Dadadadadada

Gage has uttered his first word: Dada...dadadadadada! He doesn't know what it means but he sure likes to say it. And we love to hear it! (Now if he could just say "Mama"...)

We're having a...

...BABY! :)

Today was my very most favorite of all pre-natal appointments: the 20 week ultrasound! Once again (to everyone's dismay) we are waiting to find out the sex until he/she is here! I think it is truly one of the best surprises there could be. Thankfully our Baby #2 is developing perfectly. Once again I cried for the first 10 minutes. It is such a miracle to witness this amazing creation growing inside of you. Thank you Lord for such a blessing!

Here is our little miracle #2:

(Pardon the poor quality, my scanner is not hooked up right now. But you get the idea!) I have a feeling we're going to have another long-legged baby...

Daddy Did It

We have had some difficult feedings for the past few days...Poor Gage will take his bottle then start crying and push it away. Sometimes. So I have been puzzled because he shows no signs of illness or discomfort otherwise. Is he overtired and just worked up in the evenings? Is he teething again? Is it his ears? So I am on a mission today to find out, starting with his bottles. I have a hunch that he is ready for a "fast-flow" nipple. I am hoping it is as easy as that!

Last night, we were dealing with a tired, crying boy who we thought was more than ready for his bottle (but would soon find out he wouldn't take it). So Craig and I worked together to quickly get his jammies on. This morning when I changed his diaper this is what I found:

I was in charge of the upper half.

Look At What My Hubby Brought Home

Just because...


Aren't I lucky?

Weekend Recap

I just have to share about our great weekend! Craig told me early last week that he was going to need to spend the weekend working on school stuff so I wasn't really looking forward to it. But at the last minute I decided that Gage and I would go to Cedar Falls for a day trip on Saturday. I thought we could get out of Craig's hair and then he would be extra motivated to get a lot done while he had the chance. So Gage and I visited GrandMary and then met Aunt Holly and Will at the College Hill Arts Festival. Anyway, long story short, we had a fun day in Cedar Falls and Craig had a productive day at home.

Then on Sunday we were able to enjoy our day together as a family. We took a walk through Brookside Park. I always think that Craig and I have our best talks on our walks! (Too bad he doesn't like to do it more often...) Gage slept in his stroller and Craig and I talked about our future, vacations, having two kids so close in age...fun stuff! Then we went out to eat at West Towne Pub where we could sit outside in the beautiful weather. What a fun weekend - I am so easy to please!

Just Funny

Everything stops when the beloved high chair tray mat falls to the floor. And there will be no more eating until it is replaced.

Bouncy Seat Update

**UPDATE to the Update**: A few days after this post I turned my back for a second and when I turned around Gage was reaching for something so far that his head was nearly touching the table and the whole thing was about to topple over! I have never moved so fast in my life. Thus, the bouncy seat has permanently retired. :(

As I've written many times before, we LOVE our bouncy seat and the fact that Gage STILL loves it! There are times even now when he is discontent anywhere else but there. So it struck me funny this week when he has been sitting up in the bouncy seat. It is becoming more and more apparent that he is growing up!

Splish Splash

Gage had his first pool experience this week! Our friends Kristin and her little girl Natalie invited us over for a "splash". Gage was unsure at first, just like in the tub, but eventually he became more comfortable and released his tight grip on his toy and started to splash. I am sure the more he gets used to it the more he will love it!

Gage and Mommy( 's Hair)

Gage is becoming quite the "feeler"... He loves to touch and hold things while he takes his bottle. Usually it's the burp cloth that he holds and brings up over his eyes. Sometimes it's my face. Yesterday morning it was my hair. It is sweet how gently he played with it, like he knew not to pull. Watch the video and enjoy him with me! (And notice how he examines his hand later on, something that has been cracking us up for awhile now. I'm so glad we caught it on video!)

