Jed's First Haircut

Jed's First Haircut

10.28.2010

Jed's first haircut.  He has no idea.

My baby was born with a head full of long dark hair. I had a lot of fun spiking it up or combing it into a Mohawk those first weeks. Then Jed’s hair fell out… except for a tuft in the very front and in the back around the collar. He looked like an old man with a comb-over. But that’s okay because babies are supposed to be a little funny looking sometimes. He was still way cute anyway. At last, new hair began growing in. Regardless, the long tuft in front still took all the attention. It was time for a haircut!

Jed’s first haircut just happened to take place on his six month birthday. I was too afraid to cut it myself, but Bron was eager to get it done. A little water, a comb, and a few snips later, Jed’s new do was finished! I think he looks much better. I was afraid my baby would suddenly look like a little boy with a haircut. Fortunately, he still looks like a baby and is even more charming.

Then I cut Bron’s hair that night. He looks much better now too.

Wow. I live with a pair of studs.

Sorry, ladies. They’re mine. 

My handsome boys

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6 Months

6 Months

10.25.2010

A Typical Jed Look

Happy Half Birthday to my baby! Jed is six months old today. Six months is quite a milestone. Where did the time go? Jed has grown so much! Once a tiny plop that purred and slept all day, he’s now sturdy, alert, and ready to play. It seems that the older Jed gets the more fun he becomes! It makes my job as his mother so worthwhile.

What Jed is Doing These Days:

• Jed is chronically happy; he’ll smile and flirt with any girl that gives him attention. One of my favorite parts of the day is going into his room and peeking over the crib railing in the morning. I get a huge smile, a squeal, and some kicks.
• Jed likes to eat his toes whenever the opportunity presents itself.
• He can roll over onto his tummy, but supports himself with a very wide arm brace and can't roll back over yet.  If he’s screaming in his crib, it’s because he’s stuck.  I sometimes wonder when he'll finally figure it out.   
• Jed seems to take a solid two hour nap every other day. All other days he takes two or three cat naps. The good news is that on those days he’s very tired and goes to bed earlier.
• Jed can scoot on his tummy …backwards and around in a circle. Poor kid. That can be frustrating.
• Jed is fascinated by trees and leaves. It’s great entertainment for both Jed and me.
• Jed is tough. I try my best to keep him bundled up, but he doesn’t fuss when his fingers or feet are cold. He loves to be outside!
• He’s a little wobbly, but Jed can sit!
• Jed is trying to work on his fine motor skills, but a fistful of anything still works best. Beware, if he grabs it, it’s going straight to his mouth!
• After nursing sometime in the afternoon, Jed likes to lay there and have a conversation with me. It is so cute and so much fun!
• We started Jed on rice cereal just before bedtime at 4 months old. This past month we started adding some vegetables into his diet. So far, Jed has proven to be a bit of a picky eater. If he doesn’t want to eat something, he chokes on it. He doesn’t spit it out; he takes a spoonful and chokes! It’s given Jed and me a few real scares.
• Jed likes to hang upside-down. He likes to dance with me too. When the music comes on he gets to do some crazy stunts.
• Jed won’t take a pacifier. He prefers something fleshy like his fingers or mine.
• He likes to position himself directly under his mobile when he sleeps.
• Jed has been sleeping wonderfully at night for months now. I just top him off before I go to bed and usually don’t hear from him until around 7:00AM. Sometimes, however, he requires a snack around 5:00AM. But I feel well rested and that’s all I really care about!

             

Playing in the leaves

A new booster seat and bib.  Jed gags on carrots.  Green beans make his tummy upset.  But sweet potatoes are a hit!  Here, he's eating peas.  He liked them the first day, but not the second.  ?!!?  Maybe he just needs a little variety in his diet like his momma.  I don't care for leftovers either, Bud.

Yummy Toes!

As for me, I think I’ve finally adapted to motherhood. (Notice I did not say “master”.) After all these months, I don’t feel like an unorganized and chaotic mess anymore. I have become proficient at doing many things one-handed and don’t mind having a baby attached to my hip. I’ve also learned to quit analyzing Jed’s inconsistent habits. We now follow a very loose routine and do what we do when we do it! It’s much better this way. Honestly, though, the hardest thing about motherhood so far has been the adjustment to someone else’s demanding timetable; I can no longer do what I want to do when I want to do it. I know that sacrifice of one’s self and time is all part of the territory of motherhood; I’m just saying that it’s not easy sometimes. However, I must admit, that I’ve never been happier in my life. I have everything I’ve ever dreamed about right here with me. And the best part is, I get to have all this (and more) for forever. Sure there are things that I want that we can’t afford, but despite our meager circumstances, I am truly and comfortably content. I love being Bron’s wife and Jed’s mother; there is nothing more important to me. I love this life.

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Reflection

Reflection

10.23.2010

Contemplation. 

I wonder what Jed is thinking.  Is it,

"I wonder what I'll be when I grow up?" or "This drool is really killing my look!"

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6

6

10.22.2010

Just in time for Halloween.  I love this time of year.

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Family Pictures

Family Pictures

10.16.2010

The Autumn foliage is at its peak!  It takes my breath away.  Bron and I wanted to get some  family pictures done thinking the colors would make a great background.  Our friend, Anna, graciously took a break from work to be our photographer.  I think we both had a lot fun playing with the camera settings and poses and both learned a lot about light.  These are the results.  I think they turned out fantasically!  Thank you, Anna!

#1

My absolute favorite!

#2

#3

#4

Same thing, different crop

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

A little something less formal

#10

#11

#12

Another favorite.  Jed adores his daddy.

#13 & #14

I kinda like the dreamy look!

I love my little family so much!  My boys are my life.  It's comforting to know that they can be mine forever and always.  I can't think of anything that would make me more happy.

P.S.  If you have any photography suggestions, I'm all ears!

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I Got a Job!

I Got a Job!

10.13.2010

It’s official: I am a working woman! Not that caring for a small child around the clock isn’t work—it is. It’s the best job on the planet. Being a mother has redefined who I am and brought me more joy than I ever thought possible, but, unfortunately, being a full-time mommy doesn’t pay the bills, or pay for the groceries, or the gas. Yes, I have a big burly man who slaves away all day to protect and provide for us, but he’s a student, and “student” is synonymous with “dirt poor”.

That is why I am taking on a very part time position as a calf feeder on the farm. A little extra money will go a long way around here. I’m actually fairly excited about it! I’ll mix up milk replacer for forty calves or so, distribute grain, refill water pails, watch for and treat disease, and even drive a skid steer to do a feed push-up for all the lady cows in the barn. I’ll only be working about three hours 3-4 evenings a week.

I really can’t think of any negative points to the entire deal. I mean, I still get to stay at home and be Jed’s mom all day long. Bron will have some one-on-one time with the little guy, feed him dinner, and give him a bath. We won’t need to buy a second vehicle because I’ll only be a half mile away and we won’t need to pay for a babysitter; Jed can come hang out with me and the calves if Bron isn’t available. It’s an opportunity we can’t pass up! Definitely a blessing.

….. At last, it’s time to buy my very own pair of insulated coveralls. I’m a cowgirl now!

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