Cousins

Here is a pic of you and your cousins on Fathers Day at the pool! This picture show so much joy and it makes me so happy!

Jessy is looking down on us and I betcha he is so proud of you for being so brave in the water. Jessy loved the water.

xo

Peas and Fathers Day!

Hi Sweet Angel!

You have had a BIG week my little lambchop!

You are doing so well at going from your tummy onto your back. on June 14th you did your first roll over on your own. Right now you only roll to the right but that is ok. You LOVE doing it and are fast. Your little legs are very strong too. When Mommy and Daddy stand you up (and support you) you are steady and sturdy but I said you are not allowed to walk anytime soon. I just want you to stay at this age! you are such a cutie pie and so so happy and smiley all the time.

Right now you are up for 2 hrs and 15 mins between naps and we are working on getting you to 3 hours between naps and just 2 naps a day. mind you, sometimes right now you sleep so well during the day we only do 2 naps and get you into bed for 6:30.

Last night there was a woodpecker pecking at our house and you slept and slept away..Mom thought that silly bird would wake you. Nope.

On Saturday June 18th you had your very 1st meal of solids! Mom made you pureed sweet peas (mixed with some ground flax so you didn't get bunged up). You made some silly faces and started to gobble them up. You were ADORABLE! Mom and Dad were so proud of you. We got lots of pictures and videos.

Yesterday was Fathers Day and you gave Daddy lots of cuddles, smiles and love. We made him coffee and a nice protein shake. Later in the day we met up with the MacLeod family and Babcia and Dzia Dzia for a swim. This was your second swim and you were a STAR! Aunty Kerry gave you a floaty ducky thing and you loved being in it. you didn't cry or make a peep. Just lots of smiles and you were totally relaxed. We thought it was hilarious and so did your cousins Liam, Noah and Ryan. We had a BBQ dinner here afterwards and you loved getting snuggles from Aunty Kerry. She LOVES babies!

You are such a great little baby and I just cannot stop kissing you and smelling your delicious baby scent!!!

Love you!

Mom

Long time...lots on the go

Hi Chase,
It has been a few weeks since I last wrote. Sorry little man. We have been busy around here. Since the house sold, mom and dad have been busy figuring out where to live and mom has been packing, packing and packing!

Three weeks ago we found out your big brother had 4 tumours :-(. He was very sick and we could not make him better. We would have done ANYTHING to help him. Mom is going to keep this post short because she is super sad right now and can't stop crying her eyes out. Thank goodness you and Daddy are here. You make mom smile and keep my chin up even with all the tears.

Your big brother Jessy had to go to heaven 2 days ago. Here is the special poem Mommy read to him before we said goodbye.

Sir Sniffs, Mr. Waddlebutt, Big Bear

May heaven have peanut butter hills that are oh so yummy
Let the golden sun warm your soft pink tummy
Enjoy the endless amounts of fresh buttered popcorn
That smells like your paws since you were born
Let the clouds feel like fluffy powdery snow
Roll, roll, roll and get down low
Always remember your long belly rubs and your baths in the big warm tub
Run for the ball and your favourite ringette
Know that mom and dad will not ever forget
I hope asiago flavoured flowers grow wild around you
Let the sun shine bright and warm you if you are blue
May you swim in the cool clear lakes
Don't forget to roll in the sand before you do your wild shakes
Be kind to Dalton, Barley, Gina, Gabe, Black Dog and G
For those are your friends and family
When you dream of us down below,
Try not to howl and put on a show
We'll take care of your baby brother Chase
And will make sure he is surrounded by pictures of your handsome face
We will miss your big heart and pendulous ears that we love so much
The only thing missing will be our touch
You have been loyal, faithful, trusting and true
I am not sure how we will get over missing you
Be brave, be strong,
Be the Jessy Lewis we have loved for so long
Take this note with you to doggy heaven
Hold it tight to your heart on your fav radiant heat floors
Remember Mom, Dad and Chase before you drift off into your long deep snores
May your heart be forever filled with our love
We know you will look down on us from heaven above

Nightie night little angel....nightie night


Jessy really wanted to be around for you while you grew up. I know it....but he was sick honey and he is in a much happier and healthier place. Not a second has gone by where I haven't thought of him....I know I will always think of him and will forever cherish him and the wonderful memories he gave me. Yesterday I help you up to the big canvas we have of him hanging in the laundry room. You smiled and reached up and touched him. I know you will remember him. I just hope you don't remember all of moms tears. When you grow up we will have all sorts of wonderful stories to tell you about Jess and all of his adventures. He was anything but boring!

