Thursday, July 23, 2015

For Your Viewing Pleasure...

Tae's repertoire of tricks is growing, which makes him even more fun to hang out with. I am continually amazed at how much he learns each day. I love to watch him try to figure things out. 


The cousins LOVE "Baby Taz" and are constantly playing with him.  The other day Whitters was trying to get him to jump in his jumper and ended up getting lots of giggles.  It was so cute. 


Tae is getting better at working with his paci. He can take it out, finding the place to put it back in is a little more challenging. He does this constantly and every so often gets it back in his mouth. 


We've been practicing sitting up and on Monday he got it.  He didn't particularly like sitting up, but he was able to do it. He's a little wobbly, but you gotta start somewhere. 


On Monday we did all our errands before heading back to Brazil. I got to sit in the back with the boys and was cracking up at Tae's snoring and the rhythm of his pacifier. 


Sunday, July 19, 2015

4 Months

Four Months 
July 19, 2015


Height: 25 inches 

Weight: 15.5pounds (at 3.5 months) 

Kara and Mark's wedding 

Likes: 
  • His jumper! He gets a wide open mouthed smile when he jumps in that thing. 
  • Stomping when you hold him so he is standing up. 
  • "Baby sit ups" 
  • His paci--he likes it more than he did. He doesn't use it all the time, but he enjoys it.
  • Peekaboo 
  • Sucking on his hands, thumb, anyone's fingers, my nose, etc. 
  • Going up and down with sound effects
  • Drooling 
  • His Bumbo seat 

Hanging with daddy 


Such a happy guy 


T and T on the 4th of July 



Dislikes:
  • Heat! When our little guy is hot he is fussy, I don't blame him! It will be interesting to see how he reacts in Brazil.
  • Tummy time. This is why I think he doesn't roll over, he knows he hates to be on his tummy. 

Visiting the Bean

Learning to sit up 

Milestones:
  • So so close to rolling over.  Maybe it's the mama in me, but I think he can do it and he just doesn't want to because he hates being on his tummy. 
  • Almost sitting up on his own.  He can last for about 5 seconds if I position him correctly. 
  • Better motor skills, able to take out his paci and put it back in sometimes (read about 10% of the time). 
  • Found his thumb. 
  • Can do a "baby sit up" with me (lay down on floor, pull up to sitting, and then stands up) 
  • Got legit sick for the first time.  Broke this mama's heart.  I passed a cold/cough to him while we were in Colorado.  It made me so sad hearing him cough and try to breath.
  • Not really a milestone, but we think he is going to be a leftie.  He only hits his hanging toys with his left hand.
  • Tae has an ever growing bald spot on the back of his head.  
  • May be starting teething...he is constantly drooling and putting stuff in his mouth. 
  • Sits in the Ergo facing out--we enjoyed a great time in the Garden of the Gods.

Cuddling in the morning
Sleep
  • Takes more consistent naps on a schedule.  He normally goes down about an hour and a half after getting up.
  • He goes down around 9 and then gets up at 7ish, with one feed around 3 AM.  I think he could make it without that feeding, but I don't mind and it is keeping my milk supply up. 
  • Still sleeps in his magic suit and is using his paci more and more. 
  • Able to sooth himself most of the time, but not all the time.  When he works himself up there he gets really angry and it takes awhile to come him down. 
Our balding Brazilian 


Love love love



Favorite Moments: 
  • Reuniting with daddy! It was a long month and a half without him.  All the time we had together was cherished. 
  • Meeting Jess' family in Colorado.  They loved him so much.  Little Grace was so cute and would follow him around, "Baby Tae". It was awesome to see Grandma Tutu with him, she loved him so much.  He would do this thing and kinda lean into her for a hug.  Cutest thing ever. 
  • Hanging out with Trey and Katie. I can't wait to see them grow up together. 
  • Touring around Chicago as a little family.  I pictured us traveling and exploring new places in the future. 
  • Not favorite, but memorable, Jess experienced his first poop explosion. 
  • His smiles are always my favorite. The way he smiles and giggles when you play with him literally melts my heart into mush. 

Hanging out in the jumper 
Being sick is no fun

Grandma Tutu and Tae 


Pics to Remember: 





Mommy's Thoughts: 

I spent a lot of today thinking back on these past four months, and my heart could not be more full and I am so thankful for how far we have come.  The first 6-7 weeks were so hard, I didn't know if we would make it, but now they seem so far away.  We have learned so much about being parents and I have daily had to be in communication with God just to get by.  I can't say it enough, but having Tae has brought me so much closer to our Lord and Savior. It puts Jesus' sacrifice on the cross on a whole new level, knowing God gave up his son for us.  I also understand a little more about God's love for us, his children.  I can be so frustrated with Tae, but nothing will ever make me not love him and my love is renewed every morning. I'm sure this is just a fraction of God's love for us. 

