5 Months

5 Month Photo! And because Mama and Daddy can never pick just one....

7/25 Mama has noticed that Micah is getting a bit antsy all cooped up in the house so she braved the mall with him today. It's been so insanely hot that outdoor activities aren't an option so we got some walking in and just a teeny bit of shopping! Turns out Micah is not that in to the mall...thank goodness for the Nordy's women's lounge!

7/26 Today we all went to the Vegan Faire in Anaheim and Micah absolutely loved it. He is such a people person! He was smiling non-stop, taking it all in and flirting at random strangers with lowered eyelashes and sheepish grins! On the car ride home he was very upset (right he should be as we had no place to change his soggy diaper and he hadn't had a proper nap!) and he did his "mamamamama" with a pouty lip! :( Mama was sitting right next to him so he was just staring into her eyes whimpering but she couldn't do anything to help him while the car was moving...so heartbreaking.

Making history in the longest warrior two pose chain!

7/30 Micah is definitely teething! He is a little drool monster lately and he's gotten really good at holding his little teething rings and chomping away at them. He also likes his Sophie Giraffe, although her nose is a bit like the boob and he seems to get frustrated after awhile when no milky comes out! We got him a little gum massager and daddy thinks he looks like he is singing into a microphone when he uses it. He is still happiest in the early morning around 6 or 7 when he talks to us in his very high pitched voice that he's been perfecting for the last few weeks. He is all smiles and wants everyone else to be awake when he gets up. He will smack daddy and mama in he face until they are awake when he sleeps in between them and he loves to get lots of kisses and tickles.

8/2 Micah's first trip to the aquarium to celebrate cousin Anabelle's first birthday! Micah is obsessed with lights so he loved looking in the huge lit up fish tanks at all the colorful creatures! Anabelle thought Micah was pretty cool and wanted to touch him...she is still learning to be gentle but Micah didn't seem to mind!

8/3 Grandma Lind and Grandpa Sam watch Micah for mama and daddy's first date!  Apparently he didn't even whimper the entire time we were gone!! What a show off!

8/11 Micah has been giggling at new faces, reaching for toys and inching his way over to toys just out of his reach, and rolling over from him tummy to back more often. On the 8th our friends Rammi and Lisa came over with their three month old daughter Evelyn and Micah was so excited to see some new faces around here! He couldn't stop giggling at Lisa and loved hanging out with his new friend Rammi. On the 10th we took Micah to walk around a new hipster-esque, foodie market and he absolutely loved it! He just loves to be around people and he enjoyed hearing the live music! He wore his sunglasses for the first time and he was a huge hit with everyone that we passed!

8/14/14 Our little social butterfly just loves to be around people!  He loves to giggle and smile at people and totally engages with anyone who is speaking.  Today he leaned forward when we propped him on the pillows and sat up on his own for a few moments!  He's also begun inch worming on his tummy when something he wants is just beyond his reach!  He's been talking more and more and has made the ma, da, and ba sounds so mama and daddy are both trying to convince him to say our respective titles first! Although he's been saying mummum forever!  :)

8/20/14 Micah and mama's first mommy-and-me class at Granola Babies! In an effort to get Micah out of the house more, mama took him to Baby Tales where we sang songs and read stories and chatted with others mama-baby-pairs. We walked around the SoCo shopping center and Micah took a mini-nap in his new Beco Gemini Carrier which we both love!

8/21/14 At Micah's 5 month check up he weighed 16 lbs 3.5 oz (50th percentile) and was 27 inches long (85th percentile!). He had to get two shots :( and looked at mama incredulously for letting such a thing happen. He only cried for a few seconds though..such a trooper!
 

4 months

 It's so hard to choose just one photo...and I cannot bring myself to delete ANY of them because each one is a little different! We are going to need another computer for photo storage soon!

What happened to my little peanut? Who is this toddler sized baby?

Please stop taking my picture Mama!! I'm SO bored!

A look back at the past month!

6/29 We all went to cousin Jenny's baby shower and Micah got to meet several family members for the first time including Aunt Lori, Aunt Karen, our cousin Megan and her son Shane. Everyone said Micah looks just like mama (which we've been hearing a lot, much to mama's delight! )

6/30 Mama's first day at work...she was terrified of leaving but Micah and daddy did great!

7/2 Micah's been "sitting up" with very little assistance, making funny faces with raised eyebrows, giggling, and giving kisses (wide open mouth when you bring his face down to yours....too stinkin' cute!).

