Ian's First Christmas

Making memories,
Beginning our own holiday traditions,
Creating, giving, savoring,
Singing, worshiping,
Thankful.

Our year of firsts with Ian.  His first Christmas, our first holiday without power.
Our goal for this family and Christmas is to not get caught up in the rat race of holiday shopping, huge gift giving and overspending.  We want to celebrate Christmas for the birth of Christ and give to others at the same time.

We are keeping our own gift giving small and meaningful and home made if possible.

We didn't make it to the Christmas Eve service at church this year because of the power outage and cold temperatures.  We did enjoy Christmas music and have dinner by candlelight.  We also opened a traditional "shoe" present from the wooden dutch clogs on the stairs.

Ian enjoyed his gifts and wrapping paper more than I thought he would at such a young age.

Our power came back on Christmas morning after being out for 36 hours.  We were so thankful.  It was a nice gift and allowed us some time to relax and enjoy each others company while Ian napped.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

We are officially on Christmas break and I can't wait to spend the week enjoying time with my family.  For anyone who didn't get a card this year, I am really sorry, I didn't have enough printed.  Maybe I will be more prepared for the holidays next year. 

Here is what it looked like.  We think he is pretty cute.

 

Merry Christmas!

7 Months

Ian is seven months old and is loving the holiday season.  Mostly, because that has meant more time with mommy and lots of new things to look at and taste.

He is a great eater.  He loves spinach, carrots, squash, sweet potato, and any fruit.  He still doesn't have any teeth, but sports a pretty sweet old man grin when he is being silly.

Ian sits up on his own with only the occasional crash.  He wants to be on the move so badly, but can't quite figure out how to go forward.  He rolls quickly and easily and reaches for anything that catches his eye.  He makes diaper changing seem like an Olympic sport.

He has really found his voice and is working on different sounds and volumes.  He loves to shriek, giggle and say "dadadada".  He still loves Gauge and now tries to grab him any chance he gets.

He started swimming lessons in November.  He is a great sport with the cold and the noise at the pool and even seems to enjoy going under.  He also experienced his first snow this weekend.  He looked pretty cute bundled up in his snow gear, but he wasn't really sure what to think.

We are looking forward to Ian's first Christmas and many more firsts to follow with this sweet, chubby boy!





 

Six Months

I have been a mom for half of a year.  Ian is six months old today.  Along with many other firsts, he has his first illness.  Luckily he seems to be dealing pretty well with it, acting like himself and his fever is staying down.  Though I don't like to see my little man not feeling well, I am savoring this snugly, quiet day.

At six months, he now enjoys being on his belly, though he uses this as an escape at bedtime, rolling against the side of the crib and crying to be rescued.  He usually smiles, talks or giggles when we arrive to help him.  He drools constantly and puts everything in his mouth, though he does not yet have any teeth.  He can almost sit up without help, but prefers to be on his feet.  He LOVES his jumper!  He recently started eating food.  He is a huge fan of food (in case there was any doubt)!

Ian is the happiest baby.  He is quick to flash a smile at almost anyone and he loves to giggle.  He and Gauge are best buddies and Gauge is the lucky one who gets most of Ian's best belly laughs.

He is so chubby and giggly that we just couldn't resist dressing him up as the Pillsbury dough boy for Halloween.  He was the cutest dough boy that I have ever seen!

Like his parents, he loves being outside!  He even enjoys the bike trailer these days.
Recently, he enjoyed a warm November day watching his daddy work on the roof.

We love this chubby, silly boy from his head to his toes!  Happy six months Ian!

Five Months!

Everything in my mouth!

"Hi mom!"

He is a little distractible like his mommy.

Ian is five months old this weekend.  He has done so many things already and is always such a trooper. This weekend, we travelled to Waterville to watch Greg race in his first cycle cross race.  It was a lot of fun and we met some great people.  Even a four month old little boy who will likely be Ian's competition when they are older.  Both daddies are already talking balance bikes for Christmas (first birthday would probably be more practical).

