Hunter: 4 Months!

Hunter - you are 4 months old today. I cannot believe it's been 4 short months since you've made your arrival. You fit perfectly into our family and I just can't imagine life without your smily little face. I love you so, so much and so does your daddy. Your big brother is enamored with you and he doesn't like to be away from you at all. Y'all have the sweetest relationship! This month was a fun one - I treasure every sweet memory we are making together! 

We went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago for a cold (I'm a little paranoid after your stint in the hospital!), and you weighed 17.5 pounds. Unofficially, you weighed 18.2 pounds today. I couldn't get you to lay still for a good length measurement Your 4 month well check isn't until Friday, but I believe you'll be back in the top percentiles. You are a (super cute) chunky monkey! 

You are still in size 2 diapers, but we'll be moving you up to a 3 very soon. You wear 3-6 month, 6 month and some 9 month clothing. Your legs have plenty of chunk on them (the best!), so I have a hard time buttoning many of your little rompers. Because of the season difference between you and your brother's birthdays, I've gotten to buy a few new baby boy things for you - summer things are the cutest! 

You are sleeping so well. We start your bedtime routine between 7 and 7:15, depending on what time we get home from our activities each night. You take a bath with Luke and you love it. You kick your legs and laugh and are so happy during bath time. Once we get you out and dressed, you drink between 6-7 ounces and go immediately down for the evening around 7:45-8. We don't swaddle you anymore, and that's going great! You seem to be getting tired earlier in the evening, so we are going to be moving the routine up by about 30 minutes starting this month. You usually sleep until about 6 or 6:30am, take a 6 oz. bottle and then go back to sleep until I wake you up to go to school. I'll take it! 

You began to roll over this month. It's mostly from tummy to back, but I heard you crying one day during nap and then you stopped, and when I came in to check on you, you were laying on your tummy sucking your thumb. You definitely love your fingers and you are our thumb sucker. You love grabbing toys and trying to put them in your mouth. You are always grabbing my hair too, which can be quite painful. You laugh and giggle and coo all the time; you are the happiest little boy. 

You have done so well in school. You are on a schedule and I haven't gotten a bad report yet. I'm so thankful for your sweet teachers. Luke goes in to check on you as much as he can, and the other babies in your class are as sweet as can be. I feel so blessed that you and Luke have had the same infant teachers and they know us and love you and Luke so much. 

As always, this month was packed with fun activities. Our family just doesn't do well sitting at home and we are always on the go. You are so laid back and have no problems being carried from place to place. I am so thankful for that and your easy going personality. 

On Mother's Day (exactly a month ago), we went to church, lunch at the country club with the Pinkstons and to our annual crawfish boil with friends. We were outside most of the afternoon and it was so hot, so we stripped you down to your diaper and you got passed around and loved on all day. 

The next weekend, we drove to Austin so that we could go to a wedding. You stayed with Grandma and Pappy and had so much fun. 

On the 23rd, the pools opened at the Club. You and your brother went to aftercare with a bunch of your friends Friday night, while mommy and daddy had a date night and went to the luau. Saturday, we went to the pool while daddy hit golf balls and then took long naps. Sunday, you and Luke both got sick and we had to cancel all of our weekend plans. You both spent the following week at home sick! Nana came up to help us and you got lots of cuddles. 

That weekend, we went to a pool party at daddy's bosses house. You were so good and laughed and giggled most of the night. Everyone always comments that you are the happiest, cutest baby and it's just so true! The next morning, we went to church and you slept the entire time we were there (4 hours!). They put you in a swing and you were out cold the entire time - you didn't even wake up for a bottle. I think you were going through a growth spurt. 

Last weekend, we drove to San Antonio for Aunt Emily's best friend's wedding. We spent 2 days by the pool, relaxing, spending time with family and having lots of fun. Saturday night, we went to the wedding (you and Luke's first). You both were so good and quiet, and we were relieved and proud at how well you both did. You wore an outfit from the bride's mother and looked so handsome. 

