Nathan Goes to Jersey

Nathan and I took a field trip today to Hoboken, New Jersey, to visit our friend Meghan and her baby Emily, who is now five weeks old. It was the first time that I took the baby, stroller, backpack, etc. in a cab by myself and it was successful! We also took the ferry to New Jersey which was a first. Nathan was very good on the boat (there is water involved, so that must be why he liked it) and then an angel (as usual) at Meghan's. He met his first cat, took a tour of Hoboken, went to a park, played on the floor, and socialized with Emily and Meghan. Of course he had a meltdown once we got home, but overall the day was great! We really enjoyed seeing Meghan (it had been almost 6 weeks) and she commented on how much Nathan has grown since the last time she saw him.

Nathan's latest trick is to try to flip out of his bouncy chair and scoot himself off of his changing table. He has figured out that if he puts his feet down on the changing table and pushes, he moves! And he is putting his rolling over skills to "good" use in the bouncy, trying to turn and flip out of it, instead of sitting still. I should have known better, given his father's inability to sit still, than to think that my little man would just be mellow. Today he also showed off his skill at turning around in a circle on the floor. I am concerned that he is going to be mobile before we are ready for it! It all makes me smile though, watching him grow. He is such a cutie pie!

Tomorrow we will get to see Sam and Ann for the first time in several weeks and then have to get ready for New Hampshire. Happy 4th of July to everyone!
This is how Emily spent most of our visit....sound asleep!
Nathan sitting up on the couch....what a cute little man!
Emily is about as long as Nathan is...at five weeks! This is them meeting for the first time.
Emily and Nathan, together. Too bad they didn't look at each other...they just kept staring at me and Meghan.
Emily and her Mommy..

Home Again

Well, we made it to Atlanta and back. The last couple of days Nathan was great, really enjoying his daily swims and spending time in the car. We had a great time at the end, but were disappointed that Nathan scared his grandparents so much with all his crying that we didn't get to have a "date night."

The flight home was uneventful for Nathan, but we had delays due to rain so I was getting a little claustrophobic on the plane! Upon return, Scott and I lamented about how small our apartment is, particularly after being in a large home for a week. The walls are closing in up here! Nathan is still adjusting to his return. I went in the rain to the Mommy group this morning and we were gone until late afternoon so he missed both naps and was quite the overstimulated kid this afternoon. He did get praise from the nurse in the Mommy group today that he was doing things that a baby a couple of months older would normally do...like head control, rolling over, etc. We always knew he was advanced! Of course, when you have a dad who makes sure that you read books, have tummy time, naked time, watch ESPN, go for walks, explore the flowers, learn new words (just kidding) every day, how can you help but be advanced?! He really enjoys the social time and is always such an angel when we are around people. I can't wait to see what he will be like as he gets older and can interact with other children in a play group or something.

I think the rest of the week we will try to lay low so that Nathan can readjust before we leave again for New Hampshire. Nathan meeting his Uncle David and future Aunt Lauren for the first time.
Grandpa Wilson and Nathan, in matching caps, and chewing on their hands together. Quality time!
Big guy in a little hat...
Family photo sans Scott...with Lauren.
Family photo sans Lauren...with Scott.

Father's Day (A Little Late)

Things have been so busy lately, I forgot to put the Father's Day pictures up on the blog! We celebrated Scott's first Father's Day before we left New York last week. Nathan put on his "future lacrosse player" onesie for Daddy and then Scott opened presents. Nathan gave him a bocce ball set to take to the park, and I gave him a piece of art that he had wanted. It was a great celebration.

We are getting ready to leave Atlanta tomorrow. It is amazing all of the new things Nathan has done just in the past week. He is making all sorts of new noises, has started to do raspberries with his mouth, went swimming, started to take naps twice a day (even in his bed a couple of times), has noticed new colors, like blue and brown, and can grip his pacifier and blanket. It looks like he is starting to realize that he can bring things in his hand to his mouth...it is amazing to watch. He also almost rolled over twice for his grandpa - he can go from his stomach to his side but hasn't yet made it all the way over. We also noticed this week that he has a dimple on his left cheek (when he finally started smiling!). He is 12 weeks old today! Amazing how fast they grow. Daddy with Nathan, celebrating Father's Day.
Waiting for Daddy to get home, Nathan is mesmerized with his acquarium bouncy.
Nathan meets the neighbors, twins Jeremy and Justin, earlier this week.
Nathan and Daddy go to Chick-Fil-A for the first time. Scott is wearing his "World's Coolest Dad" tee shirt, given to him for Father's Day by his parents. He truly is not only the world's coolest, but the world's best dad.

Nathan Meets Layton and Keeps On Swimming...

Well, things have gotten better since the doctor appointment (of course). Nathan seems to have adjusted to suburban life, just in time to go home. So finally I can catch up on the blog!

