11:05pm and counting ...

the boy is still sleeping in the baby bjorn. and, i've finally had a chance to check email, blog a bit, write some thank you notes. feel a little more normal.

now, if only i could shower ...

necessity = baby bjorn

so, after the last post, i nursed again, burped and got cole to sleep in his bassinet around 9pm. by 9:33pm, he was wide awake and crying to be picked up. i tried soothing him. i sang. i pat his tummy. he just wailed even louder. so, i picked him up. of course, he calmed down a bit.

i've created a monster. he just wants to be held. my mexican family says he's "embrazilado" (sp?) -- i.e. "spoiled". i feel so torn. i just want to hold my baby if that's what he needs right now. but, am i doing him more harm than good???

anyhoo -- all these thoughts went through my head as i looked over to a corner basket in our living room where the boppy, brest friend, ring sling and baby bjorn have begun to collect dust. with cole beginning to cry (you see, he not only wants to held, he wants me to walk around, too), i decide to give the baby bjorn one more try. somehow i wiggled myself into the contraption and juggled a crying cole into the leg and arm holes. we walked up the stairs and i begin bouncing and singing a rousing rendition of "jingle bell rocks."

the boy fell asleep.

it's a miracle.

he's been down for 30 minutes now, attached to my chest. i've done some dishes and am now blogging. i can actually hear him dreaming in the thing.

god bless the baby bjorn.

the only problem -- how long do i keep him in there?

it's 10:16pm and counting ...

come home daddy

did i mention that jordan has been in london for the week?

come home daddy.

we miss you.

a cry

cole won't stop crying. and he won't sleep.

he's sooo tired, that he just cries. once i finally get him to sleep -- usually while nursing, he wakes up after only 30 minutes or wakes up crying the second he's carefully placed in his crib or bassinet.

and, he won't stop eating. it's every 2 hours ... and, mind you, that means he eats at 1pm, finishes around 1:30pm, cries, maybe falls asleep around 2:30pm or maybe cries until 3pm, at which point he wakes up "famished" and ready to start the cycle all over again.

i've tried to establish a bedtime routine -- bath, nurse, read, rock, place in crib while drowsy. sometimes i can get him to sleep for 3-4 hours. i've tried playing sweet music, singing, rocking, pacing, nursing, pacifer. i've even let him cry for a few minutes. i've passed him on to abuelita. i've tried sleeping with him in bed. nothing seems to work right now.

i don't think he's hungry. i know he's tired. surprisingly, he'll stop every now and then to coo, smile, and laugh. he doesn't have a fever. his diaper is clean. his clothes are comfortable. but, after just a few happy minutes, the big frown appears and the crying begins.

i don't know what to do. i don't know what i'm doing wrong. and, i need some sleep.

i dedicate this post to cole's tears and my tears.

please pray that we both get some sleep soon.

thanksgiving 2006

here are some pics from our first thanksgiving as a family. both the california and arizona crew joined us in texas and we had a big ol' get together at the ranch -- fried turkey and tofu-turkey included!

Thanksgiving Album

cole: 2-month old

Click below to see some our favorite pictures of Cole's first 2 months with us!

Album of Cole's first 2 months!

Cole now weighs 11 pounds and continues to nurse every 2-3 hours. He LOVES to kick his feet and stand up straight & tall. He flashes his big toothless grin everytime Abuelita talks to him and saves the best full-face smile for Mommy after he finishes eating -- as if to say, "Thank you, Mommy. I love you." As soon as Daddy comes home, he turns to look for him and takes the best (long) naps on his chest. He loves to relax during his baths and talks up a storm after his morning nap. He was a bit feverish and melancholy after his first vaccinations, but Mommy gave him lots of cuddles and he was back to being his active self in a flash. Cole has yet to sleep through the night -- so Mommy and Daddy are pretty much walking zombies, but we're happy to know that he's happy and growing strong.

I Voted.

After a walk through the park, my mommy and I waited in line at the local Baptist church to place our vote in the 2006 elections. I made quite a few friends in line and even got a sticker afterwards for being such a good boy.