Four months, oh my!

Micah is 4 months old! I'll be honest, this month seemed to be a long month, but maybe that's because I've been back to work, or the fact that Micah seems to be so big and really coming in to a personality of his own. One of my favorite memories from this month happened over a couple of bath times in which Micah had this face of anticipation of cold when coming out of the bath. He would clench his teeth, lips tight, hands into fists and pure fear in his face of being cold! It was adorable and made Christian and I realize how he was developing in skill already. We tried to capture it on video, but he didn't do it, and hasn't since. He's now realized it's not that bad - another way in which he is maturing:)

Four month stats: 16 pounds, 4 ounces (77% for weight), 26 inches (85% for height), and 17.5 inch head circumference (95%). Looks like he got his head from his daddy ;)

The below pictures capture a story of Micah and Mickey:) He has a Mickey onesie, and when he wears it takes on the nickname "Micah Mouse," haha!

"Oh yea, another month with Mickey"

"That foot sure looks good!"

"Think I might just give this a taste."

"What?!? Why are you looking at me Mom?"

"Yum, yum. Best foot I've had yet."

"Seriously, Mom...what's wrong?"

"Oh, I'm NOT supposed to eat the foot?"

Things to remember:

• how you rolled over for the first time, but then that was it...you've only rolled over once!
• how you love to giggle:) especially when changing your clothes and you happen to get tickled
• how you have finally begun to enjoy your stroller rides
• how you are continually doing amazing in your night sleep as well as being able to put yourself to sleep...now if we could only get you there in your day time sleep...
• how you have begun to find your voice - meaning moments of screaming and shrieking, just to see what it sounds like
• how much you love to look in the mirror
• how you began to anticipate being cold from the bath, only to learn after 2 baths that it wasn't that bad
• how you pee in the bath every time we put you there, and have actually "directed" it to the toilet...meaning we have ALREADY begun to potty train you, haha!
• how you have begun to really reach out for items and grasp them
• how you have begun to notice when Frodo is around and actually try to grab his tail
• how happy you are when Daddy comes home, after not seeing him all day
• how you like to sleep on your left side with your head completely tilted back. we don't think it looks relaxing, but you sure seem to think so
• how you don't just smile with your face, you smile with your whole body
  

I just thought the below picture was cute. And, it's a good documentation of what Micah likes to do daily - lay on his playmat and put things in his mouth:)

Brookfield Zoo Day

Today I was supposed to go for a run with my good friend (and Micah's sitter while I'm at work:)) Noelle. After her husband Nate had a conversation with their 3 1/2 year old Aidan about "Maybe Mommy can take you to the zoo today" it became clear that running was no longer an option. So, 4 kids and 2 adults in tow, we headed out to Brookfield Zoo. Although Micah wasn't a huge fan of being carried in a carrier or pushed in the stroller, therefore giving my arms a wonderful workout!, we had a great time today on a beautiful fall day. I don't want to age Micah, AT ALL, but I also look forward to the day when he can run around and be filled with such amazement, enthusiasm and excitement as Aidan was today. Thanks Noelle for inviting me and Micah on an impromptu and very fun day at the zoo!

One of the 5 minutes Micah was content in the stroller, ha!

Aidan, Elijah (who you can see from the above picture) and Micah

happy from lunch and ready to keep viewing the animals.

"It's okay buddy."

This is what we heard from Aidan when Micah started fussing. It was so cute, and gives me a glimpse into the kindness and thoughtfulness Micah is given on the days he goes to the Isaak house while I am at work. Aidan just loves Micah, and I know Micah feels the same!

Micah at 17 weeks old - 1 day shy of 4 months!

Noelle and her sweet daughter Leah (who is Elijah's twin).

Micah was enjoying watching the dolphins swimming around -

one of the few animals he clearly paid attention to.

A funny picture because the original was completely dark, but

I still thought it was cute enough to post:)

Love, love this little boy!

