Family Weekend

WOW!  Two weekends in a row we have been blessed with family in town.  This weekend uncle Ivan, uncle Tony and April visited us.

Uncle Tony and Bubeaner at the zoo

Bubeaner enjoying being sprayed with some water at the zoo

On Saturday, we spent a few hours at the zoo.  It was not the greatest idea to go in the middle of the day, but a visit to the zoo is always entertaining.  Bubeaner appeared to enjoy it even though he was mainly entertained by the water features more than the animals.  He did spend some time looking at the flamingos.  He was probably trying to figure out who was responsible for that stench or those high pitched noises.

Bubeaner thinks himself a comedian:

We then went out for uncle Tony's birthday dinner.  Dad, Momma and Bubeaner then headed home for some rest while everyone else toured downtown.  We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing.  It was wonderful to see Bubeaner getting to know his uncles.

Uncle Tony and his cake

Nothing's Safe!

Bubeaner has complete control of his walker!  There is no hesitation or trial and error.  When he wants to go in a specific direction, he gets there... fast!  The dogs already noticed the problem with a mobile Bubeaner.  Sandy is staying on the couches while Bevo mainly hides from him in the bedroom.  We are going to have to keep a CLOSE EYE on him ALL the TIME! 

"Yes?  I am just standing here...doing nothing"

 

"YES!  Momma is not looking.  Now, what IS this?"

And he insists on being a big boy.  Every time he sees us with a cup or glass of water he starts smacking his lips together wanting a sip.  He has not taken so much to his sippy cup, but he's not doing too bad "drinking" (more like smacking) straight from the glass.  He's such a big boy!

Bubeaner chillin' with Sandy.  

And we noticed that the other top tooth is coming out too!  There is also a faint shadow that might indicate one of the bottom teeth is also coming up.

Daddy playing with Bubeaner after a long day at the office

Pleasant Little Baby

Bubeaner had an active day today.  He woke up quite early this morning at 4a.  However, we did not start our day that early since we both fell back asleep watching the T0ur de Fr@nce.  In fact we slept from 730a - 1130a!!! 

But after that we headed to aunt Pau's to pick up aunt Lari and enjoy a little pool time.  Bubeaner is doing so well in the pool.  He is relaxed around water.  Obviously there are draw backs to a child having no fear of water, but it makes it so much easier to learn to swim.  We will probably work with an instructor next year, but for now we are just enjoying the water.

Bubeaner also played with his blocks this afternoon.  He is entertained by taking things in and out of places.  After some play time sitting up, he worked on his tummy time/crawling practice.  He actually got much closer today.  It appears like he knows he can move but is just having some trouble figuring it all out.  He did a few face-plantings before we called it quits for the day.  It's hard work being a baby!

His tooth is almost out.  It broke the skin today.  We wonder if he has Momma's high pain tolerance because, other than one day where he was extremely fussy, he continues with his sunny disposition.  Such a brave, brave boy!

If you squint and use your imagination, 

you might be able to see his tooth

Deluge!

Today we had planned a trip to the zoo early in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat.  Our plans changed as we woke up to the wonderful sound of heavy pouring rain.  We did the next best thing: got back in bed and cuddled listening to the rain.  It was wonderful!  It was not all rest; we also cleaned the house after the weekend visitors.

Bubeaner and his best buddy Sandy

We expected Bubeaner to resent not having that many hands to love on him.  But he was back to his pleasant and easy going self.  He even took his afternoon nap without any fussing.  While we cleaned Bubeaner watched his new favorite program: Ses@me Street.  He pays particular attention to E!mo.  

Birthday Celebrations!

This weekend Bubeaner enjoyed having almost all his aunts and uncles around him.  Uncle Ivan and Sarah drove into town on Saturday and Aunt Pau spent the weekend with us at the house too.  Bubeaner was showered with love.  And he showed off all he has learned.  He especially enjoyed showering His Sarah with wet sloppy kisses.

Bubeaner enjoying the extra attention

On Saturday night we celebrated Aunt Lari and Sarah's birthdays.  Bubeaner even changed his night time routine (no shower) so he could stay up later with everyone.  He had a hard time deciding between all the people wanting to hold him.

Momma, Aunt Lari and Bubeaner enjoying the warm evening

Uncle Ivan and Sarah

He did pretty well on Sunday too even though his routine slightly off.  And he even went 5 hours between two meals!  We fully expect Bubeaner to be back to his normal routine tomorrow.

Uncle Ivan and Dad trying to figure out how to fix the A/C.  Thankfully, the technician fixed it early the next morning.

Bubeaner spent a quite afternoon with uncle Ivan and Sarah while aunt Lari, aunt Pau and Dad went to a soccer match at the new Cowboy$ $tadium.  They loved it!  It was quite amazing.

