Secretly I had more fun!!!!

It all started out with Lindsay and I talking about backpacking trips this year. We relly wanted to take Erik on at least one overnighter, but we knew backpacking might not be the most feasible with packing out what you pack in (dirty diapers anyone?). So we talked about car camping later this summer, when was a bit older and could have more fun since he would be more aware of his urroundings. I know that sounds funny cause he could be crawling and putting things in his mouth, but in our family the dirt will be a constant companion in the warm months, so he might as well enjoy it, right?

Well fast forward to about a month ago when Lindsay tells me about this week long backpacking trip that he wants to go on. Ummmm hello, I can't go because Erik definitely can't go for a week so he starts planning with our friend Matt. I was jealous as Lindsay said, backpacking is a hobby that we started to have something we both enjoyed that we could do together as a couple and eventually a larger family. So I was disappointed that this was the first trip I couldn't go on. But I wasn't about to hold him back from such a great experience so I told him that I would drive to Arizona to stay with our friend Cindy and hang out poolside while he tromped through the forest. I am glad that I didn't stay home! We had a blast. It was a bit nervewracking driving about 9 hours with a 3 1/2 month old by myself but worth it. He did great in the car. He cried on and off the last 2 hours getting to cindy's house and the first 2 hours leaving her house, but other than that he was a happy calm baby. We are so lucky to have a great baby!

Once we got to Cindy's house a suspicion came to fruition and was happy to see that my mom met us down there for the holiday weekend! I don't have most the pictures from the trip cause they are on her camera...sorry! We did lots of shopping and some swimming. We ate yummy food and enjoyed great company. One day we even met up with a friend and she took some awesome pictures of the moon babe!

Thank you Bekki for your amazing talent and the fun we had with your kids...they crack me up and I can't wait to have a brood like yours!

While in Arizona Erik took to the television even more than he already has. Honestly whenever we needed to set him down we would put him on the couch as so.....

...and he would watch the noggin channel forever probably if we would have let him. He loved it and when we would try to distract him, many times he would try to look around us or would ignore us until we moved. Hilarious!

Also Grandma Spinelli got him to belly laugh for the first time while we were which was so much fun! He hasn't done it as much as he did that night with her, but we have gotten a few chortles and chuckles here and there!

Erik is now 4 months old and he is gaining new strengths every day! He no longer uses an infant bath tub, I just lay him in shallow water in the tub and he loves that he can freely kick and splash! He isn't rolling over quite yet, but he is moving around. The below picture was how I found him the other morning when he woke up. Looks normal right? Well we put him to be with his head where his right hand is and his feet sticking in the opposite direction, he will be a moverand shaker soon. Time to start baby proofing! Those my favorite pajamas by the way and also the first baby item I bought once we found out S had chosen us!

Today was his four month appointment and he is starting to average out. He is only in the 54th percentile for height now at just over 25 inches. His head is in the 45th, doc said that he probably had a large head when he was younger because S took good care of herself while pregnant. A big head as a newborn is a sign of good nurtition in the uterus I guess, so we feel fortunate about that! And now his head will take the lead from his genetics. His weight is back down to the 30th percentile so I think that is why he looks so long. He weighed in at 14 punds 7 ounces. He is getting chunkier and the doc didn't say there was anything to be worried about so that is good. Just a lean machine!

He cried more this time with the shots and seems to be running a low grade fever but I think he will come around in a few days. His personality is starting to show through and he is such a charmer! He smiles at anyone and loves to play. He hates to miss out on anything and will give up sleep to stay alert. He is a stoic much of the time in public but at home he is a little chatterbox. We love seeing him grow!