So thankful

This year has been rough, with Jordan having no job and then flip-flopping between several low-paying ones and the several issues I encountered with my pregnancy, but everything has worked out. God has held our hands and guided us through the valleys, and here we sit--Jordan preparing to go to work in the morning as Sales Manager in the same place that started the "job adventure" just over a year ago and me with our sweet, healthy baby boy in my arms. We spent the day with both of our families, and I just sat back and took it all in. God has blessed us in so many ways. And for that, I am truly thankful.

I hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Skip-Bo, Anyone?

You can take Hampton's place...

And just b/c he's so darn cute :)

2 Months!

I can't believe my little man is already 2 months old! Where has the time gone? He is growing so fast and making new discoveries each day. He is loving all the fans and lights around the house, and is starting to focus on us and follow us with his eyes. And, I may be biased, but I'm pretty sure he gets cuter by the day!

Hampton had his first shots this morning and he was not pleased. Our appointment took forever, so he was already crying when the nurse came in. Add needles into the mix, and you have one unhappy baby. :( Thankfully, as soon as Jordan picked him up, he was perfectly fine and has been sleeping the day away.

2 month stats:

Weight: 10 lbs, 6.5 oz; 25th%

Height: 21 1/4 in; 25th%

Head circumference: 15 1/2 in; b/w 25th and 50th%

Dr. H said he was on the "petite" side, but growing as he should!

Thank you sweet baby Jesus

For this:

Yes, this is my sweet child napping in his pack n play this morning. By himself. For TWO HOURS!!! Will it happen again?? A girl can only dream! :)

Catching Up

Last Friday I had my 6-week post partum check up. I feared having to get checked, but it wasn't bad at all. I'm all healed and ready to carry on with normal activities. Yippie!! (Too bad I have a terrible cold...some activities are having to wait ;) ). I'm not quite down to pre-pregnancy weight, but I think that once I get back into exercising, it won't be long. I've been in my pre-preg jeans for weeks now, so I just need to work on this muffin top!

We also went to the RE's office last week to visit Dr. L and the nurses. They were so excited to see the little guy. The office held a Baby Party on Thursday night to celebrate all the successes, but we didn't make it because of me being under the weather. I was pretty bummed. It would have been nice to talk to other women/couples in the area who understood the struggles and feelings of IF. Next time...

My sister has moved back to the east coast from Oregon! She's in town until this weekend when she heads to South Carolina to start her new job. We've had so much fun hanging out at my parents' house, eating delicious meals, and shopping. Hampton has been quite the trooper throughout all the girl time!

My little monkey has had a rough last couple of days. He has been so fussy and not napping well (even when laying on someone). I don't know if it's the colic, a growth spurt, possibly reflux, or just a bad day. Has anyone seen my baby's manual?! I have started cutting things out of my diet (dairy, gassy vegetables, spicy foods, red tomato sauces). I was already trying to avoid most of these, but by cutting them out, the doctor said we could start narrowing down the problem. It is going to be no fun, but I will do anything to help this little guy out. It is just so pitiful.

All in all, thing are going well. Each day is a new challenge, but we are just holding on tight and enjoying the ride!!

Happy Halloween (a little late)!!

Can you handle the cuteness??

I am one of them

While dealing with infertility, there always seemed to be pregnant women and babies everywhere. I couldn't go anywhere without being surrounded by big bellies and tiny babies. I learned to deal in order make life outside of my house, well, livable. But there was one place that I hated to go during the weekday work hours--Target. That place is like mommy central. Every time I walked in there for a quick errand during my lunch break, I was bombarded by giant strollers, wild toddlers, and mommies just trying to occupy themselves and their children. It was like they were mocking me, and I couldn't get away quick enough.

Today, I became one of them. I had a dentist appointment this morning, and after, I really didn't want to go home. So, I went to Target. For no real reason, other than to walk around and be out of the house (of course, I wound up spending too much money. dang Target!). I had older women ooing and aahing over my sweet baby boy. I found myself gushing about how he is almost 6 weeks old, growing like a weed, and just the sweetest baby ever to a sales associate.

And then I saw a young girl (woman?) who, as she passed by, just took a quick peek in Hampton's carrier and smiled. Now, I have no idea if this girl was infertile or if she had kids at home or daycare or if she even wanted kids, but it made me stop in my tracks. For just that second, I saw myself in her--looking at babies as I passed by, a small smile covering up the tears that wanted to fall. It made my heart hurt, and I wanted to pick up my little guy and just hug him.

I don't know why Jordan and I have been given this trial in our lives, and I don't know why we were blessed with this baby while others are still waiting. I do know that I will never forget what it feels like to be on "the other side."