September 20 - A Morning full of Milestones...

Everyone says that babies change and grow so fast. I always knew this was true but when you watch your own little child change before your eyes - nothing can prepare that for you. As fun and exciting to watch him change and grow there is a part of me that is a bit sad. So, I have been really doing my best to sit back and remember these moments. When I want to be doing dishes while he plays on the floor - I make the decision to leave the dishes and get on the floor and play with him. I love watching the world through his eyes - everything is so new and exciting!

Last night I gave him a little bottle (4oz - just to top him off) at 8:00pm. He didn't wake up till 4am, when he had 6oz and then at 5:45am - he woke up because he had spit up and needed to burp. I woke up and Jonah and I walked around and rocked... by 6am he was back in bed! Rob and I woke up at 9am - yes, 9am!!!!! Jonah was still sound asleep. He finally got up at 9:30am and greeted me with a big smile and a coo! Awh, my heart meltled! So.. .milestone 1. He slept 13hrs and only got up once!!!

After we fed him this morning he discovered that he could reach for his bottle. So, we grabbed Sophie (his little giraffe that Johanna gave us). Jonah went right for it. As soon as his hands reached out and touched it - he got a big smile!!! He realized that he could touch her and play!!! He sat and played with her for about 20minutes!!!









Grandma and Grandpa Hardenbergh got him his little tummy mat. So, we put him on it and he had a blast. Now that he can reach out and play with the toys - a whole new world has been opened. He layed and talked to the toys and giggled. What a great morning! Now - it's 2hrs later (after him waking up) and he's down for his morning nap. I have to be honest... I can't wait till he wakes up so that we can play and discover more of the world together!!!

Jonah's Baptism (Part I)

We woke up VERY early Sunday morning to get ready for the big day! I (Catherine) was out of the door by 7:15am to run to the store to pick up the cake. Rob woke up Jonah, ran by the center (where the reception was) to do some last minute things, and then was off to church to feed Jonah. Jonah had his bottle and then just hung out till Mass was ready to begin and it was time to get naked! Not many times are we allowed to: 1. Go to church in your PJ's (see below) and 2. Get naked at Mass. It was a special day!




Rob's nephew Jason, is a year old (just turned on Tuesday). Although Jason is longer than Jonah he is only 2lbs heavier than Jonah. Jonah isn't that much smaller than Jason . As Rob's mom says, "Jason is the straw and Jonah is the brick". They met for the first time this weekend and as the picture below shows - they hit it off!



Catherine's brother-in-law, Dennis is a Deacon. We wanted Dennis to do the baptism but we also wanted it during Mass. So, since Jed (Fr. Jed) was a Godfather it worked out perfectly. Dennis did the baptism! He did a great job and it meant so much to us to have him do that. Below is a picture of Dennis, Rob and I immersing Jonah. He did great - he didn't even cry! While we were dunking him he just looked at us like, "Uhhh... what's going on??" But, he held it together.

The Hardenbergh Family

Baptism (Part II)

After Jonah was immersed we went into the chapel to get him ready. We dried him off and got him all dolled up in his baptismal outfit that Grandma Calcaterra made for him. Catherine used buttons and beads, which were made in the shape of a cross that came from her wedding dress. Anne Marie and Jed bought Jonah a bonnet, socks and little shoes. Rob crocheted a beautiful blanket for Jonah - what a treasure!

Jonah is a blessed little boy to have four Godparents who love him so much. Anne Marie, Mary, David and Jed were asked to be his Godparents. It was so difficult to decide on Godparents - we have SO many people in our lives who are supportive and have strong faiths. Not many people can say that - we are so blessed!

Jonah has changed so much and has become a big-little boy. He's holding up his head so well and loves people. We were impressed with how he did the entire weekend! For a little guy who was exhausted and just had recovered from the flu - he did so well!!! What a cutie!!!