B-I-G changes

We've been accepted to go to China to teach English! It's been a looong application process...and now the looong process of preparation begins. But we're excited. And a little scared at the same time. Well, I am. Maybe not Michael.

Projected leave date: July 2010. whoa. That's kinda soon.

Get your skype accounts ready. We'll need to put those babies to use! And get a video cam while you're at it. We'll want to see your pretty faces.

vaca for everyone

Maybe someday I'll get better at updates.

I stopped counting weeks for Josiah's age. Too hard to keep up with; he's 3 months old...trying to act like a 13 month old. Fun things he does now:

* blows bubbles (I should give him bubble gum and see how he does)

* grabs toys and immediately puts them in mouth

* puts finger(s)/hands in mouth. no favorites yet--he just likes to chew on them.

* giggles...makes me melt

* can sometimes turn over from belly to back

* when lying on the floor, turned away from the tv, he turns his head completely around to see the flashing lights...no matter how many times I tell him not to.

* when given the choice between sitting and standing, he'll stand until his legs collapse from exhaustion

I'm currently trying to ween him from his last night feeding (4am). I think he can make it through the night; he's just used to waking up to eat. Last night was night #1 and he woke up about every 15 mins after 4.30. Not crying, but just didn't sleep well. At 6.30 we both had enough and I gave in. (I was hoping he'd make it to his normal wake-up time, 7.) We'll see if he does better tonight.

Michael and I just got back from a vacation to Rhode Island/Massachusetts. It was fun and relaxing! A great combo of both. We didn't do anything terribly exciting except eat delicious food every meal. I think I gained 10 pounds. Josiah had a blast with g'ma and papa Mueller. If you didn't see on facebook, you missed out; they made us a picture book of all the adventures they took Josiah on. I'm not sure the kid slept at all. Those will be great memories to look back on.

Here are a few pics...(although I'm almost 100% sure all of you who read this have seen these on fb)

at McDonald's with papa...with matching vests. wow.

a-dorable

scared to death.

big smile!

that sunflower is bigger than his body.

michael & i in boston with our yummy food.

12 weeks.sheesh

He's getting old, and big! And more active. And more fun. These days he enjoys laying on the floor so he can kick his legs while he runs his fingers through his hair..and occasionally pulls some out. I'm not sure if he's losing so much hair naturally or if he's pulling it all out! And, of course, he loves laughing, smiling, and cooing at mommy and daddy. (sometimes other people...if they're lucky.)

We've had lots of fun lately with visitors from all over. First it was the ahem reunion...amazing, but short. Then this past weekend Ashley came and we had a mini high school reunion. Crazy to see where we all are after 6 years...so different.

Next week, we're going on vacation...WITHOUT Josiah. Call us crazy. I'm beginning to think we are. Not so much the leaving him part (we'll see how I deal with that one..but I think it'll be ok!) but rather the still having to pretend I'm feeding him every 3 hours. That's a lot of effort and milk down the drain. We'll see if I get totally annoyed with that or not. My pump will be my bff for a few days. Anyway..we're going to the northeast! We're staying in a cute bed and breakfast in Rhode Island. We're renting a car and will drive around to surrounding states/cities...hopefully Boston, Hartford, and we'll see where else. Suggestions are welcome if you've been up there and have somewhere cool to go. It will be nice to get away and relax a bit. My parents are taking care of Josiah..they are beside themselves--too excited. I believe my mom is going to buy a mattress for the crib Eric and I slept in as babies so Josiah will be comfy. Wow. Go, Grandma!

Also..we're deep into the application process of moving overseas. EXCITING! and scary.

I must go. Have to eat lunch before the babe wakes up....

Oh how time flies. Josiah is nearly 8 weeks old. He is getting more and more of a personality--I love it!

We took our first road trip--to Branson--and he was a champ! He slept the entire 3.25 hours! Maybe because I didn't stop at all..despite my needing to urinate while also dying of thirst. But, I knew if I stopped, he'd wake up and realize he's hungry.

When we came back, I called it 'detox' because he was held SO much..which is ok when people don't see him often, but he needed to be reminded that he didn't need to be held allll the time. We put him to sleep in his crib for the first time. He has adjusted fairly well over the week. He can finally go to sleep by himself without much crying--most of the time. And he's even given me a few night's of sleep lasting 6 hours! I can just taste a whole night's sleep coming soon....

Our family is going through lots of potential transition. We're looking intensely at a few organizations to guide us in moving overseas. It's exciting to think about, but also very scary. I've become quite comfortable here and it will be hard to give up all of this comfort. Not to mention learning a new language, a new environment, etc. But, God is in control; I'm trying to cling to that.

