"It won't be like this for long"

We have been so lucky to have soo many sweet friends come by and visit Crawford. The Rivera's stopped by last night and fortunately Crawford at a good time (well for about 15 minutes anyways!) We can't wait till they have a little buddy for Crawford ; ) They were so sweet and brought dinner and a magazine and some wine for the recovering new parents! So sweet...it has amazed me at how creative and sweet people really are. It sure makes you thankful for the wonderful friends in your life!

Brad loves him some nightly entertaining with Crawford!

yaaaay our first walk!

So since it is official..the holidays are over...all of our fun company has gone back home, Brad is back at work...I have come to grips with the fact that I CAN do this...even though some days are sooo extremely exhausting and some days I feel like we are taking 5 steps backwards I still just love holding little Crawford and looking in his adorable eyes...Today we took our first walk in the neighborhood with just him and me! I realized that I can either go crazy sitting in this house all day everyday or I can start building my mommy confidence and venturing out with the nugget. So after he had eaten, had a diaper change, had a clothing change, and taken a nap and he was still fussy I thought well it feels great outside I think we are going on a walk. The first walk we took last week was quite funny. Brad and I were a nervous wreck. One of us was walking in front of the stroller making sure that the infant carrier didn't tumble off of the stroller and the other was pushing ever so gently. It made me think oh my goodness I am never going to feel comfortable doing this alone..But I know that Crawford loves movement..he loves driving in the car (just as long as the car is moving at a fast pace) and since I want him to love going on walks I knew I had to suck it up and get to feeling comfortable with just mommy and Crawford days. So I bundled him up and wrapped him in a blanket and ever so gently went over the few bumps out of the house to get us on the sidewalk and he was out! I mean he slept like a little angel the entire time. I never wanted to come home because I knew he would wake up screaming so we walked for about an hour and that joker never so much as moved his little head! So even with a lack of sleep pretty much every night I am loving him more and more every day. I just can't get enough even when he is screaming he has his little lip in the pouty looking way and screams and I just love him and wanna squeeze him tighter!

I came across these lyrics and it just made me appreciate each and every day that I am going to get to spend with Crawford. No matter how stressed I may have felt the passed couple of weeks I am going to try and relax and enjoy these next 6 weeks because soon enough I will be back at walmart dreading every day!

The song is by Darius Rucker and the song is titled "It Won't be Like this for Long"

He didn't have to wake up, He's been up all night

Lying there and listening to his newborn baby cry

He makes a pot of coffee, splashes water on his face

His wife gives him a kiss and says it's gonna be okay

It won't be like this for long

One day we'll look back laughing at the week we brought him home
This phase is gonna fly by, so baby just hold on

It won't be like this for long....

So as I repeat these lyrics in my head I think that soon enough he will be crawling and walking and not wanting to snuggle with him mommy...so who cares if I don't sleep, shower, eat, or workout on the same schedule as I used to..being Crawford's mommy is so much better than any silly schedule and I am ready to face the next couple of weeks with a much more optimistic outlook. This phase won't last forever and a lack of sleep never hurt me..so I need to love being the one who can feed Crawford and get him to sleep and keep him happy and that really is what is so rewarding about being a mommy afterall!

Well that was my inspiration for this day...it's been such a GREAT day....meaning Crawford has slept for over 3 hours today and has been an angel...what that also means is mommy better prepare for a looooong night!

Brad is leaving me tomorrow to help Cathleen move from Savannah to Atlanta ...what that means is my first night without Brad..someone say a prayer for me! Even though I try to let Brad sleep through the nights it sure is nice to know that he is there next to me juuuust in case I need him (in which case he ALWAYS lends a helping hand) so I am hoping that a-Crawford cooperates and b-that he gets that giant truck all the way to Atl safely. We will happily be awaiting his arrival home on Saturday night!

3 weeks!!!

