A few words from the front lines:

All has been well here as of late. No major traumas or news worthy events to really blog about - which, if you consider it, can be a good thing. There's something to say about the valleys and plateaus in life - they are predictable and at times, calming. I don't like things to stagnate too long, but a few days of anticlimactic life aren't so bad.

I did forget to mention, that when I came back from my parents last (after he had slept through the night for the first time), The Husband and I decided to move Xave into his crib. So far, he has been doing well sleeping apart from me, although when he gets me up at the 7am-8am mark, I'll usually bring him in our bedroom and set him back down in the co-sleeper to grab an hour or two extra of sleep (this is because at this time, he's less inclined to go straight to sleep, and a hand to pop his pacifier back in his mouth is necessary). This move has gone well for all of us. At first it was difficult because I was so used to hearing baby snores in my ear, but I have gotten used to it now. The Husband, however, still jumps up every now and again to peek into the nursery and make sure the baby is okay.

I put away Xave's 0-3 month clothing away two days ago. When getting out his 3-6 month things, I found that probably 50% of the things people bought for us are warm weather outfits - t-shirts, shorts, etc... that unfortunately he's just probably not going to wear. On the bright side of things, he has plenty of zip sleepers now that I bought ahead of time since I now know how much I love them - he practically lives in them day to day.

In regards to picture taking, Xave is fascinated in my camera - and this is not necessarily a good thing. The Husband and I have tried a million times to photograph his smile, and 99% of pictures are of Xave staring blankly into the camera lens...

Case in point:

...however, the 1% of photographs we have of his smile melt my heart~

AWOL.

I haven't died - really. I don't know why I've been so absent from blogging lately - no real reason I suppose. I'm going to try to backtrack and get everyone up to speed, although I'm pretty sure I'm going to leave out some important milestones one way or another...

I am not going to the Rec Center anymore - it turns out I don't really have a membership there since I'm only enrolled in online classes...which stinks. The pescetarianism is still going well and strong though.

October 22nd: Xave slept through the night for the first time - from midnight to 8:30am to be exact. When this occurred, it about scared the living daylights out of me - I thought he had smothered. Since then, he sleeps shifts at night going anywhere from 5 hours to 8 hours, usually falling asleep anywhere between 11 to 12. To be honest, I didn't realize how much I missed a solid 8 hours of sleep until I got it.

October 26th: We went down to visit my husband's grandmother, and she found out we were Catholic. We knew this would happen eventually. Prayers would be greatly appreciated that she may be comforted right now - from her religious perspective, this is very traumatic for her, and she is very upset and hurt.

October 28th: Such a fat little man...

October 31st: My parents took Xave to spend the night with them at their house so The Husband and I could go out for Halloween. Initially it was very hard for me, but I knew he was in good hands and if anything were to happen my mother would call. We both missed him terribly though, and were more than happy to see him the next day.

October 31st: Je suis une citrouille en français.

November 3rd: Today, Xave went back to the doctor for his 2 month appointment. He is 13lbs and 6oz, and 23.5 inches long. That puts him at the 97th percentile in weight, and 75th percentile in length. He checked out just fine - got a clean bill of health, and our Doctor believes him to be about 6 weeks ahead in regards to muscle development and control. He got a slew of vaccines today as well, and due to my insurance, they were all separate ones instead of the nice combo one...so the poor guy had to endure 5 shots instead of two. He didn't take them too badly - he cried out and his face turned tomato red, but after it was all done, he had a few little cries, and then was just quietly sad for a while. So far this evening he hasn't been particularly crabby, but I figure he'll be sore when he wakes up again (which is probably going to be soon).

I keep trying to tell him there are a lot worse things in life - like taxes - but he doesn't seem to get that right now.

November 2nd: Looking at his mobile and holding a toy. He doesn't register he's holding the toy yet, but his grasp is pretty good.

November 3rd: He's able to hold this position for about 30 to 45 seconds now before his neck tires. He'll rest, but then be able to push himself back up to the same angle!

November 3rd: My two favorite boys.

Dedicated baby towels just cause more laundry, and other things I've learned in 2 months time.

Xavier Thomas is two months old...TODAY. Wow. My little boy is two months old?! Really?! I'm dreading when he's two YEARS old - but then again, just sitting here thinking about it, instead of taking in my baby boy (while he's a baby), is just going to make the time fly by faster...

He has such bright social smiles now and - as I'm sure with every mother - it makes my heart melt. I still haven't snagged a picture of one yet - partially the result of my camera battery having not been charged (it is now!) - but the other part is I'm so enamored by it, it doesn't even cross my mind!

