Daniel - 1 year
Will - 6 months
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Great Outdoors
This past weekend was the famous Camp Altenhofen - out at Craig and Bernie's on Milford Lake in Junction City, KS. We deceided we would just head out Saturday morning and shoot for one night of camping under the stars. We had gotten a tent from Bill and Marilee as a wedding gift, and were pretty excited to try this bad boy out---even though I was slightly concerned how the whole night would go---I told myself not to stress about it, and it would be fine. Patrick (with Bill's help...I wasn't much help for this!) got the tent all set up, with the pack and play, air mattress, folding rocking chair and fan---we were set!
So, we spent some time in the pool--Will's 2nd time and he seemed to really enjoy it! We got to enjoy the quiet in the pool when the older cousins were out on the boat! Will took two awesome naps, so he was in a great mood--and so glad he got to see all of his Altenhofen family---as it had been since Christmas that we all got together.
By Will's normal bedtime--we attempted to put him down, but he wasn't having the pack and play---it seemed even if he would eventually fall asleep in our arms, he would wake up the instant we tried to put him down. (Granted it was still light outside, only 8:00pm when we started....and it was very humid out that night) After both P and I trying for about an hour, we deceided to get him up and go back to hang out with everyone until we all broke off for bed. Keep in mind, we are all in tents fairly close to each other, so we were really hoping Will wouldn't keep crying to keep everyone else awake.... we ended up trying to put him in between us, with me feeding him on and off to try to calm/soothe him---but he was so restless and just couldn't stay asleep---it was so hot, sticky out---we were both getting exhausted and frustrated (not to mention our air mattress was suddenly springing a leak and we were both pretty much laying on the flat ground) At that point---we thought we would try to go inside and see if that would be better. Craig and Bernie were sleeping in their room on the main floor--and upstairs both their kids and families---so, the inside had plenty of people trying to sleep also. So, we rock Will, he finally falls asleep and when either of us tried to sit/lay down with him---he would wake up and start crying---cycle starts again (now, inside is still hot also, as the A/C wasn't on....) hot, tired, frustrated, and feeling guilty for waking others...we decide at 2:00am that maybe we should just drive back to KC. (Junction City to KC = 2 hours) Sounded like the best plan, so P woke up Bill and Marilee to let them know we were leaving and asked if they would mind packing up our stuff the next day---and so they wouldn't freak out in the morning when none of us were in our tent!
We head out in the car---Will is thankfully sleeping peacefully in his carseat---and we prepare ourselves for a late-night road trip---I am bound and determined to do all i can to stay awake and help keep Patrick awake also. About a half hour into the trip---Will wakes up--and is NOT happy! He seriously cries the whole rest of the way home---oh my gosh---was so, so hard...we couldn't do anything to make it better---little guy was just so overly tired at that point...tylenol and Mama wasn't helping at all.
Let's just say, when we finally got home at 4:00, it was such a relief---he ate (again---not sure what I had left to give him at that point!) and finally fell asleep in his crib and slept from 4:30-9:30. Man---it was deifnitely a crazy/memorable night, and just happened to be Patrick's first Father's Day!! We have laughed that it's one we both will never forget. (I can't wait to tell Will these stories someday---he may not really 'get' it until he has his own kids!)
We did still have a great day--we lounged in the morning, took a nap when Will did, and both felt somewhat refreshed after showers and a good meal. We spent some time in the baby pool we got for Will, Patrick got to pick out a grill for Father's Day, and we had a great day together!
Other than crazy camping, updates on Will:
- sitting up all by himself really well
- he loves smiling at Mom and Dad---and melts us every time
- he starts laughing hysterically when he starts getting tired--we call it his 'slap-happy' laughs---I still am hoping to get this on video sometime!
- he loves to grab our faces---.our noses, putting his fingers in our mouths, etc.
- still loves his food---nothing he hasn't liked yet, seems to favor fruits a little more though
- from time to time, he still has trouble falling asleep...he is still a very stubborn baby when it comes to sleeping, but otherwise he is an angel baby!
