tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59353455201333006082024-02-07T13:21:12.962-06:00The Fantastical Adventures of PetersockUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-54634210919350268482020-06-20T13:39:00.002-05:002020-06-20T13:46:03.681-05:00I moved . . . <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Hello!</b></i></span><br /><br />Can you believe it's been five YEARS since I've posted in this blog??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />I am so sorry for "moving" on without saying a proper goodbye ~ LOTS has happened in these last five years - some concerning health issues, lots of moves, job/career changes, my boys needed some extra help in school with speech therapy, and OT, I'm the president of the local MOMS Club chapter, I reverted to my Catholic Faith, etc., etc., . . . basically a little bit of <i>everything!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> </i><br />I just started a lifestyle blog, <a href="http://www.thebohemiancatholic.com/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"></span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><a href="https://www.thebohemiancatholic.com/" target="_blank">The Bohemian Catholic</a></span></i></b>, two months ago. It's all about empowering women to become their authentic selves through self discovery, green living, and seeing how boho spirituality and Catholicism isn't all that different. There's even a few pictures of my <i>oh so grown</i> boys (including the ever handsome hubby) on my introduction post.<br /><br />So if you'd like to "catch up", please come check it out and I look forward to seeing you ;)</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sincerly,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>HeroMama aka Katharina</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-71610024330569897622015-08-27T20:30:00.002-05:002015-08-27T20:30:54.530-05:00My poor neglected little blog . . . <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't posted since January . . . that's a whopping <i>eight months</i>. And even then, I was just trying to catch up and give poor Sidekick #2 some undivided attention with monthly posts (and yup, I still plan on doing this!). But let me give a quick glance update as I spend the next few weeks making this blog a priority!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- We still live in the frozen tundra called Minnesota, but are hoping to buy a house in the new year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Sidekick #1 will be THREE in November, and Sidekick #2 is 16 MONTHS (they look like such big boys lately <3)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- There has definitely been some adjustments going from a SAHM, to WAHM mom, and I still feel like we are trying to find the right balance to everything (age old question: can we have it all??)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- There's been some health concerns for some of my immediate family members, so understandably I've been pretty distracted by that, too</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I've been neglectful of practically <i>every</i> social media field out there (tumblr, pinterest, Facebook, RP's, etc.). Life, what can I say? But at least it's not like I'm only neglecting the family blog . . . I'm neglecting everything social (wait, that's not much better) :( </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">^ and I definitely don't like it! I'm a social butterfly, so now that things are settling down a bit, I hope to make this blog what it should be - monthly updates, with Sidekick's growth progresses, and a way for family to connect again <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you all soon!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-56737588570069801142015-01-19T21:02:00.002-06:002015-01-19T21:03:38.994-06:00Sidekick #2 - Three Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whoot for getting through these blog updates consistently ;)<br />Here's Sidekick #2 at three months . . . his last as a newborn!!<br /><br />We knew we were done with having babies, so I really wanted to just enjoy the snuggles while I could. Relax, and take in all those newborn moments - the coos, the sighs, and the first laughs. Of course, my patience and resolve were tested with the stress from our apartment. And then the move into my mom's ~ but we tried to appreciate all the little moments our little surprise brought to us :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's our final days in our apartment . . . we knew we were moving, but we still wanted to wait as long as possible. We wanted Sidekick #1 not to have too many adjustments, but as you can see, we were literally missing drywall paneling underneath our staircase, which led to the raised living room - and it was becoming a safety issue for him crawling underneath it, so blargh . . . at least we got to celebrate a mini Father's Day, with a specialty cake for HeroPapa's lactose sensitivity. And then attended our first babyfair, where we got some free pictures (Sidekick #1 on top left, and Sidekick #2 on bottom left). Otherwise, HeroPapa and Sidekick #2 slept a lot in between moving ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Final picture of the flooded apartment! They were trying to constantly fan the space to keep the moisture down and combat the mold once and for all. But since they couldn't stop the flooding, it was like putting a bandaid on a open gash. At least Uncle's #2, and #4 had a good time lounging around with Sidekick #1 on our final days . . . thank God for my boys! Sidekick #1 kept me smiling with his emerging little personality: here he's wearing HeroPapa's socks ;) And of course, Sidekick #2 was growing like a weed, so he slept <i>a lot!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See?! Like I said, he slept a lot . . . even Sidekick#1 was done with how crazy our lives were lately ~ and when Sidekick#2 was awake: well, he looked ready to go back to sleep. However, he didn't sleep much during the night!!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was cute to notice, was the subtle ways my boys started to interact with one another. There were a few times were Sidekick #1 would settle down beside me when I was nursing, or sit next to the baby, and pat his head. It was sweet to see a bond forming - slowly, but surely! Sidekick #2 was so expressive, and my brother Uncle #2, decided to get them for a "gangsta photoshoot", which is in the bottom right ;) Other than that, you'll spot in the middle right photo, the set up in the basement, with the day crib next to the slide for both babies . . . it was definitely an interesting set up! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our little Sidekick #1 was also growing - getting more playful, though he did seem very interested in his old toys (see bottom right pic), when we'd bring them out for Sidekick #2. HeroPapa got more and more tired, though understandable from all the stress! While Sidekick #2 loved sleeping on us best ~ but did not like flash photography (as seen in the middle pic haha). That month, was also his first time in the jumperoo. He tolerated it for a few minutes, but wasn't too keen on it yet (he didn't really seem to like it, till about 8/9 months actually!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sidekick #2 and me, would sleep downstairs in the basement on a large King size air mattress. With HeroPapa coming home, usually around midnight because of the new commute. Sidekick #1 slept through the night, mostly, and so he was stuck in my Mom's walk in closet, in a playpen. It's a little hard to tell, but you can see him through the video monitor. Give it another month though, and he stopped napping during the day entirely. No joke, he's had 15 naps in six months - I kid you not! So the final days of Sidekick#2's third month, were spent moving all of our stuff into Mom's (while keeping furniture at the apartment till the settlement was complete), and adjusting to a new life, with a bit of uncertainty.<br /><br />Luckily, I was going to get a job offer the following month :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And that's it!<br />To see Sidekick#2's growth so far, please click on any of the following links:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2015/01/sidekick-2-one-month.html" target="_blank">One Month</a> ~ <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2015/01/sidekick-2-two-months.html" target="_blank">Two Months</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-9366017776432296152015-01-15T20:22:00.000-06:002015-01-15T20:22:13.474-06:00Sidekick #2 - Two Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yay for two posts in one week! I'm on a roll with these monthly updates ~ let's hope I can keep it going till I'm caught up :) And of course, Sidekick #1 will be getting his own update soon, too. But anyways, here we go!<br /><br />Month Two was about same ol', same ol' in our household. Highlights for Sidekick #2 though, include his gorgeous smile being revealed to us ~ and the expressions got kicked into high gear! On the downside, our apartment was getting worse . . . and mold was starting to grow!!<br /><br />We moved out in June, shortly after he turned two months, and into my mom's basement ~ and began the tedious process of negotiating moving terms with lawyers in regards to our lease. Oh and I got a job offer that month as well! Yup, same ol, same ol haha. <br /><br />Continue after the link for the pics and more details ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The above collage looks more like a Sidekick #1 collage - but oh well, it's not like he wasn't around for the fun ;) Shortly after S#2 turned one month, we went to the local Children's Museum, and though I planned on wearing him some more, he was already getting to big for a wrap, and preferred to be against HeroPapa (aren't babywearing Papa's awesome?!). Oh, and the trampoline pic at the top middle is S#1 in my mom's basement - we ended up being there for almost six weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the end of May, we celebrated Uncle #3's birthday, though S#2 slept through most of it on Oma ;) <br />The middle left pic is me wearing S#2 for another quick stroll through our apartment complex, with S#1 trying to help a Mama out by pushing the buttons haha. The bottom left pic is S#1 playing in his room for one of the last times, before his room flooded too :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top left pics are some of those great expression pictures ;) And the bottom left are my gorgeous menfolk lounging on the couch, with S#2 passed out like a broken doll. Right side of the collage is S#2 getting baptized in our church. The UU's call it a naming ceromony, and we were blessed to have HeroPapa's Dad and Stepmom there to join us :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's a great collage, of Grandpa and Grandma visiting us when S#2 was almost two months. We had a great time with them, and took them on a tour of the apartments (because we were still hoping they'd be able to fix it - but we moved out two weeks later :P). And we even went and visited some extended family as well . . . we tuckered this kid out!! All of these pics are him passed out lol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can't help but add a few more pics of that flood D: This was seriously like the third or fourth time in six weeks :/ You can see the mold growing in the middle pic there @-@ Ugh, I'll just move on to the great little expressions S#2 started to sport ~ he definitely kept my spirits up through the crazy :) And of course who doesn't love Grandpa cuddling with a baby?? (bottom left pic) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cute little Sidekick #2 . . . how can you really be sad for long, looking at that cute face? He still loved snuggling on me plenty, and very often, I was situated with both my babies on either side, while still pretending I could get things done like budgeting and meal planning on the computer, ha! But still worth it . . . every minute of my amazing sons are worth it! And who can resist the site of HeroPapa and Sidekick #2 snuggling in our bed? <3 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The above two pics are our family photos taken right after S#1 turned one month old. We went with one of those themed photography places (in fact, the same one I used to take <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/05/belated-mothers-day-post.html" target="_blank">these Mother's Day pics with Sidekick #1</a>). It's quickly becoming a tradition to get a themed photo, but I was surprised to find out that HeroPapa was willing to dress up right along side us :D He really doesn't like to wear costumes of any sort, but I guess our kids are wearing him down haha. We even got to get one with Uncle #2 in it, since he had come with us to the Mall of America. <br /><br />The top right pic, is me walking the boys around again in the apartment complex before we moved out (told ya I really enjoyed walking them!). And there's S#2 wrapped up in his footed onesie quite by accident, but somehow content about it . . . and of course, napping on HeroPapa, while S#1 looks on with smiles. And finally, the last photo of the collages . . . a sleeping baby, practically perfect in every way (okay, so I'm biased, but whatever!)</span><br /><br />~<br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />To catch up on Sidekick #2's progress so far, click on the link:<br /><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2015/01/sidekick-2-one-month.html" target="_blank">Month One</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yup, I was originally planning (and hoping) that we'd be able to do a monthly post update with S#2, just like we had with S#1. Except we had two under two, and kids who hate sleep, and a flood in our apartment, and another move, and then the overtime from heck for HeroPapa, and then the new job for me, and blahblahblabbityblah. Point is, I figured I'd at least do a massive update all at once. Though we had to do that twice with S#1, jumbling together a few months together to cover the information, was I really going to be able to lump NINE MONTHS into one blog post??<br /><br />I feel like S#2 deserves better than being lumped :S<br /><br />So I am doing one month at a time! <br />BUT I'm hoping to do several a week till we are caught up! I got the pictures organized, and just need to collage them and then write up a post . . . easy enough, right? :)<br /><br />So onto the good stuff!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">^ Here's his first day :D Poor thing was a bit bruised from birth, but that'll happen when you're 9 1/2lbs! After a bit of an intense birth (thinking he'd get stuck!), but an awesome recovery - we got to go home a little early . . . and got ready to introduce him to his new big brother! <3 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With Sidekick #1, we spent months teaching him about "babies". We read big brother/little brother books. We pointed out every baby we saw. We watched YouTube videos, and countless Baby Story's on TLC (remember that show??). He instantly knew what Sidekick#2 was, but he ended caring more about the new pacifier haha. Above right, is Opa holding him, but he's not too comfortable with anyone else yet (get used to it quick kid, we're a big family!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top left pic, makes me look too calm in this I-got-it-covered kinda way (pun intended?). But the top right, is keeping things goofy, because really, I'm a mother of two little boys, and nothing will be calm again! We used the teddy bear "leash" on Sidekick #1, in case he ran from me, and lunged himself down concrete steps, but no worries, he handled our walk just fine. Eek, our first walk as a family of four . . . mind blowing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I shared a bit of this when I announced our son's birth, but I should still write a separate post entirely of the NICU experience we had. Top left pic, shows us waiting for his 2 day appointment, but because of schedules, we didn't get in till he was four days old, and thank God we went then! Because it turned out his jaundice was so severe he needed to immediately be admitted to the hospital for treatment! They thought he might need an entire transfusion, but luckily, we missed that level by a smidge and the lights started working! 29 - intense and scary - hours later, we were home safe and sound.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The bottom right pic shows the giraffe that we had actually been seeing a lot since he was born . . . just like we saw a monkey a lot after Sidekick #1 was born. So now we have a lot of monkey and giraffe themes happening in our house ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All I wanted to do was take pictures of our little yellow baby lol . . . no more IV's, no lights, no incubator. How precious to see him home safe and sound ~ though still healing from birth a bit, if you notice the burst eye vessels in the corner there. Between that, the bruised face, and yellowed skin, we kept joking (gotta keep some humor during the stress right?), that he looked like a little zombie gnawing on me ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Within days though, he got trush . . . and because gentian violet worked wonders on Sidekick #1 when nothing else did, I used it on Sidekick #2 as well. Except he insisted on nursing on me right after, and he ended up staining the entire bottom half of his face! BUT what's worse? He had thrush TWO more times in the next 6 weeks. OI! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But still, we were happy to have our new addition, but never one to downplay our first blessing, I picked out a brand new gift for him: his first train tracks. Oh boy did he love them . . . and now Sidekick #1's favorite show is Thomas the Train, and he has 3 pajamas featuring Gordon ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because I'm kinda crazy, and maybe too cooped up in the house, I took a long Uncle #2, and we headed to the Mall of America for lunch. Sidekick #2 slept the whole time, and #1 had a blast looking at the people. The leash was still on, but only because once again, I didn't want him making a break for it, and falling down escalators :P Bottom left pictures show a recurring theme that month - me wearing the baby, and pushing Lex around in his Superman push cart through our apartment complex. It was a great way for me to get out, but help Sidekick #2 sleep, and for #1 to explore. Win-win-win. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perfect example of 2U2 (two-under-two for those not into internet jargon) horseplay, is me getting lunch set up for #1, not realizing he was up to no good . . . while eating, I turn around and see that he stacked his train tracks onto a sleeping #2! D: (though since he didn't seem to mind, and slept through it, I took a picture for posterity sake). And then the bottom is Sidekick #1 having his 18mo. well child check up - but he gets his own blog post on all his growth lately! - while Sidekick #2 is shocked about the needles/vaccines! (Kidding, but isn't it a great caption-it-for-fun pic?) Note the gentian violet mouth to battle another bout of thrush though! :P</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's a great collage of us visiting the Como Zoo again - I love that place, and can't wait to go again soon :) Of course #2 was a little too tuckered out to get much out of it, but #1 was older and just adored the monkeys, and the trainnnn :D </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Most of these pics are from the middle of the month, when #2 was more like 2 weeks old, but I love the random ones . . . the above left pic is me letting people know I'm still alive lol. While the bottom left row is #1 noticing #2's eye (and almost poking it out). Top right, is #1 and me, while the middle is him all smiles over his baby brother, whereas the one beside it is #2 giving a great expression of "For reallll??". Bottom right pic is one of my early favorites. He fell asleep like this guys . . . I gotta a little model on my hands haha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well here's where we get into the crazy. What, birth, NICU, 2U2 is crazy enough you say?? Ha, not in this house! Our apartment started flooding (top right) . . . so there's #2 giving that same look of "For realll?" for us one more time, because it started when he was only 12 days old! We tried to cope, tried to be patient, and prayed it was a one time thing. Nope. No suck luck. We would end up moving out at the end of June, when both I and #2 were getting sick from the mold D: But that's for another post! <br /><br />Back to the pictures, there's the top left, is me, and my boys posing as usual. It's all familiar scene (one that I love!) of us cuddling and snuggling!). Top middle is #1 riding a horse like a pro ;) (Can't wait to get him on a real one . . . though I hope we start with a pony, for safety reasons - just for the sake of my nerves, lol). Bottom left, is the third round of trush/purple mouth :P And middle bottom, is a cute moment between HeroPapa and #1. <br /><br />Such a crazy life, but so blessed none the less!<br /><br />And that's that - the first month! Only took me till he was nine months old D:<br />But now that the pics are organized, I think I can post the other months in quick sucession ~ fingers crossed :D</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-6524179231553273002014-12-08T21:09:00.001-06:002014-12-08T21:09:58.539-06:00New Blog Graphics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone! After much technical difficulty, I am so excited to share our new blog layout, feat. our wonderful new addition, Sidekick #2 :)<br />
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They certainly aren't professional grade blog graphics, but they ain't half bad if I do say so myself ~ I'll be editing the pages in the sidebar heavily over the next few days - but just wanted to say, that I haven't forgotten about this blog! I'd been working on the graphics for a while, trying to revamp the style, and I have a ton of blog posts getting drafted soon. <br />
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All the while, dealing with teething babies, and sleepless nights (sleep deprivation anyone??). Plus HeroPapa working overtime for weeks, and both he and I getting a combined 60 hours of training for our jobs D: Ugh, to say I'm exhausted would be an understatement! But, I am definitely excited for things to get a bit settled again, and to *finally* work on my house. I mean, I've been here since August, and there are still SO.MANY.BOXES DD:<br />
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Today is HeroPapa and mine's 10 year anniversary <3 We've been married for seven, parents for two years, and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful partner. And even though we are both too exhausted to do much of anything this year, we are looking forward to our first Christmas as a family of four <333<br />
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I feel horrible though about not having been able to work on Sidekick #2's monthly updates. He's almost eight months, and I haven't done ONE :/ I really hope to come back with a bang, and get one done in a few days, as well as give a quick update about Sidekick #1.<br />
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Until then, here's a pic to tease you with of things to come :)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-84284171345528643662014-10-13T23:26:00.002-05:002014-10-13T23:27:16.196-05:00Eek . . . October<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yup, it's been almost <b>half.a.year </b>since I've posted last.<br />Shame on me . . . but I promise it's not because I haven't wanted to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, to offer up a (way-too-super-quick) update (and with promises that a picture update is coming soon!), here's a few highlights:<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1.) we moved . . . yup. Again! Have you heard about the floods in Minnesota thanks to that long winter, and that freeze into the ground that's like double than norm? Well, our beautiful basement apartment flooded. Several times. And black mold was growing in it! And the leasing office wanted us to move out before they'd do anything besides removing the drywall, so we got lawyers involved because we really didn't want to move again. But at the end of the day, our patience was rewarded . . . becauseeeeeee<br /><br />2.) I got a job! Yup, the same week we found we had to move, I was offered an executive position to work with my youngest brother. The best part (besides bringing in an income), is I get to work from home. I'll definitely be elaborating on this some more in a later post, but we are hoping to pay down all those moving debts asap and the credit cards, and the car, and the student loans (those are the big ones!)<br /><br />3.) Thanks to the new income, we can afford an actual home to rent (hoping to buy it within a year!). My active little guys love the backyard! I'll be sure to share pictures of the home as soon as I can, too :)<br /><br />4.) And finally, Sidekick #1 is turning TWO next month (eek!), and yesterday, Sidekick #2 turned six months (holy heck!). I can't wait to share pictures with you guys asap!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Hopefully soon <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />(I'll be working on pics tomorrow, and have a few posts in the works - as well as updating the graphics and info pages on the blog - can't wait to share the new layout and look). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks for keeping up with us, and I'll be sure to return the favor by posting again soon :)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-91757708459709410992014-04-25T21:27:00.002-05:002014-04-25T21:27:37.190-05:00Sidekick #2 Is Here!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just wanted to give a quick update and share that Sidekick 2 is here, and though he had a bit of a rough start (a more detailed post/birth story coming asap!) - including a quick NICU stay to his jaundice levels - he's been home safe and sound for eight days now, and we are so excited for our family to be complete and are looking forward to the next chapter in our lives <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's the mini birth announcement! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />(And of course, now I need to update the blog graphics to include our new little mini man, and finally fix that sidebar image that keeps messing up every time I try to include links to the other pages :P )<br /><br />AND hopefully now that I'm no longer sickly pregnant, and my boys are healthy and growing - I'll be able to get my internet presence back. Sure lack of sleep won't help things, but not being hormonally imbalanced greatly enhances my concentration and ability to keep up with a blog, Facebook, and other online mommy forums that I miss dearly. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-52688884494983418752014-03-18T20:32:00.001-05:002014-03-18T20:32:37.336-05:00Big Blog Update: Month 13-16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Moves, Holidays, and Toddlerhood: Months 13-16"</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So probably just when you were starting to wonder whether I was ever going to update the blog, I appear, offering an insane amount of pictures to overcompensate (though I really did try capping each month as much as possible so not to completely crash your computer). Anyways, let me cover some highlights from the last few months, and then onwards to the fun/good stuff!</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(I promise I won't have hurt feelings if you scroll down to the "Pictures" section just to browse through them) ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">*So beware, there's plenty of info to read through by clicking the "Read More". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As always, pics are at the way bottom, and Sidekick's latest developments are </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And don't forget to click on the pics/collages to see them full size (including the pics throughout the post)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I post my monthly updates, I try to aim for the day of the month he was born on (the 6th), and label the header with how old he's turning. So when I posted the 12 month update, he had just turned one a week and a half ago, but there was still plenty of his 12 month to cover - and plenty <b>happened in November</b> to boot:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>November </b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- we traded in our 2001 Suzuki Vitarra for a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country. It has more miles on it, but plenty of space for our growing family, and we love it! Yay for fitting two car seats into one car ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- we bought new furniture! This might not sound like a big deal, but to be honest, everything we've ever owned has been "buy used, and save the difference". And yet, moving into our new place, we felt that after so many years together of mismatched-used furniture, we deserved at least a living room set. So two couches, two side tables, one coffee table, two lamps, two rugs, a small five piece set of decorative accessories, and a small blanket later - and we were set to go (don't worry, I included plenty of pics from various angles to show them off). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Sidekick and I had moved out of the (now and forevermore known as the "bat apartment"), back in September after the third bat run in, and had been staying at my Mom's ever since. Six weeks later, it was finally time to have HeroPapa join us (after the lease was up). It had become a month to month in September, but we kept it since a.) it was close to HeroPapa's work, and b.) we needed to find something else first. Moving most of Sidekick's and mine stuff into my Mom's was one thing, but adding furniture and HeroPapa's woodworking supplies was another. Besides, according to the loft liaison, our place wouldn't finish construction until January. So we decided to get UHAUL storage lockers, and in order to fit everything into it, it was going to cost us 450$ a month! Blargh! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But at least we were saving money by living at my Mom's to pay for these two moves - <strike>and with our security deposit</strike> never mind . . . Our dog peed on the carpet so much after Sidekick arrived (I'm assuming out of jealousy?), and at night, so we didn't realize how much was soaking through, that they kept the deposit (understandably), AND we had to pay<i> them</i> 220$ for the difference of the carpet cost :/ Well, at least we're <strike>saving several hundreds of dollars over the next two/three months</strike> never mind. When we were filling out our lease, we were told we had to pick a move in date between the days of the 22nd and 29th of November, or we'd loose our place on the loft D: Yup. We moved out of the bat apartment on the 31st of October. Paid up on the storage lockers. And we were going to have to move again three weeks later (we picked the 22nd, to avoid Thanksgiving holidays moving). And we had no deposit to lean on, or savings built up at this point. Yup, again. (so basically, we spent a good 2-3k on storage lockers, and an extra move, that had been told sooner about our loft being ready earlier, we could have avoided. Oy vey.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- to say things were a bit uncertain was an understatement, but luckily family were able to help us move (cutting costs), we financed our car (all or previous cars were older, and paid for from the get go, so a monthly car bill is new for us - but hey, at least we have room for both babies!). And we did finance the furniture, after a few tries at getting stuff via Craigslist (either stuff was gone by the time we got there, or they couldn't hold it for us, or worse, we bring in a musty piece of furniture that gave me an asthma attack :/). Also, one Mom was able to loan us some money to help with the cost of moving ~ and I'm happy to report that with the tax return, we paid (among other things) off the furniture, and the Mom back, and all HeroPapa's medical bills (save for one, which costs us 21$ a month, until we get next year's tax return). So basically, everything worked out and we still got our place - were able to cancel the storage lockers before another month got added to it, and began to settle into our brand new construction of a home . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- anybody ever liver in new construction? Yeah. We never have. The noise wasn't all that bad - but the things that should have been done weren't (community room, wifi, trash room - that one's a biggie! - internet, cable - just wow, a lot still needed to get done!). In fact, we never got to see our loft, until the day we moved in. They were still doing so much in the building, that they weren't allowed to show off anything. So boy, moving into a place, that you've never even seen, was a bit rattling. Luckily, our place is beyond amazing and everything is so new! We are very fortunate and truly count our blessings with this new, safe, bat free environment (plus, the building <i>and</i> the grounds, are smoke free - so yeah for babies, and asthmatic me!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- and finally, our real
blessing to top of all blessings, was when we found out the sex of our
baby in November. A boy! I was carrying so differently, we all thought
for certain it was a girl, but nope, it's a boy ~ but hey, at least I'm
familiar with that, so I'm more than happy :) We have a few names
picked out, but are waiting till we meet our baby to see what speaks to
