Twenty-six Weeks: Exhausting & THEN Dog Climbing!

Saturday morning, after Thanksgiving & after a nap on C, we headed out to C's parents' house. Ivan was still sleepy (rough night before), but wanted to climb.



Whoa, sleepy dude.




He's not crawling yet, but he wants to. Propped up on my knee here, trying to throw himself off.




Bella behind. She has such a sweet temperament. Ivan was really interested in running his fingers through her coat.












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Black Friday Shopping is Exhausting

Mostly kidding. Mom, Ivan and I ventured out around noon to look at a couple of stores for a vanity for the bathroom they're putting in downstairs at their house.

Ivan was awake at the first store & napped through the second and third.



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First Food: Sweet Potatoes

It's been a little hard on me to make the decision to start Ivan on solids. Kind of a protective thing because I know where my milk has been/is coming from. I have the same suspicion of formula. So Ivan hasn't had anything but my milk and two or three feedings of formula in the NICU before I was producing. He has been taking a real interest in watching/grabbing at us while we're eating and drinking and he was right at the cusp of six months old, so we figured it was about time. I've read up on different foods and ways to start this process and basically decided that we'll make him the healthiest food we can.

We began on Thanksgiving with cooked organic sweet potato mixed with milk to make a yummy orange slurry. And huge surprise (perhaps only to me), Ivan was super ready for food. Open mouth, grabbing at the spoon, that's our little guy.






















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Thankful for

Baby Ivan.







A family that plays together.



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Twenty-five Weeks: Okay, He Can Read

I just don't like keeping you all in the dark, so I'll come right out and say it.

My baby can read.




Wait, yours can't?




It's okay, Ivan's just really really smart. You know, like his mom & dad.

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Coffee Time or Nap Time?

Sister B took Ivan on a Star.bucks run while real estate agents scoped out our house.

I love that she thinks he always needs his giraffe.



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Sleepy Neck Crik Time

When he finally went to sleep, it was in a position HE found comfortable. At least he let Dad put him in his own bed with minimal fuss.




Always a beautiful sleepy baby.



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Once Upon a Morning

Waking up.




Morning talks happen before even getting out of bed.







Toes in the air! (There's a song as well.)









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Twenty-four Weeks: Three Days with K!

Wednesday, I had Ivan all dressed up because K brought him by my work at 1pm to visit. His jacket reminds me of one my grandpa has.




They obviously love reading books. At home before bedtime, Ivan tries to help me turn pages.




Happy smile.




Probably talking.




Always with his giraffe and happy.




We haven't seen any teeth yet, but he is drooling up a storm. He's very particular with what he chews on though: only Sophie (the giraffe), burp cloths, or froggie. I was surprised that he's sometimes interested in his chilled teethers. Sometimes they make him happy:



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Twenty-Three Weeks: At Friends'

K had other plans on Friday, so Ivan spent the day with my friend R and her children V&E. From the photos, I think Ivan had a blast! Right now he loves watching and smiling at older kids - he loves listening to their loud voices sing & shout, so I can only imagine how much he enjoyed V&E!

Naptime went well:




Walking to pick up R's son, E.




And the best part, swinging! Ivan enjoys being outside, so I think he had a great day!




Thank you, R & family, for taking such good care of Ivan all day! He is so lucky to have friends like you guys!

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Stoic. Then Happy.

At K's house on Thursday.




Ivan looks way too grown up below. It kills me.




Then I see the follow up photo and think, that's my baby!



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