Davis meets Dino the Dinosaur

Family

Everyone wants to meet Mr. Davis while he's still in the golden age of babyhood. Well, that's what my book says they are at 3-6 months. This is a time when they're all smiles but still can't escape on foot! We've been meeting lots of new folks from my family. Cousin Grant came out for a couple weeks, he's Davis's second cousin I think (he's my first...hmmm). Grant is 13...then his 18 year old sister came for about a week in a half. That's cousin Ellie- I think by the end she really loved Davis. She would sing to him, take him on walks, and even almost fought a salesman from Saks b/c of an "escalator incident" that could have been potentially harmful. We shall explain THAT later. I wonder what her teenage friends thought of her posting such pictures. I think Ellie did realize she likes Davis but is definately not enamored enough to have her own! Stretch marks do not go so well with itty bitty bikinis! Let's just wait for a good 10 years or so Elle... And, I think she may come to Hilton Head with the fam in November so I can go to a wedding and Davis has someone to watch him. Then Grandma Ellie came, Davis's Great (and only) Grandmother. She's 90 years old and flew here all the way from Spokane, WA like it was no big deal. I laughed when we were in the kitchen and she offered my dad her seat in case he wanted to sit down. But, that's Grandma. She may outlive us all! Then our last new friend was my cousin Danny- he's my oldest cousin at 35 and doesn't have any kids of his own but he was wonderful at calming him right down when Davis started getting fussy. We'll get to see some of these folks again at Christmas but Davis will be gigantic by then so I'm glad so many people made the effort and took time from their schedules to see our son. They change so quickly...sigh...Family's very important and I'm particularly lucky to have a great one.

3 month check-up

So, Davis is in good shape! We went to the doctor last week for his official 3 month check-up. He's doing all the things a 3 month Bean should be doing. Milestones that he surpassed...sitting up (assisted) & strength of grip. Things he's not doing so great on...lifting head while on tummy. He HATES being on his tummy so when he starts screaming I usually pick him up or roll him back over. It usually lasts all of two mintues. Oh well, I'm sure he'll be just fine. We're trying to see if the Boppy might be better for him to lay on. The right side of his head is slightly flat so we're putting all his toys to the left. His favorite on his playmat where he spends about 45 minutes in the morning was on his right so maybe this is throwing him out of wack. His head looks fine to me though! He's having no problems gaining weight which is more typical for aformula-fed baby.

Weight: 14 lb 4 oz (72%)

Height: 25 1/4" (90%)

MY BIG BOY! - this must be my genes.

They are SOOOO cute at this age. All smiles and charm. You would not believe how many strangers stop me in a store to google at this kid. I'm sure that happens to everyone but I do believe he is particularly cute :) Of course I'm not biased at all! This month we are still into toys we can bat at but now he gets a hold of them and then tries with all his might to pull them down and put them in his mouth. The drueling is also in full force. My shoulder is constantly moist. We've also learned how fun it is to grab mommy's hair. I can't believe what force it takes me to wrench it free! This week my cousin Ellie and Grandmother Ellie are in town to meet Mr Davis. They love him ALMOST as much as I do.

4th of July

I LOVE the 4th of July! I've spent it every year with my family since I can remember.

This week started with a visit from Uncle Clay. He was only in town for a couple days but he got to meet his first nephew. True to form., Clay likes to play a little rough but Davis seemed to like it. I always say he gets puppies and children mixed up. Clay even brought Davis his first little camper outfit. Hopefully Clay will come do that with Davis when he's older. Mommy & Daddy aren't so much campers in our "old age".

Friday is my sort of day off so I worked until about 12:30 and then mom, dad, and I met Kim at lunch outside in downtown Carmel. I chugged a margarita just a little too fast but I was in a good mood! Friday evening Stacy & JJ came home. I do have to say it is nice that both the families are in town so they're not back and fourth between towns when they come to visit. The Pease's just moved into to a beautiul Cape Cod home on Sagamore Golf Club. I've gotten to know the whole family (sans Emily who lives in CO) and Stacy is really very lucky in the in-law department. I don't think you could find a more adorable woman than Kathy Pease. I just wanna pick her up and put her in my pocket!

Sat we did our usual Farmer's marketing and errands. We made a stop at the hoppin' Joe's(Lazzara) Butcher Shop and stocked up on some yummy meat for the cookout at moms Sunday. We decided to do the 4th festivites at moms this year b/c frankly, the cleaning at my house has been a little on the light side since Davis was born. Plus, there were 20 people and there just isn't room since I have no yard in the back. But, I helped do the cooking and preparations. I tried to make a flag cake and we should have known not to let ME bake anything. It was out of a box that I later discover was from when I was in COLLEGE! Needless to say it was a little off so mom whipped something up and nobody was the wiser. We had super yummy pulled pork that Matt's dad brought down so we'd have some in our freezer a few weeks ago. Mom made chicken and hot dogs and most folks brought something to pitch in. It was really nice with all those people there-I had like 10 people willing to watch Davis so I could relax while daddy played cornhole. I have a few pics- most of which Davis is naked b/c it was so hot. I can't believe I didn't get any in his official 4th of July outfit that Nana bought him! Darn it!

