THANK YOU Uncle David!

Uncle David used one of his many talents to make a swing set for Phin. It was ready last fall but we didn't get a chance to get it up here from the farm before it got cold outside. When Grandma Susie came to visit on her birthday weekend, she brought the swing set along and we got it all set up!

Grandma Susie and I stained and sealed the bench swing while Phin was napping.





Daddy worked hard to get the swing set put together.


After fetching, Maggie decided to relax.


Phin got the FIRST try on the swing!

Phin's new swing!

Happy Birthday Grandma Susie!

Phin wanted in on Grandma's Fiesta Birthday Picture!


How nice that Daddy was willing to share his fiesta hat with Phin!

Grandma and Mommy had our hats too!

Inside

The Grandparents Allen!!!

Dan was very excited to ride Grandmother Allen's bike (after Great Grandpa Allen rode it.) Phin did NOT ride the bike - although he did pose for a picture or two...


Dan also showed Phin a little about safety with the helmet!


Phin also posed with the musical frogs (with Daddy's help.)


We also got a new (4) generation picture of the Allen/Routier family.

Phin's Din

Grandma Allen fed Phin his squash!

Ya, so I used to groom dogs...

and I thought, it can't be THAT much harder to cut boy hair. Right?
So, I watched Dan get his last haircut and then last night while Grandmother Allen played with Phin, Mommy went after Daddy's hairs like he was a naughty little Mini Schnauzer. For the first time ever, it went okay. I am sure it'll take less time and less mirror checks by daddy in the future. I tell you, it's a BLAST being a member of this family. Phin gets fish oil squeezed into his mouth (via a dropper) daily and now, daddy get's "home haircuts"! Woohoo!

Sunday Night Family Fun!

Manatee from The Greats!

Great Grandma & Grandpa brought back some toys for Phin from Florida. So far, I have only given Phin access to one - the Manatee. Phin likes to play with it in his tot walker. As you can see, he kinda loves the Manatee...

He's growing up too fast!

Today was his first try at the cell phone. I don't know who he's gonna call. Maybe his grandma? Needless to say, I didn't let him at my phone...



And then the food. He's STILL not a big fan of carrots. I think it's because they're not spiced up like we usually do in this house... Then again, it may be the consistency of the carrots. Who knows. I am SURE he'll let me know exactly what his problem is when he starts talking.




He is saying some things now. First was Dadadadada. He also does Ba, and maybe Duh. And of course, squeals galore!

SIX

Today, I woman guessed how old my baby was. Her guess was 10months. I told her, my baby is six months old today. I then came home and straightened his closet. I took all of his newborn, 3 month, 6 month and 9 month clothes and put them into a storage saver bag. It took an XXL bag that is full to the top!
It’s been interesting because this month, Phin’s friend “Mayah” was born. She is currently about the size Phin was when he was born. The last time we visited the family, we saw Mayah’s little tiny baby feet peek out from her blanket. It was breath taking – not only because they are Mayah’s feet… but also because just six months ago Phin’s feet looked just like that. HOW is it possible that in just six months time Phin has moved from newborn clothing to 12 month clothing? HOW is that possible?
Over the last month, I have truly enjoyed watching Phin grow – mentally. In the last four weeks, he has started rolling over from tummy to back. Now, he still refuses to go back to his tummy but we hope that will change in time. ☺ There are other things though. Phin is very interested in food. He knows where his food comes from and he’s gone to “self serve” mode which is funny because I remember how it was an hour long battle (in the beginning) to get twenty minutes of feeding out of him. I remember one morning after my mom had left I was unable to wake Phin up to eat. He was physically fine (breathing etc), but he was simply not interested in waking up to eat. The doctor had told us that he should eat every three hours and so I was beside myself with what I should do. I called my mom in TEARS asking her what I should do. She was scared he was unresponsiveness or not breathing when I said I couldn’t wake him up – but after she understood the problem she assured me that it was fine and when my baby was hungry, he would let me know. She was, of course, right. But, I digress. Phin’s new obsession with food is actually with Daddy’s food. Phin watches it in Daddy’s hand or on Daddy’s fork and then it goes to Daddy’s mouth and then it disappears! I watch the confusion on his face over and over as this disappearing food/drink happens. He has also started to notice things. Looking over my shoulder as we walk down the hall – watching Maggie walking behind us…
Everyone who watches this blog has seen his rocking on his standing machine…
Yesterday was a great day. It was in the upper 60’s, lower 70’s and it was Phin’s first day to spend some time outside. I showed him how we get the mail. We looked at our yard and also we sat on the deck. We sat on steps that were in the shade and he even took the initiative to lay on his belly on the deck to feel the wood. I let him do it until I noticed that his clothes were getting DIRTY and I immediately picked him up and brushed him off. Daddy says “Let him be a boy” and I will! But right now, he’s still a BABY!
And this, this was Phin’s big 6month surprise: Great Grandpa and Grandma came to visit! See the pictures and video below.

