Video of Thomas

I know these videos are probably boring to most of you, but I'm sure the grandparents enjoy them!

Thomas laughing on his play mat

Thomas dancing and talking

Thomas  batting at his toys

Daddy playing with Thomas

Mommy playing with Thomas

Thomas Can...

Thomas is 5 weeks old in these pictures. Here is a list of things that Thomas can do:

• Hold his head up really well when you are holding him upright
• Lift his head up pretty high for about 10-15 seconds during tummy time
• Lift his head up a tiny bit and turn from side to side during tummy time
• Bat at the toys hanging from his gym
• SMILE!
• giggle...sometimes
• EAT!
• I swear he moves his legs in rhythm to the music on his play gym (which is currently his favorite "toy")
• Take a nap! (I know this seems kinda "duh!" but it took us awhile to get here!)

I'm going to be honest and say those first few weeks of motherhood were the hardest of my entire life! Things were cool and easy while mom was here, then everyone left and things got crazy! I have NEVER doubted myself and my ability to take care of babies/children, but over and over again I questioned whether I was doing things right and whether I could do this! A friend said that becoming a mother really shows you how selfish you truly are, and I think she is right! So many times I get frustrated at this tiny helpless baby because I can't sleep or I can't eat. Always about what I can't do! I know I've already messed stuff up and I'm sure I will again, but I do know that motherhood is going to push me closer to God and grow me into a better, more selfless, person. On a positive note, things are vastly improved around here. My hormones are settling down and I don't cry over everything anymore. Thomas is on some medicine for his reflux and feeling lots better (and sleeping lots better!) I think we might be settling into somewhat of a routine! I am going to attempt to go back to work next week, and Thomas will be going with me. Please pray for us!! 

Thomas the Artist! (and Michael and Rebecca's Birthday!)

Michael and my good friend Rebecca share the same birthday. So on Friday, the girls kidnapped Rebecca and took her to paint pottery!

Me and Thomas, doing what we do ALL DAY LONG it seems like!

Kristen

Alyson

Rachel, Rebecca's sister

Rebecca, the perfectionist and birthday girl!

Thomas also painted pottery! He put his handprints on a plate!!

His finished work before firing!

He was plum wore out after his hard work and took a nap on Mrs. Kristen!

 That night, the guys kidnapped Michael and wisked him away to a campout. Then they played frisbee golf the next day!

They tied him up and stole him away!

 Then on Saturday night, the guys and gals got together for cake, ice cream, and Mad Gab. Thomas was so sweet! He napped on Alyson, then he played in the middle of the floor and watched everyone before finishing the evening with a nap on Kristen!

The birthday cake that Thomas and I slaved over all day! (got it from the bakery!)

Blowing out the candles!

Thomas Goes to the Museum

Michael's parents, Jason, Tiffany, Clara Beth, and Kaylea came to visit during Spring Break. We took the kids to the Children's Museum in Fort Worth and this is what Thomas did ALL DAY!

Sleeping through my first trip to the museum!

Amazingly, he still slept pretty well that night. I guess he need some extra zzzzz's!

Aunt Tiffany and cousin Clara Beth holding Thomas

Jason's family at the Children's Museum

The girls sitting in a dinosaur footprint!
Kaylea left, Clara Beth right

Uncle Jason and Thomas
Thomas wasn't so sure about Uncle Jason. He really was happy the second before I took this picture though. Only because Uncle Jason was letting him watch basketball!

Misc. Pics from My Phone

You can click on the collage to make it bigger.

The Greats Came for a Visit

Thomas got to meet his great grandparents and great aunt from my dad's side this weekend. I think they had a good time loving on Thomas even though he gave them an earful Monday afternoon/evening!

Nanny and Thomas meeting for the first time.

Thomas and Pa checking each other out.

Nanny giving Thomas a bottle. He ate for like 2.5 seconds and then realized something wasn't right!

Aunt Cindy getting some snuggle time in.

Pa and Thomas (who is sleeping!)

Pa gave Thomas some silver dollars! (See the green sack by Thomas' leg!)

Firsts!

Finishing my first spit bath! It was very traumatic for all involved!

Testing out the swing for the first time!

Having a little tummy time staring at a handsome fellow in the mirror.

Going for a walk with mommy!

Checking out the bouncer.

My first real bath!

Headed out to our first dinner out as a family!

My first bottle--well the first one that I took.

Thomas Smiling

Okay, I don't want to hear it if you don't think this is really a smile. Now that that is out of the way, here is a video of my little boy smiling at me. Hang in there until the end, he will give you a little grin.

Watch Me Grow

1 Week

2 Weeks

3 Weeks

4 weeks/1 month

Sweet Feet!

Visitors!

Thomas was lucky enough to get to meet two of his aunts in the first week of life! His Aunt AE (Ashley) was in Houston for a work training the week after he was born, so she drove up to Fort Worth when it was over and stayed the weekend with us. His Aunt Nicole came out to visit her cousin and her new baby, and she stopped by Sunday afternoon to visit! Thomas will meet his Aunt Tiffany during Spring Break, and Uncle Jason will be the first uncle he gets to meet!

Thomas and Aunt Nicole (and baby Joseph ETA April 2011!)

Thomas and Aunt AE

Another visitor was the preschool/infant room lady for church. Funny story. She comes to visit of course at the moment that Thomas is hungry (which isn't difficult because he was pretty much hungry all the time in those early days!) She assures me that its perfectly fine for me to nurse while she is there. She nursed all three of hers and it doesn't bother her a bit. So I put on my nursing cover and start nursing. Its our first time to use this nursing cover and Thomas really doesn't like it. He's hot natured and it just made him even hotter. Anyways, he nurses just enough to go to sleep and then I feel a sudden warmth running down my right side. The nice lady from church is just talking away, and I'm trying to discreetly use the nursing cover to wipe the pee off my side. I'm thinking, surely they can smell this!!! Nope! She just continues chatting. When she left, I jumped up and hollered "Mom! He peed on me!!" Then I realized it wasn't just pee but poop. No wonder it stunk! Welcome to motherhood.

Thomas Comes Home

Since Thomas was born at 9:35 p.m., we had to stay in the hospital two nights because they want to monitor the baby for at least 24 hours. They assured us we could be discharged first thing Sunday morning. I think we left the hospital at 2!

All dressed up and ready to go home!

All three of us at home!

Hello people!

Another family shot with everyone looking at the camera (sort of)!

The cutest "bouquet" of goodies from Alyson, Rebecca, and Courtney! precious! We didn't want to take it apart!

Meeting Family and Friends

The first family photo!

Thomas and Nana

Thomas and Grammy

Thomas and Pops

Thomas and Poppa

The Ketchum side

Mommy and Thomas

The Burks side

Alyson and Jonathan (I did not do a very good job of taking pictures with visitors! We missed getting a pic with Heath and Rebecca and Kristy, Daniella, and Deanna!)