A few videos

Bryce isn't saying much, but he sure likes to use his tounge to spit and slobber.   He has just recently started saying dadada and mamama, but its not yet directed towards us.

Bryce is getting very proficient at pulling himself up.  He has always loved to stand, so we anticipated that once he could get around, he would quickly get good at this.  Now he can walk a bit along objects too.

Bathtime!  Bryce loves bathtime. I think he would splash away for hours if we let him.  We have tried taking him into shower a few times, but he doesn't much like that.

Showing his climbing skills.  I guess at daycare he loves to climb up onto their little stairs.  We don't have any so while I was changing his sheets I'd see how he did.  Not too shabby.

Another video of Bryce showing off his muscles.

8 months!

As most of you know, I passed my dissertation defense last week and therefore I am an official doctor (of philosophy).  I was terrified to give my oral defense, mostly because I have a great fear of speaking in front of others.  Overall I think it went OK.  The closed door portion went smooth and I was able to correctly answer/discuss the topics that were addressed.  So now my job is to amend my written dissertation based on the comments of my committee and FIND A JOB. 

Bryce is getting so big.  I've have not been keeping up with the blog as I should (as other things have been on my mind), but I am finally updating you all.  Bryce is crawling like a champ, pulling himself up easily on everything, walking along the table and sofa and is getting good at eating puff cereal.  He still isn't talking as much as we had hoped and we can't get him to mimic us with clapping or waving.  He loves to chase the cats around and get into their food. I've finally taken him out for a few jogs (that term is used loosely).  My family got me a jogging stroller for Christmas but soon after it arrived Bryce got sick, then I got sick and then we had freezing temperatures for a while.  I think finally we are in the clear for me to start putting in some miles on my BOB. 

Ryan watched some Discovery Channel show on a 3 year old who was as physically developed as a 7 year old.  I don't think Bryce has that genetic abnormality, but he is pretty strong.  Here he is 'flying' like Superman.

I've been making him baby food for at home and then send Gerber food to daycare for easier storage.  He has liked everything from Gerber and most everything that I have made for him except asparagus and chicken.  Usually I can mix the chicken in with something else he likes and he will eat it right up.  I think it is more of a texture thing for him.  On this particular occasion Ryan was feeding him chicken mixed into his sweet potatoes and he was not happy! Thankfully he hasn't learned to spit things out that he dislikes. Enjoy!

Bryce loves to play with the Kitties.

 Showing how well he stands

Playing in the box of toys shipped from Oregon.  Where do I start?1

Getting ready for the Steelers game- so sad they lost!

Poor Bryce caught a cold the first week he went to daycare.  He had several rough days. Ryan and I both got it  and were quite miserable as well. I don't recall feeling that awful for so long.  Guess this was the first of many illnesses to come.  If only I could have been more productive at grad school and come up with a few more vaccines!  

Daycare is going okay.  So far Ryan has been taking him and picking him up.  Bryce still isn't sleeping well there.  At home we get him to take 2-3 good naps (1-2hrs), but at daycare he is either taking one 1 hour nap or 2 half hour naps!  I know that all the activity is making it difficult but I'd just hoped by now he would get used to it.  He is finally sleeping better at night, at least for him.  He and I are only up twice a night now, once about midnight and then again about 4 for feed.  If he wakes before then we let him fall asleep on his own.  I think we will give him another month before we try and wean him of night time feedings.  Hopefully he will do it himself. 

Too many deaths recently.  Ryan's golf coach, Mauro passed away last week and my Aunt Angie passed away this week.  We don't know any details, but Mauro passed quickly after being diagnosed with cancer.  Angela has been wheelchair bound and unable to feed herself since she had a severe infection a few years back.  She quit eating a few days ago.  I think it was a prayer that she resting with my grandparents now.  I believe that there will be a service for her next week.  RIP Mauro and Angie

Christmas 2010

Bryce flying for his 2nd trip home.  He did great and slept most of the time.

We started our trip in FG. Travelled over Mt Hood to stay in Prineville.  Then to Sunriver.  Back to Prineville.  Back over the mountain to Corvallis. And Finished in FG again! With a few trips to Hillsboro, Beaverton Portland, West Linn, Bend and Redmond.  Too much with a little one.

   

Oh, Grandma gets to hold me again!

Spoiled by Auntie Caitlyn and Uncle Andrew

Bryce- Which do I open first?!

Mom- How will we ever get this all home?!

