New shoes, new seat, what a weekend

I went to put Baby O's Chucks on him the other day and they wouldn't go?!? So, I decided it was time for some new shoes. Grammie suggested that I take O with me to try them on. I thought she was nuts...how can I get this guy to stay still and try on shoes? I do well to get a pair on him in 10 minutes at the beginning of the day... Plus, he should only need one size bigger. Right? Wrong. I did get O to try on shoes and the size 3 wouldn't go either. Hmmm. The Stride Rite lady measured little man...he needs a 4. Wow. Glad we tried them on (next time I will listen, Grammie). So, O got a pair of Stride Rites that are really cute. And, a new pair of Chucks....red Chucks! As a side note, I have to say that he looks so grown up in this photo...
Baby O also moved up into his new car seat. The old one was great (thank you G-ma and Aunt Dona). But, it was time for O to sit up higher to see out of the window. And...for me to not even think about carrying him in the car seat anymore. Seriously...he is so big now! O LOVES his new seat. He can look out of the back and side windows and he isn't as reclined in this one. Yay for new seats!
Paw Paw Mc and Grammie came this weekend--Daddy Q was out of town. Thank you so much for coming. I needed so much sleep I've no idea how the weekend would have gone if you weren't here. Thank you for letting me sleep!

We also drove to see Papa Tex today for his birthday. Happy B-day, Papa Tex!

Bathtime with Baby O

Baby O has always loved bathtime. Some nights he stays in and plays for ages--other nights, he wants out after about...oh...15 seconds. He has so many things to do now... I snapped a few photos of the little dude during bathtime tonight to remember what it is like TODAY, knowing that soon it is sure to be different...

We get him undressed in his room and then he scurries off to the bathroom where he can hear the tub filling...

Pulls up onto the side for me to let him in...
When its over, we dry off. He hates this bit, but loves to see himself in the mirror. Mirror-Baby O gets us through the drying off part.Then, he scurries off to find Tobie. He does not like getting dressed after bathtime AT ALL! It is growing ever more impossible to get him to slow down long enough for a diaper change any time of day; but, after the bath is truly the worst one. Why? Who knows. But, he crawls off with the towel wrapped around him...
...He rounds the corner and then looks for me to come after him....

Although some nights I wish bathtime weren't such a rodeo, I have to say that when I look back on it, it really is pretty fun. Now, here it is, captured, so that I can look back on this and remember just how much fun it is tomorrow night when I am pulling out my hair and wrangling Baby O;-)

Busy Boys!

This afternoon, Baby N's mom and I decided it was a good day for some indoor playtime. The boys may not mind the 95 degree weather, but we sure do! We took the boys to a mall in the area and let Baby N run around while Baby O pulled up on everything (including other moms...btw, I never know whether to run over and get him and risk insulting the mom like I don't want my child to touch her to rescue her from having a baby that isn't hers tugging on her arm, or let him be knowing that I don't mind when other babies crawl on me?!?). Baby O will go up to anyone that is nearby if he wants to stand up.

Baby N hardly stopped, but I did catch him still enough for a good shot during one moment...

The play area has a giant picnic table cloth that is squishy and fun topped with super soft food products! It was really neat.

There are items that O can pull up on and watch the bigger kids run around...

Things that Baby N can climb on and be taller...

Lots of room to crawl around...
...and other kids to watch. There was a little girl doing hopscotch across this squishy receipt. The boys were fascinated. Baby N was trying to figure out how she was doing it and Baby O was interested because Baby N was.
Thanks for a fun afternoon!

Look at him gRow...

I was in Atlanta for the last two and a half days. It is truly amazing how fast babies grow and change. His smile is bigger than ever and he krinkles his nose a bit with really wide, gummy grins. So cute. He is walking with his toy that Baby N is letting him borrow. So big. But, he remains as loveable as ever. So sweet.

Look at Baby O go...

Discovering the Water

I have written before about how I have grown to believe that one of the greatest gifts of parenthood is watching a child discover the things that surround him in this world. On Tuesday, Daddy Q and I got to witness our little boy set his sights on something that completely fascinates him and problem-solve his way to see it up close and personal. The look on his face said it all and tought us both that a little dirt, rough concrete, and the fear of him hurting his sweet little chin if he stumbles (he didn't ;-) shouldn't preclude us from letting him discover something new and fasinating.

