Beach bums, Father's Day, and a new cousin

Wow..what a weekend!

We left Thursday night head for Oak Island. Jayson and I were excited to visit our "home away home" during the summers while in college, Ft. Caswell. We met up with our wonderful friend, Kerry, and finally met her daughter Chloe. We've been playing match-maker with all of these new girls in Truett's life so we'll see just who he ends up with! Maybe it will be Chloe; who knows?!? Between our friends and the church nursery the boy has some very cute options.

So we all finally made it to bed around midnight on Thursday. (This was not the weekend for routine!) Friday we visited our Caswell friends and Southport. I love that little town. An early retirement is calling my name!! We had planned to stay through Saturday evening or Sunday morning but to our surprise Leighton Hope joined the world! (Alex, Jayson's sister, and her husband Trey's daughter) She came a few weeks early but is strong and will hopefully be home within the next few weeks. We love that Truett and Leighton as so close in age and that Alex and Trey get to experience the overwhelming love and joy that comes with having a child.

So...Saturday we took Truett out on the beach. I wouldn't say he "loved" it but it grew on him. After our short beach excursion, we loaded up, drove to Greenville to pick up Harker and headed to Raleigh to meet the newest member of the family.

We celebrated Jayson's 1st Father's Day. And again, it didn't go as planned but hopefully he know how much Truett and I love and appreciate him. One of the greatest gifts I've been given over the past three months is watching Jayson with Truett. I'm so excited to see their relationship as father and son grow over the years. Jayson already surfing trips planned and I know Truett will treasure those times with his dad. I'm so thankful to our Lord for making Jayson the man he is and what he brings to our family.

Now that we're back into the routine of life we're pretty sure we're about to hit another growth spurt and teeth...yikes! He's been a little fussy lately and is sleeping a LOT! We've started stretching Truett's feedings to every 3.5 hours and he's eating 6oz. at a serving.  I'm looking forward to introducing cereal to him soon; mostly for the fun "food on his face" pictures that come along with the green beans and yams. Jayson has squash growing in our garden with Truett's name on it!

He's so close to rolling over from his back to front but just can't get there. We're working on it though so any day now be on the lookout for that post! I just pray he does it with us and not at the sitter's. I'll cry if I miss it! We go to the doctor for his 4 month check up on July 8th. More vaccines...boo!

Enjoy the pictures below

Hanging out on the porch of the Conference Center, Caswell

Friends!



He was pouting!



Add caption

Up on Vespers at Caswell. This was where Jayson and I were married. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Truett in the baby carriage.

Another Southport favorite, The Provision Company

3 months, 5 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes old

So I'm obviously a little late with Truett's three month post but better late than never.

Truett's schedule: (On a normal/ideal day)
7am- Wake up call to mom
It's taking him about 25 minutes to eat verses 45-50 minutes when he was a newborn.
7:30-8ish- He hangs out with me while I'm finishing to get ready. He usually will sit in his bouncy seat on the bathroom counter so he can see himself. We sing songs and play games.  Don't worry, he's strapped in and I put him on the floor when I have to leave the room.
8ish: We leave for the sitter's and he usually falls asleep in the car. For my sake, we'll pretend that he gets to stay w/ me during the day so we'll continue...
Until about 8:30/9 we have Tummy Time and play with our playmate. He's figured out that if kicks the music maker it will continue to play music and light up. Tummy time is hit or miss with him. Sometimes he'll go for 10 to 15 minutes without getting fussy. Other times he'll have none of it. The other morning while I was brushing my teeth, he rolled 1/2 over to his right. I dropped the toothbrush (toothpaste still in my mouth, mind you) and found the nearest camera (on my phone) to capture the moment. I was totally caught by surprise but ever since I've been coaxing him along.

He's also putting it together that when his hand hits something that it moves. You can see his internal wheels rolling about how to make that happen again. The child loves a mirror! He's currently have quite a conversation with the cute boy who looks just like him. I really wish I knew what he was thinking. "Man...this dude is cool"

Back to our schedule- Truett is a cat-napper in the morning and eats again around 10:30. Just this week we've started stretcing him to eat ever three and a half hours verses every three. This means we've dropped our late night feeding but more about that later. Again, we play for a little while but he takes about a two hour nap and eats at 2 and 5:30. He gets another good nap in after his 2pm fedding but not so much after dinner. We're usually going for a walk, out to dinner, errands, etc. so this time frame is sketchy for sleep. Since we just started this new routine, we're figuring out our new bedtime routine. We were feeding at 7pm and he'd stay awake until 8/8:30 but not that he's eating a 5:30 then at 8:30, he may or may not nap in between.

