4 Month Update

We have been busy over the past month. Although, now that the weather is getting warmer, we have been making a point to get out and enjoy it with our little Chicago baby.

I had a great first Mother's Day. I had a beautiful, yummy breakfast made for me and I am looking forward to the massage!

Last weekend Colin was able to meet his second cousin, Eli. They were in town for a graduation and we were so lucky to be able to see them. We all went to lunch and then stopped at the park. Eli is a couple months older than Colin so he was able to swing while Colin slept in his stroller.

Colin was also able to see his BFF AJ when his parents came in town for a European Reunion. The adults went out to dinner while the boys stayed at home with Nana Sandy and her daughter, Angelica who babysat. We all had a great time.

Colin is getting so big. He will be 5 months next week! At his 4 month check up, he was 14lb. 90z. and 25 1/2 inches long. He is now rolling onto his side, both on the right and left from his back. Although he is still not a fan of being on his tummy, he will tolerate it for about 20 mins at a time. He is still "talking" a ton. He is quite a vocal guy. I wonder where he got that from?

It has been a busy month...

Colin is now 15 weeks and wow has he changed. He has been holding his head up now for a couple weeks. Although he isn't loving being on his tummy, he is getting more comfortable with it everyday. This morning we went to get him out of his crib and he had rolled over onto his one side. He tried very hard (as evidenced by his grunting) to complete the roll over to his tummy, however he couldn't figure out what to do with that darn arm. My guess is he may roll over from his back to front before he rolls over from his tummy to back. So we will see...

Well I have been officially back to work now for 3 weeks. We have been able to get in a pretty good routine and that has been great for all of us. As a result (or at least this is my theory) of the routine, Colin has been sleeping like a champ. He goes down around 8p and sleeps until 6:30a. We know we are extremely lucky and each night cross our fingers that he does it again. I am sure it will change soon but we will take it and be appreciative for now.

The past month has been an active one. Both sets of Grandparents visited. Colin celebrated his first St. Patrick's Day. He met our friends Jennifer Anderson and Chad. He participated in his first Easter Egg Hunt. Really he just watched the big kids look for eggs. But he really enjoyed watching them. Plus he has been back to the zoo multiple times since his first visit with his Aunt Dixie.

Currently his Aunt Becky is visiting and enjoying all of the smiles and cuddles that Colin gives. Yesterday we went to a nice Easter Brunch and then spent the rest of the day at the Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Today was the Cubs home opener and we braved the rainy, cold weather and headed up to Wrigley. Trust me, Colin was the warmest and driest out of the three of us. But hey, a boy only has one first Cubs home opener. And yes, the Cubs won! Although we ended up watching it at home, in front of a fire under a blanket:)

Colin snuggling with Mr. Monkey watching the Cubs Home Opener at home.

Colin's first Cubs game!

Colin and Mr. Monkey hiding in the palm tree at the Lincoln Park Conservatory

Colin and his Brothers with Aunt Becky.

Colin after a bath.

More Colin in Cubs Gear. Someday I will figure out how to post pictures on this blog properly.

Colin and Daddy watching the Masters.

Easter Sunday at the Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Colin's Easter Outfit. What a handsome little boy!

Colin's 3 month frog picture.

Colin's Official 3 Month Frog Picture. He is getting so big.

Colin meeting Jennifer and Chad.

Colin is 10 Weeks Old

Last week Colin was able to meet and spend time with his Great Aunt Dixie. Thankfully she brought the warm weather with her from Florida. We were able to go out on a long walk on Thursday and then on Friday Colin had his first trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Overall we had a really great weekend with Dixie and can't wait for her to visit again.

Today Colin and I went to a place called My Gym where there was a social outing for the Moms and kids in our zip code who are members of the northside parents network. Although Colin was the youngest and obviously couldn't do a lot of playing with the other kids, he really enjoyed watching them play and seeing all of the brightly colored toys. We also sang songs together and danced. Thank goodness we had an indoor activity as it hasn't really stopped raining since Saturday.

Our little smiley guy! Isn't he cute!

9 Weeks

Colin had his 2 month doctor visit last Friday, 2/27. He is officially weighing in at 12lbs. 10 oz and is 23 inches long. Our little boy is definitely a healthy, happy boy! He also received his 2 month vaccinations and it was definitely more traumatic for me than it was for him.

After his doctor's visit, Colin's Grandparents Mills visited. Colin instantly broke into smiles and coos when he saw his Grandparents. We all enjoyed their visit including Rob and I who were able to go out for a bit Saturday night. Thank you! For whatever reason, Colin loves his changing table and seems to be the most active and happy when he is on it. I guess getting a clean diaper would make anyone happy :)

We received some lake effect snow on Sunday, but that didn't stop us from going to a yummy brunch. Our little Chicago Baby just bundled up and slept through the whole walk and breakfast.