So, we spent some time in the pool--Will's 2nd time and he seemed to really enjoy it! We got to enjoy the quiet in the pool when the older cousins were out on the boat! Will took two awesome naps, so he was in a great mood--and so glad he got to see all of his Altenhofen family---as it had been since Christmas that we all got together.
By Will's normal bedtime--we attempted to put him down, but he wasn't having the pack and play---it seemed even if he would eventually fall asleep in our arms, he would wake up the instant we tried to put him down. (Granted it was still light outside, only 8:00pm when we started....and it was very humid out that night) After both P and I trying for about an hour, we deceided to get him up and go back to hang out with everyone until we all broke off for bed. Keep in mind, we are all in tents fairly close to each other, so we were really hoping Will wouldn't keep crying to keep everyone else awake.... we ended up trying to put him in between us, with me feeding him on and off to try to calm/soothe him---but he was so restless and just couldn't stay asleep---it was so hot, sticky out---we were both getting exhausted and frustrated (not to mention our air mattress was suddenly springing a leak and we were both pretty much laying on the flat ground) At that point---we thought we would try to go inside and see if that would be better. Craig and Bernie were sleeping in their room on the main floor--and upstairs both their kids and families---so, the inside had plenty of people trying to sleep also. So, we rock Will, he finally falls asleep and when either of us tried to sit/lay down with him---he would wake up and start crying---cycle starts again (now, inside is still hot also, as the A/C wasn't on....) hot, tired, frustrated, and feeling guilty for waking others...we decide at 2:00am that maybe we should just drive back to KC. (Junction City to KC = 2 hours) Sounded like the best plan, so P woke up Bill and Marilee to let them know we were leaving and asked if they would mind packing up our stuff the next day---and so they wouldn't freak out in the morning when none of us were in our tent!
We head out in the car---Will is thankfully sleeping peacefully in his carseat---and we prepare ourselves for a late-night road trip---I am bound and determined to do all i can to stay awake and help keep Patrick awake also. About a half hour into the trip---Will wakes up--and is NOT happy! He seriously cries the whole rest of the way home---oh my gosh---was so, so hard...we couldn't do anything to make it better---little guy was just so overly tired at that point...tylenol and Mama wasn't helping at all.
Let's just say, when we finally got home at 4:00, it was such a relief---he ate (again---not sure what I had left to give him at that point!) and finally fell asleep in his crib and slept from 4:30-9:30. Man---it was deifnitely a crazy/memorable night, and just happened to be Patrick's first Father's Day!! We have laughed that it's one we both will never forget. (I can't wait to tell Will these stories someday---he may not really 'get' it until he has his own kids!)
We did still have a great day--we lounged in the morning, took a nap when Will did, and both felt somewhat refreshed after showers and a good meal. We spent some time in the baby pool we got for Will, Patrick got to pick out a grill for Father's Day, and we had a great day together!
Other than crazy camping, updates on Will:
- sitting up all by himself really well
- he loves smiling at Mom and Dad---and melts us every time
- he starts laughing hysterically when he starts getting tired--we call it his 'slap-happy' laughs---I still am hoping to get this on video sometime!
- he loves to grab our faces---.our noses, putting his fingers in our mouths, etc.
- still loves his food---nothing he hasn't liked yet, seems to favor fruits a little more though
- from time to time, he still has trouble falling asleep...he is still a very stubborn baby when it comes to sleeping, but otherwise he is an angel baby!
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| Hanging out in the morning, while Mom/Dad get ready |
Sunday, June 3, 2012
6 months
6 month stats:
Dr. Espe said he looks really great! He can now start eating 3 times a day: a fruit, veggie and cereal. He said to wait 4 days before introducing a new food, to allow him time to get used to different kinds. So far, we have tried apples, squash and bananas. He seems to like them all, and is getting the hang of it---but I can tell his favorite is bananas so far! So fun to try new foods and see what he thinks (another 'Mom' thing I never got before having my own..... I would always hear people get excited about what foods their kids were eating...now I completely get it :))
Teeth- Dr. Espe also predicted Will would start getting his bottom teeth in soon (which, on 6/3 when I'm really writing this) he was VERY fussy today and could tell he didn't feel good :( I can feel the teeth close to coming in, so I think it's a matter of time. Hopefully it won't make him feel bad too long---I feel so sorry for him! Luckily, the ibuprofen seems to help soothe it, and makes him relax.