Last week, in the midst if my exhaustion, I suggested we just let him sleep thru his 10pm feeding and see what happens. For a few weeks, we had to wake him to eat at 10 and he wasn't too interested in eating. To our delight he's been sleeping from 8:30ish to 6:30ish ever since. We've increased his bottles to 6oz. and he sucks it dry!

Truett's milestones and firsts:

• Sleeping through the night
• Longer tummy time play while lifting his head
• Discovered his hands and he's getting closer to his feet everyday
• Started his baby babble
• 1/2 rolls
• He can support himself while standing for a few seconds
• Little giggles
• 1st hotel stay
• 1st swim in the pool
• 1st wedding

Today, we went to a friend's pool. We were super excited about playing w/ Truett in the pool but he was a bum and slept most of the time there. When he finally wake up and we got him in, he made it very clear that he had rather be dry and sleeping.




The cutest duck ever!



Seriously, Dad! Get out of my face!

I was waiting for Truett to spit up on his heard

Waiting for Papa Jay and Granny's visit on Saturday

This weekend we're going to Wilmington/Ft. Caswell. Jayson and I met and were married at Caswell so we're excited to take Truett to the Fort and the beach.  Harker will be along for the ride so it should be interesting. Stay tuned!

Birthday Shout-out

Catchin' up!

Well hello blog! It's been a while.

I re-joined the working world a few weeks ago and being on the computer wasn't at the top of my "to-do" list when Jayson and Truett got home in the afternoons. We've got a lot of catching up to do though so here we go.

Truett's baby dedication was last Sunday. We're so blessed to have family close by who can join us for special occasions like these. Our family took up an entire pew! Poor Truett, I don't think he's been held that much since he was born. He took it like a champ though and enjoyed all of the attention. After church we came back to our house for a good ol' summer cookout!

Most of the family...we're missing a few

Papa Jay with baby T

Truett discovered his hands this week.  It's funny how little things like that are such triumphs. You can see him thinking..."reach out...now open my hand...now close my fingers around this colorful thing (his links toy)". He swats at his playmat toys now too and works hard to life his head.

We celebrated another triumph at the Swain house this past week- a full night's sleep. Oh yes, my friends! Truett has slept from 10pm-6am/7am for four nights in a row. He still wakes up between 3 and 5 but we're able to get him back to sleep so I have faith that he will soon go all night without waking.

Superman of sleep

 This past weekend we headed to Winston-Salem for my cousin Brooke's wedding. Those pictures to come soon. This was our first roadtrip past the grandparent's house. Everytime we go somewhere I say, "I need a checklist"! Between the boppy, diapers, medicines, bottle warmers, Harker, leashes, shoes, and all things in between, it's surprising we haven't left something important...like our child!  Jayson and I have really tried not to use Truett as an excuse for not doing something or going somewhere. Just because we have a baby doesn't mean the world stops turning. He goes where we go. Let's just hope I say that a year or two from now! :)

Truett's first hotel stay. He slept through the night, by the way.

Sunday morning we had the pleasure of joining the Mann's for breakfast. Emily and I were college roomies in Apt. 150F. Great times!!

I promise to update again soon!



2 month update

This past week we celebrated 2 months with Truett. We've seen so much growth in him over these past weeks, not just physically but in his expressions and emotions as well. It's awesome to see his personality taking shape.

This month's milestones:
- SMILES! Lots of smiles
- He's starting to coo and talk with us
- Enjoys his playmate much more now
- Follows us around the room
- Makes eye contact when we talk
- Great neck strength
- Enjoys bath time- we read books, sing songs, and play. I love it!

Last week we went back to the doctor for a cough and nasal congestion. The cough was another symptom of his reflux so the doctor advised us to up his medicine dosage and to start putting rice cereal in his bottles. I did some research and read that adding cereal into bottles for babies under 4 months can lead to overeating and unnecessary weight gain. We decided to only add it to his night time bottle since that's when his reflux was the worst because he was laying down; during the day we can keep him upright. The first two nights he had the rice cereal, he slept for 6 hours. Oh yeah!! Saturday night he woke up earlier at 4:30 but went right back down until 7am. The cereal helps to thicken the milk so it doesn't come up as easily.

I enjoyed my first mother's day this past Sunday. Truett impressed me with a sweet card, breakfast in bed, and later on shrimp and grits, my favorite. We had a picnic planned but the weather didn't cooperate. My parents stopped by for a visit so I was able to see my own mom.

