Swinging, Rocking, and Clapping

This weekend Megan and Natty came to visit, and we enjoyed spending Saturday afternoon together. Natalie was so excited to bake cookies and decorate them with her MomMom; I'm sure that Ian will enjoy "helping" with the cookie festivities next year along with eating them! It was a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed some time outside now that it isn't so incredibly hot. Ian started clapping his hands on Saturday, and, even though I am kind of partial, I have to say it is the cutest thing he has done so far. I look at him every day and realize how lucky we are. Ian and I are off to Georgia on Friday to see Phil for 7 days. Hopefully our flights are on time, and Ian is a good traveler. It has been 2 months since we've seen Phil, and I know that he can't wait to hold our little man again! Picture time with Natty (don't you just love her "pantyhose" as she called them?) by MomMom's pumpkin patch.

Getting a closer look at the scarecrow.

Having a wonderful time swinging.

Peering over the edge of the rocking chair.

Once Ian realized he could rock back and forth, he was pretty proud of himself.

Clapping his little hands.

Weekend Fun

This weekend has flown by, and I was able to capture some moments on my camera. On Friday we had an exciting trip to Target to purchase Ian some shoes and some 12 month clothes (he's already wearing 9 month clothes and he could very well wake up tomorrow and not be able to fit into any of them...I can't believe how quickly he is growing!). Since it is starting to get cooler, Ian might actually be able to wear some of the pants and long-sleeved shirts he has one time before he gets too big for them. We took full advantage of the cooler weather, and he wore his first windsuit on Friday. As you can see, he was looking sporty. I also introduced him to the sport his Daddy is so passionate about with his first soccer ball. He studied it intently and enjoyed the fact that it made noise when he hit it...maybe he will be a keeper since he couldn't keep his hands off the ball. My parents came over on Friday evening for dinner, and Ian enjoyed the time with his Grammie and Granddad. On Saturday, we met our friends' (Lance and Ronni) little boy, Brady, for the first time. He is 4 1/2 months old and truly adorable. Ian was interested in trying to touch Brady and listened intently while Brady told Ian stories only the two of them could understand. I think that the adults enjoyed the time together more than the boys did, but it was wonderful to get our little guys together for the first time. Today we went to lunch with Phil's parents, and Ian enjoyed being passed back and forth between MomMom and DadDad. Ian still hasn't cut any teeth, but I am praying to the Gods who hold uninterrupted sleep in the palm of their hands that they come through any day now. I shouldn't be complaining; I'm not the one with teeth trying to make their way to the surface. I'm just sleep-deprived, not sleep-deprived AND cutting teeth, right?
Ian in da hood.
"You talking to me?"
Finding his mobile more interesting than the soccer ball at the moment.

"Now, what am I supposed to do with this exactly?"
Ian reaching for Brady's hand. Sorry these pictures didn't come out so well, but it was a little difficult to make sure Ian didn't fall over backward, lean back far enough to get both of them in the picture, and take the picture when both of them were looking at the same time.

So handsome and happy in his overalls and new shoes.
Sitting in the high chair at lunch today. It's amazing to me that he is big enough to be sitting in a high chair, playing with toys, and finding new toys all around him (the menu, silverware, flowers, sugar packets, etc.). He also thought that the edge of the table was a good teether before I distracted him with a sippy cup.

Rainy Day

Today it rained all day long. We have been needing the rain, so it was a welcome weather change and it is starting to feel a little bit like fall (FINALLY). I have been a bad Mommy and have not posted new pictures in a very long time (somebody please slap my wrist), so I decided to take pictures of things Ian did today since we stayed inside to keep dry. There are quite a few pictures, but I felt like I needed to make up for lost time. Enjoy! Pouring down rain on the front porch.
Slightly flooded back yard (I am already having nightmares about how muddy the dogs are going to be over the next few days).

Hanging out and playing in his pajamas.
Making silly faces with the pacifier. He normally won't take a pacifier, but he likes to play with it.
We tried a new fruit (bananas and mixed berries) for breakfast today, but Ian didn't care for it at all. He had 3 bites, and then would no longer open his mouth for me.
He likes peaches much better.
I had to get a shot of the footie pajamas. I think that they are supposed to be rhinoceroses on his feet. So cute!

Now that he is sitting, anything that he sees and wants he goes diving for, regardless of if it makes him fall over or not.
"Mommy, look what I have."
Laughing while the dog talks to him. He finds certain things the dog says hysterical.
"Are you done taking pictures yet??"
Just woke up from a nap.

