Birthdays!

Aaron & my mom's birthdays are within 2 weeks of each other so we usually celebrate them together.  This year was no different :)

We went to the Texas Roadhouse.  Steak & ribs.  What a great birthday for 
Aaron!  Mom just wanted yummy food :)

Awesome thing about the Texas Roadhouse is how they celebrate birthdays.  Aaron got to sit on the saddle (with Duncan, of course) and Mom got to wear the giant foam cowboy hat.  

Nomming on Snoopy

I can totally do this!

Daddy reading "Mohammed and Charlemagne" to Duncan

Little boys

My boy :)

Mom finding out she's going to see Elton John

Duncan playing with a real lightsaber

Ride 'em cowboy!!!

What is that on Nonni's head?

Duncan getting ready to "YEE HAW!!!"

I just have to share this...

I have to share this story.  Readers, be warned, I don't cook much.  Baking yes cooking no.  Aaron has told me that if he wasn't around I would eat Costco chicken & macaroni and cheese for every meal.  Which is possibly true.  Anyway.

Remember my stories of the Wednesday from heck?  Well, I forgot to tell you about what happened with dinner.

Aaron had made a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy & yummy veggies.  I went into the kitchen to see if he needed help & he asked me to stir the gravy for 3 to 5 minutes.  

I start stirring.

Aaron starts laughing.

I look at him and he says, "you might want to turn on the stove."

I laughed until I cried for 3 to 5 minutes & am still giggling.   

PS The gravy turned out fine :)

Wednesday, February 23

Eating my lightsaber.  Actually it's a flashlight for the car at night so I can see what's going on.  But a lightsaber sounds waaaaay cooler than a nightlight!

Have you ever had one of those days?  I did today.  I set my alarm for 4:30, thinking I would sleep in an hour since Aaron has today off.  That's sleeping in for me during the week.  I remember the alarm going off and wondering why the heck I'd set the alarm since Aaron gets up with Duncan on Saturdays.  You'll notice it's Wednesday.  So I smacked the snooze button until 5:18 am (much to Aaron's chagrin) and then finally realized I still had to go to work.  Not the best way to start my day.  

I did, however, remember to take the turkey breast out of the fridge to defrost.  I didn't remember my cell phone.  I managed to make it to work in the proper number of pieces and survive the day.  Thank goodness for coffee.

My friend Erin loaned me her camera (which I now want) to take pictures of Duncan for the "Most Beautiful Eyes" contest that is happening at a local baby fair.  So I had fun this afternoon taking pictures of Duncan :)

Let's see...the past 2 weeks not much has happened.  No new teeth - the 2 he has are growing well.  Duncan loves to eat.  This week he's eating peas.  On Saturday or Sunday we'll start applesauce.  I'm pretty excited - his high chair arrived today.  Now we can eat dinner at the table all together!  It's great.  

I also discovered something.  Regular readers know I frequently lose the cord to connect the camera to the computer.  When Erin loaned me her camera I asked if a cord was needed to download the pictures.  She said, "Nope, you just pop out the card stick it in the reader on your computer.  Your laptop should have a slot for it."  At that moment I realized I never needed the cord to download pictures...Oops.  

I'm taking a knitting class to learn how to knit mittens.  It's on Monday evenings and has been fun.  They're going to offer a class for knitting a cardigan next & I'm tempted to take it so I can learn how to seam better.


I have also become addicted to Carmen Sandiego on Facebook.  Dangerous.  But it takes me back to my slightly younger years and playing it during Mrs. Fraley's class in 6th grade or Mr. King's class in 8th grade or during my TA time.  Love it!!!

This is the picture I submitted

Hanging out in my high chair

Contemplating eating the strap

Seriously??  More pictures?

Dad has Skittles.  Why don't I have Skittles?

I get a Skittle?

bored now

Forget Skittles.  I have fingers!

 

First Super Bowl!

Daddy & Duncan resting

I must have my book!

I can feed myself :)

You can't see me!!!!

Today Duncan gets to "watch" his first Super Bowl.  It's amusing - Nunkie's team is Green Bay, Daddy's team is the Steelers.  Not sure which way he'll go.  But that's okay.  It's a bit early to indoctrinate him in football.  At least I think so.

We've had a quiet couple of weeks.  No doctor appointments or anything!  :)  

Duncan has been eating solid foods for about a month now.  So far, we've had rice cereal, carrots and bananas.  Apparently bananas are his favorite.  Unfortunately for me.  I absolutely detest bananas.  The smell, the taste, the texture.  Everything.  YUCKY!!!  Hopefully he'll like peas (next week's new food) as much!  We're making all his food so we know what's in in.  It's actually a lot easier than we expected.  

There isn't much else to post.  Duncan is almost 8 months old!  and cute as a bug in a rug.  

Oh yeah...Mighty D now has the absolute foulest flatulence on the planet.  We have no clue why.  But DANG!!!


Anyone want to come visit???

Cord Found!

Good news!  I found the cord to the camera.  It was put away.  No wonder I couldn't find it :)

Mighty D has been eating solid food for a couple weeks now.  He tried carrots for the first time today.  Aaron said he thought it was weird but we'll try again tomorrow.
And now, pictures....

2 TEETH!!

 

attempting to take a picture with a baby, a toddler, a 10-year-old & their Grandma

Yes, I took a picture of the graham crackers with frosting

Grandma & Duncan

Thomas, Grandma & Duncan

Adam holding Duncan

Cousins!

I'm eating.  Why are you taking my picture?

Spoon Auntie Carly brought back from Scotland

Mmmmm.  Blankie.

He fell asleep with the burp rag in his mouth.  Silly boy.

This is how Duncan gave me my birthday present :)

Happy Birthday to me!!

