Every little thing he does is magic!

I feel like I could watch Andrew for every minute of every day and never get bored. He is at that age right now where I just want to soak everything up. I love seeing the world through his eyes and watching him discover everything around him. I think there is something new every day that he's learning to do that he's never done before. There is never a dull moment in our home, that's for sure! When Bill and I are together with the baby on the weekends, we don't get much "me" time, because the other one is always yelling from the other room, "Honey! Come watch him! Come and look at what he's doing!" It is pretty phenomenal how the littlest things can be so exciting.

The last few weeks have brought many "firsts" for Drew, as I'm sure I'll be saying for a long time now...since he has a lot of "firsts" yet to go! He's growing so much and is gaining so much more control of his body. His movements are smoother and his head isn't "wobbly" anymore. He is so strong and just loves to be sitting up, supported by cushions or pillows. He has discovered that he has toes and loves touching them, and everything else in sight. He's taken an interest in his toys and can reach for and grasp them when dangled or placed in front of him. He laughs and squeals all the time and has started testing out his voice... whether it be a loud shriek or just a monotone "ahhhhhhhh". We definitely encourage ALL sounds and find ourselves imitating him so that he can learn that there will be a purpose for all those sounds.

I can also see the "teacher" coming out in me with him already... especially the special ed part, where I'm kind of obsessed with making sure he's meeting those developmental milestones. I make sure that we take time for play (on his playmat) and am already telling him all the names of the animals on the mat as well as the colors (hey, it's never too early!). I read books to him almost daily (a few of his "faves": "Guess How Much I Love You", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Pat the Bunny"). I think it's important to expose him early to many different learning opportunities. I want him to have the same zest for learning that I had, and continue to have.

Among some of the interesting things Drew is learning now:

He's starting to roll over! I can foresee in the very near future that my days of putting him down and not worrying about him going anywhere are going to become a distant memory. This kid is a mover and a shaker... always moving his legs. About a week ago, he started getting ready to roll over, by pulling his knees in the air and lifting his booty clear off the ground. I knew it wasn't too far off, since all it would take is some momentum to get him rolled onto his side... and lo and behold, a few days later he rolled onto his side, and has been doing it ever since!

Get ready... get set... 

GO! 

Now he can roll all over his playmat if he wants! 

I was also so happy that since Drew has such good head control now, I could take the baby sling out of the baby tub and just bathe him in the tub without it now. It makes it so much easier to give him a bath and he LOVES it. I put the baby sink in the kitchen sink and run the tap water on warm-ish and he just goes to town, kicking the stream of water and just having a good old time!

My first bath without the infant sling! 

He is also starting to hold his bottle when we feed him now. It's so cute! Before, he would ball his fists and hold them close to his body. Now, Drew is interacting more with objects and wants both of his hands on the bottle. He has actually held his smaller bottles up by himself for most of some feedings. It is so fun to watch!

My first time holding the bottle

I think within the next few weeks, Drew is going to start trying to sit up by himself. He does so well when supported and prefers to be sitting up and opposed to lying on his back. He is able to turn his head and visually track you throughout the entire room. His favorite spot to sit up is in the big brown chair in the living room. He'll just smile and squeal the entire time. He's getting to be such a big boy!!!

Sitting up on the big brown chair with Mr. Monkey

Every little thing he does really IS magic, because mommy and daddy are mesmerized!

Getting better at tummy time

Fast asleep after some hard work on the playmat

Visiting with Sito & Gramps (16 weeks old)

Before I was a Mom...

I can't believe my first Mother's Day is here. What a beautiful day. I am so blessed to have such a sweet baby boy and a great husband who appreciates me for who I am.

Bill went all out for my first Mother's Day, surprising me with beautiful flowers and yummy chocolates and a really pretty inscribed frame from Andrew. We took advantage of this beautiful day by taking the baby out to Partridge Creek for a stroll and a little window shopping for Mommy. Andrew was so well behaved and loved watching the people and all the dogs (just like his mommy- so curious!) I loved spending the day with my boys.

