Bad Weather

We had some terrible weather last night. It was the first time the tornado sirens have gone off since we've been in this house. Fortunately, the tornado was a bit south of here so we weren't in any danger. We did get a lot of hail though. The largest ones seemed to be about golf ball size.

Our back deck during the storm

Dougie Pictures & General Update

Things have been pretty calm here over the last little while. We're finishing up our taxes and getting ready for the jewelry show in a few weeks. We did finally hear from My Gym and they are opening at the beginning of May. If we had known it was going to take so long, we would have joined Gymboree but at least we're in the home stretch now.

Playing With Stuffed Dog


In the Bath


Close Up In the Bath

Maggie's Graduation

Maggie graduated from puppy class today.

Maggie


Graduation Picture


And, a few people asked for the full set of bluebonnet pictures, so I've included a link to that as well.

- Click here to see all 21 pictures

Bluebonnet Baby

In North Texas, this is the time of year when wild bluebonnets -- the state flower -- are in bloom. They grow all over the place, especially along the highways (apparently a legacy of Lady Bird Johnson) and it's a big tradition here to get your family pictures taken every year with the bluebonnets. It seemed like a shame to miss out on the fun... so this afternoon we trundled Dougie out to the nearest field.



Dougie and Mum


"What the heck am I doing in these bluebonnets?"


Dougie and Dad

Multiple Dogs Reduce Allergies

Someone pointed out a great article to us today.

Multiple Pets May Decrease Children's Allergy Risk

Turns out, children exposed to more than one dog or cat during their first year of life are less likely to be allergic to things later in life. Who knew the dogs were so useful?

Kindermusik

We had our first Kindermusik class today. It was fabulous. Ms Kat, our teacher, was great with the kids. She clearly loved what she was doing and she made it fun for the kids and parents. I really can't say enough good things about her. There were 6 of us in the class ranging in age from 10 weeks to 19 months. We sang, danced and played with instruments. Dougie loved it for the most part. A few times he got a bit over stimulated but a quick cuddle with mum and he was ready to keep going. I'm already looking forward to going next week.

So Happy!

Dougie's all happy again. He clearly isn't in pain anymore. It's so great to have our little guy back to his old self.

Things Seem to be Improving

After days of screaming, we think we see a light at the end of the tunnel. The last few days, the screaming has been gradually decreasing. We're really hoping this is a sign that the new medication is working.

In the meantime, we've found that carrying Dougie calms him a lot. We both have carriers (I actually have 2) and Dougie loves it. Here are a few pictures of Dougie being carried by dad.

Awake and Alert


Knocked Out


More Sleeping Pictures

Another Rough Night

Poor Dougie didn't sleep well last night and neither did we. He just couldn't settle. Once we managed to get him down, he did sleep well though. Unfortunately, when he woke up to eat, he got sick on the bed so we had to get up. Looks like Dougie and Daddy managed to find a few extra Zs though.

More Tummy Troubles

We thought that we had the reflux under control but apparently we didn't. The last several days Dougie has spent hours crying/screaming in the evenings. Nothing I tried could comfort him. I called the doctor yesterday to see if we could increase his medication. They said that he was still too small but that if I was concerned that there was still a problem that we'd try something else. So, we're trying something else. Dougie started on Prevacid today. It normally takes at least a few days to work so we won't see an improvement right away but hopefully this will be the solution.

Smile for the Camera

Dougie smiles a lot. He laughs a lot too. Sometimes, he just cracks himself up with some thought and goes on laughing for a while. Unfortunately, he doesn't like to do this for the camera. As soon as the camera comes out, the smile disappears. It's looking like he may not have much of a modeling career ahead of him. :) Anyway, we managed to get a cute picture while he was actually smiling, so we had to share.



Notice how blue his eyes still are. They still have lots of time to change but mine were brown by this age.

Here is one more I got while trying to get a smiling picture. He looks like he knows something I don't.

Dougie's Trip to the Doctor

Dougie went into the doctor today to get his next round of shots. He got the Prevnar vaccine. It went pretty well. He cried a bit shortly after the shot and the nurse picked him up. He noticed a poster on the wall for the food pyramid and that seemed to distract him and he was fine after that.

Dougie looked a bit like a golfer today so we got some pictures with dad (who was working from home).

Dougie and Dad


Dougie Without the Jacket


We also talked to MyGym again. They still aren't open but construction has started. Yay! The lady I spoke to thought they would be open around mid-April. She said that she'll be calling everyone later this week to let us know the exact date. I can't wait for it to start.

Mommy Worlds Collide

Dougie and I went to a "shelter shower" today. My MOMS group's service project is to sponsor the mothers with children at a local shelter. Each of us picked a kid and bought a few things for him or her. Dougie and I ended up with a 3 month old boy so it worked perfectly for us.

