(Bear with me, there are a lot of photos from this weekend)
A little tummy time to help him get that head control...under control.
Sitting up on the couch looking dazed and confused
Friday night we had Emily and Dave over for another dinner. This time we didn't rely on them to make everything, and I attempted to help out by making some fajitas. I don't have any photos from that, but it deserves to be mentioned because we're actually getting to socialize!
Saturday was on to Leander to visit Gigi and Grandad. The original intent for the visit was to meet Sue. Being home during the week has been great, but sometimes I still need to accomplish things during those week day hours that don't include Anthony (like photo shoots for out of town couples who can't schedule any other time). In those situations I will need a babysitter for a few hours and only trust close family members. I lined up Gigi to watch Anthony for next week, and then she got a jury summons. Fortunately it ended up getting canceled, but she thought of a back up plan before that happened. She wanted me to meet her friend Sue so that I could ask her to watch Anthony for a couple hours if needed.
I was extremely concerned. I didn't think Judy (Gigi) had bad judgment in her friend, but a mother is naturally leery of leaving her precious baby with someone she doesn't know (not to mention he's only been out of mine and Anthony's care for about 2 hours on our anniversary so this is still new that one of his parents isn't at home). In any case, I agreed to meet Sue and see how it would go. When we found out we wouldn't need her for next week I decided to keep the lunch anyway because I was hearing such great things about Sue from Judy and Theresa.
Well, they were right, Sue is a total sweet heart! She was bright and cheery and even brought the baby a gift. But that wasn't what did it for me; it was watching her hold him. She got excited and admired him when others were holding him, but when she took him in her arms she held him like he was HER baby. And that's what you want with someone who is caring for your sweet baby. She was calming and seemed to know just what to do to soothe him, and he slept on her for a bit. Here are some photos of Sue (and some with her husband Larry, too).
(He even let her hold him horizontal! She's like the Baby Whisperer...)
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Notice anything about the photos above? He was wearing BIG BOY CLOTHES! That's right, no onesies here! He actually wore blue jeans and a cute little dinosaur shirt that I got him for Christmas. He's practically a little Baby Gap ad :) I can't believe how big he looks!! I had to take some photos of us with him in those milestone clothes when we got home.
On Saturday evening I got a call from Valerie saying her and Mike were coming to town early to do some shopping. I tried to convince them to stay with us, but they had already booked a hotel room so they wouldn't disturb us with their last minute visit. Come on guys, you're family!
Anyway, we had them over for dinner Saturday night (grilled burgers REALLY late), and they came back on Sunday afternoon for Valerie's planned maternity photos. I'll post some of those later. And now we have a quiet house on a quiet Sunday night, and I'm yawning while I try to get this posted before my little Anthony gets his bath.
One last thing I want to mention (although a few already know) is that I wrote my resignation to the General Land Office. I loved working for the state, and I made some great friends there, had great learning experiences, and I benefitted from some great opportunities. But the most important thing I got? My family. About a year after I started working for the G.L.O., I got an invite from a coworker to attend his buddy's birthday party (who happened to be one of our Deputy's son-the buddy, not the coworker). When I met the buddy (Big Anthony) it was his birthday, and we now make sure to mark that occasion each year as we celebrate his life, we also celebrate the very first spark of our life together.
I wouldn't have my husband and son without working at that office, and since both of my in-laws still work there, I'm sure I'll still feel connected to it. To my many friends at the office, I'll miss you all! I know most of us will still stay in touch so this isn't good bye :)
I'm now a full time photographer and full time mom! These are two jobs I know I will do great in, and I'm thrilled to start this new chapter of my life while still keeping fond memories of the chapter I closed.
