New Toy

Graham got a new toy and he is pretty nuts about it.

Leave it to daycare to keep us on the up and up with the latest baby gear (ok, I don't think jumperoos are new, but daycare did recommend the one to get and little man is in pretty strong agreement with their suggestion).

Like all things baby, some assembly was required. Thanks, dad!

Here he is in the one at daycare, telling us he'd sure like it if mom and dad had one of these for him at home. 

Can't say no to that face. 

Getting a little spoiled. Baby takeover in progress. 

Worth every penny. 

Videos are on the fritz for posting to the blog. Those are better than pictures for demonstrating his love for this new toy.

And I'm behind on posts -- this actually arrived just in time for his 4 month birthday. Has been perfect to use right away, though we put a pillow under his feet the first few times.  It took about a week for the pillow to be gone and for him to be going crazy with it.

4 Months Old

Little man gave some awesome smiles for his 4 month photo shoot. 

At his 4 month doctor appointment Graham weighed 16 lbs. 2 oz. and was 25 1/2" tall. This puts him in the 62nd percentile for weight, 53rd for height. And his head circumference was the 46th percentile. So he is tracking right along at a very healthy, average size.

Milestones include: 

• More laughing, mostly from being ticklish on this thighs and tummy. But we've had a few genuine laughs from just being silly too. 
• Drooling lots....
• Holding head up and propping onto forearms during tummy time
• Loves the ridiculous songs we come up with and sing to him
• First swim in a pool
• First boat ride
• First thunderstorm in a tent (ok, these aren't milestones -- just happenings)
• Making lots of art at daycare. Will post pictures soon.

During the wedding quilt portion of the shoot, we were just snapping the usual pics.

Then this happened. 

Graham rolled over for the first time! First from back to tummy, as these pictures show. Then he figured out how to get back onto his back. It was a good "training environment" on the soft bed where he flops a little more easily. But it was still fun to see him discover what his body can do. Now for the confession. These pictures were taken July 16 (not the 10th which was his actual 4 month birthday). I admit I've been a few days behind each month...but I am consistently behind, so we're still keeping track relatively accurately.

Anyway, Graham was pretty much "over" the photo shoot after all the rolling over excitement. But to keep up with the consistency, I forced the chair prop photos too. He was thrilled.

But let's not close with those. Look at all the smiles from the early shots on the fabric. 

 

 

And there are dozens more. Love this little guy so.stinking.much.

First Fourth

For Graham's first Fourth of July, he sported some red, white and blue at daycare (this was actually on the 3rd of course since we were off for the holiday).

Then for the Fourth, we headed to Wall Lake to spend the day with Dad and Jan. Graham wore his "Captain Adorable" swim trunks and shirt. 

He delivered on what his clothes titled him as. 

Graham went on his first boat ride on the 4th and therefore sported his first life jacket. He was more interested in licking it than appreciating its floating capabilities.Which we were just fine with.

 

Graham and Grandpa. All tucked into PJs for the ride home.

All in all it was a great day and little man slept well after a fun-filled day at the lake.

Traveling Baby

First swim? Check! 

The last weekend in June, we ventured to New Ulm (and St. Peter), MN for my cousin Tim and his bride Sara's wedding reception. We stayed in New Ulm where Graham got to experience his first swim. We had the hotel pool to ourselves which was great, and Graham seemed to really enjoy his swim! I thought for sure it would be too cold for him, but he never fussed and seemed truly fascinated by the whole process.

  

Another fun part of the weekend? Visiting Schell's Brewery. Graham did a great job venturing around in the Bjorn.

New Ulm is a really neat town and the brewery is set on a hill among beautiful gardens and historic buildings. We strolled around on our own a little before the official tour began.

Which, by that time, it was mom's turn to wear Graham since Aaron was actually interested to listening to the tour guide. Weird.

Grandpa Richard was on the tour with us.

We eventually cleaned up for the reception. 

 And the next morning we headed off to breakfast with Grandpa and Jan.

It's also worth noting this was our first night in a hotel as a little family. All went very well and he slept great in the Pack n Play. This was the weekend after the camping disaster so we were just happy there was an actual roof over our heads.

And before leaving town on Sunday, we cruised around New Ulm a bit and visited Flandrau State Park where there's a pretty cool sand bottom pool. Graham dipped his toes in and I have a feeling it's a place he could have a lot of fun in a year or two.
 

Pit stop at Dunn Brothers Coffee in Alexandria on the way home. Bottle for Graham. Iced coffees for mom and dad. On the patio. Thanks, buddy, for forcing us to stop and enjoy the outdoors a little along the drive home. 

This and That

A few random photos from June.... 

Out for a walk in our "space ship" stroller.We do love it for bug and sun protection!

Graham was cranky and Aunt Chelsey swooped in as "Super Babysitter" to calm him down.

Looking cute in his bath towel.

 Fun at daycare. In the bouncy chair.

Being introduced to the jumperoo.Totally fascinated...

Playing on more girly things.

More playing at home.

Driving to Lanesboro.

"Oooh, Twinkle horsie..."

Building neck strength on the Boppy. Hi Mom!

All tuckered out. 

More to come on what we've been up to in July!