More 3 month photos

We were sucked into buying a CD full of low-resolution images from your photo shoot. They are not print quality, but work great for posting on the blog.

P.S. Most babies your age are NOT strong enough to bear weight on their legs, but YOU absolutely LOVE to stand up and jump!

3 month Photo Shoot

Today, we went in for Syd's 3 month portrait and had all intentions of doing the 1-pose package for $9.99. However, almost 2 hours later (and $99 poorer*), we left with a wide selection of photos. Here is our favorite photo... jazzed up a little by Mommy.

*NOTE: The $99 comes out of our kitchen remodeling job.

Howling at Old McDonald

Just this past week, we started singing the classic "Old McDonald", which seems to be QUITE ENTERTAINING for you. 

Mommy especially loves the part of the song where we spontaneously pick the animal and then, you tend to offer up one of the BIGGEST SMILES EVER, as if Mommy just said something really, really funny. (OR... maybe, you are smiling because mommy doesn't have the best singing voice at all, but she does have a lot of heart.)

"...and on that farm, he had a..."

(semi-long pause while deciding between cow, pig, goose, horse or duck) 

"...COW!" 

{Insert BIG BABY SMILE HERE!}

Eventually, after enough repetition of verse, you seem to get the hang of the song and when it is time for the E-I-E-I-O part, you often howl (sounding much like a little wolf pup). You are pretty darned cute! Now, if only we could get you to laugh...

Stroller a success

Today, we went for a walk around the block with the stroller. (We went the route with more UPs than DOWNs.) In past attempts, Sydney had SCREAMED with the stroller (as he prefers to ride in one of the carrier packs). Today must have been our lucky day because he liked it just fine. (Poor Aunt Sue and Kristen had the first failed attempt with the stroller.)

With it in a rather reclined position, I did feel pretty bad for him while we walked UP a rather large hill as all of the blood probably rushed to his head. It must not have been too bad though since he eventually fell asleep during our walk. (He got to nap in the stroller after we got home.)

Then, when we ate dinner on the sunporch, Sydney got to sit in the stroller again. This time, we figured out how to raise the back of it so that he could sit more upright. It was a great discovery.

One thing is for sure... with all the hills in Dubuque, it is MUCH EASIER to walk with him in the carrier than to go with the stroller. WHAT A WORKOUT!!! You have to hold onto the stroller for dear life when going down hills and your angle is incredible when trying to push it up hills.... MUCH TOUGHER than walking! (I'll probably be feeling that tomorrow!)

Grandma Olson, you can rest assured that the stroller you bought for your house isn't going to be a waste of money afterall... looks like he will like it just fine!  And the stroller will be a HUGE RELIEF once he gets too big for the carrier pack(s).

Maybe we'll keep it on more level terrain tomorrow. (Unless mommy is up for another physically challenging workout!)

The Cost of Things_082409

The Cost of Things  (8/24/09)

4# of butter quarters...............$6.58

Gallon of skim milk...............$1.74

Sam's Club

Dubuque, IA

Let's go on safari with a new hat

Sporting safari gear and our Moby Wrap carrier, we went out exploring earlier today and discovered a new park a block-and-a-half from our house. The greatest part: there are no crazy-big hills involved to get there!

Sydney was dressed in his "let's go on safari" onesie (with a lion on the front) and some khaki pants. He also got to wear his really cool hat that Grandma & Grandpa Olson sent, which works GREAT for keeping the sun out of his eyes while we walk!

It'll take a little getting used to... as far as the hat is concerned. He seems to like it better without the chin strap on so, we tuck that inside the hat. We've also experimented with the brim, as it has snaps to fold the sides up. We've changed those, according to the direction of the sun so that he still has a larger field of vision.

NOTE: So far, we found it best to photograph the "hat on" by shooting into the mirror and flopping the image back again. HEY, whatever works, right?

G is for Giraffe (scrapbook page)

Kerri came and visited us Thursday and part of Friday. She got to hold Sydney quite a bit because Mike was hoping that it would help cure the MAMA'S BOY SYNDROME. Sydney wore the "G is for Giraffe" outfit that Kerri gave us as a pregnancy present and it now fits him PERFECTLY!

We've been struggling with Sydney, on and off, where he doesn't seem to want to go to bed some nights, despite being tired. Friday night was one of those nights where we battled from 8pm until close to midnight, with only short bursts of sleep. (Mommy had even wondered if the early afternoon half a can of Coke classic had anything to do with it most recently.)

Scrapbook page detail:

G is for Giraffe... OR for "GO AWAY, I'm trying to nap!"