On Wednesday, Jane's friend Jen brought her 18 month old son, Layton, over for a visit with Nathan. It was a nice preview into our future - Layton was all over the place and could not be ignored for a second because he would be into something he wasn't supposed to touch! His favorite words were "Dawg" (I am sure his father, a UGA graduate loves that) and "Uh Oh." He also loves to make out with everyone, giving kisses to me and his mommy and even Nathan. It was fun to spend time with Jen and compare notes on life with sons. We saw Jen and Layton again, along with some other friends, on Thursday night at Jen's house where Nathan slept like a rock in Layton's old bassinette. Then he slept 8 hours before his next feeding! Yay.

Today (Friday), Nathan woke up all smiles and napped twice in the morning. In the afternoon we took Nathan swimming again. This time, his Daddy did not dunk him under the water, thank goodness, and he seemed to like the experience a lot better. After a while in the pool he was worn out and took a 3 hour nap this afternoon while I shopped and then all 5 of us went to dinner. When he woke up Nathan was all smiles again - naps are wonderful things! This evening his Uncle David comes to town with his fiance Lauren and tomorrow we'll spend some time with them before heading home on Sunday.

Nathan and his second cousins, Caroline and Catherine.
Jen and Layton
Jen and Layton - notice the mischevious look on Layton's face! Nathan, all smiles with his Daddy in the pool today.

Nathan swimming!

Nathan's Southern Tour, Part 2

Okay, we survived the pediatrician. I think it was all she could do not to laugh at the two of us...neurotic parents with a perfectly healthy child. A relief to me. Apparently, Nathan is a very alert and active child (Duh) and has had a difficult time adjusting to his new surroundings. That, in combination with his mommy drinking caffeine lately which she never did before (I've never been this sleep deprived before), made Nathan a fussy boy. The good news is that Nathan then slept for 8 hours last night after we put him to bed. Too bad Scott and I didn't...we had the neighbors over for a little "Nathan Show and Tell" and appetizers, and they stayed until about 10pm! Party animals around here. Today we had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Wilson at their country club and are about to go to Auntie Jen's house to visit with my college friends. Should be fun. Below are pictures from Nathan's BBQ on Father's Day. Nathan's Hawaii BBQ outfit, given to him by Jane's friend Lori. Jane's friend Taylor, with Nathan.
The hostess, Natalie, with Jane, and a sleeping Nathan.
Nathan enjoyed his BBQ so much, it knocked him out!

A "serious" game of horseshoes, with Nathan's Great Uncle Clay and Grandpa Wilson.

Nathan's Southern Tour

Well, here we are in Atlanta! We made it! Nathan is a great traveller, sleeping the entire flight. Upon arrival, Nathan was introduced to the pram that Grandpa and Grandma Wilson used to push his Mommy around in....and he loved it! Of course all that is old is new again...so prams are probably back in style. We enjoyed spending time outside (wide open spaces - so different than New York), though it is really hot and difficult to spend much time outside. After a nice dinner, we went to bed and prepared for Nathan's big BBQ on Sunday, where he got to meet lots of new people, and of course was a perfect angel. Since then, he has not been a perfect angel, and has spent much of his time in Atlanta crying and not sleeping. So Mommy and Daddy are fairly exhausted at this point, as they have not been able to sleep either! Today (Wednesday) we are about to take Nathan to the pediatrician to validate that there is nothing physically wrong with him. And we thought it would get easier! Sheez.

More pictures to come, when we get back from the doctor. Nathan's first visit to "Nathan's Hot Dogs" at the airport.....FYI he was NOT named after this place.
Nathan in the cockpit of the plane on his first flight!
This is how Nathan spent his first plane ride...
Nathan in his pram.

Another pram shot.

Auntie Sarah Comes to Town

Nathan had a great time meeting his Auntie Sarah for the first time on Friday. She just loved hanging out with him, too! Nathan was on his best behavior in the morning, until he had a little meltdown (due, as usual, to his lack of napping) in the afternoon. As a result, we didn't get a photo of Sarah and Nathan awake...but instead had to take a photo with him sleeping because we didn't want to move him. Hopefully we'll see Sarah again soon. We miss her already!

Busy Boy...

We have been busy the past couple of days. Tuesday, Nathan had a full day of "tummy time," reading books, going for walks, spending time in the swing (he lasted 30 minutes!), and picnicking in the park with Mommy and Daddy. During "tummy time," he rolled over three times in a row!!!! We also introduced the "Love Dog" to Nathan, and he loves him. I had struggled with something for his busy hands to hold on to and grip and he seems to have taken to the stuffed dog, so that is what he has been holding for the past two days. Seems to comfort him as well. Today (Wednesday) we went to a Mommy luncheon about how to help your baby sleep (basically I learned that because he is so young, I am out of luck...all the tips were for older kids) and also met Daddy to tour a daycare center. As always, he was on his best behavior during the lunch and on the way home. Nathan is currently napping (yay) - he has had an active morning! Nathan and Mommy (with Love Dog) in the park Tuesday evening.
"Tummy Time!" Nathan is very good at lifting his head high and grunting. He can also move in a circle, though not forward or back yet.
Nathan in the swing with the Love Dog....
Picnic in the park, checking out the world....I don't know what this new face is of his, but it seems to be his expression if he is concentrating hard (note he is doing the same face during tummy time).

Monday, June 12th

Oliver....
Grace....

