First Week of Day Care Down and Other Things

WE MADE IT!!!  You successfully went to daycare for 4 days last week and we all lived to tell about it.  We had our moments - especially those of should we really be doing this, but we conquired.  I was so nervous that you would cry one morning as I was dropping you off, but you did not.  Ms. Carrie would take you and as soon as you'd see her, you'd smile and coo (you little stinker - I will only let you get away with this because you went crazy when you saw me later in the day when I got home - melt my heart). 

To celebrate our successful first week back to our new "normal", we ran some errands on Friday and went out to lunch as a family.  Here is you with Dad at Panera for our lunch date. 

Then we arrived home and you played on the floor, only to surprise us with a roll.  You've been rolling onto your side for a while now (you even sleep on your side each night), but never all the way onto your belly.  I was so impressed and while you still did not know what to do with your arm (stuck underneath you), I helped you with that and you played on your belly.  Here's a picture we snapped after you first did it.  You were definitely surprised at this roll and we were so excited!

Our final fun adventure on Friday included meeting friends for the first time in a long time.  We met Sara, Joel, and Jack in St. Cloud for dinner.  It's the first time you met all three and it's the first time we met Jack.  We had so much fun!  Here's a picture of Sara holding you and me holding Jack. 

Jack - 5 weeks old, Oliver - 5.5 months

Saturday was filled with more fun things.  Mom picked up Rachel from the airport as she is staying with us for part of the week.  Then we all went to a block party in the evening.  You were a little stunned by the bands playing, but enjoyed laughing at Mom as she danced (and you even danced with me a little bit). 

Finally, today, your Dad and I added the stickers we got to your helmet.  You are now blinged. 

So serious.



That's right - Chicks dig this!

What a fun weekend!  Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! 

First Day of Daycare

It's as if you knew this morning that a new adventure was about to take place and you were excited about it (note how high you are kicking your legs in the above picture).  It was your first day at daycare and I have been nervous for the last couple weeks about this approaching day.  But you woke up just fine, ate your morning bottle, you got dressed without putting up a fight, and you were ready to go.  I can only hope mornings to come will go as smoothly as today. 

As I said, I was nervous as could be.  So many questions ran through my head, mainly, would I be able to walk away and drive home if you were crying as I left.  You see you generally do not want to be held by a stranger and well the ladies at daycare are strangers.  So when we pulled up in the parking lot, I was a little hesitant as I rounded the back of the car to get you out.  When I reached your door, I was choking up, how was I going to drop you off and leave for the day.  But you greeted me with a smile and you seemed ready for the new adventure.  You continued to smile, kick, and laugh as we got checked in and through the front door, then into the door of your room.  When I got you out of the car seat you would not stop looking around at all the new things.  Then Ms. Carrie took you and I held my breath (and chanted in my head, please don't cry, please don't cry).  You were a champ, you looked Ms. Carrie in the eye and gave her a little smile, then you continued to look around the room.  This allowed me to fill out your check in sheet, drop your tuition payment in the box, and get out the door.  As I looked in the window when I started to back up to leave, I saw you still with Ms. Carrie looking around at all the new things in your classroom.  It was at that point that I could shed a few tears and head home to work.  I guess at some point I need to realize you're not my little baby anymore and you need to go out and explore the world (without your Dad and I).  While really exploring the world will not happen for many, many years to come, starting at daycare is just the first step in this process. 

However, just to be sure all the girls knew your status today at daycare, I dressed you in one of the shirts that I love (as seen below).  For now, your heart belongs to me (and maybe your Dad).  As a note, I think you were still waking up when I took this picture (I'm sure you thought I was crazy for the bright flash so early in the morning - but who could resist a first day of daycare picture).

It's been a while since I have blogged.  So I figure I had better provide you an update on things you've been doing lately.  First, you are getting used to the house without air conditioning, but sometimes, it gets a little warm in your room.  So we rock you in our room which generally has a light breeze or at least allows you to watch the fan spin - which you are mesmerized by.  It just so happens, last night as Dad was with you, you zonked out on his side of the bed.  It had us laughing, you're already taking up his side of the bed. 

