Up All Night- The Growing Prysocks

Just one year ago today, David and I were preparing for a New Years Eve get-together with some friends.  I was excited about our evening but it was a little bittersweet: I thought that we'd be pregnant by the end of 2012.  Honestly, I thought we'd already have a new baby by then.  Despite my disappointment, I halfheartedly decided to take a test. 

"Just in case," I told myself, "since we'll be toasting the new year with champagne."  

I definitely did not expect to see a this:

And one year later, God has blessed us so richly with a beautiful, healthy, sweet baby boy who is nearly four months old.  

We are so in love.

Sweet boy, you are three months old today.  

These three months have been a complete joy. You are such a happy, lovey little guy and you bless us so richly each day.  You're quick to smile and it lights up our hearts every time you do.  You've started laughing this month as well and it is amazing.  We'll be completely silly to elicit that sweet, breathy laugh of yours.

Your sleep schedule seems to be slightly more predictable lately: about two hours after you wake up, you want to sleep again. And you've been technically sleeping through the night {6-8 hours} for awhile now.  It's wonderful and glorious and we don't want to draw too much attention to it in case you get wind of the awesomeness and stop sleeping all together.  Sometimes, when you wake up to nurse in the middle of the night, you'll be so darn happy! Your eyes sparkle and you'll smile and coo and it completely melts my heart.

Several people have commented on how great you can control your head.  You can even support your own weight when we help you stand.  You're such a strong guy! You found your voice this month, too!  You love to "talk" with us and it's precious. We'll catch your eye and you'll smile and coo and start chattering. Seriously, it's one of my favorite things right now.

Early in the morning, I'll here you cooing and I'll lean over the bed to stare at you in your bassinet, which is as close to me as I could get it.  As soon as you see my, your face lights up, as if to say, "Oh! It's you! You're my favorite!" I melts my heart every time and completely compensates for whatever time is currently displayed on the clock.  I know that soon enough others will be your favorite, but for now I'm relishing the smile that's reserved just for me.

You're growing out of your three month clothes already.  Mostly, you're just too long for them.  Even some of your 3-6 month stuff is a little snug.  You're growing so fast!
EDIT: I had to pack away your 3-6 month clothes on December 8th because everything was just too snug!

You love your big brother.  Whenever Jonah is talking, you stare straight at him.  Sometimes you smile at him and sometimes you'll try to join in on the conversation.  {Adorable!}  He loves you so much too.  Every time you do tummy time, he has to lie down right next to you and pat your back.  He still asks to hold you from time to time and he loves to give you kisses.  In fact, he has to come say "good night" and give you a kiss every evening before his bedtime.  

Things Gideon Loves at Three Months

Mama's singing

Bath time
Eating
Jonah
Ceiling fans
"Talking"

Gideon, we love you so very much.  I can already feel myself being completely redundant, but you're such a blessing to us.  We love waking up to your sweet smile.  We love the cuddles and giggles. We even love waking up in the middle of the night because it means a few more minutes to love on you {But please feel free to keep sleeping! Don't let us keep you from it!}.  Your daddy and I are blown away that God would trust us with you.  We pray that He would give us the wisdom and patience o point you towards Him.  We pray that you would always know how deeply and totally we love you, little man.    

 Obviously, we take a lot of pictures of our little family.  Jonah has been the major focus of a lot of these pictures, and he's at the stage where he notices when we get the camera out.  He loves to look at "pictures Jonah" on our phones, computer, cameras, or in our scrapbooks.  More recently, he has expressed an interest in TAKING pictures, too.

Over the weekend while Gideon napped, we got out our big camera and let him snap some pictures around our backyard {read: he'd tell us what he wanted to take a picture of, we'd point it that direction, and he'd hit the button}

Here are some of our favorites {They're all by Jonah unless otherwise noted}!

We love our sweet boy and are glad he shares an interest in something we enjoy!

