3 months old!

Here is Palmer on his way to church on Easter Sunday! He had a very cute outfit that said "my first Easter" with bunny feet and a fuzzy tail on his little bum. He's three months old today and I am constantly gawking at how big he looks! It's like he's already turning from a baby into a little boy now that he is smiling, interacting, and playing more with toys. I love him so much and miss him a lot during the day at school. I was able to sneak in a little bonus snuggle time this morning when he was happy and calm after nursing and I felt like my heart was going to burst! Can't wait til summer when I get to spend all day with him again :)

missing him

Friday was my first day back at school and it went very well! I got a very warm welcome back from students and teachers, (especially those who had unpleasant dealings with my long term sub). I was able to pump just before school started and twice during my conference period and I got the full twelve ounces that Palmer drank while I was away! It's nice to know I'm able to pump enough so hopefully we can stay exclusively breastfeeding for a while longer. On the flip side, it takes up a big chunk of time in my conference period! It works out well that the AP exam is just around the corner so I won't have much planning to do for that class from here on out.

I got a little teary when I kissed Palmer goodbye in the morning before school and a few times during the day when people asked me if I missed him, but I think I held up pretty well considering I had never been away from him for more than 4 hours til yesterday! Tyler and Kay sent me a few pictures during the day to my school email so I got to see Palmer's cute little face. TAKS is next week so I'll be able to get out of school pretty quick after the bell and home to see my sweet boy. I know he's well taken care of with everyone who will be keeping him over the next 6 weeks, but I'm happy to know that starting in June I get my full time mom job back.

We attempted to get a family photo last weekend before Tyler and I went out to dinner for our 3rd anniversary, but it's hard to get a little baby to look at the camera! Oh well, we will try again tomorrow on Easter :) Here's this one in the meantime!

on a mission

Palmer has a new goal: grab that toy/finger and put it in his mouth. It's funny to watch because he'll focus so much- you can just tell the wheels are turning in that little baby brain. The victim in this photo- my dad's finger.

In other news, I bought Palmer a new "developmental gym" yesterday at Target! (aka a mat with dangling toys above it) It's the same brand as those bug toys he likes so much and he entertained himself for a while yesterday laying under it! It's so neat to see him growing and learning to do new things. Just today at my doctor's appointment I was surprised to see him look right at the doctor when she talked to him from almost across the room! It's like he's more of a real person now than just a newborn acting on reflex only. He's been smiling and cooing for a couple weeks now, but it's getting easier and easier to elicit. Love that boy!

sleep and school

I guess we're back to nighttime feedings! The last couple of nights he has been up sometime between 3 and 4 wanting to eat. We had a week and a half or so of sleeping almost through the night, but looks like he has had enough of that! I actually don't mind too much because I was having to get up and pump anyway. At least this way he wakes me up and I feed him and I don't wake up to the pain from him not eating! Breastfeeding is still going well and I'm SO happy that I didn't have any decrease in supply from going back on the pill.

Tyler's dad bought us a really nice glider and ottoman last weekend and I can just feed Palmer in his nursery during the night instead of lugging him into the bedroom and trying to sit up in bed. I can't believe we didn't realize how handy one of those would be! We moved the old school rocking chair into the living room and it's nice to have that option for daytime fussiness.

Suddenly I'm realizing that going back to school is getting pretty close! I have two more entire weeks and most of a third week left to spend with my baby before I go back. I'm glad it's a limited amount of time (just have to make it to summer!), but I still get a little anxious and sad when I think about missing all that time with him. I've been with him for probably 98% of his life so far and it is hard to think I'm going to be away from him for the majority of those 6 weeks I'm teaching. I'm going to miss him a lot, and it may be irrational, but I feel like he needs his mommy :(

Since evenings and weekends just aren't enough for us to spend together, I'm not teaching next school year. It will be nice to soak up all that precious time with Palmer while he's still so young! I'm going to miss seeing all my teacher friends every day but I want to be the #1 presence in my baby's life as long as I'm able to.