Dear E: Eleven Months

Little man... I feel like I keep repeating this over and over but you have grown SOOO much! You are definitely becoming a little boy and every day I wonder where my little baby went. You are such a joy to be around and I am so blessed to be able to stay home with you three days out of the week.

You are wanting to walk with us holding your hands a lot more. Before you wanted nothing to do with it but you're doing it more and more as I assume you are preparing to take your first steps. You cruise everywhere and crawl faster than ever.

You've started to clap more and you do this whenever you get really excited. You've also started crawling backwards. We were over at great-grandma's house for lunch and you kept doing this whenever you got stuck under the table.

You try to mimic a lot of what Daddy and I say and do. You even started to say Dog (Dah) and a form of what we think is Jetta (Do-Dah!). So on top of Mom and Dada you now regularly point to dogs and say Dog.

You are on the verge of some sort of developmental boom. I just feel it. You have been doing little things here and there and you are always watching everything we do and say very intently. You just soak everything in and I love it!

We are starting to plan your first birthday party and I just can't wait to celebrate with all of our friends and family. I'm sure you are going to have a blast with all of your friends :) Can you do one thing for me, though? Slow down a bit... I want to enjoy this as much as possible!

Love,

Mommy

10 Months Old

Oh, E, where has the time gone?? You turned 10 months last week and I am just now having time to sit down and write to you. We've been very busy over the past week. I haven't even had a chance to take your monthly picture on the chair! So we'll have to use this picture above from our mini Christmas photo shoot.

You are growing so much. You finally are interested in walking while holding our hands. You even have attempted to take a step towards the counter and cupboards from holding onto Daddy's leg last night! You were standing on your own in between Daddy and the counter! So I know that walking is right around the corner for you.

But can I ask one thing, E? Baby steps! Don't start out running. I don't think Mommy could handle that. I am relieved that you haven't started walking sooner. It gives me a little more time with my baby.

You've been so talkative lately. You've convinced Grandma Ann that your first word is duck but we're not too sure about that. You say Dada for daddy and MomMom for Mommy but you don't say them all the time. I know you know who each of us are because you turn to Daddy when I say "Where's Daddy?" and do the same when Daddy asks you where I am. You recognize Dog, Grandma, Aunt Louise and so many more words.

You mimic us like crazy still. You say Ah Da when I say All Done and Daddy could have swore he heard you say Bye to the check out lady at Costco on Christmas Eve when you were running around getting last minute things for Christmas dinner. You even tried to wave at her when she waved at you.

You are such a joy, little one. You are almost ALWAY happy and tell us when you're hungry, tired, or just need to cuddle. You're very expressive and if I just pay attention to your cues I know exactly what you need and when.

I think you're starting to make up your own signs instead of using the signs I've been trying to teach you since you were 6-7 months old. Instead of waving your hands for all done you sweep the table of all of the food when you're done ;) And instead of doing the sign for sleep/bed you flick your nose. You point to everything you want and make a stink face if you don't get it right away. I've tried to get you to sign water a few times but you wave me away and just point to your water. It works, right?

I am so excited for the months and years to come! Your first birthday is right around the corner and I cannot wait for the fun we will have together in the next year.

We love you soooo much, E!

Love,

Mommy

9 Months Old

E -

How the heck can you be 9 months old already? I feel like it was only a few weeks ago that we brought you home. You were this little thing that was just so full of personality from the get-go. You have always been so aware of whats all around you and have taken an interest in your world.

This month you have made some great achievements. You not only are cruising around the furniture, you are also developing quite a sense of humor. You will make funny sounds and than laugh at yourself. You'll knock down blocks I stack up and than laugh. You'll give me a raspberry and than laugh. You get the picture :)

You are sooo happy 95% of the time. That other 5% is when you're hungry and tired. Very rarely do you melt down. You always have a smile on your face and we can get you to laugh even when you're upset. I couldn't have asked for a better baby than you.

Now that you're super mobile you can get into everything! It's fun to see what you're going to explore next. And you've gotten FAST! You seriously go down the hallway faster than Jetta sometimes. And when Daddy gets home you race the dogs to the front door :)

You're pulling up on everything. You don't even need somethign to grab onto in order to pull up on something. You pull up on cabinets, the doors, the couches and tables, and us! You are also only holding on with one hand when you stand up. You like to keep the other hand free for toys, food, etc.

I can't express in words how happy you make me. And I'm sure you're father would say the same thing. We are soooo in love with you. You bring us such joy!

