Ok, I give!! I’m NEVER comfortable with a picture of just me, but here you go.
Alison is 22 weeks along and starting to show everyone that she is here (and kicking me so I don’t forget!). She is already MUCH more active than Reed was, so it will be interesting to see how her personality differs from his 🙂
-JB
I am officially a crazy pregnant lady. Remember my post a while back where I talked about the bedding I bought when I was only 6 weeks pregnant and how excited I was about it because it would be perfect for either a boy or a girl? That was before I found out she is a girl. Now I have crossed over to the dark side that I really didn’t think I would ever cross. I love pink. (Who the heck am I??) My friend Katy (the designer and owner of Caden Lane and Nursery Couture) talked me into exchanging the blue bedding for the pink set in the same pattern. Too bad we had already bought 2 gallons of blue paint to match the blue bedding. I have no idea what we are going to do with that paint. Maybe Reed’s room needs to be re-decorated…just kidding Randy!!
I have turned into ‘Mommy of a little girl’ pink freak. I guess it goes to show that you never really know how you will respond until you are in the situation.
-JB
Today is our 4 year anniversary. Looking back I’m completely shocked at how much our lives have changed in 4 short years. Our first anniversary we were in Seattle and living in a new house. The second I was in a new job and Randy was about to start a new job. The third we were in Mexico at our friend’s wedding, I was pregnant, and Randy was in another new job. Now for our fourth we have Reed and I am in another job again. Who knows what we will add to the list for our fifth anniversary!!
The other significant thing I’m thinking about today is that our wedding was outside, in December. I was so worried about the weather because we didn’t have a good Plan B. God provided the most beautiful day for our wedding. It was 85 degrees outside and sunny. Today, it is 40 degrees, gray, and a potential for snow tonight/tomorrow. All I can say is God is Good.
Thank you God for the last 4 years and for our family that I love more than I could ever have imagined.
Julie
I went back to work on June 2. I enjoyed my maternity leave more than I expected, but I had to return. There are lots of things I miss about being home, but my favorite part was our morning hikes at Eisenhower park. We would spend an hour at the park 3 or 4 times a week. The best part about the mornings was that I could start whenever I wanted. The weather was cool enough to go as late as 10am, but most mornings we were there around 8 or 8:30.
The hardest part about going back to work is giving up my mornings. My leisurely mornings have been replaced by an alarm clock that goes off at 5am so that I can get myself ready and feed the kid and be in the car by 6:30.
Other than the change to my morning routine, going back to work has been a very good thing for me. I am a better mommy when I go to work. Some women are wired to be able to stimulate and play with their baby all day long. Unfortunately I am not one of those. After our fun mornings I usually started to get antsy. The only way I knew to calm the antsy was to either shop (not good when you are home on 4 weeks of unpaid maternity leave) or visit friends or go for a walk.
So long story short being back at work has been good for me. However, I wish I could have gone back on a reduced hour schedule so I could still enjoy my mornings. Maybe one day I will find the right job that will allow me to have the best of both worlds. Until then, I will be greatful to have a job and greatful that (for the time being) Reed is spending his days with Ya-Ya and Granny B.
J
Missie tagged me so I had to comply… The picture is a picture Randy took from his laptop while he was working from home my first day back at work.
My Boys
8 Things to Look Forward To:
1. Reed sitting on his own. He really likes to be upright and I get tired of holding him up all the time. I can’t wait until he can do it himself!