08.22.09 – Lately, we are starting to wonder if we're letting you nap too much during the day because you are a livewire (not wanting to go to bed) some nights. 12 WEEKS OLD

Today 14lb8.2oz, tomorrow 12 weeks (PHOTOS)

Today, you weighed in at 14 pounds, 8.2 ounces!

There is NO DENYING who you belong to; you are a perfect blend of Olson & Guard.

You LOVE laying on the floor because it is a great opportunity for eye contact and for talking.

We are finding that you are best photographed in ACTION-mode because you wiggle so much.

You are getting GREAT at smiling and there is no doubt that they are sincere smiles (and not just gas).

Tomorrow, you will be 12 WEEKS OLD!

Not as easy as it looks

Last night, after a few hours of dealing with a tired baby, Daddy was ready to surrender by waving the white flag. He had, on multiple attempts, gotten Sydney to sleep, but keeping him asleep... more specifically, in his crib was the harder part. They rocked, they walked, they tried the pacifier, they sat still...

Daddy found it to be tiring (and challenging.) There were a few times where Daddy thought Sydney was waking himself up because he was hungry so, Mommy fed him. Daddy attempted laying Sydney in his crib, but Daddy's hands hadn't yet touched the mattress and Sydney was SCREAMING... again!

Mommy, trying not to be insensitive with his frustration, reminded Daddy "WELCOME TO MY WORLD... it's not as easy as it looks. In fact, being a Mommy is the hardest job I've ever had!"

Around 10pm, Mommy took her turn. She debated feeding Sydney again first, but decided to try putting him in his crib instead. Yes, he cried for a minute or two. Then, after realizing that Mommy wasn't going to give in as quickly, he laid in his bed talking for a few minutes after that.

His dialogue, in baby talk, probably went something like this: 

Hello? 

I'm in here. 

Hey! 

(yawn)

I'm talking to you. 

Anyone? 

(yawn)

Anyone? 

I love you... don't you want to snuggle some more?

(yawn)

Hey! 

(yawn)

I'm kind of tired. 

(yawn)

Oh, never mind... I guess I'll just close my eyes and go to sleep now.

My Dear Sweet Sydney, from Grandma Carol

My Dear Sweet Sydney,

 

Are you not the most unbelievably cute three month old baby there is!!  Not just because I'M YOUR GRANDMA CAROL, but just because you are who you are.  Course, it helps that you also come from two very good-looking and wonderful parents, one of which is my son as well.  I can't wait to hold you and coo with you and smile with you and have that special connection of getting to know each other.  I get so excited when I read your mommy's blogs about you and see your darling pictures that I just want to hop on a plane right this minute and come to your home in Dubuque.  Believe me, I am counting the days and the hours. 

 

Do have a wonderful week-end; enjoy all those mommy and daddy hugs and dream about seeing your Grandma Carol real soon.  I love you and have since we first found out about your existence.  In fact I was there that wonderful moment when the little gadget showed "pregnant" after your mom peed on it.  We were all very excited!!!!!!!!  Who would ever have thought that pee could be so exciting  !

 

Hope you and your parents are doing terrific.

 

With much love,  Grandma Carol

SYD IS SO SLEEPY

Sydney is SO SLEEPY TODAY and rightfully so!

Wednesday, Sydney got his first round of immunizations. Kate, our neighbor, told me that her kids slept the entire next day after they had theirs so, I was expecting a sleepy baby yesterday. Turns out, that was FAR from the case in our household.

Sydney woke around 7:30am yesterday. He normally eats and goes back to bed. He stayed up. In fact, he stayed up until around 2pm when he FINALLY fell asleep after being nursed. He slept a few hours in my arms in the recliner. (I didn't want to move since he had been fussy and wanting to be held all day so, we napped together in the recliner.) He slept about 3 hours. Then, when you add in the 10-minute power naps here and there, I don't think he slept much more than 4 hours all day long. 

In the evening, we walked down the crazy-big hill to the mailbox at the bottom. Normally, movement lulls him to sleep. We made it all the way back up the hill and almost all the way around our block before he fell asleep. When we got home, I tried to sneak him into his crib. Let's just say... that had happened multiple times after that. He didn't end up going to sleep and staying asleep until 9:45pm!!! For a little boy who normally goes to bed between 7 and 9pm, depending on napping/feeding schedules, this was SUCH a long day!

This morning, not knowing what kind of day to expect, he woke around 7:30am and ate. Then, he fussed... rubbing his eyes and whining like he was tired, but was resisting going back to sleep. He laid in bed with Daddy and FINALLY daddy got him to fall asleep.

