Memorial Day Weekend

What better way to spend a holiday than with the fam! We are so lucky and blessed to have family members from both sides live so close. Here are a few of my favorite pics from the weekend!

Grandpa Joe showing AJ how to stoke a fire (he's really taking it all in - can't you tell).

AH, good ol' McLaughlin bonding time!

Here we are at Logan's Roadhouse with Brian's family. Heidi's checking in on AJ - she sure does love having him around now.

Field Trip - The Zoo

My kindergartners took a field trip to the zoo, so I decided to take AJ and meet them there. Grandma Sauer got to come with us too! AJ was so excited about his first visit to the zoo that he slept through practically the entire visit. The only time he was awake was when we were eating lunch with the other teachers that I work with. Oh well, we had fun and I'm sure we'll visit again!

Here's AJ taking a nap with the Kangaroos (they are at the top of the picture laying around as well). What can I say, it was the hottest day we've had all year!

This was the coolest thing I saw all day - albino alligators. Yes, they have red eyes and can get a sunburn - weird!

The baby gorilla behind us was putting on quite the show for all the kids. Before I know it, it will be my little man rolling and running around like a crazy gorilla!

2 Months Old

Where has the time gone? AJ is now 2 months old and he is really starting to discover the world around him. He smiles everyday now which makes me smile even more! He has also discovered his tongue as we often see him sticking it out at us. He can push his chest up when he's on his tummy, and he almost has complete control of his head. He loves looking around and I know he can't wait until he doesn't have to worry about falling backwards when he notices something interesting! To mommy and daddy's great delight, AJ is now sleeping in his crib as well (he only gets up once during the night to eat, and then he goes right back to sleep). I also love how he stops crying when he sees me, hears my voice, and is picked up!

Growth Update

Weight: 12 lb. 11 oz.

Height: 24 in.

Head: 15.75 in. (1 1/4 inches larger than last month)

Showing off his Calvin Klein outfit. I love the little cargo pants!

Here's AJ playing with his favorite toy - his keys. If I put them in his hand he'll wave them around and laugh as he entertains himself.

Well, AJ had his first set of shots yesterday. You can see the bandaids on his right thigh. He screamed his head off as he was getting them, but calmed down right away when I picked him up and gave him his pacifier. After we got home, he was his normal self (smiling, playing, happy) for the first few hours. Then it was like a light switch was turned on and he started screaming like I've never heard before (he was breaking my heart). Being the naive new mom I am, I had not picked up any infant's Tylenol prior to this (I figured I would just see how he reacted first), so I made a call to Grandma who thankfully was willing to get some for us. After a dose of Tylenol, an ice pack to each sore thigh, another feeding, and lots of love he fell asleep and only woke up to eat (along with another dose of Tylenol) during the next 12 hours. He is much better today! He was a little out of it at first, but he has gradually returned to his normal, if not sleepy, self.

Mother's Day Weekend

My first Mother's Day! How wonderful it is to be a mother, and of course the best gift is little AJ himself. He got me a very sweet card that had matching stickers in it for us to wear. Mine said, "I love my son!" and AJ's said, "I have the best mom!" I also got a "Super Mom" cookie and some picture frames to put pictures of AJ in of course!

Mommy and AJ with our mathcing stickers!

This is how Brian helped me out Sunday morning when trying to get ready for church (lucky for him AJ went back to sleep)!

We had a cookout on Saturday with some of our friends. Several of us have kids now, so of course we had to take some pics. Above - AJ is hanging out with all the older women (Alison, Natalie and Heidi). It's hard to tell in the picture, but AJ was looking a little worried. He was just staring at me with these big eyes that seemed to say, "Help!" Probably won't be the last time he looks like that when it comes to girls!

This was just too cute. Natalie and Alison just had a fabulous time trying to drive the Jeep, crashing into our fence, and chasing Nuge with it. Don't they just look like trouble waiting to happen?!

Melt My Heart

Finally! I got AJ to smile for the camera! He's been smiling on a consistent basis for a week now, and it is absolutely heartwarming! Just tonight he was smiling up a storm at Brian. It was awesome!

AJ wore himself out playing. Isn't he just precious?

AJ's first little girlfriend (Jessie). One of the teachers I work with just adopted her! AJ was NEVER as teeny as she is.