us <3 Here's an ultrasound photo to share!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was just November!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><u>December</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So moving onto <b>December</b>, I'll just say how frustrating it is to go twelve days without internet, or DVD's, or books (because boxes can't be found, and because the construction is so new that internet can't be set up, because the address isn't even registered with the postal service. Yup, we lived in a place the government couldn't even confirm existed haha!). But yeah - no net . . . it's not even <i>just</i> the entertainment aspect, but all our bills, and contacts, and emails - none of that got done during that twelve day blackout! Sitting in silence day in and day out was really just about to drive me batty (I'm too familiar with the word to give it up now!). And worse, the post office had to have a post master come out to assign our mailboxes so we could even change our addresses and just <i>begin</i> to set up utility bills, and receive our mail. Whew, it was a tough couple of days, but we persevered. I'm definitely grateful for the internet ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />The rest of the month was filled with three separate Christmas', and Grandma #1, visiting us for a total of 12 days (over the course of three weeks as she visited other family as well), with Uncle #4. I am always glad to spend time with family, but boy did our place need to be set up better - i.e. no boxes! And I wanted my poor husband (who was beyond tired with the upheaval of all this moving and a new commute), to feel good enough to say more than just "Hi", "Bye" and "Going to bed" (of course he said more than that! But he was very exhausted period). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>January</b></u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So much so, that in <b>January</b> he talked with his doctor, who helped him with a new medication that was supposed to work well for people with night shift work. An extra bit of boost for night time, so he didn't feel so exhausted, and could rest easier in the day. And I'm happy to report that it's been working great for him :D After a few days, it was like a fog was lifted, and he smiled more, interacted more, and just in general had more energy . . . which is great, because I started feeling foggy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At first, I wanted to blame it all on the third trimester, but it got so bad, that even with his help, and sleeping during the day (adding my total hours up to a whopping sixteen!), I could still barely keep my eyes open just <i>sitting</i> on the couch. After talking with my OB, and checking my levels, it turned out I was severely anemic (my levels were as bad as when I miscarried at the hospital after hemorrhaging a while). Yeah, so no wonder I couldn't stay awake . . . I tried iron pills at first, but I threw up so bad, over the course of four hours, that I had busted blood vessels in my face D: Nope, pills were out, and liquid iron was in - too bad it took me another week to get my hands on it, and that it tastes like Eau de Swampwater. Took another week for me to feel a bit better, but by two weeks, I felt cured! And if I drank it with a tall glass of orange juice (absorbs better with the Vitamin C anyways), via a straw, it was fine. I might forget a day here and there (I am still pregnant, remember - I forget things easily), but by the end of the month, I was feeling good enough to get back to working on this loft!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>February</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There were about two weeks in <b>February</b> where we tried rearranging things, and testing out different layouts, as well as just trying to set things up period behind the scenes (what good are cabinets if they are filled with boxes of random stuff??)</span>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But with HeroPapa working nights, it still seemed impossible to get the big ticket items taken care of. Either he'd wake up Sidekick moving things around, or have a toddler at his feet, while trying to move heavy furniture from one level to the next. Ugh, it was starting to look like I might have to spend weekends at Mom's (so HeroPapa could work) just to get this place finished (after all, by now, we'd been here for almost three months, and couldn't use our second bedroom or bathroom because of all the stuff :S). Keeping Sidekick in the (albeit <i>huge</i>) walk in closet, while we slept on the mattress in the 2nd room - without the frame - was giving me bad Mommy guilt. Something needed to change.<br /><br />But prayers don't get answered in the way that we want them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Poor HeroPapa came home mid-February with some sort of sinus cold. Was sick for a week and a half, then Sidekick was sick for three days, and then I got sick! Mine turned into a sinus infection, so I was put on antibiotics a week after I became symptomatic. And it still took another two days before I starting feeling better. Yup, the rest of February was filled with us all being sick - one after the other . . . so much for setting things up in the loft :/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>March</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And yet things turned around just this month! After a very long sixteen months, HeroPapa has finally moved from the night shift, onto 2nd shift :D He now works 2PM-10PM, with (depending on traffic) a 40min-1hour commute each way. We'd been waiting for months for this transfer to go through, and though it's only been about two weeks, it'd been such an encouraging experience! We get about 16 more hours of awake time with him. More time for us, more time for family, and just more time <i>period</i>. And we are finally getting things done around here :) Just in time for this second one to make his debut in less than four weeks!! <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you go, that's where we've been - what's been happening, and why I haven't posted much. It isn't for a lack of want, or things to share. It's just been that crazy and life changing . . . and more life changes are on the horizon :) I'm hoping to at least make a quick birth announcement to share our latest arrival when he gets here, and any thoughts and prayers for a healthy mama, and healthy baby around April 6th, are appreciated ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until then readers - enjoy the feast of photos!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <u><i><b>**Rest of November till 6th of December**</b></i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left pic</b>, is playtime at Oma's - before finally getting all those toys out of her house! The <b>pic beside it</b>, is him yawning (I guess out of boredom?), at the acupuncturist. The two <b>bottom left pics</b> - and the two <b>middle right pics</b>, are Sidekick's final Baby Storytime (the fall session was ending), and I really miss it! Here's hoping we get to bring a very cute baby brother to the next session we attend ;)<br /><br />The <b>top two right pics </b>are Sidekick posing with us, and the <b>bottom right pic</b> is his one year well child check up appointment, where he was still measuring tall&strong :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top left four pics</b> are random shots of Sidekick just being all kinds of cute, while the <b>bottom left pic </b>is of him and Opa lounging in the LazyBoy. The <b>top right pics</b> are HeroPapa and Sidekick lounging in the play area - and striking a devilish like grin ;) The <b>two bottom right pics</b> are the play area in the car dealership while we waited for the paperwork to go through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top two left pics</b> are blowing a raspberry and laughing it off. The <b>top middle pic</b> is HeroPapa buried under laundry haha. The <b>top right pic</b> is me at five months (what a cute little bump, right?) The <b>pic right underneath</b> is the last time the play area at my Mom's was still set up (we were using up her den, so she was grateful to get the room back, I'm sure!). The <b>rest of the pics</b>, are the first days at the loft! The middle left pic is in the community room, the middle pic of the collage, is HeroPapa and Sidekick striking a pose in the hallways (which you can see even better in the pic right underneath - don't you just love the pops of colors by the door?). The bottom right pics are the kitchen, and the view from the second story into the living room. The bottom left pic is the living room, set up so Sidekick can play a little.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <b>top half</b> of the collage were all taken at the loft, as we tried to set up an area for Sidekick, as well as keep him away from the tv (which basically involved <i>a lot </i>of boxes). I didn't have shelves, so we used crates to store some toys, and a big red rug to help our little guy (who wasn't walking yet), stay warm on the polished concrete floors. And I really like him in his jacket, smiling in the hallways ~ he's a cutie! The <b>bottom left side</b> of the pics is Sidekick enjoying the car cart they had at the furniture store - and there's the furniture set we bought! The <b>middle bottom pic</b> is Sidekick all smiles around Thanksgiving, where we shared gender reveal cupcakes for each side of the family <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top two left pics</b> are Sidekick giving me another devilish grin ~ and the <b>middle left pics</b> are some tunnel play (and lounging), while the <b>bottom left pics</b>, are Sidekick grinning during a light dinner, and checking out the latest addition of gates to the stairs (which was <i>much</i> better than moving a box back and forth.every.time I wanted to do laundry!). All the right side of pics is the initial set up we tried out for the furniture set, as well as our golden chairs finally coming out of storage. While the other side/half was in process of becoming the play area :)</span><br />
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<u><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**6th December - 6th of January**</span></b></i></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So</i> maybe we should have prepped Sidekick for Santa better - but I had so wanted a Santa pic last Christmas (when he would have been only seven weeks), but then again, maybe we were too worried about him spitting up on the mall Santa? Plus, you never know how it will go over, so I just didn't want to stand in line for so long, and pay for the courtesy of watching my kid scream: enter Oma! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her bank was hosting a free photo session and we got invited :) We even dressed up Sidekick in his pj's to make it look like he woke up to Santa arriving Christmas morning ~ it should have been adorable - except he started crying right away! HeroPapa had to sit between them, just so I could snap a photo (but at least HeroPapa was a good sport about it!). One teary-eyed picture-turned-into-an-ornament later, we moved on to the side room for some cookie decorating and he really liked the ornaments on the ceiling ~ and even Uncle #3 braved the mascot to let us get one photo :) (<b>left side of the collage</b>, captures all this!)<br /><br /><b>Top right side</b>, shows off Sidekick enjoying more of his new playroom - before lounging with Uncle #4 and Grandma #1 for the holidays. While the rest of the collage is a mishmash of our apartment (newly cleaned, and decorated, and actually sort of getting there!). Well all except the two middle pics, which show off more of the architecture of the historical building.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top left pic</b> is Sidekick and me chilling ;) <b>Right beside it</b>, is my little big guy hugging on his favorite stuffed animal - the monkey. The <b>middle left</b> are us hanging out in the mail room with our very bored baby! And him lounging in HeroPapa's arms, about as bored as ever ;) <b>Right beneath it</b>, is Sidekick playing with a wheel (he really loves wheels!), and at the very bottom, Oma's Christmas gift of a superhero cape/towel, being modeled with smiles ~ I love the finger pointing, because he looks like a little cherub statue in my mind <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>top four pics</b> on the right, are us getting ready for Grandma #1's family side's Christmas party - including my (if I do say so myself) awesome Christmas gift wrapping ;) The rest of the <b>pics on the right side</b>, are Sidekick getting his very.first.haircut! I honestly figured we'd let him grow his hair out, but to be honest, he's just too serious of a man for long hair. I mean, look at the face when I asked them to make his hair a mohawk for a minute. You can just hear him saying, "Oh mother - <i>stop it</i>." He did very well, and got a sucker afterwards :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So of course, just in time for HeroPapa to earn a little overtime for the holidays, our car was leaking a little something (so the extra money went to the car!) . . . after checking it out at Midas (all those <b>left side top pics</b> - except for the <i>very</i> <b>left side pic</b> which is just Sidekick all smiles in the carseat); we found out some bolts needed to get replaced to prevent transmission fluid from leaking - but otherwise our car was in great shape (yay!). <b>Bottom two pics</b> are Sidekick hanging out with Uncle #4 and Grandma #1 ~ and <b>right side of the collage</b>, is Sidekick having a great time playing on Grandma #1's Kindle <3 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top four pics on the left</b>, are Sidekick checking out his wheel again, and lounging in HeroPapa's lap looking <i>oh-so-over-it</i>, and then snuggling with Uncle #4 :) The <b>right side</b> features Oma's Christmas tree, and relaxing with Uncles #1-3 to pose for pictures <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top three left pics</b> are Sidekick relaxing with HeroPapa (and <i>really</i> concentrating on the XBOX game), and Oma's iPhone - kid loves his technology! <b>Middle left row</b> are Sidekick at Oma's for Christmas and playing with his new gifts - some big ol' blocks, before letting us give him a quick change into something a bit fancier (that he also got to wear at HeroPapa's paternal side's Christmas party). And the <b>center pic</b> shows Sidekick playing with one of my favorite Christmas gifts that got - his wooden stacker :) The <b>two right beneath it</b>, are other grandparent gifts, including a book he really enjoys, and a VTech literature toy for learning the alphabet. The <b>bottom left pic</b>, is Sidekick really enjoying his play area (as in, tearing everything down . . . so we had to downsize a bit). The <b>right side of the collage</b>, is Sidekick relaxing with Uncle #2, and lounging near his changing station - and the bottom two, show my absolute favorite Christmas gift: a video monitor! Oh my gosh, I've wanted one since Sidekick was born, and I'm so happy to have one <333</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top left pic</b> is Sidekick posing with HeroPapa for a pic. With the <b>middle pic</b>, Sidekick is at Applebee's, enjoying a New Year's toy ;) The <b>left middle pic</b> is Sidekick looking a little unsure in his chair with his play horse. While the<b> rest of the middle pics</b>, are Sidekick playing with Uncle #3 at the doctor's office :D And finally, the <b>right two pics</b> are Sidekick enjoying those concrete floors of ours, by modeling the chalk New Year's well wishes we drew up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <u><i><b>**6th of January - 6th of February**</b></i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty sure all of these are self explanatory ;) But I love the lighting on just about all of them ~ and of course, my guy in his cart, enjoying a ride around the apartment hallways :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <b>top left four pics</b>, are Sidekick at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts enjoying the family day (with the table pic showing the mobile we were making out of the craft supplies). I was hoping he'd be interested in the art parts, but he really cared a lot more for turning over his stroller to play with the wheels - oh well! We'll try again at another family event down the road ;) The <b>right middle pic</b>, is Sidekick really enjoying wearing hats lately - even things that didn't start out as hats! <b>Bottom left pic</b>, is the view from our steps, showing our upstairs laundry area (clean for the moment). And the <b>pic beside</b> it, are Sidekick getting a ride on the dolly from HeroPapa. While the<b> pic beside</b><i> that</i> one, is Sidekick looking all cute in a cart - and finally, the <b>pic on the bottom right</b>, is Sidekick wearing a pretty cute outfit if I do say so myself :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So again, most of these are pretty self explanatory - with Sidekick posing in the hallways, with me, and his monkey hat :) I like the <b>top right pics</b>, of him pushing around his cart, then grabbing a random paper bag to carry into the hallway for absolutely no reason at all. The <b>bottom left two pics</b> are Sidekick snuggling and being all tired - and then snuggling against HeroPapa ~ aw!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left pic</b> is the other half of the artist lofts currently being worked on, with the pic beside it, being the outside seating area of the leasing office (which has been nicely decorated since this pic was taken). The <b>middle three pics</b> are our gorgeous baby in perfect lighting in the community room (that blue chair highlighting his eyes pretty nicely if I do say so myself). The<b> left side pics</b> are Sidekick ready to get going for a walk - and me, showcasing an eight month bump <3 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The<b> two underneath</b> are Sidekick making funny faces while practicing drinking from his sippy cup (with everyone constantly sick it seemed, it was hard to be consistent with the sippy cup training!). Well that, and Sidekick finished getting his last teeth in (way early!), for a total of sixteen teeth - with the next teeth (hopefully), not showing up till those two year molars. We.are.so.<i>done</i> with teething!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <b>bottom three pics</b> are Sidekick relaxing in his play area, while I try to feel better from the anemia. And finally, the<b> top right pics</b>, are Sidekick checking out his play pen on its side for fun, before taking a rest on the carpet (he likes to randomly lay down for a minute, before jumping to the next thing. That silly billy!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This entire set/collage is Sidekick in the community room, exploring every inch of it (and relaxing at the end against the pillow). Isn't he just adorable? Love the lighting in the room <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <b>top left two pics</b> are Sidekick rocking his very first cloth diaper! I can't wait to write up my cloth diapering post to share our adventures so far ;) We just finished gathering together our entire stash and I'm excited to hopefully start our newborn in them right away! The <b>two pics underneath</b> that, are fun angles of Sidekick checking out the hallway. While the <b>top two right pics</b> are Sidekick rocking out my hat and shawl to pose as a little Russian boy ;) The <b>two pics underneath</b> are Sidekick gnawing on an iPhone - and then having some red cheeks from teething, and trying to chew on something (but gosh help me, I can't remember what caused those purple lips :P) And the <b>whole bottom row</b> is him looking all kinds of independent in his high chair (we even dared it without the bib ;D)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>top two left pics</b> are Sidekick modeling his tractor toy, and posing as he watches some tv. <b>Right underneath</b> is him slinking his way towards me, but still keeping an eye on that tv ;) And then not too long after, pretty much taking a break on the floor! The <b>top middle three pics</b> are at the play area in the mall at Southdale Center. He moved too quick for me to get a good shot of him! The <b>rest of the pics</b> are us at Ruby Tuesday with the family :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top left pic</b>, is Sidekick wearing his Halo Sleepsack like a headcovering. Not sure why, but hey, he's all smiles in it :) <b> Right underneath</b>, he's looking all kinds of serious, as he also takes a ride around with his tractor toy. And at the <b>bottom left side</b>, is his <i>"Are you serious?"</i> face, but then also all smiles, posing with his Vtech dog toy :D <b>Top right photos</b> are him and me all smiles, with the next picture being him practicing his coordination-eating skills a la independence. <b>Middle right pic</b>, is him lounging, and <b>bottom right pic</b> is him smiling in the monthly-shot-rocker we used so often for his first year pics (I should make a collage out of those pics to post, so you can see how much he's grown <3) . . . and finally:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(I just had to add the last one - 30 year record broken, up in these parts!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But moving on forward . . . </span></div>
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<u><i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**6th of February - 6th of March**</span></b></i></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top two left pics</b> are me capturing Sidekick reading a book - before he pulls it down to give me that, <i>"Whatcha' looking at?"</i> look ;) <b>Two pics underneath</b> are him carrying around his basket to fill with toys, and lounging on the sofa, looking like his Opa! And the<b> two underneath</b>, are him all smiles, as if he's plotting something haha. <b>Top two right photos</b> show off the grill area of our building (though highly doubtful it's being used yet!). And then there's HeroPapa and Sidekick snuggling on the couch. <b>Two pics underneath that</b>, are Sidekick exploring the press-on light, and then spinning it around :) <b>Right underneath that</b>, is yet another snuggle pic for HeroPapa and Sidekick - aren't they adorable? And finally, <b>the bottom right pics</b>, are Sidekick modeling another cloth diaper from our first batch of arrivals :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top left pics</b> are in the fitness studio of our building. I love the yoga balls for my back! And the <b>bottom left pics</b> are our new shower doors for the upstairs bathroom (which Sidekick loves just as much as we do ;D). T<b>op two right pics</b> are Sidekick and Uncle #2 playing in the latest play area set up - which has changed (again!) since then - while the <b>two pics underneath</b> are pics of another meet up with other November babies at a mall in Mankato <3 The <b>three pics underneath</b> that, are him wanting to wear his sleepsack, but obviously still be mobile, so we wrapped it behind his back and away he went! Look at those cute arms just swinging around :)</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <b>two pics underneath</b> that, are Sidekick lounging in his toddler rocker chair, exploring the spray bottle for the cloth wipes, and enjoying the head frame of a toddler bed gifted to us (look at that cute smirk!) :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>top three left pics</b> are Sidekick eating a hot dog with his fork (and sometimes the hand, too) :) <b>Middle towards the left</b>, are Sidekick playing with a straw ~ and then snuggling with HeroPapa shortly after waking up <3 <b>Bottom four left pics</b>, are back in the fitness studio, with HeroPapa rolling Sidekick up into the mat for fun ;) <b>Top right pics</b> are a cute tractor moment, with his pointy little toes - and then realizing the set up for the play area won't work, seeing as Sidekick could climb the table (and fall off!). <b>Middle right pics</b> are him looking at a book - and then deciding to make it better . . . by ripping off pieces of it. Oy. <b>Right underneath</b> is the scene I walked in on when returning from the bathroom: Sidekick pulling down the chalk box from the shelf behind the rocker, standing on top of it, and aiming for HeroPapa's plants at the window - and then giving me a mischievous little grin afterwards!</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, the <b>bottom right pic</b>, shows him not feeling great, lounging his feet up on my lap, and me trying to keep him hydrated with some milk (for fluids and calories, since he pretty much only clutched food, not really eating it).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left pic </b>is another shot from the video monitor - showing one of Sidekick's favorite sleeping positions: the butt in the air pose. <b>Pic beside it</b>, is our temp. cloth diapering station (until his room is completely set up, this will have to do!). The <b>middle pics</b> are him eating some jambalaya, and relaxing on the carpet again. With the <b>bottom left pic</b> being him snuggling against me <3 The <b>top two right pics</b> are him not feeling well again, and that congestion/runny nose just warming up his cheeks good (but luckily, no fevers!). <b>Bottom four pics</b> were a request from HeroPapa to send him "cute pics. At least four." So sidekick modeled some gear, and then posed with me ~ aren't we quite the pair?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick in March, since I just didn't have the heart to capture too many "Sick" pics of him. <br /><br />***</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And that's all folks! <i>Whew!</i> <br />I really hope I don't let another four months go by without updates :)<br />And don't forget to look out for a birth announcement coming up soon!</span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-33559314150842846422014-01-16T22:34:00.000-06:002014-01-16T22:34:55.958-06:00Sorry for the absence!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the title says, I'm sorry for the absence, and lack of updates on Sidekick :(<br />Basically, I'm in my third trimester now, and getting really tired all the time.<br /><br />That and the move, setting things up (living room, kitchen, and bathroom are done - not much else), and the holidays, have just wiped me out. In general, things are going well and Sidekick is cutting a lot of teeth, still growing like a weed (though thinning out since he's walking all over the place now), and mostly sleeping through the night - unless the teething is bothering him. <br /><br />Other than that, HeroPapa is on some new medication to help him with working third shift (the night shift), and it seems to be doing the trick! He now has enough energy, because he's sleeping better during the day, to help around the house, and have some quality family as well, which has been such a blessing :)<br /><br />As for me and Baby Boy #2, I'm trying to remind myself, that just because I can't get on the floor as much anymore with Sidekick to play, that that's okay. I have to make time for this new baby too, and allow myself the rest I need (even if it's just sitting in a rocking chair), in order to be the best vessel I can be for this baby. Our due date is still April 6th, and he's growing right on track. Luckily, I'm gaining at a much slower pace than with Sidekick (though with him, I had edema, so almost half my weight gain was painful water weight swelling). <br /><br />So other than that, we are settling into our new apartment, which is amazing, and I can't wait to give a tour <3 I haven't forgotten about the blog, nor the fact, that our relatives need some amazing pictures of Sidekick soon, before they suffer from withdrawal ;)<br /><br />I'll be back soonish, my goal being a big update on the 6th of Feb. at the latest ~ see you all then!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-66108527507530460792013-12-25T21:28:00.002-06:002013-12-25T21:29:27.444-06:00Merry Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">(and in case you're wondering, I know I missed the 13 mo. update, but we moved!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> So I'm hoping to update the blog with a double month post in January :D) </span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-5647335019106821062013-11-14T19:15:00.001-06:002013-11-14T19:15:35.280-06:00One Year Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My big boy is now one year old! This is such an exciting time for our family ~ not only did we celebrate his birthday (and mine, the day before). But we moved out of the bat apartment, and have put down a deposit for a brand new set of lofts, still under construction. We are praying that everything falls into place (there's no reason to suspect otherwise, but I don't tend to count my eggs before they hatch). Either way, things are definitely changing, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. After all, I'm nineteen weeks pregnant now - almost halfway done, there's another move (next Thursday!) on the horizon, and then our nine year anniversary in December - six married, nine together. Wow!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PLICbMvvDFVrJVNEoO44jR9jSbrVzCn_V7aOmQKdssm8zJxlEofo1lFn7Vy1394YVDuxDC574Vu1F-J1dT0Wh-8RvXK6bddzzqeJXJ7U4qnhOIRY4ep49cnx7XtN5WYbty5zfTyRViw/s1600/stats+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PLICbMvvDFVrJVNEoO44jR9jSbrVzCn_V7aOmQKdssm8zJxlEofo1lFn7Vy1394YVDuxDC574Vu1F-J1dT0Wh-8RvXK6bddzzqeJXJ7U4qnhOIRY4ep49cnx7XtN5WYbty5zfTyRViw/s400/stats+pics.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So basically, Sidekick going from an infant to a toddler, is just another big slice of the pie of life ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But come on, you just want some pics, right?! Here's the stats, fresh from Tuesday, because he had a week late appointment for his twelve month checkup: 26.14lbs (96-99% depending on if you look at just weight, or compare it to the length as well), and 31in. tall (84%).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So click the "Read More" link, and check out 73 pictures to see all the ways he's grown (developmentally, physically, and socially) <3 *and don't forget to click on the collages, in order to make them bigger :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I tried taking his picture on October 6th (because I like to use those pics for his stat information, but boy was he not having it that morning!). He seemed ready to battle it out, just sitting in Taco Bell (his first time there), but at least he seemed to enjoy the food (when he wasn't practicing his karate moves) :) The next day, we went to Baby Storytime, but for the last two months - he only seems to enjoy books, when he can eat them. Hence, the nickname of Mr. Beaver still holding strong this month, too! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">HeroPapa got himself a haricut! He had a long ponytail, but his hair looks fuller now, because it isn't being pulled back. I didn't think I'd like it very much, but I gotta admit, it suits him! Right beside that pic, is Sidekick and me, sharing some smiles before bedtime ~ isn't he just adorable? The two top pics on the right side, are poor HeroPapa, Uncle #2, and Sidekick lounging in the driveway . . . with HeroPapa more like passed out :P He works nights, and this was during his usual sleeptime, so he was really, <i>really</i> tired. Then on the bottom there, is a pic of Sidekick and Opa - then Sidekick and a new friend who is only two weeks younger than him (it's rare to find a baby bigger than Sidekick, but this one was!). And finally the bottom right pic, is Sidekick enjoying his sippy cup and baby puffs (he really likes garden tomato flavored ones). My big boy is growing up, since he doesn't really need the bottle except at naps and bedtime :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top two left
pics, are us back at Storytime, and Sidekick really wanting some of the
toys for playtime afterwards (love his reach there in that second
shot). Middle pic, is my baby looking cute as he stares inside the baby
store. And the final three pics are us at the apple orchard, where
they had a small array of pumpkins, and a wagon for us to pose Sidekick
in for these cute shots :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />The candle on the left, was lit on October 15th in honor of our Angelbaby Rowan, as part of the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (click<a href="http://www.october15th.com/" target="_blank"> here</a> to learn more - link opens in new window). The reason we chose a sweet pea scented candle, was because though I was pregnant for about ten weeks, our baby did not measure more than six and a half weeks (no one knows if his/her heart beat longer though). But the size of our baby, was the size of a sweet pea. HeroPapa and I reflected on our loss, and thanked God for our blessings - both for Sidekick and the baby growing inside me right now <3<br /><br />The picture underneath it, is HeroPapa painting his used toy push wagon, in Superman colors - though you'll have to wait to see why ;) The two pics on the upper right, are Sidekick enjoying the Baby View app on the Kindle (we have a lot of their YouTube videos), but the app works even without an internet connection, which can be a lifesaver some days! And finally, the bottom row is trying on a monkey hat at Walmart - which we bought with the matching gloves, thinking he'd like it, but this is about the only time he's worn the hat willingly! Next time, I'm buying something with a string for under the chin lol. And then of course, he was busy charming the lady at the register, with his little lean overs - and then he looked about as bored as could be while waiting for us to pay . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top Row is
Sidekick giving us some cute smiles - and showing off his chubby little
toes :D Bottom Row, left, is Uncle #3 trying to help his nephew out by
giving him a lot of his own toys . . . and instead kind of burying him
in them instead! Then the other two pics, on the right, show Oma's
birthday gift to him (given to him early), a fancy little walker - too
bad, he was more interested in chewing on it . . . on his tiptoes lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top pic is Sidekick in the play area at Oma's, with Uncle #2 and Uncle #3 <3 Then more Baby Storytime . . . where he preferred to chew on things again ;) And smiling around with Oma. And lastly, a pic of Sidekick and me, lounging together, all smiles as usual :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The above
collage, is us at the Midtown Market in Minneapolis ~ definitely an
awesome place to check out for foreign foods, but I got excited about
the indoor play area: though Sidekick only seemed <i>eh </i>about it :P (especially towards the end, when he kind of just sank out of the car lol!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Left two top
pics, are Sidekick and HeroPapa playing on the Kindle in the dark ~ with
the middle one, showing him playing with it in the playarea. The top
middle pic, shows Uncle #3 trying to help out again, by making a tray of
Cheeze It's for a snack . . . using tubberware ;) Top right pic, is
Mr. Sidekick all smiles during a snack - and bottom left pic is Sidekick
playing in his sleep sack (I love how it trails behind him, like a
bridal train). The last pic on the bottom, is another meeting with the
MN moms, where we got to see some old friends - all born within a two
week span of one another :) Aren't they just the cutest?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top left pic, is
snuggles with HeroPapa just before Halloween ~ where two days before, we
arrived at Baby Storytime, for a costumed themed event of fun, with
Sidekick dressed up as Superman - complete with a newly painted Superman
car (though we forgot the decal of the Superman logo for his hood!).
