Cole Carlson: Seven Months

Our little buddy is seven months old! Here is what he's been up to:
- He weighed in at 15 lb 9 oz at his seven month doctor visit.  Up a whole pound in the last month.
- We decided to discontinue feeding him baby food. He hated eating.  There were only a few times where he didn't fight us to feed him.  We tried homemade purées, store bought baby food, finger foods, and fresh fruits and veggies in the mesh feeder.
- he has been sleeping a little better since we quit feeding him baby food. He is back to getting up once between 2-4am.
- he is sporting a cute little Mohawk.
- he rolls all over the place now. He will push up with his arms now, but isn't getting up.
- he loves his walker and zooms all around the front room.
- he shakes his head every time he hears music.
- he loves to watch his sisters.
- he is taking two 1.5-2 hour naps. He still likes to sleep on the go.
- he likes to swing on the swing set.
- we swear he is teething, but still no teeth.

Summer updates

- Riley got her haircut "like snow white". We are no longer fighting to brush her hair.
- Harper is out of diapers! We still have accidents here and there, but she's been to the library, zoo,store, and doctor without any accidents.
- the kids went in for physicals. All are doing well. Harper goes in to have her egg allergy rechecked in a few weeks. Riley wanted to get a shot since she's almost five now. She let the nurse prick her finger and didn't even cry. Luckily, she didn't need to get any shots since she has one more year until kindergarten
- the girls' birthday swing set has been installed for a few weeks now. They are having a blast with it.
-I have only had a few days where I've wished summer to turn to fall so school will start :)
-we have had some fun play dates and late afternoons at the pool.
- Our garden is a bit lackluster this year. We are just about to have some ripe tomatoes and cucumbers to pick
- Riley hit her golf clubs at the driving range for the first time. She has a pretty good little swing.

Summer Reading Club

The girls participated in the summer reading club at the library this summer. For every 15 minutes we read to them they marked off a square on their sheet. In June they met their half way goal and received zoo passes, mini golf passes, and meals at Scornovaccas and PF Chang. We just met the last goal and the girls received I cubs tickets, frozen yogurt from menchies, lunch at maid rite, and dinner at Texas roadhouse. So far we've gone to Menchies, Maid rite, and the zoo! Such a fun little program for the kids.

Swim Lessons

Riley finished swim lessons at Valley view Aquatic Center right before we left for the lake. She did great (and passed). Unfortunately, she's not old enough to move on to the next level yet. Her proudest moment: going off the diving board. She walked right to the end and then completely froze. Surprisingly, she let her teacher drop her in the pool as another teacher caught her. She said she's not going to do it again any time soon.

Fourth Of July 2013

We headed up to Okoboji for a week of fun at the lake! This year the weather was perfect making our stay much nicer than last year. Highlights:
- Arnold's park. Harper went on her first mini rollercoaster. She looked terrified but said she liked it. Ri and I went on the log ride.
- Riley and Harper shared a room (and bed) and slept great.
- late nights for both girls. Riley rambling on and on in excitement.
- watching the neighbors two houses down put on their own private fireworks show. Awesome, but loud!
- Riley continuously yelling hi to all of the neighbors.
- grandma laughing and making Harper repeat "diarea-ra". Harp saying she had diarrhea every time she pooped.
-fishing off the dock.
- one late night family card game.

What we learned this year: vacation with three little ones is not relaxing! But it was nice to be together as a family for a whole week!

Cole Carlson: Six Months Old

Exciting times around here. Cole is six months old and changing every day! Here's what he's been up to this past month.

- He weighed in at 14 lbs 8 oz at his 6 month check up.  He seems like such a big boy compared to the girls as babies. But in reality, I know he is still on the smaller side in just the 20th percentile.
- He is wearing size 6 month clothes. He seems to get goosebumps any time he is in shorts or short sleeves.
-He is a very laid back baby. But if he decides to cry, it's a full out scream.
- he makes a lot of noise now. He's learned to keep up with his sisters and screams really loud!
- he can sit up on his own. He can also roll both ways.
- he loves to grab his toes. If he can reach them they are in his hands.
- we started feeding him baby food regularly. He still isn't a huge fan. So far he's had oatmeal, banana, applesauce, avocado, sweet potato, and squash. Bananas and avocado seem to be the favorites.
- He is still eating 4 oz bottles of breast milk every 3 hours. He will sometimes take 4 1/2, and sometimes only eat 3 1/2.
- he went from sleeping from 7:30-5, to this week waking up for a bottle between 12:30-3am. Needless to say we feel like zombies again.
- he sometimes fights his sleep. Last night he wouldn't go to sleep until 9pm. Another night he was awake from 2am-5am. We are looking forward to the day he decides to sleep well again!
- he is pretty much on a nap schedule now: sleeps for 45 minutes - 1 1/2 hours around 8:30 am. Then takes another 1-2 hour afternoon nap.  He is usually tired again around 5 and may nod off for 30-40 minutes.
- He is proving to be a typical boy: diaper changes have become an exploration mission. He giggles every time Mom changes him, but never when Dad does.
- he likes playing in his exorsaucer and walker. He is just now learning how to scoot around in the walker.
- He hates the bouncy chair now.
- He still has eczema. As soon as it goes away its back again a week later.

He is such a sweet little boy and we just love him to death!

Preschool Graduation

Riley had her graduation from four year old preschool at Westminster. We were excited for another year to come to a close, but sad to see her moving on. Riley loved her teachers this year.
Next year she will go to afternoon preschool at Westview Church Preschool. I'm  excited to see how she does at the new school and to have her home with me for one more year.