That's All Folks!

12 whole weeks!

Everyone survived our first week of the new routine -- Mom going back to work, Colt going to daycare, and all the dropping-off, picking-up, bag-packing, goodbye-kiss-blowing, and tear-drying that comes with it. We are still getting used to things - especially the mornings - but we are getting there. Surely we'll be used to this routine in time to start a new one!

This weekend was a good one! We loaded up and traveled south to Arkadelphia to see Granny and Pop, and see the Razorbacks play in Little Rock. We hadn't seen Granny and Pop since Colt was just a few weeks old and it was great to visit with them. And they bravely volunteered to keep the munchkin for the day while Jeff and I met up with friends in Little Rock for some tailgating. 

Colt insisted on remaining neutral for the game -- though he's a Razorback at heart. The Hogs managed to pull it out at the end - thank goodness  - and somehow we are 2-0 for the season.   

Colt had a lot of fun Saturday visiting with Granny and Pop and got to meet some of his cousins -- John, Elizabeth and Will.

Colt is SO close to rolling over -- in fact we couldn't keep our eyes off him last night because he was getting so close and we didn't want to miss it. Any day now! His latest trick is trying to eat his hands off (photo below), but he's also started grasping things in his hands and is a lot more active when we play. We joke about him doing his morning calisthenics -- after a breakfast bottle and a diaper change he is ready to go! -- kicking, scooting, waving his arms, and cooing! He's been "talking" a lot more the last few days. Unofficial weigh-in last night was about 13.5 pounds with clothes on -- we still like to eat! 

Still no teeth -- but they're probably not far off. If only he could hold a teething ring...   

Yep, it's September already.

Wow. I can hardly believe Labor Day has come and gone and we're almost a week into September. And that Colt is 11 weeks old!

This week we ventured back into the 'real world' with my return to work and Colt's first day of daycare. I am only working part-time this week as we all try to adjust to our new schedule. I start back full-time next week.

This is how he looked when I had to wake him up to get in the car. So sweet!

And I couldn't help but take a million pictures of him before we left the house --

I couldn't decide if I'd rather he cried all day because he missed me or smiled all day because he was having a good time. That's a lot of smiles that someone else would get to enjoy! But Ms. Barbara said he had a good day-- ate well, napped well and was a sweet baby all day. Dropping him off was not so bad -- he slept through the whole thing, thank goodness! But I missed him terribly all day and couldn't wait to get there to pick him up yesterday afternoon. I will eventually get used to having to leave my smiling bundle with someone else for the day... hopefully!

This week also brought Colt's first Razorback Game Day! And as usual, Mama couldn't control herself with the camera...

Colt seemed to enjoy sitting with Dad this weekend and watching all the football. And the Hogs got a win! - which is always good. Maybe they'll go on a streak like they did after we got married -- starting the day we got married, the Razorbacks won 9 in a row!

Colt is still sleeping well -- almost every night this week was 7 hours.  Last night was another 8 hour stretch, despite the Gustav-inspired storm outside and the party next door! I think it's safe to say he is officially sleeping through the night!

I know no one was too terribly impressed with last week's videos (Nicholas...) -- but Colt has learned a new "trick"! I haven't been able to catch it on video yet, but he has taken to digging his heels into the floor (while on his back) and scooting across the floor inchworm style. If I leave the room for a few minutes while he's on his playmat -- I can come back to him being almost entirely on the carpet! We've been trying to convince him that if he could learn to do that while on his belly -- we'd really be getting somewhere! The best part is that this new trick is wearing a nice little bald spot on the back of his beautiful head of hair...

No teeth yet - but he's still having some teething pain here and there. Mostly he's been drooling everywhere and gnawing on our fingers -- still eating ok and hasn't had trouble sleeping, so it's not too bad yet. There have only been a few times when he's been fussy enough about his gums that we've had to hold him down and get him to swallow some baby Tylenol. I'm not sure who they're kidding with that stuff - making it grape or cherry flavored -- MILK flavored medicine would be a MUCH better idea!