Apple Orchard Fun

This past Saturday Christian, Micah and I joined our small group for some apple orchard fun, and we had a great time! Jonagold apples were in picking season (which are our favorite), and the weather was the most perfect fall day that we have had to date this year. Temps were in the mid-50s and it just felt wonderful to be out in the crisp air on a bright sunny day. We also devoured some yummy cider donuts after the picking while the boys in the small group (minus Micah, of course) played on the very cool "playground" they had at the orchard. Already looking forward to making this a fun tradition in years to come!

Micah all bundled up and ready to pick!

Laura and Alex, Kate (in the back in the pink) and Jed, Me and Micah and Lindsey.

Yummy apples!!

Micah had had his fill - he was ready to eat himself!

Jed, Max, Adam and Alex. We have soooo many boys in our small group! 7 boys, 1 on the way, 0 girls. If you include the Isaak children (who no longer go to our small group but still hang out at other functions) we have 2 more boys and 1 girl! Leah is sure going to have her pick of the lot when the time comes:)

We tried to get Micah alone with the pumpkins, but he leaned over and hit his head, so it was either with mom or not at all...he was also over tired and ready for a nap!

Getting ready to sleep...

And out. Finally asleep after a long but FUN morning!

Micah Rolled Over!

Yea! It may not happen again right away, but Micah definitely rolled over! He's been on the verge of rolling over for quite some time now, both from tummy to back and vice versa, and I really thought it was going to happen in his sleep. Since we have a video monitor (best invention ever, in my opinion, though I can see why some people might be on the complete opposite end of the spectrum on that feeling), we are able to watch him sleep. He loves to bring one arm over to the other, move his head so it's completely sideways with his body, and have his back arching to one side while sleeping. This has just started within the last week, and I was so sure his rolling over was going to happen there. But, today, as we were playing on his play mat, he completely rolled from tummy to back going after a toy! How fun. Although I can't believe how big he is getting so quickly, something like this makes me excited about the new stages he's about to encounter! Yea, Micah! :)

Kitchen repairs...FINALLY!!

One of my first blog posts talked about our kitchen disaster...back on June 27th...and FINALLY, finally, as of September 10th, our kitchen is complete. 2 1/2 months later, after every possible water source that could leak did (at different times, causing further delay each time) we are finally back functioning. PTL!

The beginnings...July 1st, 2010.

Getting there...September 1st, 2010. Yes, we had to live close to this for almost 2 months! Quite a difficult task, with a baby...and my personality:) And yes, that is a toilet in our living room.

Finally complete...September 10th, 2010.

Family Visits

Last weekend my parents and grandma were up for Micah's dedication at our church. Friday night my Aunt Elizabeth, who had been in Evanston for her Rotary Club commitments, spent the night with us, and we took her back to the airport on Saturday. It was great to see my family two weekends in a row, and fun for Micah to meet his first "Great Aunt," which I know Aunt E. is thrilled to think about, ha! Below are just a few pictures from the last two weekends.

Family time:)

Fun with Papa C.

Nana Kay and Great Grandma watched Christian and I give Micah his bath. Micah loves getting clean in the water!!

Micah with "Great" Aunt Elizabeth

Micah and Daddy.

Showing what a big boy he is, sitting by himself in the bumbo.

It was hard to get a good picture, because Micah is so active right now and he kept getting blurry in the picture, but this was isn't too bad.

Out to lunch on the way back to the airport.

Micah's Dedication Day

Micah was sound asleep for his dedication, which I guess is better than crying, right? :)

Micah was born on Memorial Day - and was dedicated on Labor Day (weekend, that is). We were excited to be able to present our son back to God, showing our obedience and our desire to raise him with God as the center. It was a beautiful day and Christian and I were both able to have our parents there with us, as well as my grandma (Micah's great-grandma).

We love you Micah Nathaniel!

Our family with Christian's parents.

Yea, family shot!

Micah and mama.

Me with my parents and grandma (my dad's mother).

A slightly blurry shot with my family.