month 3

Little Pier is growing up, y'all! Can you believe it's been 3 months? We officially are out of the fourth trimester and, to be honest, I feel like I can do anything after those first few months with a newborn!

He is the cutest, snuggliest, sweetest baby, and he's the best teacher I've ever had.  He's taught me more about God's love and mercy in these past weeks than I could have ever imagined.That 12 pound boy has also taught me that I have so much to learn in the art of motherhood.  Pure, genuine love is self sacrificing in the truest sense and I have become more aware of how to love others better by mothering this little baby.

Now for a few developments!  Month 2 was R-O-U-G-H -- my child was allergic to sleep, extremely fussy, and was clingy as could be...Brad was working long, long hours and I was getting 3 hours of sleep on a good night.  Then something beautiful happened over the past 2 weeks...He's still a very temperamental sleeper, but he's been a happier more relaxed baby lately and I'm not complaining at all :). He's starting to love play time and is cooing like crazy (I'm happy our conversations aren't one-sided anymore!)

Those baby smiles make me weak in the knees! I'm constantly reminded with each smile Pier gives me that this child serves as a tangible reminder of God's love for me.  And within the last few days he's been smiling every time he sees me or Brad, so I get a lot of reminders in that area:).

A few things I'm learning about Mr. Pier...

He doesn't like s'mores as much as his mama does...

He loves to sleep on his tummy! Which is not recommended buttttt...you gotta do what you gotta do when your child hates sleep.

Pier has officially discovered his hands! And currently they are his favorite toy. When he's not accidentally slapping himself in the face, he always has them folded in ready-to-pray position (probably foreshadowing how holy he will be right?! ;))

It's been a blast to watch him change over the course of just a few months.  Babies are so fun because there's always a new developmental milestone to look forward to! Here's to another great month!

month 2

As of yesterday, our little Pier is 2 months old!  

Isn't he such a joy?! I kiss those cheeks approximately 2304987 times a day.

This baby walrus LOVES baths.  If he's fussy, a bath calms him down immediately.  He goes to town kicking and splashing away...We might have a future swimmer on our hands ;).

We're still working on sleeping! He has started to take naps more frequently but still thinks nighttime is play time...particularly at 3 a.m.

He's starting to put on some pounds....I'm not complaining because this mama is a sucker for baby rolls. I've hatched a secret plan to make him as chubby as possible mwhaha.

We love you Pier Francis! You teach us something new each day and we can't wait to watch you grow sweet boy.

brad's 27th

It's Dr. Brad's birthday today!!!! So....sorry guys, I'm about to gush a little...

In case you didn't realize, I hit the jackpot marrying Bradley Fossier.  His joy is contagious. He tells the lamest corny jokes ever (and I secretly love it). He is selfless, humble, and courageous.  He is a genuine person and doesn't pretend to be anyone he isn't.  He is the most talented person I've ever known -- from drawing, to playing multiple instruments, to learning complicated medicine things -- he can do it all.  Above all, he is a holy husband and father and strives daily to bring his family to heaven.  I often tell people that he's my role model and I mean it.

Pier wanted the chance to give his daddy a special birthday shout out! But side note: there were probably 70 photos of him making the face on the left before I caught the face on the right.  He's all like seriously mom? And just like that his teenage years flash before my eyes.

As a true Ina Garten fan girl, I made her Mocha Ice Box cake to celebrate the big 2-7.  It has all the things I live for in a dessert -- coffee, chocolate, and cookies.

And since it's so rare for me to get all dressed up (aka wear clothes that are not pajamas), we took a few family photos!

We tried someplace new for dinner tonight called the St. Joseph Brewery. It used to be a Catholic Church! Um so we were all about that.  Beer, food, and Gothic architecture? Sign me up. 

I love you Bradley Fossier and I am so grateful you were born. Happiest of birthdays to you!

chop chop

Surprise!!! So, this might be pretty vain of me to dedicate an entire blog post to hair, but since since blog is about my life and this was a pretty big change for me, I thought why not?

In case you need a really cute before picture....

^ #nofilter

Ah those long locks --it was time. That picture captures me day 3 without a shower and the baby may or may not had just spit up in my hair... It exudes a nice new mother glow doesn't it? :)

I've been daydreaming of chopping my hair for about six months now and boy did it feel nice once it was finished.  Caring for Pier and a few health issues postpartum has left me feeling less than glamorous, so a trip to the salon was just the ticket to get me feeling like myself again. 

PSA to new moms....GO PAMPER YOURSELF if you can!!! Pier has been going through a 6 week growth spurt (aka eating round the clock) and sleep regression and I have been running on 3 hours of sleep for the past week.  I left my house feeling like a zombie and came back home feeling like a rock star ready to take on whateva this baby threw at me.  That's the power of a haircut people.

 

month 1

Here's to ONE MONTH with Pier Francis!!!!

First, let me apologize for being lazy in the baby-update department.  This baby sure loves to eat and I haven't quite figured out how to breastfeed and type with two hands at the same time... I'm getting better at it though, so from here on out no more excuses. And sorry if you feel like you're scrolling for forever on this one, but I have lots to update you on! 

Brad and I have loved getting to know this lil dude.  This past month has been the most joyful, exhausting, emotional, and challenging month of my life and we wouldn't have it any other way :)

Now here are a few things we're learning about Mr. Pier...

he loves food (like his mama)

I call him Very Hungry Cater-Pier because I'm pretty sure this baby could win a food eating competition in the infant division.  The only time he cries is when he's hungry (which I can totally relate to because the struggle is real when ya need food and ya need it now).

he's curious

Doesn't Pier do an awesome blue steel?! He's pretty unsure what to think about that pacifier, but I just can't handle how cute he is when he's using it! 

I've noticed that Pier is a very alert baby.  He's always checking out his surroundings and is very aware of different noises and movement.  And those blue eyes of his? They make mama weak in the knees.

he's already bff with gertie the cat

Like we even needed to question that... I mean come on now.

he's always up for an adventure

 We are an active family, and Brad and I agreed that our kids wouldn't slow us down.  Pier tags along with us like a champ in anything his parents want to do!

Here we are walking along the Canal downtown when Annie and Papa were in Indy visiting us.  Just like his namesake, baby Pier loves to be outside .  If he's fussy all we have to do is bring him out to play in the backyard or on a walk and he's instantly calmed. 

And we had a blast spending a weekend outdoors on Ellis Lake for a young adult retreat put on by our parish.  The Frassati Society is a young adult group we're a part of whose mission is to celebrate Blessed Pier Giorgio's example of living a life of adventure. 

We spent the weekend unplugged, focusing on our family and reconnecting with the Lord. There were great talks, daily mass, Adoration, a rosary walk at sunset, and a bluegrass seminarian band. And I must say baby Pier was a little celebrity! Everyone wanted a piece of him, and I don't blame 'em.

he sleeps allllll the time

HA! Just kidding.  Don't let such pictures fool you, a napper he is not.  I'm lucky if he maybe takes a nap during the day, and lately at night he sleeps in 2-3 hour increments. But he does look so sweet and angelic when he does sleep doesn't he?

We love you Mr. Pier and we can't wait to see what month 2 has in store!