Holidays

We celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas a little early due to all our upcoming travel. We got you 8 presents for Hanukkah including balls and musical toys of every shape. Of course you were a big fan of all the wrapping paper.

8 months

Time is flying by. Still no teeth and you still don't crawl despite trying real hard. You find your own way to move by kicking your feet up and over. It's not very controlled and you don't go far except in circles, but it works. We've stayed busy the past month with spouse club, Gymboree, boot camp, and lots of time with friends. You continue to try new foods all the time like spinach this week. You aren't a big fan of green vegetables unless pickles count. You still love sweet potatoes and yogurt a lot. You are also a big fan of meatballs and pasta too. We are very lucky that you are still a great sleep. You go to bed around 6 and most nights don't make a peep till 5. You got pink eye a few weeks ago, but if that's the biggest sickness in months I will consider us lucky. You hated the eye drops, but it went away really fast.

Vegas

For Thanksgiving we decided to go away on a small vacation instead of just staying home. We rode the gondola ride at the Venetian. You loved listening to the songs and the boat rocking put you right to sleep. You ate everything like a bagel, croissant, hummus, pickle, french fries, and green beans. You enjoyed watching all the fountains in front of every hotel. The dolphins at our hotel were fun to see up close. Two nights you went to a day care so we could go out to dinner and a show. You loved it so much that when we picked you up many hours past your bedtime and there you were jumping away in the jumperoo.

Play date

Yesterday we had a play date with the neighbor Allie and boy was it cute. You didn't learn to crawl even after watching her. But you both got in plenty of pulling on faces along with hand holding. It was a great way to see what toys you liked to ask Santa for.

Walking

RJ has a blast walking in circles with the activity table in the kitchen while I washed bottles. It's been a fav toy around here for a few months, but this was the first time not on the carpet so he could really cruise.

Halloween

Better late then never, I realized I never did a Halloween post. You had your first cold and went to bed early, but didn't stay asleep very long.  You were up and happy by the time the trick or treaters came so out came the lion costume. I bought it last year before you were even born so luckily it fit. You had a blast smiling at all the trick or treaters. You even tried to grab the candy in the bowl a few times, but mommy was quicker.

Jumperoo

The Jumperoo has been the hit toy around here for some time and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. He loves to jump up and down like crazy and spin around grabbing for the bird.

7 months

Hard to believe how much time has passed. This past month you learned to sit up and boy do you love it. You haven't quite mastered crawling, but you are trying hard. Somehow you still have no teeth, but it hasn't stopped you from eating everything that comes near you. A few recent favs Olive Garden bread stick and yogurt. You still love bananas, sweet potatoes, and graham crackers the best. You don't love peas. You are starting to eat a lot more real foods like scrambled eggs and french toast. You had your first cold this month, but it didn't slow you down and I was so happy it didn't change your awesome sleep. As for day light savings time wish I could say the same. Hopefully we will move past the 5 AM wake up soon. Music class ended this month, but don't worry because we are staying busy and will try Gymboree next.

Here you are sitting up for our holiday card shoot

Sitting up

You are growing up so fast and now you can sit up all by yourself for a long time or until something interests you to grab for.

Squeaky voice

Disney Land

After spending a fun week in California with Daddy we took a long drive to Disney Land. You had tons of fun meeting Mickey. You enjoyed the Carousel and the Tiki room the best. You danced all around to the music in the Tiki room. Dumbo was a big hit too. Only 2 more months till you get to see Mickey again.

6 months

You turned 6 months at Sea World, what a great half birthday surrounded by people who love you. You are such a happy guy and we are so thankful for that. You discovered a new squeaky voice recently and it's very cute. You also laugh at just about any funny look or voice. You love every food you tried so far including apples, bananas, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, and squash. You love to hold on to fingers and pull yourself up to stand. You weigh 17.9 pounds and are 27 inches tall.

Sea World

The next day we all went to Sea World. You enjoyed watching the polar bears swim by the glass the best. You also had a great time playing with Mommy when Gammie swam with the dolphins. You slept thru a few shows like the dolphins, but stayed awake to watch the whale show from Gammie's lap. After that we had a really fun dinner next to the whales.

