Crawling!

Happy Easter

Family Picture

Rejoice! He has risen! We had a very low key Easter weekend at the Gille home...we went to church where Lucas struggled to stay awake so he didn't miss anything (we thought he would nap - ha!) and then had a relaxing afternoon and evening when our friends came over for dinner. Easter Sunday reminded me that we still need to have Lucas baptized. We are not putting his baptism off for any reason other than we are not members of a church here. We tried to join the church we had been attending when we found out I was pregnant but then realized it is much more of a commitment than we were able to make because we will be moving soon... I need to start looking for a church in Fairfield...thank you Lord for reminding me :)

His little lamb

Oops! I forgot these pictures in my initial post...He really liked the grass the most :)

Product Review: Rock 'n' Play Sleeper

It is time for us to pack up one of the best baby items we recieved at our baby shower...the Fisher Price Rock 'n' Play Sleeper. This is (according to FP) one of the only rocker/baby seats approved to be used as a bassinet. I wanted this item for a few reasons...I wasn't sure where we would want our baby to sleep - in our room or the nursery after the birth so this was a good thing to have in case we did opt for our room without wasting money on a real bassinet. Also, the seat is set at an angle which would help babies with colic (who can predict that?). It is a little higher off the ground than other bouncy seats which I wanted because of the dogs. And it folds up and is portable, nice features in a small home. It turned out we did have Lucas in our room for the first few months and he slept in this rocker just an arms length away from mommy. We took it to the hospital with us and he slept much better in it than the hospital bed. And we took it to the sitter's house when we went out for the MLG ball. I also used it as a place to set Lucas while I showered for the first few months and during dinner...not sure what to use now....I have been reserving my shower for naptime. Oh boy! He is just going to keep me guessing and adapting!

When it comes down to it....I think everyone with an infant should purchase this rocker.

This is why it has to be put up...he has figured out how to sit up in it and I don't want him to rock out!

7 months

Lucas is 7 months old!! I can't believe how fast time flies (I know I say this all the time but truly mean it EVERY time). This is such an exciting age for many reasons - Lucas is on the brink of being mobile, he is eating "grown up" food, and is beginning to develop a personality. This month is not a well baby check up so I have no stats to share...but in my opinion Lucas is doing great in the growth and development departments! His biggest achievements are sitting up unsupported and rocking/diving while in the crawl position. It will not be long before he is mobile! He is also eating like a champ - rice cereal, peas, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, squash, pears, apples, avacado, and prunes. He pretty much hates all new foods at first but then they grow on him over a few days. I would say his favorite food is sweet potato followed by squash and pears. He is also learning how to use a sippy cup and seems to be getting the idea :) yay! But the BEST thing right now is his laughter! He loves to smile and laugh and will go out of his way to try and make you laugh so that you can laugh together. Those belly laughs are just so precious! I guess he got he is going to be funny like his dad...who, as we all know, is a 10 out of 10 on the funny scale ;)

Outside with the doggies

Not much can keep him from a nap when he is tired

Is this a guilty face?

He loves chewing on his fingers

He loves his Daddy!

He loves to put fabric in his mouth and wave his arms to make me laugh

Visit with the grands!

In my opinion, there are few things more important than family. So, when my parents offered to fly me and Lucas to Ohio for a visit I jumped at the opportunity (without considering those people we would be sharing a flight with - I know, how rude of me). As our trip came closer I was excited and nervous all at the same time. How would he do on the flights? He has been having some stranger anxiety - would this happen during a visit to see his grandparents?!?!? He's finally sleeping through the night - will this mess him up? What about feeding him during this craziness?

Well it turned out my worries were just that - worries for nothing! It was a great trip and gave Lucas a chance to see his grandparents, his aunt, and some of his columbus family. What a great way to work on that stranger anxiety... he didn't seem to mind being held by anyone! Lucas and Babbie - Out for a quick bite at Ms. Molly's Lucas and Aunt Leanna - Leanna looks a lot like me and it was neat to see Lucas recognize this

Oh my gosh...it's Nonni!

Lucas and Nana spending time outside

I love my Grandpa!

Hanging out with Natalie and Erin...Look at Erin's cute baby bump!

Product Review: Rainforest play gym

Lucas has a rainforest play gym by Fisher Price...and it continues to be pretty awesome. This gym has lights and music in addition to the hanging toys and colorful playmat. He has loved his gym since the first time we put him in it. As a parent it can be a little overwhelming deciphering what "developmental" toys to invest in, especially when you know how important playing is (without underlying development pushing). Actually, there is a ton of research about the benefits of child-led play and the need to foster imagination. In fact, there is a huge stink about how recent federal mandates about education accountability has had a direct and negative impact on kids in grade school who no longer get recess. Bottom line - Play is important and child-led play is even more important! I have taken a few play therapy courses and simple toys can help children express themselves so much more than a toy that is linked with a character. So...I guess what I am trying to say is that I carefully evaluate every toy that comes into my home for multiple reasons.

The Fisher Price rainforest gym is great because as Lucas's perspective changes, he explores the rainforest and finds new things. At first he would just lie on his back and look at the lights and hanging toys...then he began reaching for the toys (which I am able to move around, add and subtract, etc)...next he began kicking the toys and arches to make everything move (and the music continue)...Now he will be on his tummy and playing/talking to the fish and animals on the mat...and he sits in the rainforest and tries to mouth the hanging toys. I like that the gym has continued to delight him into his 6 month!

I don't necessarily think this is the be all end all of gyms - there are countless other versions out there by different companies that I have not even seen in person. When choosing a gym for your baby, I would recommend laying down and sticking your head where his/her head will be and decide if it something that sparks your imagination. If it plays music - listen to the music and decide if you like it (because trust me you will soon have this little ditty memorized). Explore the different options you have with the gym, can you add other hanging toys or move the ones in it around?

When he was younger he would lie on his back in the gym

Lucas's view

I added the orange elephant after a few months because it has a lovely little tinkling bell - he likes to kick it, hold it, and talk to it! There is a bug under this crinkly leaf! How cool!

Carrots

Last week Lucas was introduced to carrots and I tried my hand at making them...it took a few rounds of experimenting with different cooking and pureeing technologies. I first tried to steam the carrots in my Pampered Chef micro steamer and then pureeing in my food chopper. This turned out a gritty version of carrots that Lucas refused to eat. He literally held his mouth open with the food on his tongue and lower lip grimacing until I wiped them out. Next I tried boiling the carrots and pureeing them in the blender. This turned out a much more Lucas-palatable velvety carrot blend. But then I was concerned about how boiling can lose more nutrients than steaming so I tried steaming a butternut squash and then tried to puree it in both the chopper and blender (I ran out of carrots). The blender worked way better again. Who knew my blender made such fabulous baby food? I mean, I knew it did a great job making margaritas and pina coladas...

Gritty carrots from the chopper

Velvety carrots from the blender

My handsome men

Lucas being silly with a sock in his mouth