Lastly- our new sitter, Megan, came down twice last week to watch Will. I was a nervous nelly!! Oh my---I had written out all sorts of instructions (thanks to the Wrights for doing this when I baby-sat and knew I wanted to do the same!) and tried to be as thorough as possible, but hard to know what all I needed to tell her! Tuesday (right after Memorial Day) was her first day coming down, and we had plenty of time to talk/show her around, and it was really hard for me to concentrate at work all day, b/c I kept wondering how they were doing,. But, of course, they did great---went on several walks and seemed to do really well. Already by Thursday, I felt better and I'm so grateful Will really likes Megan and that she is coming down! From now on, she will come down on Monday's and Wednesday's for the summer, and then still to Marilee's/Mimi's the rest of the week.
- 18lbs 9 oz - 75%
- 26 1/4" - 50%
- Head circumfrance - 50%
First lake trip!
Memorial Day weekend 2012- went on our first trip down to the condo at the Lake of the Ozarks! We had so much fun ---and couldn't wait to get Will in the water and see what he thought. Well, after getting the boys fed, changed, packed our bags to go to the pool, it was quite the ordeal---once we got Will in the water, he instictively started kicking and seemed to enjoy it! He didn't last too long though, b/c he got tired soon after, but it was great fun!
The best was taking the boys on the boat---and the lifejackets they have to wear, go all the way around their shoulders/necks....and Will just froze with his hands on his lifejacket and didn't even try to turn/wiggle at all! He just stared straight ahead and I think the boat actually really calmed him down and he would get very relaxed/chill when the boat was going.
The weather was wonderful, the boys did well---we just realized we only have a small amount of time from when they both were up from naps, fed---and we had to be all packed and head down to the boat to maximize our time. All in all, a fun and successful trip to the lake---can't wait to see how over the summer how much he will change and grow, and enjoy it even more!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Sitting up all by himself!
We knew it was coming soon---but this past Friday, we will officially put in the books that Will started sitting up on his own!! It's crazy how in just a few days--how much he can grow up/advance! In just two days, he can sit up so well and today in church, he was wanting to jump the whole time while he was standing in our laps. It was so funny! He has some very strong legs!! We were just laughing and how he wanted to bounce/jump the whole time :)
This past week was a really good one for Will---he had some good days at Mimi's--and was feeling so much better! (Although, after Will got over his cold, Mama got it :( I felt pretty crummy all last week, but think I am finally over it) Anyway, we also got it all finalized to have one of the girls that helps watch Will while Marilee teaches her art lessons, she watches Will while her younger brothers get art lessons---and she has agreed to come down to our house two days a week during the summer to watch Will! We are thrilled---she is 16, already loves Will and a really sweet girl. Looking forward to him having some days at home and a little break for Mimi and a break for us a few days from the commute :)
This past weekend was lots of fun! We celebrated Daniel's 1st birthday!! He had a sock-monkey themed party--and in true Amy style---everything was so put together and well-decorated :) It was a really fun party---Daniel was a perfect birthday boy--and dug into his cake just as he should! Will and Daniel even went on their first of many wagon rides together! They were SO darn cute riding in the wagon together--can't wait to see more. Saturday night- we went to a wedding here in KC---it was a friend of Patrick's from college. Mom came over and watched Will, and it was nice to have a night out together! Thanks Gramma J---we appreciate it!! Today, we had a nice Sunday--church, Eggtc w/ Amy, Cody and Daniel, we painted the guest room, CostCo sample Sunday :), more painting (woops, picked the wrong shade of grey the first time!), went on a walk, had some dinner and put the babe to bed. I just love our weekends and hate Monday mornings when I have to drop Will off. It seriously hurts my heart.