Now about you....you said your first word (if we can call it that) on June 2. It was "boo boo". Since then you have been making all sort so funny shapes with your lips and tongue. You make sounds like "goooo" or "hhhhiiiiiii" and you yell out with crazy screams for attention and then you crack right up. You hold out your arms when you want to be picked up and you love your snuggles and playing peek-a-boo in the mirror. You get a real kick out of yourself. You weight 17.5 lbs now too! You have been referred to as "pork chop", "chunky monkey", "sausage" and "buddha". You have massive cheeks right now which are SO adorable and a little belly that mom can't get enough of.

And by the way...you are still a fabulous little sleeper. Sometimes after 13 hours of nightime sleep you wake for 2 hours and then sleep for another 3! Mom misses you! You must be growing and getting big and strong.

When you get up for your nap we are making our first trip to the pool! More details in the next post.

I love you!

Mommy

Squeals and Giggles!

Hi Baby Chase,

You are now 16.5 lbs and still the happiest little guy! Lately you are so vocal. You squeak and giggle and let out these high pitched funny noises that make mom and dad laugh so hard. Lately you love it when I take you on the bed, lay you on your side and I lay beside you and I grab you and tickle you and say "I'm gonna kiss, kiss, kiss you.....I am gonna tickle, tickle, tickle you...." and you look right in my eyes and laugh so hard you snort! That time is so special to me. You look right into my eyes and I fall even more madly in love with you! You JUST started laughing in the past 2 weeks. You crack right up when I sing your massage song to "I got a leg, leg, a little leg, I got some toes, some toes, ten little toes...I got a belly, a belly a big round belly...I got two arms two arms, two chubby arms...." YOU LOVE IT! Babcia watched the other day and she called your Dad and Dzia Dzia down to watch because she thought it was hilarious.

Yesterday you had your first MAJOR explosive "up-the-back" poop and it didn't bother mom one stinkin' (har har har) bit!

You are now big enough to face outwards in the Baby Bjorne carrier and you look at everything while you giggle and drool all over the place. We walk to the mailbox every afternoon with your big brother Jessy. It has been a really chilly spring and we are waiting for the nice warm Okanagan sunshine to arrive.

You are a super duper sleeper. We rarely even hear a peep out of you at night. Just lots of heavy breathing. It warms my heart when I know you are sleeping soundly and dreaming away. I hope you are dreaming about all the wonderful things you are going to experience in your future....cuddles with Jessy, family vacations, birthday cake, Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, visiting baby elephants, swimming in cool lakes, splashing in the tub, flinging food at mom and dad, snuggles from Babcia and Dzia Dzia and Grandma Gingerpa, Pops and Poppy, picnics in the park, carving Halloween pumpkins...the list goes on forever. We have big plans for you CJ! But right now I don't want you to grow up and I never want this year I am off with you to end.

You are the most special, most wonderful little angel.

Until my next post....

Love you always and forever,

Mom
xo

PS- the pic attached is you showing off your new shirt from Aunt Kelly! She spoils you. Look at you!!!!

Long Sleeps & First Shoes!

Hi Chase,

Mom has been excited to write this post. On April 19th it was your official FIRST FULL NIGHT of sleep. You slept for a whopping 10.5 hours! Mom and Dad were so proud. Since then you have continued to sleep anywhere from 10.5-12.5 hours a night. Your naps have been amazing too! You are an official pro baby sleeper and Mom and Dad are officially no longer sleep deprived. Thank you sweetie.

