2 Months Old and Growing

I took Nicholas in for his 2 month WBC yesterday. He was a very happy patient until vaccination time came. Nicholas now weighs in at 12lbs 12.5 oz and is 24 inches long 75% for weight and 95% for height! Not growing as fast as Brock {Brock was about 3 pounds heavier at 2 months}, but I'm fine with that. Since we don't plan on having another baby for a few years, I want Nicholas to stay little as long as possible.

I still think Nicholas is looking more like me than Ryszard but I have to admit every once in a while he looks like Brock, and occasionally we capture and image that looks like his Uncle Adrian. It is very fun to see these different looks in one little baby. I've been having fun comparing Nicholas' new adventures to that of Brock's Nicholas started cooing a month before Brock, and he seemed to find his hands a lot faster too. But Brock still beats him in the weight department, and I don't think Nicholas will ever have as much strength in his legs like Brock, {unless we start making him do some serious weight lifting} Still, it is very fun to see the similarities and differences. We can't wait to see what else is in store for our 2 little guys.

Tummy Time

Nicholas is not a huge fan of "tummy time", and truth be told I'm not very good about giving it to him. It's not essential for his growth so I tend to forgo it most of the time, but we had a good tummy time moment a few nights ago and I just had to take a few pictures. I placed him in his crib and he played happily for a full 20 minutes, holding his head up high {he normally kicks and fusses and wants nothing to do with being on his tummy.} and trying to scoot all around.

Take a look at his cute Monkey Butt. {Brock has matching pj's, so we often have a few monkey butts hanging around the house! We love it!}

and just one more of my cute little baby boy !

Capture the Moment

Nicholas had his first official photo shoot today. He did very well! Brock on the other hand was very very unhappy to have to wait "so long" to go visit the puppies. Here are just a few of the great moments we were able to capture!

{Love his gorgeous lips}

Giggles

Brock was 2 weeks old when I first felt him giggle. Yes, you read that right felt! He giggled in his sleep, {and I have the videos to prove it} and I would feel his stomach moving just before I heard his giggle.

I love giggling babies they are just the cutest.

I have been trying to get Nicholas to giggle for a few days now and haven't had much success. So imagine my surprise when I went to change him into his pj's when just as I was lifting his shirt up over his head he let out the most precious giggle ever. Melt my heart. I could have cried it was so sweet.

I just love my giggling boys!

Nicholas' Special Day

Oh what a wonderful day it has been. Ryszard gave Nicholas the most precious blessing in church today.

Aunt Lousie was able to come up from Pennsylvania to join us. Brock loved playing with his Ciociu Louise and cried when she had to go home. We tried to get Brock to sit still for a picture but he was hungry and tired so it didn't go very well.

My little Helper

I decided long before Nicholas' arrival that the best way to get Brock to warm up to the new baby, {and hopefully not be jealous} was to get him to help me as much as possible. I started as soon we found out baby was a boy. I had Brock help me go through clothes to get ready, I had him help me fold blankets and pick out a new outfit for baby Nicholas' so When Nicholas was finally here Brock was ready He was very happy when I walked in the door holding his new baby brother. and he has continued to help me since. Flipping the music switch on for Nicholas to listen to while he's sitting in the bouncer, grabbing a new diaper for me at changing time, and helping me give Nicholas tons of hugs and kisses. Don't get me wrong he does have his jealous moments here and there, but for the most part is very very good with Nicholas and I know once Nicholas starts moving around more and more Brock is going to be right there cheering him on and helping me along the way!

Stinkin' cute!

I know you are all thinking it too!
I put Brock in jeans for the VERY first time the other day and wanted to get a few pics because he is just so stinkin' cute!
Just Take a look.....
{Brock and his stinkin' cute facial expression}

{Brock just being stinkin' cute}


{Brock and his stinkin' cute blue eyes}


{Brock and his stinkin' cute profile}

See I wasn't lying he's just too stinkin' cute !

Waking Up!

Nicholas has started to stay awake for longer stretches these days. I love it. He is still very easy going and loves to just take it all in

Chubby Baby!

