Daycare began!

We have entered the next big transition...back to work and sending Cael to daycare! Cael began daycare yesterday, and as expected he did excellent! The morning went like nothing I thought it would. I thought I would get up at 6 am, get myself ready, Cael would be awake ready to eat, I would get him dressed, and out the door by 7 am. Here is how the first morning really went. I overslept my alarm until 6:30 am. I did get myself ready to go, but instead of Cael begging for food, I had to wake him up. I got him dressed thinking that would wake him up...he hardly woke up! I tried to feed him, but of course he wasn't having any of that since he would fall asleep instantly! We were out the door by 7:15 am, which I didn't think was too bad! We get to daycare, and he was wide awake. Cael snuggled right in with Deb (his daycare provider). I thought it was going to be really hard to leave him there...I thought I would cry at least when I got to the car! Instead what I found is that I just didn't want to leave! I wanted to see what they were going to do all day! I kept myself busy all day running errands, going to the YWCA, etc. When I went back to pick him up, he was laying on the floor playing like he does when he was home with me...he was happy! He fell asleep on the way home, slept for an hour, and woke up long enough for a bath and to eat.
I put him to bed at 8pm, he talked himself to sleep over 30 minutes, then we didn't hear from him again until 1 am! Jonathan got up and fed him a bottle, then we didn't hear from him again until 5:45 am! Thinking he had been sleeping a lot, and my normal time to get up now is 6 am, I thought he would be up for the day...well, he fell back to sleep, which I was able to lay him down in his crib, and he slept for another 45 minutes while I got ready! I took him to daycare for day 2, and when Deb started talking to him, he had a huge smile on his face! I kept myself busy today by...not doing too much! I met up with Jonathan for lunch, then came home and did a few things... When I went back to get Cael, he was sitting in the excer-saucer watching the other kids do crafts! He fell asleep on the way home, slept for about 45 minutes, then stayed awake until 7:30 pm. Hopefully tonight will go a lot like last night! He certainly is tired enough, I think!!

I start back to work tomorrow...hopefully I won't be too busy to ease my way into it! Not likely, but I can hope, right?

Cael loves sitting in his high chair!

Dog sitting Riley King

So, Jonathan's co-worker David and his family were going out of town for the weekend, so we agreed to watch their dog, Riley ("ToTo dog"). David brought Riley over last night, and we have him through Sunday. So far...Riley is a really good dog...very content without needing much attention (low maintenance). This morning, Cael was laying on the floor (right in front of me) and Riley heard a car door outside, so Riley barked. I was telling Riley to stop barking that everything was ok...I look down at Cael...he has the hugest frown on his face, then breaks down into his "sad face" and begins to cry! I guess the barking scared him a little bit! Riley doesn't seem to mind Cael's crying, though!

Lunch with daddy

On Thursday, Cael and I took Jonathan out for lunch, as "one last lunch out before mommy goes back to work". We decided on Olive Garden for soup and salad! Cael did pretty well...a little fussy at times as it was his lunch time too. The other customers didn't seem to mind as he was "so cute" and "so little"! I don't think he is quite "so little" anymore, but whatever!

Easter Bunny!

On Wednesday, Cael and I met up with Colleen and Samuel at the Mall of America to meet the Easter Bunny! Cael wasn't sure what to really think about the Easter Bunny but I know that mommy was scared to death to put Cael on "his" lap! The bunny was a little creepy to me, but Cael didn't seem to mind! He did well for his first meeting!

We returned!

Cael has officially met all his 1st cousins, aunts and uncles! Andy and Hannah came up to visit us while Hannah was on spring break! Hannah enjoyed reading to Cael, and Cael liked listening to her! This was the start of a really fun week!

We have successfully made our first "BIG" trip with Cael! Our trip to Arizona was a lot of fun! Jonathan and I both feel that Cael "grew up" so much this week! First off, Cael traveled very well on the flight! He slept for 95% of each flight! The people around us were impressed with how well he did...so were we! While in Arizona, we did a lot of what we needed to do...relax and enjoy the weather! Uncle Jordan, Auntie Erin, and cousin Flynn met us down there...what a blast it was to watch the boys all week! During the week, we hung out at Mike Haler's humble abode (where we were staying...THANKS, MIKE!), we went to Tucson to visit Eric and Cyndy and the kids, also for Cael to meet the rest of his cousins! We celebrated St. Patrick's Day at a mexican restaurant! We attended a Cubs game (which was too hot for Cael in the sun, so we spent the majority of the game under the stands in the shade, which was perfect). We even did a little hike in the White Tank Mtns! The weather was perfect the entire week, getting a little on the warmer side toward the end of the week, but nothing to complain about! Cael really enjoyed being in just a onsie or his diaper!

