Nathan: Three Months

My Cuddly Baby Boy,

I can't believe that it is time to write another monthly update for you! Time is flying by so quickly that it is almost time for me to return to work. I have enjoyed so much the last 13 weeks that I have been able to spend with you and Katie, and I do not want to leave you guys. You have changed so much since you were born, I know I am going to miss something being away.

Most of your car rides are spent with your sister reaching over to touch you, tickle you or sing to you!

We have had a busy, but fun, month this month! Our weekends have been quite full, it seems. Mommy had a birthday at the beginning of the month and turned 29. Our family went out with some good friends to one of our favorite restaurants, El Chaparral, to celebrate. You did pretty well at the beginning, but after a bit you got hungry and a little fussy. Katie started swim classes this month, too, so you have been coming with mommy and daddy every Saturday to the Love to Swim School to cheer big sister on. The classes start at age 6 months, and I often wonder if you will enjoy the water and want to do classes, as well.

At swim class with sister, February 4th

First time to mass, February 5th

 You celebrated you very first Valentine's Day this month and seemed to enjoy the yummy chocolate that mommy ate just for you. Our friend, Charlotte, turned two this month and we celebrated her birthday on the 11th at Fiesta Farms. What a neat place that was! There were so many animals and they even had pony and hay rides! Your godmother, Meghan, came into town for your baptism on the 19th and met you for the first time. You had so much fun snuggling with her; she loves you so much! We also had a get together to celebrate your Grandma Irma's birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Gauna's house. This past weekend, Mamaw and Papaw went with us to the Stockshow and Rodeo to see all of the animals. You slept through most of it, but you were awake for a bit to check out the sheep and take some pictures. You were the most handsome cowboy there!

At Fiesta Farm with Grandma and Katie, February 11th

First Valentine's Day 2012

With your Godparents, February 19th

Paternal Extended Family

With Grandma, Grandpa and Katie headed to the rodeo, February 24th

You also went to Aunt Nonee's on the 21st and 23rd so that she and I could iron out the wrinkles for when I return to work. The first day that you were there, you weren't quite sure what to think, but did pretty well, Aunt Nonee tells me. The second time went much more smoothly, and you ate a whole bunch. I definitely think you are in the midst of your "12 week" growth spurt....carried over to week 13.

First Time at Aunt Nonee's, February 21st

Playing with Katie, February 23rd

You usually nurse 6-8 times a day, however, the past week you have been eating 8-10 times a day. I can tell you are getting more milk, too, because my pumping output has increased. When you have a bottle, you drink anywhere from 3-4 oz. Your sleep has been a bit affected for the last couple of days, as well. You woke up last night at 1am and 6am to eat after falling asleep at 8:30pm. Usually you sleep from 8:30pm-6:30am and fall back asleep after a quick meal until 8:30 or 9am. You take several cat naps during the day, but generally get in 2-3 longer naps a day. I have been so blessed with good sleepers! (knock on wood so that I don't jinx myself.)

"I can sleep through anything, Mom!"

For the past couple of weeks, you have been sneezing and developing a worsening cough. I started giving you Albuterol nebs a couple of times a day to see if that would help, but it didn't seem to have much effect on your coughing. I finally made an appointment with your doctor for yesterday to see what was going on. I was afraid you might have RSV, but your test came back negative and it looks like you have some pesky allergies like your sister and mommy. I am so sorry, Nathan. It is not much fun to have allergies, as you have found out. You were more congested this past week and it has made you spit up a whole lot more. I promise that we will try to keep you as comfortable as we can. The steam showers and humidifier seem to help you some.

The "meh" or "Mom" cry

"Okay, now I am unhappy!"

