Seven (and half) Months

I just read on the Brandt blog that per Team Parsons sleep improves at 8 months... yet another wonderful thing to look forward to.

Leo has what we like to call a sleep cycle. A week of wonderful sleep followed by a week of waking up every 2.5 hours. He generally goes to bed about 8:30. We have a really nice bedtime routine and he is off to dreamland pretty easily most nights. On a good week I won't hear a peep until 2:00am, then a feeding and it's sleep time until 6:30 or 7:00am.

Currently we are in the "Wake cycle." When this happens he goes down at 8:30 wakes at 10:30 or 11:00, back to sleep then wakes at 1:30, "nighty-nighty's" off to sleep and wakes at 3:00 happy and social ready to tell me about his dreams.... so after some serious "sleep time looks" and rocking from Mom he dozes off to dreamland until 6:00 or 7:00am. Whoa, you can count the sleep hours there my friends and understand that we are some tired peeps!

Leo also has a pretty stuffy nose, and does not like when I use the aspirator to give him relief. At first he didn't mind, then he thought it was a funny game (literally giggling) of keep my nose from Mommy. But now, I think he'd rather struggle through the snot :)

I'm not sure if he's getting another tooth, having a growth spurt, dealing with acid reflux (which was a popular theory because when he wakes you can distinctly tell he is uncomfortable - back arching, leg flopping, whimpering), or if it's a cold. But we are lovingly working through it! Kevin and I usually tag-team these nights so that not just one of us takes the brunt of it alone.

AND I hope that B. Parson's 8 month prediction holds true for us too!

Now fun kid-bits:

Leo has a great laugh. He laughs at Pixie, laughs at Mom, laughs at Dad, laughs at himself. He is a happy boy.

Leo loves to shove his left hand so far into his mouth that he gags - repeatedly... never gets a clue.

Leo gives g-r-e-a-t hugs. Serious lean into you hugs! And if your lucky he'll open his mouth on your cheek, chin, or jawbone to share a "kiss." If you're unlucky he'll open his mouth on your chin, cheek or jawbone and bites down with his two teeth. Ouch!

Some of Leo's favorite toys are Pixie's toys, and vice-versa. Seriously sometimes I can't tell the difference with the way they makes things.

Leo is in awe of Honda bear... if she comes and stands next to him he coo's and stares at her.

Baby Einstein music makes Leo freeze like a statue. He can be laughing, jabbering and bouncing in his seat and when Kevin turns on the music - freezes like a statue!

With the exception of zucchini, Leo does not like green vegetables (so far).

Soon our little Leo will be crawling... he has the pseudo-scoot down, and the roll-along. It's only a matter of time.

Even sleep deprived I love being Leo's Mom. When I wake in the morning, for the last time, and see his smiling face, listen to his enthusiastic jabbers and squeals, and feel one of his hugs -it is all worth it. I'm also happy to be Kevin's wife. On nights when he sleeps through his "shifts" he is always so thoughtful to help make the waking hours easier for me - making coffee, doing laundry, cleaning the house. And on the nights where we share duties, I get to sleep more :)

Cheers!

Snowshoeing

Kev and I had decided that we needed to get out for some family fun and enjoy some snowshoeing before all the snow was gone. As luck would have it, Sunday there was fresh snow and it continued to fall well into the afternoon. We collected our gear, loaded ourselves up and towards Bogus we went. There is a trail before you get to Bogus that you can pull over off the road and snow shoe for free. Sometime the area to park is full and you find yourself too slow and off to the Nordic Center you go, we however were able to park and had a wonderful trek.

Here we are at the trail head, Kev has Leo strapped in for the ride. (note the piece of trash... we snag that and brought it home. Some people)

Ever the Ham.. here is Kev being goofy :)

We struggled to keep Leo's hat over his ears yet not covering his eyes. Every few stops I had to readjust to keep him warm.

Seriously adorable....
The snowflakes were amazing! You could actually see the detail in the crystal formations....

We managed a family portrait. One with shades and without!

Fun Moments

As a continually sleep deprived Mom I am focusing my thoughts on the fun waking moments rather than my want for sweet slumber! Leo has been sitting up and developing his core muscles. Kevin likes to prop him up on the couch and snap cute pictures of him... here's an excellent example.

Leo also has really got the hang of this rolling back and forth as a mode of transportation. He is able to entertain himself by rolling around the living room floor and collecting various toys, shaking them, talking to them, and then discarding them for something else that catches his eye just an arms length away.

He is really working up to chasing Pixie and Honda one day. I can see this mischievous idea taking shape in his big blue eyes. But for now he'll settle for fetch with Pixie and what I call Big Love for Honda. Big Love entails rolling over to Honda, grabbing two fist fulls of fluffy fur, and pulling while squealing with delight. Our gentle Honda Bear just calmly sits there panting... occasionally she'll throw a glance over her shoulder as if to say, "Hey, loosen that grip Kidd-o."

Here's a photo of Leo's first round of fetch with Pixie. Notice the motion of Leo's right hand and the intensity of Pixie's gaze... hilarious!

Another special time I enjoy with Leo is reading books. We don't have too many so I made a trip to the bookstore this week and collected a few. Leo really liked the "How you make a Rainbow" book... could be that he's teething and loves anything that goes into his mouth too. When we read to Leo he gets so excited, he pats then pounds the books with his palms. He'll get very animated and start kicking his feet too. I love his joy! In addition to the rainbow book we read two of my favorite Dr. Seuss books - Go Dog Go!!!! (of course) and Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?


The End.

6 months!

Leo had his 6 month checkup... he is a happy healthy little man who weighs in at 18lbs 10oz and 27 inches long. He is getting both of his bottom front teeth, one has cut through and the other is almost there.

