Week 5 - Daddy's home...

but he has a cold. Allen and I waited and waited for Todd to come home from Pittsburgh on Saturday only to find that he has a cold and can't snuggle his little boy. It's hard for me becaue that means he can't help me take care of Allen but it's harder for Todd. I know if I had been gone for a week I would just want to kiss him and talk to him and snuggle him to make up for lost time. Allen is growing and changing so much right now and I'm sure that Todd sees it more than I do since I'm with Allen all day every day.

This is just a short post to ask you guys to please pray that Todd will get over his cold quickly and that Allen and I will won't get it. We're washing hands like crazy around here and probably keeping purell in business.

There is good news in all of this: Allen is taking a nap in his crib right now - a place his Nana calls 'the wake up place' because his eyes usually pop open when you lay him in there. It's the little things that keep us going right now. Thank you God that Allen is napping in his crib and that Todd is off today and can nap in the bed.

Zeke is hiding under the desk due to the thunderstorm outside so I think I'll make my way over to the couch, turn on Oprah and try to snooze for 15 minutes. Wait...was that a cry I heard from the wake up place? Oh well. Thankful in the little things, right? Thanks God for 25 minutes of peace and quiet. It was lovely...

A crazy few weeks...

Mommies have told me that the days go by so fast with a newborn. As I type, Allen is 4 1/2 weeks old and growing like a weed...and crying in the background despite Grammie Pam's fabulous bouncing skills. 8:30pm seems to be his breaking point each and every night - the time of total exhaustion and ravenous hunger when no one but Mommy will do. I am baffled that I have the ability to comfort him like that. Baffled! But I love that I can make his whole world better just by snuggling him.

Let's see, week 3 was spent trying to keep the house as cool as possible while the temperatures outside were climbing up past 100. It's stressful to have such a little one when it's so hot outside. Carey and I ventured out to the mall only to find it wasn't much cooler there. Such a disappointment.

The 'highlight' of week 4 was my exit interview at church. As of June 30th, I am officially a stay at home Mom. WOOHOO! I know it will mean that we cut back on things that have felt important in the past but Allen has definitely changed our perspective on what is important. I do really miss the ladies I worked with though. They are such great friends!

And now, week 5. Unfortunately, Todd misssed his first Father's Day and Allen's one month birthday because he has been in Pittsburgh with the high school students. I've talked to him every day and he is having a great week with the kids despite missing his little buddy like crazy. His family has been here helping me with Allen --which has been a huge blessing. I don't know what we would do without our families. They so love our little boy. This week has been a challenge for me. It's been hard to share my husband with the students that we both love so much. I selfishly (selfishly for Allen and I ) wanted him home with us. Nana (my mom) and I keep telling Allen that he can't do anything new or grow this week so his Daddy won't miss anything. 2 more days to go until he's home and I can't wait. I feel like Todd does for me what I do for Allen- make the world right again.

Enjoy the pictures of our little man. He's growing so fast!

Bath time is a huge hit at our house these days!

Rubber ducky, you're the one...

Me and my Daddy before he left for Pittsburgh. Our heads are the same shape. See?

Mommy makes me wear this silly hat when I go outside.

This is me telling her what Daddy and I think about the hat!

Sitting with Aunt Molly and wearing tye-dye.  Thanks for the shirts, Becca!

Week 2

Week 2 was a busy week at the Leshers.  We went over to PawPaw and GG's on Memorial Day for his first big Wrenn family gathering.  Uncle Brett moved in on Thursday.  He'll be living with us while he works on his Masters degree at Winthrop University in Rock Hill SC (about 30 minutes away.)  Allen Miller came to visit and meet his namesake and on Friday Little Allen went to his first rehearsal dinner and wedding at just 13 days old.  And then, for a big finish, Uncle Tripp (my brother) came up from Charleston to meet his nephew.  It was a packed out couple of days!

Todd was back at work this week for almost full days so my mom and sister came every day to make sure that I was able to shower and rest and continue to recover from surgery.   I couldn't have done it without them!

Overall, Allen slept well, ate well and gained back all of his weight (plus some) like a champ.  We can't believe how lucky we are to have a healthy little boy.  There are no words...

Right after his first bath - he didn't love it but he didn't hate it either.  Guess we'll have to wait and see how bath #2 goes.

My boys- fast asleep.  Todd couldn't wait to come home every day and hang out with his little buddy.

A special visit from the groom the day before the wedding.  Congratulations Carter and Megan!

Waiting to go in to the reception with Lucy, Michelle, Kathleen and Prue.  Prue was a life saver during the rehearsal dinner and reception.

Little Allen, Big Allen and Todd

Prue, Allen, little Allen and us at Carter's wedding in Concord.

Uncle Tripp and Aunt Bear (Carey) --my brother and sister look so much alike!

Great Winnie loves Allen!

Week 1

Allen Reiff Lesher

May 18, 2008

7 lbs, 5 oz

20 inches long

I was head over heels right from the beginning...

and so was his Daddy!

Allen started sucking on his fingers just a few minutes after he was born.  He's not picky, any finger will do!

Home from the hospital at last!

My sweet angel.

...he LOVES the ceiling fan.

...and is still growing in to his newborn clothes...

...and is a little unsure of Zeke.

One Big Happy Family

A glimpse...

Friends and Family -

I never thought I would, but I have taken the plunge and have decided to give blogging a try.  I can't promise I'll update it daily (or even every other day) but I thought it would be a good way to keep our favorite folks - both near and far- up to date on our little family.  Life is wonderfully crazy these days.  With the addition of baby Allen and my brother-in-law Brett moving in I am officially SURROUNDED by boys!  Even the dog is a boy...

Allen is 16 days old today and such a joy!  Todd and I are adjusting to parenthood fairly smoothly thanks to our little angel baby.  He is so good!  Not much else to write now but enjoy the pictures!