Christmas

After Thanksgiving we have been trying to avoid the stomach bug that has been making its way around Christy's family - Frankie stayed with my parents for a few days to avoid these germs and we thought we had made it until this weekend. Luckily we made it THROUGH Christmas in Connecticut and the drive home. Jay and Frankie are both in bed resting as I type. Hopefully they will feel better in the next day or two for the new year.

One of Frankie's favorite things this holiday season has been the snow globe that sings songs and whips 'snow'. He is mesmerized by it - we caught this on video and it makes me so happy to see his eyes shining while he's looking at it. Then he gets excited and gives the globe some slaps.

Christmas up in Connecticut was bittersweet - Santa came to town and Frankie got lots of great toys! But this will be the last time we will be 'staying' with Jay's mom, as Barbara and Pete are moving to sunny California this week! We didn't go up to visit all of the time and hopefully we will get to visit as often as we have been, but knowing they are so far away is a little hard. Frankie loved grabbing Petey's nose and flirting with his BB - it was a fun visit. Frankie also had a great time at the annual Christmas Eve party at Jean & Andy's. Everyone said that Papi would have loved it having a baby at the party again. Christmas part II at the Smith house was just as fun - lots of toys for Frank! With the two walkers he received, he will be walking in no time. He gets a very proud look on his face pushing around these new toys.

Frankie now has 5 teeth and got his first tooth brush from Santa in his stocking. He is speed crawling and definitely prefers to stand on his own. BB witnessed his first walk - he took 6 steps on Christmas Eve! But we didn't see it. He was holding daddy's belt in one hand when he did it, so that must have helped his balance! He still loves to 'play rough' and has the most adorable laugh. He tips his head back and lets loose, it's so cute. His favorite snack is baby goldfish and I believe blueberries have taken the lead as the fruit preference lately. Jay got me a new baby food cookbook for Christmas and I am excited to make Francesco some great new meals.

We feel very blessed! Have a wonderful New Year!

8 months!

Frankie turned 8 months old on November 8th! Crazy how time flies... in the past couple months he has progressed and grown so much. His two top teeth broke through when Jay and I were in Napa and he has started eating pieces of food on his own, although sometimes he is lazy and gets frustrated so we have to put it in his mouth for him. He loves the Gerber snacks that Christy suggested we get from the grocery store - and it seems that bananas are still his favorite fruit, maybe because it was his first?
He has gotten so cuddly, crawling over and climbing in your lap if he wants to snuggle, and putting his head right down on your shoulder if he is tired. He is crawling well, pulling himself up onto the baby gates, chairs, anything he can! He also has been going straight for the things he isn't supposed to, like cords! We still need to do a little better at baby-proofing. Jay just lowered his crib the other day because it looked like he was ready to topple out, holding onto the bar and rocking. What a precious little boy we have.
As I thought, we missed him like crazy when we went to CA but we had a great trip. We are already looking forward to going back again when there is no wedding to make plans around. Jay and I have been super busy at work since returning, Jay got a promotion, and we are both doing our best to leave work at the door and make sure we have balance in our life with the family. The best part of the day is getting home and spending time with Francesco before he goes to bed. Thanksgiving will be at the Smith House and we have a lot to be thankful for this year!

Sweater weather!

This has been a busy fall so far - they all are it seems! Went to a wedding on the eastern shore, Frankie's been wearing his cute cordoroys and sweaters, taking lots of walks with Miss Christy and the kids. He is going to be a lobster for Halloween - I will post pics when they are taken! Hope he doesn't mind the huge claws lol. :) Frankie updates: two teeth on the bottom, teeth threatening on the top!, started to CRAWL this week but already wants to stand up - he keeps getting on his knees and trying to pull up on things, enjoying the space heater in his room as the weather has gotten cooler, LOVES peek-a-boo and kicks and waves his arms when he is full of energy and excited! Jay and I will be going to a wedding in Napa in a couple weeks and Ya-Ya and Poppy are going to be watching Frankster when we're gone. I am going to miss my little Frankie SO MUCH but we have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. Hopefully he isn't walking when we get back! Loving life.

Transitions

We are at the cusp of a few big transitions! Frankie has his first tooth about to pop through his bottom gums - constantly sucking on his thumb, fingers, fist, anything he can get his hands on! He has been sleeping through the night for the past week or so but his tooth has woken up him a few times in the past day or so. Hopefully after the tooth comes through he will sleep well again. He also has made great progress on his tummy! He is itching to crawl, reaching forward, pulling his knees in, lifting his arms up. Frankie seems to be getting frustrated and wants to explore! Which means it is time to put those baby gates up and find a tv stand with doors - God forbid Frankie mess with the buttons on the DVR or receiver! :) I have been having fun making Frankie fresh meals with the BabyCook machine I bought. His favorite meal so far is peas and least favorite is butternut squash. This week we will introduce green beans. He is eating like a champ though, loves his rice cereal and opens his mouth wide when he is really hungry. Thursday is his 6 month well visit - excited to see how much he has grown! And hoping that he doesn't get too sore from his shots. Jay and I are happy that the Terps are back at it, hoping this season will go better than last year, and looking forward to some great tailgating.

Frankie meets family in CT!

This weekend Jay and I went up to CT to show off Francesco to all of our relatives - we will be back in December for his first Christmas but wanted everyone to get a chance to meet him while he will still stay in one place. :) I'm sure when he starts to crawl, he will be all over the place! He has continued to roll, both from his back to his tummy and from his tummy to his back, in both directions, legs kicking as if he's swimming. He always has been practicing his pilates moves... so funny... holding his head and legs up almost as if he's doing a sit up. I keep trying to explain to him that he won't be able to sit up this way, but he keeps trying ;) Once his arms catch up to all of his leg strength I think we're in for it. We have a very active boy on our hands!

