Sunday, December 30, 2012

Eat.Wake.Sleep.

Eat. Wake. Sleep.

Sounds rather simple. In fact, as adults these three things are some of the easiest tasks we get to look forward to in our daily lives. I personally have never had difficulty with the sleeping or wake part, and my only issue with eating is that I am not one of those meal planner types. "Ugh, what are we going to do for dinner?" is a common phrase in our house.

Just typing that makes me chuckle to myself because maybe that is sign #1 that I am not a natural homemaker. Throughout my pregnancy I never feared that I would love my child more than anything. It was apparent that would be the case because I already found that I did love him, worry about him, and was concerned to do what is best for him. I'm beginning to realize that the saying "maternal instinct" really does mean those three things. I had feared, however, that I could be comfortable at being a mom. I never have had the desire when I saw another person's newborn to want to hold them. Instead I felt fear that I would accidentally drop them. It was other friends around me that would point out the cute baby in the store while I hadn't even notice one had passed by. So when I expressed this concern to people in the past I would always hear, "oh don't worry that stuff all kicks in as soon as you have your own."

Maybe it has just been a tough week and the holidays have gotten the best of me, but this whole mom gig really has hit a peak. The truths after 10 weeks.

Sometimes when I hold him I feel completely natural. Other times I feel like my arms are this skeleton around him and he is fighting to get comfortable.  It goes back to that love, worry and concern stuff. So in three weeks when I go back to work in a sad way it has me relieved. I feel terrible just typing that, but I want what is best for him and these people will actually know what they are doing.

Why am I sharing this with you all? Maybe I hope some other mom will speak up and say they had felt the same way. Maybe I'm tired of always looking on facebook and seeing people's perfect side shared and the flaws go unnoticed. Pardon my Jerry McGuire moment because I am sure after my morning yogurt I will look back on this post and sigh that I shared this. In the end, I will go back to trying that whole eat. wake. sleep. thing and hopefully in that specific order. To end this post I will share some "motherly" stuff I do know about my son. Although the mothering part isn't easy for me, the loving part is.

When he crunches his toes he doesn't feel good, but when he wiggles and spreads them you are doing something right.

When he touches his hand to my heart I know he means it.

He is not scared easily. He may flinch at Cooper's bark, but he has never cried over it. He may wiggle when you first put him in his bath, but he doesn't reach for you or cry out when you take him out of the water.

He wants to know everything. I think that is why he has a hard time napping because he is excited about the world around him. I have always felt that way too and tend to wake up before all of my friends so I can start learning that day.

He already thinks his father is the cat's meow. When Michael comes home he just beams at him and i know he will want to be just like him. It's okay son, I feel the same way too.

Some of my most favorite pictures I will ever see in my life.




Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Holiday Cheer- Part I

Jack was two months old on December 15th. It feels like we have come so far from when he first slept between us in his hospital bed and yet we still feel VERY new to the world of parenting. Things to note at two months:





He has started to smile at us. Michael tends to get very large grins.
He loves to lay on his changing pad.
He has started to sleep from 7:00 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. This makes his mother very happy.
He loves to kick on his play mat.
He is not the best napper...something he gets from his parents.

Our first stop this Christmas was to NaNa and Pop's house. The biggest treat was having Krissy, John and Rufus come home for the holidays. John got to meet Jack for the first time.


Krissy perfected the "Ru" hold with Jack. This requires you to hold Jack facing out and walking at a fast pace. Wonderful for Jack and tiring for the "handler". The things you will do to sooth a crying child.


Jack received a classic for Christmas...The Ultimate Radio Flyer. I am sure this will continue to make an appearance on the blog because it is such a pimped out ride. Check out these little elves.








We went to Galveston for Thompson family Christmas. Jack found a great partner to sit with.



Paw Paw still can't believe he is a Great Grand Paw Paw.



These two loved playing ball together in the bay.




Sibling love!





Jack watches the Nutcracker for the first time.




Family is such a blessing. The hugs, smiles, conversations, and history you share cannot be measured. We cherish this special time over the holidays when we get to make memories with those that mean so much to us. We love you all and are excited for Jack to be around such amazing people.

Stay tuned for Part II of the Christmas break!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

On August 23, 2008 Michael and I got married at St. Anne's Catholic Church. My father gave me away to a kind and loving man and for the past four years we have enjoyed forming a new family together.



December 9, 2012 we baptized Jack Michael Preisler in the very same church. We went from having our parents give us away in that very spot, to being parents witnessing a wonderful moment for our son.  Full circle! We have big shoes to fill with the example we have been given.





I began to get nervous I would slip while holding him on the marble steps, so thank goodness Michael took over holding him.



Faith and family. Two great things to be surrounded by during this Christmas season. 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Santa Baby

Jack decided to visit with Santa and whisper what he wanted for Christmas


 Santa was so tickled that after we took our pictures he actually got up from his chair to come around and see the photos taken on the screen too. I am going to go ahead and guess Santa found it refreshing to have one that was sound asleep instead of screaming in his ear :). 


Guess who we found at the Galleria...Dot! It is no surprise that she was there shopping on her afternoon off.









We have Jack's baptism tomorrow and can only hope he sleeps through that as well. Fingers crossed!


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Jack and I enjoy going on a walk every morning with Cooper as a way to start the day. Although the weather has not put us in the Christmas spirit, we have enjoyed scouting the neighborhood for pretty and "interesting" Christmas decorations that can.

Rolling in the jogging stroller...notice Cooper sniffing out the territory ahead.



He normally is pretty content in the stroller....but sometimes we have let the entire neighborhood know we are upset.



Peacocks stroll around the neighborhood all the time. Our nephew, Evan, loves to play a game of counting the peacocks when we are walking. I actually was able to capture Jack's first encounter, although he appears to be snoozing through it. 


I spy three Aggie flags...another reason to love thy neighbor.


Below are a few of the houses Cooper and I selected for you while "walking in a winter wonderland" of 80 degrees. We feel Jack is a little too young to be making these decisions already.

There is a house on our street that decorates all out for every holiday. I am not overly sure of the reasoning behind this Disney and Barbie ensemble, but I do appreciate their creative spirit! Cooper appreciates the additional trees they have added for him to urinate on as well.


I am a fan of the classic wreath and Santa being incorporated. Guess which one is Cooper's favorite?





Last but not least...drum roll...our house! You wouldn't have thought Michael had bagged leaves just this past weekend. He still managed to hang Christmas lights while taking care of a newborn. What a great hubby!

Cooper is enjoying a nap on our Christmas pillows. 


Jack has a stocking on the mantle! 

We are ready for more Christmas cards to add to the collection.



I consider this the best present under the tree!

Cooper took offense to that so decided to join...