January 2014

So much has happened since I last wrote on here.
Brian and I traveled to mexico for a little adult get away without baby. Ezra strated walking and talking more and more and definitely verbally expressing himself. getting molars, kicking balls, hugging and kissing his stuffed animals, petting the dogs so sweetly and he's also started going to mother's morning out once a week. He's so attached to me that he finds it hard so far but we are hoping he will adjust with time. It's hard on me and him right now but I think in the long run it will be so good for him and if we wait it will be another one of those things like the bottle aversion that is better done when they are younger rather than older. He needs to learn socialization with other kiddos, sharing and playing collectively. The school I found is wonderful and they care so much about him they call me to tell me to pick him up earlier because they don't want him to be too upset and I think that's wonderful :)

This little boy is such a joy every day of our lives. Almost every night before going to bed, Brian and I share with each other the pics and videos we took that day of baby-- it happens so spontaneuly every night-- it' not at all something we mean to do religiously, it just so happens that we are that excited and proud of our little boy.

Ezra calls things LOLLO-- if they sound like "video" or "orso"
LALLA if they sound like "latte" "palla" etc
he also loves to try to sing the "pop goes the weasel" song and it's so adorable to see him try to say consecutive words ! :D

We will be going to Italy this summer with him and I am so excited to share him with my family over there :D

November 2013

November is here and the scenery and air couldn't be more beautiful. Ezra becomes more and more verbal each day... repeating all our sounds like a kid parrot. His hands are looking more and more like those of a big kid rather than a baby. He's such a busy boy climbing and today really showing some true will to try walking.

We are struggling with our dogs and often talk about how our lives would be so much easier without them. They are a very loud breed and have often woken baby up from naps -- which as a mother might be THE most frustrating thing ever. Since he was born we've had to be so careful and cautious about anyone coming over in fear of them barking... and always scheduling around his naps mainly so that they won't bark and wake him up. It's way more of a pain than it might sound in one sentence.

It's a bigger deal when I think about the fact that Ezra will be taking naps for a few more years! and that maybe we will have future kiddos so the problem is definitely long term.

Brian is more ready than me to give them to someone without kids and who would have more time for them, but I know I would feel a certain emptiness and guilt if they were gone. I can deal with all the other nuisances besides the "waking baby up thing". So we have one last thing we want to try before any drastic change. I truly hope it works and they learn quickly and save their spot in our household. I never thought we would be one of those couples that would even entertain the idea of getting rid of our dogs, but when life is busy you strive to simplify it. Anyways hopefully it will all be resolved asap for the better.

Ezra | Week 52 | HE IS ONE!!!!

Everyone says time flies and on one hand it's very true. Those little newborn onsies fit him jut yesterday. Mostly thought I feel I soaked in his first year fully and thoroughly. Each new milestone I was there for, every funny thing he did, every expression he made, I was there breathing it all in. I do not feel like it slipped through my fingers because I made a conscious effort of being there, being present and enjoying it all. This year was the hardest and most different of my life. Parenthood comes with so much new, it's unspeakable. The new way you could love, new responsibilities, new priorities that shake your core, new profound joy, maturity, wisdom, patience, overcome trials just to name a few.

When I look back on how Ezra has shaken up my life it is a bold change.
It feels as if he has been in our lives forever, not just one year. He is a part of me and he is loved beyond practical comprehension.

Since the moment he came into the world he has been an ANGEL baby and lately a ball of giggles
and silly. He has brought Brian and I closer together and made us a strong unit.

On his actual birthday we celebrated with just us 3 and it was the most perfect magical day. I am so glad we had the party on a different day. On his actual birthday we visited a farm and spent the afternoon amongst chickens, eggs, goats, pumpkins and pretty country scenery. It was a simple and gorgeous day and I cherish it.

His party day was wild, setting everything up and taking everything down was overwhelming and chaotic. But I adored the way he didn't cry when everyone sang the birthday song, rather he clapped his chubby hands along with everyone. I loved how he found the photo booth mattress area I had set up for the kiddos and right away climbed on top and smiled and giggled for everyone and the camera. With his little hamster smile and apple-y cheeks! I hope to never forget that.

He is my joy and my heart and I cannot imagine the wonderful life that awaits us with him.

