Visitors!

We have been blessed to have such a great support system here and around the country.  We were so lucky to have so many visitors during Christmas but we have also been spoiled these past few weeks by our friends.  We weren't great at getting pictures of all of our visitors (sorry Mandy, Kelly, and Jenny) but here are some that we were able to get:

 Uncle Clint

 Sarah is so amazing.  She organized a food calendar to make sure Jay and I always had food during our first few weeks.  So amazing and our stomachs are forever grateful!

 Beau and Kriya

 Wendi and Reid

Aunt Lauren and Aunt Julia who came from South Carolina and Connecticut to spend the weekend spoiling John Henry.  Lauren was so patient and answered all of my crazy new mommy questions and Julia was constantly washing bottles, folding laundry and making food for us.  These girls have been with me through thick and thin and although we aren't blood related, they are and will always be part of my family. 

  Lauren and her little girl Lola.  Lola did her best to entertain John Henry but as usual, he decided he would rather sleep.  Maybe next time Lola!

No such thing as a Dumb Question

That's what they teach you early on in school.  I have been a strong believer in this phrase.  Until now.  There is a dumb question and I was shocked that it was asked.  While John Henry and I were leaving my office this week a man in the elevator asked if John Henry was sleeping through the night.  This question came right after I told him he was just 1 month old.  Really?!?  You think it's acceptable to ask if a 1 month old is sleeping through the night?  But that's not the best part, he then proceeded to tell me that his daughter didn't sleep through the night until 10 months...

Happy Birthday

My grandfather turns 100 years old this Saturday.  My aunt organized a celebration at my grandparents' church in Macon and it sounds like a bunch of folks are coming.  My grandfather is a good man.  He has some amazing stories to tell if you just sit down and listen for a bit.  It was a different time and different country in his heyday and some of the things he accomplished could never be possible today.  Sometimes I wish I could have experienced the world in a different era.  I always tell Amanda that the early 70's would have been sweet...well, at least the music was good.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing you Grandad.  Happy Birthday

1 Month

John Henry is 1 month old.  Time has flown by but I would be lying if I didn't add that it also seems like an eternity since December 16.  I can still remember the feeling of excitement when we were in the hospital and the feeling of frustration when dealing with the Jaundice but it feels like that was so long ago.  I'll attribute that to our ever changing sleep habits and the numerous feedings, pumping, and bottle washings that have all blurred together. 

One thing that is certain is that our little boy has changed in the past month. You may not be able to tell by the pictures but as his parents we can see that his features, actions, and weight have definitely changed.  John Henry had his 1 month check up this week and he weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces and is now 21 inches long.  So 2 pounds and 2 inches later he is well on his way to being a big man.  Okay, maybe not a big man.  No one in our family is described as big.  But he is on his way to being a strong man.  I say that for two reasons. 

1.  He already has these little muscles and if he's anything like his daddy he will be strong.  Jay was strong as a little kid so I hope John Henry takes after his dad.
2.  The doctor said so.  And no, I don't think the doctor was just trying to be nice.  I mean that at his 1 month appointment, he rolled over for her on the examination table.  Seriously.  Our kid rolled over on command.  Okay, maybe not on command but we did ask him to put on a show for her.  It was awesome and she was very impressed.  (Typing these last few sentences has made me realize that I'm bragging about our kid.  I would apologize but I've realized that I'll never be able to say anything like our kid was 90% percentile in weight, height, or whatever when it comes to development milestones.  So instead I believe our kid is 100% in strength.)

Alright, enough about the check up.  We haven't captured every moment on film over the past month but here are some of our favorites:

 John Henry on his 1 month birthday

 Just to show how small he still is at 1 month...

 Sometimes this is the only way I can get him to sleep.

 Saying his prayers...

 Trying to figure out why he needed a bath.

 We call this his power outfit...

 Sharing a laugh with daddy

 Giving up on tummy time!

 Showing his love for frogs

These next two pictures are from his first week home.  I still can't believe how small he was.

 First time in the swing and first tummy time by the tree.

We love you John Henry!

Better late than never

The last time Auburn won a National Championship it was 1957.  We came close in '84 with Bo Jackson - that year Miami somehow (bulls%!*) leap-frogged Auburn after upsetting Nebraska.  In 1993, Auburn went undefeated but was on probation so they couldn't participate in a bowl game.  My favorite smack-in-the-face was in 2004.  Auburn went undefeated in regular season, won the SEC Championship and didn't get a chance to play for the title.  Oklahoma ended up getting their ass whipped by USC.  Never has that happened to an SEC team before.  I always tell whoever will listen that Auburn is the "Rodney Dangerfield" of college football.  We never get the respect.  That's okay.  What happened in 2011?  National Champions.  Boom!

Me and John Henry while he was still awake.  Represent, my young brother



War Eagle, Hey!

Baby's Second Snow

John Henry slept through his first snow on Christmas. In all honesty, Jay and I barely remember it since we were so sleep deprived at the time. Not that we're getting 8 hours of sleep now but we were much more awake and alert for this second round of snow. It started on Sunday night which meant we got to play in it on Monday. It also meant that we have been able to have Jay around all week. Although he's done some work from home, it's been nice having him close by to hang with us during the day. John Henry couldn't fully appreciate the fun that snow brings so Lady made up for his lack of enthusiasm.

The winter suit was a little large but at least it kept him warm.

Lady watching the kids sledding down the street.

I promise there is a baby in my arms!

After all of the excitement JH needed a nap.

Daddy and Me

Our baby looks like Jay.  I'm not surprised.  In fact, I thought that this would be the case. Jay may not completely agree but every other man, woman, and child (with the exception of my family) says that John Henry looks like Jay.  Some people even say he looks like Bunny!  It doesn't bother me at all.  After all, he is a boy and it's probably best he look like his father.  So in honor of my boys, I thought I would post some picture of number four and number five. 

Secure in his Masculinity

We are very lucky to have friends and family that have recently had babies and are sharing their baby gear with us.  Most of the gear is gender neutral but some of this gear was obviously purchased for girls.  For example, we have a purple swing and bumbo seat, compliments of Holland.  However, none of the girly gear is as girly as the miracle blanket that we are borrowing from Lola.  It's pink.  Really pink.  We use it at least 5 times a day.  All I have to say, is it's a good thing John Henry is secure in his manhood...

First time for everything

I guess this is the reason we started the blog in the first place.  I like to think we'll thank ourselves when we look back on some of these "milestones" which John Henry reaches.  Amanda and I are finding out that we have to reach some of these milestones together.

The strongest baby ever!  I guess every parent says the same things about their own kids, but I swear this kid could be a genius.  Did I mention handsome? Ok, maybe not that face - I call that his Popeye look.  Well he flipped on his back twice during "tummy time" so that's got to mean some type of greatness.  Sure it was pure luck, but better to be lucky than good.

JH didn't mind his first bath. He even showed us how comfortable he is in the water by peeing on us.  It was just a matter of time I guess - I just didn't figure it would be his first bath.

Amanda and her mom took JH out for his first walk.  He loves the hell out of that car seat.  We've now decided that when we can't get him to sleep in the cradle, we'll just shove him in the car seat.

Our first outing to a restaurant.  Where else?  Los Bravos.  I was nervous, but after a couple of margaritas I was right at home.  He had to find out sometime or another that this is a staple in my diet.