West Palm Beach

We just got back from AJ's first vacation to the beach (West Palm Beach)! The nicest part about the trip was being able to spend a relaxing week with my two favorite guys. We enjoyed every moment and can't wait to do it again next year! Below are some highlights from the week.

Here we are at Port Columbus Airport with Grandma Rose, Aunt Aimee and cousin Heidi. AJ and Heidi were preparing themselves for their first airplane ride!


Here's me and my little man on the airplane (it took about ten tries to get this picture to come out right). AJ was perfect on the plane. He either slept, ate, or played. The only time he really screamed was when I bonked his head on the ultra-low airplane ceiling (I felt terrible). He had a red mark for the rest of the day, but luckily he calmed right down with his pacifier. On the way home, he actually grabbed and played with my snack napkin and empty bag of potato chips (he's really starting to find his hands useful).

Here's AJ hanging out in the cabana at the pool. See his cute little swim trunks? This was a daily occurance and AJ often passed the hot afternoons with a nap while mommy and daddy read.

Here's daddy helping AJ dip his toes in the Atlantic Ocean. AJ didn't seem to mind too much.

Mommy and AJ enjoying the view!

AJ has learned how to do crunches in his carseat - he wants to have a 6-pack like his dad, and he wanted to look good for all of the beach babes :) !

AJ thought the waves were pretty cool! He didn't even mind when a big one splashed him in the face. He's definitely my little beach baby!

As long as AJ had a full belly and wasn't tired (which is hard to have both at the same time when you eat every two hours and take several cat naps throughout the day), he really enjoyed the pool. Here he is in Mr. Turtle floating around with Dad. AJ even learned how to make the water splash - once again those hands are becoming quite useful.

AJ giving Grandpa Al some love on his birthday.

Heidi and AJ had a great time playing in the sand together. The Bumbo chair was awesome to have at the beach. We built the sand up around AJ's chair so that he could feel the sand with his hands (see the picture below). He loved it!

Here's AJ being his charming self at the Tiki Bar, while the men were at a baseball game, and the girls were having a drink by the pool. He fell asleep about five minutes after this was taken (you can see he's in his pajama's). He's such a good baby!

Okay, so I am 26 years old and have never watched the sunrise before this vacation. I made it my mission to see it rise at least once, and had the fortunate opportunity to see it twice. This is a picture from the second time I saw it, which wasn't quite as beautiful as the first time (I forgot the camera in my haste to get down to the ocean in time), but still pretty amazing. The first time I saw it, I actully got to see the sun emerge above the horizon, which was completely awesome. It was somewhat cloudy the second time, so I didn't get to see that initial appearance, but could see parts of the sun through the clouds as it rose. Thank you AJ for waking up at 5:30 AM to eat, so I could make it to the beach to see this gorgeous event.

We had a little twister - see it in the sky? I can't remember what they're called when they form over water. It actually touched down in the water and then disappeared once it was over land. It was pretty cool.

All in all, we had a wonderful week full of laughs and smiles. I learned a new mom lesson - cheap diapers are cheap for a reason (will stick with the Pampers). I had to wash one too many outfits this week. AJ can and will burn in the sun at 8:30 AM - ah, my little redhead. Are redheads still a novelty? I can't tell you how many people comment about it. AJ also peed on me three times before I could get a new diaper on while we were waiting to board our plane in Atlanta - this was the one time I decided to just change him on one of the seats instead of taking him into the bathroom. Brian also got to celebrate his first Father's Day while we were there, which made it all the more special!

AJ in the Bumbo

AJ just loves to sit up so that he can see what's going on around him. Now that he has decent control of his head he can sit in his Bumbo, which he absolutely loves! He laughs, and plays, and looks around. He also loves to watch his feet now that he has discovered them. It's the cutest thing! AJ makes us laugh and smile so much, and it's the best feeling in the world!

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!