Up North!

Rowan, Kyle and I enjoyed another fun weekend up north! We went swimming once and we even took Rowan on a boat ride. Unfortunately, he didn't enjoy his life jacket (understatement) so the boat ride was pretty short. Rowan slept really well at the cabin (so did Kyle and I since my mom played with Rowan early in the morning and let us sleep in). We came back feeling quite refreshed!

Eight Months!

My little baby is growing up! We celebrated Rowan's eight-month birthday on the 12th. The seventh month brought many large-motor skills, and the eight month brough many small-motor skills. Rowan is waving and clapping (he even claps when you just say the word clap!). On the large-motor front, Rowan has stood on his own for brief periods, usually when he's too distracted to realize he's not holding on to something. Everyone tells us that walking is just around the corner, but he's such a fast crawler I wonder if he's motivated enough to walk yet.

Rowan likes picking up little bits of food with his fingers. Mushy foods are no longer appealing to little Ro (not that he ever found them very appealing). He'll take some food from us, but he mostly likes table foods that he can feed himself. At the cabin, he liked eating tiny bits of chicken, carrots and green beans. O-cereal is a big favorite too. Although he's learning a lot about eating solids, he still gets the vast majority of his calories from nursing.

Rowan is still a very social little baby who loves to laugh. He's a pretty good dancer, too! I'll sing "dance, dance, dance...dance, dancey dance" and he'll start wiggling his little tushy and shaking his head! So fun to see that he's connecting words like clap and dance with the things that he's doing! He really is listening (pretty soon we'll really have to watch what we say;).

I brought Rowan in for a quick doctor's visit just before he turned eight months (he had a little irritated skin under his eye), and he weighed 17 pounds, 8 ounces. I forget the length measurement, but he's still long and still lean (although his belly is actually pudging the tiniest bit lately).

He's an amazing little baby boy, and we can't wait to witness what he'll learn over the next month. So fun to see the world through a baby's eyes!

Budding Actor

Rowan shows off his acting abilities by portraying three different emotions.

Weary: please help...got lost in the desert...been crawling for days...need milk...

Scared: No NO! Not a bottle! I thought I gave up on those months ago!! (tee hee)

Suave: That's right baby, I can drink my water from a cup. Check me out!

I Love My Teething Biscuit!

Oooooh, I just love my organic barley teething biscuits! Mom calls them "cookies," but I know better.

They taste best when I smear them in my hands and all over my face. It releases all of the yummy goodness!

I might look sweet, but don't mess with my biscuit!

Our Little Puppy

Before Rowan was born, our midwife asked Kyle if he was hoping for a boy or a girl. He replied matter-of-factly, "I'm hoping for a puppy." Well, we've discovered that a baby is actually a lot like a puppy (but much more fun, we think)! Rowan loves carrying his little shoes in his mouth. He starts panting when he crawls really fast. And, he gets really excited when Kyle comes home from work! He's learned some fun tricks too, like clapping, waving and shaking his head when we say "no way!" Hmmmm...maybe we should teach him to do his business in the yard. ;-)

Rowan and Great Grandma Alice

Rowan saw Great Grandma Alice and Great Grandpa Obert at Kyle's cousin Justin's graduation on Sunday. Rowan had a fun time crawling around Brian and Jenny's new house (lots of space!).

Lookin' Too Grown Up

Rowan's abundance of hair and lack of baby fat make him look so much more like a toddler than a baby. He's still just a little baby to us, though!

Rowan and Great Grandma Adeline

Rowan saw Great Grandma Adeline on Wednesday, when my parents hosted a little dinner for June and Gordy. Rowan showed Grandma how he can clap (new this week!), dance and wave. Grandma kept asking Rowan, "So what do you think of all of us old old people?" She's a hoot!

Cute Boy, Cute Chair

Rowan, Kyle and I visited Grandma Connie and Grandpa Kevin on Saturday. Rowan had fun sitting in this little chair that Auntie Courtney painted (isn't it cute!). Oh, and we think Rowan is pretty cute, too!

Fun at the Park!

There's a really nice park near us with a swimming beach, hiking trails and a new nature center with children's activities! We just checked it out a little on Friday, but we plan to come back throughout the summer. So fun to have a cool place like that so near us!

Our little family on the beach (get some sandals, Kyle!).

Rowan and mama on the dock.

Daddy giving the sunfish something to nibble on!

Rowan standing in the water.

Snuggle Buddies

Um, Dad...I love to snuggle with you, but shouldn't I get a little more room on the chair?

