7 Months Old! 5/26/14

Dear Timothy,
Your 6th month flew by Lovebug! I couldn't believe it when I realized it was almost time for your 7 month pictures. It has been a month with lots more firsts, and I think this month was one with the most changes so far!

On the day you turned 6 months old, there was a gorgeous rainbow outside of our house. I'm pretty sure that was a gift from God for your half birthday! We also had a nice dinner with Mimi and Papa.

You had your 6 month checkup this month, and you were 15 pounds 11.5 ounces (25th%) and 26 3/4 inches (50th%). The doctor said you were perfect and healthy! You had to get 5 shots and one oral vaccine, and you screamed! However, you calmed down quickly once I fed you! When I was putting you in the car seat, I accidentally pinched you between your thumb and first finger on your left hand. I felt so bad!

We went to the daffodil fields a few days later with Grammy and Nan, and had lunch afterwards in Litchfield. It was a lot of car time for you, but you did really well!

That Saturday, 4/29/14, I tried to give you solid food for the first time. I had made you sweet potato purée the night before, and to be honest I was very sad about starting solids - I even shed some tears. Another milestone without your dad, and this was a big one for us! We tried solids for breakfast, and you were not quite sure about them! You didn't hate them, but you were not very excited. It is still that was now, except for one thing that you can't get enough of! So far you have tried: Sweet potatoes (don't love), avocado (tolerate), peas (ok), apples (don't really like), banana (ok, like the best), rice cereal (hated), a mix of sweet potatoes, mango and millet (ok), mix of sweet potatoes and banana (like ok), baby mum mum (like), and cantaloupe (love). Cantaloupe is your favorite, and you just suck out all the juice! It's so cute!

You also had your first (2) non-well visit doctor appointments.  I brought you in because where I pinched your finger got infected (the skin broke and I didn't realize it, bad mama!), so I took you to get it checked out. You were prescribed an antibiotic, but it did not go well. You wouldn't keep it down, and gagged like crazy. I was a bit of a wreck, because at the same time you got another cold, and did not sleep well. Auntie Katie came over and helped, and eventually we got back to the doctor, and instead of antibiotic we tried warm compress, a topical, and bandaid. It cleared up in 1 1/2 days! It was perfect. Unfortunately, your cold didn't get better that fast and both of us did not sleep for about a week. It was easily the most difficult week since you were a newborn - I was beyond exhausted! It was only made more difficult not having Tim here, even though I had plenty of support it just wasn't the same. Thankfully, your Auntie Nikki is a lifesaver, and doesn't mind being bothered for days on end with all of the crazy questions I have on what is going on with you!

On May 18th, we had your baby dedication. It was such a special day, where many of our family and friends came to church to watch you get dedicated to The Lord. Auntie Nora and SK sang Glorious Unfolding and I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. Mimi and Papa had a party to celebrate afterwards at their house, and it was a beautiful sunny day. I am so overjoyed that you will grow up in the church, and have such support to grow and be the man of God I know you will be. I'm so excited for you little man! It was truly difficult to not have your dad up there with us though, and his absence was very hard on us. I just know he was looking down and so proud of you that day!

Some other things that happened during your sixth month:
*We got ants in the house - Papa came and helped us spray to get rid of them
*We celebrated Gabrielle's 10th birthday
*Celebrated my first Mother's Day (a very difficult day)
*We had bees in the house, and hired an exterminator
*Our roof leaked, still haven't done anything about it!
*Celebrated Maddie's first birthday
*Went to the park with Mom group
*First time to Pepe's in New Haven with Auntie Katie
*Celebrated Sue and Sharon's retirement
*Celebrated Auntie Sarah Kate being named Region 15's Teacher of the Year!
*Had your 6 month photos taken by 47Moments


Your milestones:
First solids
Can sit unassisted for awhile
Can support full weight on your legs
Love being in the crawling position
Scoot forward when on belly (sometimes)
Rolling like crazy
Napped without me for the first time since you were born (25 min)

I love you so much, Timothy Reeves! You truly make my heart smile. You are looking more and more like your daddy every single day, it is truly shocking how much you resemble him. It's really unfair that he doesn't get to be here for all of this, but I'm working on trusting God to fill in the gap.