This poem was sent to me by one of my coworkers. I think it describes how I am feeling so perfectly!

"Before I was a Mom..."

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry about whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.


Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.


Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.


Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,  the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom. 

Daddy surprised Mommy with my cute new onesie!

I heart Mom!

Trying on hats at Baby Gap at Partridge Creek

Strolling around Partridge Creek

Being shy with Daddy

Shopping with Mommy

I love Mommy! 

Mommy's gifts- the best gift of all is baby Drew! 

Camera shy

What a fun time we are having with little Drew! He laughs, smiles, and lets out the cutest squeals of happiness. He is so good-natured and easy going. I am thanking God for such an easy, happy baby. I feel like the book I talked about in an earlier blog, 'The Happiest Baby on the Block", was right. A baby really comes into their own at about the 3 month mark. Drew has realized that there are lots of other exciting things to look at and explore outside of his own little baby bubble. The more silly faces and sounds you make, the bigger he smiles and the more he squeals. It is so fun getting him to smile.

Trying to catch those fishies!

Getting that smile on camera is almost next to impossible, though! As soon as he starts laughing or smiling, I grab the camera and try to get a picture. He becomes so interested in looking at the camera, he forgets to smile and wants to study the weird box that makes a bright flash in his eyes. So many of my pictures are taken right after he's been smiling and cooing like crazy. Oh well! Eventually I'll get some of his sweet smiles on film.

In keeping with the topic of photography, we took Drew to get his professional 3 month pictures done last weekend (pics to come soon!). I was all excited because he woke up in a good mood and was just so happy all day. I couldn't wait to get him to the photo studio and put him in his cute little preppy spring outfit and take some pictures! Wow... talk about a mood going south. Drew slept in the car on the way to the photo studio (he loves car rides) and woke up on the wrong side of the carseat!

We discussed poses with the photographer and agreed that we would start with the "au-natural" look, just a diaper with a black backdrop. We went in and got Drew undressed (he was fine, just a little groggy) and as I started putting the black diaper cover on him, he spit up all over himself and all over me. I was wearing a black shirt, for the family shots, so I handed the baby over to hubby so I could clean myself up while he cleaned the baby up. Drew seemed to feel a little better after that, and the photo shoot commenced. The photographer asked if we could get him to smile, but the boy won't smile unless you're right up in his face, which wasn't possible for the shots we wanted. We did end up getting some really cute pictures of him by himself, and then it was time for the family shots. As we were getting into position (Bill sitting, me standing and holding the baby up on Bill's shoulder), spit-up episode #2 happened, again... all over mommy. I could not believe it. Again, I cleaned myself up and the photo shoot continued.

Then it was time to change Drew into his cute preppy outfit for the final shots. He decided he was over the photo shoot and started screaming and turning all red. We tried everything to calm him down. Picture this... the photographer is blowing in his face and wiggling her fingers in front of him, I'm singing nursery rhymes and Bill is whistling. Talk about overstimulation! Poor kid! The whistling from daddy finally worked for a little bit and we got the last few shots, but not before he spit up again... all over his cute outfit and all over me. All I can say is that I am going to buy stock in Shout wipes.

This is what I looked like at my photo shoot!

Despite Drew's crankiness (he was just really tired and fell asleep once we got in the car), we actually did get some really good shots. It's amazing to look at these pictures and to compare them to the professional pics we got while we were in the hospital because Drew's looks have changed so much in 14 weeks.

Our little guy is getting bigger so fast! He's officially in "2"'s now for his diapers. I feel like we just started him in the "1"'s and he's already out of them! His body is so long that he's growing out of his 0-3 month clothes and even some of the 3 month outfits are looking a little small. I'm just looking forward to the weather getting warmer so I can put him in some of the cute summer short sleeve outfits we have for him.

Changing into my "2"'s- I'm getting to be such a big boy!