We have been busy at home doing what we do.....playing, sleeping and eating. While you sleep Mom usually organizes cupboards or works on the computer. Oh, and ofcourse I do a little online shopping here and there. In fact, on Sun I bought you some cute Old Navy clothes for this summer.You are getting so big! We have to weigh you but you MUST weigh in at about 15.5 lbs by now. I will get Daddy on the scale with you.

You are smiling and giggling away like crazy. You love shouting out for Mommy if I am out of your sight for a minute or two. You love your tummy time and are determined each time....you kick, grunt, groan and then you smile away! Yesterday you did your biggest "scootches yet"...you were lifting your bum and then scooting your knees in. We were so proud! You also love playing on your exercise mat. There is a little lion that dangles down and you grab it's tale and it plays a tune. You are really getting the hang of it and Mom always smiles when she hears the tune play. The weather is still not warm and typical for May in the Okanagan so when when I go to play with Jessy out front , I put you in your Bjorne Babysitter bouncy chair, wrap you in a blanket and put you on the front porch to watch us. You just smile and make giggle noises.

Every afternoon we walk to the mailbox with Jessy. You love the fresh air but hate the sun in your eyes! Your hood covers your eyes and that makes you a happy little guy.

I have taught you a little thing for exercise time....I say "exercise, exercise, 1,2,3" and I move your legs up and down and I also do it with your arms and you think it is the BEST thing ever. Guaranteed to get HUGE toothless grins!

Yesterday you wore your very 1st pair of shoes! They were the little navy Converse Mom and Dad bought and used in our pregnancy announcement email. They are too big for you but you still wore them and they looked adorable. The picture above is what we had you sporting yesterday. I hope you get a kick out of it. We think it is the coolest outfit. Your Dad captioned the picture as "Bad Ass" on Facebook. You are the most handsome, most adorable baby EVER! Man, I am so in love with you.

Thanks for being so wonderful baby Chase. Mom is so lucky to have Dad, you and Jessy. You all light up my life every single day!

xo

Brian John Reilly- Your Daddy!

Hi Chase,
This blog post isn't to tell you how I met your Dad and how we fell in love....we will tell you that one in person as it is just the BEST story and has to be told in person! This post is to tell you a little bit about your Daddy, what he is like, how he feels about you and what he is up to the days leading up to your arriving and now.

First of all, by the time you are able to read this, you will know that your Daddy is kind, loving, patient, gentle and hilariously funny! He is always making funny faces at you and they make you smile! Dad was 43 years old when you were born (and turned 44 Jan 15th- don't forget your dad's birthday!). You have the same eyes as Daddy- big, bright blue, and they sparkle from a mile away! Mommy loves Daddy's eyes- they are "happy" eyes. Dad did anything and everything for you right from when Mom was pregnant. I came home to a stroller for you....a car seat was in my car one day when I got in after my work day, he went out and bought your fabulous glider chair which Mom adored and surprised me with it one night.... When you were first born our blanket swaddle wasn't working Dad right away said "I am going to Kelowna" to get the right one....he made a few trips into Kelowna to get you what you needed for your comfort and sleep. Dad never complains, he never yells (well, rarely.....), he is always prepared to give his heart and soul to you, me or Jessy. He truly is the most wonderful man in the world and you are lucky to have him as your Dad and I am so lucky he is my husband! We make a great family!

I read a book to you for nap time and one of the pages is called "My Food" and on it it lists various first words for you to learn. Mom always smiles when she gets to the picture of the sliced cucumber and she says "cucumber. Your Daddy LOVES cucumbers" - it makes me smile. I wish there was an image of wine gums! Dad LOVES wine gums too (especially the red and black ones).