Today Colin was able to meet yet another friend, Sarah Dingeldein. Sarah is 3 weeks old and the daughter of one of my lifelong friends, Leslie. We have known each other a long time and it is so fun that we now have children who are so close in age. Colin and I had such a nice, relaxing afternoon with Sarah and Leslie. She is adorable! I can't believe Colin was ever that small.

2 Months

Colin is officially 2 months old! We are trying to take a picture with the frog every month so that we can see how big Colin is getting. Below are his 2 month pics.


For reference, here is his 1 month frog pic. Colin was not very cooperative this day, plus Rob is a much better photographer than me :)

Last week Colin was lucky enough to meet his Great Aunt Barbara. We all went to dinner Thursday evening and Colin was so good. He slept through the whole dinner.

Rob got his cast off this week so he is now faster at diaper changes and all things involving Colin. Both Colin and I are extremely grateful that his broken hand is healing.

On Saturday we went to visit the Mariers. We had such a nice, relaxing time and Kate was such a big help. She gave Colin a bottle and even burped him!

Colin is still being a great little sleeper. Last night he slept for 7 hrs. straight again. Thank goodness for swaddling! Although he is a bit fussy sometimes and it may take some time to get him down, overall we are thankful for the sleep he lets us get.

In addition, he is spending more and more time on his activity mat. He enjoys batting at the toys that hang, listening to the music and watching the lights. He is spending more time on his tummy each day and becoming stronger. We are also playing each day with some colorful toys and working with some black and white images that he can look at.

We go for his 2 month drs. appt this Friday. Wow, has the time flown.

Colin Makes New Friends

Last weekend Rob and I visited the Parkins and their new son AJ (Alastair). Both Ann and I were due on the same day, Jan. 2. Colin was born Dec. 27 and AJ was born Dec. 31. We all had a great time introducing the boys who we are sure will be life long friends. It was so nice out, we went for a long walk with the boys around the Parkin's neighborhood and then had a yummy dinner. Although Colin was a bit fussy that afternoon, he was great around his 6p bedtime and went to sleep rather easily and didn't wake up thru his diaper change, car ride home and transfer to his crib. Wow, were we lucky! Aren't they too darn cute together?

Last week was warm for Chicago, so Colin and I took advantage. On Monday we went to an outdoor mall and walked around. We also went for a lot of walks around the neighborhood during the week. Colin made his first walk to the lake, although he slept through it. On Friday, Colin attended his first (surely not his last) Chicago Auto Show, although he slept through the whole thing. We went with the Mariers to the auto show and Kate was such a big help with Colin. That night we went to our favorite restaurant, Uncle Julio's for dinner with the Mariers.

Saturday was Colin's first Valentine's Day. And of course we had to dress him appropriately (see pic. below). We were lucky enough to celebrate Valentine's Day with yet another new friend, Jackson Serge. It was his first birthday party and Colin had so much fun meeting new friends and just looking around at everyone. He was so good and didn't cry or fuss at all. He was just so enthralled with all of the new faces and places.

7 week update on Colin: He is now grabbing onto things including fingers, hair, shirts, etc. He is definitely a lot more talkative. He is cooing, squealing and overall being a lot more vocal. We are starting to see more smiles each day as well. Hope you enjoy the below video update! It is my first time posting a video, so I hope it works.

Colin 1 Month

I realize I am little overdue, technically Colin is 5 1/2 weeks today. However we have definitely been keeping busy over the past couple weeks. We had some more visitors, Ann, Gretchen and Patsy came to visit Colin. Plus his Grandparents Mills came to visit as well since the last time they saw him was in the hospital. Wow has he changed since then. We also had my Director, Jenni visit us with her daughter Maddie. They were so cute together!

Colin is now more alert during the day. He definitely notices colors and noises when you put toys in front of him. We are starting to see hints of a smile every now and then. He is just getting stronger and bigger every day. He now takes a bottle once a day. He took to the bottle very easily and we have not had any problems. Rob is now enjoying bonding with Colin when he gives him a bottle for one of his feedings each night. Plus, I can get some additional sleep!

Our days when Rob is at work are full of diaper changes, sleeping, playing, tummy time, singing, dancing and eating. Sometimes it can be a little challenging on the sleeping. We definitely try and get out for some fresh air when the temp. is over 25, but that has been rare the past couple weeks. In addition, I have started our search for a Nanny for once I go back to work. I can't believe my maternity leave is already 1/2 over. Wow, has time flown.

Our nights changed once he hit 5 weeks. He is not falling asleep quite as easily as he used to. Although he is still sleeping for a good 3-4 hrs once he falls asleep. It is a bit harder to get him back to sleep during the night once he is up. We have had a lot of late night floor walks. Although he slept for 7 hrs. straight the other night!

On the weekends, Rob and I have been just enjoying our time with Colin. Unfortunately both Colin and I were asleep before the Superbowl even started last weekend! Don't worry, I saw the commercials online the next day.