So I never thought I would enter the world of blogging, but I've realized three things: (1) My little boy is growing up so fast that I can barely keep up with taking enough pictures to document his life much less do anything with them; (2) I'm terrible at journaling, organizing, or documenting things as well as sharing these with our family and friends; and (3) I'm envious of my dear friend Shannon, who does such a fantastic job at #2 and 3. One of her outlets to be successful is her blog - so, while I don't intend to copy-cat her, I'm going to have to. Thank you Shannon for being such a great blogger that you inspired me.
However, I must qualify this first post by saying that I do not promise this will be entertaining to read --- it's really set up as a tool for me to start to put some organization into the mountain of memories we have started to accumulate.
With that being said, I know I'm already 4.5 months behind on documenting Hugo's life, and, to be cliche' but true, things go by so fast, so we've already been through a lot. Rather than try to do justice to everything while only to falling more behind (per my usual tactic), I'm going to fast-forward through our last 4 months by sharing some of my favorites and then start a-fresh from here on out. I'm restricting my introductory post to life with Hugo over the past 4 months. I know that there have been a lot of other things going on since, and our lives include many memories with family and friends, but I really want to catch up.
So, 4-month recap:
December, 2010: After 9 months of saying I did NOT want a Christmas baby, our little guy decided to arrive promptly on Christmas morning. Hugo Aaron Gutierrez, born 10:17 AM on Christmas Day, 8 pounds, 9.6 ounces an 21 inches long. He came by slightly urgent C-section, and was perfect.
Once home, we gave Hugo a sponge bath because he only had 1 while in the hospital. While hated them because they made him cold.....
January 2011: My mom and dad headed home shortly after the New Year and left us on our own! When they left, Jaime and I just kind of looked at each other, unbelievable that now he and I were "allowed" to take care of this little guy on our own...no hospital staff, no mom and dad ---- just us, now we are the mom and dad! Exciting, yet very scary!
Being a Christmas baby, I wanted to get a picture of Hugo in front of the Christmas lights in a Christmas stocking. The attempts we made at Sears didn't work too well, so despite Jaime's nervousness about me shoving our week-old son in a scratchy polyester stocking, I had a little photo shoot of my own at home. He lasted long enough for me to get one for the memory book.
In my heart I knew Hugo was a true Green Bay Packers fan (which proved to be true, see later entry for February), but I had to try him out in a Dallas Cowboys onesie just to be sure. I think the look on his face says about everything. Go Pack!
Having a baby born during the winter is hard on both parents and baby. While it would be a great idea to take Hugo out for a stroll when he's getting fussy or to get some exercise, it's just too darn cold - especially in Michigan! Nevertheless, by mid-January, we were totally restless at home and joined Shannon and Connor to check out the Plymouth Ice Festival. Of course, it happened to fall on one of the coldest days of winter. While we were totally freezing our butts (and toes, fingers, ears) off, Hugo was warm and cozy, buried beneath a mound of blankets, his cozy cover for the car seat, and in his snowsuit and warm clothes.
So, as I mentioned above, Hugo is a born Packers fan. He started wearing his Green Bay Packers Jammies on the Sunday after he was born to support his team in their final regular-season game of the year versus the Bears. They had to win the game to make it into the Playoffs, and they did! From then-on-out, Hugo wore those Jammies for each Packers game and it continued to bring them good luck. Here he is with Connor for the playoff game versus the Bears. Sorry Connor, but the Pack won again!
Over Jaime's birthday weekend, we took Hugo on his first (of many) roadtrips up to the UP to visit his Grandma and Grandpa, and to meet his cousins Gatlin and Cash. They were TOTALLY enamored with him! They crawled right into bed with him and snuggled up. I love to see them all together!
This picture was taken sometime at the very end of January. Nothing notable about it, but I put it in to document how much Hugo LOVES his swing. After many rough nights of him not sleeping in his bassinet, bouncy chair, crib, or anywhere else, we tried the swing and he LOVED it. He seriously spent the first 6 weeks of his life sleeping in the swing, and now still spends a good amount of times and naps in it. You have no idea how many packs of D batteries we have gone though!
February 2011: By February, we were starting to feel like we were getting into our groove. Hugo was developing an adorable personality and we were actually getting some sleep. While he was (and still is) waking up during the night, he would eat and then go right back to sleep. It wasn't the waking up multiple times a night that made me so tired, it was the waking up and then STAYING up that was tough.
The first week of February was a VERY exciting day - the Super Bowl! This year was especially exciting because, despite their Wildcard playoff situation, the Packers were in the Super Bowl! In the morning, Hugo wore his green & gold sweater made by Grandma for good luck (and to ensure that his lucky Packer jammies didn't get spoiled with spit-up or worse).
In addition to the Packers actually WINNING the Super Bowl, the other awesome thing that happened this day was that Hugos first smile was captured on camera - thanks Shannon! The cheeks are even cuter when supporting a smile!
After capturing Hugo's first real smile on camera, I spent a most of the next morning trying to recreate the moment while we were cuddling in bed. He really liked to watch the ceiling fan....
