Six months (and a few days)

Unbelievable how time does fly. We're enjoying Nathan, he's enjoying food and hopefully us. The six-month stats are in: 28 in and 18lbs,10 oz. Our boy is nearly 90th percentile in height and weight, growing nicely. Sleeping is still a problem with small signs of improvement here and there. Nathan is on the move- rolling that is to grab at toys or anything in sight. He's almost sitting. He loves to grab hair, ears, noses, you name it. Can't believe it's been a half year with our baby!

Little Rocky

We took a series of pictures of Nathan modeling his bathrobe. We had a lot of fun with it as you can see. He could be a movie star, no?

In other news, Nathan is eating solid foods! The list is growing: rice cereal, carrots, peas, prune juice, steak. Just kidding on that last one. He loves to eat, but won't drink from a cup. The juice was needed, you guessed why, and he got it from a medicine dropper. He liked it! And it worked!!! The only thing Nathan won't touch is soy formula. We don't blame him, it smells really bad. (Since daycare has started, he needs a little formula. His skin has had some flairs of eczema- his pediatrician suspects a mild milk allergy is causing it, so we tried soy but he refuses to drink it... We're letting ourselves think the skin problem might not be an allergy since that's the easy way out.)

Reunion

We had a great time with friends over the weekend. Josh and Touch met Nathan for the first time. Nathan did well despite catching a nasty cold. He's feeling better now, and daycare is actually going quite well. It makes us happy that he's having good days. Knock on wood, he's also been having decent nights. Nathan has slept in longer stretches lately (5 hours last night!). We're REALLY happy about that and hope it continues to get better.

A few pics from the weekend (courtesy Touch):

w/Touch:



w/Josh


w/Josh and Graham


happy guy

last gasps of summer

We continue to survive these first new days apart. All three of us are adjusting to very early mornings. Nathan is sporting a rash and his bottom teeth are just starting to poke through his gum, so he's not his happiest self. Chris and I struggle to know what to do as parents with his symptoms that are not serious, but not resolving. We'll see the pediatrician tomorrow, since he probably knows better than us what might be going on.

We've had a few fall-like days here, and with the start of my classes just one week away, it feels like the end of summer. Part of me is so sad to let go of my summer. It was just wonderful to get this time at home with Nathan. Yes some days were hard, but what could beat slow walks and naps together with no schedule? I am trying not to dwell on the fact it's over, but be happy that the time simply was. This is not a strong point of mine, but I do try. Here are a few more pictures from our vacation.

One hippo, alone once more...

Nathan is at daycare now for a short first day. Believe it or not, the dropoff went really well! He started playing immediately on the floor with new toys and went to the teachers happily. This was after a rough cranky start at home so we were relieved beyond words. We were pleased to find the staff really friendly and kind; we feel that he's in good hands. What else can I say besides I miss him desperately.

We read "Hippos Go Berserk" to Nathan at night, which ends with the line "one hippo, alone once more, misses the other forty-four." That's how I feel, except I miss my two boys. Now I must do some actual work to make this whole thing worth it!

Nathan's second visit to the Twin Cities

We've been in Minnesota for almost a week now, and Nathan has had a lot of time to visit with his cousins, aunts and uncles, and Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandma with Suzy and Nathan, her two youngest grandchildren at the time of this picture...


...but that changed pretty quickly.

We were lucky enough to be here for the birth of Nathan's 11th cousin, Amaya Lynn.

Amaya at 1 day old with her parents, all of her cousins, and most of her aunts and uncles:


...and at 3 days old:


Here are some shots of Nathan and his cousins Jasper and Suzy on our trip to a local park:



























A nice shot of Nathan with Mommy :)


Nathan and Suzy playing...

...and holding hands (in matching, super-stylish outfits).


Nathan's aunt Julie with Jasper and Suzy:

A visit with cousins, aunts, uncles and Nana

We finally hosted Nathan's extended family here in the area. The weather was decent, though sticky, and a good time was had. Nathan surprised us by being charming the ENTIRE time, not crying and barely fussing. He was held by many aunts and uncles and it was enjoyable for all involved. Hey maybe that nice two hour nap helped (an extreme rarity, although I did cheat and lie down with him to achieve it).

Here are the cousins! (minus Jeffrey unfortunately)


Alicia, Lauren, and Hannah:


Nicole and Maya:


Kendra:


Max:


Great game of croquet!


Nana with her two littlest grandchildren, Lauren and Nathan:



In addition, we wanted to post a few pictures of Nathan in his Bumbo seat (thanks Christine, Jim, Nicole and Lauren!). He loves it now.

Constant changing

Nathan is changing so fast! He's doing new things and has quit doing things that were new very recently. We now have a pacifier and thumb-sucking boy. Pretty much everything is headed for Nathan's mouth. I've felt in his mouth but no teeth just yet. Since the drool works are on, I suspect there will be before long.

4-month milestones (updated)

Nathan just turned 4 months over the weekend. Mostly we'll show pictures, but will report that he has found his feet, holds his head level when pulled up to a sitting position, and just today rolled over front to back (the 5week roll was never repeated...).

UPDATE: stats are in after Nathan's 4 month appointment.
27in, 97%
16lbs 13oz, 80%

Nathan had a battery of shots and did great. He stopped crying as soon as I picked him up. One of the most dreaded moments of early motherhood (shots) followed by one of the most gratifying, providing the comforting arms your baby needs. Oh, and I really liked our new pediatrician, so yay!

looking at the camera already...

got the whole fist!
Oh, Mommy does love this baby!
the boys












In other news, we have a family of birds that we are calling hawks but don't know what they are. They are rather large, they hunt, and soar like hawks so there. Anyway, the babies have learned to fly and the entire family loves to perch on our swingset. I have become obsessed.

Days of Nathan's life

Here are a few shots of Nathan's days. He loves to play in the bathroom with the shower curtain, loves it! Also he's proved to be a good helper, especially with laundry. As always, play is his focus and for now, we can make him pretty happy at times.

shower


laundry



playing


family