Nathan: Six Months

My sweet little Bubba,

It is here, you are now half a year old! I have no idea where time went, but I am not ready. You are growing up right before our eyes, and I still picture you as a small newborn baby. While time moved quickly when Kaitlyn was small, time seems to be moving at lighting pace nowadays, and I struggle to remember and absorb everything. This month in particular has been especially challenging with my work schedule and having fewer days off, so bare with me for this monthly update.

Handsome Boy!, May



Playing with Katie at Aunt NoNee's, May

Your personality continues to bloom this month; you are interacting so much more with not only daddy and me but with Uncle Jon, Grandma, Grandpa and your other loved ones. You are such a happy and laid back baby… for the most part. I think I have it easier than everyone else because I am your food source and able to calm you down quickly in ways that others are not able to. When you are hungry, over stimulated/tired, or too hot you get so upset and worked up. You thrash your feet and arch your back and scream bloody murder. You have such a loud cry! I am blaming these fits on your father, who also becomes unpleasant when he is hot, tired or hungry. Ha-ha! But for the most part, you are very happy and pleasant. You smile at everyone and have the most beautiful eyes. You wake up in such a good mood every morning, albeit at 5 or 6am. You will still go with other people easily, even strangers, but this month you started reaching for me when I stand next to you. The first time you did that at Aunt Tara’s shower scared her as we were not expecting you to do that.

New Shades Daddy and Grandma found, May

First Time in a High Chair, May 12th

I have a feeling you are going to be on the go here very, very shortly! You learned to sit in the tripod position (a seven month skill) as of May 24th. You even tried to get your knees up underneath you to scoot in the last few days, and daddy says that you have been scooting backwards today! You are also becoming quite the problem solver. When we were at Aunt Tara and Uncle Kevin’s house, you tried to reach for your toy but couldn’t quite reach it. Instead of giving up or crying, you were able to pull the blanket you were lying on towards you to get the toy (also a 7 month skill)! It is so neat to see you learning new things!

First Bath with Katie Bug, May 16th

Having lunch with Mommy and Uncle Jon at Jim's, May 22nd

You said your first word on May 1st (8 month skill). Uncle Jon was having lunch with Katie and I at Jim’s and you were hungry and wanted to be held. He was trying to get you out of your car seat and his coffee spilled. He grabbed you quickly to rescue you from the coffee and while he was holding you, you said “Ma Ma!” You are a little bit of a mamma’s boy, if you haven’t deducted that, and it makes me so happy!

Nathan at HEB, May 23rd

Katie and Nathan grocery shopping

I started to work out at Gold’s this month, and you and Katie have been going to the daycare there for an hour at a time when I work out. While Katie has had a difficult time adjusting to having new care givers, you have done just fine. Most of the time, you sleep happily in the bouncer the entire time I am gone!

Katie pushing Nathan in the swing, May 23rd

Hanging out at Aunt NoNee's, May 24th

We went to SeaWorld this past weekend to see the fireworks for Memorial Day. I was so proud of you! Even though it was your first time seeing them, you were not scared of the fireworks at all! You just stared at the sky in amazement and played with Katie's light up dolphin necklace.

Watching the fireworks at Sea World, May 26th

Places we have visited/things we have done this month:
Duck Pond, May 2nd
Gold’s Gym, Bandera Pointe Daycare, May 7th
Portland, Texas for Aunt Tara’s Shower to Reveal Baby Lepler’s sex, May 12th
Raymon Rimkus Park, May 23rd
Uncle Jason and Aunt Melissa’s House for Charlie’s First Birthday Party, May 26th
Mamaw and Papaw's house
Aunt NoNee's House
Swim Classes for Katie
Mommy's work
SeaWorld
Restaurants
Shopping

Shoulder Ride from Pawpaw, May 26th

Your Clothing/Eating and Sleeping Habits:
Clothing: 3-6 months, just barely!
Diapers: size 2 disposables and "small" cloth diapers
Sleeping: from 9:30-10pm to 4:30-5:30am. You nurse back to sleep and wake back up shortly before 7am to play for the day. You usually take three naps a day of various lengths, usually an hour or two.
Eating: 6-8 times/day. You are still indecisive about bottles. I think you hold out for nursing some days! I have started making your bottles 5 oz, and you have two bottles when I work an 8 hour day and three when I work a 12 hour day. Very rarely will you take another 4 oz bottle in addition to the others. When I am home, you nurse 6 or 7 times a day. This past week, you have been nursing sometimes 9-10 times a day! I think you may be having another growth spurt.