Finally, you are certainly gaining a lot of spunk.  I thought the idea of you dropping toys or throwing things on the floor only to have us pick them up was not supposed to happen this early, but sure enough, at a little over 5 months you're dropping things or throwing things left and right.  Tonight, I decided I would see if you would push every single toy that was not attached to your exersaucer to the ground.  Sure enough, it happened and while you can't see it in this picture, the remaining two toys ended up on the ground shortly thereafter. 

As always, love you little man.  Please keep showing everyone your beautiful smile and letting us hear your belly laugh. 

Red Monkey

For at least the last three months, the red monkey has hung on your car seat.  Most of the time you just gaze at it or want nothing to do with it, but today, while we were on our way to Target in the car, I heard the distinctive pull on the ring and the vibration it makes as it retreats back into place.  This happened about 20 times on our drive into town (about 5 minutes).  Then as I pulled you out of the car, I noticed your hand was still hanging on it (as shown in the picture above) and that is how you stayed for the next hour.  I was stunned to hear the distinctive pull noise and then retreat several times in Target and when I would look down at you, you'd smile.  Of course, then I couldn't help but smile because who can keep from smiling when they see your glowing eyes and big smile.  But I also realize you've taught yourself what to do with the red monkey.  Your Dad and I do not often pull on his ring, but I think you've taken notice when we do, because now you're pulling on him too.  I love to see your expressions when you start to figure out things lately and do them for yourself.  It makes me so proud to see you doing these things and teaching yourself.  I'm excited to continue to see how you progress!  I hope the curiosity I see in you now, continues forever!

In other news (and as you may see in your picture above), you are wearing a helmet.  This week we received the helmet and it is supposed to fix your flat spots as your head grows.  We are hoping it does just that, because the list of things that we were told could happen if it does not will affect you for the rest of your life and we do not want that to happen.

So far, you seem to have no problems with the helmet.  Life has gone on as usual for you, as seen below, where you seem annoyed as Dad takes pictures, because you are busy playing.

Or continue to chomp on Sophie.

You're exploring new things little man and I feel as if I'm seeing the world from a whole different perspective now.  I hope you continue to open my eyes to things I seem to take for granted or neglect to take notice of each day.



5 months old!

You're 5 months old today and I'm struggling to figure out where my baby has gone.  You've been growing and changing so much that I no longer see the baby in you, but instead a little boy.  As seen above, today you decided you wanted to clobber Moo Moo while we were taking pictures. 

You're grabbing your "piggies"!  This is your favorite position these days.  You even do it on the changing table and help your Dad and I out with each diaper change - lifting your bootie off the table as your grab your piggies, then putting it back down, so we can undo the diaper/wipe you up, then one more time you grab those piggies, so we can slide the old diaper out.  It really is a good process and makes me wonder if you know what we are saying or if it's just a coincidence. 

 

You're exploring so much and loving the exersaucer.  I love to see your smile when you grab onto something or make something move that you were not expecting too.  It makes me wonder what is really going on in your little head.

You're gearing up for hockey season - where has the time gone.  We were just finishing up hockey season when you were born, now we are preparing for the next.  You'll be the cutest little bulldog in Amsoil Arena (and you'll probably be the one with the least ringing ears).

You're about ready to roll.  I think you need to just figure out a couple more things with that darn arm.  Then you'll be rolling like crazy, as you spend a lot of your time now on your side.

And finally, you're just starting to use your high chair for solid food feedings...when we first registered for the high chair and even when we received it, I thought it would be forever until you were sitting in it, but alas, you're ready to go, at 5 months.

 

You're growing up before our eyes and I cannot believe you're already 5 months old (I know, I said it already).  When I think of you or see you, I cannot help but smile.  I mean who wouldn't smile when they are greeted by you in the manner below. 

Not to mention, your happy personality which we see everyday and your Dad captured while I was at work one day.  (I do not know what I'm going to do when you're going to day care and Dad isn't sending me fun things like this!)

Happy 5 month birthday little man.  Love you to pieces.

A tooth, a tooth!

Well after several weeks of you being a drool monkey and a couple days of some fussy evenings, we finally saw a tooth cutting through your gums!  Since it has arrived, you love to put the cold teething rings in your mouth or our fingers, of course, Sophie is remains a favorite too.

