The Generals Guards

Your royal canine guards protect you from evil. And squirrels.

SomeBunny Loves Me!

Your Hands

This is how you nap the majority of the time. You always need to have your hands by your face. Your daddy and I both sleep in a similar way.
You're cute, baby.

Just to see you smile

Holy Moly. It's incredible the lengths I will go to get you to smile. The most ridiculous noises come out of me in an attempt to trick you into thinking I'm the funniest lady on the block.

Mission Accomplished.
It warms my heart like I never could've imagined. You're pretty damn cute, kid.

Also, thanks to Apple, you are about to be a major movie star. Hollywood, here we come! Here you are in your film debut:

(You also have your own Youtube channel now, with just this one video; scope it: http://www.youtube.com/user/kimmakimou)

And of course, some stills (you had to know I was rocking the Flipcam/Canon/Crackberry trifecta)

xoxo!

Reminds me of this sweet song. Yeah, I'm sappy mcsapperson. Your fault.

He was a skater boy

Well fella, I'm embarrassed to admit that until this first outing, I was a bit terrified to take you out of the house. Yes, you and I have been sequestered in our cave for just short of 5 weeks (outside of doctor visits and one field trip to Target, of course). It's been quite lovely, but I had forgotten what the sky looks like. So, it was time to roll out (also a dope song back in the day...)

Daddy had the day off of work (YAY!!!) so we decided to take you on your very first stroller ride. We bundled you up and strolled over the river and through the woods to the skate park so Daddy could show you his skills. We were lucky enough to catch a rare sunny day in March, chilly but still Oregon beautiful. Daddy pushed the stroller while Mommy walked beside him - it was incredible. And also quite bizarre as we realized we were those people walking on the side of the road with a stroller - those people who make you turn to the passenger in your car and remark with disgust: "Don't those people have jobs?". Yes, we do have jobs, but truth be told people just don't take enough of these days to stop and smell the roses.

On this day, the air was fresh and roses were sure sweet.

scrub a dub dub!

Little one, you have LOVED bath time since you were born. You love the warm water and love to hear us oooh and awe over your adorable facial expressions and splashing around. You are just the cutest little water baby ever!

Here you are, 5 weeks of cuteness:

Not quite a morning fella

5 Weeks ASLEEP

Well, baby. It's time.

We're hunkering down and giving you the routine you seem to be craving. Already you're such a routine fella (just like your mama) who likes to know just what to expect with every feeding, playtime, and nap. Given that, we're taking a soft-core approach to starting to help us all sleep through the night. We know you're capable because you've already given us 5-6 hour stretches from time to time, and Daddy, in spite of his disdain to read even one article on babies, seems to have figured out, on his own, how to get you to sleep for a long night time stretch. Dad's routine isn't too far off from the program we're starting. We read a book (and by "we", I politely mean "me", but you know that already) called Secrets of The Baby Whisperer, as reco'd by 3 different lady friends who swear by this method.

Basic premise is we give you a routine (eat, activity, sleep) and gradually keep you awake longer during the day (within reason), and give you one extra feeding before bed so you don't wake up hungry mid-night. There are critics to this method, some who are in strict adherence to Dr Sears "Attachment parenting" but I believe in a common ground that incorporates both rules of thought (If you are hungry or tired or just want to cuddle, I'm certainly not going to deny you these pleasures, ever). What I do agree with is this crazy British nanny's philosophy to respect your baby as an individual and listen to his cues (even if she does throw in a very annoying ",Luv" at the end of every sentence; for being British, her teeth aren't half bad). See?

That's right, kiddo, I'm respecting you. And listening. And whispering.

Tonight: Night One. You normally sleep 3-4 hrs between 12a - 3aish feeding. Tonight you slept 4 hrs/45 mins (and slept two hours before the previous feeding). Digging it.
Keep it up, little man. Sweet Dreams.

4 Weeks Old = No Sleep till Play time

You decided to take this playchair for a spin today, giving it a try now that you're actually playing. Which is both entertaining and entirely exhausting because you DON'T SLEEP! Also, you're hitting a growth spurt, so all you want to do is eat, play, cry, and repeat; no more time for that pesky sleep. Which means we are trying everything to get you to sleep! And I mean everything short of baby tylenol PM...yeah, don't think it hasn't crossed my mind.

Here is the progression of your chair experience within 15 mins (hey, we got 10 mins of sleep out of this thing, I'll take it).
Also, please sleep.

*Not so sure about this whole jungle theme:

*Woah, Birds!

*Vibrating chair makes me zzzzzzzz......