"I'm refreshed and ready to play."
Starting to roll over.
This is normally how I find Ian when he wakes up. He somehow manages to scoot all the way over in his crib before rolling over, and, since he doesn't have enough room to completely roll over, it makes him mad and he is sure to let me know all about it!
Uncle Josh came over today and brought some new toys for Ian to play with.
Pushing the penguin with all his might. (When you push it over, it bounces right back up; he was pretty amused by the fact that it never stayed down.)

"Thanks Uncle Josh! I love my new toys."
"Hmmm...now what do I want to play with next?"
Naked boy before his bath. I just love all of his rolls and dimples.
This picture justifies what a healthy boy Ian is (what a cute little Buddha Belly).
Nice and clean.

Cheap Entertainment

Today Ian played his first instrument: the stainless steel bowl. After Mommy showed him that he could make noise with the spoon and bowl, he took the spoon in his little hand and tried it out for himself. As you can see, he enjoyed himself immensely. I may soon regret that I taught him how to create this noise, but for now I'm amazed at how well-coordinated he is becoming. So proud of himself!
I don't know if I will ever get to cook with this bowl again. Ian has claimed it as his new toy. :)
Here's another thing that the spoon is good for: a teether.
He had such a look of concentration and determination on his face.

6 month check-up

Yesterday we went to see the pediatrician for Ian's 6 month check-up. As you can see, he is a growing, healthy boy. He weighed 20 lbs 8 oz (90th percentile) and is 28 inches long (95th percentile). He received 4 vaccinations and a flu shot, so his little legs were bothering him yesterday and today. The funny thing was, that he cried more when the nurse was holding his legs still than when he was actually getting his shots. As soon as she was finished and let his legs go, he stopped crying. He was needing lots of cuddling and Mommy-time today, and I'm sure he'll be feeling better tomorrow or the next day. I gave him a sippy cup for the first time yesterday with some water in it, and he held onto it and put it right in his mouth like he's been drinking from a sippy cup since the day he was born. He mostly let the water drool down his chin, but today he was actually drinking more than he was drooling out of his mouth. Sitting in the stroller after going to get the mail.
First time with a sippy cup.

Go Tech!

Since today was game day, I had to put Ian's game day shirt on (which happens to be a Texas Tech onesie; next year we'll opt for a t-shirt). He looked so cute and proud to be a Red Raider that I had to take some pictures. He sits up by himself much better now, but, once he sees something he wants, his balance is gone and I catch him before he topples over. For the last 2 weeks, Ian has had a rash on his face, arms, and legs that looked better some days and worse on others. I initially thought it was heat rash, but it never went completely away. He never scratched it, but I decided to take him to the doctor on Thursday and have her check him out. It turns out my little man has eczema. His daddy had it as well, when he was a baby. Now we are on a routine of moisturizing 4 times a day and applying 2 different creams twice a day. It is looking better already, and I'm glad that my baby has soft skin again! She also started him on Zyrtec since he had a terrible runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezed almost all day on Tuesday and Wednesday thanks to a mild cold front that came through. We go back to the doctor on Friday for a follow-up and his 6 month check-up; which means more shots...poor little guy can't catch a break! :( "Look at how big I am sitting in my chair!"

He sure does love those feet.
Beautiful boy.
Here he is relaxing in his exersaucer. Of course he had to wear his Texas Tech bib to go along with his game day look. :) Doesn't it look like he is just hanging out, enjoying the view, and ready to watch the big game?
This is what always happens whenever Ian is on the floor playing. The dogs swarm him, and then lay as close as possible without actually touching him. Don't all 3 of them look enthralled? Chester's so excited to get his picture made that he's yawning!
"Look at this cool thing that I found. I wonder if I can get a closer look."

"There we go, now I can see this blanket perfectly!" Ian LOVES to pull things over his face. Whether it is a blanket, burp cloth, bib, clothes, or a towel, if he can get his hands on it, he covers his face with it. He doesn't cry when his face is covered, but laughs, and, if he can't get it off his face right away or I don't pull it off, he keeps trying and laughs the whole time.
Here his face is partially covered, but he's more interested in grabbing his feet. What a silly boy.
Today he started rolling onto his right side for the first time. I just looked over and found him rolling from his back to his side. It's amazing how many new things he does each day!
Gazing fondly at Chester, who just happens to be out of Ian's reach. Lila is looking on to make sure that Chester isn't going to get any more affection than she will. Ian likes watching the dogs whenever they are in the same room as he is. And, if he hears them coming, his head moves all around to try to find them.
Practicing his new-found skill of rolling on his side, but this time he also has a toy in his hand...what a talented little boy we have! :)