Tae--thank you for the joy you bring to our lives. Your little smiles and giggles are always so perfectly timed. You are learning so much and each day you seem to have a new trick. I love watching you develop and figure things out.  Right now your personality is very calm and super happy. You and I have had some major bonding time while your daddy works hard to complete his Masters in Madrid. We love you so much and can't wait to be back together as a family. 






















Friday, July 17, 2015

Family Time in Olathe!

After our weekend in Chicago we headed to Colorado to see Jess' family.  We got into Denver and stayed the night with Benn's family.  Of course we had to go to the Korean restaurant (yum yum).  After a great night's sleep we headed to Olathe.  Our little guy was a trooper in the car, maybe he was taking in all of the beauty as we drove.  I love the drive, it is breathtaking with the mountains, blue sky, and bright green grass. 

Great Great Grandma Tutu, Jess, and Tae 

Giner, Jess, and Tae 


Uncle Mike, Great Grandpa Jess, Jess, Tae, and Ginger
Tae was completely loved every second he was there.  He was passed from person to person and always got smiles.  This guy sure won't suffer from lack of love! It was so fun to see Jess' parents and family fall in love with Tae like we have.  We enjoyed hanging out and watching him every day.

Five Generations

Our Little Family

Angel, Jess, and Tae 

One night Ginger organized a family cookout, so Tae got to meet lots of family!  It was abnormally cold that day so we switched him to some pajamas, but it didn't stop him from being his happy self. I love how close Jess' family is and how many generations are right down the street.

The Whole Gang 

Great Grandma Bea 
Great Grandpa Jess...PS I love how Tae is holding his hand 
Nothing Like Grandparents 

Last time I visited Olathe I experienced the true country with shooting a gun, riding a horse, holding a piglet, and visiting with the bull.  This time I got to drive 4 wheelers, meet a colt, and make s'mores on a bonfire.  I really love it out in the country, it is so beautiful and peaceful!

Kindergarten friends as dads

Grace an Tae 

Matching! 

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Daddy's Home and Our Chicago Trip



Jess got back on Tae's 3rd month birthday and we couldn't be happier.  It was an immediate whirlwind, as we picked him up in the morning and then immediately went to the DMV for him to get his license. After we grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed back to the airport to catch our flight to Chicago for our dear friend Kara's wedding. Jess couldn't get over how much our little guy has changed since he saw him last (5.5 weeks).



It was so good to be together as a family and just take in each moment.  Tae was a trooper and adjusted to the time difference really well.  I was shocked at how cold it was in Chicago, luckily I had a couple long sleeve outfits for Tae. We had plans to meet up with  Veronica and her brother for dinner the first night. V is one of those friends that is just good for your soul.  We connect so well and I love her so much! It was great ago see her and meet her brother. Tae was a bit fussy when we got to the pizza place, but mainly because he was up past his normal bedtime by 2 hours.  I ended up taking him back to the hotel and putting him down while Jess finished dinner with Veronica and her brother.



The next day we snuggled in bed, walked all around the city, ate street food, went to an art festival, and did a little shopping. It was amazing to have Jess back, for the first time in a long time I felt like an actual family.  It was fun for Jess to interact with Tae and also made things way easier having another set of hands.




Kara and Mark's ceremony was on a boat that went around Lake Michigan, we didn't think it was a good idea for Tae to attend so Jess watched him while I went to the wedding.  It was an amazing wedding, you could feel the love and energy as Kara and Mark said I do in a breathtaking setting. Their love for each other is captivating and I couldn't be happier for the.



After the wedding I came back to the hotel and picked up my dates for the reception. The wedding was so fun, but man going to a wedding as parents is a LITTLE (read A LOT) different. We would take turns when Tae was unhappy, but for the most part he was great!  Jess made up for lost time with his first poop blow out experience! It was hilarious, he was holding Tae face to face and excitedly said, "He's great now, he just needed to poop!"  Well what Jess didn't know was that the poop had exploded and shot all up his back, down his legs, into his shoes, and all over Jess' lap.  I couldn't stop laughing!  After a quick dip in the bathroom sink everything was all good.



We fell in love with Chicago and vowed to go back. We definitely noted how it isn't as easy to travel a it used to be as we were lugging all the crap totally necessary stuff for our little guy. Hopefully over time we will learn how to consolidate and all the tricks to the trade.  Next on our tour was Colorado to see Jess' family...stay tuned for an update.