So we've been watching James like a hawk every time he's on his activity mat because he's been soooo close to rolling over from his back to his belly...wouldn't you know it, as Jim just falls asleep on the couch and I'm reaching for the camera -- HE DOES IT! I saw the last half of the roll and got the last 5 frames or so (if you watch the clip in slow-mo) caught on camera...little stinker almost got away with it :-) He's kept up with being early on the movements as he was about 2 months early on the belly-to-back roll and now about 2 months early on the back-to-belly roll. We've got a bunch of video of him rock'n'rollin from side to side but only the super little bit of him rolling over. We're so proud of him!!!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Checkin' out the Park
On Monday, James and I ran some errands (which is code for shopping for Father's Day at undisclosed stores in case Dad reads this blog before the big day) and then we stopped by this park. I think this is the 2nd summer it's been open and I've been wanting to stop and check it out since the renovations but hadn't yet gotten my lazy bum to make that right hand turn off the main road (I've actually been somewhat afraid that it doesn't have a parking lot or something and that they would yell at me for driving back there bc you can't see the parking lot from the street). Anyway, IT LOOKS LIKE SO MUCH FUN! I cannot wait until James is big enough to go on the barn play equipment (OK, you caught me, until I can go on there with him) and they have a spray area next to it for the hot summer days. The spray area only works from 12-6pm though -- Jimmy said I "should write my Congressman" to get it working earlier in the day bc I was thinking in the summer it should be available at 10am since it can get so hot and people could take their kiddos before nap time (and it would still be green bc it times out every 10 minutes or so and you have to re-start it so they wouldn't be wasting H2O). I don't think I need to go that far though and will just make sure we remember the times and take out towels with us when we go! There is a nice walking path that goes around a pond that has catch-and-release fishing and it also has an amphitheater which they use in the summer time to show movies outdoors for free.
SEE! HOW FUN DOES THIS LOOK!?!?!
James is still kickin' it (haha, literally) on his playmat nightly (I put him down there to hopefully kick himself tired before his bottle and bed). This week he has started to play with both hands equally at his midline (a motor milestone, good job James) and he has started to put everything he holds into his mouth (another milestone, they're going so quickly)! The giraffe's feet often get a nice bath during play time but James has started to play with the leaves that hang at the bottom too -- here he managed to get his whole foot through the ring -- maybe he wanted an anklet? He actually got the ring off the arch last night and was just kicking away still.
We've had fun looking at the milestones he should be doing and checking them off the list -- this kid is a motor genius in our eyes as he has managed to check off almost all of his 3 month milestones and even a few from the 4- and 5-month lists :-) I love this stuff -- it totally fascinates me and was one of my favorite classes that I TA'ed for at U of I. I love how each kid develops at his/her own rate and then they pretty much all even out when they're older.
SEE! HOW FUN DOES THIS LOOK!?!?!
James is still kickin' it (haha, literally) on his playmat nightly (I put him down there to hopefully kick himself tired before his bottle and bed). This week he has started to play with both hands equally at his midline (a motor milestone, good job James) and he has started to put everything he holds into his mouth (another milestone, they're going so quickly)! The giraffe's feet often get a nice bath during play time but James has started to play with the leaves that hang at the bottom too -- here he managed to get his whole foot through the ring -- maybe he wanted an anklet? He actually got the ring off the arch last night and was just kicking away still.We've had fun looking at the milestones he should be doing and checking them off the list -- this kid is a motor genius in our eyes as he has managed to check off almost all of his 3 month milestones and even a few from the 4- and 5-month lists :-) I love this stuff -- it totally fascinates me and was one of my favorite classes that I TA'ed for at U of I. I love how each kid develops at his/her own rate and then they pretty much all even out when they're older.Checked off: he's a spit-bubble master, batting at objects, grasping objects with both hands at his midline, tracking objects as they move across his body, rolling from belly to back, holding head up during assisted sitting, holding weight on legs when assisted standing, talking back to me when I ask him a question (I swear he is about to bust out an "I love you Mommy" anytime now), knowing when mom and dad are in the room, smiling back and coo-ing, sucking the heck out of his hands (almost gets both of them in his mouth at the same time), moves feet/legs in a crawling motion and can actually move across the floor doing this (w/o use of his arms) -- I'm sure there are more that I'm missing.
