January 2012

I can't believe 2012 is here already and in full swing - this past year, more than any other, has just seemed to disappear!

We started the New Year off with a 12 hour drive home from Louisiana and a night with good friends who stayed at "Hotel Kolarik" on their way from Texas to Missouri.  It was so great to see Dan and Leslie and to meet their new baby, Liam!  We're really hoping these little guys will be good buds when they grow up!  Such cuties!

Charlie and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary at the start of the month.  Man.  Eight years?  It can't be.  It does seem hard to remember what life was like before Charlie though, so maybe I'm counting right!  This year for our anniversary we decided to take up a hobby together - woodturning.  Charlie found a good deal on a used lathe with our oh-so-favorite website Craig's List, and drove to Dallas last weekend to pick it up.  He's already a pro at using it, no surprise - but I think it'll take me a little longer to get the hang of it!  Charlie wants to make pens and pencils, and I have "high hopes" of making some old fashion toys.  We'll see.

Bruce and I were rear-ended the first week of January.  Totally minor incident, but we were bummed our "new car" didn't make it too long before getting smashed.  Thankfully the other driver had insurance, and the company was really great to work with.  We even got a rental car for the week, even though we technically didn't need one.  So we cruised around in a Taurus for awhile - major highlight?  Satellite radio!  We listened to Kid's Place Live the whole time and discovered some really fun folk music for kids (and adults with child-like spirits).  Bruce may be too young to appreciate it now, but we'll have quite the iTunes collection for him when he's ready.  (Check out Alastair Moock, our current favorite artist)

We made a road trip to Ft. Riley, Kansas in the middle of the month to visit our friends Evan and LeAnn and their super-fun boys, Noah and Daniel.  We had a great time, as always, and this time managed to play an almost-never-ending game of Uno.  LeAnn was victorious in the end, thankfully, because after-midnight partying isn't what it used to be!  It was also great to glean parenting strategies from a family a few steps ahead of us.

And what is Bruce up to these days?  Well, I guess I could start by saying that anytime I think things are becoming "predictable," he loves to throw us a curve ball!  That being said, we have actually settled into a pretty nice rhythm.  Bruce is still taking 3 naps a day, still almost exactly 45 minutes long each time.  As long as he gets his naps and is in bed before 7pm, he's usually a really happy baby.  He's not laughing on his own yet, but it's really easy these days to get out laugh out of him by tossing him up, or "dropping" him, or giving him a real good, all-around jiggle.  Bruce is always all smiles when he catches a glimpse of himself in a mirror, but can you blame him?  He loves to blow raspberries, especially with a finger or two  in his mouth for optimal spray effect.  He also gets great giggles out of "eating" my shoulder whenever I pick him up.  He's interacting a lot more with us and his toys - it's crazy to watch his face as he's processing how things work because I swear you can actually see the gears turning in his little brain!  If he's not on the floor playing with toys, you can find him strapped to me in the bjorn carrier.  He loves doing chores with me!  I only hope that will last through adolescence...

Our biggest challenge this month has been with Bruce's night sleep, but the past week has been much better.  He was waking up every hour or two and having a really hard time putting himself back to sleep.  The problem only amplified when he learned to roll over (yes, he's rolling over now!) and would get stuck on his belly.  After a few days he learned that if he just puts his head down, it's actually quite comfortable.  Now he almost always sleeps on his stomach.  He still can't roll over from his belly to his back, but I'm sure once he learns to use that big head of his as leverage, it will be a piece of cake.  He's practicing his rolling any chance he gets, including while nursing, getting his diaper changed, and taking a bath... which tends to complicate things some, but I'm happy he's testing his skills!  Lately he's started to do this funky hip-swivel maneuver when he's on his back which I'm thinking might be the first signs of his crawling technique.  Maybe he'll just be a backstroke baby.

Bruce has become an accurate thumb-sucker this month, which has almost eliminated the amount of pre-sleep crying at nap times.  He doesn't suck it too much just for the heck of it, but it's good to know that he knows where to find it when he needs some extra comfort.  He also has developed a fascination with hair - both mine and his own - and loves to run his fingers through it when he's falling asleep.

Other big news - we have quite the little "foodie" on our hands.  The few weeks following Christmas Bruce got to eat what could best be described as gruel, but since then we've been adding to his palate with great success!  So far Baby has happily eaten peaches, green beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, pears, squash, prunes (but we call them "plums" around this household), apples, and peas.  Yes, even peas went down the hatch without a hitch.  So far we haven't noticed any allergic reactions, and he's always begging for more with a big, wide open mouth no matter what's on the menu.  The quantity is still pretty minimal, but he's learning the skill and enjoying the experience which is what matters right now.  Solid foods haven't interfered with his interest in nursing either, so all around gold stars for Bruce!

