Rice, Rice, Baby

Since our last blog post, things have been quite exciting at the Fun house. Colin had his four-month doctor's visit. He is 15 lb 5 oz and 26.5 inches. According to his pediatrician, he is doing great, growing and developing just has he should. It is a bit alarming to know that he is almost wearing nine month old clothes and size three diapers. He's such a healthy, strong and growing little man. As a result, we've come to the realization that time is simply moving too fast.
Colin had his first taste of rice cereal this weekend. His pediatrician said that four months would be a good age to start if he seemed ready. He's been watching us eat and making chewing motions with his mouth, so we though we'd give it a try. Watch his first attempt at learning to eat something other than mommy's milk.

We went to the pool on Saturday morning for our second swim. It went well! Colin really likes the water. And, since it has been so HOT here lately, the water was the perfect temperature. Because we went early, we ended up being the only family there. That was awesome.

Colin is going through a growth spurt right now, wanting to eat all the time. But he's developing very well. He can roll over from his tummy to his back. He still "talks" all the time. He smiles and laughes, which always makes Ryan and me feel so good. Colin has started grabbing things. He recently found his feet and now can't get enough of grabbing them! It is pretty stinking adorable, but that's our boy.

Colin - You have already made us so proud at only four months old. Mommy and Daddy love you with all our hearts. Always, always and always.

Funs Take to the Water

This weekend has been fantastic! Ryan was off from work and we made the most of our time together, running errands and having fun. I got a haircut while Ryan and Colin did the grocery shopping. Then we had lunch at Jimmy Johns. They have the most delicious sandwich called the Beach Club. It is totally my favorite and Ryan's too. We went out to Babies 'r Us to find Colin some swim gear. It has to be said that he is the most adorable little boy is his swim clothes. We also had dinner with Ryan's parents. Turkey burgers, potato salad and chips = yum yum

Today was our first day down at the neighborhood pool. We had such a great time. It took Colin a while to figure it out, but he really liked it. He is definitely our little water bug. We can't wait to spend weekends this summer with him at the pool! Check out the videos!

Before going in the pool

In the water for the first time

Afterward, we went for lunch and visited Lowes to look for paint. I think we found the perfect color for the living room/kitchen. Once we finished at Lowes, we had to take a detour to Cold Stone for ice cream! Considering it was so hot today, ice cream was a necessity. Ryan is making lemon pepper fish for dinner while I rock Colin to sleep. Weekends together really make us realize how truly blessed our lives are.

First Mother's Day

Yesterday was my very first Mother's Day. Ryan really worked hard to make it a special day that I would always remember. I received a beautiful amethyst pendant. Amethyst is Colin and my birthstone. I know that I will treasure it forever and think of my two guys every time I wear it. I also got two Mother's Day cards - one from my sweet husband and one from our amazing son. According to his daddy, Colin even signed my card at only 13 weeks old! Ryan also made me a delicious waffle breakfast before going to have hibachi for dinner. He is an amazing husband and I am so blessed. Here's a few photos from my first Mother's Day.

Our official Mother's Day photo

He's such a handsome, sweet little man

And so happy - he loves smiling at Mommy and Daddy!

Before taking me for a Mother's Day dinner, Colin and Daddy enjoyed tummy time.

I can't believe how strong Colin has become.

My first Mother's Day was certainly a day that I won't forget.

It's Been Awhile

It's been more than a week since my last update, but we have been a bit busy. Sunday was Easter and Colin's first major holiday. He went to church for the first time and my mom was a walking cliche! The most accurate being "kid in a candy store." Afterward, we had lunch with my parents and went to visit Ryan's family. All in all, it was a wonderful day. Colin was in great form - talking and smiling. He loved the attention and reaped some serious Easter swag for 11 weeks old. He is such a happy baby and taking care of him is pure joy, even the poopy diapers. For your Easter enjoyment...

