Wow.  Two months have gone by so fast.  It's amazing to see just how much our little man has changed since his birth day.  Already he is smiling, cooing, becoming absorbed in colorful toys, turning his head toward familiar voices, and trying to lift his head.  He eats like a champ and is growing in proportion to the amount he eats (in other words, lots!).  He is a charmer, immediately stealing the attention of everyone he meets with his bright eyes, attentive stare, huge toothless grin, and sweet efforts at conversation.  He certainly has stolen our hearts.

We spent the last month adjusting to what daily life looks like now that we have Oscar in our lives.  Bill has been hard at work, pounding the pavement and pushing lots of paper to continue to grow his business.  It's most challenging for him to leave the house in the morning, since that is the time of day when Oscar is most alert and interactive!  He loves to hear daddy's voice and play their special games.  My days are filled with caring for Oscar, perfecting my baby talk, washing endless amounts of laundry, catching up with friends I never got to see when I was working all the time, and trying to fit in the housework and errands between naps and feedings.  I am truly loving having the ability to stay home with my son and feel so blessed.  This mom thing is great!  There are tough moments, for sure, and I know it is the hardest job in the world to be a good parent, but no one was lying when they said it was all worth it.  I'm only two months into it, and I can already see that.

A few nights ago we decided to move Oscar from his cradle beside our bed to his crib in the nursery.  He adapted quickly (faster than I thought he would), and more easily than mom!  I didn't realize how accustomed I had become to his little noises in the night, nor how much I would miss them once they weren't there anymore.  I find myself waking several times in the night, listening as hard as I can for the sounds of his breathing coming through the baby monitor.  But, I love the moment in the morning when I go into his room, peep over the side of his crib to sweetly wish him a good morning, and he greets me with the biggest smile you've ever seen.  We're still working on getting a good long stretch of sleep at night, but it's getting better.

Lest this blog becomes an all-about-Oscar journal, I wanted to share a life-changing housekeeping tip that I discovered this month.  No kidding, it has changed my life.  :) 

I promise, this is not MY microwave, but only an example.

I hate cleaning my microwave.  It takes forever to scrub all the cemented little bits of food splatter from off the walls and door.  The convenience of the microwave itself is under scrutiny simply because of the amount of time and effort it takes to keep it clean.  Until now...

I was informed that if you mix equal parts vinegar and warm water in a bowl and put it in the microwave for 1 minute - wonder of wonders! - the cemented food WIPES RIGHT OFF.  I am not even kidding you.  I was skeptical myself, but I tried it.  Heck, I would try anything to make this part of my housekeeping job easier.  It totally works.  Maybe I'm completely behind the times with this one and everyone already knew this, but it is the most awesome cleaning trick that I have learned to date.  Try it and be impressed.

I am also cooking a lot more these days (which is becoming a fun hobby for me) - fresh bread, new meals, baked goods...  all kinds of stuff.  Some have been duds, but I've achieved a few culinary stars as well.  Maybe I'll even share a recipe or two with you in the future.  :)

Love and hugs to all, and go clean your microwave.  Sheesh.