First Visit to Santa

Today we braved the line at the mall and went to visit Santa.  Eric enjoyed seeing all of the busy shoppers and kiddos dressed up for Santa.  Many of the kids before us, screamed when they were placed on Santa's lap.  When it was our turn, I wasn't sure how our little baby boy would react - would he pull Santa's beard? cry? spit up? I placed Eric on Santa's lap and he looked at Santa with curiosity.  I stepped back behind the camera and Baby Boy just smiled and smiled! He was completely soaking up all of the attention from the onlookers.  The other parents in line just ooohh'ed and awww'ed over our sweet boy - and he loved it!

See the photos of our little model with Santa:

Dad's Birthday

Last night we celebrated Christian's birthday by going out to dinner at Sedona Taphouse. Baby boy loved studying the waitress and looking at all of the sights and sounds of the restaurant. After dinner we enjoyed some Swedish princess cake and football. Happy birthday Dad!

First HOKIE Tailgate

Last Saturday, was the annual VT versus UVA football game; which was held in Cville this year.  Christian went to the game with Pawpaw, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt SueSue, but Baby Boy and I just went to the tailgate.  Even though we didn't stay to watch the game, we all got decked in our finest HOKIE gear!  Happy to say that the HOKIES did beat UVA :).

Baby Eric all bundled for the tailgate

View from the game

First Thanksgiving

Eric was fortunate to celebrate his first Thanksgiving with so much family.  Aunt SueSue, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Trish, Cousin Megan, Cousin Scott, Grandma Mary, MJ and Pawpaw were all able to make it to Cville to celebrate the holiday.  Baby boy was showered with love and attention, which he loved!  We loved visiting and catching up with everyone.  Here are some photos from the long holiday weekend.

Photo from Thanksgiving activities at daycare

The cousin gang

Cousin Scott got Eric a Steeler's hat

7 Months!

As usual mom is behind in posting the monthly photos.  On Thanksgiving day, Eric turned seven months!  Hard to believe our little guy is growing up so fast.

Here are the 7 month milestones from our little man:

• Teething troubles...he has now cut at least 2 teeth!
• Eric is more aware of his surroundings...which includes when mom and dad drop him off at daycare and leave him in his crib.
• Baby boy started solids.  It was a slow start but now he likes bananas and tolerates apples.
• Eric loves to wave his arms around and has to start "clap."
• He has become a chatter bug, even squealing at the other babies at daycare (much to the dismay of the daycare teachers :).
• Eric can get around pretty well just on his hands, and has started getting up on both hands and knees for a brief moment.  Month 8 will bring lots of baby proofing for mom and dad!

Bananas over Bananas

Baby boy didn't love starting solids, but he finally loves eating bananas! Today he happily ate three servings of bananas. So far he only likes bananas...but that's a good start! 

Mobile Baby

Today while Mom and Dad were out of commission, MJ & Pawpaw watched Baby Eric. They had a blast and caught our mobile babe in an almost-ready-to-crawl position! Check out the video:

Baby Giggles

I was fortunate enough to have today off from work. Baby Boy and I met up with some friends to go for a "hike" near Monitcello. After the walk, I was drinking some water from my water bottle and the little popping sound made Eric burst into giggles! This was my attempt to catch the adorable baby giggles from our internal laugher on video. Enjoy!

6 Months and Sitting!

A week and a half ago, our sweet boy turned 6 months - one day before Pawpaw's 60th birthday, it should be noted.  In typical fashion, we were about a week late in taking his monthly photos.  It was amazing how much Eric developed in just that one week!  For instance, he started sitting by himself!  We continue to adore and fawn over our little guy - and we love to watch his changes and learn about his personality.

Here are a few highlights from month six:

• Eric tried solids for the first time...he wasn't impressed. 
• He started sitting up by himself
• He loves laying on his tummy and blowing bubbles
• Baby boy has start rolling over on the changing table...i.e. we can't leave him alone because he will definitely not be in the same spot when you come back!
• Unfortunately, he is more aware of when Mom and Dad leave him
• Eric plays with the "big kids" (crawling babies) at daycare
• Giggles when tickled under the armpits...but only for a finite period of time
• Baby boy loves to give "sneaky" hugs - where he pulls out your hair mid-hug

Happy Halloween!

