Vacations

We left out on Friday, June 25th and hit the open road. We didn't go far before we pulled over to camp. We got the very last campsite at the Sand Dunes, which was pretty awesome considering it's where we were meeting up with The Vaughan's & cell reception was laughable. We had a really nice evening.

We got to make up some campfire rice & beans and enjoy the sunset. We also got to set up our new tent. Our old tent wasn't big enough for our growing family ;-). The Vaughan's got there late but were wired on some good ol' fashioned fudge from a small town on the road. We stayed up for a bit visiting, but there's something about camping that makes me want to pack it in early.

Can you find Logan? He's wearing his camping cammo.... very stealth!

In the morning, we enjoyed the most stellar camp breakfast I've ever had... EVER. Heather whipped up a scramble delight to fuel us well for the ride to Taos. But before we hit the road again, we played in the creek at the foot of the sand dunes. It was really beautiful. We had a delicious picnic lunch before we started out to Taos.

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When we got to Taos, I was super surprised how impressed I was with our friends' earthship. Made of recycled materials and completely off the grid, this comfortable home reminds even the most pampered that you can easily live without a huge impact to your environment. It was a really special place, and I wish we would've had more time to explore the neighborhood! (Thanks for the hospitality Jen & Conrad!!) Instead, we headed to the Rio Grande Gorge for a brisk walk and then onto dinner.

Poor Vaughan's. What I didn't mention about the earthship is its open floor plan. Seemingly cool and modern, I'm certain they would've preferred a door to shut out the crying baby in the next room. By 4am, we decided we might as well let them get a little sleep, so we left for Dripping Springs. We made it there by evening. It was pretty awesome. I have to say the hill country has peaked my interest. The vineyards... the winerys... and even the adorable town of Fredriksburg... we'll have to come back when we aren't in such a hurry. But hurry we did, so we could meet up with Micah's maternal side of the family. Even Justin's whole family was there. We got to visit a little that night and the next morning, debuting our fantastic little boy to many.

When they all left for a vacation on the coast, it was just the three of us at the Oasis, a place that somehow forces you to take a breath, relax and enjoy life just a little more, and let me tell you we did just that! We also took a quick trip to town to enjoy delicious Shady Grove and drove over to the Boles's for some entertainment of the Rock Star variety. Overall, it was just what the doctor ordered.

Then we headed for Dallas. It was John & Angela's wedding after all, and we wanted to be there early enough to help with any last minute details. We should've known better; they had all the details quite ironed out. That just gave us more excuse to visit and enjoy each other's company and hopefully took their minds (and nerves) off their upcoming nuptuals.

And let me tell you from the wedding was spectacular. From rehearsal dinner to the morning after the "I do"s, everything was perfect. Angela was unsurprisingly gorgeous. She glowed in a dress that fit her like a glove. John brought his style to the mix by sporting black patton leather Converse with red detailing. It was such an fun time. (Unfortunately, I was having so much fun, I didn't man the camera very well).

I enjoyed meeting and seeing so many of their friends and (Angela's) family! I was very honored to be chosen to stand beside them as witness to their committment. I can't even express how emotional it was for me to see my little baby brother as a man committing to his wife for all eternity.

The morning after the wedding Micah and I missed the festivities because we were in the car headed for Denver. I had to work on Monday, so Sunday was a day filled with driving. AURG!

A week later we hopped in the car again. Again you ask? Why yes, we say! We wouldn't miss hanging with Tresa & Andy in Creede for anything! And neither would Hollie, Sam or Cat! We only got to stay for a couple of days, and we missed Angela & her little ones, but we were glad to have made the trip. Creede really is a ton of fun in the summer. I saw a MOOSE for the first time in my life with her little baby moose. Oh soooo cute (until you remember how aggressive moose can be). Logan was intrigued by the chipmunks and ground squirrels and seemed to enjoy the outdoors alot but not enjoy the sleep so much. By the second night, I was literally sleeping sitting up using a ton of pillows (thanks for the sacrafice, Hollie) with him strapped to me in the Baby Bjorn. Soooo restful, I know! Poor little guy! On our last full day there, Micah, Hollie, Sam and I took an incredible 10 mile hike. It was SO much fun. We really enjoyed ourselves and each other, so THANKS, Mom & Andy!!

Logan Boy

Yes indeedy, my baby is beginning the transformation to a boy.



