Our Xmas

Sorry we dont update this as much as we used to.  Things are busy around here!

Momma has been busy working and Dad stays busy with me while she's at work.  I'm still teething, so I'm fussy a lot of the time.  I'm starting to get a molar.  Momma had read that babies usually get their two bottom front teeth first, but I like to be different.  We have a plethora of teething toys around the house for me, but my favorite thing to chew on is a finger (preferably Mom's or Dad's).  I drool like crazy and need my shirt changed a few times a day.

I went on my first Bart ride the other day.  Bart stands for Bay Area Rapid Transit, and is basically the subway system here.  I "enjoyed" it...

Actually, I was ambivalent on my way to our destination and then grumpy on the way home.  Here I am on the ride home.

A few weeks ago, we received two huge packages from amazon.  Momma opened them and found two bags, like this:

and a small box like this:

We were so excited!  Shortly thereafter, we received a giant box from Grandmas Laurie and Mary Anne.  That wasnt a surprise, because they had told Momma they were buying me a crib for Christmas.  Momma attempted to put it together but it was too confusing, so Dad completed it.  It's beautiful!  But, Momma made Dad put it together without measuring our bedroom door first.  So Dad put it together in the living room, and it wont fit in the bedroom.  Now he has to take it apart and put it back together!

For the time being, I hang out in it sometimes.  I wont sleep in it until Dad gets it moved.  Silly Momma!


Today we received 3 more packages!  One from Great Grandma Perkins, one from Grandmas Laurie and Mary Anne and one from Grandma and Grandpa Mosher.  Since we dont have a tree (Mom's allergic and didnt feel like getting a fake one), and since its just us celebrating, we decided to have Christmas today!  And wow, did we get some cool stuff!

Aunt Patty sent us a highchair!  This will come in handy now that I am trying out solid foods!  I've had sweet potato, pear, and avocado so far.  I like avocados the best.  Momma mushed a ripe avocado, mixed it with some breastmilk, and froze a bunch of little portions.  Dad gives me some after I've had a bottle in the morning or afternoon.  Next on the list is carrot.  They are going to wait to try banana until after my 6 month checkup, because both Momma and Dad have slight banana allergies.

Now that I'm teething, I sometimes use a pacifier, though it rarely ends up the right way in my mouth.

Aunt Patty also sent us an exersaucer!  This is a jungle-themed one from Fisher Price.  I love it!

Aunt Patty also sent us a cute giraffe-print diaper, but Momma put it in the wash before she took a picture, so you'll have to wait for a picture of that.

Great Grandma Perkins got me this really cool interactive story buddy!  It comes with a cd and a dvd...and the doggy reacts as Momma reads me the included story!  We havent tried it yet, but I love watching our dogs react to things so Momma thinks I will love this too!

Here I am starting to get fussy.  All the excitement was a bit much.  We probably should have spaced out opening the presents to two days, but Momma and Dad were too excited!

Grandmas Laurie and Mary Anne also got me these books!

I immediately tried to eat them.  They are fun!

They also got me this activity set.  Its got a ball with shapes I can drop in and a mallet game!

All in all, I had a great day

Thanks to everyone that sent us stuff!  Momma will be sending out thank you cards and Christmas gifts on Monday.  She lost track of time this year and didnt get a chance to get anything sent out yet.  We love you all!

4 months and more!

Last week we went to my 4 month check-up.  I got weighed (14 lbs 4 oz!!), measured (23 inches) and got my shots (ouch!)  The pediatrician told Momma that I have caught up to my peers in weight, as most babies are closer to 7lbs when born and have doubled their weight at 4 months.  I have nearly tripled my weight!  He said I am behind the average for length, as most babies are 25-27 inches at this point.  I've got some stretching to do!  He also said that I am teething, but that I probably wont get teeth for a few months.  He old Momma that I am a very happy baby.  I really liked my new pediatrician!  I got my second round of shots.  The nurse was really gentle and very apologetic about the whole thing.  It was painful and I cried, but it was much better than last time.  I was fine for most of the day, but got really fussy that night.

I've also started my 4 month sleep regression.  I had been sleeping for about 4 or 5 hours consecutively, from 8pm on, and then waking every 2-3 hours until 8 am.  Now, I wake every 30 mins to an hour and dont sleep for any hours consecutively.  It is driving Momma crazy.  She was reading about it and it is supposedly because I am going through a developmental stage right now.  All I know is that I am tired and cranky and she is too!

Grandma Mary Anne told us that people were wondering what to get me for Christmas.  Momma thinks its really sweet that people are so thoughtful.  We created a wish list on Amazon that people can check out.  Just go to amazon.com, click on "wish list" and search Momma's name.  Its a small list, but its stuff I either need or that Momma thinks will help me develop.  