You are getting so big and I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing.  You love to play in your exersaucer now - even more than on your playmat it seems.  Plus you're gobbling up oatmeal like crazy lately.  Of course, you like to get it all over your face and we think it's the cutest while you think it's the funniest thing ever.  Finally, you're getting so big that you grabbed the bottle from me today and wanted to hold it yourself. 

So many changes little man, you're changing from the little baby I used to get to snuggle all day long if I wanted too to the little man who wants to hang out by himself on the playmat or exersaucer.  But I love watching you grow and the new things you want to explore each day. 

Golf Weekend up North

This weekend marked your first time to the annual golf weekend up north.  This is the weekend where Dad, Grandpa, and Kevin play in a golf tournament at the country club.  While the guys are occupied on the golf course, the rest of us (Mom, Grandma, Renee, Niklas, Kate, Reid, and now you), enjoy a variety of activities, most notably our Saturday adventure to the drive in diner, a trip to the big park, and then to the candy store.  Niklas, Kate, and Reid love this day and I'm sure you will too when you are big enough to try to keep up with them.

I think this weekend can be best summed up by all the pictures we took. 
A bath in Grandma and Grandpa's kitchen sink.

Our visit to the park - you got out of the car seat, but you were snoozing before we even reached the equipment.  Next year I'm hoping you'll be running around enjoying it.

Your cousins on the bridge at the park - we have the same picture from last year.  Next year I'm hoping you'll follow Reid!  

Renee and Kate feeding you after we got home from the park.

All of the kids with Grandma Jean!

All of the kiddos.

With Grandpa - happy as can be!

Two other notable firsts for the weekend.  You had your first play date with your buddy Charlie.  He was born 7 weeks after you.  Mom and Lindsay (Charlie's Mom) have been good friends for a very long time and were so excited to be pregnant together, not to mention, have boys around the same time.  We are hoping you will be best buddies as you grow up.

Here is your first play date before you were born in February. 

And here are a couple now that both Charlie and you have arrived!

You grabbed each others hand half way through - we think this is a sign you'll be best buddies!

Your other big first of the weekend - your first birthday party!  Taylor (Mom and Dad's goddaughter) turned 1 and Ryan turned 3.  Dad was at the golf course, but we got to attend and we had fun.  You took in all the people around and were tuckered out before the presents were even opened (picture to come later).  Taylor and Ryan are the kiddos of Mom's good friend and HS doubles partner, Erin.  We are hoping you will be best buddies too! 

It was a busy weekend but you made it through like a champ.  We are all a little tired tonight and I'm sure we'll sleep good tonight.  Of course, you had to show Dad and I your new moves tonight before you went to bed.  While playing on your playmat, you scooted your butt in a complete 360 degrees.  I guess you like to see the playmat from all angles.  Here is the final picture of you moving about 3/4th of the way around - but making your move to do the complete circle.

Love ya little man.  Once again, I realize how happy I am to have you in my life and experiencing all these new things with you!

4 month stats

We visited the doc for your four month check up and you are a growing boy - although not as fast as your Dad and I thought you were (we guessed you'd be over 15 pounds).  You weighed 13 pounds 8 ounces, the 22nd percentile (compared to 11 pounds 14 ounces at 2 months).  You also grew about 2 more inches to 24.8 inches, the 47th percentile (compared to 23 inches at 2 months).  Finally, your head is a growing - it's up to 16.4 inches, the 35th percentile (compared to 15.25 inches at 2 months). 

At the appointment the doc saw you eating and said we could start you on solids if we'd like.  So we thought we'd give it a try.  Your first meal - rice cereal.  Of course we made it pretty runny to get you used to the texture (as suggested by the doc), but about a week later and you're already eating it at a pretty thick consistency.  By day two, you were opening your mouth for it.  Since you've made it to that thicker consistency, tonight we thought we'd try bananas.  You did not like these as much as your rice cereal and locked your lips as soon as you realized it was not rice cereal.  This prompted us to get out the baby food maker and figure out how it works.  Tomorrow night, you'll be getting bananas made by us - we'll see if that goes any better.

Here is a couple pictures of you eating rice cereal for the first time (as a note, I think you've become a ham for the camera - you look and pose whenever we are snapping pictures).

And tonight, with the bananas...as I said, you were not thrilled.