Dad outside Cowboy$ $tadium

Aunt Lari and Dad inside Cowboy$ $tadium

Sadly uncle Ivan and Sarah left in the early evening and aunt Pau went back to her home.  And we went back to our routine.

9 months!

Happy 3/4 birthday Bubeaner!!!

We are thrilled, amazed, and a little saddened that Bubeaner is 9 months old today!  He still looks like the same little baby we first saw in the NICU though he now weighs many times more.  We probably will see the same baby when he is 19 years old.  

Bubeaner had his well child check up today.  Dr. Z stated that he looked perfect.  (Duh!)  

BUBEANER STATS:

18 in - head circumference (96%)

          Yes, he is still in the larger side, but Dr. Z is not concerned.
27 in - length (61%)

          Can you believe it?!?  He has more than caught up in length!  Way to go Bubeaner!
15.1 lbs - weight (7%)

          We are still lagging behind in this area.  Dr. Z is not concerned as long as he continues to eat properly and gains weight, however slowly.  She stated that it was OK if he continued to eat avery 3 hours (during the day); she reminded us that everyone is different and some babies like to eat more frequently.

The only area we need to focus is his iron levels.  He is not anemic, per se, but it needs improvement.  His iron level is at 6; Dr. Z stated she wants to see his iron levels between 6 -17.  Not ideal, but it just means that he will continue to take his (nasty) vitamins.  We will also probably start him on spinach and beef (baby food) for their high iron content.  

Bubeaner is taking some of his naps in his crib. 

He insists on sticking his legs out.

Good Oral Care

Bubeaner has shown more interest in our daily routines.  He has been particularly drawn to when we brush our teeth.  This morning I decide to let him try our (new) extra toothbrush.  It was not on, but I held it for him while we "brushed" his "teeth".  He loved it.

Not sure what to think about this

"Hmm, this feels interesting"

He would not let go

We decided it was time to get his infant toothbrush out and have him "use" it every time we use our toothbrushes.

This morning we discovered that Bubeaner speaks in his sleep... like his Momma and aunts.  This probably explains why he is talkative in the early, early mornings.  Dad just groaned at the discovery.

Bubeaner celebrated his aunt Lari's 16th birthday today.  Of course, it mainly consisted of him getting more hugs and kisses.  And poor Lari ended up making her own birthday cake too since we are in a cake decorating class.   Her cake came out beautiful.

Aunt Lari with her birthday cake.

Today Bubeaner joined us in the pool.  There was no reason for concern.  He was completely relaxed and enjoyed splashing his aunt and Momma.  We practiced "floating" on his back.  He did a great job.  We took video of him trying to swim moving his arms and legs.  

Bubeaner and Momma enjoying the cool pool water

And recently Bubeaner figured out how to maneuver his walker more easily.  We have a mobil Bubeaner!  He now also moves forward as well as sideways and backwards.  Unfortunately, he also discovered the wall outlets.  The moment he sees one he raises both arms in the air and propels himself towards them.  Why is he drawn to the things that are dangerous for him?  Sigh.  PiCasita will now have to be fully child-proofed.  

Bubeaner floating on his back

(Not sure why the picture came out sideways)

On our way home from the cake decorating class, we stopped by the NICU for a quick visit and drop off one of the cakes.  We saw some of the nurses that took care of him including RN Tigger and RN Tammie.  Sadly we missed RN Lisa.  We hope to visit again during one of her shifts.

Bubeaner spent a fun afternoon playing in his pool.  He was slightly confused watching Momma, Dad and aunt Lari getting themselves wet with his toys.  But mainly he enjoyed splashing around.

Today he also met some of his extended family in Mexico via webcam.  He wished happy birthday to his Great-Great Aunt Lucita, who celebrated her 98th birthday!  He also saw his Momma's aunts, uncles, and cousins.  We hope that soon Bubeaner will meet them in person.

Not so interested in reading his book 

so much as eating it today

Bubeaner's favorite activity now is giving kisses.  He LOVES to give big sloppy kisses.  He will grab your hair or ears and then give you tons of kisses.  They absolutely melt your heart.  He also thinks it's funny because he will giggle in between the kisses.  

Playing with his "friend"

Finding his shadow had a funny side effect.  He has a constant "buddy" (his shadow) to talk to all day!  And he also starting to place all his weight on his legs and standing.  He will hold on to your hands and stand for a few seconds.  

Loads of Pictures!

Bubeaner loves to have a lot of close face to face contact.  He really enjoys playing and touching the different parts of the face: cheeks, nose, eyelashes, lips.  He also likes being close by because then he can sneak some kisses.

"I love you Momma"

Trying to mimic the sounds Momma is making

He does get distracted every once in a while by the puppies

"Hi there!"

"Yeah, I'm just that cute!"