After a really nice time with other costumed friends, we headed home to
Oma's to play, but it looked like he was pretty done with the day, and
falling asleep right then and there, bent over his toys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Top left pic, is Sidekick playing in the empty bedroom of our old apartment - so long bat cave! Which must have tired him out on the way home . . . or that was just the start of his illness. Yup, on the evening of All Hallows Eve, he woke up wheezing and coughing, and seemingly too pain to swallow. So guess who took him to the ER at midnight, to make sure he didn't somehow swallow something that wasn't passing? Yup, HeroMama to the rescue! Luckily it turned out to be just a bad viral infection, and he had a chunk of mucus stuck in his throat. It took a few days (and made it's way through the house to the rest of us), but it's only the second time he's been sick in a year - so yay for strong babies! And finally, the two pics of me on the right are my small baby bump :)<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />After Sidekick was feeling a bit better, we brought out some old Halloween candy and he got to have his first taste of M&M's. He seemed curious but indifferent at first, as he inspected them, but very quickly finished them off lol. The top pic on the right, is Sidekick giving me some smiles playing in his sleepsack during an unusual 2AM I'm-just-wake-Mama evening. Luckily, playtime tired him out, after 45 minutes ;) Bottom left pic, is HeroPapa swinging Sidekick around, which made him laugh like crazy! Middle pic, is Sidekick enjoying his first sucker (another leftover piece of candy, this time from the gas station attendant), and last pic on the right was Sidekick lounging with Oma, and looking all cute - but he noticed me real quick, so his head shot up to see what I was doing :)<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />And now for the grand finale! Here's Sidekick on his birthday, his very first one <3 We went to Babies R Us, and he got a sucker, a red balloon, and a birthday crown (which he was kind enough to wear just long enough for us to be able to snap a few pics). Then we went to Olive Garden, and we got a chocolate mouse dessert with a candle to sing him Happy Birthday. I love his reach for the candle in the middle, and the one where he's cautiously trying it out . . . and then the smile at the end after he was all done :D<br /><br />Our beautiful, amazing boy, is now one year old, and I can't wait to see what's waiting around the corner for our blessing! We love you baby <333<br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> To catch up on Sidekick's progress so far, <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/p/petersocks-alter-egos.html" target="_blank">click here </a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-8128034660541187132013-10-07T22:32:00.001-05:002013-10-07T22:32:54.397-05:00Ten & Eleven Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Well well well . . . why exactly did I skip the ten month blog update? Uh, for a lot of reasons! Saying I was busy would be an understatement, but I'll just let you read on, and see what exactly has been going on with us in the last two months (including a special little announcement!) :)<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />The month of August and September have been filled with lots of changes for our family. Our lease was expiring, and we opted to go month to month, while we planned on saving up for that house that we've been dreaming about for a while now. We got the good news that we qualify with our income, but we need that credit score to be just a <i>bit</i> higher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But while we planned on slowly putting things in storage, we were met with another problem: <b>bats.</b> <i>Plural.</i> Yes, in our apartment! <span style="font-size: x-small;">To read about our first experience with bats, <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/search/label/Bat" target="_blank">click here</a> (tab opens in a new window).</span> Once again, there was a bat by our son, that came through a tear it made in our windows screen. We did not see this bat, but found its nest after having been gone for a weekend, in a corner with feces and urine on the walls (eek!!). Then two days later, HeroPapa was having a 3AM formula run and had come back, climbing the steps to our floor, when a bat flew out towards him and chased him back down to the second floor! <br /><br />Time to move for us! We gave our notice right after, and I packed myself and Sidekick up and moved into my Mother's home an hour south, in the beginning of September. HeroPapa is still putting things and storage, since we don't know when exactly we'll have a house. Between that and his job, we only get to see him on the weekends :( We miss him terribly, but luckily, he'll be joining us at the end of the month. Of course, though we'll be glad to have him, a two hour commute (total) is quite the drive, but at least it'll motivate us to get into a house as soon as possible (though it wasn't like we weren't motivated before!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, on September 23rd, my Mom was driving, I was in the passenger seat, and Sidekick was in the center back seat, when we got t-boned. The curtain airbag went off and hit me, but luckily Sidekick was 100% fine. I was taken to the hospital though in an ambulance because my leg was deeply bruised, and . . . here comes the announcement: <b>because I'm pregnant!!</b> First off, the baby is a-okay, and the next day, we had our scheduled NT scan which also showed a perfect little baby growing right on track <3 I'm fourteen weeks today, and our baby is due the 6th of April. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />I was very grateful that they checked me out right away at the ER, and reassuring me that our baby was still alive. My babies were safe and sound, and though my recovery has been a bit slow (some various bruising from my shoulder, down to my knee - which looks the worst), I am recovering, and really, it could have been<i> so</i> much worse! The only other thing we've been battling is me needing to get back on Zofran for my nausea and vomiting. But I haven't had to get any IV's yet, like I did with Sidekick, so hopefully this pregnancy will continue to be a <i>smidge</i> easier.<br /><br />Also, because of our housing situation, and because Sidekick seemed to be having a mild allergic reaction to Anubis (our Pomeranian), we found a new home for him on the 21st of September. We found an amazing home for him with an older lady (and her son) who had lost their beloved Pomeranian to old age, back in June. They knew all about those tendencies of a small lap dog, and he was going to be spoiled rotten! I've had periodic updates to ensure how he's doing and so far, so good! He will always be the dog who gave me the best therapy after my miscarriage, and so has a special place in my heart, but now, he'll get all the attention and love he so rightly deserves <3<br /><br />As far as Sidekick's development: physically, he's pretty much the same, except he's thinning out a bit ~ eating more food, and less formula. He doesn't seem to be allergic to anything (so far - knock on wood). And he can now clap, and wave "Hi" and "Bye". He's getting more expressive by the minute :D He's also working on two more teeth (which will be his ninth and tenth respectively), so his sleep is a little all over the place, but eh, we'll be having a newborn around here soon enough again, so I better get used to it haha! He's still practicing walking, and can do it a little bit if he's holding onto something, but just a few steps at a time. He can climb stairs, but prefers not to :)<br /><br />Well, that's a lot of stuff to process, so how about I reward your patience with some pictures to tell the rest? Scroll on down, click on the thumbnails, and enjoy 152 pics (if my counting isn't off) of our family's life as we enter a whole new phase. Pretty soon, we'll be heading in the two under two of family life! Let the adventure begin!!<br /><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick sleeping in all sorts of way (hey, so long he's comfortable right?).<br />Playing with Anubis, and lounging with HeroPapa and a good book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick being held by Grandma #1, and having breakfast at Denny's with Grandma #1, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Uncle #2 & #4, as well as us parents. Then lounging with a bottle in the booth, and on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">HeroPapa, before we went to visit ValleyFair (though I couldn't ride anything, being pregnant, boo!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just striking a few poses with HeroMama (including a now infamous toe pop) :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First two pics (top left), are at Verizon. Two pics (top right), are eating the BrainQuest box ;)<br />And I love all his leg poses lately ~ so here's a few examples :)</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love his "Whatcha' looking at Ma?!" look at the top right there, and what a funny pose at </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the bottom left, right? Middle bottom, is him chewing on his excersaucer, and then a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">milky face in the carseat, before posing with HeroPapa </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Did I mention Sidekick loves to pose? <br />Also, he can go from happy to sad quite quickly!<br />And that last right, bottom right pic, is him eating some jerky for the first time :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here we at Buca ~ and the top right pic is funny, because he looks like, "All the food is for me?!"<br />The first pic on the bottom left, is him smashing the food in his face - and the next two pics, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">are him trying an ice cream for the first time . . . and looking like he's plotting something ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More posing! And pulling himself up ~ I like how HeroPapa taught him how to stick out his <br />tongue and blow some raspberries ;) The top right pic is me trying to show off his "monkey butt" pants, and the one right under, is him posing again, in funny positions. The bottom three, are him </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">trying some chocolate that he was eying (I love Anubis' smile there!), and the last one, is him smiling with a little know it all face haha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick really loves utensils for some reason (not complaining, since hey it's cheap!). In the photo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">he's got at least three around him haha. The next top three images, are the bat nest! *gasp*<br />Bottom left, is Sidekick ready to fight the power it seems . . . before lounging with HeroPapa, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and trying to figure out how a fan works. And then crawling all over HeroPapa in the play area to get to his phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These are all pretty self explanatory, except the one on the bottom left:<br />that's Sidekick watching some <i>Brokeback Mountain</i> with me, while I try to eat some lunch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's Sidekick being a little contortionist. And lounging with HeroPapa.<br />Bottom left, is riding in a car buggy at Lowe's, middle, is him in his monkey pj's.<br />Bottom right pics are his play area at Oma's, and cuddling with Opa <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Snuggling with HeroPapa, and having fun with mirrors at Kohl's.<br />Then enjoying a breadstick, before chilling in his car.<br />Bottom left pics are trying to eat the shower curtain, and the look he gave, <br />when he realized he got caught! Bottom right pics are visiting with Uncle #3 at the dentist's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top left pic, is him chewing a corner off the waiting room book :O<br />Then watching some "Stuart Little", with Uncle #3 at the dentist.<br />Top right pic is the family cat who now snuggles on my belly all the time, because somehow, she knows I'm pregnant :)<br />Bottom left, Sidekick concentrating really hard on a toy (HeroPapa captions this one, "Mr. Jowls")<br />Bottom right pics, are HeroPapa and Sidekick relaxing together (and Sidekick getting nice and tired!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick and Uncle #3 enjoying some playtime together. Top right, sleeping in the car.<br />Middle right, static electricity in the cart. And Uncle #2 sliding with Anubis at the park.<br />Bottom left, posing with toys. Bottom right, posing with HeroPapa. And relaxing with Anubis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Baby Storytime is back! And so are the funny poses :D </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />My first time with repeat pics - sorry! But there's a few more here, too ;)<br /><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's the day of the accident: including the top right, taken just an hour before.<br />Bottom left, view from the ambulance, of my Mom's (bigger) car. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Middle is my worst bruise - my knee. And bottom right two, are Sidekick </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">playing with my crutches (which luckily I only had to use for two days), at the dr.'s for the NT scan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick is loving all things cars and wheels :D<br />So we got him this car used for $20. What a bargain!<br />I plan on painting it Superman colors asap :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pretty self explanatory ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top left, shopping in pj's, and doing his bashful head tilt on shoulder pose.<br />Top right, being funny with a pitcher. Middle left, at the bank with us ~ then more storytime.<br />Bottom left, back at the doctor's to make sure leg is healing right. Then some Olive Garden, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">where he loved all the food, even salad (though meat is still his fave). Then passed out in the car :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick shopping for his new car seat, though he is not as impressed as the baby behind him ;) Another sleep pose, because I can't resist! Bottom left pics, are him relaxing at Buffalo Tap, and eating a coaster?! Top right, at IHOP with HeroPapa, and then posing with HeroMama the next day, to send pics to HeroPapa: we miss him! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">***<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hope you enjoyed the latest update, and don't forget to check up on </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sidekick's <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/p/petersocks-alter-egos.html" target="_blank">progress so far</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(link opens up in new window) </span>if you haven't had a chance to yet :)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-65990358544527662352013-08-21T15:33:00.002-05:002013-08-21T15:33:37.269-05:00Nine Months<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Two Weeks Late (and a day late)?! Gees-Louise!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well read on anyways ;) Click "Read More" to catch up on the latest, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">and see 143 images of Sidekick's eight month, now that he's nine months (and a half) old :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Physical:</b></u> Our little Sidekick is just growing by leaps and bounds, having added another inch to his frame (which puts him at the 75%) since last month, and half a pound (though on the whole, his weight gain has slowed down a bit for the first time . . . <i>like, ever</i>). Both his pedi and I were quite happy about that. Though how a baby looks, is not an indication of how they'll look all grown up. I've seen quite the chubby baby, grow into a tall lean example of physical health. He is now in the 95th percentile (versus 99% earlier), in weight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">His hair is still the same - a blondish light brown, and is getting a little thicker. Though overall, he still has a bit of a cueball ;) His eyes should remain the hue they are now, a beautiful lake blue in my opinion. And according to developmental sights, his vision should now be 20/20. Which makes sense, since he's crawling across the room to get to things he's now seeing :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><u><b>Developmental:</b></u> Sidekick is pulling himself up and standing - though isn't really taking any steps right now. He can, but doesn't seem too interested in it at the moment. He seems more interested in objects, playing with them longer, and instead of just gnawing at them, tries to interact with them differently (like, clanging them together in a clapping motion, and brushing his hair with food haha). He seems to recognize his favorite toys and objects more, and smiles when certain books are brought out, and he claps his hands against the pages and helps turn them. <br /><br />We've been seeing the beginning signs of the pincer grasp, but he still prefers to rake a piece of food into his fist, and then squish his hand against his mouth - using his other hand to hold his wrist, as if trying to keep the hand with the food in it in place (so maybe he's aiming for balance, or accuracy?). His memory capacity seems to be getting stronger, and he'll cry for one of us longer if he sees us leave - though that could just as well be separation anxiety coming in! But he also has longer tantrums when things change, as if he's remembering what to be upset about for longer periods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><u><b>Outings:</b></u> We had our typical Baby Story time outings at our local library for socialization. As well as outings to the park, and getting ready for a public pool at a lake - but they wouldn't allow floatation devices, so last week Oma had an inflatable pool in the front yard he got to play in (but more on that for next month's update). We also tried driving up to Duluth, for a weekend stay, but came home twelve hours later, because poor Sidekick just could not sleep outside his usual crib/routine. We also got to spend a bit of time with Oma's German relatives, HeroMama's cousin and his girlfriend :) It was a busy month, that's for sure!<br /><br /><br />**And in case you're wondering what the "parenting fails" refer to, it's just little things you'll be seeing throughout the collages, that I'll label for you . . . like lots of tech devices for Sidekick to get distracted by (oi!)<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But enough with the basics: let's get to the fun stuff ~ in chronological order to boot :) <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>First (top) picture</b> on the left, is probably one of the last times Sidekick has spent outside his playarea. He's just too mobile and curious now, and there's too many wires for him to get into in the living room! So if he's in the living room, it's usually only if one of us is holding him, or he's in his music chair, and/or excersaucer. <b>Bottom left pic</b> is HeroPapa and Sidekick posing for me to take a pic of :) And the <b>middle row</b> is me trying to get a pic of Sidekick and me - and instead he clamps down on my neck! As if it was so bad to get him to try to smile for a profile shot ;) The <b>last of the top four pics</b> is actually my facebook profile photo <3 <b>Bottom two in the middle</b> are me making him laugh big time shortly thereafter though - so I got the final word! The <b>two pics on the right</b>, are Sidekick inspecting his rings on my chair, and looking all cute with his little jowls :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top Left</b> photo is Sidekick just lounging around ;) The <b>top two pics on the right</b>, and bottom right right pic, are at Baby Storytime at our local library - where HeroPapa creatively turned the boxes into a seat (and hat) for Sidekick. <b>Middle bottom</b> pic is Sidekick pulling himself up!!! <b>Bottom left </b>pic is the mess he created afterwards from being mobile (true story)</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top Left</b> pic is Uncle #2 carrying Sidekick in the new Ergo we got (since he outgrow the stretchy Boba wrap, which shouldn't be used as a back carrier). The <b>bottom left pic</b>, is Sidekick giving yet another awesome expression, this one says: "Girl, <i>please</i>!". The <b>middle pic</b> is snuggles with HeroPapa's mother, Grandma #1. The <b>bottom middle</b> pic is Sidekick relaxing on HeroPapa, with his feet against his jaw! <b>Top Right </b>pic, is Sidekick being held by Uncle #4, HeroPapa's brother. And <b>bottom right</b> pic, is posing au natural with HeroPapa :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top Left pic</b>, car ride with his new stuffed animals: a dino and a monkey :) <b>Middle pic</b>, having a snoozefest shortly afterwards, and showing off those jowls! <b>Top right</b> pic, on the bench at the park with Uncle #1 and Oma. <b>Bottom left</b> pic, on the big blue swing: our boy blue. <b>Middle Bottom</b> pics, checking out the see saw, and <b>bottom right</b> pic, swinging in the infant chair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left</b> pic, getting ready to eat at Buca's :) <b>Middle top row</b>, HeroPapa trying to get his attention, and Sidekick deciding to push against his Papa's chin as punishment ;) <b>Bottom Left </b>pic, posing with HeroPapa. <b>Bottom Middle pic</b>, posing with Opa, and Uncle #2. <b>Right side of pics</b>, are me and Sidekick getting ready for our photo op - but he cares more about the food in my hand :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top Left</b> pic, posing with HeroPapa, and looking all serious. <b>Middle top</b> pic, sporting the same kinda smile, between Uncle #4, and Sidekick. <b>Top Right </b>pic, HeroMama and Sidekick, showing off some weight loss! <b>Bottom Left</b>, pretty much the last time Sidekick was in the living room . . . since (as seen in the bottom middle pic), he starts <strike>army</strike>crawling all over the place. <b>Bottom right</b> pic, HeroPapa having a funny way of holding Anubis and Sidekick simultaneously ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Left row</b> of images, shows Sidekick acting like a turtle, with his pool as a shell. He crawls on over to some toys, rolls over, and gnaws on it, with the "shell" still on him ;) <b>Top two</b> pictures: Sidekick being all kinds of sad . . . until HeroMama cheers him up! <b>Bottom two</b> pictures - <i>parenting fail one and two</i>! <i>One</i>, by letting him get the "cord chewing" out of his system, with an unplugged fan. And <i>two</i>, watching a baby wesee video online, so I can eat lunch :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top Left </b>image, is a piece of paper, half white, half black - rolled with clear packing tape (in hopes he'd gnaw on that, instead of wanting wires (eh, it works about half of the time). <b>Bottom two</b> pictures, is Sidekick posing in his musical chair, with (what HeroPapa calls) his "Elvis suite". <b>Top three right </b>pics, are Sidekick playing with the mirror, his head bopping from one side to the other. <b>Middle two</b> pics, are Sidekick shirtless, from opposite head angles - he can look quite different from all angles in my opinion! <b>Middle Right</b> photos, are Sidekick checking out his new toy from Opa and Oma, a horse that makes riding sounds, and can be strapped to an adult's lap :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top Row from left to right</b>: Sidekick lounging in Opa's arms. Then in Uncle #2's, giving various looks. And then crawling around at Oma's, getting ready for the pool (but we didn't get to go!). <b>Middle Left pic</b>, is Sidekick and HeroPapa; and bottom left pic, is Sidekick and HeroMama. <b>Bottom two middle pics</b>, are Sidekick checking out HeroPapa's XBOX 360 controller . . . and <b>bottom right pics</b>, are practicing eating with a spoon (don't you just love his patch of hair on top?!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top Row</b> of pics, are Sidekick checking out various toys of his. <b>Bottom two on the left</b>, are Sidekick grasping his books - and giving one a funny look ;) <b>Middle right </b>pic, is <i>parenting fail number three</i>: letting Sidekick play with a baby app on the Kindle, so he wouldn't scream when I went to the bathroom. And <b>bottom right </b>pic, is <i>parenting fail number four</i>, for taking a pic of an obviously upset Sidekick, who got more upset by the presence of the phone (when he usually wants to hold the phone all.the.time).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left two</b> images, are Sidekick exploring his excersaucer - and I just love his claw like foot in the second pic. <b>Top three right</b> images, are the last baby story time of the summer (but we already signed up for fall!). That <b>last picture top right</b>, must be him realizing that he's not coming back for a while . . . because he definitely looks unimpressed! <b>Bottom row</b> of pictures, are Sidekick checking out the XBOX remote, and playing with his stuffed monkey. That <b>last pic on the bottom right</b>, is him insisting on tasting the computer mouse, so finally I unplugged it and let him have a taste, and that's the face he made! My plan worked though. He hasn't reached for it since ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top left </b>pic is Sidekick trying to pull himself up between my legs - hey there boy! <b>Second to left</b> pic, is him trying to get out of HeroPapa's grip, and get to me. <b> Middle two top </b>pics are him just looking all kinds of cute in his play area. <b>Top right</b> pic is him checking out my new iPhone case with our family on it, and the one immediately under, is him trying to watch HeroPapa play on the tv. <b>Bottom left</b> pic is a funny angle of Sidekick gnawing on his rings. <b>Middle two</b> pics in the center, are cute angles of his face, playing with his rattle toy - and just underneath in the <b>two bottom center</b> pics, is Sidekick striking a "manly" pose, and trying to cover up when he realizes I caught him! <b>Right pic</b> in the middle is Sidekick looking particularly bored on my lap . . . but then <b>right underneath</b>, him making a face that looks <i>a lot</i> like HeroPapa.