Ok...your Dad is VERY talented too! He is a great businessman and was involved in restaurants for many years (again, I will let him tell you all about that) and since moving to the Okanagan, where we live now, Dad has been working at Tower Ranch Golf Club. He is the General Manager. This is his 4th year working there and he works SO SO hard and has not had it easy there. It is a new business and with the recent economical issues business is tight which means Dad has to run a very lean business. He works countless hours (gets up at 4:30 and sneaks off quietly...sometimes he goes in late to spend time with you when you get up! And sometimes does not get home until 7,8 pm....), carries on too much stress and treats the business like his own. They are so lucky to have him. He has paid staff out of his own pocket when money hasn't been there from the business, he has fought to not have people laid off because they have families....the list goes on and on and on. Dad does not like his job there but everyday he continues to work his butt off and build his photography business at the same time. This means any free time that Dad has after spending time you and me, he dedicates to shooting weddings, family portraits, learning via web tutorials, taking workshops, reading and practicing. The goal is for him to pursue his passion and be a full time photographer. Mom wants this so badly for him as well and when he goes full time- look out! He is AMAZING! Right now because I am off work taking care of you and since we are establishing a plan for our family, Dad is still working at the golf course until we have a clear direction of next steps. It will all be very exciting once changes start taking place.

I should also mention Dad works out everyday! He loves a good cardio workout and pumps some iron to stay strong. Mom loves that Dad stays in such good shape! There is so, so, so much to tell you about Dad...I could go on and on.

By now there will have been hundreds of thousands of photos taken of you and prepare for more. Dad loves you so much and it makes Mom so happy and proud to see the two of you together cuddling. Dad is so helpful and so good with you. He treats you like a little King and is so gentle, so tender and careful with you. So precious.....Mom will forever cherish these memories.


The picture above is from April 23 when you were having some time with Dad while the hockey game was on.

I love my boys.

xo

PS- Fact: Dad has a tattoo on his wrist that is in Japanese and means "Protect Chase". How amazing is that! I always call Dad "our protector".

Rudy The Rabbit

Your floppy eared rabbit friend now has a name "Rudy". He is on his way to becoming your little cuddly soothing stuffy to help you feel safe and loved at all times when mom and dad are in the other room.

Since you were born Mom and Dad have worked very hard on creating a routine for you and setting up good sleep habits. A local sleep consultant Pam Nease www.sleepsense.net/kelowna has worked with us since you were 3 weeks old. Basically the whole philosophy is to help you be a good independent sleeper and to not have to rely on anything (i.e. soother, back rubs, rocking, swing, walking) for you to be able to sleep. This means you being able to fall asleep on your own and put yourself back to sleep when you still need to catch more zzzzzzz's. Last night was the first night of official "sleep training" since you are now 15 weeks old and weigh 14 lbs! You were ready to break some habits and to start letting mom get some sleep. In short, when you woke in the night Dad would go in, sit next to you, and talk gently to reassure he was there for you and make lots of eye contact with you while you cried. Firstly you slept for your most recent 6 hours right off the bat (which was fabulous since you were in your sleep sac and no swaddle) then at 1:30 you started to talk a bit..then you started to cry looking for Mom and your bottle. Dad waited out your crying which was on and off for 45 minutes..This happened twice and you woke up at 5:35 cooed and played by yourself then mom got you up at 6 with a nice rewarding 7 oz bottle. You were as happy as ever and gave Mom massive toothless smiles when you saw her. This warmed my heart. Mom was very nervous and very sad to have you do this big boy sleep training. I checked on you a couple times but I also got some sleep thanks to Ativan and earplugs. AS Pam likes to say- we need to "honor our sleep and our babies sleep". This makes perfect sense. Sleep helps us grow mentally and physically. It prepares our bodies for challenges and helps us recover. Your dad and I didn't want to go through months and/or years of sleeping in separate rooms...mom being a zombie and miserable. Since we had set the foundation for good sleep from the start, this is going to be a smooth transition...it already has been. Mom and Dad felt that we knew too many parents who don't get any sleep, whose children don't sleep well and both are often grumpy. We didn't want to be like that and our lives are much to active to be sleepy and in bad moods.

You sat in your Bumbo chair from Aunt Kerry last night for the first time and you weren't sure at first but quickly started talking away and smiling. You look so adorable in it! Dad said you look grown up! I said NO NO NO!

It is chilly out Chase. We have had a long cold winter. Mom set up an outdoor workout area on our lower patio. The plan is for mom to get her workouts in while you nap. You are too old and getting too big to be lugged to the gym everyday. Mama needs to get back in shape to her pre-pregnancy bod!

I cannot wait for the nice warm weather and to take you around the resort in the stroller and to the pool!

