5 months

It's official!! Crosby is 5 months old today!!!! We had to pull out the camera for perspective pictures. I can't believe how big he is getting. According to the puppy scale, Crosby is 15 pounds now. One of my favorite 'negative" reviews of the Chicco car seat was that the person did not like it because it got heavier as her baby got bigger. Hmmm. Believe it or not, Crosby's car seat has gotten heavier too!! Go figure!! I guess we should have gotten another brand... :) It is getting harder to lug him around. That being said, I decided to go ahead and order his convertible car seat a few weeks ago. After obsessing for months, I finally decided on the one I feel will be the safest. It is in so I just need to go and pick it up! I plan to make the switch when he is sitting unsupported. Mainly because it will make grocery shopping MUCH easier. The infant carrier takes up the whole buggy. Maybe I should write a negative review about that... :)

As far as his development is concerned, Crosby is getting more sturdy in sitting and in standing. He is becoming less and less of a "bobble head" and is getting close to being a "hip baby." Meaning, I can hold him at my side, propped on my hip! When he is on his back, he lifts his head and tries as HARD as he can to sit up! Poor thing doesn't get very far but you should see his abs!! ;) We are trying to spend more time in the exersaucer and Bumbo to work on core strength and trunk control. He still enjoys spending time with Mr. Octopus and Mrs. Kissy Fish on the activity mat. He can roll from prone to supine in both directions now and does so as soon as you put him on that tummy!!! He likes to roll side to side from a supine position but could care less about getting to his belly at this point. Is it bad that I am okay with that because it will keep him in one place a little longer??? I am scared of mobility...

I mentioned that I started giving him a woobie/lovey to cuddle with. He LOVES them!! I will have to show you what he does with them...soon. I got some pretty good footage today!!Hilarious!! Anyway, I find him asleep with both his arms wrapped around them. Just like his parents and their NAP pillows! Crosby still loves to talk, squeal and smile and is starting to laugh more when he is tickled. He continues to be "Mr. Serious" a lot of the time, giving the appearance of such a deep thinker! I am pretty sure that brain is working constantly!!

Crosby is sleeping through the night and has been for quite a while now. There have been one or 2 nights where I had to go in his room because he woke up randomly. All I had to do was give him his paci/bubba and he went back out. He has gotten much better at putting himself back to sleep at night. Nap times are a different story! He is still hit or miss with those. He takes at least 2 a day. Sometimes they are 2 1/2 hours. Other times they are 30 minutes. If he wakes up talking, life is good. If he wakes up crying, it is best to try and rock him back to sleep or he is crabby!! :) The longer the better for sure! I would love to get those a little more consistent but I haven't figured that one out yet!

I still haven't given Crosby rice cereal. He is really starting to watch us eat. He even grabbed for my glass and pulled it toward his mouth...like everything else!! So, we might try a round tomorrow to see how he does. He looks great in his new high chair, which I am very excited to use!! As you will soon see, he is growing like a weed. How happy am I that mom's milk has been doing the trick without a problem. I will for sure meet my pumping goal of 6 months, which thrills me. I have no problem keeping up with him at this point so there has been no need for formula in ages. As much as I hate to do it, we have to toss a whole can of Enfamil Lipil because it has been opened longer than recommended. Oh well... He takes a 7-8 ounce bottle first thing in the morning. The rest of his bottles are around 5-5 1/2 ounces through out the day. Overall, he averages 30 ounces a day, which seems to be about par for his age.

I know this is way more information that you ever wanted to read, but I don't want to forget what my 5 month old has been up to!! So, I will spare you from further details and get to the pictures...

Crosby with his bear...

And of course, one with Nugget...

In his chair with his bear...

This is SOOO much fun!!!!

Talking to his bear...

Mug shot...

It is getting harder and harder to catch his hands and feet when they are still!! Mr. Wiggle Worm doesn't stop moving these days!!

Sweet feet...

See here to compare...

I am one happy momma!! I am so madly in love with this little boy I can hardly stand it. I love waking up to his gummy grin. I love going to bed with the scent of his lotion on my hands. I love his super soft skin and the fuzzy strawberry blondish hair...that is there. He can spit up on me, poo on me...I don't care! I just love having this little guy in my life! What a great way to spend the past 5 months...loving sweet Crosby!!!!!

