Basement Progression...

Hello blog readers. Here is a rare post by me. Progress on finishing our basement is leaping forward with agressive pace. Over the past week I have applied 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of our paint (Martha Steward Travintine). My favorite accomplishment is half of the drop-ceiling that is in. Please enjoy the pictures.

"Mom, stop tickling me! hehe" 

Robert is now half way through his Book of Mondays! He will be SIX MONTHS old on Wednesday, the 28th! Can you believe it? 

Robert is terrified of this rooster! Looks pretty friendly to me! "Don't fear the rooster, Robert!" 

Don't fear the rooster

Recently, Robert has been going through a bit of an apprehensive stage. At the chiropractor the other day, he freaked out and started to cry when a stranger said hello and smiled at him. This is not the Robert we all know and love. For those of you who know him, you know Robert to be the most happy, smiley and social baby there ever was.

On Monday evening, we sat Robert down to watch Baby MacDonald ( an innovative and educational video from the Baby Einstein Company). When he saw a rooster puppet doing a 'cockadoodledoo', he practically jumped out of his skin! He cried and cried... he was terrified! We continued to watch the video and as other puppets came into view, Robert released even more fear and apprehension.

So, we have put the video away for now. We'll bring it back in a few months. For now, we'll stick with Baby Beethoven and Baby Bach.

Working full time.... no more!

After much thought and consideration, Bobby and I have decided that I will be working PART TIME. I am pretty excited about this! I was having alot of anxiety about it, but my boss was very understanding and supportive.
So, starting in October, Robert and I will ony be going to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I do, however, eventually see us staying home full time at some point next year. But for now, this will work. I am anxious to be a stay at home mom.

Uncle Andy came to visit... Robert was so excited to see him! 

Robert is NOT going to New Orleans with the rest of this stuff!

Sick... again

Robert has been fighting a cold for about 2 weeks now. On Saturday night, he had Bobby and I up most of the night with a hacking cough and rapid breathing. He was also running a low-grade fever. We took out his nebulizer and gave him a treatment, and some robitussin. He slept for a bit after that. On Monday, the cough got worse and his fever was jumping all over the place, so by Tuesday we went to see Dr. Novak, who diagnosed him with Bronchitis.
He recommended that we continue the steroid treatment with the nebulizer and that Robert stay home from school for a few days. If he doesn't show much progress in the upcomeing week or so, we need to see an allergy/asthma specialist. Neither Bobby nor I have asthma, and it tends to be hereditary, although there are exceptions to the rule.
This is our third day home from school, and I don't feel like Robert is getting better - in fact, today he sounds much worse - And mommy has a sore throat too!
The good news is, Robert has been in good spirits considering his illness. Lets hope that continues.

I know this is all par for the course - when a child is in daycare, they will get sick. It really makes me want to quit my job and just stay home full time. Eventually thats what will happen.

24 weeks old... "hello up there!" 

"Robert needs to be exposed to as much football as possible." -Bobby  

What a face! 

Look at how really advanced Robert is, he is already writing me notes ;-) 

Wow... where did August go??? Can you believe that Robert is 5 months old already? We have reached so many milestones in the past few weeks.

Robert was christened on August 21st (see picture below). He was such a good boy for most of the day. He acted up a bit during the mass. He didn't like that we were sitting. He would have prefered for us to stand the whole time so he could see what was going on. he looked VERY cute, nonetheless and with his halo in place, he is even cuter!

Robert has mastered all stage one foods, and he likes them all. In about a month we'll start stage 2 foods. He can also drink water from a sippy cup. The flow is faster than the bottle (even with the stopper) so he is still getting used to it.

We visited with doctor Novak yesterday for Robert's 4 month well visit. (we're still a bit behind) Robert got 4 shots! He was very brave and only cried for a few seconds. I was so proud of him.
He is now 16 lbs, 3 oz (55th percentile) and 27 inches long (75th percentile). What a big boy!
Now, Robert can sit all by himself! What a thrill! This is especially exciting for me because in all of my experience working with infants, I have never known a baby so young to sit without support! RObert is also holding his bottle by himself. I know LOTS of babies that are close to a year old and have no interest in holding their own bottles. What can I say? Our Robert is so advanced (its an inside joke in our family that has started to spread beyond to others... but it seems to be true!) :)

Mom has started with Weight Watchers again and has lost 11 pounds since August 2nd! I plan to join the gym in September and I hope to be at my pre pregnancy weight (and pre baby clothing) by Robert's first birthday.

This is Robert on his Christening day... meant to post this last week! 

Another milestone this week.... Robert can sit without support! 

22 weeks.... Robert holds his bottle by himself. Dad is VERY happy about that! 

Robert is 21 weeks old! 

20 weeks... and very cute! 

Robert at 19 weeks.... almost sitting without support!