Nine Months!

Well, nine months and one week old as of today! Theodore is growing up fast.

He had his nine month checkup last week, and weighs 16lbs 10.5 oz. This still has him in the 3rd percentile, but he's gaining steadily and proportional in height and weight, so everyone's happy with that. We did find out he is somewhat anemic, so we have been giving iron supplements. This was something we'd been aware was possible due to the fact he was early and low birthweight, so not a huge surprise and we are working with the doctor to monitor it. Otherwise he is very well, with new teeth pushing all the time and endless enthusiasm and interest in the world around him. No crawling yet, but he'll get there soon!

We've had a fun few weeks since I last updated. Billy and I celebrated our eight year wedding anniversary, and I had my 32nd birthday (I'll be celebrating that with Billy later this month). On birthdays, Teddy has a second cousin, Carson, who lives in California and he turned one at the end of May. We went to his birthday party, which was great fun!

Mom and Teddy at the party

We've also had lots of day visitors, like my friend Lindsay from undergrad and her family. Teddy enjoyed playing with her two lovely girls!

Teddy and Tasha

Other than that, we have been enjoying the warm weather (and our new patio furniture!) and just doing our daily routines. We have lots of guests coming to visit shortly: Auntie Diana comes from the 24th to 30th, Nigel will be here July 1st to 5th, and Grandma Carole and Granddad Bill will be here the 6th to 11th! So we will be happy and busy around here.

As always, a video and pictures!

At lunch in Mountain View on the 30th:


Photos:

May updates

Hard to believe it's almost the end of May - time goes fast! Things are well here in California. We had a great visit with Auntie Debbie at the end of April/beginning of May, going touristing in San Francisco, to the zoo, and lots of other little trips in between.

In San Francisco with Auntie Debbie

Teddy has been to four swimming lessons since the beginning of May (unfortunately we had to miss two while I was sick for week). He's really enjoyed himself. The lessons are in an outdoor pool that's heated and only 3 feet deep, so it's a nice calm environment and he likes being in the water. He kicks instinctively when put on his stomach, which is great! We have two more lessons next week before the session wraps up.

He has two bottom teeth fully in now, and one in the front up top is very close to pushing through. He is still sitting well, and is showing an interest in learning to crawl. He likes going on outings, and even went to his first baseball game last week - the minor league team in San Jose.

As always, here's a video and some photos! We got a nice new lens for our DSLR camera, so there's quite a few close-up baby faces this month!

Swing Time:

April Events

April has been a very busy month so far! First we had a visit with our friends Anton and Catherine, who live in Seattle, and then we had a visit from Grammy Eileen and Auntie Catherine. Theodore really enjoyed the company and new faces! Next up is a visit from Auntie Debbie later this week.

Since the last update, Theodore has gotten his second tooth, and started sitting fully unassisted! He loves to sit and play with his toys and look at the world from this new angle. We sit with him or put a pillow by him, but he's very strong and can sit for a long period of time. It's an exciting development!

Sitting pretty!

We've also joined the Y, and I have left Theodore with their child care a few times while I go to the gym. So far he has done great with the ladies there, and they all love him. He's had few caretakers besides us, so it's good for him to get this experience and also play with other babies. Starting in May we will also be taking parent-tot swim classes for a month at the Y. I'm really looking forward to that!

As always, here are some videos and photos!

Sitting:


Jumperoo:


Photos!

Vacations and Updates!

Happy April!  The end of March went by so fast.  Theodore really enjoyed his visit with his Grandma Carole and Granddad Bill.  And he especially liked the trip to Maui we all took!  We were there for five nights and did a big activity every day, along with some relaxing and swimming.  Theodore's highlights were the aquarium (he was fascinated by the fish) and the scenery at some beautiful sights.

Family photo at Iao Valley State Park

The ocean was too rough to take him in (and a bit cold), but he did get splashed once, and we took him in the pool twice, which he (moderately) enjoyed! 

First time in the pool!

He was wonderful on both flights, including taking a long nap after takeoff each time, and adjusted to the three hour time change fairly well.  Since returning he's been sleeping much more fitfully, with multiple wakings and being hard to get down in bed.  However, there's probably a cause - he has a tooth!  One has poked through on the bottom - and boy, if you put your finger in there, it's sharp!  It feels like he's working on another one, so it's possible that's causing some of his current issues (he also seems to be hungry all the time, so may be growth spurting). Thankfully the teeth didn't bother him too much in Maui, even though it had already started!

Other new things are that he continues to eat his way through a variety of solids; he's now also had sweet potato (which he loved), peas, and butternut squash.  He also really likes drinking water from his sippy cup.  I've been enjoying making his food and so far he seems to enjoy eating it!  Today I gave him squash and avocado, and when I put him in his chair the second time he opened his mouth up wide right away.

Also, while Grandma and Granddad were visiting, we took Teddy on his first amusement park ride!  We went to a lovely zoo and park in San Jose where we rode the carousel twice, sitting on one of the bench seats.  Next up, Disneyland!  ;)

First carousel ride!

April is shaping up to be a busy month - we're having visits from our friends Anton and Catherine who live in Seattle, from Grandma Eileen, and from Auntie Debbie!  So if there are no updates until May, you'll know why, but I will try to update in a few weeks if I can.  As always, let's close with some photos and videos!