Here are a few cute pics of my big boy...

love the wrinkly forehead

please don't be jealous of how cute my baby is

i really like this one

and this one

finally captured a smile!

everything is a race

The little man is 3.5 weeks old. A month on Monday--WHOA. Where did that month go? I really didn't understand moms who said their days were so busy with ONE child. I thought--seriously? It's just one little person..how much work could it be? Ha, oh how naive I was. He's pretty much on a 3ish hour schedule...eating, wake time, and sleeping ever 3 hours. It's nice, but it seems like it's a race to get things done after he falls asleep. Especially since at least half the time he wakes up during his nap, screaming bloody murder. Usually because he needs to burp..or puke. (which has led to many outfit changes for the both of us lately)

Nonetheless, he's a complete joy. I love him. I love his many expressive faces. I love when he smiles at me (just started this the other day!) I love his fake wimpers. I love his high-pitched, tired yelp when he just can't get out a full-on cry. I love his beautiful, curly hair. I love to eat his toes. I love to give him kisses. Josiah, my little pumpkin. Love him.

And I love Michael too. I'm trying not to be too obsessed with Josiah and forget about the hubs. It's hard, though! Little man takes LOTS of our attention. But we try to have some of our own time when he falls asleep...again, if he stays asleep. Soon we will start date nights. Hopefully we can find someone to watch the dude...

No new pics as of late. Well, I have a few, but am too pressed for time to put them up. I need a shower...and this is a race. Maybe next time.

Josiah Michael Felder is here!!

Yes, most of you know this already, but he has arrived. 5 days ago, actually. The details:

Born: Monday, May 25 at 3.53am

Weight: 8 lb 12 oz

Length: 20 3/4 in

Duration of labor: 3.5 hours...yesssssss.

Labor was pretty sweet. I was blessed with sweet genes of a fast labor. (thanks, mom!) I believe it actually started a few days before; I'd been having some serious lower back pain. Later I found out this was because he was posterior (sunny side up; backwards; the back of his bony head against my spine) Bu starting Sunday night/Monday morning, I had 2 contractions 10 mins. apart, starting at midnight. Then they went straight to 3 and 4 mins apart. For those of you unfamiliar with labor, it doesn't usually happen like that...it's usually a little more of a slow progression!

So we starting packing our bags between contractions (ha..I bet that was comical) and labored for about 1.5 hours at home..just to make sure it was the real deal. Although, I had no doubt it was for how badly it hurt! But, we didn't want to wake our doula unless it was real. So we went to the hospital at abou 2am; the drive there was rough with about 5 contractions in the car. No fun when I couldn't lean over!

Got to the hospital--SO glad we pre-registered and filled out paperwork early! I wouldn't have wanted to sign all those papers at that time! Anyway, the nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 9..out of 10. Yep, I was almost done! The nurse felt that the baby was posterior at this point, so I got on my hands and knees (on the bed..) to help him turn around. (Again, for those without kids..posterior = back labor, which I've heard is the worst.) He was a good little guy and turned around for me..thank heavens! I pushed for about 30-45 mins, and he was here! Pretty amazing experience. One that can't be explained.

It's been a busy first week with lots of visitors, lots of food, lots of poopy diapers, lots of blown-out outfits, but tons of fun. I've been severely sleep deprived, but don't even know it because I just look at the little dude and know it's all worth it. Plus, I know sleep will never be the same!

Here are some pics to enjoy! He changes every day...I personally think he gets cuter by the minute, but that's just the mommy thing to say, huh?

Josiah's first day home. This is his slicked-down hair. Not a fan....definitely a fan of his natural curls...

Way cuter hair, don't ya think!?
so peaceful

He's a chunky one. And he has hairy arms. That was one of the first questions I asked when he was born...does this go away? They assured me it does--haha. Kinda gross, yet cute since he's my kid.

I often call him Mr. Lips for this reason...as well as his other mouth tricks.

the BIG day..not so big

Today is my due date. I have to keep telling myself it's just a guess-of-a-date. Trying not to get discouraged. Especially since my HS friend who was also due today had her boy 2 days ago. My little guy just likes the warmness inside too much, I gess.

Also a little disheartening was the doc visit today. She was palpating (feeling around on my belly) for his head to make sure he was head down..he was, but his head was still high..not down in the pelvis...and she said, "Hm...most first time moms are thinning out by now." Ok, thanks for the encouragement, doc. SO, I made another appointment for next week..but really hoping I don't make it! If so, then I'll have to have a sonogram to make sure everything is ok..then keep waiting. Sheesh. I guess I shouldn't be that surprised. I tortured my mom an extra 8 days; I had it coming....

I'm just ready to meet the little guy...is that asking too much?!?