The little one said...

Roll over! And we caught it on video. He usually just sorta falls over from tummy to back but now he has been really doing it on purpose and is working on throwing his legs over to go back the other way. He either turns his head or throws his leg but hasn't quite mastered doing both. Jason just loves to play on his mat and grab for toys. He also loves laughing at himself in the mirror and just giggles and makes funny faces. He is so cute how he frowns and gets all concerned over things one minute and then cracks up the next. He is still an incredibly happy baby and I am still incredibly lucky. Ethan dotes on him and just loves helping with anything that has to do with baby Jason and being a big brother. Plus, now that Jason is upstairs in his crib in his room next door to him, E really feels important.

I also think he is starting to teeth since the drool has been coming for the last 2 weeks and I can feel something just beneath the gum line. We shall see. E was 5 1/2 months beofre he got his first one. Mom says that whoever spots the first one has to buy the first pair of shoes. Where do they get this stuff??? :_)

So here are a few of my favorite pics from this month.....in our cool hat, prison stripe jammies and cap, and standing up. He took a lot longer than E to stand and push up but he talks so much more and his smiling and giggling came much sooner. Who can tell?

Growing right along

Some days I look over at JT and just can't believe how big he is. Where did all the time go? He can hold his head up 90 degrees now, can stand up on my lap with help, follows objects all around and laughs and smiles constantly. Where is the little boy that barely measured as long as Jeff's forearm?

I love the way he smells and the late night feeding when we are alone and I snuggle with him and try to imprint each second to memory. Soon he won't need us at night. He sleeps for 5-6 hours at a stretch now and is down to only one feeding between 10 pm and 7 am. Jeff reminds me of all the late night feedings every 2.5 hours but I still wish they would stay small just a little while longer.

Ethan is so incredible with Jason. He loves his little brother as much as he loves his big brother. He brings him his stuffed dog, kisses him constantly and rocks him in his chair. E even tries to put Jason's pacifier into JT's mouth. Mostly unsuccessfully but Jason is a good sport about it.

Another codependent is created

Grandma bought Jason a cute little stuffed dog with a rattle in it. So where is the story in that, you ask? How about the fact that Ethan is now up to 5 babies he carries around and sleeps with and now Jason has his "must have" item. We have to convince Ethan only one needs to go in the car each day and the rest will be waiting for his return. Now the pattern repeats. Jason's entire face lights up when he sees his dog and he rubs his face on the ear and eats his little nose.


And of course, I may be a little codependent on my son. But what Mom isn't?

More Baptism Pictures

Jason's Baptism

This weekend was a full and happy one with family all here to celebrate with Jason. We went to St. Mary Magdalene's chapel and had our son baptised and then had a nice catered lunch afterwards at the Antley house. Mom and Ed, Dad and Joyce and the entire Becker clan were on hand. Jean came from Seattle and she and Michael once again stood up for us and our sons. It meant so much to have Christopher here to complete our family and to have all 3 sets of grandparents. The boys are so lucky to be able to share in that and they were all spoiled rotten.

Here are a few pics before we went into the chapel starting with Dad, Joyce and CJA (who is dressed to impress) and followed by a few Antley family pics:




Some additional pics from inside the chapel. Here is Uncle Teo, Aunt Marie, Mom and Dad followed by Tracey and Nina:

2 month checkup

Jason got to go see Dr. Rutledge today. He weighed in at 13.8 pounds and the 75th percentile. Jason was deemed happy and healthy and after a few pokes with vaccines and prods by the doc, we were sent on our way. All he did after that was sleep to recover from the trauma and the side effects. You want so badly to keep your children safe and you read about all the possible complications and make educated decisions but it is still tramatic when they hurt.

Been back at work 2 weeks now. Still an adjustment. I so want to be here and love the challenges of my job but part of me just misses the kids and wants so bad to be able to watch his every breath and be there for all his firsts. I say this but then there are times when I can't wait to get out of the house and drop them off and then the guilt totally overtakes me. I think it is all about a healthy balance of things that make me feel happy, motivated and challenged and spending the most quality time with my family. And if only I was getting steady sleep, it wouldn't be such a hard thing to balance. I dare to complain though since he really only gets up once during the night and looking back at E or comparing to friends, we have it easy.

So I have previously mentioned how good this baby is. I can't even imagine how tired I would be returning to work if he was as fussy and colic stricken as poor Ethan was. I remember having to walk him from 4 to midnight every night and if we didn't have a swing for the rest of the time, we would have been in trouble. Jason is so much the opposite that I had to take a pic of his crying just to remind myself it can happen. He does this "eh eh eh" thing for attention when bored or when I want to sleep and he has other ideas but he very rarely wails unless in pain. He is getting more and more alert each day and we are working on using his legs to push up and sitting up on my lap.

It is still hard to leave him every day and I haven't been able to get out of the house without 2 hours of laundry, feeding, chores, dressing kids etc. 8:00 am meetings just kill me but Jeff is such a huge help and there is nothing we can't do together. Mom keeps Jason during the day and I know he is getting the best care and some good bonding time with Grandma.


As quick as it started, so it ends.