Bundled up watching Daddy race

"Go Daddy!"

We also visited the local apple orchard and pumpkin patch.  Mostly for some cute fall photos.

Looking at my feet

Really, more pictures?

Ian has really found his voice.  He enjoys giggling and screeching and can make some two syllable sounds.  He loves to stand up, but still is not a huge fan of belly time or rolling, even though it is fairly easy for him at this point.

Gauge is never too far behind

Mid screech

Talking on the floor

He just started eating baby cereal and a little bit of avocado.  He is a big fan of food!

Overall, he is such a happy boy.  He is happy to flash a wide smile at almost anybody.  We are beyond blessed to be his parents.  Happy five months Ian!

Fall

Despite having a pretty nasty cold, we have been trying to enjoy the fall weather.

Still no teeth, but lots of drool!

I found my feet!

My feet are so much fun!

Ian just loves being outside!

4 Months!

Ian is four months old this week.  Where has the time gone?!  He is a happy little camper who gives a wide smile to almost everyone he meets.

He giggles at himself frequently and is beginning to giggle socially.  He seems to enjoy going to daycare and is imitating some of the sounds that his buddy Ellie makes.  His newest is screeching.  He thinks it is hysterical.  Greg says that Ian must take after me because he has always been quiet and mellow. 

Ellie (L) and Ian (R) at daycare.

Ian wants to put everything in his mouth and is already teething.  Its seems that because of this, my previous sleep through the night boy has given up night time sleeping.  Between that and a very busy start to the school year, I am exhausted.  I am hoping that every tooth doesn't bring the same amount of fussiness.

 

Ian loves bath time and walks in the stroller.  He still doesn't love belly time, though he can roll over both from belly to back and back to belly.  He is a little lazy about rolling and would much rather just kick his legs.  He is already keeping us on our toes and making us laugh every day.  We just adore this sweet boy.

3 Months!

My sweet baby boy is three months old today!  It is so hard to believe how quickly time passes.  Ian has grown and changed so much in these few short months.  He is such a happy boy, smiling and chatting all the time.  He is particularly chatty with Greg in the evenings and has just begun to giggle.  So Cute!

This is how he feels about the horses already

He has recently discovered his fingers and toes and is beginning to pull things to his mouth.  He continues to detest belly time, but loves bath time and kickin' it on his floor mat.

He sleeps through the night and catnaps throughout the day.  He LOVES to eat.

He is beginning to actually pay attention to books and notices so much that is going on around him, sometimes giggling at things.  It is so fun to watch him grow but it is happening so fast!

Happy 3 months little Ian.  We love you!

Camping

Ian went on his first camping trip and stayed in a hotel for the first time this week.  It was a combination vacation, birthday and anniversary trip.  It was also Ian's first time running, biking and eating at a restaurant.

Hanging in the hammock

 

We camped for two nights in Little River State Park in Vt.  It is a great park to visit and is pretty central if you want to hike, canoe, kayak, fish, explore small towns and visit the city.

Ready for bed

 

We explored some small towns and walked around Burlinton on our first day there.  We visited North Beach and the Burlington Recreation Path.  It is really a pretty cool little city with lots to do and see.

Looking at the trees with Daddy

 

I liked running!

We otherwise hung out at the campground.  Ian loved looking at the trees and swinging in the hammock.  He went for his first few runs while at the campground and really seemed to like it!  Overall, he was a great little camper.


Before our quick ride....I hated it!

Waterfall

Lounging at the hotel

On our last day, we explored the Stowe area, attempted to ride on the recreation path, but opted to walk it, had dinner at a restaurant and went out for ice cream for my birthday.

Back to reality, we are home!

It was a very long trip home with stop and go traffic.  NOT fun with a baby who likes to move.  We had so much fun camping, but are glad to be home.