What a Weekend!

What a whirlwind of a weekend! My family came down from Idaho (and Whitney and Andrew from Texas) to help us celebrate:

1. My graduation from BYU

2. Crew's baby blessing

BYU GRADUATION

I can't believe that I am finally done with BYU! It seems unreal. BYU has played such a significant part in my life for the past 8 years! (Yes, it's been that long since I was a freshman haha). I still remember the first time I came to the campus. I thought it was so huge and that I was never going to know where to go. Ask me now, however, and I can pretty much tell you where all the bathrooms are located! I have met some of my best friends while attending BYU and have learned so many priceless life lessons. I received my bachelors of science in home and family living. Even though I won't use this major professionally (that's where nursing comes in), I have learned so many skills that will benefit my family and that will allow me to be an advocate for the family structure in this crazy world.

Getting ready to go to the graduation Commencement in the Marriot Center Thursday, April 22nd.

My two handsome boys came to support me.

It was so fun to be able to graduate with my two former roomies Emily and Christine!

Crew's graduation present to his mom was smelly, slimy spit up :-)

D. Todd Christofferson was the keynote speaker.

Look at all those grads!

Friday, April 23rd was the individual college convocation: School of Family Life. This day I received my diploma and actually "walked".

Mom and Dad

My sibs: Tommy, Whitney, and Olivia.

These two wonderful women are two of my very best friends that I luckily got to meet while working in the BYU Bookstore.

I am a graduate :-)

*I also need to make sure and thank the Baldwin crew for coming to support me as well...they were smart and bolted before all the cameras came out!

CREW'S BLESSING

Our precious little boy was blessed by his dad, Jess, on Sunday, April 25, 2010 in the BYU 248th ward. Our sacrament started so early (8:30am) , but we all seemed to make it there in time! Thank you to all of our family and friends who made an effort to be there for us and also for all of your help (you know who you are)! The blessing was just so perfect, and Crew was so good in the circle! I love my little boy so much! Here are some pictures that Crew's Aunt Whitney took of him on his blessing day.

This is the best picture we could get of Payton and Crew together. Like everyone else, Payton can't get enough of Crew's squishy cheeks.

We love our boy!

One more pic of Crew for good measure...just cause he's cute.

NURSING UPDATE

Ok people, I am DONE with nursing school...well at least the portion that is required to be able to license. Next things on my list: find a job; pass NCLEX.

My lil Newsies boy

Ok, this hat was given to him by his grammy, but it looks hilarious in him!

This hat is much better.

Easter Bunny

Here are some pictures of Crew with the Easter Bunny. These pics didn't turn out as well as the prints that we bought...too bad I don't have a scanner.

Three Months Old!

Look at my 3-month self!

Crew turned 3 months yesterday! It is just getting so much fun--way more smiles, coos, and way LESS crying! Mom and Dad say "WAHOO"!!!! He has just gotten so much more relaxed--not completely, but waaayyy better! He still gets so intense when he's tired and won't calm down unless he is swaddled. Speaking of sleep...he is a GREAT sleeper! He sleeps about 7 hours straight and has finally skipped out on the 3am feeding :-) I cross my fingers that has won't revert back. He squeals like his life is over when I burp him in between feedings. He still LOVES to be bounced on his ball, and he will tolerate his rocking chair when he's really tired. As far as milestones go: he has discovered his hands! He slurps and chomps on them all day...he might be a thumb sucker like his dad. I also have caught him a few times reaching and grabbing his toys. He still loves his baby sounds that he sleeps to, and also loves standing up and observing everything around. Oh ya, he DROOLS like crazy so we finally get to take advantage of all the bibs that were folded in his drawers.

I found him like this when he woke up from his nap...he's SUCH a wiggle worm...and his pj's were a little big!

Ok, so we bought this completely AWESOME swing that we thought Crew would just love. It was soft, had toys, made soothing sounds, swung sideways instead of back and forth, but he HATED it! It literally was "Baby Funland" but he just prefers the ol' fashioned "hold me all day mommy" style...I guess it's cheaper.

This is a close-up-action shot of Crew being bounced. Once he's calmed down he stretches his neck waaaayyy out to look around...yes, I am still in my pajamas...yes, it is probably 2pm.

I think this is a funny pic..he looks like a little animal.

This toy is his new favorite. Thanks Andersons!

He loves vacuuming with his daddy!

This is him on the verge of a frown...I couldn't get the full-blown frown.

Lovin his Bumbo! He's not quite ready for it yet, but I was dying to try it out.

Check out those eyes.

Going on his first walk outside.

Slurpin on his hand.

