New Bathroom and weight/eating update

Evan and his dad finished the bathroom. It is much better than before!

Old:

New:

 

The last two nights the guys were working on the bathroom during Graesen's bathtime, so he bathed in the kitchen sink. He thought it was pretty funny.

I weighed Graesen at mom/baby group today and he was 18 lbs 7.2 oz. This was better than I got on my home scale and puts him at almost 75%. I feel much better now that I know that he is still gaining. He's dropped about 17% in the last month and a half, but I am not going to worry about it just yet. We go to the doctor next Friday for his 6 month appointment and I'll see what the doctor says then. I have also decided to back off on the solids for a week. I talked to the nurse at the group today, and she said that since he is fighting it so hard (last night he bawled when I tried to feed him, and gagged with every bite) maybe I should give him a break. The fact that he gags, pushes the food out with his tongue, and doesn't really swallow anything may mean that he is not ready.
Here is what feeding him has looked like the last couple of days:

He did like playing with the spoon, though:)

 

More pictures from the last couple of days:

 

I almost forgot- yesterday I went for a run with my sister.  When we got back my leg was a little itchy.  I scratched it, then looked down and noticed that my skin was all lumpy.  It was so weird!  Huge chunks of skin were raised up.  It went away after a few hours, but I still don't know what caused it.  The two theories (according to a couple of nurses I talked to) are either an allergic reaction to something or the first stages of frost bite.  I tried to take a picture of it to appease my sister, Rachae, but it was hard to get a good one.  If you look closely, the areas where the skin is really white is where it was all raised up.

Christmas and eating

The night before Christmas Eve I began to feel sick. I spent the night running to the bathroom thinking I might get sick. I was so worried that I might get too sick to enjoy Graesen's first Christmas. Thankfully, the next day my stomach settled a little, and although I wasn't able to eat much (I still can't), I was able to participate in the festivities.
Evan had to work on Christmas Eve, so just Graesen and I joined my family for dinner at my grandparents house and church. Here we are before heading off to dinner:

We opened presents at home Christmas morning before going to visit families. Graesen loved this!

We spent the morning and early afternoon at Evan's parents house. Graesen had a lot of fun at first then got a little overstimulated. He was so tired, but could not settle down for a nap.

After eating a mid-day meal with Evan's family, we headed to my parent's house for dinner and games. Graesen was sooo tired by the end of the night.

I love this one of my niece, Phoebe!

Graesen has been very fussy lately. I figure that he either has my stomach bug or he is hungry. I weighed him today and had him at 18lbs 4oz which drops him to the 73.8%. He has dropped a lot in the last month and a half, so although I had planned to start solids at 6 months, I decided it couldn't wait any longer (plus, I am exhausted, because Graesen is getting up to eat every 3 hours again). We tried avacado today. He liked it at first, but then started to cry and gag. (please ignore the mess in the background-Evan and his dad are putting in a new vanity and medicine cabinet. Everything from the bathroom is all over the house, and the power was off in part of the house today- hence the eating in the living room).

A bunch of stuff

I decided last week to buy Graesen a potty chair.

I know of some moms who teach their babies to use potty chairs at only a couple of months old.  We have only tried it a few times so far, but Graesen thinks it's pretty fun.  He actually starts laughing then tries to stand up.  (I definitely have a boy!)  The second time we tried Graesen actually went potty!

 

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I got a $10 off coupon for JC Penny's.  I found an outfit for Graesen that was half off, and then $10 off that.  I only paid $2 for this cute outfit!

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Saturday we went to Evan's family's Christmas party.  One of the kids brought reindeer ears for Graesen:

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My mom made adorable matching outfits for the grandkids this year for Christmas.  Sunday after church we went and got their pictures taken.  Here are two of the grandkids after pictures:

 

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My sister, Rachae, and her family live out of town, so we celebrated Christmas a little early with them this year.  On Monday we had what we call "fake Christmas."

Graesen was exhausted from all the excitement:

But he did like his presents:

 

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Check out these adorable outfits I found for my nieces: (they wouldn't pose for me)

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 My mom got all the kids Christmas pajamas.  Phoebe did not seem to like matching all her cousins :)

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My mom just finished Graesen's Christmas stocking!

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Today at our mom/baby group our leader gave each baby a hat she made for them.  It was so sweet!

Pray

A friend of mine who I went to school and church with was just diagnosed with colon cancer.  She is only 23 years old, so this is a huge shock.  She had surgery today and will start treatment soon.  She is in desperate need of prayers right now.  Will you please keep Laura in your prayers?

Fantasy Flight

This past weekend I volunteered for an event called Fantasy Flight.  This is an awesome non-profit event in my town for underpriviledged kids.  Children are invited to the North Pole and asked what they want from Santa.  The day of the event they are picked up and taken to the airport where many elves meet them.  Right away the kids are loaded up with sweatshirts, hats, gloves, socks, and backpacks.  They are then fed and entertained by games and movies while they wait for their flight.  A plane picks up the children and elves and flies around until they reach the North Pole.  The kids land at the North Pole where they are given a night to remember.  They play games, do crafts, eat treats, receive all kids of gifts, and meet Santa (who gives them the gift they asked for).  It is just so sweet to see these children light up when they see what is in store for them.  I love the Fantasy Flight organization and hope to keep helping in the future.  If you are interested in finding out ways to support Fantasy Flight, clike HERE.

In my elf gear, ready to go:

The North Pole:

The medical tent (all the kids got first aid items and play doctor kits).

The kids shopped for pajamas:

Reindeer ring toss:

The Polar Express comes around with gifts when the kids get their tickets punched:

North Pole band:

Ornament and necklace making:

Reindeer!

 

Face Painting:

Treats:

 

Santa time:

 

Santa's living room: