I'm So Excited . . .

. . . and I just can't hide it!

Cheesy? Yes.  Did everyone just think of Jessie Spano? Hehe ;)

But, I am!  I am so excited about my most recent purchases for Jack!

I will begin by saying that I am not one of those people that clips coupons and scours around for the best deals before making a purchase ( I think I've said that before ).  Although I wish I was, and I admire those who have the patience and determination to do so.  I should aspire to be more like you.   

HOWEVER, I recently entered the exciting world of children's consignment sales and O. M. G.  I'm hooked.  Bonnie and I went to Kids Market last fall but waited until the last day, the 50% off day.  There were a few good things left but not many.  Last week I went to the Growing Kids consignment sale in Trussville and was able to shop early, because I'm a new mom.  Sweet!  I wasn't quite sure what to expect since I'm new to these things, but when I got there, there was a line waiting out the door just to get in!  I brought my clothes basket with a scarf tied to it (as recommended) just in case I found anything worth buying . . .

Fast forward about an hour and a half.

I'm still shopping.  My clothes basket is so full, I can no longer pull it with the dinky little scarf I have tied to the handle.  I'm having to carry it.  I've estimated that I probably have about $300 worth of consigned clothing in my basket, and Jonathan will kill me if I actually come home with it all.  I am elated that from what I can tell, the majority of the moms around me in the baby boys section do not believe that a smocked bubble or jon-jon belongs on a boy.  What???  Fine with me!  GIVE IT HERE!  At least that's the only thing I could conclude, because they were just passing them over right and left!

  I made out like a bandit.  Everything I found either had the tags still on it or was very gently worn.  I didn't spend over $15 on any one item, even the brand new smocked ones!  My cheapest item was a pair of precious little plaid overall shorts with a choo-choo on the front for $2!  Those shorts were $3 and the cute little outfit with the crab on it still had the tags on it, and it was $4!  You just can't beat that.  

I learned from a fellow mommy in line that all the good consignment sales happen between the last week in February and the first week in March, so you know where to find me this time next year!  I think next year I'm going to volunteer to work one, so I can shop even earlier!!  I think they've created a monster!!!   

              

Four Months!

Dear Jack,

You are four months old today!

Not possible!  Not at all possible!  I recently met a friend of mine's new little girl, and you looked HUGE next to her!  Where has the time gone, and when did you get so big?!?  You are still a "newborn" in my mind!  Guess I should get with the program.

Anywho.  I have been told before that each little phase in your life will bring with it new and exciting moments and milestones, making it a little easier to let go of the previous phase.  What a blessing this is, because as a very sentimental person, I can tell you it is hard to accept the fact that you are growing up and will continue to do so!

This last month brought with it a few exciting "firsts", including sleeping in your crib for the first time and rolling over for the first time!  Yes, you sleep in your crib now.  In your room.  Without me.  I fought it!  I fought it for a while!  However, when I looked over and saw that your feet were butting up against the end of the bassinet and you couldn't really stretch your legs out straight, I knew it was time.   

We are currently working on getting you to sleep through the night.  I believe that I, your mother, have been a bit of a hinderance in this area as I will rush into your room to comfort you at the slightest sound of distress or discomfort.  Whoops.  Dr. Levin gave me some advice.  He said to let you fuss . . . hmm . . . He makes it sounds so simple!  And I guess it is.  Must work on this.  I think I'm getting better though.  I'll actually stare at the monitor and let you fuss for a whole minute and a half as opposed to the ten seconds I was giving it - that's what I call progress!  In all seriousness though, we have skipped a feeding at night.  You now go down for bed around 9:30 and will sleep until around 4:30 or 5.  That's good, right?!  I'll get up to feed you, put you back down, and you'll usually sleep until around 8 or 8:30!  

You have THE CUTEST personality, I am convinced.   You are so pleasant, so laid back, and just smile all the time.  You still love your activity mat, your baby einstein videos, and anything that lights up and makes noise.  You have gotten really good at holding onto things and will grab at anything within your reach.  Dad and I try to read to you everyday, and you really enjoy it.  I've found that you really like to look at us while we're reading, so you can see our faces.  You absolutely love your hands.  I believe this is one of your favorite past-times, to put your hands in your mouth.  They are literally in there all the time!

You LOVE to either sit up or stand up.  Anytime we have you laid back, you strain your neck to sit up and see what's going on.  It is so sweet to see your face when we stand you up - you look so excited and so proud of yourself, like you know you're getting to be a big boy.  And you are!  You are making lots of cute and funny noises these days, ranging from a "goo" to a prolonged "ccckkkkk" sound from the back of your throat.  So funny. 

You are currently wearing size 2 diapers and size 6 month clothing.  You still want to eat every three hours and are taking around three naps a day.  The first one comes about 2 to 3 hours after you wake up, and the next one is between two and four o'clock.  The last one is around 6 or 6:30, although I'm not quite sure yet if this is just you telling us that you're ready for bed.  Could be.  It can be a bit of a challenge to get you to go to sleep these days - it seems that you don't like the feeling of getting sleepy.  You don't fuss too long though and usually respond well to a little rocking and singing.

Well, another wonderful month is in the books, Jack, and you just continue to be our most favorite little person ever.  We love you so much, stinker!   

*Please excuse the photography.  While my subject is darling, my photography skills are lacking.*