Grow Baby Grow - 5 Months

Wow. Looking at these pictures really puts it into perspective how BIG Trent is getting! These past 5 months have been the best (and hardest) of my life. But no matter the challenges, I am SO thankful to God every day for the joy of my son. My life has forever been changed in the best possible way.


Things Trent is doing these days:

• He can roll over from back-to-front but doesn't very often, since he doesn't really like being on his tummy still (although that's getting better).
• He can laugh (big belly laughs) and squeal (ear piercingly so). He is talking more every day. I just wish I knew what he was saying!
• He loves his Johnny Jumper and Jumperoo. He's really getting into toys and likes to reach for things and put them in his mouth.
• He got his first tooth!!! (still no photographic evidence) He drools constantly because of teething and has a sad, nasty rash on his cheek because of all the drool.
• He reaches for people (like his mama - LOVE THAT ONE!).
• He can sit unassisted for about 5 seconds before falling over.
• He still absolutely loves standing up the most.
• We haven't started any food yet but probably will in the next few weeks.
• He's getting more predictable with his naps and feedings. He's still waking up 1-2 times a night. We could probably work on cutting that out, but I can't emotionally handle nighttime crying. I decided we will try to ween those night feedings at 6 months. (Bought myself some time to prepare - ha!)

Another Banana Lover

This banana must be delicious!

Guess...

...who has his first tooth poking through?!?! I swore I would never be one of those mothers who said their child was growing up too fast, but I really didn't expect a tooth so soon! He's not even 5 months old! But I love watching him grow and can't wait to see how cute he is when it pokes all the way through. I'll try to get a picture of it one day. He can't seem to get his tongue out of the way - big surprise, right? {grin}

Happy Birthday, Patty!!!

My big sister is 31 today!!!!!!!! Happy birthday, Patty!!!!! Enjoy your flight back to ATX from San Diego. Can't wait to see you and the 'big footed monster'!!!!

Daddy Love

It warms my heart to see my boys together. As we approach Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for these guys - they light up my life. I am amazed that Trent has been in my life for less than 5 months - it feels like he has been here my whole life. {P.S. - Please ignore all the clutter in the pictures. I have never been a good housekeeper and motherhood has not changed that fact.}

Update on Baby Jordan

Jordan's surgery today was a success!! Please visit and pass along Kristen's blog. She definitely needs our support!!!

Praying for Baby Jordan

I don't usually feel comfortable making prayer requests on my blog, but this story is breaking my heart, and I'm hoping we can flood this family with love and prayers. Kristen was my sisters BFF for many years growing up. She's a fellow P.H.S. grad and has an 11 month old daughter, Jordan. Jordan has stage 4 neuroblastoma and will be having surgery tomorrow to remove a tumor. She will also have to have chemotherapy. As a mother, this is heartbreaking. Cancer is such a scary, scary disease! Please go to Kristen's blog and pass this blog along so that we can surround this family with prayers and love as they go through this journey.

Gurley Boys Part Deux

Trent's Gurley cousin, Branden, came over for a visit on Monday. I was working (boo!) but these pictures did get snapped. Seriously, this might be the cutest picture taken of Trent to-date. I can't stop staring. {grin} Trent had SO much fun with his cousin...that he passed out. HA!

Bonfire

I can't believe it's been 10 years since the A&M Bonfire collapsed and killed 12 students. I still remember that day like it was yesterday...what I was doing...what it was like to be on campus... Just wanted to send up a prayer for the families of all the victims. Gig 'em!

Superbaby

He TOTALLY loved this!

Cute or Inappropriate?

When I dressed Trent in this onesie today, I wondered if this slogan was slightly inappropriate. I guess it doesn't specifically list our address. Ha! Am I the only one with a dirty mind? Thoughts?

Confession

I like to let my son play naked. I think there is nothing cuter than my fat baby rolling around naked. I've taken pictures. Brent would kill me if I posted them, but trust me, there's nothing cuter. {P.S. - Baby pee comes off the floor easily!}

Peace

My parents were sort of hippies back in the '60s. When we were in San Fran, they took Trent to Haight-Ashbury to see where the hippie movement started. While not really impressed with the area (I guess they are too mainstream now), they did buy a super cute hat for Trent. Miles decided to try it out. (Okay, okay, I put it on him. Details.)

Grow Baby Grow - 4 Months

These are a little late...but better late than never. Obviously, we were in San Fran on Trent's 4 month birthday, but I took these when we got back.

4 month stats:
Weight - 15 pounds, 13 ounces (75%)
Height - 25 inches (50%)
Head - 42 1/2 cm (50-75%)

This month, Trent started rolling over and really giggling. He is getting so much more interactive, and we are having so much fun with him every day!

Poor Waiter

Now that I'm feeling SO much better, I decided there were a few people who needed a big 'thank you' from me. My mom, FMIL*, sister, Kristen and Dena all took such amazing care of me while in the thick of my postpartum anxiety. Each of them went above and beyond to help me through this tough time. I don't think I could ever thank them enough, and I could spend hours listing all the things they did for me.

*FMIL = my Fabulous Mother-in-Law Janet

Mom, thank you for taking care of me (and making me take care of myself). Thank you for cleaning my messy pantry (and not judging me for being messy). Thank you for helping me make my first steps out into the world again.

Janet, thank you for coming over almost every day for weeks and helping me look forward to each day again. Thank you for holding me when I cried and doing everything you could to keep me from crying.

Patty, thank you for giving me the courage to take medication. Thank you for giving me endless advice and not caring when I asked the same question many, many times. Thank you for forcing me to drink and try to take naps!

Kristen, thank you for holding Trent for hours. You knew I didn't want him to be put down but couldn't hold him endlessly myself. {grin} Thank you for listening to me endlessly - especially when you are going through your husband's 2nd Tour of Duty and have PLENTY to be worry about yourself.

Dena, thank you for coming over every Thursday to visit, helping me with the Moby, giving me so much of your stuff, and not caring (too) much that I missed your birthday party. Thank you for encouraging me to call Dr. Maynard and listening to me repeat EVERYTHING he told me in my sessions.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for loving me and my son!!!

Now...to the point of this post...ha! I took these girls to dinner tonight to begin to say thank you, and we had a lovely time at Z Tejas. But I felt sorry for our waiter. Each time he came to our table, we were discussing the most inappropriate topics. He heard the following phrases at least once:

• Episiotomy
• Vaginal rejuvenation
• 'Get the juices flowing'
• What contractions feel like
• 'Mama, I'm pooping!'
• Fallen bladder
• Boob jobs
• Phases of labor
• Raunchy romance novels

This is not a comprehensive list, but are you jealous you weren't at dinner with us?!?!

Alcatraz

We spent a lot of time on Saturday at Alcatraz - that place is SO awesome.

The Rock

Trent wasn't impressed {grin}

The skeleton needed to eat before we went in (it was Halloween after all)

My little skeleton seeing the cells

Mom and Dad

How cool is this - one of the warden's last name is Swope (my maiden name)!!

We're Home!

We made it home from San Francisco. Brent was happy to see us, and Trent was so happy to see his daddy. Here are a few of my favorite pictures. Enjoy!

Trent with all my money in Chinatown (I think he wants to spend it all on his elephant - ha)

Me and Mom enjoying some port at a winery

Trent wasn't impressed

Not really 'trip related' but Trent ate his toes for the first time - seriously how cute is he?!

Dad is so happy to see his boy (even if he doesn't look like it in this picture)