8 Months

My little man is now 8 months old! I really can't believe it. It's hard to remember how small he actually was until a new baby comes around. I've gotten so used to holding Pauly that my new nephew Ciarán seems so fragile to me. He is a cutie though. And for some reason I keep forgetting to take pictures of him :(

To compensate, here are some recent ones of Pauly

Winter Blues

It's winter. Blah. The snow has been piling up the last couple of weeks and although it's pretty to look at, I'm waiting impatiently for warmer weather. My in-laws and neighbour, both had the right idea. Mexico. I would have loved to be where it's sunny and warm. Just the thought of a double digit forecast above 0 makes me smile. Oh, well. For now I'll just have to keep the toques and gloves at hand.

On a happier note, Pauly's night wakings have become almost non-existant. After trying everything else, I broke down and tried the Ferber method...sort of. After our night time routine, Pauly usually falls asleep at the breast or sometimes with a bottle. And he always wakes up a little when I put him in his crib but he never had a problem falling asleep. He just didn't want to say sleeping. Well after a rather cranky and frustrating day, and weeks of being sleep deprived, I through in the towel. The fist time he woke up that night, I let him cry for about 2 minutes. Then I put the pacifier back in his mouth and patted him bum until he got quiet again. About 2 minutes after I left his room he started crying again. This time I left him for 5 minutes. Then 10 minutes. At 15 minutes his crying wasn't continuous anymore. He would cry for 5 minutes and then be quiet for 1 or 2 minutes. After 20 minutes of this, he was asleep. And he stayed sleeping for the rest of the night!! The next 4 or 5 days were like heaven to me. Pauly slept all night and I rested peacefully. Then, like everything else, he decides to switch things around. Not for the worse though.

As of today, Pauly sleeps about 10.5 hours a night and wakes up once but rarely twice a night. I let him cry and fuss for about 5-10 minutes and without intervention, he is sleeping again. His daytime routine hasn't changed either. He still clings to me like glue...until daddy wakes up.

Nephew #3

Yesterday I got a call from my mom telling me that she was on her way to my sister's house to babysit her 2 kids. I knew instantaneously that my sis was in labour. Which of course my mom confirmed, and I was sure it would only be a few hours before I found out if I had a new nephew or niece (my sister was made for birthing babies).

As predicted, the second phone call came 2.5 hours later from the new mama to tell me my nephew had arrived. My heart was filled with joy and it suddenly brought me back to the day Pauly was born. It's always exciting to have a new baby arrive but I think until you have one of your own, you can't really appreciate the rush of emotions that come with seeing and holding your new son or daughter.

So today, after lunch, I packed up the necessities and Pauly and I went to see the little angel. He was just adorable. And I'd forgotten how small a newborn really is. I held him in my arms and once again it brought me back to June 18, 2010. A little piece of heaven...that's what babies are. He was beginning to stir and started sticking his tongue out so I reluctantly handed him back in case he was hungry. After a few moments I wanted to hold him again but I couldn't disregard the fact that my own son needed me. So I sat and chatted with them for a while. Every so often getting up to show Pauly his new cousin.

So congrats to my big sis and I'm wishing her all the best and sending all my love. I can't wait to see the little angel again.

And...I get to become an aunt all over again in a few months.

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."
-- Anonymous

Another New Year

The holidays have come and gone and they were fabulous.

There is always something special about celebrating with family and this year was no different.

Christmas eve was celebrated at my mom's place and little Pauly had a blast. My sister's kids are 4 and 2 and they were all over him. Pauly was sharing his toys and at one point Róisin (the 2 year old) picked up a toy that Pauly has lost interest in. Or so we all thought. A mere 2 seconds after pushing the button, Pauly turned his head, reached up to her and with furrowed brows began his "Ahhhhhh" in protest. For us, it was the funniest thing but I'm sure Pauly didn't appreciate our laughter. A flustered Róisin quickly handed the toy back and everything was as it was before.

Dinner was good, dessert was great and as anticipated, Pauly was more interested in the wrapping paper then his actual toys. I suppose you can't ask for much from a 6 month old.

The next morning, Paul, Pauly and I enjoyed our own Christmas.





My favourite gift was the car starter Paul got for my Element. No more trekking outside to start the car on those cold winter days :)

After lunch we started packing up and shortly there after, made our way to my in-laws. Thus continuing the Christmas saga. We settled in by opening presents and then had a wonderful dinner. After, Pauly and I took an impromptu nap on the couch while the rest of the family watched Inception.

The following day we went to my sister's for a Christmas lunch with my dad. He had a great time playing with his grandkids and wished us all a Merry Christmas before leaving.

Since it's soooo difficult to buy for people who need nothing and who usually have what they want, Paul and I decided to take some family portraits and give them to our family. We though it would make a good personal gift and we were right. Especially since family is the core of Christmas for us.

As Christmas Approaches...

On Saturday Pauly turned 6 months old and it got me thinking of all that's happened in the past year. It feels like he has always been a part of my life and to remember a time that he wasn't sleeping in my arms is like a dream. It's hard to believe that at this time last year I was telling my family about my pregnancy. And for this, Christmas will always hold a special place in my heart.

The holidays have always brought me memories of my childhood but my journey has changed course. It will now be about the memories I will leave with my son. Of traditions I will share with him and ones we will start. I know it will be some time before he can remember these Christmas' but there will be lots of pictures to reminisce about.

All the presents are bought and wrapped. They are just waiting to be enjoyed. I would have loved to place them under the tree but the thought of our dog chewing them has led me to do the untraditional. They are perched upon the table next to the tree.

And every day that passes leads to a growing excitement of Paul's First Christmas. What a joy it will be.