Lately, Xave has been sleeping even longer at night - about 5 to 5 1/2 stretches! I guess that should be expected?

Today, was an early day (by choice, actually)!

After two months exactly (more on this later), I finally managed to get my (huge) butt to the gym. I left our house around 7:30am, then did 20 minutes of eliptical, 10 minutes of rowing, and then another 20 of the step type machine that makes it look like you're doing high kicks...I'm not sure what it's called - I just know it'll kill the back of your thighs! I got back home around 10ish, and Xave was just fine - didn't even need fed by The Husband (he was fed at 6am, so he went four hours no problem).

I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow, but I can't keep looking like the way I am. I can manage to squeeze into my size 6 jeans and dress pants now, but I'm far from wearing my 4's (and let's not even talk about my 2's).

I'm hoping with exercise and pescetarianism it'll be achievable...my size 2 that is.

In regards to the title, I have learned a lot more about babies in the past two months.

• Dedicated baby towels do nothing but cause more laundry - and when you're already doing three times the laundry than before, anything to reduce that expenditure is welcome.
  
  
• Always have an extra pacifier. Hide them in your car, in every room, and have one per purse. I neglect to mention diaper bags here, because it's a given that there should be at least two spare already in it.
  
  
• Take in your baby, but once every few days, look at pictures from a few weeks before - it's astounding the changes you don't notice because you don't look away.
  
  
• Q-tips grab boogers from tiny noses very well - just be careful.
  
  
• Zippers. Not buttons. Not snaps. Zippers. In the middle of the night, it's infinitely easier - especially if you have to change (both getting on and getting off) outfits. [I was recommended gowns, but they didn't work out too well with me - Xave's diaper always slid down and made a mess since there was no crotch to hold it up at night when he shifts.]

I'm sure there will be more of these type lessons to learn...trial and error. Trial and error.

Ho hum and hum drum.

So, not many updates lately - mostly because I've been too busy with things that are downright mundane (work, cleaning house, homework, etc...).

I am pretty excited about a new job prospect however. Last Wednesday, Kain and I went to Julio's to eat. I've been trying to think of how to bring up to Pam that I want to work on their website forever, and I finally mustered up the courage to say "Oh, I saw that you guys had a website, but you should really add more information!" She responded that a friend of theirs did it for them, and wasn't aware that a lot of things they wanted up (like reviews from Food & Wine, and the NYT) weren't there at all. Then she asked "You don't happen to know anyone who could get in touch with us, do you?" I was in HEAVEN. I'm supposed to call this upcoming Tuesday morning (8:30am - ouch.) to work out a time when I can go sit down with them with things they'd like up, as well as I mentioned I'd do some photography for them as well.

Also, The Husband and I have decided to try to go vegetarian, with the addition of fish and seafood. We had talked a few weeks ago, about how Americans (and Europeans, after all, that's who we get it from) tend to make meat the center and focus of our meals, when really it should be vegetables and whole grains. Additionally, a few of our friends are vegetarian (for various reasons), and one said that if we make it through the first 40 days, then we'll be fine. I'm pretty excited, and we're already 4 days in...so far no meat cravings - we'll see what I think in a few weeks from now - but I feel like if I can have lobster, then I can give up my lamb.

Speaking of photography, I need to charge my camera battery...

Life alone is almost over!

Today is the last day of The Husband's second conference. The third is later this month, but I'll ACTUALLY GET TO GO TO THIS ONE. The locale could be better, but I'm sure we'll make the most of it.

Did I mention I might go to Hawaii in March? The Husband and I might go to Hawaii in March...and the majority of it will be on the University's dime. Hawaii will probably be the closest I get to Asia for a LONG time...(Nevermind the botched trip to Korea that was going to happen last year...)

Lately, the weather has gotten cooler, which has it's pros and cons. On the positive, there's no more humidity, but on the negative, leaving the house with Xave takes approximately 30% longer. No more does throwing on a onesie work - nope, we have to have at least a full body sleeper, and should those all be dirty...well, that means shirt, pants, jacket, and socks that never stay on, plus an extra blanket in case it gets cold, and if the jacket doesn't have a hood, well, he'd better have a hat. Of course, this doesn't happen all at once - this happens over the course of an hour after trying to leave the house umpteen times and realizing "IF I DON'T BRING THIS MY BABY WILL TURN INTO AN ICE SCULPTURE."

My mom bought that outfit for Xave while perusing The Gap with me when I was pregnant. Too cute, right?! I don't think you can see it, but the pants match the pattern on his hoodie and inside of the hood as well.