Celebrating Charlize's First Birthday, May 26th

Weight: TBD at your appointment this week
Height: TBD at your appointment this week

We love you so much, Nathan! It is hard to remember life without you here; you make our family complete! You are such a blessing, and I am so grateful that Jesus gave you to us. Please know that no matter how crazy life gets or how busy we may seem, I will always love you to the moon and back and I am constantly thinking of you and wondering what you are doing.

Love,
Mommy

Nathan's First Haircut

 This weekend was a very busy one for us! Swimming, birthday parties, fireworks…and Nathan’s first haircut! I know that Paul wanted to wait until Nathan was a bit older, but his bangs were in his eyes and the hair on the side was covering his ears. It was certainly time for a trim!


Before

Katie wanted a picture with Brother

Holding so still

Janet, the same lady that cuts my hair and did Katie’s first haircut, gave Nathan a quick trim on May 26th. He did so well!! He did not cry at all and sat in mommy’s lap while Janet trimmed him up. He looks so handsome!

Janet



Handsome Boy!



Nathan's First Emergency Room Visit...

and something tells me, it won't be our last. We had to take Nathan into the ER at Methodist Children's on April 12th. I woke up about 4:30 that morning to Nathan making a strange cough. I had Paul look at Nathan in his bassinet, and Paul reported to me that he was fine. I could still hear his cough, and it just didn't sound right. I had Paul bring me Nathan, and I could tell right away that he needed a breathing treatment. Paul was out of bed and in the kitchen before I could even get out of the bed. While we were giving him a breathing treatment, he started with a cough...the barking cough unmistakable for croup! We called the RN hotline and after asking us a few questions and listening to Nathan over the phone, she instructed us to take him to the ER.

Mom came over quickly to stay with Katie, and we made our way to the hospital about 20 min from our house. I sat in the backseat with Nathan, watching him on the ride over. Of course, he hardly coughed on the trip. In fact, he smiled and played with his hands. He was the picture of health once we were seen with the exception of throwing up after eating. He was just too congested and was spitting up and drooling a lot more than usual. The physician told us that we did all the right interventions at home and to keep doing the steam showers, humidifier and breathing treatments as needed. Croup can be caused by various things, most likely Nathan’s was the result of his allergies. I hope we won’t have to deal with this very often because it sure was scary. Thankfully he was good as new in two weeks.

Nathan: Five Months

My Little Bubba,

My precious son, how much you have captured our hearts these last five months. We love you so much and are so proud of the little baby that you are. You are such a happy baby, always greeting mommy with a smile, even at 3am! You have changed so much this month and are working so hard at new skills.

Grandpa's Little Helper, March 30

Sea World Playground with Mommy and Katie, March 30th

You learned to laugh on the 21st of this month; that was such an exciting thing for me! Grandma, Grandpa, Katie and Daddy brought you to have lunch with me at work, and I was nuzzling on your neck. You started to giggle out of nowhere!! So unexpected and the cutest sound! You are not doing full on laughs yet, but your quiet giggle is very precious. Now you laugh at daddy’s silly faces and tricks, mommy tickling you and anything you think is particularly amusing.

Super Baby at Aunt Nonee's House

Playing the Bouncer with Katie, April 5, 2012

Katie and Nathan, April 5, 2012

You have also learned how to roll both ways, front to back (April 18th) and back to front (March 28th). Earlier this week, I woke to get ready for work, and I found you sleeping on your stomach with your arms folded under your head. You looked so peaceful! Now when we put you on your back, you roll over to your stomach quickly unless you have your play gym to look up at. You also like to sit up, and are able to sit for a few seconds if you are resting on something, like your toy keyboard. You sit very well in the highchair at home, in your Summer Seat and your Bumbo. I have not put you in a highchair when we have been out to eat, but I bet you would do well. I need to get a highchair cover. And an extra pair of hands to juggle you and Katie.

Tummy Time!!

Playing the piano, April 20, 2012

Happy Baby in the Bumboo

 You have been “playing” well with Katie, too. She loves to talk to you and give you hugs. She brings you toys to play with and helps mommy put your pacifier in when you drop it and get upset. You give her the sweetest smiles and “talk” back to her in your baby babble. One of my favorite times is snuggling with both of you for an afternoon nap.

