Prancing Reindeer

Happy Five Months Jayden!

Dear Jayden,

Today is December 8th, 2010 and you are 5 Months Old! You are getting so big day by day. Time is starting to move fast! I was looking around the room this morning and there are a lot of newborn things you don’t use anymore. You weigh about 15.8 lbs and wear size 2 diapers. It makes me a little sad to know you are going to keep getting bigger and bigger and will never use those things again. You’ve been getting so big this past month; you’ve been experiencing so many things for the first time.

On November 11^th, you took your first flight to Baltimore, MD with Mommy, Grandpa and Grammy! You were perfect and didn’t even make a peep! You loved boarding the plane and having everyone look at you as we walked down the isle. You even found a little girlfriend on the flight home. You couldn’t take your eyes off her. You really love little girls!

While in Baltimore, we took walks around inner Harbor. It was gorgeous weather and you did so well being out and about during the day. Grammy bought you a little red crab you had your eye on. You played with it the whole time. Grandpa had lots of fun tickling you and making you laugh. One day you found your feet for the first time! Now you pull your socks off about a 1.2 million times a day! Also on this trip we drove to Great-GranPappy’s house. We surprised him and he was so happy to see you. We had a pre-thanksgiving dinner at Gibbles. Uncle Jon and Aunt Karly came to visit too. You love being around lots of family. I sure wish we lived closer to all of them!

It is so exciting to watch you experience so many firsts! Thanksgiving was fun for you. We went to Grandpa and Grandma Singer’s house. Great-Grandpa and Grandma Singer were there too. You were the center of attention the whole weekend and you loved it. In fact, the only time you weren’t being held was when we were changing you. Daddy was so excited to take you out to the land he hunts on and pick out a Christmas tree. When we got the tree home, you had so much fun helping us decorate! You loved the tree lights surrounding you on the ground and couldn’t help but grab the prickly pine needles yourself.

You also experienced your fist snow. I set you down at the window next to Maya to watch it falling outside. This was also the first time you sat up all by yourself. I expected you to be wobbly and eventually fall over. But no! You sat there for 20 minutes watching snow until you cried for me to come get you. In fact, your favorite thing to do right now is Sit Up! It’s all you want to do. Sit on the floor, sit in my lap, sit on Daddy’s shoulders. You can sit for a long time too. You rarely fall over. You just sit and reach for everything around you. And when you’re not sitting, you’re standing. You still have to hold on to our hands or sometimes the ottoman. I’m getting the feeling you are going to skip crawling and just go to walking.

Another big first for you was eating solid food! You have been so interested in watching us eat that we didn’t think it was fair to make you wait to eat too. So I mixed up a yummy breastmilk and rice cereal combo and we fed you. WOW were you ready to eat! With the first bite you opened your mouth and swallowed it right down. In fact, you grabbed the spoon and tried to shove it in if I wasn’t coming fast enough. Since then, you have eaten oatmeal and bananas. I think eating might just be your favorite time of the day. You get so excited when we put you in the high chair and place a bib on you. I’ve been making some homemade baby food to freeze for later and I can’t wait to share it with you. You are so much fun!

I am so excited to celebrate your first Christmas! It’s extra special to me this year as I think about Mary giving birth to her baby boy Jesus… as I think about God sending his only son down to earth as a savior for me and for you. I pray you will always remember and recognize the meaning of this very special holiday.

This past month has been full of adventure for you Jayden. I pray that this next month you continue to grow and discover. To love and to learn. To giggle and squeal. You bring so much joy to us. We love you so much.

I love you so much.

Forever,

Mommy

Copy Cat

Jesse started blowing raspberries at jayden and he thought it was so funny. Yesterday morning when Jayden was laying in bed with me, he looked right over at me and blew one right in my face. I had never seen him do that before! And since then, he has been doing them A LOT!

Attention Hog

This picture pretty much sums up Jayden's first Thanksgiving...