6 Month Photos

We took Gage to a new place yesterday to have his 6 month photos taken...Portrait Innovations in Des Moines. We have been hearing good things from people so we thought we'd give it a try. It was a great experience! It helped that Gage was in a very good mood so he smiled big! I'm glad I went in with a few ideas of my own too. I knew I wanted some "just diaper" shots and poses with him holding his toes/feet. Our photographer was very good with him and was very patient with us as we made our decisions! Here are a few of my favorites:

A Smart Boy

What a smart boy we have - that's what Dr. Swanson says! I just love when we go in for Gage's check-ups and our sweet Dr. Swanson tells us that. This time he was impressed by Gage's sturdy sitting posture. Last time, at 4 months, he was impressed by Gage's laughing abilities. Although he probably tells all of his patient's moms that, I will believe we have a very smart boy!

Surprisingly he only weighed 17lbs. 13 oz. putting him in the 50th percentile of babies his age, BUT where he lacks in weight he definitely makes up for in length! He is 28 in. long and in the 90th percentile for height! Taking after Daddy already...actually he has since birth!

Daddy and Gage

Sweet...and Sour!

I just love my intuitive husband! :) Last night he came home and while he was holding Gage and we were talking at the kitchen table, he said, "Does he need to get out of the house?" YES! And so do I!! So out to dinner we went. We realized that Okoboji Grill is a good place to go since all the tvs kept Gage occupied...until our food came of course!

As we were finishing up I did something that even surprised myself...I gave Gage a lemon to chew on! Amazingly he actually liked it!

4th of July, Plan B

It is a bummer when your plans don't work out the way you had hoped... Like when it rains on the 4th of July! Holly and Will came this year intending to go to the free pancake breakfast, 4th of July parade, carnival, etc., all outdoor activities! So when the rain just wouldn't stop we were all disappointed. Thankfully we have a new bowling alley and games center just down the street so that became our Plan B! We had fun making fools of ourselves (well, I should speak for myself!)!

Gage was content watching from here, chewing on the car seat strap.

Craig was the big winner with a score that I can't remember but it was past 100! And Holly came in not too far behind. My score wasn't too much better than 5 year old Will's!

I usually make these bars every year in my effort to be patriotic. Craig snuck a bite while my back was turned before I could get a picture!

By evening the rain was gone so we could have some fun outside and watch the fireworks. Gage was snug in his crib and missed out, but didn't know the difference!

Happy 1/2 Birthday Baby Boy!

Dear Gage,

You are such a lucky boy...your half birthday is on the 4th of July! Someday we'll be able to tell you the fireworks are just for you.

I cannot believe you are halfway to a year! It is so fun to watch you grow and change. Every month there are so many new things to report. This is how you have grown over the past month:

- You have 2 bottom teeth! No wonder you were going through such a hard time a month ago...your little toofers were on their way! We knew you were working on one and then not long after we felt another one right next to it! Now they are both here and your troubles are over...for now anyway!

- You can sit up! Over the past month you have been getting better and better at sitting up on your own. You still need the boppy pillow for support sometimes. You are so cute!

- You are eating solid foods now! You are such a good eater. You like everything you have tried so far: sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and bananas. Eating is quite a messy occasion and you like to chew on the washcloth after I clean you up.

What a face! This was taken in the very beginning when you weren't too sure about it...

Some of your favorite things:

- The Jumperoo! We were so blessed to have been given this amazingly fun thing for you! You could jump all day if I let you. The other day you even fell asleep jumping in it! Your head started drooping and as soon as I picked you up you laid your head on my shoulder and you were out!

- SteveSongs "Marvelous Day" cd - as soon as you hear the first song your face lights up and you smile so big!

- "Peek-a-Boo I Love You" book - this is by far your favorite book! You giggle as we lift the flaps and say, "peek-a-boo!" I am amazed that you can have a favorite book, and cd, already.

- The Rainforest Activity Center that plays music when you hit the hanging ball and has the butterflies you like to pull down and chew on!

- Grabbing hair...
...and noses!
You are such a sweet, cuddly boy! I love it when you cuddle with me. I am the lucky one and get most of the cuddles these days...daddy is patiently waiting for his turn. :)

You are our precious gift, sweet Gage, and we thank God for you everyday! Happy half birthday!
Loving you always,

Mommy