Fin is 3 months old!

And how did he celebrate? By having a rough day :( Finny is experiencing growing pains, teething, or something else as he was just a fuss-bucket today combined with real sleepiness. He ate every one to two hours and then slept every one to two hours as well. Poor guy. When we got him in the tub tonight though he was all smiles...he sure does love bath time (this pic was taken two nights ago though). Can't believe it's been three months already.

So much snow!

We had an amazing time in Highlands, NC. The snow started falling on Christmas morning and didn't stop until Monday morning. It was absolutely gorgeous and the cabin was extremely cozy! We left the cabin once to go to dinner at The Old Edwards Inn on Saturday night. When we showed up for dinner, the maitre d said he lost a bet. He didn't think we would make it in with all the snow and our 'precious cargo!' The roads weren't bad at all, just lots of snow, not iced over. With the trusty Volvo we were well-equipped.

Once again, we were reminded of how fortunate we are to have such loving and supportive friends and family. Little Fintan was given so many great gifts and it was so fun to open them! A million thanks to everyone for your generosity and thoughtfulness. We love Finny so much and it's so great to have others love him too.


Finny rocking the preppy look! Thanks Uncle JR!


Man's best friend (no snow yet!).


The cabin.


It's exhausting being Fin!


Woot! Medical dictionary and medical terminology flash cards! I'm a happy lady!


Jeff and his new iPhone! Happy guy!


Daddy telling Fin all about snow.


Fin in his 'choppers' from Auntie Haley!


The family out for a walk in the snow. Fin in his new snowsuit from Nana.


I'm a happy guy!


Dad and son chatting.


The dogs taking in the heat from the fire.


Dad and son examining the beams.


Seriously so happy. Diego just wanted to sit outside and bury his nose in the snow! He is going to LOVE MN!


Dressed for Christmas dinner-he looks like such a little man.


At Christmas dinner. British tradition to wear crowns found in the 'Christmas Cracker.' It was funny to have a fancy dinner and wear crowns! Finny slept through the entire dinner.


Again, my boys. Love the pack and thought little Fidel was hilarious in the car seat.


That's right!


Dad had Finny rolling with laughter on Sunday night. Tickling and bouncing! It was the first time we'd heard Fin have a total giggle attack-melted us both.


Loving on my little man.

Happy Diego


Cabin Time

Feliz Navidad!

For the holiday weekend Jeff and I are heading to the mountains in North Carolina. A member at his club has a house there and offered it to us! The dogs are more than welcome and the town (Highlands, NC) is apparently very quaint with delicious restaurants. It will just be us three humans and the two canines. We're so excited to have a mini-vacation in the mountains. They're even predicting snow so we're hoping to have walks in the snow, maybe some xc-skiing, and lots of time bundled up around the fire.

Hope ya'll have a nice holiday weekend!

I texted this picture out to a bunch of people last week but figured I'd post it for those of you who didn't get to see the cutest picture of Finny Bear yet :)



Daddy working (organizing a squash tournament) with his boy on his lap.


Why so serious big blue eyes?!


Dad and son.


Evidence of his stellar self-soothing/giving the bird skills.


Auntie Kelsey sent Fin this onesie. His smile confirms it :)

Wow!

A great article in Time magazine. A good reminder that all the late night feedings are more than worth it. I'm so lucky to have a solid support system in place...can't imagine trying to breastfeed solo.

http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/20/want-smarter-kids-consider-breastfeeding/?xid=huffpo-d

Giddy Up!

Life with Fin is going well these days. He seems to be sleeping longer at night, only waking up one or two times to eat. He's also doing really well when it comes to getting himself to sleep. We go through a nap or bedtime ritual of changing diaper, eating (if he's hungry), book, rocking and song. By the end of the routine he's usually really sleepy or sometimes already asleep. Since he's getting bigger though, when I transfer him to his crib, he usually wakes up. We leave the room but can't help but watch him on the video monitor! Most nights he doesn't cry but sometimes he talks and most usually he just silently kicks around, moves his arms, and finally falls asleep by himself after about 20 or 30 minutes. We hope he continues to self soothe and fall asleep without crying-the idea of letting him 'cry it out' sounds like no fun at all.

