Mega blowout!

This is what happened when I was trying to nurse Nate this morning...

He had been squirming, straining, and pushing all while trying to eat and then there was an explosion which covered him, me, and the boppy in poo.

Here he is all cleaned up and happy...

Nate has been very smiley the last couple of weeks. He's a MUCH happier boy when he's had plenty of sleep (aren't we all!), however it's difficult to get him to sleep for any significant amount of time. We are working hard to get him on a schedule (eating every three hours, napping, nighttime routine, etc). He's doing okay, although I'd love if he would sleep more than four hours in a row at night. We have had a rare 5, 6, and even one 7 (!) hour stretch, but like I said, that is rare. It's usually four hours, then asleep for another 2 and half, then maybe another 1 or 2 hours. Could be better, could be worse.

Here are a bunch of pictures from the last week (including a visit to NJ). When it comes time to order pictures and make a photo album I don't know how I'll decide which ones make the cut--there are so many cute ones!


Cousin Maddie nicely loaned Nate her play mat which he is enjoying very much.

All ready for church

Looking rather bored/annoyed out at the pool

Somebody is ready for a nap!

Nate enjoys tugging on his clothing.

Actually sleeping unswaddled!

This series of pictures was taken today. Nate and I made our first trip to the grocery store and he did quite well. My list was short however the trip took longer than anticipated because people kept stopping to "ohh" and "ah" over Nate. :-)

Video 1 - short clip of Nate sucking his fist
Video 2 - Nate had been happy on the play mat but by the time I started recording he'd had enough. Here he is squawking/talking quite a bit.

Summer pasta

Earlier this week we had one of my favorite meals--summer pasta. It's very simple to make and absolutely delicious. The ingredients are pasta (I usually use farfalle but didn't have any so used penne this time), tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil (grown by me!), olive oil (sometimes infused with garlic), parmesan cheese, and salt. Edward grilled up some chicken to throw in and sometimes we'll add sweet Italian sausage but neither is necessary. Throw in some Jersey corn on the cob and you're all set!

Nate's new friend

First it was the hanging quilts, then the ceiling fans, now Nate's new best friend is that wonderful, glowing box better known as the tv. At times I have to turn off the tv during the day (gasp!) otherwise Nate will desperately crane his neck to watch Barefoot Contessa or House Hunters.Here he is watching the Tour de France. We allowed him to watch for a few minutes because he was holding his head up to see.

Two month checkup

Visiting Edward on campus

Nate had his 2 month checkup on Tuesday. He weighed 11 lbs. 12 oz (50th percentile--much improved from his last visit in May when he was under the 10th percentile) and his height was 23 3/4 inches (75th percentile). He got an oral vaccination followed by three shots. He was pretty hysterical at first but calmed down within ten minutes. Here he is just a couple hours after the appointment...

Cuteness overload!

Rolls, fans, and farts

Watch and be amazed! (Check out Piper under the crib--her new favorite place to hang out)


Edward was very proud and Nate rolled over one more time for him when he got home from work.

So many smiles!
(Edward was not smiling as he opened our gas bill)


This is a video of Nate waking up in his car seat. Yesterday afternoon Nate, Piper, and I went on a walk to visit Edward at work and, as usual, Nate fell asleep. I left him in his car seat after we got home and scarfed down a bowl of cereal, thinking he'd wake up any moment (he usually doesn't stay asleep more than a few minutes after a walk). I kept waiting and waiting to hear that cry but he kept on sleeping. I read the new People magazine (enough on Michael Jackson already!) until finally, an hour and half later, I heard a string of huge farts. This is my signal that Nate is waking up. (He lets out a small one at 40 seconds, but believe me, that's nothing!)

Another day, another post

Haven't I been good about updating recently? Three posts in three days, a new record!


Nate was happy in his bouncy chair when I thought I'd have him try the bumbo...

his mood quickly deteriorated

We won't try that again for awhile.

Tummy time with Daddy

No need to dig around to clean out that bellybutton thanks to his umbilical hernia.

And for a closer look...

Eww!!
I called Nate's doctor and apparently this is very common. It should heal on it's own but if it doesn't then it'll require minor surgery a few years down the road. If you push his bellybutton down you can feel his squishy intestines. It's pretty gross!

Video 1 - Nate flashes a big smile around 30 seconds. He just started to take interest in toys and he is often mesmerized by the snail on the left (and pays no attention to the frog or turtle)
Video 2 - hanging out on the changing table. He had been cooing and babbling a whole lot but of course once I started recording he stopped.
Video 3 - Tracking a rattle

These aren't the most thrilling videos you've ever seen but perhaps some of you will enjoy them (most likely grandparents, aunts, and uncles!).