Happy Halloween!

What a difference a year makes! Last September I didn't know I was pregnant yet, last October I was excited at the realization that it was my last holiday season before we were +1, and now here I am- sitting in bed on Halloween night with the most precious gift asleep in his bed next to mine. This is, by far, my most favorite Halloween to date. 

Let's back up a bit first. October kicked off the busy season for the Gross family. We started it off with a bang with our trip to Colorado for my mom and Doug's wedding. The scenery, the ceremony, the weather, the family- it was all perfection. Weston was the ring bearer and got pulled down the aisle by my brother. I honestly don't know if I have seen anything cuter than that (until today when I saw him in his costume). We stayed very busy during the trip and little man handled everything like a trooper. He even let Momma get some fishing in while he napped in the car each morning. Can't beat that!  Matt and I were nervous about flying with a 3/4 month old but it ended up being super easy! There I was all prepared for screaming, frustration, and dirty looks from other passengers and Weston slept the ENTIRE way, both trips. Never. made. a. sound. My child is a rockstar. 

Speaking of the bambino, he had his 4 month check up on the 14th. He weighed in at 19lbs 8oz and was 26.25 inches long which puts him in the 98th and 90th percentile respectively. This age is so fun because it seems he learns something new every week. First it was blowing raspberries in the air, then it was rolling from back to tummy, and now he's getting very close to sitting up on his own! As it is now, he can do a few seconds alone before his big noggin drags him down. He loves to stand up, play with toys, pull hair, and screech out of delight. I remember how excited I was when he found his voice. I am slightly less excited about the discovery of the volume button but heck, even his screeches can be cute. He laughs at every little thing from Eskimo kisses to funny looks to a bounce on your knee. He thinks its all the best thing ever. 

Blowing Spit Bubbles

Rolling Over

Today is Halloween so Weston got to wear his owl costume at daycare. They had a parade and the teachers all said Weston was the happiest baby about his buggy ride. He just smiled and flapped his arms (perfect for his costume!). I really think owl Weston may be cuter than being-pulled-in-a-wagon Weston, though it's certainly a close call. 

The holiday season is here so the Gross family will be in high gear the next couple months. We are lucky enough to have family that loves so much that they want to see us for every holidays. Of course, the logistics of being in 3 places at once is simply impossible so we will just zip around and spend as much time in each place as we can. 

Weston and Dad before swim.

West and his God-Aunt Kristi!

Upcoming Events: Baylor/Tech game, Thanksgiving!

Sports, Family, and the Fair

I must sound like a broken record but I am amazed at how fast this year is going by! I feel like I blinked in June and now it's October! Obviously for our family, Weston is the main cause of the super sonic speeds but Matt and I are both going through adjustments as work as well. And then, of course, our nation has been dealing with its fair share (namely Syria and the government shutdown). I enjoy hearing about the simple times of the older generations when little kids could safely ride their bicycles as far as they wanted and marriages tended to last until death parted the lovers. What in the world is happening? I feel like I must work doubly hard to make sure Weston becomes a man of character. Sometimes when I get worried about raising Weston with the world the way that it is, I remember that I am not alone. I am married to a strong, wonderful man who will be an amazing example for Weston. Matt will teach West things that only a father can- like how to treat a woman, how to provide for those you love, and the difference between a dry and wet industrial scrubber. I have a fantastic family that showers Weston with more love than I can even comprehend. Yes, I think he will be just fine.

Matt and I had a great time at the Cowboys game. It worked out great as my dad was able to take a last minute trip here so he watched Weston while we went (he hated it I'm sure!). Plus, it was $50 less we had to give Jerry Jones for parking! Win!

We did take Weston to his first (and second) Ranger's game last month too. He is such a trooper. It's interesting to me that some families slow down when they have a baby. I don't know how they do it. Time with Weston is in high demand so we are constantly on the go! I wouldn't have it any other way. It's so very important to me that West knows how many people in this world love him. Plus, showing off the cutest baby in town is always fun. :)

My Dad and Julie came to visit this past weekend! I think we crammed every bit of fun we could into 3.5 days. We tailgated at the Ranger's game and went to the State Fair where we each ate our weight in fried food. It was so worth every pound gained.

Weston is now just shy of 4 months old and weighs about 19.5 pounds. He has found his feet and occasionally stares cross-eyed at them though he can't quite figure out how to get them in his mouth (lack of coordination and a big gut are to blame). He drools at an amazing rate. He is laughing more often and is becoming ticklish. He sleeps 8 or 9 hours overnight without waking (yes, I know I'm lucky). Although he still prefers to sit, he has started to stand with help in small doses.

Upcoming events: Mom and Doug's wedding in COLORADO (first plane ride for booger), 4 month check-up, Halloween!!

Relative

Everything is relative. Before Weston, I was really busy. Or at least I thought I was busy. I really had no idea what busy was until I went back to work after becoming a Mom. Now, its constant. Nurse, pump, change, dress, taxi, bathe, sanitize, label, play, wash, put to bed, work, clean, shower, launder, organize, and cook. Funny thing is, I am sure someday when Weston is at the age of Little League and Pee-Wee football I'll say "I had no idea what busy was when he was a baby!".

Mid-way through August Weston had his 2 month check up. He got his first round of shots and only cried for a short while (still heartbreaking). He weighed 15lbs 7oz, was 24 inches long, and his head was 41.7 cm around. This puts him in the 97th, 90th, and 98th percentiles, respectively. Who knew I gave birth to a giant! Doc said he looks great- chunk and all. 

Giant Baby.

August 24th was Matt's birthday- his last year in which his age starts with a 2. I woke up that morning and put forth my best attempt at making breakfast. I've never cooked a big breakfast (cereal or a bagel suits me fine) so what was intended to be a kind gesture was probably more like torture. I asked Matt what he wanted to do with "his day" and he insisted he wanted to find a garage fridge. After allowing the traffic to work us into crabby moods, we headed home and then went to a nice dinner to relax and celebrate.

I suck at breakfast but I dominate dessert.

Happy Birthday to Mr. G!

The next Monday I started back at work. I struggled with a lot of "working mom guilt" when I dropped Weston off at daycare. His first day was hard on him and it made dropping him off the second day almost impossible. I thank God that Weston had a good second day or that may have been the end of the working mom. It's still hard but visiting on my lunch breaks does help a lot, as do the cameras that allow me to look in on him any time I want (all the time). I do enjoy going to work though, and it's so nice to have adult conversations on a regular basis again. I suppose that's the silver lining.



First day.



This was taken by the daycare and sent to me. It's a book full of different textures for the babes to feel. He looks happy and that's what matters to me. 

Weston's crib poster.

This weekend was our 1st Anniversary. It seems hard to believe. I guess pregnancy and a subsequent baby makes a year fly by. What a great year though! Noni and D-Pa watched Weston while Matt and I went out for the night for dinner and a comedy club show. I drank 5 beers which made me feel like such a badass. Fighting breastfeeding sobriety one beer at a time. (Although it was much less badass getting up multiple times over night to pump and dump to get the 5 beers out of my system). It was nice being husband and wife rather then mom and dad for the first time in a few months.

One year married! Woohoo!

Weston Update: Wes weighs over 17 pounds now and changes daily. His hands are constantly finding their way into his mouth and drool is constantly oozing out of it. He likes ceiling fans, staring at his Momma, "riding the pony", sitting up, rolling onto his side, and helping hold his bottle (shocking- my boy likes to help himself eat). His neck muscles are surprisingly strong but he hasn't shown any interest in lifting his upper body during tummy time. He is in the best mood right after waking up in the morning and just before bed at night. At those times, it's endless smiles for anyone around!

Holding his bottle.

Smiles!

Tell me this smile doesn't go straight to your heart!

Blowing sweet baby bubbles.

Other fun times: Airhogs game with the Phelps Family (Weston wanted to see his girlfriend Hailie again), family date night at the drive-ins, more family photos, sprucing up our fish tank, and having our families over for Labor Day.

Before the Airhogs game.

Too much cuteness in one picture!

Loving how nice our tank looks!

Happy, Happy, Happy Noni.

Upcoming Events: Cowboys game, Weston's first Ranger game, Matt's 10 year reunion.