Littlest one, you're two months old today.  It's perhaps too sentimental, but I'm so thankful for each and every second I have gotten to spend with you.  At two months, we're almost out of the 4th trimester; I can hardly believe it.  It honestly seems like just yesterday I was still pregnant and begging you to arrive. 

You're such a strong boy, buddy.  I find myself forgetting that you're only two months old because you're hitting many physical milestones early.  You hold your head up really well. We hardly have to support your neck at all anymore. In fact, sometimes you get a little grumpy with us if we don't hold you up and let you look around. You've even rolled from your tummy to your back a few times. It has happened on four separate occasions but you don't do it every time you have tummy time, so who knows.  And you haven't done it in a couple of weeks.  Perhaps it was a fluke?  I'll update again when you're a little more consistent.

You've been smiling at us a lot this month. At first, I struggled to get a picture because every time I pulled out the camera, you'd furrow your eyebrows and stare at it, like you were trying to decipher what it was {adorable}.  But my persistence paid off! One night when your daddy and I were playing a game, you started smiling your biggest smiles EVER.  I grabbed my camera and just kept snapping pictures.  It was the sweetest thing and was so wonderful to see you so happy.

You love to be held.  Sometimes we'll have you laying down in one of the various pieces of equipment we have and you'll start crying like something is seriously wrong.  We'll swoop in, pick you up, and as soon as our hands bring you to our chest, you'll stop crying.  You just want to be close to us all the time and it's precious.

Sleeping has been pretty interesting lately.  You honestly don't seem to sleep a lot during the day. You might fall asleep for 20 minutes or so while you're nursing, but then you'll be awake and ready to nurse again.  Nighttime, however, has been a little more predictable.  Typically, you fall asleep between 8 and 10pm and sleep for about 6 hours.  You'll wake up and nurse for about an hour and then sleep until 6 or 7 in the morning.  It's 100% different that what we experienced with Jonah at this stage {he'd sleep for maybe 3 hours at a time, tops}, and we're not taking it for granted.  Who knows if this schedule will stick, but we're enjoying it while it lasts!

Your daddy and I love you so much, but it's been especially fun to watch Jonah love you.  He always wants to know where you are and checks in on you a lot during his play times.  More and more frequently, he'll climb onto the couch next to me and ask to hold you.  A few times you've fussed while in his lap and he'll pat you gently and say "shh baby ge-yun. is ok." It melts my heart and I pray that it speaks to the close relationship y'all will have in the future. 

Newborn sizes are all packed away now and I think the zero-to-three months will soon follow.  You're wearing mostly three month clothes and a few three-to-six month outfits as well.  The latter tend to be a bit roomy, but they fit! You're growing so big so fast.

We went to the doctor for you two month check-up and here are your stats:

Weight: 13 lbs. 5 oz {73%}

Height: 23 in. {48%}

Head Circumference: 39.5 cm {61%}

Thing Gideon Loves at Two Months

Being held

Holding his head up

Tummy time
Being talked to
Cooing

Baby boy, there is so much to say, but words seem so inadequate.  You've completely captured the hearts of our family and we could not be more in love.  We are so grateful for you.  Your sweetness is infectious and we're so blessed to have you.  You're so quick to smile these days and it's an adorable contrast to the furrowed brow and look of worry that characterized you early on.  I'm so curious to see what these brief glimpses mean for your personality as you grow older.   These last two months have stretched and tested me {and our little family} constantly in the very best ways.  I'm humbled and blessed to be your mama. God is using you so much already.  I pray He continues to guide you and that you would learn to love Him with all your heart. 

We knew that we wanted to begin to introduce Jonah to Halloween this year, but we weren't sure what that was going to look like.  He is still a little young to understand the concept of trick or treating and, to be honest, probably shouldn't eat most of the candy that he'd acquire anyway.  On top of that, with Gideon being so young, we weren't sure door-to-door trick or treating was the way to go this year.  When we heard about the Fort Worth Zoo's Boo at the Zoo celebration, we decided that was the perfect event for us this year.

