Long overdue update!

So I realized I hadn't posted anything since early May. As you read on you'll probably understand why. We made it through my dance recital weekend and Mike's camping trip fine.  Mike's parents and my mom did a great job of taking care of Steven. After that weekend though he and I had to get back on track. He went through a bit of a nursing strike and I ended up switching him from 4 naps to 3, 6 feedings to 5, and 2 solid food feedings to 3. I did this all in one day too! Crazy I know, but it actually worked and we were all much happier. Steven was then scooting everywhere. We took him to the Outer Banks for a week and he really enjoyed the water. The weather wasn't so great, so we only got out on the beach a few days. After that week we did swimming lessons at the YMCA for 2 weeks. Again, he loved the water. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a future Michael Phelps!!
During the middle of our 2 weeks of swimming lessons Steven turned 7 months old. On that day he started to crawl. A few little crawls at Mike's parents, then the next day it was "Ok, I got this!" He is all over the place. As if that wasn't enough, about a week and a half later, as I'm bringing out his sit to stand giraffe to play on, he pulls up on the box.  After that he started pulling up on everything. He is currently cruising and even letting go of things for a good amount of time.  He loves standing without holding on to anything. He has taken a lot of tumbles and he probably needed to wear a helmet with how many times he hit his head, but he seems to have gotten used to it and gotten better at not falling.
He is also talking a lot.  He said "mama" first and loved saying it a lot. Then he said "dada" a little while later. Now that is his favorite thing to say.  He even seems to look for Mike when he says it.  He is full of personality and determined to get into things he isn't supposed to.  Not sure what it is about the dogs food and water bowls, but he is like a moth to a flame. 
He is loving the range of solid foods. I am still pureeing it, he seems to have a thing with textures.  The first time I fed him mashed potatoes it took about 45 minutes.  He would make a face when they went in his mouth and he would sit with them in his mouth before swallowing.  I thinned them out some and that seemed to make it better, but once I mixed them with peas and carrots he thought that was awesome. He doesn't quite seem ready to pick foods up and put them in his mouth, but he likes to eat off an apple or banana if I'm eating it.
So now you probably know why I haven't posted in awhile. He is keeping me very busy.  I have a little boy version of myself, the child my parents wished upon me. They are so very pleased they got their wish! :) I don't mind I am able to keep up with him pretty good. He is my little buddy.

Going Mobile

So this title is the song that my mom says is Steven's theme song right now. Its a Who song and pretty cute, but definitely suites him. He isn't crawling, but working towards it. He scoots his butt up then straightens out and pulls forward on his arms. He rolls from tummy to back with ease and has even rolled from back to tummy a few times. He seems to do the second better in his crib. The other day I put him down for his nap and went into the kitchen to do dishes and looked down at the monitor and he had turned over and made his way over to the camera and was looking at it. I about died laughing because I could see his little face looking into the camera. I thought "We're in trouble now!"

He has been enjoying more solid foods too. I really enjoy the satisfaction of making his own food. He has eaten squash, avacado and now apples. He is growing so much too. I get a lot of looks when people look at him and then me and a few have asked if he is my baby. Sorry I lost all my baby weight and he got it. He isn't really all the fat, he's pretty long too so it stretches out. He is about to outgrow his carseat soon, his feet are starting to reach the edges. I feel like every day is an adventure.  He isn't changing as rapidly as he was before, but definitely moving forward. He isn't a baby anymore. He wants to do things and grab things and gets bored. He is pretty self entertaining, but he'll let you know when he is ready for the next thing. He loves being outside too and when we went to my cousin Kira's son's birthday party, Steven got his first experience with an outdoor swing and loved it. We went and bought one and Mike just have to put it up. I love that Steven seems to like everyone and make them happy. Its nice to bring that joy to people.

We have our next big step coming up. Mike will be away camping with my dad the same weekend I have my dance recital, so my in-laws Mike and Shelley will be coming to our house to keep Steven. It will be my first whole day being away from Steven. I think I'm more worried about me than him. It will be hard being away that long, but I know it will be a good step for everyone and my in-laws are so excited to keep him. I will try to write an update on how it goes. Here is a video of Steven looking into the monitor!!

Catch up

So its been a few weeks since I posted on here. Steven changes every day and seems to really be growing up before our eyes. After his Valentine's rolling over surprise he didn't roll over again for awhile. Actually it was last Wednesday, February 29th (leap day) that he rolled over 3 times in a row again. He must like special holidays to do things. The day after, March 1st, he wouldn't stop rolling over. Almost anytime he was on his tummy he rolled over. I put him on his tummy in the boppy and he tried to roll over while in that, but couldn't. He got upset a little then just gave up. Its funny and kinda neat to see him try to do something and get frustrated. Who knew babies had these kind of thinking processes this young.

He has also started spinning in his sleep. We will wake up in the morning and he will be perpendicular in his crib from where we put him. He has even gotten more talented and can manage to do this while staying at the end of the crib. This morning he had turned to face the other end completely and was on his side. I think I'm going to attempt to put him to bed tonight without his swaddle.

On February 26th, we went to VA beach to see Mike's parents. We had a great time. We went out to lunch at Bubba's and Steven did great. Then we went to a couple of stores and he still did very well. Much better than the time we tried to go out the day after the family Christmas party. We are starting to get a hang of this baby thing I think.

