New Hat

Like my new hat? Mom made it for me! She found the pattern on this blog. Dad thinks I look like a Hershey's Kiss, but mom thinks its pretty cute! I like it. It keeps my head warm in this bitter cold weather.

Handmade

A quilt, knitted booties, stuffed mouse, knitted bear ear hat, giraffe rattle, fabric block, curtains, pillows, screen-printed "jayhawk" onsies, sweatshirts and sweat pants and newest creation, applique onsies, pants and even a handmade fleece "pi" shirt.....ALL created by Grandma K for her little E over the past 6 months! She loves creating them and we love seeing what she's come up with. Who knows what will be next? We can't wait! Thank you Grandma K!

Videos!

So, we got a new video camera and have been taking lots of great videos. Here are a few of our faves:

Bath Time!


Babbling


Cereal


Dogs

Cereal

We were given the green light to try "solid" foods by E's pediatrician. So, we decided to start Sunday night. This was his first taste of anything other than breast milk (we even mixed the cereal with warm breast milk). Well, he hated it. Hated every bite. He wrinkled his nose, turned his head and spit it back out. He even started to fuss. We didn't taste it, but it smelled gross...I don't blame him. We'll keep trying it though - I've heard that it takes a baby about 5 feedings to actually like a new food. So, we'll see.... Needless to say, we took lots of pictures and yes, even video of the event. Here are a couple pics of his funny faces (which were the best part of the whole thing) :)

4 month check up

Yesterday was E's 4 month check-up and doctors visit. He was weighed, measured, inspected and poked. He received one shot and one oral vaccination (they were out of another shot that we'll receive in a couple weeks). This was our first appointment with the new pediatrician, who we really liked. We've heard many great things about this practice and feel like E is in good hands. The doc confirmed that E has eczema (like his dad). It doesn't seem to itch or bother him, but is red and looks irritated, so we're constantly slathering on lotions and this cold, dry weather isn't helping. Doc also suggested that mom eliminate dairy from her diet for 10 days to see if the eczema gets better (no dairy could be hard for mom). He still has cradle cap, which also itches, but is getting better and the doc recommended that we use cortisone cream on it. Developmentally he's right on track for his age, weighs 14 lbs 10 oz (36%) and is 25.5 inches long (64%). So, he's long and lean! We were also given the green light to start "solid" foods (rice cereal first, then pureed veggies) but aren't sure when we'll begin. Don't worry, we'll take lots of pictures and maybe even post a video of the first taste. Overall he's doing great and we're blessed to have a happy, healthy, beautiful baby boy!

New

So we thought we were going to have a thumb sucker. E was constantly putting his fingers and hands in his mouth (sometimes his whole fist). He sucked on them constantly, but never the same fingers. As you can imagine, all of this chewing was also causing a serious drool problem and his little fingers were becoming red and chapped. So, I decided to see if he would take a pacifier instead and guess what? It worked! I can't believe it! He's rejected the paci since day one, but now seems to love it. He's so calm and content with it in his mouth, it's amazing. I know it can be a bad habit to break, but think it's worth the challenge to see him so happy (I may regret this down the road). He's also discovered his toes. He loves to grab his feet, toes and socks when he's being changed, which can make things tricky. It's super cute to watch. I remember seeing him for the first time in an ultra sound and he reached up and grabbed his toes. It was so sweet. He continues to grow and change every day.

Happy New Year!

What a year 2009 was for the Moen family! It's amazing to look back and think of where we were just a year ago....pregnancy, graduation, moving to a new city, a new job, a new house and the birth of our beautiful baby boy. What a wonderful year it's been. We look froward to the year ahead and all the joy that comes with a growing baby and the changing seasons. We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!

First Christmas

Packages everywhere, monkey bread for breakfast, PJ's and slippers all day, turkey in the oven, Christmas tree glowing, hershey kisses, family together, Christmas music, smiles, laughter, cinnamon candles, stockings hung on the fireplace, joy in everyone, twinkle lights and love....our first Christmas with our baby boy.

It was amazing, busy and wonderful. We spent a couple days in Columbia, staying with Grand-W, attending the annual Diggs Christmas party (where he met his cousins Jackson and Connor for the first time), he met Aunt Allison, had beautiful family photos taken, opened his very first christmas package, helped ice cookies and even wore adorable Christmas outfits. We spent Christmas Eve here in St. Louis with Grand-K and our friends the Valleroy's. We had a beautiful white christmas morning and loved watching it snow all day (E's first snow)! We stayed in our PJ's and played with our new trinkets, watched Christmas Story and had a delicious Christmas turkey dinner (my very first)! It was perfect....

Christmas morning

E's first snow