Love,
Mommy



ETA: 9 Month Stats

22lbs 3oz, 30in long
72nd %tile for weight and 92nd %tile for height

Dear E: Eight Months Old

8 Months Old!

I cannot believe you are only 4 months away from being a 1 year old, E! In many ways you are definitely still my baby. You are such a cuddler and snuggler that I think you'll always be my baby but you have grown so independent in the last month. Not only did you start to crawl right before 7 months, you also started pulling up to a stand right before 8 months! I'm afraid that next month I'll be writing to you about walking :)

You are so curious right now. You are into everything and love watching Mommy and Daddy do things. Just this morning you watched Daddy shred papers. You heard the sound, crawled all the way across the room and wanted to see what was making the sound.

You love to mimic people and things. You play a game with Mommy where you and I both "sing" for the same amount of time in the car and than stop suddenly. You always try to keep up with how long I last and sometimes you do short little sounds to change it up :) You mimic lots of sounds that Mommy makes. And you're starting to mimic other things as well. I swear you started clapping (or making the clapping motion) when you were watching one of the cartoons last week. Everyone was clapping on the TV and than you started making the motion!

You've become a raspberry master. If you see just one inch of skin on Mommy or Daddy that's exposed you race to give us a raspberry. And you love making the motor/raspberry sound just like you did a few months ago.

I'm amazed at how much you've changed but am loving every minute of it! You are truly a joy and a wonderful baby. I couldn't be blessed with a better little boy. I can't wait for the years to come and the journeys we will take together. Mommy loves you SO much, little E.

Love,
Mommy



I want the camera, Momma!


I want to get down! Let me down!

7 Months Old

E, my little man, you are growing up waaaay too fast! I thought that writing you monthly would be easier for me but I don't think I like it very much because you are changing so rapidly lately. In the past month you have mastered getting into the sitting position on your own, crawling and pulling up to your knees. You are ::this close:: to pulling up to standing on your own and are showing more interest in staying in the standing position when I lift you up and let you hold onto objects (my hands, the couch, the end table).

You are growing bigger by the day. And some days I wake up to find that you look like you've grown overnight. You are taking up more of the bed and your 6 month clothes are all packed away. You are fitting into not only the 9 month clothes but the 12 month clothes as well!

You have grown so much that you outgrew your infant carseat and we had to upgrade to convertible carseats. We found a pretty good deal on a few Britax carseats and snatched them up. You ride in this one when you're with Daddy and ... now don't laugh... this one when you're with Mommy. But don't worry. We'll change out the cover of Mommy's carseat as soon as Aunty Tessa's baby comes in November and she gives us Belle's old Britax.

You are becoming more verbal but still no distinction between the babbling and any real words (I wasn't expecting any!). You LOVE to screech and yell and find pleasure in blowing raspberries on every surface you can find. You even lift up my shirt and blow raspberries on my stomach. It doesn't help that Daddy showed you how to do this!

The past 7 months have been such a joy for us little man! You are so happy! But you do have some issues that we need to resolve for all of our sanity :) You need to work on taking naps! We are really close to start sleep training with you to try and get you to sleep better. You are a very light sleeper and when you wake up there's no putting you back down to sleep. You get cranky and unhappy and I just can't see my baby unhappy...

Your daddy and I love you VERY much and can't wait for the months/years to come with you. I love you!

Dear E: Twenty Four Weeks

Dear E -

We had such a great time this week!

On Monday you went to the zoo with the Aunts and Grandma Ann. It was a busy crazy hectic day but you got through it! You hung out with your cousin Aaron and your second cousins Carsyn and Kenna. They always come down each summer for Sea World Day Camp for a week and they stay with the Aunts.

On Tuesday you decided that you were going to get up on all fours! Yeah! We went over to the Aunts' house to hang out with Carsyn and Kenna after they got out of Day Camp.

We went to the beach and than went to get frozen yogurt with the girls. You refused to nap all afternoon and finally took a cat nap while we were walking back from the frozen yogurt place. You put your feet in the water for the first time. You didn't really like it because it was a bit cold. I'm sure that you'll love it in a few months!

On Wednesday you hung out with Grandma Ann and layed low...

Thursday was also a quiet day. I don't even remmember if we went out and did anything.