Late morning, we woke him to eat. Then, he snuggled with Daddy in the recliner and fell back asleep AGAIN. He woke around 1 and bonded with daddy for a little while before Mike had to get ready for work.

Around 1:30, he ate and fell asleep again.

Later, woke to eat and fell asleep AGAIN.

(Notice the pattern?) MY GOODNESS, he was tired!

Tonight, we went to visit Daddy at work where Sydney stayed awake the whole time! We were there for well over an hour. I noticed that he yawned twice at the store and was starting to sound whiney and wanting to be held again so, I took him home to continue with bedtime routine. Once we got home, he was still awake. I diapered him, put on clean PJ's and nursed him to sleep. And with that, I carried him up the squeaky stairs, kissed his cheek, laid him into his crib and came in to blog about our day. Not one single peep out of our tired little man... think it is safe to go downstairs to eat dinner, get the coffee pot ready for daddy's early morning, fold a load of laundry and do some dishes.

I'd take advantage of the sleep and go to bed myself, but I'm finding it difficult when I hear Mike come home and then, I have a harder time falling back asleep so, I have been staying up waiting for him the past few nights. (Of course, by then, I am utterly exhausted.) He'll be tired tomorrow for sure... working til 10:30pm tonight and having to be back at 4:45am tomorrow. (At least he's got the day off on Sunday to sleep in and relax.)

Domestic goddess duties calling... better run.

Baby, don't talk with food in your mouth

Today, you are 11 weeks old. 

You weigh approximately 14 pounds and measure 24" long. 

Your eyes are still a deep, dark blue. We think you are ADORABLE!

Dear Sydney,

Last night, when I was nursing you, I had to laugh. 

As you were eating, I was staring down into your deep blue eyes and smiling at you. You, of course, were flirting right back with eyebrow wiggles and batting your eyelashes at me. While you ate, you started making noises. (It probably had something to do with the fact that I had been talking to you; you were probably just responding.) Without letting go of the nipple in your mouth, you were trying to "talk" and coo. I thought it was funny and took the opportunity to tell you "Don't talk with food in your mouth".

Somehow, you must have found that funny because you instantly let the nipple go and flashed Mommy one of THE BIGGEST SMILES I have ever seen.

Each day, I feel like I am THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD to have you and Daddy in my life. I am fortunate that we are able to have Mommy stay home with you instead of sending you to daycare because I am LOVING every minute of it!

You are getting VERY STRONG. You LOVE to stand up and to jump. You hold your head up very well during tummy time. Last night, for these pictures, you kept sitting up so high that you would tip yourself over onto your side or back. (I learned, too, that I am best to photograph you with the ACTION mode because you wiggle so much.)

You had shots yesterday and were fussy most of the day today. You were AWAKE for a good majority of the day today and just wanted to snuggle.

We walked down the crazy big hill tonight to mail a letter to your cousin Alder. Along the way, Mommy stopped because you were looking up into the trees above our head. Eventually, you fell asleep in the front pack carrier. When we came home, I was able to lay you in your crib, but you just recently noticed that you are not being held and you are crying for mommy again.

Time to go snuggle some more. I hope you feel better tomorrow. 

I love you Baby Sydney!

Love,

Mommy

Doctor Update & Boys Pee Outside

WELL BABY

Sydney went in for his "8-WEEK Well Baby Check-up" even though he is 11 weeks old tomorrow. On the doctor's old rickety scale, he weighed in at 13 pounds 15.5 ounces. (The digital scale at the Breastfeeding Support Group weighed him at 13 pounds 14 ounces last Wednesday BEFORE EATING and 14 pounds even AFTER EATING. It will be interesting to see what he'll way next week at the support group.) Sydney measured 24" long.

He is in the 75th percentile for weight and height. The size of his head is in the 50th percentile. Doctor was QUITE PLEASED with Sydney's growth curve.

He had his first round of immunizations today as well. The nurse claimed that he screamed because of being restrained instead of from the pain of the needle(s) - 3 pokes to be exact. (Daddy was asked to hold his arms in place, while Mommy looked away.) Then, they suggested that he be nursed to calm him down from his screaming fit.

We return for his 4-Month Well-Baby Check-Up and Round 2 of immunizations on October 14th (around 20 weeks old).

He's been a little on the sleepy side this afternoon, but otherwise in good spirits. 

We read the Doctor book that Grandma Carol had sent to Sydney:

BOYS PEE OUTSIDE

We laid on a blanket in the yard this afternoon and Sydney had his first experience peeing outside when Mommy took the diaper off to let him air out. (He happened to be standing up and peed on his foot, stopped quickly and then, resumed after his foot was out of the way. It was kind of funny to watch him water the grass, knowing that this is the first time of many that this will happen by raising a little boy.