You wouldn't think to look at him but Nicholas is getting chubby! While changing his diaper tonight I noticed that his little legs were starting to get chubby! {And let's face it we all know that Chubby babies are just too adorable!} I asked Nicholas "When did that happen?" {referring to his chubby thighs} and he just smiled and cooed at me. He must have some more tricks up he sleeve yet to come, and I can't wait!

Brotherly Love!

The greatest....

Basketball player ever, is on a poster that is now hanging up on my big boy's wall!
{I'm sure I've mentioned at least once or twice about Brock's love for all things Basketball.}
Ryszard found a long lost poster down stairs and put it in Brock's room. So now in addition to asking him to point to Mommy, and Daddy, and baby Nicholas; We know ask him: "Where's Michael Jordan?" and he happily points to the poster residing above his bed.

A Full Hour

That's what I got today. A full hour with Nicholas wide awake and chatting away. You see his usual routine is me changing his diaper to wake him up, feeding him, a big burp, a quick hello, and then he's back to sleep! But today he decided to stay awake and chat with his Mommy! A full Hour! I can't tell you how happy that made me to be able to sit and talk to my baby boy. While most Mom's are dying to get their newborns to sleep more so they can rest I am always trying to get Nicholas to stay awake. I'm sure his "sleeping all day" won't last much longer, but I am very grateful that I've had that extra time to spend with Brock one on one, while Nicholas is asleep. I was a bit worried about Brock being a little jealous of Nicholas and all that newborns need. But thanks to Nicholas being so easy going I've been able to have that special time with Brock, and happy day he helped me bake cookies today for the very first time!

Working on Words

I've never been too worried about Brock not having a huge vocabulary because, well he understands everything we say to him. {Very often just hearing a certain word will send him into the other room to fetch it. Example: the other day I mentioned the word moon, he ran to his room and came back with the book, "GOODNIGHT MOON".
He is a very smart little boy!
I have used ASL with him since he was 7 months old and he has a few signs he uses on a regular basis. Yesterday he learned a few more, {Again and Cookie} Ryszard and I obviously use English when we talk to Brock, and his Babcia Kornelia talks to him in Polish. So it's no wonder that he is a little confused with how to pronounce all those words, but today I was determined to get him to learn a few.
We worked on them through out the day and I'm happy to announce he has 3 new words to add to his vocabulary. Basket, Ball {obviously, those two will be use together quite often around here.} and Baby!
I sent a little video to some of my family this week of a few of Brock's other words {Mommy, Daddy, and White.} And just so I have a record of it somewhere, because I know I will forget: he also says the words: Exit {crazy I know but that was actually one of his first words, and we often play find the exit sign!}, Moon, Cheese, Hot, Cold, Cool, Water, Ma {which is what he says for animal and for the sound a goat makes.}and Mar {meaning Uncle Mark who is on a Mission for our Church, and who I often call missionary Mark. So Brock often sees the missionaries at church and says Mar, too cute!}
He signs the words: Please, Thank You, Milk, and More {along with his new signs: Again and Cookie}
I am so very proud of my "big boy". I am always trying to find new ways to teach him these simple things and the pay off of hearing him share his new words with daddy is absolutely wonderful. I am currently working on teaching him his ABC's so {hopefully} by the end of the Month {or at least by his birthday} we can sing the Alphabet Song together. Wish us luck!

Treatment for Clubfoot

Although the treatment for Brock's clubfoot was fairly simple I am still surprised how many children out there are said to be treated using the Ponseti method, who truly aren't, and end up having to go through some unnecessary and often painful treatments.
Click here
To view one of the truly Great Doctors out there that are treating Clubfoot the right way!

Personality

The past few days I've really started seeing a bit of a glimpse at Nicholas' personality, when he is awake that is.
I love how his smile always starts in his eyes and slowly creeps it's way from one corner of his mouth to the other. {always starting from his left check to his right}
I love how calm he is and how happy it makes him just to be in Mommy's arms.
And most of all I love how he follows Brock's voice around the room. I can already tell that he will adore his big brother. {Brock cannot wait for Nicholas to grow up I think he is dying to have a buddy to hang out with. Today I found 4 cars, a ball and Brock's puppy "pepper" in Nicholas' crib when I went to get him up after his nap.} I love that Brock is willing to share some of his most favorite toys with his baby brother. {I'm sure that will change soon enough}