L'Amour

*Whimsical sigh* ~ could I be more in love with the wee Hamiltot?  Here are just a few reasons why...

1.  In my family we love a good LRB (that is, a Little Round Belly).  This is the key to baby B's sleeping through the night success~ fill up his tank and see his happy face in the morning!

2.  He takes after me~ remember my cross-eyed exuberance when we got the new car?  Plus he such an ubermensch because he can hold up his head like someone twice his age.

3.  Tiny man falls asleep upright.  Ridiculous~ he's so good for not dropping his pacifier on the floor.

4.  The Hamiltot looks good in a hat.  Please don't judge him for the girly boppy cover; that was all me.  I had no self-control when I picked it out...

This is about all I can share for now; the wee one demands my attention comme toujours....

One Month Already?

So it feels like forever since I've blogged, but on the flip side, I am stunned that Bennett is already over a month old.  People say it all the time~ they grow up so fast.  I guess it is true.  We had our visit to the pediatrician today.  Little buddy gained 2 pounds and 3 ounces and grew a whopping 2.25 inches.  He is a little smaller than the average baby but totally normal and totally healthy (he may have small person genes; his mom is only 5'1'').  In the realm of accomplishments and defying all odds, our little Hamiltot has rolled over from his stomach to his back 3 times.  His doctor says that doesn't normally happen until 2 to 4 months old!  He also has slept through the night for the past 5 nights; Kyle and I have a whole new lease on life!  Check out my strong little man~

Looking crazy good in spots & dots!

 While each day the baby does something new, Kyle managed to get a new activity this month.  He has bonding time with his co-workers every now and then.  Typically they go bowling on a Friday afternoon, but last week they played WhirlyBall.  Kyle had to forgo the opportunity to play with the young married couples group at church this summer because a third-trimester wife would not have had any fun.  Thankfully the opportunity arose again.  Here is he in action...

This looks goofy...

...and this is even goofier!

So Kyle's co-workers fashioned this cap as a trophy of sorts.  Kyle was the only one who received a foul during the game thus he was "awarded" this special treat~ ridiculous!

As for me?  I'm feeling really good these days.  My body feels healthy again (except all the junk food I have been eating~ oops!).  My midwife gave me the green light on running again.  Now to just find the time and muster the energy....  I'm starting slow with walks around the neighborhoods before I hit the treadmill (Bennett won't get to roll out in his fancy jogging stroller for another few months~ he'd be all shook up!).  I think I'm going to keep up my mile counter because it is a good motivator for me.

I miss blogging a bunch, but I always opt on the side of taking a nap or shower over writing a new post.  I'm sure I'll get the swing of things at some point, but until then, see you back here in October?  Only time will tell on this matter...

A Family Outing

We have entered the fourth week of this parenting experiment (how has it already been three+ weeks?).  I had another bad bleeding day on Tuesday, but thankfully we were prepared for it this time and didn't need a trip to the hospital.  We pray my weird health issues are behind us so I can have more strength and energy to care for the wee one.  Getting more accustomed to our funky schedule has been super challenging~ having a newborn isn't for weenies.  I'm happy to report, though, that we are getting better at family outings.  Last weekend we semi-struggled going on our first party-of-3 date.  Kyle took us to Douceur de France; it's our favorite French bakery.  It's really special to us because our engagement day picnic had mostly food from DdF.  Kyle also got a sweet groom's cake from there (a delicious croquembouche).

Looks like a tower of doughnut holes but tastes like wonderful bite sized eclairs

Oops, pastry tangent...  I felt a little pressed getting out the door and then back home with the baby~ he requires a lot of gear.  We made it out again Sunday for church as well as Monday to go to Babies'R'Us to pick out a shower gift for a friend.  Now that we are starting to feel like pros, we planned a fun Saturday morning.  First stop~ our local Chik-fil-a for free breakfast sandwiches.  Then we made our way to the Chamblee farmers' market.  We had heard good things and were happy with what we found...

Lots of stands with produce, baked goods, sweet treats, and tasty meat

Bennett napped after enjoying alternative methods of pacifier use.

Kyle tries gazpacho for the first time!

Too bright and sunny for our babe's delicate complexion

I have been dying to try a popsicle from King of Pops~ worth the wait!  I got strawberry lemonade & Kyle got chocolate sea salt.  Yum!

Bennett missed out on the pops.

We sure do love his cute feet.

This afternoon we settled in to enjoy some cooking shows while Kyle baked some bread.  It has been a glorious Saturday, and we're enjoying life as a family of three!

Bennett's first baguette tutorial

A New Look!

Kyle and I have been parents for 2 weeks and 1 day now!  We had a small setback in our routine last Sunday night.  Kyle was planning on returning to work Monday morning when I had a surprise bleeding episode that landed us in the ER around 1am.  We didn't sleep a wink that night while I was getting treated, but little Mr. Hamilton was an angel and miraculously slept 5 1/2 hours in a row through the whole ordeal.  When we got home between 5 & 6am, Bennett was ready to eat and start the day.  Kyle and I were not quite as enthusiastic.  Anyhow, my (second) recovery has gone really well.  Today was my first whole day alone with the baby.  This called for a celebration~ do you know how I celebrate?  A trip to Starbucks!!!

In honor of pregnancy belly shots, I thought I'd share my baby travel tote a la photo du miroir....

Cutie little legs which used to kick my ribs!

It was a bit easier to carry him internally, but Jeep does a good job with this fun pack.  Thanks Kemper family for our baby carrier!

Don't worry Mom~ I put a hat on his head to protect him from the sun.  He slept through the whole trip while I enjoyed a decaf caramel frap.  The friendly Starbucks staff was excited to see I had had the baby (I'm a junkie).  The only down side~ all the tables were full inside and nobody offered the new mom & babe a seat.  It was too hot to stay outside while I enjoyed my beverage so I loitered around the mix-ins station until I had emptied my cup.  For the walk home, I enjoyed a big cup of ice water while Bennett chilled out.  All in all it was a success.  First full day alone with the baby & first mommy/baby outing!