Life inside and out

We have fully surrendered our home to our little guy, and we love it. We sold our kitchen dining table, and replaced it with something Tristan and his friends will hopefully enjoy for years to come. Seeing Tristan sit at this table and eat his little snacks, or play with his cousins is one more step towards our little peanut shedding his "babyness", and becoming a toddler.

Alternating between the table and the highchair seems to keep Tristan a bit more interested in his food, though most of the time he still seems too busy to actually sit for a meal. He seems to be growing and developing beautifully, though I'm wondering if things will change as he seems to be existing on cheese and fruit these days. Greg and I went to brunch with some friends last week and combined Greg and I made six trips back to the buffet to get fresh blueberries. Tristan must have eaten at least 150. We couldn't put them in front of him fast enough.

In the outdoors, spring has sprung, and we have been spending a great deal of time cleaning up the yard. It's something we complained about it years past, but it seems easier this time around. We used to resent having to stay home to do the yardwork; nap time changes all of that. We're home already and loving the fresh air and activity. Once Tristan wakes from his naps he loves exploring. The toughest part of it now is keeping the hawthorn berries out of his mouth. Luckily they aren't toxic, but I'm not crazy about him keeping his mouth occupied with choking hazards. The kid has an amazing oral obsession!

We are looking forward to many sunny days to come with our growing, changing little toddler.

On The Upswing Of The Figure 8

Okay it's March 7 and I personally have had only one healthy week since January 2nd. But between the three of us in the last six months we have had two stomach flu's, one ulcer, one bout of food poisoning, three (or is it four) sinus infections, an emergency room visit for an allergic reaction to a medication, at least six colds and now influenza type a. Haven't had a clear head for some time - I don't quite know what it will feel like to be healthy! But all we can do is assume that we are at the bottom of the figure 8 and we are inevitably on OUR WAY UP!

I know I just went through the litany of ailments, but the amazing part is that through it all, there is never a shortage of smiles. Tristan not only keeps us smiling through our own ailments with his adventurous spirit, sweet hugs and love of play and wrestling, but he smiles when he isn't feeling well. He simply wants to have fun and enjoy life. It gives us such perspective as to what is really important in life, and in the scope of things we have it all - a happy, healthy (relatively) family unit. There is so little worth getting upset about and so important to keep the attitude and spirits up.

Tristan says it best below as he feels the groove and just lives in the moment!

We're Back!

Well six months later and I think it's time I get back to some blogging. Just some simple, consistent blogs to help me remember those special little moments and milestones.

Like how right now Tristan walks around like a speed skater with his hands behind his back, or the little Asian man. Its so funny for such an active little man to calmly hold his hands at his backside and wander through the house as if he is making a conscious effort not to touch anything.

Or like how he makes his WOW face - perfect O lips, big round blue eyes and the "WHOA!" whenever he discovers a new toy, hears a new sound or sees a sight he hasn't yet discovered.

Or there is the dancing. This little white boy has a beat and he likes to use it on every occasion possible. He seems to really like upbeat pop, rock music, the sound of every baby toy around and of course mom's great singing! Okay not the latter but he does dance to the rest.

My favorite is that Tristan has started to cuddle up. He loves bringing a book to mom or dad and crawling up on our laps. He loves being carried around so he can see everything at our view. He is wrapping his arms around my neck and putting his head on my shoulder when he has hurt himself. Sometimes he sits on our laps and enjoys spending time just sitting (for a short but cherished time).

Tristan has become a mimic, his vocabulary is growing every day and his gestures are so fun. If we have told him "no" for some reason, he will often try to pass it off on poor Ticker the dog. He walks over and points his finger at him while giving him a stern "NO!" then pats him on the head.

We seem to be on our feet or in motion from the moment we wake until the moment we fall into bed, but the entire day is always filled with more smiles than we knew possible. This blue eyed beauty fills our lives and hearts. That's it for now, I updated the blog, captured a few precious moments and hopefully began a new habit.

Oral Exploration

Tristan is at that point that EVERYTHING goes in his mouth.
He has no sense of size, and no fear of anything he could possibly put his mouth around.
I've even had him lunge at my chin on several occasions!

I have to wonder if we had a girl if it would be the same...




We are prepping for the last of our "Grandparents Tour". Tristan has so far been to Oregon to visit Grandma Betty, Utah to visit Grandpa Alan and he is on his way next week to Oklahoma to visit Nash, Dana & Rochelle.

Mom & Dad (okay just mom) will have a huge adjustment next week as we are leaving Tristan in Oklahoma with Grandma Rochelle, and his Aunt Keli, Uncle Chad and cousins Jackson and Grace. Greg and I will continue on to Montreal for a work/play trip for 4 days. Should be interesting!

Ok So Its Been A While

Alright so it has been ages since I've updated. I'll try and throw some fun and interesting items up for anyone who hasn't given up on my ever posting again.

We made it past the tough period and since about 4-months has been a blast - more and more every day.Since April Tristan has obviously grown quite a bit...He's a day away from his official 6-month date and almost 18 pounds. At his 4-month checkup he was 90% in height and about 65% in weight.

We have been on 4 trips - Vail, Aspen, Oregon and Utah. He is a great little traveler and really loves the different sites and experiences. In fact even when we are home, it is important to keep him out seeing some different things each day, He takes after his mom and dad in his love for travel and being busy!

In May at 4-months Tristan started reading and rolling! (okay so trying to read...)


































In June Tristan went swimming for the first time, took his first flight and visited Grandma B in Oregon, and ate his first banana:



































We had a swim and play day with the cousins (Tate and Daphne) at the end of June:






In July we've been to Utah for a family reunion and to visit Grandpa Giffin. (we weren't great about pix!)





Life is good and fun, and at the end of each day we are pooped out!














Ciao until the next post (hopefully not another 3 months this time!)

New Tristan Videos

Here are some new videos of Tristan at his official 3-month mark!
Unfortunately when the get posted to YouTube they go very low res, but you will get the idea (of how totally darling we think he is!)

He is getting big - nearly 14 pounds! He is really starting to reach for and grab things, staying up a a bit longer between naps and enjoying play time even more. He is watching his hands and feet quite a bit - fascinated by his involvement in their movement. He really tries to make the "O" sound and watches my mouth closely as I try to teach him how to recite the vowels.
His mouth has found his hands, but as you will see in the videos, his favorite thing to suck on is his lower lip!

I went back to work this week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tristan is with a great nanny who is almost 70 years old and it is just the two of them. I am also doing great and feel a bit more normal with a couple days of work in my week, rather than life as I knew it being turned totally upside down!

Tristan in Bouncer
Tristan Smiles 1
Tristan Smiles 2
Tristan Smiles 3

Smiley Guy

10 Weeks old, almost 12lbs and we are having more and more fun every day.

Tristans smiles and giggles keep us going every day - as any parent does, we live for those moments!

We had some video fun with Tristan and his cousin Daphne (almost 6 months old). She is obviously going to be a fun playmate for him when he can catch up and play along with her. Use your volume on the video - we got a lot of giggles out of it (maybe it's a parent thing??)