Friday was pretty busy. Mommy got off early because Daddy's family was going to have a bonfire/bbq in celebration of Carsyn and Kenna's birthdays (a yearly tradition). We got everything ready to go and were waiting for the green light from Aunt Janie and Aunt Helen. They called to let us know they couldn't get a ring next to a picnic bench so I had the great idea of just having the bbq at the Aunts house. They have a bbq... they have a fire pit... and they have indoor plumbing!!! Everyone went with my idea and we had a blast.

I took you into the spool for the first time and you had a blast... you kept on splashing and grabbing me. You even would put your nose in the water for a second and pull up laughing... I don't know what that was about but you sure scared Momma! We dried off and got all bundled up in our jammies (ok... Mommy didn't, but you did) and got settled on one of the Aunts air chairs for a night of talking, eating and drinking.

Daddy was the grill master and made us up some yummy hot dogs before we swam. He than started up the "bonfire" after we got out of the water and got the smores going. Daddy makes the best smores! You were soo exhausted and finally zonked out at 8. We stayed for another hour until everyone started leaving and you woke up just in time to say goodbye to everyone.

Saturday morning we layed low. Daddy went to Costco to get a few things while we napped and than we packed up for Anaheim and Disneyland. We got a hotel for the night to make things easier. Daddy only paid $50 for the Doubletree! Talk about a deal.

There was crazy traffic so we didn't get up to Anaheim until 5:30. We got settled at the hotel (all they had were full size beds... So we were stuck on a separate bed than Daddy) and than headed out to dinner at Souplantation. We were planning on going to Disneyland and hanging out for a bit but Mommy didn't feel too good and you were getting tired so we headed back to the hotel for the night.

You went down super easy and slept great! You woke up ready to go at 7am (Mommy got to sleep in for a whole hour!!) and we were out the door and at Disneyland by 7:30. We rode a few rides and headed out at 10 to head back home.

You slept the whole car ride home!! Plus you fell asleep about 1/2 an hour before we got to the car so you slept a total of 2 hours :) Go you! When we got home we played a bit and than got ready to head out to your first baseball game. You Uncle Jeremy got tickets for us, them and Aunt Julia's parents by trading in a few of his and Great Uncle Dave's season tickets. How nice of them! More about that in a separate post.

I can't believe how much you are growing and developing! You are learning things so quickly. You laugh so much lately. And your giggles just melt me inside and out! You are an amazingly happy baby and always seem to tell me exactly how you're feeling... gotta go... you're waking up and need me :)

Dear E: Twenty Three Weeks

Dear E -

Mommy is a slacker...

This week you:

Sat in a high chair at a restaurant for the first time
Swung in your new swing that Daddy got for you
Became a bit more mobile... scooting when Mommy wasn't looking
Took a bath in the big bath tub
Tried sweet potatoes... and LOVED them!

We were quite busy this week... busy enough to not leave Mommy any extra time to write to you... I promise to do better next week. At least I didn't completely forget like I did at twenty one weeks :)

Love,
Mommy

Dear E: Twenty Two Weeks

We had a relaxing week but quite a busy weekend. Momma stayed home with you Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week and Daddy stayed home with you on Friday. I think you had quite a fun time with us.

You started eating rice cereal as a celebration of your fifth month birthday on Wednesday. You are doing super well with it and Mommy is starting to keep it a little thicker than when we first started. I think you prefer the texure!

Friday night Mommy and Daddy went out for the first time together without you. We went to go see Joel McHale (the host of E!'s The Soup). It was quite fun. Than on Saturday we ran lots of errands and went to go visit Great Aunt Carol and Great Aunt Louise since they are going to be watching you on Fridays. We woke up early on Sunday to head out to your first Comic Con. You were so overwhelmed with everything that you barely napped all day. Than you passed out at home and took a 2 hour nap.

I think your favorite part of the whole weekend was just being out and about. You really like to be out doors too. You love people watching (and boy was there some good people watching this weekend!) and love new things!


Playtime!


Better yet... naked play time!



Who's behind me?


I'm just gonna lay here a while


Hey Ma! I like playing with doggies!


I wanna help!


No, Daddy has to do it

Dear E: Twenty One Weeks

Mommy completely forgot to write to you this week but it's ok... she posted the important stuff in their own posts... you're sitting up on your own!!! Love you baby :)

Dear E: Twenty Weeks

This week went by too fast little man! We had lots of fun :)

I forgot what we did on Tuesday... I know that I was

On Wednesday you had yet another fun day with Grandma Ann. Here's the note she left Mommy and Daddy to let them know how you did:

"Ethan's Day @ Grandma Ann's - July 8, 2009

A beautiful, happy, contented baby.... 4 bottles ... 3 diaper changes ... 2 morning naps in swing... 1 1/2 hour nap with Grandma ...