Still working on: turning head towards loud noises (doesn't happen regularly), holding head up at 90 degrees when on belly (he hates tummy time, so hard to know if he can do this) and I'm sure there are more I'm missing.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Gold Stars of Congratulations to...
MY BABY SISTER IS GETTIN' HITCHED!!! Congratulations to Cassie and B.Rosie on their engagement this weekend :-D We are sooo excited to welcome Brian to the family -- he's good people!
The Ring -- nice work Brian!
Also, Congratulations to the Lee Family (expecting Baby Numero Tres in November) and the Campbell Family (expecting Baby Campbell #2 in January)! Can't wait to have more little friends for JamesE :-)
The Happy Couple (not an engagement pic but one I had from vacation will have to do)
The Ring -- nice work Brian!
Also, Congratulations to the Lee Family (expecting Baby Numero Tres in November) and the Campbell Family (expecting Baby Campbell #2 in January)! Can't wait to have more little friends for JamesE :-)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Black Thumb
So yesterday I believe I mentioned how much I despise gardening? Here is some photographic evidence that only exemplifies why I should not be the one in charge of things that grow in the ground (I've also killed a cactus-relative, how do you do that?!?!).
The lonely rose that bloomed on the rose bush just outside our front porch -- I guess I kept it alive and pretty through 2 winters, 3 would have been asking a lot! I wish there were only hastas and peonies in our yard, I seem to be able to keep them live (although I believe they are pretty darn tough to kill off).
These are the lovely roses in the backyard along the fence -- an area I just let grow wild (the woman that lived here before us was an avid gardener -- is there a term for that? hmm -- and it seems like she has the whole flippin' border of the house flowered up... I can't keep up)! There are 5-6 separate rose bushes (light pink, magenta and light purple-ish in color, very pretty) out back that are vivaciously thriving -- I'm convinced it's because I leave them alone and only cut them back when I start getting pricked when I mow the lawn :-)
Off my gardening rant now: here are some pictures from last week that I haven't posted yet and I love them! Jimmy and James on James' 13th week "birthday" night.
Our properly covered fishy out of water with his first bath time mohawk :-) Look at that full tummy and he's almost got 3 full leg rolls (at least when he's all squished up in the tub)!
The lonely rose that bloomed on the rose bush just outside our front porch -- I guess I kept it alive and pretty through 2 winters, 3 would have been asking a lot! I wish there were only hastas and peonies in our yard, I seem to be able to keep them live (although I believe they are pretty darn tough to kill off).
These are the lovely roses in the backyard along the fence -- an area I just let grow wild (the woman that lived here before us was an avid gardener -- is there a term for that? hmm -- and it seems like she has the whole flippin' border of the house flowered up... I can't keep up)! There are 5-6 separate rose bushes (light pink, magenta and light purple-ish in color, very pretty) out back that are vivaciously thriving -- I'm convinced it's because I leave them alone and only cut them back when I start getting pricked when I mow the lawn :-)Off my gardening rant now: here are some pictures from last week that I haven't posted yet and I love them! Jimmy and James on James' 13th week "birthday" night.
Our properly covered fishy out of water with his first bath time mohawk :-) Look at that full tummy and he's almost got 3 full leg rolls (at least when he's all squished up in the tub)!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Three Months Old
Our 3 month photo shoot out on the sunroom -- I can't believe our little boy is getting so BIG so quickly!!! A review of some of James' accomplishments the past 3 months: smiles, talking, kicking, a laugh or two (which surprised him as much as us), grasping some toys, punching, roll from belly to back, recognizes Mom and Dad, sleeping through the night (thank goodness), putting his hands together in front of him...he's almost got his roll from back to belly (sooo close, he just gets caught up on his arm)...I'm sure I'm forgetting some accomplishments as he's done so much...and there are more milestones to hit coming up soon, we can't wait!!!