Ezra | Week 50+51

 

He has said his first word "BALL"!!! he is obsessed and finds/sees balls everywhere... apples, pompoms, pumpkins, knobs-- everything is a ball!  Meanwhile he is our BALL of happiness. It's adorable how he sits in his toy box and takes each toy out while he's sitting on them. The big birthday is coming right up!  

Ezra | Week 49

This is Ezra's birthday month! on some levels it feels like he has been in our worlds for forever and at the same time we do wonder how we are at his 1 year birthday already!? Ezra's first year was so full of highs, love, lessons, newness and pure Godly joy. The preparations of his party are pretty much over it just comes down to the actual day of decorating the space! I want it to be a magical and whimsy 1st birthday for my piglet :)

Ezra | Week 48 | 11 Months!!

My little love is almost one!!! say whaaaaaaa?!?!?! I can't handle how amazing he is. Sometimes I wish I was perfect just because he deserves that.

Being a mama can be so exhausting-- today was a tiring day-- mainly I mean physically-- lifting him, doing carseat, holding him, wrestling him to bed, carrying him upstairs etc etc etc. He keeps my days so full and yet so full-filled.

I am working to make this one memorable fall with lots of memories for us as a family on my favorite time of the year. We made jack-o-lantern balloon faces and went to the farmer's market and took pics on a pumpkin wagon full of colorful pumpkins.

I think Ezra's schedule might need an adjustment.. he is getting harder to put to be in the am and usually that nap he passes out for.. Also sometimes he skips his afternoon nap... so I think it might be time for a little schedule adjustment somehow to see how he likes it.

We also got him 2 Halloween costumes-- I might bring one back, I can't decide yet if there will be a chance to showcase both or not... He looks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pricelessly precious in both, but he is especially to die for in one of them ;) *surprises*

4 more weekly photos and I will have a ONE YEAR OLD!


his schedule right now is:

8am wake up
10-11:30 nap
12:00 lunch
2:40 cat nap
3:30 snack
7:00 dinner
8:00/8:30 bedtime

-----

some words he knows are:

palla
luce
libro
rana
papa'
mamma
frosty
baloo
tigre
dove e'?
+ all his favorite books and toys names titles and songs !!!!

Ezra | Week 47

47 weeks- He is standing for a few seconds on his own without holding on
He is snugglier than ever, giving mamma so many hugs throughout the day. I am constantly baffled by how many things he recognizes and how he understands everything that we ask him or tell him. He makes us so giddy and proud every day, being able to be his parents has made our lives blissful every day.

Ezra | Week 46

Oh my these photos are so hard to take now.. he barely wants to even be on this backdrop for more than 0.0002 seconds... it's the biggest challenge. bot how handsome is he!? he truly slays my heart. This morning when Brian brought him into our bed he gave me the biggest snuggle fest ever. He hugged and laid on me over and over and was just full of warm and fuzzies for his mamma. He has been giving me so many hugs lately and I just hope and pray this is one phase that never ever ever ends. There is nothing better than the love of your life physically manifesting affection and love.

Ezra | Week 45

So we are completely done breastfeeding. My supply was barely there pretty much anyways and it was just time to make the big move. He is drinking better and better throughout the day---but he just doesn't seem to need/want the formula as much as "he is supposed to".

This kid is so smart it boggles my mind! he fits his beloved ping pong and golf balls into whatever slot and container he can find, including but not limited to: my hat, shoes, other toys, drawers, cracked doors etc.

He also just understands so many words we have barely taught him, like: "luce", "rana", "tartaruga" and other little words...

I am pretty sure the 8th tooth will be coming soon because he has been so whiny for 2 days- poor nugget.

Each week it becomes harder and harder to take this photo. I can see why most people take this weekly photo within the boundaries of the CRIB! where the baby is gated and cannot escape! I have to work a sweat to catch him being still within the backdrop!

Ezra is fantastic- he makes Brian and I so proud every day. He eats so many table foods like different types of fish, broccoli, potatoes, meats, tomatoes, avocado, and he's even tried tiny sips of sweet tea! he is a southern gentleman after all

Ezra | Week 44

I have told Ezra since he was born that he is my "everything", and I could not put it into better words.

Lately he is just his own self more and more, certain things always make him laugh, some excite him more than others. He gets really excited when I first put him into a cart-- I say "vroom vroom" and he swings back and forth in joy!

