14: Separated

I flew to Atlanta for work on Thursday. Christian and I were separated for 3.5 days! It was almost unbearable. I sobbed the whole way to the airport. I contemplated calling my boss and telling him I was going. But I had to. I was going to a training conference and it was good for my career.
I cried every time I heard him squeaking and babbling on the phone. I teared up when I whipped out his pictures to show off to my colleagues.
I'm crying now, thinking about how much I missed him.
I'm going to Madison next week for three days. Agh! I can't wait until this traveling slows down. I wish I could just bring him with.



Christian grows more aware of his toys. He loves bright colors and anything he can grab. He smiles and laughs when he recognizes someone. He is the sweetest baby ever.


Since I was away for half the week, I only took his 3 month pictures.

3 Months Old Today!

13: Blankets and Cribs

Christian is learning how to grab. He reaches for everything. He has ripped my glasses off my face several times. He loves to grab his blanket (that is draped over his legs in his swing or car seat) and pull it to his face. It's very cute.

Christian loves to laugh and smile. He watches everyone, fascinated. He loves music and singing.

He is so big. At three months old, he is wearing 6 month pants.

Christian is now sleeping in his crib. He had been sleeping in a bassinet in our room. Saturday was his first night in his own room. He slept great. He probably didn't know what to do with all the extra room! I on the other hand woke up to every crackle on the baby monitor.

12: First Week at Daycare

This was Christian's first full week at daycare. He did very well. He likes to watch the older kids run around and play. McKenzie (16 months) has a hard time saying "Christian" or "Chris", so she fondly calls him "Puppy 'Is" (Puppy Chris). We can't figure out why she calls him that, but it I think it's adorable. She also offers Christian her pacifier and blanket whenever he is fussy. Matt (3 years) was very excited to not be the only boy anymore. He has asked Shannon (our daycare provider) several times if Christian could play trucks.
Christian is so exhausted when he comes home that I don't get much time with him before he falls asleep. I live for the weekends when I have all day with him.

(Christian with our neighbor Dee)




Richard is trying to make him a Vikings fan, but the hat doesn't fool me. I know Christian is a Packers fan

03 September 2008

Dear Squeaky,

You are at home in your little bassinet. You are safe and loved and tucked in. I am in Madison for work. I am alone in this big bed in an empty hotel room. This is our first night apart.

I am gazing at your picture, missing you terribly. You are so perfect and wonderful. You are my heart. I adore you and love you with all my being.

My favorite part of the day is waking up to your coos and wide smile. Your laugh and smile is incredibly infectious. No one is immune to your charm.

This is the first night I have not held you in my arms and rocked you to sleep. This is the first night you have not drifted off to sleep to the sound of my voice. I know you fell asleep in loving arms, in trusting arms. Whether it was Daddy or Grandma, my heart knows you were well taken care of.

I know there will be many nights in our lifetime that will be spent apart. But none will be as difficult, as painful as this night.

I miss you, Christian, my baby. I can hardly wait to see you tomorrow. Until then, I will keep your photo close and think of you often.

I love you.



Love,

Mommy

11:First Night Apart, First Night Away

At 2 months old, Christian has outgrown his 0-3 month clothing.

photo by Molly Sutton Kiefer

I went to Madison for work. This was my first night away from Christian. It was hard being away from him. I didn't realize how much I would miss rocking him to sleep. This was a chance for me to have uninterrupted sleep, something that never happens in our house even without Christian. But I slept terribly. I needed Squeaky.

Christian, Logger, and I went to Red Wing for the weekend. We had fun visiting Auntie Molly and Uncle Ryan (also Christian's Godparents). This was Christian's first night away from home. He mostly slept with me and Logger instead of his play pen. I think we all preferred it that way. Logger got to wrestle with Molly's Golden Retriever, Penny. And race around the yard with their massive lab mix, Zephyr.
Zephyr, who is 100 lbs of bowling ball muscle, was afraid of Christian. It was hilarious! He would bark and run away anytime Christian was near. Although if Christian was quiet and still, sitting on the couch with us, Zephyr felt it was safe enough to sniff him.


Also, Grandma Bonnie went home this weekend. We all miss her.

10: Grandma, Separation, & Shots

Grandma Bonnie came to stay with us for two weeks while I went back to work. She made being separate from Christian a little easier. She is also spoiling us rotten by cooking dinner each night and cleaning our house.




Christian absolutely adores Grandma. I think it's a mixture of the perfectly tuned baby talk and her gentle, loving cradle arms.

(His shirt got stuck on his head)

Christian bats at his toys, even grabbing onto some of them. He loves to look at the fan or anything moving. He also will stare intently at you when you are talking to him. He loves to listen to people talk. He is a very sweet baby.


Christian had his two week checkup. He weighs 13.5 lbs! He's in the 70% for weight. He is extremely healthy. He also received three shots and an oral immunization. This was rough. I talked to him while he screamed. I was choking back tears. It was so hard to see him in pain, but I know he needs these immunizations. I was able to calm him down quickly. And he went home with Grandma while I went to work.