We switched over to cloth diapers completely.  I outgrew my size small gdiapers, so Momma got cotton pre-folds and waterproof covers.  Its been a learning process, but my parents are getting the hang of it.  

Where'd the time go?

I cant believe it's been three weeks since we updated my blog!    Momma has been busy with work and Daddy has had his hands full taking care of me.  Here's a quick update:

Here's my last-minute Halloween costume.  We did a video chat with Grandma Gale and Grandpa Dan on Halloween and Momma wanted to dress me up in something, so we put on this baby beard that our friends Chrissy and Gg made for us.  Dont I look handsome?  

I recently discovered my feet.  I like to grab them.  

Its even better if I can get my toes in my mouth! 

I think its hilarious when Momma takes my picture.

Dad and I party sometimes.

I'm sitting up better now!  

Shopping!

I'm big enough now to be carried in my Baby Bjorn facing forward.  It has made me much more excited to go grocery shopping.  I still get fussy if it takes too long, but I love being able to see all the colors and the people.  Momma took me to Trader Joes last night and I was good the whole time!

Busy!

Holy cow we've been busy!  We've been trying to get the house set up, plus Momma went back to work.  Daddy has been taking care of me and he's been doing a great job.  I'm 3.5 months old now!  I can finally start wearing some of the cute clothes that everyone got me!

Good morning!

Headshots for my modeling portfolio.  

Hanging out with Daddy.

I can sit up pretty well now, and have decent head control, though sometimes my big noggin knocks me over.  I'm making lots of sounds and have recently discovered that when I make noises, Momma and Daddy look at me.  So, sometimes I make noise just to test them.  I'm pretty crafty.  

Quick!

Just a quick update before bed:

we're in our new house and I really like it!  Grandma Gale came up for a few days to help us settle in.  Here's a few recent pics.  More updates to follow.

Grandma Gale reading to me.

Me, holding my toy.

My bug outfit!

What's all the fuss about?

I'm 11 weeks old today!  

I've been really fussy for the past week.  At first, Momma thought it might be a growth spurt, because I'm due to have one any time now.  But I havent been cluster feeding like I usually do during a growth spurt.  She noticed that I have been drooling a lot more than usual (I usually blow spit bubbles, but that seems to be a side effect of my reflux.)  She also noticed that I have been trying to stick anything that gets near my face into my mouth.  She did some research online, and it looks like I might be teething already!  She read that babies can start teething as early as 3 months, even though they may not get their first tooth until 6 months old.  We went to babies r us and got some teething rings.  I hate them.  I'd rather have soft, squishy things.  Momma is going to try to semi-freeze a washcloth and see if I like it better.  Anyone else have other teething tips?  

Also, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I stink!  Momma noticed a funky smell coming from me even after I'd been bathed.  She discovered it was my neck.  Ewww, gross!  It's apparently very common that chubby babies get icky necks.  She called the Pedi and got some ointment because it seems like it might be a yeast infection.  Yuck!  That could also be contributing to my fussiness.  I'm not sure what exactly is bugging me, but I am pretty vocal about my discomfort.

On a positive note, I've started sleeping longer at night.  I usually fall asleep around 8pm and sleep til midnight.  A 4 hour stretch of sleep is awesome for everyone, but Momma and Dad wish I would start later.  For some reason, they dont want to go to bed at 8pm.  Once I wake up to eat at midnight, I sleep for either 2 or 3 hour blocks until about 6am.  I still hate taking naps, but I've started to doze around 9:30am, 11:30am and 2 pm.  I dont usually sleep more than 20-30 minutes.  Momma is still trying to lay me in my bassinet when I look sleepy, but I get really mad at her for it.  I dont want to have to lay down!  There's too much to look at and too much to learn.  I dont want to miss anything!  Plus, I really like being held.  I've only just started enjoying my bouncy chair...though not for more than 10  minutes or so.  She keeps saying that once we move to the Bay, it will be easier because she can swaddle me for naps.  I'm not sure that will make a difference because being swaddled while I'm awake makes me angry!  I guess we'll see...

I'll post some new pictures soon, promise!

10 Weeks!

I've been here for 10 whole weeks now.  Time is flying by.  I'm cooing, smiling, and I can get my hand to my mouth whenever I want.  I also started grabbing Momma's hair with my kung-fu-like grip.  She has to keep her hair up now.  Once I can manage to get a hold on that ring in her lip, she better watch out!

