Watching the World Cup

Hi everyone,
I have been watching the World Cup looking for my Uncle Mike and Aunt Melinda on TV. We are sad the US lost today. Here I am watching the game.
Hope all is well - off to Gymboree with Mommy.
Love, Sean

Update: Six month doctor visit

Hi everyone,

Well, I had to go to the doctor yesterday. I had my six-month visit. I weighed in at 16 pounds 2 ounces - 7.34kg (20%) and I am a very tall boy, 28.75 inches (96%). I had to get four shots again, but I did very well. I only cried for a minute, but then I complained for quite some time. I still went to Grandma's house yesterday.

I thought I would send you some pictures. Please note this one where I tried out my new contortionist trick on Mommy, btw, she did not think it was nearly as cool as I did!

Well, we are off to big cousin Abbie's fourth birthday party at Planet Pizza!

Happy Father's Day to all you Daddies out there.

Love, Sean

Six Months Old

Hi Everyone,

Well another month and quarter have passed and I am having a fantastic time here! It has been a month full of firsts. I guess technically my whole life thus far has been full of firsts, but let me recap for you ... The first thing you will notice is that I now have my own blog. You got to hand it to my Mom and Dad, they love to be the first on the block with the new technology. It is more my Daddy, he is very clever that way. Speaking of clever and smart, my Aunt Beth got all A's her first semester at TWU. We are all very proud of her. Mommy is hoping that some of her smarts rub off on me! Aunt Beth is home from college for the summer, so I have been seeing a lot of her when I go see my Grandma and Pap Pap. I am quickly on the road to culinary euphoria ... my first tooth arrived on May 17 quickly followed by the second tooth. They are in the middle on the bottom. They didn't hurt too much, but I think I am getting some more as that might explain my random fits of screaming.
As for my current intake, I am getting rice cereal two or three times a day coupled with pears, bananas, sweet potatoes or apples. So far I have liked everything. It is a mess to feed me though. Mommy thought we had way too many bibs, last count 40 something, but after the way I eat, I think she is out buying more. Be sure to look at my picture eating a teething biscuit. I have only gotten one biscuit at my house. Mommy is going to send them to Grandma's with me. I think she thinks they are messy!
Over Memorial Day I got to go swimming for the first time! WOW - that was one giant bath tub! The water was a little cooler than I was used to, but I soon got used to it. I floated in the water with Mommy's help. We have it all on video. Grandma bought me a cool dolphin floaty that even has an umbrella to keep the sun off of me. I love my board shorts that Mommy bought me. See picture. We also went to visit our friends the Pabians. I had lots of fun there. They have three kids and guess what?! They put me in a big box and dragged me around like it was a boat. I think a cardboard box has got to be one of the most entertaining things around.
Developmentally speaking I am moving forward. I am trying to sit up, but usually just tip over. I reach for everything and I particularly enjoy pulling apart napkins while my parents are trying to eat. I do a great job of getting my toes in my mouth. Very talented I am! I continue to sleep through the night, but Mommy has continued to point out that I don't sleep 14 hours a day like the sheet says from the doctor. I don't nap and I also don't read, so how am I supposed to know how long to sleep?
I am still in Gymboree class. Our session ends next week. Don't worry though, Mommy is signing us up for the summer program, for one price you can go as many times as you want. She calls it the "all you can eat" plan. I have a feeling we will be at Gymboree a lot this summer. It is an inside activity, and since we live in Texas, that's a good thing.
I know so far I have only talked about the fun and games, but rest assure I will be a well-rounded guy. Mommy took me to the library where we had a book dedicated to me. I loved looking at the big fish tank. I go with Grandma to a different library for story time. I am the youngest one there and while the story was good, what I really enjoyed was watching the other kids. They seem to be just a little bigger than me, but mobile ... hmmm ... I will start working on that trick. My Daddy still plays piano for me several evenings a week. We are very excited because we got a full upright piano at our house. Our neighbors were moving and offered it to our family. They knew I loved to hear Daddy sing. (Note from Mommy ... if you would ever like to hear a story of exceptional customer service, ask about Norbert the piano mover!).
Speaking of neighbors, I am getting some new ones ... that's right, big cousin Abbie, Auntie Rachel and Uncle Rich are moving just two blocks away. How cool is that?! I can't wait for them to be so close.