Meeting cousins Kjetil, Laurelei, and Chloe!

Kjetil is only 9 days older than Cael...they weigh close the same, but certainly carry it differently! Kjetil is definitely longer than Cael!

Now we are back home, trying to adjust to reality again! Cael came back from vacation a little grumpy...I think he wants to go back to wearing only his diaper, but it is too cold in MN! I told Jonathan that I would gladly return to AZ with him, but Jonathan said I do have to go back to work eventually! I am officially starting back to work on April 1 (not a joke, either). Cael is starting day care on March 30, so I will have a couple days of him at day care before I start back to work to either rest or run errands that I need to!

Cael returning to his Minnesota gear! Long sleeves, long pants, and a hat!

Lots has been going on!

Hey everyone! So Cael and I have had several things going on since the last time we blogged! This may be the biggest update yet! (Sorry in advance for the length)

First, I am officially off my blood pressure medication and my blood pressure was 106/70 at my appt on Thursday! I have been given the "all clear" to begin exercising again, without limitations. My MD wants me to email her BP readings for the next couple weeks to make sure they continue to be normal! Also, my lab values were normal! They want me to get another lab draw when Cael has his 4 month check up to make sure everything is still normal! What a relief! I am feeling 150% better than I did a month ago!!

While we were at my appointment, my MD walked over to Cael's pediatrician and said that he had an opening to get Cael in for his 2 month appt that day (which was supposed to be the next day). To be honest, I didn't think I wanted to do it myself, since Jonathan was planning on coming to his check up with me knowing Cael was supposed to get his shots! Well, we just decided to have his appt since we were at the clinic. Yikes...shots were not fun for Cael! He looked at me with those big blue eyes and began screaming! He calmed down after a while (and a little food) and did pretty well the rest of the day, with the help from a little infant Tylenol! Cael's stats at 2 months: weight 12 lb 8 oz (78%ile), length 22.5 inches (37%ile).

In the meantime, Cael and I have tried to get out of the house the most we can...despite the questionable weather! We went to Plymouth MN to meet Colleen and Eli's son, Samuel last weekend. Samuel is 4 weeks younger than Cael...he looks tiny next to Cael! This past week we met Colleen and Samuel at a mall and walked for almost 5 hours!! The boys did well, with a couple stops for "infant breakdown" or feeding! Colleen and I even ventured a sit down restaurant, which the boys slept! Cael and I have also made the trip to the Mall of America to walk (and shop a little) with Christy. Cael does really well in the stroller!

On Thursday this past week, MN weather actually got to 45 degrees! I was excited, so thought we would take the trip over to Lake Nokomis for a walk. Well, Cael was doing pretty good, but there was a little breeze off the lake, which made it kind of cold...Cael certainly did not like that! We joke how Cael hasn't gotten any fresh air since he was born, since we always cover his face whenever we go outdoors. Soon he will get some fresh air!!

I like to believe that Cael has been sleeping a little better, with only having to get up with him 1-2x/night, usually to eat, then he goes back to sleep. Hopefully this will become his consistent pattern, and we can all get a little more sleep! On a different note, one night, I went in to get Cael when he was crying. I asked Jonathan where he put Cael when he put him down earlier that night...Cael's head was against the rail, and his body was in the shape of a "C"! Looks like Cael is beginning to move a little in his crib! It happened again that night!! It hasn't happened much since, but we have to start watching the little guy!

Other big things: Cael has found his hands to suck on. The mobile is his new favorite toy (we can put him in the crib crying, and we will be content with it...it's magic!). My PT school friends threw a triple baby shower yesterday, which is always fun to see each other, and to meet the new little babies! It was also great to see Sara and Will Fossey who came up to visit and meet Cael over the weekend! Congratulations to them as they are expecting a little one in August!!

Finally...we picked a daycare! Her name is Deb, and she is an in-home provider, who is crazily organized with activities and educational adventures! We are excited to have finally decided on someone...I think Cael will have a good time at daycare! (Probably better than being stuck at home with me all the time!) He is beginning daycare on March 30, and I am beginning work on April 1 (no joke!).

Hope everyone is doing well! We will talk to you all soon! Next time I won't wait so long, so it won't be so lengthy!