Bridger - 8 Weeks Old

Hey little peach, 

It is almost scary how much you look like your dad! 

We lovingly called you the little peach because that's your dad's nickname but we had no idea how accurate that nickname would be! 

Your baby pictures are almost identical and when he holds you it's as if he is holding himself just 30 years ago! 

This is your daddy when he was a baby!

It will be so exciting to see how your looks will change and to see if you'll continue to be a mini Matt :)

This week I realized you even have stinky feet like his!!!

You also burp, fart and cry like he does, but we won't tell him I said that ;)

I'm not sure how you act like me yet or if you look at all like me...

You have long eyelashes - but your dad and I both have long lashes so you were destined to.

The hair that you were born with looks reddish, but the new hair coming in is blonde as can be!

You have peach fuzz little peach... You are the cutest little peach ever :) 

Your blue eyes are starting to turn from newborn blue to baby blue - I could look into them all day. 

This week you rode your first horse! 

You rode Tic with dad - and you loved it.

Momma didn't let you ride very long, but I'm sure you would have loved to ride longer and that you would've eventually fell asleep as the horse walked along!

You also rode Chloe bareback - she was quite the bronc and went to buckin right away... But I caught you!  

Momma will always be there to help you out little man... Always

You wore the most handsome button down onesie to church and you looked so dapper - you blended in with all the other plaid shirts and jeans.  But you sure were the best dressed ;)

You took your first sit in the bumbo chair this week.

You sat in it for about 5 minutes and then told me you had enough.  

But you sure loved sitting straight up all by yourself. 

You loved being able to look around.

We went on many walks this week, and you are continuing to love your stroller. 

Which is extra motivating for momma to get out and run.

Cause boy she needs it!

You helped pull the hot heels around for dad and I - we took turns roping it while you drove it in circles for us.

You fell asleep at the wheel, but you can blame you?!  That bumpy arena would put anyone to sleep.

Your dad and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. 

We had cake and watched the video of our wedding day.

This anniversary has been the best yet... Because we were able to spend it with you!

This week you even rode your first tractor!

Dad had to pull the pivots out of the mud so we went along to help!

You rode with him in the tractor and I drove the truck to the gear box to help dad get those pivots moving. 

We stayed out there with him and drove from pivot to pivot until you fell asleep.

Then I went back to the house so you could get a good nap. Later we went back out and helped him - you fell asleep on the job again... 

You sure are a hard worker :) 

You wrapped up your week by hanging out with your first girl friend. :)

You and Vivienne did a little hand holding all on your own accord!

We were just there to snap pictures. 

You seemed a bit shy as you two wouldn't look at each other, but you sure liked holding hands and hanging out next to each other. 

Just know that no woman will ever love you the way your momma does ;)

You are still sleeping well and eating well!

You are growing so big - I can't wait to see your weight and height at your next dr apt. 

Soon you will be 2 months old!

Where has all the time gone?!

You are the best little baby - I enjoy every minute with you.

Whether it be when your giggling, crying, pooping, pulling my hair, drooling on me.... Every moment is my favorite moment. 

I am so lucky that your daddy works so hard - his hard work allows me to stay home with you!

And now that I get to spend every day with you, I can't imagine not spending my days with you.

You are wonderful, you are perfect.

I'm so blessed to be able to call you my boy.

Love you baby boy. 

Love you always and forever.

- your momma 

Bridger - 7 Weeks Old

My big boy, 

I just cannot get enough of you! 

I love you more and more each and every day.

This week you continued your first California adventure.

You spent lots of time with your Nina - she simply adored having you visit and can't wait for us to come back! (And I can't either!!!) She even took a "selfie" with us!

You also got to spend a few precious days with your aunt Brittney and your cousin Bree - she thought you were pretty neat! 

She always wanted to hold and kiss you, and would always ask "see baby?!" when you weren't in her view - she was a very concerned little gal.

You took a 5 hour car ride, just you and your momma, and you did great!