Dear Mommy:

I was so happy with myself that I didn't get your chest cold!
But, uh, I think it started last night and then continued on yesterday and now...
well, I have it.
:(
I am continually coughing up half of a lung!
The good news is that I have a great haircut AND I got to see you!
I'm not mad, but I am also not going to be able to go to the gym tomorrow.
The good news there is that I will have the weekend to recuperate! (yay)

Oh, also Dan is going to leave to save the world tomorrow morning.
The particulars involve the ice/snow in South Missouri (call me on the phone tomorrow to learn more.) Oh, and about that, I think my phone is freezing out in the van at the moment.

One more thing!
We bought Phin clothes yesterday. We went to the outlet mall with a 20% your entire purchase to our favorite kids store. Just imagine: a lot of un-purchased inventory at HUGE discounts; a baby who has grown out of tons of his clothing; a hand made spreadsheet of each piece of clothing he has (from Auntie) (and in what size it is) AND a Mommy who is planning ahead into the 2T, 3T & 4T's... and the final verdict is 25 pieces (some of those pieces are actually SETS, like "shirt & overalls") and a bottom line "savings" of $470.00 Almost every single piece I bought was around four dollars and some change and Phin is pretty much set for years!

Okay, now for some sleep and some lactation approved cough syrup.
I'll add pictures of the new clothes and jammies as soon as I get a moment.

Oh, and don't worry about me. Grandmother Allen said that if I get too run down while Phin's Daddy is away - she will come take care of us both. I mean, I expect that I will be okay - just tired and coughing and stuff - but it's good to know that Gma Allen is there is I need her (just like you are!)

XOXO!
Phin's mama.

Mother Allen Helps!

We were going to fix a dress for a little baby girl and then make a diaper bag. However, it just didn't work out that way. I was uninspired by the diaper bag and the dress is for an older child, and so, I started cutting and getting ready to make "Grocery Dog" for Phin.
I could not have done it without Grandmother Allen.
As a matter of fact, I will probably never try such a project again. It was quite advanced.

Into the evening, Dan popped up some popcorn (THANK YOU Grandpa and Gma Routier) and he was nice enough to share with everyone (except Phin!!!)

Dan stayed out of the way while we pinned and stitched.

Doesn't it look like Grandmother Allen is sneezing popcorn! What a HOOT!

And this is grocery dog - not quite finished. WE have an appointment set to finish it up. Then, Phin can sit in the cart at the grocery store and I won't have to stress out over the germs as we shop!

Tuesday

This morning Phin spent some time in his baby jail (pack-n-play) and I saw him trying to do a 1/2 roll. I didn't flip it over but, it looks like he's on his way!




This is just a picture of happy baby in his blue doggie suit.




...and the half smile is special for Grandma Susie! He knows how cute she thinks it is!

MOTHER ALLEN HELP!!!!

Here is what I have.
I am stuck on #3.
Call me!

Grandmother Allen and David

Phin got a couple visitors today! Phin got held and bounced and had blues songs "The Baby Blues" sang to him.
Grandmother Allen also helped me construct the ETHAN sign on the wall.

I still have some holes in the picture frame to fill...

and I need to paint ETHAN as it's currently just primed.

On the way to the farm!

Phin is wearing his 2008 Beijing Olympics onesie that Uncle Thomas got him. It looks great with his fleece bear outfit. We want Phin to be comfortable on the long drive to Grandma Susie's farm.

A great weekend =

GRANDMA'S HOUSE!!!
We (grandma) made cookies and everyone did icing.


Phin watched from his Johnny Jump UP!

This style was a booger!

Thank you Grandmother Allen for the phone call help with the pattern.
Between the pattern and the material... I think I am done with this style!!!
But, I thought you may want to see how it turned out.
:)

While baby sleeps, mama works!

See, when I was a little girl my Aunt Virginia made us clothes. (you can see an example below in the baby pictures I posted - the blue outfits that my brother and sister are wearing were made by Virginia.) We kinda hated the clothes she made because the material was hot and itchy and stiff and it seemed like she was measuring us every day and holding material up to us etc.
Well, while I hated it as a child, as an adult I think it's awesome that she was able and willing to sew for us. Then, when I was in middle school, my mom made my sister and me dresses that we wore to school and church. All of this to say that as my family before me showed - as a mother, I should be able to rock the sewing machine. So, while I am no Martha Stewart (yet), I am SUPER PROUD of what I made my baby! (Thanks for the lesson Grandmother Allen!)

I look forward to making more sleep sacks (grow bags per G-MA Susie) for baby Phin for when he grows out of the ones Grandma Susie got for him. Who knows what else I may be able to learn to make the boy!

(note the mittens where his hands can be enclosed or I can pull them out!

NEXT, stitching the MATCHING HAT!

The plan!

The plan was that Grandmother Allen would hold the baby while Mama cleaned the house!

What happened was a sewing class!

Grandma Allen was pinning and talking,


Phin was sleeping and mama was learning.


(This picture cracked me up because Gma Allen couldn't get Phin to burp, so instead, she put up a mountain of spit cloths to catch his volcano burp/spit.)