Laughing, March 20th (sorry for the sideways video):


Captivated by the fish at the aquarium:


Hanging out on the beach in Maui:


And photos, of course!

Mid-March Happenings

Just thought I'd update quickly tonight.  Things are going great here!  Theodore turned six months old on the 7th.  Since then he's started sleeping in his own room, and had his first tastes of solid food (rice cereal was a bust, he liked avocado okay, and then turned his nose up at homemade pears.  Tomorrow we try homemade sweet potato...) Big changes!

Yucky!

He had his six month checkup at the doctor's and weighs 14lbs, 7oz.  He's still in the 5th percentile for weight and 7th for height, but is growing beautifully along his curve and the doctor is very pleased with his progress.  We will be getting a referral to another pediatric plastic surgeon or orthopedist about his foot, but we don't anticipate any action being needed - it's just a consult so we have contact made in this area, vs. in Ottawa.

He's been sleeping quite well - he has his off nights, but more often than not, he has a great night, like the other day when he slept from 8:45 until 7:30!  And we've been going out and having lots of fun, as Grandma Carole and Granddad Bill are in town.  We went to San Francisco, to Palo Alto, and out on errands and for yummy lunches.  Grandma and Granddad are off to Mendocino for a few days, but they come back this weekend and then we are all going to Maui on Sunday!  We stay for five days, and are really looking forward to it.  I'm hoping Teddy likes the ocean - he loves taking a bath.

Having him in his nursery is going well, and we love the new furniture and decorations.  We aren't allowed to paint, so we got wall decals, and think it came out looking quite fun.

Super Mario nursery!

As always, here are photos - no video right now! - and I'll try to update after our vacation with photos from that.

February Events

Another month gone - the time flies! 

Theodore has had a very good month.  He's more active and social by the day.  He loves to play and "talk" - sometimes, these days, squealing loudly like a little piglet!  He consistently rolls over just about every time he's put on his belly - sometimes within seconds of being put there.  He can also sit in a tripod position for about ten seconds if he's put there, and sits up quite straight when on your lap.  He's sleeping great, eating well, loves to eat his toes, and especially fun for us is that he's become interested in the cat!  He loves looking at Sam Spade, laughs and giggles when he sees him, and tries to grab him.  Naturally, Sam is not interested in too much attention, but will sometimes sit and let Teddy touch his fur, depending on his mood.

Practicing his sitting!

He'll be six months old in a week, and we've got his highchair, bibs, spoons - everything ready to start solid foods.  I'll be making my own purees and food for him to eat, and am excited to get started on that, though a little sad to move on from just breastfeeding, which has been going great.  We've also finally got his nursery furniture set up, and will be moving him to his own room in a few days or so.  We're both going to miss him being in our room, but it's probably time!  We just have to finish decorating the walls first.  I will post pictures when it's complete!

Trying out his highchair!

We continue to enjoy the good weather - a bit of rain and a few storms, but mostly sunshine over the last month.  Teddy and I go on an outing every day, whether just a walk to the grocery store or to a moms' group outing.  Unfortunately, he really hates being in the car, especially if he's in the back seat by himself, so driving places can be a bit nerve-wracking as sometimes he screams and cries the whole way.  He does enjoy being out, however, so we try to keep it up.  This month we went as a family to a little zoo in Palo Alto, and today we all went to the King Tut exhibit in San Francisco - Theodore's first time up in the city!  We also watched a lot of the Olympics, cheering for the Canadians!

With Daddy at the DeYoung Museum

He sees the doctor again on the 9th, so I will update with all his latest stats then.  We're very excited because the next day Grandma Carole and Granddad will come to town for a visit! 

As always, here are more videos and photos from the month.  Hope you enjoy!

Feet, February 10th:


Laughing Baby, February 23rd:

Current Events

Just a quick post to keep up to date, rather than letting a month go by between updates! We've had a fairly quiet second half of January and beginning of February, which is a nice change. Theodore and I have been starting to attend a few "mommy group" outings, and have been visiting weekly with Teddy's 3-month old third cousin Talia and her mom Beti. Beti and her husband Kevin, my second cousin, just moved to Mountain View from Toronto, and we've been enjoying getting to know each other. We also had a visit from Auntie Catherine last weekend, which Teddy really enjoyed!

Theodore will be five months old on Sunday, and we're having a big party to celebrate - okay, for the Super Bowl, but we can celebrate too! He continues to be a generally cheerful baby, though his newest trick is squealing when he's hungry, tired, or just wants to hear the sound! Up until two nights ago he was sleeping beautifully, usually going to bed between 8:30 and 9, sleeping until 6, then going back to sleep for another one or two hours after eating. The last two nights he's decided waking up multiple times to eat is fun - I'm thinking growth spurt! Hopefully he'll settle back into his normal routine soon. He's really starting to enjoy his Jumperoo, however, and seems to be discovering that he's ticklish - it's great fun to tickle him or kiss his belly and get a big laugh out of him! And as you can see in the pictures, his hair is starting to get a little thicker - I can give him a baby mohawk!

A few photos follow, as always, though a smaller set this time! And, of course, one video!