I love you Baby Chase.

mom
xo

PS- Daddy took these shots yesterday. Your expressions crack us right up! Also, this was the last day of wearing your skull and crossbone sleeper. You are too long for it!

Daddy's Home!

Another busy week for us little guy.... Dad came back from shooting the wedding in Mexico, your Grandma and Grandpa K arrived back from 3 months in Mexico, and your Pops and Poppy and Aunt Ella from Australia arrived as well! You have been a star my little angel. You love being passed around and haven't play "strange" at all. You smile, giggle and make all sorts of talking noises. You certainly have lots to say!

You have been so much more vocal with Mommy too. When I sing to you, you smile and make all sorts of loud noises back. When I walk away you talk until I return like you are saying "Mommy, get back here! I have so much to say to you!".

Your crib naps have gotten so much better but your nighttime sleep has not progressed as well. You did sleep for almost 5 hours last night which was fabulous. Can you do that every night for me? Mom is now on her next mission- to feed you every 3 1/2 - 4 hours rather than every 3 or less. I think I got some bad advice and it has turned you into a bit if a "snacker". When I have been feeding you, you only take a few ounces at a time when you need to take 6 ounces 5X a day. Because you are eating too frequently, I think you aren't hungry enough when the next feed is offered. So I am keeping you up a little longer between naps and feeding you less often and more during those feed. Mom sure had no idea there would be one challenge after another!

You Aunt Ella adores you and is so proud. When she refers to you, she says "our Baby Chase"...too cute. You like watching her and her long hair. She watched mom give you a bath the other night and you couldn't take your eyes off her. Your Pops is very loud and has scared you a couple times with is roaring laugh but you just jump a bit and then usually smile. And Poppy keeps calling you "the most gorgeous little baby"...I have to say that I agree!

The weather is getting warmer and pretty soon we will be able to venture out for longer stroller walks since you will be staying up a little longer than usual. Your big brother Jessy loves walking right beside the stroller. He loves you very much even though it has been a bit of adjustment with him no longer being the baby.

Gotta run...I hear you stirring..I hope you go back to sleep. You need you zzzzzzz's little man.

Love you always and forever,
Mommy

PS- Mom took this pic today when you were wearing your little rabbit onesie. You look so adorable in it next to your favourite floppy eared bunny friend!

ABCD...EFG....HIJK....

This past week has been a busy one. Daddy went to Mexico to shoot a wedding so it was just you, me and Jessy!

Jessy turned 9 years old on Saturday. We had him out for alot of frisbee time and gave him some BBQ chicken. He got a brand new bed which he thinks is very "Ralph Lauren" and Dad got him a new red collar.

Lately when you have fallen asleep in the car and mom doesn't want to wake you when we arrive home, mom turns off the car in the garage, reclines her seat and snoozes with you. It is lovely! I just don't like waking you up when you need your sleep. It is important for your development (or at least that is what all these books and websites keep telling me). I am officially obsessed with your sleep habits! Mommy has to remind herself to let it go sometimes and let it be what it will be....

You LOVE it when I sing the alphabet to you. You smile away and make all sorts of crazy cute noises. Mom is ALWAYS singing to you. half the time I don't know the words (but I DO know the alphabet), and I make songs up and you simply smile away. Love it!

Today you had your first 2 hour crib nap! I wrote earlier about your 45 minute ones that you have struggled with. Well, mom used the "wake to sleep" method and woke you up ever so slightly at 30 mins to break the cycle and VOILA- you slept on and Mom had some free time. I love researching on the internet and in my books. I told you- SLEEP OBSESSED! Your sleep..not mine.

Huggies or Pampers? Incase you are wondering, we are using both right now and testing which ones we like best. I have had leaks with both but am leaning more towards the nice fit of the Huggies on you. We will see. But I do LOVE the baby powder scent of the Pampers. Mom double diapers you at night to ensure NO leaks. It is worth the extra $0.30 as daddy says!

