Is that Bumbo for me or the Baby?

Pouncer has been feeling pretty neglected since you came into our lives. She isn't, but she slinks around and gives you the stink eye so I am pretty sure she is plotting your demise.  We broke out your Bumbo chair this month and she thought for sure it was a toy for her. It wasn't, so she resorted to playing with the box like the red headed step child. See her evil eyes on you?

I was trying out settings on the camera. You will have to excuse your sudden change in skin color. 

The next two faces are great. 

LOVE

4 Months Old (and only 4 degrees!)

Well we made it to 2014 in one piece.  Your first four months in this world have been amazing.  I cannot believe how fast life has moved.  It just doesn't feel like I have known you for four months already! You are starting to get a personality and we find you quite hilarious, most of the time.

The weather has been crazy. Kids are off school not because of snow or ice, but because of cold temperatures. I have heard more weather monikers than I care to remember this winter, but the two that stick out are Polar Vortex & Arctic Blast. Needless to say I feel like we have been confined to the house nearly every evening & weekend day since winter began. I have taken the cold weather as an excuse to put you in hats galore anytime you have to brave the elements.  A sampling...

Since we have been stuck indoors we have watched quite a bit of TV. Your dad is obsessed with Cops and we have 20 episodes on DVR at any given time.  I worry that you think the theme song is a nursery rhyme at this point. Don't get me wrong-it's catchy, and we often sing along. Occasionally we wrestle the remote from dad and watch cartoons which fascinate you. 

You started the month with your first ear infection, but it didn't seem to bother you too much.  Through your first cold you were a snoring machine, you get that from your dad.  And because he wouldn't believe that he snores, I have video proof of the two of you snoring together during a nap. This was the first, and probably only time, I found snoring entertaining.  This is a picture of you napping on your dad while you were sick undoubtedly watching Cops. 

We started you on rice cereal, which you love. Next stop, veggies & fruits.  I don't think we will have any problems getting you to eat. Pretty sure you get that from me.  You love eating from the spoon, though most of it ends up on your bib. When you see a spoon you get a big smile across your face. 

You love bath time, but I am beginning to think you love naked time even more.  You have never minded us changing your diaper. I wrapped you up in the towel and within 30 seconds you were wriggling out of it.  I covered you up because- hey we are modest. Just remember that when you get older! 

You love watching me blow dry my hair.  I don't know why you sit through it, but I couldn't be happier. I  crank up the music, sing (and occasionally dance) which sends you into a laughing fit. I am pretty sure your dad would like to throw my Ipod out the window, but you really love Blurred Lines & Say Something so sometimes we put those songs on repeat.  I put a link into the video in case you are interested. Good stuff. 

  Blurred Lines- Robin Thicke ft. TI & Pharrell  

You are starting to squeal and screech. Once I figure out how to upload the videos of you here- I will. You love the entertainment saucer even if you are bit wobbly in there. You mumble to yourself and make the best faces I have ever seen. You love tummy time and are finally holding up that head of yours!  You love Eskimo kisses and grabbing anything within reaching distance which often includes my hair. You have a hell of a grip. You like to grab and explore our faces and hands. You just recently found your feet, but are not so interested in them. You respond to us talking to you. Your head is on a swivel and you keep you eye on us when we move around the room.  You are so close to rolling over (or possibly breaking your neck) because you try to watch us when we walk behind you.  

You went through a tough stage where you hated your crib.  You could be out cold in our arms and the minute we put you down on the mattress you sprung awake with a scream that could shatter glass. The nights we got you into the crib sleeping, you would wait until we laid in bed and pulled on blankets to scream. We tried to let you cry it out, but you are relentless. We tried everything: mobile, music, starry critter thing that projects stars on the ceiling, pacifier, rocking you, the works basically, but you were not having it. Turns out all you wanted was a blanket to snuggle.

It took more than a few sleepless nights for us to give in and let you have a lovie (we don't call it that). Basically it is an animal head attached to a mini blanket. With the risk of SIDS, we hadn't let you have anything in your crib. So the first night we must have clocked a mile running back and forth from your room to ours checking your breathing or removing the blanket from your face. Well, it was a success for getting you to sleep even if we couldn't. You love to put the blanket over your face and pass out. It has been a week and you are sleeping through the night again happy as a clam. I don't blame you- I can't sleep without a blanket either. Now we just have to keep you from moving from one side of the crib to another and banging your head against the wood. 