James is also finally bigger than the teddy bear GG got him! His legs are still a little bent in this picture, so he definitely took over the bear.
We did a lot of different things today...he was in quite a mood this morning and threw off our daily routine w/ his crabbiness but we got it together a little after noon and enjoyed our day. We went on a walk w/ Easton to try and calm James down (it worked) and he took a short nap while I pulled some weeds out front (I forgot how much I dislike gardening and miss having being pregnant as an excuse to not have to keep up with it). We also took a blanket out back onto the hill and played for a bit out there. Easton was doing his own thing - rolling in the grass and being funny - then he heard James talking and he came over to play with us and lie with his brother.
What a pretty puppy dog! We love Easton :-D
James and Mommy playing outside -- it was so pretty outside, no humidity and a nice, gentle breeze.
Deep in thought playing with his hands.
His face has changed so much! The top and bottom pictures below are from the day he turned one month old, the picture in the middle is from the day he turned three months old...almost doesn't look like the same little boy! His coloring has really changed, but I think he looks more pale in the 3 month picture because of the sun washing him out and the others were in a bedroom without natural light.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Talking My Ear Off
During his happy times of the day (and while not eating), James "talks" my ear off! He has a lot to say too! I've translated the Gerber talk somewhat to know that "uh-goo" means he's in a good mood and that he, of course, agrees with me on whatever topic we are discussing. He'll respond to my talking with him and get really excited. It's amazing to watch him practice using his mouth and lips to form sounds (they come from so deep down and take so much energy and focus to get out, it's crazy) and know that one day he'll figure it out. I am just waiting for him to bust out with "Hey, Mom, how's it goin?" I swear, he's going to skip the "Dada"s and "bah"s and just go to complete sentences with the looks on his face when he's talking it up! Above is a video of him talking to me this morning. He was chatting me up and kind of clammed up once the camera out (I think he is distracted by the red light it makes when it is focusing), so this is the best I could get today to post -- enjoy! :-D
Summer Vacation 2009
We spent last week in Indiana on vacation, so I have lots of blogging to catch up on! I took a ton of pictures, so I just put them all in a slideshow and captioned them up to update faster (I have to economize as I never know how long James will be napping for at any one time). He's actually napping on the sunroom in the Boppy swing right now (yeah, finally) and took about a 45 minute nap IN HIS CRIB (unheard of) earlier today (unfortunately, I only got to go through mail and eat lunch in that time, but at least it was productive). I was planning on blogging when I was at my parents house, but I got caught up reading a book, "Bitter is the New Black" by Jen Lancaster -- friggin' hilarious stuff here people! Jim would often make fun of me because I would just randomly just start laughing out loud when reading :-D I can't wait to read her other books -- her 3rd one came out just a couple weeks ago and has people rolling I guess, woo hoo for good, witty books! Thanks Laura for letting me borrow it!
Saturday :: we went down to Indy and Kasey and Toni came to meet James. Kasey took lots of pictures with her fancy dancy camera -- I'm so excited to see them! She has some real talent there and just clicked away -- even when we were down in the basement hiding because the tornado sirens went off -- such dedication!
Sunday :: I have no idea what we did, but I know Kristen and Larry came over to help get all the food in order for our trip (there's a reason we're not twigs people).
Monday: Jen and Kennedy came for a visit. James practiced sitting in Kay's bebe chair - he did well, just a little lean to the left -- looks like I will have to pull ours out of the box so he can practice sitting up! Kennedy shared her mommy better this time around, but I don't think she's ready to be a big sister just yet:-) Easton went to doggie day care to get evaluated prior to his stay (he did well, whew, and they were happy to let him be kennelled there for the week).