Jonah has been pretty in love with pirates lately {Jake and the Neverland Pirates and VeggieTale's Pirates, specifically}.  I mentioned it to Grammy and she decided to whip up a costume for our little guy {thanks, Mom!}. They arrived on Thursday afternoon and we set out for the zoo Friday morning.

Jonah was the cutest pirate ever.  David even taught him to say, "Argh, matey!" which Jonah pronounced, "Arrr Matt-ee." {Seriously. We couldn't handle the cuteness.} The zoo had a few tables set up where different groups passed out candy.  David took Jonah to the first table and, as we expected, Jonah was a little shy. He took a few pieces of candy and turned to walk away.  David prompted him a little and he raised his sword in the air and yelled, "ARR, MATT-EE." 

Jonah's FIRST trick or treating ever! {Right before he yelled his pirate yell!}

Sweet family {not pictured: super cute and sleepy pumpkin Gideon}

Jonah LOVES these phones in the snake exhibit. He plays with them extensively every time.

Gideon was dressed as a sweet little pumpkin {thanks again, Mom!}, but he slept through the entire zoo trip. All the excitement was just too much, perhaps?

It was a really fun day. Jonah was excited about the candy {smarties seemed to be the day's winner} and loved all the smiles he got.  He, of course, wanted to see the elephants, lions, crocodiles and snakes.  When we were all exhausted, we headed out and went to Pappadeux to eat an early dinner.  When we sat down, I asked David if he thought we should get Jonah macaroni and cheese to eat.  As soon as the waitress walked over, Jonah turned to her and said, "Wanna eat monkey cheese, peas." We were completely shocked that he knew to ask her AND that he was so polite. It's so crazy when your little babies turn into little people.

 We were finally able to catch some of sweet Gideon's smiles on camera!

<3

And a bonus picture of him sticking out his tongue!

We let Jonah pick out his own pumpkin at the patch over the weekend, which basically made his day.  He could not stop talking about it the entire car ride home.  We knew he wouldn't really get to enjoy carving a pumpkin, so we decided to let him paint it instead!

"Painting PUH-kin, Mama!"

The finished product:


Jonah really seemed to enjoy himself and we loved watching him paint.  I think this will have to become a Halloween tradition.

While we were in Benbrook over the weekend, we stopped by to see Great-Grandma and Papaw.  It was their first time to meet little Gideon and we were so excited to show him off and spend some time with them! 

 They always have such sweet and thoughtful gifts for Jonah {and now Gideon} whenever we see them and this time was no different: They had several Sesame Street books and a couple of Cars toys for him.  He loved them all!

It was so much fun to be able to spend time with them and a great end to our visit to Benbrook.

We knew we wanted to take Jonah to a pumpkin patch again this year, but we were hoping to find one a little closer to home.  Luckily, David discovered the Benbrook Pumpkin Patch that was up and running this year! When we woke up Saturday morning, I mentioned to Jonah that we were going to visit a pumpkin patch {thinking he probably had no idea what that was} and he talked about it CONSTANTLY until we were ready to leave.  It was so sweet and his excitement was infectious.  We got ready {relatively} quickly and headed out {we're getting so much quicker at leaving the house now}. 

When we arrived, it was kinda cold.  And then the wind started blowing and it got REALLY cold.  Thankfully, both Jonah and Gideon were pretty good sports; Jonah was excited about seeing the animals in the petting zoo and Gideon was cuddled against me in the ring sling.

 Once Jonah actually got in the petting zoo, he was considerably less excited about the piglets, chickens and bunnies.  There was quite a bit of commotion and noise, so our stay was short-lived.

However, once we spotted the pumpkin patch {or "PUH-kin PA-ch" as Jonah pronounces it}, he was set.  I think he ran to inspect every single pumpkin.  Honestly, I have dozens of pictures of him with various pumpkins. He was in heaven.

