How time flies....

Baker will be 4 months old on Saturday. It's just crazy how much faster time is going by....Things are going pretty well, I feel like we're on a really good schedule now. I am planning on going back to work full time next month and I feel better about it now that we've got a schedule down.

He sleeps a minimum of 6 hours at night then wakes up to eat and sleeps another 4 hours. He's usually in bed by 9 (which is earlier than I like, but what can you do?) and sleeps til 3 or so. However, about the last week, hes sleeping until 4:30 or 5, which is nice because I dont normally go to bed until about 11. Then he sleeps until about 7:30. He starts to rustle around a bit so I just lay him next to me, nurse him and we both fall back asleep until 8:30 or 9. We get up, play with his gym and then I feed him again at 10. This usually lulls him to sleep and he naps until 12. I feed him again at 1, then he's ready for nap time again at 2. He sleeps until 4, eats again, plays, we read books, etc and then he's ready for his "cat nap" time around 5:30. He'll sleep off and on until 7 or so and then he's ready for bed by 9.

He still has to be swaddled in order to sleep well. If he's not, he moves his arms and hands around so much that he wakes him self up. I am looking forward to the time when he doesn't need to be swaddled in order to sleep. He also really isn't loving the binky. He only takes it if he's cranky and is tired, but as soon as he falls asleep, he spits it out. I guess that's ok though. Maybe that means he won't need it as much as he gets older.

Joel and I are so amazed by our sweet little boy. He talks and laughs all the time! He's very animated when he talks (much like his momma), he uses his hands and squeals, it's soo cute! I work with him on sitting up everyday. I sit him on my legs and he automatically brings himself to an upright sitting position. He'll stay sitting up for 10 seconds or so and then I hold on to his arms to help him. He hates being held like a baby unless he's tired. He always likes to be sitting facing out so he can see what's going on. We also started sitting him in the stroller without the carseat which he loves because he can see everything. He is also discovering his feet. He can't quite hold onto them yet, but he brings them up and touches his toes and is wondering what on earth to do with them. He HATES tummy time, but luckily he's really good at holding up his head, however, I still work with him on it everyday. Another thing that we've discovered is that he loves to be read too. It never fails. He can be totally cranky and whiny, but if we sit him on our laps and read to him, he immediately is in a better mood and starts cooing and talking as though he's reading with us. He kicks his feet and moves around and the minute we're done with the book, he'll stop and look at us like you're not done, are you? We are just so in love with this boy and he truly completes our lives for us. It even makes us think that maybe we'll have another one in the next year and a half or so instead of 5 years! Who knows though? We'll wait and see what God has in store for us.

Joel is still working 50+ hours a week, which is nice for the paycheck, but sucks for family time. It's nice when he gets home and can spend some one on one time with Baker and I can just chill out with a few moments to myself. Joel's birthday was this past Saturday, the 24th, so we celebrated with a big BBQ on Memorial Day. Joel's brother, Adrian's birthday is the 27th, so we had 2 cakes and luckily it was nice out and were able to enjoy time with our family and friends.

I will post new pics soon. Baker's 4 month check up is June 5th, so I'll post his update after that.
I want to post a few shout outs first though:

First, Congratulations to Emily, Kris and Torance Stewart who are getting ready to welcome their little boy into their family any day now! Then to Alison, Jeff and Ryan Boon who recently found out that they are expecting a BOY in late October and to Tracey, Tyler and Jaymin Kerlee who just found out that they are expecting a GIRL on my birthday! (November 6, for those who don't know) We're so excited for you all and wish you the best on your upcoming arrivals!

xoxo, Momma Noelle

3 months!

Daddy and Me
I LOVE my gym!
Just Me!
3 months old! Don't I look dapper?
Laughing at Momma's silly jokes!

I can't believe it's been 3 months since Baker arrived! It's so true how quickly they grow. Baker is doing really well. Sleeping 5-7 hr stretches at night and lots of cat naps throughout the day. He usually gets one long nap throughout the day, however, he's like his Momma and is a light sleeper and wakes up very easily. He definitely needs to be swaddled in order to sleep longer. I bought one of the Swaddle Design blankets and it works wonders.

I am still trying to nurse as much as possible, but it's pretty safe to say I'm not producing like I used too. Everytime I pump, I'm lucky to get 3 oz from both sides together. And I was never really producing alot to begin with. I hate that he has to be on formula more and more, but it works. However, we are realizing how expensive formula is! I can't imagine how much we would spend on it if he was strictly formula fed!

Baker is talking sooo much! It's the cutest thing. And he is smiling and giggling. We just love that. We think he's going to be an early crawler. Every time we put him on his tummy, he pulls himself up on his knees and tries to crawl. He always has to be moving!

Joel is working ALL the time. It's nice for the paycheck, but it sucks for family time. We are certainly looking forward to September when he'll be working transport and will have all the federal holidays as well as weekends off. I was working part time, but wasn't happy with that so I'm home for now. Still looking for full time work, but not really too concerned about it at this time. Still haven't sold the house, which sucks, but there is only so much you can do, right?

Ok, so Baker is ready for some Momma time, so I'm off!