It's been busy....

I think about blogging everyday about of all the wonderful and adorable things Enzo does in his spare time to keep you updated.  However, I have no spare time and need to focus on basic hygiene principles, feeding the family and taking care of a tiny little man!  Days just go by so quickly, even though it seems I get nothing done.  We have also been doing more outings lately and one trip into town is usually about 4 hours.  He is so good when I take him out - just sleeps in his stroller or takes in the sights.  Strangers comment on how cute he is which delights me to no end!  Anyway, the reason you come here....pictures of Enzo!

This is his changing table, all decorated with recent gifts of artwork.  The Turnip portrait is by Matthew Porter and is from my mom.  The painting all the way on the right was made by Jake's grandma and the color scheme is perfect for the room (and a beautiful painting nonetheless).  The real hit of this area is that mouse image by his head.  He loves that mouse and just stares, smiles and talks to it for as long as I let him lay there!  We've even made up a special song about the mouse that we sing during diaper changes.

Tired daddy, awake baby.  The pink jammies were mine as a baby!  They look so cute on him!

Notice his pinky fingers!  He naps with pinky fingers extended like that and we like to think he is dreaming about drinking tea with the Queen!

I was snapping some photos of him while napping after nursing, and he caught me!

This outfit is for when he is feeling like a badass baby!

And the recent favorite, the big smile!  I took this right after he figured out he could put things in his mouth.  It made him very very happy.

Since it's my birthday, we decided to do at least a little something so Deborah offered to babysit and we have dinner reservations.  First time leaving the kiddo with someone else!  I'm sure it will be fine, especially if he has Deborah and Esme to hang out with.

Jen's big visit

Last weekend we had a wonderful visit with Jen (who is 30 weeks pregnant already!) and her husband.  On Saturday night we had a low-key welcome party for them with chili, cornbread and sweet potato-coconut bars (a recipe I've been wanting to try, and they were good!).  Deborah and Esme came as well so there were two infants, two pregnant ladies and a few others who are not child bearing at this time.  I really had a nice time.  Deborah and I spent a lot of time chatting with the preggo ladies about things to do before the baby arrives and what to expect in general after the baby arrives.   I guess I have a lot of knowledge about this subject now.  As Deborah pointed out to me earlier this week, it's not that the baby is more work now at 5 weeks, we're just getting used to the adjustment.  I couldn't agree more!  

Jen, Enzo and I last weekend.  Jen came with me to entertain Enzo while I got it cut (it took over an hour to cut my hair it was so unruly!).  

Here's a little video of Enzo today on his play mat that Pat and Gary bought him for Christmas.  He's not doing much but there's a wide range of expressions that are too cute!  We play on this every morning and practice tummy time as well.  He's not so good at the tummy time yet and gets frustrated after a few minutes.  Also, these dinosaur jammies that Jake's grandma sent him and so cute, but is quickly growing out of them. :-(

**Sorry, I can't figure out what's wrong with the video nor do I have time to do an in depth investigation. I'll try to post more videos soon!

In other news, Jake will be leaving February 9th for Australia, which is not the original date he was told.  Therefore, I'll be home alone for a week before the grandmas arrive.  Yikes!  I'll need extra help with the dog which I can probably recruit from friends and I'll also probably have the nanny come over for a couple days so I can get some other things done like shopping or cleaning.  I started pumping milk earlier this week, but haven't tried the bottle.  That's next on the list of things to do.  I don't expect a problem with him taking a bottle because he does take a pacifier easily.  We will see!

Also, there is action concerning my birthday present involving accordions.  Getting excited!

Happy one month birthday, little man!

Enzo turns one month old today!  He's holding his head up really well, getting heavier by the day and I can no longer touch my fingers when I wrap my hands around his rib cage.  His hobbies still include drinking milk, spitting up and sleeping random hours, but now he likes to stare at books and pictures, especially things that have eyes.  He's smiling more which makes the long nights and fussy times worth it.    Today is also the frist time I left him home with Jake as I wanted to do a couple errands before dinner.  I was totally thinking about him the whole time and hoping he wasn't hungry, because I have all the goods!  Apparently he slept the whole time I was away then started screaming when I got home.  Thanks little dude.

This is from a few days in an adorable outfit that Grandma Pat got for him.  I love the hood!  Great for cool afternoon walks.  (He is in a motorized swing that my friend Suz bought for him.  He seems to like it for short periods of time.)

These dinosaur jammies are the cutest!  These are from Jake's grandma in Arizona and we put them on him every other night (because they get dirty and I do his laundry every other day).  I hope to get a better picture of them before he outgrows them.

And here he is today as I was walking him around in my sling.  We're still trying to get used to the sling and I really need to practice more with it.

