Pearce's first visit to Little Rock

This past Thursday, Pearce and I went to Little Rock to visit the grandparents.  I really wanted to take Pearce while he was still little, so I crossed my fingers and toes that he would do o.k. on the plane ride and that I would not have a nervous breakdown trying to maneuver everything with a baby.  To my surprise, it was easy and Pearce was perfect!!  Chris wasn't able to go with us because he had to work, but he did help get us through security and settled while we waited for the flight.  I gave Pearce Tylenol an hour before the flight and also fed him, but saved a couple ounces for when we took off.  I was so afraid his ears would hurt and he would scream the entire time!

Waiting for the plane.  Notice his outfit :)

"I don't know about this mommy.  This thing sure is making a lot of noise!"

This is what my little angel did the entire flight...like right when we got in the air!  All together for the whole trip, we had 4 plane rides and he slept  through them all!

Pops and Mimi were so excited to see us!  They could not wait to get their hands on Pearce.  They got him a pack 'n play to keep at their house and he just loved it!  He showed them how he could kick and talk and was just sooo cute!  This is pretty much what we did all Thursday evening....just watch Pearce!

Practicing tummy time.  Pearce got really good at lifting his chest off the ground.  He also learned how to grab toys on the play mat!

Milk drunk :)

"Mimi, you're so comfy."

My friend Noelle lives in Little Rock now, so she came by to see us.  She also let Pearce borrow an activity gym and he loved it!!

"I don't hate tummy time as much as I used to!"

Friday Edie and I went out to lunch and did some shopping!  She took me to Ann Taylor Loft and let me pick out some summer clothes....thank you Edie!!!!  Cliff stayed home with Pearce.  When we left, Pearce was just starting to wake up.  When we got back, he was down for another nap....so Edie and I left again!  We ran a few more errands and got yogurt.  I know Pops loved getting to have Pearce all to himself.  What's so funny is that Pearce took the LONGEST naps at their house.  Cliff said it was because he was so content there...I agree!!  Saturday, I met Lora and some of her friends for lunch.  She wanted to show Pearce off to her closest friends.

Leaving for our lunch date.

Sandy, Carlee, Janie, Pearce, Me, and Lora (GG).  We had a great lunch at YaYa's.   Pearce was Mr. Charmer of course!  We had fun passing him around.  GG was so proud to show him off to her friends!  After lunch, Lora and I went to get pedicures....Pearce just slept the entire time!   

 

We came home and played a little more, then Pearce went down for a nap.  He had to get ready for another party that evening.  Cliff and Edie had some of their closest friends over to ooh and aah over Pearce.

More tummy time!  

"Ok, is this enough...I'm kinda tired now."  It's a good thing we practiced tummy time so much because when we got back home, he rolled over for the first time!  Twice!

We are ready for the party!  I love this outfit!  Auntie Ashy got it for him when we found out he was going to be a "he!"  

"There's ANOTHER party tonight?!"  

Pops and Mimi were so proud to show him off to their friends.  Pearce did not disappoint!  He was his usual, happy, cute self!

Pops loves his little buddy!

Pearce has started drooling now and he loves to put his hands in his mouth.  Mimi doesn't care...she says  it's just  "liquid sugar."  Ha!

Somebody got tired during the party and took a little nap :)

Look who woke up!  I love this picture because he was sucking on his fingers :)

After everyone left, it was back to the floor to play and talk to baby.  It's a shame no one cares about him :) After breakfast Sunday morning, it was off to the airport to go home.

Pops showing Pearce the airplanes :)

It's never easy to say goodbye.

We had such a wonderful time in Little Rock!!  Pearce is so lucky to have 3 sets of grandparents that absolutely ADORE him!  Pearce won't be spoiled one bit by his grandparents...yeah right!!  We can't wait to come back!! 

3 months old!

Pearce, you are 3 months old today!  You are just the sweetest, happiest baby!  

*You wear a size 2 diaper now.

*You are wearing mostly size 3 month clothes.

*You take 5-6 ounces of Similac Formula every 3-4 hours.

*You have started spitting up more, so I have to be careful with how active you are right after feeding you.  Sometimes you want to burp, but you can't and it makes you upset....then you spit up and you feel better!  I hope this gets better soon!

*You are going on your first airplane ride tomorrow to go to Arkansas.  Mommy is a little nervous about this, but I think you'll do great!

*You still sleep great!

*You started getting out of your swaddle blanket, so Mommy got you something new.  It's called the Magic Sleepsuit and so far you love it (see the picture below)!

*You smile all the time.  I think you are on the verge of laughing...especially at daddy!

Pearce, these past 3 months have been so much fun!  I love you more and more each day.  I am so proud to be your mommy.  I love looking at you and talking to you because I know you know who I am.  I love soothing you and rocking you to sleep.  I love that I can make you feel better if you are sad.  I love it when you smile at me for no reason at all.  I. LOVE. YOU!!!! 

So, this is the sleepsuit. Pearce has been getting out of his swaddle, so I decided to try this.  I saw it on another girl's blog. the idea behind it is that the baby can still move his arms and legs, but the movements are muffled which means he doesn't startle himself with his movements and wake himself up.  The first night we tried it, he slept uninterrupted until 9!  This morning he slept until 8.  I think it just makes him feel snug and secure, but not restricted like with swaddling.  I was worried about him getting hot since the outer layer is fleece, but he did not sweat one bit!  It really is pretty amazing!  He looks so funny in it!  

