November 2011

(Necklace Charlie got for me when Bruce was born)

The leaves on the trees in Norman started changing colors in the beginning of this month, and Bruce seemed to turn over a new leaf as well.  Ever since Bruce hit the 10 week mark he has been much happier during the day!  After a feeding I can put him down on his mat or play with him and he can stay amused for 30 to 60 minutes, rather than just five.  It has been so nice to be able to walk away and get some things done around the house without him immediately starting to fuss.  His naps seem to be getting longer as well.  Instead of just 20 minutes, he now usually sleeps between 45 minutes to an hour a couple of times a day.  Up until this last week he had been sleeping really well at night, waking up at most one time for a feeding and sometimes not at all.  He's even made one 11 hour stretch!  Now though he has been waking up multiple times every night which has been so confusing!  Possibly a growth spurt is going on, possibly he's just having a hard time putting himself back to sleep - we'll have to get to the bottom of it!

We have a few new major accomplishments to brag about for this month!  Bruce can now get his hands in his mouth, and can even sometimes get his fingers to unclench from fists so he can chew on them.  It took him awhile to figure out how to bend his arms at the elbows, and even then his hands ended up hitting himself in the eyes or cheeks a lot.  Now he can successfully get them to his mouth almost every time!  He also is starting to grasp toys and bring them to his mouth as well.  He has an elephant, a dog and a ball that he really enjoys playing with.  The only time he has laughed has been in his sleep, but he is smiling, squealing and talking a lot these days.  He is still a little unsteady with his head, but he is getting so much better at holding it up!  He enjoys being carried around vertically now and loves to sit upright in our laps with a little help.  Also, I don't know if it was all of the time spent in the car this month, or just that he's getting older, but Bruce doesn't cry to get into his car seat anymore, and doesn't fuss in the car unless it's time for a nap and we're not back home yet.  Yay for a content little man!  

We did so much traveling this month!  In addition to Kansas and Missouri, Bruce can now add Texas and Louisiana to the list of states he's visited.  (And I guess Arkansas, but we just passed through and didn't stop...)  Bruce spent half of the month of November away from home and logged over 3000 miles in the car!  

First we went down to Texas for my brother Paul's wedding.  We stayed with Papa Rick and Grandma Pat in Horseshoe Bay, and then drove to Paul and Leah's house in Killeen for the wedding on the 11th, and then again on the 12th for the reception.  We had a great time celebrating with them, and it was fun to see family and old friends.  Bruce spent the day passed from bosom to bosom, and he didn't seem to mind at all!  It was great for Bruce to get to meet his cousins Josh, Clarissa and Courtney also.

That Sunday morning we drove over to College Station because our old church was having a special picnic lunch and Charlie had a meeting scheduled with an equestrian representative from A&M Monday morning.  We hadn't been back to A&M in several years, so it felt so good to be "home".  We spent the afternoon catching up with old friends, ate dinner at the Blue Baker (a favorite sandwich restaurant) and spent the evening walking around campus.  Things have really changed a lot in the seven years since we left, but it was nice that some things always stay the same.  Bruce spent his first night in a hotel and passed the challenge with flying colors!  The next morning Bruce and I met up with Shelley, an old friend and co-worker, while Charlie went to his meeting.  Then, we hit up Layne's for lunch (another favorite restaurant - think Cane's, only better) and headed out of town.  Bruce did really well in the car, only crying after having to get back in his car seat after stopping for a feeding.  He'd wail for 10-20 minutes and then settle down to sleep until the next feed stop.

We were home for three days and then it was back in the car to head back to College Station.  Charlie's company is trying to get the bid for the stadium renovation so they wanted him to photograph midnight yell and the football game so they would have images for their presentation.  Bruce and I hung out at the hotel while Charlie went to yell practice.  Again, Bruce did wonderfully in the hotel.  The company only bought one ticket for the game, so Bruce and I walked around campus while Charlie took more photographs.  Sbisa, our favorite campus cafeteria was closed by the time the game was over, so we'll have to eat there next time.  We then headed towards Louisiana for Thanksgiving, but stopped in Houston for the night and to visit our friends Giancarlo and Leah and their boys.  It was a super short visit, but it was nice to catch up!

We got into Louisiana Sunday afternoon and spent the rest of the day with Charlie's Aunt Mary and Bruce's godmother, Emee.  Charlie is working on a project in a town nearby where his family lives and we stayed at the guest cabin there for a few nights.  The lady who owns the place said that Bruce must find it really peaceful there because he slept 10-11 hours every night we were there!  Charlie had to work Monday through Wednesday, so during the daytime, Bruce and I drove into Lafayette to see family.  We spent one day with Bruce's Aunt Michelle and cousins Daniel and Matthew.  Bruce and Matthew are just three weeks apart in age, so it was fun to see them together.  Then we spent another day with Emee eating yummy gelato and walking around downtown.  Thursday we had our Thanksgiving meal at Aunt Carol's house - always a large crowd with the Gutekunst Gang, and always a great time!

Charlie's Pop passed away the day before Thanksgiving, so we left Louisiana and drove straight to Kansas so we could be there for the funeral.  Another night in a hotel, but Bruce is a pro at public sleeping by now.  We stopped at home briefly to unpack and repack, and then finished the drive to Caldwell.  The service for Pop was really nice - Charlie played some music and some other family members put together a wonderful photo slide show of Pop's 95 years of life.  It was really great to see a lot of the Kolarik family, and a bittersweet time to celebrate Pop.  
 

Christmas 2007

We got home Sunday night and have spent the past few days trying to recover!  Some grocery shopping and a lot of laundry!  Once we get back on top of everything, it will be time to start getting ready for Christmas!  So, you better not pout, you better not cry...