Hank's First Hike

Johnny's birthday was last week, and Hank's gift to him was a backpack carrier for when we go hiking. We were anxious to try it out, and see how Hank likes the woods, so we packed up on Saturday and headed out to Sweetwater Creek State Park. It was a beautiful sunny, winter day. A little chilly, but not too bad once we got moving. Initially Hank was a little skeptical of this whole baby in the backpack thing, but by the end he was smiling and babbling up a storm! He "talked" to his Dad the whole time, and had so much to look at-we might have a future cub scout on our hands! (I'm sure his Dad would be thrilled!) He fell asleep about 30 seconds after we put him in the car for the ride home. It looks like he's a true Ritger-ready to take on the woods!

Thumbs, Tummies, and Toes

Hank is changing so fast in the past few weeks. He will now let me put him on his tummy for short period of time (still not a huge fan though). He LOVES to suck on his fingers, and my favorite-he has found his toes!! He's such a busy boy !!

3 Months

Happy 3 month birthday Hank! It is so amazing how much a baby changes in just 3 short months. Hank is such a big boy now! No more eat, sleep, poop, repeat for Hank-its now play, play, play...all day long! (although we still do the eat, sleep, poop in between). We had a trip to the doctor last week with Hank's first cold (don't worry-it sure didn't seem to bother him much, and he's all better now), at the appointment he weighed in at 15 lbs at 12 weeks, he's completely out of all his 3 month clothes, and in 6-9 month sizes. He's talking like crazy now, which makes his speech therapist mommy so proud. He can make all the vowel sounds, /g/ sounds, and just this weekend started making /m/ and /b/ sounds. He's just about to start blowing raspberries! Now he will sit in my lap or lay on the bed with me and just chatter away about whatever he's got on his mind! He continues to be such an active and alert guy. He's down to just two naps a day-a short morning nap, and then a longer afternoon nap. He's been consistently sleeping through the night for about 3 weeks now for about 11 hours-I am loving all the sleep! He can now grasp objects really well, and absolutely loves hanging out in his crib watching his mobile. He's just started sitting up really well in his bumbo seat, and will give a big belly laugh everytime he's sitting in it. He sits on the counter every night and helps me cook dinner. Just this week he's started jumping in his Johnny jump up, and seems really proud of himself for figuring that one out.

Now that I'm back at work 4 mornings a week, he spends his time playing with Cydni, his nanny. So far they seem to be having a great time together! It has been a challenge getting back to work-on one hand it feels really good to be back treating the kiddoes, but on the other I miss Hank terribly while I'm gone. I think part time work is perfect though, it really is the best of both worlds, and Hank seems to enjoy his time with his nanny. I'm not gonna lie, it is really nice to sit down to an hour lunch with adult conversation and not have a baby bouncing on my knees demanding attention. However, the best part of my work days are the huge smile he gives me when I walk in the door!

He changes every day, and in recent weeks, his personality has really started to show. He's no longer the needy, fussy newborn we brought home from the hospital. He's just plain FUN!

Hank being very serious about picture taking.

One of our many favorite activities, playing in the crib.
Hank has already discovered the Teletubbies
BIG belly laughs!
Another favorite-kicking in his diaper on the changing table
Working it in the play gym
Bumbo Boy! (and double chin boy!)
Hank now sits at the table with us during meals.

There's my favorite smile!
Enough with the pictures Ma!
His hands have found each other, always together then in the mouth.

We've come a long way baby...

Today Hank is 11 weeks old, which absolutely blows my mind. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital completely clueless about what the next 11 weeks would hold! Now I've got one week left before I return to work, and send my big boy off to the babysitter. He has changed so much in recent weeks it's unbelievable. He's such happy, mellow baby for the most part-he smiles and laughs all the time. He coos and goos all day, and is really starting to develop a personality. He will play independently in his play gym, sit up in his Bumbo seat already, grab his rattles, and has even started sitting at the table with us at dinner time (he's not eating yet, but just likes to be where the action is). He has really started to love going out to run errands during the day with me-he loves to look around the grocery store at all the lights and sounds.

Here's some pictures showing another huge change in just 11 weeks...he just loves his bath....

First bath at home-6 days old
Bathtime at 10 weeks old! People aren't kidding when they tell you they grow up fast! At this rate, I feel like I'll be dropping him off at college next month!

On the road again

Hank is such a traveling man already! We spent the past weekend in Charleston for our friend's Marc and Erinn's wedding. We went over early Friday to see the city; however since it hasn't been above freezing in a week our time touring the city was limited. However, we did bundle up and tour the Charleston historic district, doing some window shopping, and stopping for coffee when it got too cold. Hank's second car trip was a breeze compared to the 14 hour drive to Chicago. He slept for a few hours, and was content to play in his car seat babbling, smiling, and laughing the rest of the time.

We were so nervous about how things would go at the wedding, but as he always does, Hank was a trooper! He slept through the ceremony, and had us on pins and needles waiting to make a mad dash from the church if he started fussing, but not a peep. When we arrived at the reception, he woke right up and turned into a party animal! He just laughed and smiled at everyone, was out on the dance floor loving all the music and lights. He loved meeting and spending time with all of our friends- his "aunts and uncles". He got so much attention from everyone, and loved every second of it. He even got a kiss from the bride-what a lucky boy! Not a cry or fuss out of him all night. I can't imagine what goes on in his head at an event like that, but I could tell that he was really enjoying himself.

Seeing him so happy, made me feel so good about deciding to go on the trip. While it is a lot of work for us to travel now, I want Hank to experience things and see things with us. Each time we take him out, it gets easier for all of us. He is such a laid back little guy, and we had such a good time with him and our friends this weekend!

Hank's Seafood Restaurant!

Being silly and making faces in the car

Hank's first black tie affair (I think it was our first black tie affair as well) His outfit was a hit! The wedding photographer couldn't stop taking pictures of him.

Nate and Lauren dancing with Hank. They watched Hank for us so we could get out on the dance floor for a while!

Mel and Emily's turn with the baby.
Dancing with Paige and Emily. He's a ladies man already... Hanging out with Mike All the boys-Hank fits right in!

What a fun weekend!

9 week stats

Hank had his 2 month check up this week and here's how he sized up...

Weight: 13 lbs 4 oz 80th percentile

Height: 25 inches long 95th percentile

Head: 16 1/2 inches 89th percentile

He's such a BIG boy already!!

He also had to get his first shots at this appointment, which I have been dreading since he was born! He did really well though (better than me), and really didn't have any reaction afterwards other than being a little sleepy for the rest of the day. In other big news, Hank is coming really close to sleeping through the night in the past week. He is consistently sleeping 5-6 hour stretches every night, and got one 8 hour stretch this weekend. Let's hope he keeps it up!

Happy New Year and Happy 2 Month Birthday !

I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be an exciting year for our family!

My favorite gummy smile!