One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Last Friday, Jan. 23rd, I accepted a new job! It is such a relief to have the infamous job search over with so quickly. I am very fortunate to have found a new job that seems to be entirely more family friendly. It looks like I will be able to work part time with little travel. This is really amazing and I really could not ask for a better set-up. So....the wonderful news about this whole situation is that I get to spend more time with my sweet little man! For now, I am just really enjoying being a full time mommy for another couple of weeks until my new endeavor begins. Then, only part time...certainly no complaints! We are very blessed.

As the infamous saying goes, when you take one step forward, you take two steps backwards. Last Monday, Jack got his 4 month old shots. Since then, he has had a very difficult time sleeping....poor little babe. I mean, he never was been a wonderful sleeper, but the last couple of days, he has really regressed to his newborn ways of waking every 1.5-2 hours. Even though Jack is not sick, we hope he gets back to his normal self soon. Mommy was really starting to enjoy her full 5-6 hours of continuous sleep!

Like every January in Chicago, it has been very cold outside. Predictably, Jack and I have been spending lots of time indoors together. In spite of the cold weather, we have been having a lot of fun doing so many different activities. He LOVES to watch t.v. (he is a lot like in dad when it comes to his fondness of the t.v.-HA!) and his Granny is trying to teach him to read by watching his "Baby Can Read" dvd's. We will have to wait and see how that goes. He has really been making so much progress during tummy time. His neck is getting so strong and his big accomplishment this past week is that he rolled over for the first time on Jan. 21st! ok, he kind of just rolled onto his side and then fell onto his back, but that still counts! The video below captures him rolling over for the fourth time....unfortunately, I did not have the video camera in hand for the first 3 times.

4 Months Old Today!

Today Jack turned 4 months old. He is getting so big and time is just flying by! This month we noticed so many changes in our little man. He LOVES to look at himself in the mirror and crack a big toothless smile each and every time. This past month was also a month of "firsts." Jack giggled for the first time and also slept through the night for the first time on Jan. 7th....oh, that lovely day on Jan. 7th....I will never forget that date. He is still practicing getting the whole "sleeping through the night thing" down, but we are certainly making progress. Jack and I practice tummy time every day and his neck is getting so strong. He also has a really strong grip and just loves to pull his mom's hair! We are just loving every minute of it.

Tough Day

After much anticipation all week, we finally received news that I got laid off this morning. Damn economy. I have worked at the same company for 8.5 years.......so yes, I am sad/angry/upset/scared/etc., etc. However, I have no regrets and am stealing Jay's mentality on this whole thing- "It is what it is." I know we will be fine and things will work out in the end....they always do. After all, how can I be upset when I came home to a face as cute as this??!?!

He Did it!!!! Jack FINALLY did it!

Well, after almost 4 months, Jay and I are happy to announce that Jack FINALLY slept through the night! Yes, I said it....our little fun-loving, sleep-hating bundle of joy bit the bullet and decided to give his parent's a break. I am not sure it was a break because I had to check his breathing time and again, but in any regard, we are making progress! 10:45 PM to 7:15AM--music to my ears!!!! It just does not get better than this!!! Yipee!!!

Christmas In St. Louis with the Heidemann's

This year, we spent our Christmas in St. Louis with the Heidemann's. It was so nice for Jack to see his grandparents and cousins again. It was also so nice for him to meet Jay's aunts, uncles, and cousins for the first time. Jack was an absolute angel during both of the car rides and the entire time we were down there. He slept so much we often questioned who this baby was and who took our Jackie-e-pooh! Again, Jack received so many presents and he is so grateful! His Grandma and Grandpa Heidemann gave him a Leapster piano and a book titled "I Love You Through and Through." We have already played with the piano and Jack loves it. He just can't get enough of anything that has music and lights! It is great practice for him before he begins to take real piano lessons in a couple of years. We already think he is going to be a great piano player since he has long fingers....and a daddy to help him learn to play. Jack also received some baby Dayton gear from his Uncle Rich and Aunt Nance. We are trying to encourage Jack and Will to enbrace the Flyer spirit at a very young age. If all goes well, Jack and Will can be roommates and give their parents a reason to whoop it up again in Dayton 18 years from now!

Jay and I celebrated our one year anniversary on Dec. 22nd. What a wonderful year it has been! We are thankful for so much this Christmas. We are especially thankful for each other and our precious baby boy. He is just the sweetest addition to our new family. We are looking forward to the start of 2009 and all of the fun times to be had and memories to be made.