A Visit to the Strawberry Patch

I decided to venture out of the house on Wednesday to meet my mom and sister at the orchard. It amazes me exactly how much work it takes to get all three of us up, dressed and out of the house. I didn't need to meet my mom until 12:15 and we still managed to be 15 minutes late. I can see where bottle feeding would be so handy. It would significantly cut down on the amount of sitting around that we do in the morning. I generally have to nurse Tristan a few time close together in the morning to make up for the longer stretches that he's going at night. It's worth it, though. My little man will be so much healthier because of it. Anywho, we did finally get to Boyd Orchard. It's one of our favorite places to meet for lunch, even though it is in Versailles. They have a nice little cafe, a playground and awesome produce. It's currently strawberry season and all their seasonal food was strawberry related. Yum!

Grammy met us there and helped me get the kids unloaded and out to the playground. Maura was so excited to see Grammy that she gasped, then ran to her. It's so cute when she sees Grammy somewhere out of her normal context. She gets so excited. Grammy took her on a super fun wagon ride.

Tristan really enjoyed the playground! After a few startles as I wheeled him over the bumpy ground, he settled down and snoozed through the rest of play time. Notice the cute stuffed giraffe toy beside him that matches the rest of the giraffe motif. Too cute.

This is a tremendously large slide. Maura isn't really that interested in it yet, but I wanted to see her go down it. I helped her climb up the mountain of hay bales to get to the top, but once there, I'm not actually allowed to ride the slide. So, we stood up there for a few minutes talking about how big the slide is.

Then she finally got brave enough to try it. What I don't have pictures of is her grabbing hold of the side of the slide, which slowed her enough to spin her around upside down. She made the remainder of the ride in this inverted position and arrived completely unhurt at the bottom. I think she thought it was funny, but she wasn't interested in trying the slide again!

Maura and Grammy. This is Maura's "Mom, you're taking too many pictures," look. Unfortunately, this is the last picture I took at the orchard. My sister, Katie, met us there and I didn't take any pictures of her. We lunched on Ham Apple Brie sandwiches and Strawberry Spinach salad. It was delicious! I bought some strawberries too and made a Strawberry Pie.

Sleepy, sleepy Tristan. He's still sleeping for much of the day, although he does have longer awake periods lately. He's doing better about waking up for feedings, which relieves me to no end. I'm tired of waking him up to eat and having to scrub him down with a cold rag. It just seems so inhumane. My brother came in for a visit this weekend. He lives in Corpus Christi, Texas at the moment, so he's not met Tristan yet. The above picture is how Tristan looked for Uncle Jeff's entire visit today.

Uncle Jeff meeting Tristan for the first time. A lot of people have told me that they think Tristan looks like Jeff. I have to agree that I think Tristan does favor him a bit. I'll have to scan in one of Jeff's baby pictures.

Tristan decided he can sleep just as well in Uncle Jeff's arms as anywhere else.

Jeff is a little intimidated by babies. He wasn't quite sure what to do when I handed Tristan to him. He's not a baby lover, but I know he'll enjoy Tristan more when he's a little older. I'm really glad that Jeff was able to come in this weekend and meet his little nephew. Tristan has finally met all of the Aunts and Uncles on my side. He still has lots of other family members to meet, something that we hope to take care of later this summer. We're having lots of fun introducing him to his family. He certainly is surrounded by love.

Three Weeks Old!

I can't believe my baby is already three weeks old. It seems like yesterday that I was heading to the hospital for my induction. Tristan is such a blessing and we're enjoying him so much. I forgot how much fun it is to just sit and watch a newborn sleep. I love how he smells after I get him out of the bath--I could just eat him up! I love how he settles down the moment I pick him up because he can tell it's mommy. I love the "kisses" he gives me when he nuzzles my face looking for something else! I love how small and cuddly he is in my arms, and how he just cuddles in to me when I hold him on my chest. I'm savoring every moment because I know how quickly they grow up and don't want to cuddle with you any more. I know that three weeks isn't very old, but before I can even realize it, he'll be three months and then three years. It makes me sad to even think of it, so I'll just enjoy now.