Love you always and forever,
Mama

6 Months! Half a year! 4/26/14

6 Months

Dear Timothy,
You are SIX months old today, where in the world did the time go? I can hardly believe that an entire half of a year has gone by since I first held you in my arms. I absolutely love watching you grow and learn, and this month has been no exception!

In the last month a lot has happened, and we have also just had a lot of relaxing days. I have to say, the days when it's just us, those are the best. I get lots of snuggles, smiles, and laughs!

This month we:
Celebrated Auntie Lisa (and Auntie Sarah!) on her birthday by watching Frozen, going for a hike, and having dinner.
You sat in your high chair for the first time, and absolutely love it!
You used your jolly jumper for the first time, and enjoy it, but you are a trying to figure out how to jump - you mostly spin in circles.
The 2nd and 3rd of April came around, and Mama had to force herself to get out of bed - thank you for helping me do that little man!
We went to a Spark of Life grief retreat, and I spent the most time away from you that I have in your whole life! It was super hard for me, but also a really helpful weekend. I'm sure that we made some lifelong friends!
We had a bonfire to celebrate your Daddy, and lots of friends came and we burned several (6 I think!) Christmas trees. We have some wonderful friends!
On the 7th, we had breakfast and hung out with your Aunties, Li, Nora and Sarah Kate and Anna. We also had pizza with our family and just hung out. It was a cruddy day, but surprisingly not as bad as others have been.
We visited Gainfield for the first time, and Mama got to show you off to all her teacher friends! I'm pretty sure you were the hit of the day!
We went to Riches for the first time with Lisa, Nora, Joe and Clare. I think you were jealous that Clare got to try the ice cream and you didn't. Just wait til summer Lovebug!
We bought and set up patio furniture and a grill on the most beautiful weekend we have had so far, thanks to Mimi, Papa and Uncle Alex.
We met more neighbors!
We celebrated MaMa's birthday with the Burke clan.
We went for a long hike with Auntie Emma and Jack, and made another trip to Riches.
You met Jill for the first time!
You got your third cold.
We celebrated your first Easter weekend, complete with making a Pizzagaina with my Aunt Joanne, dinner on Saturday with the Hines and Nan, and  on Easter Day a service at church and my cousin's house for dinner.
Finally, at the end of the month your Auntie Lisa moved out and we have been figuring out how to be our own little family. It's going well, but Mama gets lonely at night because that was when your Dad used to get home from work, and now it is just us. It hit me the other day while hiking with you that we will never hike together as a family, something I had looked forward to for several years. I couldn't wait to see your Dad carrying you in a backpack, with McKinley running about and me just watching it all. It seems so cruel sometimes that we don't get that little one, but I know he is with us wherever we go so I try to focus on that.

This month you:
Have been super snuggly - I think you are hurting because of your teeth.
Are biting anything you get your hands on - and that includes your toes!
Have been rolling more and more!
Love to jump and bounce.
You are becoming more stable sitting with assistance. Sometimes you can balance on your own for a minute!
Love music, especially Wheels on the Bus, we have started singing our own version (thanks Auntie Li!) when we are hiking.
Are getting a little better in the car, but still scream frequently.
Love to do the banana pose when lying on your back! You can hold it forever, I've tried to hold it for as long as you do and I am not even close.
You smile and giggle all the time!
You hug me :)

5 Months 3/26/14

3/26/14 

Dear Timothy,

Today you are 5 months old. I am kind of in shock, because for some reason this 5th month of your life truly flew by - must have been our first vacation together that made it go so quickly!

We had a big month little man, and I loved every minute with you! 

We spent a night having pizza with Uncle Chris and Aunt Nikki, and they loved snuggling with their favorite little guy! We also got to hang out with Uncle Nate for a bit, and that was a lot of fun!

We then left on your very first vacation, to Colorado! I have been so excited to bring you to the place that your Dad and I made our first home together after we were married. It was such a special time for us, and we loved our life out there so much - I loved being able to share that with you, our son.

After waking up VERY early, we headed to the airport for your first flight! Unfortunately due to a very minor plane issue, we had to de board and ended up having a 4 hour delay. You were such a little trooper and did a wonderful job even though it ended up being such a long day for you! In what can only be described as a God nod, our pilot was the dad of a childhood friend of mine and we spent some time with him during our delay. It was so nice to have him as our pilot, because your Mama is terrified of flying and it made me feel much better to have someone that I knew up there! Finally, we took off and you pretty much slept, ate and played for the whole flight. You did, however, pee through TWO outfits and therefore had to wear only a onesie until we got our luggage! Before we left the plane, we got to take pictures with you in the cockpit wearing the captains hat! So fun! 

