First Christmas

Ian had a great first Christmas. He especially enjoyed eating the wrapping paper and the bows! If it weren't for Audrey, his stocking would still be hanging from the mantle, complete with stocking stuffers nestled inside. We opened gifts in the living room, but he made every effort to be in any room but this one. He does enjoy his gifts from Santa like his pull-back cars, nesting cups, and new books, but he keeps gravitating back to Fris' food and water bowls! Now that is what we should have wrapped up!

Children's Museum

Ian made his second trip to the Children's Museum to help celebrate Audrey's birthday. He loved soaking everything in from the stroller but would have much preferred to move about on his own. Of course, he enjoys anything he gets to do with his sister!

I *think* Ian enjoyed seeing Grandma and Grandpa P this past weekend for an early Christmas/birthday celebration. He sure does like to sit on laps! :)

Six Months!

Ian had his six month dr's appt on his birthday, and he amazed Dr. M with his fast army crawling and his frequent "ma ma's" (I'm not excited by this in the least!). He weighs 18 lbs, 12 oz (76th percentile) and is 28 inches long (93rd percentile). Where is my baby boy going???

Santa!

Ian met Santa for the first time last Thursday. Except he didn't really notice Santa. He was too busy being enamored by his sister. She is just that entertaining! Oh, and per Audrey, Ian wants new blocks for Christmas. :)

I just love these pictures. Ian, sitting on Eric's lap. Watching football. Two of his favorite things to do.

Makes all seem right with the world.

Ian had a great first Thanksgiving, and it's about time I had a chance to document that! He got to spend the day with grandma and grandpa P, two of his great-grandmas, and most of the rest of our extended family. He got his first taste of sweet potatoes and lasted longer into Thanksgiving dinner than his sister did for her first. We headed to see grandma and grandpa S, and to see most of my family as well, including the newest edition, baby M. Ian snoozed most of the time we were there so he didn't have much advice for baby M. I'm sure they will have lots to discuss in no time.

Ian has been busy trying out new foods. So far he hasn't tried anything he hasn't loved - including peas, squash, sweet potato, avocado, and banana. He loves when he sees the sign for 'eat' - big grin! - and we've noticed that he has started signing 'milk'. He usually licks his bowl clean and of course loves sitting next to Audrey in his highchair at mealtimes. There's a lot of 'boo' that goes on at dinnertime now!

Five Months!

Ian has been a busy little boy this past month. He's managed to master scooting, army crawling, and now rocking on all fours. He sees something of interest and heads right for it. He's close to sitting independently. He remains an easy going, easily content little guy. He loves his cereal, and we just started some homemade peas as well. He licks his bowl clean every time. He loves to get others to smile, but there's no one that makes him smile quite like his sister.

Ian had some professional pictures taken at school on his 5 month birthday, and though I haven't seen the proofs, he by all accounts had no interest in the camera. He was too interested in the glowing Christmas tree in the corner. He'll be crawling like nobody's business just in time to cause some Christmas tree trouble.

Ian's Trip to the Park

I'm not sure why my mommy and silly sister brought me out in the cold, but I'm Ian so I just take it all in. Without complaint.

A Game of Peek-A-Boo

Who can make Ian giggle like no one else? Audrey. She runs in the room. He giggles (after startling). She jumps. She laughs. She makes silly sounds. Giggles. Giggles. Giggles. Ian soooo loves his sister. I was lucky enough to get a little of this on video yesterday...

From scooting to army crawling. Not sure I can keep up! Ian's not so interested in eating anymore. There are places to go. Toys to get into. Big sister puzzles to tear apart. Audrey does a good job of giving me updates of what he's up to when I leave the room. Most recently, "And now he's heading into the kitchen!"

On Thursday...

Ian went mobile.

Yes, we have a scooter on our hands. Forwards and backwards.

Heaven help us.

First Halloween

Ian was snug as a bug in his football costume, with Audrey complementing his outfit as a Bears cheerleader. He enjoyed the brisk weather and even took a snooze for a bit while Audrey charmed the neighbors. I thought for sure I would scoop a sleeping Ian out of his carseat when we arrived home and put him in bed for the night without incident, but, he was wide eyed when we arrived home. And very giggly. Patiently waiting for some candy. He settled for some rice cereal, a bottle, and some snuggling before bed. I think it's safe to say that this cold football had a good first Halloween.

Pumpkin Carving!

Ian got a great seat to watch Audrey and Eric design the jack-o-lantern; however, Sophie the Giraffe and his toes were much more entertaining...

Look what Ian's been up to!

Apparently both my children are quite the flirts!

And, a newsflash - Ian has feet! He found them during his 4 month dr's appt, and he hasn't forgotten about them. I, however, had forgotten how hard it is to change a diaper after this point. Between his constantly wanting to roll to his belly and now his affection for his toes, he makes diaper changes feel like wrestling an alligator!

Four Month Stats

Ian had his four month appt yesterday, complete with three vaccines, which he took like a champ. He now weighs 16 lbs, 9 oz (82nd percentile) and is 27 1/4 inches (95th percentile). We're guessing the stomach bug he has now successfully fended off affected his weight as he's now only in the 82nd percentile! Dr. M couldn't believe how long he is and made sure to tell us what a social, strong, and smart baby we have on our hands. Of course we already knew those things! We also now know that Audrey has only 9 lbs and 6 inches on her brother!

This weekend Ian will get his first taste of some green veggies. It looks like peas and cereal are on the menu for breakfast and dinner! Mmmm!

Four Months!