I just love those bright eyes and velvety soft round head!

I feel like I just play dress up with him all day!  Plus, we've received so many cute outfits I just can't help myself.

3 Weeks Old!

Little man is growing fast!  He already feels much heavier, his head is looking huge to me and his wrists and cheeks seem to be filling out a bit.  He's eating about 12-15 times a day this past week which is exhausting for me, but I'm happy that he's growing and that I can provide him with his food.  We're over the thrush issues though I have some residual soreness.  I went to a La Leche League meeting on Monday to get some breastfeeding support and the ladies there were helpful and validating to my issues and feelings.  It's great to have all this community support available to me.

This picture is from December 22nd on our first walk near the beach.  He seemed to enjoy being carried in his sling!

This picture is of Enzo and Esme (my friend Deborah's little girl) on Christmas day.  Esme was 10 days old and Enzo 15 days old.  They will grow up to be best friends I'm sure!

We've spent a few mornings here trying to get a good photo of Enzo for the birth announcement.  Here's a picture from Thursday that is good, but that we're not using.  Tie-dye courtesy of Grandma Sheila via Wheatland of course!

And here he is today in his baby jail outfit!  

And lastly, thank you all for the outpouring of Christmas/Chanukah/baby gifts!  I will get to everyone individually soon to thank you, but I wanted to  let everyone know how much we appreciate our friend's and family's generosity!

Happy New Year!

First Bath!

His cord fell off on December 20th so yesterday we were brave enough to give him his first tub bath!

It didn't start out so great.  He did not enjoy laying back in the sling.

But once we sat him up he seemed more content and quit screaming!  I think we're going to get one of these.  The video is so cute!

After the bath he got dried in his ducky towel then into his bathrobe.  Yes, I know I look tired and unwashed, but Enzo is happy!

Ready for an evening of lounging.

Then into his jammies!  This belonged to the Metcalf boys when they were little ones.

Yesterday we also went to the ocean and walked on West Cliff Drive for awhile.  Then we went out to lunch at an outdoor cafe.  Baby got fresh air and the parents got to feel like they were part of civilization again!  We were all very tired by the end of the day.

One week and One Day

Enzo is such a joy!  We are so in love with him and enjoying this week of many firsts.  Anyone reading this has probably read the birth story in the email we sent out and one of these days I may post it here adding a few more details.  This post is about his week of firsts.  Everything is so new and exciting!

First outfit!  This was taken right before leaving the hospital.

Right after this picture was taken at the hospital, he threw up everywhere - his first puke and first frantic outfit change.  Also, this is before his first car ride.

We took him home on Wednesday the 14th.  Pat made this beautiful sign!

Enzo after his first sponge bath in his ducky towel.

First family walk with Enzo in his sweet ride!

First outfit I bought for him and it says "Mommy's little Pumpkin".  I actually don't think it suits him.  He is more of a colorful cotton outfit baby.  We've been using this though when we go outside because it's warm and it's the only thing that fits him perfectly.

First cloth diaper!  We weren't planning on using a pacifier until after a month, but his screaming during diaper changes changed our minds.  We only give it to him during the diaper change for some self soothing.

This expression says to me, "Hey dudes, milk is kool!"

Ahhhh!  Too cute in his t-shirt and cloth diaper!  Just look at those chicken legs.

First fancy outfit!  Fox onesie courtesy of Amey and adorable beyond belief.

Not exactly a first, but Jake and Enzo have an afternoon habit of snoozin' and readin'.  They are so cute I can't leave them alone!

41 Weeks!

Oh dear!  What's a girl to do?  We're trying everything we can to get this baby out naturally.  I had two appointments this past week to make sure baby's heart rate is okay and everything is fine.  I've been having painless contractions since last Tuesday which kinda means I'm in very early labor.  It's just nice to know that something is happening in there!  This was me before by appointment on Saturday morning, when Jake thought we wouldn't come back to the house for a few days.  At this point our power was still out after the storms on Wednesday.  It was out for a total of 4 days and it was stressful!  Luckily it came back on Saturday afternoon and I got busy doing laundry and running the dishwasher.

Pat and Gary arrived last night and we're trying to think of things to keep us occupied.  Today we went to pick out a Christmas tree!  Jake has been wanting one for years and I finally caved.  We went to a tree farm near our house and picked out the best one, of course.

Here is Jake and Gary coming to inspect that one I choose.

Jake and I next to the tree before it was cut.

 Jake and Gary did a great job!

I was horrible at trying to saw off the little branches at the bottom.  I didn't even one off!  We were hoping this would induce labor.

Packed up on the car.

Me using techniques to remind Pumpkin to come out!!