First tooth

We have our first tooth!  

It was a painful one too!  First time I have known my baby to be fussy and want to be held all day! 

Hopefully the others aren't too bad!

And we know how to use our sippy cup, most of the time!

7 Months

I totally forgot to take the tie picture this month and now since we are in Texas I forgot to bring the monthly ties with me... ugh, you can only remember so much right?

Threw his frog towel on him one day in Singapore...

its too small now and I didn't get enough pictures with it!

7 months has to be one of my favorites!!  Dylan is so cuddly and only really wants his mommy but is still happy with everyone else.  He has really started to become a ham and picture hog... he wants people to smile at him and loves to laugh and mimic them.  He interacts with people so well and has really taken a liking to his grandparents.  Even the short time with his Aunt Lela he really seemed to enjoy. 

He isn't crawling or even acting like he wants to.  He has this "sitting up" business down pat and prefers to sit than lie down.  He will pull up and hold onto to things with help but still doesn't take a step.

7 Months

His fine motor skills are amazing and this object permanence understanding is really cool.  He understands when he drops something, he will look for it, pick it back up, and put it in the other hand, and then usually put it in his mouth.  This usually happens with the pacifier and it is amazing to watch.

He started mimicking my mom the other night and it was hilarious! He also started saying "mama", I have heard it a couple of times but haven't gotten to record it yet.  Dirk and I were hoping that "Otto" would be his first word, maybe his first real word...

No teeth yet but the bottom bumps are in full force and more and more drool keeps coming.  The reflux has gotten better too, less massive throw ups, more like little baby spit ups.

Still loves to watch his Baby Einstein and there is a new one I put on "Neptune's Ocean"  There is a part on there that scares him EVERY time and it is so cute!  Not like scary crying, like he jumps every time and it surprises him.  

His favorite toys are Sophie the Giraffe, the car seat frog is still popular, and Aunt Lela's gift of the gator is really popular at the moment too.  Basically anything that he can fit into his mouth while watching Baby Einstein.  Also the mirror with velcro owls that I put on his crib, he hated it when I first bought it, now he loves it.  He would sit in his crib for an hour playing with it while I take a shower... silly baby!  Just reinforces that I should keep everything for awhile... you never know when he will like it??

Ribbit! 

Play Date with Olivia

March 20th, 2012

Today we ventured over to Meyerland for a play date with Erin and Alex's little girl, Olivia!  Isn't she the cutest?  

Dylan and Olivia seemed to really enjoy each other... they looked and smiled at each other and promptly began chewing on their Sophie the Giraffe's.  It was great catching up with a good friend and old colleague.  

We miss the Brown's dearly in Singapore but it is so nice to catch up with them in Houston!

Princess Olivia!

4 Months

My little camera hog who likes to ham it up when I bring out the camera!

7.5 Months

Dylan brought Olivia his favorite toy, the snail!

Checking each other out :)

Enjoying a chew on their Sophie's

Gotta love the world famous toy

Olivia Monster as her parents lovingly call her :)

Great Grandma's 80th Birthday Party

This weekend we headed towards San Antonio and then to Concan for Dirk's Grandmother's 80th birthday party.  Friday we picked up Aunt Lela in San Antonio and headed to Dirk's parent's river house in Concan, Texas.  This was Dylan's first time to meet the Dunlap's and we can't wait till Uncle Zach comes in to town in May to meet him as well.

It was a long drive and Dylan did ok but was really tired when we finally arrived to the Frio river.  He was spoiled with attention and gifts from his grandparents and aunt.  I am so happy they finally met him!

We stayed Friday night through Saturday afternoon when we packed up and met my parents in San Antonio at the Riverwalk where we all stayed the night.  It was Saint Patrick's Day/Night and the Riverwalk was packed.  I will just say... traveling with an infant and without your partner is A LOT of work but totally worth it to see family so happy!

Aunt Lela was a BIG help!

Happy Birthday Great Grandma Jo!

New thing at 7 months- manipulating his pacifier with ease! 

Jo Jo's birthday loot! Haha!!  She loves her some Pearl Light :)

Gramps being a good influence!

Happy St. Patrick's Day with Mimi!!

Very Very Tired at the Riverwalk

Gator

Dylan really enjoyed his present from Aunt Lela. He likes to put the tail in his mouth and just hold it there while watching Baby Einstein.

Gotta love Aunt Lela's gifts!

Friends in the USA!

We have been staying busy here in Texas, trying not to miss Dirk too much!  We have used FaceTime almost every morning to see him and Otto, only when he isn't traveling himself.

This past week we got to catch up with the Bruce's again on Saturday afternoon.  They were kind enough to bring a jogging stroller to Singapore for us AND take home 5 cans of very special formula for Dylan so he would have it when we came to Texas.  

Yes, I wouldn't recommend putting your child on Bellamy's Organic Infant formula made in Australia, unless you LIVE in Australia!  I can find it easy in Singapore but no where else... I liked it only because it looked like real milk and didn't have an awful odor like most formula's.  But geez it is hard to find!  And it costs $55 SGD/ can!!!  Its only $10 more than all the other formula's in Singapore... so not too bad comparatively!  I can't stand when other people complain about how much things cost in the USA!!!  It is so so so cheap compared to the rest of the WORLD! 