At Bruce's 5 month weight check we found out he moved up only one percentile, but at least he's double digits now!  His doctor said that if this is his "normal," then there's nothing wrong with his weight and she's not concerned at all.  It just initially sent up a red flag when he dropped 30 percentile points in two months.  So, we're good to go, and Bruce was just happy he got to leave without getting a shot.  (Little does he know what the next visit entails...)  Other health related update - Bruce's eczema has cleared up this month!

Going on a walk in Bruce's Bear Suit

Charlie has been traveling a bit more these days, but it hasn't been too bad yet.  The casino project he was working on in Kansas opened this month, so we stopped by on our way home from Ft. Riley so Charlie could show me around.  Unfortunately they wouldn't let us come in - something about not wanting a baby in a casino?  And the A&M stadium project bid is coming along nicely also - it's looking like his company just might get to do the renovations.  I've settled in nicely to my "working" routine this month.  It's been an interesting balance of added stress (what did I get myself into signing up for this?) and a boredom buster (what would I do all day if I didn't sign up for this?)  I've really enjoyed working on the church curriculum because it makes me feel like I'm still in "the classroom" somewhat, and the paycheck from my envelope stuffing endeavors is a nice supplement when things like needing to buy a high chair creep up on us!

2012 is off to a great start and I am so thankful for all I have been blessed with!

December 2011

December has been such a great month for us!

There have been a lot of changes around our household this month!  For starters, Bruce is now taking all of his naps in crib and is going to bed between 7 and 8 every night.  This new found freedom has allowed me to resume somewhat of a normal life again!  I can keep the house picked up fairly well and have started cooking dinners every night again.  Charlie and I can actually eat dinner together at the same time now, and as much as we love that baby - it's great to have a few non-baby hours to spend together in the evenings. 

I also started two part-time jobs this month.  I like to think of myself as a Legal Marketing Analyst, but really I'm just a glorified envelope stuffer for an attorney friend of mine.  It's the perfect job for me because it's just a couple of hours a day and I can work from home.  I also started to work for the church we go to, helping put the children's curriculum together.  Again, just a few hours a week, and I can do it from home.  Now that Bruce is a little more independent, it's nice to have something to keep me a little busy during the day so I don't go stir crazy.  Charlie has finished all of the "after work" projects he was working on, so he has been able to spend a lot of time with Bruce when he gets home in the evenings.  Bruce's face always lights up when he sees him, and I love watching them interact with each other!

When Bruce is awake, he has been so much fun!  He now is very interested in toys, reaching and grasping for them, and of course putting everything in his mouth.  He's a pro and getting his fingers and thumbs in his mouth to suck them, and just recently discovered his feet.  It's fun watching him realize that those things are attached to him, and he can control them!  We get lots of smiles and squeals, and Bruce has even started to let out a few gut chuckles!  They don't come very often, but make my heart so happy when I hear them!  Usually a really good jiggle, or smothering him with kisses on the back of his neck or belly do the trick.  I'm looking forward to the days when laughing is a regular thing for him!  He spends time on his tummy everyday, but we're not seeing any signs of crawling yet.  Baby likes to stand though!  We joke that he might skip crawling all together and just start with walking.  He's trying really hard to roll over, but no success yet.  Maybe by next month! 

Bruce had his four month appointment a few days before Christmas.  We found out that he's now in the 93rd percentile for length, but at 13 pounds, only the 9th percentile for weight.  The doctor wasn't worried, and I guess when you look at the genes he inherited, I shouldn't be too concerned or surprised either.  He still looks healthy and doesn't seem to act hungry all of the time, so she didn't tell us we have to do anything different.  She wants us to come back next month for a weight check though, just to be on the safe side.  We also got the go-ahead to start him on solid foods.  Starting with cereals, and then we can move on to fruits and vegetables after he gets the hang of using a spoon.

After all of our traveling last month, and with the trips planned for this month, we decided to join the minivan club when we found a really great deal on a used 2007 Honda Odyssey with less than 30,000 miles.  Even though we weren't looking to buy a car for another year or so, we had a touch of van-fever and couldn't pass up the opportunity!
     

We went to Texas on the 23rd to spend Christmas with my family.  It was the first time I was home for Christmas in eight years and we had a great time.  All of the "family" was able to be there with the exception of my nephew Josh and niece Clarissa.  Bruce especially loved all the extra attention he received from the grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins!  We also found out the exciting news that my brother Paul and his wife Leah are expecting a baby this summer! 

 

The weather was beautiful while we were there, so Bruce even got to take a couple of walks with Papa Rick and Grandma Pat.  He's not quite old enough to go feed the turtles yet, but I think he enjoyed watching the deer!
 

For a gift this year, we got Bruce a box of rice cereal - so he had his own Christmas feast.  He did really well too!  He opened his mouth for the spoon, and didn't spit too much of it back out!  No funny faces really either, but maybe those will come with the more flavorful fruits and veggies next month!

We left a couple days after Christmas and drove to Louisiana to spend a late Christmas with Charlie's family.  We had the traditional "Duck Dinner" with the Kolarik family first.  It was the first time that the whole family was together since Charlie and I got married - and we've grown since then!  Great food and lots of fun!