Ian managed to smile for the camera despite his attempts to fight off a stomach bug. He continues to have an easygoing disposition, even when not feeling his best. This past month, I can tell that his vision has improved significantly. I will wave at him from across the room, and he gives a big grin. Or I walk in the room, and he gives a big grin. Or I walk in the door from work, and he gives a big grin. I won't ever get enough of his big grin! Over the past week, he has really started reaching for objects, and I am beginning to realize that I have very little time left before he starts causing some trouble. Audrey had fun building a block tower yesterday and then kindly letting her brother knock it over. Ian loved it so much he had trouble waiting his turn. May they always play so nicely together!

Pumpkin Patch

Ian seemed to wonder most of the time during this trip just what was going on. He never complained despite being snuggled in the carrier close to me on this 87 degree day in October. I just had to dress him in his new overalls, which he decided tasted pretty good. He did have fun watching the tractor, the farm dog chasing the tractor, and his sister picking out just the right pumpkins.

No doubt next year his little legs will be walking this long road to the pumpkin patch right alongside us.

I now see that he appears to be pestering his sister in this last picture...I'm guessing that will be happening next year as well...

Mmmm!

Ian, meet rice cereal. Rice cereal, meet Ian.

Ian is in love.

Dr. M had mentioned at Ian's 1 month appt that he may be a baby that will need to start cereal a little earlier than the typical 4 month timeframe. He was cruising along, loving his bottles, eating like a champ, sleeping thru the night. Smiley. Content.

But during the past weekend, he was wanting to eat almost every hour and started waking up hungry during the night. When I was home with him on Monday, and I realized he wasn't smiling at me, but the bottle I was about to offer him - we decided it would be a good idea to call Dr. M about our growing boy.

We got the green light on Tuesday, and Tuesday night, Ian met his current love. He gave a big grin after his first taste! He eats like a champ - to the extent that Audrey even asked to try it since it must be just that good!

I love feeding my little baby bird.

Three Months

My little boy is growing up! As one can tell, I had some help getting him to smile for his three-month pictures. Audrey always does a great job getting Ian to crack up. She had him in stitches the other night just running from one side of me to the other while I was holding him. She even ran to get a diaper cloth when he spit up during pictures. "Ian, we're taking pictures here!!"

I just love him to pieces. I mean, how can you not love this little guy who's smiley from morning til night? Even if we wake him, he's smiling after the first blink of his eyes. This past month, he's gotten even cuter. More giggly. More talkative. I love that his hair still sticks up no matter what I do. A little of his daddy in him. He managed to roll from back to belly this past Sunday (of course no one was watching - again!), and he hasn't stopped rolling since.

I so look forward to my three day weekends with him. Tonight when I arrived home from work, he just stared and smiled at me. All thru dinner. While he was eating. While he was falling asleep. He has to keep his eye on me so I don't head back out the door.

I so love this little boy.

Where did the past week go???

It's been a week since Ian and I parted ways, and I guess we are adjusting as well as expected. It's hard not to see him as much during the day, but I try to steal him from Eric as much as possible when we are home. The director of his daycare said yesterday, "He's just so quiet!" He does like to talk - over his sister - on our drive home. Both of them telling me about their day. Neither seeming to notice that the either is talking. I do my best to listen to both of them. He's quite chatty when we arrive home as well. Squealing. Smiling. Giggling. I think he's almost as excited to see me as I am to see him.

This past week was also filled with lots of family making the trip for Ian's baptism. He was awake during it, but of course he didn't cry. He did manage to give his daddy some allergy issues from all the oil, but I think we've (mostly) gotten it all out! And thankfully Uncle P saved Eric from more severe allergy problems.

Despite some hiccups in having Ian baptized, it seems to me that this little boy has a way of bringing people together. I don't think I'll soon forget his not letting go of Father's finger during the baptism. He really does have a way of helping me to remember the important things in life. Who's raising who here??

Dear Ian,

I'm told that tomorrow we must part ways, with me heading back to work, and you heading to your first day of "school". Though I would like to take you to drop you off in the morning, your daddy knows that I would never end up leaving you there. Instead, the day would have to be declared, "Take Ian to work day."

I will miss you so. You are the epitome of a sweetheart. Easygoing. Patient. A true snuggler. With a smile that lights up the room. I kiss you, you smile. I play peek-a-boo, you smile (and often give a few good belly laughs). But my favorite is when I reappear, back in sight after only a few minutes, and you smile. Now how can that kind of a reception not go to one's head?

We haven't spent much time apart, the two of us. We've been inseparable for about the past year. I have so loved the time that I got to keep you (mostly) all to myself. I have no doubt that your teachers will love you. And that you will grow to like school as much as your sister. She has informed her teachers that she would like to check in on you from time to time. I ask that you check in on her as well as she tells us she got her first time-out yesterday, and from her conversation with daddy, it sounds like she's considering misbehaving again. I know that you, too, will misbehave, especially when you're 2 years old, but we will still love you so, this little sweetheart of a boy.

Love,
Mom

P.S. I was serious about the two of us sneaking out tonight and running away for a little while. :)

The thumb

Do you see what this little boy is doing? That's right. He's sucking on his built-in pacifier. The one that doesn't fall out of his mouth, requiring someone to put it back in. Granted, his Nuk is replaced extremely quickly when his big sister is around, but if she isn't, Ian often has to wait, patiently. To be honest, he really could take or leave his pacifier most of the time, but the thumb. Oh, he loves the thumb. Really all his fingers. And lately mine, too.

I'll admit it's quite cute. I'll give him some time before I start thinking about future orthodontic bills...

The many faces of Ian

He looks suspicious in the last one...