This week you will meet your Pops Reilly and Poppy (?what is the Grandma name that goes with Pops?!) Reilly and little Aunt Ella. They are coming all the way from Australia just to meet you! We are ALL very excited to have them here. You are just going to adore them. They bought you all sorts of wonderful gifts before you were born and you know that red stickered suitcase? That is from Ella and is very special.

Btw, you are still waking up 2-3 times per night.....you should not be waking after only 3 hours of sleep you little stinker. Sleep Chase, sleep.....

Do you know how much I love you baby Chase? Words possibly cannot tell you.....

Mom

PS- Mom took this picture with her iphone. You started holding onto toys just this past week! Look at how cute you are!!!

Pedro Goosoffalus

This past week has been interesting to say the least. First I should let you know that you have a new nickname "Pedro Goosoffalus". I am not sure how it came about but Mom started calling you this and now dad does and it cracks us right up. We promise we will call you Chase again soon. You just SO suit "Pedro Goosoffalus".

Recently your new thing is short naps---the 45 minute intruder as the sleep books like to call it. Basically you go to nap in your crib and do such a fabulous job of getting yourself to sleep BUT look out, as soon as your sleep cycle is coming to an end, you are having a hard time transitioning to the next one and you wake at 45 minutes on the nose! So in order to extend your nap we do the "Shhhh pat" which basically is 20 minutes of "sssshhhhhhh-ing" and rubbing your belly to extend your sleep. All while bent over your crib. Lets just say BACK BREAKER!!!! Oh Pedro, if only you could understand what Mom and Dad are doing for you!

You have your longest cosiest sleeps in your car seat. Quite often you can be found sleeping in a powder room or even in our storage room by Daddy's office so he can watch you while you drift off into la-la sleep land in your Chicco car seat with the fleecy liner insert.

Yesterday you ate 36 ounces of formula. Um, let's just say, that cannot happen all the time. You are an eating machine Pedro!

You are habitually waking every 3-3.5 hours at night and we have to stop that because you cannot possibly be hungry. Something has gone wrong and you have created a little nasty habit....sleep for a short stint, wake up crying, wait for mom with a warm bottle, chow down and back to sleep...no matter how much I tank you up during the day you are still waking. Oh Pedro!

Daddy leaves for mexico to shoot a wedding on Weds. You, me and Jessy are flying solo for 8 days. I am praying to the sleep gods that you all of a sudden turn a big baby corner and start snoozing for longer stretches. That would make mom happy.

Mom is a bit of a perfectionist/control freak so....when things don't go according to plan, it throws mom for a loop. Mom is officially sleep obsessed! I just want you to get the proper sleep so you can develop and rest easy and I can too knowing you are sound asleep sawing logs and happy happy happy!

I hear you snoring away on the baby monitor right now and it warms my heart. It takes EVERYTHING I have to not go in there and stare at you or wake you up just so I can see your toothless smile! You always smile when you wake up and see mom or dad. You are such a happy guy!

Spring is here baby Chase---the stroller will be in action really soon and the sunshine will cheer mom up. I love you more than I can possibly say, but I have to tell you that you gave mom the baby blues.....Nothing a beer or wine can't fix though.


Mom took this pic of you last week. This was right after you woke early from a nap. I adore your smiles! heck, I adore everything about you!

My Little Houdini

This past week has been a busy one and you have been such a cutie-pie! You are 11 weeks old and full of smiles! You love being sung to and smile away when mom sings or makes a heart shape on your face (Auntie Kerry taught us that). Your favourite songs are "Skinamarrink" (sung at bath time and throughout the day) and "A You're Adorable" (sung before each nap and bedtime).

You absolutely adore a nice hot bath. Just this past week you have been a kicking machine! You love taking your little legs and pushing yourself back off the edge. You are very strong. It won't be much longer until you are too big for your little baby tub. You have a bath every night just before bed and as soon as you here the water running your eyes light up and I get a big toothless grin. Melts mom's heart.

After each bath you get a delightful little massage with Burt's Bees lotion. You smile and coo away as mom sings and massages your little legs, arms tummy and toes. You love your feet being rubbed and you spread your teeny tiny toes when mom massages them and kisses them. They are too yummy! I simply cannot stand it!

