Feeding the Monster

I have been eating solid foods for a month and a half now. So far, I have enjoyed most of them, although breast milk is still my favorite (can you blame me?). The only thing that hasn't worked at all is bananas. I puked up the ones I had at my Grandma and Grandpa Laub's house. It was not pretty. I puked 5 times in all. Yucky. Mommy says we'll wait a few months before we try those again! Also, barley cereal is really hard for to digest yet so we backed off on that, too. Below is a list of the foods I've had so far. I am continuing to try single ingredient foods to make sure they all agree with me. Once I have a number of them under my belt, Mommy will mix a few together for me. She has put some of the fruits in my baby cereal already, and I have moved up from soupy smooth purees to slightly chunky food now. So far, applesauce, sweet potatoes, and cherries are my favorites. Mommy is making most of my food from scratch since she has the time and means. Since she like cooking, she has enjoyed cooking for me.

Nicky's Food Diary:

Cereals- rice cereal, oatmeal, barley cereal (shelved for now)

Veggies - carrots, avocado (actually a fruit), sweet potatoes, peas (next up: squash and green beans)

Fruits- bananas (yucky), apples, apricots, bing cherries, watermelon (next up: peaches, pears, and melon)

Me eating my spoon filled with sweet potatoes

Enjoying some cherries

My Adventures in Lawrence

Hi guys! Long time, no type, right? Sorry, me and my parents have been busy. For example, last week Wednesday and Thursday Mom and I went to Lawrence Kansas where Mom and Dad used to live and work for awhile. Its only 45 minutes away from KC. Anyway, Mommy was invited to participate in a research meeting for a research grant she used to work on as a Graduate Research Assistant a few years ago. It involved a supper on Wednesday evening and an all-day meeting on Thursday. So, we drove down to Lawrence Wednesday and stayed overnight with our friends the Rack-Meltons. Mommy actually met Jennifer when they worked together at that same job at the Beach Center on Disability at KU.

Jennifer's husband, Phil, volunteered to babysit me along with his 3 kids while Jennifer and Mommy went to the events. Mommy was very thankful but wondered if Phil knew what he was in for. Phil said it was fine since he had to watch his 3 kids anyway, what was one more. Overall, things went pretty well. Mommy was only gone a few hours Wednesday evening. I enjoyed playing with Spencer who is not quite 4, Xavier who is 2.5, and Cordelia who is only 5 days younger than me! I also loved playing with their big doggy, Ranger, who is a Great Dane. I kept trying to french kiss him (you think it would be the other way around, right?). Cordelia and I did get upset right before Mommy and Jennifer came home because Xavier was mad that Spencer woke him up and that set us babies off. We got some crying in but not for long.

Thursday morning Mommy and Jennifer had to be at the meeting for breakfast at 7am sharp. Like my usual self, I wanted to be held by Phil most of the time while Mommy was gone. What can I say, I'm a lap baby for sure. By 11:30am, Mommy and Jennifer both were quite uncomfortable from not feeding us babies in over 4 hours, so Phil brought us to the meeting over lunch so we could get our lunch! That's good because I was continuing to be stubborn and refused to take a bottle again and did not eat much of my babyfood. The afternoon went well until the power went out at the house and the two toddlers started to rebel with no lights, tv, etc. So, Mommy and Jennifer bugged out of the meeting a little bit early to come save him from us. All in all, Mommy thought things turned out well. She says she owes Phil big time. It was just a bit stressful for the both of us since it was the longest we'd been apart and it was just a new situation. I didn't poop the whole time we were away from home! But, I got my normal rhythms back once we got home. I hope we go back to visit soon, although I prefer Mommy to stick around next time.

My first trip to ND!

Me and the rents just got back from my first trip to North Dakota earlier this week. It was a great time!! We were gone for a week and a half, and let me tell ya, we were busy! There were many days of driving. Not my favorite, but I survived by sleeping. Lots. Mommy and Daddy said I'm a good traveler. Despite my many snoozes on the road, I still slept pretty normally at night, too. What I enjoyed best about the trip was all the people I met! I love people! It was great to meet all the friends and relatives my parents have been talking about. I enjoyed smiling at and playing with them all. I was held almost continuously - what a dream! The only problem was that I resisted taking my naps because I didn't want to miss any of the action:) Both sets of grandparents also threatened to keep me, of course!