Jeff saw a video of a member's daughter rolling over at five weeks and is now much more diligent about tummy time with Fin! Fin is getting much stronger and more tolerant of being on his stomach.

The squash season is really underway. The courts are busy and therefore so is Jeff! It's good and bad-we miss him but understand he needs to work. We have a low-key weekend planned. I'm baking cookies and when Jeff gets home from work we're going to do some home cleaning and organizing.

When Jeff was a little kid he went to the toy store to buy hot wheels but became completely sidetracked when he saw a gun/holster set. He came to regret that decision when he got home and actually told me about that darned decision even years before Fin was even a thought-it really impacted him! Well, Grandma Karen remembered it too and sent Fin cowboy clothes as a joke-We giggle every time he wears these outfits!


Trying so hard!

He pushes himself up! Such a strong little guy.

Fin's First Pub and Snow!

JR and Fintan!


Fin's first time in a bar! During the Tour of Homes on Saturday, we all needed a pit stop so we rested our feet at a local pub and had a pint-well, JR, Jeff, and I had a pint, Fin slept.


Fin's first snow!


My boys. What a great pack!


Last night our neighborhood had caroling and hot cocoa in the park across the street from our house. The park was beautifully lit with luminaries and the hot cocoa was perfect on the cold night. I bundled Fin up in his new carrier and headed over for the festivities (Jeff decided to stay at home and rest on the couch and watch football)! We didn't last too long as it was windy and cold but it was fun to see the neighborhood out.


Fin and I in front of the neighborhood tree in the park!

He's a Smiley Guy!

Life continues to be an adjustment here in the ATL. Jeff, Fintan, and I continue figuring each other out-most of the time it's great, sometimes it's overwhelming! Fin's fussiness has greatly decreased and now seems to be back to normal and even going through, dare I say, yet another growth spurt (lots of sleeping and eating). His sleeping habits change regularly, always keeping us on our toes. Some nights he'll sleep 5-7 hours straight others (like last night) he's up eating every 2 hours. I like the former rather than the latter option. Finny really is a solid boy and seems to get bigger every day. Also, his hair seems to have a red/orange tint to it! Hilarious!!!

Our great friend John Russell, a fellow squash player, is in town from New York for a visit. So great of him to come! We're officially giving him V.I.P status as he's come three times this year! It's always a pleasure to have him here and we do miss him so. The four of us went on a tour of homes today throughout the neighborhood-really fun to see all the different design perspectives, to dream about possibilities, and it made us excited for our next adventure in MN. We just had an entirely local, organic dinner, and now I'm in bed and the boys headed out to paint the town.

Jeff is getting busier at work and the weather here is really cooling off. We had our first fire in the fireplace the other night-very nice to cozy up together.



Fintan lounging like a little man.


Happy Finny Bear in an outfit from Auntie Ker-Bear.


To help with his reflux we bought a new carrier (keeps him vertical and doesn't squish his abdomen). Mom and Fin love it!


Fin's first game of Scrabble-total concentration.


He's stoked! Just played a great word! Dad trying to teach a lesson in humility.


Mom and Finny-mom glowing from her victory!

Holiday Cheer from the Mulligan's!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/gnsHIxiMK46xW2LsxQxk

Sneak Attack

Jeff secretly filmed bath time last night-tricky guy!

Poor Little Guy!

