Nathan: Month Six

Nater Tater is awesome. He smiles ALL THE TIME. Except when I try to take his picture. He's rolling all over the place, chewing on anything he can get his hands on and laughing at random things like lights and people who are eating. Last check he's 28.5 inches long and 18 lbs, 6 oz.

The Boys

These two adore one another. What baby doesn't love attention? And what 5 yr. old doesn't love an audience that is strapped into a chair and thinks every silly noise is worthy of a smile? Daniel spends a large portion of his time at home trying to make Nathan giggle. Addie tries too, but it comes off as not-so-subtle aggression.

Both boys seem to be growing up at warp speed this month. Nathan has worn 6 mo. sized clothing for only a month and he's ready to move up again. At his 4 mo. checkup he was 16 lbs., 4 oz. and 26 inches. He's started eating solid food and he can roll from his tummy to his back. This is actually a problem since he sleeps on his stomach. He wakes himself up a lot by flipping over.

The pants that fit Daniel in October are all now too short. And this happened...

This event, more than any other in his life so far, confirms to me that he is a big kid. It's awesome. And scary. And a little gross.

Photo Shoot - Part 1

The kids have been experimenting with the camera lately. It's made for some fun surprises when I upload photos...

Not sure why the fly swatter she's holding evokes so much passion, but...

Nathan: Month Two

Daniel took this picture during one of the kids' photo shoots (I'll post more of their shots later.) At Nathan's 2 month checkup he measured 23 3/4" and 13 lbs., 6 ounces. At least one of those pounds resides in his cheeks. He's smiling a ton and it turns out he likes to talk when he has your undivided attention....undivided attention is the hottest commodity around here.

Nathan: Month One

Nathan's one month checkup: 22 inches, 10 lbs., 11 oz., big 'ol cheeks. Thinking it's time to get him on a schedule since school starts for the big kids next week.

Nathan William Hahn

On July 28th, 2010 we welcomed Nathan William into the world at 9:35 a.m. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 inches. Cute little face, big soon-to-be-brown eyes, full head of hair and skinny little legs with wrinkly knees. Big brother and sister have been most attentive and loving to little Nathan; holding, feeding and kissing him. Addie loves to pick out new outfits for him. And Daniel pats his head every time he walks by and whispers, "Hi, little buddy."

Nathan, we are so happy you are finally here to complete our family. It will be the 5 of us from here on out. We've been waiting for you. Ready? Let's go...

Nesting

Today I spent close to 3 hours cleaning what will be the baby's room. It was full-on I can't possibly let my baby be born into a world with baseboards as filthy as this! nesting. While I was wiping off each tiny slat on the cold air return, I wondered why women do this. Is this a hormonal drive that dates back to creation, to help signal to Eve that her baby was coming soon so she better start gathering soft grass and making a few fig leaf diapers? And why is the modern manifestation of this drive a desire to clean things that our babies will not even touch until they are probably 6 months old, at which time we won't really care if they get a little dust on their hands and more dog hair in their mouths? What a waste of energy. And the crazy thing is that once I left the baby's room and looked at the rest of my filthy and cluttered house I didn't care.

Pregnant Head

My brain is mush. If you asked me to do something for you in the last 2 weeks, I've forgotten. Unless you asked me to sit on my couch and watch tv or wander aimlessly around my house wondering what I am supposed to be doing or why I went into that room. I did do that. Friday I took Daniel to school and forgot I had brought Addie with me and I left her there. I got in my car, drove down the alley and realized when I looked at her empty car seat in the rear view mirror that she was still inside the school. I ran back in and found her wandering in the hall calling, "Mom?!?" They really shouldn't leave small children in the care of pregnant women. Yesterday I threw a sippy cup and a full container of peanut butter in the trash. This morning I left the dog outside for over an hour. Our yard is not completely fenced in. If you live on our street, chances are she pooped or peed in your yard and I'm sorry. I'm thinking of limiting my use of appliances that involve heat or may catch something on fire...just to be safe.

Hurry Up

I think most people know this about me, but don't be too appalled if you don't. I don't like babies. They are demanding, selfish, unappreciative, and over-emotional. If I described an adult to have those qualities you wouldn't want to be friends with a person like that. And no, it does not escape me that babies are incapable of being any other way. People with genuine hearts of compassion are drawn to the helplessness of babies and get all gooey and lovey. I get impatient. And the idea of going back to Baby Land after being out of it for a solid year and a half is cause for anxiety. This is not to downplay the ridiculousness and frustration of Toddler Town. I live there now and it's infuriating, but there are no diapers and I often hear "vank you" and "I wuv you" and sometimes even, "You're da bestest mom ever!" You don't get any of those in Baby Land.

So at 14 weeks, the sleeplessness and bad dreams have started. I know, it's fear. Fear of the disruption, the change, the cost, the loss of freedom and sleep, the epidural, the c-section and recovery, the claustrophobia of 3 car seats in a regular car, the claustrophobia of 5 people in our house, the change in our marriage and mostly the fear of the things I don't like about babies. I wish I could peel the next 2 years of my life off quickly like a band-aid. Mostly because I know I am not going to be "da bestest mom ever" to Daniel and Addie when I'm commuting between Baby Land and Toddler Town. In fact, I know I am going to be down right awful some days. The hormones of the first trimester have already lead to more yelling from all parties involved...except the baby's. Unless you count severe nausea as in utero yelling.

Hurry up 2010...and maybe 2011.