Spring!

Hello blogosphere! Where have I been? Well, I'm not really sure. We have been experiencing an unseasonably warm spring so I have been spending as much time outside as I can. We also had a few days last week where Jake was gone on a business trip so I didn't have much blogging time. Oh, and I've been spending lots of time breaking in my new iPad! Anyway, the weather is wonderful and Jameson loves to play outdoors and it's nice to change it up a little bit too. We love to stroll around the neighborhood and watch all the stuff popping up in our yard.

A quick visit from Peepaw (Jameson's great grandpa) who was home briefly from Florida

As much as I love being a homeowner I am not very fond of being a yard owner. Ugh. Just the amount of work that I think needs to be done is overwhelming so I've been trying to break it down into reasonable bits, but let's just say I am nowhere near satisfied and until I have yard fairy to magically do all this stuff for me, I doubt I will be.

Jameson has really discovered the use of his voice. He likes to experiment with it which is pretty funny because we will hear him shout out just for fun from his bedroom or when he is playing on the floor. He's tried a few more new foods and I would say the apples top his list. He has quickly progressed to wanting a second spoon feeding in the afternoon between his third and fourth bottle.

Ready to hunt mushrooms!

Our latest home project

We had a great weekend. Saturday morning we did the usual coffee and breakfast thing plus Jake and I got to go to matinee showing of The Hunger Games, which very much used to be a weekly tradition for us. Sadly, this was only our third theater experience since Jameson, and one of those we didn't even get to see the movie because of a power outage. Things do change a little bit, but in a few more years I hope we can bring the tradition back and Jameson can join us. The movie was great, although Jake was horrified when I told him so far that was really the only movie I felt I HAD to see in theaters. He thought The Dark Knight Rises should be on that list. We finished up the afternoon with mexican for lunch and a little bit of yard work. Sunday we baked and played around the house. Jake very successfully made a super yummy pretzel bread to go with my roasted chicken and veggies. Everything just seems better when the windows and doors are open, which ours were.

Family

Is there really anything sweeter? We've been on the go recently and luckily we've had the pleasure of squeezing in some good old fashion family time. Now most people probably cringe at the idea but I actually very much enjoy myself around my family.

This past week we made a whirlwind trip to the University of Iowa to watch Matthew dive in his NCAA zones meet, which proved to be his last meet of his impressive college diving career for LSU. We were long overdue to attend so we loaded up the car and headed West. Jameson survived his first major road trip and for the most part he was content in his carseat with just a few bouts of fussiness, but I can't blame him, it isn't necessarily the most scenic drive. So we spent a few hours in the stands with Jake's parents, grandparents and the Browne's cheering on Matthew. Of course, Jameson had it pretty rough between being passed around and napping in his stroller :) I was proud of him for surviving on little sleep, although there were a few moments of panic because crying babies are mostly frowned upon especially at a dive competition. We were proud of Matthew and his diving performance and glad we got to see one of his college meets. Jameson has been practicing his pike position so Uncle Matt can teach him a thing or two at the pool this summer.

Making it look easy!

This pictures just don't do Matthew justice!

"Roughing it"

A few moments of shut eye

We took the weekend to recover and since my mom is really busy with the show my dad invited us over for dinner, to which I love to say yes too, especially when the fridge is bare bones. He made a fabulous meal and again we were surrounded by family, including my fabulous aunt Kiki who is visiting from Nashville. We missed mom, but we had a good time with good food, good wine and great company.

Dad and Jameson

Practicing dives with Uncle Will

Not pictured: the super yummy wedge salad

Anyone surprised? Jake giving computer lessons.