Well, since Fin had his shots he has been all out of sorts. Screaming and crying fits, tensing his body, not his usual easy-going, smiley self. There are brief moments of smiles but they quickly change to screams. Not sure what's going on: no fever, no apparent source of pain, he's sleeping well at night, eating well, and peeing/pooping normally. Wednesday through yesterday were really rough...non-stop crying. It appears he's on the mend today, taking his usual naps and very smiley. Let's keep our fingers crossed that he's on on his way to being his old self! Spoke with a few people (Elaine, my bro, the Internet) and it seems that his behavior isn't shot related...something else going on (reflux? growing pains?). Regardless, it's been tough on Jeff and I but even harder on Fintan, I imagine. Poor buddy. We've just been giving him extra snuggles and cuddles and skin-to-skin contact and love.


Jeff trying the skin-to-skin contact. Worked to calm him down for a little while.


He does smile and coo still!


Very serious! This was at the beginning of his funk on Wednesday.


I forgot to write about my mom's visit! I know I posted pictures but I just must say it was such a great help for her to be here. Now that Jeff and I are further along in our parenting, we know a little more about what we need help with, how to ask for it, and how to relax and not feel like we have to be doing something with Fin all the time if someone else has him! We were able to hand him off, hear him and Grandma Dolly in the other room laughing and chatting, as we vegged out on the couch or ran errands, etc. It was a welcomed break. Once again, she stocked our freezer with soups and helped with laundry! Thanks Mama!

Love this picture of bath time! Fintan is a huge fan of the water. He loves to just hang out and splash around. He chats while doing so and is getting quite brave in his splashing! He'll spring up on his legs and just splash back down. Very, very cute!


I love his butt. Haha. It's so cute!


Smiley, chatty guy.


Quick Chat

Well, That Sucked.

Fin had his 2 month vaccinations this morning-three shots and one oral dose. We pretreated with acetaminophen but still, his cries reached a decibel and pitch we'd never heard before. I can't imagine what it would've been like without the anticipatory pain relief dose. Mom and Dad did very well but it really was tough to watch even though we know it's for the greater good. Fin was easily consolable after the injections and now is wiped out.

On a good note, our little guy is growing quite well! He is in the 90+ percentile for everything...at least he's proportionate! Almost 14lbs, 16.5 inch head circumference, and 24.5 inches long! Big boy!

We're thrilled that he's growing so well and that he did so well with his shots overall...it's really special for Jeff and I to be able to pick Fintan up when he's crying and comfort him. We love him so.

Fin's First Thanksgiving

This is the first Thanksgiving in 5 years that I haven't cooked and that my brother wasn't here to celebrate. It was a welcomed break from cooking but not from Jason! We (Me, Jeff, Fin, and my Mom) all celebrated next door at Barbara, CJ, and Caroline's house. When we arrived they were just about to announce the winner of the Westminster Dog Show. Fin was sound asleep in Lauren's arms and most of us were puling for the Deerhound. When the judge pointed at the Irish Setter as the winner the lot of us yelled out 'Booooo!' Well, this noise must've really scared Fin, or he was outraged at the choice, anyway, it made his bottom lip come out and he let out a HUGE cry! We all couldn't help but laugh! To top it off, after he finished his brief cry, he put his hand over his entire his as if in absolute dismay the Irish Setter had won...too cute! The food was aplenty and exquisite as was the wine and champagne. It was a nice day with friends and Fin was great as always :). We rounded out the day all snuggled up in Barbara and CJ's tv room watching Beauty and the Beast! A great day.

Fin's Thanksgiving Finest courtesy of Teddy and Julie! How cute is he in his sweater-vest/cord combo!


Fin and Dad in coordinating sweater-vests! Both resting up for the main event.


Gma, Mom, and Dad all gushing over little Fin's diaper change


The hostess with the mostest- Barbara lovin' on Fin and Jenny also admiring him


Tessa rocking the little guy to sleep


After dinner, the entire group went a walk around the park to make room for pie. Caroline can be seen running away with our boy and Gracie isn't far behind her!


Lauren holding Fin and Caroline to the left, Gma to the right. Fin was not short on loving that day!


Dad, Mom, Fin. Family Photo.