Nick!

New cousin alert!  My reign as the youngest cousin in my mom's family is officially over.  Jack and Will now have a new brother, Nick.  The little guy (since I am older I can say this) was born on April 24th. YAY!  I can't wait to meet him!   

This week was a eventful and special for my older brother.  The kid got to go to his very first concert with my parents last Tuesday.  He went to see Coldplay!  Of course he felt the need to play all of his favorite songs for me before and then again after the concert.  Not sure what the big deal is about this stuff, but apparently Matthew thinks the world of these people and even came home showing off a new shirt.

I of course did not go and got to spend the night with my grandmother, Butter.  While some were at a concert listening to singing, my audience of Butter was listening to screaming.  I didn't get an applause but rather hugs and kisses.  Those are the best kinds too.  After a short fit I gave the 'ol girl a break and snoozed the rest of the night!

As promised I am smiling much much more and cooing at everyone too.  It is quite fun to have people smile after I smile first.  Who knows where this is leading, but I think I like it.

This Friday I am getting stuck with needles.  It's my two-month doctor appointment.  My mom is all worried about how much it will hurt and if I will cry.  Matthew and my dad laugh at her worries and say it isn't that bad.  I have a strong feeling Matthew has no idea what he is saying, but I am thinking I can trust my dad on this.  Or... maybe not.

With Spring getting warmer we are getting out for walks and strolls more and more.  This is making me tired at night and I am starting to enjoy sleeping in every morning.  Last night I slept a solid 6 hours.  Not too bad if I say so myself.

Hope you all have a great week!

With Love,



Colin

Loving to Smile!

So I think I have mastered this whole smile thing.  When in the mood and if I get some help from a friendly face, I will be happy to smile with you!  That's right... I have mastered my first trick!  My mom thinks it is hilarious and has me do it what seems like a hundred times!  My dad has to earn it though.  I toyed with the 'ol boy for about a week.  I would stare at him as he tried and tried!  He would smile at me, laugh, make funny faces... but nothing worked (or so he thought).  I would easily smile for my mom, Matthew and Butter (my grandma), but not my dad.  Finally the other day I just had to give him a break.  I think he was taking it personally!  It is pretty neat to let people know how I am feeling, well that is when I am happy.  There is no hesitation to let everyone know when I am upset!

With being upset and smiling all the time it takes a lot out of me.  I am still not napping without being held too much (although I think if someone tried harder it would work!) but I am sleeping at night without too many problems.  I usually will last about 4 to 5 hours most nights, before the tummy grumbles.  After a quick bottle and some rocking I will sleeping another 3 or 4.  I am not committing to a schedule yet.  I am still trying to figure out what works for me, but sleeping at night is something I am liking.  Pretty sure the parents are liking it too.

So going to bed is not the same every night, but there is a morning routine we stick to, taking Matthew going to school.  Every morning the three of us walk up to Matthew's preschool to drop him off and then a few hours later after a feeding and cat nap we walk back up to get him.  All the kids up there want to touch and pet me, but my mother is a master slalom stroller driver!  She just weaves in and out of all that snot and coughing to safety!  Nothing like my mom being anti-germs.

The other day after getting home from school and during Matthew's rest time, my mom took me into my room and started to take out some clothes from my dresser!  Goodbye newborn clothes and some of the 3 month too!  One night after being changed it was discovered that some of the 3 month things were too tight.  They couldn't zip me up with my legs folding up.  I will assume that we will be off to the store soon to pick up some fashionable and cute things!

The weather is getting nicer and we seem to be doing a lot more things outside lately.  These people think I will tolerate being laid down in a crib while everyone gets to go outside.  I don't think so.  I scream until someone takes me with them.  This cause and effect game allows me to be a part of conversations outside, watching my dad work around the yard, and seeing a silly 4 year old run around in the sprinklers.  Being apart of the action is soooo much better than missing it. 

Today we decided to drop everything and head off to the beach.  The weather was in the 80's and it was time to see the ocean for the very first time.  So beaches here consist of rocks, 50/60 degree water, drift wood, and plenty of people.  I was imagining fluffy sand with umbrellas and maybe people getting a tan?  Not so much here.  There were people alright, but everyone seemed to be either walking, running, or playing something.  But like typical beach behavior everyone had ice cream (except me, but credit to my dad who tried to convince the boss).