Our first picnic

Click on it (photo) to view it larger.

Here's what the scrapbook page says:

Our picnic 

{from your perspective}

Today, we enjoyed our first picnic in the park. 

It was a beautiful summer day... 80°F with a light breeze, blue sky and sunshine. Daddy didn’t have to be at work until 2PM so we had all morning to spend together. We picked up sandwiches from Jimmy John’s, packed drinks and dessert into a cooler and headed to the park that we had often admired while driving by. You enjoyed looking at the trees and listening to the kids playing. - august 11, 2009

Following our picnic in the park, you had a lot of awake time this afternoon with time spent smiling and talking. Mommy read you your newest Nursery Rhyme book and sang you songs. We went for a walk with neighbors Kate, Claire and Lise while enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. 

This evening, you had been rubbing your eyes and yawning so, Mommy thought you were tired, but you were resisting going to sleep. After multiple attempts to get to you sleep, Mommy finally took you for another walk down the street. While we were walking, we heard a group of girls coming from behind us. We stepped aside for the girls cross country team and they thanked us for sharing the sidewalk. As they ran past, Mommy said "Look, LOTS of babysitters!" to which the group of girls laughed.

You continued to be fussy for another hour or so after that. In fact, a few nights earlier you were fussy like this as well and we said it was because you were wearing your CRABBY PANTS (sea life pajamas with crabs & fish on them). Tonight, you cried so hard that you had a real tear run down your cheek. Mommy nursed you again, while you had an over-tired and glazed look in your eyes. She snuck you back in your bed asleep and you slept just a few minutes and are now fussing YET AGAIN. 

Looks like it is time to go snuggle.... AGAIN!

EDITED: You nursed AGAIN for just a few minutes before falling asleep. You're back in your crib and mommy hopes to at least gather the garbage for garbage day tomorrow. Good thing we napped together this afternoon! Mommy had a rough night with you while Daddy was working. MAYBE... you missed Daddy saying Good Night to you?

Not MA, it's M-I-K-E

Daddy reports that Baby Sydney is NOT saying MA, but that he is working on the "K" sound and trying to say M-I-K-E.

So, when Sydney yells MA, Mike throws in the "K" at the end.

(Funny how he gave up on DA-DA now.)

:)

Road Trip 2

Sydney went on his second long roadtrip with Mommy. On Thursday evening, they headed east, across the great Mississippi, and headed to WI. (Daddy was scheduled to work LOTS of hours on Friday and Saturday.)

Grandma & Grandpa Olson, Uncle Mike and (to-be Aunt) Karin were all going through baby withdrawals. Plus, it was a perfect opportunity to work on the design of wedding invitations - since it is MUCH EASIER to do them in person instead of via email.

On the way to WI, Sydney fussed a little where Mommy had to pull over twice to offer a pacifier.

On the way home, early Sunday morning, Sydney slept the entire way without a peep.

Everyone (except Beamer - the dog) sure enjoyed seeing those 10 week old smiles! (Beamer is jealous that everyone is no longer there just to see HER!)

Trying to catch a smile (photos)

Trying to catch a smile is quite difficult - with the 3-second delay of digital cameras, as well as an often moving target. These photos were shot over Daddy's shoulder and the words "Syd, you need to hold still for the camera..." were uttered from Daddy's mouth countless times during our brief photo shoot.

After each shot, Daddy asked "Did you get it?" (referring to another great smile). Unfortunately, of all of the photos we took, there was an awful lot of movement and blurriness. These are the best of the bunch.

It's just so hard to capture how cute he is with a camera... camcorder does MUCH BETTER at this point... or until he sits still a little more.

:)

VIDEO: 080309 Googley Eyes

Daddy wanted to videotape you this afternoon. 

You've been getting REALLY GOOD at smiling, talking and now, sticking out your tongue/licking your lips. (You do much better when laying on the floor though, instead of propped uncomfortably in front of the computer's built-in camera.) 

During this video clip, Mommy noticed that you have also started to master Daddy's eyebrow wiggle, which Mommy calls GOOGLEY EYES. Upon questioning, Daddy admits that he's been showing you "the eyebrow wiggle".

Watch out girls.... he's going to be a heart-breaker someday!

Weekend review - with photos

Saturday morning, we went to the Farmer's Market to walk around. The sponsor this week was the Humane Society so, Daddy was secretly hoping that there would be extra animals available for adoption and that we would come home with one. (He knows that we do not have the lifestyle or the money for another animal right now and says that he wants to wait until Sydney is old enough to pick out his own puppy.)

