Dear Cousins, We had so much fun with you...

We so enjoyed our visit to see you!
Bro-Bro, you kept wanting to "hold Bo" and were very protective when you did. You did not like it when your Momma or one of your sissies tried to take him from you. My favorite was when you'd insist on having a burp cloth then put it behind your own head as padding.

Girls, I have adored you at every age, and this age is no different! Kam-Kam, I loved playing pretend all weekend. You make me laugh when you dance and sing on your bed, wear your Momma's high heels around, and make up the story line to our pretend game. Bri, I can't believe you are so fluent with my iPod, know all the lyrics to Taylor Swift songs, and are so incredibly helpful with Bo. How can you possibly be old enough to do all that? It seems like only yesterday that you were Bo's age...

It cracked me up to have 6 little eyes on my and Bo's every move, and I wouldn't trade it for all the silence and solitude in the world!

Sis, I idolized you as a child and nothing much has changed! I'll never forget you encouraging me through my nursing woes and thank you so much for letting me get a restful night of sleep at your house! Bo loves his Aunt Lori already!

Dear Bo, You're 2 months old...

You're 2 months old today!
Here's what you're up to:

• You're still a good baby, but you've started having meltdowns (or "gas attacks", as we call them) once a day, at different times of the day. You really sound like you're hurting, and we both end up crying when you do this. They say it's because of the allergy, and that you'll be past it soon. I sure hope so.
  
• You're in newborn clothes, and I used your last newborn diaper today. You'll officially be in Size 1 diapers tomorrow!
• Nursing is going really well for us! I can't believe how far that has come and that I worried so much about you gaining weight. You're getting to be a chubby little guy and finally look like a newborn instead of a preemie.
• You still like laying on our chests to sleep.
• You smile and follow us with your eyes. You love to look at lights. You love to watch your cousins if they are around.
• You aren't in love with your swing or bouncer seat, but you will sit in them for a little bit. You usually sit well in your bouncer seat at the table with us while we eat dinner.
• You slept in the bassinet in our room until just this week. I was so sad to move your "station" out of our room, but am anxious to get more sleep. I had hoped you would be sleeping better at 2 months, but you're still up eating every 3 to 4 hours. You usually sleep in between feedings, but not if you have a gas attack.

2 months have flown by. Just look how much you've grown:
I can't believe next month is our last month to be together "full time" (because I go back to work March 1). I love you to the moon and back!

Dear Bo, Your greatgrandmother visited...

We enjoyed a visit from your GranDa and GranMama yesterday! You were a good boy, and we enjoyed a meal at the house while you were fussed over...

4 generations of Zanowiaks:
The Zanowiak men:
You and GranDa couldn't take your eyes off of one another:

Dear Mimi, Thursday is our favorite day...

Thursday is the day that Mimi comes! Mimi...

• Lets Momma and Daddy have a date night.
• Bathes Bo, rocks Bo, takes over Bo so Momma and Daddy can have a break.
• Lets Momma and Daddy sleep all night.
• Lets Momma and Daddy sleep all night (did I say that already??).
• Cooks for us.
• Does laundry.
• Gives us tips on caring for Bo.

Aren't we the luckiest?

We love you, Mimi!

Dear Bo, For my birthday...

I got your 6 week pictures made (or tried to)! Mimi came to town, and we took you in the morning because you are usually most alert after the first feeding of the day, but...you were having none of it. So we decided to take you again the next morning...that didn't work either! Finally, we went back that afternoon...bingo...
We found out some not-so-great news that you have a milk protein allergy. This means no cake for momma! I have to forego all dairy in my diet for the time being. I'm a cheese lover so this will not be fun, but nothing's too big a sacrifice for you, my little man!

Dear Bo, Today's the day you should have been born...

Today was your due date (or one of them...the doctor's office told us 3 different dates: the 5th, 7th, and 8th), but instead, we have a sweet little six week old. We had a doctor's appointment, and you are 7 pounds, 10 ounces and 19.25 inches long. I think you would have been a decent size if you were full term. I'm so pleased and relieved you're finally gaining weight!

When I found out you would be a January baby, I was excited that we would share the same birth month and be Capricorns! Little did I know, you would be a November baby!

It would have been an easier road had you arrived today, but I'm glad we've gotten to share an extra 6 weeks with you!

Dear New Year, May you bring me...

Here's what I hope to focus on this 2010:

1. Enjoying Bo...really enjoying him. Not obsessing over his schedule, hovering so he meets his milestones, and wishing he were in "the next stage", but enjoying "the now" with him. I read that the "days are long but the years are short", and it reminded me to enjoy each day with him. I have a spreadsheet I made when I graduated from law school called "The Plan". It has the years written out and what I want to accomplish in each year (i.e. new auto, pay off the house, have a baby, etc.). For 2010, it says "First Baby". That I really have a baby this 2010 is such a blessing, and I really want to enjoy it.
2. Continuing to be me...in addition to being "Bo's mom". I want to exercise my body and my brain...read, develop as a person, be a good friend, daughter, wife, attorney. All in addition to being "Bo's mom".
   
3. Get back in shape. Nothing specific, but I'd like to run a few 5k's, go to a regular fitness class, and just work on being healthy.
4. Have a daily relationship with Him. Not an "I'm tired. I'm frustrated. I'm scared. I'm overwhelmed. I'm thankful. So-let's-talk-about-it." But...a daily walk that's an integral part of who I am.
5. Consistently blog. I started this as a record of my thoughts and our life since I don't keep a journal or scrapbook. I wanted to be able to look back on the year and see what was going on. Now that Bo's here, I really want to have it for him to look back on one day, too.

Here's to resolutions...