2 Months Old!

It's been 3 weeks since our WV trip. If you are wondering why I haven't blogged in the meantime, it's because I've been back to work for 2 weeks and our lives have been a bit hectic. Work is going pretty well so far - we have the Pack and Play set up and I took the bouncey seat and have it by my desk... of course Grady hates both of those and wants me to carry him in the front pack all day! I am working to get him on a semi-set schedule, which will help with my sanity, and help me get more done at work.

Last weekend we went for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves and went for a little hike. The weather has been great for October - still in the 60s and 70s during the day! Grady loves looking up and the sky, leaves, etc. He really does better when we are out and about. I guess there's more to distract him and keep him entertained, so he only gets fussy when he really needs something (hungry, super sleepy, etc).

This past Monday, Grady had his 2 month pediatrician appointment - which included two shots! He has grown to 12lb 6oz and 23.75 inches long. The Doc says we are doing great and he is meeting all the guidelines for his age. Grady made it through the shots ok (there were some tears but nothing too horrific), but he was MISERABLE the rest of the day! We were at work, and he slept for about an hour but when he woke up he was absolutely inconsolable. It was the first time I couldn't make him happy by feeding him. He wouldn't eat or sleep or calm down at all. I called the doctor's office and they said I could give him baby Tylenol. While I was calling them I went outside to walk around and he did end up going to sleep then so I let him sleep and as soon as he woke we ran over to Walgreens for the "magic elixer" baby tylenol. It worked pretty well, but he was still a bit fussy the rest of the day.

Yesterday we went to a football game - Appalachian State (Aaron's alma mater) versus Western Carolina (Caleb's alma mater). It was at Western which is about 1 hour west of Asheville in Cullowhee. It was a beautiful drive, and we tailgated for a couple of hours before the game. Western is a relatively small school, and on the way to our seats we walked right along the edge of the end zone! We ended up sitting there for most of the game. We had a great view and were out of the sun. Western got beaten pretty bad - apparently it's a bit like the WVU/Marshall rivalry... one-sided.  Western isn't exactly known for it's football team, but their band was excellent!

Grady was wonderful all day - had a great time tailgating and at the game. He didn't however love the band... I think it was just too loud. We were sitting in the 3rd row and their band had at least 200 members! Justin let me stay to watch the field show and he took Grady away to get him calmed down.

We had a couple of milestones this week - we took out the infant insert in Grady's car seat, and I put away the first of his newborn clothes that don't fit anymore. It was a bit tough but I made it through okay! I'm going to have to get used to it - he's going to be growing out of clothes for the next 16+ years!

He is smiling a lot more now, and more responsively to our actions than just randomly. He likes to be rocked in his car seat, but pretty much hates his swing. We think it's because that would give US a break!

Take Me Home, Country Roads

Grady had his first trip to WV to meet his Great Grandma Purbaugh! Catherine, Grady and I (Jessica) drove into Buckhannon, which happened to also be Wesleyan's homecoming so it worked out great. Grady did much better in the car than we expected. He slept a couple hours, then we'd stop and feed him then get back on the road. He cried some at first but then fell right to sleep.

Since when I first found out I was pregnant, one thing in the back of my mind was wanting to introduce my grandma (last living grandparent) to her first great grandchild. It's almost felt like a mission!

We drove in on Friday (why Justin couldn't come - he could not get off work) and got to grandma and grandpa Loftis' just in time for grandma to arrive with great grandma Purbaugh! It was a wonderful introduction. She had such a great time holding him and kept commenting how she hadn't seen a baby that small in SO many years!

After that Grady and I went to meet his "aunt" Amy, who is going to be having her baby boy around January 1st! It is really exciting knowing how close in age our boys will be - I know they'll be great friends! Amy and Andy are working to get their house ready for the little one, and we'll be headed back in for Amy's baby shower in early November.

On Saturday, we went to the Wesleyan homecoming football game with aunt Catherine and grandpa Loftis, then went out to grandma and pop pop Hunter's for a visit, and so they could show off the newest grandchild to their friends in for homecoming. It was a really nice afternoon. Burton had put together a slideshow of old college photos... mixed in with photos of the family. It was great!

On Sunday, we went to church in the morning and Grady was definitely a big hit there. We sat in the balcony and Catherine noticed everyone in the congregation kept glancing up at us! That afternoon Tab came for a visit, and she, Grady, Amy and I met at Allburghers for dinner so Grady got to meet Mike too!

Overall it was a busy but really fun weekend. It was the last trip before I start back work full time so a little bitter-sweet, but I'm so glad we got to make the journey north!

Fall in Asheville

 The weather is changing fast - and so is Grady! The time has flown by. He can hold his head up on his own now and only headbuts us sometimes. He is awake more every day, and is making solid eye contact. We have even seen some smiles! Not at anything in particular, but it is still so great to see.

Justin scored a ticket to the BrewGrass festival thanks to Chris and Sarah, so Grady and mommy went to Weaverville for the afternoon and went to an art festival with Sarah and Lucille. We had a great time! The Moby wrap is great - he will sleep in it for about 2 hours. BUT when he's ready to get out he is REALLY ready to get out. And he means now!

Aunt Catherine was our first ever babysitter, for my birthday dinner. Justin took me to Green Tea Sushi - it was great! We were only gone for about 1.5 hours, and Catherine's exact words were "easiest babysitting job ever" - he slept the whole time! I am definitely happy for that - we will be using her services in the future. :)

Jonathan and Leslie told us about an apple picking place in Hendersonville called Granddad's, so we checked it out on the Saturday after my birthday. It will be great when Grady is older - they had a corn maze, pumpkins, llamas and goats to pet, and of course apple orchards. We got a peck of apples. I didn't realize how many apples that was until we got them home! They were great though, and I made my first apple pie (without my mom's assistance). We shared it with Chris, Sarah, Lucille and John at Chris and Sarah's house. They just finished their addition and it's awesome!

The following week was my first try at taking Grady to work. I went in for a few hours on Tuesday and Thursday just to start to get acclimated and see how it went. We got the Pack & Play set up, and Mary took turns with me in taking care of Grady. I am SO grateful she is allowing me to bring him to work - I am not ready to be apart from him! I think it will work out ok once we get a schedule down. Molly has offered to keep him during the day, in case it doesn't work for me to keep him there or if I need!

All in all we are doing great! Thank goodness Justin and I have each other. I can't imagine being a single parent! Grady is a great baby but it is certainly a lot of work and it's good to have each other to take turns with him when he's fussy, and get to enjoy him together!