We heard many different opinions as to who I look like or take after on the trip. Many people said I looked like: my Uncle Dusty, a Laub baby, a Welsch baby, my cousin Jordan Ottmar, my mommy, my cousin Keith Deibert, my daddy, my Great Grandma Ardis and probably a few more that Mommy can't remember. Anyway, its clear that I am a good combination of both of my parents, just as my parents had believed. One of these days Mommy is going to get together some pictures to illustrate some of these comparisons.

Here is a run-down of my meet-and-greets: my uncle Dusty and his friend Josh, my Great Aunt Arlene Brewer, my Grandma and Grandpa Laub, my Great Aunt Beverly Koller, my Great Aunt Mary and Great Uncle David Zentner, my cousin Tyla Wilson and her two daughters Kaydence and Savannah, my Great Aunt Arlene and Great Uncle Floyd Frieze, my cousins Holly and Jeremy Ottmar and thier kids Jordan and Jazlyn, my Godmother Tiffanni Wax and her husband Scott, my dad's former landlord Bernie Swang, my Grandma and Grandpa Huizenga, my Great Grandma Ardis Huizenga, my Great Grandma Eva and Great Grandpa John Deibert, my Aunt Becky Huizenga, my Great Aunt Virg and Great Uncle Dale Deibert, my Great Aunt Theresa Deibert, my Great Aunt Bonnie Iverson, my Great Aunt Barb and Great Uncle Rod Fossen and my cousin Paula, my dad's former piano teacher from childhood Hurdis Johnson, my Grandma Sharon's co-workers up at Glenburn School, my mom's friends from college Jessica Gunderson Ruhl and Amber Hoovestal (Mom and Dad attended Jessica's wedding during our trip), my cousin Toni Miller and her daughter Baylee, my cousin Loretta Frank. Mommy says there were so many more people we just didn't get a chance to see due to our cramped schedule. Thanks to everyone who made the great effort to come see us - we really appreciated it. Hope to see you all again really soon!!

North Dakota Trip Slideshow

My Portraits

Half a Year Old

Hi everybody! Guess what, I am now 6 months old!! Actually, I turned last Wednesday the 9th, but Mom and Dad have been so busy with basement clean-up (see Mommy's blog for an explanation) that we haven't been on the computer much. At my check-up, I weighed in at 20 pounds 8 ounces, 27 1/4 inches long, and I have a 17 inch head. My percentiles are 91st for weight, 80th for height, and 25th for head circumference, so still around the same as last time. I only have a pound and a half to go before I will need a new carseat!! In the last month, I have learned to sit up completely on my own, I started babbling Ma Ma quite impressively, I have finally learned to roll over, and I can scoot myself across the floor when I'm sitting or on my belly, given the right motivation, of course. I also started solid foods last week (baby cereal)which I really enjoy. The food doesn't have much taste, but I like to do anything the big people are doing!!

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day with my mommy. We had fun because my Uncle Daren is in town so we're out and about showing him the city. He sure is funny! He keeps calling my Monkey, Baby Kong, and Michelin Baby. We are having fun hanging out. Tomorrow we are all going to the amusement park. I don't know if I'll get to ride any rides, though. I guess we'll have to wait and see. And today my Mommy turns 30! I am not looking forward to seeing the adults eating cake that I can't have!! Mom says 6 more months and I will get my own cake!!

A final slide show before I turn 6 months old

My Arch Nemisis

I have found my enemy. He goes by the name Bob. Bob the Builder to be exact.


Let me explain... My parents bought a stuffed Bob the Builder toy for me before I was born. He is about 13 inches tall and has a jackhammer he is holding (see picture below). If you push the button on the jackhammer, Bob talks and then his jackhammer vibrates. It is very loud and scary. I do not like it at all. I cry every time he talks. Down with Bob the Builder!

