Christmas Blessings

I can't wait to celebrate Aaron's first Christmas this year! He has no idea what is going on, but it's still exciting. He is such a blessing to us. 

Growing

My smiley baby is 3 months old!

Here are some new things about Aaron:

- He smiles & laughs a lot.
- He loves when I sing him songs & tell him stories.
- He coo's & babbles.
- He's very drooley & LOVES sucking on his hands.
- He's starting to grab & hold things - like mamma's hair (ouch!).
- He loves watching Mickey Mouse - he's mesmerized by the colors & sounds.
- He's doing great at the sitter. She says he's a very happy baby, and I think it's helping him get in a routine.
- He slept for 6 hours in a row last week!!

The time just keeps flying by! I'm having so much fun with this little boy. He's growing, learning and changing every day.

Sleep....What's That??

Monday, September 10th, 2012 - a day I will always remember. The last night I slept. Nobody should have to see 2am, 3:31am, or 4:42am on the clock, unless it was a really good night of partying. I see these hours most nights.

Lots of people had babies around the time I did. I hear so many of them say, "he/she slept 10 hours last night!!". To that I say, "Say What?!". I mean, how is that even possible? Are you putting Robitussin in that bottle? Just kidding. We have not been that lucky yet. Our little man must really enjoy my company.....all the time. I would be fine with him getting up a couple of times a night. But last night he was punking me real good. I've read the books, and tried new things. We just have to get into our own groove.....we're working on it. Like I said, I'm not expecting my 2 month old to sleep through the night. But sleep a little more than he does, yes, that would be nice. It's a good thing he's so darn cute. It makes it easier to function on fumes.

Now if only I had the touch that a couple of the great grandmas have. They get him to sleep every time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have a lot of things to be thankful for this year. My husband, family, friends, health, my job (I guess), sandwiches with cold lunch meat, COFFEE, and most importantly.....my baby! He has brought such happiness and joy to my life. I honestly can't imagine him not in it. It's incredible how one little person can change everything. And for that, I am truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving from our little turkey!

Another thing I'm thankful for - making it through another week of work. It was the longest, short week ever. It was Aaron's first week at the sitter. I was a hot mess come Monday morning, so Bryan had to take him to the babysitter while I cried the whole way to work. Bryan has been put in charge of taking him, I just can't do it. It's so much easier picking him up. Thankfully, though, Aaron has done really well at the babysitter. He has been happy, taken good naps, taking his bottles like a champ, laughing....oh yeah, he just started laughing this week! It's so awesome! Come Wednesday, it was a little easier for me to leave the house....just a little. Next thing I have to get over, germy babysitter kids around my child. Gross. "Your child is soooo cute. Could you please wipe their runny nose?"

Back to Work

I've done some hard things in my 29 years of life. I'm still 29, right? I moved away from home, I ran a 1/2 marathon, labor ('nuff said right there). But by far the hardest thing I've had to do is leave my child in order to go back to work. 

I went back to work on Monday. The second he was born I knew it would not be easy to leave him. I have cried every day. I'm only working part time until the end of the month, so that helps. And he's been at home with Bryan this week, which makes it way easier to go into work. Next week he starts with the sitter. I think it will be even harder on me then. I took Aaron to meet her yesterday. He did really well. He was happy, told her some stories, and even fell asleep in her arms. I know she's going to do a great job, but I still don't want to take him there. I cried the whole 2 minute drive back to our house. Everyone says it will get easier. When?!

Aaron has been doing so well with Bryan, though. He's been happy and taking good naps. I'm glad that they're getting this time together. And once 4pm hits, I'm running out of work to get home. All I want to do is get in all the cuddle time I can before he goes to bed, and I crash on the couch.

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things at work. It's a good thing I enjoy my coworkers, because there have been enough changes since I've been gone to make anyone go mad. I've only worked 2 days this week, and I'm already feeling the stress. I caught myself yelling "STELLA!" at one of my files today. The policyholder's name is Stella, and I am not a fan of her file. I think when you start channeling your inner Brando at work, you're losing it.

We had Aaron's 2 month appointment yesterday. He weighs 11.7 pounds and is 23 inches long. And he is in the 90th percentile for his head circumference. The doctor was very pleased. My baby is plumping up! He was doing pretty good at the DR until the shots. I didn't get a picture of his face during the shots, but it was priceless. He was mad! I felt bad for my buddy, but I couldn't help but laugh. He was fine after it was over.

Happy at the DR

Sleepy boy after shots

I'm still taking suggestions for good stay-at-home mommy jobs! What if I were a personal grocery shopper?? I love to grocery shop! Aaron and I could totally do that. There has got to be a good market of people who would want/need that service. Or I could make a CD of my lullabies. I come up with a new one every day. Today's jam - "I like big burps and I cannot lie". That would be a huge hit, I'm sure of it!

OK, back to some much needed cuddles.