We went for Truett's 2 month check up today (Tuesday). He's up to 10 lbs. 3 oz. (He's gain 8oz. in 4 days!!) Overall he's gained 4 lbs. since he was born which is exactly where he should be. He's now 22 inches long and in the 25% for both weight and length. He was 10% at his one month checkup. I'm so grateful for health! I've seen too many sick children with my job and can't imagine the pain their parents feel when they are helplessly watching their children suffer. Speaking of suffering...Truett received three vaccination shots today. And while I agree that vaccinations are for his well-being, I really wanted to punch our doctor in the face today for making my baby cry. And he had real tears today! Those were a first. And I won't lie and say that I didn't shed my own little tear or two with Truett. He's sleeping soundly in his swing now so all is happy again in neverland.

I can't wait to see what the next four weeks have in store for us!

This is a Papa Jay expression!

Daddy's hat

Granddaddy Jeff's little farmer

I love this picture. Haha

Sweet Slumber!!

Guess who slept 5 1/2 hours last night!?! That's right, Truett Ashby Swain. This is the longest consecutive sleep I have had since he was born. Oh happy day, oh happy day! Last night, Jayson gave him his late night bottle at 11:30 and he slept from midnight until 5:30am. I woke up, looked at the clock, and then joyfully woke Jayson up to celebrate.

Let's hope this is the beginning of restful nights.

Please, no pictures!

Giggles and wiggles

Last week started out a little rough for our little man. He's recently developed reflux and gets rather angry when nursing. One minute he's peacefully obtaining nurishment and the next he's viciously screaming! He's so sad because I know he's hungry but it seems to hurt him to eat. We went to the doctor for some help and our little man isn't so little any more. A whopping 9 lbs. 3 oz. Since he had gained over a pound in three weeks, the doctor wasn't concerned about the reflux effecting his growth. He did give us some drops to help. I've seen a little improvement but hope this will end soon.

Sleep update- Now that our growth spurt is coming to an end, we should see more regular sleep patterns. Last night he ate at midnight and slept until 5am. Today he's stretched three and 1/2 hours between feedings which is new for him. We're still figuring our his late night feeding which determines his early morning feedings. If we feed around 11pm, he might go until 3 or 4. And because he doesn't go back to sleep easily after that early morning feeding, we end up staying up longer. We're making progress though.

Along with that 9 lbs. 3 oz. comes a new diaper size and cleaning out his drawers. No more newborns. Even though he was just wearing some of those things a few weeks ago, it's hard to imagine him being that small. We go back to the doctor next Tuesday for our 2 month check-up. This check up comes with the dreaded vaccinations. While I certainly appreciate the need for immunization I have wonder- with all of the research and progress we have in our medical world, why can't we come up with a pill, drops, nasal spray that will combat these diseases?!?! Come on people!

Another milestone...this one for mom. The church nursery! Because we were kicked out of Sunday School last week, dad thought it was time for the nursery. Of couse, Truett's content is most arms as long as he's moving but me on the other hand...not so much! And it's not the people- I trust our church family and my assigned beeper to do it's job. It's the germs. Please understand, I am in no way a germ-freak for myself BUT if I can shield Truett from little fingers and sneezes, I'd like to try. I know, I know...it's inevitable but isn't it my job to protect him as long as possible?!?! Truett baby, I tried! We'll blame your dad if you get sick.

An even bigger milestone, again for me. Daycare. Starts next week and that's all we'll say about that. The end.

Truett attended his first Relay For Life event on Friday. He got to see what I work so hard for- that he will NEVER hear that words "you have cancer".

Today I celebrate 28 years of life. When I was in my earlier twenties I vowed to "age gracefully". Not so much in appearance because other than cleanser, moisturizer, and sun screen there isn't much I can do. But I mean just accepting and appreciating the 28 years of blessings and experiences I've been given and hope that what knowledge and wisdom I have acquired will serve me well in the years to come. We'll see how that works out. But I am thankful for a wonderfully blessed life filled with love and laughter. Many thanks to those of you have contributed to my life thus far!

Sunday morning before we made our appearance in the nursery

Giggles for daddy

Playtime overload!

We few weeks ago we celebrated our 4 year anniversary. We enjoyed a lovely date night and went to a paint your own pottery place. All of the pictures on the plate represent our lives over that past foyr years. Clockwork: Caswell symbol where we met and were married; Truett; campfire because we enjoy camping at Carolina Beach; Harker; Charleston's rainbow row; peacock that represents Hawaii; rowboat from the the Wooden Boat Show we go in S.C every fall; Christmas tree- a new tradition we started this past Christmas of cutting down our own tree from the NC mountains; and finally the amazingly delicious Bill's Hotdogs, an orignal from the Original Washington. The hydrangea in the middle is for our wedding flower.

Why a picture of our empty porch? This, my friends, is the future location of my swing that my crafty husband is going to build for us. That was my birthday wish!