5-6 Month Photo Album Up

5 Months to 6 Months

Nicky's 5 Month Slide Show

Happy Birthday to Daddy!!!!

Happy Birthday to my favorite guy in the world!!!

A Slide Show for Easter

Another month old and everybody's yucky sick!

Hey everybody! Nickster's back to give you the low down again. Sorry for the delay - I know I turned another month old on Monday (that's 5 for those of you who lost count), but Mommy and Daddy got the flu this week. I only got a touch out it. Guess I have the best immune system of the bunch! Daddy got the start of head cold the end of last week and then ended up coming home from work early on Monday. By Tuesday he was throwing up and everything! Then Mommy got the yuckies that afternoon. Luckily, Mommy's version was not as extensive as Daddy's and went quicker, but neither of them ate for a whole day! I did though:) Anyway, by Wednesday night their tummies were requiring meals, but the food still wasn't settling like it normally would. Guess it will take a few days for them to be back to their old selves.

In other news, I now weigh about 20 pounds which scares Mommy because that means I will need a new carseat soon when I weigh 22 pounds. I am a little over 27 inches long, too. I also got my first haircut last week! Mommy gave my bangs a trim so the long hairs on top didn't get in my eyes and so I didn't look like a girl. She did a pretty good job, I think, although I gave her a hard time by wiggling around while she tried to do it. Luckily, my Bumbo chair held me in place somewhat. That's about it for me. I will have Mom post a new slide show for you soon. I am quite smiley lately so she's getting better at capturing that on camera. Peace out, y'all!

Sitting Pretty

Hi guys! I have been working a bunch on my sitting this month. I sit as much as I can and wherever possible. I don't quite have enough balance and strength to sit upright and unassisted for more than a minute or maybe two, but I can now sit while leaning on my arms for support for many minutes in a row. I still fall over or forward lots, but practice makes perfect! I even try to sit up in my bouncy seat. It has a slight recline to it which is not be my liking anymore. Momma has to be sure to strap me into it now, as you can see, or I can and will squirm out of it. While taking these pictures, I tried to take a nose dive forward, so no more freedom in the bouncy seat for me anymore. Much to Mommy's chagrin, I still am showing no interest in rolling over. She thinks its because I am too chubby to pull it off. How mean, huh? I am much more interested in scooting or working on crawling while I am on my tummy. We'll see what I figure out next.

A New Slide Show

Four Months Old and Growing Up

Hey Everybody! I turned 4 months old on Friday, but Mom thought it best to wait until my doctor's appointment today to give you the low down on my progress on the growth and development fronts. First off, I continue to be a big boy. I weigh in at 17 pounds 10 ounces which is in at the 93rd percentile. I am 26 inches long which is at the 90th percentile. I have graduated to my 6-9 Month size clothes. I continue to have a little Laub head which measures 16 inches and is in the 20th percentile.

All went well at my doctor's appointment, although I had a bunch of shots again, and of course, they hurt! My doctor was impressed with my standing, sitting, and head/trunk control during tummy time. She said not to worry that I haven't rolled over yet. Many kids aren't doing that until 5 months now adays because they sleep on their backs as opposed to their tummies. I will continue my tummy time play and see if I catch on. Mommy and Daddy wonder if I ever will or if I'll just go straight to crawling since I spend my tummy time trying to push up and not rocking back and forth at all before I get fed up and get irritable. My doctor and Mom decided that I will likely wait until 6 months the start on solid foods because of my tummy issues and since breastfeeding is going so well!

In other news, I have recently taken an interest in reading materials such as my books and the newspaper. I like to look at the pictures. I also like to imitate things my parents are doing so I try to type on the computer or use the remote control. I am also paying a lot of attention to how they eat their big kid food. I have also started to laugh and giggle more consistently. One thing that amused me recently was jumping in my jumperoo which Mommy dug out on Friday. My hair hasn't fallen out yet, although it is getting thinner in front. New hair is growing in underneath that looks a little lighter but we still don't know yet if it is lighter brown or dark blond. My old hair is also looking lighter and appears to have a red tone to it. My eyes look like they will stay blue.

