exciting weekend and reflections

This weekend we are having Andrew baptized. I am looking forward to it so much. My brother is coming into town on Friday and he will perform the ceremony. We have immediate family coming and some extended family. My cousin Nellie and her husband Craig are going to be his Godparents. It is going to be such a special weekend. Andrew will be 7 months old. He is such a sweet baby boy. He loves his momma...and I find it adorable. I love my answered prayer and am so thankful that he will have a special welcome into the Catholic church. I really didn't want to wait 7 months to have him baptized but am so glad I did. I feel honored that my brother will be the priest on his baptism certificate. There are so many emotions in me right now.

Andrew isn't nursing as much anymore. I am nursing him in the mornings and sometimes after his dinner. Every morning I look at him and think, is this going to be my last morning? I remember being so nervous about breastfeeding and I was very thankful for the sweet and encouraging comments from my friends to let me know it will be ok and it will come naturally. I think that is the part of breastfeeding I liked the most...it being so natural. I am not a person who cares too deeply about organic things and I don't eat extremely healthy so being able to nurse my baby for as long as I have (granted...he gets formula every day and now I am not the main source of his daily nutrients) has really helped me feel connected to the full circle of life.

At Mommy and Me on Monday we talked about the baby blues. Luckily I didn't feel the baby blues for a long period of time. I definitely had a range of emotions the first week of Andrew's life. I was terrified of being the one who had to make sure he survived the day. Typing that now makes me giggle because what would have happened, but in the same breath so much could have happened. I am more confident now and feel very in-tune with Andrew. My mom was in Hattiesburg for a week and the thought of her leaving left me in tears. The day she left was probably my worst day. But the day ended, Andrew was still alive and happy and I survived. Then it got easier. In away I could feel my hormones and emotions stabilizing during those first weeks. I still don't feel like my hormones are back to "normal" and you know what they may never be normal. I keep thinking that once my body is back to "normal" I will be ready for baby #2 and then we will start all of this over again (God willing).

On my way to pick Andrew up yesterday I was listening to Dr. Laura Berman on Oprah radio and she started off her segment talking about being a working mom versus a stay at home mom and how women judge each other on those decisions. It is no secret I want to be a stay at home mom and Owen and I are still working on that goal. It may not happen in a year like I originally dreamed or hoped but it will happen. It is also no secret that women judge each other and I wonder why that is? People in the media talk about it, articles are written about it, talk shows have shows about it...yet it still happens. I have my personal battles when it comes to the subject but I try not to judge others for their decisions. Maybe b/c I am working yet crave staying at home. Being a mom definitely adds a new layer to life and like most moms we are all trying to be the best we can be for ourselves, husbands and children.

Those are just some of the things I have been thinking about this week...my sweet baby boy, emotional roller-coasters, and being a good mom.

Andrew's 6 month pictures

We had Andrew's 6 month pictures taken on Tuesday. He was a little fussy during them b/c it was his nap time. But he pulled through and I am really happy with how they turned out. He isn't really smiling in the pictures but honestly every expression she captured is an Andrew expression.

You can see the pictures on the photographer's website at

http://www.ramonalisaphotography.com
Go to client proofs and the password is munton

Have a great weekend!

YAY! I figured out how to do a banner!!

I have been trying to figure out how to put a banner on my blog and I finally figured it out. You may see my blog change forms several times b/c now that I am learning how to personalize it more I am eager to try new designs! YAY I am so glad I figured this out.

Bath Time

Bath time is a nightly activity for us now. Andrew loves playing in the water. He grabs his toys, splashes and laughs the whole time. Night time has become such a dream in the Munton household now that we are letting Andrew "cry it out". Most of the time he goes to sleep with no fuss. Last night he cried for 20 minutes, but slept like an angel for the entire night. Having Andrew go to sleep b/ 6:30 and 7:00 has opened up a whole new world for me at night. I am not stressed about dinner, straightening up the house or getting ready for the next day because I have time to do all of that with Andrew asleep. I also have time to spend with Owen before going to sleep and starting it all over again. Hopefully this blog post doesn't jinx the good routine I have at the moment.

Andrew at Bath time!!

We love play dates

Andrew and I love play dates. :) Here are some pictures of our weekly play date with Brantley and her mom Amanda!

Girlfriends

I have wanted to write this post for a week now and can't believe it has taken me so long to write. Last Tuesday a good friend of mine, Telena from college stopped in Hattiesburg while going home from visiting her family in Columbus. We had breakfast together and I was able to meet her precious little girl who is 2 years old, visit with her mom and meet her two cousins. It was definitely a treat for me. A day like last week is the number one reason I wanted to go to the W. I am sure I would have meet lasting friends at other colleges, but I just don't think I would have made the long standing friendships that I did make at the W. Telena and I haven't talked on the phone, seen each other or email regularly for 4 years and in actuality we have seen each other maybe twice in 10 years. My numbers maybe off, but the point is having breakfast with her and her family was like we had seen each other yesterday. I love being able to pick back up with an old friend. My memory is terrible when it comes to stories, events, etc...with college, but one thing I do know is a fact...I have great friends from college. The women I met at the W are the women who taught me what a true friend is, how to be a good friend and how to be myself around other people. They also encouraged me to excel, to voice my opinions and to be involved on campus.