2. Losing all the weight I need to lose!! (Sorry, I had to say it. It almost made number 1 on the list)
3. The arrival of all the babies cooking away this summer…Swayze, Tomlinson, Keith, Edmunds, to name a few
4. Getting into a good working mommy routine. I still feel frazzled, tired and behind…
5. Our trips to Dallas in June, the river in August and Vermont in September
6. Football Season!!!
7. The end of the hot South Texas summer
8. Watching Reed grow and learn everyday
8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Woke up at 5:30
2. Went to work
3. Ate lunch at Dough. First time there, best pizza I’ve ever eaten in America (I think)
4. Pumped at work (still feels a little weird. Hopefully I will get used to it)
5. Played with Reed when I got home from work
6. Bathed Reed alone for the first time
7. Took a family walk around the neighborhood
8. Read in bed before I fell asleep
8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Workout everyday. Ah to have unlimited time
2. Play with Reed every morning. It’s his best time of the day and now that I’m working I miss it during the week
3. Learn to be content
4. Do a better job of keeping in touch with all my friends
5. Have more time to travel
6. Figure out what I want to do professionally. I seem to struggle with this more than most people, I’m just very picky.
7. Go back to Africa. Not sure how long it will be before I get back there and I loved it.
8. Be a college professor
8 Shows I Watch:
1. Football (that should maybe take up slots 1-4)
2. Lost (this is the only show I actually “watch”. The others I watch when I can)
3. Lanscape Smart (I know, weirdo)
4. Desperate Housewives
5. My Boys
6. Grey’s Anatomy
People To Tag:
Summer, Christine, Sarah, Meredith
Last night Randy and I left Reed with a babysitter for the first time. Praise the Lord we have so much family in San Antonio because my little sister Diana Beth was our first babysitter. She is in college and therefore has tons of free time. She has spent lots of time with Reed and I in the last month so I felt totally confident that she could handle him.
We went to Pei Wei and then to our friend Chris’ play ‘Pirates and Ninjas’. We met 3 other couples and were gone for about 4 hours total. It was the perfect first night away. Long enough, but not too long, lots of friends with us, and a hilarious play. I think I could do this again!!
J
Sunday was awesome. All I have ever wanted was to be a mommy. Ever since I was a little girl, I didn’t dream about my wedding. I dreamed about my kids and my house filled with kids. Needless to say, this was one of the best days of my life for that very reason. I’m finally a mommy! Randy woke up early on Sunday and got Reed out of his crib. The first thing I got to see was my sweet little boy smiling up at me. I could have stopped right there and it would have been a perfect day. Randy gave me my cards and gifts and then gave me an even better gift…he got up with me! It was only 6am and he was ready to get up and be with us. As I have alluded to previously, Randy is not a morning person and I am. The only problem with that is that I don’t like solitude in the morning, I like to talk. This drives everyone except my parents insane (probably because I learned it from them!) So I think the best present he gave me (aside from Reed) was that he got up with me and we made breakfast and coffee and played before church. Such a wonderful morning!!
My mom has been overwhelmed the last few months with moving her mother down to San Antonio to live and all the changes and stress that go along with that type of life change. I did not want to plan my own mother’s day celebration but I also didn’t want the day to get lost in the shuffle. So I asked Randy to get with my dad and plan a picnic at my parent’s pool. This way no one has to cook (because again, then I would be doing all the work on my first mother’s day and I didn’t want that) and we get to take Reed to the pool for the first time and could spend a relaxing afternoon together. We did just that and it was perfect! Reed liked the pool and we spent the afternoon relaxing and talking and spending time together.
In the evening we went to dinner with Randy’s family to round out the day. It was a busy day, but a wonderful one. I never realized how challenging a day like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are once you become a mom/dad. It won’t ever really be about only me because I still have a mommy that I want to love on and show her how much I appreciate her. I never really thought about that situation before Sunday.
J
Holy week was a great week for the Baldwin family. Not only is it Holy Week and my favorite week of the year, but since we had bible study Tuesday, and then church Thursday, Friday and Sunday we spent lots of time with all of our friends. It almost felt like FIESTA week in high school. Everyday is another “play date” with your friends (only now that includes kids too!!) Tuesday we had a traditional Messianic Seder meal at the Knights house. Thursday after church we went to Ryan’s for game night. Then Friday morning it was the zoo!!!
Reed and I went to the Zoo on Good Friday with all the girls and his future friends. The San Antonio Zoo is a great attraction to take kids to because parking is free, close and always has open spots. Plus, the season pass is only $50 for a family. So, we went to the zoo with some friends and bought our season pass.