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Thankful Me

I am thankful for my mommy, my daddy, and some good ol' rice cereal!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Baltimore, Maryland (Part 2)

Tomorrow doesn't even feel like Thanksgiving. Maybe its because i'm not in school teaching the kiddos about pilgrims and indians the whole month before. Turning butter and making pilgrim hats. Or maybe its because I won't be spending a whole day in the car traveling to Pappy's or eating my mom's awesome cooking. Perhaps its because Jayden and I already semi celebrated Thanksgiving with these wonderful people...

My first flight with Grandpa and Grammy

Great Grandma Mary

Great GranPappy!

Thanks Aunt Karly for thinking of me on your trip to DC and getting this book

I absolutely LOVE my Uncle Jon!

I feel pretty Awesome!

Thanks to my wonderful friend Katie, I now know how to save the big bucks. She showed me this great little website mashupmom.com. Its a local chicagoland coupon saving website. And just to show you how awesome it is, here is my purchase from Jewel Osco.

9 litters of Sierra Mist, 9 boxes of Swiss Miss, 6 boxes of Green Giant frozen veggies, 4 boxes of jello, 2 boxes of popcorn, 1 Burtoni ravioli, 2 boxes of Barrilla pasta, 1 can of Gerber oatmeal, and 6 packages of Gerber baby food, 2pack scott toilet paper, and 1 box of Swanson chicken broth

All equalling a grand total of......... -$3.82

That means the grocery store actually GAVE me $3.82. I made money buying these groceries! CRAZY HUH?!

So I then stopped by Goodwill on my way home and spent my cash on this...

Toys for my Boy.

Jayden's love...

Jayden loooooves little girls. Which is good because 95% of my friends have little girls. However, there is one little girl he seems to look at a little more than the others. Her name is Brooklyn and she is adorable...

FOOOOOD!

Jayden's first food was a yummy rice cereal and breastmilk combo. I was nervous to see if he was ready to eat. I had originally thought i'd wait till closer to 6 months to begin food. However, the past week he has been very interested in what we're eating and trying to get it for himself. The pediatrician said he needed iron and cereal was a great way to get it. So I mixed a little up today and WOAH was he ready to eat! This boy looooves food. He'd open his mouth up wide and try to grab the spoon to get it in sooner. Here are some pics of my little sweetie's first food.

Baltimore, Maryland (Part 1)

Jayden and I spent the past week in Baltimore, Maryland. Grandpa had a conference so Grammy, Mommy, and Jayden had lots of fun tagging along and sightseeing. Jayden did an awesome job waking up at 3am to fly, sleeping in a different bed, and spending the days outside and visiting family. Here is our weekend in pictures.

Good thing this lil guy is a morning person because we had to be up super early to catch our flight. He did a great job and slept the whole way. Love him!

The first day in the hotel, Jayden found his toes!

We had lunch at Phillips Seafood. If jayden hadn't fallen asleep I would've let him try my crab cake. Harbor Place was celebrating 30 years.

I went to Baltimore several times growing up and there is a picture of a little me in this same location. I never pictured myself coming back with my own son!

View from our hotel of the Harbor.

Jayden enjoyed the gorgeous weather and shopping with mommy. Of course Grammy let him pick out a toy(or two) and he had his eye on this red crab.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Four Months Jayden!

Dear Jayden,

Today is November 8^th, 2010 and you are 4 Months Old! You have grown so much this past month. Right now you are rolling back and forth on your play mat. You are a very strong little boy. I’ve known that since last year at this time when I was sick and you kept growing so strong and healthy.

You’ve just recently started rolling over with ease. You can roll from your tummy to your back and from your back to your tummy! You love to move. When you are on your tummy, you scrunch your knees up and move yourself around. I’m getting kinda nervous you are going to crawl early. Yikes! When you are laying down, we can pull you up by your hands into a standing position. You love to stand. Sometimes we can’t get you to sit down. You work so hard to get big and we are so proud of you!

You are starting to enjoy your jumperoo. You like to move and are learning to jump. Mommy is noticing that you favor your left hand when you grab a toy. I think Grammy hopes for another lefty in the family. You are teething now and everything goes in your mouth. You love to chew on your and others fingers. Everyone comments on your strong chomping skills. Your favorite toy to chomp is a little red apple with a worm in the middle.

