AJ Rolls Over

AJ rolled over all by himself today! He was having tummy time on his playmat and just rolled right off! It was so exciting. It seems like he is learning something new every minute. He also grabbed one of the legs of his toy giraffe that I have hanging on the playmat and was pulling on it! I just can't take my eyes off of him.

One more cute thing... When AJ and I were giving Nuge a belly rub, Nuge sneezed and AJ laughed right on cue. It was actually a real belly laugh this time, and not just one of those squealy noises he makes when he smiles big. Having AJ has certainly brought more laughter into our lives!

3 Months Old

AJ turned 3 months old yesterday, so we had a little photo shoot at home today. We picked the background in honor of July 4th and Daddy's upcoming city council campaign! AJ has become quite expressive!

Oh mom, I love you!

I think I need to poop.

Whoa, what's going on?

Look out world, here I come!

Break time - I need a little comfort.

Hello girls, want to come to my crib tonight?

Where have 3 months gone?! I can't believe how big my little man is getting. Since, he didn't have a 3 month Dr. visit, we took Grandma Bonnie to work yesterday (at Children's Hospital) to get him weighed and measured. He weighed 14 and 3/4 pounds with his clothes on, and still measured at 24 inches, although I know he's grown because he's continuously growing out of his clothes. He measured wrong somewhere!

AJ is really starting to become so much fun to watch. He is constantly looking around, and he's loving the fact that he has good head control now, and his back is definitely stronger too! He has discovered his feet, and thinks they are quite interesting. He finally grabbed onto them yesterday. He has realized that he can control his hands, and you can see him concentrating now when he hits and tries to grab objects hanging from his play-gym. He has a little beach ball that he uses to practice his boxing moves! He is also sucking his thumb on a consistent basis. He loves to blow bubbles and has become quite the drool king. He pushes to a stand when you hold his hands, and he is definitely beginning to experiment more with his voice. We have quite the conversations, and every now and then he makes his voice as loud as possible with a little screech/laugh/squeal. Oh, he also loves ceiling fans! Do they get any cuter than this?!

I knew I forgot to mention a couple of things that he does now. He makes this noise that sounds like he's saying "Hi." It comes out more like ah-I, but it's so sweet. He also makes a pouty face that reminds me of what I used to do - he sticks out his lower lip. Brian says it's exactly what I do. It absolutely turns me into putty.

1st Father's Day

Okay, so I feel bad that I didn't take any pictures on the actual day of Brian's 1st Father's Day, but as he puts it he got a whole week of Father's Day on vacation (we were trying to get out of the condo by 8:00 AM that morning as well). I promise to do better next year. I love you Brian and you are a wonderful father!

Here's the card that AJ and I made for Brian. We surprised him with it first thing Father's Day morning. My favorite part is the picture of Brian changing one of his first diapers. He always said he would never change one until it was for his own child.

Just a couple more pictures of Daddy and his little man hanging out together in Florida. They had so much fun bonding!

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!