2 Months (almost)

Look who is 2 months!

Seriously, where did the past 2 months go? The 2 month milestone is a little sad for me, it means I have to go back to work. How am I not going to be with my precious boy all day long? Do I really have to go back? I've posed all of my entrepreneurial endeavors to Bryan, and he's turned them all down. So much for being a traveling home organizer/Avon seller/caterer/Mary Kay seller/in home daycare/professional blogger/stay-at-home-mommy. FINE - I'll go back to work!

What has Aaron been up to this past month?

He was baptized on Sunday. It was a very special day. He hated having water poured over his head, but, other than that, he was so well behaved. (I'll try to do a separate Baptism blog)

He is really developing a personality. He is smiling more, especially at his mama (which really melts my heart). And he is having way more times of alert/awake time. I feel like he's always awake, actually. This mama needs a nap....and a drink. I've been working with him on sleeping in his crib. Even though I feel like it's so soon for him to be in his room, I think we're all sleeping a little (very little) bit better. He gives us a 4 hour stretch, wakes up to eat, goes back to bed for a couple of hours, and then is up every hour. So while being up every hour from 2 - 5 sucks royally, at least he's sleeping pretty well until then. If I can just get that 4 hour stretch to start later than 8pm. Like I said, working on it.

He really loves movement & vibrations. AKA - he likes to be held. Praise the Lord for the Baby Bjorn. When I need to get stuff done, I just strap him in & get to movin'. Or we go run errands. He LOVES riding in the car, until you stop at a stop light - Lord have mercy!

We've been doing more tummy time, too. NOT his favorite, but a necessary evil.

I'm also trying to get him to like his activity gym. He is mesmerized for a little bit, then he is done. He's still just a little too young for it, I think. The cats really enjoy playing on it, though.

I've been soaking up these special moments with him all week, our last week of just us. I love this boy.

And I can't forget about the other boy in my life. It's crazy how your relationship and priorities change with a baby in the mix. Today is our 4th anniversary. While many people go out and celebrate, I really just wanted to stay in. It's still very hard for me to leave Aaron. And the thought of trying to get ready & go out sounded really exhausting since I didn't sleep last night. So we're cooking a nice dinner, having yummy dessert, and enjoying some Pumpkin Wheat Ale. Bryan even had roses delivered to me today. I think it's a perfect anniversary date. I would have been happy just getting 15 minutes to take a hot shower without having to peak my head out every 30 seconds b/c I swore I heard my kid crying. For me - it's all about the little things. I love this boy, too.

Happy Anniversary, babe!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the newest goblin on the block!

Bosch Family Weenie Roast

Every year, on that last Sunday in October, you can see the billow of smoke rising up from that farm out in the middle of nowhere, IL. The cars are lining up down that long, gravel road. The smell of bonfire & hot dogs fills the air. You're handed a Schlitz. It's that time of year again - Weenie Roast time!

This time every year all of the Bosches get together for an annual family reunion & weenie roast. And when I say all of the Bosches - I really mean ALL of the Bosches. There are a lot.

My grandfather, Edward Bosch, is the oldest of 9 children (8 living). He had 8 kids of his own. His other siblings had anywhere from 2 - 6 kids. That makes 37 grandchildren for great grandma Bosch. Those 37 people had kids, and some of their kids have had kids, well you get my drift. And they all reunite (well most of them) every year. While great grandma was still living, the weenie roast took place out at her farm. I was pretty young, but I do remember always seeing her in the garage playing cards. And there were always some really good homemade chocolate chip cookies in her kitchen. The location has changed a couple of times since then, but there are some things you can count on staying the same - card games, chocolate chip cookies & other various desserts, bacon-wrapped chicken livers (my personal favorite), and cow tongue. Yes, you heard me, cow tongue. Pickled cow tongue. It's there every year, and it really isn't that bad.

This year Aaron got to experience his first weenie roast. He slept the whole time - go figure. He even slept the whole way back to Bloomington. And this is what happened when we got home.

"But I didn't even get a hot dog!!" 

While I can't tell you the names of everyone that attends the weenie roast (although it's really fun to try & I think I just thought of a fun game to play at Christmas!), and I might not even recognize some people (it's an ever growing family), it is a fun family tradition that has been going on for 49 years. I know it makes grandpa Bosch very happy to be around all of his family on that last Sunday in October.

And, yes, you will want to throw your smoke filled clothes out the window on the drive home. Maybe some of you have.

Look Alike?

Baby Bryan

Baby Aaron

I think Aaron might look a bit like his daddy, too. I think he'll have big eyes like his dad. I don't think that baby picture looks like Bryan, though.

Now this picture looks like Bryan :-)  Sooooo cute!

I need to find a baby picture of me, and then do a side by side of the 3 of us.