Handsome Tristan at three weeks. He's loving his play mat with all the hanging toys and flashing lights. Talk about overstimulation! I think he was a little suprised by the flash.

Tristan is already focusing in on toys and trying to track them. It's funny, though, the object that he tracks the very best is his pacifier!

My strong man getting his tummy time in. He really likes to lay down on the boppy and try to push himself up. This little guy is so strong--I knew he was by the amount of pressure he could apply with his feet while I carried him.

Up, down, up, down. "Mom, this is making me pooped!"

Pushing off once again, almost have it!

"Oh, so tired, I think I'll just lay here for a minute and suck my thumb."

This guy is obsessed with the ceiling fan. He locks onto it whenever it comes into his line of vision and you can forget about getting him to look at anything else. I put his floor blanket and boppy under it all the time so he can just sit and gaze at it.

"Aww, Mom, not another picture!"

And he's up!! He can hold himself up like this for about ten seconds at a time, then it's down for some much deserved rest!

"I'm just taking it all in."

Finally, Tristan got tired of the tummy time. He let us know that was ENOUGH!! It was time to say "good night" and "hello nursing!" Happy three week birthday little man! Here's a video of him playing on his play mat. I know it's not very exciting, but I still think his newborn movements are so fun to watch.

A Memorial Day weekend to remember.

We had such a fun weekend this Memorial Day! The highlight of our weekend was on Sunday afternoon. Just after Brent and Maura got home from church, we packed up the car and headed to Cave Run Lake for a camp out! Lest you think we've lost our minds to think we could camp with a two week old, we were actually just there for the afternoon. My family has a two year old annual tradition of camping out over Memorial Day weekend. They invited us down for the afternoon to make us feel included. We figured that actually camping out with two very small children would rate right up there with grinding our nails on a chalkboard. We really did enjoy our afternoon of camping, though!

Maura was really roughing it with her pink beach chair and umbrella. She LOVED the campsite, the tents, the dogs, the water cooler, and all the stones. WE did not love the proximity of our child to an active fire pit. It made for a tense afternoon. Notice her t-shirt--it says "Daddy's Girl." One of Brent's coworkers made it for her--so cute.

Brent and "Daddy's Boy." Maura and Tristan had matching shirts. Isn't that adorable? He probably won't agree in about ten years!

Maura and Grammy smashing pop cans. Maura thought this was hilarious! It's amazing what is hilarious to a two-year-old.

Maura LOVED the tents. My parent's tent had a little dog door which was the perfect size for Maura to crawl in and out of. I think she spent about a half hour just crawling in and out.

Believe it or not, this is the first time Maura held Tristan. She's just not been really interested up to this point, so I haven't pressed the issue. She loved holding him, though, and said, "I love the baby!" while he was on her lap.

Daddy and his kiddos. I just love my family!

Aunt Lorie and Uncle Micah with the little man.

Uncle Micah holding Tristan for the first time. This is historic, because Micah is a little intimidated by babies. I think Maura was a few months old before he attempted it. He said he could hold Tristan because he wasn't as "squirmy" as Maura was!

Tristan kicking back and enjoying his camp out. I wish I could let him sleep on an air mattress. He slept great!

Mommy and Maura enjoying the cookout!

Look at that burger--it's bigger than her!! Maura wore the shades through the whole meal. They are truly her favorite fashion accessory!

Grammy can't get enough of this boy. She says, "There's nothing like a newborn." Mom loves babies--as evidenced by her own five children. I love babies too, I just won't be bearing five of them!

Aunt Lorie was so much fun to play with! She let Maura jump all over her air mattress and got her laughing hilariously by pushing her backwards to make her "fall" down.

Katie and Scott. Scott was a brave man, camping with my family for the whole weekend.

Tristan trying to catch some flies. He looks like this for most of the day--just not at night!