All of the Carmel festivites were on the 5th this year...we started the day with the parade. I love the parade. It's my favorite part of the holiday. Its not great or anything but quite nostalgic. And people are serious. Chairs go up a full 24 hours before the parade even begins. Dad always plays tennis so he stakes out a place with chairs so have something in the shade. We've been sitting in the same place since I was born. Stacy, Dana (& Layla), JJ, Davis, I went to Kroger to get the customary over-abundance of donuts before the parade begins. Davis didn't even flinch at the sirens. He was quite a good boy. My 13 year old cousin, Grant, is staying at my parents for a couple weeks and I think Jill is confused on his age. She kept telling him to go fetch candy from the clowns. Maybe she thinks he's 8. He just laughed at her like the rest of us did. Oh well. The rest of the afternoon we spent at my parents. Matthew went home to work and rest (he's been getting up early with Davis) while Davis and I watched movies and played in the yard. It was a very nice restful day all in all. Since Davis's bedtime is a full hour before fireworks begin we skipped the big ones this year and just did some in the driveway. Davis is still so young he doesn't know to be scared of the loud cracks and bangs. He didn't even flinch, my big boy.

I can't wait til next year when Davis can run around and actaully partake in the festivities!

Mommy tricks.

So, I keep getting good advice from my mommy friends. I don't really know what I'm doing in a lot of instances so its really great to have some good women nearby to help. Here are a few things I've learned...

1.) Davis does NOT like to be cradled in your arms unless he's eating or sleeping. His favorite position is being held with his legs straddling my thigh so he can check out his surroundings. It also helps build his neck & head muscles so he doesn't do the newborn flop.

2.) He loves to flail around on the floor. The boy just goes crazy! He makes lots of noises while he is on the floor too. Some folks think the noises mean he's unhappy but he's just talkin' to us. If he was unhappy- y'all- you would know it! We like to put him on a the ground for play time a few times a day and just hang out and chat or sing with him.

3.) Those "activity mats" just pissed him off for the longest time until I figured that the 58 toys that were on the bar overhead is what was freakin him out. He just likes one or two- perferably something that chimes and that he can bat at. He also perfers the toy in front of him is on his left side. Apparently most babies pick one side over the other.

4.) Gas position...Davis has some gas and tummy issues after he eats. I realize there is formula for this but he absolutely refuses the "fussiness and gas" variety. The generic formulas have some kind of cheap binder that makes them VERY foamy and his tummy hurt all the more. So, when he does get gas, we put him in the position above. Tummy and head on pillow and feet hanging off so it puts some gentle pressure on him tummy. People, don't freak out- I know they're supposed to be on their backs- but don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. Besides, all of us capable of reading this blog grew up on our tummies- a few mintues a day won't hurt him!

5.) Babies- at least mine- don't cry for no reason. He's tired (and has to be forced into a nap), is hungry (or wants a pacifier), has a dirty diaper, or his tummy hurts. Fixing these issues quiets him 98% of the time. Recently, a few times he's been too warm. He's not as complicated as I originally anticipated.

6.) Movement- when he is generically fussy- don't put him down! Everyone wants to cuddle him and I can' blame them b/c he is so damn cute but swing or rock him- the hardler the better. This will put him to sleep in 5 mintues! Then slowly put him in the swing or vibrating rocking chair and voila, I can actaully make dinner!

7.) All these pee-pee gadgets that are supposed to go over his "man parts" so he doesn't pee on mommy are really pretty silly. Don't get me wrong- they're amusing but all his flailng around on the changing table means that the 3" peice of molded fabric does not work as well as intended. I throw a wipe on him. Simple & no extra accessories to carry!

Happy Baby

Our first friend.

Davis's first friend is Miss Peyton Steinberg (Christi's daughter). She's two and just loves "baby Davis". She helps feed him and always makes sure he has his pacifier. Here we are at the pool attending her first swim lesson Tuesday. She even jumped off the diving board! Today (Wed) we went to our first Carmel kids concert. There are singers for kids at local parks from 10-11a. We met Christi & Peyton along w/ Jackie & Ty. Ty is just 5 weeks older than Davis ans such a big boy. It's fun to have mommy friends to run around with!