Baby Blessing/Visit From Houston

What an amazing weekend! Not only did Aunt Angie and Cousin Megan come to visit, but lots of family members were able to share in AJ's baby blessing on Sunday. Grandpa Joe sang a special song, and Grandma Bonnie performed the actual blessing assisted by Jim Cummings. A special banner was made just for AJ, and a little reception was held in his honor. It is truly a wonderful feeling to know that your child is so very loved!

AJ being blessed by Grandma Bonnie and Jim Cummings. AJ was a perfect baby through the entire prayer.

Daddy, Mommy and AJ. He finally got to wear his "going home" outfit for his blessing.

This says it all!

The fam + Jim Cummings.

The kids with the kids!

AJ looking studly in his baseball cap with Great-Aunt Beth.

All three babies out for a walk (AJ, Megan and Heidi).

Cousin Heidi

Cousin Megan

Grandma Bonnie with the Grandbabies. She couldn't be happier!

AJ and Megan chillin' out at the park.

We wish Aunt Angie and Cousin Megan lived closer so we could have more fun days like these!

Cute Pics

Just a few cute, recent pics to share!

"Hey Grandma, the pants go on my legs!"

Thank goodness for the Nuk!

Looking sweet after his bath. I love cuddling him all wrapped up in his towel.

More of Mommy's pretty friends who love AJ (he's practicing his best move on them - falling asleep).

He's a Growing Boy!

AJ had his one month doctor visit today! He now weighs 10 lb. 1 oz., and is 22 1/2 in. long (no wonder some of his clothes no longer fit). I can't believe he grew 3 inches in one month! His head also grew 3/4 of an inch. The Dr. said that everything looked good, and to keep up the good work. AJ's been pooping like crazy but the Dr. assured me that it would slow up in the next 2-4 weeks. Let's hope! We have to make our own butt cream (aquaphor and maalox specialty mix) to help his little raw butt from being so sore with all that poop!

1 Month Old

AJ is 1 month old today! He has his 1 month check-up on Monday, so I will post his weight and length next week, but I know he has grown. He has already outgrown some of his outfits, and his spring jacket now fits! He doesn't really smile yet, but we're working on it! I have seen random glimpses of one, and it looks so cute! He's our little bobble-head right now. He loves to hold his head up and look around, but it's still a little floppy, and it literally bobbles around as he tries to keep it up. He also pushes up to a standing position when you stand him on his feet (especially when he's trying to get a poop out)! It's amazing how strong he already is, and it makes diaper changing time quite interesting (he either has his legs in a froggy-position, or moves his legs around like he's riding a bike). AJ is starting to enjoy his baths, and he didn't cry at all during yesterday's bath. He looks right at you when you cuddle and talk to him, and Brian and I are loving every minute of it. I can't believe he's already a month. It's amazing how quickly a month can go when it's mostly filled with feedings and poopy diapers! We are starting to get some playtime and reading time into our day, and we always take a walk when the weather's nice. Here are a few more recent pictures!

Our little handsome man!

Brian giving AJ his first history lesson.

Total bliss!

P.S. - I have created a dropshots account so I can post video clips, but I still need to figure out how to upload the video to the computer and then to the blog. Hopefully we'll figure it out soon!

A "Fussy" Day

AJ truly is NOT a fussy baby, but he couldn't quite settle himself yesterday afternoon. I finally carried the swing upstairs and put it in the office so I could work on the computer (it was AJ's first time in the swing). It worked like a charm as you can see in the picture. Nuge wasn't so sure about it at first, since it moved and made some noise, but he finally came around!

Easter Weekend

We had a pretty laid-back Easter for AJ's first, but we got to spend it with lots of friends and family. AJ also made his first appearance at church, and was oohed and ahhed over all morning long!

AJ with his Easter goodies.

AJ in his Easter outfit. Doesn't he look handsome?

Mom, Dad and AJ

The Glandon Fam on Easter morning.

Grandma Glandon and AJ

Great-great aunt Ruth was thrilled to hold AJ!

Hanging out with uncle Eric.

Great-aunt Cindy and cousins Sarah and Megan with AJ.

Mommy and Daddy's friend's Megan and Jeff. AJ can't wait to meet his new little playmate due in November!

As Megan held our little baby, I held the "other" baby (our four-legged furry one named Nuge).

Aunt Aimee and AJ with Daddy and cousin Heidi.

Grandma and Grandpa Sauer with the grandkids!