We went straight to Mama and Dad's very favorite brewery in Boulder, Mountain Sun, to celebrate your Dad's birthday. All of our wonderful friends came to be with us, and it was so much fun! Auntie Emma even had them rename a beer the Hoppy Hiney Amber Ale in honor of your Dad. It was such a sweet gesture, and I am sure he was smiling! I'm so grateful to our friends for helping us celebrate Daddy, because it was a difficult day for me. I miss him so much, and wanted so badly to be able to make him a birthday Rice Krispie treat cake like I used to. Instead, we were able to be loved by our friends, meet Baby Jack (the sweetest little new friend of yours), and eat good food and drink great beer. 

We went back to Colleen and Rod's and finally were able to get some rest after our very long day! 

Over the course of our trip we:

Had amazing homemade lattes courtesy of Rod

Had amazing homemade dinners, wine, and cocktails courtesy of Rod and Colleen

You rolled from back to belly on our first day 

Took walks with Auntie Lisa

Hung out with Alison, M, and E

You and I visited the Valmont bike park where Dad taught me to mountain bike

Hang out with the Paisleys

Amazing meals at Oak

Spend time walking on Pearl Street on beautiful 70 degree days

Hang out with Auntie Emma, Uncle Adam, Baby Jack, and fam

Hang out with Auntie Sarah and Miriam

Go to church at All Souls, our old church and have lunch with Lora and the Bohnets

Lunch with Lora at Avery

Quality time with Colleen, Rod, and Janie

And probably the biggest thing for Mama, you and I hiked Anemone. You see, little man, Anemone was the first hike your Dad and I did on our own when we moved to Colorado. It quickly became our favorite local hike, because we could walk there from our apartment. It was a beautiful hike, with views of the continental divide. Your dad and I used to go at least once a week, and we spent so much time talking about our future on those hikes. We had such wonderful plans - for ourselves, for our future family, for YOU. Hiking there with you Timothy was wonderful, emotional and hard. Dad should have been able to do that in person with us. It completely sucks that he wasn't able to be there with us. I could almost see him holding you as he climbed up that beautiful trail, smiling and just enjoying time with his son. It was a powerful time for me, and I cried, so so much baby boy, but it was such an honor to take you there. I can't wait until we can go back there, and go back to Coloado.

After sleeping your way through our entire flight home (and crying through the whole car ride from the airport), we were back! I was happy to be home, but I wild be lying if I didn't say it was super hard knowing we were coming home and your Dad wouldn't be there. 

Other things that you did this month were:

Discovering your feet

Got your second cold, and gave it to me!

Are going through a growth spurt, because your sleep has been difficult!

Went to the nursery at church for the first time for 25 minutes

And I left you for the first time for 35 minutes. It felt like an eternity! I really don't like leaving you, even for a second, but I know it is good for both of us!

Mama also made the decision, with lots of prayer, that it is time for you, McKinley and I to try this whole family thing on our own. It is going t be lonely and hard, but I know we can do it with God's help, and I'm sure your Dad is looking out for us too!

The next few weeks, they are going to be tough my sweet little warrior. We are going to have to lean hard on our amazing God to get us through. I know that the days after the one year mark are going to be just as hard, but for some reason they terrify me. Thank God for you, Timothy, because you bring a smile to my face and give me a reason to keep going when I just want to fall apart. 

I can't stop thinking about how much I wish I could see your Dad hold you, and laugh at your adorable laughs and smiles. I know he is doing so from heaven, and I know he loves you and is so proud of you. 

I love you always and forever little man!

Love, Mama

4 Months Old 2/26/14

Four Months Old

Dear Timothy,

I can't get over the fact that you are 1/3 of your way through your first year. How did that happen?! 

In your fourth month we were pretty busy, and did a lot of things!

We brought McKinley hiking (when it wasn't too snowy or cold), we went snowshoeing for the first time, we started a couple of bible studies, and we started going to Mommy group. Mommy group has been so much fun, and you love seeing your friends! 

This month we also had our 4th anniversary, which was hard for me, but we got snowed in with your Auntie Nora, Uncle Joe, and Clare which was perfect. We spent the day snuggling in our jammies and watching movies.