Bill and Daniel making Kolaches

The next day Charlie took us on a tour of the horse farm he's been working on for the past three and a half years.  It's almost finished now, and a spectacular sight to see.  I am so proud of him!

Today was the Gutekunst Family Christmas.  Almost all of Charlie's mom's family lives here in St. Martinville, or closeby, so it was quite the house full of people!  It was really fun to catch up with family members we haven't seen in awhile, and we always love showing Bruce off.  There wasn't a lack of arms to hold him, that's for sure!  We head back to Oklahoma tomorrow.  It will be a long drive, but Bruce still cooperates fairly well in the car, so hopefully it won't be too bad. 

We're looking forward to the beginning of a new year, and can't wait for the adventures that await us in 2012!

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...

October 2011

Well, a week into October I realized that Bruce's grumpiness wasn't going to go away at the "magical" six weeks mark.  So I decided to come up with a list of the top 10 things I enjoy about him during this phase of life to help keep things in perspective:

1.  I love the way his tiny hands clench and unclench along my side while he's eating.
2.  I love the way his body fits perfectly wrapped around me when he's eating.
3.  I love the way his face feels against my cheek.
4.  I love the way he snuggles my shoulder and tucks his legs when I'm burping him.
5.  I love the way his head bobbles around when he's trying to hold it up to look around.
6.  I love how bright his eyes can be, especially when he stares at the ceiling fan.
7.  I love the nice little squeals and squawks we hear from time to time.
8.  I love when he smiles.
9.  I love the way he flops over in his crib when he's sleeping contentedly.
10.  I love and appreciate the way he sleeps at night.

I gave up caffeine halfway through the month to see if that would help Bruce with his tummy troubles and help him sleep better during the day.  He seems to be happier when awake for longer periods, but he still only naps for about a half hour at a time, if that.  I think that will get better as his body matures a bit.  He's regularly sleeping 5-7 hours at night though, so I'm counting my blessings!  Speaking of sleep, in addition to the "pinwheel" sleep maneuver, he is also now scooching to the bottom corner of the crib, along with getting his legs stuck in the slats almost on a nightly basis!  I finally made him a net that ties along the crib wall to keep his appendages inside at all times.  So far, so good.

Bruce is flipping over from side to side these days, and isn't favoring his left side too much anymore.  He still isn't rolling over completely yet, but I'm sure that will come soon enough!  What we're getting a lot of these days though are smiles, and smiles in response to our smiles!  Sometimes after a diaper change Bruce loves to just hang out on the changing table staring at the picture frames on the wall (I think he likes the contrast between the black frames with white mats against the green wall) and will smile and squirm and smile some more.  I guess he really appreciates the simple things in life!  He also has started to follow me with his eyes sometimes when I walk by him.  We're really loving these beginnings of social interaction and can't wait for more to come!

We've added a nightly bath to our routine this month and Bruce absolutely loves it!  He's not splashing around too much yet, but he's all smiles (until the water starts to get cool...)!

Towards the end of the month we made a trip to Springfield, Missouri to visit Pop again at Ann and Howard's house.  It was a short adventure, but we had a really great time.  We warned Ann and Howard ahead of time that Bruce liked to fuss a lot, but they said not to worry - their grandbaby was the same way!  That relieved a little of the stress, and overall Bruce did really well.  In the car there was very minimal screaming and mostly sleeping, and he was a pretty good trooper the days we were there.  Best of all, he slept like a champ at night in his playpen.  He spent a lot of time staring at Pop from his changing pad, and we even made a trip to a farm park and pumpkin patch with the cousins while we were there!

Bruce had his two month check-up when we got back from our trip.  The nurse was pleased with all of Bruce's developments and didn't have any concerns.  He now weighs 11 pounds, 10 ounces and is nearly 25 inches long.  That puts him in the 35th percentile for weight and the 98th percentile for height. I guess he's just like his parents - long and lean.  Baby's still got a big head, too - but it's growing proportionally, which I guess is what matters.  They finished off the visit with three whopping shots in his thighs which sent his first big alligator tear streaming down his beet red face.  Poor baby.  He survived though and didn't seem to have any side affect reactions from the vaccinations.

Charlie spent some time this month working on Bruce's Halloween costume - furry cowboy chaps that match his, complete with a hand-tooled leather hip band - they make quite a pair!  Then I made a Mexican poncho out of a placemat to finish out the costume.  I had every intention of making some felt cowboy boots, but needless to say, never found the time - oh well - I think he's still pretty darn cute!  We carved pumpkins with friends and took Bruce trick-or-treating to our old neighbors and friends - Tim and Loretta's house.  It's been a Halloween tradition since we moved away and we were happy to have Bruce with us this year to join the fun.

October came and went in a blink of an eye!  We're looking forward to the upcoming holiday season filled with lots of time together with family!