Playing with Grandpa

Sporting his new cute hat made by Caitlyn's friend.

Bryce did well opening presents.  Could undo a few bows and rip paper. Of course he usually like the ribbon, paper and boxes best.

Yummy, apple juice.  Thanks Cait

Kisses from Grandma.  And another homemade knit hat.

Uncle Marques, can we go outside now? I'm getting hot!

Jane and Marques at the ice rink

Family Photo

Uncle Tanner

True Texan? Or does he take after his mom and dislike the cold?

First time on his new Radio Flyer.  Loved it, but will have to wait a year to get it to go.

Aunt Steph spoiled Bryce with lots of gifts

On a walk in Sunriver.

Visiting Grandma Lois who sadly passed on January 5th at 93.  I was so glad to have seen and hugged her one last time, but sad to see her in that state. She had severe dementia and was very weak. I don't think she knew who any of us were, but she enjoyed seeing Bryce.  I love you and will miss you Grandma.

Trying to get hand and foot prints of Bryce...emphasis on trying.

We got to visit a few of our friends in our Oregon tour.  As usual I just wish we could spend more time with everyone and hadn't missed seeing those that we couldn't connect with.

Getting a tutorial by William on how to play with his activity seat.

Getting hugs from Great Aunt Nancy.

Bryce's admirers Hailey and Holy.  Someday they will be great babysitters

The gang, with 2 additions from last Christmas.

Bryce's toys lines up once we got home. What do I choose? Oh, the cardboard box that wasn't supposed to be an option!

As stated in my previous post, we tried to 'wean' him off nighttime feedings. Well a few nights back in Oregon and we ditched all that we had worked towards. We were at my parents' small house and Bryce cried for about an hour straight and we gave in. So again, I have been getting up with him again. It could have been caused by the 2 hour time difference and the fact that he wasn't napping as well as he did at home.  He had been a bit more fussy and may have had a mild cold.  Now we are back in TX trying first to get him back to central time.

We went into the pediatrician when we got home and Bryce was a champ getting his vaccines.  He is still in the 50th percentile in both height and weight, but is a bit advanced with his sitting, crawling and standing.  During our trip home he has become very proficient at crawling (no more flopping) and is pulling himself up on us.  He has been doing great with all of the foods we are giving him and is getting close to being mess free!  I guess until we let him feed himself.  The Dr. recommended that we start him on finger foods (which he wasnt' too sure about the first time) since he seems to have good hand coordination. She also suggested that we put off nighttime weanings for a bit longer since he is eating only 6oz of milk every 3 hrs during the day and is still spitting up. She thinks that he may still need the nutrition since he isn't heavier.  Of course I was a bit saddened, I was enjoying the additional rest. We'll try again in another month, if he doesn't figure it out on his own.

Happy New Year all!  I hope you all stick to your resolutions.

6 months!

Well Bryce turned 6 months this week and also started crawling!  Of course this coinsides with getting the tree up.  I think that I keep saying this, but the time has been going by so FAST.  Its been so much fun and I just love being a mother.
Until now, Bryce consistently gets up 2 or more times per night and I end up feeding him.  He usually falls asleep just fine, but wakes in the night. Everyone keeps telling me that one day he will just magically sleep through the night.  It hasn't come and we, well I, am tired of waiting, literally.  Well Tuesday we decided to try tough love and let him cry himself back to sleep without feeding him and without picking him up.  The first night he woke 3 times, 2 of which he easily went back to sleep with only light soothing, but the third was a bit tough on all 3 of us.  He cried for 40 minutes! I was very close to giving in.  Ryan did the hard part and checked on him every few minutes and to give him his pacifier, I just hid in the bedroom.  We made it through the night and Bryce didn't hate us in the morning. I have to thank Ryan for being great.  Hopefully this won't last long.

Bryce took his first baths within the big tub.  He was splashing too much to be doing it on the counter anymore.

Sorry these are sideways, but they won't upload any other way.  Bryce showing off his golf duds and how well he stands.

We walked to the park and Bryce got to go down the slide and swing for the 1st time.  He had fun! Staying warm in Grandma Hase's sweater and hat- first time it was cold enough here in Houston

Oooh, Christmas lights.  Bryce loves stareing at the tree.  He and Olive 'helped' me put the lights on.

Ryan took Bryce to see Santa.  He did very well and wasn't scared, but forgot to tell him what he wanted.  Guess we have to wait until Christmas morning to find out.