Clay and Daddy--Best Friends!

It was one of those things... I knew Corey would make a good daddy.  But watching him and Clay... it is my favorite.  These two became best buds immediately and with each passing day, their bond only gets stronger and stronger.

I love it when Corey goes in to get Clay from the nursery and he doesn't realize the baby monitor is still on.  I get to listen in on his secret conversation with Clay.  It involves lots of "man noises" and ooooohhs and aaaahhhs.  I hear Corey telling Clay that he is getting bigger and that they are monkeys.  I also hear "boomskas."  (Corey's made up word that Clay loves to hear.  Can't wait to find out what it means!)

He is daddy's little mimi-me, his little sports' fan, his sidekick, his little boy.  Corey looks at Clay and sees lots of throwing the baseball around.  He sees a treehouse with a No Girls Allowed sign.  He sees Clay's big plastic golf clubs and time on the putting green.  He sees living room slumber parties and lots of snuggling.  He sees trips to Disney and pictures with Mickey.  Of course these things are all in the future.  Right now when he looks at Clay, he gets the biggest, sweetest grin in return.  There is no one like Daddy.

And I am sure Corey is wondering if this little guy is going to be just like him.  Because, that is what I think.  It will make me giggle when Clay will want to wear his hat cock-eyed... just like daddy (and just like Great-Grandpa Knox).  Or when he will want a popsicle at night... just like daddy (and Grandpa Spencer).  Or when he will want his hair combed just so... just like daddy.

Corey and Clay... my two peas in a pod... you are my favorites.  Every grin, every giggle, every moment.  I just LOVE watching the two of you together.  Oh how you enjoy each other and mama loves you both so much.

Clay Turns Three Months!

I think Clay's three month old picture represents this past month perfectly... time is flying by!  I feel like he grew and changed so much in the past month.

In all honesty: It was a month of highs and lows for this mama as we were working on getting Clay into a routine that worked for all of us!  (I am sure all the mamas out there can relate!)  His night time sleep improved dramatically in the past four weeks moving from getting up every 2 1/2 hours to only one night time feed.  Yeah Clay!  (And thank you for the extra sleep!)  His napping was the major issue... something Corey and I would strategize about for hours and then re-strategize the next day.  (And when the day came where Corey got home at 5:30 and I hadn't eaten or gone to the bathroom because it was a day when he just wouldn't let me put him down-- I knew something had to change.)  And I know that each mama does things differently and has strong opinions about baby sleep and I am not one for a debate about the issue (to each their own)... but for us... Sleep training was in order!  

 

And to our amazement... it was just what Clay needed.  We went from rocking and bouncing this baby for 20-minutes to an hour (or longer) just to get him to sleep-- every nap time, every 2 1/2 hours... to now, 5 minutes of cuddling and in the crib he goes.  And he slept... and he sleeps.  Wow!  I called Corey, I couldn't believe it!  So proud of that little man.  Not to say we don't still have to work at it and believe me--we all have our moments, but what a difference a couple of weeks has made!!

And I am so glad because I am starting to go back to work part-time for Fairen Del as a fashion photographer, graphic designer and blogger.  (Thank God I have the best boss ever... she is flexible, understanding, lets me work from home and gives me to coolest projects to work on!)  I am a lucky girl!

Looking back, there have been so many highlights!!  Truth be told, I have never made so many contorted facial expressions as I have in the past four weeks.  And you would too when you see Clay giggle and squeal in delight!  He smiled and smiled and smiles still at every little funny face.  His cooing went from coos to all out baby conversations full of gooooo and babbles and the "man talk" that Corey calls their grunts and sounds (similar to that of Tim the Tool Man Taylor from Home Improvement.)  In the past week he has added bubbles to the end of his squeals.  That's right... I have my own bubble machine in the making.  But you can only see them for a moment before he sucks them right back into his mouth or spits them right down his chin.  And I know that some babies don't drool too much and others do.  Well, I am predicting that I will have a drool baby!  I can just see it coming... he will be wearing a bib 24/7.

Everything really caught Clay's eye this month.  The thing that makes him the happiest... makes his daddy shake his head.  Clay has a mobile above his crib (that is at the other end of where he sleeps because it makes him the opposite of sleepy) and it is safe to say... the mobile creates instant happiness.  Tears?  Crying?  Putting him under that mobile will cause him to squeal and thrash his arms and legs about in seconds.  I am thinking, "Great... he loves his little sports: baseball, football, basketball..."  But Corey noticed, he only watches the soccer ball!  Soccer!!  We know nothing about soccer!  It makes us laugh... Corey's dad thought we could change that soccer ball into a golf ball!  But, I am reassuring the boys that it is just the black and white contrast... it doesn't mean that he prefers soccer.  (Disclaimer: Please realize, as parents that if our son makes the choice to play soccer, we will support that.  We don't mean to offend soccer players.)

In the mornings when I go to get him, I realize he is 100% broken out of his swaddle (or straight jacket as we call it), he has moved two feet towards the mobile... and when he sees me... he gets the biggest grin and giggles.  I think he thinks its funny that he has outsmarted us all!  But, what a joy to wake up to each morning!  

Oh... Clay!  Your mama and daddy love you very much!  We can't wait to see what this next month will bring!  Lots of new exciting things on the horizon!  

~Leslie (Mama)

       

Nana Neen to the Rescue!

My mom e-mailed me a lengthy e-mail about a month ago... she was trying to convince me that she should consider a quick trip out to San Diego to help out with the baby.  I could tell she poured over every meticulous detail and spent time contemplating how to word all of reasons why this would be a good idea.  Ummm...  hello.... you had me at, "Should I...?" Yes... please come.

So mom came in on a Saturday night and was greeted by her much-larger grandson than last time.  Nana Neen thought he was much bigger!  We headed to our house where Kevin and Karen joined us for dinner and a couple of rounds of euchre.  Such a fun night!

Over the next few days I got to watch my mom fall in love all over again with her little man.  She would never say anything... quiet as a mouse... but I knew she was always chomping at the bit to have him in her arms.  I tried to pass Clay to her as much as possible to max out on cuddle and snuggle time.  Nana Neen got to feed him and give him a bath-- so cute.  I think her favorite part of the whole weekend was when we left her alone with Clay for the afternoon and it was just the two of them.  No distractions, no sharing.  Just soft whispers, baby talk and hugs.  Just Nana and Clay.

And when I asked my mom about the differences she noticed in Clay, she was quick to say he was so much more expressive!  Lots of little facial expressions and reactions to our silly faces.  But just in case she might miss something, she would stare at him for hours just gazing into his eyes.  I imagine that she was wondering... wondering what his little personality will be like... wondering what he will look like as a toddler, a child, a young man... wondering what their favorites things together will be.

Just like that she was off again as quick as she came.  Luckily, we will see her again back out for Spring Break in no time.  We can't wait for more Nana and Clay time and this next time... Grandpa and Clay time.

Thanks mom so much for coming "to the rescue!"  Just having you reassure me that I was doing a good job felt wonderful!  See you soon!  We love you!

~Leslie