Happy Greaster!

Happy First Greek Easter to Nicholas :)

Nick and I had a great non stressful weekend. He came home early Friday and I got some good quality naps in. He also got up with Nicholas on Friday and Saturday night so I was able to sleep quite a bit and I think it made me a much nicer person in general...

Today was Greek Easter and we went over to Nick's parents house. It was low key with tons of good eats and we had a really nice time. Nicholas slept for most of the day - my more relaxed persona must be rubbing off on him. It was also a GORGEOUS day out, very warm and felt almost like summer - loved it. I took Dexter for a walk in the early morning, it was so quiet and peaceful, very enjoyable. Here are some pics of the day.

Nicholas is 1 Month Old!

Holy crap - can't believe it's been a month already. (thanks for the sign Maggie and thanks for the outfit Uncle Aaron and Auntie Morgan!!)

Likes:
Sleeping on Mom's chest. There is really nowhere else he wants to be, ever. He loves Nick, but because he's with me all day I think he is very attached already.

Eating. This kid eats like a champ. His gums are like an iron grip on the bottle. When you pause to try and burp him if he doesn't have to burp, he screams bloody murder at you.

Tummy Time - he's kind of getting the hang of this one. He loves the activity mat that my dad's friends gave us, but obviously doesn't do much other then "flop" around on it a bit.

Dislikes (sadly this list is much longer, but I'm hoping that changes by next month).

Sleeping anywhere but on someone. He's had a few good nights here and there, but definitely prefers to be on someone instead of in his crib, bassinet, or napper station of the pack n play.

Outfit changes/diaper changes. Screams the entire time...his morning diaper change for some reason has been pleasant, he wiggles around and almost "coos" now (or he's trying to anyway)

Bath time - he's only had a few baths so far (once a week) but he's not enjoying it very much right now

Having his nose cleaned/suctioned and his face cleaned when he spits up/dribbles formula - I don't think any baby/child likes this.

His doctor's appointment is on Monday April 16th so I will post weight/length updates when I have them.

My co-workers Pat and Gail were kind enough to come visit me on Tuesday and we had a great time. They brought over food from the Athenian and we had a few drinks - it was so nice and relaxing to have some grown up time. Nick took care of the babe while we hung out for a few hours. My friend Maggie came over yesterday and it was so great to see her, it had been far too long!

My mom and brother are visiting for a few days and it's great to have their help.

This weekend we have a party to go to and Sunday is Greek Easter. I haven't gotten any family photos yet so I'm hoping to get one of those then as well.

xo

Giuliana & Bill

Does anyone watch Giuliana & Bill? I'm not a big fan of TV, I never watch the news...I like "fluffy" funny stuff. So I joke and say my "news" is E!

Giuliana Rancic does the "news" on E! and is married to Bill Rancic, the winner of the original (I think)Apprentice with Donald Trump. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and had a double mastectomy. My former boss went through this same illness so when I watch the show I can't help but think of her as well. Giuliana & Bill have also been trying to get pregnant for some time and perhaps some of the hormones she had to take may have contributed to her cancer (don't quote me on that but I thought I had read that somewhere). They are an amazing couple together, truly loving, adorable, and very likable people.

Anyway, when I watch this show and I look at our son, I think how lucky Nick and I are to have him. Some women/couples go to great lengths to get pregnant and simply can't. Couples want children so badly and struggle to make it happen. I look at how thin Giuliana is and think "wow I'd like to be smaller" (vain I know) but she would give anything, ANYTHING, to be able to have a baby like I did. Nick and I are truly blessed to have a beautiful son and to be free of illness. It's the simple things that make life so wonderful.

xo

Crystal

Happy First Easter to Nicholas

Nick and I were lazy bums today and barely left the house (I didn't at all...Nick ran out to get soda.) Our friends Mike & Chloe stopped by to see Nicholas, I showered, but I don't think Nick did. It was a great and much needed low key day.

