My Cute Little Man

This past Friday, Cash turned 8 weeks. He is doing all sorts of wonderful new things. He is tracking so much better than before. He has begun batting at things on his activity mat, he's much more talkative, more and more awake, and he's starting to put his hand in his mouth more than he used to. Friday he actually found his thumb! I quickly took it out and he put it right back in. I took it out again and gave him his pacifier. He has forgotten where his thumb is and hasn't been able to find it since! His PAT lady was here today for our second visit. She says that Cash is right on target. She noticed that he has also begun working his fingers in a pinching motion. She said it will take much more time to develop, but he has started. She said she can tell such a difference in him since her last visit. I don't know if she had more fun with Cash or with Howie though. She adores Howie (and how could you not?). They played fetch and he got all kinds of lovin from her.
I have always said I was not going to be a parent that puts my children in front of the tv and I am sticking to that. But Baby Einstein has a dvd for 3+ months called Baby Mozart. Ryan and I purchased it this weekend, thinking he wouldn't even be interested in it for another month, but we put it in anyway to see what it was all about and Cash LOVED it. He cooed and gurgled and let out screams. I told Ryan this is a once a day activity. I don't want the tv babysitting him, nor do I want him to be a couch potato like his parents! :) I think this is where the teacher in me comes out. It is limited, yet educational.
Here are some pictures of Week 7. Enjoy!

Too cute! I love this outfit, but the booties are way too big and fall right off!

Off to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner

Taking a cat nap

Give me 5!

Sporting the overalls!

Herr/Koelling Wedding

Boy, it's harder to get on this computer in the basement than I thought. Oct. 3rd, we loaded up bright and early and headed to KC for my friend's Nicki's Wedding. Nicki and I attended Warrensburg together and had ajoining rooms in the Alpha Phi house. When I think back to the time we spent together, all the laughs, drinks, talks, etc., it seems like we spent at least 1 year together in the sorority, but it was only 1 semester-Aug-Dec. of 1998. I was her Forget-Me-Not (sorority stuff). I left that Dec. and she actually left in May to attend UMKC. She and I have remained friends for all these years, after spending such a short time together, but a fun time. I guess that is why we are Forget-Me-Nots.

Ryan made great time on getting us there by 1:00, but didn't realize we were going straight to the church. He thought we were going to the hotel first. So we had to change in a McDonald's restroom. Grabbed a couple sandwiches and made it to the church without a moment to spare. It was a very nice wedding. Cash did great too. He fussed once, but quickly stopped. After the wedding, we checked into our hotel at the Arogsy Casino. We took short naps, then headed downstairs to the reception.

The room didn't open until 5, so we sat outside in the seating area for about 15 minutes and took a couple pics. When we entered the room, they were serving wine. It was a very classy wedding and reception and I would expect nothing less. We found our table and enjoyed ourselves. We were supposed to be seated with a bunch of Nicki's co-workers, but not all showed, so they all moved to the 2nd table of co-workers and we sat by ourselves. I kind of enjoyed being served first at the table and not having awkward conversation with strangers.

After dinner, Nicki's mom came over and apologized for us sitting by ourselves, which again, was no big deal and told us to take home lots of cookies. In the Herr family, it is tradition at all the weddings to make tons of cookies and put out around the cake. You should have seen this table. I wish I would have taken a picture. There were tons! And they were yummy! Ryan even told me to email Nicki and get one of the recipes!

Then, Nicki came over to visit. She also apologized and we caught up a little. Then she made her rounds. After a while, she came back over and said she would take Cash so we could go dance. I think it was just an excuse to hold him. :) So we went and danced and then went back to visit and visit with Zach. We left the reception around 9:00. Cash was pooped and so was dad. For not knowing a soul there, he didn't complain and did great.

We had a wonderful time and hope to see Nicki and Zach soon when they come back to Jeff to visit some of his family.

Waiting in seating area

Self photo taking at the dinner table

Zach, Nicki, and Cash

Cash and Nicki

Nicki, Cash, and me

Merry Christmas (Early)

This past weekend, Dad and Janice gave us our Christmas present early. Cash enjoyed their rocker recliner so much when we were over there the weekend before, they said they would get us one for Christmas, just pick it out. When I asked Ryan if he wanted one for Christmas, he said, "Yes!" Whenever we go to dad and Janice's or my grandparents, Ryan eats and then heads to the recliner and lays out and usually falls asleep! So, Monday night, Ryan, Brice, and I headed to go pick up our new recliner. Dad and Cash are really enjoying it! I am also attaching a couple pics of Howie and Cash that I took. They were too precious not to share!

