Wake up greeting

So proud and teeth!

Pulling Up

You have been crawling now for one month, and you are increasing in speed! So much so, that your brother who still adores you, is getting a bit frustrated when you just crawl right over and grab whatever toy he's playing with. In addition to Mr. Smiley Pants, you're also Mr. Grabby, and anything in Mommy and Daddy's hands is fair game - especially paper, which you love to eat when you can get away with it. Last week you were super pleased when you were sitting with Mommy next to Ben's toddler bed and you held onto his railing with your feet firmly planted on the ground - standing up! You proceeded to pull yourself up to the same position from sitting. Yesterday you crawled over to your activity table and pulled yourself up - all by yourself! You were so proud, and so were we.

Your current schedule:

6:00 am - wake up
9:00 am - catch a nap in the stroller or baby carrier as we head to the playground or an outing
12:30 pm ish - 2nd nap at home - and sometimes you and your brother ocassionally sleep at the same time (but not often)
6:00 pm - bedtime
9:00 pm - eat & back to bed
11:00 pm - eat & back to bed
1:00 am - cry with daddy as we now refuse to feed you
2:30 am - fall asleep exhausted in daddy's arms
4:00 am - wake up to eat & play
6:00 am - repeat

It's really amazing that you are as happy and perky as you are for the rigorous nighttime schedule you are keeping us all on!

Crawling!

Alex has been rocking, rocking, rocking on his haunches, and now at 6 months, has started crawling. He went to his 6 month Doctor's appointment yesterday and when Dr. Kasinski saw how mobile he was (and how overwhelmed his parents looked) she said "I'm so sorry!". Alex has started moving and now when left on the floor can cover a distance of 4 feet! Teething is also happening in full force, and two bottom teeth have appeared in the past week. We can tell your gums hurt because you have been a bit more cranky, but you're still Mr. Smiley Pants in our book and pretty darn fun if we do say so ourselves.

Skpe

Sitting up!

Alex sitting up! He learned yesterday - sitting in the sand, Ben
holding him watching the Aquarium together, and finally sitting all by
himself.

Uncle Sly Dog and Growing Up

Today Uncle Sly Dog wore baby Alex in the bjorn - for most of the day! Alex was quite pleased, and so were his parents. Sly Dog (Steve) is the best uncle ever.

I also realized today that Alex is getting much more sturdy - so much so, that I occasionally leave him and Ben together for a moment at a time not in eyesight. Alex is starting to hold his own and is growing up.

Gears, Gears, Gears

Alex has been fascinated watching Ben play with his magical gear game (think lots of spinning gears, noise and bells, and colors galore). Today I left Alex in the middle of the rug for a few minutes when I went to help Ben. When I got back he had rolled over, scooted himself forward a few feet, and in a final magical lunge - turned ON the button for the gear game. I think he looked more surprised at his feat than pleased this time.

Rolling Over, Double-time

You have been rolling over from your belly to your back for many weeks now (especially when you did not want to sleep), and this week you discovered with a bit of effort how to roll from your back to your tummy. I was working in the kitchen and with your new double-roll maneuver you managed to travel 4 feet! Watch out mama and dada, I'm on the move!

This week we also put you in a few new contraptions:
1) the swing at the park - a bit of happy wonder
2) the door bouncy chair - wowzers! you were so pleased you could turn yourself around, not quite as pleased when Ben spun you in dizzying circles
3) quasi jumbo chair (keeps you in a sitting position) where you were happy to watch mommy cook dinner

Feet, Found!

A few days ago it was clear Alex was honing in on his feet - he would watch them when he was in a reclined position and move them slowly.

Today his feet are firmly found! He laid on his back, and with a bit of effort, managed to grab both of them in his hands, looking quite pleased with himself in happy baby pose.

Aunties and Uncles

You had lots of great time with Aunties and Uncles in Minnesota, but this past week has been a highlight. First we headed to Santa Cruz to visit Uncle Sly Dog - and though he claims he has been traumatized by forced babysitting in the past and also claims to never have changed a diaper - he played with you by himself for a whole hour AND gave you your daily bottle (which was met by a bit of reluctance on your part, as it often is). We think Uncle Sly Dog is an expert and are waiting to give him more chances to build his confidence and earn even more smiles from you.

Meanwhile, Aunt Hilary stepped up and became your chief smile generator for the whole week that she was here - THANK YOU! She carried you around, fashioned a new way to get you to sleep (back rubs while lying in the crib) and generally was a rock star. In addition to making new configurations of your playmat, I came home one day to see her teaching you how to grab your feet (see next post). You both were quite pleased!!

Up North

We are catching up for August, where you spent almost a week up in Northern Minnesota with the Himan/Masterson clan - thanks Grandma & Grandpa Himan!

You were much loved by all the aunties, uncles and grandparents - but Grandpa Himan wins the prize for tucking you under his arm and letting you take long naps in the shade resting on his "shelf". Grandma Himan meanwhile was busy being the pied piper with the other mobile kids.

Lots more rolls now, every morning we find you awake on your back (after rolling from your belly).

First rolls!

Last Saturday morning you were playing in your gym (the playmat with the dangly birds and amazing star that lights up and plays music - one of your new favorite places) and you rolled from your tummy to your back - and were quite surprised!

Later that day Daddy went upstairs to get you from your nap and found you lying on your back, looking a bit pleased (we now put you to sleep on your tummy). You've repeated the feat one more time since.

You've gotten quite good at knowing how to get the musical star started by kicking your legs, and getting the music going with vigorous kicks in your bouncy chair.