You are a pretty cute little guy! We get lots of compliments on you but the most common compliment we get is, “He smiles SO much!” And you do. You smile at anyone at any time. It’s very rewarding. I love to see you smile. You laugh easily too. You are anticipating tickles and laugh before we “get” you. You are just too much fun!

You are a very easy baby to take out. You do wonderful at restaurants or friends homes. Thanks for making things so easy on your mom and dad. You love to observe your surroundings. You really like watching Maya run around the room and swish her tail at you.

There is one thing you don’t like… sunlight in your eyes. You must have Daddy’s sensitive eyes because if we are driving and we turn into the sun, you cry until I can shade your eyes.

Sometimes I forget you are still so small because you like to act so big. Today at your 4 month appointment you weighed 14lbs 15oz and were 24inches long. You wear size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothing. You still eat every 3 hours and nap ever 2. Bedtime is at 7 and you wake up at 7. I dream feed you at 10 and you wake up to eat at 3:30.

I love you Jayden. I miss you when I am gone from you. Even if it’s only for an hour. My whole world revolves around you right now. And I love every single second. I cannot thank God enough for you. You are my perfect little boy. I love you.

Forever,

Mommy

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Grammy was able to visit for a long weekend Birthday Celebration! We LOVED having her here and can't wait to share some pictures with you all!

TODAY is her birthday! She's still really young! Just so you know...

Happy Three Months Jayden!

Dear Jayden,

Today is October 8, 2010 and you are Three Months Old! I love staying home with you and making faces at you all day long. We are having so much fun together. You smile and laugh when I sing songs to you. You love moving to “Lord’s Army,” “If you’re happy and you know it,” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” You like me to help you “kick those kickers.” When I tickle you, I can even get a little belly laugh. The other day, you were imitating Daddy’s laugh and it was soooo cute. He would laugh, then you would. Of course when I ran to get the video camera you stopped.

It has been a gorgeous fall (in the 80’s!) You’re favorite thing to do is go for walks outside. You are definitely an outdoorsman. And that makes Daddy proud! We really enjoy walking with you in downtown Naperville. Last weekend, you made the long trip to visit Uncle Jon and Aunt Karly in Virginia! You’ve always done a great job traveling to Grammy’s but I was still a little worried. You amazed us! You didn’t even cry the whole way! We only stopped twice and you slept the whole way. We had lots of fun visiting in Virginia and taking a hike in the beautiful park.

You are a talkative little guy. I guess you get that from Mommy. You smile and talk, talk, talk. You are also reaching for your toys and bringing them to your mouth. When you wear a bib, it goes in your mouth. Your favorite toy is a soft Winnie-the-Pooh book that crinkles. It also goes in your mouth. You like to suck on your fists too.

My favorite moment of the whole day is in the morning when I hear you talking in the baby monitor. I can’t wait to get up and run into your room because I know the second you see me, you will break into the happiest smile. Oh it just melts my heart! I love you so much.

You are turning into a good little sleeper. You go to bed at 8pm. I dream feed you at 10 and you sleep until 4am. Then you wake up at 7:30/8am. I love having only one night feeding! You are starting to put yourself to sleep now too. We just lay you down and you go to sleep. During the day you still eat every 2.5 to 3 hours. You just switched to size 2 diapers and moved up to 3-6 month clothing. One of my favorite things is dressing you up every day. You’re one styling little guy! You can thank me later of course.

You are such a sweet boy. Sometimes I get teary when you do something so cute. In those moments I’m filled with so much thankfulness and love for you! Last night Daddy was watching you when I was with my bible study. He called me and said, “Jen, I love him so much!” We do Jayden, we love you soooo much!

Forever,

Mommy

My Fantastic Family

A Weekend In Virginia!

Posted by Jayden Singer:

Here is a weekend in pictures from my first 11 hour drive to Virginia! I did such a great job - I slept almost the WHOLE way! YAY for mom and dad!

Quality laughing time with Uncle Jon. He is one handsome dude!

Wearing my Hokie shirt and cheering on VT with Uncle Jon!

"Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi Tech, Tech, V-P-I Sol-A-Rex, Sol-A-Rah Poly-tech Virgin-i-a!"

