Aaron's First Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Come on, baby, drive South...

We're making the trip to Cincinnati this weekend to visit Grandma Lynn. We're a little nervous about traveling with a small baby, but very excited to be showing off our Aaron to Sarah's family (not to mention our ECC Family Camp buddies, who we'll see at church on Sunday morning).

Aaron is 12 weeks old already, so it's time again for a new portrait. Here's just one of what we took during yesterday's shoot:

Three little Christmas elves...

Okay, we couldn't resist such good fun. More than one of our friends has done this to themselves, and we just had to get in on the act. Click here for our silly Christmas greeting.

My Friend Jake...

Aaron has been enjoying play dates with his new friend Jacob Scacco. We met Jacob's mom and dad this summer during our Bradley childbirth classes, then discovered we also went to the same church and had tons of friends in common. Friendship seemed meant to be.


While out shopping last week, I saw some funny baby Christmas T-shirts. When we ran into the Scaccos at church over the weekend, we laughed together about what the shirts had said. Jacob has a very creative mommy, so when they came over yesterday, they brought a little present for St. Nicolas Day...

Yes, indeed, look what happens when Mommy kisses Santa Clause. :-)

Two month stats...

Aaron weighed in at a whopping 11 lbs, 8 oz (50th percentile), measured 23.5 inches in length (75th percentile), and has a head circumference of 15 inches (25th percentile, but a perfect hat size, I think :-)

It was an emotional visit with Dr. Rupal this afternoon. We were scheduled to get the first of Aaron's immunizations (seven doses in total), but I just couldn't do it. I've been reading too much material that correlates increasing autism, auto-immune disorders, and developmental delays with the current immunization schedule. Dr. Rupal was so gracious to answer my questions, and she's willing to look over the materials I printed out for her and talk more about it at next month's checkup. But I'm still not sure that someone who's part of the medical establishment will be able to sift all of the rhetoric and get to the truth. The thing I'm learning about parenting is that I am the only one who can really get to the truth of it all, whether it's about vaccines or breastfeeding or sleep issues or... or... or... So Mike and I are going to do some more reading, seek more counsel from those we trust and respect, and pray like crazy. I feel the heavy weight of responsibility for this tiny and perfect baby, but I do know that Aaron belongs first to God, who loves him even more than I do. Whatever decision we make, we know that we are in His care, and my heart finds peace in that.

2nd and 10...

Aaron is two months old already. He's changed so much this past month - from a little blob of baby to a smiley, giggling, very aware little boy. It's amazing to watch bits of his personality peek out. We fall in love a little more every day. This week will bring his two month checkup, so we'll post his new stats later in the week. But pray for us - his first series of shots will come with this appointment.

Happy Thanksgiving

We know what we're thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend... a growing and healthy baby boy!