So, what have you been doing for the past 2 years?

It looks like it has been almost exactly 2 years since I updated the blog. Ooops!

What has happened in the past 2 years, you may be asking.

Well...
Allison happened! On September 1, 2010 at 2:10 am (after 41 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy) Allison Renee made her debut. I will add her birth story here later, but for now just a few more pics:


Sadly, the day after she was born, Scott's dad passed away. It was a difficult loss, but I firmly believe God gave us Allison at the perfect time to help ease everyone's pain. When you look at that gorgeous face you can't help but smile even when you're sad.

With Andrew's hilarious antics and Allison's uncanny ability to be absolutely adorable all the time, I am sure I'll find a lot to post about more often.

Yes, we are still here

It's been forever since I've updated thanks to crazy summer schedules and our home construction/renovation. Here are a few "brief" updates on our world!

Andrew update 1: Still no teeth!! I swear my child's been teething since he was born, but they still have yet to poke through. I am okay with that from the perspective that late teeth are better, healthier teeth. I am NOT okay with that from the perspective he has 2 teeth descending at the same rate and look like they are about to pop through at the same time. I am not happy dealing with a child having multiple teeth coming through, but at least we'll just get it over with all at once.

Andrew update 2: Crawling! About a day after he turned 7 months old, he began motoring around the floor. He went from having zero interest in crawling to going about 90 miles an hour in the span of about 20 minutes. I'm amazed at how fast things go in Andrew-ville.

Andrew update 3: Walking! He has figured out that crawling can take him to vertical objects. These vertical objects are perfect for pulling himself up on and from there walking all over! He still needs to hold onto things to walk for the most part, but if he has enough objects that he can hold onto, he will spend an hour doing nothing but walking around a room.

Andrew update 4: Talking! When he was about 4 1/2 months old, he said "Hi" to my mom from his perch in his bassinet while waving. He still says, "Hi" a lot while waving to various people and has added "Dada", "Mama" and "Oma" to the list. Recently he has begun repeating, "A bath" when I ask him if he wants to get a bath. He also LOVES to have screaming contests with his Oma (my mom). He will scream loudly, she mimics him, then he goes soft and she follows suit. One day they did the back and forth screaming game for 45 minutes.

On the "Oma" note. I had been calling my mom Grammy since the day he was born. Andrew, however, decided about a month ago to begin calling her Oma. I find this wonderful, precious and amazing because my grandfather, my mom's dad, was Dutch. Oma is Dutch for grandma. I love that Andrew found his own name for her and that he picked one with a meaning so sweet for us.

Andrew update 5: Random! During the home renovation project, we had to dig up a lot of the plants around our yard and transplant them into pots. While we went through a dry spell, Andrew and I would water the plants together everyday. He loves it! We also attended some Parent & Me swim classes at the YMCA. We learned to look for the fishies in the water, to talk to them and to listen to them. He has had so much fun and we can't wait to take some more classes in the future! He also received a pretty special honor. He was in a photogenic baby competition recently. He was chosen to be one of seven finalists out of nearly 300 entries. Out of the seven finalists, Andrew won 5th place and now is the proud owner of his very first trophy! Of course pictures will be taken with the new acquisition!

As soon as we figure out why the batteries in the camera are being such a pest, we will be adding more picture of both Andrew and the home construction to the blog VERY soon. Until then...

Today

Andrew is seven months old. I'm sorry, when did THAT happen??

My screensaver is rolling images of my boy in random order and it amazes me to see a picture of him like this:

Followed by a picture like this:

Where did this big boy come from and what happened to my baby???

Teething stinks!

I swear Andrew has been teething since he was about 3 - 4 months old. He was a drool factory and would bite anything that came near his mouth with occasional, unexplained screams that seemed to come from no where.

Even though he's had some occasional rough moments, the past 5 days have been completely miserable for the poor boy and his teething has become much more intense. His drooling is unreal! Within 20 minutes of putting pajamas on, the entire top is soaked! His nose runs constantly and the wiping of said nose make him even fussier. Nothing makes him happy. He will sit in the exersaucer for 10 minutes, sit in his stroller for 10 minutes, play on the floor for 10 minutes, but nothing is a lasting solution. He has gone from biting and chewing things to full out gnawing on everything! When I can finally encourage him to sleep, he tosses and turns and is very restless.

He's had a few doses of Hyland's teething tablets. They may help some, but they aren't a complete solution either. Rescue Remedy seems to have helped him sleep a little better tonight.

This is one part of motherhood I don't think anyone can prepare you for. The helplessness of seeing your little one miserable and being at a complete loss for how to remedy the situation or explain to him what is going on is awful.

Any teething tricks or advice would be much appreciated. Although our beloved RR seems to be helping him sleep tonight and even though it is an herbal supplement, I don't want to over medicate him with that and build up an immunity to RR.

My Eight!

8 things I'm looking forward to...

1. Andrew's first words
2. Andrew's first steps (which may be coming sooner than I expected!)
3. Andrew's first tooth (notice a running theme here? Yes, my life revolves around my child)
4. Being pregnant again
5. Our home renovation to be DONE
6. Taking some weekend trips this summer with hubby and baby
7. Scrapbooking the dozens of cute Andrew pictures I have
8. Getting Andrew's 6 month pics back from the studio

8 things I did yesterday...

1. Went to Giant Eagle
2. Bought soda for Nana Debbie's surprise party
3. Came home
4. Went to the chiropractor
5. Was asked to give a talk on the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy, post partum and for infants
6. Came home
7. Went to Nana Debbie's surprise party
8. Came home

8 things I wish I could do...

1. Pay to have all the home construction work done in a week
2. Buy all new appliances
3. Buy a Dodge Journey
4. Have another baby right now (yes, I am crazy)
5. Take a long vacation in the Caribbean
6. Buy new couches for my living room
7. Find bedding that I like
8. Get back into all of my pre pregnancy clothes, not just some of 'em

8 shows I am currently watching...

1. American Idol
2. Prison Break
3. Nanny 911
4. 30 Minute Meals
5. Everyday Italian
6. Decorating Cents
7. World's Strictest Parents
8. Fox News

I am supposed to tag 8 people, but instead this is up for grabs for anyone who wants to do their own eight.

Anyone have a brick I can borrow?

I need it to put on my son's head. He is growing up way too fast!

Two weeks ago we saw the pediatrician and weighed in at 13 lbs 12 oz with a length of 26 inches.

This morning he decided to pull himself into a standing position all by himself.

Then he capped off the day by walking around in his exersaucer/walker for a while.

Can not handle the growing up stuff!!

Andrew & Daddy

Disclaimer: The cuteness is overwhelming. The author of this blog is not responsible for spontaneous aww's and ooh's. Furthermore, the author is not responsible for any work that is ignored or performed incorrectly when viewing the adorable little boy with his much loved Daddy.