7/5 Micah's first pool day! The three of us went to Alison and James' house for some fun in the sun and yummy dinner. Their home is absolutely gorgeous and we felt like we were on a mini-vacation! Micah did great in the water and didn't fuss at all! We think we have a water baby on our hands!

7/6 Daddy finally got to see Micah roll over from his tummy to his back. This was Micah's third time rolling over but Daddy had only witnessed it on video!

7/11 Micah is now talking to us at a very high pitch! He sounds like a little squeak toy...pretty hilarious. He is also putting everything he finds in his mouth, especially his little hands! This means lots and lots of drooling!! We think he may already be teething! So much of what he is doing is so advanced for his age...we are so proud!

7/17 My sweet little baby boy....I cannot believe it has been exactly one year since we found out that you were growing in my belly! I remember the complete and utter shock I felt when the doctor told me..I had absolutely NO idea! I remember thinking it was going to be forever until we finally got to meet you and then my entire pregnancy flew by in the blink of an eye. I cannot believe you are already four months old! Although sometimes the days felt long as we have both figured this whole being a new parent and being a new baby thing out, the months have passed much too quickly. Where did my tiny newborn go? You are growing so fast and I just love watching your little personality unfold. You are a demanding one for sure! You want to be in mama's arms as much as possible and I absolutely love that about you. I love your giant, gummy smile and the way you smile at me when I pick you up from your crib like it's been hours since you've seen me even when you've really only taken a ten minute nap! (about that...please sleep more my lil' peanut!) You do NOT like to be put down for naps and you make that quite clear. Daddy and I are always trying sneaky maneuvers to put you in the crib without waking you up. Yesterday I crawled through the bedroom so you wouldn't see me and wake up again! You know what you want, and it's to nurse and be held for your entire nap! I love to hold and snuggle you but mama's gotta eat too! We'll figure it out though, you're doing just great! I marvel everyday at how much I love you. I just never knew it was possible to love someone so much! My heart is so very full!! You are by far the greatest gift your daddy and I have ever been given and we always look back in awe at this day, one year ago, when we found out you were coming. Such a funny, unique story! And on my birthday? God had big pans for you from the start! Everyday you surprise me and make me want to be a better person. Every single day you teach me something new. You are molding me into a mommy and making my heart bigger and brighter every day. Thank you for teaching me the true meaning of unconditional love, empathy and acceptance; thank you for showing me just how precious time is and teaching me how to cherish it; thank you for showing me the places where I have room to grow-for teaching me to be kinder, gentler, and more humble. You are by far the greatest teacher I have ever had. You make me want to be a better person to strangers, a better wife to your daddy, a better sister, daughter and friend. Your beautiful blue eyes stare up into mine as I nurse you and I am refueled and re-energized (despite the lack of sleep!) I want to keep you little forever and yet I can't wait to watch you grow and see who you become. What will you like to do? Who will you want to be? How amazing it is that we get to witness the process of you becoming the man you were meant to be. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine that you could be anything other than mine-anything other than my sweet little baby who is so much a part of me, so completely connected to me in every way. But I know you will be. I know you will be so much more, that you will do great things, and bring great joy to others as you've brought to our family. I love you Micah! What a wonderful birthday gift you are!

Mama saying goodbye to Micah before she heads off to work on her 28th birthday!

Daddy sent mama this photo while she was at work saying "we miss you!"

7/18 Micah's 4 month check up! He weighed 12 lbs 11 oz  (40th percentile) and came in at 25 1/2 inches (75th percentile) long!  Dr. Sears said he was doing great and told us not to change a thing! He also said he had great head control! Daddy calls Micah his "little cricket" because for the past week or so he is constantly rubbing his little feet together...they seriously never stop! Check out this video.

7/21 Micah is 4 months old day! He has been working on blowing raspberries for  a couple weeks now and we think he's pretty much got it down now!

 

More photos from this month...

Micah and Mama visitng Dr. Smart at CSUF!

So handsome!

Grandma Bev Visiting

Micah's first time in the Exersaucer!

A little light reading....

3 months

6/2
At ten weeks Micah is pretty much holding is his head up on his own! He is so strong!  He loves to stand and requires very little support. He has the cutest little (big for a baby) calf muscles too! Yesterday when he was laying on mama's knees he kept leaning himself forward info a seated position!

