8 weeks old

Tommy is offically two months old! Can you believe it?

Tommy, we had a pretty quiet week around here. We did a lot of resting and snuggling at home. It was pretty cold around here so we stayed in, did some work around the house, did a little shopping, and overall, took it easy.

You have continued to grow even more. You finished off the last of your size 1 diapers and we officially moved to size 2. Again, it broke my heart a little bit to see you grow even more, but they fit you better. And I'm glad to see that Pampers has brought back Cookie Monster in the size 2. How dare they leave him out in the size ones!

**Side note*** Pampers uses Sesame Street characters on their diapers and on the newborns and smaller sizes they feature "baby" sesame street character. The characters grow with each size, meaning that Pampers makes the characters mature as the baby matures. Like I said, the newborn and size 1 and 2's are cute, adorable little baby sesame street guys...then, the other day in Target I peeked into a Pampers Cruisers size 3 and Cookie Monster looked like some old, scary animal. I'm having enough to deal with as my own baby grows, and now I have to watch Cookie Montster mature right before my eyes. I think Pampers is deliberately trying to make me miss the newborn size of my baby and put it into my brain to make another one. Seriously. I think these diaper companies have a conspiracy! lol.

So, Tommy, you just continue to grow and amaze us! You probably weigh about 13 pounds or so by now and are just the sweetest little butterball. You are smiling a little more often, and Gammie even saw you laugh in your sleep. You're sleeping through the night. We go to bed around 9 and you wake up at 4:30. I feed/change you and we sleep until 7:30. You're such good baby!

Your passport came in the mail this week, so you're ready to join the fmaily adventures of traveling! Hopefully it won't be too long before you go on your first vacation! Your passport picture is so funny...you're just so damn cute!

Well, time for me to go feed you, get you changed, put you to bed and do some more quick cleaning before I go to bed. This is a big week coming up with it being your First Thanksgiving!!

Night night Butterball.

Over the Rainbow

If the volume on your computer is working, you should be hearing the Hawaiianish version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

I had to add this song to Tommy's website because it is so emotional for me. Let me explain:

Once you hear how sweet this version is sung...you can just tell it's a special song. It's one of those songs that automatically forms a lump in my throat.

Anyway, I had heard this song before a few times, but the first time I really listened to it was right after our failed IVF attempt in July of 2007. It came on at a restauarant Rich and I were eating at, and after about 20 seconds of it, I was crying so hard I had to excuse myself and go to the ladies room. By the time I got to the stall, I was crying so hard I could hardly breathe. I was so mad at this song because it was so pretty and so positive and saying how wonderful the world is and I felt like my world was crumbling. I was always thankful that no one else was in the restroom because I really had to let things out. I sat there for a good 15-20minutes trying to compose myself. I finally stopped and tried to regain my optimistic mindset, and said to myself, if a song this beautiful could be written, things will be ok. The song says, "Someday I'll wish upon a star, wake up where the clouds are far behind me." I left the bathroom praying that those dark clouds would leave me soon and that I would find the other side of that rainbow this guy was singing about.

Thankfully, I never heard that song again until after I found out I was pregnant 7 months later. It was very soon after I found out I was pregnant because it was during the first few weeks when I was most paranoid. I was in my car alone and I was just out running errands, and I heard the first few guitar strums...

It was immediate waterworks. It brought back that horrible moment of sitting in the restaurant bathroom stall sobbing thinking I would never have a baby. But, I turned up the volume and listened. I realized it was the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I also realized that I had wished upon a star and the clouds were behind me. It was the sunnist day. The sun was shinging and it was actually a little warm outside which is odd for late February in NW Indiana. And I knew everything was going to be ok. Would you believe that Rich and I heard this song on our ride home from the hospital with Tommy? (I cried, but it was a good cry!)

Trying to start a family through pregnancy or adoption can be excrutiatingly difficult for some people. I can name at least five people I see/talk to on a regular basis that unfortunately have to struggle like we did. My heart goes out to these families and I just want them to know that dreams do come true just like the song says. You just have to find the other side of that rainbow.

So...to all my devoted blog-reading friends out there, please turn the volume up, listen to this beautiful song, and say a prayer that those clouds will clear up and more dreams will come true.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

More 8 weeks Pictures

Tommy at 2 months old, all bundled up, and going out to visit

8 Weeks Pictures

Tommy dressed up for Football Sunday

Seven Weeks Old

Why is time going by SOOO fast??