Ahh my little nugget is finally sleeping. It is 3:45 and he is just taking his first nap...I mean I knew I didn't require a lot of sleep but aren't newborns supposed to sleep more than this?! Well a tiring, trying, and eventful 2 weeks it has been. I have never learned so much about being a mother in 2 weeks. I mean being an Aunt I had that mastered and staying busy and multitasking on a day to day basis with long work hours and workouts again a breeze...being a 24 hour mommy is definitely on the top of the list as most difficult tasks I have ever taken on! I am learning something new about Crawford every day and when he cuddles and let's me feed and take care of him it is such a rewarding feeling but I have to admit this is a HUGE CHANGE for me. There are days with NO showers, most days I am in my pajamas all day long, little time for laundry, cleaning and even eating. Well let's take a look back on the little guy's life so far. We spend most of our days in the den with mommy trying to learn all of Crawford's different cries and needs. We have ventured out to Brad's parent's house a couple of times around Christmas and we have ran very quick errands just to keep mommy sane. However, baby Crawford has not made his official public appearance yet. (don't hate me Crawford I am just trying to protect you from the germs and sick people!) We even had to pull over to feed you on an errand that should have only taken about 45 minutes. We love that you let us take you places so I am sure in time you will catch up with mommy's fast pace life and be ready to be on the road!

Well I have to say that from trying different toys and objects to entertain you so far we haven't had too much luck. You don't like your bouncy seat, you hate your bassinet, the pack n play lasted all of about 60 seconds. You are content in the swing that we borrowed for about 5-10 minutes but we are hoping you are warming up to this.

Feeding: What would I do without the boppy pillow!? I think it is connected to me and it goes in every room I go. This is what we use to keep you comfy while mommy feeds you. We usually feed on the couch downstairs on up in mommy's bed at night. Sometimes we will sit in your room in the glider but it is awfully quiet up there.

Naps: While like I said there is no pattern to your naps quite yet. Sometimes you will go down for a long 3-4 hour stretch but most of the time you take 30 minute to 1 hour naps. You usually fall asleep while mommy is feeding you and then I quietly try to burp you so that you don't have a stomach ache and that usually wakes you up. See you are just the lightest sleeper. Therefore, if I think you are out and I go lay you in your crib and you are not in your "deep" sleep you immediately let us know. If we think you are sleeping and we let a guest hold you and you are not ready to be held you let us know. Mommy makes sure to change your diapers before feedings and that is probably a good thing because I am sure you would be wide awake if we waited till after feedings. Every now and then you will sleep one 4 hour stretch at night but it is not very likely quite yet. You have the most killer reflexes (just like your daddy)! If you get even a little startled your hands go crazy and it is just the most adorable thing. You like being held against someone's chest and I have been trying to keep you comfy and relaxed on my chest when I know you should be trying to settle down for a nap. We have been working hard to get you used to your crib because for the first few weeks you only wanted to sleep on mommy's chest on on the bobby pillow in mommy's lap. This makes us nervous plus it doesn't allow mommy to get a wink of sleep. There is nothing sweeter than to see your sweet smiles and frowns while you are dreaming. I can only imagine how much must be going through the little mind of yours. Mommy and daddy just adore you and love watching you sleep peacefully!

Crying: Well we are still trying to get a hang of what your cries mean. I used to immediately think you were hungry and you would eat pretty much ALL the time. I am now trying to determine how to keep you content when I know there is no way little Crawford is hungry. I do think you cry a lot of the time because of gas and possibly a little reflux. I hate watching you and knowing that you are in any pain. We keep some mylicon drops close by but I truthfully haven't noticed that they help your belly at all.

Diapers- I think you like a fresh clean diaper because sometimes when you are getting fussy all it takes is a diaper change and my little Crawford peps right back up. We have had some interesting diaper changes with you including lots of pee and poopy outfits because either a: we didn't get to you in time before you decided to go through your clothes or b: because as we are changing you you decide to keep going to the bathroom. Either way we are definitely becoming faster more efficient diaper changers every day and promise to try out best to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Entertainment: Well mommy tries to pull out all the stops. You normally don't find me or my tricks very entertaining! I usually try the swing around breakfast time you usually will last long enough for me to get a bowl of cereal down but then you demand my attention immediately! I try to do a little tummy time on the activity mat but you are so squirmy that it doesn't go very well. You practice tummy time much better on mommy's chest while I am trying to burp you (which you don't like at all!) you squirm all around making it impossible for me to keep you upright! I tried the baby bjorn today and it was a success for about 30 minutes so we may begin to try this more frequently to allow me to move about the house a litle easier!

