A few pics from our trip to Atlanta

Family Photo Shoot

We decided to put our KU hats on and just go crazy with the camera!
(Look at that Tush)

Play Time with Jacob

Jacob has become such a fun baby. We have been playing with a lot more toys because he is finally interested in them. Mimi and Grandpa (Robin and Sid-Nate's parents) bought us a baby einstein exersaucer. We put Jacob in the exersaucer which is surrounded by different toys that he can play with.
Also, Jacob loves Tummy Time now. Lately I have been laying a blanket on the floor in the living room and lay him on his tummy. Look how high he can lift his head.

We now have a Formula Fed Baby

So I nursed Jacob for the last time today. I have been weaning him off of the breast milk and onto formula for the past two weeks. I took a feeding away every two to three days. I started with the feedings that he didnt really care about like the 1:00 p.m. feeding or the 5:00 p.m. feeding and eventually ended with today. I knew it was going to be hard but I didnt think it was going to be this hard emotionally. I am a crying wreck right now. I read that sometimes babies feel neglected throughout the weaning process and that is the last thing that I want Jacob to feel. It hurts me inside that he could feel that way. Maybe this is why he has been a little fussier lately. I decided to quit breastfeeding because I am going back to work in a week and it will be easier for Nate and I if Jacob is on formula.

It is very hard to pump at work and since Jacob is staying at home with Nate during the day while I am at work, it just seems like the best decision. However I am very happy with myself that I made it this long. About a month into breastfeeding I was about to quit. It hurt so bad and I was so annoyed that this was what my life had become. I was nursing all the time and hated it. I pulled myself to together and stuck it out for Jacob's sake and that was one of the best decisions. I hope Jacob and I can still have the bond like we did when I was nursing him. I try to keep eye contact with him while I am feeding him the bottle but its not the same. I hope it gets better and I dont regret my decision. Any advice from anyone would be appreciated!
It will take a couple of days for my milk to dry up and its going to hurt so bad. I read that you can get a fever and the shakes during this process. I hope it goes by fast and its not too bad. This weekend is going to be emotional but I am glad that I have Nate supporting me on this decision and can go to him when I am feeling down about this.

Laying out poolside

Jacob spent his first time in a pool on Sunday. After a short storm, it turned into a nice day to sit outside with Jonathan, Rebecca and Dolly.

Erin bought this little inflatable pool from Wal-Mart that fills up about three inches of water. He loves sitting in his baby bathtub, splashing and kicking, but he really didn't know what to think of the pool. I guess he was a bit overwhelmed with its size compared to the tub. Maybe the sun made him tired or maybe he just didn't know what the heck he was standing in or why he was standing in it.

All that being said, Erin had to splash the water for him as he just sat in the pool. But it was still cute seeing him in his little swim trunks and full-brim hat. Hopefully he'll have more fun next time.

Jonathan and Rebecca visit Tenn.

Three months (to the day) after his birth, our good friends from college, Jonathan and Rebecca, finally met Jacob.

From the look on their faces, the wait -- and the eight-hour drive from Kansas City -- was well worth it. Although they probably wished they could have made it down for the birth, this stage in Jacob's life is a perfect time to meet him as he's developing a cute personality with his smiles, coos and pseudo-giggles.



They kept saying pictures didn't do justice to seeing him in person. It's true, for anyone who has yet to meet him :)

Jacob made a good first impression, too. He was very receptive to Rebecca taking him away from Erin as soon as they walked through the door. Often he'll cry when a new person holds him (he might be developing a bit of separation anxiety), but he was all smiles as Rebecca held him Friday evening, and he loved looking at Jonathan's Simpsons shirt, grabbing his finger and cooing at his funny faces.



Rebecca just couldn't get enough of the little guy. Saturday morning she fed him a bottle, put him down for a nap, changed several diapers and gave gave us lot of time to rest our arms. She's definitely ready to be a mom, though none of the diapers she changed was poopy. But I'm sure even Mother Theresa didn't possess an innate love for that parental obligation. Jonathan also showed his soft side as he practiced his baby-talk voice and volunteered at times to hold him.

Hopefully Jacob will soon have his first honorary cousin!

We're glad they came down to visit. Despite the rain, it was a very nice and relaxing weekend.

Jacob turns 3 months old

Three months old!? Where is the time going?

Everyone who told us this time in our baby's life will just fly on by was not lying. As cliche as it sounds, it seems like just yesterday Jacob was coming home, sleeping in the Pack N Play for the first time and staring at simple, stationary objects the best he could with heavily crossed eyes.

Now he's sleeping throughout the night on his stomach in a crib in his own room, following colorful moving objects with his strengthened eye muscles and developing a cute personality consisting of smiles, coos and pseudo giggles. He loves to stare at the bright colors from the TV and his toys.

In three months, he's doubled his birth weight and grown three inches. He's now able to use his hands to calm himself, though he still relies heavily on us to soothe him with a passy. He also has gained much more noticeably blond hair (with a tint of red), but he's still a fairly bald baby.

It's amazing how at this age every day makes a big difference. That being said, we're eager to see what changes the next month brings!