Can you believe in another week Tommy will meet his 2 month old birthday? Holy cow! This has been a VERY big week for Tommy...

Tommy, you have grown so much this past week. I know I keep saying that, but you really have grown! We have noticed that your eyelashes have grown incredibly longer in the past week and your thighs are chunky little things. It seems like all of this stuff has happened overnight! You're still a little peanut, but you're definitely filling out.

During the past week we've kept our normal routine, but you made it easier on mommy and daddy, because you started sleeping very soundly during the night. You now sleep for a minimum of five hours! I think there was a time when you even slept seve hours and mommy felt like she could run a marathon with so much sleep! What's even better is that once we get up and get you changed and fed, you go back to bed for another 2-3 hours!

On Friday, mommy and Gammie took you in for your 6 week dr. appt and your first round of vaccinations. You screamed and turned purple when the needles went in, and mommy sobbed holding your hand and rubbing your head telling you it would be ok. I just couldn't stop crying. I couldn't stand to see you cry and be in pain. You stopped crying pretty soon after it was all over, but your mother was still crying. I got control of myself again and we were able to go home. Your doctor called later in the afternoon to check on ME, not you. She was concerned about how upset I was! (Tommy's doctor is a friend of mine that I have gone to school with since first grade. I assured her I'm just a little emotional these days...I'm fine!) We came home and you weren't feeling well at all. You had a pitiful little cry that wasn't your normal cry, and you didn't want to eat an ungodly amount of food like you normally do. I gave you some tylenol and we went to bed early with daddy and slept all night. You're doing just fine now...although I think mommy is still recovering.

As of your appt on Friday, you weighed 11 pounds 14 ounces, measured 22 1/4 inches and your head was 39 (cm??). All of your mesurements were in the 50th percentile. 100% perfect!

On Sunday, you went to your first birthday party! Your cousin Susan turned 3 and we went to the Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor in Forest Park to celebrate. You were too young to play the games, but you hung out with us and showed everyone how cute you are. You got to meet lots of Auntie Dana's friends and Susie's friends, and also got to meet and spend time with Unlce Kurt and Uncle Kris! Uncle Kurt said you looked like a "total Krull."

And, today, on your seven week birthday, you gave mommy the best gift I could have ever asked for. I walked up to you in your little baby papasan chair, and said your name. You looked at me with those big blue eyes and smiled for the first time! It melted my heart and made me realize that everything I had been dreaming about these last few years are becoming reality. I often think about how many wonderful events are lying ahead of us and just can't wait to see you grow and share your life with you.

As the holidays get closer, I start to think about how last year at this time, your mommy and daddy were just hoping and praying for you. Little did I know last year when I put up the Christmas tree that you would be here now! So, today, as I put up the Christmas tree, I'm completely in awe of how God does answer prayers and is still making miracles. You are the biggest miracle to ever come into my life. As I am getting ready to take you to bed now, there is the first snow of the season falling outside of our window, our Christmas tree is twinkling, and you are in my arms! You're no longer a dream! I think this is a season for miracles and I hope God answers more prayers this year like he did for our little family.

Time to take you to bed now! Sleep tight baby boy and thanks for making my dreams come true!

More Pics of Tommy

Here's a picture of the "Three Amigos." We all got dressed up for the Bears Game! There's also a picture of mommy and Tommy snoozing on the couch and enjoying our time together! This is why nothing gets accoplished around my house and why it's so messy right now, but cuddle time with Tommy is far more important than cleaning! And finally, a picture I found that is "old." A too cute to pass up picture of him a day after he was born...still in the hospital.

Six Weeks Old

Tommy is now a big boy!

Unfortunately, we had to make a trip to the pediatrician on Tuesday. Poor Tommy had a rash on his chest, and it seemed to spread to his forehead, top of head, and then on his face. This all happened gradually, but once it got to his face and chin, I decided it was time to take him in. Poor guy! As it turns out, he had a case of baby acne! Have you ever heard of such a thing? My poor baby! The doctor said it was harmless and would go away on its own. She said it's very common and absolutely nothing to worry about. A week later now, it's pretty much gone from his face but is still on his chest. She said it's due to their oil and sweat glands still developing and their overall systems developing. It may take a few weeks for it to all go away.

While we were there Tommy was weighed and as of Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Tommy weighed in at 10 pounds 10 ounces!! He's getting to be quite the butterball!

