Fun in the Sun

It has been a few weeks since my last post and a lot has happened, I am four months old so a lot happens everyday!

I had a four month check up a few weeks back and along with a shot or two.  Everything is going well according to the doctor.  I am in the 101% in height, 80% weight, and... 125% head circumference.  My mom also compared my stats to Matthew's at this time and I am taller, heavier, and the noggin' is bigger.  So I have that going for me. 

With everything that is going on I am much more aware of things and people these days.  I am showing major preferences towards toys, situations, and even time of day.  Giving huge smiles when things make me happy is a must which lightens any mood but puckering up when something displeases me can happen as well.  I love being held and just being around people.  Bouncing on someone's lap, laying in someone's arms or even just playing in my pen in the same room as everyone else is just fun to do.  Speaking of pen I have my own play yard/cage/hexagon!  I have my own toys and space.  Extra benefit of having my own little area:  Matthew wants it but can't have it.  Awesome!

Continuing with preferences, I absolutely love mornings because I sleep through most of them.  If I am not napping during the AM I am in my Johnnie Jump Up or in my saucer playing.  My dad is home with me this summer and we play, eat and sleep in the mornings.  He is swaddling me up and I am napping in my crib full time.  My mom would hold me all the time so I could sleep, but the old man isn't as soft.  Swaddles me and puts me down.  "harsh".  But when I am up I love to coo and repeating noises is becoming a favorite.  My dad sticks his tongue out at me and makes noises like a motor, but when I repeat it back... I get all wet from the drool.  Mornings just seem to be the best time of day for me all around.

Afternoons are just NOT a good time for naps.  I want to play and see what is going on!  We go for walks or follow Matthew around in whatever he is doing, but catching some shut eye just isn't in the plans.  I think the lack of naps has an effect on me though.

You know what is in the plans for afternoons?  Eating.  Man do I love to drink from bottles, especially after all those naps!  I love to drink formula so much so that I am mostly holding my own bottles now.  I thoroughly enjoy taking the bottles out of my parent's hands and feeding myself.  Now if I miss or drop the bottle I do not accept the blame and demand an immediate fix to the situation, but I will accept credit for holding it though.  

Last week Matthew and I got to go to an aquarium.  This was my very first time to a place where wild animals are kept.  We saw all sorts of interesting things, but Matthew was obviously more interested than me.  I would have taken one of my rare PM snoozes, but someone was constantly talking to me and telling me (loudly I might add) how cool it was.  This person also reminded me that this was his 4th visit to an aquarium and this was only my first.  Is this type of "I have more than you!" going to continue much longer???

I am not sure what has gotten into me lately, but screaming in the car is a must these days.  Not hungry, not tired, not uncomfortable, but I still feel that a good scream is in order.  Twice I have topped the hour mark!  You should see my face, but even better is the faces of my audience! Matthew tunes me out and could careless, but my dad fumes!  Sucker!  He thinks that pulling over to console me will help, but putting back in drive is just a green light (pun totally intended) for a continuation of my lung exercises.

That is about it for the last 2 weeks.  These upcoming weeks should see a visit to the zoo and beach.  It is sunny out here on the West Coast and we plan on taking full advantage of it!

With Love,
Colin

CLICK FOR PICTURES!!

Back from Vay Cay!

We are back from our worldwide tour of the Chicago and Atlanta areas!  We all had a wonderful trip seeing so many people and getting to know even more.  I really had a great time and got to do so many things.

As I said before I rolled over from front to back and it is now really easy for me, but I am not quite there with back to front.  I can get my body sideways and if I tried really hard I could do it, but I am still taking my time.  Soon though, soon.

Some of my favorite things to do these days (besides rolling over) is to notice and take in everything around me.  I am following people and things as the pass in front of me, I am reaching out and holding onto things with my grip that would rival a tug-of-war, and I am finding humor and laughing a ton.  Since I have one of the loudest human beings living with me (Matthew) it is easy to know when he is coming past me so following him is super easy.  But I am also following smaller things around me and I am starting to prefer certain toys over others as I recognize them.  My green turtle that makes noise is absolutely my favorite thing to notice and follow!

Once I have noticed and tracked onto something AND I can reach it, then it is mine!  Letting go is really not something I ever want to do once I have it, especially if the toy is in my mouth.  My favorite favorite favorite thing to hold onto is my mom's necklace when she is holding me.  It has my name on it, it is shiny, and she let's me grab it whenever possible!  Again, letting go is always an issue especially at bedtime!

Georgia is such a nice place!  It was ridiculously hot and we didn't get outside too too much, but still a great place to visit because of WHO I was able to see.  My grandparents.  They are awesome!  Pick me up all the time, spoil me, nap with me (looking at you Poopa), change me, play with me, and did I mention spoil me?