In other news, we found out that Timmy is being deployed to Afghanistan next month. We are worried about him, but trust that God will watch over him. Ashley is coming back to Lexington while Timmy is away to be with her friends and family. While we are sad that Colin's Uncle Mato is leaving, we can't help but be glad to have more time with Aunt Ashley.

We also learned that Roby, Ryan's best friend, has been hired at Emory University, which means that the boys will be back in the Southeast. We hope that he'll be happy there and I know Ryan is secretly thrilled that his best friend will be within driving distance.

Ryan's schedule is pretty great this week, so I'm looking forward to having dinner with him several nights. Speaking of my husband, his latest project is growing a garden. He keeps calling himself a farmer. That's my husband. The farmer. He's so excited that all the seeds are sprouting. Never did I think he would become so involved in growing vegetables. I'll post photos when we actually have food.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Life for the Funs is a bit hectic right now. I'm still trying to acclimate to working mom status. I think Colin and I are making the transition quite smoothly, but it still hard leaving him. It helps knowing that he's in great hands and going to nurse at lunch really breaks up the day. We are even working on a regular schedule. Hopefully this pattern will keep and I didn't just jinx us. Work is going well for me. I'm getting back into a bunch of projects and it feels really great to be productive.

Ryan is working like a mad man because of all the catering orders for the hospital's luncheons. All together, Salsarita's will have catered for more than 2,000 hospital employees during this week. We have plans to go out on Saturday night to blow off some steam and enjoy each other's company. Yay for Date Night! Ryan's parents, whom I affectionately refer to as McMom and McDad, are going to babysit Colin for the first time. I know they are super excited.

In other news, we had our first family portrait on Sunday. We also had a few photos taken of Colin by himself - we couldn't resist. I promise to post them once we've shown them to our parents. I can't wait to show them off. In the meantime, this will have to hold you over.

He's our man of a million faces. I swear I could kiss those cheeks all day. I almost forgot. Ryan has also been busy being the "man of the house." We now have black mulch in the front yard and pine straw in half of the backyard. It looks great! As if he didn't work hard enough outside the home.

Looks Like We Made It

We did it! Day one of work and day care is down for the count. It was great being back at work. I am working my way through e-mails and projects, trying to get my bearings. I can't wait to start once I catch up. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful co-workers. They welcomed me back with open arms and tons of support. They even made a "Welcome Back" sign and gave me balloons. One of them even brought me a muffin for breakfast.

Colin's first day went well, too. His teachers said that he had a wonderful first day of school. I went to visit/nurse during my lunch break. It was great to steal a few cuddles and smiles in the middle of the day. I think this will help both of us (definitely me). I know it will get easier everyday, but I sure do miss him.

Tomorrow is the Day

Ready or not, here it comes. Tomorrow is my first day back to work and Colin's first day at the Child Development Center. I can't believe how quickly time has passed. I'm filled with a flurry of emotions - anxiety, excitement, nervousness to name a few. I hope that we make it through this transition smoothly. I'm looking forward to returning to work, but am sad at the thought of someone else caring for our little boy. I'll let you know how it goes.

Ashley came to visit this weekend. Mom, Ashley and I had lunch at Panera (home of delicious broccoli cheddar soup) and dessert at Cupcake (need I say more). It was wonderful to spend time with her. We miss her and her Mato. Colin decided to ham it up a little when we got home and Ashley was able to snag this wonderful photo. It's the first one of him smiling/laughing. I can't get enough of his gummy grins!

At Two Months...
Colin, you have grown so much. You are learning new things about the world, our family and yourself everyday. I love watching you discover your surroundings. You smile and laugh more (mostly at me, which I'm secretly thrilled about). Your favorite thing to stare at is the ceiling fan. Apparently this is a common thing among babies. You are definitely a momma's boy, but you love your daddy, too. You are super strong. You can hold your head up on your own and lift your head during tummy time. You are really close to rolling over in one direction. You have found your hands and really like putting them in your mouth. I could never say how much we love you and how much you have enriched our lives.

Always, always and always.