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....

1 More Week

Dear Little Fonz,

Mom thought she should write a post since it has been waaaaaay too long and you are almost here. Mom has been slacking off on the blogging. Sorry buddy- we have been busy getting everything ready for you to come into the world. Your nursery is perfect- we hope love it as much as we do. Your hospital bag is packed, your little onesies are all washed (Dad cracks up at how tiny everything is), cupboards are all filled with your things and your big brother Jessy keeps asking when you are arriving.

Mom finished work Dec 15 and is so happy to be off. The days were getting long and mom was super sore from sitting and working. You have made moms belly (and body) VERY large and I have been quite uncomfortable these past 2 weeks- sore hips, bad cramps, tight ribs and a big itchy belly! We have had a couple false alarms lately that have taken me to the hospital thinking you ma be on your way. Contractions are frequent and things are changing each day...Mom and dad and the Docs don't think you are going to make it until Dec 29th - which is your scheduled date to arrive. We will see.

You love moving your feet around- I feel them over on my right side. Your little bum is adorable too--it is so cute when you wiggle around. You get the hiccups every couple days and it makes mom giggle. You are one busy guy. Hopefully you have been enjoying your time in mom and are ready for this great big world. I know it is ready for you!

Christmas is only 4 days away and it certainly does not feel like Christmas because all Mom and Dad have thought about is you! I cannot stop thinking that you will be here SO soon and next year, this time, we will be having our first family Christmas with a big tree and the whole family!

I better get going because mom has not fed your big bro breakfast yet and it is 10:30. Whoops!


I cannot wait to meet you! I love you to pieces already so I am not sure how I can love you more...love is a wonderful thing.

Btw, this picture was taken at 36 weeks. That is you in there!

Mom & Dad's 1st Year Wedding Anniversary!

Hi Little Baby,
Yesterday it was our 1st wedding anniversary! That is us in the picture and ofcourse Dad is rubbing you in my belly! He loves touching moms belly and saying "hi" to you! Dad and I had a fabulous day. Mom had a bit of a head cold and headache but we managed to get out to Armstrong and bought some yummy cheeses and looked at cool antiques. We napped later in the day and then went to Gray Monk Estate Winery for dinner. Your dad looked very handsome and was a perfect gentleman- as always. I should also let you know that dad bought mom the coolest diaper bag for when you arrive. It has all sorts of compartments gadgets and insulated pockets so mommy can stay organized with you. It was very thoughtful of dad and mom cannot wait until it is full of all of your necessities. Dad also gave mom a beautiful wedding album of our wedding day. I will show it to you one day when you are old enough and you can see how cute and in love mom and dad were..and still are and forever will be.

Enough about the Anniversary....I have BIG news! Tomorrow- August 23, 2010 at 1 pm we get to find out if you are a girl or a boy! Dad and I will get to see you on a big screen. Be sure to wave because we will be watching! Tomorrow is going to be such an exciting day- I can hardly wait!

Mom has been feeling great except for the occasional headache and she is feeling a little down that he body is changing so drastically but I know it is all worth it and things will go back the way they were. It is hard to look hip when your clothes don't fit little one. A few of mom's latest things that she craves:

1. Cherries
2. Cobs Raisin/Apricot buns
3. Those dreamy PB, Banana and choc protein shakes- DAILY
4. Lucerne Cherry Yogurt
5. Lemonade and more lemonade!

I will let you know what happens after tomorrows ultrasound!

xo

PS- I think I have felt what is supposed to be your little kicks in my belly. It is so hard to tell but I do feel little bubbly flutters every now and then...I think that is you!

Oh, and last week at the Midwives, I heard your heart go thump thump thump again....147 beats per minute. You have always been over 145 BPM--- I adore hearing you living life inside me.

Cravings, feelings and Workouts

Hi Little Baby,

I wanted to fill you in on what your mommy has been craving with you in her belly.

1. Lemonade

2. Milk chocolate

3. Chocolate banana protein shakes

4. Balsamic Dressing

5. Cherries

My emotions have been pretty consistent (I think)..... and my sleeps have been fabulous since you have come on board. I have been eating healthy besides the odd raison bun, Lindt ball and DQ Blizzard...:-) You need treats too!

Your dad has been fabulous. He spoils me with flowers, baby magazine, kisses and love. We always talk to you and say good morning and good night to you. We know you can hear us! Even Jessy gives you a little smooch now and again.

My pants are very snug and most do not do up! You are growing so quickly. I now have extenders for my pants and even ordered a pair of sassy skinny jeans with a nice big belly panel. It is hard being fashionable when I am getting larger and larger.

We still work out every day. I hope it doesn't get too chaotic in there for you. I have lessened my workout intensity as I get out of breath very easily now. But I still lift lots of weights to keep me strong to take care of you and I make sure I get a good sweaty cardio session in daily too! I keep doing ab exercises however my abs have been long gone for a while now. I am hoping they pop back when you pop out!

On August 23, 2010, your dad and I are going for an ultrasound to see if you are a little baby girl or a baby boy. I personally have a feeling you are a girl :-)

Today is is a holiday and your dad is shooting a wedding. It is super hot out and I bet you he is sweating like mad. I kind of feel guilty because we are all comfy in our air conditioned home. I cannot wait to see what amazing images he captures this time! You are going to love your dads pictures- they are so very beautiful!

Bye for now.....

Love Mommy

Catching up...

Dear Baby,

I feel it is imperative I let you know why the name of this blog is "lemonadebelly". Ever since I knew you were growing in my tummy I craved lemonade! Lots and lots of it! So much I wouldn't even let your dad have sips- I wanted it all to myself! And the "belly" part of the blog name represents the growing belly I have had. Everyday I rub you now and again just to let you know that I am thinking of you all bundled up inside me. Your dad, Jessy (your big brother Golden Retriever) and I cannot wait to meet you!