Monday I went for my first round of vaccinations.  I weighed in at 10 lbs 3 oz!  I'm in the 11th percentile for weight (up from 2nd percentile at birth), the 15th percentile for height and the 70th percentile for head circumference (down from the 76th.)  I had a really good visit with our Pediatrician...and then she left and the nurse came in.  The nurse gave me three shots and one oral vaccine.  I hated it!  I screamed bloody murder and Momma's heart broke.  

When we got home I was super fussy.  I wouldnt stop crying so my parents gave me some baby Tylenol.  That took the edge off a bit.  That night I slept for almost 5 hours!

I hate sleeping.  I refuse to take naps unless we go on a car ride.  Our Pedi suggested laying me in my bassinet about 2 hours after I wake up in the morning.  She told Momma to lay with me for 30 minutes, and to follow the same routine at every nap.  She said I will eventually learn that I am supposed to sleep when we do this.  I hate it so far.  

We only have 12 days left in San Diego so Momma and Dad are packing up our belongings.  We got a nice big house in San Pablo.  Its got 3 bedrooms, which means I will get my own room when I am big enough!  

Weigh-in

9 lbs 13 oz!!

Quickie

Quick update:

9 weeks old today.  Finally had a bath that I didnt hate!  Thanks to Momma for strategically placing the washcloth!

And Momma snapped this picture of me the other night.  She thinks it's funny that I lounge around with my arm behind my head, like I'm super relaxed.  It was dark when she took the picture so it looks like I was hanging out at a club, but dont worry.  I wasnt.  

What a weekend!

My mom's friend Natalie came to visit us on Sunday.  She drove all the way down from Long Beach just to see me!  We met up with my mom's friends Joseph and Adam.  It was hot and I was fussy, but they were all very nice about it.  Auntie Natalie brought some awesome gifts for me, including these monkey strap covers for my car set.  

Monday, Grandma Mary Anne came over and hung out with us.  She sang a bunch of songs to me like: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Patty Cake and The Wheels on the Bus.  I requested songs by The Beatles, but I guess she doesnt take requests.  Just kidding.  I dont even know who The Beatles are yet.  

Today I hung out with Great Grandma Lenora, Great Aunt Lori, Great Uncle Kevin and Cousin Adam.  I slept a whole bunch, and then ate a whole bunch.  It was awesome.  

I've also been spending some time with Grandpa Dan.  

Dad's been gone finding us a house.  We took a family photo before he left to include in our rental application packets.  I decided to look off into the distance.  So I can be mysterious, ya know?

And I sat up kinda by myself on the couch.  I'm growing so fast!

They say its your birthday...

Okay, well, it isnt actually my birthday.  BUT, I turned 8 weeks old this week!  Yaay!

We missed my appointment with the pediatric GI, because Momma's car broke.  Apparently rodents chewed through the wires that connect to the speed sensor.  So on our way to the appointment, the check engine light came on and the car was revving at 4000 rpms or higher.  We couldnt get another appointment before October, so I will have to wait to see a GI til we get to the Bay Area.  Momma hopes that by then I will have outgrown some of my gas and pooping issues.  

Dad is going to the Bay this weekend to look for a house for us.  It'll just be me and Momma for the weekend, though I'm sure Grandma Gale and Grandpa Dan will be able to help out, and I bet we'll try to see Grandmas Mary Anne and Laurie too.  We have to get in as many visits as possible, cause we leave at the end of the month!


Nothing else to really tell you guys.  I'm still taking my Zantac.  I'm still adorable.  My hair is finally starting to grow back.  I'll post new photos soon.  Love you all!

Today

I'm 8lbs 13oz today!  I gained 10oz in one week!  Whew!

Baby Shower

My first baby shower was held back in April.  It was hosted by Grandma Mary Anne and my Great Aunt Patty flew out from Colorado to be there for it.  Since I'm such a special guy, Grandma Gale decided to have a shower for me also.  Her friend Pattie hosted at her house. I slept or ate through the whole thing but it sounded like everyone had a great time.  I got some awesome gifts.  

They had my name up on the mantle.

That's Grandma Gale on the left and Pattie on the right.

There was a bunch of food, but I didnt have any of it.  I brought my food with me (Momma)

This is my Great Grandma Lenora.  This was my first time meeting her.  I really liked her!

Dont mind me...I'm eating.  This is Momma and her friend Shannon.

Grandma Mary Anne came.  She's good at putting me to sleep!

See?

Check out all the presents everyone brought!  Like I said, I was sleeping, so Momma was nice enough to open them for me.

Halfway through the gifts, I got really hungry!  So Momma fed me and Dad took over.

I had a great time!