Week 6: Dear Santa...

Marshall is a growing boy! It is really amazing to see how big he is getting. Even when I look at his hands I am amazed at how much larger they are than when we first brought him home 6 weeks ago. He is really starting to be more alert and interactive with Chris and I. He's funny. He likes to talk to his hands. He laughs and coos at Mommy a lot. Especially when I ask him if his Mommy is a crazy lady. He also like it when Mommy sings Christmas Songs.

This week we left the nest to go and visit Santa at Willowbend Mall in Plano. He was really great with Santa. Then when I took him away from Santa he started to cry. I think he liked Santa more than Mommy!

Week 5: Marshall's Busiest Week Ever!

Were do we start with this exciting week?! Well, this week started out very nice since a 5 hour sleep pattern has started to emerge early in the week. But it was a little harrowing at first since prior to that sleep a new trend has occurred - he would have crying spells in the evening. What we noticed is that his red faced scream was his "last hurrah" before he dropped off into instant sleep (Marshall's Aunt Heather made him a friend to comfort him during these moments).

Wednesday, Mommy and Baby made their first outing together to visit a photographer that Mrs. Strange recommended to us (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=40447). She does Anne Geddes type of work. Generally, the little Man is easy to put to sleep (which is how the photographer shoots her baby photos) but after 3 hours he would only sleep for about 20 minutes. He wasn't the greatest subject so we didn't get very many "artistic" poses. The photographer said it is tough being a Model. I'd have to agree -especially when you are a naked baby and a cold front is coming in.

Aunt Emily came up from Austin to stay with us for the holiday. Marshall loves his Aunt Emily - she knows exactly what to do to make him happy.

We all went and visited MeMe and Grandpa-ha for Thanksgiving. Marshall really enjoyed his time with his cousins and his Aunt Heather (she also knows how to make him a happy baby). On Friday, Olga, Uncle Nikki and The Grand-PAPA came over for a nice meal and The Grand-PAPA played patty-cake with the baby.

On Saturday, Marshall was baptised at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. There were 11 other children baptised at the same time as Marshall. We were so proud that he was so quiet throughout the entire ceremony and even stayed asleep when the Deacon poured Holy Water over his head. Marshall was so lucky to have so many members of his family attend such an important event.Other memorable camera shots:

Week 4

Well Marshall had a busy week - he had his first non-relative visitors this week. The first were the Strange Family. Marshall had his first true test of how good he would be with other people and he was awesome. He especially liked being held by Curtis, who put him right to sleep! :-)

We also visited Aunt Heather's family since Marshall's cousin Katherine threw her Mommy a Baby Shower. Marshall's Baby girl cousin should be born sometime in the last weeks of December.

On Friday, Marshall's future Aggie classmate, Abby, came over for a visit. Abby is 3 months old and is so very alert. You can just see her happy disposition in her eyes and how she just soaks up her surroundings like a sponge.

Mr. Marshall has finally moved up and out of the preemie clothes into newborn and has graduated to Pamper's Size 1 (instead of the newborn diapers!). By the end of the week he weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz. He also had his first walk outside the house and really enjoyed cruising the neighborhood in his baby carriage! He is starting to become more and more alert throughout the day. He still has a very firm schedule - he is so alert and happy from 10:00am to 2:00pm, then he takes his afternoon nap, and wakes up and is cranky in time for Daddy to get home in the evening. One night he actually slept in his crib for 3 hours and on Friday night he slept for 5 hours straight!

He has such a laid back personality. It is so exciting because he has even begun to smile and "talk to Mommy." Mostly he likes to make the "Ahhh" sound and gurgle "gggghhh." He is so cute. When he is mad, he gets really mad (generally because Mommy is Changing his diaper or clothes), but he calms down when he is rocked, sung to, or just put in his vibrating chair.

As each week goes by, Boris becomes more and more protective of "his human." Boris will randomly come over to Marshall throughout the day and plant a big wet kiss on him and then sit by Marshall like he is protecting him. Who knew that our shy doggie would open up to the newest member of the "pack" so readily?!

Here are some photos highlights from this week. Each photo is a clickable link to a larger image:

Week 4 Video's:

Talking With MommyUrp Up on Daddy

Week 3

Where has the time gone?! Today Marshall is three weeks old! He has been a great baby. He has already started to have a schedule emerge over this week and at night I can almost set an alarm to his 2:30am and 5:30am feedings. What is really great about his nighttime feedings is he is all business - he eats then goes promptly back to sleep - meaning no playtime at night. Playtime is generally from 10:00 am -1:30 pm and at night when Daddy gets home.

He is also starting to not fuss as much during bath time, where he likes to stare at his toes in the bathtub. When it is time to run errands, Marshall goes right to sleep. He likes car rides and sitting in his travel carrier. Speaking of sleep, he still is a very heavy sleeper (just like his Mommy! We won't tell Dr. Baker, but one night both Mommy and Baby forgot to wake up to feed and he slept 7 hours straight) and doesn't like to be woken up. It's also funny when he yawns heavily he doesn't like the way it feels and will start to fuss.

He is so amazing - Chris and I just love watching him (hence all the pictures!). He is so precious and beautiful. We are both amazed to think that just three weeks ago this little guy was still in my belly sucking on his fingers, kicking and hiccuping (which he still does frequently outside the womb).

Somebody is smiling for the camera...

Sleepytime with Daddy.

Look Mom, I can Hold my Binky in my mouth all by myself.

My Doggies Love Me.

Storytime is my Favorite Time of Day.

Yep, I'm Cute and Cuddly.

Week 2

This was an exciting week, as Chris and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary on November 2nd (exactly two weeks after Marshall's Birthday). What better present to each other than a sweet little baby. Marshall also is settling in nicely in his new home. Here is a brief update on his activities.

Week 2 Milestones
- He is a VERY heavy sleeper. He even sleeps through the dogs barking, vacuuming, etc.

- Once he is awake (and he hates being woken up) he is a voracious eater for such a small guy.

- He is beginning to be alert and lift his head a lot in the late morning to early afternoon when he especially likes to look at his doggies and his surroundings. Boris thinks that Marshall is his human and likes to lay next to him and kiss his face (oh and steal his pacifier which I am constantly looking for since Mr. Boris has hid two of them already).

- He loves his vibrating Chair. And despite not liking his swing in Week 1, he now enjoys being in his swing.

- When he is upset, Marshall is instantly calmed when we put on Music.

- He loves to suck on his two fists (and his Pacifier).

- Marshall enjoys storytime with his Mom and Dad.

- You would think that we were torturing the little guy with the way he SCREAMS when he gets his diaper change and a bath. But once he's naked he calms down.

- Marshall loves being held by his Daddy. He especially likes to pass gas and make poopy diapers for his Daddy when he gets home from work!