More from The Lion King

I can admit now that I didn't stop crying after the opening scenes of The Lion King.  When Henry got into my lap, he felt incredibly lanky and a little awkward at first.  He's so big now.  And for about 7 months, he couldn't sit in my lap.  Add to it that he grew a couple of inches while we were in the hospital, and I just lost it for a few minutes.

Thankfully, the big screen held Henry's attention and eventually got mine.

Thankfully, too, we were sitting near the back, so only a few rows of people thought I was nuts.

Circle of Life

Henry I went to see The Lion King this afternoon.  At the first strains of "The Circle of Life," I was tearing up.  By the time Rafiki shook his stick over Baby Simba who playfully batted it while looking up with innocent bewilderment, I was full on shoulder shaking sobbing.  I was able to put a lid on it before H noticed, but here's a helpful hint for other mothers:

Don't leave your baby son for the first time to see a movie that features an adorable newborn lion cub who is destined to walk a difficult path to find his place in the great circle of life.

I did thoroughly enjoy myself, though, and so did Henry.  The best part?  He watched the majority of the film while sitting in my lap.  At one point, he took my hand and whispered, "I love you, Mama."

And speaking of circles, look who happened to meet us in the hall...

Ahhhhhh... inner peace.

And speaking of inner peace, here's why I could leave my baby with Daddy.  Bottles are a fledgling success!

You like how I came full circle with this post?

Firsts

Elgin's first Furman tailgate:

Henry's first football kicking lesson:

Elgin's first trip to see Grandjane's house:

First nap in this particular recliner:

EW's first staring competition:

Winner!

One Month

Who?  What?  Me?  One month?  No way!!!!

Let the pictures begin...

Day One in Review

It's hard to believe that we were spending our first day with Elgin just one month ago today.

Freshly born...

Grabbing Daddy's finger:

First bath:

Sweet boy:

First to glimpse Elgin, big brother Henry and his Spiderman shoes:

Grandjoe

Our Newly Revised Family

Big Brother Time!

Aunt Elizabeth cutting class to hold her newest nephew:

Grandjane after work:

Love everywhere!

Henry trying to lift Mama to the ceiling: 

Daddy Snuggle Time:

Elgin with his football gift from Mama and Daddy:

Elgin's first and continued preferred sleeping spot:

We are so happy to be celebrating one month with this sweet, healthy boy.  Life with EW is good.

My Very Awesome 4 Week Old Baby

Whenever Henry really likes something, usually one of his own tricks, he describes it as "very awesome."  He has yet to call Elgin very awesome, but I am going for it.

Last night, I was going to prepare a bottle for Cory to give Elgin at his four week mark, but bottles pretty much confuse me, and I quickly gave the boob when EW made it clear he needed his last evening feeding.  He went to sleep a few minutes after eating, but only for a few minutes.  Cory consoled him and tried to put him back down.  He was lying contented in the co-sleeper for a few more minutes until he made some dissatisfied grunting noises, so I just had to pick him up to snuggle him to sleep.

Now, a neglected bottle and a slightly troublesome lying down for sleep might sound like the start to a bad night.

But it was a wonderful night.  He slept from about 9:00 PM to 1:45 AM.  Then, after eating, he slept from about 2:30 AM to 5:50 AM.  Maybe he was telling me that he read my mind, and that he wasn't too keen on the bottle anyway.  "See how content I am, Mama?"

I love this very awesome boy.

Still, we will try the bottle sometime soon.  I know from experience that a baby who turns his cute little nose up at a bottle is a major stressor for a working Mama.

Couple of Milestones?

I know it's too early to deem it a social smile, but last week, I began to sing "You are My Sunshine" to Elgin while cradling him,  and he broke out with the biggest grin yet--the kind that takes over your face and even most of your body.  Or was that me whose whole body smiled back?

He also started saying the ever popular "a gooooooo" last week.  I love it.  Love it.  Today, he started saying "cooooooooooo."  They are the sweetest sounds.

Today was the first day that I couldn't instantly soothe my baby. Swaddling was a requirement.  I'm thinking he had a sour stomach or some gas since he also spit up on four occasions.  I cannot remember what I ate yesterday in order to try to cut it out.  Wait.  Now I remember.  No more hotdogs from Lowes.

I also put Elgin down while he was sleepy but awake and played this guaranteed-to-get-your-baby-to-sleep CD that Grandjoe gave us a while back.  He went to sleep easily, but I found myself extremely disappointed.  Doesn't he still need me to smell his head and pat his bottom while he snuggles on my chest?  I snuggled him to sleep the next two times, and he's sleeping soundly now.  I think I'll just nurse him to sleep tonight after he wakes.  It doesn't last long enough, and this time I know it to be true.

Bagels, bread, and more!

I seriously doubt that Clay checks this blog, nonetheless... Thanks, Clay and Clay's mom!

Thanks, Sarah, for the cream cheese that's keeping the easy access breakfast going for probably another week.  Breakfast hasn't been an issue in this house since Kayce bestowed half of a Panera store's pastries on our home.  Henry continues to be a huge bagel fan and only sticky buns remain of the most sinful of the collection.  Once I polish off those delicacies, I might start trying to lose the baby weight.

Boots Weather

Two friends came to visit this morning.  They don't know one another, but they quickly bonded over their awesome boots and the chance to don them on this crisp morning.  The temperature climbed to a mere 64 degrees today.

Elgin, inspired by my girlfriends and the smell of fall in the air, decided to try on his new boots.

Thanks, Auntie Laura!

Know Your Role

Big Bro and Lil Bro