We stopped halfway for your breakfast and you only cried for about 20 minutes after we got back on the road. 

On Wednesday you had a very big adventure indeed.

You flew on your first airplane!

Actually TWO airplanes!

First, you flew from sacramento to Salt Lake City.

On this first flight you nursed then slept for the first 45 minutes. 

Then you woke up and were wide awake for the next 45 minutes.  You were SUCH a good baby - the only sounds you made were a few cute baby coos!  You were content just to cuddle and you loved looking around the plane.

When I first boarded I got some death glares... "Oh great, an infant..." But since you didn't make a peep, when everyone passed us deplaning we got lots of smiles, "what a cute baby" and "he was so quiet!" - you show em Bridger boy!

We had a two and a half hour layover in SLC and you kind of had a meltdown - it was bedtime and you were a bit overstimulated with all the lights and noises.  You finally fell asleep and then we boarded the plane to Hailey. 

On the second flight you slept the whole way!  You even stayed asleep as we deplaned and got our luggage and waited for dad!

Speaking of dad, he was SO happy to see you!

When we got to the car he snatched you from me and I thought I'd never get you back :)

He had missed you sooo bad - 10 days without Bridger is like 10 days without purpose. 

The next day you went on another big adventure! 

You rode on your first ATV!

We went out with dad to check mineral and salt.

It was a beautiful day and you were rocked, or rather "bounced" to sleep while riding the ATV. 

It won't be long before dad will let you drive it! (With help of course)

You are loving being back in your cloth diapers - the weeks spent in disposables in California did a little number on your cute ham hocks... But your little tushie is as cute - and as comfy - as can be now that you are back in these great diapers!

You are sleeping great, momma feels well rested when she wakes up and only nurses you 1-2 times at night.

You are still a morning person - you normally wake up at 5-6am and i try to get you back down for an hour or two because momma is not a morning person (as much as dad wishes otherwise).

You like to spend your morning hours lying on your back looking around or playing on your playmat. 

You nap great during the day, and I love cuddling you and napping with you. 

And of course you're still eating like a champ - I can't wait for your checkup next week to see how much you've grown! 

You smile so much now - and your dimples are just about the best things I've ever seen.

You know how to make me smile, even when I'm feeling sad. 

You are even starting to giggle - oh it's just the best!

I don't know what I'd do without you baby boy.

We love you more than you will ever know! 

- momma 

Bridger - 6 Weeks Old

My sweet little boy, 

What a sweet soul you are. 

This week you have been in California all week. 

You spent a lot of time with your Nonni and papa - they loved seeing you and were so proud to show you off to their friends and coworkers.  

You have also shared many burps, patty-cakes, smiles and a few cries with your Nina. 

She thinks you are just the greatest little guy - you love hanging out with her. 

And it just melts my heart to see you two together.  It is neat to think that she used to bounce me on her knee 27 years ago and now she is doing it to you :)

You met some of your mommas friends this week too - one of them even gave you a little pony, because "every cowboy needs a horse" 

You and I went on a walk around Nina's neighborhood and onto the golf course where your papa Hamlin used to golf.  

Papa Hamlin would have loved you too - he would have told you all about golfing and John Wayne and Nascar and he would have stolen all your good Halloween candy. 

But don't worry, we will tell you lots of stories about him and your grandma Jody and your grandpa Garth. 

And your daddy will make papa Hamlin proud and will eat all your good Halloween candy. 

Your daddy had to go back to work this week and we have missed him dearly. 

It is very hard being 1000 miles away from him - I'm sure you miss him terribly just as he misses you. 

You talk to him on the phone sometimes - other times you cry at him over the phone.  Whether you coo or cry, your daddy loves talking to you. 

We will see him in 5 days - I'm sure he is counting the minutes! 

This week you still love your favorites - nursing, showering, and sleeping.  You also still love cuddling, but you are starting to enjoy time spent laying on your back on your blanket.  There you can stretch out and you even roll from side to side.  It doesn't look like it will be long until you roll all the way to your belly!!

