Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving! Now that we have James in our life, I can't help but pause and think about how this year's holiday is different than years past.

I am thankful for...

- Our sweet baby boy, who has been a rockstar baby! I'm so thankful to be his mommy and so blessed that he is a happy and healthy baby.
- John- he is an amazing husband and has been an amazing, doting father. He has been exceptionally great at helping me with whatever needs regarding James.
- My health- I'm thankful I have hood health so I can continue to be here for my son and provide him with what he needs.
- My family- parents, sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws. Thankful we have each other.

Today and everyday we all have so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo Favorites

Here are some of my favorite pictures of James over the last 6 weeks.  No captions needed, I'll let the cuteness speak for itself. :)

1 Month

Dear Son,

You are 1 month old today. ONE. MONTH. I seriously don't know where this last month has gone. It flew by so quickly, yet it also felt like time stood still (especially during those early morning feedings). I honestly don't remember what life was like before you arrived and simply cannot imagine living this life without being your mommy. You have changed our lives so much and have put a whole new twist of adventure into our everyday routine. 

Some things that stand out about you during your first month out of utero....

• You LOVE to eat! You have been a rockstar at breastfeeding since day one, making it easier on mommy. You went from 7lbs 1oz to 7lbs 14oz in 5 days during your first week of life. Pretty impressive! 
• At your 1 month check-up you weighed 10lbs 8oz, you were 21 inches long, and your head circumference was 14 inches.
• You can go through a case of diapers like nobody's business.
• You love your evening bath. It somewhat helps relax you for your last feeding of the night before we put you to bed.
• You are getting better at sleep. The first few weeks were rough, but you'll typically sleep a 4 and a 3 hour stretch throughout the night. Not bad for a little guy.
• You are strong. You've been holding your head up for short periods of time since you were in the hospital. It's obvious you will likely be an early mover and I'm already bracing myself.
• You are so snuggly. I have loved being on maternity leave and soaking up all of your snuggles. Typically after your 6 a.m. feeding mommy will just hold you and we'll both fall back asleep on the couch before starting our day.
• You are a rockstar in a social setting. You have already been to many restaurants, mommy and daddy's friends house, the grocery store, target, etc. As long as you have a fully belly you are a trooper and we love this about you!
• You are a loud sleeper. You snore, grunt, and squeek as you sleep. When we first brought you home from the hospital you were sleeping in our room in your bassinet. Now, you have been graduated to your room so mommy and daddy can get sleep and not wake up from every little peep you make. :)
• You love your carseat and car rides and completely hate your swing.
• You are the king of fighting sleep! You must get this from your father because your momma cherishes her sleep times.

I think I could go on for days about your first month of life, but these are small things that stand out. You are such a good baby and we are so blessed that you are ours. We love you more than you will ever know, James Michael, and we look forward to the months ahead watching you grow and develop your own personality.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Aunt Malia Meets James

We had a special visitor last weekend.... Aunt Malia flew in from Minnesota to meet James for the first time! Aunt Malia was a huge help over the weekend. She came bearing all of her baby charming tricks, cooked for us, did little things around the condo, took bottle duty shifts, and got in lots of snuggles. :)

Getting to know each other

Saturday we loaded up and took a little day trip to Lawrence. The 3 adults enjoyed a late lunch and adult beverages while James slept. Mommy was glad to enjoy and un-interrupted meal and not have to shovel her food for once. 

Snuggles at Freestate

Saturday night we had to make a necessary run to Foo's custard in Brookside. This place was enjoyed by the Birnbaum ladies the weekend of James' baby shower in August. It was a must to finish out the cheat day.

Yum!

We had to take Aunt Malia back to the airport on Sunday. Although we were sad to see her leave we really enjoyed her time in KC. James loved meeting her and I think it's safe to say Aunt Malia loved meeting him too. 

Royal Parade

As the entire world already knows, the KC Royals won the MLB World Series this year after taking 2nd place in 2014! This was HUGE for our city. We spent much of our month of October watching games, including during our stay in the hospital after having James. John joked that he had to wait 29 years to watch the Royals win a World Series, but James only had to wait 16 days.

In honor of the Royals winning the World Series, KC basically shut down the city for the day on November 3rd to celebrate this huge occasion with a parade through the city. There were 800,000 fans in attendance for this occasion and we got to experience the chaos. Despite James' short attendance (due to waking from a nap and needing to eat), he will be able to say he attended the Royal Parade to honor the KC Royals' 2015 World Series victory.

Ready for the parade

The trophy

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

James got to celebrate his first Halloween this year. After much time of searching for a newborn Halloween costume we came upon an adorable Minion costume. We thought this would be appropriate as when I was pregnant, and before we found out we were having a boy, we would call James "our little minium (a.k.a. Minion)". We think he was the cutest Minion around on Halloween. :)

Pumpkin buns

Our Minion

"Dad, this hat is embarassing!"

Meeting James

Throughout the first few weeks at home we had several visitors. First, cousin Jordan and Aunt Jessica stopped by to get some James snuggles. Jordan had been so excited to meet his new cousin that he had nicknamed "Laser". :)

Cousin Jordan

Aunt Jessica getting snuggles

Kyle and Bethany stopped by to see James. Kyle didn't partake in James snuggles, but Bethany sure did!

Great Grandma Barbara finally got to meet James. She thought he is pretty sweet.

Our California cousins were driving back from the east coast and made an extra pit stop in KC to meet James.

Cousin Lynne from California

39 & 40

So, the other night I realized amidst the chaos of life with a newborn, I had never posted week 39 or 40's pictures/updates. Week 39 I was feeling BEYOND ready to meet our little guy. I was tired, uncomfortable, and just plain anxious as to when I would actually go into labor. We had a false alarm on the Tuesday before James was born and were sent home to continue to wait it out. We spent a lot of the week walking at night and I made sure the bags and car seat were in the car and ready to go. The night I started having false labor contractions, John made sure to finally pack his bag too, asking me "what is the temperature like in those places" (a.k.a. the hospital rooms). So without further ado, here are weeks 39 and 40. :)

Week 39

One of our last evening walks before James. The sunset was gorgeous that night!

Week 40 with our little peanut!