Since the waterfall was installed, Baby O loves for us to lift him over it so that he can run his hands through the top where the water spouts up. Finally, we let him down to crawl around the patio figuring that if the concrete hurt too bad--he wouldn't crawl. Why "protect" him from something that isn't really dangerous? What is the harm in a roughed-up knee if little man doesn't mind?

He immediately shot over to the waterfall and froze in awe. He sat on the solid stone in front of the fountain for a good five minutes, and then began working to get closer. He would lift his hand to try a stone...too slippery...try again...too wobbly...try again...too slippery AND too wobbly. Finally, he applied more pressure and found that it might hold him. He got a few inches closer...
Once here, he sat again for another couple of minutes staring at the water, and then set out to get a few inches closer. There, he tried to reach out for the falling water. It splashed in his face when he touched the vase. Wow. He began to move his hand into and out of the water--feeling it rush through his fingers, sprinkle his face, and make more splash.

Baby O was tranfixed. It was truly an amazing thing to witness. When he had enough, he backed himself back out of there...
...and moved on to "pet" the dog...another facinating discovery that we didn't let him spend as much time on ;-)

Roles Have Changed 'Round Here

Daddy Q and I have realized that with a mobile baby comes the need to consider outsourcing some of the things that need to be done around the house. Take a typical night in our home, and I think you will agree that our new help is just what we needed.

Used to, Daddy Q was the bus boy and I was the dishwasher....but, those roles have changed hands (so to speak). Our new dishwasher and bus boy are doing a fine job of cleaning EVERY last bit that Baby O left on his table from dinner...what teamwork!

Our maids come once/week. But, we are trying out a replacement "team". This little dude and his diaper do wonders on my wood floors! He just scoots around and gets every last crumb and dust bunny! So thorough...

Finally, where ADP used to get our monthly payment for security services, we interviewed a watchman who would work 24/7 if we didn't make him take time off for naps and nightime.

He does get a little bored with the job sometimes though. Would he really scare a would-be-burgler? We are still in negotiations...

This last clip is one that shows the little watchman crawlin' up to his 'post'...(he pulled himself up to stand next; but, the camera cuts off after so much memory is used up in one clip.)

Couldn't love my new "helper" any more!!! Off to clean up after him!!!

Baby O: The Crawling Machine

Baby O is a crawling machine these days--just look at the fire in his eyes! He gets so focused on places he wants to go that you dare not get in his way... or else this happens. Silly mom, wanted a photo of Punkadoo in his cute Kickin' It outfit.
This past week O was in hibernation so that he could get over his case of the croup. He still has a pretty mean cough, but I think he is on the uphill side of this! A couple of times during the week, I took him to the park down the street so that we could get out of the house. This was his first time in a real swing (other than the baby one he had...). He really enjoys it. For the most part, he is really mellow and just takes in the sights and feels the breeze on his face. It is the most still few moments of his days now. I always loved the swing when I was a kid....there is just something about the feeling of soaring that is really zen!

This weekend, Grammie came to visit Baby O (ahem...us). She really wanted to see O crawling...boy did she! This baby won't even slow down for a nap...especially when there is company!! Thank you, Mom, for getting up with Punkadoo BOTH mornings this weekend. Daddy Q and I really enjoyed sleeping in.

On Sat., we took Baby O to the Arboretum. Out of all the flowers in bloom and pretty sights, I chose a shady spot by a tree trunk to take photos of O. I thought the lighting was good and liked the texture of the trunk, barks, and leaves in the background. Mom got tickled at me--but, did you see how many people copied us in that short time?!?! When we were walking away, there were two other moms doing the same pose with their kiddos. Too, funny! PLUS, I knew Punkadoo wouldn't try to crawl away in the bark when he won't even crawl in grass ;-)
I think he looks so much more *baby* in the pic above than he does to me in real life. I know that he is still a baby, but he looks so grown up to me in person. Maybe its because I've gotten to know him that I see all of his personality, strength, stubborness, and silly-ness each time I look at him. But, from the outside looking in, maybe he does still look like a squishy, lovable, hugable baby. Don't get me wrong. I totally see a squishable, hugable little O, but there is just something so grown up about him to me. Hmmm.