Favorite things you do:
: You still won't straighten out those adorable legs so half the time your little sleepers do not have any feet in the feet slots soo cute
: You try so desperately hard to get those hands in your mouth but you just can't quite coordinate the movement yet
: You love to have those eyes just WIDE open and it always looks like you are staring at the t.v. (but we know you can't really see that far yet so maybe you like th contrasting light coming from it)
: You are always quiet when we change your diaper and you squirm those legs but you usually do not put up a fight (thank goodness)
: You hate being swaddles so mommy has to make sure you are dressed nice and warm for bedtime (although I am still trying to get you to like being swaddled because I think you would sleep better)
: You sleep like an little angel in mommy's arms and I really hate to put you in your crib where you squirm and cry
: You love your boppy pillow and taking cat naps being propped up on it
:You looove having your hands up by your face and no one can move those away you just won't have it
: You are an angel in the car (as long as it's moving at a rapid pace!)
: You have been on one walk and you were pretty good until the wind picked up so I am going to blame it on the cold but I sure can't wait for it to get warmer so we can have more bonding walks
: You are content in the bath tub unless you get cold and then there is no calming you down
: Your little tummy seems to hurt you after feedings but not for normally 45 minutes to an hour so mommy is trying to figure out if mylicon drops work or if this gripe water will soothe you but so far I haven't seen any differences when using them. I think this is also why you don't sleep soundly
: Once something startles you or wakes you up mommy has to start the whole process over again (Crawford you do not like being disturbed and are a very light sleeper!)

Mommy and Daddy are learning new things about you every day and the love we have for you is just amazing. I look at you and you melt my heart. The stress I feel is because I only want to be the very best mommy I can be and I hate thinking that you are upset or not feeling well or not being 100% satisfied so that will continue to be something mommy works on. You are an amazing little guy and I can't wait to watch you grow and change every day!

This is on my 27th birthday. This was the one night Brad and I have ventured out. Cathleen was here and assured us that Crawford would be well taken care of. I was okay for about the first 30 minutes on our way to Brixx until they told us that there was a 45 minute wait and then I got so stressed thinking that I would be gone from you that long. Long story short not quite sure mommy's nerves were ready for night out!

Loving our little baby ...almost 2 weeks old here!

Such a sweet little napper (when you decide to grace us with a good nap!)

Daddy just loves coming home from work!

First bath with mommy and daddy both helping!

Aww love when you can hold that paci in your mouth so sweet!

Even Grandpa loves naptime with Crawford!

Nana and Grandpa come to visit often and love you so much!

Well I started this post at 2 weeks and here we are January 5th and you are now 3 WEEKS OLD! Man I just love waking up from my small amount of sleep (but at least waking up to daylight) and seeing your face! You are truly the most amazing blessing and I really thank God every night that you are healthy and growing and providing so much happiness to your mommy and daddy!

Crawford's 1st Christmas

We ventured out Christmas Eve to run a couple of errands and Crawford was such an angel. He first watched with wide open eyes as we started out picking up the fried turkey and heading to Brad's parents house..then a couple minutes later the little man was out!

We had to have some Christmas fun with Crawford so we put him in his stocking. I hope one day he will think it's amazing that he once fit in his stocking!

Brad and I are so lucky to have received such a precious, sweet, and HEALTHY baby for Christmas!

I just love him more and more every day. I just stare at him in amazement!

Aunt Cat just loves her little buddy. She is seriously the baby whisperer. Sometimes I wonder what she is feeding him when I leave the room because he just sleeps so soundly for her...

