So...we had a baby!

The title says it all! We had a baby...and as of today, he's 2 months old!

Zaine Elery Shively was born on April 14th, 2011 at 10:54pm weighing 7lbs8oz and measuring 19.5". Today he's around 12lbs and 22". They grow quick, don't they?

I was fortunate enough to be able to take 9 weeks of maternity leave to spend at home to get into the swing of this Mommy business and get to know my little man. The first month was rough! Nursing was excruciating, he slept like crap, and my hormones were all over the place. Eventually his latch got better, he was put on medicine for reflux and I eliminated dairy from my diet which has helped him sleep better, and my hormones leveled out. Now I'm at the end of my maternity leave and really not wanting to return. I never wanted to be a homemaker before but my how things change when you have a little one! Unfortunately, that's not a feasible option for us so I'll be back at work come Monday morning. Thankfully though, I do love my job and I will get to bring Zaine to work with me until he's 6 months old. Right now the plan is for him to come Monday-Wednesday and stay with my MIL (mother-in-law) on Thursdays. Of course, this is all contingent on Zaine eventually accepting a bottle. We've tried 3 different bottles and he hates them all.

The other kidlet in the Shively family, Miss Savannah, had a birthday in May and turned 8 years old. A few weeks later, she finished the 2nd grade. We went all out for her birthday this year and built her a playhouse for her present and rented a bounce house for her party and invited our friends' kids that she's friendly with, as well as family. She had a blast! Currently she's spending her summer playing catcher on her town's softball team but when her season ends next week, she's going to spend alternate weeks at home with us until school starts back. It will be so nice to have our little family of 4 together more frequently and for her brother to become more familiar with her.