We also went to NJ with some of Mama's college friends, and you got to meet Henry for the first time! It was a lot of fun!

You have really started playing more this month, and love reaching for toys. You work so hard at moving your little body, and are practicing noises! I'm pretty sure you even started teething, as you drool constantly and put EVERYTHING in your mouth! 

On the day you turned four months, we had your 4 month well visit and you did so great! Everyone at the office loves you and your smiles! You were 25 inches long (50th %), 14 lbs 6 oz (25th %) and your head was 16.5 inches (25th%). You also got four shots, and a few days later got the oral vaccine. You were so brave, and didnt get nearly as sick as your two month shots!

Little man, you quite simply make me smile, and I love you to pieces Lovebug!

Love,

Mama

3 Months 1/26/14 (A bit late)

Dear Timothy,

You are now three months old! It has been a very busy month for us, and we spent most of it hanging out in your Mama and Dad's hometown with your grandparents. At the very beginning of your third month we went up to New Hampshire and relaxed by the fire and went cross-country skiing with the Iorfinos. It was a good trip, and you and Miriam were mostly amazing in the car except for the very end of the car rides. You had your first cold, and had trouble eating and sleeping, but otherwise did a great job! 

After coming home, we got ready for

NYE - we decided to have a Chopped competition and it was a ton of fun, minus our poor little pup getting hit by a car earlier in the day. Thankfully, McKinley is doing amazing now and can even go for walks again! 

We spent the first few weeks of 2014 hanging out with your Aunt Sarah and Miriam. You even rolled from your belly to your back for the first time on 1/8/14! I was so proud of you little man, you worked so hard and did it all on your own. You also giggled for the first time, which is one of the most incredible sounds I have ever heard!

Finally, we headed back to our house and settled back in. It's been a tough transition, but you help so much. I love spending time with you, and seeing all the things that you are learning. I especially love our snuggles during your naps!

This month we also joined a few small groups/Bible studies that have been really helpful for Mama, and all the ladies just love you!

Thank you bubba, for being you. I love you so very much!

Love, Mama

2 Months Old 12/26/13

2 Months Old

Dear Timothy,

You had such a big month my little love bug! 

At the end of November you celebrated your first Thanksgiving. We went for a walk with Mimi and Papa, went to dinner with Mama's family, and then stayed over Grammy and Grandpa's house. It was Mama's first holiday without your dad, and it was difficult for me - but having you around made it a little happier.

We also went and got your first Christmas tree with Auntie Lisa and Uncle Chris and Auntie Nikki. You love looking at the lights at night. 

We celebrated my 30th birthday. We went out to dinner with Mimi, Papa and Auntie Lisa the night before. The day of we did some shopping and had lunch with Grammy, and then Auntie Nora and Auntie Emma came over and brought dinner for us. The day after, Uncle Peter and Auntie Katie took us out for dinner. I usually love my birthday, and I did enjoy spending time with everyone, but I really hated that your dad wasn't here to share this milestone with me. It also really hurt to be a different age that Tim will not know me as on earth - it makes me so sad every time I think about that. 

You also celebrated your first Christmas - we went to two ornament exchanges, sang Christmas carols at the nursing home, hung out with Mama's best friends, made the Christmas soup, spent time with family and friends, and did out best to enjoy the season. Once again it was very hard for me, and I found myself tearing up all the time. It just sucks that your dad isn't here for all of this fun stuff!

Finally, we started your second month with your two month appointment where you got 5 shots and one oral vaccine. You screamed, but settled down pretty quickly afterwards. Your pediatrician says you are very healthy and growing perfectly - you are 11 lbs, 7 1/2 oz and 23 1/2 inches long! The day of your vaccines you slept a lot and cried every time you woke up, and barely ate. Your fever reached 100.5, and you had some very impressive spit up. I was very glad to have Auntie Nikki and Auntie Emma around to answer questions and make me feel more comfortable. I even called the on call pediatrician, I guess I am a bit of a paranoid first time mom. Unfortunately for you, you woke up the next morning still feeling off from the vaccines, and with your first cold! This was just in time for our four hour drive to New Hampshire - but of course you were such a trooper and only cried for a bit toward the end of our trip.

Other milestones:

Smiled for the first time! This is by far my favorite! My heart is so happy that when you see me you often smile. It is quite possibly the best feeling in the world.

