Baby bachelor

Where did June go?

I think June is the busiest month of every year. I am always behind with blogging June posts. Oh well.

What have we done? I would say 'a little of this and a little of that,' but that's not the case. We've done 'a lot of this and a lot of that!'

For starters, we moved across country-- what a task! I thought moving with a baby would be simple. I thought he'd sleep and I'd pack, clean, and make other preparations. I have found that not a whole lot is 'simple' with a baby. With the help of family and friends, everything got packed and cleaned. It was hard to say goodbye to our life in Pittsburgh, but exciting to head in the opposite direction to be with family and other friends.


Since packing for the move, this is what our life has consisted of:

One last birthday dinner with the 4th year dental wives. It was so much fun to be admitted into the dental wife sorority when I moved to Pittsburgh! (l-r: Elise, Becky, Amber, Tiffany, me, Charlie)

A goodbye fondue party with Pittsburgh's finest. These two are on the 'I'll miss you the most' list. (Natalie, Kerri, and me)

A 'goodbye 4th years' potluck was thrown. A good majority of the thirty something lds dental students, as well as their spouses and children, were able to attend. Elise and I had these boys on the same day, a few doors down from one another. Charlie and Ethan.

Charlie, Grandma Joanie, and I flew while Sean and Grandpa Bruce drove across the country. Charlie was so happy to have his dad and grandpa arrive that he kept sucking on our wrists/hands/fingers/arms/shoulders-- well, anything he could get his mouth on....

Charlie was happy to meet cousin Lacey (she is 7 weeks older)

We got to be around for cousin Lincoln's arrival (born May 26-- 2 months and 3 weeks younger than Charlie)

We went on a few hikes until my left butt cheek freaked out on me and sent me to the Physical Therapist.

Had family bonding time at Simon's soccer game.

Had lots of fun sister time.

Charlie and I watched as these yay-hoos scaled climb after climb. Uncle Shane and Aunt Emily are in their element at the 'Quarry'. Thanks to them, Sean got to join in the fun.

Charlie made sure that Grandma Joanie was not lonely during her cookie making.

Lacey and Charlie spent quality time cheering their dad's on as they ran around throwing and catching the 'disc' in their ultimate games.

We all got to shower Emily-- with all of our clothes on.

We got to visit with Great-Grandma DeFreese in her lovely home.

I got the privilege of doing the bride's hair not once, but three times, for the wedding.

We had fun celebrating all of the wedding festivities for Shane and Em.

We worked on getting out tough stains-- a few times.

Sean taught Charlie how to swim.

For Father's Day we had double baby blessings-- Charlie's and Lincoln's.

Grandpa Randy took us to the secret pond to catch some fish.

We took a ferry to check out a possible practice for Sean.

Matt and cousin Ryder taught Sean how to skimboard.

And Sean got the hang of it!

Cousins Ethan, Ryder, and Eli playing peek-a-boo with Charlie

Dad showed us a beautiful trail on Lake Whatcom that we enjoyed hiking down.

But mostly, we've just been kissing these two cheeks until they are raw!

We've also sold and bought a car, been living with both sets of parents, visiting friends, spent time at Grandma and Grandpa Nebeker's on the 4th, watched an alpaca be born, hopped from ward to ward, and have been  taking several road trips to see different practices!

Pride

As 'Pomp and Circumstance' rang through Heinz Hall, on May 21, I felt proud. I had pride knowing that my husband had put years of hard work into this accomplishment.

I tried mentally estimating how many hours were spent studying for tests, taking tests, working on patients, shadowing different mentors, sitting in classes, and time spent in various labs. My mind couldn't process it all.

Then I tried estimating how much money had been spent on tuition, books, equipment, traveling across country for various interviews, random fees, and entertaining a wife through school. There was a buzzing noise and my mind almost crashed.

Finally I thought of how much sleep had been foregone..... That did it. I told my mind to 'shut up and enjoy the ceremony!'

Sean started this journey as a bachelor, and is leaving a husband, father, and doctor. It's been a long road. I couldn't be more proud of him.

Adios Pitt Dental!

Awaiting the merriment

Our handsome doctor

Empty-handed no more!

Wonderful supportive parents

Babies born on the same day a couple of doors down

A couple of Sean's favorite educators/doctors

Family away from family-- the other mormon graduates and their wives

Needs

Charlie needs me. 

He's needed me for a year now.

I have never felt this needed.

I have a new need.

I need him to need me.

We are needy, and it makes us both happy.

2 Months

We are having lots of fun with all of Charlie's new developments. He chomps/sucks away on his left fist/thumb. While he is busy salivating all over his hand, he grabs the back of his head/hair with his right hand. While the thumb-sucking is cute, Sean worries and tries to slide his binky in as he so carefully pulls his hand out. He fears that his children will have open-bites, whereas I fear our children will find scissors and sport some killer 'dos'.

At two months Charlie's stats are: 11.6 lbs (23%), 22 3/4 inches long (32%), and has a head that is 39 cm (41%). Looks like he'll be on the front row in class pictures like his mom.

He LOVES when we read to him. He coos the whole time and stares at the pictures. I may be slightly obsessed with children's books, and his collection may be growing quickly. (thank you scholastic for having a large warehouse sale!)

He sleeps really well at night (8-9 1/2 hrs, wakes up to eat, goes back to sleep for 2). He cat naps during the day. I am lucky if he is asleep for 45 minutes.

95% of the people who see him say he looks just like Sean. 4% say he looks like a good mix of the two of us. A whopping 1% will say he looks like me....

During the past couple of weeks, we've packed up our house, I gave a mother's day 'cry' at church (It would've been a talk, but was pretty much just crying) sold our car, and said too many good-byes.

Still not super attached to the binky, but getting there

His eyes are pretty blue and he favors his left hand, but you never know....

It's too warm for sleeves and pants these days, he sweats a ton when he wears them.

Charlie loves laying on the ground and kicking.

Hiccups

Does Charlie like them?

Maybe? Actually, I think it's safe to say he HATES them! Or maybe he hates the camera?

a cause to celebrate

I think FINALLY losing one's umbilical cord (8 weeks later) is a cause to celebrate. Since celebrations aren't understood by the little dude, I'll celebrate by sending him in the shower with dad and posting pictures.....um, not of the shower, just of the little guy from the last couple of days.

I am silently celebrating Charlie's first nap in his bed. Hopefully we got it down. My arms miss him, but I'm going to celebrate by packing and showering-- yay! I think this will be the earliest shower I have had, when I don't have Sean's help. *Sidenote* I smell like spit-up.