity. It will grow about 5 centimeters during the first three months.You may notice short periods of time when your newborn is quiet and alert. This is prime time for learning. Use these calm intervals to get better acquainted with your baby — talk to her, sing to her, describe the pictures on the walls. He may not be able to add to your conversation just yet, but he's learning nonetheless.New textures for his hands to feel and new sights and sounds (all in moderation) are all learning opportunities. Even bath time becomes a laboratory for understanding the world around him.

I noticed all of my pictures are of James and not very many have anyone else in them. Mainly because our "photo shoots" are during the day when James and I are home by ourselves. I will try to take more pictures with us and our friends too! We have been busy the last several days and the weather was crazy last week with all of the rain and thunderstorms. We were so lucky that our power stayed on the whole time. One block over from us didn't have power for three days!

6 weeks old

James Peyton

"Dancing"

Thank Heaven For Little Boys
James is six weeks old! This week he has discovered his voice and it is the cutest thing. He loves to hear himself say "ohhhhhhhhh" and will make the sound a couple of times in a row then smile. He also loves music! The middle picture is of him on our bed "dancing". I had a mix of music on my ipod playing and a song by Beyonce came on and his little legs and arms started moving so fast! I of course grabbed my camera then called Sean and told him his son loves Beyonce. He laughed but asked if I would please play New Order or Depeche Mode for him instead. Here is what babycenter.com says about how James is growing:

Now that your baby's awake for longer periods during the day, you can use these times to support his sensory development. Try singing your favorite lullabies or playing music.You don't have to limit yourself to children's songs. Fill the house with the sounds of music — from the Black Eyed Peas to Mozart — and watch as your baby expresses his pleasure through coos, lip smacks, and jerking arm and leg movements

How funny! I wrote the first paragraph about music and dancing before I read the 6 week update from babycenter.com I guess James is right on track developmentally.

City Park

The first picture is my Kindergarten class on my last day of teaching, April 24th. The second picture was today when I took James to visit. They were so excited to see me and to meet him! I didn't realize how much I missed them. It is still hard to believe I taught for eight years at City Park! I will miss my students and everyone I worked with but, I am so excited about this next chapter in my life.

5 weeks old

JPG

Laughing again!

Checking himself out in the mirror James is five weeks old. He is really starting to smile and it is just too cute! James and I had a busy day today. We went to my doctor for a post-checkup and everything is good. I finally got the ok to start working out. Now, if I can only figure out when I am supposed to do that! Taking care of our baby boy keeps me busy all day long. We also went to my school to visit the teachers and my kids. They were so excited to see me and meet James. I really missed them and didn't think I would. I have pictures I will post next. Here is what babycenter.com says about how James is growing at five weeks:

Smiling is universal. A baby's first smile happens at about the same time in all cultures, so get ready for your baby to reward all your loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-you grin. This will probably make your heart melt, even if you've just had your worst night yet.