To backtrack a bit, this week has been really interesting with just Xave and I. And by interesting, I mean exceedingly lonely. I'm looking forward to having The Husband around again, instead of seeing fleeting glimpses of him in the early morning.

It'll also be nice to take a shower.

Tomorrow, we're to have lunch with his boss (who, I also do some work for), and then we're going to go to Julio's for dinner. It's been a tough week on both of us - we deserve it.

My one prevailing thought at the moment, is I could kill for a cream soda. However, bundling up Xave as well as traversing outside with my oily hair is not really something I'm going to put myself through. Tomorrow.

Conferences.

Last week I spent a few days with my parents (as I discussed earlier, The Husband running a conference in the southern part of the state). While I did miss The Husband as well as being that that particular conference, I think it was good for everyone. My parents and grandmother got spent a lot of time with Xave, I relaxed and did pretty much nothing (except fix dinner one night which honestly felt more like a luxury than a chore), and even though The Husband and I missed each other - sometimes it's good to have a few days apart. You know, distance only makes the heart grow fonder...or whatever that saying is.


Upon coming back to my own home, Xave was rather cranky. I'm chalking it up to being a mix of being overly coddled, a change in atmosphere, gas pains, and a growth spurt. In that he was being a fuss bucket, I tried a trick I remember reading in one of the billion books, blog articles, and magazines I read in preparation: lay a hot water bottle beside him. It makes sense, right? It's warm and it's squishy - just like my D sized breasts. It works great though, and Xave relaxes no problem.

The past few days, Xave and I have been on our own. The Husband is working another conference that takes up his time from 7 in the morning to about...2 or 3 in the evening. It hasn't been so bad though, as yesterday my parents came over and spent the day with me, which was (as always) wonderful.


I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the minute; my house is in shambles, I've got pepperoni rolls to wrap for Louisiana legislators, and let's not even talk about homework I have to do right now. I have always had respect for single mothers, but only now do I realize how tough it might be...after all, I'm not trying to work a job outside of home.

There's so much more to talk about...and yet, I'm finding I need to prioritize a little better...perhaps later.

Humidity.

I took this right when we got home today...he sleeps so soundly when we're out. :)

I have always hated humidity. HATED. My feelings have not changed. Allow me to elaborate.

Xave and I went downtown again today, and there is a significant difference between walking downtown 8 months pregnant, and not pregnant with a large jogging stroller. For one, although walking up hills was not enjoyable with an enormous belly, it was not nearly the trial of pushing a 30 lb stroller up a hill after your calf muscles are not nearly what they were 10 months prior. Add in some heavy humidity, breasts that feel like they might smother your own face (let alone your child's), and hills that feel like if they were any steeper they would have mountain goat rentals for transportation and it can be a pretty trying experience. Opening doors is also quite a feat I have yet to master - I'm thinking the skill of opening a door while simultaneously wheeling a stroller into said door will take a bit of practice to master. However, it should be noted that a gigantic belly does not have space to put the wine you purchased nor a cup holder or your double latte with a splash of orgeat syrup. So, there are some trade offs to be considered.

This past Sunday, when I went downtown to go to Mass, I carried Xave in a front carrier. This went well, except for the fact that the term "Bun in the Oven" infers that you are the oven, and the baby is the bun. I beg to differ. The amount of body heat this little guy puts out is enough to cook an Italian style pizza in less than 3 minutes. Every since we got home, he's been clamoring for me to hold him (and I oblige), even though we're both sweaty messes...It makes me recall back when I was a kid, always wanting to get on my mother's lap, and my mother going "No, it's too hot!" I used to think "It's not that hot. I want to be held." and now I think that children simply have no concept of body heat transfer...not that a 6 week old baby would anyway...but...well, you get the point.

Regardless of the humidity, our downtown trip went well (as usual). He slept the entire time, and I bought some things I wanted - mainly more flannel fabric for my Grandmother to make me more receiving blankets. She made me probably 4 or 5 for my shower, and they are the best thing ever. All of the store bought receiving blankets are too small, and when we try to swaddle him in them, he kicks out of them almost immediately. With hers, we can wrap him up so tightly, he just tuckers himself out to sleep when he fights (hah!). I am so lucky to have a Grandmother who can sew...

The fabric I picked out. Super cute, right?!

There have been a considerable lack of blog posts lately...things have been rather tumultuous here. The Husband is swamped with getting ready for the conference this weekend, I have tons of homework and work work, our lawnmower, washer, and The Husband's cell phone all died within a week, among other things... Blogging and photography have taken secondary priority (obviously?).

The Husband took this the 19th, he was laughing about how we were matching.