*Psych! You totally thought I was sleeping, huh? Riiiight...

3-ish Weeks!

We started this post on your 3 week Birthday, but naturally am not posting it until day before your 4 week.

It's a two-fer!!

I'm not sure how long I'll be able to write these weekly updates, as you're keeping me pretty busy these days, but we'll do our best!

Boy are you just full of personality. I hate to jump to conclusions, but I do believe we can safely say at this point that you are not going to be one of those mellow, zen babies. You aren't super fussy, which is nice, but you definitely make sure everyone knows when you're uncomfortable, hungry, or just want some cuddle time. I envy you actually, I wish I could scream and cry when I just wanted to be held (believe me, I have my ways). While you aren't a zen baby, we are perfectly happy knowing that you will let us know when something isn't right, and when you're wide awake, your curious eyes are so fun to watch. You are what we are calling a "high input baby". You love to walk around, bounce and move; we've discovered the baby born and when nothing will chill you out, all we need to do is throw you in the carrier and do some chores, you are perfectly content rolling around in the born while mom or dad do the dishes, sweep, vacuum. It's pretty great. We think this means you'll be a little go getter, always on the move, trying and experiencing new things.

Here are a few milestones you've capped this week.

+ You LOVE to cuddle and don't like being alone; sometimes we'll put you down for bed and if you're sleepy but want someone to cuddle you to sleep, you'll quietly cry until mama comes and scoops you up and takes you to bed (I secretly love this, but worry it's creating a bad habit)

+ You still love your hands and are getting more crafty with them, inserting your finger into your binkie, sucking on your fists and thumbs

+ You are making eye contact, recognizing our faces and voices (this is super fun)

+ You make the sweetest little fake cry noise (we're taking note, as this could be seriously used to manipulate us later…or now.)

+ Your favorite thing this week is to be rocked in mommy's arms in our favorite chair = we love this

+ You like being carried around in the baby born while daddy does the dishes (and mommy catches up on sleep)

+ Your sweetest time of day is in the early morning around the 5am feeding, you are wide awake and just like to cuddle and look around. The house is silent, we lay there and listen to the rain, it's perfect

We've had quite a few visitors this week. Friends and family are coming from afar to check you out and you've been so sweet to everyone (except for Auntie Alicia, who you peed on, nice job, buddy). Your visitors this week were:

Alicia Mickes

Lisa Osborne

Eileen Wiesy Peters

Lori Higgins (twice! She really loves us, and we love her too)

Jason Higgins

Cousins Jackson and Maverick Higgins

I hope I didn't forget anybody!

This weeks shout out goes to daddy, for being so amazingly patient with both you and I. We're a handful, us two, and he is taking it with grace and ease (and a little bit of beer). We love you, daddy.

Here are a few shots from week 3:

and here's just a few of you and your new buds:

The Higgins boys just LOVE you!!!

Photo Shoot!

We send our friends and family a gazillion picture messages throughout the day (per their request, don't worry, your face won't be mistaken for spam).
Here is a series where I just couldn't get the right shot, and then reviewed the pics to realize it almost perfectly captures quite a few of your crazy expressions. No two are the same and all are full of personality, so you. A new goal of mine is to start capturing these close up on the real camera, crackberry just doesn't do it justice.

Please ignore the annoying same ole mommy smile, baby is the main attraction.

Tiny noises

Your daddy is laying next to me, he fell asleep holding my hand.
The lamp is covered with a towel (only under adult supervision).
Lucy is curled up next to dad.
I'm laying here dead tired in my most comfortable bed but not sleeping. Instead I'm rocking you, my hiccup baby, to sleep on my legs, watching your eyes move around the room at different objects and contrasts. Remembering when I could feel your hiccups in my belly, and it was always around this time too.
I could laugh so hard at every one of your adorable baby hiccups but I try to refrain because this bumpy movement might just keep you awake. And we've GOT to get you to bed. Just as soon as I can stop laughing.

Really though, I'm in no hurry. I have all of my favorite people within a 3 foot reach and we are all happy and healthy with life all around us.
It's good. So, so good. :)

PS: your hiccups stopped just as I finished typing this to you. Still rocking...

Grandpa

You love your Grandpa. He's a man who has the most calming presence, you know you can count on him for anything you need. He loves you to the moon and back, and you really love him too.

Tiny hands

You hold my hand when you nurse. This is one of my favorite things.