Something got O's attention--and Grammie's, too!

I think this face captures how he feels everytime he out-smarts us at naptime!

Growing like a Weed

Baby O is feeling much better--thank you for all of the emails! He is still having some trouble with his throat at night; and Daddy Q and I are taking turns being up with him and filling the bathroom with steam so he can breathe easier. But, the worst is definitely behind O. Thank goodness for that.

I think that O is getting a bit fed up with being cooped up indoors all day. Earlier this week we spent about 10 minutes in the park swinging--he really enjoyed that. Today, we sat by the pool with our neighbors to get outside for a bit--that was nice, too! It was funny, though, because O has never crawled, or been on his stomach, in the grass. He was so silly about the grass. I sat him down to crawl and he was doing a very complicated yoga pose to keep from touching the grass after lifting one hand and one foot--I guess it felt prickly when he went to put them down again. It looked a little bit like this:

Ha ha! Really, it was funny, but not that funny!

The last few days he has found a new *thing*. He really likes to pull up to stand next to the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs and blow raspberries. Hmmm... This can entertain him for about 10 minutes or so....go figure.

Last, but not least, I am working on figuring out how to make a video using photos and clips. This is my first attempt. Its cute; but, I can do better. However, this one is done and the little guy in it is just so cute that I had to share it!! These are photos and clips from the trials, errors, and bloopers of learning to eat!

Diapers? Check. Bottles? Check..... Passport?

Check.
This baby is ready to go somewhere...well, just as soon as he recovers from croup! His passport arrived today. Yay!!

Here is the little guy playing with a new toy from mom! He is a bit wobbly for playing upright...but, he loves to stand so much that he is having some fun with it.

Baby O had a rough night last night. He got really bad around 4:30 AM again...that must be the time it is at its worst for him. We were up until 6:45. He was miserable and still so tired. Poor little guy. He is taking a long nap now. Hopefully he will feel better really soon!

Sick, sick, sick

Home from the hospital and watching Baby Einstein...O loves the little bee in the Baby's First Sounds.
Baby O had his first trip to the hospital at 4:15 AM this morning. In the shot above, you can see his little ID band--poor guy is really sick. He has croup. Since last Wednesday, he has had a runny nose. Throughout the day Saturday he seemed to feel worse, but still not alarmingly so. I stuck with my plans to have a girl's night out and Daddy Q stayed home with O.

In honor of the men's gymnastics tonight...

At 4:00 AM we woke to this horrible cough and O appeared to be having trouble breathing. Daddy Q and I quickly agreed that we wanted the folks at the hospital to tell us what was wrong with the little guy. Within 5 minutes, we were out the door. Just before leaving, I asked...are we over reacting? Daddy Q agreed we weren't.

When we arrived...

O: Coughing really hoarsely and crying....

Nurse: "He has croup...he will be fine."

Me: "Oh...should we not be here?"

Nurse: "No... you should be here, but I wanted to assure you that he will be fine."

Me: Relieved our instincts were correct and that they aren't laughing at us, but really sad for Punkadoo that he is sick enough to have to stay for a while...

Cruising from me to the table during a Tylenol "high".

So, the little guy is hanging in there. He has energy spurts that coo-inside with Tylenol. But, for the most part only wants to be held and spends a lot of the day pretty uncomfortable. I shopped today to prepare for a week-long hibernation since he can't go to day care. New toys, food for the week, diapers, Infant Tylenol.... Keep O in your thoughts. He is going to be fine, but he feels pretty poorly right now.

O early Saturday enjoying the toy that Baby N loaned him! He felt like such a big boy.

Too Tired for the Sippy Cup Last Night

This clip makes me laugh out loud every time I watch it. Punkadoo has been crawling EVERYwhere and gets so worn out now. Recently, he was really tired at dinner and when I gave him his sippy cup he lost control. I stopped video-ing too soon...the next moment he smiled so big in response to me laughing too, too hard!! Hope you have a laugh, too.

New *Smile*

I just had to post a shot that was omitted from the Bedtime Schmedtime post, but that shows Baby O's new "Smile" so that you don't think I made up the note about the seven month scale photo, below... I kept trying to get O to show it to Baby N's mom so that she could vouch for me...but, here it is. See?