You are an early riser except this past week you keep pushing the envelope to get up sooner. I think you just want to start exploring what is going on around you right away. Except, mom is encouraging you to sleep until at least 6 am! No 5 am starts please! Mom is a morning person but 5 am is TOO early little man!

There is no doubt there is a little narcissism in you...you LOVE staring at yourself in the mirror. You are mesmerized by your sheer adorableness! Oh and you weigh about 11 lbs right now.

Daylight savings happened therefore the evenings are brighter. So when mom went to put you to sleep at 7 pm you wanted no part of it. You have been sleeping in a bassinet in mom and dads room and we planned on having you in there at least another month but (sniff sniff) we had to move you to your big boy crib last week because it is dark with the blackout blinds and curtains. I was a little nervous about a) you being downstairs (our room is upstairs) and b) because I did not know how you would adapt to being in a crib. You transitioned like a trooper and bedtimes have been a breeze.

We had to put you back into your swaddle because your arms were waking you up all the time and you were not napping or sleeping well in your sleep sac. So back in the swaddle you went and you were very happy and content being back in there except the past couple night and afternoons for naps you have been fighting it a bit. You want your hands in your mouth SO badly. I would much rather you suck your thumb than the soother but you haven't quite got the hang of it but you are trying so hard! I am going to try and keep you in your swaddle for a couple more weeks to let you develop a bit more so you are ready to be "arm free". Last night after a whopping 5 hours of sleep, I awoke to you grunting and groaning in your crib and sucking your hands. You had scootched them up and out from the tight sides if your swaddle and had your head buried under the flap. You hd shimmied down inside the swaddle...my little swaddle houdini....


Your favourite place to nap is the car seat. You are guaranteed to sleep for at least 2 hours in there. Why won't you do that in your crib each time? I think you just love the warm confinement and comfy cozy fleece bundle bag we have in it.

Speaking of the car seat....I should go wake you up now. We go to the gym every morning and it helps keep mom sane and is helping mom get back into shape. Before you mom was in rocking good shape...now, there is some extra "cush" that needs to go bye-bye!

Going to get you now sleepy head!


(The pic you see is one I took of you last week when you were being a ham!)

Your first breath and many more since....

Well you have been in this great big world for 2 months and 10 days Chase Joseph Reilly! This intro is much later than I wanted it to be and I missed a bunch of stuff..but here is a quick update to date for you to enjoy when you are older and we can crack up with you thinking about this special and crazy time!

Mom and Dad have been super busy with you since day 1. We had a bit of a rocky start...you were a sucky baby who loved to cry and scream after being home for a couple weeks. We had no idea what to do. You would take hours to get down for naps and to go to sleep. You would kick, grunt, scream, cry and yell! Mom cried right along with you. Dad stayed cool, calm and collected. But that phase is now history! In the past 3 weeks you have been a dreamy baby Chase! You are content, happy and have settled in to the world outside of Mommy's belly. The past 2 weeks you are the master of going down for naps and bedtime. You lay in your bassinet and coo, giggle and sigh and you put yourself to sleep when you are ready. Mom loves to hear you in there happy as a clam and then she loves peeking in and watching you sleep peacefully.....

A couple of memories for you...

Nicknames: "Milk Tiger" because you LOVE rowring onto Moms nipple for chow., "Formula Werewolf" because you make growling noises when drinking out of your bottle.

You outgrew your "coming home" outfit (the blue chunky fuzzy bear suit) March 1, 2011 and you also outgrew your GAP celadon blue sleeper with the grey polar bears on it. Mom has packed them away for you.

First smiles at Dad: Feb 15, 2011

First smelly farts- Feb 16, 2011

First immunizations: March 1, 2011

March 9- you transitioned from your swaddle to a big boy sleep sac. (actually..I take that back..we tried this and you weren't ready. Your moro reflex kept startling you awake. You went back in the swaddle until 15 weeks )

I chose the image in this post because when I heard your first cry, I experienced a love that I never knew I could. A love that I could never have been prepared for. And each day my heart has more and more room for more love for you. Each day I think "I cannot possibly love you more"...but I always manage too.

I love you my baby Chase. More updates soon....