Early July he began to sit. It's amazing how much more like a person he seems to be when he can sit and grab for things in front of him. This led to him rolling. He had rolled over last month, but it was only once at a time and very strenous. These days he's a rolling machine! Flipping this way and that... In fact now he's even started to lift his butt up when he's sitting, using his muscular thighs to push him up in the air. When he is down on his tummy, he can push all the way up now, which is pretty adorable. He hasn't quite mastered pulling his legs in under him to begin to crawl, so instead he kind of looks like he's swimming. Heather posted the MOST adorable video of him doing this, so check her post if it's been a while! We think he's on the verge of figuring it out. Our house will never be the same again...


Our little man also has not one but TWO teeth. He got his first tooth July 17 and his second on the 23rd. It's amazing how quickly things change. I wasn't expecting to get another tooth so quickly after the first. They are both bottom teeth, and he has been very kind to his mama, so no feeding rituals have changed.

Speaking of feeding rituals, man this kid can EAT! His diet now includes sweet potatoes, apples, pears, carrots, bananas (his least favorite), peas, and rice cereal. We're trying to avoid oats, barley and white flour his first year because of the siliac disease that runs in Micah's family. (Unfortunately, I already learned the importance of reading the label when I tainted him this week. I thought food marked "spinach & carrots" would be just that. Oh, what I have to learn! Apparently, it also included potato and barley (oops!).) In the coming weeks, we are looking forward to introducing squash, green beans, brown rice and blueberries. Anyways, he's eating a lot and growing bigger day by day.

He has also grown very aware of his environment. Hunter is one of the most interesting subjects in the house, and he really enjoys chatting with him. (Hunter says the verdict is still out for him - haha.) He learned while he was sick that coughing gets attention (or maybe he just thinks it's a super cool sound), so he does this hilarious fake cough allllllllllll the time. Oh & yesterday he was hanging with Sydney, Scott & Molly's newest little girl who is just a few weeks old, and they couldn't take their eyes off each other. It was pretty cool to see them both interacting with one of "their own".

We've been trying some new stuff lately. He's riding in his BOB (stroller) like a big boy. He seems to really enjoy his new perspective. He also got to try sitting in a restaurant's high chair for the first time a couple of nights ago. He did really well. We have a totally yuppy accessory (according to Arwen) that is like a playmat for high chairs & shopping carts. It's to keep a layer of cloth between him & the germs. But I gotta tell ya, that thing was a HIT last night. I'm sure it's only because it was new, but Logan kept himself occupied throughout the ENTIRE meal. (That's a little thing us mommies call a "miracle"!)

He's got his 6 month check up next week. We're betting he'll be darn near ready for his new carseat (which means over 20lbs). A few weeks ago when he had croup (a severe cough), they weighed him at almost 18!

Here's some pics from over the summer. Micah's been enjoying time spent with his little boy, I think. (Although, the last picture is hiking 4 14ers in one day with Arwen).

Here's a video of him chatting it up with a couple of cousins while we were on vacation...

Posting fairies

I keep checking back here to see if any posting fairies came along to update our blog and can you believe it, they haven't! Dangit if it's not all up to me! Well, I'm working on downloading all the pics and videos so I can update everyone for the last month or so...

Keeping us guessing

So as you all know, we started Logan on solid foods. The introduction of his second food coincided with the end of sleep as we knew it. We first assumed it must've been the avocado. But removing that didn't quell his tummy or get us any sleep! So then, we tried feeding him cereal at different times and at different thicknesses. Now, keep in mind we had three days prior to the introduction of avocado where we experienced blissful sleep interrupted by only one wakeup, so we knew it wasn't the cereal. Well, by Thursday after a week without sleep Micah and I decided to remove the cereal too, for good measure. Heck, I think I might've re-arranged his room to look like it did on Monday before it all began. ANYTHING, we would've done ANYTHING! On Friday I realized there was something else that happened the same day as the avocado - I went on a (supposedly) baby-safe antibiotic for a sinus infection. By the time we realized it was my breastmilk, we were out of a supply of untainted breastmilk, so we had to do formula. It sounds completely ridiculous and it's totally irrational, but it was REALLY hard to accept that I couldn't feed my little boy. I have a newfound sympathy for people who have a hard time breastfeeding. There's something so primal that made me feel like a total failure for not being able to provide for my son. Anyways, Saturday morning I found out I didn't need to take the last dose and since it had been 24 hours, I could feed my little man again. It wasn't until I also started taking a serious dose of a probiotic that Logan's belly calmed. Last night, the combination of the probiotic and the new strategy putting him down meant he only woke up three times in the night. (Sadly, this is what he was waking up before introducing any food and we thought "ohhhh this is terrible - if only he would just sleep through the night again". HA HA. After a week of no sleep, we gladly welcomed being awoken only three times in the night.)

