11 Weeks Old

Eddie is 11 weeks old today. Time sure does fly when you're having fun! I feel like we have finally fallen into a good routine and things seem to be getting a little easier every day. I may get this mom thing down by the time he's 18.
One of Eddie's favorite things is his bath time. I however, don't think it's because he loves the bath. I think it's because most days this is his only time with dad. The second he hears the bath water running Eddie won't stop talking. He coos and purrs and gurgles at Dan telling him all about his day. It is the funniest thing to watch.

Eddie enjoying bath time...

My stud muffin posing in his outfit and shades from Grandma Cardall.

This is Eddie and his cousin Graycee Mae. She is Dan's younger brother Mike's little girl. She is 2 months older than Eddie. Weight wise Eddie has her by a pound, but developmentally Graycee is well ahead. It's fun to watch her and see what Eddie will be able to do in only a few short months from now.

Cuddle time with Dad, right before Eddie puked all over him!

One happy baby!

My Wish For You

When I think of all my hopes and dreams for Eddie, this is always the song that comes to mind. It says all the things I have such a hard time putting into words.

"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts.

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

10 Weeks Old

My little Eddie Bear is 10 weeks old today. My how time flies when you are having fun! Every week I am amazed at how much he changes. Everyday he is taking in all the new in the world around him. Just within the last week he has started laughing in his sleep. This must mean he is getting close to laughing out loud. I can't wait.
Yesterday I was working with Eddie on holding his rattles. He has started grabbing onto things such as the burp cloth, my necklace, my hair etc, so I thought why not try some toys. If there can be any indication this early as to what hand he will use, I would definitely say left. Or maybe he'll just be weird like his father and do everything right handed except for golf left handed.
He was doing well holding the toy in his left hand so I decided to try the right. The one time he was able to grip it, his arm did a little spasm which happens on occasion when you are learning to use all those body parts, and he whacked himself right in the forehead. Immediately his lip began to pout and he looked at me as if I had been the one to hit him in the head. I couldn't help but laugh, and with my reaction, he decided he was okay too and gave me a huge smile instead of a cry.
I have started reading some books to him once or twice during the day. I am hoping he will have a love for books. I am surprised at how long I can keep his attention with them. The whole time his eyes are just soaking up all the colors and pictures, and I even get smiles on occasion. And call me crazy, but at Costco the other day I picked up "Your Baby Can Read". Only time will tell if I was a sucker, but I figure that even if he doesn't learn to read any earlier than normal, he will at least be developing a good vocabulary to try to make up for the swear words he'll undoubtedly be picking up from his father...and maybe me too.

Meet that mean ol' rattle...

Weekend In Scoffield

This past weekend we were able to take a mini vacation with our close friends Ryan and Jeni Walton and their three darling boys Connor, Levi and Parker. Their family has a cabin in Scoffield that is just close enough to disappear for a quick weekend, but far enough away to feel like an escape from the world.

The whole gang (minus me the picture taker) enjoying some friendly competition playing Wii Resort.

Eddie enjoying some down time.

A very tired Eddie after a long day, but in his cute outfit from Grandma Merg.

Dan and I shooting clay pigeons. Well, Dan shot some clay pigeons...

Ryan and Dan posing like the studs they are!

Eddie getting ready for some four-wheeling. The little guy slept for the whole time thank goodness.

Eddie chilling with his favorite person...Dad.

9 Weeks Old

Eddie is 9 weeks old today and had his 2 month pediatrician appointment yesterday. I have been dreading it for quite sometime. Eddie doesn't care for the pediatrician to begin with, so add some shots on top of that and it makes for an unhappy child. He actually did better than I expected. Me too for that matter. I think he was most upset about having his legs held down. It was nap time and he was very tired so as soon as the shots were over, there was minimal crying and he was asleep.
As of 9 weeks, Eddie weighs 13 pounds (90%) is 24 inches long (90%) and his head circumference is 16 inches (75%). Our doctor agrees that we have a big, healthy boy. And he slept for 8 hours again last night. That is 2 in a row! Here's to hoping this is a new routine.

Poor baby Eddie after his shots...