We snapped a few pictures by an old Ford truck...

And managed to get a kind passerby to snap a family photo! 

{Notice how thrilled BOTH are boys are!}

Eventually, the cold and wind got to be too much for us.  After buying two huge bags of kettle corn, David called it a success and we headed out. 

Pumpkin patch success!

Gideon Malachi, this month has flown by.

Even though I can remember what life was like before your arrival, it feels like you've been a part of this family for forever.  It's as though we didn't realize what we were missing until we laid eyes on you.  We're so grateful for you! After months of scares and anxiety, it overwhelms us so much to have you here and safe.  We have been consistently stunned by the goodness, provision and grace of God.

You are a very sweet baby.  You sleep pretty well so far and often give us a three to five hour stretch at least once during the night.  Usually the stretches of sleep tend to taper off the closer we get to the morning, but lately we have only been having to get up with you twice a night.

Because of the Lord's PERFECT timing, your daddy has been able to be at home with us pretty consistently this entire first month of your life. It's wonderful to see him snuggled up with you and having him home has made this transition so much smoother for the whole family.  He helps out with every nighttime feeding and helps look after your big brother so I can focus on keeping you fed and happy.

I love watching all of your adorable faces.  You often look so serious and I have started to teasingly refer to you as "little professor."  But you've also shown us plenty of sweet smiles and even a few giggles in your sleep. 
Jonah already loves you so much.  He loves to bring you your pacifier and "help" me burp you.  He loves to give kisses and talks about you {"baybee gee-yun"} all the time.  Your daddy and I pray you two will be great friends and it's so precious to see the foundation already being laid.

This is the doll Grammy made to show how big you were when you were born.  You've already grown so much in just one month!

You love to be held.  You're not content very long to be in a bouncer, swing, or bassinet.  You prefer Mama to hold you, but you'll settle for anyone that holds you upright against their chest.  You really don't like being held on your back unless you're nursing.  I've already been wearing you in the ring sling, and you seem to enjoy it.  I can tell it's going to be a lifesaver when your daddy goes back to work.

We've been working on tummy time, and you're doing so great at it.  You can lift your head really well and always end up scooting all over your playmat.  You're so strong! You're growing so much, as well.  You can still fit into your newborn "jedi" shirts, but they're getting a little small.  You've also started to outgrow a few of your newborn onesies: they're too short for your long, lean body.

Things Gideon Loves at One Month

Eating

Sleeping

Being held {upright ONLY}

the Rock and Play
Bouncing on the birth ball
Being in the ring sling with Mama


Baby boy, we love you to the moon and back.   You are such a sweet, wonderful blessing and we are so grateful for you.  We have learned so much about you in these four short weeks and we are so excited to learn even more.  You are such an answer to prayers; we prayed for you for months before we discovered you were on your way and so many people prayed for your health and safety before you were born.  Daddy and I still look at you in amazement.  You are a miracle, sweet boy.  

It took us almost a month, but we finally ventured out if the house as a family of four {to someplace besides a doctor's office}.  The weather has been lovely and we were all getting a little stir crazy, so we headed out to the Fort Worth Zoo. 

It took us longer to get ready than we thought it would {about an hour longer, actually}, but we made it! Jonah was so excited and asked to see the "el-pants" until we arrived.  This summer the zoo welcomed two baby elephants, so we made a beeline to their enclosure.  They were so tiny and adorable! 

As always, however, Jonah's favorite attraction was the giant crocodile and the snakes.  We hung out in the MOLA for quite awhile, and Jonah loved it.  

Jonah loved looking at the snakes...

...but was not as excited about the snake's handler.

It was a really fun adventure and wore us all out.  During Jonah's nap,
Gideon and I fell asleep on the couch.  It was amazing.

p.s. Gideon and I were there, too! I was the designated photographer, so there aren't any pictures of us, but we had a great time.  Gideon slept in the ring sling for the majority of the trip and did really well.