40 Weeks Versus 40 Weeks

 

What a difference 40 weeks - in any direction - can make!  In the first picture I am nearly 40 weeks pregnant and in the second picture, Wade is almost 40 weeks old.  (Technically, he is 40 weeks old today and I took the picture a few days ago.)  I thought 40 weeks old made for an interesting milestone to point out.

Wade turned 9 months old on Saturday and that meant he had a well visit to the doctor this week.  Finally, no ear infections!  He is still >97th percentile on everything - 31 inches long and 26 pounds, 5 ounces for weight.  His doctor gave us the okay to give him any food (except for the possible allergy foods) so last night he had chicken parmesan (and pureed veggies) for dinner!  He liked it a lot!

He's still a crawling machine and he's standing, but still needs help in that department.  Things are going well!

Happy New Year!

Last night we celebrated New Year's Eve with good GREAT friends by doing another seafood boil.  I was very impressed that all the kiddos (non-babies) stayed up to ring in the new year and did so with great attitudes and few tears.

Not pictured above, Wade and Jackson, who definitely could not make it until midnight...

2010 was obviously a big year for us and such a wonderful one. 2011 might not bring such a monumental change in our lives, but we are looking forward to many more milestones in Wade's life.  The baby gates are up and we are ready!

A White & Merry First Christmas

As you know, Christmas takes a lot of preparation.  And before you begin any serious present opening, you really need to stretch your muscles...

Once Wade was nice and limber, he was ready for Christmas to really begin! 

After the three of us (plus Annie) opened presents, the Brueckmanns came over for brunch.  In the afternoon, we spent time at the Lesingers'.  We were very happy that the Emsleys drove in from Indiana. 

 

We went back to Waterloo on the 26th to visit again and to conquer the sledding hill on my youth.  Wade got to try some sledding of his own (minus the big hill).

Eight Months Old

Wade was 25.5 pounds on his 8 month birthday earlier this week.  We shouldn't have been at the doctor for 8 months, but he was back for another case of pink eye and surprise, another ear infection (#4).  Luckily he continues to be a happy baby who fusses very little and doesn't seem to mind things like pink eye or ear infections.  (He doesn't so much like the eye drops though!)

This week he got a letter from Santa in the mail and then he met him in person!  What a big week!  He didn't even know the guy existed before this!

Wade wasn't too sure about the visit to Santa though.  Santa was a great sport as he never stopped smiling but we couldn't get Wade to smile no matter what we did. 

Would you call this crawling?

Wade has been moving around on the floor a lot lately and I captured this video this morning.

I guess it's crawling, or perhaps "army crawling."  He's not quite up on his hands and knees, though he does sometimes get on his hands and knees and rock back and forth.  Either way, he knew what he wanted (that dog kennel!!) and it definitely motivated him to move from point A to point B.

I think Ryan and I better start baby proofing.  I don't think the outlet covers that we installed are going to be enough for much longer.

It was a Happy First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is always a little tiring, traveling from one giant meal to another but you can't complain when everyone is happy and healthy.  It's always nice to spend time with family and the food was delicious!

Wade enjoyed lunch at Grandma and Grandpa Lesinger's house in Waterloo.  He took a nap after lunch and then played with lots of fun toys before we headed to the Brueckmanns' in Manchester for dinner.

Time for dinner!  "Yes, I have two Thanksgiving bibs", says Wade.

On Saturday Wade, Annie, and I sat on a blanket outside and watched as Ryan put up the Christmas lights.  It was such a nice, sunny day.  We haven't put up our indoor decorations yet, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity for the outdoor decorations.

Seven Months Old Last Week

Wade turned seven months old last week and has gotten to be quite the expert at sitting up.  Expert might be a slight exaggeration since he still topples over and bops his head periodically.  But sitting up has made life much more fun for everyone!

Sitting up also means that it's fun and easy to play with toys!  So "SEVEN MONTHS" didn't stay spelled out for long. 

We aren't so thrilled with "falling back", the dark evenings, and the cooler weather but this will give us lots of time to practice crawling and to continue playing with Wade's fun toys.
And speaking of fun toys...

...someone got a new camera!  Photo #1 demonstrates how I need to own an external flash (hint, hint)...photo #2 demonstrates no flash and check out the cute close up shot in photo #3...anyway, I still have a lot to learn but I'm excited!