OMSI playground

Today was our first trip to the science playground at OMSI.  Here is a short video of Trey amusing himself with a ball.  The camera work isn't great, but it is from my phone...sorry, but he still is cute!

I was thinking today that I can't believe Trey is old enough for us to leave him "alone", sitting on the floor, amusing himself with his toys.  How on earth has time gone so fast?

Trey's first trip to the zoo

We got to take Trey to the zoo for the first time this weekend.  It was gorgeous out and while a little cool, the sun was shining and the sky was blue.  It was the perfect day to introduce him to the monkeys and the elephants.

Trey in the primate house.  He was watching the monkeys and apes (I can never remember which is which and got corrected SEVERAL times by Randy), and I so wish I knew what was going through his little baby brain.  

Trey seemed to be paying attention to these apes (?) 

and their funny faces and butts. 

Trey's first time looking at real live reptiles.   

Trey and Daddy checking out the fish 

 In the elephant house

 The baby elephant was so cute!

Mama telling Trey all about the elephants

The hippos...the other animals that we saw that were super cool were the lions.  They looked so regal sitting up on the big rocks.  I was tempted to get Trey out of his stroller (again!) to see them, but he was about to fall asleep.

Before the zoo, I had gone to a brunch with a bunch of college friends.  It was so fun to see some girls I haven't seen in a long time and reconnect.  There was a lot of parenting talk at the table, and it was one of the first times I could really participate.  I met these ladies in 1992-4 at Willamette and I think it is super cool that we are still in touch.

Kellie, Bianca, me, Amy, Barbra, Dani, Melissa,

 Joy with Trey, and Mindy with Camille

Trey and Camille (Mindy's daughter)

We ended this awesome day with a trip to Hopworks with Jason, Stefanie, and Declan.  Saturday was such a fun day (and I haven't even mentioned our fabulous Friday night with Kris and John playing Uno and Yahtzee until 11pm) that I couldn't keep my eyes open while reading and fell asleep at 8:00.

Happy 7th month birthday to Trey and happy 30+ birthday to Randy!

What a week!  

Trey turned seven months old today and Randy had a birthday last Friday.  We spent Randy's birthday sitting on the couch, eating take out from one of his favorite restaurants (La Bonita), watching tv, and eating brownies for dessert.  I think we might have been in bed by 9:00.  Maybe 10.  Pret-ty exciting!  

We also celebrated Uncle Tim (Julie's husband)'s birthday at his sister Megan's house.  Tim's family was all there as well as my dad and Sandy.  Trey got to bond with my dad and Sandy that weekend.  It is always such fun to see them together.

Oliver, Megan's son, sharing his book with Trey. 

Grandpa Gerts with Trey 

Big smiles!

We have been working on Trey eating solid foods.  Being a Type A personality and a book reader, I find that I feel like I need to follow "the rules" when it comes to this subject.  The rules don't seem to be going so well...Trey doesn't like rice cereal.  I fed him fruits before vegetables.  And I'm sure there is something else I am doing wrong.  Do you think the baby police will come knocking on my door?  Oh well, screw 'em!  I'm going for sweet peas next!

A closed mouth is the norm when rice cereal comes Trey's way.

Sometimes he will humor me and take a few bites, but he much prefers pears.  

I have also introduced squash which I hoped he would really like because I have a whole lot of it in the freezer, but he's not too keen on this either.  Tonight he had some for dinner and since he didn't have any clothes on, it ended up on his face, cheek, hair, belly, arms, shoulder, hands (of course), and legs.  I was holding him (ahem...in my bra) and it got on my face, hair, arms, back, chest, and bra.  It was quite the sight and made me realize why they say feeding babies can be so fun.  It is fun!  

Tango and Trey are still forging a precarious relationship.  I have been trying to help them bond which usually includes Tango licking the bejesus out of Trey's hands and/or feet and Trey watching him intently the entire time.

On Sunday we went to Eastburn for a new brewfest with Julie and Tim to celebrate the boys' birthdays.  It was fun to be out and Trey was a rockstar as usual.  At one point we thought Trey had pooped, so I went out to the car to change him.  I wasn't excited about this because changing him either in the front or back seat is tricky due to space issues.  The trunk area is okay, but the stroller was there and did I mention it was raining?  Well, due to the fact that I parked too closely to the tree, I was trying to maneuver into the car and banged my head on the corner of the open door.  Man, that hurt. I still have the war wound on my forehead as proof.  Needless to say, I was very relieved when I found that I did not have a messy diaper to deal with.  Wow, I love my boy!!  

Randy and I ended the night at Breakside Brewery, the local brewpub in our neighborhood.  The servers are always so nice to us.  I don't know if it's because they recognize us or just because they are nice.  Some of them met Trey when he was just a few days old, so I like to think it is because they know us.  