At the Cabin

Rowan, Kyle and I had a wonderful time at the cabin over Memorial weekend! It seems like Rowan always learns new things when he's exposed to new people and places. He now waves, especially when he sees Grandma Michelle (she got his first real wave)! We took pictures, but they're on Heidi's camera (remember to send them to me, Heidi!).

While we were at the cabin, Rowan also started working hard on his top four front teeth (he was there when he started working on his bottom teeth, too!). They're really bulging, but they haven't broken through yet. He's been a little fussy and super drooly lately.

Grandpa Rob took Rowan on his first swim in the lake. He seemed to enjoy it, but he was a little too engrossed in the experience to give us a smile. We're going up the fourth weekend in June, too, so we'll try again then, weather permitting.

Overall, we had a fabulous time. Kyle went golfing a few times with the guys and I went shopping with the ladies. We all enjoyed lots of good food and family bonding time. We can't wait to go up there again!

I'll have more pictures when Heidi sends them to me.

P.S. My parents will be posting pictures of the cabin on the Tribe of Adeline site. Stay tuned! They're still up north until next weekend.

Chillin' on the Patio

Wow! A chair just my size!

Don't even think about stealing it! I'm watching you!

Yeah, all these people want my chair, but I'm not moving a muscle!
And if one of 'em tries anything, I've got my trusty hammer.

I Love it Up Here!

Being at the cabin is soooooo fun! Do we really have to go home?

First Lake Swim With Grandpa

Rowan enjoyed his first lake swim on Sunday while we were at the cabin! He kept a pretty straight face, but he didn't seem at all scared or shocked by the cold water (it was a super hot day, after all!). Grandpa Rob loved taking Rowan for his first swim while we snapped pictures from the beach and the doc. Grandpa Rob also blew up Rowan's floating crab so that he could try it out. He definitely liked being held in the water better, but I think he'll enjoy the crab with some more practice.

Well, I guess I'll have to go swim suit shopping before our next trip to the cabin in late June!

Freedom to Flavor!

Rice cereal tastes like paper. I'm serious! Try it for yourself! It's mushy and bland and just plain boring.

So, with the support of our pediatrician, I've been shaking things up around here. For breakfast, we give Rowan oatmeal cereal with cinnamon and stewed peaches or apples. Last night, Rowan had a broccoli and garlic (yes garlic!) puree with a little olive oil and a touch of sea salt. He's also had carrots with dill and a little olive oil and sea salt.

Our pediatrician basically told us that parents don't give our kids enough credit for liking good food (food that adults would actually eat). She says she sees a lot of fussy eaters who will only eat cheese, hot dogs, lunchables meals and McDonalds food. She encouraged us to start shaping good taste now!

Rowan will have several bites of food at a couple of meals a day (I offer food at breakfast, lunch and dinner, but he's not always interested). We don't try to trick or convince him into eating more once he signals he's finished (babies are very good at regulating their food intake). I think we'll try some meats next...

Here's an interesting article for the mamas who read this:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/tipcurry.htm

A Day With the Ladies

Rowan joined Heidi, my mom, my Godmother Kris and my cousin Mindi on an outing to Norstrom on Sunday. We got our makeup done at the Laura Merier counter (Mindi was searching for a wedding "look"). Everyone looked soooo beautiful. Rowan quickly lost interest and fell asleep in the sling! He continued to sleep for over an hour in the stroller. When it was time to go to lunch, he woke right up. I guess he just wasn't into the beauty portion of the day!

Little Energy Conservationist

It's really important to always turn off the lights...

...before you leave the house. That way, you save electricity!

Oh, and you should close the windows, too. Just in case it rains!

Seven Months!

On May 12, we became the proud parents of a seven-month-old! Can you believe it? Time sure does fly by when you're watching a little one grow up! Rowan has been such a joyful addition to our lives, and we're more and more thankful for him every day.

Rowan is a happy and healthy baby boy. We took him for a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. He weighed 16 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 27.25 inches long (still long and lean!). He showed off some of his ahead-of-schedule motor skills (crawling, pulling up and even cruising a little bit!). His doctor said he looked great! Very bright, healthy and active!

Rowan's social skills took another leap over the past month. He really hams it up now. He rests his head gently on cushions and pillows until he gets a "Oh, sweet baby" from his audience. Yesterday, he did this and after I alone responded, he looked at Kyle like "C'mon Dad, you're supposed to say it, too!" He also dances! He'll pull up on the couch and start shaking his head and booty while I sing! Sooooo cute!

