Did he get it from his mama?

I asked my mom to bring my baby album over to compare my baby pictures with ones of Matthew. I think we have similar faces and some mannerisms. I think Matthew has my nose and mouth, and baby cheeks. See what you think?

Bath Time

Nap time

Snuggling

Love from mommy

Pissed off!

Mr. Smiles and Coos

When you sleep this well you wake up feeling refreshed!

We had a really fun evening with Matthew tonight. He spent a good 20 minutes smiling and babbling at us tonight. This was the first time I felt he really interacted with us where he was initiating as much of the communication as we were. This made my heart so happy because he has been an uncomfortable and cranky boy lately and I was so sad that my baby seemed to not be enjoying his life. These sweet little moments make all the effort we put in all day completely worth it.

How can you not love this face? Matthew's first smiles at 6 weeks. These were the best we could capture, but he even laughed at us (the second picture). Mommy is funny after all! Now I will wait for the morning he greets me with a smile!

Who is a big boy?

Matthew is over 6 weeks old now and he is changing so fast. He spends longer stretches of the day awake and looks all around at the things in the room. He coos a little and is starting to anticipate routines. He interacts more with the people around him. He is becoming strong and can hold his head pretty well, even sits in a Bumbo. Last night he slept in his longest stretches, only waking me once at 2:30 and then slept until 7:30. It was great and then he had a nice day today because he was better rested. He still has some cranky times, like when he is gassy and trying to poop, but hopefully the crying has peaked and he is on his way to being a more comfortable and content baby. We have been able to get out of the house a few times, which he does pretty well with. We have been to Frisbee twice, a couple playdates, and over to friends' houses. The picture below is Matthew looking at his favorite spot on the wall. A lamp casts a shadow that he will stare at for quite a while... very fascinating!

My mom finally returned home from her trip after being away for almost a month. It is nice to have her home because I love watching her be a grandmom to Matthew... she knows all the good songs and games to play with him!

Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks.

Look who turns one month today!

It is hard to believe that our baby has been with us for a month already! He has grown so much. He has gained 3 pounds and is almost 9.5 pounds now and 21 inches long. He is able to wear some 0-3 month clothes. He tracks things with his eyes, likes to do his baby exercises, is working on head control and building his core muscles. He enjoys a warm bath, is a good eater, and is a good sleeper when mommy and daddy can keep him on a schedule.

We didn't do anything super spectacular today because it rained from the second the day started. Most of the day was spent napping, with today being Matthew's best day so far in terms of going down for naps, sticking to a normal feeding schedule, and being happy and alert when in between naps and meals.

Here he is, enjoying his bath as a one month old! See how alert and content he is!

Baby Playdate

A bunch of McKitrick teachers got together with their babies for lunch and a playdate. It is a time for old and new mommies alike to be in the company of adults, and for the babies to play together. We all brought something for lunch, and even though Matthew is a little young for playtime, it was nice to get out of the house and show off my new precious baby. Here are all the future "Bobcats", except for baby Cohen who, was was napping at the time. I guess Sabrina needs a third hand to hold him anyway!

This is a shot of some of the playmates. There are four missing, two were busy riding little tricycles and wouldn't be bothered with pictures, one was a little shy, and one was not here today due to a bad reaction to a shot. We will have to wait to meet our first Gator friend, Jack, until next time.

Moran Aunts and Uncles visit

All the Morans came to town last weekend. They were very excited to meet Matthew and to have the whole family together for the 4th of July weekend. On Saturday everyone came by the house to see Matthew for the first time and Daddy made an awesome BBQ lunch for everyone. Here are the boys at work on the grill.

All Matthew's aunts and uncles brought him a really great gift. He got a basket full of books, toys, stuffed animals, and clothes that were pinned to a clothesline that just kept coming and coming and coming out of the basket. Everyone was very generous and Matthew got some of his cutest clothes yet.

Then on Sunday we went over to Clearwater where the hotels were and we hung out by the pool while Suzy held Matthew indoors for a bit while he napped. We went for a yummy Thai dinner to celebrate Adina's birthday, then took a walk around sunset, and everyone played games back in the hotel. I can't give you the rundown on game night because Matthew and I took a nap in the second hotel room before we headed back home.

Here are all Matthew's newest family members.

With his Aunt Suzy and Aunt Rachel

With Uncle Mike

Uncle Georgie and honorary Aunt Kelly

Fun around the house

We have had a lot of fun with our baby boy in these first few weeks. Alex is a great daddy. He has been a great help to me, letting me rest at times and supporting me in breastfeeding, running errands and doing shopping, cleaning the house, walking Maggie and Matthew around the neighborhood.

Matthew is a little slow to fall asleep in the evenings, but has been a pretty good sleeper overnight. We nap a lot during the day, but Matthew has started being more alert during the day too, which is fun. Matthew likes to go for walks and do baby exercises. He is a pretty agreeable baby and likes to be held by everyone who comes to see him. He only fusses when he is tired and is fighting sleep, and grunts through gas pains but doesn't cry. He likes hang out with his daddy in the evenings and likes to snuggle on mommy's chest.

Here is Matthew getting his first bath. He enjoyed the second one much more, but we didn't have a camera ready.

Here is Matthew going for a walk with Mommy and Maggie.

Here is Matthew doing his workouts with daddy, and interacting with his first toy.

All these people love Matthew

These awesome people came to see Matthew in the hospital.

Granna and Jackie

The Duffs

Jen drove all the way from St. Augustine to meet Matthew

The Heidens have waited a long time for this!

Bonnie and Gary

The Fentons

These people visited us at home in the weeks following Matthew's birth

The Grands, MamaAdina and Grandpa Neno, came to clean, cook, and run errands and meet Matthew

Jocilyn

Jenn and Shepherd. Kristen came too but I don't have a good picture.

Devon

We went to see Laura and Baby Stella

McKitrick teachers Heidi with Ella, and Stephanie with Piper

Drew Carter

Jenn, Sean, and Shepherd came again

Granna comes in the morning to let mommy nap

Aunt Anne and Uncle John took us out to dinner for the first time

Jeanette and Chelsea and Robert came to visit