5 Month Check Up

This past week Ian went in for his 5 month check up. Everything's fine. He's in excellent health. He's a little less than 14 lbs and about 26 inches tall.
He's been teething and that's been bothering him a lot. It's still probably awhile before he gets his first tooth but the pressure on his gums makes him miserable sometimes. We've tried holistic teething pills, oral jel and baby tylenol when it gets really bad, but none of it seems to help that much. Sucking on some ice sometimes can calm him down when it's really bad.

He's been waking up more than usual too. Not every night, but enough to tire Kara out. He's was sleeping most of the night with only one middle of the night feeding, but recently it's been two and it's been hard to get him back to sleep. It might be the controlled chaos of our remodelling, the teething or just a phase he's going through. We don't know, but for Kara's sake I hope it doesn't last.


Speaking of the remodelling the work is probably 75% done. For those that don't know, we are having our basement redone. Ian's room used to be the guest room so right now we don't have an actual guest room. That will soon change. There will be a nice new guest room in the basement along with a new bathroom-complete with a rainfall shower and steam. We (or should I say "I") broke down and also upgraded the shower and toilet in the bathroom upstairs as well.
Kara's parents are coming for a visit later this week for Labor Day--we don't know how much of the remodelling work will be done by then. And my dad, Cor, my uncle Dirk and his partner, (my honorary uncle) Chi will all be visiting later this month to see the baby and the house. My dad will be staying at least some of the time at the house and will be breaking in that new guest room and bathroom downstairs. We're all looking forward to it.
That's it for now. Off to work. :)

Kara and Ian with hats on..

Here's Kara and Ian getting ready to go out for a walk around the neighborhood. Ian's bundled up in his baby Bjorn carrier and both are wearing hats to protect them from the sun. And both look very cute.
 

Long awaited blog update

Okay so this time around I've stretched the update to over a month (by just a few days). Here's a quick recap of the events of the past month (in no particular order):

1. Kara went to LA (for work) for 4 days leaving Ian here with me (and the nanny). I had a couple of late nights (very late) but overall we did just fine. It actually was easier than I thought and thanks to Kara's milk stockpile I only fed him formula a couple times. It was also a lil easier for Kara as well. While she still missed him terribly it wasn't the heart breaking ordeal she feared.

2. Ian's getting much better with his neck control and soon he'll be able to sit up unassisted. (or so we hope)

3. He's trying to turn over, but hasn't quite mastered it.

4. He LOVES grabbing his feet. And sticking anything he can in his mouth. He can't quite fit his feet in his mouth (yet), but he's trying...he has managed to get his socks in his mouth though.

5. He's making all sorts of weird baby noises. He used to just cry or whine. Now he's got all sorts of non-upset noises. Kara's working on translating it into English, but hasn't gotten it down yet.

6. Non baby related-the work on the basement is finally underway. This is important for visitors (like say, my father) since Ian's nursery was the guest room. Right now there is no guest room. But soon that will be fixed as the basement is getting a remake with a nice guest bedroom and a fancy schmancy bathroom (complete with steam room!!). As of Aug 7th the workers are about halfway done and expect to be finished by the end of the month. Potential guests time to start scheduling your Sept/Oct visits!

7. More non baby related-my office is moving and I hired two new employees, one of which is the person who started the company with me 7 long years ago, Nate Vanek. His coming back has been the closest thing to an early birthday present.

8. We can't think of anything else important to mention (which doesn't mean there isn't anything, just that we are way too tired to think of it).

Thanks for watching. :)

Ian in New Orleans with his grandma Judy

Ian's first trip to the "big easy" with his mom and grandparents (back in June). Here he is out and about with his grandma Judy. 

Ian reading a book?

No, not really. Kara's reading the book. Ian's just looking at the pictures. :) 

Ian in his high-tech-ish Exer-Saucer

He's still just a lil bit too small for it, but he really loves his Exer-Saucer--playing with the toys (he especially likes the cell phone) and spinning around. He gets tired pretty quickly but when he gets a little stronger he'll really enjoy it. 

Ian looking sweet

 

Cute when he's mad? Yup.

 

Kara about to take Ian on a walk

Ian's now able to face outward in the Baby Bjorn when Kara takes him out for a walk. He loves looking around and seeing the world. 

Ian and his (unshaven) father

For those asking for pics of me with the baby..here you go. This is me before I finally got around to shaving (but after I finally got around to getting a haircut).

Ian wears sunglasses at night..