4 Months Already

I really can't believe that Derek has been with us now for 4 months and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Crazy how time is continuing to fly by. So, what has happened over the past few weeks?

1. We have thoroughly enjoyed the weather...although it is starting to get quite a bit cooler for our morning walks.

2. We almost found a new family for Fletch but at the last minute, I just couldn't do it. We decided that even though he can cause me some added work (with his exercise requirements, etc), we love our furry friend too much. I felt like the part in Marley and Me when they give their dog away for a little bit but realized after he wasn't there anymore, that they wanted him back. Absence I guess makes the heart grow fonder...

3. We have been battling a nasty stomach virus this past week. It started with Todd, then Derek, then me. Pretty sad when you see your little baby having the dry heaves...I know that must not have felt good. But, we are all good now and ready to eat lots of yummy food for Thanksgiving

4. We have enjoyed watching Derek getting bigger and bigger. He's our little "Banana Baby"- long and lean but boy does he like to eat. He has started to roll over...changing diapers is a new adventure. Every moment he gets, he wants to flip to his belly. Anyways, here are some new pictures...

He loves his Sophie giraffe

Best friends

Fletch usually won't go inside after our walks until Derek is inside...how cute

Our furry child

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