My Little Sweet Potato

With the turn of Jameson's four month birthday we have started adding in one spoon feeding to his daily routine if he's interested. Last week he stuck with rice and though he ate it, I don't think he particularly enjoyed it. This made me wonder if he was really hungry enough for the added meal or if I was experimenting with it for my own entertainment. This weekend I decided to whip up some sweet potaters for Jameson and re-evaluate the situation. He slurped those taters down no problem. I am glad to know he likes his veggies and I hope that continues. I think next we will move on to naners (read: bananas). Our pedi said not to worry about an introduction schedule anything and everything should be tried adding in something new every few days and avoiding the high allergy foods. Again, I continue to kind of let Jameson set the tone, but I think right now he is telling me that life is pretty sweet :)

On the topic, we had our 4 month pediatrician appointment today. Jameson's official weight is 17 pounds 3 ounces, 26.5 inches long and his percentile stats are the same (95% and 90%). The doc is happy with his development and asked me if he is always this happy and goofy as Jameson was cracking smiles at all the things Dr. Boyce said. My reply was YES! Doc was also happy with his head shape and his skin.

4 Months

You are getting this blog post a day early, otherwise it would most likely be a week late! Tomorrow our sweet little nugget will be four months old and it has really been a fun month (although I can't think of one that hasn't been). He is weighing in around 17 pounds, wears size 6 month clothes and even some 9 month pajamas to allow for optimal toe wiggling. He also wears a size 3 diaper and loves to giggle. He is most amused when Jake or I wiggle him around, or plop him back on to a pile of pillows, or swing him up above our heads. Anything baby adventurous I guess! 

He still loves to wiggle around under his gym, has pretty much given up his swing because he wiggles too much and doesn't want to be strapped in. He now prefers to hang in his bumbo with some toys or in his exersaucer. He likes it when we get to go outside and play in the yard, which means I walk him around and he looks at stuff or we swing. He is very interested in his feet and is starting to bring them up to his hands, and if you lean him back he tries to sit up. 

Jameson continues to eat 4 times a day between 8 and 8, although lately he has been ready for his last feeding around 7 and ready for bed at 7:30 or 8. When I am working and he takes a bottle he usually eats about 8 ounces. He still takes 3 naps a day but we have been fighting to hang on to his evening nap. I don't know if it's because we are frequently busy and on the run then or if he just decided he doesn't need it, but time will tell. Our house is usually louder in the evenings with Jake home, the tv on and we're usually cooking dinner so that could be it too. 

From the last post you can see that I've tried a few feedings with rice cereal. The first attempt was hardly even an attempt because he just wasn't having it, and I probably could have timed it better. Since then we have the hang of things and he has had a couple of successful feedings. He must have enjoyed his "wheaties" because that same day he decided after weeks of rolling up on his side he was ready to go all the way over. 

Yesterday we had some errands to run, our last stop of the morning was to Whole Foods. At this time Jameson had spent about an hour and a half or two hours in his carseat alternating between napping and being awake. By the time we made it to the grocery he was fully awake, and was starting to get all wiggly and giving me the "please let me out" face. I was just planning on loosening up his straps when I reach into the carseat and I realize it is very warm. Warmer than usual and what was that smell? Oh no. 

So Jameson's wish came true and out of the carseat he went so I could change his diaper, and what do I notice in the mirror as we head to the changing table? He has a very sizable wet spot on his back. Great. I soon discover Jameson is a hot green mess under his clothes, and he has obliterated the entire outfit minus his socks. I would say 97% of the time there is a spare outfit in the diaper bag. Did I have one in there today? Of course not! So I had a decision to make, which was worse? Putting him back in the once blue, now green onesie or stroll out of there, and quickly get his naked butt back in the car seat and cover him up before too many people will notice. Not seeing a better option I went with option number two (it seemed fitting) and as I walk out of the bathroom with a diaper only-clad infant I see at least four people look directly at me and my naked baby. Oh Lord. There was no hiding it. I sighed and strapped him back in and head to the register avoiding eye contact. Why does the restroom have to be next to the deli counter? And of course, the two people working the register are trying to peek in and see the cute baby and I am silently praying that they don't notice he is essentially naked in there. We couldn't get out of there fast enough and Jameson had a smile on his face all the way home, because there is one thing he loves above all else and that is to be naked :)

Snoozing on my shoulder

smooches

Happy Nakey baby face

Rice cereal

more please!

all done!

that was fun! now can I have a slice of pizza?