breakfast on my own...

Hello Everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. Mom and Dad kept pretty busy these past couple days. Saturday, they took me to the mall...there were tons and tons of people out! They didn't buy too much; just trying to add ideas to their Christmas lists. Mom thought about taking me to see Santa, but Dad said the line was "very, very long". Plus, I don't know if I would be OK sitting on the lap of a complete stranger like that.

Sunday morning was church, but before we headed to church Mom let me feed myself breakfast (oatmeal and applesauce). Mom and Dad were snapping the camera all crazy-like...here's what they captured:

Yes, Mom pulled down the top of my PJ's thinking it would keep them from getting covered in food...only she didn't realize that I would just cover myself instead making us late for church!

After church, Mom made breakfast for her and Dad, and I even got to have some egg and toast.

When I finally went down for my afternoon nap, Mom and Dad worked on the outside Christmas lights. They got them all up, but not on because they need to a part for the porch light to plug in the lights. Mom says she will get it tomorrow and then put pictures up.

I have my monthly therapy appointment tomorrow, and Friday is my 9 month check-up! Not too much else exciting going on around here. Have a great week!

Love,

Dallas

Thursday's Tale

We have had an adventurous day! It started with Charlie waking me up a little after Doug left for work (6:30 a.m.) with the sound of him getting sick on my bedroom floor. My only thought as I was crossing the room to get to the light switch was "please don't let me step in it!" I didn't.

Since I was wide awake from cleaning up, I thought I might as well stay up. I got my breakfast, turned on the TV, and then, Dallas woke up. I could hear him happily babbling, so I decided to finish my breakfast before getting him. {I was hoping he would go back to sleep, but no such luck.} After getting the little guy out of bed, I made him breakfast...peaches and rice cereal. If you remember, a few posts ago, I mentioned that Dallas has been putting his fingers in his mouth while eating. This morning, he decided to dive his hand into the bowl before putting his fingers in his mouth. I immediately reached for the napkin, but I then decided he has to learn to get food to his mouth at some point. I moved the bowl closer to his reach and let him have at it! Good thing he was due for a bath! I did continue to get a few spoonfuls in his mouth, but a lot of the cereal went on him. He even put the bowl on his head at one point. {I wasn't fast enough with the camera}

Here he is after finishing breakfast. You can't really see the cereal in his hair as well as I was hoping.
After eating, I got Dallas in the bathtub. He is really enjoying baths - splashing around and playing with the toys. I just wish it was warmer in the bathroom, I had to pull him out {while still playing} because he was getting cold. While I was giving him a bath, I heard Charlie getting sick again - another reason I had to pull Dallas out of the bath. I quickly got a diaper on him, wrapped him in a towel and put him in the playpen so he wouldn't go too far while I cleaned up.

I got Dallas dressed, finally, and thought he looked too cute so I had to take pictures...here they are...
Check out those fangs!
Playing with a toy I found in his drawer today. He is getting so tall!
The little guy is working very hard at trying to sit himself up. He's almost got it! He isn't making too many attempts at crawling, but can roll where ever he needs to go.
While doing my little photo shoot, Charlie got sick once more. Yes, if you are keeping track, that is three times today! I wish I knew what was wrong with him. He goes on these spurts where he gets sick multiple times a day for a few days, and then he is good for months. The last time he did this, I took him to the vet, and they tell me to take his food away for 24 hours...and it usually does the trick. Does anyone else have this problem?

OK...so continuing our day. Dallas and I had chiropractor appointments this afternoon. Dallas laughed the entire time while getting his adjustment. I guess he thought Doc was tickling him! Doc said I wouldn't need to come back for another month, but I went ahead and scheduled an appointments right before and right after Thanksgiving. The 7+ hour drive in the car gets me every time.

After the chiropractor, Dallas and I went to the family doctor for our flu shots. Doug got his yesterday at work - they get it free. Dallas and I could have gotten one there, but our insurance pays for one from the doctor's office. Dallas did great! He gave a little whimper and that was it. He even smiled at the nurse as I was re-dressing him!

Tonight, I have religious education class at church. I should probably get off here so I can look over my notes. Tomorrow is another big day. Dallas has a therapy appointment in the morning, and then, Grandpa and Gram Bergman and Aunt Josie are coming for the weekend. The National Toy Farmer Show is in Dyersville this weekend, so Dad and Grandpa will be spending some time there while Gram and Aunt Josie spoil Dallas!

One more thing ... I was told twice today that Dallas looks like me! Of course, the ladies that said that haven't met Doug, but still...maybe he is getting some of my good looks :)

Sorry for the extremely long post.

Until next time...

