Lizabean

Pics from our visitors

What's a visit to our neighborhood without a visit to Starbucks.  Liam far prefers BabyBjorn to the stroller.

Uncle Matthew, mid yawn.

Cousin Elsa finally naps.  As does Liam:

Uncle Daniel, visiting from Cali. Then a trip to the park to visit cousin Amia and tia Suzanne:

So sad that a nice day for us still involves winter coats!

Oh, we will miss them.  And now, the only picture of all three cousins.  Amia does not cry but the babies do.  My biggest surprise?  Why did no one tell me that my post-prego flab of a belly was showing?  I do believe that belly oh mine has lost sensation, hmmmph:

There are some cute ones of Elsa and Amia I need to edit.  And some of Liam with uncle Dan.  I'll get to them...

Visitors and etc...

Ms. Blue eyes, originally uploaded by liza-bean.

Keep it up folks! Keeps me sane seeing all of you :)

Liam has had a couple of rough nights. I basically spent all of yesterday in bed with Brent bringing him in for nursing. (Again, yey for daddies!) Exhaustian! It did us a lot of good becuase he's gotten really good at feeding laying down. He slept a good five hour chunk last night in his co-sleeper and then I picked him up to nurse and we both didn't wake up for another three hours.

So today I have energy!

Thank, God, too. This baby really needs a bath today.

Thank goodness for daddies

Nose to nose, originally uploaded by liza-bean.

Someone mistook 2:00 am- 5:00 am as awake time last night. Two feedings and lots of bouncing and then it was declared daddy time. Thank you, Brent.

One month

Baby in a basket: one month later, originally uploaded by liza-bean.

We all made it a month! Funny how quickly life changes but the weather stays exactly the same. (Grumble, grumble).

I dress him in overalls nearly every day. He smiles at us, with his eyes open now. And he whines if we move him, grunting with displeasure, lip curled like his momma does.

Things are both easier and harder.

I already mourn his sleepier days but look forward to his next stage in development.

As it is with children, I imagine.

The thing is (take two)

A quiet moment, originally uploaded by liza-bean.

The thing is I adore the way your nose squeaks as you chomp away,
the way you stretch and cover your eyes as you settle into a feeding,
the way you forget how to break away and dramatically jerk your head away in a startle as if you've suddenly discovered, "Whoah, I think I'm done",
the way you stare so intensely at our plain white walls,
the way you stop, mid screaming fest, to listen to the sirens outside,
the way you snuggle up close during nap time,
the thing is, I just adore everything about you.

The thing is

Flickr failed to post this properly and I'm too tired to try again.  Hmmph.

A better day

Phew.  He slept 4 1/2 hours straight last night!  Who knew one could feel so rested?  My how my standards of a good night's sleep have changed.  He's also a whole lot less fussier today.  I guess that's how it goes.  Good days, bad days and all those in between...

Suzanne also had me over for a tasty lunch of veggie sushi.  Yumm!  And then this moment happened:

Overwhelmed

stunned, originally uploaded by liza-bean.

He's snuggled up against me, having difficulty falling into a deep sleep. It's been a fitful night. Lots of wiggling, squirming, and light sleep. For both of us.

And today he feels slightly feverish. Next time he's awake I'll do a temperature check. I have a feeling it's just me, being home alone and shocked by the lack of sleep that occured last night. Surely, something must be wrong, right? I missed your usual 3 1/2- 4 hour stretch last night, Liam boy. Didn't you?

I feel clueless and scramble to read and remember all the details. Scared that my ignorance will harm him. And then this little snuggle bunny gives me a grin like no other, making his chipmunk cheeks disappear. All gums, all magic at calming my racing heart.

He snorts and sighs, smiles again, and then it's back to sleep.

Leaving me touching the back of his neck, the top of his head,his chest...remembering that this is what he always feels like.

I remind myself to take things a day at a time or even just a feeding cycle. To not think about tonight but rather, enjoy the presence of the daylight hours. To gently ignore the blisters and cracks that have come from feeding a baby with an awfully short frenulum and instead perservere while all heals, however slowly.

And to focus, focus, focus, on those smiles. Those long, deep stares. For he too, is a little overwhelmed by this all.

Liam: Live (with smiles!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWL48igvex4

Could someone explain to me how I can post the video directly on my website?  I can't figure it out!

Oh, my computer illiteracy...

A few of Liam's uncles

Liam has many aunts (or as we say "tias") and uncles.  Brent's brother Mark couldn't resist flying out here during his spring break to visit his new nephew.  And uncle Robbie has been practicing his soothing skills --he better be careful, we may just ask him to babysit :)  Coming soon will be uncle Daniel and tia Katie!

And man, do we just LOVE visitors!!