Thanks Telena again for stopping in Hattiesburg! It was great seeing you and I am so glad I got to meet Reese. Hopefully another 4 years won't pass us by...

Here is a picture Telena took of us.

3 Years ago...I became Mrs. Owen Munton

Today is Owen and my 3 year anniversary. It is fun to look back at how much has happened in three years. I think our lives are full of happiness and family. We became a family three years ago but having Andrew in our life I really feel like we are a family because our little unit now has a mom, dad and son. Our wedding weekend is some what of a blur to me. I felt blessed with many friends and family coming into town for our ceremony. Friends from high school, college, & graduate school came to Hattiesburg to celebrate with us. Owen and I are planners so I didn't feel the stress of things not being planned, but also since I delegated on some things I don't feel like I really noticed the small details, in particular the reception. I do know one hit of the reception was my dad's home brewed beer. It was a highlight. Owen's family hosted the rehearsal dinner and it was amazing. No detail was left unturned. His dad gave a wonderful toast. Oh and the bridesmaid luncheon was like nothing I could have dreamed of. Owen's mom, sister and sister-in-law put so much time and thought into the lunch. I really felt special and loved.

Owen and I celebrated our anniversary on Saturday. We were going to a wedding reception so since we were dressing up decided to go to dinner first. We went to the restaurant we have gone to for the past 2 years. It is now becoming our anniversary tradition. We reminisced on our first anniversary dinner...his dad bought us a bottle of wine which was a surprise and treat. Last year, I was pregnant so we didn't get wine. At that dinner we talked about the future and what we thought our life would be like with a little one in it. This year we are finding our new normal with being parents and finding the time plus energy to enjoy a night out with just us. It was odd not having Andrew with us. We still eat out quite a bit and take Andrew with us. Not having to look over at a baby carrier to make sure Andrew is happy and entertained was odd. All in all it was nice and I am very happy to be where I am in life. I have prayed for a long time to be a wife and a mother. Those prayers and dreams have come true and the real blessing is I get to live in my prayer and dreams forever now.

Enjoy a look back to memory lane...


Our Save the Date picture...picture taken in Rome. Owen asked me to marry him on this trip.


Our engagement picture


This is me trying on my wedding dress...I knew immediately this would be the dress


My bridesmaids and me at my bachelorette party


A picture of the bridesmaid luncheon table. We had this at my mother in law's house


A picture of my bridesmaid and me at the lunch.
(from left to right: Laura Beth (college friend), Claire (high school friend), Anne (Maid of Honor and cousin), Melanie (college friend), Dara (college friend), me and Abby (sister-in-law)


Owen and Me during our wedding toast


My college friends and me at the reception

We did it!

Owen and I had a breakthrough this weekend with Andrew. Last week was a rough week for me and Andrew. He didn't want to go to sleep...we he was sleepy but the moment I put him in his crib he would wake up. This was new for us b/c he used not wake up when I put him in his crib. Now that he is more aware of things or maybe he was testing me...I don't know but it has been wearing me out. Bedtime was starting to take 2 hours and that is way too long for me. I was getting frustrated and when I would pass him to Owen so I could get a break, Andrew would cry louder and harder. It was terrible. I am assuming my body had enough b/c I woke up yesterday feeling exhausted. I had a headache and just couldn't start the day. After breakfast Andrew started to get sleepy for his morning nap. I went upstairs and we rocked and sang until he feel asleep in my arms. I put him his crib and he started yelling, screaming, etc...I just did not have the energy to sit up there with him b/c I needed a nap myself. I knew Andrew was tired so I just left the room. I told Owen I couldn't stay up there with him because I was exhausted. He told me to go to our room and shut the door so I didn't hear Andrew screaming. I did just that but had to put a pillow over my head b/c I could still hear him...and then I feel asleep. I woke up an hour and a half later and went to check on Owen and Andrew. Owen said he cried for 18 minutes and then feel asleep. Andrew took a 2 hour nap :)

After lunch...I again felt terrible. I really think my body was shutting down from the past week. I took another nap after lunch so Owen and Andrew hung out by themselves. When Andrew got sleepy, Owen put him his crib and he only cried for 8 minutes. Another victory!!!

Last night we did our usually night time routine. I still rocked him, sang, and walked around with him until he feel asleep on my shoulder. This took about 30 minutes). Then I put him his crib and like clockwork he cried and screamed. I told him good night and kissed him. He cried for 14 minutes and didn't wake up until 6:30 am...I think we are onto something. Now that I know the crying does come to an end it is much "easier" to let Andrew cry it out. He needs his sleep and I am finally fostering that.

6 months, 2 doctor visits, 3 cancelations, and 2 rescheduled...

That sums up the past 10 days for me. We have had quite the start to Andrew's 6 months of life.

We had his 6 month well baby doctor's appointment on 6/3/10 - his actual 6 month birthday. At the visit we were told he is a healthy baby boy. Great news to hear.

Here he is at 6 months!




