Just Art

Art has been doing very well. Here's the skinny on what he has been up to:

SLEEP: He is better at sleeping through the night. The last few times we put him down at 7 or 8, he slept through the morning! It is wonderful to have some free time in the evening. We occasionally have to get up because of something in the middle of the night, but it isn't like it used to be.

EATING: He now only eats 4 times a day and has solids at dinner. He will usually make a face with the first bite of food, but is generally a good eater. His favorites so far are apples. It is so odd to have more free time from not having to feed him 8 times a day!

DEVELOPMENT: He is really close to sitting up on his own. He will wobble and then fall over, but is doing well. He now grabs for everything and pulls on my hair!

Sitting with a little bit of assistance

In the highchair at Gigi and Papa's house

He got a new "high chair" for Christmas. It hooks to the edge of the table so it doesn't take up as much space. He can also eat with us and the seat is small enough to travel with.

Here's another view. It is tough to see because the seat is black, but he is suspended from the table. The chair behind him is there because it has nowhere else to go! He's playing with his new CD player here.

Merry Christmas!

We spent Christmas with my family in Alpharetta. My brother and sister-in-law drove in from San Antonio, Texas so we were all together this year. It was so much fun to celebrate with everyone. We miss the company because it was a week filled with fun!

Art and Papa Jim playing with the dog

Art's pjs for Christmas night

Art and cousin Rowan

The family in all of our chaos - we will have another niece or nephew next year! YAY!

Art's Baptism

This past weekend was very important for us. Art was baptized in the Catholic Church. We were very lucky to share our big event with the 5:30 PM mass so the parish joined us during our celebration. What a glorious day!

Here's Father Michael giving him a blessing. I love how Art is looking at him.

Art did very well during the entire mass. Our guests said that he was smiling and laughing during all of the action. He got a little fussy toward the end of mass, but wasn't too loud.

I meant for the cake to be light blue so when I went to pick it up, I was a little shocked at the bold color. I guess I shouldn't assume someone knows what I want if I tell them blue icing!

Here are Art's Godparents, Angie and Ben, post baptism. We realized that we didn't get a good picture with them all gussied up and him in his Christening gown. Angie was the maid of honor in our wedding and Ben is her husband. Angie and I have been best friends since birth (28 years!). We have kept in touch since I moved away from Dallas when we were 5 years old. We are so lucky that our parents shuttled us to each others homes each year since then.

First Foods

Since the doctor gave us the go ahead on eating cereal, fruits, veggies, and meats, we are taking full advantage and trying new foods. So far he has eaten rice cereal, sweet potatoes, apples, peas, and carrots. The first bite is always different for him, but he usually gobbles them all up. Once the holidays are over, I plan to make his baby foods.

First rice cereal (we always forget about bibs)

First sweet potatoes

He grabs his feet while eating which makes for a very messy meal.

Bathtime after eating

Christmas is getting closer!

Here is your weekly dose of pictures. Last week was good. We kept busy by catering and had our 10th annual cookie bake!

We had his 4 month doctor visit last Friday. He now weighs 14 pounds (50th percentile) and is 25.5 inches long (75th percentile). He did need more vaccines and again, it was painful to watch. We got the go ahead on solids so I'll have to post some pictures of his first veggies and rice cereal. We are trying to figure out his 4 month eating and sleeping schedule. As soon as we have it down, he changes it up.

4 Generations (My mom's mom, mom, me, and Art) at the cookie bake. I was wearing a sweet elf apron.
Art playing with a dog stuffed animal while sitting in his bouncy chair. He decided to be festive while playing.

He now chews on his fingers.

Sleeping in his bed. I liked how his fingers are interlaced in the blanket.

In his bunting when we went running. I'd rather be sitting in his seat!

4 Month Video

4 Months

Can you believe my baby is 4 months old?! I keep saying it gets more exciting every day. After vacation last week, we had to relearn everything. He was all out of sorts and only slept through the night one time. I was a little worn out, but we seem to be back to normal. His new activity is chewing on his fingers. No thumb sucking, just likes to bite the pointer and middle fingers. Sometimes he'll stick his fist in his mouth. He just gnaws and gnaws. It is quite cute.

He got a cold sometime over the weekend so his nose is runny and stuffy. He still seems to eat and functions normally, but it seems that his naps are a little longer.

Below are some 3 month pictures...

Thanksgiving Day

We had plenty to give thanks for this year so it was a special one for us. Unfortunately Thanksgiving at Brian's cousin's house was a little busy so we didn't get too many pictures.

Art with Great Grandma

Hopefully we can get one of these TVs in our next house! They both enjoyed football on the big screen.

Thanksgiving Visit - Part 2

Art got back on a good schedule once we settled in.

Aunt Stefanie is always the photographer and doesn't have many pictures with the little guy!

Papa John

The bonfire of yard stuff. I thought it was funny how they pulled up lawn chairs to hang out and watch it burn. Art and Brian keeping watch.

Thanksgiving Visit - Part 1

We took the week off and had a wonderful visit in Virginia. Along the way, we made several stops to see many important people (we still didn't see everyone!). He did well in the car, but didn't do so well getting back on his schedule. He was very crabby the first few days when he was trying to catch up on sleep.

Art cheering on the Redskins on Sunday.

We were able to meet my Aunt Diane in Ellicott City, MD for lunch on Monday.

Art with Grandpa and Grandma O'Connor

On Sunday we stopped in Charlottesville to have lunch with Nolita and Great Grandpa. We took a driving tour of UVA as well. Maybe we can go to Monticello next year.

We stayed with Brian's best bud from elementary school and his wife in Richmond on our way up. This is Art with their daughter, Jillian.