For Valentine's Day, we had a baby trade with Shannon and Tim so that we could each go out and celebrate Valentine's Day with our spouse. On the 13th, Shannon and Tim watched Hugo for us so Jaime and I could enjoy a dinner at Palm Palace. The, on the 14th, Connor came over for some Valentines play time.
During the last week of February, we skipped out of the Michigan winter cold and headed south for some sunshine and to spend time with my mom and dad in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We were a little hesitant about taking a 2 month old on an airplane, but Hugo was a champ!
Gulf Shores was a great get-away for us. The condo we were staying at was great, right on the beach and more than enough room for all of us. The weather was perfect, and it was evident that Hugo preferred the sunny warmth any day!
He also preferred wearing rompers (or no pants at all!) as compared to layers and layers of clothing...
One of the days was particulary beautiful and I was wanting to spend some time on the beach so I strapped Hugo in and we set off. It was really good Mommy-Hugo bonding time.
Pooped after a long day on the beach....
Excuse the drool all the way down his shirt, but I loved this picture because Jaime was really getting him smiling - look at his eyes locked up (on Jaime). He sure loves his Daddy.
More smiles -
When we got back from Alabama, it was the big day - Hugo's first day of day care. Because first impressions are everything, I dressed him up in his winter best. I think he was as sad about going as I was about having to leave him.
March 2011:
Hugo's 2-month check-up.
This is one of my favorite pictures of him to-date. Something about the look in his eyes - it either spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E or I love you mommy.
Hanging out with Connor when the Dunns were over for dinner.
Studying Daddy's silly faces.
Connor's 1st birthday party! Is it just me or does the party hat make Hugo look kind of gnome-like?
Play time - I promise I didn't intentionally match his outfit to the quilt!
Story time before bed.
I love this next series of pictures. Hugo and I were hanging out at home one night, catching up on the Bachelor After the Final Rose, and he was siting in his Bumpo so good, actively watching TV. I guess he was as interested in Brad and Emily a I was...
So because he was doing so good in his Bumpo, I did a little photo shoot and got some good smiles.
St. Patrick's Day isn't usually a big event in our house since no one is Irish, but I had to get Hugo a "My First" t-shirt. Here, I feel like he's saying "Mom, I'm NOT Irish!"
Mid-March, Hugo and I took another trip to the UP to visit. Nicole rode up with us this time and kept us company while Jaime stayed back for some boys time. I didn't take many pictures this trip for some reason, but got a good one to show that Hugo is a Grandpas boy too (in addition to Mommy's boy, Daddy's boy, Grandma's boy, Gatlin's boy, etc....). He's an equal opportunity lover.
Speaking of Daddy - I captured Hugo and Jaime having some good father-son time one afternoon when I got home from work. I love when he reaches up to touch our face-its like he's saying, I see you, I love you.
Hugo slept comfortably in Andrea's lap for most of Baby Auker's baby shower.
At bowling night with Shannon, Tim and Connor - our last trip to Ypsi-Arbor Bowl before they closed for good April 1st.
April 2011: The boys' day care was closed the first week of April, so we took turns with Shannon and Tim watching both boys. Here, Connor is saying Hi to Hugo. Having the two of them wasn't too bad at all, but does not make me ready for baby #2!
Hugo has started to talk A LOT. He'll hold whole babbling conversations with you, like he is here with Jaime.
We're trying really hard to get Hugo used to sleeping somewhere other than our bed. Here he is napping in his pack and play!
Cuddle time with my little guy on a weekend morning.
We got FINALLY got some beautiful weather mid-April! It was a Sunday and it was 80+ degrees outside! To celebrate, we took a long family walk from our house, to the lake, around the lake an back. It was great, I hooked up my iPod to our stroller speakers, got a fountain diet coke at the Citgo and we were off!
Man, does Hugo love bath time!
Hugo has also really started PLAYING in his exersaucer now. Up until now, its really been a place to "put" him for a quick minute while he fussed and we needed to do something. Now, he's actually enjoying it - playing and trying to stand up.
Easter time! Easter is kind of bitter-sweet for us now --- its the holiday when my mom, AJ and Gatlin would make their first trip of the year for a visit. Now, without AJ, we all celebrate here as a family - my mom, dad, Tonya and the boys, and now, Hugo, too. Its great to be with family, but not the same without AJ.
Nothing cuter than a baby with bunny ears. Except maybe Cash and Gatlin with bunny ears! Check out that mischevious look on Cash's face.
We ended up getting some beautiful weather over the weekend. My mom took all the boys for a walk....
Easter Sunday was nice, too, so Gatlin, Hugo, my mom and I headed to the park before dinner. Gatlin was proud to push Baby Hugo.
We had Shannon, Tim and Connor over for Easter dinner and then did an Easter Egg hunt in the backyard after dinner. I love this sweather on Hugo. It was a shower gift from Kathy Dawe --- so stinkin' cute.
Hugo's 4-month birthday was spent playing in his exersaucer, bouncy chair and sleeping with his bunny in the swing. Is it just me or is he starting to look more and more Mexican?
OK, folks, that's it in our life through the end of April. More to come for May and beyond!
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