Giving some smiles to mommy

Recent Milestones:
-You recognize faces and scents. Whenever you are upset, if you smell milk or see that you are about to eat, you will calm down pretty quickly. You also give out the best smiles whenever you see faces you recognize. Your sister loves to come over and see you when you wake up and you greet her with the most precious smiles.
-You hold your head steady most of the time. You love to be up on someone's shoulder so that you can stare around and look. You are a little wobbly sometimes, but I would say 90% of the time, you control yourself pretty well.
-You continue to track objects and will follow faces as we walk around the room.
-You are verbalizing so much more. You coo and gurgle and "talk" to yourself all the time when you play on your mat or sit in your swing.
-You are batting at your toys on your consistently. You really seem to like playing and you kick your legs so much!
-You continue to bear weight on your legs when we hold you up.  Sometimes you take "steps," which are more reflexes than you trying to walk, but it is so cute!!

Tummy Time at the Doctor's Office, February 10th

Swinging with Sister, February 16th

Looking around with Daddy at the Rodeo, February 24th

Clothes: very few 0-3 months, mostly 3-6 months
Shoes: size 2
Diapers: size 2 disposable, small cloth

We love you so much, Nathan, and you make our family so happy! It has been exciting to see you grow and learn this past month as you have become more interactive. Your happy smiles are the brighest part of my day! I can't wait to see what next month brings!

February 8th

Love,
Mommy

Kaitlyn Learns to Roll!

Kaitlyn rolled from her back to her tummy tonight! We were so surprised that she has already reached this milestone. Fortunately, we were both at home and were able to watch her reach this special milestone first hand!

Kaitlyn's Baptismal

St. Anthony de Padua

Kaitlyn’s Baptismal was a very special day. We baptized Katie at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church on April 25th after the noon mass. We took a baptismal preparation class with TJ and Lindsay a few weeks before the baptismal with Deacon Joe. It was a bright sunny day, and we were excited that so many of our friends and family could join us. Those in attendance were: Mamaw and Papaw, Uncle Jonathan, Aunt Tara, Terence and Lindsay Potter, Uncle Jason and Aunt Melissa, Grandpa Paul, Eric, Denisse, Tamara, Carmen and Tye, Mark and Erin, Grandma and Grandpa Gauna, Mini, Gammy and Grandpa Judge, Nana, and Aunt Belinda.

Kaitlyn and her godparents, Terence and Tara

The father talking to Katie

Blessing of Kaitlyn

"I baptize you in the name of the Father.."

Blessing of Katie's blanket, rosary, bible and handkerchief

Katie did very well during the baptismal. She did not like having her clothes removed for the oil to be placed on her sternum. She also didn’t want to get her hair wet with the holy water. But otherwise she was good and she slept through the ceremony. Marcus came and took some great pictures of the baptismal for us. There was only one other baptismal that day, so it was a very intimate sacrament.



Our Extended Ross Family



Godparents, Tara and TJ

Our Family with Katie's Godparents

Our Family

Extended Medina, Gauna and Chavez Family

Afterwards, TJ and Lindsay, Tara, Paul and myself, Jon, and Mom and Papa went to eat at Paloma Blanca.  It was an unforgettable day!

Strawberry Festival

I am behind in posting about the Strawberry Festival, so I thought I would do a blog in pictures. Katie had a lot of fun at the Festival as did Uncle Jon, Grandma, Grandpa and Mommy!

Katie is all ready to go!

Mommy and Kaitlyn

Uncle Jon, Mommy, Kaitlyn and Grandpa

Grandma, Grandpa and Kaitlyn

Grandpa Days

Since I have returned back to work, Kaitlyn has been staying with my dad and my brother. It has been quite the adventure for Miss Kaitlyn. I understand that she is getting in lots of nap time:

It has been a lot of fun to see Papa and Jon taking care of Kaitlyn. Jon tells me that they have developed a bit of a routine where one will feed and play with her while the other one naps, does a project, showers, gets in the spa, etc. and then they will trade off for the next feeding.

I used to enjoy my "Papa days" when I was a little girl, so I know that "Grandpa" or "Pawpaw" days will be something that Kaitlyn will enjoy more as she gets older. I love that he has more time to spend with her, as I know he really missed seeing Jon and I grow up because he was working so hard to provide for us. He has been very innovative so that he can get his stuff done while she is there: he plops her in her baby carrier and wears her all around the house and the yard. They like to swing in the backyard together, too, and look at the birds and the trees.