Rolling is Leo's latest mode of transportation... see that ball over there, roll to it, pick it up, shake-shake-shake it! Oh, look Pixie is over there... roll, roll, roll, squeal with delight - Pixie walks away - another squeal!! Leo loves Pixie, she makes him laugh, smile, and her least favorite - the high pitch squeal.

He is also very good at pushups. Pretty impresive how he holds himself up, takes in the world around him, does a little superman actions with rapid arm and leg movements. Kevin and I think he will crawl soon, and faster than the speed of light!

Leo is sitting up on his own, he's a bit wobbly so he needs spotting. He gets very excited and makes loud vocalizations, he'll tell you a gibber-jab story if you listen, and he has the brightest big smile that I guarantee will melt your heart.

Monday... Mondays

On Mondays I get to stay home with Leo! I love Mondays :) One of the things we do is visit the Brandt Girls - Kristin, Emily & Claire. It is such a treat, Leo usually gets time with Claire's on her activity mat, Emily plays with the bugs that are on Leo's car seat handle, and Kristin and I get to catch up - oh, and I get good advice from an experienced Mom! Fun for everyone. Some days we even walk down and get coffee from Locavore... Dawson Taylor coffee... yum. Oh and the egg baguette sandwich! Here are a few pics from a recent Monday.

Emily, Leo, and Claire all playing on the mat!

Leo telling Claire that he too has a parrot that looks like this one... and asking her this one's name.

Silly Em's getting some tickles from Mom.

Christmas City #2

The Christmas Tale continues...

We caravaned to Twin with my Brother leading the way - well most of the drive, Kevin pulled into the lead position just about Wendell after a good effort of extra "paddling" on Drew's part (had to be there, but let's just say adults play pretend games too and it's still funny!).

My parents house was full of Christmas cheer, lots of lights for Leo to stare at and decorations to catch his attention. My Mom (Grandma Emmie, Mary, and Papa Steve) were excited to see Leo and how much he's grown just since Thanksgiving. We spent Christmas Eve with Lisa and Chloe,

Kevin, Drew, and Mom made dinner....
then we watched Chloe sing Christmas music from her school program and opening her gifts. She was very excited to hold Leo, and pulled her Mom (Lisa) aside to tell her that Leo sitting next to her on the couch did not count as holding him, he needed to be on her lap. Hilarious :) So we arranged for a photo opp. in front of the tree. (That's Pixie sneaking into the photo)

I love this photo...

Kevin invited my family to play our new found card game - "Hand & Foot" - two and a half hours later I think all would say they had a good time. I was the lowest scoring player... seriously pathetic showing on my part, even for a self admitted horrible card player. But I enjoyed the banter and conversation we all shared.

Look at this cute shirt that Uncle Drew gave Leo for Christmas..

Little family photo...
Christmas morning after Leo woke up (ok and me too, Mom sleeps in as long as Leo does... maybe because Mom wakes up during the night when Leo does. I'm just sayin') and we opened presents. Here are a couple PJ (pajama) pics..

And all the pups had a good time too... Here's Honda napping on the kitchen floor, and Jezebel just wishing she was allowed to step into the kitchen.
Lucy and Izzy in front of the Christmas tree.

Sunday we headed back to Boise. Leo and I are fighting runny noses and sinus congestion. We are settling in and enjoying this last week of 2010 together.

As I looked at photos from this time last year, and the tiny bump in my tummy as I closed out the first trimester of my pregnancy I am overcome with gratitude. I love our baby - Leo, my husband, and our beautiful, loving families. I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed.

A Tale of Two Christmas-s

Our first Christmas involved a trip to Florida to spend some quality time with Kevin's family. Leo was a champ on the flights. I strapped him in the Moby carrier and we cruised through the airport. Leo took his morning nap on Mom on our way to Denver and then played and napped on the way to Tampa. Kevin's Mom (Grandma JoAnn, or RaRa, & Grandpa Jo, or Papa Jo) were waiting for us with smiles. The most difficult part of the travel for Leo was sitting in his car seat on the way to Venice Florida. But he worked through it, as we all did, and we enjoyed our first sushi dinner of the trip.

Here is a photo of Leo and RaRa in a cute Christmas outfit.
and Papa Joe... who totally had the secret bounce rythmn that would put Leo into a peaceful sleep when needed.

Leo and I took a walk one day to help him take a nap... Kevin snapped this photo on our way back to the house.
Oddly the weather in Florida was nearly as cold as Boise when we landed but warmed nicely into the low 70's. We ate sushi everyday - much to Kevin's delight - enjoyed some delicious Italian food - much to my delight - and played "Hand & Foot" with Kevin's grandma Irene, then later with Ryan and Melanie (Kevin's brother and wife). This is a card game, it involves risk, strategy, and the ability to add (which under pressure I learned requires me to peel off my socks and use my toes.... pathetic, I must invest in flash cards!)

This was the first time Ryan and Mel got to see Leo. We've been showing Leo pictures and telling him all about them... so I think he recognized them both. Smart kid :) Here's a pic of Melanie holding Leo after he's been swaddled, she wasn't so sure he liked it... thought it seemed a bit confining - I agree but Leo still seems to find it soothing.

Melanie also introduce Leo to Pooh... not sure if he is whispering to Pooh about how pretty his Aunt is, or giving him a slobbery kiss, or both! I think both.


Kevin, Ryan and Leo hanging on the couch...

Fresh fish, fresh air, and family fun. It was a great trip! Here is a pick of a delicious fish dinner JoAnn made... so good.

Kevin introduced Ryan and JoAnn to the game Angry Birds... it's a Smartphone App.... fun for some but Melanie and I are not fans...

All 3 playing the game - caught in the act... they didn't feel guilty tho!

It was a great trip. We had a few days to recoup before heading to our next Christmas destination.