San Diego Zoo

Gammie came to visit us for a few days and flew to San Diego with us. We met Pop and Daddy there. You were happy to see everyone again and were full of laughs. The next day we had a fun filled trip to the zoo. You enjoyed the bus tour the best and of course playing with Gammie and Pop too. After the zoo we went to see an aircraft carrier. While Daddy and Pop weren't looking Gammie bought you a military jacket so you can match Daddy and Pop.

Nana comes to visit

We are having a great visit with Nana. She likes making you laugh with silly voices. She has likes to sing and read to you. You can see the big smiles and laughs in this picture the best.

Nana even got to come with us to music class and she is a pro and knows all the songs. She did all your laundry multiple times because you will soon learn laundry is one of her favorite things. She got to see you try a few new foods like green beans, carrots, and who could forget pancake.

Laughing

5 months

Wow time is flying and you are getting so big. You are starting to want to sit up by your self, but still a bit unsteady for more then a minute. A few times I've put you on the play mat only to come back and find you in a different spot. We started a music class this month and you really enjoy singing and dancing with all your friends. We also started a workout class this month, where you love to laugh and play on your tummy while mommy works hard. We found a babysitter this month too and you enjoy her company so much that you were asleep when I left and back to sleep when I got home, boy playing takes a lot out of you.

Kate Visit

While daddy is away in California he arranged for us to have fun with visitors. Our first visitor was my college room mate Kate. We had so much with her singing and dancing to Taylor Swift. We also went to the state fair and saw all sorts of animals. She had a lot of fun making silly faces at you. She got a big kick out of how messy you looked eating. She also enjoyed bath time and making you look silly there too.

Yum

You now eat sweet potatoes, apple sauce, banannas, and peaches. I haven't found anything you don't like yet. Most of it still ends up a big mess on you. So far I've been able to make it myself and freeze it in ice cube trays.

Talking

Elephant Butte Lake

We went to Elephant Butte Lake yesterday and had a blast. You were very well behaved for the 2 hour car ride there. You napped for the first half and then got up to eat and tell us lots of stories. After we got there we walked on the beach and even stuck our toes in the water. Soon after that we met up with our friends Gaby and Josh. They were so excited to see you since last time they saw you, you were a tiny baby. We rented a boat and had a fun day on the lake lounging, swimming, and even a little snoozing. The car ride home you took another nap before requesting mommy come sit with you in the backseat and play. We sang songs and danced. You were also trying hard to find your feet after Gaby showed you where they were.

Skype

Tonight we skyped with Gammie and Pop. You enjoy sitting in your bumbo and showing off your skills of laughing, talking, and chewing on your blanket. Then you moved to the floor to show off your strong neck muscles during tummy time. This is also when you showed off how much you drool. Gammie enjoys checking out your chunky monkey legs and piggy toes. She also likes to tell you how big you got and how much she misses you.

Zoo

We have been to the zoo many times and this time we went ahead and got the annual membership so there will be many more trips in the future. This is the first trip that you were actually awake the entire time. Daddy enjoyed getting pictures of you with the animals.

Rice Cereal

Today you tried rice cereal for the first time. It went well for a first try. You liked it enough, but most of it ended up on your face and the bib. I bet it will get even better as you get used to it.

4 months

A lot has changed in the past few weeks. You now sleep all night 10 to 11 hours a night. You transitioned from a bassinet to your crib. You don't cry in the bath anymore. Your talking quite a bit more. Your fav toys are ones that sing songs and light up. You love to eat anything that comes near you this includes clothes and burp cloths. We switched to cloth diapers and it's working out great. We can't wait to try rice cereal and see how much you love it.

At the doctor today you weighed 14.10 pounds, which is the 50th percentile. You got even taller and are up to 25 inches, which is also the 50th percentile.

Flying home

We were lucky enough to have Auntie Sam fly home with us since it's a big project to get thru the airport with 2 dogs and you. Plus all the baggage too. We had a layover in Chicago so Aunt Stephie came for a quick visit and got to hold you and even feed you.

3 months

Here I am at 3 months old. Much more alert then ever before. Sleep has settled into a routine of going to bed around 8 and waking up around 4 for a quick feed before waking for good somewhere between 6 and 7. You love your bottles and eat 6 ounces every 3 hours. You love the rainforest bouncy chair the best.

Rolling over

This week RJ learned how to roll from belly to back. He does it all the time now and I even got lucky enough to catch it on video.