Oh ya, he also has a snake tongue (his tongue points at the end). It's hilarious! I haven't caught it on camera yet though. LOVE this boy!

Two Months

LOOK AT THAT GOOD-LOOKIN BOY!

Crew is now 2 months, 1 week, and 5 days old! I can't believe how much he's grown and changed! He is just the most adorable little boy with a bombshell personality to match. At this point in time, unfortunately for his mom and dad, that bombshell personality comes in the form of crying, crying, crying, and more crying.....did I mention that he cries??? Now, don't get the wrong idea, I love my son and he does have his sweet moments, but boy is he one colicky babe. Oh ya, did I also mention that he has acid reflux and is one Prevacid everyday (which doesn't seem to be working that well). We've tried SO many things including switching formulas, gas drops, getting a swing, special "colic" bottles, tummy massages, baths, rocking chairs, toys, driving in the car....and so far we have found 2 things that work: bouncing on the exercise ball ALL day and playing water sounds in his room while he sleeps. Game plan as of now: 1) try out soy formula because he is still really fussy on even sensitive brands 2) have the doc increase his dose of prevacid 3)having him "adjusted" which I'm usually vehemently opposed to, but I'm desperate 4) wait it out. I did read "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp (thanks Crystal), and got great help with swaddling and the benefits of soothing noises. I think I've tried everything...or am about to try everything I can think of. Anyone out there have any new ideas??

On a happier note...my cute little buggy has his happy time right when he finishes eating and he is full of coos for his mommy. He is starting to really smile now! I started seeing glimpses of those when he was 6 weeks old. He is still eating pretty well...he's getting back into the groove after the whole acid refulx setback. He sleeps pretty decent: he's asleep for 5 hrs, awake for one, and then back to bed for about 3! He still loves the sound of running water, and he still LOVES to be held and bounced....all day :-) He chicken-pecks and rubs his face on my shoulder when I try and burp him. He LOATHES his car seat and screams when he lays on his back, but loves looking around and standing up on his wee little legs. This little munchkin sure is a challenge, but I guess the most rewarding things in life are the most challenging, right?

His two month stats are:

Head Circumference: 14.75 in (6.44%)
Length: 22.25 in (22.96%)
Weight: 11 lb (31.49%)

Lovin on his mommy

Lovin on his burp rag

We have to put an ACE bandage around his blanket so he stays in his bundle. We discovered this little gem after countless nights of his arms getting free and waking himself up.

Jess helps out sooo much which I am so very grateful for.

My smiley boy :-)

See you in one month for my 3 month stats/updates!

A Month in Reflection

I cannot believe that is has been over a month (6 weeks on Thursday) that Crew was born! I feel like we've had him forever! I won't lie, it has been really tough getting used to a newborn when you've been quite independent and extremely busy the last couple of months. With school, work, and newborn care there is hardly even a moment to squeeze in a nap (especially Jess...he is so sleep deprived). It has, however, been really rewarding and oh so special to see him grow! I really cannot believe how much he has changed in just a month. When I go to school on Mondays I am kind of relieved to get a break, but I miss him so much when I'm at school. Being a mom is the bomb!

I think this is the 2nd day after we brought him home.

This is Jess enjoying his son...before he got fussy.

In his chair for some social time with mommy

Ok, this is the FUNNIEST picture EVER. This little bear suit was way too big on him and way too small for the car seat!

Jess was SO excited to have Celtics time with Crew! Thanks again Erica for the blanket!

His first sponge bath

He was NOT happy

His first tub bath. He liked this one much better--especially getting his hair washed.

He HATES being strapped into his car seat, but falls right asleep once we start driving.

He is not a fan of his swing, but will at least tolerate his bouncy chair (thanks brent and leesa).

He's getting so big!

And this is where we are now...poor baby is super fussy! If I didn't have the comfort of knowing that babies cry a lot and that it should end (I cross my fingers everyday), I would go crazy! I feel so bad for him--he swallows a ton of air when he eats and even when he doesn't, it can't feel good for his tummy. So, I just try my best, and hopefully he will be a happy boy soon :-) He is a champion eater though! He drinks probably about 3 oz average, but sometimes tops off at 4 every 3 hours. In the beginning, of course, I was up a lot with him in the night, but now I am only up once around 1am and then again around 6, so I am pretty lucky! I have been trying to follow the "Baby Wise" sleeping plan, but I am not sure if it's working. He has such a strong neck and loves to look around with his huge eyes (I think they are going to be brown). He loves being held--in fact, I can't ever put him down! He loves the sound of running water and Pandora Radio. He has his 2 month appt in 2 weeks, so I will give an update then!