He is the most alive around balls--- of any type of any size- he squeals in delight when he plays with them, and even more when someone plays with him with one. Sometimes when the ball goes bouncing he talks and makes a facial expression as to say "woaw did you see that goal!?!?"

Another thing that without fail arouses happy feelings in him is mama singing, dancing or hearing music-- every time a song starts somewhere somehow- he makes a face as to say "that's my tune!" and commences dancing.

I am planning his 1st birthday party-- which is next month and that fact is WILD. My little baby bundle is now a little boy :.>

Ezra | Week 43

10 MONTHS! 7th tooth is sprouting. He recognizes toys and book by the titles and songs!!! loves to put things INTO containers, still loves all types of toy balls, loves swings, loves snuggles and exploring. He knows who Frosty and Baloo are and points at them :)

Ezra | Week 42

Today he had his 9/10 month checkup and got one shot. He is always so brave. Things I want to remember about this age/stage:

• I love the way he crawls to me and climbs up my leg
• I love that he is a mama's boy :>
• He loves to eat his almond yogurt and his pretend yogurt jar
• He loves balls !!! he's obsessed!
• I love the way his chunky legs stand up and look like cherub thighs
• I LOOOVE when he says "MAMMA"
• I love that when we read him books he gets excited and sits ONTOP of the book, as to claim it! :D
• I love the way he plays and eats my face, I love when he's in his playbug mode and it's as if he knows he's making me laugh and keeps going with his silliness.
• I love the way he wants to share every little wonderful thing he finds with us and the pups. He holds out each treasure for others to see, as if to say "look mama!? can I have this?"
• I love the way he listens when I say "no"
• I love the way he plays by himself like a perfect little baby bean
• I love him

Ezra | Week 41

I now have to bribe him with toys to get this photo and make him sit still!!--- sigh if I would have known I would have started them in a gated area all along ;)

Ezra | Week 40

 

I love how he crawls to me when he is sleepy or wants a hug or snack or just wants to be a mama's boy. I laid him  in his crib last night and he was wearing his blue jemmies with cars and other boy things, and I felt so thankful to have had a boy-- this boy-- he is the very best. 

Currently he is snotty, very snotty- it might be teething we haven't figured it out yet, maybe he's just sicky. 

I love the way he needs to stand on everything and how courageous he is wanting to do things like letting go and try to stand on his own even when he just learned how to stand at all. 

He plays peek-a-boo with me, hiding his face with the kitchen's curtain- how smart is he?!

He still loves good dance parties to 90's music we have in my bathroom a lot. and I love them even more.

Ezra | 39 Weeks | 9 Months!

Angel crawls, CLAPS HIS HANDS! stands & eats hummus! this morning he said "MAMMA" and it was definitely TO ME! :.) it was the sweetest sound...Brian and I looked breathless at each other when that word came out of his mouth!

Breastfeeding News: We went cold turkey-- beginning yesterday I will only breastfeed him in the AM. Yes he still doesn't like the bottle, but after 3 months of trying so "placidly" and talking to his doctor, we decided that we had to take drastic measures... he's been doing well, but he definitely will need to get used to getting more liquids through his sippy -- the first day we went cold turkey he did 3oz, yesterday 6oz--today he did 8oz so hopefully it will take on...

In the meantime my breasts were crazy! last night I had to pump just a little bit because I was afraid to get engorged... through the night I was in pain and slept horribly with nightmares of my breasts falling off when taking my bra off.

We are only keeping the morning feeding for a while because I enjoy it and to make it a tat more gradual on everyone, but besides that he is on full solids. He will have a meat and veggie and hummus for lunch with a couple of fruit snacks through the day-- he definitely eats a lot!!! maybe even too much ;P - so that part consoles me. I can't deny that after 9 months, after every feeding of his life being attached to my body, there aren't some mixed feelings on my end. I think about the benefits of breastfeeding but instead of thinking of that I am not giving him as many of those benefits anymore, I have to think about it as I have GIVEN him those benefits for a very long time. So yes a bit emotional, but I am convinced this is the right time to wean 100%.

Ezra is so so smart-he is so soft like a yoghurt puff. I wish I could bottle all his cute things at this stage.His dancing is one of my favorite things-- the sound of his giggles are otherworldly.