Play, play, play

Smile, smile, smile

Laugh, laugh, laugh

Interested in everything. Trying to figure how to pull his pacifier... clipped to his onesie... off his chest. Really concentrating on new clip [we bought a new pacifier clip for you, baby boy]

Grandma Ann loves you dear little one"

Thursday we went to the zoo with Christine and Addy. Afterwards we went to say goodbye to Janelle and Charlie (and pick up a bumbo! Thanks, Janelle :)) and than had lunch with Daddy at the Olive Garden. It was a busy day. You were so funny at the restaurant. You wanted to drink Daddy's iced tea sooo bad. So we let you.

Friday night we went to the 45th Anniversary party of 4 of our relatives including Aunty Ann and Uncle Freddy. It was also the 20th Anniversary of Cousin Christy and Auggie. You met Cousin Shannon for the first time and she brought her fiance, Jen. And you were held by almost everyone there :)



On Saturday we went to Mission Bay for the Navarro Family Reunion. We watched the kids and adults play games, we remembered those who are no longer with us, we ate yummy food (you even tried to grab Mommy's taco and got lots of guac all over the place) and we played volleyball :) All of the kids wanted to play with you but Riley wanted to play with you more than anyone! You were quite tired when we got home. You only took one real nap while we were there from 10am to 4pm and you crashed at 5pm. You didn't wake up until 7am the next morning!



Sunday we got to see Mommy's friend, Pilar. She came into town to visit so we had lunch at the Prado. It was quite nice. We got to chit chat a bit about what was going on in our lives and how each other had been. Mommy's friend, Amanda, brought her daughter, Daylin, too. You've already met Daylin though two weeks ago. She's getting big! You also met Mommy's friend, Jessica, for the first time. Aunty Tessa was there too (of course!). She's 23 weeks pregnant and is looking fabulous. Afterwards we took a nice stroll in Balboa Park and than came home to a house smelling of wonderful chocolate chip cookies! Daddy surprised us by whipping up a batch. He's always in search of the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.



Now you are sleeping in our bed. You look so peaceful. We've finally mastered the art of sleeping without swaddleing and I think you're loving the freedom. Well.. here's to another wonderful week with you little boy!

Dear E: Nineteen Weeks

We had quite a week this week. Tuesday was Mommy and Daddy's anniversary. In the morning you and I went to the zoo with Mommy's friends, Janelle and Amanda, and their babies. It was a HOT day and Mommy definitely left with a sunburn. But don't worry, little one, Mommy protected you and kept you covered the whole time :)

Later on that night Daddy and I took you with us to The Prado for dinner. You were amazing. You slept in your carseat until we got our salads and than you woke up and played with Daddy. We gave you a little taste of avocado and I think you liked it! When our entrees came we sat you in your carseat to play with your toys. After I was done (because I eat super fast lately... must be a mom thing) I grabbed you so we could play a bit together. The waitress brought us a complimentary vanilla flan (soooo yummy) and we let you share that with us too.

All in all it was a wonderful anniversary. I can't believe how two years has changed us so much... definitely for the better though (you might have a little to do with that, E!)

We had a great Thursday. We went to meet up with Mommy's friend, Amanda, and her baby Daylin. It was quite nice. And Mommy even had a margarita with her lunch :)

Saturday was the Fourth of July and we just hung around the house until it was time to go to Grandma Ann's. So relaxing :) We don't have many weekend days like that, do we little one? You slept through most of the fireworks Daddy and Uncle Jeremy set off but you did wake up to see a few at the end. I am not sure if you liked them or not.

Sunday we went to the beach with the dogs in Coronado. It was a nice lazy Sunday until an umbrella hit Mommy in the head when she was sitting down with you sleeping on her. You woke up crying because of the shock but Mommy and Daddy were scared that you might have gotten hit to. We checked you and you were fine but Mommy had a knot the size of a golf ball on the side of her head. We packed up and left after that.

Mommy laid down for a bit with you when we got home and we enjoyed what was left of our weekend. Hopefully next weekend ends a bit better :)


Tripoding! So close to sitting up on your own :)



You and Daddy love to cuddle in bed

Dear E: Fourteen Weeks Old

What a week! You are getting much more active. Grabbing everything, trying to turn over (and succeeding once!), babbling up a storm! You are so much fun to play with. This was your second week being home with Daddy and I think he is loving the time he's spending with you (even though work is giving him a crazy time with PFL stuff).