Carol and Oliver, Leena and Grace outside Pain Quotidien after our "Mommy" lunch

A shout out this Monday to Nathan's Uncle David, whose birthday is today...Happy Birthday David!

Nathan and I had a busy day today. He accompanied me to the doctor (with Scott as babysitter) and then we rushed to meet the "girls" for lunch on the west side. We had a great lunch where of course Nathan broke his constipation streak by filling his diaper at the restaurant. We had to improvise and changed on the floor in the bathroom! Yuck. But not as yucky as his diaper....Anyway, then we went for a lovely walk through the park home and read some books together before Nathan began his struggle for a nap. He was enjoying the world so much today that he didn't sleep hardly at all, just in 20 minute increments. So I had to work hard to get him to nap late this afternoon and then had to work to get him to wake up almost 3 hours later! Then he was a grumpy little man (overtired) until we put him to bed. I don't know if his sleeping 7 hours or more streak will continue this evening since he didn't nap, but I can always dream....

We are looking forward to a great week, with two more lunches planned and Auntie Sarah coming to town Thursday and then we leave for Atlanta at the end of the week! Lots of fun planned.

Sunday, June 11th - Picnic in the Park

Another fun weekend! After spending time with Laura and Mark on Saturday, on Sunday Nathan, Scott and I returned to the park to meet up with Carol, Jon, and Oliver. It was a fun day (we were there nearly 7 hours) where Nathan slept most of the time, while Oliver ate, played, ate, talked, played, ate, etc. Finally when Nathan woke up, Oliver was sleeping! We just can't seem to get these two on the same schedule....However, all that napping Nathan did afforded his parents the opportunity to catch up and talk all about babies with Carol and Jon. It was a gorgeous day, in the low 70's and sunny, and a nice refuge in the park away from the mayhem of the Puerto Rican Day parade on 5th Avenue. This is one of the reasons why we love NYC.

Saturday afternoon, Nathan had a nice nap with Mommy...

Jon giving Oliver an afternoon snack.
While Oliver is active, Nathan is napping again.....Nathan officially meets Oliver for the first time (of course by now, Oliver is napping).
Mommy and Nathan - fun in the sun.

Saturday

Laura Kessler and her fiance Mark, Saturday in Central Park

Friday Evening Sushi and Saturday

Facing out for the first time in his Bjorn - a whole new world!
Chatting with Daddy about all the new things he's seeing...
Sleeping cutie.
A Dad's eye view.
Sushi in the park (I had to feed Scott so Nathan could sleep).
Family outing!

Well, Nathan and I had a great visit with my co-workers but we got so caught up in the excitement of seeing everyone that we forgot to take any pictures! DARN. Trust me that it was a fun day. We spent almost 5 hours in the office seeing the people that we had planned to see and then seeing lots of people that we hadn't planned to see. Nathan, the boy who never naps, napped on the cab ride over to work and in my team meeting where I wanted to introduce him to everyone, then did a great job of flirting with the ladies, ate an 8 ounce bottle, flirted some more, and then took another nap! It was a great day.

Last night we headed to the park for sushi in the park. To our disappointment the Sheep's Meadow was closed and it looked like it could pour any minute. But we stuck around and sat on a bench overlooking the pond and ate our dinner and it cleared up right before our eyes. It ended up being a beautiful night. Scott put Nathan in the Bjorn facing out for the first time and he loved it! He was wide eyed staring at everything around him. It was really cute.

The best news of the week is that Nathan slept for a 7 hour stretch last night! I woke up before he did, in a panic because I knew we had missed a feeding and he was snoozing away. I hope this is just the beginning of a nice pattern. I think it was because he took a 3 hour nap yesterday so that set him up nicely to sleep.

This morning we got up and went to breakfast with Laura Kessler and her fiance Mark, who are moving up to New York in August. We are so excited to have them up here and look forward to spending time with them. It was great to catch up over breakfast and take a walk in the park. Today was one of our first nice days in a LONG while!

Sunday we are off to picnic in the park with baby Oliver and his parents Jon and Carol. It is forecast to be a beautiful day.

Nathan Meets his Lamaze Friends!

The Lamaze class reunion group. (Several families were missing).

Baby Jacob "Jake" with his parents

Baby Reesa (hope I haven't botched the spelling)
Baby Paul, who was the most mellow of the group.

Nathan and his parents had a successful lamaze class reunion last night (Wednesday). It was great to see everyone and catch up. To the chagrin of our pro-natural childbirth instructor, 3 of the 4 couples present had C-sections and pretty unpleasant experiences at the hospital. Nathan was the only one who came out the traditional way and even his birth was not "traditional." The good news is that everyone has healthy, happy babies. Baby Reesa was the only girl and she was sweet as could be, as was Paul who was the oldest of the group. Jake and Nathan had a lot in common, being very vocal during the meeting. We all chatted about our experiences and exchanged emails. Hopefully it won't be the last time we'll see each other.

When we got home Nathan went to bed late but slept for a record five hours between feedings which made his mommy incredibly happy. He woke up with a smile today and we are soon headed to my work to show him off. More pictures from that event to come.