The Magic Changing Table

This is the changing table...

Eddie's Aunt Shannon (my brother Cole's wife) made this darling changing table for him. I knew it would be a handy addition to the nursery but I had no idea what an amazing gift it really would be. Why you ask? Because this table has magic powers. All I have to do is set Eddie on it, and he starts smiling and cooing like you wouldn't believe. It's not that the changing pad is soft and feels good, or that there is something fun to look at, or that he is so excited about getting his diaper changed, it's just magic I tell you. So you have probably noticed that most of the pictures of Eddie are of him on his magic changing table. Just to show how magic it is, here are some more pictures to prove it.
This is the happy baby...


The only thing I can think of is that Shannon must have made this changing table with lots of love for her little nephew. It's like a cuddle from Aunt Shannon every time!

Momma Got Her Groove On

Last night I was finally able, and ready, to go to a Zumba class. For those of you who aren't familiar with Zumba it is a dance style work out, that involves plenty of booty shaking. So naturally it was my favorite way to work out before I was pregnant.
Stephanie, who was my roommate sophomore year in Pocatello, was responsible for this adventure. We have been trying to go for weeks, but it is hard with us both being moms and having husbands who work nothing short of long hours. But last night it all came together. I got Eddie down for his evening nap just as Dan got home. I was like a kid on Christmas morning as I hurriedly got ready, gave Dan instructions and ran out the door. I was so excited to get away, but I couldn't help but be worried about coming home to a pissed off baby and his disgruntled father.
So I enjoyed my hour of intense booty shaking, of which I am paying for today. And I came home to a baby that had a great nap, was fed, bathed and happy as could be. Way to go Dan. I overheard Dan later in the evening telling Eddie that he should have made sure I came home to a fussy baby so I wouldn't make it a habit of running off all the time. But too late. I think I could get used to a couple hours away once or twice a week. Not to mention he then slept for a straight 8 hours last night which is a new record. Here's to hoping this wasn't a one time perfect occurrence.

Do I look only 8 weeks old to you?

My baby boy turned 8 weeks old on Thursday. I can hardly believe it has been 2 months that this little angel has been in my life. When I was pregnant I remember wondering with all the amazing people in my life that I already love so much, how was I going to have anymore love to possibly give to a child. Then I held him for the first time. A mother's love is an amazing thing that I am just beginning to understand. I know I have seen it in action as I have been on the receiving end of my own mothers. However, now I am just a link in a very long chain of incredible women. I have some big shoes to fill and hope that my Eddie will understand that although I may not be perfect, my love for him is.

My beautiful boy posing as he sleeps

Eddie practically sitting up on his own. Hard to believe he is only 8 weeks old. He is in the onesie Dan picked out for him. It says "I drink until I pass out". My silly boys!

The Longest 2.25 Hours...

I have always heard people talk about how hard it is to leave their child with a babysitter for the first time. I was no exception. Today I had to take some clients through a home. Dan's sister Shelly and her kids volunteered to watch my little Eddie man. I hated the thought of leaving him but knew I was only a block away and he would be in the best of care. However, I had to keep reminding myself that since Eddie takes a bottle there isn't anything somebody else can't do...as much as I like to think I have superpowers, most people are capable of changing a diaper and feeding a bottle.
I could not focus through the showing. All I could do was watch the time and cringe as they asked yet another question. As soon as it ended I ran to my car and sped to the rescue, only to find Eddie fast asleep curled up in my niece's Brynlie's lap. It was the cutest thing ever. She informed me that to her disappointment about all he'd done was sleep. What a relief to my crazed self:)
So I survived leaving my baby boy for the first time, but I have to say I am not looking forward to doing it again anytime soon!

Baby Eddie's Blessing

We blessed baby Eddie yesterday. It was a wonderful day with all of our family and friends. We blessed him in Wellsville in Dan's parents ward. It was a combined blessing with Dan's brother Mike's baby girl Graycee Mae. Afterward we had a big lunch at Alan and Nancy's house. Dan did a wonderful job blessing Eddie other than the part where he mentioned Eddie's future brothers and sisters!:) I guess Eddie won't be an only child after all!