I'm not sure if I have said this at every stage so far, I probably have---but I LOVE this stage right now. Will is so smiley, happy, giggling, cuddly, and so much fun! I can't believe he will be 6 months old next weekend---I am looking forward to his 6-month check-up next Friday afternoon, pictures with Daniel at Moments and Memories next Sat. morning, and then the rest of the weekend down at the Lake!! YAY--first trip down to the lake for Will--and can't wait to let him take a few 'dips' into the water! :)
This past week was a really good one for Will---he had some good days at Mimi's--and was feeling so much better! (Although, after Will got over his cold, Mama got it :( I felt pretty crummy all last week, but think I am finally over it) Anyway, we also got it all finalized to have one of the girls that helps watch Will while Marilee teaches her art lessons, she watches Will while her younger brothers get art lessons---and she has agreed to come down to our house two days a week during the summer to watch Will! We are thrilled---she is 16, already loves Will and a really sweet girl. Looking forward to him having some days at home and a little break for Mimi and a break for us a few days from the commute :)
This past weekend was lots of fun! We celebrated Daniel's 1st birthday!! He had a sock-monkey themed party--and in true Amy style---everything was so put together and well-decorated :) It was a really fun party---Daniel was a perfect birthday boy--and dug into his cake just as he should! Will and Daniel even went on their first of many wagon rides together! They were SO darn cute riding in the wagon together--can't wait to see more. Saturday night- we went to a wedding here in KC---it was a friend of Patrick's from college. Mom came over and watched Will, and it was nice to have a night out together! Thanks Gramma J---we appreciate it!! Today, we had a nice Sunday--church, Eggtc w/ Amy, Cody and Daniel, we painted the guest room, CostCo sample Sunday :), more painting (woops, picked the wrong shade of grey the first time!), went on a walk, had some dinner and put the babe to bed. I just love our weekends and hate Monday mornings when I have to drop Will off. It seriously hurts my heart.
I'm not sure if I have said this at every stage so far, I probably have---but I LOVE this stage right now. Will is so smiley, happy, giggling, cuddly, and so much fun! I can't believe he will be 6 months old next weekend---I am looking forward to his 6-month check-up next Friday afternoon, pictures with Daniel at Moments and Memories next Sat. morning, and then the rest of the weekend down at the Lake!! YAY--first trip down to the lake for Will--and can't wait to let him take a few 'dips' into the water! :)
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| Will in the wagon |
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| Look at me---I'm such a big boy sitting up! |
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| I love my little family |
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| Hey there best friend--let's go for a ride! |
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| Daniel got up and gave Will a side hug!! It was SO sweet! |
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| Watching Daniel eat cake with Gramma J--such a good view |
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| The Lewis fam |
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Nasty Cold :(
Over the last couple weeks, we have been busy, but enjoying our time with our little guy. Unfortunately, this past week, Will got his first bad cold :( He has been coughing and it seriously breaks my heart everytime I hear him cough---it just seems like it's so uncomfortable to him and he doesn't know what to do. Such a helpless feeling (I have always really hated seeing someone I love sick...so this is the worst!) Anyway, he has still been somewhat smiley, but not like his usual self. It's definitley been harder putting him down to sleep, he has been more fitfull than usual, and woken up more during the night, but we are surviving! Hopefully he will get over it soon, and it doesn't turn into anything more than a little cold.
Otherwise, let's see---last week (May 3-5) my Mom came and stayed with Will during the days---Don had a conference in KC, so it was a perfect time for Mom to spend the days with Will and for them to get to know each other better. They had so much fun, and I know they both loved it!! Last Friday night, we went to our 2nd Royals game of the season---it was very warm until the sun went down, but both Daniel and Will did great---even with it being past their bedtimes! Actually, Will even slept all through the night BOTH nights last weekend!! I was SO excited when I woke up at 6:30am, and realized that I hadn't had to wake up through the night---good job buddy!
