What do the pets think of Westley?

Throughout my pregnancy, I think the puppies sensed that something big was up (and I don't just mean my belly). Dakota seemed more protective, Lilly a little more snuggly (if that's at all possible). Then, on the eve of Westley's scheduled birth, Brian gave the goldens a hearty scrub down. They were shampooed, clean and ready to meet their new best friend:



While we were in the hospital -- and during our first day home -- the pups stayed with my in-laws. We wrapped Westley in a doggy print receiving blanket, hoping it would capture some of that magical baby scent, and sent that home for them to sniff. And then there was the grand introduction. We probably could have predicted how both pups would react. Dakota picked up a baby blanket and pranced around the house showing it off, and Lilly gave Westley kisses.

Some things have changed, of course, for the dogs. They're not the center of attention. They don't get as much snuggle time, especially if Westley is on the couch or bed with us. We don't take as many walks, they don't get to go on car rides as often, and we haven't gone camping this summer (something very unusual for this family). But we have been spending more time at home, and we have received many visitors.

On Westley's first Saturday night, my family came to our house with dinner and to spend some time together. The pups weren't invited to the party:


Surprisingly, Dakota and Lilly don't react to Westley's screams or cries. They seem to know when we start getting stressed out by them, though, and come and sit at our feet. We're trying to teach them that the blue stuffed elephant and other baby toys are not for them. And we're pretty convinced that there's a good chance our son's first word will be "doggy".



Meow Meow knows she's more likely to find a warm lap these days, and she's taking full advantage:



It'll be fun to watch our pets become Westley's playmates. It's difficult to predict whether a two- or four-legged one will be the instigator of all the household trouble.

DINKS no more

I love this photo, which I snapped in late May while Brian and I were in the early days of our maternity/paternity leave and just getting to know our little guy. We groggily shuffled through our mornings, trading diaper duty, nap time and turns eating breakfast. Brian brewed his fully leaded coffee in our drip maker, and I made my decaf version in our French press. We'd often do the crossword puzzle together and talk about how our various baby shifts the previous night had gone. I think I'll look back on those early days fondly, not just because our precious little bundle was so beautiful and new, but because our parenthood was as well. A few of my favorite memories:

• Westley woke me up in the wee hours one morning, and Brian watched TV with me while I nursed. At 5 a.m., it was clear Westley wasn't in any hurry to return to sleepytown. So we loaded him up in his car seat and headed downtown to our favorite donut shop. (It was fun for me because it was the place I celebrated my 31st birthday while pregnant.) We had so much fun on our impromptu outing and love how we turned the sleepless night into something fun.
  

• In June, Brian & I went on our first date as parents. While Mom watched Westley. we saw Michael Buble, our first concert in the new Intrust Bank Arena (like Westley, a 2010 addition to Wichita). As expected, the crooner was smooth and entertaining -- and surprisingly funny. He sang "Haven't Met You Yet", a song that was meaningful to me during my pregnancy. Brian and I had planned to eat sushi for the first time since Westley had been born, but we didn't have time before the concert. Westley had been fussy that day, and I had not even cleaned up. Exercising our new flexibility, we grabbed a quick dinner at Spangles instead. Brian teased me at the concert when I was especially enjoying my first adult beverage -- a rum and Coke -- since becoming a mommy. The evening was the perfect mix of "the way things used to be" and the way things have become. I enjoyed the romantic night out but couldn't stop wondering what my little baby was doing.

• We had Brian's parents watch Westley one night so we could run errands. We spent most of our time at Sam's Club, where we checked out their bulk diapers and other baby items. Over a late dinner at Chipotle, I joked and mused about how our "nights out" will change so very much and that this is our new version of romance. Brian looked at me, completely serious with a glimmer of playfulness in his eyes, and said that it really is romantic. I couldn't have agreed more.
  

• Monday night, Brian and I decided to take Dakota and Lilly and Westley in his stroller for a two-mile round trip walk to Starbucks for some iced drinks. We didn't bring the diaper bag (rookie mistake) and had to stop at Walgreens while we were out and buy some diapers and wipes. Brian tried to change Westley in the store's bathroom, but there was no changing station. We continued on to Starbucks, where there also was no changing station. So I took Westley to the nearby Chipotle, where there ALSO was no changing station. (C'mon, people, work with me here!) Out of options and time, we did something I never would have predicted: We changed him in his stroller in front of Starbucks. Yep. We were so THOSE parents.

I'm loving how Westley has changed our lifestyle. It's meant less sleep, more messes, more give and take and more surprises. But, like any great team, Brian and I are learning from our errors, refining our playbook and are determined to keep doing our very best.