I just love that every day brings with it something new and exciting in the world of motherhood. This weekend, I will celebrate my first Mother's Day. The significance of being a mother means so much more to me now that I have my own child. I appreciate my own mother so much more now that I can grasp what it means to be a mom! Thank you mom for being there to teach, guide, and inspire me. I hope I can do the same for my son.

Sito & Gramps take good care of me while Mommy is at work

Uncle Tony's little buddy

I love my Grandma!

I'm getting so good at tummy time... next step...rolling over!

My first walk around the neighborhood (5-5-11)

I'll be sitting up in no time! 

14 weeks old

Our "Easter-versary" :)

Well, here it is... April 24th. As I sit here writing my latest blog, I am struck by how much significance this day has:


Our one year wedding anniversary: I can't believe we got married a year ago today!!! Last year, Bill and I thought we couldn't love anyone more than each other as we vowed to take each other for the good, the bad, and the ugly. There is no way we could have known that on our one year anniversary, we would be holding the greatest joy of our lives, and that there was indeed someone that we could love more than we love each other. I can't imagine spending our anniversary without little Drew!

Easter: The day Jesus rose from the dead for my salvation, so that I could be free and have everlasting life. So that I can teach my son to walk in the way of the Lord, so that his life may be fulfilling and so that one day we will rejoice together in heaven. Knowing that my heavenly father willingly gave his life on the cross for me has so much more of an impact on me now that I am a mother. I would do anything for Andrew!

Easter at Sito & Gramps (12 weeks old)

This was such a busy weekend for us! We took Andrew to celebrate Easter with Bill's side of the family on Saturday. So many of his family members had yet to meet the little guy in person. He was SO well behaved and everyone commented on what a sweetie he was. I'm sure part of it was due to the fact that Friday night he got 8 straight hours of sleep (WOW!) and then went down for a 3 hour nap after his morning feeding. No wonder he was so happy!

Bill with his goddaughter, Emily, and baby Drew

On Easter Sunday, we woke up early (after another 8 hours of straight, uninterrupted sleep!), to find that the Easter Bunny had visited the Pantuso household for baby Drew! Drew's basket had a cute onesie (that says King of the Crib), a couple board book classics (Guess How Much I Love You and Pat the Bunny), socks, and chiller teethers. We were off to church for the first time since Andrew was born. Two good days in a row was obviously too much to ask for. We were "those" people at church with a crying baby, having to get up about every 10 minutes to take him out to calm him down. The fussiness continued at brunch at my mom and dad's and again at Easter dinner at my Aunt Gina's with my mom's whole side of the family. There were some moments where he was calm, but I didn't take many pictures on Easter because he was crying most of the day! I even had this cute baby blue onesie for him to wear with a puffy bunny on it that said "Happy Easter". Every time I tried to get a picture of him in it, he would cry and squirm and you couldn't read the shirt. Then he spit up all over it at my aunt's house. Oh the joys. We got him home and he was so tired.... he was falling asleep eating. Bill swaddled him up and put him down for the night. Here's hoping for another 8 hour night!

The Easter Bunny came for baby Drew! 

Cousin Leah with Drew

Cousin Sam with Drew

Mesmerized by the ceiling fan!

Wardrobe change! With Auntie Desi in the sleeper she got him. 

The life of a socialite is SO exhausting! 

What else is new in Drew's world,  you might ask??? His HANDS! He has discovered that his hands are very interesting to look at and very tasty! He prefers sucking on his whole fist as opposed to the pacifier. If you put the paci in his mouth, he will make a very grumpy "stink-face" and spit it right out. I guess we won't have a problem weaning him from the paci! His new "pose" is blocking his face with his hands or having his fist near or in his mouth. Sometimes he gets both fists near his mouth and he looks like a chipmunk. Such a cutie.