One Month Checkup

Today Cash went to see Dr. Rogers for his one month checkup. I swear, this boy is growing like a weed! He is now 22 1/2 inches long, 9 lbs 10 oz, and head circum is 38. To sum it up, he is still gaining a pound a week!!!! He has gone from the 28th percentile to the 45th. Dr. Rogers checked everything out and said Cash looks great. He did put some silver nitrate on his belly button as he is still oozing a little bit and not fully healed. He said that should help and if it is still oozing next week to come in and we'd do it again. Cash really didn't seem to even notice Dr. Rogers sticking the stick into his belly button and swirling it around. I on the otherhand cringed! I remember going to the dr. every week and every two weeks and having them put that stuff on my wound from my surgery from my cyst. Oh how it stung! But then again, Cash didn't have an open wound in his belly. His test results came back from his newborn screening and everything was normal there as well. He goes back next month for his 2 month checkup. He isn't going to be too happy at this appointment as he gets all his shots then. Until next time... (Sorry, no pictures this time.)

One Month Old

I know I just said it Friday, but where does the time go? It is really hard for me to believe that a month ago today, Ryan and I were at the hospital where we just delivered our new bundle of joy. Everyone says, the time goes by fast and to cherish every minute. Well, I had no idea just how fast the time does go by. Before long he's going to be crawling, talking, walking, starting school, going to college, I have to stop! But I definitely am cherishing every moment I have with him. When I go back to work, it's really going to be hard to not be around and see him smiling in his sleep, cooing and squealing because he has something to say, and watch him as he learns and discovers new things. In his first month, he really has already had some big firsts that I will remember forever.

Friday night, Cash had his first bottle. It was really weird for me to be giving him a bottle. He took it really well though. Then he had his second bottle Sunday night. Ryan fed him this time, so that was definitely a first since dad doesn't have the capability to feed him without a bottle. :) Cash got his tummy full and was happy until it was time for his next feeding. Right now, he is getting a bottle at his 6:30 feeding every other night. We will probably do this for a couple weeks, then start every night getting a bottle.


Saturday, Cash went on his first overnight away from home trip. Ryan's Aunt Sis and Uncle Bob are going to celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in December, so Kelly and her sister Tracy threw them a surprise party at the Theodosia Country Club this weekend. It is about a 4 hour drive for us to get there. Cash slept most of the way there. He woke up to eat, and went right back out. Bob and Sis were really surprised when they got to the country club. They had no idea this was in the works. Kelly and Tracy really pulled it off. For most of Ryan's family, this was their first meeting of Cash. Of course, they all thought he was just adorable and looked just like Ryan. He was passed around all evening into the arms of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins. I must admit, this night was really kind of hard. I have never gone that long without being able to hold him when I wanted to, but I get to hold him all the time, so I let the other family members enjoy him. Cash finally crashed a little after 11 that night and still only woke up once in the night. Sunday morning, he was sleeping hard when it was time to leave the motel and meet the family for breakfast. When he finally did awake, I fed him and we left for home. Since he slept so hard Sunday morning, he was an hour off of his normal schedule, so he was still ready to eat all day at his normal times, even though he had just eaten. He has an internal clock of eating times! But he was able to stay content with his binky.

In 2 weeks, Cash will experience his first wedding. We will be traveling to KC Saturday to celebrate with one of my friend's from college. I am sure I will have pictures of this first as well.

Great Grandpa Jim and Cash

Great Grandma Lil and Cash

Grandma Jeanette, Cousin Brenda, Mom, and Cash

Mom, Dad, and Cash

Sleepy Boy

I'm one month old today!

Smiling in his sleep

OH-and you know how I said Howie wasn't being deprived...

Uncle Brice and Howie watching tv

4 Weeks Already????

I cannot believe that 4 weeks ago today we were blessed with such a wonderful little boy. The time really has flown by! Cash is pretty much set in a good routine which is great! He eats every 3 hours and sleeps wonderfully at night. He began sleeping in his room when he turned 2 weeks old, which I didn't know if I was going to be able to manage that because it meant he was growing up, but I did. If I feed him at 9:30 and put him to bed at 10:00, he sleeps until 2:30 or 3:00. He will awake again between 6:00 and 7:00. He will usually then sleep again until 9:30 or 10:00. By 10:00 he is ready for the day and bright eyed. He is beginning to start talking to me during this portion of the day. He squeals, coos, and gurgles. It is so cute! He enjoys tummy time, his bouncer, his swing, and of course, cuddling. When he makes the most noise is when he sits in his bouncer in the morning looking out the back windows. He loves the light. He will usually stay awake until 12:30 when he eats again. Sometimes he will take a nap before his next feeding, but it may only be 30 minutes. Usually after he eats at 3:30 he will sleep until 6:00 or 6:30. Then he will play for a while and take a short nap before he eats at 9:30. He is awake for most of the day, so I think that is why he sleeps so well at night.


