Burke's 10th Week

Since this was my 2nd week back to work and still working only Monday through Wednesday, Nonna and Papa came up to visit Thursday. Burke welcomed them with more smiles and cooing. He is more alert and interactive, responding to faces and voices. Here is a sampling of his range of facial expressions. Odd. We don't seem to take pictures of his mad, sad and crying face.

Nonna has full blown conversations with Burke that are pure entertainment. He will furrow his brow and concentrate on her face as she talks dramatic nonsense. After a few minutes he even realizes how funny she is and he spontaneously bursts out into contagious laughter.

Burke sporting one of Reid's hoody outfits. Super snuggly!

The boys sit at the edge of the kitchen to watch me make dinner. They tend to hang out together.

Gage loves to be a part of everything Burke does. And when Burke is not using his boppy to lounge in, Gage tries to keep it warm for him before we shoo him away.

Hey there! : )

The Old Faithful Gas Hold is what we call Dan's manuever here. Weeks 5-9 evenings were rough with our gasy baby. We aren't sure if we were dealing with colic, but the last few weeks have been much better. Burke now has an 8:00 pm bedtime.

We had friends and their dogs over for dinner Saturday night.

Burke's hand coordination is getting better. He usually has a fist (or two) in his mouth. This is his wub-a-nub pacifier that he can hold onto. We call him Jeffrey (like the Toys R Us giraffe).

Burke's Nineth Week

March 14th was my first day back to work. My coworkers gave me a warm welcome with flowers and cards. They are going easy on me, but I am ready for more work. It was great to see everyone and feel like part of the real world. I have a very understanding manager so I am working 7:30 -4:30 schedule.

Dan does morning drop off and I pick up in the evenings. I was glad for Dan to do the very first drop off. I did tear up leaving him the first day and I know Dan called me at work to say he felt like an irresponsible parent just leaving him. I was super anxious to pick him up the first day.

The daycare center takes meticulous notes and when I added up his nap times he didn't sleep but an hour and a half each day of daycare this week. They mentioned he didn't like his crib. I think he is keeping the ladies at daycare busy, but that means he has been a great sleeper at home. Whew! He did smell like other people, not bad, just not like us, so he had to have a bath as soon as we got home. I had to take a picture of his cute buns.

Cuddly little brown bear in his bath towel.

My first St. Patty's Day mom took me to Oak Park Mall to meet her mommy friends, Megan and Ami, and have lunch. It was a beautiful, but windy 70 degree day outside too.

OVERALLS!!! ( and every farmer needs a pony - courtesy of Cheryll Pacey )

Mom getting ready to back to work her first week back. Burke still wears pajamas 90% of the time. Well, we all wish we could too so why not?

Burke's geared up for his first trip to the dog park. It was too windy and Burke was having none of the Bjorn or the wind so we ended up waiting in the truck for Dan and Gage to get a good walk in since Gage hadn't been in months.

We also hadn't been flying in a long time so Nicole and kids babysat again on Saturday. We flew to St. Joeseph, MO to have lunch in the airport cafe and see KC from the air. The cafe was closed but it was great to fly again.

Co Pilot

Pilot

Best Babysitter - Auntie Nicole

She is always good to offer her services.

Burke is TWO MONTHS OLD!!!

Smiling & Cooing more each day....

Loving bath time

Loving his play mat lights

Tummy time

Burke's Eighth Week

Touchdown!!!

We assembled his playmate for some more stimulating tummy time this week. Who knows if he really can see it since Dr. says he can only see about 15 inches, but he seemed to smile and kick more.

What happens when Dan dresses Burke? See below.

Grandma Karyl came to check on Burke for a few days and see his new developments.

Aunt Megan joined us and brought her fiance, Brett, now Uncle Brett.

She had him smiling up a storm!

Sunday napping

On Monday, 3/8 Burke had his 2 month visit with Dr. Slattery. He had to get his 2 month immunizations. It was quick but did involve tears. He didn't have a reaction.

He now weighs 11 lbs. 10 oz and is 24 1/4 inches long. He definitely seems longer to me.

This is my last week of maternity leave. I am sad to leave the little guy in daycare but anxious to get back to the world of adult interaction. We'll see how the first week back in the real world goes and the first daycare drop off. Good thing we are only doing part time for the first 2 weeks back.

Burke's Seventh Week

Gage & Burke are buddies!

Sleeping through tummy time.

 Mr. Mom!!!

 Griers stopped by to get some Burke time. I can't wait to watch Reid teach Burke life's lessons.

 Mom and Dad drove Great Grandma Jean & Richard up for lunch on Tuesday to meet Burke. Unfortunately Burke slept through the whole visit, but we are glad they got to snuggle him.

 Papa is the best napping spot. Love ya Papa!

 We rely on the sleep sack to swaddle Burke to sleep.

He is a smiling little cocoon when he wakes up in the am.

 He is smiling much more and cooing loudly.

 He has figured out how to help himself out (and us) by holding his pacifier in his mouth.