You also enjoy nakey time - diaper free buns out!  

You still don't like diaper changes or outfit changes. 

You have gotten much better at riding in the car- you still don't really enjoy it but you don't fight quite as hard. 

You haven't been sleeping very well at night but you have been an incredible napper during the day - hopefully you'll start sleeping better cause momma is starting to be a bit forgetful with her lack of sleep. 

And what do you know, it's 9:30pm and you look like you might be ready for bed - so off to bed we go :) 

I love you little man :)

You are your momma and daddy's world :) 

Kisses mr Bridger

- momma 

Bridger - 5 Weeks Old

5 weeks old!!! 

Wow !!!!

Squeaker, 

Ok ... So I know I sound like a broken record BUT you are so big!!!!!

You are still a thin little guy but you are getting so long! 

This past week has been a busy one - your grandpa Garth passed away on Monday. 

I'm so sorry you didn't get to meet him. He loved you so much - he told me every day of his love for you and had me give you many kisses for him.

So Tuesday and Wednesday you and I were packing and getting things ready to go to California for grandpa Garth. 

Wednesday night you began your first real road trip - we drove 15 hours to San Luis Obispo Californa. 

And you did fabulous in the car! You slept  amazingly and only woke up to eat and have your diaper changed. 

Once we arrived in California you met so many family members and everyone loved you soooo much! 

You met your great grandmas, great grandpa, great aunts and great uncles, aunts and uncle, cousins - so many people who just oooed an awed over you! 

You also went on your first hike this week.  We went to Iron Bog Lake in the Challis National Forest.  It is so beautiful up there!  We didn't make it all the way to the lake as we were hiking during a lightning storm, so we will have to go back and finish the hike.  

This week you decided you liked your swing - you lay awake for a while looking at your mobile then just drift off to sleep while you squeak away.  

And you are doing much better with your car seat too! Thank goodness. 

We tried giving you a bippy (aka pacifier) but you aren't too fond of it and only took it 1/5 times we offered it to you. 

You are starting to smile at us and you love looking around at your surroundings.  

You still like to cuddle and of course so do we! 

You prefer the froggy position but when you do tummy time or when we lay you on your back you are starting to stretch out a bit more. 

You have the cutest belly button :) 

And those lips are still oh so kissable.

We love you to the moon and back Bridger boy. 

- momma 

Bridger - 1 Month

Weight: 10 lbs (birth weight : 7 lbs 10.7 oz)

Height: 22 inches (birth height : 19 in)

Head: 15 inches (birth head circumference : 13 in)

Eat: Bridger is exclusively breastfeeding and looking at his weight, he is pretty good at it!  He has a great latch and we have been good at breastfeeding since day one!  

He loves nursing (obviously as it is his best talent) and momma loves it too! He isn't really on an eating schedule at the moment as he seems to be growing now and eating more, but he usually wakes every 2-3 hours to eat.

He grunts and snorts when he is super hungry and it is toooo cute. 

Sleep: During the day Bridger naps for about 2 hours at a time, which normally begin about 30-45 min after he eats.  At night time, he nurses and then goes right back to sleep (good baby).  He normally has one stretch of sleep at night time that lasts about 4 hours, but it's usually sometime between 7-1pm, in which case momma is normally still awake... Here's to hoping his long sleep stretch changes to a little later in the nighttime. 

Favorites: Bridger loves nursing, kisses, his sleep sheep (a gift from grandpa Garth), being outside, napping on your chest, tummy time if it's on your lap, showers, and conversations with his momma in the morning and with his daddy at nighttime. 

Dislikes: Bridger isn't so fond of sitting in a wet or dirty diaper, getting clothes on or off, and currently is protesting sleep time.  