Hope all is well with everyone and that you have a wonderful week.  I know I will!

With Love,
Colin


This week's pictures!!!

Easter!

So all is well here! Why might you ask? Well I have gone to the crib! No more of the living room playpen with Mom on the couch. Upgrade! The feel of the soft new mattress is heaven compared to the Matthew worn and torn playpen. In fact I love it so much that I sleep every night and only wake up once (maybe twice) to eat and then right back to bed! It is quite the routine. The crib is comfortable and I am getting used to it, except that I have the feeling that I am being watched and listened to!

So apparently people can eat outside of the home? I was able to go out to a lunch with a few of my mom's friends. Marty and Louise are such a hoot for my mom. They laughed and talked quite a bit, but I couldn't understand what in the world they were saying so I checked out and dozed off for the rest of the lunch. Either way it was great to get out of the house and meet more and more people.

Speaking of people who were excited to see me, Pete came over again. This time Pete brought presents for Matthew and I. He bought us the softest pajamas you could imagine. Bright red, baggy, and if you squint or hold it close you can see the tiny patterns that are all around. Thanks Peter!

Wednesday of last week my mom and I stopped by Molly and Tom's office for a quick check in and chat. You never know with those two, so my mom and I decided to bring them a snack. They were excited to see us and I am glad we gave them a break! It seemed like they were working hard and needed a quick smile. Nothing like your 7th and youngest grandchild to put a smile on your face, well I hope it was me that did that!

Thursday marked being one month old! Getting used to the family and our home. I am progressing quite well (I think). I am following voices, tracking items slowly, cooing and grunting, and getting close to my first official smile! I am making my parents earn it! Because my cord finally fell off, I was also able to take my first bath. Mom and Dad have a nice touch to their bathing techniques, but Matthew is brutal. You would think he was trying to scrub a layer of skin off! Someone needs to ease up on the scrubbing and maybe move to the "keeping me warm" department by just wringing out the warm water on me!

Lastly, there was a bunny in our house! Matthew was all excited about a rabbit that leaves chocolate, quarters, and even a dollar sometimes in eggs. And to top it off Matthew got to run around the house finding them. Not sure about all this, but an egg hiding and chocolate leaving bunny seems over the top for me. I think I will wait a few years before dabbling into that tradition.

Well I hope all is well with everyone and you all are finally enjoying the nice weather! Spring means more walks and fresh air! Finally!

With Love,
Colin

CLICK FOR PICTURES

Spring Break

Spring Break week was such a great one because it meant that everyone was home this week. My dad didn't have to work, Matthew stayed home from school and my mom is still on the mend, so she was home too.

The week started with the melting of the snow from last week. I didn't get to play outside in the snow, but judging what my father and brother were doing it looked cold and dirty. I was happy to stay inside and not deal with of that white stuff.

Although mostly I hang out inside the house, I did get to go on a few "field trips" this week. My brother and father drove to a Air and Space museum to look at planes and astronaut things and then on another day headed to a science museum with things to read and learn about. I am not sure if I was born into house of nerds or if these places are fun. I hope the latter is true and I get to be a part of the fun soon. Either way I enjoyed my time because I couldn't see anything from my stroller and decided to sleep through most of it anyway.

Like most weeks I headed to the doctor. This one wasn't planned, but it turns out everything is fine or at least it will be. My "cord" isn't letting go of me and is still bugging my mom. It isn't bothering me at all, but she loves to play with the cord and spends quite a bit of time trying to get it off me. It turns out it will fall off soon, but while I was at the doctor we found out that I gained some weight and have grown! I now weigh 12 lbs and 4oz's.

Also like most weeks I got to meet new people and see familiar faces too. My parents must have some really nice friends and family, because the people I meet bring such amazing presents! The cute clothes and toys are starting to piling up. You will have to pardon me for outsourcing my thank you notes to my mother, at least for the time being.

This next week is going to exciting. My dad goes back to work and Matthew goes to school again. So in case you don't see where I am going with this, the house is going to be soooooo quiet! Just me and Mom. All day. Everyday. I am going to love love love these days!! Also, Thursday is my one month mark and so that is really neat. This month has flown by and I can't believe it. Wow, one month!

With Love,
Colin