What started out as a trip with 3 mommies and 3 kids turned into an awesome group of 6 mommies, 7 kids, 5 strollers (and 2 kids in utero!) Anyone who knows me knows I’m a morning person so I was pushing for a 9am start to the trip and I’m so grateful everyone else agreed. At the beginning of the morning the kids were free to run around and play with each other with all the mommies watching all the kids. By the time we left at noon it was getting too crowded for comfort. The zoo was getting packed and there were a bunch of older kids pushing and running. After 3 hours of seeing all the animals and playing with their friends the kids were ready to ride the train and then go home for a nap.
Reed slept through the entire trip and never even opened his eyes until I took him out of his stroller for the group picture. We are hoping to go again soon with Randy. Hopefully we can get Reed to sit in the Baby Bjorn (haven’t been successful at that one yet, he just screams) and then he might actually see some of the zoo!!!
Thanks to all the ladies (Missie, Danielle, Megan, Leslie, and Lisa) for the great play day at the zoo!!! We can’t wait to do it again soon.
Julie
I officially love being at home with Reed. It took me a few weeks, but we have gotten into a good little routine, and now I don’t know what I will do when its time to go back to work in a few short weeks. My friend Brittney is also a new mom and she said it perfectly…being a stay at home mom just allows you to have a slower paced life. You still stay busy and have lots to do, but you get to do it on your time. No alarm clocks ringing at 5am, no traffic to fight, and the best parts are running errands in the middle of the day and walking outside anytime you want. These are all little luxuries, but they add up to a great life. Last night Randy walked in the back door after his grueling 5 minute walk of a commute and said, “I really love this life.” I have to agree dear!! I get to spend all day playing with Reed and being a relaxed version of myself. Randy walks in the door to a happy baby, a clean house, and dinner. If only we could find a way to double Randy’s salary or one of us fall into a bunch of money so I didn’t have to go back!!
I still have 7 weeks at home and we are planning to enjoy every minute!! Maybe one day I will find a part-time position where I can have the best of both worlds!!
As I’m sure everyone can understand…life has been busy, crazy and wonderful the last 2 weeks. Reed is 2 weeks old today and I can finally understand why all new moms talk about how time flies once baby makes his appearance. I can not believe he has been here two whole weeks, and even more amazing is that he wasn’t due until this past Sunday, March 15th. These past two weeks would have been SO much slower if he wasn’t here!!
We have had many funny things happen, taken hundreds of pictures, and a few firsts that should be shared.
The first bath was a comedy of errors. The nurses in the hospital are amazing. Every night they would take Reed from me and give him a bath. When he came back to me he smelled lovely and was in a wonderfully sweet mood. The same did not happen when we gave him his first bath at home. We took him into our bathroom because it has the most counter space. I laid him on his back on top of his towel to start sponge bathing him. Of course, as soon as Randy took off his diaper he peed all over me and his towel. So towel 1 was toast. The bath commenced and he screamed. Randy grabbed the clean and unhappy baby in a new baby towel to take him to the changing table in our room for a new diaper. About 3 steps from the bathroom Reed pooped all over Randy and the new towel. All we could do was look at each other and laugh. The most unfortunate part is that we didn’t get pictures of any of it. It took both of us just to keep him safe, so we didn’t have any extra hands to snap pictures.
The next big first was our first trip to the pediatrician. We have chosen to see the same doctor I went to as a child. Not only do I love Dr. Purnell, but my mom worked in the office for many years when I was very young so she came with us to the first appointment. It was like old home week for her. She was chatting with all her nursing friends and it was great to see Dr. Purnell again. Thankfully Reed did great and at 6 days old he was one ounce shy of his birth weight. One other great thing about mom being with us is that she took pictures. (As usual, Randy will have to post those later)
Thankfully, Reed is generally a happy baby. We certainly have our tough nights and our good nights, but for the most part he is happy. Most importantly, we love him to pieces. His natural expression looks like a grumpy old man and it cracks me up all the time. I hope the grumpiness fades in time, but for now it is hilarious.
Julie