Firsts:

July 4- first kiss!!! (Momma and dad), first shot :(

July 6- first car ride

July 7- frist day home, first sponge bath

July 8- first smile, first dr visit

July 14- first road trip (To galena summit and Stanley ID)

July 15- first dinner out (At Chapalitas Mexican food in hailey)

July 19- first rodeo (As a spectator - shoshone ranch rodeo)

July 22- first shower (Loved it!!!)

July 29- first walk in the rain 

Aug 3- first hike (At Iron Bog lake)

Aug 5- first time enjoying the baby swing 

Bridger,

This first month has gone by so fast!

You still look so tiny to most people, but to momma you are one big boy!

You have such strong neck muscles and love looking up at me or your dad or at the sky.

You have the sweetest smile.

You have the most kissable face!

We love snuggling with you and you still love snuggling with us.

You have the most perfect little nose and the brightest blue eyes... You are the most handsome little boy I have ever seen.

I love your baby noises - you mainly "talk" when you are stretching or nursing, or when we move you while sleeping.  Although you do talk a lot when you go to the bathroom... And you get a very serious look on your face.... Haha!

Your personality is coming out slowly, and we can't wait to see more of it each day!

We love you more than we could ever say!!!

Love, 

Momma 

Bridger - 4 Weeks Old

Baby boy, 

4 weeks old!!! 

I can't believe it... I know it's hard to keep track of the days when days and nights all run together, but it is crazy to think you  are almost 1 month old!!!

You sure look it tho! You have gained 2 whole pounds since your birth and grown at least 3 inches taller!

This week you had a busy week!

You took your first walk in the rain!  We walked down to the barn to feed the horses after your dad looked online at acuweather and it said rain was 18 minutes away.  Well, it came in about 8 minutes!  You were in the ergo carrier so you didn't get wet at all, but your momma and dad were soaked!  It was very fun :) 

We took your labor and delivery nurses a thank you basket full of healthy and tasty treats.  

Blueberries, strawberries, crackers, nuts, cookies, chocolate, gum and mints - of course complete with a picture of sweet little you! 

None of the nurses we had were there that day but the ones that were just oooed and aweeeed over you :) 

You are just incredibly handsome little man :)

After dropping off the basket you and momma attended a New Moms Group.  There were 6 moms in attendance including me and all babies are sweet little boys! 

It was nice to get out, breastfeed with other moms, talk about sleepless nights and leaky diapers, and talk about all things baby. 

On the way home we stopped at our friend Autumns house and visited with her, Drake and Bruin.  They lovingly gave you lots of adorable clothes and some really fun toys! 

This week we also took your friend Chloe to the vet to have her lymph nodes removed. (Chloe is recovering well!)

While we were down in Pocatello we visited your great aunt Sharon and great uncle Larry.  They just loved our visit and loved meeting you! 

You were a bit overtired when we arrived but calmed down after snacking a bit and then passed out! :). You even napped in Sharon's arms, verrrrrrry relaxed!

We had such a busy week so we will spend much of the weekend resting! 

You haven't been sleeping very well at nighttime as you are constantly hungry - so momma is a bit sleepy in the daytime and likes to cuddle and catnap with you all day :) 

This week you decided you love and need to be swaddled, but only AFTER eating.  You need to have your hands free  when you eat as you like to grab my shirt or , my favorite, rub your hands back and forth over my skin - such a sweet baby. 

You love being outside - we can step outside mid fuss or mid cry and you instantly stop and look around.  Dad loves taking you outside and always tells you while you're looking up into the sky "This is your world Bridger, and you can do anything you want!" It's so sweet to hear him talk to you.

You LOVE taking showers!  You are your most calm during and after a shower. I'm glad you're a water baby :)

You also love my hair dryer, which is lovely as it means after our shower you can sit happily in your bouncer and listen to me dry my hair.  Wish I could say the same for me getting dressed, putting on makeup, etc but we are getting better at developing a normal routine. 

A routine that is easily interrupted for cuddles and kisses! 

You are so handsome, so big, and so so wonderful. 

Keep amazing us every day little boy - keep being your sweet little self :) 

Love you so much, 

- Momma