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left</b> pic, Sidekick spending time with Grandma #1. <b>Two top center</b> pics, Uncle #2, and Uncle #4 :) (Uncle #2 is actually a year older, but a like a foot shorter!). <b>Top right</b>, Sidekick looking all kinds of cute :D <b>Bottom three</b> pics on the left, Sidekick just really not having a good time - and me capturing the moments via parenting fail number six. <b>Middle two right </b>pics, Sidekick likes to sleep with his feet curled under, and his butt up in the air - but that night, he had the blanket over him as well: silly baby. <b>Bottom two right</b> pics, is hanging out with family (Uncle #2, Uncle #3, and Oma) at the Mall of America. And then Sidekick and HeroMama posing together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top row</b>: Sidekick exploring his play area - and checking out some bananas . . . which he decided he didn't like =P <b>Bottom left</b> side, cute pic of Sidekick, posing in his musical chair - and relaxing against the black corner plush pillow of his play area. <b>Bottom right</b> side, is spending a morning at the bank to discuss mortgage options :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left</b> pic, is Sidekick looking all done up in his monkey suit ;) And <b>top two</b> pics, checking out his books ~ <b>bottom left side</b>, is relaxing in his stroller at an outdoor diner in Two Harbors (thirty minutes from Duluth). <b>Bottom three right</b> photos, are checking out a malt like shop in central Duluth, where the food took too long . . . so he decided to eat the table instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left</b> photo, Sidekick smiling as he gnaws on his set of toys. <b>Top two right</b>, reaching for the bar on his excersaucer . . . to eat it! <b>Bottom left side</b>, knocking over Uncle #2's pyramid of toys (and water bottle). <b>Bottom right three</b> pics, are Sidekick eating a blueberry muffin - then coating his hair with it, and then just digging in face first, as HeroMama tries to take it away ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Top left </b>photo, Sidekick on his nine month birthday, posing with Anubis on the chair. <b>Top middle</b> pic, relaxing on the couch with HeroPapa at Oma's. <b>Bottom left </b>photo is the next day, riding in the car cart at Cub's for the first time (he loved it!). <b>Middle bottom</b> pic, is eating turkey au natural (without it being blended first - he loved that, too!). <b>Right pic</b>, is getting another horse gift, to ride all on his own :D </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't forget to catch up on Sidekick's monthly updates </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">listed <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/p/petersocks-alter-egos.html" target="_blank">here</a> in the info section of our blog</span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-84557865467142530402013-07-08T22:05:00.005-05:002013-07-08T22:05:55.304-05:00Eight Months<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stats of the Month: weight 24.2 lbs. & height 28in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nickname: Drooly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Traits: Explorer + Napstriker</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our theme this month? <i>Storytimes, socials, and Slithering</i> (nope, not that one Hogwarts house <i>Slytherin</i>, but slithering, as in - he's mobile!) At first, I was just going to share how he can move around in circles, on his belly like a snake; but in the last three days he has now added: getting in the crawling position, pulling up in his crib (which we lowered two weeks ago) onto his knees, and taking a few steps when you hold him by the hands. Oh, and he also cut two teeth in two days. To use the cliche, "Slow down kid", doesn't seem to do all these developments justice. I'm just grateful he hasn't grown another inch since last month! (though he did gain another pound :P). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our other big events this month: we're starting a few socialization outings, though really he doesn't seem to care either way. He's just as good about playing by himself in a corner, that he is about being in a crowd (or even handled by a lot of family). But I still feel like he smiles the most at home - just like his Papa :) Three weeks ago, we made it to our very first storytime at the library, and are so glad to have snagged a spot before it got full. Combining Sidekick's love of music and books (to drool over), he seems to be enjoying it. We also got to meet two Minnesota Mom's from my birth month board off of Facebook, two weeks ago. I am so glad they didn't turn out to be perverts haha! They were the first online people that I ever met in real life, so I was definitely both excited and nervous, but it was such a joy ~ and we are hoping to meet in about two weeks again :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also a big change is the sleeping. He's going longer and longer without sleep during the day (on the 4th of July, he went a whole nine hours *gasp!*), but he was actually sleeping through the night for three whole days, before we traveled a lot and visited with family so much over the weekend. I think it was just a lot of excitement (of the good kind), so we'll see how he sleeps tonight, since we pretty much didn't do anything today ;) So I still have no sleep schedule to work with. Some days, he's asleep every two hours, some days, he's up for eleven hours straight . . . BUT if that's the only thing I can "complain" about, then I'm pretty darn lucky. Sure, it's an adjustment, and it'd be nice to have more of a schedule, but really I just feel bad when I either try to put him before he's ready (trying to stick with some sort of consistency day in and day out), or I don't put him down when he seems to need it (like, if he just woke up, and should need a bit more time before having to go back to bed). But otherwise, he's such a mellow guy, and I'm pretty darn flexible myself, that it really only affects other people who might want to plan something with us (Someone: "Will he need a nap?" Me: "No idea @__@")</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And really that's about it for Sidekick ~ sure, that's a lot of stuff, but this has to be the quickest summary of a month yet!! :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for HeroPapa, he's working hard (he even did overtime before the family came up, so he wouldn't have to loose vacation days in August, when we are hopefully *crosses fingers* house shopping). And, as for me, I've been loosing my baby weight pretty consistently, and have just seven more pounds to go (whoot!). Also, I've been working hard on trying to save as much money as possible, and have tried my hand at couponing. I prefer to go the online-coupon-code route (versus cutting coupons), but either way, I've managed to snag a few things for either free, or almost free. For example? Managed to get about 380 prints of Sidekick's first five months via Shutterfly for only $28, and a free collage poster featuring 30 images, and I finally got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taggies-Monster-Security-Blanket/dp/B008PH6ODM" target="_blank">taggies blanket</a> that I just know he's going to love! Retail: $29.99 (though Babies R Us has it listed for $12.99, just FYI), my final price (including tax), $4.49. I also have yet to pay for a Redbox rental (three so far), though we did pay a late fee for the first one, but oh well! Hopefully I can really help contribute to the money pile for the house <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's move forward to the pics you just know you want to see, right?! Here they are, all 90 of them :D</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H27mlc-TE03XqkJmdMF6g1WUONzC-hRBkNqQA15RMdNLdor7-P2i_qJ0jvCSqnn4GJWIc5sjyRPSq3n7xCfpepplWQKQoRSoZGZnU46SZd7DjpNipUl6KhaYijLN0zemPkVaZ8-KfS0/s1600/c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7H27mlc-TE03XqkJmdMF6g1WUONzC-hRBkNqQA15RMdNLdor7-P2i_qJ0jvCSqnn4GJWIc5sjyRPSq3n7xCfpepplWQKQoRSoZGZnU46SZd7DjpNipUl6KhaYijLN0zemPkVaZ8-KfS0/s320/c1.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: sitting up in his chair, watching his "We See". Looking cute in his green and red outfits.<br />Lounging with HeroMama, checking out his family photo book, and reading about monkeys (while playing with one).<br />And of course, Uncle #2 holding him in the wrap! Bottom Row: gnawing on blocks in his Halo Sleepsack,<br />chilling out on his yellow pillow, and realllly chilling out in his chair, listening to some classical music</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfM9Q1usQdGH5z7fwIKYigZ0sQql6J42U4g2NfrOHS3JLjvDK-xk2fNjXN6H9-xTvQZ8upsxKWzANYM8amyaAWKBHt-dmj7nwC9KCQKq3h5fMyoVAaX87ulDAHkjJcRnBvU8y6lxjupA/s1600/c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfM9Q1usQdGH5z7fwIKYigZ0sQql6J42U4g2NfrOHS3JLjvDK-xk2fNjXN6H9-xTvQZ8upsxKWzANYM8amyaAWKBHt-dmj7nwC9KCQKq3h5fMyoVAaX87ulDAHkjJcRnBvU8y6lxjupA/s320/c2.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: Looking mischievous and playful, and being snuggled by HeroPapa and Father's Day <3<br />Bottom Row: lounging with HeroMama (bottom is his play area!), middle pic is Sidekick being all<br />fabulous on HeroPapa. The wet brown onesie shows the drool! Being worn by HeroMama, and<br />looking dapper in his puppy-feet bottoms :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y6PWTNxUnBdRN3Xkc3BmymHDhi8e9TaDhjEX22_W83MYuqsQ0-HmSp2Wr1p-N7t9RWZzDKA6uctovYNS1EoDoFY8ElCfMTvcffHODYr11FPFQ0dokOdVrs90mHkFSc2i0RE3vw0pREE/s1600/c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y6PWTNxUnBdRN3Xkc3BmymHDhi8e9TaDhjEX22_W83MYuqsQ0-HmSp2Wr1p-N7t9RWZzDKA6uctovYNS1EoDoFY8ElCfMTvcffHODYr11FPFQ0dokOdVrs90mHkFSc2i0RE3vw0pREE/s320/c3.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: showing off his blue eyes, and not caring about the blanket until he saw tags (that he proceeded to gnaw on)<br />HeroPapa showing off Sidekick's teeth, and bottom, Sidekick at the movies! (er, glad it was a free showing :P).<br />Uncle #2 trying to wear him on his back, and then on bottom, trying to carry him au natural (too heavy).<br />Right side: strange car in Minneapolis @~@ and after not caring for any of his toys (musical, <br />tablet, kindle, rings), decided he wanted the old plastic bottle would do the trick</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bought an Ergo carrier! Started weaving his head back and forth <3<br />Middle: trying to eat Anubis (and suceeding) as he walks by, really upset in his chair (until he turns on the XBOX)<br />Bottom: looking very serious while he examines a farm animal toy, and looking around the box that we were<br />hoping would deter him from watching tv while listening to music (no such luck)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc6kYxFGGG2VQtesZOYrf77IPon_HAvC_FKnTk4sY_oH7Pw43uQKhH_MB3Abdz5tJhNfXT60P5CQTtgC0vLIfRS31AZ7FulXDIHicODTQJu08BaYQoXWhmdP1jyCZBSlmXbq9emvAAo4/s1600/c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc6kYxFGGG2VQtesZOYrf77IPon_HAvC_FKnTk4sY_oH7Pw43uQKhH_MB3Abdz5tJhNfXT60P5CQTtgC0vLIfRS31AZ7FulXDIHicODTQJu08BaYQoXWhmdP1jyCZBSlmXbq9emvAAo4/s320/c5.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: the library! :D Middle Row: just looking disgusted by something :P And caught "mid-cackle"<br />Also, shopping cart pack-n-play haha! And test driving with HeroPapa afterwards :) Last pic: reading with Papa <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HeroPapa having fun with HeroMama's bad habit of leaving tp rolls out, having fun in the laundry basket<br />and being social with two other November babies at the Mall of America. Middle row: sleeping in his crib,<br />Bottom: exploring his blocks box, and resting on a ball, posing with HeroMama </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUClpvb1edplllNbnMrngcXhyphenhyphen9T3K4NgGS8wzSGVPwQxaVbOpr9EBHD4uP4iD2l2-ASqDq0NLdB-GIUgKRgrC56Ch_zAjDIr9kc6lW0_plnYMXNTaeYELvCzvKA15h5YMNDLo32wr3LWQ/s1600/c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUClpvb1edplllNbnMrngcXhyphenhyphen9T3K4NgGS8wzSGVPwQxaVbOpr9EBHD4uP4iD2l2-ASqDq0NLdB-GIUgKRgrC56Ch_zAjDIr9kc6lW0_plnYMXNTaeYELvCzvKA15h5YMNDLo32wr3LWQ/s320/c8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Four: checking out his new swimming pool (not impressed without toys), and did not like clean up<br />Right side row: playing on the chair, while looking out the window (then being loved on by HeroPapa)<br />Bottom Left Row: playing in his musical walker (though not too impressed)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: trying on his new hat, playing with a word puzzle set, lounging in the living room<br />and watching "We See" on HeroPapa's iPhone in order to be dressed. Bottom half: July 4th with the family!<br />(on the way in the carseat, watching the parade, and his shirt says "All American", with "made with German parts"<br />written on a strip of duct tape). Faceplanting against Grandma, and bottom, us and Sidekick on Uncle #4's lap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandparents visiting the next day :D Afterwards, relaxing (and being fed by HeroPapa because he didn't<br />want to lay down to eat). And then . . . getting in the crawling position! The next day, more visitors:<br />grandparents and HeroPapa's sister (Aunt #1 + One), and walking a few steps (though he was unsure at first)<br />Having a good time dancing with Grandma, and playing with Aunt #1 + One), and concentrating at a restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: Mohawk time! The rest: Great-grandmother's 90th birthday party <3<br />Lounging with Grandpa in the middle, and later with Aunt #1 + One :)<br />Then, going for a walk with HeroMama a good bit away (though still couldn't sleep, poor thing!) <br />Bottom Left Three: multi generational pics <333 and finally, passed out in the car after a long day :)</td></tr>
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And that's the Eighth Month recap everyone :D</div>
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Hope you enjoyed it, and don't forget to catch up so far </div>
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(by clicking on the info link in the side image to your right)</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-78521465947233566032013-06-16T20:59:00.004-05:002013-06-16T21:00:36.522-05:00Happy Father's Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From our family to yours <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's how ours went :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back for Mother's Day, HeroPapa surprised me with a <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/05/belated-mothers-day-post.html" target="_blank">wonderful old time photo session</a> with our son. I loved it, our baby loved it, and my husband loved it . . . well everything but the price, haha. Being a SAHM, means that there are certain financial sacrifices that have to be made (especially with a possible house on our horizon ~ cross your fingers!), but don't get me wrong, we are still <i>very</i> blessed <3 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But when I asked HeroPapa about what wonderful ideas he had for Father's Day, he kept joking (or maybe he wasn't<i> really</i> joking, haha), that he really just wanted to keep it <i>cheap</i>. So bargain hunting I went - and luckily, an FB member from my birth month group shared a great coupon for the card (below) - and of course, Pinterest. And this is what we ended up with:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ <b>Card</b> (from treat.com). With my Father's Day Coupon (expired yesterday, sorry Mama's, I should have shared sooner, I didn't even think about it!), I was able to get the card in the picture for FREE (including shipping and handling). I saved $3.98 :D *I ordered it three weeks ago (part of the free shipping was sticking with standard, but it still took so long, that I was sure I was going to spoil the surprise. Luckily, it came yesterday - talk about cutting it close! - and I managed to really bring a smile to my husband's face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ <b>Present </b>(from Target). The inside joke, is that my husband (nor I), drink. So buying a six pack isn't really an easy last minute present for HeroPapa. <i> But </i>he does have one heck of a sweet tooth! So looking on Pinterest, I found <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/324540716867978830/" target="_blank">this pin</a> and loved it :) I figured I'd get it yesterday, and maybe there'd even be some last minute in-store sales for Father's Day. So after bringing our son by to my Mom's, I headed over to the local Target, but it wasn't a SuperTarget (like where I lived), and they didn't have glass root beer bottles like I wanted to get (since I could put root beer - which he does like - in a container, and replace with candy). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I had another idea. Get a glass container that HeroPapa can take to work. At the factory, over the summer months, the employees have access to unlimited Gatorade (saves a bundle!). But he has always have to bring empty plastic soda bottles, in the past. Yes, a glass bottle would be a much better gift, because it could be repurposed and last a longer than a day. So I got <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ello-20-oz-Glass-Water-Bottle/dp/B00BUTN4P8/ref=pd_sim_sg_1" target="_blank">this</a> glass bottle, and the silicone cover is in his favorite color (teal) to boot. Then I bought store brand jellybeans (one of his absolute faves), and filled up the container :) Total Cost: $14.99 (bottle), and $2 for two bags of jellybeans, plus tax.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ <b>Food.</b> HeroPapa got to have a nice big steak. A rarity since I neither cook - trust me, you don't me in your or any kitchen haha! - nor eat much meat (I'm like 98% vegetarian <-- because I do eat the occasional hot dog, and that's debatable how much meat it actually has, and sometimes chicken nuggets for those long hours on the road). Plus, our kitchen seems to smoke up fairly quickly, and between my asthma, and Sidekick's still developing system, the idea of grilling steaks just didn't seem in the card - <i>until today</i> :D Opening up the patio door, using the oven and stove (since we don't have a grill), and being very careful about the direction of smoke, we were able to avoid any issues; which resulted in HeroPapa having a nice big meal (though he forgot to buy the steak sauce for himself,<i> oh oh</i>). Total Cost: nothing extra, because it was included in our weekly grocery budget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ <b>Outing.</b> NONE. Between church, extended family, and my insistence of family days (since he works nights, we are on three different schedules in this apartment - especially since poor Sidekick is <i>still</i> waking up several times a night), so I schlepp my poor husband around for <i>hours </i>so we can spend quality time together during the few hours out of the day, that we aren't all tired. And add the fact that on Friday we moved a TON of stuff into storage (we can finally use the other side of our living room now YAY), the other last minute surprise was not.having.to.go.anywhere. *<i>technically</i> we needed to get a few more grocery items, but I figured we could skip it for one more day (so long I got to dip into his food stash). He readily agreed, and HeroPapa got to spend the day in pajamas :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~<b> Sidekick.</b> No Father's Day would be complete with our amazingly awesome Rainbow Baby. He snuggled with us both (for the first time in a long time, because he's been getting really independent lately), and while he was reclining in my arms, he kept looking up and following something in the air. I asked him if he saw angels . . . but now I wonder if it was his big sibling checking in on us from above <3 Our son also showed his Papa some support (and who really runs this house sometimes), by wearing a "Daddy's Hero" onesie with his shorts and socks ;) Our little Sidekick will be an amazing Hero sooner than we think (i.e. baby to child to teenager to *gasp* adult!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So finally, here's a collage of our day <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(click to make bigger)</span>, feat. HeroPapa and Sidekick, and a shot of his new glass water bottle (the Gatorade will taste so much better, than in those old plastic soda bottles!). And the card with three pictures of Sidekick and Papa (and one small one on the back of just Sidekick). And of course, the steak :P</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-75071953192206241142013-06-09T08:07:00.003-05:002013-06-09T08:09:07.239-05:00Seven Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh gosh, it's already been seven months? Maybe it snuck up on me so fast, seeing as I didn't get the pictures sorted out till the 19th of May, for the <i>previous</i> month!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well either way, onto the good stuff, shall we?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Be aware, there's A LOT of information below ~ so if you just want to see pictures, scroll all the way to bottom for a total of 103 images: fun fact, the last image is just from yesterday :D) <i>But first</i>, the basic info! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weight & Height: 23.2lbs. & 28in.; Nickname: "Mr. Squeals";<br />
Traits: * Mr. Serious, * Bookworm, * Musical</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>I. Physical</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> i. </i>This boy absolutely refuses to slow down ;) He's consistently wearing 18mo. - 24mo. clothing (though we have seen him squeeze into a very giving 9mo. article of clothing). At this rate, he'll be bigger than my husband when he's an adult (my paternal side's genes are obviously quite <strike>tall</strike>strong). Since he is a bit on the hefty side, I won't be surprised if he doesn't stand up (by holding onto taller objects), or start crawling, quite as fast as other's his age. All you can do is offer the opportunities for them to build muscle. But so far, his development seems right on track!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> ii.</i> You'll see it in the pictures better, but the hair on the top of his head, and down the back, is getting longer, and a bit thicker. It literally looks like a mohawk! We of course love it, but our guy is Mr. Serious, so I don't think he'll go for such an "unkempt" look for long. <i>I imagine him using his first pair of scissors to forego arts&crafts all together, in order to cut off some long locks (especially since I'm a bit of a hippie, and don't plan on cutting his hair anytime soon).</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> iii. </i>Even though he still only has his two bottom teeth, he still seems to be gnawing on <i>everything</i> in sight (and then his fingers, if there's nothing handy - ha, get it? Gnawing on his "handy" hands. Oi, I'm funny). I'm picturing a lot of teeth popping up overnight, but then again, who knows!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>II. Developmental</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>i. </i> Sidekick is seven months, but technically, he was born thirty weeks ago - yup, you are doing your math correctly, if you counted that out to seven<i> and a half </i>months ;) He seems to be right on track (except he's not rolling both ways yet, though he can roll from back to tummy). Again, I'm not worried, since he had rolled tummy-to-back for a week when he was three months old (before he got sick), and who knows, maybe he's rolling in all directions at night in his crib (sure would explain why he's waking up plenty still haha! <-- or it's just the fact that he sometimes gets a limb stuck in the railing, and he <i>definitely</i> does not like that :P). Though really, he is doing quite a bit of other things to keep him (and me!) busy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>ii.</i> Some things that he is doing are: he can't clap his hands, but he can clap his feet together (I have video!), rolling from back to stomach; going in a circular, 180 degrees, pattern on his stomach (though he's pushing along with his legs and feet, he's only using his arms to keep his head up, not army crawling or anything - yet! But at least he's not as frustrated as when he was doing this last month, but not coordinating his arms, and he'd keep face planting,<i> whoops</i>). Though he can't put himself in the position yet, he can sit up for quite a while (last recorded time was fifteen minutes, though he has gone longer unrecorded), and he first cries in frustration for you to move him, before he just falls to the side out of boredom. Keeping him entertained with his toys definitely helps extend the timeframe here; and he can even balance himself enough to lean forward, grab the toy, and reposition himself straight all on his own. And those toys easily get past from one hand to the next, before banging them either in the air, or on the ground, until they end up in his mouth :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>iii. </i> His language skills are also growing (though that's probably because we just talk to him constantly, and he<i> loves </i>books). He seems more and more conscious of the sounds he's <strike>squealing</strike>making. Lately we've been hearing quite a few sounds, but a lot of "Bah-bah", and "Mah-Mah" (nope he's not saying Mama just yet, there's no understanding of the context, from the sounds he's making, he just realizes he can make more of them, and <i>louder</i>) <-- I love it! He's so serious most of the time, that hearing him squeal loudly with delight, and babbling to things almost seems out of his element, like he's coming out of his shell a bit ;) And though I could have done it earlier - or even later - we're introducing baby sign language. We are starting with four words, "Mama", "Papa", "book" and "milk", and going from there. They learn hand gestures, before they learn to talk, so it makes sense for our house (plus, I really saw firsthand the benefits it provided with my oldest brother and his speech therapy).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>iv. </i> The only other physical change of note, is his lack of wanting to eat anything besides formula. After those two teeth cut through he seems to be completely uninterested in actual food (I don't know if it's really because of the teeth, but it only started after they showed up, so who knows?). We've tried different ways (spoon, pouch, baby led weaning), and different consistencies (everything from super soft, to natural form). He takes a bite, and refuses anymore. So, I've made my first batch of organic baby food of varied consistency, and blended a few things together for added variety, so we'll see how he takes to that. Of course, lack of real food, means his constipation returned, but instead of just going back to the prune juice (I want to avoid sugary drinks as much as possible, now that he has teeth) - and knowing that all the other things we tried hadn't worked (though that didn't mean we could try again if we <i>really</i> wanted to), I finally caved and invested in a nursing bottle, with drop in liners . . . not really great in the recycling, Earth-friendly department, but since we only started a month ago, I figure six months (versus a year long) choice of it, is better than what it could have been. And he's gone almost three weeks without the need for prune juice! Not that he doesn't need some today, but so far, so good. And prune juice every three weeks, is better than every other day (or sometimes every day). Hopefully he'll get the hang of his training sippy cup soon, so his Mama can feel better about the enviroment :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>III. Activities</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> i.