On my day off (Wednesday) we went to go visit Charlie and his mommy. We went to Starbucks to hang out on their couch. You and Charlie "played" a bit and than you decided to start eating Charlie's bib so us mommies broke you two up to feed you. And by the way... Daddy dressed you that day!



We spend a wonderfully lazy weekend together. You napped about 95% of the time. We think you were going through another growth spurt. So Daddy and I spend a majority of the day with you in bed. It was relaxing and fun :) We like those kind of weekends.

On Sunday afternoon we were relaxing in bed after you had gotten up from your latest nap and Daddy reminded me about Cousin Jason & Cousin Jacob's birthday party. Mommy completely forgot because we were so cozy and relaxed in bed! So I jumped up and ran around like crazy getting ready. Than I went and grabbed you, your Sophie and the wrap. We were on our way with time to spare. We spent about an hour chatting with Great Grandma and saying hi to the kids while they ran from the house to the bouncy and back.

All in all a great weekend! Now it's on to the next week...

Dear E: Thirteen Weeks Old

You are getting so much more playful, Mr. E! You love to look all around and are even starting to get interested in toys. You have been grabbing onto Sophie the Giraffe and sticking her in your mouth to chew on her. You are starting to pick out patterns and try to "grab" at them. You love looking at the safari pattern on your boppy and had a great time when we put your swim trunks on you :)



We put you in your ducky tub for a quick splash to cool off outside. You weren't too sure about it but didn't complain.



We went over to Auntie T's house this week to do make a super secret present for Daddy for Father's Day. You had fun talking up a storm with her and showing her how you laugh already. She couldn't believe it but she heard it for herself so she knows its true. You love to laugh and smile. It's only a little chuckle but we know you're laughing. You got to play with Isabelle for a little bit and she showed you a few of her toys and even sang you a song or two.



We're starting to notice that you have a hard time getting up in the morning. We unswaddle you when you start to struggle in the mornings and than you stretch for about 1/2 an hour and than start to wriggle around as if you're trying to fight waking up for as long as possible (usually another 1/2 an hour). Than you finally wake up and when you see Mommy or Daddy you smile so big! It's a wonderful thing to wake up to. Mommy and Daddy just want to stay in bed with you all morning and play :) (Sometimes we do!)


We play with Sophie (while Daddy tries to go back to sleep)


No such luck, Daddy! We'll attack you if you go back to sleep (with our drooly tongues!)


Mommy likes to talk and sing with you in bed while Daddy takes his shower

Mommy went back to work this week and it was really hard on me. I came home from lunch every day to nurse you and to put you down for your afternoon nap. Daddy did great though and is really enjoying this time he has with you. You go on walks, clean the house, make dinner and nap together. I'm sure he'll start to get more adventurous and take you out once or twice (besides the grocery store) while he's home with you.

Mommy has Wednesdays off so she gets a little break in the work week to spend with you. It makes it more bearable for her :) I'm sure you don't mind much. You have no problems taking a bottle (any way you get food is good with you!) and are an angel for Daddy.

I am sure you've grown at least an inch or two because you are looking huge! And you have had to gained at least 2 pounds because you are getting sooo heavy! Can't wait to take you back to the doctor to see how much you really have gained. You're also starting to get a bit more fuzz on your head. Not quite sure if we can call it hair yet :) It's coming in golden blonde just like when Mommy and Daddy were little. We wonder what it's going to turn to (if it turns at all). Your feet and hands are getting bigger. Having bigger hands makes it easier for you to grab things (including Mommy's hair!) and you like to kick things too (like Daddy's gut!). Oh the changes we're watching you go through. It's so fun to watch you grow! Love you, E!!

ETA: Forgot to mention (knock on wood) that you're actually starting to enjoy being in your carseat!!! No more crying for my little one :)

Dear E: Twelve Weeks

You are almost 3 months old, baby boy! You are getting so much more aware of your surroundings and love looking around at everything. You are getting more and more fascinated with the world around you. When you wake up in the morning you want to look around and make sure that Mommy and Daddy are there right by you then you give us a big grin as if to say, "Good Morning!"

