Little Pumpkin

We've gotten into a nice routine around here. Getting up for work and daycare at 6, coming home, time with family, then to bed around 9. So far, so good.

Today, we had our first non-Badger game Saturday, and we're making the most of it. I bought a large pumpkin last week, and with Felix watching, hollowed it out. I put Felix in some of his Halloween clothes, then put him in the pumpkin for some pictures. It was either too chilly out, or too uncomfortable being in the pumpkin (I wouldn't know - I've never been in one), but I didn't get the smiles I was hoping for. I did get a few cute ones, though.

Felix has also developed a fascination with the letter G. He will go on 30 second spurts of saying "goo-ah" over and over, changing it slightly each time. It won't be long before he's a talker! Here's a clip of it:

Felix: 3 mos

Infant at Last!

It’s a sign of how busy we’ve become that I haven’t posted a blog update in a few weeks. And what weeks they were! Since the last posting, I have returned to work. That first Monday back was rough – leaving Felix at day care and returning to the drudgery of my job. Felix was fine, apparently, with being left. I, however, needed three tissues and a mini-3 Musketeers bar to get me through the drive to work. It’s gotten easier, though, especially because they’re doing such a great job with him.

As of Monday, Felix is 3 months old and officially an infant! He's come quite a long way since he was born. Now, he's generally a happy little man, full of smiles (especially if you make a ridiculously goofy smile at him first) and coos. He's got a full range of "oo" sounds: goo, boo, woo, even aaaoo. I'd just once before the month's over like to get a "boo" after I ask what does a ghost say? :o) He is a pro at tummy time now, too, and I've noticed recently that he's starting to figure those hands of his out - looking at something and moving his arm to see if he can touch it. He's also going through another growth spurt, so he's eating lots and sleeping less in the past few days, which make for a very tired Mama. His 3-6 month clothes are ready and waiting for him, though!

We also took our first long car trip and overnight with Felix, and overall, it was a success. Last weekend, Nick’s cousin Ben got married in GB. On the way up, Felix was alert and looking around the first half hour or so, then slept the rest of the way up. He was pretty good during the ceremony (though I did have to get up almost immediately and start walking around to keep him from making too much noise). We took him to the reception, but they allowed smoking in the building, so I didn’t stay after dinner. Sunday morning, a few relatives on Vicky’s side came over to meet Felix over breakfast. On the way back to Madison, we stopped in Oshkosh to introduce Felix to my uncle Brian and family. Slowly, very slowly, we’re making our way through the families. :o) We’re hoping to get more people at Thanksgiving, because we’re planning on doing small family Christmases in Madison this year.

Congratulations!! to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Lori in New Jersey, who had my brand new cousin (more importantly, their first child) on this past weekend. Welcome, Eric, and we can't wait to meet you!

Felix: 3 mos

10 Weeks

Time keeps going forward, which means he's getting older and I'm getting closer to having to go back to work. I've got two weeks now to get used to the idea of Felix spending all day with strangers, while they get to watch him do more and get more interesting. Frankly, I'm jealous. But unfortunately, we can't have me off work much longer. And my brain could use the stimulation.
Yesterday, we took Felix to his first Badger game! If it wasn't for the sun and the fact that he gets hungry every 1.5-2 hours, we would have stayed longer than the first half. He seemed very intrigued by all the bright colors (well, red and white) and sounds. We're already looking forward to when we can take him for a whole game, like next year.

Felix: 10 wks

Two Whole Months

Tomorrow, Felix turns two months old! Goodness, the time has flown. Today, he had his two-month doctor check up. He had his first series of shots - three needles and one oral. I guess the first week's heel sticks were much more traumatic, because he handled it pretty well. Turned bright red and screamed for about ten seconds, then quieted down immediately when I picked him up afterward. He's getting bigger, climbing up the growth chart - getting closer to the 25th percentile!

His development is really progressing. He can hold his head up continuously during tummy time, even looking straight ahead with his head at a 90 degree angle. He's smiling and cooing more, and he's following things with his eyes. He already has a favorite animal among those along his changing table - the smiling monkey. This afternoon, Felix smiled at the monkey. :o) He also is eating like a champ, which means he's going to grow bigger soon, if he can keep any of it in his tummy. (Still spitting up like a champ, too).

Everybody thinks he's adorable, a Gerber baby, and we heartily agree. Now, if we can only find an agent and make a buck off him. ;o)

Felix: 8 wks

Nicknames

After a mere 8 weeks of life, Felix has acquired quite a few nicknames:

Catman or The Cat (several people)
Mr. ____pants or Man (Cara and Nick)
Buddy (Cara and Nick)
Chief (Nick)
Cheese(man) (Cara)
Fe-Rex, a Dilophosaurus [spitting dino] (Cassie)
Doc (Grandpa Kienert)
Lucky (Grandma Kienert)
And still, occasionally, Wiggle (Cara)

Eight weeks. Wow! The time seems to have flown. He's getting bigger, sleeping better through the night (about 3 hours at a stretch), cooing and smiling more often. He's also staying awake more during the day (though with more gas-induced fussiness, I think).

Saturday, Felix attended his first Badger tailgate! The late start time didn't make it worthwhile to try taking him into the game (especially because he usually gets fussy in the early evening). Maybe we'll try to get in a quarter or two in one of the coming games.

Nick and I took him for a hike today at our favorite hiking spot, Indian Lake County Park. Nick got to wear him in the carrier, and it wasn't very long before Felix was lulled to sleep. It was nice to get out into nature on such a beautiful Labor Day, though! We hope you had a great one as well!!

Felix: 8 wks

Seven Weeks

Felix is seven weeks old today! He's already grown quite a bit, and he's getting more and more interesting. We bought a baby gym for him, and he really seems to enjoy it. Put him on his back on it, and all of a sudden, he's looking around at everything, smiling and cooing. Of course, keep him on it too long, and he becomes Mr. Grumpypants.

Today, I took Felix for his first "hike." It was such a beautiful day, so the two of us drove up to Parfrey's Glen Natural Area just outside of Devil's Lake S.P. Alas, he slept all the way up and during the hike. He did, however, let me know he was not thrilled about being confined in his car seat on the way home. :o) He's been a sleepy boy today, overall, though. That probably doesn't bode well for tonight...

Felix: 7 wks

Milestones

Today is a big day! Felix has officially outgrown his newborn clothing and graduated into 0-3 month clothing. Also, he made his first tentative smiles at us this morning. Hooray!! Now we're just a step closer to his being a baby model and us making a buck off him. :o)

He's up to about 9 pounds now (despite all the spit-up), and getting bigger seemingly every day. He's also spending more time awake, which is both fun and time-consuming. His neck is getting much stronger - holding it upright from his tummy for 10+ seconds at a time. This past Saturday, he had his first Packers game, and we got some nice family pictures in our Packers jerseys.

Felix: 5 wks