On Sunday, on our way back, we stopped in Austin for the annual Dorsey crawfish boil and Grannie and PawPaw Dorsey's house. We swam, ate yummy crawfish and saw family, and you - of course - slept and got passed around. It was your first time to meet a lot of that side of the family, and it was so fun to show you off. 

This week, we've gotten back into our normal routine of swim lessons, gymnastics, pool parties, care group, etc. etc. As I mentioned before, you just go with the flow. Hunter, I couldn't love you more if I tried. I thank God every single day for you and the amount of joy you've brought to my life. You are an amazing baby with the best smile and I love you to pieces. I am so glad God chose me to be your mom. 

Hunter: 3 Months!

Hunter - you are 3 months old today AND it's Mother's Day! I am the luckiest mom alive to have you and Luke as my sons. You are growing and changing every day and it's so fun to watch you grow and develop and learn new things. 

We haven't been to the doctor this month (thank goodness!). Daddy and I weighed and measured you yesterday, and you weighed 16 pounds and were 25 inches long. You are such a big kiddo! 

You are wearing size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes. We are just about done with all of the 3 month clothing now and long gone are any newborn and 0-3 month clothes. How quickly the days fly by. 

You have started sleeping really well. We lay you into your crib between 8 and 8:30 each night after 7 ounces of milk, and you sleep until about 6am. Sometimes you'll wake up at 4 or 5. We have to get up a couple of times a night to put back in your pacifier, but then you stay as content as can be. You'll start to really wail when it's time for your bottle. I'm hoping in the next month or so, we'll get to a 12 hour stretch. 

 

Your development is going great as well. You still haven't rolled over, but I think it's because we swaddle you. You HATE tummy time now, and will just cry and cry until I pick you up and snuggle. You sit in your bumbo unassisted and you love to grab things (like your clothes or my hair!). Daddy gave you Sophie yesterday and you loved it and the squeaking. You are quite the smiler and you will smile and coo and talk to us all the time! It's so sweet and I just love your happy little smiles. 

This past week, you started school. You go from about 8:30-5 Monday through Friday. I thought it would be easier putting you into school since it's my second time around, but no, I sobbed when I got back to my car the first day. I absolutely adore your teachers (Luke had them too!) and I've been told you are so happy all day. But, truth be told, I'd rather have you home with me all day! 

You've done lots of fun things this month. 

  

Easter weekend, we drove to Nana and Papa's in Conroe. Your first road trip! You did so good on the way down there and slept the entire time. You didn't sleep well in the pack-n-play, but I think it would just the change of environment. You met all of mommy's extended family and you were passed around and loved on all day long! We drove back to Dallas that night so that we could go to our church on Easter morning. You did well until Pastor Jeff started praying and then you wailed. So, we sat out in the hall for the sermon. It's ok though - I just got lots of extra snuggles! 

The next weekend, Daddy went out of town, so we filled our weekend with lots of fun. You came with me to the Brookhaven Crawfish Boil, then we spent most of Saturday playing at Aunt Amber's house. Sunday, we went to church and you went to the nursery for the very first time. Of course, you did great! Your friend Katie Beth is in your class and when I came to check on you, you were just sleeping away. That night, we went to Chuck E. Cheese for a birthday party and then welcomed Daddy back home. Mommy and you were both so glad to see him. 

Last weekend, Nana and Papa came into town. We had fun shopping all day, and then we went to the country club and enjoyed the nice weather on the patio. Then, Mommy and Daddy left to go to Austin for a wedding, and you got spoiled by your grandparents. They sent me lots of pictures! It was fun to get away for a day or so but I got back as soon as I could. 

This week has been full of meetings, school, activities and errands. You've been so good, but you're worn out at night! As we get into this new routine of school, I'm excited to see you grow and flourish. These past 3 months have absolutely FLOWN by and although I'm sad the newborn days are over, I'm excited for this next phase in your life. It's so fun to watch you grow. 