Finally, I was a little traveler on Saturday and went with Mommy and our friends Jennifer and her daughter Cordelia to the Kansas La Leche League conference in Hutchinson, Kansas. It was 4 hour drive for me but I did well on the way down by sleeping the whole way. Cordelia was a bit upset and I was getting overstimulated too by the drive home so we took turns crying for the first part of the drive home but then we finally fell asleep again. Anyway, the conference was fun. I liked the change of pace and all the people. Mommy said she enjoyed being around adults and she learned a bit, too.

The weather is so nice now that Mommy and I will likely be getting out and about quite a bit more. Today it was 70+ degrees so we went to the park 6 blocks away from our house. I slept the entire way and took a nice nap at the park, so Mommy wasn't able to give me my first experience on the swing. Next time!

Check out my Slide Show!

I Found My Thumb!

My thumb is yummy. In fact, so are all of my fingers! Heck, I like to suck on most anything including my pacifiers, my fist, my clothing, whatever is in front of me. Until recently, I was desperately trying to suck on my fingers but couldn't get it just right. Now I've figured it out! I also finally got control of my thumb so I can use it alone, although I have been known to suck on a few of my fingers at once and very loudly I've been told. I also got my pacifiers back and forgot how to use them at first. Now I'm a champ at using those, too, and I even try to suck on my pacifier and fingers at the same time!

I am now close to mastering the art of getting myself to sleep by sucking away on either my fingers or my paci. Sometimes I even drift off naturally with no sucking assistance. Mommy is sure excited! She doesn't mind me using my thumb or the paci if it can help me soothe myself. Like I've said before, I could suck all day long. She figures that we can work on weening me from these habits when I get way older. After all, I am a baby, right?

Happy Love Day

Mommy told me this morning that today is all about love. Well, I feel pretty loved so let's celebrate! I celebrated today by wearing my lovely Valentine's Day onesie, complements of Grandma Sharon (see pictures below). Daddy got all creative and made Mommy 6 mixed CD's of all the songs she had on her labor playlist on the MP3 player from when I was born. He made cover art and everything! Mommy thought it was pretty cool. Mommy and I got up and made Daddy breakfast and gave him his gift (a comfy cashmere sweater). Then, this afternoon, we made pot roast and Devil's Food cake for supper. It was a pretty sweet day. And now I'm pooped!

A Quarter Year Old

Hey There! I couldn't get online yesterday to give you the rundown of my 3rd month birthday, but yes, I am now a quarter year old. I kept Mom and Dad up the night before so no computer time for me. Instead, we all three went to bed at 9:30pm and slept in til 9:30am this morning (with many interruptions by me, of course). Mom and Dad figure that maybe they got 8 hours of sleep somewhere in that 12 hour block. I know, I should be nicer to them, but my tummy continues to wake me up. I do try to go right back to sleep after being burped or doing my tooting exercise, though. That is except for at 5am when I was awake and ready to play, but I did play quietly by myself in my co-sleeper for a bit before going back to sleep again. All in all, it was a good night, and I was a much happier camper today. Anyway, Mommy said I should tell you all that I am about 16 pounds already - she had me weighed at a baby store with my clothes on on Wednesday and it said 16 pounds 7 oz. so if you subtract some for the clothes its around 16 even. What can I say, I am a big boy! I love to try to sit by myself, although I usually fall over sideways eventually or I slump forward. I also like to stand and sometimes dance or bounce. Mommy just took out my exersaucer and I have played in it a few times. I am still discovering all the cool toys attached to it and the many sounds it makes. I am about 24 1/2 inches long so I can touch the floor of the exersaucer on my tiptoes. Mommy is also hoping I will get over my stage fright and smile more for the camera but that thing freaks me out! I'm not scared of it, but every time she brings it near me, my eyes get big as saucers and I get very quiet. I simply stare at the camera despite her coaxes to talk or smile. Believe me, though, my smile is something. The few pictures where the sneaky camera did catch me are nothing compared to the live ones, let me tell you. Mom says I am going to be a little heart breaker. Well, I better go get some beauty rest. Peace out y'all.