Welcome: Sawyer Lee Sizemore

Well, baby. You are now 2 weeks old and my how time flies. I've had your blog on my to do list each day since we brought you home. I had no idea I would have my hands so full (of LOVE!). So, we're going to try this: blogging from the blackberry. It's what we have this thing for, right? Apologies in advance to your readers and fans for any spelling or grammatical errors. We're learning how to operate on less than 10% brain capacity and spell check and vocabulary has taken a hit in this parenthood bit. Forgive us. Onward...

First, it probably goes without saying, but we are completely and utterly in love with you, little guy. We are so happy you came out a BOY, just as we knew you would. You will make a great Junior head of household and we're elated to have an older brother for #2 someday. You are so sweet and so strong at the same time. From the moment we met you and the doctor put you on my chest, you were lifting yourself up, doing pushups and crawling to the feeding zone. The nurses watching over you in the nursery could not get over how funny it was to see this tiny day-old baby crawling around in his bassinet. They had to watch you because you kept moving around so much, arms and legs just pushing your head and body up and all around your bed. It's like you were showing off, and knowing your daddy, this is entirely possible. You also entered this world one HUNGRY hippo. It must've been your appetite that inspired the instant crawling, because you wanted to eat right away.
Everyone was so excited to meet you. In the room when you were delivered: Daddy, Aunt Lori, Aunt Tracy, Grandma Humphries, and waiting very impatiently outside the door: Uncle Cam, Grandpa Humphries, Uncle Will, and Aunt Amber. It was your daddy who delivered the news that we had a baby boy Sawyer, and I instantly started crying tears of joy. I was so happy that 22 hours after you knocked on the door to let me know you were ready, here we all were, at 12:24am on Feb 1st, welcoming our tiny baby boy. When you came out, all I remember was such a burst of emotion. In that instant everything I knew about myself changed. I became a mom, with no idea what that meant except it was better, way better than 1 second before I met you. The doctor held you up and every ounce of my being and my soul screamed MINE as I reached out my arms - I couldn't get you next to me fast enough. I'll never forget that euphoric feeling when you fell onto my chest. I always believed in love at first site, but this feeling was on another level. I am a changed person, so blessed and honored to be your Mom. I've never been a super religious person, but at this moment I had to thank God for this tiny miracle. More to come when I can write up your birth story, but dang, baby, we are so happy you are here and really can't imagine life without you.

Here's what that moment looked like:

In the first two weeks, you have already gotten so big, and now you're really starting to wake up.

At birth you weighed 8 lbs, 7 oz.
At one week old: 8 lbs, 12 oz.
At two weeks old: 9 lbs, 4 oz.
That's right, lil monster. You're gaining on us!

Also, at your 2 week appt, you are in the 95th percentile for weight (that's right, big boy!), 75th for length, and 25th for head circumference (well, we'd rather have a baby with a small head than one with a huge melon).

Here are a few milestones from these first two weeks:
+ lift your head and abdomen up off the ground to look around the room
+ uses legs to hold self up (with assistance)
+ turns head to mom and dads voices
+ when you go to feed, you shake your head like crazy to the right and left with a wide open mouth
+ you love to be bounced on the exercise ball
+ when fussy, you just want to be held and walked
+ your mommy loves to rock you and cuddle with you on her chest
+ your daddy can hold your entire body on just his forearm, you love this for soothing a tummy ache, he also changes your diapers in record time
+ you love your Grandma and Grandpa Humphries - you nuzzle in Gma's neck while she sings to you, and you lay on Grandpa's belly while he rocks you
+ in your 2nd week, you've started showing us your satisfaction while feeding by cooing and making tiny adorable noises after each gulp
+ you smile at least 3 times a day. While we know this is probably gas, we can't help but believe that it's you telling us you're happy as can be
+ when burped, you rest your head on your hands and look as peaceful as can be. You also love to move your head around and slam your mouth into our cheeks - it's like a really hard kiss, we'll take it.

In the last 4 days, you've started to wake up and remind us that your lungs are strong and well developed. The good news is we can almost always attribute your crying to something. Doesn't mean mommy and daddy can fix it, but at least we know why. Our favorite is when you're not crying (duh) and are wide awake. You have the most beautiful big curious eyes and are always checking out the world around you. We can't wait to see what you'll look like and who you'll become. In the meantime, we are loving this tiny person and are so grateful and blessed to have you in our lives, one very happy (and incredibly sleepy) family. :-)

Also, big shout-out to the Grandparents. Your Grandma stayed with us for 5 days when we brought you home from the hospital. And here in the 2nd week your Grandpa is watching over you. Both have been a God send, helping feed mommy and daddy while we tend to your needs. These two have helped soften the blow of bringing home a newborn and we are so insanely thankful and blessed to have our family close and willing to help.

Go Team Sizemore!