Andrew weighs: 18 lbs and 8 oz (70th percentile)
He is 27 1/4 inches long
His head circumference is 17 5/8 inches

Facts about Andrew at 6 months
* He is sitting up on his own
* He has become very clingy to mommy
* He is staying "da" and we are teaching him that "da" means daddy and that daddy is Owen. We can tell his mind is trying to comprehend that
* He likes his high chair
* His laugh is louder and funnier
* He has found his communication cry and will cry in a different way when he is tired of something or wants to try something new
* He LOVES things that make noise...especially piano toys
* We do not have a good night time routine, meaning he does not fall asleep on his own. I am failing in this department and working hard to change that
* He spins to move places and it is effective...he will cry when he doesn't move fast enough or when he feels frustrated about not being able to move
* He ate peas for the first time. His face was priceless during his first bite, but got the hang of it and enjoyed them

I know there are more highlights, but I am brain dead right now. Why, am I brain dead, b/c we have a week! When I took Andrew to the well baby visit is daycare casually mentioned to me that some of the babies had 5th disease and I should mention this to my doctor. I did mention it and was told it is a fever and nothing can be done. This was on a Thursday. Then Friday his day care called me b/c AHM had a fever. I brought him some tylenol and we all agreed it was from the shots. He acted fine on Saturday. But at 1 am on Sunday he woke up with a 101.3 fever and the rest of day he felt terrible. He was winy, sleepy, and just in general a pitiful little man. I called the on call nurse and she told me all of this had to do with his shots and if he didn't act normal on Monday to call back. Well Monday he was perfect. He was playful and no fever. He has become very clingy to me but I thought this was a phase and it still maybe. But other than being clingy, he seemed ok. On Tuesday day care called me b/c he had a fever again and he had a rash on his legs and feet. I left work to pick him up and took him to the doctor. We learned he caught the hand, foot, mouth virus (which he probably had all along). Unfortunately there is nothing you can do for this virus so he stayed home with mommy Tuesday and Wednesday. He has bounced back now, thank goodness. However b/c of all of this I have had to cancel 2 play dates and lunch with one of my best college girlfriends :( Luckily she will be coming through Hattiesburg next week so we rescheduled.

What a post! So much to write about...here are a few more pictures...


Someone started to feel better...or maybe Ralphie can make anyone forget about their troubles :)


Ralphie went to Diva Dog yesterday so he came home with a big smile and new do?

Sweet God Child of Mine

Here is a sweet picture of my Godson Luke. I got him this outfit for his birthday (yes, I know his birthday is not until July, but I wanted to give him his present when I saw him in May). You will notice that Andrew has this same outfit. Well in my world I think it is so very cute that my son and my Godson have matching outfits. Even if they live many states apart and I can't see them wearing the outfits together. Maybe if Luke visits is Grandmom again this summer he can wear his outfit and Andrew can wear his. Again, in my world...they are like brothers :) I really hope that Andrew and Luke will grow up to know each well and be best friends.

Andrew at the Beach

Hey! I wanted to put pictures next to each other so you could see what a difference 2 months make. However I really could not figure out how to do that, so I am using Smilebox.

Customize your own free picture collage

Beach Fun

We went to the beach this past weekend for the Memorial Day Holiday. We had a fun time of relaxing and enjoying Andrew. We took him swimming in the pool at the Munton's condo. He played in the sand. He ate the sand...and in my desperate "please don't eat the sand" voice, I made Andrew cry. That was the first time he got upset with me. Probably won't be the last, but it broke my heart. I scared him and didn't mean to. We then walked up and down the beach to take his mind off it. The Munton's threw me a family birthday party which consisted of my favorite meal and birthday cake. One night Owen and I went out with some friends from Hattiesburg for dinner. Sunday was a rainy day so we stayed inside most of the time inside. However there was a brief moment of sun and Andrew napping so Owen and I got lathered up in sunscreen and headed to the beach while Grandy listened for Andrew in the monitor. The people next door to the Munton's condo is rented out by 4 navy pilots. They were getting in the elevator the same time we were. The moment the door shut and we hit the ground floor button the elevator started bouncing and we weren't moving. That is right...we were stuck in the elevator!! I was stuck in the elevator with 1 man (Owen) and 6 boys (twenty something year olds) for THIRTY MINUTES!!! They definitely gave new meaning to "talking like a sailor" - HA!! :) After 30 minutes the condo repair man came and rescued us. Luckily Andrew was still sleeping so we were able to enjoy a few minutes of beach time.

Andrew is a great travel baby, but I was exhausted when we got home. Even though he travels well it is still hard not to be in your own house.

We go to the doctor tomorrow for his 6 month well baby check up. I am interested to see how much he weighs and to make sure everything is on track for a healthy Andrew. I am much more ready to start veggies, juice, and everything else that a big boy needs for nutrients. I am no longer avoiding the fact that Andrew isn't a newborn infant anymore but a baby boy growing up.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.


Me and Andrew


"Hi, I am new here"...shirt Grandy got for Andrew to wear to the annual Condo Memorial Day party


My "All American Boy"


I want to say "My Little Sailor", but after my encounters with the Navy boys...I think I will say "My little fish" :)