More Firsts

This past week Henry has experienced a few more firsts. At his last doc appointment they gave me the green light to start rice cereal anytime between now and 6 months. However, he said he seemed to be pretty close since he was really interested in watching us eat and the moment he started to grab or open his mouth when we were eating we should give it a try. Well sure enough he has capped out his ounces per feeding of bottles (8 oz) and started grabbing our food. So Sunday we gave it a try and he did so good. We are now on day 4 of rice cereal and I think I am going to give it to him for dinner today to see if that helps him sleep longer. There are a lot of mixed review whether this will help longer sleep or not but I guess we will find out for ourselves. However, Henry has been sleeping really well. I typically get him down around 9pm and he sleeps until 4am now. Then eats goes right back to sleep and will sleep until 7am. I think we are getting really close to him sleeping through the night. Can't wait!

The other big adventure we had this week is we started Little Gym. Henry is in the Bugs Group (4 month - 10 month old and a parent). We had soooo much fun! I can't wait for Monday to get here so we can go again. I really learned a lot of new ideas to help his development and simply play together. I also got to meet some new moms and dads and definitely can see that over time we will likely make some play date friends. There was one little boy in particular that Henry and I both seemed to gravitate to him and his mom. I hope we get to see them again this week and make new friends. And, we love the instructor Ms. Shannon. She is pretty amazing with the little ones and even better she knows my husband so I hope Henry gets some extra attention. ;o)

Eating Rice Cereal for the First Time

Getting ready to get started....

My first bite...

Open wide...

Holding my spoon with mom...

All done with a messy face....Full belly = very happy baby

Happy Boy

After a very long Saturday due to Henry fighting a fever from his 4 month shots all day and recovery on Sunday we were ready for some fun in the sun. Chris, Henry and I headed out to Emerald Downs to bet on some horse races and soak up some sunshine. As you can see Henry is feeling much better and is all smiles!I now eat everything I can get my hands on and stuff in my mouth - Hanging with dad -
Mom still can't stop kissing me every chance she gets -

4 Months!

Henry hit 4 months yesterday and today we had his check up with the doc. He is doing fantastic and we couldn't be more proud! Here are his stats!

Height: 27 1/8 inches (97%) **Still very tall!
Weight: 16 lbs (75%)
Head Circ: 43.7 CM (85%)

The doc said he is a very healthy, proportionate little boy. He was such a show off today (which mom loved it). He was talking, laughing, kicking and smiling a ton. He also did very well with his second round of shots. Such a big boy!

Next on the list...we can start giving him rice cereal/baby food anytime between now and 6 months. Most commonly closer to 5 months. But the doc said once he starts really noticing our food and grabbing at it that is a great sign to start other foods aside from liquid. Which I found really funny because Henry is really curious about our food and watches and often laughs when I am eating food in front of him. I am not quite ready for the rice cereal yet and think we will probably wait to closer to 5 months. Then once we get that routine down we will try veggies/fruit, which I am going to make myself and can't wait!

The other item on the list is a convertible car seat. The doc recommends that we move to a rear facing covertible seat by 20 lbs OR the max length of your infant car seat (usually 26 - 30 inches). Luckily ours goes to 30 inches but he is fast approaching the 20 lb weight limit! I would imagine by his 6 month appointment we will be ready for the rear facing convertible seat. Growing so fast!

Portland Pics

As I mentioned in my prior post we went down to Portland to celebrate with Camille for her 30th birthday. We started the day off with brunch at Camille & Matt's which has a phenomenal view of downtown. The sun was shinning and everyone was enjoying a fantastic brunch and mimosas. Here's a view from their deck. After brunch we headed out on the limo bus to do some wine tasting. To be perfectly honest I think we could have just drove around the neighborhood and had a blast. The limo bus was so much fun! Here are some more pics from our day.

