Birth Sampler

We received a fun package in the mail today. Scott's mom finished Karsten's birth sampler and it's adorable! We showed it to Karsten as soon as we got it out of the mail and he really liked looking at all of the colors! Now we'll have to get it framed and hung up in his room!

PIVOT!

As you probably remember from this post, Karsten is swaddled at night to sleep. Out of habit we always put him in the same place in his crib. When Scott went to get Karsten out of crib this morning he had pivoted around and his head was where his feet were when we put him to bed last night. How does he do that when he's swaddled?

Fingers

Karsten will occasionally take a pacifier to help him calm down or fall asleep - usually when he's in his carseat. Lately he has discovered his fingers and has been sucking on them. He hasn't yet figured out that if you put your entire finger in your mouth you will gag yourself. The first few times he would gag himself and then look surprised. LOL. I think he might be getting the hang of it, he hasn"t gagged himself today.

He doesnt seem to have a favorite finger or set of fingers yet - I think it depends on which one he finds first.

Scootin'

Karsten and Scott were having tummy time tonight when Karsten decided to show us a new trick. Scott was trying to get him to roll over and all of a sudden Karsten got his knees under him and started pushing himself forward. His little arms were still trapped under him, but he was definetely on the move!

Today is Karsten's three month birthday - this is a great way to celebrate!

Good fun, good friends, good food

The Sunday before I went back to work we had dinner with a group of our friends. We used to get together once a quarter for dinner, but the frequency started slowing down once everyone got super busy and started having kids. Colleen and Matt were wonderful hosts and made the most amazing chorizo and chicken tacos - YUM! It was a great evening of chatting and catching up!

I think we set a goal to get together again before Christmas - keep your fingers crossed!



Colleen and Kenna - Kenna's birthday was the day before and Colleen's is tomorrow!


Scott and Gretchen getting the kid's food prepared


Seville, Karsten, Scott and Hadley.

Seville loved Karsten - he's a real live baby doll!

Matt showing Karsten the cool plates they got for the kids.

Scott and Karsten - love the mohawk he gave Karsten.

Kenna and Karsten

Seville, Hadley, Sam hanging out having appetizers.

Gretchen and Karsten

One Week Down...

We survived my first (half) week back to work. The first day of taking Karsten to daycare was the hardest. I'm so glad I did the test run on Tuesday - I would have been a wreck at work on Wednesday if that was the first time I dropped him off. The dropoff got a bit easier each day. I've been calling to check on him in the morning and afternoon - he's always doing well.

I had a wonderful welcome when I got into my office on Wednesday. My desk was decorated, I had a welcome back balloon and Krispy Kreme donuts! How lucky am I to have such great friends!

When I pick Karsten up from daycare the evenings I just want to hold him all night! We play, 'talk', read books and hang out - both Scott and I can't get enough of him after being away from him all day!

A Hard Day

So I go back to work full time tomorrow and today was the test run at the daycare. Scott and I tried out our new morning routine then Karsten and I hung out a bit before I dropped him off around 8:30am. I worried about him the entire drive to the daycare so by the time we got there I was practically already in tears. I took him in and said a few words through my tears and then told her I would be back to get him around noon. He was looking around at all of the kids and new surroundings when I left. He seemed like a happy camper. Of course I had to call and check on him - only once though! I think I may have to call twice tomorrow. :)

After I dropped him off Shannon and I went shopping - after some retail therapy I felt a little better! When I picked him up he was happily playing.

I took this picture before we left - he was super sleepy, he's not used to getting up so early. Me either buddy, me either.

That was the hardest thing ever - hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Sittin' Pretty...errr Handsome

We got Karsten a bumbo seat - we thought it would be a portable and convenient seat for him to be in when we're eating dinner or doing something and the swing or bouncy seat isn't near.

We put him in it and he seemed totally comfortable. I love how his arms are resting on the sides as if it's his own little armchair.

Karsten's First Laptop

Scott's coworkers - Tracy, Trey and Eva - got Karsten his very first laptop for our baby shower. Now that Karsten is getting a bit older, we wanted to see if he would enjoy looking at it. He hit his hand on the keyboard a few times and intently watched Scott play with it. I think he'll have lots of fun with it in the future.



Blowing bubbles as he watches. I love how his arm is resting on Scott's arm.


Learning to use a mouse - it's an important skill you know. :) Notice the mouse is a stuffed mouse - how cute is that?

Take a Stand!

Karsten loves to stand up, if he's fussy or bored you can stand him up and he immediately cheers up. His legs and back are getting so strong, he doesn't wobble near as much as he did a few weeks ago. One of Scott's favorite games is to show him how to put one foot in front of the other and walk.

Very focused on standing!

Eyelashes

I had hoped that Karsten would inherit Scott's long eyelashes and it looks like he has. They have been getting longer and darker lately. I snapped this picture while he was asleep in the car on our trip last weekend - I love those long lashes!

Relaxing Labor Day Weekend

We headed to Scott's mom's house for the long labor day weekend. It was a five hour drive so we had our fingers crossed that Karsten would do well in the car. He was a trooper and slept most of the way - we headed out after Scott got home from work on Friday and drove for about 3 hours before we stopped to feed Karsten. After a bottle he had a few protesting cries about going back into his carseat, then he went right back to sleep.

It was a relaxing weekend, we had a good time!

Karsten needed a nap after a feeding. Madison was sleepy too so I had both 'kids' on my lap.


He looked so cute sleeping on me.


Checking out the Jack in the Box. I'm sure he'll be more interested in the future! I remember Taylor loving the Jack in the Box.


Grandma Linda feeding Karsten.

We stopped to see Kevin and Melissa's new house (aka manor) on the way home.

Family Ties

A few weeks ago we attended my great uncle"s funeral. Since all of our immediate family was in attendance we wanted to do a family picture. This was also the first time Karsten met the fam AND the first road trip. He did really well - slept most of the time. We stopped about an hour into our trip to feed him and after a few tears to protest getting back in his carseat he fell asleep until we arrived.

My parents with Scott, Karsten and I

Two generations - Great uncle Charlie, Dave and Chuck

Scott, Chuck, Shannon, Peg, Dave, Brett, Cali
Lisa, Karsten, Uncle Charlie

4 generations

My parents and us with Uncle Charlie

Dave's family with uncle Charlie

I love this one!!

The only grandchildren - My cousin Brett and I

Practice sitting

Along with tummy time, Scott decided to practice sitting with Karsten. As you might expect, he is very wobbly, but his back is getting stronger and he's holding his head up really well.

In the crib

We decided it was finally time to move Karsten from the pack n play in our room to his very own crib in his room. Up to this point the crib has been used occasionally for tummy time, maybe once for a catnap, and all the time for generally looking cute.

Last night was its big test - Karsten was going to sleep in there all night. As you can see, he's swaddled, we learned our lesson the other night. He did wonderfully, slept for 7 hours! I think we each checked on him 3 times before we went to sleep and the baby monitor was turned up and right next to the bed. WHEW - success, we all made it.