Sleep has been a mixed bag for little Rowan. He's a great napper, often sleeping for 1.5 to two hours during his morning and afternoon naps. Nighttime sleep can be more challenging, however. We usually put him to sleep around 8 p.m. He goes down fairly easily, but he'll start (still asleep) rolling, crawling, pulling up and (eventually) falling down! His doctor said that because he's achieving his motor milestones so fast, he probably has a hard time slowing down, even in his sleep! He "practices" in his dreams until he wakes himself up, crying and confused about where he is and what he's doing! Poor little guy. His doctor also said Rowan's getting close to cutting his top teeth, so that could be disturbing his sleep, too. He tends to sleep better next to me or Kyle. I think our warmth and breathing help him regulate and settle down.

We're continuing to introduce solids. I offer him food whenever we sit down to eat meals. He usually eats several bites during one meal a day (usually during a late lunch or at dinner). Yesterday, he ate broccoli! I gave it to him a little chunkier than usual and he seemed to do OK (a few gags). He loooooves to drink water from a cup. We're skipping the sippy for now and working with him on an open cup. He enjoys drinking more than eating!

Overall, he's just a wonderul little baby, and we can't get enough of him!

Rest Your Little Head

When Rowan stands next to a couch or crawls up to a pillow, he'll rest his head ever-so-sweetly for a few seconds (just long enough to get a "Oh, how cute!" from his audience.) It's priceless! He's such a busy body that's it's fun to watch him actually take a break for a few seconds!

More Mother's Day Fun

After our delicious breakfast, we visited Kyle's family for Mother's Day lunch. Kyle enjoyed playing baseball with the family, and Rowan had fun exploring a new house. He actually pulled one of the dining chairs across the kitchen floor (with spotting from Grandma Connie)! What a strong little guy!

We then visited my family for Mother's Day dinner (we go where the food is!). When we took this photo of the mom's and children, Rowan demonstrated his favorite new thing: sticking out his tongue. He does it ALL THE TIME!

It was a wonderful Mother's Day full of family, food and fun! We're so blessed!!

Mother's Day Breakfast

I have such sweet men in my life! When I woke up on Mother's Day (I slept in!), I found Kyle and Rowan in the kitchen making waffles. Kyle makes THE BEST waffles! We had a delicious, relaxing breakfast together before venturing out to visit Grandma Connie and Grandma Michelle.

For my mother's day present, Rowan is treating me to some pampering at Spa Bella Casa! Heidi, Scott and I got my mom a gift-certificate to use there as well. So, Heidi, mom and I will be having a spa day together! I'm so excited!!

Welcome to My Lovely Home

Kyle put together the Fisher Price Learning Home Rowan got for Christmas. Now that he's sitting and crawling and pulling up, he's old enough to enjoy it! He loves opening and closing the door and the mailbox. It does things like say "open" when the door opens and "close" when it closes. It also plays some music. It's nice because the noises aren't too obnoxious or complicated. He loves it!

Buddies in Overalls

We had a great time getting together with the other two couples from our natural childbirth class today. Without planning it, we all put our little guys in blue overalls! As the oldest one of the group, Rowan got to show off his crawling and pulling up skills. All the boys seemed to get a kick out of watching (and grabbing at!) one another. They looked at one another as if to say, "Wow, another baby! I thought I was the only one in the whole wide world!" Of course, we all treat our babies like THEY ARE the only ones in the whole wide world. And that's how it ought to be, right?

Post-Nap Sweetness!

Hi mama! I'm bright and cheery and ready to play!

Did We Skip a Stage?

OK, I truly could never complain about my little bud. He's so sweet and cute, and I love him to pieces. But man I could have used a month (a week, three days) of a "sit happily and play" stage. Rowan went from zero to mobile in no time! Now all he wants to do is pull up on things -- EVERYthing.

Today, he actually went from his stationary entertainer to the couch. I wouldn't call it cruising yet, but I'm sure that's the next step on the horizon. Yikes! This is a whole new ball game!

Rowan can stand while munching on a toy. What good balance! He no longer enjoys the "stationary" aspect of his stationary entertainer, so we rarely put him in it. But he enjoys standing up next to it.

Rowan doesn't like to give up his toys even while he tries to pull up.

Despite his desire for almost constant movement, we still have lots of snuggle time in the sling. He loves to ride around and reconnect, especially when he's tired. So sweet!