Celebrating Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there... especially my fellow first-time mommies! It was the best first Mother's Day a mom could ask for! We started the morning watching Daddy's baseball game. TJ showed up in his own baseball uniform, of course! :) After the game... Daddy treated me with chocolate chip pancakes and bellinis. It was awesome. Then came the best gift a mom could get -- a nap! Three hours! It was the best. The day was full of lots of cuddles, kisses and smiles, and that's more than I could've asked for. :)

Earlier this week TJ was able to finally meet his Aunt Debbie, Uncle Kevin and cousin Chloe from California. It was so great to catch up with them and for them to finally love on the little man.

On Saturday, we took our first trip to Wash Park and helped Uncle Marshall celebrate his 30th birthday. It was a beautiful day when we got there, but once it got chilly, we had to cut the party short. TJ was all dressed up in his plaid pants and matching hat -- seriously, he was too cute and a huge hit at the party! :)

We have a busy week coming up. Grandpa is coming up with Grandma to watch TJ on Monday and Tuesday. Then, it's time to get ready for company. Grandma Martin, Uncle Joey and Aunt Tara and Uncle Justin get here Friday for TJ's big day. His baptism is on Saturday evening.

We're so excited to get the family together and for the cousins to meet. And... of course we can't wait for Grandpa's homemade raviolis, meatballs and sausage! Should be a great day!

Firsts

TJ giggled on Monday. Mommy missed it. Daddy missed it. Grandma Reno was able to get him to giggle. I was in the shower getting ready for work when it happened. Luckily, he did an encore performance when I got out. It was quick little heh-heh-heh, and it is a sound I will never forget. Now we've gotta just get him to do it for Daddy.

I was pretty bummed when I wasn't there for his first giggle, and it made me sad to realize that there may be a lot of "firsts" I'm going to miss now that I'm back to work. My boss, a very successful working mom herself, had some great advice, though. Whenever I hear or see him do something for the first time... it's the first time I've experienced it with him. And it doesn't matter that he's done it before... it's the first time for me and it will be just as amazing. She has a great point.

TJ got his first cold last Wednesday. He's doing much better... just a stuffy nose... no fever or chest congestion. He's such a smiley baby that you could really tell he didn't feel good those first few days. Nothing you did could make him grin. Now, he's back to his happy TJ self. :)

Another first -- TJ spent the first night in his crib Sunday night. He did awesome. Mommy felt a little weird not having him in there... but he had a great night.

TJ's such a big boy now at 15 weeks. He sits up by himself when we prop him up, and he's really trying to roll over. He gets on his side, but can't get over that shoulder quite yet. It's so funny because he grunts and grunts as he tries to roll over, then he gets frustrated when he can't do it. (Sounds like his Mama!) I have no doubt that it will happen soon.

Gone Fishin'

It's been a while since I've written, and a lot has happened in the past few weeks. Last Sunday TJ turned three months old... and he's surpassed the 12 pound mark! The two of us met Grandpa & Grandma Reno and Auntie Angie in the Springs and ate at Fargos, then we drove back to Denver and watched Daddy's baseball game.

The very next day we took our first road trip. We loaded up the Jeep and headed to Missouri so TJ could meet his Great Uncle Dave & Great Aunt Judy. TJ was a champ the entire trip! (Mommy was the one who was fussy!) We stopped in Salina, Kansas for the night before arriving in Nevada on Tuesday.Grandpa & Grandma met us there that afternoon. The next morning it was back on the road to go fishing at this great lake in Mountain Home, Arkansas. It was another drive, but it was so worth it! Again, TJ wasn't phased at all -- he's such a happy baby.
As soon as we got everything unloaded, Daddy, Grandpa & Uncle Dave headed out to the lake and didn't come back for hours! They spent the entire next day out on the lake. TJ and Mommy relaxed a lot and went for a walk in his "new to us" Baby Bjorn, which is loves. He also got to sport his Carhart outfit Grandpa & Grandma got him for his 3-month birthday. (Yes, this child is spoiled!) TJ spent the day entertaining us ladies... he's so funny now! He's a talker and LOVES talking to and smiling at his Carhart hat -- it was hilarious!

Daddy actually outfished Grandpa... bringing home a nice-sized catfish along with perch and white-mouth bass. Between the three of them there was plenty of food for a fish fry that night. Thank goodness there was an awesome rib place up the street so Mommy and Auntie Angie could eat, too. ;) The couple that owned the resort was so nice. When Grandpa went to buy TJ a souvenir outfit, the woman just gave it to him -- must be because TJ is so darned cute!

TJ slept so well during the trip... making it until 5 or 6 in the morning. Hopefully that will stick now that we're home.

Friday morning it was back on the road. We stopped at Lambert's Restaurant -- Home of the thrown rolls. Yes, they throw rolls at you. It was good eatin' and a lot fun. Then, one last family stop at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield before we headed north to I-70 and west to Colorado.

Daddy and I were tired of driving, but TJ didn't seem to mind. We spent the night in Salina again before leaving for home Saturday. We spent a lot of time in the car, but we got to have a lot of time together, and that's all that mattered.

We were so thankful TJ finally got to meet his Aunt and Uncle, and it was a great trip filled with wonderful family, great food and lots of memories made.