Yes, I know I haven't posted in a while.  Yes, I had several complaints today which I tried to ignore but figured I should appease the populous.  I had no clue how many people were affected by this little blog. (that should be in sarcasm font, by the way)

Today is my birthday.  The first one where I got kisses and snuggles from my son.  Wow.  It was a wonderful day.  

Aaron took the 6 am feeding so I got to sleep in until 9 am :)  Duncan gave me a Starbucks card which was just what I wanted!  Aaron got me Amazon bucks so I bought some CD's and books and am a very happy camper.  

We then went to pick up the cupcakes I'd ordered - 24 mini cupcakes.  Vanilla cake with chocolate frosting.  Very yummy.  Christina at http://www.celebrationssweetboutique.com/ also gave me a tub (literally) of delicious cherry frosting for my graham crackers.  My grandma used to make graham crackers and cherry frosting for dessert whenever we stayed at her house so that was a very special treat :)

Then we went to the Olive Garden for lunch.  They finally built one somewhat close to our house so it was really fun to go to.  It might be too close...

Then back home to trade baby stuff and eat cupcakes!!!  

Aaron then went off to work and Duncan and I have been hanging out the rest of the day.  He took a nice long nap so I could get the bottles washed, books downloaded and started.  

Prior to today...Duncan had 4 appointments the first week of the month.  His eye doctor said if she didn't know his medical history she wouldn't have suspected there was anything wrong with him :)

He had his 6 month check and also passed that.  Or, rather, he took his shots rather well.  Then off to the endocrinologist.  Also good news.  Per his blood tests his meds are all at good levels so we go back in 2 months.

Then we went to his developmental screening.  This is a routine screening for NICU graduates.  He did very well on his small motor skills but was a bit behind on his large motor skills.  We have exercises to do with him now and he's already improved a lot.

Other than that, Aaron & I are cruising.  We're planning Duncan's first trip to watch the Mariners in June.

I'll add pictures in a separate post because, once again, I have misplaced the camera cord.

Duncan's First Christmas (part 2)

 

 

And his first New Year.  

Yes, I know it's been a while since I've updated the blog.  But it was a busy holiday!  

We had our Christmas exchange with my sorority on the 21st.  My secret sister gave Duncan a stuffed Grinch and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".  Duncan loves his new toy!

We celebrated Christmas with Nunkie Gabe on the 24th & Mighty D got a Snoopy dog.  Also very cute and well loved!  We had delicious Olive Garden - yes, their number is programmed in my phone for the once a month treat and I love their to go option.  Big portions and super convenient.  We read the Christmas Story and then went to bed early.

Christmas morning we all slept in and had a quiet family morning.  Duncan chose excellent presents for his parents.  Aaron received a new golf jacket.  I received a gift card to my favorite knitting website (www.knitpicks.com) and Aero bars.  Very good choices!


Aaron & I found a sit-to-stand toy for Duncan.  It has a steering wheel that talks and is removable for the sit portion.  It then attaches to a bike-type frame that can be a rocking horse-bike and then converts to a wheel around bike.  Hopefully it lasts!


Christmas afternoon we went to celebrate with the Conrads and my Mom over in Post Falls.  It was very fun.  Thomas and Adam were very excited to show us what they got from Santa.  Then we opened our family presents.  Each year the 5 of us (or however many adults will be at the festivities) and buy only for that person.  Joe drew my name & I got gift cards to knitpicks and Amazon :)  Perfect!!!  Mom had Aaron's name and he got a Millennium Falcon that flies.  It's pretty cool.  I had Mom's name and got her a coat & shawl and knitted her a hat & scarf to co-ordinate.  Aaron had Mary and he gave her an Amazon gift card.  It was very fun.

Duncan got all sorts of fun things.  He has been playing and using them for the past week!  Lots of fun.


We all then retired (?) to the family room to break in the new WII.  After creating Mii's for all of us, Thomas, Aaron, Joe & I went bowling.  I lost.  But I had the first strike!  Then Thomas & I played baseball & tied.  


Dinner was scrumptious.  Prime rib.  Delicious meaty goodness.  I am so glad I can eat rare meat again!!  Duncan pretty much checked out after that so we headed home.  It was a great first Christmas!

We braved the day-after Christmas sales to see if there was anything we needed to stock up on.  I found cute ribbon at half price and some stuff that will work great as gifts :)  


On Monday we all did nothing.  I'm not even sure showers were taken.  It was a pajama day.  Then back to work for 3 whole days.


Our friend Stephanie came over on New Year's Eve.  She brought pizza and we hung out and chatted and caught up.  It was lovely!  


The rest of the weekend was quiet.  


Tonight, Duncan had his first taste of cereal!  I'm making his food so it was brown rice cereal.  I discovered we need a better chopper/grinder.  Fortunately there is one on sale at Costco that should work beautifully.  But it was pretty easy and definitely smelled better than the stuff out of the box!  Duncan wasn't too sure about it.  I think he thought we were poisoning him.  See video.  He ate about 10 bites which is really good for the first food :)  We'll keep him on just rice for a week or so and then add in something next week.  Maybe sweet potatoes.  I need to stock up on some supplies...New ice cube trays and lots of freezer bags.  And maybe a really big stockpot.  


Hopefully there will be enough pictures to keep people happy for a bit :)

First tries for solid food

Are you sure this isn't poison?

Hmm..

I have lots of toys.  But now, I love my bottle.  I can squish it and it makes noise!

SNOOPY!

Trying to get a picture of Grandma and her boys.  Adam took the opportunity to "borrow" Duncan's pacifier.

Mom's scarf & hat

This is how you beep the horn, right?

Aaron's Christmas present - solar panels

Feeding himself

Momma's helper