Wesley's Timeline

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Friday, July 30, 2010

6 Months...

That is half a year! Six months ago to this day, the nurses placed Wesley Isaiah in my arms. I can honestly say on that day I still loved the idea of him, as I had in my pregnant days. Today, I can unequivocally say that I love HIM. There are a million and one things that are unique to my son. And I love each and everyone of them.

Six months turns this...

Wesley, at 2 days old, coming home from the hospital...

Into this...

Wesley, yesterday, eating his rice cereal
Wesley, at six months you are truly becoming a little person. You are so close to sitting up on your own. You do so for seconds at a time, but with no support you tend to topple forward onto your stomach. But you can easily sit in between my legs on the sofa or on someone's lap for long periods at a time.

You still only roll from your back to your tummy, a feat which is supposed to be much more difficult than the other way. But once on your tummy you are content for long periods to look around and play with toys. And then once you are fed up, you simply scream until someone comes along to rescue you!
You sleep very well at night, falling asleep at around 8pm and waking once or twice to nurse before being awake for good in the mornings at around 7. You sleep in our bed with us and some of my favorite moments so far with you have been waking up as a whole family and enjoying your smiles and chats first thing in the morning.


We have just started solid foods and once mommy gave up on a spoon and let you eat from her finger you have enjoyed sitting at the table (in your highchair) and doing what the big kids do. So far you have tried rice cereal, banana and apple puree. Next we are moving on to sweet potato! And I'm happy to say you are still nursing like a champ. We both enjoy the quiet moments when we settle in for a good nursing which happens throughout the day (and night)!


You have a lot of favorite toys, especially mousey who goes for all car rides with you. However, you are most fond of playing with mommy and daddy. You are blowing crazy spit bubbles and raspberries and doing a lot of "talking." Sometimes you screach the highest and loudest noise imaginable. You also make a lot of maa sounds and gaa sounds. You have a great gurgle noise that mommy has tried to imitate and can't. And you love to make popping noises with your lips, popping them apart.


You do the most endearing thing we have termed "glomming." You grab onto our face with both hands and pull it towards your open mouth. Once your mouth is touching a cheek, you make noises. We call it Wesley's kisses.


You are a huge flirt and smile with just about everyone you see. Just a look from mommy or daddy can create a huge smile across your face.


We'll find out your exact statistics on Monday (your sixth month pediatrician's visit) but you have very dark blue eyes and all of your hair that is coming in is a very light blonde. And you have lashes that most women would do anything for!


In terms of other physical milestones, Wes loves splashing in the bath. He loves his jumper that hangs in the doorway. He has almost completely grown out of his swings and bouncy seat because he can sit up and lean forward out of them. He loves the baby in the mirror and is just starting to reach for the dogs and cats (beware animals of the Neilsen household)! He also loves being outdoors. When he's fussing and doesn't want to nurse I can almost always make him happy by taking him outside. He watches the leaves blown in the wind and examines the grass with the greatest amount of concentration.


Daddy and I are so excited to see you grow and learn! You have already gotten bigger and stronger (and quite frankly much more interesting)! Just don't grow up too quick, okay?

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Rest of our Trip

"Now, who are you again?" We love Auntie Lizzie!


Pop-pop and Wesley cuddling at Conner Prairie. He slept through all of the drumming and the volleying of muskets!


But he didn't sleep through making funny faces with Pop-pop... so much to listen to!

And so much to say!


Three generations of Neilsen men! How can you not love this photo and all that it stands for?


Wesley's first taste of banana... he was definitely not so sure. We only gave it to him the once at home, on the 4th of July with all the grandparents (aka papparazzi) around. Since we've been home Wes has dabbled in rice cereal, banana and applesauce.... applesauce being by far his favorite!

Sleeping on Grandma... that eating/posing for pictures is so tiring!


In his 4th of July outfit!


"Mom, is this really a dog?"


Watching fireworks with daddy... he wasn't at all afraid of the booms and really watched the whole fireworks display. I was impressed with him.


Grandma and her other "buggle", Cousin Raley


Two sisters and a sleeping baby!

I'm putting this pic on for Jamie 'cause I think it's just too cute! Jamie's adorable kiddos (James and Ali) and their being-ridden-upon daddy Alex.


Jamie, Wes and I... he loves having so many "aunts!"


Watching a movie with Grandma... I promise we didn't let him do too much of this. But he was fascinated with the flashy box!


Meeting "Grandma" Karen


Just too cute not to include!


Getting advice from "Grandpa" Dave


Those grandparents will let you do anything! Even if it means you spit all over the outside of their cup!


Hanging with Grandma Annie


The library can be so tiring! This is what I found in the back seat when it went quiet after my mom and I had stopped at the library with Wes. He feel asleep sucking on mousey's nose.


Wes' first time in a pool! He liked it... though he didn't understand why just because he was waving his arms around like a crazy man he kept getting splashed in the face!


Talking with Grandpa...


Flirting with Albie... "Come over here so I can pull your hair!"


Hanging out with Grandma

Meeting Great-Aunt Lorraine

This jumping seat was a $2 find at a garage sale and his FAVORITE thing yet... he loves being all on his own, jumping!

Future Boiler-maker?


Adoring set of Grandparents


Adoring set of Grandparents...

Think this is kid is pretty lucky? He is loved everywhere he turns! We had a great time at home with all of you! I love you!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Home a Week

Wes'1st Plane Ride!


Wes and I have been home more than a week and I can't really tell you why I haven't yet posted. I guess I've lost my blogging mojo some. Also, I'm on day three of attempting to get this post up and am only a third of the way through the pictures from the trip... so I think I might be dividing the pics into two posts or else it's going to be two weeks before I post it!


Meeting Grandma Annie at the Airport... think there's some love there?


Our trip back to Indiana was, as always, too brief. Going "home" is always a little bit of a double edged sword. It was fabulous to see everyone (though of course there were many who we wanted to see and just weren't able to) and awesome to introduce Wes to so many family and friends who love him and are just now getting to meet him. But it also makes me homesick and long for family living a lot closer.



We got to see so many people while we were back which was definitely the highlight of the trip.


Meeting Great Uncle Rich and Paula


Meeting his Grand-God-Mother Sandy :)

Meeting his Great-Great Aunt Joan Dee (is that right Annie?)



Meeting his Great Grandad Doty (my paternal grandfather)





Three generations... At least the first two are looking at the camera!




Meeting the cousins!



This meeting people and going new places sure does wear you out!



With Pop-Pop at the zoo

Checking out Albie with Grandpa Jay


With Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Mikey


I love this picture! With Grandma Alice

Getting love from cousin Raley


Aunt Jamie with three adorable kids



"Who's back there? You sound like Mommy!"


We also did some stuff. We went to the Indianapolis Zoo and Mass Ave. Toys. We ate out several places, including delicious Greek food in Fountain Square, a cute French bistro in downtown Carmel and of course Steak n' Shake. And let me just say thank goodness there isn't one of those near us! With their shake happy hours with half priced shakes from 2 to 4pm I would NEVER lose my baby weight! I also took Wesley swimming for the first time and to his first Hamilton County 4-H Fair Queen Pageant! For those that don't know I was queen back in 1997. So it was fun to revisit that world. Litte has changed. Wes also attended his first baseball practice or tried to, ate his first solid food with little enthusiasm and saw his first fireworks!


In the goat petting area of the zoo


At the end of our zoo trip... it was hot!



Wes and I at Mass Ave. toys... There was A LOT to look at!

At his first softball practice... raising a "true" American :)

And just because... Wes doing his best chalk outline impression



More pictures to come in a future post...