Nathan: Four Months

Dearest Honey Bee,

Today, you are four months old! I feel like you have always been here and yet you are growing up TOO fast! I returned to work on the 7th of this month, and the last three weeks have been such an adjustment period for us all. I hate that I am missing out on what you are doing during the day, especially the special time we spend nursing. :( Thankfully, Grandma brings you and Katie to see me at work on the weekends, and I have a few days off a week so I am able to get in lots of snuggles with you.

Katie and Nathan at Aunt Nomi's House

Sleeping at Danica's First Birthday Party, March 3rd

You are getting more and more handsome with each passing day! You are so alert, and you LOVE to look around and see what is happening. You don't want to miss anything! You are always so happy when you wake up in the mornings, too. You tend to wake up around 6:30-7:30 in the morning, and even though you will go back to sleep for mommy and Aunt NoNee, you are pretty happy being awake. I think you are going to be a morning person like your daddy is. I love your beautiful smile and you are working really hard at laughing this month. You shriek and shrill with happiness and delight. Katie always is able to get a few smiles from you, even if she is all up in your face bothering you. I love seeing the two of you develop such a special bond.

First St. Patrick's Day!, March 17th

You are working really hard at rolling over, too, but you are not quite there. You get over to your side and then stop. Such a teaser! (I have to edit this, you just rolled over at 6:45 this evening from your back to your tummy!) You are doing better and better with tummy time. You will usually play for 5-10 minutes before crying or falling asleep. You are also doing a lot better in the Bumbo. You are able to sit up for longer periods of time in it before you slouch over and get upset. This past week, you have become really interested in your toys! You swat at them very well, and you are able to pick up your rattles and put them in your mouth. I don't know if you are teething, per say, but you are mouthing everything! Your toys, your hands, my arms, any and everything you can get close to your mouth. You are also learning more about your feet. You do the cutest thing where you bend your knees with the bottom of your feet touching each other; I absolutely love it! I have to get a picture of it soon.

Playing with his gym, March 28th

Easter Pictures, March 11th

You had a couple of firsts this month: your first road trip and your first time staying the night away from mommy and daddy. Katie, mommy and you took a road trip to Portland to visit Aunt Tara and Uncle Kevin while Aunt Tara was on Spring Break, March 15th. You did really well on the trip! We left pretty early in the morning, and you slept almost the whole way there! As we were pulling in the driveway, you were waking up and wanting to eat. You also slept the whole way home. :) What a good baby you are! You and Katie stayed at Mamaw and Papaw's house this month, too, on the 10th, while mom and daddy went out to dinner and celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. Grandma said you were a really good boy for her! It was also your first St. Patrick's Day, your first Leap Year, and your first time celebrating daddy's birthday! He is 32 today. :o)

Ready for the Shamu Show, "One Ocean", March 23rd

Katie, Nathan and Isabella

Places we have visited/things we have done this month:
Mamaw and Papaw's house
Aunt NoNee's House
Danica's 1st Birthday Party
Swim Classes for Katie
Portland, Texas to visit Aunt Tara and Uncle Kevin
Mommy's work
Took Easter Pictures with Gwen and Rob
Duck Pond
SeaWorld
Dr. H's office
Restaurants
Shopping

Duck Pond, Heritage Park

Future W&L Graduate, maybe???

Your Clothing/Eating and Sleeping Habits:
Clothing: 3-6 months
Diapers: size 2 disposables and "small" cloth diapers
Sleeping: from 8:30pm to 7:30am, three naps or so a day (morning/lunchtime/evening) for 1-2 hours
Eating: 6-8 times/day, 5 - 4oz bottles at Aunt NoNees and nursing in the morning and at night
Weight: You have an appointment this week!
Height: Have to wait till Friday!

Tummy Time!!

First Time in the Door Jumper at Grandma's House

Milestones:
-You love to smile and "shriek"
-Bears weight on legs (you love standing up and sitting up)
-Cooing when we talk to you (you also love to talk to yourself and your toys, I don't remember Katie talking this much)
-Grasping your toys
-Playing with your hands and feet, bringing both of them together
-"Mouths" objects
-Blows bubbles
-Recognizes faces and voices
-Rolled from back to front!!!, March 28th

Playing with his feet, and Bella, at Aunt Tara's house, March 15th

Eating lunch with Mommy and Uncle Jon at Joseph's Bakery, March 28th

You are such a wonderful baby, Nathan! We are so in love with you and we are so grateful that Jesus has blessed our family with you. Always know that your family loves you and is very proud of you.

Love,
Mommy

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

Nathan's Baptismal

We had Nathan’s baptismal on the 19th before I returned to work. It was held at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, our family’s parish and where Katie was baptized. The ceremony was held after the noon mass and was so special. Meghan made breakfast for our family, my parents and brother prior to mass. Paul’s dad met up with us at our house so that we could car pool to the church. It was a beautiful day, and we were so glad that our families could join us. Those in attendance were: Katie, Mawmaw and Pawpaw, Uncle Jon, Aunt Tara and Uncle Kevin, Aunt Meghan, Grandma and Grandpa Gauna, Grandpa Paul, Aunt Melissa, Uncle Jason, and Charlize.

