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??)

Be Present

Tristan is now 5-weeks old and growing quickly (check out the cheeks on that little cutie!) He was 9lb 5 oz when we were at the doctor on the 13th, though by the end of last weekend, my arms are telling me he has nearly arrived at the 10lb mark.

These last few weeks have done him well - he is up to the 35th percentile in weight, up from 10% and has hit 50% in head circumference and height (up from 25% and down from 60% respectively). He grunts a lot and now we know why. If we had gained 30% of our body weight and 1.25" in our skull size in just three weeks, I believe we would grunt a lot too!

We are continuing to lay-low through the winter but have been able to make it out on some nice walks recently. The Babywise scheduling has been great for all of us, as we all know what to expect each day and night, and Tristan gets a lot of that great sleep that he requires (and we need!).

This last week was banner for us, for more reasons than just the 1-month checkup. More than anything we are so excited by his new, voluntary, smiling and laughing. His first voluntary smile was for his daddy. Greg approached us and was speaking to us and Tristan turned his head to him and smiled. We are now getting the more frequent smile and occasional giggle. He loves the animal illustrations in his nursery and in particular the monkey evokes a good smile and laugh pretty regularly.

Things are getting easier for us here. I am becoming much more familiar with this role and don't feel quite as out of control ever minute of every day. Don't get me wrong, this is tough stuff and I still can't get over how quickly a day can pass. The days were rapid in my professional life, they are relentlessly quick now. But i am trying to soak up every minute as I can already tell this precious time with our infant son is passing quickly.

We are staying present...the time is cherished.

3 Weeks

We have made it out on 3 whole walks; feeling like they are pretty big outings at this juncture in our somewhat cabin-fevered state.

It has been cold most days and unseasonably windy for a better part of the last two weeks. The cold & flu season has hit pretty hard so we have made a concerted effort to stay nested at home and keep this little man healthy; though it seems that would only be possible with a first-child. I don't know how one could be so protective once there is more than one kiddo running around. For the time being though, we will enjoy this stage and continue to be over protective parents.

Greg's mom was in town over the weekend and Tristan got the love poured on him. Over the last seven years Rochelle has dedicated her heart to being a Grandma to Jackson & Grace in Tulsa, and she has it down to an art. It was so special to see her with Tristan and he couldn't take his eyes off of her by the time she left today - it brought us all to tears. There is a very special bond between that first and third generation.