I love you, brother bear! 

Hunter: 2 Months!

Well, Hunter, this month has been a whirlwind of fun and some crazy, scary chaos! You've grown so much this month, are giving us some adorable smiles and coos and you fit perfectly into our family - I already can't imagine life without you. 

 

You are two months old today, and we're celebrating by welcoming you home from a 5 day stay in the hospital. Last Thursday, we took you to see the nurse practitioner for what we thought was just a cough and you weighed 13 pounds, 4 ounces. Since then, you've lost a bunch of weight but are starting to gain it back. Last night, you weighed 12 pounds, 8 ounces. Your official two month stats will have to be updated Tuesday when we can finally go back for a WELL visit (crossing my fingers!) and get those dreaded 2-month shots. 

This month, you've transitioned easily to a good schedule of eating about 5 ounces every 3.5 hours, and I'm hoping to get back on that track pretty quickly. We've switched from Similac to Gerber Good Start Gentle and you've tolerated that really well. 

We have been starting your bedtime routine at 7:30pm, laying you down by 8:30 and waking up for the nighttime feeding around 3:30am. You usually wake up again between 6:30am and 7am for a bottle and will doze in and out for an hour or so more. We wake up a couple of times at night to put your pacifier back in; you absolutely love your wubbanub and it helps calm you down and gets you back to sleep right away.  

You are wearing 0-3 month and 3 month clothing, but I'm starting to pack some of those things away and it won't be long before we're on to 3-6 and 6 month clothing. It's getting warmer outside and I have so many cute matching and coordinating outfits for you and your brother to wear. You've also graduated to a size 2 diaper. 

We attempt tummy time 2-3 times a day. You tolerate it and sometimes you'll just fall asleep. A couple of weeks ago, you just decided you'd had enough and rolled over. I haven't seen it happen again, but I know it will probably happen a lot more this coming month. You have started sitting up in your bumbo for short periods of time with little assistance and also like that a lot. You're still not a huge fan of the bouncy seat, but that's ok! 

You are still Luke's very best friend. He tells us that you're his baby and he is always asking to hold you. He helps with bath time, bottle feedings, diaper changes, gives you lots of kisses, wants to wake you up when you're sleeping (because it's a beautiful day!), and is always talking about you. He tried to teach you to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and he is still willing to share his beloved Bevo with you.  Don't worry - you have your own for when he won't share anymore! 

In the evenings and on pretty days, we take you and Luke for walks around the neighborhood and to the park to play. You love looking out your bassinet and watching the sky. I usually put the phone on lullabies and let you listen the entire time, and it will slowly put you to sleep and we can just walk and walk.  

People are still coming by all the time to meet you and see you! Earlier in the month, my dear friends from college and church hosted a precious sip and see for you. It was absolutely perfect and you got passed around and held and loved on by so many wonderful ladies. They spoiled you silly with enough diapers to last a year and some other fun goodies and gifts. 

This month, we were quite busy with birthday parties, extracurricular activities and just plain fun! You went to Aunt Amber and Uncle Brad's house for a play date (by yourself!), rode Thomas the Train in Grapevine, went to Family Day at church, hung out at the country club quite a few times and went to Canton with me. We've been busy - starting school will be a break for you! 

For the past week, we've made the 5th and 6th floors of Medical City Dallas our home. Thursday, we took you to see the nurse practitioner who diagnosed you with a cold. You were fine for a few days, and then you gave us quite the scare Sunday when your cough went from just a cough to labored breathing, hacking and wheezing. You woke up Monday with a slight fever, so I decided to take you in again to see the doctor. We saw Dr. McClard in the hallway and she listened to your chest and got you into a room immediately. The nurse weighed you and took your pulse ox test, which was 74 (should be around 95 or higher). She rushed to get Dr. Watters and they started you on oxygen and called an ambulance. Dr. McClard came back in and waited with me as I sobbed and texted your daddy to hurry up and come meet us. So, you and I took our first ambulance rides together, where we were in the ER for a few hours before being moved to ICU. We were in ICU for 3 days and then moved to a regular room after being weaned off the Heliox machine. After multiple rounds of steroids and being off of wall oxygen completely for 24 hours, you got to go home! Woohoo! Let's not be in a hurry to go back there ever again, ok? 