Nathan was napping at the start of the service, however, he quickly woke up when Deacon Joe started the blessings. There were several children being baptized during the ceremony, and fortunately we were first. Nathan did not like the anointing with oil or the holy water being poured over his head. He did like looking around to see what everyone was doing, though, and chewing on his hand. There was a blessing of the mothers and the fathers during the baptismal which I really enjoyed.

After mass, everyone went with us to eat at Paloma Blanca! What a fun tradition it has become. We are so blessed that the Lord has given us Nathan and Kaitlyn! Praise be to God!



Blessing of the fathers




Jonathan and Meghan lighting the candle

 


Paul's side of the family





My side of the family





Nathan and Momma



Paul and I with Jonathan and Meghan, Nathan's godparents

Blessing Nathan



Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Our Family



Annointing of Nathan

Blessing of the Mother

Meghan and Jon with Nathan



Blessing of the Bible and Rosary





Uncle Kevin and Aunt Tara with Nathan


 

Nathan: Two Months

Our sweet little Nathan,

Breakfast at Jim's on January 3rd

I can't believe that you are already two months old! I know that I should have learned by now how quickly time passes, but I am amazed every month when I sit down to do these updates. You are the most handsome little baby we have ever seen. We just love you so much and you are constantly spoiled with hugs, kisses and attention.

Nap time with Uncle Jon, January 19th

Minnie and Micky PJ's with Mommy, January 14th

Lily's Birthday Party with Daddy, January 21st

Snuggles with Papaw, January 7th

Hanging out with Grandma Irma, January 7th

Meeting Tamara, January 23rd

You have settled right in and have been doing so well this past month. You and Katie seem to be off to a great start. She loves to give you kisses and pat your back (to help you burp) and stroke your face while telling us "gentle." Sometimes she gets a little too excited and carried away with her "love," and we have to step in and rescue you. You are such a laid back little dude; you don't seem to mind...too much.

At Grandma's House, January 5th

"CHEESE", January 21st

Looking at something more interesting than mommy, January 23rd

"CUTE!" says sister, January 26th

Hanging out at home, January 27th

Our visitors have slowly left this month, and during the day now it is just me, you and the doodle bug. Gam Gam and Great Grandpa went home on the 9th of January, Papaw went back to San Angelo on the 13th, and Grandma went back to her house at night on the 22nd. We were so lucky to have our family here with us! Grandma stayed for eight weeks to help us take care of you at night, and mommy misses her so much. I think you must miss her, too, because your sleeping habits sure did change when she left. You had been sleeping from 10:00pm to 5am (first time on January 2nd) or 6am every night, and suddenly you started sleeping from 11-3am and back up at 6am. Sometimes you have even smaller stretches of sleep. Those are the days I pray you and Katie nap at the same time so I can sleep, too!

Beautiful eyes, January 11th

Sleeping Prince, January 12th

You have grown so much this month! It's no wonder because you are a really good eater! You take 4 oz in your bottle when you have one, sometimes nursing afterwards and sometimes not eating the whole thing. You nurse for most of your meals, though, and eat anywhere from 8-10 times a day. You are still wearing size 0-3 month clothing, but I have a feeling that is going to change very soon. Your legs have gotten so long, you barely fit in your pajamas with feet! And your tummy is expanding so that your onesies fit you just right. You are still wearing size 1 diapers, but I got the next box in a size 2 since you are starting to fill your diapers all the way up to the top in the back. I am a little concerned we might have some blow outs! lol.

All tuckered out, January 21st

Precious siblings, January 13th

Don't be fooled, he has attitude like his sister, January 13th

We have continued to be on the go, and this past month we have taken you to:
*The New Braunfels Children's Museum on December 29th
*Sea World on the 30th of December for Brunch with the Sesame Street Characters
*Dr. H's office for a check-up with Katie on the 30th of December and the 12th of January
*Urgent Care with Mommy when she was sick January 17th
*Liliana's First Birthday Party on the 21st of January
*Lots of restaurant dates, shopping trips, car rides, Grandma's house, and Aunt Nomi's house

First Wagon Ride to the Mailbox, January 19th

Latest Developments:
-Vocalizing more. You often like to talk after you eat and we are holding you, or during the beginning of tummy time. (Before you get too mad)
-Notice your hands. I don't know what date you started noticing your hands exactly, but you love to put them in your mouth, swing them around and try to grab things with them (grabbed a rattle on Jan 25th @ 8 weeks). You have even started swatting at your toys on your play mat every once in awhile. You are kicking your feet like crazy, but they haven't found their way to your mouth yet.
-Bearing weight on your legs. You love to stand up with help and look around. You like to see what is going on. I have a feeling you are going to love your jumper when you are a little bit bigger.
-Holding up your head (first time on January 12th @ 6 weeks). You are doing so well with holding up your head!! Everyone is constantly amazed at how well you can do this.
-Smiling! You randomly smiled for the first time at daddy on the 4th of January (@ 5 weeks). This past week, though, you have been smiling more and more and when we talk to you, you reward us with a huge gummy smile. It melts my heart!

Early morning smiles, January 26th

Tummy Time, January 13th

Playing at Chick-fil-A with Grandma, Mommy and Sister, January 28th

We love you so much, Nathan, and are so proud of all that you have learned to do! We can't wait to watch you grow and learn this next month. You are such a sweet baby boy!!!

Love,
Mommy