Christmas in Nebraska!

Holiday Hangover!

A post is long overdue, and unfortunately, I am sitting in my office and the camera, full of holiday images, is at home, as is my sweet baby boy and hubby. (sigh) The last few weeks have been crazy and great all in one! We now know that Jonah is an excellent traveller although he does not appreciate sleeping in his pack n' play on the road! It's been a tough transition back into his crib these last few nights. So, here's a quick breakdown of our holiday, and I promise to post pictures this evening! Hope everyone had or is having a great Holiday!

Thursday, Dec. 17:
We left bright and early cramming 9 hours of driving to make it to Kansas City where we (thankfully) decided to call it a day at a hotel.

Friday, Dec. 18:
Another early morning of driving, but by noon Jonah was cuddling with Grandma Babl while Ryan and I began, what would be 6 days of non-stop eating courtesy of Linda!

Saturday - Tuesday:
The three of us, Jonah especially, enjoyed relaxing in Nebraska and lots of quality time with Aunt Kelly, Uncle Chris and Grandma and Papa B! Jonah got so many gifts, it was almost ridiculous considering he was most excited about the Target bag we threw up in the air, resulting in a laughing fit! (If I can get Papa B to send me the video of this, I will post it)

Wednesday, Dec. 23:
With impending sleet, snow and ice on already slick roads, we sadly packed up a day early and headed out to beat the weather. We made it south of St. Louis and called it a night.

Thursday, Dec. 24:
We made it to Jackson just before Grandma RoRo made it home from work. An uneventful 28-hour trip to Nebraska - we escaped too easily, right? That afternoon, my flu-like symptoms kicked it into overdrive with a fever and seriously achy joints! Fortunately, it was just mastitis, and a call into one of my mom's clinics and I had an antibiotic just in time for everything to close for the Holidays!

Saturday, Dec. 26:
After 3 days of being babied by mom (thanks Mom!) and a date to the movies to see Avatar, we packed up and drove home. It's been a hard transition back to the real world, as my maternity leave is technically over today. Fortunately, it's a holiday week and I won't have to work too much, and Ryan is home with Jonah getting some serious boy time in, but nonetheless, I have a heavy heart today. I am thankful for my office being so flexible and letting me drag out my leave for 5 amazing months, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Whew! I am exhausted from all this typing and this long post that will probably bore everyone! I want to leave on a happy note, so, Merry Christmas and happy 2010!

Nebraska Bound!

Today we head to Jackson for a short visit with Uncle Mikey who will be pet sitting the dogs, and then tomorrow morning we start our road trip to Nebraska. Jonah generally does really well in the car, nonetheless, we have packed out patience and are just going to try to enjoy our time as a family. We are so excited to see the Babls for Christmas (even if it is 3 degrees and snowing). I certainly won't be going outside, so I look forward to lots of relaxing, eating and good family time. 14 hour drive, here we come!

"Thank goodness this hat fits! I am going to need it!"

You wonder why they call me Cue Ball?

4 Months

Height: 25 inches
Weight: 12 lbs 12 ounces

Head: 17 inches

Likes:

Anything that lights up and plays music
Bathtime with Dad

Stroller and car rides

Christmas trees

Dislikes:

Sleeping during the day anywhere but on Mom or Dad

The pediatrician's office

Getting his nails trimmed
Going to bed

Milestones:

Jonah is rolling over often, especially when tempted with a toy! He giggles a lot and is still super smiley. He is sleeping better during the day, but he still requires a human to sleep on. We've had a couple of great nights of 8 - 10 hour stretches, but they are often followed by a night of near insomnia. He does great in the car and we hope this trend continues as we embark on a 14 hour trip to the great state of Nebraska this month.

Today Jonah had four more shots at his appointment. After his initial cry, he actually did pretty well on the ride home and just kept sighing in his carseat. This picture is not from today, but it will give you an idea of what he looked like.

Bah, Humbug!

This weekend at the Babl household we put up the Christmas tree. I am just not sure that my boys were into it as much as I was!

OH, I could be reading out Pelvic Girdle Disfunction right now ... but NO!

I'll be right here on the couch if anyone needs me.

I'm OK with this when I am hanging with Dad.

The finished product! Merry Christmas!

Look at me ROLLLL!

Jonah discovered this new trick Thanksgiving weekend. He is so close to mastering the back to front roll, but seems to have this one down pat. We also discovered that this new skill is dramatically helping improve his sleep. Because he is now "mobile" we no longer swaddle him, which has allowed him to roll onto his side, which I guess is super comfortable, because he now sleeps from 7 pm until between 3 - 5 am! I am a new woman this week! Let's hope this last.

What a difference a year makes!

This past Sunday marked one year since Jonah entered our lives. It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving that I found out I was pregnant and we started this crazy journey! It's hard to imagine what our lives were before Jonah. He is such a great little guy and we are so thankful that we have him.