You have become more aware of your fingers and your tongue. You like to suck on your fingers a lot and sometimes even pull out your pacifier to suck on your fingers instead. They must taste really good :) And Mommy has been making funny faces at you all week to see what you would do and guess what? You started sticking your tongue out (see picture above for the pre-tongue pose)! YUP! Daddy wasn't too impressed and refuses to stick his tongue out at you (especially in church when you really wanted to do it) but I love it. You even woke up from a nap yesterday and when Daddy went to go pick you up you looked at him, smiled and than stuck your tongue out at him! Ha! Love it!

This past week was the last week I had on maternity leave and I have to start work tomorrow :( I am sooo sad about leaving you but Daddy is going to watch you for four weeks so you guys will have some time to bond. I'm sure you'll do great with him. It is surely harder on me than it will be on you.

We had breakfast with Auntie J and Charlie, ran some errands but mostly stayed home and enjoyed each other. You now take most of your naps in bed with almost no help from me and you also go to sleep at night easily. You still wake up 2-3 times a night (although last week you gave me two nights of waking up only once) but Mommy doesn't mind since you're so peaceful when you wake up. No crying for you!

This weekend we went to Grandma Ann's parish festival and hung out with the aunts at their booth, Clara's Lollipop Garden (a tribute to your great grandma). It was fun to see all of the aunts and to help them a bit with the booth. Today after church we headed over to Einstein's Bagels for breakfast and you fell fast asleep in the car (!), something you never do. You're getting more and more tolerable of car rides now that you can look out the window and keep yourself occupied.



I have loved every moment I've spent with you these last 12 weeks and will truely miss the time I have had with you. I wish I could stay with you 24-7 and not have to leave you with anyone else. You are the happiest baby I know and I love you!

Dear E: Eleven Weeks

I cannot believe that we are already here. This next week coming up will be the last week I will be home with you full time and I don't know how I'm going to leave you. Your changing so much every day and I can't imagine not being able to see all of the changes you're going through.



You are so much more aware of where you are and what's around you. You always follow me and Daddy around when we're walking around the house. You like to sit in your bouncer and watch me clean the kitchen and cook/bake. You always have a smile for me when I need it... Especially when we're changing you :) I told Daddy this week that we need to start doing naked time because you love when we take your diaper off. Who doesn't?

I'm thinking about blowing up your ducky tub and filling it with water this next week so you can play in the water while it's warm out. I can't wait to take you "swimming" in your Great Aunt Carol's spool. I just know you'll love it... you're my kid! You gotta love water, right?

We went to go visit your friend Addy this week. We went to Alpine and walked around Viejas Outlet Mall with Addy and her mommy, C. Addison was born on the same day you were only in the afternoon. Is'nt that crazy? Mommy has lots of friends who are having babies. She has two friends who already had their babies and three friends who are pregnant right now.

On Saturday Mommy had her friends over for a baby shower for A. Her little one is due next month and I'm sure you'll get some play time together. The shower was quite fun and everyone loved having you there. You were in such a good mood! You definitely are working at becoming a ladies man ;)



You've had a big accomplishment this week. You are finally sleeping on your own in the bed!! Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. I just lay with you and soothe you a bit, than I give you the pacifier and lay with you till you're asleep. I sneak out of the room and come and hang out with Daddy in the living room and you stay asleep :) You even slept for 5 1/2 hours last night for me. I thought it was a great Mother's Day gift.

Speaking of gifts, that's not the only thing you and Daddy got me. You also got me a gift certificate for my favorite spa, Avia. Now I can go get the massage I've been needing/wanting! You, Daddy and the dogs each got me a card and Daddy even made breakfast. We had waffles, hashbrowns and bacon (of course). He even made me some tea.



Than Daddy prepared dinner in the crock pot for Grandma and Grandpa S & Uncle Andrew. He made a crock pot roast with root beer to soak it in along with potatoes and carrots. YUM! Mommy made some rolls and a good salad to go with Daddy's great meal. Everyone enjoyed it and afterwards we ate the apple crisp that Daddy made. He's quite the cook lately. We're going to have to teach you how to cook/bake too.

This next week we're going to work on getting better at napping in bed instead of your swing and in Mommy's arms (even though I love when you sleep in my arms!). We're also going to try and stay home most of the time so that you're routine is ready for when Daddy takes over. I am sure you two will have a great time together. I can't believe you're so close to being three months already! I love you!!

Dear E: Ten WeeksOld

You are changing every day. They tell you that. All the books say how fast babies develop but you never quite get the speed at which you develop.