You have also started cooing and making more little noises to express yourself.

Your hair is starting to become more like your Dad's...definitely getting more of a reddish tint.

You have grown out of newborn clothes (so sad!) and are almost out of 0-3 as well, depending on the brand.

You met a lot of new people! You finally got to meet your Auntie Sarah, Uncle John, and cousin Miriam (you love seeing her!), your Auntie Colleen and Uncle Rod, Uncle Adam, Auntie Alex, and many more! You are one blessed kid to have so many people that love you! 

I look forward to seeing how you grow in the next month! I know your Dad is smiling and enjoying watching you grow from Heaven!

I love you always and forever,

Mama

One Month Old 11/26/13

I can't believe that Timothy is one month old already! The time has seriously flown by and I feel like he has been with me forever! I have decided to write him monthly letters about what is going on in our lives so that I can keep track of everything!

Dear Timothy,

The first few nights at home were challenging because you were cluster feeding from around 9-1, and I was simply exhausted. Thankfully, Auntie Lisa took you a couple of times for a little while so that I could get some sleep. Since then, the cluster feeding has toned down but night time is still challenging. Little man, you are not a fan of sleeping on your back and want to instead sleep on me, which I have given in to so that I can get some sleep! Typically at night you sleep for 1-2 1/2 hour stretches, so my sleep has really suffered but because I am able to rest during the day it hasn't been too terrible. Either way, it's been so worth it to snuggle with you!

We have had a ton of visitors, and many wonderful dinners from people. You have been able meet many of Mama and Daddy's friends and a lot of family as well. You are really good with people and love to be held.

We have ventured to your pediatrician two times, and you have done well both times! The first time you had gained an ounce since the hospital at 4 days old so you were 6lb,11 oz. They also did a heel prick to draw blood for a jaundice test which thankfully you did not have. You did scream bloody murder during that time and made Mama sweat like crazy - hormones! Your second appt at 2 weeks old went well also. You are a very healthy boy and gained back your birth weight plus some and weighed 7lbs, 14 oz. Since then, according to the scale Mimi got for you, you are up to 9lbs, 1 oz. Little man, you are an eating champ! 

On that note, feeding is going well and you eat every 1-4 hours (usually around 2). You are only fussy when you are hungry or gassy. This whole nursing thing is a lot easier than I thought it would be, although it has moments in then middle of the night that are challenging. I have even fed you in public several times now, in restaurants and in shopping parking lots!

We have gone out to get frozen yogurt, dinner 4 times, church, and shopping. We are very fortunate that you are a good little one and as long as you are fed and changed you are as happy as can be to go out. 

Auntie Lisa has been staying with us and has been an incredible help! She basically does everything around the house so I can just focus on you. I hurt my back with the pup one day, as well as from giving birth so I have been a little less mobile than usual (going to a wonderful chiropractor that has helped!) I don't know how we would have gotten through this first month without her! Thank you Auntie Lisa! And of course the rest of our family and friends that have helped out so much as well!

In the first month you have also:

Started tummy time 

Your umbilical cord fell off

Have had 3 sponge baths and one tub bath

Have had several poop and pee blowouts, but the two best were the projectile poop that shot 5ish feet across the room!

You can hold your neck up for long stretches

You are really strong!

Have had your nails cut several times because they grow so fast 

Turn your head when you hear noises

Recognizes my voice

Follows close objects with your eyes 

"Smile"occasionally in your sleep

Don't love getting changed

Make the sweetest and funniest noises and faces - my favorite noise sounds like a horse neighing and my favorite face is your Cheerio face.

Took a couple trail walks in the BOB

I'm so incredibly in love with you, little man. You have brought so much joy in the short time you have been with us. We miss your Dad so much, and I know that will continue to but I see him in you every single time I look at you, which is amazing. 

I love you always and forever,

Mama

Tim, you would be so thrilled to hang out with your son! He's such a love and makes me laugh. I wish you were here to hold him and be a family with us, but I know you are still with us in whatever way you can be and I know you love him and me. I can't wait until we all get to be together again, but in the meantime I will do my best, with God's grace, to raise him to be a Godly man that loves the outdoors and is kind and good and a great friend - just like you are babe! Thank you for giving me this gift before you left to do greater things in heaven. I love you!

One Month Stats

One Month Photo Shoot

McKinley wanted to participate

Mama/Little Man Snuggles