Anyway, while we were there, I bumped into another mom I had befriended at La Leche League. I joined both organizations so I could meet some mothers in the area. It was so nice to see a familiar face at the event. I'm finally starting to feel like I'm getting to know people.

Here is updated "family picture". I don't love it but we have so few of them that I wanted to share it.

Family Photo


More Real People Clothes


Dougie's mouth seems to be doing a lot better. The drooling has almost stopped. So, it looks like the teeth are taking a break. His eye continues to get infected though. We're really hoping his duct is going to open soon.

University Bound & Teething

Well, perhaps he's not bound yet but he is saving his pennies. We opened Dougie a 529 College Savings account today. He's got some starter money in there now and we're putting a bit away each month. It's good to know that we'll be prepared when he's ready.

In other news, we think Dougie is teething. Our once happy child is now a drooling crying mess. We can't see anything that looks like teeth yet but he has all the other signs. Apparently, this can go on for months before the tooth breaks through. Poor little guy. It's hard to see him so unhappy. Hopefully, the tooth will cut through quickly so he won't have to go through this for too long.

Happy Baby Picture

Kindermusik

We've noticed that Dougie is very interested in music. He loves when people sing to him, playing in his music chair or kicking his wind chimes. So, we've decided to enrole him in Kindermusik. There are tons of classes around here but we found one really close to the house with a teacher who is ranked in the top 1% and has great reviews. Unfortunately, this season has already started but each season is divided into two sessions and we're going to join for the second one.

The Rhythm of My Day
This 7-week session will help you bring more rhythm and routine to our baby's day, as well as help her develop lasting learning skills. We'll show you how and tell you why music can help your little one soothe herself and helps to build a strong network for learning in her body and mind. With weekly developmental information in your home materials and a CD of music from class, you can bring home those same stress-free play and relaxation techniques from class, and incorporate them into your daily routines.

If we like it, we may join again for a full season. Our classes will start March 30th. Unfortunately, we'll need to miss two while we're in Toronto but she's going to allow us to make them up during the current session.

Grandma and Grandpa Sharabura Visit Summary

Grandma and Grandpa Sharabura left today. We had a great visit with them and were glad that they were able to make it out here.

While they were here, I got an opportunity to take Jean to the World Trade Center. It's a great place to visit and always interesting. Scott and Don got a game of golf in as well (Don got a birdie!). We even managed a family shopping trip and dinner out.

Scott and His Parents with Dougie


- All Pictures from Grandma and Grandpa's visit

Gym Update

We hadn't heard from the gym that it was ready for us to start classes so I drove by where they are supposed to be. There was no progress on the construction. I gave them a call to see what was going on and apparently there have been some contractor problems. The lady was very sorry for the delay but it sounds like it will be another few weeks before they're open. I'm a bit disappointment. We may look into a Gymboree to see if we can get a class there.

In the meantime, Dougie is exercising at home. Here's a picture of his karate kicks.

Grandma and Grandpa Arrive

Grandma and Grandpa Sharabura arrived yesterday. Dougie and I met them at the airport. He was excited to meet them. As you can see, Dougie got comfortable with them quickly.

Waiting for Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa Sharabura are coming to visit tomorrow. We're almost ready for them. With 4 dogs, there is always a bit of last minute cleaning required before visitors come.

Dougie has been doing well. The eye infection he had last week seems to be clearing up nicely so we're really happy about that. We want him to be at his best when he meets his grandparents for the first time. His tummy has been a bit off again but we're hoping that's just a phase and it will go back to normal soon.

Here are a few recent pictures of our little man.

Dougie in the Bumbo


Close-up of Dougie in the Bumbo


Sleeping with a Lovie

Daddy/Dougie Napping

After we got up this morning, Dougie and Scott decided they needed a nap.

Dougie Rolling - As Promised

This Time, It Counts!

Dougie is rolling over again. He did it 4 times today. So, it's official, our little boy can roll! We'll try to get a video posted soon.

Eye Troubles

Dougie went to the doctor again today. He's been tearing a lot and had some goo in his eyes. Turns out, he has a blocked tear ducts and an infection in one of his eyes. We picked up some cream that should clear up the infection and the ducts should open themselves in a few months. Dougie doesn't seem bothered by it which is good.

Real People Clothes

We're making an effort to start dressing Dougie in "real people clothes" when we go out. We didn't have a lot of clothes that fit him that weren't onesies so it was hard but now that he's a bit bigger, our options have increased.

Going to the Doctor


Because Mum Loves the Sunglasses

Hockey Night in Texas

The fight has begun for Dougie's hockey loyalties...

I'm doing what I can to cultivate a proper love for the Montreal Canadiens. Grandpa and Uncle Mike are likely to start on a Bruins indoctrination. But it looks like great-uncle Dan and great-aunt Judy have landed the first punch...