Tuesday :: we packed up and drove down to Eckerty, IN (20 minutes from French Lick, home of Larry Bird, yo). We were staying at a cabin on Patoka Lake, which is a HUGE lake patrolled by the US Army Corp for our first family vacation since Kris and I have been married and the first with James! We got there and after unpacking headed to the pool while GG and Pops got dinner ready and hung out w/ James (the water was a little chilly for him still and he's too little for the swim trunks I bought him). Jimmy and my mom put James on his belly on his activity mat and he was crawling! He really hates tummy time I tell ya! We made him do it again as he was screaming because I wanted to see it (so cool) -- he didn't use his arms (he's not strong enough to push himself up yet) but had his feet in the proper position and was pushing off and then switching legs -- he is gonna be a movin' here soon, I'm sure, I better get my running shoes out)! Then he was too pissed to eat...whoops, should have just waited but I spend so much time with him I get upset when I miss "new" things he does and wanted to see for myself...and he settled down in under 3 minutes, so it's not like he withered away while upset.
Wednesday :: Jim, GG, Pops, James and myself went to the French Lick Winery for some taste testing (James slept through the testing part). They didn't do "tours" but had an observation window (no one was working), so we just enjoyed the tasting and got ourselves 3 bottles to bring home (French Lick Red was sooo good)! Then we drove over to the West Baden Hotel so Mom and I could go in and see the renovations they've done. Back in the day it was a hot spot for travelers because they had mineral springs there -- it was sold to Jesuits after the Depression, then was closed for 70 years...I think they've spent something in excess of $330 million in renovations -- it looks great. The dome inside is one of, if not the, biggest in the world (that's what I heard one of the people reading an information sign inside say at least). I got the family to play Loaded Questions that night (thank you Eddie and Jamie for introducing us to the game) and then GG and Pops babysat as the rest of us hit the casino for a couple hours.
Thursday :: more rain during the day so we didn't get to golf (which was the only thing Jimmy really wanted to do during the week, sorry babe). Dad, Kristen, Larry and Maddie stayed back at the cabin w/ James as the rest of us went back to the casino to get out of the house for awhile. Mom was the big winner -- from $3.02 to $50.37 on one hand of video poker -- must be the "grandma" luck that runs on my side of the family (my grandmother used to call all the time cheering "BINGO BINGO BINGO" on the phone) -- I can't wait to be a grandma if that gene keeps on going! My dad also found that James really loves when he says "Hot Dawwwg" to him...so we only heard it about 4,573 more times that weekend, but the smile he got as a response was well worth it (I tried telling my dad he had to put a nickle in James' college fund each time the rest of us had to hear him say it, hehe, he's so cute w/ James, I love my Dad). It dried out and the boys got a nice campfire going - so I took James down there for another "first." He was down there less than 10 minutes before he got mad (I'm guessing because of the hat I kept pushing down on his head) but it was enough to get some pictures and let him check out the cool colors of the fire.
Friday :: packed up and headed back to my parents hizzouse. Us Montalbano's hung out with Pops for the night as GG had to go to work (Coldplay concert).
Saturday :: we hung out at the 'rents house while waiting patiently to leave for the Rascal Flatts concert. Pops and Aunt Cassie tag-teamed the babysitting gig while Jimmy and I went on a date to the concert :-) Darius Rucker (aka "Hootie") opened for the band and was fantastic...he did some of the stuff off his new CD (also has a #1 country song) and did some of his Hootie and the Blowfish songs (I was uber excited about that, I love Hootie; I was very concerned though that he needed to buy out the Blowfish to have the rights to the songs, but Jim assured me he probably wrote most of the songs and all would be well). We had tickets to the Green Room (A/C and free drinks) for the beginning of the show -- CONFIRMED: I am most likely allergic to alcohol (so sad) as I had 6 sips of a Coors Light and my face turned bright red and my lips got tingly...I'm guessing this is another pregnancy-related change to my body (although other family members are effected by this condition too). Rascal Flatts put on a great show, just like last year and we really enjoyed the night out -- Thanks for the tickets and the free bebe-sitting!