Katie and Nathan, April 16th

Oh my how you are loving the water, bath time in particular. Grandma gave you a bath last week while mommy was working late and you were kicking water all over the kitchen! You were so excited!! You also love to swing outside and take walks in your wagon. It is so fun discovering your personality, your likes and your dislikes. You do not like loud noises. You jump when mommy talks too loud, even when you are nursing. I am not sure how you can be my child and be upset at loudness, lol, but that must be from your father, who is much quieter. You are a LOUD baby, too! You're talking, crying, and shrieking! I can’t wait to hear you become more vocal and put words and sentences together. 


Getting ready to play in the water, April 5, 2012

Also like your daddy, you love the mornings. You have been waking up early and always with a bright smile on your face. You even play with your toys and/or feet for an hour or so after you eat, talking silly baby talk to yourself in the dark. You found your feet April 3rd and you have been mastering moving them about and chewing on your toes. You are sticking our your tongue now (March 28th) and have learned to blow spit bubbles, or raspberries. Goodness, you have learned a lot this month!

Watching Katie at Swim Class, April 14th

Lunch with Grandma at Le Peep

Places we have visited/things we have done this month:
Dr. H's office, March 30th for 4 month vaccinations
St. Luke’s Episcopal for your 1st Easter, April 8th
Methodist Children’s for your 1st ER Visit, April 12th
1st King William Fair, April 28th
Mamaw and Papaw's house
Aunt NoNee's House
Swim Classes for Katie
Mommy's work
Duck Pond
SeaWorld
Restaurants
Shopping

First King William Fair, April 28th

Your Clothing/Eating and Sleeping Habits:
Clothing: 3-6 months
Diapers: size 2 disposables and "small" cloth diapers
Sleeping: from 8:30pm to 5:30/6:30am, a couple of small cat naps and 2”ish” hour nap around noon. This month has been the month of waking up. Some nights you sleep all night, some nights you wake up every two hours. Oh my goodness!
Eating: 6-8 times/day. You have decided to be finicky with your bottles. Some days that I work, you eat 2– 4 oz bottles. Other days you will agree to 5 – 4 oz bottles. You still nurse before and after work, and of course the multiple times at night when you wake up. Growth spurt? Reverse cycling? But when I am home, and not working, you nurse about 6 times a day.

The gang at Aunt Nonee's

This has become a long letter, sweet Nathan, but you have had a very big month! As always, we love you so very, very much and always will!

Love,

Mommy

Easter 2012

Easter this year was on April 8th. For Nathan’s first Easter, we celebrated Mass at St. Luke’s as we did with Katie’s first Easter. He was such a good baby during the sermon and happily looked around and cat napped. Katie, on the other hand, was restless and went up and down our pew getting into trouble. :) But she did fairly well for being so little and having a short attention span. The church had a lovely easter egg hunt after the service and breakfast taco's for the big kids.

Katie at the St. Luke's Easter Egg Hunt 2012

Katie, Nathan, Mawmaw, Pawpaw and Uncle Jon

We went out to have brunch at Crumpet’s afterwards with Mom, Papa, and Jonathan. It was so delicious! Paul and I took the kids to his mom’s house to celebrate Easter with his mom and sister. Charlie, however, was due for a nap and Melissa and Jason had taken her home before we arrived. Katie and Nathan got some lovely Easter Baskets from Aunt Melissa, Uncle Jason, and Grandma and Grandpa Gauna.

Nathan on his first Easter

Nathan and I at Crumpets

Katie and Paul at Crumpets

Mom, Papa, Katie and I had decorated Easter Eggs the night before Easter, and mom and papa hid them in the backyard for Katie and Nathan to find Sunday afternoon. Katie is getting so good at finding the eggs and would tell us “There is it!” lol! She is such a doll. Grandma and Grandpa spoiled Katie and Nathan with baskets of chocolate and even got some candy for Paul and myself! :) Now Katie is well adapt at asking for “CANDY!” with her eyes all lit up.

Making Easter Eggs, April 7th

Katie inspecting her eggs

Nathan's Egg

Katie's Egg

We even made Camo Easter Eggs

Hunting for Eggs at Mawmaw's House

Nathan, Mom and Me

Even Nathan got some confetti!

The Medina Family

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