Chase Month 4 (Jan 21 - Feb 20)

It's been a rough month for all of us getting through the death of my mom, but without this little boy our spirits could be a lot worse. He is such a happy content little baby. He graces us with a bright smile each morning and giggles and grins throughout the day.

He has discovered that he can scream so when he is playing and such he does a little Teradactyl scream. We are blaming his buddy Ethan (6 months old) for teaching him bad habits already ;)

But Ethan did invite us along swimming at his Grandpa's hotel pool. Chase's first time swimming! The water was like bath water so it wasn't shocking. I just floated him around for a while. He eventually started to kick his feet a bit. But from then on he absolutely loves the bath tub, kicks and splashes all over the place!

He also visited his new buddy Noah 1o weeks younger than him. So he is going to grow up with so many friends to play with!

-Chase started a baby food regimen. He gets dinner every night and breakfast on mornings I am home with him. He still eats about 4-5 oz every 3 hours.
Look Mom I can spell my name!

-He continued to improve on sleeping through the night. Several nights he slept about 13 hours straight!

-Another cold got him during this month, this time with a cough and I felt so bad for him. But it was cute in the same sense hearing this little person make this cute little cough...is that awful? Hehehe. But that all cleared up after about 2 weeks. ( Thank goodness too because the lack of sleep we got was not fun, especially when you were used to getting a full nights sleep!)

-Chase has been all about his hands and really grabbing onto to things in his reach. Getting more coordinated everyday. Waiting for him to discover rolling over and his feet! He is an extremely strong little boy, he can stand with help for not falling to one side or another. He also started playing in his jumperoo and loves it!

3 months old

Happy Birthday Gramma <3

Chase has his 4 month check up soon for his next set of shots :( but we are guessing him to be around 17lbs, and hoping he is longer!!!! Even though him growing out of his clothes should be a good clue he is getting taller.

How do I even put a title to this? Chase month 3

On January 15, 2011, Chase lost the best woman in his life, his grandmother. I am at a loss for words regarding this whole situation. She should have been cured and home by now. I know in my heart that she is now watching over Chase from heaven, she is his guardian angel. I thank God that I "accidentally" got pregnant, that she got to meet her grandchild. She was so wonderful with him and he was already more spoiled than you can imagine. I could not have gone through being pregnant and delivery without her either. And I know feeling the way I do, I would have made the choice not to have children knowing the pain I am feeling from loosing a parent. Is that selfish? Probably but that is how I felt as I was sitting by my mom's side, I can't help that. But now I hope to have more children so that if tragedy struck again, he would have the support from his family.

Day he was born


Chase's final moments with Gramma:

I was advised all week not to bring him up to the hospital, who knows exactly why, but whatever. I sent pictures and video to her everyday. On that Thursday morning minutes before she lost consciousness, she got to see him for the last time. I probably wouldn't have brougt him but Randy was not home. When we walked into her room, she was so happy to see him. "oh sweetheart, hi, Gramma can't hold you right now" as I sat him next to her. He grinned from ear to ear as soon as he saw her and kept smiling until the unfortunate moments ahead took over. I know in my heart that she fell asleep with pure happiness in her heart. Managing to get out as well " I love you Beck" before she started to become incoherent.

And you all know how the rest unfolded.

Her support group of family and friends, amazing. The prayers that were going out around the world AMAZING! I hope to have Chase grow up knowing how much his Gramma loved him through the love I can give, even though I know it won't compare to what she could have showed directly.




Well, here is a little about Chase's 3rd month of life:

- He had to visit a cardiologist, there was a little bit of a scare because of how he breathes so heavy. His doctor wanted to rule out any heart problems. He was such a angel at the appointment. Such a little wiggle worm as they were doing the ultrasound and echo of his heart. And praise God all was good! The next step is to see and ENT doctor to rule out any narrowed air passages being the cause of the heavy breathing. He was a WHOPPING 14lb 6oz that day, 11 weeks old.

- Mom has been back to work and dad has been doing great being home with him. I know though he is going to get him hooked to sports too soon!

- Chase got to spend the weekend house/pet sitting with me over new years. It went better than I thought. We didn't make it at the new years party we were at but he decided to stay up with me til see the ball drop :)

- Christmas was wonderful, very low key but perfect. Xmas eve was at my moms and xmas at my dads. The only gift I care about was the recordable book that Gramma got him, so he will be able to hear her read to him for as long as it lasts.

- HE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! 3 nights in a row. He knew momma needed to try to get some sleep with everything going on.

My little boy is no longer a newborn, he is a little baby and I can't believe how big he is getting.
I am going to try cloth diapers so I will let you know how that goes. We are working on rolling and his hand/eye coordination gets better everyday. He is starting to laugh a little more but says ah-goo and says a wet sounding k :) He is discovering his voice and I love hearing his little sounds talking to me.


Gramma was going to go with us for his 3 month pictures...I know she will still be there in spirit.




trying out his big boy chair


11 weeks, 3 days

Chase 2 months

8 weeks old

Chase is just the most precious little boy. I fall more in love with him everyday!

He had his 2 month check up on Dec. 22. He was 13lbs 8oz, still 21 inches long (didn't grow vertically but horizontally). He got his first round of shots too. That broke my heart when he was sleeping so soundly to get woken up to have 3 pokes in his chunky little thighs. I had to hold his arms while the nurse held his legs. Those WIDE eyes as he got his first pinch... Poor baby! Afterwards though he immediately fell back to sleep with his paci in my arms :)

He had his first Christmas, celebrating on Xmas eve at Grandma's house and then on Xmas with Grandpa. Great times with great family :)

I also went back to work the week of Christmas. It was a little sad, but I did well. It was kind of nice to be getting back and doing something different. Daddy also did very well at home with him. I am working a little bit more in January (than the 2 days a week I started with) so I am looking less forward to that. I am really going to miss my boy! I am still breast feeding which I couldn't be more pleased with myself that I have done it for 2 months and still going strong! Now with working it will be more challenging but I am going to still give it my all, my goal is to make it to at least 6 months.