Seven Months Old!

{Punkadoo looks a little nervous for this scale photo. But, I am here to assure you that is a new "smile". It appears when doing or watching something new. For example, I saw the exact same smile when he watched Tobie fall off of the couch tonight...too bad I couldn't capture the look on Tobie's face after that ;-)}

Seven months ago, a smaller, immobile, quiet baby was placed in my arms. He was alert and watchful, and very content to lay with me and anyone else who wanted to hold him. He slept on my chest for naps, and snuggled close when he was tired. And another thing was certain--he ate aLOT.

Today, I have a bigger, mobile, talkative Punkadoo. I love(d) him dearly in both of these phases, but I have to admit that "today-Baby O" is my absolute favorite!! I could not love this baby any more. He has so many little things that he does that steal my heart every single time:

{hand me the spoon, ma}

1. He gives me huge, messy kisses by squeezing my cheeks and latching onto my nose/chin/neck and making an "mmmwah" noise.

2. He lifts his arms up when I say "Arm's Up Baby" to take off his shirt and then smiles so broadly when his shirt comes off.

3. He has always strongly disliked his carseat. However, he now seems to understand what it takes to get him out of it. Instead of protesting and getting upset, now I can say "Help me Help you" (yes, I know that is from a movie--but, it is really what I say EVERY time) and he will pull in his little arms so that I can lift the straps over them and get him out more quickly. Then, I hold his hands, and he pulls himself up to a standing position in the seat. The look on his little face that darts about for on-lookers after this accomplishment says it all. He is so happy to be free and seems to know that he aided in getting himself that way. He is wanting praise from anyone in the garage/parking lot/car. It's always just me who sees, and O seems content with cheers from boring old mom.

{is this the right way?}

4. He crawls over to me or his dad even when there are lots of toys nearer to him. And...he lifts his arms in response to me holding out my arms to him. He loves us, too!

5. He gives the biggest smile to anyone who says hello to him except the grocery store girl that drives me nuts. He looks at her like she is crazy. That's my Punkadoo!

6. He is a truly happy baby that melts my heart every morning (late morning that is...my dear, sweet husband does the early morning shift).

7. He loves "The Wheels on the Bus"--what a random song to pick to love, love, love. I love my random man!

{will you put down the camera and "help me help you" feed me?}

Those are the seven things at seven months that I most want to remember! I will have to refer to this list when I update the baby book!

Bedtime Schmedtime

I put O down for a nap. All was quiet. Phew! He's peacefully asleep and I can get some things done. I can get some emails out, put the laundry in, I have a couple of quiet hours to make phone calls for work...

{Wrong}

Moments later, I hear the "tough guy" noises Baby O makes when he is exerting himself (you can hear them in the crawling video clips a few posts below). Here is what I walked in to find (mind you, Daddy Q witnessed this the day before, but this time, I had camera in hand).

Naptime? Not so much, Mom.

Put one hand on the top rail.....get up on my knees...get my feet out from under me...

...almost there.

I'm up. Oh? Is this not okay?

Let's just set the record straight. I am one tough dude! See my strong muscles? You can't just lay me down for a nap any more...oh no. I'm not going down that easy. I am not a lazy baby...no....I am a busy baby who now knows that there are things to do, people to see, songs to sing, and places to crawl.

And so...our life of simply lying our child awake in bed when he rubs his eyes and tugs his ear is over. Now...we have to go in once, twice, three times to lay him back down and say "night, night". But that's okay...its three more times each day I get to give him a kiss and tell my Punkadoo that I love him...

Some GiRLfriends to add to the mix!

Baby O is playing with his friends after a swim date! Baby N would have been here, but he got sick--feel better, Chief. The little girl in pink is the lone girl in this playgroup...I think she will be very well protected on the playground in a couple of years!

On Saturday, Baby O and I caught up with Baby S and her mom! Baby S has gotten so big since I saw her last February. Time flies and these kids grow!

Last night, Baby O got acquainted with a couple more cute girls. There were more girls in his life this weekend than in the last seven months! Below are the kids of one of Daddy Q's good friends. Miss P and Baby N gave O lots of hugs and kisses. Thanks for coming by, girls!