65 degrees today!~

Since it was warm and since my baby is growing so quickly, I decided that TODAY was the day. Since it was "warmer" out, I put Phin's overall shorts on him. He will never be able to wear them again, but see, when I bought them, he was a newborn. I was looking at the shorts and thinking that nine months from his birthday would be MAY which would be a fine time to start wearing overall shorts...








Somehow, this pose reminds me of Conan OBrien!

I am making an effort to update today.

It's just been a busy few days.
We cooked at Church on Saturday night.
Sunday and Monday and Tuesday we had people in and out of the house - along with my regular duties of keeping the house running smoothly...

Today, this afternoon, I will start going through pictures and get some new stuff up.
Check late tonight or maybe in the morning!

Phin's new walker

It's not actually NEW, it's from Cousin Given and Auntie Annan - but it's Phin's first time to use it. He's actually very good as scooting backwards and I believe that in time, he'll start moving forward too!

STILL NOT a fan.

I really think most of them ended up on his bib...

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!

Phin's second sweater from Great Great Grandma.

I love this sweater too. (Under it is a shirt from Auntie Nicki. You can see the shirt in the carrot eating video.)


This face looks like ME!

Phin's first food!

organic carrots - made by Mama...

Phin's last swing...

My baby has decided that he's too big and strong and wayy to smart to use the baby swing anymore. It seems he finds it boring.
He would rather be rolling on the floor or standing in his exer-saucer.

So, here are a couple of videos of Phin's last swing. In the second video, you will notice he's reaching out and holding on to the standing leg of the swing. This is his news thing. He stops the swing with his holding on - and if you listen, you can also hear the motor's strain under the weight of the baby.
:)

My sweet boy.

He's growing up too fast and I am trying to keep these little things - like seeing his sweet sleepy face in my arms - committed to memory so I can keep them forever.

Who would have known?

Dan's GREAT GREAT GRANDMA sat and knitted sweaters for Dan to wear when he was a little boy. I am sure the never though that thirty some odd years later, those same sweaters would be gracing the shoulder of his son. I am so happy and excited to have such cute and warm clothes for Phin to finish off the winter in.
This is the first sweater he has worn. But, more to come!



These are just a couple pictures of me and my baby. Thank you Daddy for taking a picture or two!

What a Sunday!

Phin is becoming so aware of his surroundings. It's really quite amazing to see.
Today, Dan went to Home Depot to get supplies for the new kitchen faucet he was installing. Phin was in his exer-saucer. All of a sudden, the baby noticed the hydrangea and wanted to get a fist full. He started lunging forward and grabbing out to get the branch.




Later tonight, Daddy and I started making sugar cookies for Daddy's work. Phin was alseep and we didn't finish the cookies until the early hours of the morning... But here is a look at the fruits of our labor!

Dadada

Thank you Grandparents Routier!

Phin is the Grandpa's Partner in Crime!

Roll Over!

Phin's last play with this toy.

This toy was good while it lasted.
Phin liked looking up at the toys and reaching for them - but then he started this rolling thing and the arches started to get in his way with his rolling play.
SO, today is the last day for this toy. It will go back into storage for later... but for now, Phin is on to bigger and better things!

Swinging baby

I spy Phin

Thank you Grandparents Routier!

The faces of Phin

Today was the day...

I took a picture of him this morning - looking cute in his little outfit.

Then later in the day, he was playing on the floor as I worked on dinner.
I looked at him and what did I see?
Belly time?
Very carefully, I grabbed my camera and grabbed a shot and what did he do?

He tried it hide it away - like the baby bullhead we created!

But once he knew I knew, we went back to his belly to play for a bit.

The petz

Maggie loves her sleep - and we love her.
Phin has figured out that Maggie licks. He very much enjoys the licks on his hands... and his feet and he even seems to be happy with licks on his face. I, however, am NOT happy with the licks on his face.
It's really not that bad yet - but I fear it will get worse as Phiin starts to become mobile. It will be harder for me to micro manage Maggie. Fun times in Mommy-hood!


China has been a problem lately. A couple of weeks ago, she was in the kitty hospital for four days - as she had lost 1/4 of her body weight and a LOT of hair. They found that she had a tapeworm (from eating insects they believe) and constipation from hair in her bowels and she's been on daily laxatives since. (what fun for me who gets to administer said laxatives!)
Well, she's gained weight back. However, two days ago I found that she's had MORE HAIR LOSS! I was beside myself and since it was the weekend, I went into major research mode on the internet. She is too young to have Cushings disease. Upon further research, I found that WHAT I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE is: Asparagus Fern. You see, the asparagus fern is TOXIC to dogs, CATS and horses. I have had that fern for years but only this winter put it in a location that the cat had access to it. I did notice that she kept chewing the crap out of it - but didn't put it all together until this weekend. Said fern is now wayyy out of her reach (and will possibly go to the trash soon) and hopefully Kitty will be feeling much better soon!