We ran to Menards to get our paint remixed for the bathroom since the color was too minty and we wanted it more celery colored. We also had to buy supplies to fix our bed because a few of the crates had collapsed during the night and Mommy's head of the bed was downhill.

Our Sunday morning started off with some snuggling in bed. Later, you and Daddy enjoyed a bath. 

You keep licking your lips now that you've noticed that you have a tongue. It isn't uncommon for you to wake up from your sleep with a white, crusty ring around your mouth from all of the licking. It is FUNNY to watch, but is difficult for us to gauge if you are being silly or if you are truly hungry.... as you used to lick/smack your lips only when you were hungry. Now, that tongue is active most of the time as you've realized that you use it for talking.

Sunday afternoon, Daddy touched up the paint in the bathroom, mowed the lawn and hung curtains in the dining room. We still have to paint over the red paint, but that is a project for another day since we hope to move (and re-level) the toilet instead of painting around it like the former home owners had done. So it is celery green on top, Preppy Green trim piece and dark red bottom.... it almost looks like a Victorian House color scheme and looks MUCH CLEANER than the former paint job.

Sunday afternoon, we went to Grandpa Lowell's house where a fishing buddy get-together  had been planned. Daddy requested that you wear something with a fish on it, but the best we could do was a whale, a turtle or some frogs. Needless to say, you wore your whale onesie and some blue pants. (Daddy thought it would be best not to put you in that outfit until right before the people came to see you, but Mommy thought it would be OK. TURNS OUT, DADDY WAS RIGHT!)

We had been at Grandpa Lowell's one hour early and in that hour had changed THREE poopy diapers. Since Grandpa Lowell likes baseball, it must've been THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT because that third diaper was a blowout that got POO all up your back and all over your whale onesie.)

On the first diaper change (see whale on shirt) Mommy laid you on the floor on your changing pad. Bishop decided that it was a perfect opportunity to run around you to get closer to Mommy for a little snuggle time. He didn't even notice that you were there.



 

The fishing buddies (and their wives) liked you a lot. They thought you were pretty cute. The guys wondered how long it will be until you get to go fishing in the Boundary Waters with Daddy. Although, Mommy has already determined that you aren't allowed to go until you are big enough.... or should I say fast enough... to outrun Big Jim. (The story behind that is that Mommy asked Daddy if 1) they ever saw bears and 2) aren't they afraid of the bears chasing them? Daddy replied that they weren't afraid because they could all run faster than Big Jim.)

Their consensus was that you look a lot like Daddy. We told them that we're still trying to figure out WHO you look like. Daddy assures me that you look like yourself and that it is OK if we don't figure out who you look like - because YOU LOOK LIKE SYD. Although, we've agreed that you do have an Olson chin and sometimes, Daddy sees a glimpse of cousin Alder in you. Mommy thinks that your side profile looks like a mini-Mike Olson, but from the front view, you look like Daddy. Either way, YOU SURE ARE CUTE!

Rescue Me

Last night, mommy fed you while daddy showered. (He had lots of paint to scrub off since we're in the process of painting the bathroom.) Then, when Daddy was done showering, you were getting sleepy, but not quite ready to lay down so, Mommy asked Daddy to hold you so that Mommy could go shower. After a few minutes, Daddy was able to put you into your crib.

You slept until around 1am. That's when Mommy heard your cry that wasn't your ordinary cry.

Without words, your cry said: Help me, help me, help!

Mommy sat up and stretched a brief second while grabbing her headband and glasses. That's when your cry changed to: OW! I'm hurt! Come quick!

Mommy went into your room and turned the pole light onto its dimmest setting and quickly discovered that you had YOUR ENTIRE LEG hanging out the rungs of the crib and you were thrashing around, trying to free yourself. (This is when I asked myself SERIOUSLY, REMIND ME AGAIN HOW BUMPER PADS ARE BAD since we have had to rescue you from countless incidents where your arm was hanging out of the crib.) 

Mommy freed your leg, calmed you down, changed your diaper and nursed you back to sleep - wondering all the while if you had injured your leg at all. We'll have to keep an eye on it to make sure that you didn't break it or anything. As Mommy fed you, she analyzed the crib design, wondering HOW we can keep your extremities inside while still avoiding any suffocation hazard. We'll have to work on that... right now, mosquito netting around the front panel comes to mind so that you can't get stuck, but can still breathe through.

Later in the morning, you got to come to bed with Mommy and Daddy. Mommy nursed you, but you soon fell asleep. We were all cozy... snug as a bug in a rug!