Who could forget...

Who could forget meeting "Auntie" Ellen and her family. Ellen rushed over from her vacation to meet you. She had been talking about you so much to her family that they kept reminding her that it wasn't her grandson. She got to hold you and feed you too. Of course she came bearing very cute gifts a bear that has all sorts of fun things on it. The fire engine measuring stick will be a great memory for years to come.

 "Uncle" Ben, but not the rice one held you too.

Meeting Lily

Yesterday you got to meet Lily. She was born a few days ago to our dear friends Steve and Carrie. It was amazing to think back to when you were that small. And they enjoyed looking ahead to what Lily would be doing a few months from now.

 You enjoyed smiling away at Steve, who made lots of faces in your direction. It was also really cute to see you looking at Lily with huge eyes in awe. I'm sure by our next visit in December you two will be ready to play together.

New York Trip

We had a great time at Great Aunt Simi's house in upstate New York. You slept for most of the drive there and back, which we were all thankful for. Then you got to meet Aunt Simi and Uncle David, who were both very excited to meet you.

After a swim with Nana and a few naps later your great grandparents got to meet you before bed time.

 Everyone held you over the course of the weekend and Simi even fed you. Everyone loved to make funny noises at you making you smile and laugh.

Boston trip

We had a great plane ride to Boston last week. RJ didn't make a sound the whole day just ate and slept as if we were home. We were very thankful and I'm sure so was the rest of the passengers.

Our first week here has been great. Everyone enjoyed meeting RJ and spending tons of time with him. The first few nights adjusting to the time change were rough, but we all survived. Big cousin Hailey couldn't be happier to kiss and love on RJ. Cousin Emma is loving being a helper and bringing over bottles and binkies. Gammie is enjoying doing bath and bedtime routines.

2 months

We went for your 2 month check up and you weigh 10.13 pounds and 23 inches long. That means 25% for weight and 50% for height.

Yesterday we went to our first play group which of couse you slept thru. Today at a different group you were awake and even hung out next to a baby a month older.

Smile

Last week you learned how to smile and know you do it everyday multiple times in a row. Sometimes it's about nothing like looking at a picture on the wall. But other times it's about silly faces and voices that I make at you.

Nana's Visit

We had a great visit with Nana. We did all sorts of fun things like the outdoor flea market. We had some nice meals out like Olive Garden and PF Changs. But of course like usual you slept thru it all. We even checked out a possible swim lesson location. But one of the best parts was date night for mommy and daddy, while you stayed home to watch the Red Soxs with Nana.

Mother's Day Weekend

Saturday we went for a nice walk at the zoo. Daddy has been asking every weekend to take you to the zoo and it was finally a nice day for it. I don't know why he was in such a rush to take you since you didn't even open your eyes the whole time we were there.

Sunday for Mother's day you sent flowers and a card. Plus daddy got to hang out with you while mommy caught up on sleep. We've been really lucky in the sleep department and get multiple 3-4 hour stretches each night, but broken up sleep isn't the most restful.

Monday was your one month birthday. Hard to beleive a whole month has already gone by. It seems like a lot longer, but also like it was just yesterday at the same time.

Play mat

The new toy of the week is the play mat. You play on it by yourself after a feeding for up to half an hour, which means free time for mommy to do fun things like laundry.

2 week Doctor visit

Thursday the 14th at the first doctor visit you weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces.

Today Friday the 22nd at the two week visit you weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces so back up to your birth weight.

Today also consisted of a blood test, but not to worry since you slept thru the whole thing.

Were very lucky to have grandpa with us this week, which is a huge help even more so last night when you didn't want to be put down till 3 AM.

First week

We have been very lucky to have my mother in law visiting with us this week. She has been a huge help to say the least. The first morning she was here she had already vacuumed the house and cleaned the kitchen. The laundry all got done in record speeds.

The next day she drove us to the doctor, which went very well. The doctor is running the Boston marathon this week, which seemed like a small world. I also liked that she was okay with formula feeding made with tap water and even did that for her own children. We go back next week for a weight check.

She has also helped us to get RJ on a better sleep and eat schedule. RJ has been doing great with the eating and sleeping schedule. He's been eating every few hours and sleeping between. We have been very lucky that he only cries when he hes having his diaper changed.