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 21 weeks old!!! I can't believe he will be 5 months old at the end of this week! Basically, it is time to schedule his 6 month pictures (I could swear we JUST had the 3 month pictures taken...)! We also need to set his 6 month appointment with Dr. P...dread... (and I KNOW we JUST had his 4 month appt...)!!! This is all going way to fast. I know I say that every week but it hasn't changed. In fact, I am pretty sure the pace has picked up even more!! My days seemed much longer when I was waking up every 3 hours to feed the little guy. Now that he sleeps until 6ish, the days quickly go by. Not that I want to wake up every 3 hours again!! :)

For the latest changes... Crosby started wearing size 2 diapers last week. He has found his feet and is able to hang on to them now. They haven't made it into his mouth but I am sure that will happen sooner rather than later! He can roll to the right and the left from prone to supine. He still LOVES to drink out of the sink sprayer! :) He loves his woobie/lovey blankets and now sleeps with them...except at night because that makes me a little nervous... He has really started to watch me drink from a cup and eat with a spoon. I am thinking someone is getting ready to eat like a big boy!!! He weighed 14 pounds and 9 ounces on the puppy scale this week!!

We had a house full of family on Saturday. The Lipscomb crew and the Malone grandparents came for dinner. Too bad I was a slacker and did not take a single picture. I am kicking myself for that one now...

Here are a few pictures of Crosby in his Easter outfit and matching cap from Grammy and Lulu...

Talking to you about it!!

Backwards...

To the side...

What a face!!

Blake had to try it in all directions and I complied!! The hat is still way to big but it was too cute not to put it on his head!

And this is just another one of me loving on my sweet boy!! I can't get enough of him...

Big Brother Nugget...

It is hard to believe...

that a year and 2 days have gone by since I stood in our bathroom, staring at this...


I was not prepared for what I saw. 2 pink lines...again. This was NOT supposed to happen. Both Dr. B and Dr. C recommended, AT LEAST, 3 months physically and 6 months mentally before we tried to have another baby. At that point in time, I didn't think 6 months would be enough time for me to even consider the idea. So, when the second line started to appear, I ran from room to room. Maybe the lighting was bad. Surely I was seeing things. However, I think it is pretty evident, even a year a 2 days later, that my vision was just fine! That second line was clearly present.

Oh the tears that started to flow. I was scared out of my mind. I could not do it again. I could not handle losing another baby... Blake was headed home from Hendersonville when I called him in hysterics. He knew that could only mean one thing. Although he was nervous himself, he remained strong for my sake. We would get through this. This was not OUR timing. The only hope we could cling to was that it was HIS!!!

It is hard to believe it has been just over a year since we learned that "Baby M 3" would come, one way or another. While I was scared to walk the road that lay before me, not knowing how the story would end, I felt a glimmer of hope that this might be the pregnancy to last long enough to give me the child I so desperately longed for. What a wild ride the last year has been!!!
I know one thing for sure, I would not trade one second of the last 367 days for the world!!! I am so grateful for HIS timing, HIS creation, for sweet, sweet Crosby...

Mondays With Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 20 weeks old!!! He is a little mess! The baby that was sleeping through the night has been mixing it up a bit. Waking up at 11:45 pm...2:15 am...4:10 am! Thankfully, that was not all in one night! But he has gotten me out of bed in the middle of the night a few times this week. He has also decided he doesn't really need to nap. At least not for more than 30-45 minutes at a time. Then he wakes up pretty crabby and wants to go back to sleep again within an hour or so! Like I said, he is a mess. But still so stinkin cute! We are working on this nap business and hope to fix this little problem soon!

It is nice to hear him on the monitor after a good night sleep. He just lays there talking his little head off for 15 minutes or more. But when I go in the room, it is all cheese!!!



What a great way to start off my day. That gummy smile melts my heart!!!

Just a swangin...

Bouncing around...

Mr. Serious...

Until he sneezed...

Which he found funny...

And proceeded to talk all about it...

Blowing bubbles...

Can you tell he is zoned out in his movie chair? His eyes kept getting heavier and heavier. Then he went out. There is nothing I love more than to pick this sleepy baby up and have him lay his head on my shoulder as I walk him to his room! Oh, how I could eat him up!!!

I will leave you with footage of bath time...

Blake "accidentally" squirt water in his mouth a few weeks ago. Now Crosby LOVES to drink from the sink sprayer. He is like Pavlov's dog. As soon as you squirt him around the neck and chest, that tongue starts going!! He has even started to pitch "mini fits" if we don't let him have a sip. Did I already mention he is a mess???

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 19 weeks old! This 13 pound 14 ounces baby has been quite busy! And yes, that is an official weight. We had our first trip to the pediatrician's office on Saturday afternoon. No, this little guy is not sick. He just had an...ingrown toenail!! I know, I can't believe we had to go in for that either. But I do whatever they tell me to do. All we got was an antibiotic ointment to put on his toe 3x/day. At least our first visit was no big deal for Crosby...


However, it was a huge mess, and I mean MESS. Whenever we see the doctor, we start of answering a few questions for the doctor with the nurse. She then has us strip him down to his diaper for a weigh in. This time he had to have his temp checked. That may have been the first problem...you may know where this is going... Anyway, after we weighed him, I held my nearly naked baby in my lap and proceeded to give him a bottle while we waited for Dr. P to come in. All was going well, until I looked down and noticed Crosby's eyes watering and him making this movement with his mouth. I can't describe what he does. Let's just say it is our signal for what is to follow. I knew he was about to fill his britches. No big deal. That happens multiple times a day on most days. However, my sweet, nearly naked baby, Crosby, had a lovely surprise for me on this occasion. Not only did he fill his britches, he managed to send his excrement up the back of his diaper and straight down into my LAP!!!! Knowing good and well what had just happened, I sat there thinking, surely I am mistaken and I am just feeling the warmth of his diaper. Surely?!!?! I proceed to lift my nearly naked baby to the examination table only to reveal the lovely pile of poo left pooling in my lap. I just froze, not knowing what to do. As a lovely aroma began to fill the air, I frantically grabbed the wipes and started trying to clean myself as much as possible. Wouldn't you know, Dr. P came walking in the door as I am standing there with poo filled wipes in my hand. He just laughed at my situation and walked over to Crosby to check him out. Of course, as he slides Crosby down the table, he manages to leave a nice trail of poo behind!!! I was pretty...well...mortified!!! Sure, he sees this and worse I am sure. But, never has that happened to me. And wouldn't you know this was the first time Blake was not able to go to an appointment with me. How convenient!!! Though it is probably best Blake was not there. He probably would have hit the floor and I would have had another issue on my hands. (Just because he is a vet does not mean he can handle the things humans do!) I managed to get the two of us cleaned up before we left but I couldn't tell you much of what Dr. P said. Something about and ingrown toenail...ointment 3x/day...Happy Mother's Day!!!!!! : ) At least it didn't get all over Crosby's car seat or on his cute little outfit, right? Fortunately for you, I have no pictures to document the experience. But I can assure you, the images of that day are ingrained in my head and I doubt I will forget them for as long as I live!!


Moving on. Just because I think fun pajamas are cute...


Crosby LOVES his activity mat. He spends lots of time batting Mr.Octopus and Mrs. Kissy Fish all over the place. He watches the lights flash and listens to the music play several times a day. This is how he prefers to lay...


On his back!! But, we have really been working to increase tummy time. So, when you put him on his belly, you get a face like this...



"UUUGGHHHHH!!!! Would you please stop that, MOM!!!" At least that is how I interpret the picture anyway. Well, Mr. Smarty pants showed me who is boss earlier this week. Take a look at the next few pictures and see if you can figure it out!!!

Did you catch that?? If not, let's see if this helps...

I know, that was lightening fast. So I had him slow it down a notch just in case you missed it...

This little turkey has learned to roll over!!! He did it for the first time on Tuesday. Blake was in the shower, so I ran Crosby up to the bathroom and made Blake watch this amazing milestone. Wouldn't you know, he wouldn't do it for his dad! Crosby was willing to so of for Blake when we was home at lunch on Wednesday. Not to mention I got this footage on Wednesday morning so I had proof. So much for tummy time!!! It is now like Crosby says, "Go ahead and put my on my stomach!" Then he laughs as he promptly rolls over onto his back!! Looks like we already have a rebel on our hands!!!

Oh Happy Day

I have held the title of "mother" for three years now. The past 2 years were spent full of grief and despair when this day rolled around. While there was joy in spending time with my mother and mother-in-law, my heart was aching inside to be with my girls. I longed to truly experience motherhood. It is amazing how things have changed in one year.


Today was the best Mother's Day I have ever known. My arms were full. My heart was overflowing. Crosby Fox is the most precious gift I have ever received and it absolute honor to be his mother.

How thrilling it was to share him with our mothers!!

I received this poem/letter in an email this week. By no means do I think I am a better mother than anyone else. But, I do believe my love for Crosby is deeper because of the impact his sisters made in my life. It is my prayer that I never take one minute of Crosby's life for granted. He is a precious gift. His sisters were and are a precious gift. May I always use my experience to reach out to others who suffer loss. May I never forget the journey we walked to become parents to this child...

“There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better in a sense. I will be better not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for this child. I have longed and waited. I have cried and prayed. I have endured and planned over and over again. Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams. I will notice everything about my child. I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life. I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream. My dream will be crying for me. I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see. Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love. I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain. I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body. I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall. I have prevailed. I have succeeded. I have won. So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs. I listen. And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard. I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes. I have learned to appreciate life. Yes I will be a wonderful mother.” (to my second child...)

Author Unknown

By George...

I will get caught up!!!! I will get my life organized...starting with posts about the remaining 3 out of 4 showers. These were held in February and March. Yes, you read correctly. These took place over 2 months ago now!!! When Crosby was a mere newborn...under quarantine! I told myself I MUST get these up before he is walking. (That way I could feel good about myself when I accomplished that goal.) The good news is, he isn't even crawling so I am way ahead of the game!!!!

But, this isn't all the catching up I have to do. There is a special shower we went to, a visit with Grandmother, nursery decor update, more Easter pictures, a recent trip to Birmingham... Oh dear! How will I ever get this all done. At least you will be able to sort of understand why I am behind on EVERYTHING!!! Lots of showers=lots of pictures=lots of posts and lots of thank you notes!!!

I am using this blog to document Crosby's life so I have to get this done! I desperately want to do a scrapbook for him...but seeing how I am still working on 2004...I am kind of thinking that won't happen anytime soon. So I will just blurb this blog and call it a scrapbook. I know fellow scrapbookers...I am totally copping out. Maybe one day I will get around to it!

SOOO, below you will find 3 posts of 3 FABULOUS showers!! Expect more belated posts in the next week or 2...or 3... I will be done with them by the end of this month...and my thank you notes. That is right!! I said it here so you have to hold me accountable. Anyone want to babysit??? :)

And to the person who asked about the company that did the hand cast...
Hands Unlimited
P.O. Box 757
Wilburton, OK 74578
1-888-426-3626
handsunlimited.com

Hope that helps!!!

OHHH...take a look at this little miracle

Otter Creek Shower

The girls from small group were so sweet to host a shower for me and Crosby at Otter Creek. This shower was very special to me for obvious reasons. I love these girls and they have been so good to our family. But there is another reason this day was so precious to me. Moriah scheduled two showers in the past that had to be taken off the calendar. One for Finley. One for Caroline. We did not even discuss a date for this shower until I was 30+ weeks pregnant with Crosby...for my sake. Words cannot describe how good it felt to walk through the doors on February 22 with Crosby in tow. How blessed we were to be able to keep the date!!!


The tables were decorated with 2 of my favorites: pictures of my little guy and tins of peanut M&M's!!! How cute are these...

A picture with the hostesses: Jill, Bre, LeAnne, Moriah, Crosby, Me, Katie, Lesley and Julie

The food table...

Floral arrangement...

The napkins...

Me and the cake...

The shower began with Lesley reading scripture and lifting a prayer up to the Lord. How appropriate that she chose Psalm 121:1-8. I have to share a little history...

We started Beth Moore's Stepping Up a journey through the Psalms of Ascent during my 21st week of pregnancy.We were set to finish the study at one of the major milestones the doctors had me trying to reach: 28 weeks!! At 21 weeks, I never dreamed I would reach that goal. I felt positive he would be born before we could finish the 6 week study. We were asked to memorize these verses early on in the study. I recited them over and over and over in my head on my tough days. This verses literally got me through each day...

1 I raise my eyes towards the mountains.

Where will my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to sleep;

your Protector will not slumber.

4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel

does not slumber or sleep.

5 the Lord protects you;

the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

6 The sun will not strike you by day,

or the moon by night.

7 The Lord will protect you from all harm;

He will protect your life.

8 The Lord will protect your coming and going

both now and forever.

As we now know, I made it to 28 weeks alright! We FAR surpassed that goal! Praise be to GOD!!!!!

Lesley reading scripture...

Me, Lesley and Bre...

This was Crosby's first day at church. Because I was still concerned about his immune system, he stayed in the car seat, aunt Katie's arms or my mom's arms! We still held off on passing him around. One more week of quarantine!!!

Opening gifts...

Group shot...

What a great day! What a great group of friends! What an amazing church! I have mentioned that WE ARE BLESSED??????