Every chance you get you make bubbles. It's so cute to look over and see a mouth full of bubbles. You're starting to suck on more than just a pacifier. Whenever you're with Daddy you want to suck on his knuckles, shoulder, sleeve, etc. You even started to suck on your car seat strap.

We took our first trip to the beach today. It was fun but windy. And you still aren't too sure about the wind. Daddy was smart enough to bring the chairs and umbrella for us although he had to hold the umbrella so it wouldn't blow over. The dogs loved it! (We went to Coronado Dog Beach... of course) They hadn't been there since before you were born and they missed playing with the other dogs (Jetta) and in the water (Scout). I think this will be a nice thing to do with you this summer. Daddy isn't too keen on putting you down in the sand at Dog Beach so he said that we'd have to take you to the people side to play in the sand. I told him that it wouldn't be as fun if you couldn't play over with the dogs :) The ocean cleans the sand, right? And there's baths after the beach, right?

You are definitely getting more and more interested in the world around you. You're turning your head more. You want to look at everything. When we hold you close while walking anywhere you fuss and squirm until we face you the other way to look forward. You turn to Daddy in the morning when he talks to you and you try to find me when I'm cooking or cleaning and Daddy's holding you. I think you're starting to be able to see farther distances.

Mommy's starting to get a bit sad. You're 10 weeks old. That means Mommy only has 2 more weeks of Maternity Leave before she has to go back to work. It's going to be really hard but she's happy that Daddy get's to spend a whole month with you! You guys are going to have such fun. Remember to save some of those developments for Mommy to see, ok?


Jetta


Scout... doing what dogs do at Dog Beach


E & Daddy


E & Mommy

Dear E: Nine Weeks

We had soo much fun this week! It was a busy one. And hopefully the last busy one for a while.



Cousin Aaron and Grandma A came over and visited one day. We got a few good pictures of you and them together. Your grandma brought Mommy lunch since Mommy wasn't able to meet her earlier that day since you were still napping. After that Daddy took you for your daily walk around the neighborhood. It was so sunny you got to use your hat for the first time!



Mommy's friend, Amanda, got married this weekend and Mommy was in the wedding. We went to her dress rehearsal on Thursday and got our nails done Friday morning.



You and Daddy dropped me off at the hotel she was getting ready at on Saturday and you guys spent some time together. We went to the wedding and you did great the whole time! No crying from my baby :) You and Daddy played for a while until I could join you.

We went to the rehearsal and you stayed happy for a while but I knew you were getting sleepy. I put you in the sling to try and get you to sleep since you hadn't napped well all day. We went to go get food and you started to fuss. By the time we got back to the table you were ready to eat! So we all ate together. After you and I were done I put you back in the sling and went outside to walk around and get you to sleep. You fussed and cried a bit but I was persistent and kept giving you the pacifier and finally you fell asleep.

You slept the rest of the night... through the loud music and Mommy dancing (I think this helped you stay asleep) and through the transition into the car seat. You woke up when we got home. I nursed you while Daddy got our stuff in the car for Disneyland. When you were done we got you in the car seat again and were off to Anaheim.

You fussed a bit and cried a bit but finally fell asleep and stayed asleep all the way up to the hotel. You slept through check in, through going to the room and through me moving you into the bed for the night. You slept soo well! You didn't even get up to eat until 1:30am!! You than got up once more at 4:30 and than slept in until 7am.

(sleeping in the bed at the hotel)

We met up with Grandpa & Grandma N and took off for Disneyland. We ate some breakfast and than headed out to ride the rides. You only rode one ride that day... Astro Blasters! We met up with Aunt B & Uncle CJ. We stayed at the park until a little after 1pm and than headed home. You fell asleep for a bit but woke up right outside of Oceanside. You started to cry and I couldn't console you so we pulled over at the Carlsbad Outlet Mall. It took forever to find a parking space but we finally did. With a diaper change, nursing and walking around the mall for a while we were ready to go home!

By the time we got home Mommy, Daddy and you were exhausted! You fell asleep shortly after eating and didn't wake up until 7pm. We changed you into your PJs and than you fell asleep again. What a weekend!


Grandpa S & Aunt B (the birthday girl)


Grandma C


Mommy and E


Austyn & Uncle CJ


Grandpa S & Aunt Carly


Brendan and his light saber


Grandpa S and Brendan


Austyn drinking his juice box