As far as summer plans go, it sounds like me and Mommy are going to tag along with Daddy on some work trips he has. On Sunday we head south to Austin, which is also the home to my Aunt Melinda, Uncle Mike and kitty cousins - Caledonia and Otis. We are going to go to the lavender festival (yes, my Mommy is quite a salesperson that she talked Daddy into that!) and then out for some good BBQ. It will be fund spending the day with Uncle Mike and Aunt Melinda. They leave on Tuesday for Germany where they are going to see some World Cup matches. Mommy and I will drive home so I can be at my last Gymboree class and Daddy comes home later in the week on a plane. At the end of the month, we are headed to Seattle. Daddy has work and we are going to go with him. I think what made up Mommy's mind was looking at the Web site for the hotel we are going to stay at - I hope it is kid friendly! So all you folks in the Northwest, I hope to get to meet you!
Well, that's what is going on in my world. I hope all is well in yours. Please feel free to post a comment or send an email to me.
Love, Sean
PS - I have not gone to the doctor for my six-month visit yet, we will create another post when that happens next week with my updated vitals. Happy Summer!

Four weeks old

Hi Everyone – today is my four-week birthday! I can’t believe it. Time sure flies here.

I had my four-week check up at the doctor today. I am now 9 pounds 3.5 oz and 22.5 inches long. I am in the 45 percentile for weight and 80 percentile for length. The doctor, Dr. Cook, says I am doing really well and growing. Then the nurse came in and gave me a shot. She told mommy that it was worse for her (Mommy) than for me. I don’t know, I didn’t like it much. Mommy and Daddy both agree that I was a very good boy at the doctor. I didn’t pee on the scale this time, so I guess they were proud.

I still spend much of my day sleeping, but I do keep my eyes open for an hour or so after I eat. I like to sit with anyone who will hold me. We have had several visitors (even some of mommy’s friends from Kansas and New York!) and hope more people will stop by soon. I can’t wait to meet everyone. I am also doing a good job sleeping during the night. A few times I even slept for five straight hours. Mommy and I usually take a nap together in the morning. I don’t think she is quite used to getting up so late in the day, but she says I am worth it.

Some other firsts that happened this week were my first bath and my first walk outside (I rode in the stroller). The bath was pretty nice. I was cold and screamed when they took me out of the water, then I went to the bathroom in the towel Mommy wrapped me in. I like the outside too, but the sun still seems pretty bright on my face. One other thing I really like is the swing my big cousin Abbie lent me. Many times I drift off to sleep while swinging along.

I had a good Christmas. It was great fun to meet my Uncle Mike and Aunt Melinda from Austin. I am so glad they came for a visit. My Uncle Mike is training to run his second marathon in February in Austin. I am going to ask Mommy and Daddy if they will take me to see him run. It would be great to watch him cross the finish line. I also hope to visit my cousin Abbie’s house in the next few weeks, without Mommy! I know Abbie will teach me lots of neat stuff. I also have spent a lot of time at Grandma and Grandpap’s house. I watched football games with Grandpap and played with Grandma. This lets Mommy and Daddy go to the grocery store, which is a good thing. The day after Christmas my whole family came to my house for dinner. It was nice to have so many people over. For New Year’s, Grandma and Grandpap came to dinner. It was a quiet evening, but very nice.

My parents are still sleeping downstairs on separate couches. My mom’s tummy is still healing from having me. Mommy laughs and says they are once again living in the same amount of space they lived in when they lived in New Jersey. We watch a lot of tv. I am worried that mommy is addicted to daytime television. She has new friends called “Martha” and “Ellen”. I guess it is better than being addicted to soap operas … although I hear there is one with a monkey on it and a witch baby, which sounds pretty interesting. I think grandma is happy because I am watching something other than Law & Order. (Don’t worry, we still watch lots of L&O!). We also watch the Food Network – Daddy was worried that Mommy wouldn’t cook any more after I came along. Fortunately, she is back in the kitchen and Mommy doesn’t have to eat Dad’s famous “Chick-A-Roni”, a culinary blend of boiled chicken and Rice-a-roni.