I just finished my third week back at work (I don't count December).  Everyone says it gets easier, but right now I think it is getting harder (don't tell my friend Mindy this).  I think I miss Trey more as the days pass.  I race home every day after work and just crave getting my hands on him.  The really sucky part is that he has been going down to bed between 6 and 6:30, so I get about 1.5 to 2 hours a day with him.  Thank God today is my Friday and now I begin my four full days with him.  I can't wait for some quality baby time.  I never thought it would be so much fun to hang out with a baby.  These have been the best seven months ever and I can't wait to see what the future brings.  

Watching the clock

Disclaimer: This post has the potential to make me sound very neurotic.  Which perhaps I just need to accept the fact that I am.  So be it.  (Although I think if you're a new mom, you're likely to know exactly what I'm talking about.  If you're not a mom, you think I'm nuts.  And if you are a mom of an older child and think I'm nuts, then you probably have just forgotten what it was like...)

A few nights ago I was lying in bed thinking about how often I watch the clock.  It seems to fill my days.  It starts around 5am and continues until 7pm with intermittent watching the clock through the middle of the night.

When will Trey wake up?
When should I put him back down?
When does he need to eat again?
Is it time for a nap?  What about now?
How long has he been crying?  How long should I let him cry?   What time is it now?
How long has he been sleeping?  When is he going to wake up?
Is it time to eat again?
I wonder if he's tired.  Should I put him down now?
Is it time to pump?  How long have I pumped?  Is it time to stop?
When should I put him down for bed?

With all of these questions imagine frequent glances to the clock, quick mental math, and an ongoing wish for a crystal ball to help me make decisions.

I think one of the advantages of being back at work is I don't have to think about all this all day long.  Man oh man do I miss my boy, but it's nice to be at the office watching the clock to see when I can go home to be with him again and not to determine his eating and sleeping (oh except for watching the clock to pump...).

This past week has been busy so I don't think we have taken many pictures, but below is another video of my sweet Trey.  He is starting to say his "b" sound and does it over and over.  I think his first word might end up being "boob".  By the time I thought to record him, he was done being a performing monkey.  He was more interested in eating the phone.  But for those of you who haven't met Trey yet, you can see why I just melt when I look into his eyes.

Oh and here are some pictures from Trey's first time in the high chair.  Do ya dig the camo bib?  That is from Randy's friends Karl and Lisa.

 "I'm a mouth breather just like my mama."

 "The ends of this baster feel really funny, but I just can't get enough."

 "Here, let me just try it one more time."

 "Bliss..."

"All done for today."

Another milestone

Trey is sitting on his own!  I still put the Boppy around him but he is sitting by himself.  Our little boy is growing so fast!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our family and friends!  Or at least to the few who read this blog.  I really enjoy keeping up the blog on a relatively regular basis, but I realize that I have no idea who even looks at it.  Feels sort of weird, but I will just keep talking and whoever wants to listen can listen...(I hear Randy muttering something under his breath...)

Here is Trey shouting out, "Hap-py New Year!!!" while looking a little drooly/messy since I am attempting to feed him some rice cereal.  He was interested in it a few weeks ago but now just refuses to make eye contact with me and keeps his lips sealed tight.  He'll eat someday, right?

New Years Eve has been pretty lame for Randy and I for the past few years as we have continued to age and get lazy, so I was excited that this year we had an excuse to stay home and go to bed early.  Julie and Tim came over for dinner, dessert, and games.  I made a pumpkin cheesecake that tasted pretty good but looked like a pie plate full of...well, I will just say it...diarrhea.  Randy and I were planning on being asleep by midnight, but Trey had other ideas.  I guess someone told him that being awake at midnight is important and he wanted to start the tradition on the right foot.  Thanks, Trey.

Trey is getting better at sitting on his own.  He can do it without the Boppy, but I like having it there for the inevitable tip or tumble.

Getting ready for his New Years kiss?  

I love the expressions on his face while he is checking things out.  

He seems to be such an observer and always taking in something new.

Grandma and Grandpa Clark with Trey on his first Christmas

Our only family picture from Trey's first Christmas.  

Really wish I was cuter in this picture.

Here is one that Carmen just sent me.
It is a little better but you can't really see the tree.
I think I'll keep both in the blog just for kicks.

Grandma Carmen with Trey

Getting a special visit from Nyree

Trey playing with his new duck from Kaye.  

And here is one of the cutest pictures ever...

the professional pic from our visit to Santa.  

Hope your holidays were wonderful...the next few weeks will be fun as I am back to work on Tuesday for three days a week and Randy is home on paternity leave until March.  I can't wait for Trey and Randy to spend more time together, and I am sort of looking forward to being at work and having some more frequent adult conversations.  I know I will miss my boy more than anything, but at this point I am ready to get on with this next chapter in our lives.