A Few Updates

Trenton is finally starting to like his baths! Today, trying to get a smile out of him, Ryan and I had our heads close together, about ten inches from Trenton's face while he was in the bath. We were cooing and talking to him, saying things like "Give us a smile" and "What a beautiful boy you are." I wish I could have seen the scene as an outsider. We laughed at the doting parents we've become.

This is a video of Trenton stretching when he wakes up. Watching him stretch his little arms and legs is honestly one of my favorite things to do!

It's been a great week. The young mothers in our ward get together once a week for Park Day and quite often for mothers' luncheons. Here's a picture of Trenton and I at the park with my dear friend Amber and her darling daughter Chloe.

Amber and her husband, Peter, were so kind to volunteer to tend Trenton while Ryan and I went out on Friday night. So Friday was a big day--our first date without the babe! I only committed to being away for an hour, and I still had to try not to tear up when I said goodbye to my baby. (How dorky am I??) But honestly, it was immensely refreshing to have a little time with just Ryan. Thank you, Amber and Peter! We owe you!!

Then today we met Mark and Debbie Holt and their daughter Brook down in Mountain View for dinner. Brook ran in the Stanford Invitational and won the whole thing! And she's only a sophomore! I met the Holts through their daughter Kimber, the FIRST person I met at BYU and one of my dearest friends. I went to Africa with the Holt family and absolutely love them all. They have been so good to me over the five years I've known them. Here's me with "Madre," as all the kids call her. It was so great to see you, guys!

All in all, it was a fabulous week. Life is good.

The Good Life

Here's a video of Trenton and I playing. If you listen closely toward the end, you'll hear his cute horsie sounds (hence one of my nicknames for him - "my little pony). So cute!

Baby 101

Just found this on Cougarboard.

The Good Life

"Ahhh, this is the life."

Falling in Love with Trenton

I am falling in love with our sweet baby. For the first month, I have to say that I kind of felt like he wasn't quite mine; it felt more like I'd be giving him back to someone soon. (Hopefully I'm not the only mom who felt that way!) I of course loved him immediately, but at about five weeks is when I started falling IN love with him. And he finally feels like he is my little boy!

He is the cutest baby in the world! He makes different sounds now, and his cries are varied. Learning to interpret his cries and meet his needs accordingly is satisfying. And his new facial expressions crack us up! I took him outside the other day when there was a slight breeze, and he kept blinking and using his tongue to feel the cool air.

And the biggest news: He smiled! After I nursed him the other day, I held him up to look at me and was surprised at how much eye contact he was making. I started talking to him and smiling so huge that my cheeks hurt. The next thing I new he opened his mouth up wide and turned his little lips upward. I got three smiles in a row! As you can imagine, I was ecstatic! ("He does love me!") Then today he smiled twice for his daddy.


And look how strong he's getting? He holds his head up really well (unless he's tired, and then he's a bobblehead). I sat him up on the couch yesterday and was so impressed with how long he stayed there, just chilling upright. Of course, he is only six weeks old, so it didn't last forever...

Thanks Kimber for the darling outfit! He's so cute and cuddly in it!

Six weeks is a fun age. I love being the mother to this sweet baby boy!


And by the way, he slept from 9pm to 4am last night! Seven hours! Go Trenton!

Celebrating Sleep!

Trenton is celebrating in this picture (and so is his mom!), because last night he slept for six straight hours! He slept like a rock from 10:30 to 4:30 and then from 5:10 to 7:10, giving Momma a grand total of 7 1/2 hours of sleep!!

When I woke up to nurse him at 4:30, after having gotten 5 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep, I felt like a new woman! (As opposed to the zombie I usually feel like at that time)

I know I can't get my hopes up, though, because it won't last, but for today I'm relishing being well rested.

Motherhood

Since having Trenton, I haven't been able to stop reeling at what motherhood means. Growing up, I knew my mother sacrificed her time and energy for us, but this first month of Trenton's life has given me a glimpse of the sacrifices I never really thought of.

A newborn needs so much love and attention, it's almost unbelievable. I think of all those times when my own mother must have rocked me to sleep and then gingerly placed me in the crib, holding her breath as she tiptoed out of the room--just like I do now with Trenton. I think of all those times she must have climbed into bed still holding her breath, relishing the silence but wondering if it would last--just like I do now. I think of all the times I must have started fussing in the crib after a few precious moments of quiet. I can imagine my mom thinking, "Please, just let her sleep for ten more minutes"--just like I do now.

I'm so grateful for my mother and for all the mothers out there who give everything for their children. It's not enough just to say thank you, but I guess the best way I can repay my mother is by doing it for my own children.

Our 9-pounder!

Check out my 9-pounder! Trenton gained almost a pound and a half in two weeks, and I'm so proud of him! He has also grown 1 3/4 inches since he was born, up to 22 1/4.

Most of our days are pretty similar, and by the time Friday rolls around, I have to think just to remember the last time I left the house (other than walks with the stroller). But today was an adventure. Trenton and I drove Daddy to work in San Jose so that we could have wheels! We joined some moms and kids in the ward for Park Day and lunch in downtown San Mateo, and then Trenton and I strolled around downtown until his doctor's appointment. My little man was an angel!

Here are some pictures of T-Diddy, as Ryan likes to call him. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!


"Oooooh, wind."


"Check out my eyes. Mom's gonna have to fend off the ladies."


"I'll show this doctor who's the boss."


"Contemplating my future."


"My first day of church, and Mommy's first day back."


"Mom, you are crazy."

And last but not least...


It's never to early to learn what's important in life.

Goodreads

My friend Malerie just sent me an invitation to join a site called Goodreads, and I loved the idea so much that I wanted to share it with all of you. I'm always looking for book recommendations, and this is a great way to find out what friends are reading and even how they liked the books. You just log on and add books that you've read or want to read. You can rate books and write reviews that your friends can see. Check it out! And be sure to add me as a friend so I can find out what you're reading! Thanks, Mal!