Weekend Wrap-up

Happy Monday Morning (or afternoon or evening...which ever it is when you read this!) I hope you all had a great weekend. There was nothing too exciting around here ~ Doug had to work late Thursday and Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday morning. Friday night we did go over to Ryan and Melanie's for dinner after work. (Ryan works with Doug, and he is a grill expert) We didn't get there until 8 o'clock and Dallas fell asleep by 9...so I was able to enjoy the evening visiting and not having to worry about the little guy. Everyone stayed past mid-night, and Doug said they were all dragging Saturday morning in the field!

On Saturday, Dallas and I escaped the house for a while and went to Coralville to walk around/shop. I was in need of some new jeans. My two pairs were really beginning to show some wearing and fading. I was hoping to buy some Levi's ~ I just like the way they fit ~ but the Levi Outlet shop closed a couple months ago. I ended up at Gordman's, which is new to Coralville and found a pair that I really like. I don't remember the brand right now, but they were fairly inexpensive. Plus...they were 2 sizes smaller than what I was wearing before I was pregnant! Yea for me!

On Sunday, I started mowing the yard, but let Doug finish it when he got home from work. He really enjoys mowing and hasn't been able to do it for a good while. Dallas and I chilled on the front porch...me in one of the rocking chairs and him in his walker. We later picked some veggies from the garden and planted some more radishes and green onions. I also planted some more pumpkin seeds. I had one plant, but I think the deer ate it! So...we'll try it again. We did get a quick shower Sunday late afternoon, but then it was a great evening to sit outside. After Dallas went to bed, Doug and I made some S'mores on the grill ~ not quite the same as a campfire, but they were still delicious!

In other news, Dallas has his first tooth working its way through. I can't really see it yet, but I sure can feel it! Dallas goes to the chiropractor again on Thursday. Then, he visits Leslie the therapist on Friday morning, and he has his 4 month check-up (and shots) Friday afternoon. It will be interesting to see how much he has grown. Plus, I'm thinking that he might be able to start on solid food. Now that will be fun!

OK...enough of the boring talk...here's some pictures of the little man.

I've recently put the stuffed bears in the crib so Dallas could have something to "play" with when he wakes up. He really likes the green one!


When I was taking the above picture, Charlie came and sat right in front of me as if he wanted his picture taken. So I did.


Bath time...he is so much fun!


Sunday night, we had a blow out on the diaper (that's the reason for the paper towels). After I changed Dallas, I went to throw the diaper away and get some PJ's...when I came back, this is what I found.

Yes, he is ASLEEP!

The veggies I picked from the garden.

sweet peppers, carrots, some type of cherry tomato, and green onions

The first ripe tomatoes! They were excellent on the BLTs last night!!!

Until next time...

Cheese!

Dallas woke up this morning in a great mood. He was so full of smiles! I was finally able to capture them on film...well, after clicking the camera many times! Take a look...

Attempt 1: Not quite fast enough

Attempt 2: Huge grin

Attempt 3: Sweet Smile

After having a happy morning, Dallas went back to the therapist for a follow-up with his neck. He has made some progress but still has some way to go. You probably noticed in the pictures, he is still always looking to the right. We go back in a month for another follow-up. Until then, we are to do lots of tummy time and stretching.

Until next time...

Waiting for Sleep...

So, here I am, quarter after 10 in the evening, waiting for Mr. Dallas to go to sleep! What a better thing to do than put up a post.

Dallas did have his therapy session yesterday. It went really well, and I felt a lot more relaxed when we left. The therapist (Leslie) said that this neck thing - torticollis - is somewhat typical of babies. Dallas's doctor, as well as Doug and I, believe that his condition was caused by the way he was laying in-utero. Leslie showed me some different stretches to do with Dallas, as well as, different ways to position him when carrying him and playing with him. We go back in 2 weeks for a follow up. Usually Leslie goes a month out before a follow up, but Dallas would not wake up during the appointment so she couldn't do a complete assessment of his current neck (muscle) strength. Leslie also said that the "lump" on Dallas's throat that we have been watching is actually the contracted muscle that is causing him to look off to the side. So...that was a relief as well.

Today, it rained much of the day. Dallas and I met Doug in town for lunch. It was nice to be out of the house, but it was rather messy. Of course, everyone at work loved seeing Dallas, and they were amazed at how much he has grown since the wedding the other weekend.

This evening I had my second to last religious education class. I can't believe the "year" is almost over. Next week we are having a celebration party, so the actual class part is complete. I am happy to report that we did make it all the way through our textbook. I was a little concerned that we wouldn't make it...especially with me taking a few weeks off when Dallas was born. Next, we just wait for June to roll around to have my students confirmed.

I believe that is all that is happening around here. Now for some pictures.

Dallas enjoying a day outside.

Notice how is head is turned...this is what we are trying to correct.

Until next time...