Thoughts on his first Xmas

Wow. There is nothing like a family to make being a mom easier and more enjoyable. Today, Chester woke up at 7:30 or so and, guess what- I woke up at 9! My mom took him for a little bit while I got to catch up on sleep. And then I got a 2 hour nap with the little guy this afternoon. This is the meaning of Bliss.

Meanwhile, the rest of the extended family is falling in love with the little guy. Even though we are far away, it's so great for him to see the people who love him and for him to know that he has a huge fan-base.

We are getting ready to head up to JP in a few days, which is both great and mildly overwhelming. There are SO many people I want to see. But, I have to really be mindful of my and Chester's level of energy. Matt and I are both missing the comforts of city life- Thai food on every corner, friends that you don't have to drive a half hour to see and the joys of walking to the coffee shop. City life might be in our future one day, but for now, little Monroe it is. Everything has its time and place and its own unique beauty.

I save other thoughts for another day...

Chester with people we love.

Cutie Pie Chester Bunny

These are just a few we have uploaded so far. Many many holiday pictures to come! Happy holidays and lots of love to all our family and friends.

Milestones and more.

Ok, so I swear that Chester gave me a real smile yesterday. I was holding him on my lap and nothing else was going on. He was staring at me as I made little faces at him and talked to him about how great he is and then, BAM- the smile.

I have seen him smile before in reaction to gas or a dream or something. But, this one was different. It looked different and it seemed to be in response to nothing other than my stimulation. After seeing it, I decided to dedicate my life to making him smile, that's how great it was.

Matt's almost done for the semester. One more project and two finals to go. Plus, Liz gets here on Tuesday night. This is going to be a really, really good week :)

Ok, and, as promised, a pic of the cradle Isaac and Chris made for Chester. Forgive the not-so-great pic, but it's the only one I have on my computer right now. k, that's all.

What a great weekend we had with Noni and Grandpa Tom. They are so incredibly smitten with the little guy and I am smitten with having two extra pairs of hands around to help. Chester falls asleep almost instantly when my mom holds him and my house hasn't looked cleaner in ages. Gotta love grandparents. So, as promised, new pics with Noni Leslie and Grandpa Tom are here.

Uncle Chris Canney came to visit this weekend too. He brought an amazing gift that him and Uncle Isaac made for baby Chester. It's a beautiful "crib." I put crib in quotes because it's not the traditional kind most people think of when you say crib. It's low to the ground and on a rocker. It's absolutely beautiful and we will post some pics as soon as we get them (they are on my parent's camera). I finally feel good about putting Chester down for short periods of time because it's so beautiful and made with such love. Otherwise, I can't bear to put him down:) Thanks Canneys. We love you!

This week is Matt's last week of school before finals week and it's hectic and stressful for him. But we keep the end in sight and remind ourselves that soon it will be the holiday break. I am looking forward to having him in the house full time and having some grown-up company. I love my little man, but the two of us can get a little strung out when we are alone so much. Good to switch it up a bit!

On another note, I got the ergo carrier (Thanks to my Noni Jen for a wonderful Xmas present). I am wearing Chester in it today and it's super comfortable. I also have a ring sling- good for quick ease, but bad for the posture- and a Maya wrap- awesome and comfortable, but takes forever to wrap and get set up. The ergo is a good combo of the two- easy and comfortable. Highly recommended for any baby carriers.

New Stats

Chester had his first visit to the doctor yesterday at exactly one month old! I can't believe it's already been a whole month. We go to a family practice in Belfast- his doc is an osteopath (we love osteopaths for their holistic p.o.v). Anyway, Chester is super healthy and growing well. Here are the new stats:

For comparison, here are birth stats first:
weight: 8lbs 6 oz
height: 19.5"
head circ: 13.75"

At one month old:
weight: 9lbs 10 oz
height 22.5"
head circ: 14"

Well, I am off, awaiting my parents who are visiting this weekend (yay!). I am sure we will have some new pics to post soon of Chester with Noni Leslie and Grandpa Tom.

Feeling Normal

Yay! I feel like a normal person again. Trust me, I am still tired, but normal tired, not sick tired. Chester and I are chilling alone today while Matt is at school and we are doing great. With him in the sling, my two hands are free and he loves just being with me, doing whatever it is I am doing and/or sleeping :)

We had a big day out to the co-op yesterday and then to our neighbor Vicky and Kenny's for a second thanksgiving dinner. Chester was dressed in a gorgeous sweater that my Aunt Sue knit him! Above are some cutely pictures of our sleepy baby to satisfy our family and friends.

I keep wanting to call folks to say hi, but my days escape me as hours of staring and nursing my baby boy pass. I feel like I want to call everyone I know, especially all the mothers that I have known or worked with, to just share my love for this world and for all the women that give birth and mother their children. It is an incredible thing beyond words. Motherhood has already made me really appreciate things in a different way. It feels like my love for Chester has opened me up to loving everything and everyone more deeply. Looking out the window of my bedroom, just seeing the hills in the distance, I feel so much love for nature, for mother earth and the beauty and intensity that is life. Music touches me in new ways. I look at grown men and think about how they are the son of a mother.

Well, off to go nap with my sleeping guy.