Lullabies

Does it make me a bad mom that I don't know any lullabies??  Let me rephrase, I didn't know any lullabies until I Googled "Top 10 lullabies" last weekend.  Well - I did remember "Twinkle Twinkle". And I like to sing "Moon River", but I only knew the first and last lines, the rest was hummed. Bryan could only recite "Rock A Bye Baby", so that made me feel better. I find myself making up my own "lullabies" throughout the day. Anything can become a lullaby as long as you sing it in a sing-song voice, right?

Here are some of my go to "lullabies":
(sing in whatever sing-song voice you like, or to the beat of a favorite song)

"Push out the poops, push it, push it" (this can easily be sung to the tune of "Pump Up The Jam")
"Somebody's got a poopy diaper, somebody shit their pants"
"Drink your milk, drink drink your milk"
"Burp baby, burp baby....1, 2, 3, 4, Burp baby, burp baby....1, 2, 3. Burp baby, burp baby....1, 2. Burp baby, burp baby....1" (ok, we all know this is to the beat of "Rump Shaker").

Besides my friend, Amanda, who knows all things lullaby (and sings them all quite lovely), who can really say they knew a good amount of lullabies when their first baby was born? Or, if you're not a parent, can you say you know 5-10 lullabies now, including the words?? You do!? So it's just me?
Well I'm glad to report that I did refresh my memory on the more popular lullabies, so I'm ready to add to the songs I sing throughout the day.  I'm still in the running for Mom of the Year!

Home Alone

It's my first time being home alone since Aaron was born. Bryan took him to visit his grandma & grandpa Nickel. While it's hard being away from him, I understand that I, too, need a break every so often. And man have I gotten crazy over here. I took a leisurely shower (and even shaved my legs - OW!). I enjoyed an ice cold Budweiser. I organized my room & made the bed (and by making the bed, I mean I threw the covers on it). I started some laundry. I vacuumed. And now I'm just twiddling my thumbs waiting for my baby to come back.

And this is what happens when he goes to visit grandma & grandpa Nickel. While the hat makes me want to throw up a little, I have to admit, he is pretty damn cute. Grandpa Jay says the Cards will win the World Series since Aaron was born this year - he's the good luck charm. I know he'll be a Cards fan when he gets older - his daddy is, so it'll just happen. At least he won't know pain like most of us do. Being a Cubs & Illini fan is like having someone piss in your Cheerios every single morning.

Here are some more pics from the week: 

This is a Moby. It is like 500 yards of fabric, but it is the best invention EVER! I'm still not sure how he feels about it, but mama loves it. I can actually do things during those times where he just wants to be held. 

Here he is being very alert. He's starting to have more periods of awake/alert time. 

Mesmerized by the fan. He will look at that thing for ever and coo and grin. So bizarre, yet so adorable.

Did I just hear the garage?!? Tootles!

1 month!

How is my baby 1 month old already?? Where did the past 4 weeks go? Blink. I can't believe how quickly this time is flying by. I'm enjoying every second of it. Even the seconds where he's screaming, and I could really use a nap, or a shower, or a drink. I wish it would all just slow down. By the end of the day he was already growing a Tom Selleck 'stache.

Pretty soon he's going to be going to school, and dating girls I don't approve of, and heaven forbid moving out of my house!

Here's a little recap of the past few weeks. (Most of these pics are taken with my cell phone - so not the best quality.)

-Aaron is growing. He has definitely put on more weight. He weighed approx 8.6 pounds last week. That makes this mama very happy. Not only is he getting the proper nourishment, but I am getting a great upper body workout. Sometimes he wants to eat every hour, and other times we can get a 2-3 hour stretch out of him. But when he is hungry, man oh man. It's like the end of the world until you feed him.

Before Meal

After Meal

-He got his newborn pictures done, and I am so in love with them. I have so many favorites, but here are a few of them: 

-He suffers from baby gas which makes him quite uncomfortable at times. We are giving him some gas relief drops to try and help him. I'm also trying to put him on his tummy, and massage his tummy to try to help him get it out. He'll grow out of it soon, but I feel so bad for him sometimes.

-He hasn't nailed down a routine sleep pattern yet, which makes for one tired mommy. He's still too young for a pattern, though. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like sleeping in his pack 'n play. He sleeps best in his bouncy seat. Whatever works, I'll do it. I'm not ready to put him in his crib yet. I like him in our room. I have been trying to put him down in his crib for naps. He wakes up the second I put him in the crib, and immediately wants out. It'll take some work and practice I think.

-He still enjoys blowing out his freshly changed diapers - pretty much daily. It scared the crap (pun intended) out of my dad last weekend. He asked if everything was ok. HA!

-I love catching these milk drunk grins. Usually a blowout follows.

-Bryan's starting him early on all things sports & WWE (gross). 

YAY Sports!

He's either upset the Cards lost, or he's upset with what he was
forced to wear

-My absolute favorite part of the day is our snuggle time. It warms my heart. Can he just stay like this forever? 

It's been a great month. This little boy makes me very happy.