</i> Besides his baby sign language (that he's merely watching us do, while he looks on), Sidekick is really enjoying </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">activities</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with his hands. He wants to participate more than ever, and I'm happy to oblige! The iPhone and Kindle apps are gathering virtual dust, while he sits and plays in his brand new play area (yup, I am getting ahead of myself here, by gating a 10x11 section of what should be our dining area, but whatever - I'd rather baby proof now, <i>before</i> he's crawling). You'll see pictures below, but it's a safe area for him to explore, and touch anything and everything he wants. Added bonus: we don't have to worry about the dog stealing/eating his toys, or trying to mark them at night! (yes, this </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> happened D:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> ii.</i> The tablets are mostly used for quick apps in the car, when he gets bored, and/or portable music for him to listen to in his play area, since it's away from the tv (and i.e. his YouTube playlist). Though we still listen to our classical music the most, he enjoys making his own, and his new activity table (he's almost outgrown his jumperoo this month, don't think it will last past this next month!), is designed to follow him into toddlerhood. We got it for a steal at <a href="http://www.onceuponachild.com/" target="_blank">Once Upon a Child</a>, for only 35$, when a <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/buy/activity/walkers-jumpers/fisher-price-little-superstar-step-n-play-piano-walker-y7874-13069698" target="_blank">newer version</a> retails for 100$! (buy used, save the difference :D). The seat can be removed in the middle so he can just stand on the piano keys to make music when he gets older. He loves it <3 And of course, singing and music go hand in hand, and when he's having a tough time, nine times out a ten, a song (and sing-songy Peek-a-Boo) distracts him quite nicely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>iii.</i> But no day would be complete without his books (he's up to thirty-two now, as of last count), and most were either bought used, or at the dollar store, so luckily we did not have to pay full price - though I did splurge on the Disney 12 board book set (for a full list - sans a Bible-themed "Count 1-10" book, not available via Amazon - of Sidekick's library so far, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/lm/R1JTEUXDIZD70E/ref=cm_lm_pthnk_view?ie=UTF8&lm_bb=" target="_blank">click here</a>). We've even added a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sassy-80021-Look-Photo-Book/dp/B002J4U8L6/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1370782491&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=who+loves+the+baby+sassy" target="_blank">grandparents book</a>, for him to study his out of town relatives (as well as familiar images of my own parents), so hopefully he won't be <i>too </i>scared of them when they all get to meet again after six long months ~ we'll see if it works! In his new play area, I tried to keep all his toys at his level for easy exploration, but I was adamant to get his books front and center (pretty much the same layout they were on the entertainment center, before we moved him/them out of Papa's "area" ;D)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>IV. Parents</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> i.</i> Probably the biggest change <i>we</i> are undergoing is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">saying</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> goodbye to our church. After moving in August, it was an hour each way to go (plus the choir rehearsal on Wednesdays), and having to be there an hour early for rehearsals on Sundays as well. On Sundays, we would be have to leave the house by 8AM, get there at 9AM, I rehearse for an hour, while HeroPapa would get Sidekick to the nursery and relax a bit. Then church time, and then (before we switched to Saturday family days two months ago), go to my Mom's another twenty minutes away, stay several hours, drop off my brother at his group home, on the way back up, drive for an hour, and get home . . . and then HeroPapa still had to go to work that night (he works Sunday nights, through Friday mornings). It was a longggggg day, but we <i>loved</i> our church! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then our reverend shared he'd taken a position at another UU church in the TwinCities which would cut our travel time in<i> half. </i>Between the distance, and already being familiar with our reverend's style of worship, and preaching, we felt it was serendipity in the making when he announced this to the church, <i>just </i>when we were wondering if we needed to make a change. I've promised to give HeroPapa a month off from traveling, then we'll be attending a few summer sessions, before the full year will be starting in August. I'm excited to get to meet new people, and fellowship with them - but it was hard to sing that last day, knowing I joined the choir as part therapy from my miscarriage way back in Sep. '11. I literally had tears in my eyes up front, and hope I managed to hold it together long enough, for it not to have been noticeable! I think I will miss the choir the most, with a close second being the spiritual group that ran from September '11 through August '12 (though hopefully we can have another one with the new church!). So many memories with this church: the fellowship, the beliefs, the camaraderie, the spiritual group, the choir, the play. I loved every minute of it, and am grateful that it was the <i>first </i>church we belonged to in <i>years</i> <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i> ii.</i> Anything after that, seems almost trivial, but our Mac finally <strike>broke downg</strike>got.really.slow after 5+ years, so we got a <a href="http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBook-Pro/product~DPNo~9418743~pdp.iadfdhc?source=mwbgoogleshop&adtype=pla&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CJi57JyF17cCFQJqMgod3zAAeg" target="_blank">new one</a>! We were hoping to wait till our next tax return, but we could pay for most of it, with the rest being on a payment plan, and we needed a functioning laptop (not just the internet, but the photos of Sidekick, the programs for organization, and the boredom busters for the endless nights and days, where we can't be together to do anything, but Sidekick is actually asleep). Though honestly, I've been keeping myself quite busy, with organizing the apartment. Not only am I motivated by Sidekick crawling soon(ish), but also by the fact that it will make moving easier if we get everything organized now (I'll be sure to share before/after pictures in a separate post)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>V. Outings</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> i. </i> Probably the most picture worthy part of this post are the outings we took. Not just to the grandparents for weekly visits, but also running more errands together (versus one of us staying home), and of course church. And we went to the <a href="http://www.comozooconservatory.org/" target="_blank">zoo</a> for the very first time! Eh, he wasn't impressed, but a second trip to the park just a week ago seemed to go better ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But go see it all for yourself below! <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(and as always, make sure to click on the pics to make them larger!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1cZoouiyvf2i0Z9qkHjsfRzA56uI_PqHbyvNsLLVbV73S398i3hh2IXgBqI9IlCq6pn0EYau-ALIqKelI3foZCTshKDe4wY6fTlj4cL2G71ukLqrTyON_B5qzfKmCh6yh0gqAW1vVcs/s1600/collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1cZoouiyvf2i0Z9qkHjsfRzA56uI_PqHbyvNsLLVbV73S398i3hh2IXgBqI9IlCq6pn0EYau-ALIqKelI3foZCTshKDe4wY6fTlj4cL2G71ukLqrTyON_B5qzfKmCh6yh0gqAW1vVcs/s320/collage+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HeroPapa had Sidekick pose with some stuffed animals; and then decided to check out his teeth!<br />
Bottom are just some cute little sideshots in the car, while the right side, is him checking out his<br />
new infant/toddler rocking chair ~ and all smiles soon enough in it ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK29ERwH4mRcEexEy7DTWd-9Tn1mLJd6he8ptIydqTAH8498At0N1A0gH3qIhtJ1Kq10U1Wjo7VHWE2FS2f_V9F83Gd1fk8dDecGrX13AlGRJ1TJeK9j784-INI-kdjl_s_lIwLl4Gl0/s1600/collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK29ERwH4mRcEexEy7DTWd-9Tn1mLJd6he8ptIydqTAH8498At0N1A0gH3qIhtJ1Kq10U1Wjo7VHWE2FS2f_V9F83Gd1fk8dDecGrX13AlGRJ1TJeK9j784-INI-kdjl_s_lIwLl4Gl0/s320/collage+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrestling around with Mama (only she didn't know!), paying in his musical exerciser,<br />
lounging with Oma, and Opa - and checking out a light up sword at Uncle#3's birthday.<br />
Bottom half is him chilling with a bottle - and then posing with Mama and Papa ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3fjqHr6Qgf4XpujhouG0iQVTXK7vrrK_qvgzJl4oYKx3VGckc3CYRfXbIIK-JbM-2uPXUg0ZH4_1Mh9zQAFn96LMjT0dseoszWZcgOGmYK5RsmW9PKl7sboEFcBw0pWlQ5ThrAGTSxU/s1600/collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3fjqHr6Qgf4XpujhouG0iQVTXK7vrrK_qvgzJl4oYKx3VGckc3CYRfXbIIK-JbM-2uPXUg0ZH4_1Mh9zQAFn96LMjT0dseoszWZcgOGmYK5RsmW9PKl7sboEFcBw0pWlQ5ThrAGTSxU/s320/collage+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with Mama to show off his chunky (but strong!) legs!<br />
Not-impressed at the checkout line (and he too tired, so he relaxed in the cart),<br />
Mama and Sidekick playing on the floor - but then I got distracted by Papa's show ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibul99twrjWdf7LSu5cHXDenHcTk_szAD8I4C1ebKJ1_J-2SyaPK2f7lzc0ZxPdxxvts0kXfiZFCRV8VnAWhzTFDY9TGvt5CoCl1tZruwimFhHyJIQdpCpcjoyc5IIOr92eL90EHVEFQg/s1600/collage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibul99twrjWdf7LSu5cHXDenHcTk_szAD8I4C1ebKJ1_J-2SyaPK2f7lzc0ZxPdxxvts0kXfiZFCRV8VnAWhzTFDY9TGvt5CoCl1tZruwimFhHyJIQdpCpcjoyc5IIOr92eL90EHVEFQg/s320/collage+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gnawing on Mama, laughing in Papa's chair, and relaxing in his arms;<br />
Bottom pics are trying to do some BLW, in order to encourage him to eat:<br />
and he promptly threw the apple slice on the floor, after the initial lick </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing hard . . . all serious in his stroller, joking around with Uncle #2,<br />
checking out Papa's air mattress, and trying out a baby sippy cup for practice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV-nzcvU1N5WrGFi-VWEIHl_WH4KBtj4OL8PnLIbRiL8Sf-LvBevF28nbUfQvRsxqpgE0HJZ3VRrfJajoNLO5-R2REiFe_ZQoYLbOMDLPItGUu8wEUDOksRSk2Q8eWLX0kBvFpAA2wSQ/s1600/collage+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV-nzcvU1N5WrGFi-VWEIHl_WH4KBtj4OL8PnLIbRiL8Sf-LvBevF28nbUfQvRsxqpgE0HJZ3VRrfJajoNLO5-R2REiFe_ZQoYLbOMDLPItGUu8wEUDOksRSk2Q8eWLX0kBvFpAA2wSQ/s320/collage+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying some bread, Papa playing a baby app on the Kindle for Sidekick,<br />
Sensory play with the sandbox (I love how you can see the imprint of his toes!),<br />
Learning to suck in his lip in a new way, and the look afterwards haha!<br />
Checking out his (initial) play area, and enjoying his infant chair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkq4OzFZ_IKIZJhl2UHdOcG77LSqUiznEnwhZFEBBYgx-lYeDwQQ_rxMC5a5F5dRKFcs2Cb58BQpZqwdc8N3jk94lgTQ7wBhmHaUVp9VJTWivUQ_dPZRNDYFEy3mB-6UsvgZne5lxbxE/s1600/collage+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkq4OzFZ_IKIZJhl2UHdOcG77LSqUiznEnwhZFEBBYgx-lYeDwQQ_rxMC5a5F5dRKFcs2Cb58BQpZqwdc8N3jk94lgTQ7wBhmHaUVp9VJTWivUQ_dPZRNDYFEy3mB-6UsvgZne5lxbxE/s320/collage+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was going to take fancy pictures of his books, and instead needing to stop him from<br />
eating the foam letters haha; and I love the bottom left pic, of Anubis watching on all envious;<br />
We still played a lot on Papa's chair (though he loves his toys, he likes the glowing buttons on<br />
the remote better!); Middle set are two cute (all serious, and expressive); bottom pic = <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trip to the zoo! He was not impressed (even when we got *very* close to the animals!),<br />
We even got our caricatures done :) He was pretty tired, so we too it easy the next day,<br />
we organized some clothes in the bedroom, while he lounged on our bed, scratching himself and reading ;) <br />
Bottom right, is his musical exerciser in action! (he steps on the keys, and lights up the board)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with Papa on the left, getting messy with a baby food pouch, relaxing in his<br />
animal outfit (it's supposed to be a horse, though Papa jokes it's a monkey-platapus-duck hybrid);<br />
middle bottom is Sidekick chilling in the kitchen while Mama cleans, then back to playtime!<br />
Bottom left, Sidekick at Oma's in the playpen, and Bottom Right, sleeping on Papa!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoka0mvd4EMl6AarUNeXBNwZm2b7CbHQxRNIwBspXhWSjw8ImWUzooYn_ehxNUb6QzbZ15GUSer9F0BvQhF0ytqfj1LOEOXjnJRxSZDyxcTxicLY8Yy-EJPEupQUbeTCGKhkF2v3ZWV1A/s1600/collage+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoka0mvd4EMl6AarUNeXBNwZm2b7CbHQxRNIwBspXhWSjw8ImWUzooYn_ehxNUb6QzbZ15GUSer9F0BvQhF0ytqfj1LOEOXjnJRxSZDyxcTxicLY8Yy-EJPEupQUbeTCGKhkF2v3ZWV1A/s320/collage+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: all smiles; bottom left, swing time in the park (big improvement from last time!);<br />
Top Right: sensory play with heat blanket for a car (liked the reflection but HATED the crinkling);<br />
His NEW play area (more informative post coming soon about that!); Bottom Right Row:<br />
posing with his bottle, chewing on anything *but* his teething toys for teething relief,<br />
and falling asleep just in time at Chili's so Mama and the grandparents could have lunch :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDWOQqkAp8nnwG2tozM2hmsWrqNh3Vikp-8UeH3FIetzugHIQIvxmqgyzn5ge0S9lSiSczw9wXxRXKMsmiiZ97SnI996BTPawdSxJyq3nQDuC3CVL8LtdvB0rAICN6pxnk5w40fMBYvU/s1600/collage+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDWOQqkAp8nnwG2tozM2hmsWrqNh3Vikp-8UeH3FIetzugHIQIvxmqgyzn5ge0S9lSiSczw9wXxRXKMsmiiZ97SnI996BTPawdSxJyq3nQDuC3CVL8LtdvB0rAICN6pxnk5w40fMBYvU/s320/collage+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: Music Time!, Bottom Left: Just hangggging around, after a diaper change;<br />
Middle Top: laughing in his chair, lounging with Oma in the middle of a change<br />
(and looking exactly like Opa in his sweatpants!); Bottom Middle and Right:<br />
playing with his blocks, and *really* wanting them (but seemingly sad face anyway!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: Posing in his hat at Target; Bottom Left: jumperoo time (I know, there's a mountain<br />
of stuff behind him - but it's the only bit left in the living room, and is going into storage *soon*!);<br />
Middle Row: playing with his dramatic play toys, and mirror/tummy time, Right: eating baby<br />
rice cakes at Burger King with the Uncles! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And don't forget to check out the updated "Info" section (via the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">side </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">image map) </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">in order to catch up on all the months so far :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-26270423450532945572013-05-30T20:53:00.004-05:002013-05-30T20:54:31.341-05:00*Belated* Mother's Day Post<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you just want to see more pictures, scroll down :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(also, just FYI, all links in this post, open in a new window)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I did want to share some thoughts on Mother's Day: the day has never really held as much stance with me, as it seemed with others. I just figured you should spend every day, loving your mother, and being grateful to her. But HeroPapa said it best, <b>"Mother's Day isn't making an even bigger deal about you per se, we'll just celebrate the blessing we have, of getting to be parents to this little-big guy here"</b> (and points to our son) <-- which should tell you how uncomfortable I felt about celebrating Mother's Day, that this was <i>only</i> way to convince me ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So off we went to church (I love the fellowship there!), listened to a wonderful guest speaker, and then went on to the Mall of America were I planned to spend my first Mother's Day with a baby-of-mine in arms, spending money on my son and buying him things (haha, is there any other way to spend Mother's Day?). BUT then we passed an old time photo studio (<a href="http://www.professorbellows.com/moa/" target="_blank">link</a>), and I was just <em>curious</em> to see . . . if they would have a renaissance costume in his size, because it's an inside joke at this point, that our son kind of-sorta-really looks like Henry the 8th (<a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/01/who-does-he-look-more-like.html" target="_blank">link</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And they had the costume! It's been a really long journey to get a costume photo of anybody beside myself (poor HeroPapa just can't stand the idea ~ and there are literally years where I'd buy the couple costumes for Halloween, and he would never wear his part: blah! Here's an actually <a href="http://petersock.tumblr.com/post/21036415670/halloween-ideas" target="_blank">really old tumblr post</a> - posted April of last year - about that subject, haha). And instead of buying random baby stuff, we got photos done :D This was such a special surprise for me, and I hope Sidekick goes for it for a few more years, before he decides he doesn't like it like his Papa ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we are . . . my top three (out of 31) pictures <3</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZb8OPXr0J6o1fsGNlPkmErC4nhOs6fjX1ChvVcEEJ2Q4Pm1QaHPMaYBbaKYWSGxSxE0Fy-_8Sw-tGAVUZbfuo8b-7mcO_3WMGAXQ5i1A9NLzBLhUkDifFFTtIs03kAu3-ZWGq_a2PZ4/s1600/old+time+photo+3+part+collage+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZb8OPXr0J6o1fsGNlPkmErC4nhOs6fjX1ChvVcEEJ2Q4Pm1QaHPMaYBbaKYWSGxSxE0Fy-_8Sw-tGAVUZbfuo8b-7mcO_3WMGAXQ5i1A9NLzBLhUkDifFFTtIs03kAu3-ZWGq_a2PZ4/s640/old+time+photo+3+part+collage+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to make bigger! I love the last one, as if I'm saying, "But hunnyyy this is fun!", and he's like, "No Ma, it isn't" :P</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But no Mother's Day post would be really complete without reflecting about my AngelBaby (sidenote: there are so many mothers who don't have a child in their arms, and so what is a day of celebration for most, can sadly be a tragic reminder for others). I know last year, the only way I survived Mother's Day after my miscarriage, was because I was already pregnant with Sidekick (two and a half months). As always, he helped me to focus on the blessings I still had, and didn't allow me to get lost in my sorrows for long. However, it's days like today, that I think more than ever, how there should have been two. In these photos, there should have been two babies on my lap. I still miss my AngelBaby, and carry him/her with me wherever I go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am still so blessed though, and that's what I try to remember as well: Happy Mother's Day to <i>all</i> mothers!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-63775009016904427252013-05-07T15:37:00.001-05:002013-05-19T20:12:55.978-05:00Six Months EDITED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSWzsk2GS9AwnNxsnoee7f5LnHRH-Wry9BbZzo-l94A-XmZrdk7wUj9SG_0bAaOLdQmSQ4sePbsS3V6tXozHCVcC5M8Sbbx6qHN529pdf5qgLBWQICH8kni348HTiCC1N_4XkQ-G3Zvc/s1600/six+months+header+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSWzsk2GS9AwnNxsnoee7f5LnHRH-Wry9BbZzo-l94A-XmZrdk7wUj9SG_0bAaOLdQmSQ4sePbsS3V6tXozHCVcC5M8Sbbx6qHN529pdf5qgLBWQICH8kni348HTiCC1N_4XkQ-G3Zvc/s1600/six+months+header+banner.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6wS1gFTNYHvx5aGh5sAMXNt4Oec1YqH3djTCztTlP9ZFcFsLzZjK8sVMWjnyZUgvVCr1Acioc4StA0tWOb-VdsP-dF2aV_5pK-vknfzpZfh3uZ7V7-gJcvIPShTmHoCsIVegpU0L9GE/s1600/six+months+stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6wS1gFTNYHvx5aGh5sAMXNt4Oec1YqH3djTCztTlP9ZFcFsLzZjK8sVMWjnyZUgvVCr1Acioc4StA0tWOb-VdsP-dF2aV_5pK-vknfzpZfh3uZ7V7-gJcvIPShTmHoCsIVegpU0L9GE/s1600/six+months+stats.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's our beautiful big boy, in all his glory, with a little "stat picture" that reads: "Mr. Squeeky" and "Lil' Buddha" (nicknames); gives his six month measurements: 22.8 lbs., and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">27.3 in. and shares some traits we've picked up on from this month: * oh-so-serious * bookworm * thumbsucker * gnaws on toes and thumbs :)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been super busy this past week and a half, so pics and collages will have to get edited in later, but I'm making it up to you all then (and trying to hold you all over, until pics gets posted), by sharing VIDEO!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, you can see our big boy in action! :D</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/kp56oLxAOcg" target="_blank">Part One</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> & </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/3d1Nm5kH1M4" target="_blank">Part Two</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(each link opens in a new tab, and total length about six minutes. Enjoy!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**EDIT!**</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally (today is the 19th of May - oh boy oh boy!) the collages have been made of the past month. I kept trying to get HeroPapa to watch Sidekick, so I could work on it, but the poor thing was kept pretty busy by us over the last two weeks and was just a little too tired :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I stayed up late (HeroPapa had an easier time letting me catch up on sleep the next day), and I sorted through over 500 images (wowza) and got 147 images via collages to share :) And they are all in chronological order!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always, enjoy <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(and remember to click to make bigger!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfuYrUYU-dyLXnjxpdyjvu4reiZ-RtLVkGMYFwm7aLDPg0QVY12QVn-PrSnhpAv1dX36IbtyY3thuwjzYAM7THpESEO0mAb1YWJGqJn5qh4t4jn4m1yotuEo69F8qE1kpoDyHp3LhuN8/s1600/five+month+collage+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfuYrUYU-dyLXnjxpdyjvu4reiZ-RtLVkGMYFwm7aLDPg0QVY12QVn-PrSnhpAv1dX36IbtyY3thuwjzYAM7THpESEO0mAb1YWJGqJn5qh4t4jn4m1yotuEo69F8qE1kpoDyHp3LhuN8/s320/five+month+collage+one.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: his first day as a five month old! Love his lion outfit,<br />
but he's outgrown it already; and last picture is one of my favs!<br />
Bottom Row: seemingly falling asleep as he eats . . .<br />
(kidding, he's just checking out his autos bib)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5FFgi9X1LmP-pGQJVbdsruwTyR4gwROB4MpjfCQTfB35EcQNw1KSBe8XU_h8znmqGt_Kvhn44TK9CMqoiE0sB_RSjt52FASBOpj705Kg5CIAlLhXJLyz1KULpZ2bCh8Ycl7WkMoYHy8/s320/five+month+collage+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; clear: left; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">The days of him falling asleep on me are getting rarer and rarer - only twice this month :(</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">But at least he still loves snuggling me :D I love the middle pic because of the drool bubbles!<br />(which of course is understandable since he now has BOTH his bottom teeth)<br />And the last set is cute, because he stares at a book . . . and then quickly tries to eat it, haha</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lbAP-irBpMKAfZCqzx3JgEQYWLsf6UT9rk3Zsx-q0fYlhQnMgb9bjDkIsxu_Fti87PotIlSlJQvzprB3avHI_zVsHNceJ-NH6HTx59FTFv5y4Mx9ls_aAsjJs908pxXDCi7P-G1nkPM/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lbAP-irBpMKAfZCqzx3JgEQYWLsf6UT9rk3Zsx-q0fYlhQnMgb9bjDkIsxu_Fti87PotIlSlJQvzprB3avHI_zVsHNceJ-NH6HTx59FTFv5y4Mx9ls_aAsjJs908pxXDCi7P-G1nkPM/s320/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Two: he's not that happy - until he realizes I'm sitting in front of him ;)<br />
Left Side: playing with the mirror, Middle and Right: showing off his new outfit with HeroPapa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0dcVbPDt1bWORfCCUx-EYR1vUxC0VNEBYUKgZ1zrwNVbEguyKNn0_O7uRhCWffnKws6cK8myFXvTF2xvZ_wXCw5tY65nikAWKLyqlzjQx8ZLu_HoSF18y5eLeggGAIxbmHXeXRNaB3I/s1600/five+month+collage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0dcVbPDt1bWORfCCUx-EYR1vUxC0VNEBYUKgZ1zrwNVbEguyKNn0_O7uRhCWffnKws6cK8myFXvTF2xvZ_wXCw5tY65nikAWKLyqlzjQx8ZLu_HoSF18y5eLeggGAIxbmHXeXRNaB3I/s320/five+month+collage+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sidebar: "Yup, I'm the Winni-the-freaking-Pooh"<br />
Top: sitting up (with the blanket) in the cart for the first time<br />
Middle Row: *really* wanting to eat the blanket, and Oma showing him off <3<br />
Bottom: Our little Pooh-bear all pooped out from the day (aw)<br />
(In case you're wondering: purple lips are the Gentian Violet because <br />
he seemed to have a canker sore, but it was gone in one application - so yay!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ioY1zPy-3YCOw9QiruQjiHuKj2GuRtHv6tKuGla15HOC-C3JXpLo5NP0LyPQvM7yoY4U1MuMuuKNL8aekisJkUhXlt8LaaAAxLUB6QjT0r6BTpq6Lp6reXeEavCPmoTToOMdhWjF5j8/s1600/five+month+collage+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ioY1zPy-3YCOw9QiruQjiHuKj2GuRtHv6tKuGla15HOC-C3JXpLo5NP0LyPQvM7yoY4U1MuMuuKNL8aekisJkUhXlt8LaaAAxLUB6QjT0r6BTpq6Lp6reXeEavCPmoTToOMdhWjF5j8/s320/five+month+collage+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sidebar Left: sucking on the wrap, Top Middle: chilling out with Opa <3<br />