Steven has also started showing interest in what we are eating. Mike and I joke that now not only are Hurley and Colt starring at us while we eat, we have Steven looking at us. We started talking about possibly trying out some solid food. I had taken my pinkie finger and put a little yogurt or applesauce on it and put it on his tongue and he licked it up and seemed to really enjoy it. One Wednesday March 7th, while Mike was keeping him while I was at dance, Steven had a major melt down. Mike tried everything and finally concluded he was hungry. This was only 1 1/2 hours after he had eaten. He fed him and he seemed satisfied. We decided, with my mom's encouraging that we would try some rice cereal in the morning. So on March 8th, after his mid-morning feeding I set him up on the table in his bumbo and tried out some rice cereal mixed with breast milk. He loved it!! He got most of it on his face, but took the spoon great. Guess we have crossed over to the next stage and there is no turning back. Every day is a new adventure and we are still trying to figure this little dude out, but it is such a joy having him in our lives. I have been rocking him before his naps during the day and I never knew that rocking your baby and having quiet time like that could be so rewarding. Me, who usually goes 100 miles an hour, enjoys quiet time just being in the moment with my baby. I am so thankful that I am able to enjoy this time and stay home with my little boy. We are truly blessed.

Valentine's Pictures

So here are a few of the pictures I took. He was such a good sport!!

A week of R's

So I'm a little reluctant to say the first R word...routine. It seems as though we might be in one. Since last Tuesday, February 7th, Steven has slept through the night every night!!! He has woken up a couple of mornings before 7, but he usually just wants his pacifier. He goes to bed between 9 and 10 pm and sleeps til 7 or 7:30am. I'm really hoping this lasts. I credit it to the swaddle. Mike asked me yesterday when I thought we should start weening him off of it. I don't even want to think about that because he sleeps so well with it. During the day he has kind of a routine too. After his first feeding and playtime, he sleeps in his swing for about 2 hours, plenty of time for me to get showered and dressed. The rest of the day he eats and plays and takes little 30-45 minute naps. He is really developing quite a personality. He stays up longer, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a time, including feeding time. He loves playing on his play mat and loves the music and lights on it. He also loves to lay on a blanket and look up at the ceiling fan. He is definitely not a little baby. He likes to sit up facing away from you more than laying on his back. He likes to see what is going on and I swear he watches t.v.
The second "R" happened on, February 14th, Valentine's Day. Steven rolled over for the first time. I had him on his tummy and he was looking at a toy turtle and talking to it. I thought it was cute so I grabbed the video camera. Next thing I new he rolled over! I think I was just as surprised as he was. I turned off the camera, set him back on his belly and started recording again. Low and behold, he did it again. He rolled over 3 times in a row and I got it all on video. I was so excited to be able to show Mike and our parents. I hope I can get more of these important milestones on video. Thanks Mike and Shelley for the camera! I also took lots of Valentine's pictures, here are a few of them along with the video clips.

Every day is a new adventure

So over the last two weeks Steven has been going through a chaning period. He went from eating every two hours to going stretches of 3-4 hours during the day and up to 7 or 8 at night. He is staying up for up to 2 hours at a time and has had more fussy periods in the evening. We have had to introduce gas drops a few times when he seems to be inconsoilable and they seem to help. He still wakes up one time a night, usually around 3, but then tends to sleep til 7 or later :)

Our boy is now 2 months old. He had his appointment on the 23rd and did great. He only got one shot and an oral vaccine. He will get the other two next month. He got a great check-up and weighed 13lbs 7oz and was 23.25in long. The Dr. said he was a healthy, chunky baby! Haha, he is definitely chunky. We had a great photo shoot that morning taking his 2 month pictures. He is definitely a morning baby, all smiles and cooing a lot. Guess he gets that from me, Mike is not a morning person.

Last night we celebrated Shelley's (Mike's mom) 50th birthday with a surprise party. Steven did really well and actually slept during the entire party, which was in a bar/restaurant. Several people wanted to hold him, but we said since he was asleep we weren't going to wake him. Quite different from the family Christmast party over a month ago. We got home around 10:45pm and I woke him up to feed him. He went down a little before 12 and slept all at the way until 7 am. I couldn't believe it. That little boy was worn out I guess. It was nice that while we were at Mike's parents, Shelley got to feed Steven for the first time and changed his diaper. I think she really enjoyed the time she got to spend with him and her surprise party. Mike's dad pulled it off wonderfully and even though I came close to blowing it a couple of weeks ago, she was truly surprised. She even cried.

Well we don't have a schedule yet, but we seem to be getting a little better about figuring this little guy out. Who knows what each day brings, we just try to let him tell us what he wants or needs and give it to him. For now he is in charge. I keep telling him that when he gets a little older, its going to be Mama and Daddy's rules, not Steven's. Well, until next time. Let the adventures in Stevenland continue!

Sleeping better

So since his hiccup last Monday and Tuesday, Steven has been keeping a pretty regular schedule at night. If he goes down at 10 or 11pm, he will wake up once and then sleep til 6 or 7 am. I'm feeling pretty good getting this much sleep and hope he continues. On Wednesday, he found my hair and latched on pretty good. I'm not planning on cutting my hair because of this little dude, but my tune may change down the road.

We had a busy weekend. Friday, we made it out to our bible study group which was nice. There is another baby in the group that is about 2 months older than Steven, but he is about her size. We knew he was getting big, but didn't realize he was that big. It will be interesting to see how much he weighs and how long he is at his 2 month appointment, which be the way is next Monday!

Saturday we had my friend Lauren's baby shower and again there was a baby there about 2 months older and Steven was about the same size. Guess all that nursing he does pays off. Mike says he doesn't know how he gains weight because he spits up so much. Its mostly in the morning, I think because thats when I produce more milk and he gets overzealous.

Sunday, we went to Virginia Beach to see Mike and Shelley. They hadn't seen Steven in 2 weeks and were amazed to see how much he had grown and changed. He is more alert for longer periods and more interactive. He also holds his head up more. He really enjoyed being held by his granddad Mike and even took a nap on him. Hurley and Colt were also glad to go for a visit. I'm planning on updating the blog once a week or so, so stay tuned for our adventures this week!