I love dressing you up as if you were an adult.  You are just so darn cute when you look like a little man.  This month...lumberjack.  Judging by your face, you aren't so sure the look is for you.

You have been an amazing baby and we are so lucky to have you around.  You make us laugh more and more everyday as your personality starts coming through.  You are all smiles most of the time which melts away any tough day at work we could have. 

4 months old 1/3/2014
16 lbs. 10 ounces

and one of my favorites your grandpa sent over....

 Such a distinguished looking 4 month old. 

Love you buddy. 

The Polar Vortex

Lately we have had ridiculously cold weather because of this thing the weather men and women are calling a Polar Vortex.  I took the never ending snow and -15  degree wind chills as an excuse to put on the comfiest sweatshirt and sweatpants I own, hunker down at home, and spend a low key Friday night with you catching up on some recorded shows. Your dad went out for a few drinks and dinner so it was just the two of us, perfect bonding time.

And then it happened.

You were playing around in your activity center when I got the first whiff.  Poo.  I got everything ready to change your diaper, but I had no idea what I was in store for this time.  I started unbuttoning your onesie only to find you had blown out of your diaper.  This wasn't the first time- I once had to cut an outfit off of you because it was so covered in poop there was no getting it over your head without covering your face in it. You reached a new level this time as I discovered poop in your armpit! So I carried you up to the bathtub for a deep clean.  Feeling pretty accomplished after getting you hosed off by myself I climbed out of the tub with you only to find poo paw prints all over the tile.  I was so concentrated on you I failed to notice Murphy accompanied us to the bathroom.  I had left your clothes on the rug to deal with after the bath and Murphy, in his usual supervisor role to make sure I was properly handling you, had stepped on them and tracked poop all throughout the room.  I got you wrapped up in the towel and then surveyed the damage. You looked right up at me and laughed.  I was trying to get you dressed  in our room while keeping Murphy on the tile so I didn't have to shampoo the carpets on top of it all. I was yelling at him to stay while trying to get you into a clean outfit as you wriggled and you just kept laughing.  I had to laugh too.  I mean what else could I do, it was like a scene out of a comedic movie. Ah....motherhood and unconditional love.  

So thanks kid for saving this bonding experience for me. Your dad owes me one.  I think I will save your laundry for when he gets home.

Catching Up....almost

Whew.....I am pooped.

Finally - I am catching up with you on the blog.  It hasn't been easy that is for sure, but I think I covered the highlights of your first four months in just over a week since starting this keepsake for you. Quite the feat.

I have so much more to tell you, but in time.

As you quickly approach becoming 5 months old, I realize I don't think I will ever catch up with you.  I cannot believe how fast this time has gone.  As the moments go by I try to stop and commit them to memory. From rocking you to sleep to dancing around with you in my arms in the family room.  I know every moment is so precious and I am so thankful we get to spend them together in our home.  

Please remember how much we love you. 

New Year's Eve Party Animal

Happy 2014!  

You literally made it to the 10 second countdown and finally gave in and went to sleep. 

5,4,3,2.......

Merry First Christmases

I say Christmases because you had quite a few.  Don't worry-you made out like a bandit for someone who couldn't even open your own gifts!

Apparently Santa thought you wanted to show a little leg for the picture. 

On the 23rd we did the traditional Lehmann Side family extravaganza.  I will tell you how this all started when I talk about Great Grandma & Grandpa Lehmann another day.

Christmas Eve we spent at Aunt Erin & Uncle Luke's.  I don't have a lot of pictures, but we did try to take a cousin group shot.  Getting all of you to smile and look at the right person was comical.

On Christmas morning we woke up to this view from the bedroom.  If you are going to be up at 5am, at least there is a view right?!

 Then headed over to the Amrein House for festivities.  Thank goodness for your Aunt Amanda taking pictures.  It didn't even occur to me to bring my darn camera.

Matt, Audra, Connor, & Ella

Great Grandpa & Granny Buckley

Uncle Jay, Aunt Amanda, Cousin Taylor

Grandma and Grandpa Amrein

Uncle Todd and Aunt Alyssa (just engaged)

Family Photo. You look a bit frightened. 

We rounded out the Holiday at Grandma & Grandpa Lehmann's. Here are some candid shots of the day.

Next year I will have my camera in tow to all the events. And I may even get a picture of you in front of our tree which I promise I did put up.  

Merry Christmas Kid!