Santa's a Hit!

I'm sure we're not the first "first-time parents" to ever wonder what their child's first encounter with Santa will be. Fortunately, Jayden's first time was at our church Christmas party where we also happened to be the live nativity family. A very kind brother in our ward made an awesome Santa, so today when we went to have his picture professionally done, we had hopes of getting at least a stare out of him rather than tears. Lately Jayden has only wanted either mom or dad...while endearing, a habit we're trying to break. Fortuately, today he was totally unaware that some stranger was holding him. Who knows? Maybe Santa resembles someone he may have known from the life before. Whatever the case, we got a really cute picture out of him today! It was a fun day at the mall...not too crowded, got a lot of errands completed & we even had some decent Chinese fast food! Can't complain!

The Holidays are Upon Us!

It's amazing how fast this year has gone! Christmas is quicly approaching and we'll be lucky to get any sort of Christmas card or newsletter out! We have been so wrapped up in "Buggy" (that's what we call him) that we just barely put away our Halloween porch decoration last week. Because we're going to California for Christmas we hadn't planned to decorate. We're going to put out our smaller tree with all the "fun" ornaments we've collected. But we're not putting out the "pretty" tree this year with the uniform decorations.

Buggy's talking up a storm these days. Granted, we have no idea what he's saying but he's sure trying his hardest to communicate. As I type this right now he's talking to his little Pooh bear snuggly. Last night he discovered his toes. He just sat and stared at them and watched himself wiggle them. Then he started reaching for them. It was so fun to watch. Yes, we're easily entertained, but you would be too in our shoes! :)

Life is great! The business is slowly but surely growing. Still not where we'd like it, but growing nonetheless. Jayden is happy and healthy. We're happy and trying to ensure we stay healthy.

We hope that everyone is enjoying this holiday season and we look forward to seeing our friends and family in good ol' sunny Southern California!

Hard to believe

It's hard to believe that next week Jayden will already be 3 months old! Talk about the fastest 3 months EVER!!!!! We have loved every minute of it, that's for sure! Even the fussy moments are adorable. We know that will change as he gets older, but for now it's just the cutest.

Jayden's likes:

binkys

blankets

bath time

bottles

patty-cake

sling-ling (sling-type carrier)

hockey games

sleep

Jayden's dislikes:

being nakie

having his nose sucked with the bulby-thing

waiting for a bottle

large groups of people

wet diapers (but who doesn't?)

He is such a joy to have. Kelli's mom always told her that "it's different when it's yours". No words could be truer. While Kelli didn't mind babysitting and adored some of other peoples' kids, she wasn't real sure she'd love motherhood. But guess what...it's one of her most favorite things! Together we have found much "joy and rejoicing" in our little guy! He's truly addicting! We both recommend parenthood! Especially if you have little boys! :)

Parenthood is the Best

We are just loving life as parents. There are so many moments you can't catch on film, but this weekend we've had a few.

First, Jeremy's Grandpa John came to visit from Thailand. We were lucky enough to be able to get a 4 generation photo

.

We also got pictures of Jayden and his next-door-neighbor buddy on their first Halloween. We called them "Superbug" and "Poopy Bear".

But the best moments are the quiet ones as a family!

Life Settling In

So today marks 2 weeks since Jayden's birth. While we're not on any set schedule, we're getting closer. At night he's sleeping in 3-5 hour blocks...if he can stay awake during his feedings we get more to the 5 hour.

Yesterday was the day of doctors. Jayden had his 2 week well check and got high marks from the doc. He's in the 75th percentile for weight & head size. He's in the 95th percentile for length. He weighed 9lbs 12 oz and measured in at 22 1/2 inches so he's gained 10 oz and 1 inch from birth.

At Kelli's post op check the incision was looking good and she lost 30 lbs from when she went into the hospital. That puts her now 2 lbs under her pre-pregnancy weight. For a while in the hospital she would look down at her legs and not recognize them because of all the IV fluid retention and swelling from pregnancy. Now her legs are getting back to normal and her hands are almost back to where she can wear her wedding ring again. YAY! She's missed that!

Today Jayden's umbilical cord fell off so tonight will be his first submersed bath. We'll see how he likes it. He's not a big fan of being naked so we don't have high hopes for his enjoyment. He does however like to have his head shampooed. After giving him sponge baths Kelli would wrap him in a towel and then wash his hair. He stayed quiet and alert for that and seemed to enjoy it. Hopefully he still will!

Overall, life is great! Jayden is growing, the business is growing, and everyday our love for the new baby grows by leaps and bounds! You can often times here us saying "he's just so darn cute!" Photos don't do him justice. He's just one you have to meet!