Christmasy Bliss

 

Probably one of the best things about being a mom is throwing the rule books out the window. I've had a lot more peace in my heart and mind when I just do what I want. And honestly I think I'll have fewer regrets that way also. So today's morning nap, we snuggled instead of cribbed. I decided to stay up late last night and get a lot done so that I could spend more quality time with Conley while he's awake during the day. Someone's I have to take action like that so that I don't have so much drive to do stuff and be productive and get stuff done, etc. I pray sometimes to be able to just enjoy the moment, and right now I'm enjoying every breath. He's so snuggly when he's sleepy. I get drunk in his breath and I fall in love every time I look at him. 

We are lying on the couch, under a blanket, and facing our beautiful, fragrant Christmas tree. Yum! It only has lights and bows so far, but it's still so beautiful. This Christmas I planned a RS musical program for the dinner/activity. And we are having 9 musical numbers, with a script of quotes and scriptures between each one. In preparing it, I felt so much love for little baby Jesus, and Mary. What a child he must have been. 

Splash splash splash

I've been trying to just sit and enjoy Conley instead of giving my attention to something else--anything other than him really is not as good. I want to devote myself to him and soak up his step by step development, new things he is learning, cuteness, sweetness, how soft his cheeks are, what noises he is making, and so forth.

Tonight I gave him a bath and just let him sit in there splashing around. We have this mini-bath; it's blue and Shan gave it to us. And there is a back rest on both sides; one side is reclined and it was meant for babies who can't sit up yet; the other is straight up and intended for babies who can sit up. He was sitting on the second one, since he can mostly sit up, but for some reason he really wanted to kiss the first back rest. So he was folding his body totally in half and reaching out to it with his arms and face. It was so cute and so funny. He finally got over there and went a little too far and ended up on his belly, his cute little buns visible and everything. We were laughing so hard.

In between the reaching and climbing, he would splash all over. I even got a little wet. For some reason I really loved it, all his splashing. I felt like he was learning a lot by doing it, and really enjoying himself. 

Oh my goodness! And tonight he ate twice as much as we expected. We have started to give him mostly solid foods (much to my dismay), and we gave him sweet potatoes and apples, and he loved it. (I made homemade apple sauce a few weeks ago, and he loves it. I'm really proud of myself because it's healthy and he loves it.) And twenty minutes after he was done, and after I nursed him a little, he got a little cranky and it seemed like he wanted more! So I gave him a whole additional bowl full of more food! It was twice as much dinner as we thought. And he downed it. I couldn't believe it. So it seems like I am underestimating his eating abilities.

He is getting pretty mobile and restless. He army crawls all over the place. And in his crib he practices getting up on all fours. It's so precious. One of my favorite things is slowly walking up to his crib, talking all the way, until I peak over the edge of it (there's a blanket blocking my view until then) and seeing him stretch his neck trying to see me. And then once we make eye contact, he gets a huge grin and then buries his little face in his hands, like he's hiding from me. He's getting such a cute personality, so interactive.

I'm still so grateful to be a mama. And Joseph is such a helpful and perfect daddy. And still such a wonderful husband. We are so blessed!

Six months and still happy

People everywhere say, "Oh wow! What a happy baby!" And I still wonder how we got so lucky. Conley means everything to us. I would die without him, and I can't believe we ever wanted to wait to have kids, wait to experience this wonderful happiness and love.

He still gets up at night; I think he has except for like maybe eight days of his whole life. I like it though:). He goes right back to sleep, so I see it as middle of the night snuggles. When he wakes up, Joseph usually puts him in bed with us, or I go get him and bring him in and snuggle him. He's gotten so wiggly wiggly lately that he has to be in between in order for us to sleep--otherwise we are both too worried that he will wiggle himself off the bed! Nope, that can't happen. He's usually the one that wakes me up, either by petting my face, or by wacking it. I love it. Then we snuggle and giggle in bed for a little while before he gets to ancy and we have to graduate to the carpet or hardwood floor so he can move around.

He has been army crawling a lot this week. Not quite army crawling, but pushing himself forward and backward and to the side. It's so cute and funny. He's a determined little guy. I can see the wheels turning in his head when he sees something he wants and is calculating the best way to get to it. He always wants to be practicing and moving and exercising his muscles, except when he is really tired. I have started to really cherish the moments when he is really tired and will just lay on me as I snuggle him and he sucks on his binky. It's so precious. I really am trying to cherish those moments because they are sweet and I want to remember them when they go away.

I have been so blessed.

So many giggles and tickles

4 Month Pics

Snuggle Bug

This morning was sooo cute. I slept in a little while Joseph got Conley from his 7 a.m. feeding and changed him and dressed him (in his John Deere outfit...that isn't my favorite; but I still appreciate the gesture). Then Joseph laid him down next to me around 8:15, and Conley saw me laying there and immediately turned onto his side toward me and grabbed my shirt and nuzzled his little face into mine. It was so sweet. He closed his eyes and just went to sleep, holding tightly to my shirt all the while. I love him so much. He's almost five months' now, and still just as sweet as he was that first day he was out. Doesn't complain or cry too much, like Daddy. Smiles and talks a lot, like Mommy. He's a snuggler. Recently when we pick him up, he immediately wraps his arms so tightly around our necks. It's the best.

I'm so grateful for him and the joy he brings to our lives. Heavenly Father really is so sweet.

I miss him while he is sleeping.

My sweet baby is so sweet. So sweet. I miss him while he is sleeping. He only cried with a reason.

Kayden has been here and he is really good with Conley.

I'm learning that Conley's nap schedules take precedence over things I want/need to do.

We got a new car and I am the happiest mommy because my baby doesn't roast every time I drive somewhere.

Recently he has been touching and grabbing toys. He doesn't reach out for them yet, but he is getting so close. He loves this little elephant stuffed animal toy and the little yellow square with ribbons that Jen made us.

I am simply in love. I could literally snuggle with him all day. I never knew being a mom would feel this right.