Daddy has to go out of town Monday and Tuesday for work. Mommy is pretty nervous about being alone with me for 40 straight hours. Grandma is going to come help and spend the night. I keep trying to tell her that I will be a good boy! (But, I am still glad Grandma is coming!)

You can see that Daddy set up an email address for me. He’s so smart. I also like sleeping on my Daddy’s tummy. His tummy makes a good pillow. Please feel free to send me an email. Since I can’t type yet, I dictate and have my Mommy respond for me … yes, life is good.

We hope everyone is doing well and Happy New Year!
Love, Sean
(Ed & Christine too!)

PS - My mom also asked me to mention that she will be sending a link to Shutterfly with more pictures over the weekend.

Five Months Old

Hi Everyone! Greetings from Nashville, TN! I am spending my five-month birthday in Nashville so my parents can go to their big conference that they speak at every year. Thank goodness Grandma was able to come with me. We have been here since Saturday and have been having a really good time. While mommy and daddy are off doing a lot of yackty-yacking, me and Grandma have been seeing the sites! We are staying in a beautiful and HUGE hotel called the Gaylord Opryland hotel. It took us the whole first day we were here just to explore and see it all. We have finally gotten the lay of the land and it is not so hard navigating now. It is amazing, they even have a flat river boat ride in the hotel, that’s how big it is! Grandma and I have been to the mall and we are going to the Grand Ole Opry. It looks like Willie Nelson has some sort of museum here too, which I hope we will be able to make it to. I love looking at all the pretty lights and meeting all of mommy and daddy’s work friends. We fly home late Thursday night and boy will it be great to sleep in my own bed again. The hotel crib is just not as comfy as mine at home.

As you have guessed already, I have now my second plane trip under my belt. I wonder where they are going to take me next?! Two weeks ago I went to Pittsburgh for my Baptism. It was a wonderful trip and I met so many of my family. Some other really neat things are going on … I have discovered my toes. I love to touch them and play with them. I think one day they are going to take me places. I am also rolling over from my tummy to my back from time to time. Grandma won’t leave me alone on the bed anymore, she says she doesn’t trust me. I think she is worried I will just roll right off. I am grabbing at everything. I had lots of fun at Grandma and Pap-pap’s house pulling all the napkins out of the holder. I am eating some bananas and a little rice cereal now. I think mommy says once we get back from our trip I will get to try some other foods. That sounds yummy! It always smells good in my kitchen at home and I can’t wait to try some new things.

I went to my first recital – cousin Abbie’s year-end concert. I loved hearing the songs and seeing the kids.

I still go to Gymboree classes on Tuesdays. There are seven babies in our class now. And finally some boys! It is lots of fun, I love the songs we sing. Mommy was gone a couple weeks ago on a business trip and daddy took me to the class! It was lots of fun with daddy. He was the only daddy there. I felt special.

The President and First Lady sent me a welcome card! It is really cool to have something from the White House. Daddy was worried when we got something from the White House … you never know what that might be! I think the President is happy that there will be another tax-paying citizen in the country. I also got a Mets hat, it’s reversible and my Daddy brought it to me. I like it as much as my White House letter.

My family is all good. Mommy and Daddy are just trying to “get through” this week. Then we can have some great family time together. June is looking to be a busy travel month for Daddy. I always miss him when he is gone. My Grandpap started working again a couple weeks ago. It is in Dallas and close to home. My Aunt Melinda and Uncle Mike are in Australia this week. That sounds like a fun place. We are going to visit them in June in Austin the weekend before they leave for Germany. They will be there for two weeks during the World Cup, which they are very much looking forward to.

My “cousins in the making” are doing well too. Aunt Kristin’s twins are already five inches long. Auntie Rachel’s baby is looking very healthy too. I can’t wait to be a big cousin! I will have lots of tricks to teach them. Mommy says I should teach them my sleeping through the night trick very early on.

Well, that’s about all from me. I hope you all are doing well.

And, just like my three-month birthday, the best part of being five-months old – no shots!!

Love, Sean