He showed all of this off during our visit and has been really enjoying his activity seat. After introducing it a few weeks ago it's been his favorite thing to do - forget that swing and play mat! He's also close to sitting up on his own, as long as his legs are in the right position and he's leaning forward. He loves trees and flowers and reaches for them, along with his favorite toys and of course his toes, yum. He has been laughing out loud and smiles more and more - I am so glad that he is such a happy baby and that we can entertain him so well. It's hard to believe Frankie is already over 5 months old...

I attached a pic from our annual trip to Emerald Isle - he did well on the beach! - and one from his activity seat at the kickball playoffs.

Busy summer!

Jay and I went for a weekend away last week, down to Charlottesville, VA - stayed at a beautiful B&B and went for two awesome winery tours. We had a wonderful time but were missing our baby on Sunday morning! Ya Ya and Grandpa, along with Courtney's help, did a great job watching Frankie and it seemed that he enjoyed himself.

Daycare is going great, Frankie adores Miss Christy and is constantly flirting with her and her daughter Dakota. We are so happy with how things are going. So far only one sick day - Frankie got pink eye out of the blue, not sure how! because no one else got it, but it cleared up fast after we got the eye drops. Jay got to play Mr. Mom the day he was home. :)

Frankie is growing like crazy! He is getting more and more coordinated every day - he grabs onto toys now and tries to hold his bottle. Lots of smiles and giggles are happening and a lot of talking. He got into a grunting match with Uncle Andy at Courtney's birthday dinner the other night! I think Frankie won. He has rolled over onto his tummy a few times - he has a hard time though because he won't take his hand out of his mouth! We think he is starting to teeth already, Jay said he feels some ridges in the front on the bottom.

This has been a busy summer so far - they always are, aren't they? We are lucky that Frankie is so chill - he loves to be around other people and be a part of the action. So far this weekend we have been to two get-togethers outside of the house, and are going to another this afternoon at the pool. He loves the water!!

3 months old this coming weekend!

Frankie is going to be 3 months this weekend! He is growing a ton, 'ooching' all over his play mat and grabbing hold of his Lambie. My mom (Ya Ya) watched him overnight this past weekend and he did pretty well - she went home and slept until noon after we got home! :) Next Monday is my first day back to work and Frankie's first day at daycare with Miss Christy... I am getting anxious but I'm sure he will do great. Here is one of my favorite pics this month!

3 more weeks at home!

As my time as a stay-at-home-mom comes to a close in the next few weeks, I am trying to savor every full day with Frankie. I'm sure I will be looking forward to weekends even more when I'm back to work! All is well here, he had his 2 month check up today and is still in the 95th percentile for weight and length. BIG BOY! We all had a wonderful time at Alison's wedding on Saturday. I was so proud to be a bridesmaid and see her and Andy get married. What a cutie couple. The party was a ton of fun, even Frankie got to enjoy it for awhile! Now we have Courtney's graduation this week - lots going on this month!! Can't believe she is graduating college, time sure does fly.

8 weeks yesterday!

Frankie is changing every day - he is moving so much and making so many new faces! Today he started giggling when I was holding him. These new smiles and laughs are so adorable, it makes up for the fussy nights. He is so precious, Jay and I are loving life.

Almost 6 weeks old already!

At Frankie's one month doctor's check-up I found out why my arms and back have been getting sore - he is 12 pounds 1.5 ounces!! Which puts him in the 90-05th percentile for weight. He also has grown 1 inch, measuring 24 inches, putting him in the 97th percentile for length. BIG BOY!! He has been a little fussy lately but I think he's growing, getting hungrier more often, and just trying to work those little toots out.
I am so glad that I have taken 12 weeks off - I can't imagine if I was going back to work next week. I will be visiting and showing my little man off, but not to work!!

Here is a picture from Easter - he was enthralled with the ceiling fan. :)

14 days old!

Frankie is doing well! His one week check-up was good and so far there are more good days than bad... I won't comment on the nights lol. He is beautiful and I am enjoying motherhood. No one tells you how hard this is going to be, but of course it's worth it. Trying to hang in there and get by on little sleep, cute bouts of hiccups and nuzzling.

It's a boy!!!

In case you haven't heard, we delivered a healthy baby boy at 7:25 PM on 3/8/10:

Francesco Landon Terrell
9 lbs. 9 oz.
23 inches long

Mom and baby are resting and doing well!!!

Pictures as promised!

I think this picture does justice to how tired I have been and how big my tummy is!

Sheets made by Grandma!
Book corner!



Curtains made by Grandma too!

Guess he's comfy in there!

Our baby boy is quite comfortable right now - with his due date on Monday, the doctors think he may be making a late arrival. As long as he's healthy, that is fine with us! I am trying to stay comfortable and get rest despite waking up multiple times in a night. I figure this is just practice!

We are looking forward to meeting our baby boy!! Pictures of my ever-growing belly (don't worry, NOT bare) will be coming soon, along with pics of his Very Hungry Caterpillar room.

Baby 101

Jay and I went to our Baby 101 class today! We learned a lot, took some notes, and most importantly Jay learned how to change a diaper. Bath practice was great too, as we are planning to have this time be primarily daddy time as baths become more frequent. It has hit home that the home stretch is here. Child birth class next week will probably make it even more real. We are excited!

The countdown begins!

With our whirlwind wedding season this year and traveling for holidays, we are finally stayin' put. The countdown begins! And just in time, as I am getting huge. At least that's how I feel. I like to say, huge, uncomfortable but happy. :) Looking forward to the shower tomorrow and seeing everyone I love.