"My aunt Lari thinks I am all that"

Bubeaner continues to take daily nightly baths.  He is used to his bedtime routine: bath, food, and bed.  The only problem arises when he is in need of a bath earlier in the day.  For some reason, he expects the rest of his bedtime routine at that time.  

He loves to read his bath time book every day.

He likes to look at the pictures almost as much as eating the pages

Bubeaner the Crab

Bubeaner now knows he can move in his walker.  He looks like a crab moving.  It's still not easy for him to move around, but he is getting the hang of it.  

He is currently moving sideways/backwards down the hall to Aunt Lari's room.  He's not happy with the Momma that won't pick him up so he's headed for the aunt.  Silly, Bubeaner! 

Bubeaner being bribed by shiny soda can to crawl.

Aunt Lari is the Bubeaner's new ally.  Fittingly, this morning we woke up to him calling out "Lala Lala Lala".  

Bubeaner has also discovered his shadow.  He enjoyes playing with it.  We are not sure of what he thinks of it other than that it's interesting... and always there.

Bubeaner hiding in clothes hamper

Today he also started crawling.  But typical Bubeaner, he went backwards instead.  Sometime soon he will get going in the right direction.

Swimming Bubeaner

Bubeaner spent the morning with Aunt Lari, Aunt Pau and her roommate Mary while Momma ran some errands.  He regaled them with non-stop chatter and flirty smiles.  We then all helped Aunt Pau clean her old home.  It was cooler today, but it still felt unbelievably hot with all the activity.

We took advantage of the warm afternoon to break in Bubeaner's new pool.  He loved it.  We have tried teaching him to splash with his hands in the tub unsuccessfully; he only uses his feet.  Yet he started splashing on his own the moment he was in the pool.  We didn't even have to tell him anything.

He loved his pool.  We plan on taking it out often.

Bubeaner Splishing & Splashing

Fascinate by the dripping water

Mommy & Bubeaner

Practicing floating on his back

Poor Little Bubeaner

We spent and exhausting weekend assisting Aunt Pau in her move.  Even Bubeaner was exhausted with the change in routine.  Aunt Pau is finally in her new home and almost completely unpacked.  

Can't help but fall for those big brown eyes 

and cute cheeks.

We almost went through the weekend without any injuries.  I was holding Bubeaner at the end of the day while we relaxed.  As I reached for something Bubeaner reached in the opposite direction and face planted against the wood arm of the chair.  It was horribly loud!  If he'd had teeth there would be some missing, I am sure.  As it is he has this horrible purple bruise on the  jaw.  It breaks our heart to see it.

He had his bath and ate and even fell asleep by 7p.  However, he was up again by 730p.  Right now, he is cuddling with Dad.  We are resigned that maybe his new bedtime is at 9.  No matter how we alter his naps, feedings, bath, he keeps staying awake late.  We are going to go with the flow as long as he doesn't stay up too late or get too fussy.

Happy July 4th!

We hope everyone had a safe and happy celebration of our nation's birth.  Our Saturday was quite busy.  We spent the early part of the day helping Aunt Pau move.  We admit we did not assist as much as we could have but at least it was some help.  Dad, who is not allowed to lift heavy stuff yet, ferried Bubeaner to and from the old and new place while we packed and moved some of the items.

Uncle Gary and Aunt AA with the Bubeaner

Mom, Dad, Aunt Lari and the Bubeaner then headed to see Uncle Gary, Aunt AA and Uncle K for a 4th of July dinner.  Bubeaner enjoyed the extra attention.  Unfortunately, he also refused to go to sleep at his bed time.  In fact, he did not fall asleep until we walked out to the dock to watch the fireworks.  We counted over a dozen firework displays from the metroplex communities around the lake.  It was a great way to end the day.

Aunt AA fed Bubeaner his dinner of green beans and prunes.

Bubeaner up way past his bedtime...

Spoiledness knew he could get away with it.

Sleeping Dilemmas

Bubeaner wins.  He slept in our bed last night.  We were exhauted and he just would not settle in his bassinet.  We opted for the quiet night.  We all did sleep a lot better and longer than in the previous nights. 

 Our sleeping angel.

However, we now have a crying Bubeaner.  Yes, he is currently wailing.  He expected to sleep in the bed with us and is not happy about it.  We are not thrilled but know how much harder it will be to break him from it if we give in another night.  

At one point he had taken over half the bed

Other than the sleeping dilemma, we spent a quiet and low key day at home.  Bubeaner has been having more trouble with reflux/vomiting.  But we believe it may be in reaction to Mom's diet.  Hoping he was outgrowing his allergies, I had slowly been adding soy into my diet.  For now, it appears like it's still a no-no.  

It's still amazing how such an angelic-looking baby 

can cry so loudly when he doesn't get what he wants.