Milestones

“They” set milestones to help parents know when their babies should start doing or be doing certain things. Looking at the list we are almost to the 3-month milestone and we currently are working tummy time so we are right on track. As a new parent I use those milestones but I don’t cling to them be I know every baby is different. Recently a friend pointed out that no where in life except a baby book or blog doesn’t matter when they rolled over or started talking, and that it is easy to see all the things we cant do and harder to remember all the great things we can do, I think that applies everyone always. So heres to what he can do.

Tummy Time

 MIlestones:

2 Months	Smiles at the sound of your voice
3 Months	Raises head and chest when lying on stomach Grasps objects Smiles at other people
4 Months	Babbles, laughs, and tries to imitate sounds
6 Months	Rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back Moves objects from hand to hand
7 Months	Responds to own name Finds partially hidden objects
9 Months	Sits without support Crawls
12 Months	Walks with or without support Says at least one word Enjoys imitating people
18 Months	Walks independently Drinks from a cup Says at least 15 words
2 Years	Runs Speaks in two-word sentences Follows simple instructions Begins make-believe play
3 Years	Climbs well Speaks in multiword sentences Sorts objects by shape and color
4 Years	Gets along with people outside the family Draws circles and squares Rides a tricycle
5 Years	Tells name and address Jumps, hops, and skips Gets dressed Counts 10 or more objects

Super Smiley

The report from daycare yesterday was that he was super smiley. So in honor of his super smiley day, 

I'll share some of those heart warming smiles. :)

Photos from the weekend....

Taken by Mark Christianson

Taken by Mark Christianson

 Quality One Hour Photo Bunny Proof

Sunday Funday

Sunday we had a 90th birthday party for my grandpa. Lots of people came to help us celebrate his birthday. We rented out the North Mankato fire station for the event,  the tables were decorated with parts that he manufactured along with nuts and bolts, we had cake and bars, coffee, pop, and water, it was fun. 
Besides all of that Avery got to meet more family. He had yet to meet my cousins (on my dad’s side), and so Sunday he did. The room was filled with lots of people and nose and he was a little tired from the adventures from the day before so he wasn’t always his happy self, he was a little fussy, but he was happy and smiley to meet family. 

Meeting the fam

After the party we headed back to my parents house to look at the cards my grandpa got and have a little supper. It was there that Avery got to model his new hat. It is a fur hat with ears, not ear flaps, ears like a cat....it is really cute. Luckily my cousin also had his fur hat along. It was a meeting of the fur hat club, and Avery loved it, he talked and smiled.

Fur Hat Club

 All that fun wore our little guy out (and daddy too)

Daddy & Avery Napping

Bunnies and More

What a big weekend, it seems like every weekend is a big weekend, we always have something going on, and if we don’t there is always laundry, dishes and home improvement projects to finish.  This weekend, Saturday, Jon worked in the morning, which was fine with me because Avery and I had plans to go have his picture taken with real live bunnies. Bunny pictures were from 10am – 1 pm, we got a late start so we didn’t get to the bunnies until 10:50, I paid my $10 and got my number and settled  into to wait.  I was number 27 and they were on 72 and the numbers start over at 120. Avery slept the entire time we waited, I woke him up when I heard them call number 11 so he might have his eyes open and smile for his pictures, and he did. It was a nice set up they had two tents with a nice spring scene with flowers and what not set up, they have coloring areas and chairs for people to sit and wait, also because we were in a green house there were flowers to look at and room to run. It was fun to see all the little girls in their spring dresses, and the little boys in there  spring colored plaid shirts or argyle sweater vests, all the kids were very well behaved, very little crying. It was easy, a long wait but I think it was worth I think the pictures are going to be great, I  get to see them today.
After our bunny adventure I dropped Avery off with dad at the bike/ski shop while I some shopping, okay more looking and trying on jeans that didn’t fit then shopping but that plan was to actually buy something for myself, but instead I ended up buying Avery some new clothes and really cute bids and shoes for a kid who cant sit up let alone walk, but they were cute and on sale so I had too.
 

Our dinner plans were with Grandma and Grandpa Barbeau to celebrate Gma Gladys’ birthday. 

Hanging out with Gma G

Then after dinner it was home to watch a movie and head to bed....

Tired Boy

Getting so big

I know everyone said he would grow fast, and it really is true. This weekend we are going to have to move the straps in his car seat, he is eating 6oz sometimes, today he is wearing a 3-6 month costume (as my Mom says) I so happy to watch him grow, we are so lucky that he is a happy and healthy baby with so many people who love him.

TGIF from Avery

This weekend we have big plans....pictures with real bunnies, and a 90th Birthday Party....tell you all about it next week. Have a great weekend!

Pool Party

The air (what there is) at elevation is really dry. In hopes of adding some moisture to air to make it easier for Avery to breath we headed down to the hot tub and pool area where the air was warm and filled with moisture. While we were there we figured why not have a pool party, 

so in Avery and Daddy went. 

It's a Pool Party!

At first he wasn’t too sure about things, my guess is the water temperature surprised him, it wasn’t as warm as his bath water, but after a little bit he was right at home. 

Not sure about this

I think I could like this

After a few minutes of swimming with daddy it was out of the pool and into a big soft towel that had been warming under a heat lamp.

Post swimming nap in a warm towel

First time swimming was a success.

