Pictures, Baby Girl, and Jimmy

Taylor and I took a million pictures of Henry outside in our front yard this afternoon. Several of the pictures turned out pretty cute. You can really see how he good he holds up his head and stands on his legs now.

Notice the cute outfit? Hope and I went through her children's baby clothes, so Henry got some cute new outfits and.......................

because Lizbeth is having a girl, sweet little Martha now has lots and lots of cute clothes to grow into.

Our friend, Jeffrey, came for a visit Friday night. He was excited to meet Henry and we were excited to see him.

They practiced singing a mariachi song together until the harmonies were perfect.....

The cat came back the very next day. The cat came back--you thought he was a goner, but...

Yes, the cat came back! Taylor had a very stressful 4 days anxiously awaiting the reappearance of Jimmy the cat. But, as cats do, he came back...not the very next day, but he did come back just in time for an outdoor photo op.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Sleep, The Biggest Loser, Trash to Treasure, and Dogs

Just yesterday, my mom and I were discussing how 'they' say that when babies reach 6 weeks old, a parent can expect their baby to sleep 5-6 hours in one stretch at night time. I told her that I felt that longer sleep stretches were eminent because lately he isn't very hungry when he wakes up in the middle of night. We laughed about getting excited about 5 straight hours of sleep, whereas not too long ago, I thought I needed a solid 9-10 hours of sleep to function the next day.

Can you believe that the very same night, Henry actually slept for exactly 5 hours???

He was asleep in his crib at 8:30...about an hour later than his usual bedtime because The Biggest Loser was on and I LOVE that show. Enjoy this irony-- I couldn't go on a walk last night because I didn't dare miss a moment watching other people exercise and because I was vegging on the couch, I ate about a dozen peanut butter cookies. Maybe the show isn't as motivating as I always believed...

ANYWAY, Baby Henry slept from 8:30 to 11:45 AND then from 11:45 to 4:45!! A major event in our lives!

I refer to Henry's hair style as his "old man fringe." People tell me that babies typically lose the hair they are born with---I am still anxiously awaiting that day!

He has gotten so strong--holding up his head and supporting his weight on those skinny little legs.

Bath time is no longer an emotionally draining event. The screaming has stopped but his serious nature remains.

Taylor and I always look forward to the end and beginning of each semester....when students move, students throw away alot of good stuff! In the past we have done pretty well looking through the trash of the Cotton District -- huge stacks of magazines, my full length mirror, dry erase board for my classroom, two bar stools, etc. But, the crown jewel of our curbside pickups is our new coffee table! Taylor sanded off the fraternity letters and ugly 1970's stain, painted the table the same red color as our dining room, and voila.....

Our dogs love each other.

Another day...

'Tummy Time' tends to break my heart. He looks so helpless laying there all by himself.

Henry looks so very tiny sleeping on Taylor's chest. There seems to be a trend of Taylor shirtless in pictures around the house!

Another shirtless Taylor and sleeping Henry picture. There are many, many more saved on my computer but they tend to be quite redundant....

One of my favorite pictures. His little face looks so sweet!

Personally, I think we both look pretty cute in this picture.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Henry Update

UPDATE:

Henry now loves staring at all kinds of things. He enjoys gazing at the toys on his swing and loves to stare at the ceiling fan and the solar system hanging from the ceiling of his bedroom.

He is getting so big and now officially fills out his 0-3 month onesies and outfits. His little face has gotten chubbier and his double chin is getting chunkier by the day. I am still waiting for another smile, although Taylor claimed that he smiled at the ceiling the other day. We are proud of the baby's immune system...Taylor and I have both had a stomach bug in the past week and Henry is still feeling fine.

Nighttime is going fairly well. I give him a bath and put him down around 7:30 each night and then he usually sleeps until around midnight. After that, it's still every two-three hours and it always takes a couple of tries to get him back to sleep after he eats. His shtick is to wait until you are so comfy in bed and just getting ready to fall asleep before he decides to start crying again.

In other words, Henry is a perfect almost 5 week old. His mama and daddy are doing good, a little sleepy, but good and we are all very happy!!!

Things For Which I Am Thankful

Upon making the decision for me to stay home with Henry, Taylor and I knew that we would have to pinch pennies and go without some luxuries in order to make ends meet. We have been without my paycheck for almost 2 months now and it has been just fine.....in fact, it has been much better than jsut fine. Yes, we don't have much "walking around money" but when we decided for me to stay home, Taylor and I concentrated on focusing our priorities on what's really important in life.

So, because our Dearman family is so blessed, I have compiled a list of things for what I am thankful!

• We have a beautiful home to live in for free -- thus, making so many things in our life possible.
• Taylor has a job he enjoys, that still allows him time with his family and time for him to fulfill himself personally.
• We have a healthy baby. What else can I say about that? THANK YOU!
• Two fun dogs guard our house (ok, Juhu is our only protector, but Maggie sure does look pretty hanging around the house) making me feel safe in this crazy neighborhood we live in.
• Taylor and I have traveled the world and seen so many things that give perspective to how good our life really is. I was rather bitter that I didn't have the opportunity to travel this summer but so glad that Taylor had such a good experience in Mexico.
• Family and friends care for us and are there when we need them.
• Our parents provided us with skills to help us develop into independent adults.
• Taylor and I have unlimited opportunities for the future.