Sunday :: we packed up and headed back home to "relax" from vacation -- we were so tired when we got home, it was crazy! I guess I was up late after the concert because I had to stay up to pump, but I didn't think I would be that tired, geez! An awesome sight when we got home: our neighbor's 13-year old son was mowing our lawn as a surprise! SO AWESOME! I need to think of something to get him to say Thanks (am open to suggestions - please Comment to this post if you have any - I thought maybe a good letter to his Boy Scouts leader and something to go with it-- I'm sure they need that to get to be an Eagle Scout). James actually "grasped" his chime on his activity mat tonight and was playing with it -- may be able to bust out the blankies and toys now that involve him holding them -- I guess the "3 months +" deciding people for babies toys were right on (he'll be 3 months old on Wednesday).
Today :: back to the grind of feeding James, showering, playing, feeding James, nap, feeding James, playing, changing his diaper and oh yeah, did I mention feeding James? I think this lil' man has been going through his 3 month growth spurt for about the last week as he's wanted to nurse all the time and has been napping a lot (although usually only if someone is holding him --note: he's still asleep in the swing now, woo hoo, good nap Bug)!
We look forward this week to a visit from Gma Chele and going bridesmaid dress shopping for Jen K. and Dominic's wedding!
Saturday :: we went down to Indy and Kasey and Toni came to meet James. Kasey took lots of pictures with her fancy dancy camera -- I'm so excited to see them! She has some real talent there and just clicked away -- even when we were down in the basement hiding because the tornado sirens went off -- such dedication!
Sunday :: I have no idea what we did, but I know Kristen and Larry came over to help get all the food in order for our trip (there's a reason we're not twigs people).
Monday: Jen and Kennedy came for a visit. James practiced sitting in Kay's bebe chair - he did well, just a little lean to the left -- looks like I will have to pull ours out of the box so he can practice sitting up! Kennedy shared her mommy better this time around, but I don't think she's ready to be a big sister just yet:-) Easton went to doggie day care to get evaluated prior to his stay (he did well, whew, and they were happy to let him be kennelled there for the week).
Tuesday :: we packed up and drove down to Eckerty, IN (20 minutes from French Lick, home of Larry Bird, yo). We were staying at a cabin on Patoka Lake, which is a HUGE lake patrolled by the US Army Corp for our first family vacation since Kris and I have been married and the first with James! We got there and after unpacking headed to the pool while GG and Pops got dinner ready and hung out w/ James (the water was a little chilly for him still and he's too little for the swim trunks I bought him). Jimmy and my mom put James on his belly on his activity mat and he was crawling! He really hates tummy time I tell ya! We made him do it again as he was screaming because I wanted to see it (so cool) -- he didn't use his arms (he's not strong enough to push himself up yet) but had his feet in the proper position and was pushing off and then switching legs -- he is gonna be a movin' here soon, I'm sure, I better get my running shoes out)! Then he was too pissed to eat...whoops, should have just waited but I spend so much time with him I get upset when I miss "new" things he does and wanted to see for myself...and he settled down in under 3 minutes, so it's not like he withered away while upset.
Wednesday :: Jim, GG, Pops, James and myself went to the French Lick Winery for some taste testing (James slept through the testing part). They didn't do "tours" but had an observation window (no one was working), so we just enjoyed the tasting and got ourselves 3 bottles to bring home (French Lick Red was sooo good)! Then we drove over to the West Baden Hotel so Mom and I could go in and see the renovations they've done. Back in the day it was a hot spot for travelers because they had mineral springs there -- it was sold to Jesuits after the Depression, then was closed for 70 years...I think they've spent something in excess of $330 million in renovations -- it looks great. The dome inside is one of, if not the, biggest in the world (that's what I heard one of the people reading an information sign inside say at least). I got the family to play Loaded Questions that night (thank you Eddie and Jamie for introducing us to the game) and then GG and Pops babysat as the rest of us hit the casino for a couple hours.