Trying to get Crawford to stay awake a little in between feedings so that he doesn't stay up all night long! He is always either eating or sleeping and the only time he fusses is when he is hungry or when he poops or pees through his outfits (which happens a lot more than I expected!)

This is what I got to wake up to on Christmas morning. My sweet little baby boy. He has been nursing so well and I truly feel so blessed that I have sort of gotten the hang of breastfeeding..is it my favorite thing to do?..no probably not but I am constantly reading books and trying to keep a positive outlook on it and trying to feed Crawford just as much as I can!

I just love all of his Christmas outfits and can't believe that all of these adorable outfits I have been planning for him to wear are about to come to an end..Christmas is here and the time is going by so fast (well kind of ..doesn't feeel like it in the moment but saying he is 10 days old sounds crazy!!)

We packed up a ham that Cathleen made, hashbrown casserole, and all of the presents and headed to Brad's parents house . The cousins posed for a picture together.

So thankful for our first Christmas together with our new baby.

Grandpa opening his new laptop. Now he will be the one running Papa Doug's Daycare so it was only fitting that he have the internet within his fingertips. Now he will learn how to multitask...aka check golf scores and hold Crawford at the same time...from the couch!

Nana's house is about to be the party house...not only does she have the new minivan with 2 tvs and seat warmers in the back...she now has a Wii...so much for mom and dad being the cool ones!

Only fitting that Crawford receive a couple of useful gifts..considering even next year he will probably have NO idea what is going on...but thanks to Nana and Grandpa he can now be transported back and forth between vehicles easily!

Aunt Cat continued the spoil fest with more clothes for baby Crawford!

Aunt Cat also got him a monogrammed blanket and lovie with his date of birth on it..

Grandpa opening presents.

Crawford opening those eyes and trying to take to take in all the Christmas action!

More clothes for baby Crawford...I know it looks silly that I have my finger in his mouth...but it works like a charm to calm him down.

Grandpa spending some time with Crawford...I have a feeling that are going to be connected at the hip before long!

Hope and Crawford amongst all of the Christmas disaster...Everyone had such a great Christmas and I think I can speak for everyone that it was a wonderful day with the family!

Isn't she sweet...taking care of baby Crawford. Soon she's going to have her hands full with a new brother and a new cousin.

It's so nice to have family pictures taken...crazy to think 10 days ago he was that size but in my stomach! I love him so much!

Amy holding her new nephew.

It was the first White Christmas in Greenville since the 1960's I believe. We never made it back outside with him once the ground and streets were covered but we had to capture Crawford's first snow in camera!

Brad had a couple of surprises for me when we returned home on Christmas evening. He surprised me with 2 hot stone massages (he knows they are my favorite and I have missed them while I was pregnant.) I am hoping Brad will take me up on the offer and join me for the other one!

Since my 12 days of Christmas didn't go quite as planned for Brad he had 4 gifts to still open when Christmas rolled around...

Aunt Cat was busy taking care of Crawford while we indulged in some Christmas present opening!

Brad is the greatest person ever to get gifts for...I mean who gets excited about a cup...my husband is very sweet to humor me with his gratefulness!

I got him a new golf shirt and at least I know he is genuinely excited about this one..I am sure he is thinking great when are you going to let me out of the house to go golf!

We had some goodies for Aunt Cat as well..I was able to get her a ring that she had been eyeing and it really was stunning!

So after all the presents were done being unwrapped...Brad kept apologizing for not getting me anything....of course I reassured him that I didn't need anything other than a healthy baby and sweet supportive husband..he went and pulled out another gift and it was the David Yurman bracelet that matched the ring he gave me when Crawford was born. I was sooo shocked!

Of course it was perfect and I will always think of my new family when I wear both of them!

Just a couple snaps of the snow as it fell ALL night long on Christmas evening..it was truly the perfect ending to a great first Christmas with Crawford!

The next morning the ground was covered and it was just beautiful!

Hopefully the days and nights will become easier or I will become more patient and tolerant to this new lifestyle! I can't wait to ring in the New Year with Brad and Crawford!