Someday -- someday -- he will fill out this jersey.

Two Month Check-up

We've just returned from Dougie's 2 month check-up. He did really well.

Stats:

• Weight - 9lbs 1oz (10%)
• Height - 22 1/4" (25%)
• Head - 15" (10%)

It looks like he is growing right along the curve which is wonderful. He has shot up in height though. At his 2 week check-up, he was only in the 10th percentile for height. We have hit all of the 2 month developmental milestones and all but 1 of the 4 month milestone so he's doing really well.

We got some vaccinations today as well (HepB and DTaP). We are slowly introducing vaccinations but plan to get them all done.

Dougie got this chair from "Big Doug" (a co-worker of Scott's) and his wife, Michelle. He can't quite sit in it by himself but we thought it was so cute we had to take some pictures.

Re: Coolest Baby on the Block

Is it just me, or does our little Dougie look like he's been smoking something funny?

His sleep schedule has been a bit messed up over the last little while -- he can nap in the morning, but he can really stay up quite late into the night without getting tired. I think he's taking after his Uncle Mike.

Grandma and Grandpa (Sharabura) are visiting in a couple of weeks, which will be exciting! We'll be sure to post photos.

Coolest Baby on the Block

We walk every day but the sun has been bothering Dougie's eyes. So, we got him some sunglasses. He looks so cool in them.

Dougie in his Baby Banz

Dougie and Dad

I had to post this picture because I think it's just too cute.



Nothing like a little Daddy/Dougie time.

Joined MOMS Club

I've decided to join MOMS International. It's a club for stay-at-home and work-at-home mothers. They arrange several activities during the week to get moms and kids out. It should allow us meet other mothers and babies in the area. We're even going to join a playgroup. Hopefully, we'll be able to start attending things next week.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Dougie loves his gym mat. We try to get him on it twice a day for tummy time.

Close-up of Dougie on his Gym


Baby Push-ups


Dougie on his Gym

Rolly-Polly Baby

Today, Dougie rolled over for the first time (front to back). I think it was a fluke since he couldn't do it again but it was still exciting. He wasn't sure what to make of it all but he thought it was fun.

Getting Baby Buff

Dougie has decided to join a gym. We're hoping that we can meet some other parents and babies this way. They are opening a kids gym not too far from the house and are having all sorts of grand opening specials. The description of his class is:

Little Bundles (6 weeks - 6 months) - In their earliest months, babies will acquire new skills that stimulate social, physical and intellectual development. Learn exciting and developmentally appropriate activities through music, movement and class discussion.

The gym doesn't open until the end of February or so (they don't have an exact date yet) so he'll be a bit older when he starts but we're quite excited about it.

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6-week Check-up

Dougie and I went in for my 6 week check-up today. The doctor was pleased to see Dougie and impressed with how much he's grown already. We talked about his size at birth and she indicated that he must have had a growth restriction at the very end. Apparently, these things happen and it doesn't mean any future kids will have the same issue (though they'll watch much more carefully for it going foward).

After the doctor's, Dougie and I hit Wal*Mart for some grocery shopping. It was our first grocery trip by ourselves and it went quite well. We learned that people are very helpful to a mother and cute baby by themselves.

As promised, here are a few new pictures.

Daddy/Dougie Time


Napping


Click To See All Late January Pictures

Grandpa's Visit & Updates

Things have been rather crazy here over the last while. Grandpa McCall came out of the weekend to meet Dougie. We had a nice time shopping at the mall and hanging out around the house.



Unfortunately, we got some take-out food on Saturday night that gave both Scott and I food poisoning. We did manage to stager it so we weren't both sick at the same time but it has certainly taken a toll on everyone's energy.

Dougie is doing really well. He had been having some tummy troubles. We took him to the doctor and it appears that it is acid reflux. He's got some medication now and is doing so much better. We've been a bit lax in taking pictures but here are a few from the weekend. We'll get some more soon.

Right Before a Smile


Big Yawn


Making Gurgling Noises

Grandma Marg's Visit

Grandma Marg (we're still working on what to call grandparents) has come for a visit. She arrived on Saturday to help out and will be staying a few weeks. So far, she is quite enamoured with little Dougie. He is enjoying spending time with Grandma as well.



In other news, Scott has returned to work. Dougie and I are missing him around here but we're coping. We're certainly looking forward to seeing him on Thursday again.

And They Called it Puppy Love

We've been trying to take more pictures of Dougie and the puppies. Tonight, we worked on getting pictures of Oliver and Maggie. They were mostly cooperative but everyone was right about trying to work with babies and animals. :)

Oliver Showing Some Love


Dad, Maggie and Dougie


Click here to see the rest of the set