The Visiting Meigs

I warned my visiting parents that Friday night was Bulldog Bash (attendance of 15,000 last year) and that the Cotton District would be pretty crazy. But what did my mom think crazier--10 kids under 10 running in and out of my house, the mob of people streaming down University Drive, or the "nice looking kid" that we watched get arrested through the front window? I was lulled to sleep by a pounding bass line at midnight and my parents were very thankful that I finally purchased opaque curtains so that the hordes of people walking past our house could not see them ready themselves for bed.

Sorry Frank, you weren't in any pictures this time around. Henry did enjoy being held by you for lengthy periods of time!

Mama, why are you not pictured on my blog???---you refuse to pose for pictures, even with your new grandbaby. Haha, unbeknownst to you, you did make it into a few pictures...

A hand to protect his little eyes from the flash.

Her shirt is featured here.

I see a pretty diamond ring in this pic.

Henry is pretty unhappy but at least his G-Mama's face made it into the shot.

Go State?!?!

The newly formed Dearman family of three attended their first tailgate at the MSU vs. Auburn football game. As usual, I procastinated making my tailgate food until the last minute and was very glad that my mom was here to help ice all those damn tiny cupcakes, while I chopped, blended and rolled up food items for a large part of Saturday morning. We are still adjusting to how everything takes longer with a small baby in tow, so Taylor started getting our cooler packed and stroller ready several hours in advance. Finally, we were ready to stroll down University Drive (at least we don't have to worry about parking!)to visit with friends and root for the dogs!

Did I care that we lost the game 3-2?? Not a bit....I was perfectly content that we had a nice breeze, good beer to drink, and a happy baby to show off.

AND, most importantly, I was happy that Henry SMILED A REAL SMILE for the first time ever! Not a I'm pooping smile, not a REM sleep cycle smile, not a grimace in disguise smile, but a I'm looking at my mama smile! Of course, I have to thank our friend Tim for prompting the smile by talking so sweet to the baby but it was me, and not Tim, that Henry looked at as he smiled.........now we are just waiting on smile #2.

Isn't he cute in his new MSU outfit?

Rebecca finally met Henry!

Annelise is definitely cute enough to be Henry's first girlfriend.

These Dearman boys sure do like to snooze at MSU football games!!! Henry has an excuse--he's just a baby. But, what's Taylor's excuse?!?

Grandparents and Diapers

In order for us to enjoy Taylor's reunion, Henry had to leave my side for the first time ever. He spent the evening snuggling in a rocking chair with Carla. Everyone involved was happy with the arrangment and I was even happier when I arrived at the house and Carla offered to continue feeding and taking care of him through the night. I actually slept for 5 straight hours!

Taylor's grandfather, Big Daddy, ate breakfast with us Sunday morning and met Henry for the first time.



And, last but not least, Henry has graduated from newborn diapers to size 1 diapers...he's growing up before our eyes!

TWD's 10 Year Reunion

Taylor and I spent Saturday night at his 10 year class reunion. For me, the reunion was fun. But for Taylor, it was fun fun fun!! He enjoyed having an occasion to wear a bowler hat(?), stay out until 4:30 a.m., socialize with friends he sees on a regular basis and friends he hasn't seen in years, and brag about his brand new baby.

Another first...

After confirmation from Henry's pediatrician and advice from my friend Emily that it could be now or never, we decided it was time to give Henry a bottle of pumped milk. Taylor fed him for the very first time, looking very uncomfortable at first but quickly coming into his own. Henry ate 3 ounces of milk -- I have no idea how much he normally eats, but he was happy and we were, too!

Doctors, Belly Buttons, Sleep, and Pots

Henry had his first doctor's visit on Tuesday. Our baby now weighs 8 lbs. 2oz., quite a gain from 6 lbs. 8oz. when we left the hospital just two weeks ago. And, he now measures 21 inches long. I can't decide if he has really grown a whole two inches or if the increase is due to his stretching out and more accurate measuring.

AND, he finally lost his umbilical cord! Taylor can't believe that I think the dried up stump is a true keepsake!



The past few nights have been rough for all of us....Henry's hearty appetite (as proven by his weight gain) and his propensity to wait for the need to burp until our eyes are closed tight are starting to drive both of us crazy.
I anticipate feeding him every 2-3 hours during the night, but when he wakes up to burp after just a few minutes and insists that it is time to eat again, we have a problem. My goal for the day is to limit his naps, so that maybe, just maybe, he will be so pooped out by the time night rolls around that he will sleep, sleep, sleep!!



Ted (aka 'Pots'): Your little namesake whispered in my ear that he misses you,is trying hard to remember your voice, and can't wait until December when you come home from India! He also told me that you should bring home a monkey for all the grandkids to play with.....