Visiting my classroom and a picnic at the park.

Today, I took Pearce to see my kids at school.  They have seen pictures of Pearce, but they had not seen him in person.  He is 3 months old today, so it was time!  He was in such a good mood (of course!).  The kids were soooo excited to see us!  I didn't let any of them touch him, but I went around to their desks and they got to look at him and talk to him.  Pearce just smiled and smiled :)  Then they all got in a big circle and I laid Pearce down on a blanket and he just kicked and smiled and cooed away!!  They all thought he was the cutest thing ever and I was a proud mommy!  I got to see a lot of my friends at school and they just loved holding Pearce.  I do miss seeing my friends daily, but I am so thankful I get to stay home with my little guy, I just would not trade this experience for anything!

This is Jennifer Shropshire who is my sub.  I had two of her kids in first grade and I just love her!  

Thanks for the rabbit ears, George! 

Yesterday, it was my turn to host my mom's group.  I was a little nervous just because I am new to the group and I wanted everyone to have a good time!  We usually meet at someone's house and just talk while the babies play on the floor.  I thought it might be fun to do something different...which made me even more nervous!  There's a cute park right in the neighborhood.  So, I emailed the girls and asked if they would be up for strolling to the park and having a picnic!  They all loved the idea.  So, Chris made some good dips, I got cookies from the store and bottled waters and everyone brought their own sandwich.  It was a great turnout!  A few moms met us at the park because their babies were still napping.  It was so funny seeing all of these mommies and strollers walking down the street to the park.  We found this great shady area and spread out our blankets and just had fun watching the babies, eating our lunch, and talking.  I just love this group of girls.  They have been so welcoming to Pearce and I!  One girl even said Pearce was the best dressed baby of the group...ha!!  All together, there were 12 moms and babies and they all said this was a great idea...so it was a success!!

Enjoying the beautiful day with our babies!

My little guy.  Notice his little sneakers :)

MAD...the progression

So, Pearce was playing in his bouncy seat and being so cute!  He was smiling and kicking as I jiggled the toys for him.  I got my camera out and as soon as I did he clammed up!  I could not get him to smile no matter what I did.  Then he started to get tired and fussy.  I think he's so cute happy, sad, or mad, so I decided to take pictures of him getting mad.  I know, I know...mean mommy.  But this is pretty funny!

"Alright mommy, enough playing.  Can I get out now?"

"Mommy, I really am serious."

"Why aren't you listening to me?"

"I'm going to make real tears and then you're going to feel bad!"

  

"I'm not PLAYING!  Put that camera down!"

"You've done it now mommy.  I am crying real tears cuz you made me!"

"Mommy, look at my little hands....they are shaking.  Please make me feel better."

"That's better.  I love you Mommy and I forgive you.  I'm going nighty night now."

Easter 2012

Nathan and Charlotte had fun coloring eggs.  We all just sat outside and watched them.  They were so cute!

Mama doing what she does best...loving on Pearce!

While in Dallas, we also went to an Easter egg hunt and carnival.  They had all sorts of things for the kids to do:  petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, bounce houses, etc...  Nathan and Charlotte had fun doing all of the activities and Pearce and I just strolled around and watched.  

Charlotte LOVES to love on Pearce!

Easter morning, the kids were all excited to see what the Easter bunny left.  GG got Pearce the cutest little Easter basket.  The Easter bunny visited Ashley's house and left all kinds of goodies for Nathan, Charlotte, and Pearce, too!  Here are Nathan and Charlotte's baskets.  Pearce's basket is the little bunny basket and when you pressed a button its ears flapped and sang a song!

Look how cute Nathan and Charlotte look!  They are all ready for church!

Pearce and Mommy

Pearce and Uncle Wayne

Ashley's sweet family!

We met everyone at church and then dropped off Nathan, Charlotte, and even Baby Pearce in the nursery and then we all sat together for the service.  Afterwards, everyone headed to Ashley's house for a lunch of Honey Baked ham, potato casserole, broccoli salad, fruit and fruit dip, and huge rolls! I thought Thanksgiving and Christmas were the only holidays where you overeat!  We had such a great time in Dallas for Pearce's first Easter!!!

The Dallas Arboretum

Nathan was out of school on Thursday so we loaded up Ashley's car with 2 toddlers, 1 baby, 3 adults, 2 strollers, 1 blanket and 1 Transformer backpack with about 30 miscellaneous toys, and headed to the Arboretum. The weather was absolutely wonderful! We found a perfect spot under a shady tree for our blanket. Nathan and Charlotte had so much fun running around in the wide open space. Well, actually Nathan was the one doing all of the running and exploring and Charlotte was the one who couldn't keep from kissing and hugging Pearce over and over! Honestly, none of us could keep our hands off Pearce, but I think Charlotte feels like he is her REAL baby doll! Not only did we have a yummy picnic, we walked all over the arboretum looking at the beautiful flowers, taking lots of pictures, and Nathan had fun pretending he was an explorer! If there was a chain or fence blocking off a certain area, that was the first place Nathan would "explore." 

While Charlotte is putting on her makeup, notice Nathan in the background...there was a chain there :)

What a perfect day at the Arboretum!!!