He is definitely on a sleeping routine now. He's alert and awake in the morning after his first bottle, and then naps in the afternoon, then is awake in the early evening, naps, eats, then is awake for a little bit, and then we go to bed. He usually sleeps for about 6 hours at a time. This is WONDERFUL! He is still eating anywhere from 4-7 ounces at a time, and mommy is doing a great job pumping and keeping up with his demands.

We had a pretty quiet week overall. We went back to Gymboree for another play date and had a great time, met new babies and mommies, and learned new songs and games to play at home.

I realized I forgot to mention two big milestones from Tommy's five week old entry. On Oct. 30, Tommy took his first road trip with mommy and Auntie Julie to Purdue to visit Jen. We had a great time! Mommy got to reminisce about her Purdue days, and we all went out for a delicious pizza lunch in the levee! I must admit, it was hard to pass by Harry's Chocolate Shop without wanting to stop in! Tommy was great in the car! He slept the whole way there and back! It was great!

And, of course, Oct 31st was Tommy's first Halloween! He dressed up as a pumpkin and sat on the porch with me to pass out candy. It was about 70 degrees that day and perfect weather for Tommy to experience his first Halloween. He went inside once it got dark for a bottle with daddy and then upstairs for some special daddy and Tommy time. (They had to go upstairs to get away from Winnie who was barking loudly at EVERY kid!) Poor Winnie! All she wanted to do was play with them!

So, that's what's new around here! We are going to start decorating for Christmas soon for Tommy's first Chrismtas. Thanksgiving is so late this year, so we're going to get a jump on things. And if Mommy ever gets her butt in gear, we'll take some family portraits for the Christmas cards!!

Stay tuned for more pictures!

The cutest outfit ever!!

Isn't this just the most precious little boy outfit?? Thanks Jenny and Andrew!! We love it!!

Tommy's Nursery

Just thought I'd post some pictures of the prince's palace. Different angles from around the room, and Tommy's posse of piggies waiting to play with him. Didnt Tommy's daddy do a good job painting??

Some favorite sleeping pics

Tommy's bath pictures

Tommy's first real bath

Gymboree Pictures

Pictures of Tommy and I at Gymboree. Yes, I went and got a haircut after seeing how awful it looked.

Five Weeks Pictures

Tommy at five weeks old...one picture is in mommy and daddy's favorite turtle outfit which no longer fits, and a good old fashioned diaper shot.

Five Weeks Old

Tommy is officially getting bigger!

Tommy, you have grown so much; it's hard to believe! Your head is much bigger and your body is filling out. You're definitely a little longer too. You also have big feet.

Your newborn outfits are still fitting, except a few. Mommy and Daddy's favorite was the turtle outfit and that no longer fits you. I put you in it yesterday for the last time, and it broke my heart. You only stayed in it for an hour while I fed you in the morning, but then we took it off because your poor little feet were cramped.

Last week was your first bath in the big boy bath tub. We had just been giving you sponge bath wipe-downs until then. You LOVE to be in the bath tub! You don't fuss. Your first bath you pooped in it, and your second bath was poopie free! You're so precious during bath time!

Your biggest event last week was going to Gymboree. It's a mommy and me play group and we sing songs and do things to help baies learn how to focus, and other developmental skills. It was so fun! Mommy cried through the whole thing. I just got overwhelemd thinking that this was your first "class" and once again, I couldnt believe that I was there with MY baby, playing with you and singing songs to you. Mommy and Daddy waited so long for you, and it still gets a little emotionally overwhelming to me. I was crying tears of joy, but I still felt like a fool. I never knew "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" could make me cry so much! On your baby shower invitation, it said "Twinkle Twinkle little star, how we wonder who you are." I kept thinking about that and how excited we were to meet you, and here you were right in front of me, and I couldn't help but cry! When I say you are a dream come true, you really are a dream come true.

I think that's about it. Dorothy and Stephanie visited with you on Sunday while Gammie was babysitting. Daddy and I had escaped for a four-hour break to watch the Bears game and drink some "root" beers. We had a good time, but like always when you're not with us, we got out our cell phones and looked at your pictures and came home sooner than planned to be with you!

I can't believe you're over a month old already! We love you more and more each day and mommy loves playing with her little butterball.

"I was the baby first"

Winnie proving to us that she was the baby first.

(If you're wondering why the cradle is in the living room,...it was next to our bed for Tommy, but Mommy got freaked out by all the SIDS warnings and became paranoid, so we've abandoned the 60+ year old cradle for a pooh bear pack and play) Tommy will move into his big boy crib in a few more months.