Apparently, Katie had a bit of a blow out the other day, and Papa even made her a "Redneck Clothesline" in the tree. Poor Kaitlyn. That is going to embarrass the crap out of her when she is older. Haha! On my days off, us girls have been going over to mom and papa's house, too. We went out to eat the other day, and as soon as we sat down, Papa swiped Kaitlyn from me! :O He is becoming quite the baby hog. Mom even shooed him away when he tried to take Katie from her after mom had been working all day (and he had been with Katie all day).

Yesterday, he had to return to San An.gelo to go to work. It's gonna be two more weeks until he gets to play with her again, and I don't know what she is going to do since no one will be here to spoil her. (yeah, right...) She is definitely gonna miss Grandpa, that's for sure!

Happy Easter!

**This entry is backdated**

On Easter, our little snuggle bunny awoke to find herself several surprises from the Easter Bunny! Paul and I got her an Easter basket from PBK that she will able to reuse every year along with some books and an Easter bib. Her Aunt Tara surprised her a couple of days earlier with a beautiful Easter basket, and her Grandpa Paul and Grandma and Grandpa had each brought over baskets with books, toys and even candy for Paul and I (thanks Grandpa Paul for the candy!!)

Easter Sunday was Kaitlyn's first trip to Church. We have been so nervous about taking her because we didn't know if she was going to cry or fuss or have a complete meltdown. Turns out, we were worried for nothing. Our family went to the 8am service at St. Luke's and Kaitlyn slept the entire time. I took her with me to receive the Eucharist, and the priest blessed her. She looked so cute in her Easter outfit and everyone commented on what a good baby she was and how cute she is.

We went to the Mag.nolia Pancake House for brunch afterwards and Kaitlyn grabbed her toy for the first time ever!! I thought I was going to jump out of my chair I was so surprised.

We took a family nap after brunch and took Katie to my mom's house so that Paul and I could run some errands.

That evening, Papa hid the Easter Eggs that Mom and I made for Kaitlyn, and Paul and I helped her "find" them. She had absolutely no idea what all the fuss was about. lol!

I can't wait for next year when Katie is running all around the yard and excited to find the brightly colored eggs. It will be here soon, I am sure. Time seems to be flying by.

Happy Easter Everyone!!

Big Bird's Beach Party

Our Little Angel! (April 3, 2010 @ 3 months)

Today was Katie's first trip to SeaWorld! The first of very, very many, I am sure. :o) We were a little bit unsure how she would do since there isn't a whole lot of shade, lots of people and it was rather warm out (in the 80's), but she did SUPER! She didn't want to stay in her stroller very long, and ended up in the Jeep Carrier with Grandpa after being at the park for maybe 5 minutes. Papa loves to carry her in the carrier and I think it is pretty darn cool that her Grandpa enjoys baby wearing.

We tried to see the new Azul show, but we got there about 10 minutes before it was going to start, and there were so many people standing up in the back that the staff was at the entrances announcing the show was full. We headed over to Shamu instead, where Kaitlyn woke up and gave Shamu a big wave "HELLO!"

The show was pretty similar to last year's show, except the trainers are still not in the water due to the recent tragedy of one of the killer whales attacking and killing its trainer at one of the other parks. I liked the show better when the trainers were able to get in the water and do neat tricks where Shamu throws them across the pool. They seemed to do more jumps then too. And it is neat to see a mammal so large interacting with such a small human (comparatively, speaking).

After Shamu, it was off to see Big Bird. Kaitlyn wasn't too sure if she liked the show at first and fussed a bit. She was tired, hot, and needed a change. Once we got her all settled in, she started to enjoy the music and bright colors.

She sat on the end of the row with Grandma and stared and stared at the cast and crew. She waved "bye bye" to Big Bird, even. (With a little help from Grandma). After the show, we decided to call it a day and picked up our very first picture of Kaitlyn's trip to SeaWorld. (in which she is screaming....). Hopefully we will be able to get some more pictures next time we visit.