My grandparents have wonderful friends that I was able to meet while in Georgia!  My "Georgia Grandma" had us over to her pool to cool off.  Even though my mom didn't want it, my grandpa got my feet wet in the pool and I really liked it.  It was great to be a part of the fun that everyone was having!

So lately I have been developing a habit when in the carseat, stroller, swing, bouncing seat, or just laying around.  It is a bit odd I know and you can't judge... but I like to put blankets and burp clothes on my face.  I just prefer to cover up.  You would think a 4 month old would hate to be covered up and would be panicked, but not me.  I love it.  Everyone thinks it is weird, but I don't care!


So that is about it for now.  I am going to continue following my older brother around, waiting and watching his every move, and continuing to get better at using my hands and smiles!  I am turning 4 months this Thursday and starting my summer with my dad.  It is an exciting time!!





With Love,
Colin


VACATION PICTURES! 

So another two weeks have gone by and so much has happened.  If fact so much right now is happening, but I will get to that later. 

My mom is winding down her maternity break, my dad is done with another year of school, Matthew "graduated" (yes I put that in quotes!) and right now I am in Chicago on a tour of friends and relatives.

Since I was born my mom has been at my side at all times.  But that is coming to an end quickly.  She is headed back to work (as you can see I have been helping her work at home!!) and my dad will be taking over the full time job of hanging out with me.  These next two weeks will be the end of our almost 4 months together.  Without a doubt it has been the best almost 4 months of my life, quite literally!  Thanks Mom!

Matthew has been busy with his play dates with friends and graduation from preschool.  So the older one is headed off to Kindergarten in the fall now that preschool is over.  He is always so busy running around and making an incredible amount of noise.  But I love watching him with whatever he is doing.  We go outside a lot where I sit in my saucer and watch him swing and play baseball with my dad.  When he runs past me he is nice enough to stop and make me smile.  The little man can make me smile at anytime no matter the mood I am in. 

As I mentioned before I am in Chicago right now and Wednesday I am flying to Georgia.  We have visited with my three cousins, aunts, uncles, and my great-grandmother.  Everyone here is so nice and kind.  But I am pretty sure my Nana is the best to visit.  She held me tight and gave me great kisses.  Plus she thinks I am cute! 

Everyone got together today for Father's Day, even though mine is still back in Oregon.  We were at my Nana's house today when my mom put me on my tummy.  I didn't exactly like that so I decided to roll over onto my back.  Everyone was surprised and cheered, which of course meant I had to do it over and over again.  In fact I am pretty quick at it now!  Either way I am not sure what the cheering was about, because as you can see from the video I just didn't like to be on my stomach! 

So a few more days in Chicago and then off to Georgia to see my grandparents and meet up with my dad.  But before leaving Illinois we are going to be visiting and meeting more people, and rumor has it we might be riding a train into the city!  There even my be a boat tour!  Talk about trains, planes and automobiles!  It is going to be a very fun few weeks.

With Love,
Colin



 CLICK FOR MORE PICTURES

Almost three months!

So right away I have to announce: I have toes!  Ten of them to be exact and they are fun to grab.  Since sitting up is part of the nightly routine (not a fan some nights) my eyes found and my hands grabbed those little piggies down there.  I am starting to think that maybe there is more around me that I should be aware of...

Speaking of being aware of things, my uncle Erik is here for the summer.  I met him back in May and he seems like a nice guy.  But I am pretty sure Erik is afraid to break me because he doesn't hold me as much as everyone else.  Or maybe 19 year olds aren't fond of holding babies???

Since it is June my parents decided to host a family summer kick off party this Sunday.  Holy cow are there a lot of Hansens!  They were everywhere!  David, Tammy, Chris, Brittany, Dee Dee, Ingrid, Richard, Evan, Pop, Butter, Erik, and my mom!  Geesh!  I was exhausted afterwards and had an early exit.  The party was a hit and everyone had a great time.  It was nice to kick off the summer with family and a good party.
  
The weekend went a bit longer because my dad stayed home today.  We went out for breakfast, helped Erik go get a job, and went out to the museum again!  But this time we took Erik.  We all had a blast and got to see some very cool things.  Some of us for the first time and some of us for the many-th time.  I hope that Erik can go with us again soon!


Tomorrow I will be 3 months old!  Time is flying by!  My parents aren't ok with it, but I am!  I am doing more and more things with even more that are exciting to come.  Cooing, giggling, grabbing, and taking it all in just isn't enough.  I think it is all about to get more interesting!

With Love,
Colin
 

Memorial Day!