I wish we lived closer so I could be with my Uncle and Aunt every day!

Check out the adorable pumpkin hat my Auntie made me! She just whipped it up while I was sleeping. Amazing!

Bitsy is my new friend. She may have acted a bit jealous of the constant attention I received but even she couldn't resist kissing my lil face!

Aunt Karly showed my mommy how to get crafty! Check out this hair band she made.

When Uncle Jon and Aunt Karly were in Europe, they brought me back some souvenirs. I really liked one of the books titled "Gruffalo."

My Great Aunt & Uncle (Kris & Doug) drove 2 hours to visit me! It made me feel so special! They are too much fun!

My cousins Kayla and Andrew also came to visit. Everyone in this family is so great with babies! I just loved them!

What a wonderful weekend! I'm back home and tuckered out!

(sock monkey courtesy of the Christophels)

Bonus Clip from this weekend....

Stay tuned tomorrow for some fabulous family photos...

Wordless Wednesday

Baby Carrier #1

Style: Sling

Thanks to my friend Jill and our thrifty shopping trips to target I am now the excited owner of a new "cocoa rose" colored sling. I LOVE it and so does Jayden! Jill was carrying her 1 year old son around in the sling and i said i liked it. We went to target and she hooked me up with the munchkin jelly bean sling. Regularly $30 for only $7.

Reasons i love it:

1. Jayden can lay down and snuggle up

2. Jayden can sit up and look out

3. Its small and easy to roll up in the diaper bag

4. Super easy to use, place over shoulder. drop baby in.

5. Could be used for breastfeeding

6. It's brown and pink

Up Next: Moby Wrap

Happy Two Months Jayden!

Dear Jayden,

Today is September 8, 2010 and you are 2 Months Old! You’re such a little guy but you are starting to act so big. I don’t feel like you’re my itty bitty newborn anymore. But no matter how big you get, you will always be my baby boy!

Your face is starting to look a little older. You are loosing a lot of the dark hair you had a birth. You still have your little mohawk down the middle though. Daddy tells me blonde hair is dormant and doesn’t grow until later. You are starting to grow very blonde hairs that you can see when the sun is shinning on them. You’re eyes a beautiful deep blue. The color of the ocean.

Perhaps the sweetest, most amazing thing in all the world is your smile. Jayden, you are smiling all the time now and I just can’t get enough! When dad or I walk in the room you smile. When Grammy and Grandpa goo and gaa all over you, you smile. When you are lying under your favorite toy (your mobile) you smile. And guess what! Just last week you started to get a little laugh. It’s not a full out giggle but we can hear it and it’s so exciting.

Just the last few weeks you’ve started reaching for things. You like to grab the toys hanging above you on the play mat. You also started bringing your fists to your mouth and sucking on them. When we stand in front of a big mirror, you smile at the little baby starring back at you. You are talking a lot to your toys and to anyone who will listen. “Goo “ and “Coo” is what you like to say.

You are currently wearing 0-3 month clothes. Your torso is longer than your legs. When you wear your shorts, they come down to your ankles and you look so cute. You are in size 1 diapers. We find out on Monday how much you weight. It will be your 2 month apt and unfortunately you will get some shots. L You eat 4-5 oz every three hours. You do such a great job going back and forth from breastfeeding to bottle, from formula to breastmilk. You mostly nurse but this makes it so much easier on Mommy to let Daddy, Grammy, or Grandpa watch you for a bit. If I had just one wish for you on your 2 month “birthday” it would be to sleep through the night! You go about 5 hours between feedings at night. We are patiently waiting and reminding you that sleeping through the night will make everyone feel just a tad bit happier.

It has been one hot summer with the weather in the 90’s for most of it. It makes me so sad to see the weather turning colder now. However, I am so excited for this fall. There is so much to look forward to as you grow. I feel so privileged to be home with you this year. I loved teaching but I love you even more. Thank you for being my good lil’ buddy every day. Thank you for the smiles in the morning and the smiles in the middle of the night. I love you happy little man.

Forever, Mommy

Wordless Wednesday