Monday Update

Happy Monday, all. Right now Michael is taking what will hopefully be an extra long nap. The poor boy is just worn out from the weekend and needs to do some catching up. We were busy this weekend. We saw lots of great friends, saw some holiday lights, and even did a little decorating here at our house.

The weather this month has been so wild and crazy. I'm enjoying the mild temperatures and good roads for traveling.

One morning last week the sun was streaming in our window and it was so beautiful. Michael was playing with this little dragonfly plant ornament thing we have and it was kind of like Trace's spirit was with us. I like to think of him as a bird or a butterfly...flying above us and free.

I promised myself I would only talk about good things in this post and so far I am having a hard time thinking of the little good things that have been happening around here although I promise they are happening.

Two months have passed since we lost Trace. I think it is a little hard to believe. Sometimes it seems like the time we had him was like in some sort of dream world and now we are living new lives. I have been having some better days but also some bad days where I cry because my Christmas tree looks so ugly and everything my husband says is the wrong thing (it's not, he's great but I am very emotional).

I've been thinking a lot about little babies lately. Three of our friends have had babies in the last few weeks and I think of them often. Last night we visited a friend with a brand new baby and he was just the sweetest thing. I could have just taken him home with me and kept him forever! ....but please don't worry, I won't really steal your babies or go all "hand that rocks the cradle" on you. It makes me happy to know that even though Trace is gone, there are still sweet little babies being born in the world and life goes on in their new little lives.



And maybe it is Christmas and the coming of the baby Jesus that is making me think so much about new babies. I find myself lingering over the pictures in our Christmas books of the little baby swaddled in the manger and his mother looking at him so lovingly. I feel like that used to be me.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace, Trace.

Tuesday Updates

Wow...where did the weekend go? Where did September go?

We broke our cardinal rule this past weekend and took Michael to an ISU tailgate with us. He actually did really well and it was a beautiful day. He loved riding around in this little wagon train that our friend with twins has! We carted them around for a little bit and everyone thought it was the cutest thing. I think the boys' favorite part was hearing the band play- yay!





It is hard to believe that last time we took Michael to a tailgate he was just a little peanut. And now we have a new little peanut in our family....



I paid $20 again to park close to our tailgating spot in a public lot and then I headed home before kickoff to get the boys into bed. It was kind of fun to watch the game at home on TV in a quiet house...shh, don't tell my husband! However, it was a brutal loss to Texas and it makes me so sad for our team. Luckily we still have a lot of season left so hopefully we'll rally and get some more wins under our belt!

Trace had his four month appointment yesterday. I scheduled it a few weeks late so I could get both boys in at the same time which was a marginally good idea, mostly thanks to the fact that Scott could be there with me. Trace is weighing in at 15.8 pounds and is 26 inches long! He is in the 75% for height and 60% for weight, which keeps him right on the same curve he's been on. He is still clocking in smaller than his brother which just amazes me.

It's Tuesday already and I haven't even started laundry...I think it is going to be a busy day! Have a good one!

Trace: Four Months

Just now, I was selecting photos for this post and I had a strange deja vu moment where I swore I already did a four month post. Then I forgot what day Trace was actually born on. Then I remembered that I was thinking about his three month post...wasn't it just yesterday I was writing that one?



Gosh, I am losing it. Time is flying. This little guy is growing fast. He desperately wants to be big like his brother so he can play and run and jump!



His eyes are always on Michael, following his every move. Michael and I have this game we like to play which involves running laps around the house and yelling, "Hi Trace!!" at Trace when we pass him. It's great fun (really) and Trace loves it. He yells and giggles right along with us and thinks he is big stuff being part of the action.

Mr. Big Stuff also recently started doing this:



...what!?

I know, right? He is not big enough to be almost sitting up by himself!

He also loves playing with his little toys and has started to reach and grab them. He looks so intently at the little toys with faces- it is really cute to see him hanging out with his pals.

He's getting stronger with his tummy time and is in this position for lots of the day. Sometimes his little legs will even scoot him around like he is trying to squirm away from me. Rolling is not happening very regularly yet- he has gotten stuck a few times in a half roll over position but I'm sure we'll get there in due time.

"Mom, are you kidding me?"

All in all, Trace continues to amaze us every day. He is great sleeper, eater and snuggler. He also recently started riding in the car better, for which our ears and blood pressure thank him.

I am so thankful for both of my beautiful babies to hug and hold. I was working on Michael's 2nd year photo book this week and it just amazed me how I can barely remember what days were like before Trace was here- it seems like another life ago. We are so happy you are part of our family, Trace! We love you!

Trace: Three Months

Trace, you are now three months old! Wow!

You are a busy bee and love playing with your toys. You have just started to be able to grab things and you love to kick your legs. You like to "sing" and "talk" and love to smile when people look at you. You are growing like a weed and I love how chubby you are getting. You love to watch Michael when he is playing and I think you will have a grand time going to daycare starting next week.

You are getting entirely too big, too fast and I wish you'd stay little!

We love you very much!

Trace's Two Month Stats

Before I forget (which seems to be the norm around here lately), I will update you with Trace's 2 month appointment height and weight. And the drum roll please...



Weight: 12 lb, 12 oz
Height: 23 1/2 inches
Head: 15 1/2 inches

He is really growing and getting very chubby! However, he is still the little brother weighing in less than his big brother who was 14 lbs, 4 oz at two months. Trace is just 1/4 inch behind Michael on height and head though so hopefully he will be just as tall and just as smart. :o)

(here is the link to Michael's two month post if you are interested!)

Trace took his shots like a champ and slept away the rest of the day and night. Michael was a good helper in the office and we all survived the outing for the day.

In other Trace news...we are trying to start him on bottles to help with the transition to daycare in a few short weeks (eek!). So far it's not going well, but I'm sure it will improve! After Scott tried to give him a little bottle today it took me about 30 minutes to try and calm him down. :o( Poor guy!

Trace: One Month

Trace: you are one month old! When your big brother was one month old, I felt like we had really accomplished something. A whole month of surviving! It was getting easier! This time around....I feel like we are just getting started on this crazy journey called life.



It hardly feels like it's been a month since we got up at the crack of dawn and headed to the hospital to meet you. It feels like one quick little blink. It scares me because I wonder if this how fast the rest of life is going to be, too?

Trace, you are really starting to get the hang of things around here. You are a good little tag a long for your brother as he plays and usually you do so without a peep. Unfortunately, you have started nightly fuss-fests which I could really do without but if they wear you out enough to sleep better, I am all for it.

You usually take some nice naps during the day and you like to be outside in the warm, humid weather. You still like to be swaddled tight and snuggled up in the Moby wrap.

We love you very much, Trace!