Generally you're still all smiles (except when you're tired) and I still look down in the middle of night while changing your diaper to see you grinning up at me, and though I know I shouldn't play and wake you up, I can't help but smile back. You're too darn charming.

Country Time

We just got back from Boise, visiting the Claytons, and your first airplane ride. You did great on both trips and pretty much slept the entire time in the plane. The car, however, is not your favorite. Even with mommy sitting next to you in the backseat, you scream the entire way. We haven't been on a car trip longer than 1/2 hour though, so we'll see how long it will take to eventually give in and rest.

You spent a long time looking at Sadie, the Clayton family dog, and seemed to enjoy lots of attention and hugs from 3 1/2 year old Amaia.

We could tell you weren't used to the 90 degree heat, you got pretty cranky at the ranch and though you really love your warm baths, you were not impressed when Mommy tried to cool you off in the wading pool.

I visited a newborn last week and realized that you aren't the smallest weeble around anymore, which makes me a bit nostalgic for those rough first few weeks!

Alex turned 8 weeks old (2 months!) this past week. I think both Jeff and I are amazed at how fast time has flown by, though it hasn't always been easy - and in fact, was quite hard those first few weeks. This past week Alex started doing "push-ups" - lying on his belly and lifting his head up with his hands. He is also cooing a lot, and sleeping a lot too! We saw Dr. Kasinski for his 2 month check-up and she remarked at how much he has grown, and how strong he was.

10.5 lbs at 2 months! You have really been responding to Ben's voice too, and I've watched you turn toward him when he lies down next to you, alternating between kissing you and trying to crawl over you.

2 months old

Tommorrow you are 8 weeks (2 months!) old. You are super smiley when you are awake, and even want to smile when you are super tired - you'll go from smiling to crying in a matter of minutes when you are tired. You are also grabbing more at things - your birds on your playmat, mommy's baby carrier (more like swatting at this point, but a great effort). You LOVE to sit on the changing pad and make faces at mommy and daddy, you also love both baths and showers, and getting massages from mommy - especially when I rub your tummy.

Another First....

You, Daddy and Ben had your first all boys outing today. You went for Bagels and Noahs and then to the Daddy Park - officially called Jackson park, but the majority of the parents there are Daddy's is seems.

It was quite a sight seeing your Daddy bottle feeding you at the same time he was pushing Ben on the swings. He needs 2 more arms for such occasions.

All in all, you were very good. As was the super patient Ben.

After the playground you and Daddy zonked out for the best power nap ever. 2+ hours of full recliner slumber.

Showers and Smiles

You had your first shower today, with Daddy and Ben, and you seemed to love it. No complaints and you stayed in a long time.

You are getting more and more alert every day. Your happy place is still the changing pad in the bathroom in front of the mirror - where you give yourself big juicy smiles and even entertain yourself long enough for Mommy to take a shower. You have also been smiling a lot more lately in big wide-mouthed grins. Your legs are also getting a LOT stronger - you can practically kick yourself out of our arms. I weighed you at the baby store on Wednesday and you were just over 9 lbs.

Last week you had a hard week - lots of crying and fussing and general discomfort. Maybe it was all the growing you've been doing and new things you are paying attention to? The past few days you've been much calmer and have been sleeping a lot better.

6 weeks old tomorrow! Time is flying by.

Social Smiles

Last Thursday while your Grandpa and Grandma Himan were here you had your first social smiles! You had already started smiling while eating or falling asleep. You and Grandpa Himan did a lot of bonding last week - when you were tired or started fussing he would scoop you right up and get you to sleep. Today you rode the BART train with your brother to go visit your daddy at the office, and you spent the first 10 minutes looking around at everything before you melted into an exhausted nap.

4 weeks old

4 weeks old tomorrow! Your dad and I can't believe how quickly time has passed. For a while we affectionately referred to you as "floppy" because you were so newborn-like and just melted into our arms without a fight. But you are changing into a muscular boy. We saw Dr. Kasinski on Friday and she was amazed at how active you were - moving your arms around and even turning a bit to one side (not to mention the leg kicks). Today we went to Traintown with your brother (you enjoyed sleeping in the carrier) but afterwards we went to downtown Sonoma and you loved lying on the blanket in the park and looking at the trees and grass. You're even doing "push-ups" now a bit on your belly and your neck is getting a lot stronger.

Did I mention you've already gained 2 pounds?? Now you're at 8 lbs. 4 oz - and have jumped from 10% to 25%.

Almost 3 weeks old

and Alex is amazingly resilient. Big brother Ben is very excited about giving you lots of vigorous kisses and hugs. For the most part you've continued to be a great sleeper, even sleeping through the above-mentioned displays of affection! Last week you started tracking toys - following with your eyes when we dangle a toy above your head - and you really seemed to enjoy your mobile. Mostly you enjoy cuddling with Mommy and Daddy while you nap.

Alexander is born

6:03 am and Alexander is born at St. Luke's hospital. Mom's labor was much shorter (only 12 hours this time, from when things really got going...) but pushing took a lot longer - Alex came sunny side up! Your dad and I were amazed at what we created. You were pretty alert right away and you started nursing soon after. I thought you looked very much like your dad (and brother) but your dad thought you had more of Grandpa Himan in you. Time will tell!

We can't believe how tiny you are, especially compared to your big brother Ben, who seemed small in his own right, but now suddenly seems BIG.

Since coming home from the hospital you've been sleeping a lot, so much so that your mom can worry a bit though we suspect this is what most babies do at this stage (your brother spent much more time crying than sleeping in the beginning...)