I stepped on the scale today with and without Cash and I gained 10 pounds when I stood on the scale with him. I truly hope he isn't 10 pounds already! If he is, I have no idea where it is because he is still lost in 0-3 month clothes and how big is he going to be if he keeps growing like this?


Last weekend, Sept. 12th, Cash took his first rode trip. It was Janice's sister's (Karen) 60th birthday and her daughter's (Dawn) 40th birthday surprise party. Cash was actually born on Dawn's birthday. Tracy, Karen's other daughter threw a surprise party for her mom and sister in O'Fallon at a park. The weather was great and we got to show Cash off to most of the McDowell clan. They all thought he was just precious of course. He did great for the ride up and the ride back. He slept most of the trip both ways, along with dad and Uncle Brice on the trip back.


I have gotten out of the house quite a few times by myself. Ryan has kept Cash a couple of nights to let me go to Hy-Vee and mom came twice this week during the day to let me go run some errands. It was nice to get out of the house, but it was even better coming home to a happy baby boy. On Labor Day, mom watched Cash for a bit so Ryan and I could get out of the house together and do lunch. We went to El Jimador and to Wal-Mart. Last night, Ryan's mom watched Cash so we could go look at cabinets for our dining room. It definately is nice that the grandparents like to push us out of the house so they can spend time with their grandson. I think it definately is good for Ryan and I to get out and do things together. But I must admit, it is going to be really hard to go back to work and be away from him all day. A couple hours here and there is ok, because it goes by so fast, but all day. I-I!

Dad watching tv as Cash falls asleep

Cash and dad in O'Fallon at the surprise party

Two Weeks Old

Cash turned 2 weeks old Friday and had his 2 week dr. appt. When Cash was born, he weighed 7 lbs 1 oz. and 19 1/2 inches. His discharge weight was 6 lbs 11 oz. We had our first dr. appt on the Tuesday following his birth. He had gained a little weight and grew just a tad. He weighed 6 lbs 13 oz. and was 20 inches long. His head circumference was 34 cm. At Cash's 2 week appt, I was in shock. He has been spitting up a lot lately and I was afraid he wasn't going to gain much weight. Well, he has obviously been getting plenty to eat! He weighed 7 lbs 14 oz! He is now 21 inches long and his head circumference is 36 cm. Dr. Rogers said he would have been happy if Cash just weighed 7 lbs! He was very happy that Cash is getting what he needs. He goes back in 2 weeks for his month checkup.

I know I keep saying what a great baby Cash has been, but I just can't get over how easy he really is making this for us. I am truly afraid that here in the next few weeks he is going to prove us wrong and start making things a little bit more difficult. But, hopefully I am wrong in those regards. Cash is a very happy baby. He still doesn't cry, only fusses a little bit when waking up or when he gets his diaper changed and that cold wipe goes across his bottom. I have heard his lungs a couple times though. He hates sponge baths. Hopefully when he's ready for a real bath, he will enjoy those more since they will be in warm water and not on a counter with a draft.

The last two nights, Cash has only gotten up once in the night. He goes down around 10:00 and wakes up around 3-3:30 to eat and get a diaper change, and goes right back down. He then sleeps again until 6:30. I hope this is becoming a habit and not just a fluke.

I truly am loving every moment of being a mom. Cash has the cutest smile when he makes faces while he sleeps. I enjoy cuddling with him at different times during the day. I enjoy watching Ryan talk to him and hold him. It is the cutest thing!

Uncle Brice enjoys laying in his bed and having Cash lay on his stomach on top of him. He puts his hands right at Cash's feet and Cash pushes his entire body further up Brice's chest. Cash makes lots of grunts and groans as he works hard to get as far up as he can. He is going to be a strong boy! His neck muscles have been strong since he was born. He lifts his head any chance he gets. At 4 days old, he was getting his picture taken and he had his head lifted way up high.

Howie is still being a wonderful big brother. He checks on Cash when he starts to fuss to make sure he is ok. He likes to come up and sniff his when he's being held or in his swing or bouncer. Likes to give him occasional kisses. He's been a GREAT big brother. Howie has not been deprived of any love either. He still cuddles with Ryan on the couch and Brice on the couch or his Brice's room. He still gets pet and talked to. Things really haven't changed much in his day to day affections. He will always be loved and Cash doesn't seem to be cramping his style. :)

I am attaching a couple of pics from the past couple of days and a video. I hadn't realized how much he had changed since he was born until looking back at the pictures! Well, I have been trying to upload the video for 2 days, so I am finally going to publish without the video. Sorry!