Grandma's Birthday

For my Mom's b-day we decided to risk taking all the boys and going out to dinner. Now luckily Maw Maw and Paw Paw were here too so we had lots of hands! We went to Firebirds and everyone was a complete gem! I still can't believe how lucky we are with such a good baby. You put him in a car seat or a sling and he just sleeps for hours. We continued the celebration on Sunday going to Uncle Mikey's to swim and for a cookout and cake. Here are a few pics of the day and the subseqent falling out by all parties involved. Please note the fashion statement with Ethan wearing Grandma's shoes.

Back to work

Christopher arrived today and got to see his little brother for the first time. I have 2 more days home and then it is back to work. I plan to spend some time with CJA and Jason and then prepare for the 2 hours it will take me to say good-bye on Thursday.

I just can't get over how often he smiles and what a happy baby he is. You could set a watch by his feeding schedule and our nights are so regular. We feed him at 11 and then Jeff and I take turns with who does the 3 am feeding. Then he is set until 7 am when Ethan wakes the house. Jason is aleady cooing and making lots of different noises when conversing with us. I feel like he is growing up too fast and that we didn't take near enough pictures of him. I guess it is better to spend quality time than chase him with a camera. Here he is playing in his little rocker.



Our first smile caught on camera. They never do it when you have it handy.


Christopher decided Jason would look much cooler wearing his glasses.

4th of July

I can't get over how fast he is gorwing. I feel like if I blink he will be a year old. Another blink, driving. I just want to hold on to this little fingers and watch him sleep and keep him small for just a little while longer. Here is a pic of his tiny feet next to mine so I can remember how small he was.



I'll try and post more pics soon but this week is wonderfully crazed with a cookout at Michael's to celebrate Independence Day, our wedding anniversary on the 8th and Jeff's b-day on the 10th. For a peek at some pics from the pool on the 4th, check out Ethan's site and peruse the pics.

Happy B-Day to our best Dad! Love, Christopher, Ethan, and Jason

Bath time

The progression of expressions from our first bath is entertaining. I am not sure Jason really trusted me but he never really cried and has started liking them after the initial shock of losing his clothes. He truly hates to be undressed. Totally different from his brother.

Initial reaction.....aaack!

Getting better....

Not so bad....

Finally done

Weekend of bliss

This weekend Dad and Joyce came up and spoiled us all rotten. The brought all the fixings for a great steak dinner on the grill and lent us quite a few hands. Jeff and I were able to then take a nice break. I even got to take a nap. Susan came over as well to join us and we really had a great time.

Maw Maw and Paw Paw gave Ethan a lawn mower which he just adores and spoiled Jason and us with a new stroller and some lots of other things as well. They really saved me since I hadn't slept in 3 days for more than 2 hours and was starting to act like a sleep deprived torture victim (translation = unstable and emotional with Jeff about to start hiding). And with Ethan still not sleeping well from surgery, the extra help and love for him was greatly appreciated. We were so sorry on Sunday when they had to leave us and go back home. Thanks to you both for everything!

Week 3

It has been a hard week with Ethan's surgery but things are slowly getting better. Jason is on a great 3 hour eating schedule and is more alert when awake. He is gaining weight and is already out of the newborn sized clothes and diapers. I am thankful to have 3 weeks left of maternity leave to spend with them but I do miss my friends and the stimulation of work.

Here are some pics of Jason in his bouncy chair and allowing us to get some zzzs with him. I have the perpetual black circles of a new Mom and look forward to the days that Jeff takes some paternity time to get some much needed rest. I wouldn't change anything though.

8 pounds and counting

We had our two week checkup today and tipped the scales at 8.1 pounds. Phew...guess this entire feeding thing is finally working although, he is always hungry it seems. :-) He was in the 50% for height and weight and the jaundice seemed to be gone as well. Jeff and I were both off today and had a nice time bonding with the boys. Ethan loves baby Jason and tries to put all his toys in the bassinet with Jason and rubs his head and kisses him.

Here are some grest pics taken by our friend and photographer, SC Adams for us.

The one week milestone

It has been a good week but a long one. Why do all babies come out and sleep all day and party all night? What is about those times when all you want to do is sleep for an hour that clues them and tells them to start acting like a college freshman?

We also had a bit of medical excitement. Jason decided to get a bit jaundiced after we left the hospital and we had to do daily pediatrician appointments until his levels came under 13. He has been hooked up to a lighted mat wrapped around his body and powered by a vacuum cable. We have been living for 4 days in one room of the house and it was awkward to feed and hold him. We were as high as 18.5 and almost ready to be admitted back to the hospital but today we were at 12 and back up to 7.8 pounds after bottoming at 7.0 pounds. We get a reprieve until Monday and can send the hideous machine back.

On a brighter note, Ethan adores his big brother and comes running in from daycare calling his name sand having to kiss him hello. He even bypasses Grandma for his brother (and that is something). Trying to ensure both kids get quality time has been a challenge that requires Jeff and I to be ships that pass in the night. I can't wait for the weekend and to have a little more time with the 4 of us together.








Becca and Trey came over to visit the wee little one. Soon he will have a buddy to play with as the adoption of their little boy should be taking place very soon! Congrats guys!