6/3

 Micah has been increasing his "words" for awhile, and today he talked to us non-stop! It is so stinkin' adorable to hear his coos and gurgles!We just melt every time he opens his mouth. He gets really loud and smiles in between and totally seems into our conversations...I wish I knew what he was trying to tell us! His own little personality is emerging and it's so amazing to witness.

6/4
Micah got to meet his auntie Angie today!! She brought him a fun new giraffe toy and covered him in lots of kisses!

6/6
Micah had his 2 month check up....a bit late at 11 weeks. He came in at 12 lbs 11.5 oz (50th percentile) and was a whopping 24 1/4 inches (95th percentile!!) We met our new pediatrician (Dr. Sears!!!) who said Micah was healthy and "very connected." He told us that he obviously didn't need to do his attachment parenting spiel and to keep doing what we are doing, which made mama feel very happy, especially coming from one of her parenting heros!

6/8 Micah had his first trip to the beach today. Mama, daddy, Anthony, Maggie, and Anabelle headed down to Huntington Beach to listen to some live music, walk around the shops, and grab a bite to eat. Micah did so well, despite having almost no nap!

6/11 Mama's first time leaving Micah to get her hair done! He did so good, mama on the other hand, was a wreck!

6/14 For the past couple weeks when Micah wants mama he says "mum mum" over and over again! It is so cute and melts Mama's heart every time! We didn't think anyone would believe us so we got it on video! Our child is a genius! :)

6/15 Father's Day & Micah's first wedding! We tried to do way too much with our little guy today and by the time we got to the wedding he was already exhausted! He did pretty good throughout the ceremony but got upset when everyone started cheering. We lasted about 10 minutes at the reception....there was just way too much going on! I think 12 weeks is a bit too young for a wedding! Poor little guy! Since Father's Day was jam packed with church and wedding plans we celebrated daddy on Saturday. After running our weekend errands we all went to dinner at Native Foods and Micah & mama gave daddy all his fun gifts when we got home.

Micah in his wedding attire!

Mama and Micah made daddy a father's day present with these photos....

6/16 Micah is now picking up his toys and bringing them to his mouth!!

Here are some more photos from month three...

Micah loves to play "flying baby!"

Tummy Time! Such a big boy!

Mama perfecting the ring sling!

Micah's new sleep sack...we can't help but giggle every time we put him in it!

 Our first "craft" - didn't anticipate how difficult it would be to get a hand print!

Nakey time!!!

June 8th: A Day I Won't Soon Forget

I'll never forget the feelings that washed over me that afternoon; sheer helplessness and overwhelming guilt that didn't feel like it would ever relent.

Our little guy had a nick on his face that morning because of the weed-like growth of his fingernails, and our inability to keep up with the maintenance required for their unreasonable pace. Micah hates having his nails clipped... with a passion that shouldn't exist yet in someone so little. That being said, traditionally we've utilized the, 'clip them while he's breastfeeding' trick. But that morning, mom was getting ready so that we could go out. I decided I could take on the task on my own.

One nail was conquered, with just minor fussing; but once he caught wind of what was happening, he quickly began to voice his disagreement. On to finger number two. A clip... then screams, then tears. I looked on helpless as the tiniest line of red began to form on the skin just on top of his nail. Then the tiniest bit of blood. The first unwarranted, human-induced pain caused to our child, and it was me. Daddy.

To me, it felt as though I had butchered and most assuredly debilitated my poor son for life. His tears, oh his tears.. they were like salt being poured over the spot where a dagger had just moments earlier found its new home in my heart. There was nothing I could do. No words I could say. No means to express to this child how deeply sorry I was, and how in that moment there was absolutely nothing in the world I wished more than to be able to rewind time and take back that slip of the clip. But he couldn't understand that, which redoubled the pain. I could hardly bare much more. 


This flowery harangue, however, has an end (thankfully), and a purpose - it led to insight and an epiphany: I love this child more deeply that I can even fully comprehend, and I don't know that I'll ever be able to. I know that now with a 'certainty' that can only come through experience. Most good fathers know that they love their children; but it's difficult to really know what that means. There were so many things going on inside of my mind, my heart and my soul simultaneously that I wasn't capable of processing.

My love for this little boy is unlike anything I have ever experienced before, and with each moment that passes I'm learning more and more what that looks and feels like. As my lovely bride has so eloquently proffered as a means to understanding: 'My Heart Is Full'.

Don't worry little one, mom hid the clippers.