Almost Two Months

James is 8 weeks old today! He was up pretty early--about 5:40am. Maybe he knew he was 8 weeks today and really wanted to celebrate as much as he could! It is amazing how much he has learned in just two months. He is holding his head up more and more, sleeping in his crib in his own room, blowing bubbles, 'talking', and smiling. He's also having more frequent 'blow-outs'. The one he had yesterday at my parent's house warranted an immediate bath...what a mess! :) I'm looking forward to going to the doctor this coming week with him. I'll post his stats, as I've had several questions about his weight.

A Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's

We had such a fun visit home last weekend. Mark, James, and I were visiting Mark's parents, and four of his five sisters happened to make it home that weekend, too! All twelve of James' cousins were around so it felt like Christmas!

Here's James enjoying some snuggle time with his Aunt Gail and cousin Levi!








I have been looking forward to taking this 'four generation' photo. I had one of James, myself, Mom and Grandma taken in the hospital, so it was important to get one of Mark's side, too! We visited Lester Saturday afternoon at the assisted living home, where he resides.















I just think this is such a sweet photo of Great Grandpa Lester and James.











Here's the little guy surrounded by seven ladies....there was a lot of that going on over the weekend.












Right after arriving home, Mark and I went on a drive further into the country to a nearby town to buy some meat at the meat plant where his family got meat from while he was growing up. Apparently, no other ground beef quite measures up. After closing out an old checking account (where the bank teller knew him by name when he walked in, although he hadn't seen her for years--I loved it), we visited the meat plant to stock up on ground beef, and then stopped by one of Mark's family's barns to pick up something. That's where I took this last photo. I like getting to know the Mark that grew up on a farm.

Smiles!

James is six weeks old and has been smiling more and more each day. He tends to be happiest and the most talkative in the mornings, after he's had a good night's sleep. We love to see him smile!





Also check out the photos (in the previous post) our friend took of us when James turned one month old! I'll post photos from last weekend soon!

One Month Slide Show

Our friend Sarah took these photos the day James turned one month old! I think she did an awesome job! You would never know that he was particularly fussy during most of the photo shoot! Enjoy...

http://www.sorellimages.com/james4weeksold/

5 Weeks

There are so many pictures from the past week that I'm including another slide show so they don't take up so much space! Over the weekend was the annual Pumpkin Carving Party. It started four or five years ago and continues to be a fun way to keep up with college friends. It's amazing how the group grows and grows. Andrea mentioned that we should plan to expand and add one child a year...I think it's possible. There were 30 people invited and most came! It was a packed house but so much fun!

James is doing great! Last night was his first night sleeping in his own bedroom. It was hard not to jump up and give him his pacifier every ten minutes, but it's what is best for him. He's still just waking up once in the night, so we can't complain about that!

He has also become more 'talkative' in the past week. He practices cute little vowel sounds when he is really happy and playing. This coming weekend we're really looking forward to being with Mark's family!

A chilly day

Today it is very chilly. I don't think James and I will even leave the house. We've had some sort of outing the past four or five days. That's a lot for an almost-5-week-old baby! Maybe too much. Today he took his first nap in his room. Up til now, he's been napping in the living room, in his bouncy seat or swing. I laid him down in his bassinet in his dark room and he slept great for almost two hours!

Right now we're vegging out, listening to classical music by Strauss and drinking tea. (well, I am anyway.) I'm including this picture because I think his little slippers are too cute! They were a gift from my former co-teachers Sandy and Jenn. They actually stay on his feet, too!

James' First Roadtrip

On Saturday we went on our first roadtrip as a family of three (it was only a 30-minute drive...but it counts as a roadtrip, right?). We went to the Louisburg Cider Mill. It was such a gorgeous day and James did so well!one of the things I love about fall....beautiful color-changing trees!

this picture was actually taken on the way home--James was worn out!

This was also taken before we left (I still can't quite figure out how to get photos uploaded in the right order). While I was getting ready for our outing, Mark bathed and dressed James. He showed up looking more ready for Christmas than a fall roadtrip! I thought it was so cute...so we left the little cap on.

I had planned on carrying James, but when Mark tried the Baby Bjorn on, he decided he really wanted to carry him. James was sooo cozy and slept the whole time! :)

watching apples being washed

there were so many little kids crawling all over the pumpkins...it'll be fun when James can, too!

We ended up not entering the corn maze/pumpkin patch, but took a picture by the sign.