It has been two long weeks since my last post and I have been busy doing new things and getting used to routines as well.  First off, Ingrid is starting to watch me!  I got to hang with her a few times these last few weeks.  The first was when Ingrid came to our house so my mom could work for a morning and then I had a field trip to her house because everyone got the flu (whole other story!).  Either way, getting spoiled and held by her is really comfy and I will take it!  I am looking forward to when we will be spending even more time together this fall and next spring!

I cannot go any further without saying that my mother took off for the Memorial Day weekend.  She and my grandmother drove to San Francisco for a long weekend, WITHOUT ME.  Seriously!  Not even three months old and she just leaves.  Well it was just fine without her.  My dad did a great job with Matthew and I.  The way he does things around the house are different, but I enjoyed them.  My bedtime was moved way up, sympathy wasn't exactly doled out as generously, and he introduced me to the "saucer".

I sit upright with things to touch and make noise with all at my fingertips.  These items are a bit out of my reach and my brother will gladly hit and slap all the toys for me anyway.  Love being in it for 15 minutes, tolerate being in it 15+ and will vocally protest after 30 minutes. I have my limits!

At 3AM Saturday morning my mother drove to San Francisco.  At 5AM I needed a snack, so my dad got up to feed me.  At 5:40 he put me down so I could continue sleeping.  At 5:45 Matthew woke up and promptly threw up in the hallway.  Poor Dad!  For the remainder of the day, both he and Matthew felt terrible.  Matthew threw up a few more times and stayed far away from me.  In fact I just needed to leave.  As I said before Ingrid raced over to save me from lord knows what might have happened.  I did not get sick at all and credit Ingrid for taking me away and my dad for washing his hands hundreds of times!

 

Since my mother was away, we boys decided to play!  Since the others were feeling better we left for the air and space museum.  I was absolutely bored with it and snoozed through most of it.  Big planes, rockets, yada yada yada.  The stroller is comfy until I hear my brother yelling, which wakes me up sometimes, but other than that the museum means naps for me!  So can't beat that can you?

The count down begins to my first airplane ride!  June 16 can't come soon enough.  After the fun of the plane, I will be meeting an aunt, great aunts, cousins, and even a great-grandmother.  After the Chicago fun with family and activities we will be continuing East to Georgia.  There Gee Gee and Poopa will promptly spoil us rotten and dismiss my parents from all authorities of their silly rules and regulations.  Can't wait!!!!  Two whole weeks of new people and old ones, but constant attention for me.  Again, you can't beat that!

Click For Pics!!!!

Hope this week is a great one!

With Love,
Colin

Mother's Day

It has been quite a while since my last post, and a lot has happened!  Let's see where do I start?  My two month appointment came and went, I slept 8 1/2 hours in a row during the night, I am starting to repeat sounds and smile like crazy, and Mother's Day was so much fun!

So as promised I got a few shots at my 2 month appointment.  Ouch!  Three needles and three band aids, but as soon as they were out I gave up crying, what's the point?  But to the important stuff:  I am 14 pounds and 12 ounces and 2 feet long!  This qualifies me as a "big boy" or at least that is what people are calling me.   

So my only trick of smiling is no longer alone.  When in the mood (very key!) I can repeat coos and sounds with my mom.  It will start as me smiling at her and she will start to make sounds at me and I just can't help myself!  I just have to make sounds back at her and sometimes it sounds like what she said and sometimes it doesn't.  But who cares, right? All that really matters is that I love looking at my mom and having her talk to me!  Nothing better than that.

One time is a trick, two times is a trend, and three is a habit.  That is the motto that my parents use when I sleep.  On Thursday night I slept for 7 1/2 hours straight (the trick) and then on Friday night I slept for 8 1/2 hours (the trend), but I ruined it on Saturday night!  You should have seen those two suckers waiting and hoping.  Ha!  I made a few hours here and then a few hours there, but it didn't count so now we are back to the beginning.  My parents are funny for trying to predict that!

For 12 straight days I was grandmother-less because Butter went to Chicago to give Nick some attention.  No one was here to say yes to everything Matthew and I wanted or to give us things that were taken away.  Seriously, I have two grandmothers and neither was here to pamper us.  Yeah my mom is good and all, but rules are made to be broken and when they are broken we are going to need a grandmother to help us out!  Good thing Butter is back, and we are heading to Georgia next month!

So today was Mother's Day.  And let me tell you that I have the best mother in the world!  Whether I am crying, laughing, staring, sleeping, and even pooping she loves me.  And for that I am one lucky kid.  We had a great day today to show her that we all love her.  We slept in, had some breakfast, enjoyed the weather, played some games and then capped it off with a fantastic dinner and ice cream!  What a great day for a great great mom!




With Love,

Colin

This Week's Pictures!

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