Happy Saturday!

Sometimes, Phin is easy to see...



But, sometimes it's tricky!


He was sleeping on the sofa while I sat by him. Note how he's blockaded into the safe!

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.

...and my baby sleeps

This is new, bigger magic blanket. It's all fleece, so it holds a static electricity charge pretty bad.. but it's still fun and colorful and gives him warmth and something of interests when he wakes up. It's not quite finished, but with just five minutes of stitching, it'll be perfect! (just like him)

These are stills

That I took the other day when Phin was playing.
I am still sick so I have not had the extra energy to be grabbing up the camera when we are playing - or when I do, to go through and edit the pictures.

This particular picture makes me laugh. Phin is so very relaxed and happy. This is an evil looking face - but this little boy is anything but evil!

I know I keep saying it over and over again - but this kid is HUGE! I just can't believe how big he is. As you can see, he often sees what he wants and goes for it. He has been doing other things that I find interesting too. Often, Dan is holding him while Dan is eating. I like to watch - because - Phin sees the food and sees it move to Dan's mouth and then he looks confused because it's - GONE! He watches this over and over with Dan - confused each time as the food disappears.


These two are just two happy baby pictures - of my happy baby boy!

Floor Playtime

THE Boyz

I missed him more than words can describe.

Dan left Friday morning - early - to help those in South Missouri who had lost power due to the ice storm. Thursday, I had felt an "itch" in my throat and thought I must be coming down with what my mom had a week earlier. Well, I was right on one account...

With Daddy gone, Friday I felt worse and worse. I didn't venture out to the gym in the morning and really didn't feel like eating the whole day. I did have some dinner and before I knew it, not only was my whole respiratory system flipping out along with my sinuses. I shortly realized that not only did I have a cold, I also had a very nasty flu.

Something you may not know about me is that one of the things I hate most is - to throw up. Most of the times I have thrown up in the last, say, five years have been due to food poisoning. The first time since Dan and I have been together was while we were engaged. We had eaten at a pizza place in my home town (which soon thereafter went out of business) and had plans later that night to go to a 4th of July display near Columbia (Daddy Bill's). Dan tried to hold my hair back for me as I lost every bit of liquid from my body. Little did he know that I need to be alone with my vomit - so I yelled at him to leave the bathroom and I was miserable on my own.
Another time, we were at a movie. I believe it was a X-Men. The theater was spinning and I was trying to keep up with the story line. When I got home, it was vomit city and Dan knew to let me be.

So, this is how we ended up to a house full of a sick Mommy and a little baby boy. Daddy was off to help other people and this time, Mommy really needed help too. I spent Friday night sleeping on the bathroom floor and then moving to the kitchen to fill up my water glass. My body was reverberating in pain with each breath and simply drinking water was a chore that sometimes took half an hour to accomplish. Lucky for me, my little boy came through like a champ - sleeping the whole night through like everything is right with the world.

I knew, however, that I NEEDED help.

I thought through the list of people I could call. The family with a brand new baby of their own and one less adult in the house - no. Families who had older children - but most possibly not the equipment it would take to care for a 5 month old. Another lady I know who would probably watch him - but I didn't have her number and I didn't want to impose on her with her already full house of children. I prayed that my first (and perhaps only) choice was available. I did an Internet search (thank you facebook) for Mike's number and emailed him at something like 4am - seeing if they were in town and available to take Phin for me.

Now, you have got to understand. Phin has never actually be away from me for more than - maybe - two hours. I take that back. He's been alone with both Grandmas for hours before... but certainly no one outside of the family. So, for me to leave him with anyone tells us two things: A) I was certainly very ill & B) I trust Mike and Melissa in a way that I don't trust most people. I trust Mike and Melissa with the most precious gift I have ever been given.

Mike and Melissa kept Phin all day and until 1am this morning when Daddy got back from South Missouri and we drove over to get our boy. They said he was easy and happy and didn't eat much. He was a happy like super star and everyone did just fine. Well, everyone but me. While sweating with a fever and being dehydrated I missed my baby so much that I came to trusty ole hyphin and looked at pictures of his smiling face.




I missed him more than words can describe. Which "him" - both of them actually. I am glad that Daddy is so involved with helping those who need it right now. I am happy that Phin was able to stay a whole day (something like 17 hours) with trusted family friends and be okay. But man, I missed both of my guys!

I guess, at the end of the day, I am happy that my health is returning - but mostly, I am happy everyone is back, under the same roof. Superbowl Sunday? For me, it's Thanksgiving!


(and to add insult to injury, this is what Maggie was trying to do while I was so sick!)