My Son is a Beast

My son is a beast! Today was his one month drs. appt. and he's up to 10 lbs. 14 oz. and is 23 1/4 inches long. When he stretches out in his sleepers they're too tight! The neckline plunges down his chest; it's adorable yet means I have to find more clothes!

I had to take him with me to the school today to work on my room. He did surprisingly well and let me get more done than I thought I would be able to. I have much left to do, but it's coming along. I'm already thinking about how I want to set up/decorate for next year. Nothing too different, just a few more personal touches. Maybe I'll get some things done this summer.

Anyways, just wanted to update on Hayden and how he's growing!

Unwelcome Visitor

This is the "ferocious" snake that I found our cat Tyrone playing with in our guest bathroom last Thursday. I called David who said he'd take care of it when he got home and he told me to lock it in the bathroom. So I did. (We should have let Ty finigh it off. Hindsight is 20/20.) I went in after the cat who refused to leave it alone, shut the door, and stuffed towels under the door. Unfortunately, I forgot about Ty being able to move the towels. I adjusted them time and again throughout the day. Well, when David got home from work, he bravely entered our guest bathroom and he found...no snake. Wonderful. Ty had already taken off a piece of the snake's tail, but that was all that remained. (And David thought maybe I had dreamed the entire thing! Yeah, right.) I was worried the snake might be elsewhere in the house, so I was very cautious and on the lookout. Ty was calm though, so we figured it has gotten out the way it had gotten in. Only we couldn't quite figure out how it got in. Until this morning, that is. David went down the hall this morning while I was feeding Hayden and suddenly returned. He had an odd look so I asked what was up; he said he needed Tyrone. I immediately knew the snake was back. And as always happens, Tyrone is nowhere to be found when needed! As he kept an eye on the snake, David watched it slither through a tiny hole in the wall in the picture. Where the baseboard meets the doorframe is how it got in/out. We called our landlord who came over and treated the hole for it and then caulked it up good. Whoo-hoo! Excitement at the Ainsworth house--and all before 8 AM! I was just very thankful Hayden wasn't crawling yet and encountered it.

Time Flies

We have reached the one month mark. This blows my mind. The past days have had their ups and downs, and it has been an adjustment. But Mr. Hayden is a month old, and our lives are forever changed for the better!

Tossin' and Turnin'

Right now I'm listening to Hayden grunt and fight sleep in his bassinet. It's a sweet sound, but I also just want him to give in! Yesterday he had a horrible blow out which explained all the fussiness and screaming/crying for 2 days. He was amazing after that passed! Last night was a different story, but I cope. He was up from 12:30-2:30, ready to eat again at 4:50, 6:30, and 8:15. Daddy took him during the 7 AM hour before he had to leave for work so I could rest some. I didn't even know I had fallen asleep until David woke me to take him so he could get ready to leave. Ahh, those precious few minutes of sleep!

While I'm still worried about my paychecks being lower due to my maternity leave, I found out this morning that I can work my 3 teacher workdays next week and not lose my pay for those. Praise the Lord! That was another almost $300 I would have sacrificed and funds are very vital right now. Anyway, I'm just so thankful I can work those days and take baby boy with me. My school is very family-friendly!

We're also still desperately trying to make decisions for this fall. Please pray that we receive the answers we need. I'd love to have them now, but it seems like God likes to wait until I think we have no option and I'm breaking down. He always provides. I know that. We're just not sure how He'll provide for the questions we have right now!

Tooter McGee

Okay, so my kid is definitely part-Holloway. I've never met a newborn who could poot more. My husband is going to kill me for this post. But I'm serious. Hayden is some kind of gassy. The last 3 days have been awful. We've done gas drops, we've rocked, we've walked, we've patted, we've done everything. Poor little guy. He's just working and working to get it out of his system. He's also been exceptionally hungry. I feel like a human milk cow. I know this is my job right now, but man, if it doesn't take all day to feed the little guy. If he's awake, he's hungry. But it's completely worth it, I just have to remind myself of that. Over and over and over and...

Snip, Snip

Today I had to take Hayden for his "procedure." The pediatrician was great and my son was a trooper. I'm glad they do it without us in the room, though, because I probably would have lost it! I'm so thankful it's over, and thank goodness for baby Tylenol. Every time he bumps himself he cries out. But it's done.

Mother's Day

I still don't think it has quite set in that I'm a mother. Those of you with babies/small children/children at all can probably understand what I'm talking about. Hayden is an absolute joy and worth every bit of frustration, lost minute of sleep, etc., but I'm a mother. David and I created a new life who's right now dozing next to me on the couch. I love to look at my baby, my son. I love watching David with him. I always knew David would be a fantastic father, but he transforms when he has Hayden. My husband is a treasure when I'm overtired, frustrated, upset, or whatever with Hayden. He's a blessing always, but it seems like he's even more so when I've had a long day or night with the baby.

Sunday is Mother's Day; I've known for 9 months now that I would have a son by this day, but still...I'm a MOM. Mommy. Momma. Mama. However you want to spell it, I have a child. Every decision I/we make revolves around Hayden. I mean, EVERY decision. And as stressed as some of these decisions make me, would I have it any other way? Absolutely not.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all moms! We have an awesome responsibility and please don't ever think "I'm just a mom." You're so much more than that---you have the most important job in the world. And to those of you who have acted like mothers to me (or don't have children of your own but adopted me), Happy Mother's Day to you as well. Your impact and influence have been felt with all the love you have to share with me and my family. I love you all! And may every day be Mother's Day!

Inappropriate Baby Book

If you never seen this and you have a new baby, I would highly suggest you pick one up. My cousin's wife got it for us. David hates it, but I think it's neat. I mean, honestly, would you think to record elsewhere his/her first poop, mommy's pregancy and labor experience, etc.? I would think most of us would record all the "cutesy" things baby does, not the gross. But call me crazy, I like the gross, too!

Week Old+

Hi, everyone! It's Hayden again, and I've survived my first week plus some. Maybe I should say Mommy and Daddy survived! I need lots of attention and love to cuddle, so mommy and daddy don't get very much else done. Here's how I've changed since April 24!

Utmost Respect

Last night my husband shared with me that he has the utmost respect for breastfeeding mothers. That made me feel so good because I'm exhausted. Utterly, completely, without a doubt exhausted. My life now consists of feeding, changing diapers, burping, and trying to nap when Hayden does (which isn't often right now). It's worth every minute, and in the words of Darius Rucker "it won't be like this for long." David and I don't want to wish away any of these days, but we do look forward to days when Hayden can lay on his own more and play and sleep for longer stretches at a time. I'm dealing with so many emotions. My poor husband. David has been fantastic. I really wish I could share just how wonderful he's been. He feels awful that he can't do more during the night, but knowing he's there for me makes me feel so special. I never doubted David would be a great father, but he's blown my mind with his patience and love and intuition with Hayden (and with me).

Yeah

So it's been a tough first week at home. Hayden is a week old today and has had to go everyday for a bilirubin test. Today should have been the last. I'm exhausted (duh). So I'm not writing much. He is a wonderful baby; we're just still figuring out the whole feeding issue. I say new mothers are the bomb. I didn't know I could run and function on this little sleep. I mean, I knew I could if I had to, but actually being faced with it? Go me (not to be arrogant).