Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. 

It's that time of year again. My favorite time of the year.

The weather turns cold and blustery. Winds whip, precipitation-of all sorts-happens, and it generally becomes beautifully gross outside. 

I love it. 

I think this year is going to be extra special and I will probably remember it forever. I'm already cherishing it. This is the first year that I will have a baby to share this extra-special time of the year with. I'm excited. I can't wait to teach Daniel how hibernate during these next few months. I hope he grows up to love this time of the year as much as I do. 

This is the time for some serious rejuvenation to happen. While the world hides away for awhile, we will be doing the same in a figurative sense. It is the time for deep contemplation--challenging the body, mind, and soul. It's time for rest. It's time for a bit of a break. To me, winter is an opportunity. I look at it as a blessing to take a break from the hustle and bustle of spring, summer, and fall. Only winter can bring about this type of peace and quiet that we all need. 

I'm hoping that there is a lot of snuggles, reading, tea-drinking, blankets, movies, playing, baking, and crocheting to be had. I'm going to try to make a point of enjoying winter with a baby--there are so many fun opportunities to be had during this time in our lives. This is all so new and exciting and I'm ready to jump right in. 

I think I will make it a point to stay at home as often as possible. Not only because going out with a baby and doing errands in the snow sounds horrible, but because it just seems right to do so. Winter is for being home. Spring, summer, and fall are for being out and about.

I'm sure there will be many adventures out into the winter wonderland, but whenever possible, I want to full embrace the comfort and nest-y feel that seems to envelope our home during these next few months. I'm telling you people. It is magical. 

Now to find a cozy fireplace...

Daniel: One Month Old

I cannot believe our little boy is four weeks old! Time has just flown by as I enjoy being this little one's mom. What a blessing he is to us.

Daniel celebrated his one month birthday by gaining 12 ounces in 4 days (yay! the supplementing is working!) and sleeping 5 1/2 hours straight. But he also decided, after eating at 4:30 a.m. yesterday morning, to continue to celebrate by spitting up everything he had just ate. Projectile spit-up went everywhere. He proceeded to cover his pack-n-play, his changing pad, and then a bit later, one of our comforters. So a 5:30 a.m. bath it was! Then, at that point, we snuggled up on the couch and both caught a bit more shut eye. There is nothing like a freshly bathed baby snuggled up on your chest.

He now weighs 8 lbs 14 oz and is still 22 inches long. It amazes me the difference that the formula has made. He just feels heavier to me. My arms are getting sore now, which never was the case before. I am so thankful that he is gaining weight. Even though I really wanted to exclusively breastfeed, I'm truly ok with the formula. I just want a healthy baby boy!

I have no idea what is considered a 'good' or 'bad' baby, but in our opinion, he has been such a good little boy. He goes down easily and usually only takes a bit of rocking, if anything. He eats like a champ (still don't know why he wasn't gaining weight, but that could have been so many different things). He also seems to be very content. He is happy to just hangout and look around the room and really enjoys interacting with whomever will give him attention. He has started to coo and smile. He loves when you tap his nose and usually rewards you with a big, open-mouthed grin.

He is currently enjoying a mixture of cloth and disposable diapers as mommy navigates this whole new diapering world! He doesn't seem to mind either and looks so stinkin' cute in cloth. He is in a mixture of newborn and 0-3 month clothing. The newborn stuff is just a bit small (especially when he is sporting a cloth diaper) and the 0-3 month clothing is a bit big.

Daniel has enjoyed meeting lots of family and friends in his first month at life. He took it all in stride and was always happy to oblige to tons of snuggling. He also handled his very first vacation, like it was no big deal. He loves his car seat and often falls asleep pretty quickly once the car starts moving. He will occasionally tolerate his bouncer, when mommy needs both of her hands to do something. He seems to also like his playmat, but mommy doesn't like that the dogs look at it as a personal invite to get in his face...

I cannot wait to see what the next month holds! He has become much more active and alert. Plus, those smiles just kill me every time! We love you dooders.