A Month of Firsts

Month 9 has come and gone, leaving behind many memories of firsts: first teeth, first time pulling up to standing in the crib, first time arching his back in full out defiance...all amazing feats in their own right. I love the way he observes new things-picking them up, shaking them, tasting them, seeing if they come apart, and banging them on different surfaces. At times, I think of him as my little scientist, trying to unlock the mysteries of his universe.

Things I don't love-my little perfect, smily guy is gaining autonomy. Yes, that is a good thing, but as he starts to realize that he has free will, he has started expressing opinions-sometimes very loudly. Just two days ago, he was holding the remote control and when I tried to pull a bait and switch, he caught on to me, arched his back, and hurled himself backward onto the carpet. His parents are both stubborn, so there's no way he avoid that gene, I'm afraid.

Austin's mom and stepdad have been staying with us for the past few days. They are planning to move to Kerrville soon. That will mean Reid has 3 sets of awesome grandmas and grandpas to watch him as he continues to have more and more firsts. My little man will have his first Halloween in a few short weeks, then first birthday, then first steps, then...

Favorite pics from the 9th month

First Tooth

After months of drooling and a few cry sessions, I am proud to announce the arrival of Reid's first tooth, making it's bumpy way to the surface just before Reid's 9th month. It appears the lone tooth may soon have 3 more for company. His first tooth was the classic-bottom middle.

This past month, we have transitioned back into a daycare setting and I couldn't be more pleased. Reid has a new friend, Ryan, who is a month older. They are usually the only two in his Infant III room, so he gets lots of attention. Crawling and/or walking seems on the horizon but I am sure there are still a few more blissful weeks before the non-stop action begins. Reid is happy and healthy. He will see the doctor next week and I am curious to learn how he stacks up.

Favorite pics 4-7 months

I finally had a day to catch my breath and upload Reid's pictures from the last several weeks. We had a play date this morning with Ryker Patrick, William Conklin, and Hilton Bock (briefly). Nice to spend time at home today with the little guy. Here's the website: http://www.kodakgallery.com/ViewSlideshow.action?&collidparam=121256827209.723439381309.1248477856921

What's New...

We moved into our new house July 3 and took a little time to relax on the 4th of July. We had lunch with my family, spent the afternoon at the Secor's river property, and went to the Richter's 4th of July party in the evening for hotdogs, homemade ice cream, and fireworks.

Reid wasn't sure how to feel about his first river experience. His daddy took him into the water...he didn't cry, but he definitely wasn't his usual bubbly self, either. I wanted to get him back in the water again as soon as possible, so Austin and his mom went with me last night to take him to the pool. Same reaction-a little uneasy. My friend Rita teaches swim lessons and she is giong to go to the pool with us next time. I'm determined my little man will love the water the way his parents do.

Pictures from the 4th...

First time in the Guadalupe

With Mimi at lunch

With Great Granddady

Happy Father's Day

Dear Daddy,

Mommy and I love you so much! You take good care of me and give me the best tummy gummers ever. You even let me make a mess when I eat and change my poopie diapers (but only when mommy isn't around). You have been working so hard to make our new house just right for us but you still find lots of time to spend with me. I can't wait until you teach me how to play golf and coach my first soccer team. Before you know it, you'll be watching me play football or basketball, too. You'll teach me to appreciate the band Wilco and many others, you'll always do something special for me on my birthday, and, when I am old enough, you'll help me pack up my room and so that I can start my own adventures. But for now...I'm just happy in your arms.

Thanks, Dad.

Love,
Your son (6.5 months old)

5 1/2 Months!

I am ashamed of the disregard I've given this site. I had such high hopes for blogging every day! Reid is growing (by the second, it seems). He is honestly the sweetest child. He puts himself to sleep and grins and smiles most of his waking hours. I do have trouble getting him to smile for pictures, though.

We bought two web cams for Mother's Day-one for Austin's Mom and one for us-so that we could Skype (the next best thing to being there, I guess). What a great tool! Hats off to whoever came up with this little gem.

Reid has started baby food. I'm the overeager parent. I was supposed to wait until he was 6 months, but he loves his food so much! Carrots are his favorite. He's not fond of peas and green beans just yet. Those are the only foods I've offered him to date.

I took care of Tana's sweet baby girl on Friday. What a cute, petite little thing! Just another reminder of how BIG our little guy is getting (I think he may have had her by 2-3 pounds).

Life is good. Every day is a blessing...

Reid and McCrae last Friday

Reid wearing his daddy's baby sweater before he outgrows it!

The boys and their caps

Another adorable sweater pic...

Another of Daddy's baby sweaters

4 months old

Reid has blessed our lives 4 months now. Since my last post, he was visited by his cousins, Austin and Bela, he started daycare, and was fed his first rice cereal.

The cereal experience was not what I expected. Reid is so interested in watching others eat and I thought that would translate to food. However, I put him in his Bumbo, put on his bib, and spooned his first bite of cereal into his mouth. At this point, he began to cry!

As far as daycare, I'm not happy. We're going to look into other options...He's just not at his "best" lately. I don't know when he's napped even though I'm supposed to get a report and he's started getting cranky because he hasn't slept enough or he's slept too much. The Babywise schedule I worked so hard on is out the window on daycare days.

Devastated after the rice cereal incident