Happy September everyone!

10 weeks!

In honor of this double-digit occasion, I thought I'd try out a video post. Let me know what you think.

Videos will continue to get more exciting as Colt learns new "tricks" -- for now he's getting pretty good at grinning and laughing!

We are still recovering from our trip south last week, and gearing up for our big week starting next Tuesday. I go back to work and Colt goes to daycare. bum bum BUM - the real world! I have already begun mentally preparing myself for that day, while at the same time trying not to think about it...

I know this sounds crazy, but the Tooth Fairy made a stop at our house this week. That's right - Colt is teething. Before all of you Moms out there call me crazy - know that I have already called our Pediatrician to be sure I'm not losing it (after I did my "research" online of course) and she told me that he is indeed showing signs of teething. He likely won't get a tooth for another month or more -- but is teething nonetheless.

Colt's neck and arm muscles are getting really strong and he's holding his head up pretty impressively. Above is a photo of his newest toy/gadget for Tummy Time. He can spin himself around on this thing -- and is really learning to love it. Tummy Time is much more enjoyable these days -- and more so as he gets stronger.

Another video of the happiest baby on the block--

WEEKEND UPDATE

As promised --

First and foremost, at the risk of jinxing us, I would like to announce that I got 7 (consecutive!) hours of sleep last night for the first time since June 18! That's right friends - Colt slept through the night. He actually slept 8 hours - but Jeff and I woke up an hour before he did this morning and didn't quite know what to do with ourselves! I know better than to think he will sleep that well every night from now on - but one night is a start!

In other exciting news -- I wore my pre-pregnancy jeans to dinner tonight!

On to the important stuff - pictures! I gave you a sneak peak of our trip in my usual Wednesday update, but there are more fun photos here and in the "Colt" photo album.

Well - 5 days and some 1300 miles later - we are home. Colt did well in the car, sleeping a lot of the way, but 8 hours at a time is about his limit. Considering the longest he'd been in the car before this week may have been an hour - he was a trooper.

We saw this great double rainbow as we arrived in San Antonio on Tuesday - and that rain kept things relatively cool the whole time we were there. We couldn't have asked for better weather - in August!

Wednesday was Grandpa's birthday - Happy 60th! We went out for supper to Rio Mambo and had cake and ice cream at home.

Colt not only wore his "MY GRANDPA RULES!" t-shirt for the occasion, but also pulled out his cowboy hat -- since we were in Texas and all.

Thursday was spent napping and hanging out at home -- two of Colt's favorite things to do. This is a rare photo of Colt and Chip in close proximity. Chip was pretty down in the mouth about the munchkin that had invaded his house and was manipulating his otherwise undivided attention from Grandma and Grandpa. I don't think he was sad to see us go on Saturday.

Friday we took a trip! Mom had tickets for us to see a show at the Rockbox Theater in Fredericksburg. So we loaded up and headed out for the day. On the way to Fredericksburg - we stopped in Luckenbach!

 Colt and I met this nice longhorn named "Shotgun" -- and, though I kept calling it a cow, Shotgun's handler (who we've just been referring to as "Tex") let us snap a few pictures. This photo definitely doesn't do justice to how TALL this cow was.

We went on to Fredericksburg-- walked around the shops a bit, ate at a traditional German restaurant (yum!), and saw the show at the Rockbox. What a fun day!

Saturday we packed the car to the gills and headed home.  Colt has now survived his first road trip and can cross two more states off his list.  It was such a fun trip and I'm sure everyone is still recovering-- it was good to get to see Grandpa on his birthday, roadtrip with Aunt Becky, visit with Erika, and celebrate (Chief!) Grandma's promotion! It's fun to travel - but good to be home. Dad missed us, though I'm sure he enjoyed the quiet for a few days!

I'm off to bed - cross your fingers for another full night's sleep!