Ahh the best holiday has arrived. Halloween. A friend lent us a giraffe costume that her son had worn years ago for Eric to wear. Although it was labeled 6-12 months, it still didn't fit our growing boy. Since we had procrasinated it was off to Amazon to find another costume. We settled on an alligator...which daycare thought was a dragon and others called a dinosaur...either way Eric looks darn cute and didn't seem to mind the hood. Baby boy won the "best dragon" costume at daycare (judged by firefighters). As the proud mom was leaving daycare, I realized that every other parents' child had also been awarded the same certificate of "the best" costume...I guess everyone wins when they are an adorable baby. At night Eric and I handed out candy to the neighborhood kids. The "baby" was quite a hit amongst the trick or treaters.

Happy Halloween all!

Sweet Potatoes Ain't So Sweet: Starting Solids

Tonight Eric tried solids for the first time.  Upon a recommendation from an experienced mom, we pureed some sweet potatoes and mixed them with breast milk.  We had a new special kid-friendly bowl and spoon from MJ and waited with baited breath for our little man to express his excitement over starting solids.  Instead, Eric was totally confused by the texture/taste of the sweet potatoes and enjoyed playing with the spoon more than eating.  Welp, I guess we'll just have to try again!

First Babysitter

Yesterday, we went to our friends' Kelly and Trevor's wonderful wedding at Ash Lawn.  MJ and Pawpaw were wooping it up in Ireland, so we got a recommendation from a friend for a babysitter.  Since this was our first non-family member babysitter, Christian and I weren't quite sure how to prepare for the night away. We made several lists (including the pediatrician's number) and left the babysitter with several options for dinner. Megan, the babysitter, arrived on-time and smiling. She immediately picked up Eric and while he did study her a bit, them seemed to hit it off. Christian and I felt a little weird leaving our baby boy with someone new, but early in the night Megan sent us a photo text of Eric smiling. That definitely put us at ease. We had a great time at the wedding and baby boy had fun with Megan. 

5 Months!

A week ago, Baby Boy turned 5 months!  Christian and I were just remarking how each day we love our little guy more and more.  Here are some highlights from month five:

• Eric has found his tongue and loves to stick it out
• He loves to "stand" and has a new toy from MJ that lets him play and "stand"
• We had our first night time visit to the pediatrician with the stomach bug
• Eric LOVES to sleep on his stomach...and every which way
• He can put pacifier in his mouth by himself; sometimes the right way and sometimes not
• He has become a great napper at daycare; and his teachers love that
• Baby boy can sit up much better by himself 

Pumpkins!

Today we met our friends, Matt & Amy and their sons Ben and Jake at Chiles Orchard in Crozet to "pick" pumpkins with the kids.  We grabbed a red wagon, shears and headed out the patch to pick the perfect pumpkin...but then reality set in.  It was hot, the babes needed some shade, and Ben was more interested in the wagon than the pumpkins (which were too large for us to carry while holding the little ones).  So we got some good fall photos, apple cinnamon donuts and then went to a local restaurant for lunch.  Even though we didn't end up actually picking a pumpkin, we had a blast hanging out and being outside with the kiddos!

The Dads with the Baby Boys

Upset Tummies

Well we had our first outbreak of the daycare stomach bug last week. Uncle Hans had come down to visit for a few days and help out with the deck...and then Eric got sick all over dad.  Uncle Hans was ready with the paper towels for clean up. We took our sick little one to the pediatrician at night. Fortunately after a good nights rest Eric didn't get sick again and seemed to be acting more himself. Then...dad got sick on Thursday...then Uncle Hans got sick...then Friday night MJ got sick...who knew a little boy could take out so many! Fortunatley after some sleep and rehydration everyone is healthy and a bit more OCD about washing our hands :).

Aunt SueSue's Bday & Other Fun

Two weekends ago we travels up to see Aunt SueSue for a post-birthday celebration.  We had a great lunch and then played some put-putt golf. Baby boy was a champ and didn't fuss much. In addition to seeing Uncle Kevin and Aunt Suzanne, Eric got to spend time with his Farfar, Farmor and Farbror Hans. Eric did well sleeping in his new crib at the Fars and only kept them up a little bit with his crying :). 

On our way out of town, we stopped by John, Mandy's and Baby Madison's house for a visit. It was the first meeting for the babes and Eric was way more interested in Madison than she was him. 

Here are some photos from the fun weekend!