2 months old (almost 9 weeks)

Chase has hit the 7 hours of straight sleep mark at night, its not every night but it is a start and I couldn't be happier. He will do at the least about a 4 hour stretch. He is getting better about going to sleep too. For a while he would fight it, but now has become more accustomed to it and knows that I will be there as he wakes!

He is also starting to grab and hold onto toys with a little help. He is trying to "talk" more and more especially while changing him. Precious moments I will always cherish. He cracks me up with the new games we play and how he responds. And he has already started the fake cry! He will fuss like he is unhappy but stop and smile as I laugh at him and tell him he is faking.

New Year's Eve we did not make it all night at our friends house but Chase was willing to still stay up and bring in the new year with me at home :) Doesn't want to miss a thing does he?

Another family bonding moment...all of us have colds :/ Hoping to recover quickly!

Happy New Year everyone! May 2011 bless you in so many ways!

Weeks 5-7

6 weeks old

So a couple milestones: (What I call them anyways)

-Chase is now sleeping in his crib all night, and sleeps at night. (Started just before he turned 6 weeks old). He wakes up 2 to 3 times to eat depending on how late he "goes to bed". Still working on getting a better bedtime routine. He likes to fight going to sleep so most nights he is very fussy for a couple hours between the times of 8-Midnight. My boy is just so alert and doesn't want to miss a thing! So, why would he want to go to sleep in case he missed something? :)

-He got to try his first taste of cereal at about 6 weeks. He enjoyed it. Mom was hoping that it would help fill his tummy a little more so she could get a longer stretch of sleep at night. I know that this cereal thing brings on false hope, it is not true. He was up the same amount of time in between feedings, at that point about every 2-2 1/2 hours. Now at 7 1/2 weeks old, he is sleeping 3- 3 1/2 hours between feedings. Yay! it does get better.

Chase met Santa for the first time on Dec. 5th. He told him everything he wanted for Christmas :)

- On the morning of his 6 week birthday, he was on his changing table and I was changing him and he gave me a big smile! That was such a joy to me. Since then he smiles more and more. A big open mouth grin. I just laugh every time he smiles. He has also started to make more noises, he is discovering his voice.

- Around week 7 he has really come to appreciate his play floor mat more. He loves to look at himself in the mirror propped next to him. Also, is turning to the rattle sounds of different toys. He has also come to enjoy swinging more. Week 7 he is about 12lbs. He also has really started to enjoy taking baths, kicking and squirming enjoying the warm water.

7 weeks old

He turns 8 weeks on 12/16. He has his 2 month doctor appointment next week and will have to get vaccines, boooo. Mom is not looking forward to that. Also, I am going back to work next week as well. Dad is going to be at home with Chase! :) I am not looking forward to leaving him but know he is in good hands and it is nice for him to be at home instead of daycare.

Our first Thanksgiving

Our trip up north to Houghton, MI went very well! Chase did great in the car. We had a good system down as well for changing diapers, feeding and making necessary stops. It took us about 10 hours, normally about a 8 1/2 to 9 hour drive. Randy was a trooper and drove the whole way...lol. Our niece Corinne was also a passenger on our adventure. Flew in the week before stayed with us for a few days and traveled up north to meet up with her mom and visit with the family. Randy's dad, step mom, sister, nephew, brother and sister in law were all there! It was great for the family to finally meet Chase. A nice way to celebrate our first Thanksgiving with him :)

Chase got to experience his first taste of winter and cold weather. The first time stepping out into the cold he gave a little scream at the shock of cold. It was quite cute. Also, he loved gazing out of the window at the brightness of the blazing white of snow. He still fought his cold while we were there but all in all he did great and it was a nice few days.

The trip home went even better, making it home in about 9 hours. Now to wait til we see the snow down here!

1 month check up

Chase had his one month old check up today.

He is a whopping 10lbs 6oz and 21 1/2 inches long. My boy is getting so big!
He also has his first cold (thanks to Daddy). :)

We are headed up to the UP eh. So, wish us luck that the normal 9 hour car ride goes well. I am taking bets on how long the actual trip will take us hehe.

So I will right about that experience when we come home!

Week 3 and 4 (My baby is a month old!)

3 weeks

Well, I can't believe Thursday will be a month since Chase has graced us with his presence. Quite an adjustment we have made in our lives for this little guy, but a good one at that. Mom (me) is missing her sleep immensely, but dad has started to really help out at night more. I think we are starting to develop a routine that works well for us. Nights are on and off for Chase, if he decides he wants to sleep or be wide awake for a while. :)

Nursing is going so much better for me as well, what a big thing to adjust to as well, a learning experience for all of us!

We have gone on a few outings: grocery shopping, dinner a couple times, work outings, and to visit family and friends, and church for the first time this past Sunday. All have gone well. We have even had the opportunity to take advantage of the nice weather (60* days) and gone for a couple walks with the dogs too. Chase also had his first sleep over at Grandma's so that mom and dad could have a night out together with some friends and also a night of sleep!

Next week we will be conquering a long trip up to the UP to visit Randy's family for Thanksgiving. Please pray that the car ride goes well! We are excited for them to meet the little man :) Chase also has his one month check up we will see how big he has gotten (over 10lbs for sure is my guess.)