Thursday :: more rain during the day so we didn't get to golf (which was the only thing Jimmy really wanted to do during the week, sorry babe). Dad, Kristen, Larry and Maddie stayed back at the cabin w/ James as the rest of us went back to the casino to get out of the house for awhile. Mom was the big winner -- from $3.02 to $50.37 on one hand of video poker -- must be the "grandma" luck that runs on my side of the family (my grandmother used to call all the time cheering "BINGO BINGO BINGO" on the phone) -- I can't wait to be a grandma if that gene keeps on going! My dad also found that James really loves when he says "Hot Dawwwg" to him...so we only heard it about 4,573 more times that weekend, but the smile he got as a response was well worth it (I tried telling my dad he had to put a nickle in James' college fund each time the rest of us had to hear him say it, hehe, he's so cute w/ James, I love my Dad). It dried out and the boys got a nice campfire going - so I took James down there for another "first." He was down there less than 10 minutes before he got mad (I'm guessing because of the hat I kept pushing down on his head) but it was enough to get some pictures and let him check out the cool colors of the fire.
Friday :: packed up and headed back to my parents hizzouse. Us Montalbano's hung out with Pops for the night as GG had to go to work (Coldplay concert).
Saturday :: we hung out at the 'rents house while waiting patiently to leave for the Rascal Flatts concert. Pops and Aunt Cassie tag-teamed the babysitting gig while Jimmy and I went on a date to the concert :-) Darius Rucker (aka "Hootie") opened for the band and was fantastic...he did some of the stuff off his new CD (also has a #1 country song) and did some of his Hootie and the Blowfish songs (I was uber excited about that, I love Hootie; I was very concerned though that he needed to buy out the Blowfish to have the rights to the songs, but Jim assured me he probably wrote most of the songs and all would be well). We had tickets to the Green Room (A/C and free drinks) for the beginning of the show -- CONFIRMED: I am most likely allergic to alcohol (so sad) as I had 6 sips of a Coors Light and my face turned bright red and my lips got tingly...I'm guessing this is another pregnancy-related change to my body (although other family members are effected by this condition too). Rascal Flatts put on a great show, just like last year and we really enjoyed the night out -- Thanks for the tickets and the free bebe-sitting!
Sunday :: we packed up and headed back home to "relax" from vacation -- we were so tired when we got home, it was crazy! I guess I was up late after the concert because I had to stay up to pump, but I didn't think I would be that tired, geez! An awesome sight when we got home: our neighbor's 13-year old son was mowing our lawn as a surprise! SO AWESOME! I need to think of something to get him to say Thanks (am open to suggestions - please Comment to this post if you have any - I thought maybe a good letter to his Boy Scouts leader and something to go with it-- I'm sure they need that to get to be an Eagle Scout). James actually "grasped" his chime on his activity mat tonight and was playing with it -- may be able to bust out the blankies and toys now that involve him holding them -- I guess the "3 months +" deciding people for babies toys were right on (he'll be 3 months old on Wednesday).
Today :: back to the grind of feeding James, showering, playing, feeding James, nap, feeding James, playing, changing his diaper and oh yeah, did I mention feeding James? I think this lil' man has been going through his 3 month growth spurt for about the last week as he's wanted to nurse all the time and has been napping a lot (although usually only if someone is holding him --note: he's still asleep in the swing now, woo hoo, good nap Bug)!
We look forward this week to a visit from Gma Chele and going bridesmaid dress shopping for Jen K. and Dominic's wedding!
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