Your grandma and grandpa Stephans watched you this morning before they left for the airport. They had so much fun with you this visit and I think they really enjoyed seeing how much you had changed, how much more active and engaged you were. You and your grandpa even had a nice nap together!

Nothing like a Nap with Grandpa

Today we were lucky to get to celebrate Father’s Day with not only your dad, but also your two grandfathers. We had a nice brunch at Chautauqua Dining Hall and you looked so cute in a new yellow sundress and headband. Your papa had so much fun holding you and walking around with you. We kept trying to get him to let us hold you or to put you in the stroller so that he could eat, but he kept turning down our offers; he was happiest just getting to be with you and he could’ve cared less about the food.

Dad and Granddad x2

Headband-as-eye mask

I’m so thankful that you get to have these amazing men in your life. I wasn’t fortunate enough to get to meet either of my grandfathers, and so I think it is so special that you’ll get to have relationships with both of yours. Between them and your dad and uncles, you really do have some amazing men in your life. They have all served as great examples to me of how to balance hard work with dedication to family and friends while incorporating ample amounts of relaxation and adventure, and they’ll be great role-models for you too.

One of the many really fun aspects of having you over these past few months has been watching your dad seamlessly become a dad, and a great one at that. He’s so sweet, loving and patient with you, and he’s very lively and creative when it comes to playtime. He does lots of research into various types of products before we purchase them for you (and this week he’s even started looking into preschools for you!), all so that we can ensure we’re getting the very best. He loves you so much.

Today we had a nice day at home.

Too cute!

We went for a long walk around the neighborhood, then your dad and grandpa decided to remove the two dead aspen trees in our backyard. They rented a chainsaw, and I even got in on the action. Your grandma held you while we were working, and she said you were intrigued watching us. Your dad noted that I had so much fun with the chainsaw and he wondered if I wanted one for Christmas. No thanks!

Timber!

Watch out – here comes dad with a chainsaw!

Getting ready to do some more sawing

Also today your dad went in to pick you up from a nap and you were lying on your belly in your crib; you’d rolled over! You’ve been rolling front-to-back for over two months, and I’ve seen you roll back-to-front a couple of times but only after many minutes of wiggling around. But this was the first time that we’ve found you like this after a nap. And then this afternoon we were outside sitting on a blanket with your grandma, and I put you on your back and you immediately rolled over to your belly. You seem to have this move perfected!

Your grandma and grandpa Stephans arrived yesterday, and today your dad and them took you to Estes Park while I worked. You guys had lunch and walked around town, and they found a few cute items to spoil you with. You also visited your seventh brewery (Estes Park Brewery); I’m so sad I missed it!

Enjoying the nice weather with grandpa

Loving your seventh brewery

Nice Walk in Estes (and enjoying your new sock monkey hat)

Two dads and a daughter

Tonight we went to Louisville for the town fair. You seemed to really enjoy just watching all the chaos from your Bob, and you were content through dinner as well.

A little distracted at dinner

Two Colorado natives

Today my work had a picnic in Golden, and your dad drove down with you so that we could all hang out. You got to meet lots of people that I work with, and everyone was so happy to finally get to meet you. You fell asleep about halfway through, and a few of the ladies I work with were disappointed not to get to play with you. But never one to miss a party, or a chance for some loving, you woke up towards the end and awed everyone with your cuteness and smiles.

The nanny has been asking for more toys to keep you and Isla busy during the day. She’d previously told us that you ‘had a lot of energy in your legs’ and thought that the Exersaucer would be good for you. Last weekend we introduced you to the Exersaucer and you loved it, so we decided to bring that over to the nanny’s today. She said that you loved it, and that you have really strong legs! I know that your dad and I imagine that you have strong, soccer-playing legs, but we’ve heard comments about your busy, strong legs from so many people now that we think there’s some truth to it!

Today was your first full day at the nanny’s, your first full day when neither your dad nor I stayed with you there. You did great! You took a few multi-hour naps, you ate really well, and you enjoyed playtime. The nanny feels much more comfortable with you and it seems like you’re both really settling into a routine and getting into the swing of things.

Speaking of swings, she did mention that she took you to the playground and put you in a swing. Although she said you had a great time, I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy that she was the one to escort you through your first experience swinging. She got to see how you reacted to the motion – whether you laughed or cried – and watched your eyes and face express your sentiments about the movement. I know that there will be many firsts in your life, and that this is probably just the first of a few ‘firsts’ that we’ll miss, but I can’t help but to feel a bit of regret to have missed it. I told your dad that we’ll have to take you to a playground this weekend, stick you in a swing, and relive the moment with you. I hope that you don’t mind reenacting the moment for us.

We had a nice day in Breckenridge today, including swimming (for the cousins, you watched and really enjoyed watching everyone), playtime at a park, and a picnic and photo shoot downtown. You and your cousins did great for the pictures. Emmett is a pro at holding babies for pictures.

Posing with your four cousins

Your aunt, uncle and cousins, and us

You telling a secret to Emmett

Alex and Jackson on the slide

Today your Uncle Matt, Aunt Gretchen, and three cousins arrived from Seattle. We headed up to Breckenridge and everyone enjoyed some playtime outside in the sun, which they say they haven’t seen for many months. Everyone loved finally meeting you, and Emmett and Alex are so good and gentle with you. They even brought gifts for you – a great book that you love to play with/eat and some maracas rattles.

You watching Emmett deliver your gift

Alex presenting another gift for you

Unfortunately, your sleep patterns seem to have changed a bit this week. You’ve been a great sleeper to date, but this week you’re switching it up. We’re not sure if it’s due to the new daycare situation, or the warmer weather, or teething. Trust me, we’ve pondered all the possible causes, and we have yet to figure it out.

But yesterday, you slept all day. You’d eat, and fall asleep eating, then when you’d wake up I’d change you, and feed you, and you’d fall right back asleep! It was the most you’ve slept in months. And then last night you had absolutely no interest in sleeping. After a couple hours of trying to get you to sleep your dad and I took you for a stroll around the neighborhood in your new stroller, and that did nothing; you were as wide-eyed when the walk ended as you were when it began.

Your largest straight stretch of sleep last night was about two hours. Your dad and I both did everything we could think of to get you to sleep. During one of your wakeful spells, around 3 am, I even googled ‘4 month old sleep issues’ to see what I could find. Also, throughout the night the Barenaked Ladies song ‘Who Needs Sleep’ kept echoing through my head:
Who needs sleep?
Well you’re never gonna get it.
Who needs sleep?
Tell me what’s that for……

This morning your dad took you for awhile so that I could sleep. When I woke up I came out to the living room to find you, your dad, and sock monkey all snuggled up having a nice snooze!

Snoozing on the couch

Anyway, today we’ve aimed to keep you up and so we’ll see how you do tonight. This morning you went to the Mapleton Rummage Sale with your nana and me. You were awake and interested in all the action for the first hour, then fell asleep. After the sale you were wide-awake so I thought we’d bust out your Exersaucer for the first time and see if you liked it. You loved it! I wasn’t sure if you had the head control and leg strength for it yet, but you really enjoyed it. You were content in there for probably 45 minutes!

All Smiles in your Exercauser