Lots of Firsts

This week, Hughes experienced many firsts! On Monday, Hughes was reintroduced to his swing. He loved the soft sway to and fro and he looks so snugly inside the little lamb rocker. Monday night, we just knew we had a breakthrough! He slept in the swing beside our bed, opposed to on top of Mommy's chest, for a four hour stretch! We were all perky and looking forward to the next night's rest because we knew that swing had already been worth every penny. Tuesday night came...little lamb just would not do! Hughes obviously had seen little lamb to much and wasn't planning on counting any sheep in this contraption! However, Hughes has taken many naps throughout the day in his new friend lamb...so I guess we won't take little lamb back.
Hughes met Aunt Diane and Apple Jerry this week! We have been telling Hughes all about his extended family. We try to tell him what to expect while hanging out with everyone in his future. For example, we have warned him that Big Daddy, Mike, Papa Sam, Ben, and Brad will probably tell him, "Don't tell your mom I let you do this!" I'm sure he will be riding in tractors, big trucks, four-wheelers, boats and so on...and I am okay with all of these activities. However, I better not hear that our sweet baby boy has not been sporting around in the race car...unless it is sitting still and just for a photo op! :) (This is your warning boys!) (The 21 car is Ben's.)We have also told him about Aunt Carla's fried chicken and good southern cooking he will eat around Granddaddy Brown's table. He knows that MaLyn will bake the boys (Hughes and his daddy) all the brownie muffins an oven can make. Mama Jean will make him Papa Claude's famous pound cake and peanut butter cookies. He will taste the best turnip greens with cornbread and tomato gravy from Grandmother and my all time favorite chocolate gravy on special Saturday mornings from Granddaddy! (Sounds like we do nothing but eat...actually very true!) We also have told him about the McCreary death trap that he will experience when we go to visit Aunt Di and Apple Jerry at Piney Grove. We have told him about getting to run around all day without shoes riding around on his bike and coming in at dark to eat a bite of dinnertime...just to head out to the basketball court for a game of ball. You must know, anyone can be on the team good or bad...that's what makes it fun! If I can be on the team...ANYBODY can!

Hughes has so many fun activities and experiences ahead of him during his visits with our families.
We also have introduced two new things this week...tummy time and bottles! Hughes raised his head a couple of times while Kent and I cheered like he was scoring his first touchdown! After a couple of tries, he just decided to lay down and chill out for a bit!
Kent gave him his first bottle yesterday! Hughes seemed to really enjoy the bottle and it didn't seem to confuse him at all. So here is a tidbit for Gran and MaLyn, next time you come stay you will be able to give Hughes a bottle! There is something about that special time of feeding a baby. You can look in their eyes, talk to them, figure out who they look like, sing lullabies, and rock them into a deep slumber!
Last night, we tried to introduce Hughes to his nursery. He has one of the nicest rooms in our house and has yet to spend any time in his bed. As you have probably already figured, the night wasn't too successful. He fell asleep on my chest on the sofa around 10:30 and stayed there until around 2:00. He seemed to be sound asleep...so I tip toed in his room and placed him in the crib. IMMEDIATELY, he started to cry. So, I fed him (thinking that was the problem) and tried to lay him down again. Now I am not saying he wasn't hungry, but I am telling you he wasn't fond of the crib after he ate. So we rocked and rocked and rocked...back sound asleep. Attempt #3 to let Hughes snooze in his plush bed...no luck. So I called in for reinforcements...daddy. I crawled in my bed, a.k.a. pallet on the floor, and daddy rocked and rocked and rocked and Hughes fell fast asleep...but, so did Kent! Around five, we tried to slip him back in the bed...no go! So we fed him...and guess what...he went down in the crib until 7:47a.m.!!! Any crib time is good time. We know that this is the beginning of many sleepless nights that won't end with infancy, toddler hood, or even teenage nights, but we are excited and can't wait for the fun times ahead!