Brother, we love you so so very much. You are so sweet and lovable and I'm so glad God chose you to be my son. I'm excited to spend the next month cuddling you before you go off to school during the days. The thought of that just brings me to tears, but I know Luke will be so protective of you and watch out for you when I'm not there. Baby boy, I'm so thankful for you and all the joy you bring to my life.

Love, Mommy 

Hunter: One Month!

My itty bitty Hunter, I love you so much! In the month since you made your arrival, you've changed our world and I already can't imagine our family without you. You are the sweetest little baby and it's my joy to be your momma. 

You are one month old today. At your well checkup today, you weighed 10 pounds 4 ounces (75th percentile), measured 22 3/8 inches long (90th percentile) and your head measured 14.5 inches round (45th percentile). Last Tuesday, you got a stomach bug from big brother and were so sick until Sunday. I think you would have been in the 90th percentile for weight had you not been sick. Even sick, you were so happy and content and weren't fussy at all. Yay, Hunter! 

You sleep most of the day, and you just aren't ready to wake up for long periods of time yet. You were on such a good schedule and were eating 4oz. until the tummy bug attacked, but we got off the schedule since you couldn't eat very much at one time. Now that you are better, we are back to 4 oz. and I'm working on getting back to feedings at 9, 12, 3, 6, 9. We will get there very soon, I'm sure! 

You are still in a few of your newborn clothes, but have moved up to mostly 0-3 month clothes. I am using up the last of the newborn diapers but you are ready to move to size 1 and already wear those at night. Your legs and booty are still tiny tiny, but you have a big round belly so those size 1s work. 

Your bedtime routine starts at about 8:30 at night. We have bath time, which for some reason, wakes you wide up. At about 9pm, you get your last feeding, get swaddled and go down (in your crib!!!) until about 1 or 2 in the morning. You've been waking up again after 3 hours, but I'm hoping those second stretches become a little longer soon. However, it's not so bad to wake up to cuddle you and catch up on recorded shows :) 

You really like to be held and are content in the nap nanny for naps or when we eat dinner. You HATE the bouncy seat, and since your swing is currently broken, you get held a lot. I'm completely fine with that and so are you. You like tummy time for the most part and are great at moving your head back and forth and holding it up. You're already scooting off the mat little by little. 

You are a great car rider. You never fuss while in your car seat (as long as the car is moving) and you usually are fast asleep. We haven't had you in there for any long periods of time, but my guess is that you'll do just fine on road trips in the future. 

You've taken to being a little brother quite well. Luke absolutely adores you and can't get enough of you. We have to watch him closely so that he doesn't smother you with kisses. He drags his step stool around the house to help bathe you, change diapers, burp you, kiss you. We have an eager helper who assists with whatever you/we need. I can't wait to watch the two of you grow up together and be the best of friends. 

We've had a ton of visitors this month and lots of help. Friends and family have stopped by, brought lots of delicious food and helped lighten the load a bit. We are extremely grateful for that! You've been cuddled and loved on and spoiled - just as it should be with newborns! 

Due to Luke's schedule and activities, we've gotten out quite a bit too. You've already been to the country club, Luke's school, swim lessons, Target and a few other places. It won't be long before you're running alongside him and we become even busier! I can't wait until we can go to church again - just a couple more weeks and we should be good to go for an hour or two! 

Hunter, your daddy and I are so proud that you are our second son. The Lord has blessed us tremendously and we are so extremely thankful for you and your little life. We are excited to watch you grow and change and become a little boy, but feel free to take your time growing up! It's my joy to raise you and call you mine. 

XOXO, Mommy