So tonight we re-introduced food. This time we made him some delicious steamed yams, sweetened naturally with a little mommie milk. It's really impressive watching him eat. He grabs the spoon and guides the food in. This is almost the only way we can get him to open his mouth. He's really good at it. We tried to get it on video tonight, but he became distracted with the camera and stopped eating. Anyways, keep your fingers eating sweet potatoes crossed with our new fabulous sleep time strategy will ensure our first night of uninterrupted sleep in a month! (Ok, maybe we're shooting for the stars on that one, but keep your fingers crossed anyway!)

Oh & guess what else? Daddy took his little boy for his first swim ever! I'd love to post pics of it, but he didn't take any. :-( But the boys had a ton of fun. Logan held onto the side of the pool at the stairs and stood for 25 seconds alllll by himself. He floated on his belly and on his back and made a really funny face when he tasted pool water. He then got to experience his first shower ever, which was a little freaky and confusing. He didn't cry, but he didn't really get it either.

Oh & guess what else? (How in the world could I have not posted in two whole months when so much happens in a week!) He has begun teradactyling (a nickname from the Vaughan's for bizarrely loud but still happy sqwaking). It's pretty adorable.

Oh & today he also learned how to spit. Amazing that in just a few days with his daddy at home, he's already learned this new "skill".

all giggles

YUMMY!

His first meal...

His second food...

And here's a little something from Lolli... Giggles with GPop

Boy oh Boy

So much has happened in the last two months! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. (sorry!) Let's see if I can hit all the highlights...

- I went back to work to a new job in Finance (same company) that I'm really enjoying.

- Micah & I had our fourth anniversary and enjoyed a delicious bottle of champagne and our new family.

- We had Gramps (aka my daddy) and Great Grandma Carolyn in town taking care of Logan. In Dad's *free* time, he refinished my furniture! Yesss! (Many who know me know that this is quite the good news!)

- Got a visit from Mom & Andy that got cut short due to Andy's brother. Our hearts are still with you, hoping for a healthy recovery for Beno! Mom made Logan the most incredible quilt with so many adorable colors and animals. I'll try to post pics.

- Took our very first airplane ride with Logan. He was freakin' awesome (no surprise)! We whirlwinded Texas to see our friend get married and to celebrate Angela's upcoming nuptuals to my little bro and to celebrate my very first Mother's Day with both my moms.

- Got a visit from the Tillema family. Aidan (Christina & Jan Mendelt's boy) is a year old now and quite the firecracker. There's no stopping that little one from movin! He's super cute, and we enjoyed their visit. We were super thankful they vacationed in Denver, so they could take care of Logan for the week.

- Mom & Stephen visited and took care of Logan, too. This was Stephen's first time meeting his grandson. I think they took to each other quite well. And Mom couldn't have doted on Logan any more. Thanks so much for the new swing. It's saved us several nights! And for the new shoes (all three pair) and for the clothes and for, well just everything!

- Logan got his first cold. Poor little guy has been super congested, but you'd never know it with his happy demeanor. Once he gets decongested, we'll move him back into his crib. Until then, he's swinging the night away.

- Working on getting a new roof, new gutters, and repainting the house. What are we in for??!

- Soon to be headed on our first road trip (to Texas) to watch Uncle Johnny & Aunt Angela get married. Yea!!

Logan updates (oh yeah, that's why you all tune in!):

- He's now 16 pounds, 2 ounces. (75%)

- He's 26.5 inches long (90%).

- He just got the taste of his first solid food. (The doctor recommended us putting him on cereal to help him get back to sleeping through the night. By the way, Mommie Too said so a month ago, but who ever listens to their parents :-P) He had rice cereal while out for First Friday on Tennyson, listening to music and chilling with family.

- He TURNS OVER!!! Well, so Arwen saw him do it (from tummy to back) about two weeks ago, then Micah saw it this past week, but it wasn't until today that I saw him for my very own eyes!! I was having a crappy day until I saw him turn (from back to tummy). It's just amazing how one little turn can totally turn your whole day around! Then, later he was hanging out in his crib and when I came back in, he had turned over again, so it's looking like it's becoming routine for this big boy.