Our Little Pumpkin

I really can't believe November is tomorrow. That is just too crazy and time is flying by. Derek is getting bigger by the day and I couldn't NOT dress him up this Halloween. He was the cutest, fluffiest pumpkin. He wore his little outfit 3 times: 1 for our Church Halloween party, another for a playgroup that I go to, and a third for Todd's work. He actually didn't fuss one bit while wearing the costume. Here are just a few pictures of our little pumpkin

It's raining, it's pouring...

It's been raining all day today. I actually don't mind the occasional down pour and considering it hasn't rained here in a while, it's good for the plants. And, normally, having a little cold with stormy weather would be a delightful excuse to curl up on the couch and rest the day away. That goes out the window with a baby and a dog who loves to be outside. Dog + wet outside = muddy dog. Not in the mood to tackle that one today. Hopefully it stops enough later this afternoon to take Fletch on a good walk. It would be good for all of us.

This is about how we are all feeling right now...

Going...

Going...

Gone

Recovering

Sick Days

Well, Todd, Derek, and I all managed to get a pretty bad chest cold this weekend and we are not loving it one bit. Lots of saline squirts and bulb syringing Derek's little nose...poor baby. On a more positive note, here are some recent pictures of our little one...Can you believe he is almost 3 months?!

If he could, his whole fist would be in his mouth

A little bonding with the dog

Lounging in the highchair

2 month check

Derek had his 2 month check up the other week and he is a growing boy! These are his most recent stats:

Weight: 12 lbs 2 oz
Height: 23 1/2 inches
Head circumference: 41 cm

He is changing every day and I can't believe that in just a couple of weeks he will be 3 months old! How time flies

Pictures, pictures, and more pictures...

Ready for pictures?! Derek is doing great and growing fast! Let's see, his favorite things are baths, diaper changes (weird cause he hated them as a newborn-I think he likes to be naked and he likes to move his legs like carzy), eating, sleeping, and rocking in the swing. Todd's parents came to visit about a week ago and they met Derek for the first time. We had a great time and we all loved getting to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Folkman! So, let the pictures begin...



My good friend took these beautiful pictures of Derek when he was just a few days old. She did a fantastic job and I am so grateful for all her hard work. If you are in need of a wonderful and talented photographer, I HIGHLY recommend!!! Thank you Erica Kirby photography!

Found him sleeping like this the other day. Arms up and ready to go!

Like Father, like son

Derek recently started to smile a lot more. It is so fun to watch our little man going from a newborn to baby. He laughed in his sleep the other day and it was adorable.

Our little shaker and mover found his way to the bottom of the crib. Actually, he does this a lot. We find him in the morning either plastered to the side or the bottom of the crib with his little arms and legs poking through his "jail."

Always in search of his thumb, sometimes he's successful

Sometimes, he's not...

Nap time

He loves bath time

And he loves sleeping in our bed in the morning

Where did the past 6 weeks go? I can't believe Derek is going to be 6 weeks tomorrow. He is growing like a weed and is adjusting to his new life outside of my belly. He's a wonderful baby that loves to do baby things...eat, sleep, cry, etc, etc. Derek has a little bout of reflex which he is zantac for (seems to be helping a little). But, he doesn't like to lay flat on his back because of that. So, lots of baby carrying and tummy time for the little man. And, he likes to eat ALL THE TIME so hopefully he'll be even more rolly polly here pretty soon...

So, I am now a fan of "baby wearing." I got this wrap (Moby baby wrap) and although it takes some getting used to initially to tie it up, it is fantastic. Derek loves it and I love that my hands are free. I rotate between this and the bjorn to get any kind of cooking or house cleaning done. Highly recommend!

Enjoying some sun with Dad

He starts like this...

And ends like this...(actually he's flipped over to his back a few times from his belly). He's our little "Shaker and Mover."

Bright eyes

One of his favorite positions. Laying on his belly, a little inclined on the boppy, and legs squished underneath him.

The back view

1 month photo op. He looks thrilled

The past 2 weeks

Derek is officially 2 weeks old today and he is growing day by day. He is such a good baby that loves to sleep, be held, eat, etc, etc. All the things a new baby loves to do. He has a good set of lungs that seem to really get a workout with diaper changing (really only when the wipes are used). It has been such a blessing to have my Mom here the past 2 weeks and sadly she left today :(. She is the master at swaddling, baby holding, diaper changing, baby burping, cooking, shopping with me, cleaning, sewing, crafting, etc. She is just an awesome Mom and Grandma and Todd, Fletch, Derek, and I are all sad to see her go. Fletch really fell in love with my Mom and in fact, I think he listened better to her then he did to Todd or me. Anyways, it is really fun to see our family growing and here are some pictures of the past 2 weeks..

Fletch was everywhere my Mom was

Amy and her family came and visited for a couple of days

Nap time

Derek tanning

Yes, he has found his thumb! Too funny

He got his very first bath today and he loved it

Grandma and baby Derek