This weekend, I got to spend my first real Mother's Day with Will. Although he was sick, it was so much fun---and I got to enjoy extra snuggles and loving from Mama... I got completely spoiled from my boys-- P got me a really nice card (made me cry!) and a gift card to go spend an entire day/night out with my sister!! So, we will be able to go shop, go to a nice restaurant and then spend the night at a hotel some night!!! Man, he definitely knows the perfect gift! :) :) I told him he is setting the bar way high for all Mother's Day's from here on out! But, I felt extremely loved---and we went to church with Bill and Marilee and had a nice brunch out on their patio, and then enjoyed a nice walk later this afternoon.
My latest favorite thing Will has been doing - grabbing his toes/feet, so he is all curled up and then he'll roll side to side--and just have a huge grin on his face. Oh--and he is now REALLY jumping in his jumper---he will bounce and bounce, and whenever we look over at him, he will smile SO big---like he is so proud and just happy that we are paying attention to him! He definitely likes our attention, and doesn't care to play by himself --we like to say he's a 'people person' :)
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Otherwise, let's see---last week (May 3-5) my Mom came and stayed with Will during the days---Don had a conference in KC, so it was a perfect time for Mom to spend the days with Will and for them to get to know each other better. They had so much fun, and I know they both loved it!! Last Friday night, we went to our 2nd Royals game of the season---it was very warm until the sun went down, but both Daniel and Will did great---even with it being past their bedtimes! Actually, Will even slept all through the night BOTH nights last weekend!! I was SO excited when I woke up at 6:30am, and realized that I hadn't had to wake up through the night---good job buddy!
This weekend, I got to spend my first real Mother's Day with Will. Although he was sick, it was so much fun---and I got to enjoy extra snuggles and loving from Mama... I got completely spoiled from my boys-- P got me a really nice card (made me cry!) and a gift card to go spend an entire day/night out with my sister!! So, we will be able to go shop, go to a nice restaurant and then spend the night at a hotel some night!!! Man, he definitely knows the perfect gift! :) :) I told him he is setting the bar way high for all Mother's Day's from here on out! But, I felt extremely loved---and we went to church with Bill and Marilee and had a nice brunch out on their patio, and then enjoyed a nice walk later this afternoon.
My latest favorite thing Will has been doing - grabbing his toes/feet, so he is all curled up and then he'll roll side to side--and just have a huge grin on his face. Oh--and he is now REALLY jumping in his jumper---he will bounce and bounce, and whenever we look over at him, he will smile SO big---like he is so proud and just happy that we are paying attention to him! He definitely likes our attention, and doesn't care to play by himself --we like to say he's a 'people person' :)
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| On a walk with Gramma J |
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| Tired pumpkin |
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| Eating like a big boy in his highchair! |
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| I love jumping in my jumper!! |
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
5 months old
Will is 5 months old!! He was so much fun doing our photo shoot---Mom was taking pics and Dad was making Will smile (which he still can do better than anyone else! :)) Will is such a happy baby---he is so interested in everything that's going on, and can really tell he is watching people so much more. He looks like he is just trying to figure it all out.
He is getting better at eating his cereal---he will open his mouth when he sees the spoon coming, but still need to work on his actually swallowing ---but he does pretty well. He will take two bottles while I'm at work, about 7-8oz around 11:30, and then about 5-6oz around 2:30. He takes a long nap in the morning, and a shorter one in the afternoon, around 1:00ish. Then, when we pick him up, he usually falls asleep in the car.
I love his giggle---and nothing in the world is a sweeter sound to me. I could listen to that all day! He still likes his playmat, but usually rolls around so much, he never ends up in the same spot we put him down, so we have to watch a lot closer. His bouncer is good entertainment though, although his feet are still a little short, I know he will grow into it too soon, and that he will enjoy the bouncing!
Will has found his fingers and enjoys putting them in his mouth. He also will roll around in his crib enough that he usually ends up sleeping on his stomach--just seems to like that more. He is still our wiggle worm, and doesn't sit still for too long---but I love when I get my morning snuggles with him---it's the best!
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