I'd Rather Be Playing

Alek loves to suck on his fist and play with his blanket instead of napping!

Alek loves to play with or eat his musical caterpillar and monkey.

I put Alek down for his nap and went downstairs to get ready for the day. After awhile I could hear him on the baby monitor. I went upstairs to check on him and he was playing instead of sleeping. He is getting into a routine where he naps for about 40 minutes to an hour, then plays with anything that is in his crib. That includes his fist, foot, blanket, or any other toy that is in there. I can't complain too much because he sleeps great at night. So if he wants to play instead of nap, that's fine with me as long as he's happy and I can at least get ready for the day.

MOST REWARDING JOB

I knew that I would love being a mom, but I never imagined it would be this great! I love being at home with Alek. I love to see his smiling face and all the wonderful little things that he does each day. I though that teaching was rewarding and I really enjoyed it, but being a mom is a hundred times better. Everyday I look at Alek, I can't believe he's mine. I have so much love for him and I can't stop kissing his chubby little cheeks. It's so much fun to play with him, hold him, and most of all, love him. He's the greatest blessing of all.

Little Piggy!

Alek began eating solid foods on Sunday. He is such a little piggy that it's hard to keep him full, so we started giving him rice cereal and he loves it! I can't get it in his mouth fast enough. Every time I put the spoon up to his mouth, he puts his hand on mine to help me, but usually he helps me get the cereal anywhere but his mouth. As you can see from this picture, he got the cereal in his eye. I can't believe how big he is getting. Before I know it, he'll be able to feed himself.

Addie and her brother Alek

My niece Addie is convinced that Alek is her brother. She always tells everyone that she already has a cousin, so Alek is her brother. Besides, she and Alek have the same hair so of course he would be her brother. When I was pregnant she would tell people, "My brother is in Amber's belly." After I had Alek, she said that he was her brother, but he could live with Rafal and I. As Alek's big sister, she is very helpful. She loves to sit by him in the car and give him his plug or bottle. She's always talking and smiling at him and he talks and smiles right back. He's lucky to have such a great sister like Addie.

Alek's First Swim Day

Rafal and I took Alek swimming for the first time today. He spent about 5 minutes in the water and then he was done. He liked having his feet in the water, but when I sat him down in the water, he started crying. Oh well, we had fun anyway and I was able to get some cute pictures. I think he would have liked it more if he wasn't so tired.

Alek's new favorite thing to do is play with his toys in his walker. He's getting really good at pushing himself backwards across the kitchen floor. I'm always cheering and clapping because he's doing so well. He has no idea what he's doing, but he gets a big smile on his face because he sees that mommy is really proud.

Alek and Daddy
Rafal absolutely adores Alek. He is such a good daddy. Rafal loves to talk and sing to Alek. He is always taking or singing to him in Polish. I have no idea what he's saying, but Alek seems to know and always smiles at his daddy.

Alek and Mommy
I am so happy that I get to stay home with my Alek. I love being with him everyday. He's growing and changing so fast. I can't remember when he was just a brand new baby. Alek weighed 6 lbs 11 oz when he was born and when I weighed him today, he was 14 lbs 2 oz. I'm constantly buying him new clothes because he keeps growing out of everything!

Alek had his first professional pictures taken on June 7. He did such a great job smiling for each of his pictures. He's at such a fun age right now. He is always smiling and "telling stories." He is a very content baby except for when he's hungry. If you don't give him a bottle right away, he turns red and starts screaming. Once the bottle is in his mouth, he's content once again.