Nicholas gets a bath every Sunday and I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but it's a bit stressful - he screams the whole time and getting him out of the tub is nerve wracking because he's so little and slippery. Nick helps me the and we make it as short as possible. The first bath we gave him I almost fell over standing up - since my stomach muscles are still pretty weak it was so scary, thankfully Nick was right there and caught me. I know once he gets a little bigger he will probably love the bath so I look forward to that.

Here are some pics from today:

Dreaming of how to get back at me for putting him in this outfit. The shirt says "Chicks Adore Me". This is actually the first and only outfit I have bought for him so far.

Adorable shoes from Auntie Joanie

Once the screaming subsided, he was absolutely adorable

Happy Girl

Nicholas has been an angel the past few days. Sleeping is still on and off, but I feel as if he's starting to focus more and really "see" us now, and that's pretty cool. Also, I know it's just a "gas" smile, but when he looks at us like that, my heart just melts! I cannot believe he will be 1 month old next week!

We got to see our friends Ralph and Danielle and Matt and Deanna last night and had a great time. Nick's parents (Papou and Nana) watched Nicholas for us for a few hours. It was nice to get out, but I really "can't hang" just yet and was super tired, I think we left a little after 9 pm. Danielle made some amazing food and I just couldn't stop eating :) We planned another get together for the end of April so maybe by then I'll be a bit more with it.

Nick's friend Josh is home for Easter, we happened to be in the area and swung by to say hello. Josh is over 6 feet tall and joked Nicholas looked scared because he's never been six feet off the ground before.

The outfit above is a hand me down from Nick's cousin Nicky - it is one of my favorites from Baby Gap!

Head Above Water

The last few days have been difficult and stressful - I don't know what I'd do without Nick and the support of his family (especially Alexis) and my friend Brooke. How do single women do it? I am so thankful for the people that I have in my life that care about us. My parents are also wonderful but being so far away can only help so much. Nick took the day off from work yesterday so I could have a few hours to myself and it was rejuvenating.

Nicholas saw the pediatrician yesterday and weighed in at 7 lbs 15 oz. Good, but not great. Even with my trying to breastfeed and supplement with formula, he is still not getting enough. It's hard to not get down on myself. I read an article recently where some mothers feel like less of a woman because they had to have a c section, that they were "cheated" out of a vaginal birth or that their body wasn't capable of going through it. I don't feel that way at all, but I do feel like a failure because the breast feeding is not working out. I've cried a lot and have had to set Nicholas down and walk out of the room, step outside, etc., just to get my bearings and pull myself together. My abdomen has also bothered me a bit lately and I think it's probably stress related, not an actual problem. Like I said, it's been a tough few days.

On a positive note, I had my blood pressure checked and it's back to normal so I don't have to go on medication - thank goodness!

Here are some pics of the little guy :)

Sleeping on Dad

With Auntie Brooke and Mr. Dexter

Give us a kiss!

Checking out Mom

In his swing from my Aunt Cookie - he lasts about 5 minutes. I'm hoping he likes it more when he gets a little bigger

Right after a huge poop :)

Me and the peanut

Sunday Funday

I really savor the weekends now, even more than before. Nick, Dexter, and the babe are all napping so I'm just relaxing in the quiet and it's really nice. Nicholas has not been sleeping great - he's been congested for a few days now and only seems to want to sleep on us - not in his crib, his bassinet, or the napper station of the pack & play (yes, the kid has 3 "beds!") Nick and I have been sleeping in shifts and hoping that the congestion kicks it soon and that Nicholas is a bit more comfortable. He's also been quite gassy after eating so he's been crankier then he's been so far. He's sleeping in his napper station now so thought I'd take the time to post a few cute pics. Erik & Joe visited the last few days and it was great to have them here. They bought us beautiful clothes from Janie & Jack, Joe brought me a beautiful flower arrangement, and a special gift "just for me" from a company called Sabon - beautiful soaps, body scrubs, etc., right up my alley - and cruelty free to boot!