Happy anniversary to Life is Golden

This month, Life is Golden turns three. It's amazing to think of the variety of life experiences I've chronicled here since July 2007. Maintaining the blog has been cathartic and, especially this past year, exciting. Last fall, I couldn't wait to post the news that Brian and I were expecting. Documenting my pregnancy and our preparations for little Westley was a joy. I marked those posts with the label "Baby B." This month, I launched a new label -- "Westley" -- that's sure to become among the blog's most popular.

Just as I remarked on the first anniversary of the blog, I still sincerely believe that life is golden. If you've followed this blog for the past three years, you know that my life -- just like yours and everyone else's -- has had frustrations and sadness. But life is what you make of it. And I still believe that the treat jar is half-full. Now I am truly blessed to be able to instill that lesson in Westley's life. And I pray that I can see the world this way though his eyes, too.

Thank you for your support and for allowing me to share my life with you! Here's to another golden year!

Go, Screwballs!

Westley and I spent several Thursday evenings this summer cheering for Brian and his church softball team, the Screwballs. This week was the last game of the season, and the team came in No. 2 overall. Woo hoo! I loved getting to see Brian play, but the weekly outing also offered a chance for me to catch up with friends and show off little West. Click to view a blog post I wrote in May at the beginning of the season before Westley was born.

I love the photo above, which shows Brian batting in the background. A few others:



My mother-in-law Janice, Westley and me

Explorer in the making

Last weekend, Brian and I took Westley on his first trip outside of Wichita. We went to rural Assaria, Kan., where our friend Jill was hosting her family's annual country BBQ bash. Westley got to see horses and a cow for the first time, and we enjoyed watching friends and strangers alike admire our little one. It was a quintessential Kansas evening, with an outdoor concert, a potluck buffet and lots of smiles. We watched the sun set over the farm, listened to cicadas hum and watched fireflies light up the sky. A night to remember for a very long time.

First things first

It's overwhelming how many new experiences Westley has already had this summer. He's cooing, smiling, sticking out his tongue and rolling from his tummy to his back, just to name a few of his many talents.

Unlike most babies, he doesn't enjoy car rides, so we choose our outings carefully. A few of his firsts we documented with photos:

His first of several trips to the farmers market.

His first time at a restaurant. (Brian and I joined my parents on the Granite City patio to celebrate Mom's birthday.)

His first Fourth of July, which we spent at my in-laws'. Westley actually loved watching fireworks.

His first time to swim. (The swimmer diapers, which fit 16-pound babies, were a bit big on our 10-pound cutie, but we made it work.)

Hot fun in the summertime

Our new family enjoying summer:

Click to see additional photos of our summer adventures.

Westley's photo shoot, take two

Our friend, the very talented Randy Tobias, took photos of our family when Westley was 11 days old. I appreciated the opportunity because I wasn't feeling photogenic when we were in the hospital, but I wanted professional pictures to capture our new family in its early days. We also were in the hospital the day we were scheduled to have photos taken for our church directory, so Randy snapped one for the book, too.

He did a beautiful job:




Click to see additional photos from the shoot.

Thanking God for our little angel

The Sunday after Westley was born, we took him to church to introduce him to the congregation. My sister Amanda and my mother-in-law Janice joined us.

Westley won the hearts of hundreds -- and drew laughter -- when he raised his arms in the air during the introduction. I think he was saying, "Yay, God! I am finally here!"

The event was especially meaningful, as faith and prayers carried us along the path to parenthood. We feel immensely blessed to have this little man in our lives. I look forward to his baptism next month and to raising him in the church and watching him learn about faith.

To celebrate and as a token of our divine gratitude for our son, we had flowers placed on the altar at church. It was a striking parallel to the day we announced our pregnancy at church, another event we marked with a floral arrangement for the altar.

Westley's first week at home

Westley's first days home included a trip to the doctor for a checkup, lots of family visits and his first time attending church. What a wonderful whirlwind.

Daddy and Westley at the pediatrician


My sister Amanda and Westley

Cousin Kaden, when he met Westley

Westley's first photo shoot

The last thing we did before checking out of the hospital was to have Westley's first professional photo shoot by Baby Bloom. We love the photos of our little guy:








Click to see additional photos from the shoot.

At Wesley with Westley

At 4 a.m. on Wednesday, the day after Westley was born, Brian and I were trying to relax in our new hospital room. He found us each a sandwich and a muffin, further becoming my hero. (I hadn't eaten since dinner at 7 p.m. Monday, so I was incredibly hungry.) We enjoyed our meal and admired our sleeping baby.

About two hours later, an endless parade of doctors and nurses came through our hospital room to check on Westley and me. We also welcomed a handful of visitors and otherwise tried to rest.


My sister Jen with Westley