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...

The Bruce's in Singapore

February 10th, 2012

Dylan met the Bruce's who were in town on a business trip.  We were so glad we got to catch up with them and hang out just like old times.  Hopefully we didn't smother them too much!

Dylan loved meeting them and hanging out, showing the Bruce's what a happy baby he is...

The Bruce's & Dylan

Michelle & Dylan at the beach!

Favorites at 6 Months

Dylan certainly knows what he likes and dislikes... but even still, the things he dislikes he will tolerate up to a certain point.

I take a ton of video on my phone but can never get Blogger to upload it.  The pictures will have to do.

Sitting up driving my car!

Watching Baby Einstein in the camper van in New Zealand

New Jogging Stroller at the beach!

Gymboree- Catching bubbles

Gymbo the "Hide & Seek" doll is actually his favorite toy there.

He gets so surprised when he pops out of his home!

Gymboree Fun

Chewing on daddy's fingers

Can't forget the sleeping bag!  Spends 11 hours a night in this!

Swim Lessons

Yes we are doing swim lessons, and yes we are only 6 months old, but it is good fun for mommy & Dylan.  We meet every Thursday at one of the condo pools and 6 mommies and 6 babies do all kinds of fun things for 30 minutes in the water.  

The first lesson every single baby cried but Dylan.  He loved it, even though it was really really cold.  We have only had 3 lessons and they all seems to really like it now, so I think everyone thinks it is worth while.  I would love to continue, especially since all these mommies are so fun, but we will be heading back to the States for ten weeks very soon. 

We had our first ever Mommies Night Out last Friday and it was a blast!  I can't wait till the next one!

The chaos of 6-8 month olds

Anthony, Lucy, and Olive

Lucy is the most active with crawling and tends to try to crawl on top of people.

Anthony, so cute!

Seb enjoying his pool time

Olive, such a doll!

She is only a couple of weeks older than Dylan and crawling around like a pro, even has 6 teeth too!

Had to sit out this week since we were sick...So Sad!

Man,  I love this little man and his chubbiness! 

Why can't I swim??

6 Months

We are 6 months now! I went back to work more this month and it has been really hard finding time to blog or do anything for that matter.  I am a little torn on this subject, I love my job and the people I work with, but spending time with my little man is more fun!  He is changing so fast...

This month we started sitting up unassisted. Still don't like tummy time that much but LOVEs to sit up and play with toys.  The favorite toy of the month would be a toss up from Sophie the Giraffe and the steering wheel car that he can sit up and play with.

No teeth yet, but majorly working on them.  Everything goes into the mouth and Sophie is a favorite as well as anyone who will lend a finger.

We moved up a level at Gymboree even though he still can't roll over.  We are getting close, very close, should be this week or next.  Level two has much more activity than level one, that include moving around and playing on the equipment.  We also started swim lessons with a lovely bunch of babies his age and mommies (This mommy could use more mommy friends)!  It is 30 minutes of pure bliss for Dylan, he LOVES the water and is so relaxed in it.

We started eating more foods this month and graduated to level two of Annabel Karmel's baby food book.  I have been making some and buying some organic baby food if I can't find the ones I want to try in the organic raw form.  So far we have made "see in the dark" recipe of carrots, chicken stock, and onion; blueberry, peach, and pear puree; avocado, banana, and yogurt; broccoli and sweet potatoes; and butternut squash with nutmeg.  I have been adding a little spice to every dish and he really seems to like it.   Apples, pears, and cinnamon was his favorite.

He is still a very happy baby who loves to sleep.  He is still sleeping from 7PM-6AM every night and takes about 3-4 naps a day, 2 long and 2 short.  He is always smiling, laughing, and making noise.  The only time he cries is when he is hungry or tired, otherwise he will smile for anyone who smiles at him.

He isn't attached to anyone just yet, he definitely loves his mommy, I catch him watching me all the time.  Jessa is a close second to me, he is always smiling for her and looking around the room for her.  I come home most days and she has him laughing away in her lap.

Stats for 6 months:

Weight: 15 lbs 2.68 ounces (10-25%)

Height: 25.8 inches (25-50%)

Head Circumference: 16.7 inches (10-25%)

At the beach!

Making noise

Looking at Otto

Serious face for a picture with Mommy

Easily distracted 

Blowing rasberries

Happy Baby