Daddy preparing to take Tristan for a hike. We got him all strapped into the Baby Bjorn and he was OUT. We walked about 50 steps to the head of the trail and suddenly he was awake and seemingly starving, although he'd just eaten. Luckily the baby carrier has a hypnotic effect and he went right back to sleep for most of the "hike."

Fun Uncle Micah took Maura wading in the lake. The dogs were swimming and jumping around and Maura loved getting into the lake and throwing stones for them.

Aunt Lorie enjoying some rare awake time with Tristan. My family says they never see his eyes!

Pappap lovin' his little grandson.

Handsome little Tristan. Little did we know he was a ticking time bomb, who, when picked up was found to have soiled his cute t-shirt all the way up the back!

Getting out of the house!

Believe it or not, I got out of the house four times this week!! I know, it doesn't sound like much, but when you're in your house 24-7 with two kiddos, it feels like a revelation to actually get in the car and go somewhere. I know that all new moms can relate to the housebound feeling. It makes a routine trip to the drug store or post office feel like an adventure! In addition to the pig roast last Sunday, we went to the doctors on Tuesday and Friday and out to Grammy and Pappap's house on Thursday afternoon. I know that Maura was glad to get out too--it gets boring sitting and watching Mommy nurse Tristan all the time!

Here's how Maura feels about being housebound! Actually, she's done really well adjusting to our new schedule and we spend lots of time playing, but most of the playing involves her doing something and me sitting on the sidelines giving commentary to everything she does. She has quite an imagination. The other day, she dropped a Pooh character down beside the couch and she told me, "I send the clown(figure) to RESCUE him!" I'm still trying to figure out where she heard the word rescue, and how she knew how to use it in context. This child should have a monumental vocabulary because Brent is always teaching her huge words!


On Thursday, I got really sick of sitting in the house. It was a gorgeous day and I had promised Maura that we would go outside after her nap. We decided to go visit Grammy and Pappap because Brent was working late. Maura always has a fabulous time playing at their house and I love having two people to help entertain her!

Tristan got some good Grammy lovin.' It was Tristan's first trip to his grandparent's house. First of many, I'd say, because it's the one place that I know I can go and have everything I need. We'll be spending lots of time out there this summer in the swimming pool!

Maura got lots of hugs too, although I think she was anxious to get back down and play in the water again. She can't wait to swim. Today, I told her about Grammy opening up the pool and she said, "That'd be fun!"

Last night our friends Dawn, Jeremiah and Lily wanted to come see Tristan, but I really wanted to walk to the ice cream shop. We compromised on a group trip to the ice cream shop. Since we are in the same neighborhood as Bruster's we walk down all the time. Lily really did walk too--pushing the toy stroller containing a yard gnome! We were quite a procession!

We really enjoyed our walk down to Bruster's, even if I did end up carrying Tristan all the way home. Somehow, walking the mile of so down to the ice cream shop and back negates the 800 odd calories you're in taking in the ice cream.(At least we'd like to think so!) We made this walk multiple times throughout my pregnancy, thus the thirty odd pounds I still need to lose! I may have to switch to sorbet, because we're not going to give up the walk. Maura suggests a walk nearly every night after dinner. She says, "Walk down and get ice cream?" When I tell her it's a little too late, or that it's raining, she'll say, "OK, maybe tomorrow." We're glad she's so easily pacified! When she goes to the ice cream shop, she gets a free baby cone with sprinkles and eyes. She loves so much to have her own cone that she gobbles it down as quickly as she can and asks for licks from Mommy and Daddy's cone. That's a girl after my own heart!

A quick update on Tristan. At the doctor's office on Friday he weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces, which means he's picking up roughly an ounce a day. The doctor was happy, so we don't need to go back until he's a month old. Yay Tristan! He's a super strong little boy and can already roll to his side. He's holding his head up really well too. I'll take some video of him on the Boppy soon and post it. He's amazing!

Two Week Pictures

Here are the two week pictures that my sister took of Tristan yesterday. What a cute naked baby. I'm going to order some pictures and get his birth announcements out this week. We think our boy is so handsome! What do you think?

We had a great idea to put him on a football to take his picture. Here's what he thought of it!