This and That

Uncle Lee and Avery

One of the reasons for our mountain getaway was for Avery to meet my brother, who we sometimes call “Boy” after all he is the boy child in my family. Ever since we knew we were going to Colorado  I had wondered what my brother would say when he first saw Avery, would he lovingly say something like “Look at that” (“That” being Avery) or would he call him a critter, both we very possible. I guessed it would be “Look at That” and guess what... I was right, he lovingly referred to his nephew as “That”. Avery showed Boy all of this tricks, smiling, talking, playing, but I think Avery really won Boy over when he showed off his motorcycle style kick start..... 

Tiny Traveler

What a great traveler. On the way to the airport he slept most of the time, we got to the airport nice and early so we sat down to have a bottle before going thru security. Another family sat down beside us to do the same thing with their 6 month old, we talked while our boys ate and discovered Avery wouldn’t be the only infant in arms on our flight. Now we were ready to go thru security, the family lane is great, at MSP you get your own lane that fast tracks you to the front of the line, very nice. We sent a car seat out to meet us at the airport when we arrived so we didn’t have to mess with that and stroller which worked out really well we but him in a Baby Bjorn, he really is too small to face forward but to walk around the airport we gave it a try, and he loved it, he was looking around everywhere are we made our way to the gate, smiling the entire time, it was so fun to watch. 

Jon modeling the Baby Bjorn

Once we got to the gate there was time for a little cat nap before we boarded.

Tired Traveler

A bottle on the way up, played the entire time we were in the air, a bottle on the way down, it was a great flight.

Grandma and Grandpa H were there to meet us and we were off to the mountains....

Taking Flight

The first time I few in a commercial plane I was in 9th grade going to ski camp in Colorado. the first time Jon few in a commercial plane was seven or so years ago, to  Colorado. Tomorrow, Avery will fly for the first time, and you guessed it to Colorado.  All the plans are made, we have a rid e to the airport, we have someone picking us up in Colorado, all the bags are packed (sort of) all we have to do is go. This is a trip Jon and I have made many times but this is the first trip we have made as a family  and things are going to be different, I look forward to the adventure but I am still nervous about unknown.  I have done all the research I can and prepared as much as I can, now I all I can do is go and see how things turn out.

Grandparents are Great!

Thanks for the tee shirt Gma & Gpa B

Grandparents are great, and we are lucky enough to have both sets so close. So many times already they have helped us out, if it’s watching Avery for an hour or two while we run errands or an all day baby sitting gig while we go and have fun with our friends. From feeding to changing diapers to playing on the floor we are so lucky to have so great parents who are such great grandparents. Avery’s tee shirt says it all, he is truly loved and so are we. Thanks for everything grandparents I am not sure what  we would do without you.

Birthday Party Baby

Yesterday was a friends 6th birthday so for the second year in a row we celebrated by going out to eat with him and his family to the Mexican Village, where they sing to you and you get to wear a  big hat on your birthday. We ate clips and salsa, then our meals and the finally it was time for maracas and singing and the big hat.

The birthday boy and his big hat.

Avery wearing the big hat.

Really had a good time celebrating, can't wait until next year .

Wednesday Night is Bath Night

Wednesday & Sunday nights have be come bath nights around our house.  The first time Jon and I gave Avery a bath we used the sink in our very small bathroom, he was about a week old at the time, it was most likely very entertaining to watch, two grown adults in this tiny space holding a precious little baby in a tiny little sink trying to keep his cord stump dry. It was his first and last bath in the sink. 

Next I tried a little plastic baby tub in the tub, filled the big tub which filled the little tub too, that worked well but the plastic tub is slippery and Avery slid all around and I ended up taking a bit of a bath too. 

Tub in a Tub bath

Next I tried a little mesh bath chair that my cousin sent down.... it's perfect...the chair is small enough to be in the tub with him looking at me. Avery has always liked bath time, he sits/lays in his little chair with this feet on the side of tub and let me wash his face and body and then his hair, when I rinse his head off he always smiles when I pour the water on him. Once he is all clean then it's out of the tub and into a towel, from the towel it's into some clean pjs and off to cuddle (my favorite part).

Wrapped up all nice and warm

All clean after bath night

My Baby the Pin Cushion

Today was our second well baby visit which means...shots 

But first they weigh and measure him, I am happy to report that we are growing just perfectly. Avery weighs 11.2oz and 23 in long which puts him 47% for weight and 51% for length....

After a quick once over from the doc it was on to the shots. 

Avery hanging out in the Doc's office

He had to drink one "shot" and the others went into in little legs,  he let out a cry with each poke of the needle, but one cry and he was done, he took the shots like a champ, then it was off to sleep.

Band-Aids over the puncture sites

Oh the places he'll go....

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

You'll be on y our way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.      

-Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go

Avery is 2 months old today, not sure where the time as gone. In the 2 months since he has come into this world he has been to the Grandma & Grandpa's houses, 3 offices, 5 resturants, the doctor's office, the oil change place, the post office, target (countless times), a potluck, an awards banquet, adult race league, a friends house, Madison Lake, day care, urgent care, Slummberland.....

It has been really exciting to watch him grow and change and for me to wonder who he will be and what he will be like when he is older, I can't wait for him to move on to the next stages and watch him grow, I know he is only this little once and I might what him to stay that way for a little while longer but he wont so I'll just take lots of pictures.

Watch Me Grow Oneies....

ONE Month

TWO Months

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Happy Belated Brithday Dr. Seuss! 

Baby Boy Barbeau

Have you heard the buzz? The Barbeau's have a beautiful baby boy!

Avery Richard Barbeau, born January 8th, 2011 at 5:22am. He was 7lbs 2.5 oz and 20 inches long.