Another milestone we hit (not because we wanted to) was the introduction of formula. Drew just loves to eat and I was stressing myself out because it has been so hard to pump at work and make what he needs. I put so much pressure on myself that it was affecting me physically. Finally, I just said "enough is enough" and started introducing about one bottle of formula per day. Drew loves it and it has given me so much relief, knowing that if I have an "off" day, I've got a backup plan. He's still receiving about 80% breastmilk, which is the most important part to me. I want him to have it for as long as I can make it! The benefits to him are phenomenal, and it's not so shabby for me either! I've lost all the baby weight plus some by just breastfeeding alone. With all the stuff that's going on with my back, I haven't been able to exercise... so thank God for burning those extra calories!

First bottle of formula (4-17-11)

A year ago, I would never have dreamed that I would be sitting here writing a baby blog on my "Easter-versary". I'm just so thankful for the blessing of a happy, beautiful, healthy child. He makes me look forward to what the next year of married life will bring!

Kickin' in the crib

The happiest baby on the block

Before Drew was born, one of Bill's coworkers gave him a book and told him to have me read it. He assured Bill that if there was only one book we read about parenting a newborn, this was it. The book was an easy read and I had it finished within a week. "The Happiest Baby on the Block" is written by Dr. Harvey Karp. It explains how important it is to recreate a "womb-like" setting for your newbown for the first 3 months of their life. Dr. Karp calls the first three months the "fourth trimester". He gives 5 ways to calm your baby, and says that if you live life by the "5 S's", your baby will be less likely to be colicky.

The 5 S's: 
Swaddling- We swaddle Drew in a "swaddle-pod" every night. It has made a world of difference in his nighttime sleep. He will sleep anywhere from 4-7 hours straight when swaddled.

Shushing- Babies come from a loud environment when they are in utero and are not used to the quiet when they come out into the world. We have a little fan that we run when we put Drew to bed, to give that extra "white" noise. If he's awake and fussy, we will "Shhh, shhhh shhhh" close to his ear. We also haven't stopped "loud" activities when the baby is sleeping (laundry, dishwasher, dogs barking, vacuuming, etc.) We've found that these things actually make him a better sleeper. He can sleep through anything!

Swinging- Drew loves his swing or being rocked. Again, it mimics the feelings he must have felt in the womb when momma was moving all around!

Sucking- His favorite way to soothe...whether at the breast or sucking on a paci. He'll fall right asleep either way!

I am so happy I read this book before Drew was born. I started applying the "5 S's" first thing, while we were in the hospital. Dr. Karp says that sometimes you will need all 5 "S's" to calm a fussy baby and sometimes you might need only one or two. It is amazing to know that I have this little "bag of tricks" that I can use to calm Drew down when he's really fussy, and that it works within minutes!

I am hearing that Dr. Karp has another book out called 'The Happiest Toddler on the Block". I'll definitely be reading that one too! :)



Doesn't this look like a happy baby?

Last week was Drew's 2 month doctor appointment. My mom and dad came with me and got to meet Drew's pediatrician, Dr. Fisher (or Dr. Jeff and he calls himself to Drew). Our little guy is getting so big! He measured 24 inches long and 11.2 pounds. Since Bill was unable to be at the appointment, Dr. Fisher wanted me to assure him that it looks like we're on track to have a little linebacker. He said Andrew is doing great and is ahead of the curve developmentally (my little prodigy!).  Then came the unpleasant part of immunizations. Drew got one oral immunization (which he loved!) and 3 pokes. The nurse felt bad because he's so long and lean that there's not much pudge to poke the needle in. Drew took it like a champ and only cried for a little bit. We got home that night and he wanted to be close to mommy all night... and of course, I let him.

I just love the little person he's becoming. He's so well behaved and so happy. He's discovering that he's not his own little world... that there are other people that he can smile at and look at and touch. He's learning his own voice, testing it out by cooing and giving out tiny squeals when he is excited. He wants to see things and doesn't like being held with his face against our chests anymore... he wants to be turned out to face the world.

I love to kick the chime toy in my play-yard!

I'm too tired to lift my head, mommy!

Wide eyed!

My focused 10 week old

Hangin with daddy!

It's been so long since I've seen you, Auntie Desi! 

That's a big dog! 

I love my Auntie Desi!