Bottom Row and Bottom Right: only second time this month he slept on me :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG-y26vtP1xkrfRMfqDADDEY_-Z07OV1P0w6TQZ-7tt23H2v_NH99Czy9eF4bAUTfhC2ZV252Vwc-pV6gYPOXJVw5x9pWuyMdu-gnsk0tOczBP9ioB9CrINpXcT-V14yn8d3U5QRR-M0/s1600/five+month+collage+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTG-y26vtP1xkrfRMfqDADDEY_-Z07OV1P0w6TQZ-7tt23H2v_NH99Czy9eF4bAUTfhC2ZV252Vwc-pV6gYPOXJVw5x9pWuyMdu-gnsk0tOczBP9ioB9CrINpXcT-V14yn8d3U5QRR-M0/s320/five+month+collage+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: wearing a cute outfit and playing with his O-Ball, and mirror play on the floor!<br />
Bottom Four collage: during the day he was doing this strange sucking-in-his-bottom-lip thing,<br />
but it wasn't till early the next morning I got the full effect of it ~ in that last one, he looks like <br />
a cabbage patch doll, haha! And the last picture (bottom right), shows off the fuzz of his hair ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kcRyMK9X_qB4G_58lgkinQWfu7TVzm1QPJkQY83RPCsTMKQbqjyGVlu2gZ5bPySKHX2jVLIZhwFGKIVotFbbIgtGU2nMP5gvC2kLApfMBYbtkYNQyvz1Q2hUSWOa9e0pg9ulkBTSdKk/s1600/five+month+collage+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kcRyMK9X_qB4G_58lgkinQWfu7TVzm1QPJkQY83RPCsTMKQbqjyGVlu2gZ5bPySKHX2jVLIZhwFGKIVotFbbIgtGU2nMP5gvC2kLApfMBYbtkYNQyvz1Q2hUSWOa9e0pg9ulkBTSdKk/s320/five+month+collage+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: We packed up our THIRD big box of clothes (this boy keeps getting bigger and bigger!),<br />
but before we did . . . we made a pile for him and through some on him :D He loved it <3<br />
Bottom Left: ready for a shopping trip . . . but (four pic collage) passed out on HeroPapa instead<br />
But those two bottom ones on the right are too cute . . . gnawing on his jacket, and getting caught!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AQvbkmGt97R0y5lMl6L0xz-89dGLgJWRlBXGbd__Fi_A3-ClmxNPRJ_fCgcLcY-Slp4YOm2t_ySgYXrkShzZuQjFXr6hnZhNjsQgjQPdOrMkizE-6qWzRygHANAFJ8N3OwmqGQyUH_o/s1600/five+month+collage+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AQvbkmGt97R0y5lMl6L0xz-89dGLgJWRlBXGbd__Fi_A3-ClmxNPRJ_fCgcLcY-Slp4YOm2t_ySgYXrkShzZuQjFXr6hnZhNjsQgjQPdOrMkizE-6qWzRygHANAFJ8N3OwmqGQyUH_o/s320/five+month+collage+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: Holding up his head so good, and look, what a cutie!<br />
Top Right: Uncle #1 being super goofy at Uncle #2's birthday luncheon ;)<br />
Bottom Left: Love how his head is surrounded by the pattern on Oma's bed;<br />
Right Collage: "Monkey? What Monkey? . . . I need to free up my hands!"<br />
Bottom Right Pic: giving me some smiles around bedtime :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQt-6gkFpZ8pz9MJt2IKpzF1N6MEygDWaCP7a9ziCu9KFPc06B14Fe3udFg6vU24IrzesBwI5fxgjY7uEdyOdMRfjbUpRgcGrnXTBMCT4Jpy-8DyV6Y4v-qxeVfWhbcb53cIzLDKygNE/s1600/five+month+collage+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQt-6gkFpZ8pz9MJt2IKpzF1N6MEygDWaCP7a9ziCu9KFPc06B14Fe3udFg6vU24IrzesBwI5fxgjY7uEdyOdMRfjbUpRgcGrnXTBMCT4Jpy-8DyV6Y4v-qxeVfWhbcb53cIzLDKygNE/s320/five+month+collage+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our BK outing with Uncle #3! Top Left: standing on the counter, tsk tsk<br />
Bottom Left: kisses from Mama, and representing Dad's High School FFA jacket :D<br />
Middle Row: Uncle #3 thought it's be funny to stick a toy in Sidekick's hoodie (baby didn't even notice!)<br />
And of course, after fitting him with a proper crown, they posed together <3<br />
Right Row: He inspects the crown, "This is nice . . . I.MUST.EAT.IT!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-1m3MTwaXNM5vof37Y7m2Sj2dBNvO3AZVRNknnCqJw8bR8qiCjbTRw1rNhDASNrs13lbc-xtNEAKnADMZxBF_kEk2Qc6XrbC8ahgbMpgAW0ubc9-nG_RuCU8dxrdFrhVKAFyXEz0Tro/s1600/five+month+collage+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-1m3MTwaXNM5vof37Y7m2Sj2dBNvO3AZVRNknnCqJw8bR8qiCjbTRw1rNhDASNrs13lbc-xtNEAKnADMZxBF_kEk2Qc6XrbC8ahgbMpgAW0ubc9-nG_RuCU8dxrdFrhVKAFyXEz0Tro/s320/five+month+collage+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: Still preferred reading a book at BK :)<br />
Bottom Row: Did try letting him have some sensory time on the mats,<br />
"I don't really care about this mat . . . but I do want your thumb!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYGLBcBBpuHBCsLTofOJV-owcSQVh-ZpsVKGs7OmQXGoXjKhsMhK8WK-KH9JgPWCSxeEJiA5FEYd4cxN-Rb8oUD8W6VLQjNyY4MoxzIykSqftX0ubcZ71t1bFosQ1DRqilm1lM_inD8w/s1600/five+month+collage+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYGLBcBBpuHBCsLTofOJV-owcSQVh-ZpsVKGs7OmQXGoXjKhsMhK8WK-KH9JgPWCSxeEJiA5FEYd4cxN-Rb8oUD8W6VLQjNyY4MoxzIykSqftX0ubcZ71t1bFosQ1DRqilm1lM_inD8w/s320/five+month+collage+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: ah, the dilemma of family photos, two people look, one doesn't :P<br />
Bottom Left: Why yes, that is me, at the very top of the indoor playground with Uncle #3<br />
Middle Pic: I know you can't really see it, but his bib says "Future Whooper Eater" haha<br />
Bottom Right: back at home, and his feet look like he's practicing ballet (I love it) <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dE6PheFI__0A-AxPX1dnvJKFnQBbS2g9mWydjy_atxaWPdbH9wLK95mPGkP6HtJLQQx55ROAsjxzA8SVg3kItu0sYQuSWzpB7GOHrdJrJlRxjGL5Eh1eFD9NrzGARnkC5thMhKEnqOI/s1600/five+month+collage+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dE6PheFI__0A-AxPX1dnvJKFnQBbS2g9mWydjy_atxaWPdbH9wLK95mPGkP6HtJLQQx55ROAsjxzA8SVg3kItu0sYQuSWzpB7GOHrdJrJlRxjGL5Eh1eFD9NrzGARnkC5thMhKEnqOI/s320/five+month+collage+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: sitting up, unassisted for the very first time (now he do a few minutes) :D<br />
Top Three: reading one of his favs, so I don't know why he looks so surprised (or suspicious)<br />
Bottom Left: pretending he's a contortionist (or a practicing ballerina), in order to watch tv<br />
Bottom Pic: it happened totally by accident during tummy time, but look at him posing ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXdSJbAfKjiR9Ux8un7HEmNlqnYZumGcLbvyi-K8SON0K8fabG0Swds3i-By-zY7cpM6JrlGKxS1Cs-G7pkg3xvEagxvFV-SfwHp1gn2OCAfKZTaHTXa8pTqhcxqvdJpeLVm8zUXBgp0/s1600/five+month+collage+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXdSJbAfKjiR9Ux8un7HEmNlqnYZumGcLbvyi-K8SON0K8fabG0Swds3i-By-zY7cpM6JrlGKxS1Cs-G7pkg3xvEagxvFV-SfwHp1gn2OCAfKZTaHTXa8pTqhcxqvdJpeLVm8zUXBgp0/s320/five+month+collage+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The posing does not stop! Top Row: Sidekick and Me lounging (the right picture is <br />
my current FB profile pic, haha). Middle Row: is him sinking in the chair and deciding<br />
to do a few poses. I can't tell if the middle one is "Oh, I'm hot", or "Oh, I'm choking"<br />
But the last one, with the fancy eyebrows reminds me of a James Dean stare :)<br />
And Bottom Pic is at his angle, trying to hide those awesome expressions :P</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmX8TbEShAcP7o0H-Tvmp5Bskr80tcD4sxjh3ujzH4FgXE2N1abO0CyLUG0VixcNxWGTdz1GlGBRHe_B2jD-wAzjkHtSVG7u89_5E-iKzm2nU0pf8jYTRpM40wRAC5T_XWBUFmIBCJCA/s1600/five+month+collage+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmX8TbEShAcP7o0H-Tvmp5Bskr80tcD4sxjh3ujzH4FgXE2N1abO0CyLUG0VixcNxWGTdz1GlGBRHe_B2jD-wAzjkHtSVG7u89_5E-iKzm2nU0pf8jYTRpM40wRAC5T_XWBUFmIBCJCA/s320/five+month+collage+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: Our first art project! For reference, I was trying to make a <br />
handprint (I did.not.nail.it). And we used chocolate pudding as an<br />
edible alternative in a pinch (but he waited for a spoon to eat it) ;)<br />
Bottom Left: being all cute with the toes on the playmat and smiles<br />
Bottom Right: he loves eating foam for teething relief (go figure!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky9RDfSHKik4XBQUybeQv7LdAS1wKyfRy29IRR9cOPcPGG3SlYiTfaMyVh4K1c4A8ALN7-5Ca4oYxB48jh7xwl8YwemePaJoh5RRSWgNJQaAFIvK4sH3RWH6Cp1JXwXYb-9E5E7ciQ6g/s1600/five+month+collage+14+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky9RDfSHKik4XBQUybeQv7LdAS1wKyfRy29IRR9cOPcPGG3SlYiTfaMyVh4K1c4A8ALN7-5Ca4oYxB48jh7xwl8YwemePaJoh5RRSWgNJQaAFIvK4sH3RWH6Cp1JXwXYb-9E5E7ciQ6g/s320/five+month+collage+14+A.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: LOVE this pic <3 Top Right: playing with angles :)<br />
Bottom Left: asleep in the car, Bottom Middle: showing off his <br />
doggy hoodie. And Bottom Right: smiles for Oma <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckxgZ6LFIyN0sbHlMWdY-dYw30X9_5HFNkxJ90NCblkU0J1ggrx3-dObQfdh_Isun9ZIhK3qcYxaLkomsEffkrLew-DkOIzQrklkrPTtpXsgH_MFgqFXtWQP3ufGB9BTRxdpXPzbOmGQ/s1600/five+month+collage+14+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckxgZ6LFIyN0sbHlMWdY-dYw30X9_5HFNkxJ90NCblkU0J1ggrx3-dObQfdh_Isun9ZIhK3qcYxaLkomsEffkrLew-DkOIzQrklkrPTtpXsgH_MFgqFXtWQP3ufGB9BTRxdpXPzbOmGQ/s320/five+month+collage+14+B.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first visit to the park! . . . He was not impressed :P<br />
Not on the walk there. Not on the swing. Not on the slide D:<br />
Bottom Pics: goofing around with Uncle #2 (we wanted to<br />
wrap up Mom's car, but she caught us, so I wrapped him up instead.<br />
And then I pushed him over, so he could flap around like a dying fish, haha)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Oc6HtRdYtQxCk0-ddK2tO9cEvUyjKtLSOdL4_9CngOG63zuJSWZqOVI-Fb4hbOjenzARGMJ3MzII-EDayNqi55zs-zMxGAFXLCsMkfoa_INtbheeyJpZRbleGdwW8J562SFn1JDurss/s1600/five+month+collage+14+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Oc6HtRdYtQxCk0-ddK2tO9cEvUyjKtLSOdL4_9CngOG63zuJSWZqOVI-Fb4hbOjenzARGMJ3MzII-EDayNqi55zs-zMxGAFXLCsMkfoa_INtbheeyJpZRbleGdwW8J562SFn1JDurss/s320/five+month+collage+14+C.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Left: lounging in the church nursery. Top Three: All smiles, and looking<br />
kind of Swedish to me :D Bottom Left: Bathtime sitting up (first time!) and<br />
playing with duckies from Oma. Middle Right: reaching his toes for the first time!<br />
Bottom Right: planking with Papa <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmpIsps166nelXhYBeUTlvG-qXKKd2cTc3V3U2Wn3ove6wIT4EOVAgu75lrdhKAQhzNvgundIuEZWg79obRg6F5m-orDDQz2nprkPoSzccvH3MBDBKrD7rVnOoz1myQdy6Lza_laMVf8/s1600/five+month+collage+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmpIsps166nelXhYBeUTlvG-qXKKd2cTc3V3U2Wn3ove6wIT4EOVAgu75lrdhKAQhzNvgundIuEZWg79obRg6F5m-orDDQz2nprkPoSzccvH3MBDBKrD7rVnOoz1myQdy6Lza_laMVf8/s320/five+month+collage+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Two: checking out his foam cover, board book (look at those cheeks!)<br />
Bottom Right: Stacking the feet. Middle Two: My Mom haircut :D<br />
Bottom Two: Opa time . . . and pic of him as a child (those are Sidekick's ears now!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUVnQZfPrwldodYO5LCE0dRPA1AJ_buO1UnMeu-3iosmKGThp9TiOw1whHUyXqTNoTd9HhZeCoyUMKvvbnPly8po5jjdQTAnnjVZUidK6418oeKjjdBnj2FKSfDBx0VIcB6z_giC4Rnw/s1600/fifth+month+collage+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUVnQZfPrwldodYO5LCE0dRPA1AJ_buO1UnMeu-3iosmKGThp9TiOw1whHUyXqTNoTd9HhZeCoyUMKvvbnPly8po5jjdQTAnnjVZUidK6418oeKjjdBnj2FKSfDBx0VIcB6z_giC4Rnw/s320/fifth+month+collage+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left and Bottom Middle: Hanging out with Uncle #2, Top Middle: we bought<br />
some hotel chairs at an auction for our new house (whenever that happens :P)<br />
Top Right: all pouty . . . and then crying D: Middle Pic: Uncle #3, holding Sidekick <br />
for the first time (for about a minute!). Bottom Right: Opa holding Sidekick, until he bit him!<br />
(just under that thumbnail is the indentation of his two bottom teeth)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oZ8c_0NNecQGXRvfkyaVE3IBpbKdybSbtzo5PEnIIftPUxRouhV-Q9twyFBEc5WZH2bej467yQIuAgPVfDLL-8zWvhK-0RCZoZorzQK6RoOiB8i3n4XU4ppv6OuAhleZghTP8HWThEY/s1600/fifth+month+collage+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oZ8c_0NNecQGXRvfkyaVE3IBpbKdybSbtzo5PEnIIftPUxRouhV-Q9twyFBEc5WZH2bej467yQIuAgPVfDLL-8zWvhK-0RCZoZorzQK6RoOiB8i3n4XU4ppv6OuAhleZghTP8HWThEY/s320/fifth+month+collage+17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left pic: I was in the chuch play about the North Dakota oil boom (LOVED IT!) <3<br />
Right set of images: looking all dapper for Walmart (and yes, those are 24 mo. onesies) :P</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And last (but certainly not least), is his "Not Impressed" Collage. We have a very serious boy on our hands here, and you'd think his spazzy Mom could help him out in that department, but as you can see, it doesn't work too often ;) Add to the fact, that he is quickly jaded, and after laughing a few times at something, it will no.longer.be.funny anymore. These are just a few experiences (don't forget the looks he gave us at the park above, haha!) captured this month of his "Not Impressed" looks:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3minH82_RS7uWJ3W3jz8mDnqHsS4ranvZijWMJwWDhlCMo8VTgk_y4XgFg025_8-zTFnRE2Kr6-b88ACiZbGdiWATwfezBJ8IaYF9gtgdtR0qtSUr4Rt6S8yyW20Pzkq6y7oulolQzCU/s1600/not+impressed+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3minH82_RS7uWJ3W3jz8mDnqHsS4ranvZijWMJwWDhlCMo8VTgk_y4XgFg025_8-zTFnRE2Kr6-b88ACiZbGdiWATwfezBJ8IaYF9gtgdtR0qtSUr4Rt6S8yyW20Pzkq6y7oulolQzCU/s320/not+impressed+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Order (from left to right):<br />
Sitting on Papa's Lap . . . not impressed<br />
Sitting on Papa's Lap at the doctor's . . . not impressed<br />
Brand.new.toy!: . . . not impressed<br />
Finding his toes for the first time: . . . not impressed<br />
Sensory play for the first time!: . . . not impressed<br />
Making faces at him: . . . not impressed<br />
Trying out a HUGE futon chair: . . . not impressed<br />
Bathtime with new bath toys!: . . . not impressed<br />
Papa playing footsie: . . . not impres-STOP!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's it guys and dolls! Don't forget to check out the progression so far (which now will have it's own main page for easy reference), if you haven't had a chance already. And we'll see this big guy next month :D</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-61475547502265197392013-04-08T20:13:00.000-05:002013-04-09T09:45:22.793-05:00Five Months<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five months! Me-oh-my, the boy is getting big :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Please click "Read More" to see a nice summary of the month, and just how much Sidekick is changing! Also, this post features (at the end of the huge wall of text) 102 pictures . . . whoa :P But considering I was able to whittle that down from 466 taken this past month, that's pretty good :D As always, click to make the collages bigger! EDIT: forgot to add that all pics are in chronological order - save the first collage which was taken two days ago - so you can really see how he grew/changed over the month. Enjoy!)</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quick at-a-glance collage/summary first:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWZ3apVOz7yWyWV7aqyx9ILB_byxhWM8vbV1cUXTinHTrDx0_GVIkNMza5Ib-x_C_38HBOI1cscqDATmiTtNdl7MKyGTtKJ2HDkSr0wHbFuZLKRf6Wr-HO14JeWHhIwP0ds_Qv5mvY4M/s1600/Five+Month+Summary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWZ3apVOz7yWyWV7aqyx9ILB_byxhWM8vbV1cUXTinHTrDx0_GVIkNMza5Ib-x_C_38HBOI1cscqDATmiTtNdl7MKyGTtKJ2HDkSr0wHbFuZLKRf6Wr-HO14JeWHhIwP0ds_Qv5mvY4M/s320/Five+Month+Summary.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EDIT (forgot to caption!) . . . I love how big and chunky<br />his legs look here (and that's at a flattering angle no less),<br />and that his toes are all curled up underneath, except the big toes!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>PHYSICAL</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We weighed him this morning (weighing myself first, then holding him and stepping on the scale, and calculating the difference), and he weighs twenty-one pounds! <-- which also might explain why he hasn't rolled since before he got sick at three months (first he was too sick to roll, now he's just too big!) But he's also pretty tall, too - easily fitting into one year old clothes, at 26 1/2 inches. Considering the men on HeroPapa's side of the family aren't giants, the only person we can think he's taking after in the height department is my father, who is six feet. And he might have another one of my Dad's features: his ears!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At first we thought, he had Joel's ears (and he does have this little 'crunch-bump' - as HeroPapa calls it - at the top of his ear that folds slightly at the top, and has little ridges along the edge), but the ear lobes aren't Papa's and they stick out something fierce! I'm not sure why they didn't stick out this much from the beginning, but the in the last month and a half, they've seem to have fallen into "place", and yup, you sure can't miss them ~ at first we thought of the obvious "Dumbo" reference, but then again, who wants to call their kid "Dumbo" even in passing to describe a feature? So I quickly thought of another "big-ear" nickname to focus on, when we talked about his ears: Clark Gable :) (I'm already trying to make sure that he doesn't develop a complex, by watching what we say - even in passing - about him: you can never start to early!). Besides, what's more fun, "Dumbo", or "Clark Gable"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But please, it's not just the physical changes we've been noticing - mentally he's becoming more alert/aware by the minute :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>ACTIVITIES</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems like he changes the activity he wants to do, about every fifteen minutes, and we do about a constant set of rotations (in no particular order): tummy time (often with music), being in his exerciser, on his playmat and playing with hanging toys of his tripod, sitting up and watching educational shows (or just sitting up and watching tv period, haha!) but he loves baby shows the best obviously, as well as Fantasia (considering he's been listening to some of the songs feat. in the movie since birth, it's fun for him to put a picture with the music). He also enjoys reading a book with sensory activities, chewing on his teething monkey (and we can feel some bumpy gums where those teeth want to come through!), eating solids, laying back and playing with his toes, getting a massage, playing with a baby app, being worn around the house in the Boba wrap . . . boy, this list is getting long, and I'm not even done (no wonder our apartment looks horrible, I'm constantly doing something with him haha!). But this doesn't even include the basic necessities of diaper changes, drinking a bottle, and sleeping!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>SLEEP&FOOD</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably the most significant change is in these areas. He definitely has outgrown his newborn stage, where he's always on a rotation of sleep, eat, diaper (in no particular order). He wants to be a part of everything, including being more awake for it. We got a hint of it last month, but now it seems like a set pattern! No longer does the car lull him to sleep. He wants to look in the headrest mirror we attached for him, watch the landscape go by him from his window, and even sit up (straining against the car seat harness). And the last two days, have even included him watching a baby video on our iPhone simply because he was bored back there . . . maybe he has ADD haha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly it means that his daytime naps are almost non existent. Rarely, he'll fall asleep for about twenty minutes, but it's never a deep sleep. Even the routine/schedule doesn't help, and he simply stares at everything around him. He's just so wonderfully curious about everything. Though it was adjustment in the fourth month, I think by now, he's not "fighting" to stay awake as much - and just <i>is</i>. Meaning he isn't really overtired during the day, just awake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another thing we've noticed is that he only wants to sleep in his crib anymore (which hey, is a good thing - gives my arms a break!). We had forsaken the crib shortly after he started sleeping in it, because he had gotten sick and for about five and a half weeks only wanted to sleep on me for comfort (understandable, but exhausting). So once he was finally feeling better (and finished his last rabies shot on St. Patty's Day with no fevers from any one them), we thought of the crib once more. He was still waking up every hour, but he wasn't fighting to go back to sleep because he wasn't feeling well. Looking for alternatives to keep him close, and because he seemed to like to snuggle close - we turned our crib into a sidecar crib. It's attached to our bed, with one railing removed, so I can easily get to him, but he has his own space. It's basically like a co-sleeping bassinet for bigger babies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then in the last week, we've noticed a pretty consistent pattern for him (though I'm a little weary of labeling it anything but a fluke - seeing as he often changes it up on me, right when I start to think I got him figured out. He definitely likes to keep me on my toes!) But lately, he won't even take a twenty minute (twice a day) nap, without being in his crib. He likes his white noise, and his dark room, and being in his familiar space. At night, he sleeps either one-two-or-three hours at a time (hasn't been more than three for over two months). BUT he'll at least go right back to sleep, with minimal coaxing. After such a difficult sick period where it could take an hour of trying everything, with him crying and crying and crying, I will gladly take an hour at a time! But I have found that for myself, I do need two consistent hours, adding up to about five (or six) hours a night, for me to feel okay the next day. If it's been a night of constant one hour patterns (which has definitely happened a few times), then HeroPapa watches him for the extra hours I need when he gets home from the night shift. Actually HeroPapa watches him every morning - whether it's for an hour, or three. He is very helpful :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the food department, because he's been so aware of everything, and wants to be included, he's been practically smacking his lips while we eat. With the blessing of our pedi, we introduced foods at four and a half months, and he loves it! It took him only a few days to really get the hang of it (though he still prefers you to get the food in the middle of his tongue, so the tip of his tongue can kind of lap it back into his throat). Because I kept being told how big he was (not in a judgmental way - but I had a a lot of mothers saying with astonishment that their one year olds don't weigh as much as him), that him still struggling to eat those first few days (he wanted to eat, but got frustrated with the spoon a few bites into it), I asked the pedi about it, and I'm glad to report he's not concerned. Rule #1: feed the baby. He did suggest rice cereal in his bottles, but by then Sidekick was lapping up quite the selection of foods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between the thicker formula bottles with rice cereal, and the baby food (about half a jar a day), he can go hours between feedings (which is nice for both budget and time reasons). So far, he's tried: apples, applesauce, sweet potatoes, bananas, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, corn, peaches, pears, chocolate (he is 1/4 German after all, right?), tiny bit of cheese, and a cinnamon pretzel (both mashed first). I'm happy to say that he hasn't had one reaction to anything yet (though sometimes, even with an allergic reaction at this point, they can often outgrow it, so it wouldn't be too concerning or an indicator of something worse). So far, his favorite food is . . . carrots! (though I have no idea why, haha), followed closely by sweet potatoes, a favorite of HeroPapa's as well. He absolutely refused to eat much of the bananas, or green beans, but maybe we can try those again later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>OUTINGS</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably the most refreshing change has been the outings. Between the warmer weather, and his alertness, we've been able to implement our stroller more, and go places. I did try taking him on his first walk about a week and a half ago, but had an asthma attack, so yup, my lungs don't appreciate anything under 40 degrees (which is like half the year, in Minnesota!). But so far, so good, and we've also gone with HeroPapa to the Mall of America, had lunch, rented a storage locker (to finally clear out some this stuff!), used it for shopping and running errands, and gone on more walks. He simply weighs too much to carry around in the car seat, so having a stroller to put him in is quite nice :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And HeroPapa wanting to join in on it more, is for two reasons: one, he's not quite so nervous anymore of Sidekick wailing and getting us kicked out places (he's quite the easy going baby), and two, he (HeroPapa) was diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea last week! It's a bittersweet diagnosis because it's sad that he has it, but it's nice that we are finally treating the cause, and not just the symptoms. But the even sadder part, is that he's had these symptoms for almost ten years, and just now is being treated for it. And yet, just having him be more alert himself is a fun parallel to Sidekick. They both want to be more involved now, because they are aware of things around them now, so I've been really trying to gather family fun outings :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've done the Mall to America, gone out eat, and done the errands, and a few walks. Next up, is the Como Zoo, Underwater Adventure at the Mall, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Story Time at the library </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(hopefully, because all the current slots are full), going to parks (now that the wind has settled down a bit), once-a-month "Bring Your Baby" AMC movie days, and Midtown Market on their family days. It's a full list, but I'm making up for five months of being cooped up in an apartment with a newborn, then a sick baby, and an untreated sleep apnea hubby. We are going into this full force! I'm probably most excited about the zoo, and can't wait to share pics, but here's this past month's (all 102 of them) :D</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPTFj7LPB9M3UOgeF6pMKH4L3P-8p9NPk1UIlMD2lVaS31D5WTN-yU8IaTc_9FQLA-QeO580z4I3fY5-ioJjH1hZvrUo3mxe37_xaSVQbYK3xnPzBPioirEAMp9Pk3NdaL48dGhaIGRA/s1600/four+month+collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPTFj7LPB9M3UOgeF6pMKH4L3P-8p9NPk1UIlMD2lVaS31D5WTN-yU8IaTc_9FQLA-QeO580z4I3fY5-ioJjH1hZvrUo3mxe37_xaSVQbYK3xnPzBPioirEAMp9Pk3NdaL48dGhaIGRA/s320/four+month+collage+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: spending time with the whole family (even Anubis), love the face of the last pic :)<br />
Middle Row: going out to eat with extended family, last pic is eating food for the first time!<br />