Ok, back to visiting friends!  We made a visit out to Pearland to see one of my favorite couples, the Robinson's.  Jared got us a yummy Mexican dinner and margaritas to-go!!  They both got to meet the little man but I forgot to take a picture of course.  Next time, I am sure we will see them again soon!

I was able to grab a grown up drink with Laura Kirkham too, which I also forgot to take a picture!  I love that she lives so close to my parents and I have missed her so much!  She is a super woman/mom/ex-expat wife and gave me tons of tips with flying with an infant!  She has taken her boys all over the world.  We had yummy margarita's at Lupe's Tortilla just down the street in Katy before they headed off on their spring break road trip to Alabama!  Hope you had fun :)

I also got to have a quick lunch with Dayna and Dylan LOVED his play time with her!  She is expecting a boy this July!  So excited for the Nance's!!

Dylan & Dayna

Cat & Dylan at Collina's 

I was craving a Collina's pizza so Cat and I met up for a bottle of wine and pizza in the Heights!  She spoiled Dylan with some toys and we had the best time catching up!  I have really missed this girl!

Dylan started running fever today and has had some diarrhea all week.  I think and HOPE it is just teething... because this weekend we head to San Antonio and Concan to meet the rest of the Dunlap's for the first time! 

Swimming with Daddy!!

So lucky we live in Singapore and can swim all year round.  When we first got Dylan in the pool it was actually a cold rainy day... if you can believe that for Singapore... He didn't cry and Dirk dunked him under several times trying to teach him to close his mouth when he went underwater. 

At 7 months he is so relaxed in the water, will float on his back while you only hold his head for stability.  We definitely have a water baby!  Too bad he will miss the pool for two months while we are in Texas, but I am sure like usual, the Texas weather will warm up and we will be able to enjoy my parents pool soon enough...

4 months old and first time in the swimming pool!

We dunked him under several times, poor baby!

After the dunk!

Frog Towel!!

7 months old, a pro at the pool now!

Floating with daddy!

Chubby little face!

Relaxed!

Last swim with daddy before heading to the USA!

7 Month Firsts

Seven months was a big one for us!  It was Dylan's first trip to the USA and my first time taking on flying and transitioning a baby by myself.  We are finally on some sort of schedule, although a far cry from our schedule in Singapore.  The uncontrollable crying stopped after 7 days... 7 LONG DAYS & NIGHTS!!

It didn't help either that we came back just in time for spring forward time change.  So as of now, night 11, we go to bed around 11PM and wake up around 9AM... at least I can sleep in??

I swear he has grown so much with us just being here... some new things consist of biting his lower lip ALL OF THE TIME, pulling himself up to standing position, and being able to pull out and put back his pacifier... even in his crib... which is kind of nice now!

Waiting to board the plane in Singapore at 2AM!

All Smiles!

Standing up before bath time at Mimi's House

Jumping with encouragement in Singapore

Thanks to the Lyons for letting us use their jumper!

Having an early morning meal with mommy in bed in the USA!

To the USA

March 3rd, 2012

At midnight we headed to the airport in Singapore and said our tearful goodbyes to Dirk and boarded the plane at 2:30AM heading to the USA.  Dylan's first time on American soil.

I had it all planned out, the car seat in one seat, the bassinet in front of me, my lap if needed.  I was prepared for war... but it turned out great and mildly easy.  Dylan did cry a couple times but was usually comforted with sitting in my lap, falling asleep to me singing to him.  He used the car seat only for about 4 hours total, not sure I would bring it again.  He loved the bassinet and slept most of the time in that except when we had turbulence then he was in my arms.  He watched his Baby Einstein videos, played with his toys, and had fun with mommy the rest of the time.

The only interesting parts were when I had to use the bathroom or when I wanted to eat.  We made due and let me tell you... mommy's hygiene was really lacking by the end of that flight.  I was able to sleep some and even watch one movie... it is not high on my list of things I would like to do over and over again, but all in all it was a success.

I just have to say a quick word about the people on the plane.  They were AMAZING!!  They helped me with my bags, helped me hold the baby, played with him... wonderful people I tell you!  These are the passengers, not the attendants, the attendants were actually not that helpful this time around like our New Zealand and Australia flights.  Everyone that sat around us for the whole 23 hours commented on what a great baby Dylan was and how lucky I am.  The lady behind us didn't want to move to another seat so she could play with him.  Really amazing people I tell you, God was really watching over us during that flight.

I was dreading this flight for weeks!  Like serious anxiety!  We were the ONLY infant on the plane and one of the few children.  It amazes me how we were the only one, usually all the moms and dads get up during the flight and let the babies play together and wear themselves out... nope just us on this one.

So the amazing plane ride has turned into some of the roughest nights of jet lag I have ever seen.  I knew this would be the worst part but WOW!  Tonight, night FOUR, I broke down and bought some earplugs and let him cry himself to sleep for an hour.  Mother of the Year right here!  I have to get some sleep somehow, I am going crazy!  He did go to sleep and hopefully this will get him on track.  I put him to sleep at midnight and he woke up crying uncontrollably at 1AM... finally asleep at 2AM.

Lord please have mercy on us, Dylan is one of the happiest babies I know and if my stupidity for bringing him 14 hours from his happy sleeping habits in Singapore makes him unhappy... I don't know...

I will leave you with this happy face, taken on Valentines Day at 6.5 months old.  Hopefully we will be back to this happy baby soon...