The perfect group of people to spend the day with - Bday girl enjoying the limo ride in style (yep Bud Light in between winery's...)Matt, John & Camille - always lots of laughs with this crewApparently something is really funny -Chris & IMorgs & Camille -

Enjoying the view at our last stop (can't remember the name...it was sooo hot and I think we were ready for some A/C at this point)

Camille & ICamille & Matt -

Happy Birthday

Since we will be traveling down to celebrate with my dear friend Camille tomorrow I wanted to post an early shout out (her b-day is tomorrow). Happy 30th Camille! Thank you for being such an amazing friend over the years. I know we will be old and gray laughing at all our adventures. I thank you for allowing me to be completely myself and loving me no matter what. You have brought so many laughs to my life and I can't imagine not having you by my side. Here's to the next 30 being even better than the last 30! Chris and I both love you with all our hearts (not too many of my friends can set Chris straight all while getting laughs out of him...I love it when you visit! lol) We can't wait for the wine tour tomorrow. Hope that party bus driver is ready for us!

Mother's Day

Today I got to celebrate my first mother's day and it was absolutely the most perfect day! Given that our family has a nursery it is one of the busiest days of the year so Chris had to work today. But, Henry and I were able to spend the day with my mom and as usual she spoiled Henry and I. I kicked off the day with a facial and a jog at Green Lake. After my alone time, my mom, Henry and I headed out for brunch. Henry is becoming a pro at eating out in public and is so fun as he just smiles at every one and is quite the flirt. Henry even got me a card (all translated through nauna). My mom also got us a gift card for a local photographer to get family portraits taken this summer. I can't wait! After we spent the day with my mom Henry and I headed back home to meet dad. Chris made me one of my favorite meals, Seafood Fettuccine. He and Henry also let me pick out a locket and I ordered the heart shape Tiffany's locket that should be here soon! I am so excited to get my necklace and put pics of my boys inside to wear close to my heart. It really was a perfect 1st Mother's Day and I feel so special. I really love my life and our family. I can't wait for all the adventures ahead.

And, a BIG thank you to my mom for a lifetime of love. You truly are the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life and I get to call you my mom. The love and passion you have for life is contagious to all those around you. You have always been there for me, challenged me to be my best, cheered me on from the sidelines, taught me to always keep my chin up and to always love myself and be proud of the woman I have become. I would not be who I am today if it weren't for you. I love you with all my heart.

Our Greatest Joy

In the past week I have never felt so loved and admired in my entire life. As any mom knows your babies immediately have a connection with you and you know they love you. But, lately Henry really is loving me in a way I have never felt before in my entire life. He is constantly watching me no matter if he is being held by someone else or sitting solo in his chair. I will catch him staring at me and the moment our eyes meet he gets the biggest grin on his face and often laughs out loud. In the morning sometimes it seems like he is patiently waiting for me to open my eyes as he just gets the biggest grin and often babbles a bit. It really is the most incredible part of my day and no matter how much of a sleepless night I may have had his smile simply is all it takes to get me moving. I too have been watching him connect with his dad. He loves to watch his dad and I so enjoy watching the two of them bond. It makes me feel so good that he feels so loved and has so much love to give. He really has a twinkle in his eyes and I love being on the receiving end of that pure and genuine love. I honestly have the happiest baby in the world and am loving every minute of our days together as it just keeps getting better and better.

On that note...I am on a 3 day streak of getting Henry to take naps all by himself in his own bedroom during the day. And, most days it's a couple times a day! While it may only be 30 - 40 minute stretches it is still an improvement from no naps unless he is laying with mom.

And, last but not least I discovered what many call "baby crack"...Baby Einstein! And like everyone had told me babies do LOVE it! Henry and I sat on the floor today to watch Baby Einstein Symphony and he smiled and was laughing out loud a bit. He really loved the doggie. I thought it was a good opportunity for us to practice sitting up on his own with a little distraction in the background. He loved it and is getting so good at sitting up...of course not on his own but he is starting to balance for a few seconds before starting to fall to one side. He loves sitting up and seeing the world like a big boy! He really is our greatest joy.