Third Row: sleeping in the crib, watching Fantasia (check out that ear!), and chilling with Mama</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJM6wrOZCIXXSk7phVLrbJl0wrcWYRDsoPeYj85vvwlQSJQNUIvP0bIMPNy-pCHWgFgRkyBaOWJ1CxvG7vZsud71mrxjt6iiZKpoMZpuQsDlx9CRoorj3RLxUCLVBo3p9qqlzxD-q1ZQ/s1600/four+month+collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJM6wrOZCIXXSk7phVLrbJl0wrcWYRDsoPeYj85vvwlQSJQNUIvP0bIMPNy-pCHWgFgRkyBaOWJ1CxvG7vZsud71mrxjt6iiZKpoMZpuQsDlx9CRoorj3RLxUCLVBo3p9qqlzxD-q1ZQ/s320/four+month+collage+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: he loves the O-Ball, in the middle pic, I think it's funny,<br />
that his right foot kind of looks like a claw! Last pic, chilling with Papa<br />
Middle Row: he definitely loves Mama :) Last pic, his exerciser lights up!<br />
Bottom Row: Squished up against Uncle #2, middle pic, wearing Mama's <br />
baby clothes!, last pic, gnawing on everything, while sitting on Oma :P<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6B9oHE2sTJC7eOoDP61UkkSh-JboZYNLNUsCYddEXEqtu216FpTKzy3CmMGw_WaOgdXG3kLn8LjI8cxVTwlXtlIhP8OSVUaQNjq0eAzPH-7Wj5zHD7DJhlZ9jnRJXLYA65bb4uC1hnc/s1600/four+month+collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6B9oHE2sTJC7eOoDP61UkkSh-JboZYNLNUsCYddEXEqtu216FpTKzy3CmMGw_WaOgdXG3kLn8LjI8cxVTwlXtlIhP8OSVUaQNjq0eAzPH-7Wj5zHD7DJhlZ9jnRJXLYA65bb4uC1hnc/s320/four+month+collage+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Top Row: not too many more sleep sessions on Mama left :( Middle pic is him milk drunk, <br />
and last pic is that random squishy face he does when he stretches (hilarious!)<br />
Middle Row: Spit bubbles, and reading books (well, being read to :P)<br />
Bottom Row: Relaxing with Papa, and showing just how different he can look from different angles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf6c-YtOSnhYe49rROtOkkx70QKQVkZsU6Cl3qTt_JZdiz8uYTH0fam3ZIFWAwbfn6cq5Us7H3e13bxaF3-s3kr46ewm71he_2FPY-w1k4iunrdxDLyW2qVwfgfCzRwUSSm-SST9ism0/s1600/four+month+collage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf6c-YtOSnhYe49rROtOkkx70QKQVkZsU6Cl3qTt_JZdiz8uYTH0fam3ZIFWAwbfn6cq5Us7H3e13bxaF3-s3kr46ewm71he_2FPY-w1k4iunrdxDLyW2qVwfgfCzRwUSSm-SST9ism0/s320/four+month+collage+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: he was sick form thrush, but the gentian violet cleared it right up! <br />
(of course, he looks absolutely ridiculous but hey, no more thrush)<br />
Middle Row: playing in his rocket ship ~ love how you can't even tell he's <br />
wearing a diaper in the first pic (and definitely loves sucking on his thumb<br />
Bottom Row: Plenty of chubbiness, but hey he's definitely healthy! He's also relaxing <br />
some more on Papa (boy does he love being naked), and cute onesie at the end there</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VC-exjuUFVj8ZI_KadBGXHlbIegwdWj9_QzCOZrg8SgQAv6-PWAxIQmARylSjWNoKhyphenhyphenz_06oitNn0HX43D5oOFxyJ2xxrRL3CPLQa3cZDNnBuhGp-Q9LjLro1ufETlEY9ZKisVzTwgw/s1600/four+month+collage+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VC-exjuUFVj8ZI_KadBGXHlbIegwdWj9_QzCOZrg8SgQAv6-PWAxIQmARylSjWNoKhyphenhyphenz_06oitNn0HX43D5oOFxyJ2xxrRL3CPLQa3cZDNnBuhGp-Q9LjLro1ufETlEY9ZKisVzTwgw/s320/four+month+collage+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: he'll let you prop him up, but only if he can gnaw on your hand!<br />
He's looking like such a big boy, in an outfit gifted form Papa's uncles :)<br />
Middle Row: loving the boba wrap - it's so easy, even Uncle #2 can use it!<br />
Bottom Row: playing with Papa on the kitchen floor :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRvX_M6gND41oEmMohS2WruyXJH0_P5MKjen8Y__ZPTO1nOKoiEUZha5cyj9rWjf9xiFf6LD8x9zwoDW78qhyphenhyphenQq8C3-OHX3RZyYGchd6Zla-oIjQRasNLBbulRYWnEK5mXQ1F8bf5ci8/s1600/four+month+collage+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRvX_M6gND41oEmMohS2WruyXJH0_P5MKjen8Y__ZPTO1nOKoiEUZha5cyj9rWjf9xiFf6LD8x9zwoDW78qhyphenhyphenQq8C3-OHX3RZyYGchd6Zla-oIjQRasNLBbulRYWnEK5mXQ1F8bf5ci8/s320/four+month+collage+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: Eating with Oma, love the shoes with this outfit, and sleeping in the wrap<br />
Middle Row: he loves his big boy food :D And last pic, is him milk drunk (again!)<br />
Bottom Row: Uncle #2 walking Sidekick around at the VA, while Oma and Mama have a<br />
meeting for Opa; Last two pics are from our first walk (finally warm enough weather MN)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsb6EjtkWY13BLGGWUaMqsj7PfYoC3YPlLG0HdOEkw7hbqAJclcoe3U7Fp1zTGVmf4KRP4OyGVFxi6IFg-Fzt1TXCp1NRdwHIoxCTl1i6WfnfYi-RNqgTbhxzUu-AdxiShDRoiDiz3nwY/s1600/four+month+collage+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsb6EjtkWY13BLGGWUaMqsj7PfYoC3YPlLG0HdOEkw7hbqAJclcoe3U7Fp1zTGVmf4KRP4OyGVFxi6IFg-Fzt1TXCp1NRdwHIoxCTl1i6WfnfYi-RNqgTbhxzUu-AdxiShDRoiDiz3nwY/s320/four+month+collage+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: reading one of his new 4 in. square Disney board books (great for little hands to hold),<br />
Last two pics are him sitting up, and watching tv (love that look that only the tv can make!)<br />
Middle Row: first pic is the last time he slept on me :'( Last row of pics are him with his exerciser </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ5KA2bz8n4inWuBk5tulhB9HywiLQWa-jWDLtB_QcBI4cF6PGurWa-0e_a28fpQZY9d8WZwJeYZpj473gulPXWUcJfk4nIte1WNfA6StAkWZo-Ejv-V670j4tnQ8G35j2Cq-3FAO8mA/s1600/four+month+collage+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ5KA2bz8n4inWuBk5tulhB9HywiLQWa-jWDLtB_QcBI4cF6PGurWa-0e_a28fpQZY9d8WZwJeYZpj473gulPXWUcJfk4nIte1WNfA6StAkWZo-Ejv-V670j4tnQ8G35j2Cq-3FAO8mA/s320/four+month+collage+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: tummy time with music ~ and eating chocolate for the first time, while being held by Opa<br />
Middle Row: with Papa at the sleep center, while he gets fitted for an apnea mask (and mirror time)<br />
Bottom Row: tuckered out after the appointment, but quickly ready to gnaw on foam while sitting in the <br />
Bumbo chair, and finally, the last photo is Sidekick and Papa cuddling at the follow-up apnea appointment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7y7bj3r38lrPnar8fEaHwW7pYUDdu9anKuSfblW68RP7uqBFPOteFYE9oxI0dDuWmtjohDPizgfefdD7mA15AVoisxseBLDVlF9_p10u20q_clgH5l7BiC3vApqwBg9DgTcuTSi4N11A/s1600/four+month+collage+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7y7bj3r38lrPnar8fEaHwW7pYUDdu9anKuSfblW68RP7uqBFPOteFYE9oxI0dDuWmtjohDPizgfefdD7mA15AVoisxseBLDVlF9_p10u20q_clgH5l7BiC3vApqwBg9DgTcuTSi4N11A/s320/four+month+collage+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: love that smile! Second pic is me trying to cover him up, and the one spot that isn't <br />
covered is his eyes, gah ~ last pic is sitting with us at the restaurant at Mall of America.<br />
Middle Row: sitting at the restaurant and eying the straw . . . before knocking over Papa's drink - whoops!<br />
Bottom Row: is sitting beside Mama and giving her smiles, while he gnaws on rings in his Bumbo chair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIOBhZfEcy9xdDb06JMeXUvepEqqMaDjwKCHbH5Wkk8yLn0DHnviuUN_tENRT7d8WHpgJ-EX9kHWHCGTsb1N4V6SnRVVv1Hl_QM7Y9_rDeaX8dmorXK_MDkaCKP2aFvNi-OYZlfH8Esk/s1600/four+month+collage+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIOBhZfEcy9xdDb06JMeXUvepEqqMaDjwKCHbH5Wkk8yLn0DHnviuUN_tENRT7d8WHpgJ-EX9kHWHCGTsb1N4V6SnRVVv1Hl_QM7Y9_rDeaX8dmorXK_MDkaCKP2aFvNi-OYZlfH8Esk/s320/four+month+collage+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: not that happy . . . until he gets to his toes!<br />
Middle Row: still using Papa's shoulder as his fav. position,<br />
and loving the bear-on-the-butt outfit :D<br />
Bottom Row: chewing on his teething monkey :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WPxsr6HOU86rgw-BAQtzemc7WlL3RSPJBWw10RfEVBKgcXffDPosWqSceYhQD8mhGecAK50q6mjszL3bgNhWapQoONBdqJ15Hx4R8bc8Kg8iV1yUFG1kCLvoC4_junDLo09wfRPNI4c/s1600/four+month+collage+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WPxsr6HOU86rgw-BAQtzemc7WlL3RSPJBWw10RfEVBKgcXffDPosWqSceYhQD8mhGecAK50q6mjszL3bgNhWapQoONBdqJ15Hx4R8bc8Kg8iV1yUFG1kCLvoC4_junDLo09wfRPNI4c/s320/four+month+collage+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: first pic shows a good view of his play area with all his fav. toys,<br />
and the other two are him giggling with his lamb (watch a video of this on my FB page)<br />
Middle Row: first pic is the "sexy lumberjack" outfit haha!, second is a ride in Oma's stroller, <br />
and last pic is his two favorite things as of late ~ toes and teething monkey :D<br />
Bottom Row: PLAY HARD OR GO HOME! . . . just kidding, actually, he's just chewing/gnawing :P </td></tr>
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And last, but not least - a comparison shot of dreaded bath time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKtGLsRQYrYOdnSnJuGiwzzUk1yCqiJeV4fULGpQSDo1yXatn6mzYqPwoiIfa24RyUkTPmI8e1U1kXcxCSg30CEXZfoEB4luMKRAB_rSTM3SKGh84xnzIcpEIdesbBs_aVyV7RYN1E1I/s1600/bath+time+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKtGLsRQYrYOdnSnJuGiwzzUk1yCqiJeV4fULGpQSDo1yXatn6mzYqPwoiIfa24RyUkTPmI8e1U1kXcxCSg30CEXZfoEB4luMKRAB_rSTM3SKGh84xnzIcpEIdesbBs_aVyV7RYN1E1I/s320/bath+time+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(First pic is at four weeks, second pic, is five months . . . yup, he still hates bath time :P)</span></div>
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That's all folks ♥</div>
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***</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">But feel free to catch up on everything so far:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-month.html" target="_blank">One Month</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/01/two-months.html" target="_blank">Two Months</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/02/three-months.html" target="_blank">Three Months</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/03/four-months.html" target="_blank">Four Months</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(all links open in a new window)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-47477708069464640422013-03-22T18:02:00.000-05:002013-03-22T18:02:02.491-05:00One Year Old Today<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is my comfort in my affliction, that Thy word has revived me</i> ~ Psalm 119:50 (KJV)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is about my Angelbaby, and the loss of him or her. Please click "Read More" to see the entire post.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If our Angelbaby had lived </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(read <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/09/our-angelbaby.html" target="_blank">Part One</a>, and <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/10/our-angelbaby-part-2.html" target="_blank">Two</a> for the full list of events - links open in new windows)</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, then he or she, would have been one today . . . then again, who knows for sure, since Sidekick was a week late. But the day holds meaning, in part because I only have days to cling to. Sadly there is no cemetery plot for my baby, or ashes for me to place at our altar for others we have lost throughout the years. Instead, I'm a mother to a fleeting figure of time, and I have decided this year to do something about that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year, during this time, I was about eight weeks pregnant with Sidekick, and desperately trying my best not to let anxiety and fear get the better of me (though I often failed, <em>multiple</em> times a day). In fact, there was never one day in my pregnancy - not even during labor - that I said, <strong>"When he gets here . . . "</strong>, it was always <strong>"If"</strong>, <strong>"<em>If</em> he gets here . . . "</strong> It wasn't a lack of faith for God's plan. It was an absence of hope that this time would be different. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But still, with being pregnant, I was able to divert my focus onto Sidekick (which makes me wonder if God timed that just right, knowing that last year would have been difficult for me to face my baby's due date, without having Sidekick in my belly, making me nauseous already!)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Either way, I'm grateful for him and to Him, because I have a drive and a focus to make it through this trying time.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I still don't have a proper way to grieve for my Angelbaby. I have the hospital bands from the ER and the surgery. I have pictures of my IV's. I have</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> discharge papers with for "medical reasons" (as I was told by a doctor), has my devastating miscarriage listed as a "failed abortion". No offense towards those who had an abortion, but that wasn't the case with me, and it only made me cry harder to look at those words (the medical community should really change that).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But none of these things represent my Angelbaby.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this year, I've been searching for items that I can hopefully add to our altar of spirituality - I've been thinking of lucky charms, like a clover since March has St. Patty's Day. And though our Angelbaby wasn't "Lucky", we were, because of having known our Angelbaby for six weeks. For six weeks, we cherished, and loved the baby growing inside me, and the only consolation to it not having been born, was the fact that it never would know anything but pure unconditional love from both us and God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I've been thinking of recruiting Sidekick to help make an arts and crafts shamrock out of his hand prints to represent his older sibling, and we'll be purchasing a keychain with a clover and a frame to hang onto our diaper bag, to carry both our children with us at all times. I'm hoping for the frame of the keychain, to add a dried sweet pea petal, because our baby had only grown to six weeks (though I was pregnant for 9 1/2 weeks), and according to the pregnancy tickers, our Angelbaby would have been the size of a sweet pea. And because of that, I plan on also buying some sweet pea fragrances to spray (or burn via incense) by the altar when I'm remembering my little baby, that should have been one today. I'll be sure to share pics as soon as everything's together!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to my Angelbaby: I hope I'm making you proud little one. Mama and Papa still miss you, and you are still so loved.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-38081015420496608372013-03-07T19:56:00.003-06:002013-03-07T19:57:45.656-06:00Four Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, I starting writing this a few days ago, in order to get a jump on it. Seeing as I was two days late last month, I figured that if I got an early start on the text part, I could just fill in the gaps with some photos, and presto, monthly update on time. But a bat had another idea D:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the original beginning to this post:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a month! Right after the three month post, Sidekick rolled for the first time :) He spent exactly five days in his crib, too . . . and then he got sick. Yup, he had his first cold and we went to the doctor by day three, only to be told he could be sick for up to ten days - and he was. Poor guy went through half doses of Tylenol for the most part, and he did get better, but he didn't quite seem like himself for days . . . and then he got sick all over again. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He didn't seem in pain like the first time around, but he definitely was uncomfortable. So back to the doctor, and surprise-surprise, he has another cold, and thrush! (I would not recommend looking it up though, because it can get quite nasty, spreading out of the mouth and everything, and you really don't want to see pictures of that!). Luckily we caught his early, and with the prescription meds, he seems to be returning to his normal little self (but -</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And ladies and gentlemen, this is where the bat comes in. Yup, you read that right: <i>a bat</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was typing up this post, and hear I noise. I thought it was just our dog Anubis knocking something over, but then I realized he was napping by my feet. Again, I hear a noise, and I look to the right, and there it is. A bat. Flying around Sidekick's crib! It must have noticed me because it took off down the hallway, and it actually flew so fast, I wasn't 100% sure that it was a creature of the night. Just in case, I put a blanket around my head, and take my phone to shine it down the dark hallway - and there it was, perched on the 2nd bedroom threshold and staring back at me, like <i>"What you looking at?"</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I called my Mom and whispered into the phone about the situation, since HeroPapa didn't respond to my text (he was sound asleep in the main bedroom, before he'd start his nightshift). And then, the bat came after me! I don't know if it was attracted to my voice, or the light from my phone, but suddenly, it came around the hallway, and directly at me! For a moment, I thought about picking up Sidekick and then I realized that if this bat was flying around me, I needed to get it away from his crib - so down the hallway I ran (it chasing after me the whole time), and screaming for HeroPapa to wake up because there was a bat in our apartment. The animal was lingering outside our door, and HeroPapa figured now was as good as time as any to bring Sidekick into our room, call the office, and hide in the bedroom. Afterwards, he went to the bathroom, and the bat flew right past him, too.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But even though the office sent up a guy fairly quickly, and both he and HeroPapa looked thoroughly, the bat was gone. We went to the ER, half expecting they'd send us back as exaggerating first time parents, but the state health department and the ER doc felt that because I first saw the bat over Sidekick's crib, and I have no idea how long it was there for, he'd get the rabies vaccine. He was such a trooper, only cried once, and then stopped right away. He got two shots initially on Sunday, and then one on Wednesday (after getting his four month booster shots, too!), and then he gets two more shots this Sunday, and the following Sunday.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whew.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now that <i>all</i> that has been shared. Let's get to the fun stuff, eh?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's his four month photo collage, taken just this morning! :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxupuV_S-1aUo1gnlFLytm9s1VV3AVtvZsSFp1QnmMGoKnpQiIw8UKn2juZ_1ICoza4_fJaruvlZlIEd8jRQVW4NwwGSQ4SlZtg6pH6HnH2JxUJz1-oLYVCdX2R4wwfXIkT1g3bBzn4WM/s1600/four+month+edit.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxupuV_S-1aUo1gnlFLytm9s1VV3AVtvZsSFp1QnmMGoKnpQiIw8UKn2juZ_1ICoza4_fJaruvlZlIEd8jRQVW4NwwGSQ4SlZtg6pH6HnH2JxUJz1-oLYVCdX2R4wwfXIkT1g3bBzn4WM/s400/four+month+edit.png" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to make bigger!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photo reads:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* nickname of the month: "Bucking Bronco"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* been sick all month! Can't sleep well either :(</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* tries to have conversations with you</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* loves music best for playtime</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* is 96th percentile for weight!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* only wears 9mo. clothes (though he did wear a 6-9mo. earlier this week)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor little guy, thanks to him being sick for a month now, he sleeps one two hour period at night, and then is up every hour after that (sometimes even 45 minutes later). Because it's mostly head colds keeping him congested and coughing and sneezing, he's been sleeping inclined. And forget daytime naps (he fights you like crazy about those - but he's so overtired!). He probably is dealing with the four month wakeful, aka sleep regression, because his brain is literally growing so fast, and forming so many new connections, it's hard to sleep knowing there's so much around him to explore (though congestion doesn't help, that's for sure!).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He did roll for a few days at the beginning of the month, and I do have it on video! But as soon as he got sick, he stopped, and hasn't done it since (the doctor isn't worried, and to be honest, the last thing I want to do when my sinuses are acting up, is roll around the floor). So we just focus on our tummy time, and I encourage the rolling - which usually results in him lying on his side - and don't push it much further.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Considering how sick he's been, he's still growing like crazy! He was 14.3 lbs at his two month appointment, so only gaining four pounds in two months, is actually slow for him ;D But yes, as of yesterday he weighs 18lbs5oz ~ and just six days earlier during a sick visit, he had weighed 17lbs3oz. (so he gained a pound in <i>six days!</i>). He's also 25.3 inches long, so he's just a big guy, and only wears 9mo. or up clothing (though he's been known to fit into some roomy 6-9mo. clothing earlier this week). I guess it just depends on the brand, but yes, most of the clothes he's wearing these days is 9mo. We got a big lug on our hands!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He still is a big leg kicker, and is really enjoying the new jumperoo we got him. And he's been doing this thing for a few weeks now, where when he lays flat on his back, he lifts his legs all the way to his chest (work those ab muscles, Sidekick!), and then flings them down quickly and hard (sometimes even lifting his butt off the ground from the momentum). Hence he is now the "Bucking Bronco" ;)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally, he still loves music the best. Whether it's HeroMama's lullabies, or classical music, or BabyFirst videos about numbers, and animals. Anything that sings, or makes music, fascinates him, and usually gets us the biggest smiles :D</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you go - a month in review, of illnesses, creatures of the night, and huge babies ;)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now onto the best part, right? Pictures! Lots, and lots of pictures . . . in fact, there's 54 of them! (as always, click to make bigger)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFBeKnMLqLrnCZbPPZURu02xUdAUiu19y7_AtwGYiJxk33_NvvbCOWKn7KsuXmFypRTLKPY0AjkkRxKFQnm-E-HnvHmiHadbnKSrYuZl89uT0liSHxywSgEsTpVspVgfktiSvW-UD0lE/s1600/four+month+collage+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFBeKnMLqLrnCZbPPZURu02xUdAUiu19y7_AtwGYiJxk33_NvvbCOWKn7KsuXmFypRTLKPY0AjkkRxKFQnm-E-HnvHmiHadbnKSrYuZl89uT0liSHxywSgEsTpVspVgfktiSvW-UD0lE/s320/four+month+collage+6.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roll in action!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWQSEuNqp380jH6J173eE_e2Bhdu-0FpxWdgoYxYJ14Pmh5wr6Bk3OD9iWo_PRUSGqlza-u1Ax9cuKvQM1VHcodYcFQdKyWxyl-wM7K59bW9w_JoHS1UQN3l_LEFM_SOgCVLmenJDD7w/s1600/four+month+collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWQSEuNqp380jH6J173eE_e2Bhdu-0FpxWdgoYxYJ14Pmh5wr6Bk3OD9iWo_PRUSGqlza-u1Ax9cuKvQM1VHcodYcFQdKyWxyl-wM7K59bW9w_JoHS1UQN3l_LEFM_SOgCVLmenJDD7w/s320/four+month+collage+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute outfit - sitting on his own! - uh-oh, he caught me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf88pZ2sCvp-xS4Ul0dALCrPMAc_RgLckYzdttkc3ql2KJBV1wBfDfgsgEbmoLiPRnoW6g8lPmDfMH5PpybqdnEXfguE-sX-hwu3P1usNw12LQ1Lxa_I8ym_DSM47hIPDB0cva8NLkcQ/s1600/four+month+collage+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf88pZ2sCvp-xS4Ul0dALCrPMAc_RgLckYzdttkc3ql2KJBV1wBfDfgsgEbmoLiPRnoW6g8lPmDfMH5PpybqdnEXfguE-sX-hwu3P1usNw12LQ1Lxa_I8ym_DSM47hIPDB0cva8NLkcQ/s320/four+month+collage+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family time with Oma (l.&r.) and Uncle 1+2 (middle)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkWPfJBVqCnXuZRaJ_3NCe1PMI8QlNX6RItCB5IgI9X4J1q6TfjuX5t645wEEMfHD4rIqTdMYwa6YUYseeuVhnZSvRshG4HosZ002211vtKHXuB3tsQaASta6Ah9T8HqmtrEOXbKhyphenhyphenlE/s1600/four+month+collage+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkWPfJBVqCnXuZRaJ_3NCe1PMI8QlNX6RItCB5IgI9X4J1q6TfjuX5t645wEEMfHD4rIqTdMYwa6YUYseeuVhnZSvRshG4HosZ002211vtKHXuB3tsQaASta6Ah9T8HqmtrEOXbKhyphenhyphenlE/s320/four+month+collage+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles for HeroPapa - bath time in the sink with Oma - pug shoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-lfGgd3_hcD2tqTf7AMLdyRZw3bfX0baYaWvi79APZnzHgzmk6niBUZJlo1YzO3_4XPQuJ00cTCM-o_0tX8J2o144MZLQx0JdV00Js_8CiTF3NOHUUn4PGWXkDBI4y3SHvp0wITSI1k/s1600/four+month+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-lfGgd3_hcD2tqTf7AMLdyRZw3bfX0baYaWvi79APZnzHgzmk6niBUZJlo1YzO3_4XPQuJ00cTCM-o_0tX8J2o144MZLQx0JdV00Js_8CiTF3NOHUUn4PGWXkDBI4y3SHvp0wITSI1k/s320/four+month+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny faces, in cute outfit (beginning of the month)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBWhAfFYYSU5LMVTF-TKbmw12QwI4WtIh-M4Oqn6eGzAMoDpPrXEUnxZnuhb5ORrIsDcbj5VdH5QNt8yG-fdQJGrwasZ2wARhYFrOoE5D0LQEokY21aW55ZRluRYCa7Ie4yHvnbGpfNg/s1600/four+month+collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBWhAfFYYSU5LMVTF-TKbmw12QwI4WtIh-M4Oqn6eGzAMoDpPrXEUnxZnuhb5ORrIsDcbj5VdH5QNt8yG-fdQJGrwasZ2wARhYFrOoE5D0LQEokY21aW55ZRluRYCa7Ie4yHvnbGpfNg/s320/four+month+collage+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squishy faces (l.&r.), and smiles in sleep (middle)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6TzHOh2hO0mudMvooYa1V_sQSxJIYeoQFZB861MLZSPhVDqBbmGbihKaxVuht2PXgfHnH3cf2eHFFtRmfRWlfwCrg_dTjNikCxsx_gkT0yy4kJGGPXpHcUpKrJhyphenhyphenfOMGRsh-7rXToUw/s1600/four+month+collage+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6TzHOh2hO0mudMvooYa1V_sQSxJIYeoQFZB861MLZSPhVDqBbmGbihKaxVuht2PXgfHnH3cf2eHFFtRmfRWlfwCrg_dTjNikCxsx_gkT0yy4kJGGPXpHcUpKrJhyphenhyphenfOMGRsh-7rXToUw/s320/four+month+collage+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How will I ever resist that pout? - smiles at playtime - manboobs ;P</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NKVFWF1zrXHsPA6BLEWParBJUWyGJjcpwbzfhHactho2WXg3mf0uSPgVjAVYmZGX6jEwJFVXqAgSS1Yslj-Blzo7EBZKRNlarsFaVAGMo-ScsD_ks7oUkMDZr07rvh9PCyO8uaXT2W0/s1600/four+month+collage+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NKVFWF1zrXHsPA6BLEWParBJUWyGJjcpwbzfhHactho2WXg3mf0uSPgVjAVYmZGX6jEwJFVXqAgSS1Yslj-Blzo7EBZKRNlarsFaVAGMo-ScsD_ks7oUkMDZr07rvh9PCyO8uaXT2W0/s320/four+month+collage+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying his rocket ship!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qLeQt07faiN736ciApg6j_Vv-EDZn7G2M8cHW2Ah-ahs1GK6Lt82_g0wQpbxyzUcRlXIFKgWQuQ8MEDAIDdGGyJ3r8ekhmnzw522C8mYYsfnzU_faNN-fnP2IY8tIKBTaZw0xcK9AOw/s1600/four+month+collage+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qLeQt07faiN736ciApg6j_Vv-EDZn7G2M8cHW2Ah-ahs1GK6Lt82_g0wQpbxyzUcRlXIFKgWQuQ8MEDAIDdGGyJ3r8ekhmnzw522C8mYYsfnzU_faNN-fnP2IY8tIKBTaZw0xcK9AOw/s320/four+month+collage+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sick and clinging to HeroMama - being bounced on HeroPapa's lap - sick at Oma's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cMzNEOcN3oDO4XMu1tpzs3173V9mX1OLlBWoD6A7EPpnyhTmcnhAJ78h9wsRAz337QaVMT2vTYRKVVujwNloD0xdRyaOwGHDqlt3ad4cAlsFBTDygIQopVOZVkx2TdXm8oGGDT2zYls/s1600/four+month+old+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cMzNEOcN3oDO4XMu1tpzs3173V9mX1OLlBWoD6A7EPpnyhTmcnhAJ78h9wsRAz337QaVMT2vTYRKVVujwNloD0xdRyaOwGHDqlt3ad4cAlsFBTDygIQopVOZVkx2TdXm8oGGDT2zYls/s320/four+month+old+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckled for a ride to the VA - naptime in car seat (middle)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCpIrU1AmzQUmZZegMaxZfd5OskURDkAKm1yao7mbPgMU6d7PPB_NIgMiWTF9lspHSo1mDEiiAuOOaWv3PwlioonKwNd5uNbyKWH-sVa_nyhYfy8HzvJWIlXHMZ80dWWd0nvpgTpTC8Y/s1600/four+month+collage+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCpIrU1AmzQUmZZegMaxZfd5OskURDkAKm1yao7mbPgMU6d7PPB_NIgMiWTF9lspHSo1mDEiiAuOOaWv3PwlioonKwNd5uNbyKWH-sVa_nyhYfy8HzvJWIlXHMZ80dWWd0nvpgTpTC8Y/s320/four+month+collage+18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staring at the window - enjoying a new blanket - <br />
learning numbers and playing with the Jumperoo (note HeroPapa's toolbox for support)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2sTuMDwQc66wupsR1UpgJObGdKCnZaEPlbUOnDQbyrI5zaFCM_F0zBN0HNmqZsu8e0kzXvRJnohMFLR2oXvEGz6ho6VSAriyuWPmQclag_qdzX29I_XRD9uwvRP918I3xbhuZO338Fw/s1600/four+month+collage+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2sTuMDwQc66wupsR1UpgJObGdKCnZaEPlbUOnDQbyrI5zaFCM_F0zBN0HNmqZsu8e0kzXvRJnohMFLR2oXvEGz6ho6VSAriyuWPmQclag_qdzX29I_XRD9uwvRP918I3xbhuZO338Fw/s320/four+month+collage+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with the new sounds/music of the Jumperoo</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieta-NTiFhXoi0k3F5zrN9riMiwwJpUsmBUikJaCgBgU3bqLQPn9cp2w6qeT-SvHtoG25C3ULP1f6oYM6KnHjkpbW0974GWdvQrsph857mTBMaVSs8T2eeMNKQqdntT_4PVnskx79T4kw/s1600/four+month+collage+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieta-NTiFhXoi0k3F5zrN9riMiwwJpUsmBUikJaCgBgU3bqLQPn9cp2w6qeT-SvHtoG25C3ULP1f6oYM6KnHjkpbW0974GWdvQrsph857mTBMaVSs8T2eeMNKQqdntT_4PVnskx79T4kw/s320/four+month+collage+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having so much playing . . . that he doesn't want to let go when being pulled away!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTJ8QG9T-GG2PsynA7f84_jICQexNdTMkTYV0otxhjf9F6Is1bShYYBmcJVYR8spN1a94CuFdKiwsJmDMUItothNmFR6AYz122J-qXxGBF4bNYz-7s86xU3YEVz3VcG5ku7y9EtHfywo/s1600/four+month+collage+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTJ8QG9T-GG2PsynA7f84_jICQexNdTMkTYV0otxhjf9F6Is1bShYYBmcJVYR8spN1a94CuFdKiwsJmDMUItothNmFR6AYz122J-qXxGBF4bNYz-7s86xU3YEVz3VcG5ku7y9EtHfywo/s320/four+month+collage+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a Tylenol-nap - I burn water (boiling nipples because of the thrush) -<br />
poor white spots on the inside of his upper lip</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eFzaURH_VPdBiqzO2ZzitclWbAD1j4DszOg64CQhPQ0VblUy3dLRgOTRDGbuItPMeMpnEgxpfUG1ARD_o95mpWXU2pltxYo1zpgCp_VhoxjAYxNmvzlZvTuTDAy2dNiHX5Yj34OJchw/s1600/four+month+old+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eFzaURH_VPdBiqzO2ZzitclWbAD1j4DszOg64CQhPQ0VblUy3dLRgOTRDGbuItPMeMpnEgxpfUG1ARD_o95mpWXU2pltxYo1zpgCp_VhoxjAYxNmvzlZvTuTDAy2dNiHX5Yj34OJchw/s320/four+month+old+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sucking his thumb for comfort - and playing on the floor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC6JJcWWbFoVnYh97ktFCzRbO6X2FytLl9EhhF6HygKQXC_S6lrYVUMcIEo1ViBLB4OsmltfwziVMgb3sajf9zjFh0ivxRLEhyphenhyphen3ca2X57pZCbopNf-sGXrSM0VBncWWLANDLSRycCULI/s1600/four+month+collage+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC6JJcWWbFoVnYh97ktFCzRbO6X2FytLl9EhhF6HygKQXC_S6lrYVUMcIEo1ViBLB4OsmltfwziVMgb3sajf9zjFh0ivxRLEhyphenhyphen3ca2X57pZCbopNf-sGXrSM0VBncWWLANDLSRycCULI/s320/four+month+collage+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nap on HeroPapa - Sidekick's favorite position on HeroPapa - <br />
learning about SmartPhones</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlyJsKDoMkXRCq-xBsNL6c9fBTKn6yqPL9_i_KgGkpprKcjdNQzXkzSJk-wznDLVS5Bkb_bMYQN9y_eLvDB_i8moPSpoEMkNQ7btAIBsP1idgtYVH7TDjzWvCeXBHk18hNxT8WUbDSeM/s1600/four+month+collage+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlyJsKDoMkXRCq-xBsNL6c9fBTKn6yqPL9_i_KgGkpprKcjdNQzXkzSJk-wznDLVS5Bkb_bMYQN9y_eLvDB_i8moPSpoEMkNQ7btAIBsP1idgtYVH7TDjzWvCeXBHk18hNxT8WUbDSeM/s320/four+month+collage+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit milk drunk - kisses from HeroPapa - big baby! (taken just today)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBifVgEzb3u5mOVNxBH3vV6PquDG8Dw2aigAG7PYfctuTe3aar8NMVYzctD6irPPlcmS12hYiA3BhLfkDtGwxnTjDcw0CJ_4VD5nQxrSBALxchHAZtz_pkXZ-lGME4IWshjpRDxdJEnvQ/s1600/four+month+collage+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBifVgEzb3u5mOVNxBH3vV6PquDG8Dw2aigAG7PYfctuTe3aar8NMVYzctD6irPPlcmS12hYiA3BhLfkDtGwxnTjDcw0CJ_4VD5nQxrSBALxchHAZtz_pkXZ-lGME4IWshjpRDxdJEnvQ/s320/four+month+collage+19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playtime yesterday - and comfort suckle during tummy time</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Catch up so far:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-month.html" target="_blank">Month One</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/01/two-months.html" target="_blank">Month Two</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/02/three-months.html" target="_blank">Month Three</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-85538372824679575412013-02-08T23:00:00.000-06:002013-05-30T20:58:29.945-05:00Three Months <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi everybody! Sorry I'm late on the update, I literally thought it was the sixth today . . . being indoors for so long has totally messed up my days. Or maybe it's just the infamous mommy-brain. What's worse, is that I look at my phone several times a day, and still, I thought today was the sixth: <i>wow</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways, on to the good stuff! (make sure to scroll to the end to see a gazillon pictures)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFibe6dooouNaEMKjNPHXOQpWrRwZxGOyH1ygYEd0xWmBDyvv9Yf65Pcbj-29DQou_qNed9Ap7vYUwa981VQgLUBAR_lORvKnBPN80NhgJDFC_jhmtgdl-1PIAvBbHVbLPhoCWHEUmdQ/s1600/lex+is+three+months+checkin.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFibe6dooouNaEMKjNPHXOQpWrRwZxGOyH1ygYEd0xWmBDyvv9Yf65Pcbj-29DQou_qNed9Ap7vYUwa981VQgLUBAR_lORvKnBPN80NhgJDFC_jhmtgdl-1PIAvBbHVbLPhoCWHEUmdQ/s320/lex+is+three+months+checkin.jpg.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to make bigger :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The image reads: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> + latest nickname is "Chunky Monkey"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> + sleeps seven hours at night, sometimes more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> + has found his thumb :D</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> + loves to sit up and explore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> + babbles all sorts of vowels and chuckles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> + prune juice is a gift from God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> + is outgrowing everything</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what's been happening this past month? Well the big change earlier in the month was getting Sidekick on prune juice. I didn't really think it would make any difference because we had tried everything for gas relief for the poor guy (massages, knees-to-chest, sitting up when eating, holding him up as often as possible, eating slower, wraps, sleeping inclined, apple juice and the last resort: thermometer when he couldn't even be on his back without screaming). Seeing as the apple juice didn't change things up, I really wasn't expecting the prune juice to do the trick, but boy-oh-boy he's a (happy) regular guy now . . . just further proof that babies are like little old men ;P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right around that time (thanks to no more gas), he was finally able to lay outside of a swing/car seat, and be swaddled separately, and lay flat in the <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/10/first-nursery.html" target="_blank">pack n play located by our bed</a>. And he started sleeping through the night - first for four hours, then gradually working up to seven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then, right around ten weeks, teething started, oh yes, <i>teething</i>! Dear lordi, the amount of drool and spit bubbles that are produced is something else ~ and though the orajel helped, I didn't want to rely on it too much. Thankfully sticking his paci's in the freezers for two minutes numbs his gums nicely and I haven't had to use much medication in days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But thanks to the teething pain, and what I suspect was an early growth spurt for his three months, he was no longer sleeping at night. It just seemed to get worse and worse, until finally earlier this week, it peaked with him waking up every hour and a half, to two hours (for the first time in like six weeks). We were both exhausted and though he didn't seem to respond well to a schedule before (what newborn does though??), I was willing to try again: because at three months, Sidekick is considered an infant, not a newborn :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though today was a bit hit and miss, for the most part, we've been fallowing the <a href="http://noobmommy.com/2008/12/easy-routine-from-baby-whisperer.html" target="_blank">E.A.S.Y method</a> (though for us it's more like the E.A.E - a bit more - S.Y) but that's okay, because it's working! Even though he's sleeping plenty during the day, he's also sleeping at night! On Wednesday evening, he slept twelve hours :D That's amazing, because it let me have eight and a half hours myself . . . which I haven't had the luxury of since my third trimester began in August of last year. In case you're counting, that means my last full night of "suggested hours" of sleep was six months ago. Half a year gees!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night he was up a bit (twice exactly) but considering it was his first.night.in.his.crib. he did really well. Yup you read that right, he has successfully transitioned from the pack n play in our room to the crib (honestly, only because he has outgrown the pack n play haha). In fact, he's outgrowing everything. Even his car seat seems like it might getting snug, with his feet getting dangerously close to hanging over the edge. He definitely can't fit into any 0-3 months clothes (no matter what brand), and now wears solely 3-6 months, or 6+ (depending on the brand). He's a big, long, chunky monkey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for our dog, he's been adjusting quite well to Sidekick, expect when we get on the floor to play with our son - then our dog tries to jump <i>over</i> our son's head to get to us (it really looks quite scary). And it's super annoying when his sharp claws dig into your arms as he desperately vies for your attention away from the baby. BUT when we are just sitting around, he's actually quite sweet to Sidekick and licks him and sits down by his legs (even allowing our son to repeatedly kick him without as much as a flinch). Anubis will even bring him his ball - though we don't know if he means for Sidekick to throw it, or if it's just another way to get us to pay attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other than that, there's not too much left to report. Our four month appointment is coming up in about a month, and I'm excited to see how much he's grown :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now onto all sorts of awesome pictures! (click on them to make them bigger)</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ufOq34bUZF_BDsM-x9HQg3vi9vEZynHiC1NuTglc3PUR_jnae6hTjtMJkMoAwOBM_f0xPTfj8pv9opiDT61QkBNC2yYs32CjK4KaWW_BZgOnCz9Tp2oHJj7uVmqQIFmud9kMdi0BcI8/s1600/lex+three+months+eleven.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ufOq34bUZF_BDsM-x9HQg3vi9vEZynHiC1NuTglc3PUR_jnae6hTjtMJkMoAwOBM_f0xPTfj8pv9opiDT61QkBNC2yYs32CjK4KaWW_BZgOnCz9Tp2oHJj7uVmqQIFmud9kMdi0BcI8/s320/lex+three+months+eleven.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earlier in the month: right pic is his cute "dog" outfit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBjzt8MKuiVA-NyoVYwDOJFDZ_PZo6O731BbWZkaY8OqKrqB0cABZstfarBQ3k73NgvbEo2HUuNhBtsN5ShCe-QAehB9dLmjsc6QIHWhqpir4HgmlfheMJaOTsrLKEv7fvUwtUDhFC7Q/s1600/lex+three+months+seven.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBjzt8MKuiVA-NyoVYwDOJFDZ_PZo6O731BbWZkaY8OqKrqB0cABZstfarBQ3k73NgvbEo2HUuNhBtsN5ShCe-QAehB9dLmjsc6QIHWhqpir4HgmlfheMJaOTsrLKEv7fvUwtUDhFC7Q/s320/lex+three+months+seven.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loved to sleep in the swing, but over the month grew out of it! <br />
(left pic is beginning of Month Two - other two, are end of the month)<br />
*I literally found him "hanging" like this a few minutes after I put him in there, all snuggled*</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHMKE3Z0S0CVrjkAHg2g8-uxv2bTyW9Xs4RL95j10MU07lf0WKCME1II-ZPRzfZxyuxRVl03mFWDKGjeWuS5NzG1tUFezo-iwTwz15eHKIk8G3qMmcuWqE_HxKjGarlF3BHJkGdtGMaI/s1600/lex+collage+month+three+five.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHMKE3Z0S0CVrjkAHg2g8-uxv2bTyW9Xs4RL95j10MU07lf0WKCME1II-ZPRzfZxyuxRVl03mFWDKGjeWuS5NzG1tUFezo-iwTwz15eHKIk8G3qMmcuWqE_HxKjGarlF3BHJkGdtGMaI/s320/lex+collage+month+three+five.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those teething bubbles (left photo), and those lips (middle photo),<br />
photo on the right is me holding him, about to do FaceTime with my mom,<br />
when she points out that he fell asleep, without me even realizing it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVywNJEEz7c6gXwddlEQma9F76hJsPVwFabkvNaZUUKBIHkICT8iS9sJzts91-ZQKUDPVewP-qLNVagZT-0RgoG7N4xyVMLj_7meBQ5Nb3J8eeGUi5l89X1SmfPFMCmpbY1v1D2LwiF8/s1600/lex+three+month+four.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVywNJEEz7c6gXwddlEQma9F76hJsPVwFabkvNaZUUKBIHkICT8iS9sJzts91-ZQKUDPVewP-qLNVagZT-0RgoG7N4xyVMLj_7meBQ5Nb3J8eeGUi5l89X1SmfPFMCmpbY1v1D2LwiF8/s320/lex+three+month+four.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing sitting up earlier in the month! <br />
Doesn't seem very impressed with it in any setting does he?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TWLkpadQWOGeBPEKSXPY_5Y95-04EFtS7ulwddIaEcmVEXwq90XgkeEv-ecS_GVF55az0IxXfKrmJBVwuwsy8Bk1HbjJZNxHhfkl758O-8sR0BRKYFUcldgf7UcicUpjmulzs2uEBkg/s1600/lex+three+months+nine.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TWLkpadQWOGeBPEKSXPY_5Y95-04EFtS7ulwddIaEcmVEXwq90XgkeEv-ecS_GVF55az0IxXfKrmJBVwuwsy8Bk1HbjJZNxHhfkl758O-8sR0BRKYFUcldgf7UcicUpjmulzs2uEBkg/s320/lex+three+months+nine.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some tummy time (he's starting to like it more now than before), <br />
and is okay now with sitting (for a bit), especially with a big pillow propped under his feet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD59kDdHoQtNQdT_YoMugbX7r_vYJWB9Db5ESyJBfJFFin3HLbHy6tq5fVs8DH2-DwINmxgy7JpXjHVj7sPLdc89mzzcd3wQrKBfPc-fHhI6-qWuHe5EOGXPIJnvzBJiXK6LsdA2fx-E8/s1600/lex+three+months+six.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD59kDdHoQtNQdT_YoMugbX7r_vYJWB9Db5ESyJBfJFFin3HLbHy6tq5fVs8DH2-DwINmxgy7JpXjHVj7sPLdc89mzzcd3wQrKBfPc-fHhI6-qWuHe5EOGXPIJnvzBJiXK6LsdA2fx-E8/s320/lex+three+months+six.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He really doesn't want to be "Squishy Face" anymore. <br />
He wants to be propped forward so he can take it all in.<br />
Love the photo on the right, he looks so blaze about it all.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb78OyyVMq8B6g7z_luo6LMBciD7Zz8Mu_lTNrAHm4Kg_vPHC9iwoz1BUdses3pbJLKlQrkoDZ2Z0O4C0mFFM772ykSBcJyhCyD3iJaDt69roj-zCT0pZ6kf4a3PeIQWUrTuhdNPPL5Q/s1600/lex+three+months+three.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb78OyyVMq8B6g7z_luo6LMBciD7Zz8Mu_lTNrAHm4Kg_vPHC9iwoz1BUdses3pbJLKlQrkoDZ2Z0O4C0mFFM772ykSBcJyhCyD3iJaDt69roj-zCT0pZ6kf4a3PeIQWUrTuhdNPPL5Q/s320/lex+three+months+three.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He still loves his vibrating chair, but really still wants his toys all around him.<br />
So here he is yesterday, all set up - moves like crazy - and scares himself a bit when the music plays ;P</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFLey9ScwXhpwcjcy6F1fYDbG8y-kW8axOH-HVL6LFnDB8VZKRJvZXJh8XMitb9aPsdPF95Q3otHRjohhwnoaaRGisAvf925rnNPjxgNnYmKoc1xRecmYeeEmeYrAfaVWIctXAiVFtf8/s1600/lex+three+months+two.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFLey9ScwXhpwcjcy6F1fYDbG8y-kW8axOH-HVL6LFnDB8VZKRJvZXJh8XMitb9aPsdPF95Q3otHRjohhwnoaaRGisAvf925rnNPjxgNnYmKoc1xRecmYeeEmeYrAfaVWIctXAiVFtf8/s320/lex+three+months+two.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left photo: his first night in the crib! Middle photo: some tummy time<br />
Right photo: I caught him sucking his thumb (versus his whole fist) for the first time!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm7YnkFHDLKUhorJ7P0mgYE_ymb_8R9v1rZFcagh2wHLP66EsFSj4GffSaCSCF-cREGTSygi2INe0iYH0SDCQIWZ8c0SBewVhO97q4-eGmcWiJ_V5DXDIQVu1UYVdZrvdt8-pGYwH5e0/s1600/three+month+collage+one.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm7YnkFHDLKUhorJ7P0mgYE_ymb_8R9v1rZFcagh2wHLP66EsFSj4GffSaCSCF-cREGTSygi2INe0iYH0SDCQIWZ8c0SBewVhO97q4-eGmcWiJ_V5DXDIQVu1UYVdZrvdt8-pGYwH5e0/s320/three+month+collage+one.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spending time with family is the best! Left, with Uncle #2, <br />
Middle is with Oma, and Right is with HeroPapa and Anubis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9rlPWtlndKnVmQcQx4cY0yKvfAQPWibgYRIXoJSfzVtJAu6ibAbhSFmW3ZlSwD7uaRDCATnpJMipSsqBr6oYFlQRt8I8Q1BfFazIDUdJKi00ozgQb9gCpgsGWtatDazExgV3pufcVVQ/s1600/lex+three+months+ten.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9rlPWtlndKnVmQcQx4cY0yKvfAQPWibgYRIXoJSfzVtJAu6ibAbhSFmW3ZlSwD7uaRDCATnpJMipSsqBr6oYFlQRt8I8Q1BfFazIDUdJKi00ozgQb9gCpgsGWtatDazExgV3pufcVVQ/s320/lex+three+months+ten.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, some sleep! Left is just from today. Middle is from two weeks ago,<br />
though he can't fit in the chair now to sleep! And right is a carseat nap :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
See you all next month!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Catch up to everything so far):</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-month.html" target="_blank">Month One</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2013/01/two-months.html" target="_blank">Month Two</a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-19552164415718147172013-01-09T20:19:00.000-06:002013-05-30T20:58:58.921-05:00Two Months<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be warned, there's a lot of pics in this post! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alright, so I'm like three days late on this one - but for good reason, we've been busy! (Pretty much from Christmas Eve, to Epiphany Sunday was filled with family :D) . . . and though it was a lot of travel, a lot of visits, etc., it's so wonderful that everyone has been able to meet Sidekick!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So first off, let's share what you've been waiting to see: his two month picture :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkvQJ4tdV-a_xX1lsXzEa8k1cmcZLSDGbUQ6P6LKSUE8KPlHFtJgUswNkFbCiFnKqTlI31zN1KpPJCk3Jyj4Z5E1RG-0pdrqtBbLlyZeMdIywcFowhDkBW51Nw2JxgXZTH60hGdRNKEE/s1600/Lex+Two+Months.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkvQJ4tdV-a_xX1lsXzEa8k1cmcZLSDGbUQ6P6LKSUE8KPlHFtJgUswNkFbCiFnKqTlI31zN1KpPJCk3Jyj4Z5E1RG-0pdrqtBbLlyZeMdIywcFowhDkBW51Nw2JxgXZTH60hGdRNKEE/s320/Lex+Two+Months.jpg.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Info within the pic (click on it to make it bigger!) is as fallows: that he weighs 14lbs! (more on that further down this post) - that he can smile (pic of that below :D) - and that he tries to laugh, but so far, it's more of a chuckle (he's working his way up to it though) - he really prefers to fall asleep at night with Mama (and decides that that time starts at 6PM, though he doesn't fall asleep till close to 9PM - and Papa just won't do!) - he's also a comfort eater (big surprise if he weighs 14lbs., right?!) - he loves to try to stick his whole hand in his mouth (I'm sure he'll be a thumbsucker, like I was) - and finally, he loves to squish his face against your chest as he sleeps, hence the new nickname: "Squishy Face".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But hey, there's a few things that just wouldn't fit in the pic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like, starting our very own <a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-traditions.html" target="_blank">Christmas traditions</a> as a family, and Christmas celebrations with extended family:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfslw04Od66Nm_ttzHdV9pd8I0wxbiWHfgGM27acc5bbAPZJT52yVimOEZdLqYhbtvn2eYnmFH7nw5JiccxovaKC4wOzD4AyNQEESCbYJjBqTZX6GEH7QIxizRW4GoYxXjkO72FBq7UII/s1600/Lex+Christmas+Collage.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfslw04Od66Nm_ttzHdV9pd8I0wxbiWHfgGM27acc5bbAPZJT52yVimOEZdLqYhbtvn2eYnmFH7nw5JiccxovaKC4wOzD4AyNQEESCbYJjBqTZX6GEH7QIxizRW4GoYxXjkO72FBq7UII/s320/Lex+Christmas+Collage.png.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click to make bigger :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And having Sidekick baptized (in the Unitarian sense)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm130/katigox/me/IMG_1188_zps320a3074-1_zps211c4d38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm130/katigox/me/IMG_1188_zps320a3074-1_zps211c4d38.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click to make bigger :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But probably one of the most endearing things we've gotten see this past month, is the intended smile (and occasional chuckle). We haven't gotten the big, enchanting, loud baby laugh yet - but we're close! There's something so wonderful about looking down at your baby, and your baby suddenly smiling at the realization that it's you (and happy about that fact). There's been lots of smiles in our home ever since he came, but it's so nice that he's adding to it, too now :) </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm130/katigox/me/IMG_0788_zps240fae44-1_zps2a502d4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm130/katigox/me/IMG_0788_zps240fae44-1_zps2a502d4a.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How is this not the most amazing thing ever?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now yesterday afternoon we had Sidekick's two month appointment, and yup - he weighs FOURTEEN pounds and two ounces OH MY GOD! He's definitely a comfort eater. The doc was careful not to hint a diet, but did suggest we try to help him not just comfort suckle - but he's not considered overweight (yet). Besides, babies need fat, so I'm not worried. And of course the dreaded vaccine shots . . . I really didn't think I'd make it, but I was strong for him, and didn't shed one tear, even though he had plenty. Luckily right afterwards I held him and both hubby and I managed to comfort him through the afterpains. About two hours later he felt a little hot, and had some discomfort so he got some medicine, and promptly went to sleep. Hopefully he won't be in too much pain after his four month appointment when he gets booster shots :S</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now for one more collage of random photos to add even more cuteness to this post:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-5tv_fas8qWrbvNN_zYDUudlEIylg3vEVXI3EsbHkp8cmeR3OWOKW595Z0mhiGLLbXbKii-2hCIQZ5QTdgn_HA8FKP37ezNsSeYVM3bD6gf0L-oSe9YX19KDd7qyb59txaa6VdkmJ3g/s1600/Lex+random+collage.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-5tv_fas8qWrbvNN_zYDUudlEIylg3vEVXI3EsbHkp8cmeR3OWOKW595Z0mhiGLLbXbKii-2hCIQZ5QTdgn_HA8FKP37ezNsSeYVM3bD6gf0L-oSe9YX19KDd7qyb59txaa6VdkmJ3g/s320/Lex+random+collage.png.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to make bigger :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIST</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I plan on adding a little list at the end of each month post, so you can see how he's grown over the months; and then at one year, turning them all into a collage ~ but for now, a list).</span></div>
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<a href="http://petersock.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-month.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">One Month</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5935345520133300608.post-82836136135720139402013-01-05T12:33:00.000-06:002013-01-05T12:37:56.588-06:00Who does he look more like?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well in case anyone was wondering - here are some easy ways to tell: baby pictures of everyone! :)</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsQls2dDKktyfdiM3Fm8BeOuosNm6KANbk8iHaZaq7k17k-XlN8RT_RmIIJUoInrKLDptQDebN26B_azm-9Z1OqeA52yVWyUEdYxWw6NHjMQpQeDwwOpDFcVL02wl6hp1oEle_TMbEcE/s1600/baby+edits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsQls2dDKktyfdiM3Fm8BeOuosNm6KANbk8iHaZaq7k17k-XlN8RT_RmIIJUoInrKLDptQDebN26B_azm-9Z1OqeA52yVWyUEdYxWw6NHjMQpQeDwwOpDFcVL02wl6hp1oEle_TMbEcE/s640/baby+edits.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">HeroPapa as a baby Sidekick in the middle HeroMama as a baby</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still a little hard to tell, but we think he looks like us both: he's got Papa's eyes, ears, forehead, fingers and toes - and Mama's nose, lips and blonde coloring . . . though of course, we also noticed a striking resemblance to another famous baby ~</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_lAA0AL6xbwZFLwehc22KCSbQnI1M0Jfy9PEXHgC6FWW3huHffjs_3ZgPBXPYPZLltYOsfesu4c0fd7V3WqUkpJt6i9HAoomgTSfxQKw0j8VRghyXn81ovEYHchwNGecR8VdIvmFU8Q/s1600/baby+royalty.png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_lAA0AL6xbwZFLwehc22KCSbQnI1M0Jfy9PEXHgC6FWW3huHffjs_3ZgPBXPYPZLltYOsfesu4c0fd7V3WqUkpJt6i9HAoomgTSfxQKw0j8VRghyXn81ovEYHchwNGecR8VdIvmFU8Q/s400/baby+royalty.png.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Edward the IV and Sidekick ... hm, maybe we got some royal ancestors ;P</span></td></tr>
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