Da Nom Noms

For those that follow the Hunt Family know, Justin passed the 6 month mark in the month of February. This was the month that Justin started eating things besides boobjuice and formula. In my previous post, we had captured him after one of his first experiences with cereal, and we wanted to show you some of the other foods Justin has started to enjoy eating:

Sweet Potatoes. I hope this keeps up, and we can go to Texas Roadhouse and order loaded Sweet Potatoes with our steaks and make mom cringe :).

This is Justin enjoying so yogurt. This helps Tank keep his 'motor' running without too much gas...

Finally, we have Justin enjoying one of his first fruits. . .

A Blackberry!

(No phones or babies were harmed in the making of this post)

Weight Watchers Weekday

Hello fit train; we meet again. Ignore that two month hiatus. I wasn't cheating on you, I promise. In fact, I managed to not gain weight over the holidays (though it wasn't for trying - damn you Oreos)! Four weeks ago, I even joined Weight Watchers after realizing that, in fact, having a fancy coat hanger (oh, I mean, elliptical) at my disposal does not actually mean I will use it. hmmm . . .

So far, Weight Watchers and I are getting along swimmingly. It's like a puzzle and I like that I can eat what I want, just in moderation. I get 29 points a day, with an extra 49 flex points for the week. I feel better when I eat better, and the plan definitely helps me do that. AND - I can have wine!! Once in a while, that is - like when I am not watching my handsome little boy.

So far I have lost 4 pounds, which puts me only 3 pounds away from my first prenatal weigh-in and 11ish pounds to my goal weight. I don't expect all of my old clothes to fit as they once did as the little dude's southern location for the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy (oh my gosh, he's so low - you'll go early hun - my ass) probably changed the configuration, if you will, of my pelvic bones. Read: the baby bearing hips have gotten babier. But - the clothes that I can fit into are fitting better and better each time I put them on!

I'll keep you updated from now on! And, if you made it reading this boring post this far, I shall reward you with pictures of the most handsome boy in the world.

Justin started sitting up last week. Anything to see the tv better . . . 

Vroooom Vroooooom Vrooooooooooom. Can you guess what Grandpa H just bought? 

Speaking of Grandpa H - Happy Birthday!

In Trouble

Momma and Daddy are in for trouble. Our little boy has become a little handful at times. Example: our last doctors appointment.

Everything started out normal. He was weighed in his diaper and then we waited for Dr.S to show up. Que trouble . . .

He looks so innocent, doesn't he? That precious skin, the gorgeous blue eyes . . . 

Those grabby little hands . . . 

Yep, that's my sweet little Tank eating paper

Alright Dude, let's sit up and stop eating the paper . . . 

(We still have a lot to learn as parents, obviously.) 

The final damage, when we got our six month old away from the paper. 

And then we found the cords. 

We have a curious (and incredibly handsome) little boy. We're in for trouble. 

6 Months

Six months and one day ago we were in the hospital with Little Dude. He was just over an hour old, we had just come up with a name, and were waiting for our families to arrive to show off our handsome little guy. Oh how six months have changed us all. I think Baby Daddy would agree with me that these past six months have been the best of our lives.

Let's see - where to begin. There have been some major changes this month, and unfortunately, some things have stayed the same. We'll start with the bad -

Why are Auntie Em's hands by my bootie?

Justin's health has gotten worse, gotten better, gotten really worse, gotten better, stayed the same, etc. We are still dealing with the bronchiolitis we were around Christmas. His cough has gotten worse - it has to hurt his little throat. He has had three different oral antibiotics and, just this last week, a round of shots for ear infection(s). Until last weekend he was pretty happy through it all, until the last oral antibiotic failed and his sleep and eating suffered - going from sleeping 9:30-6 each night to waking up nearly every 60 minutes seemingly in pain, and eating only 3 ounces at a time, if that. We have been to the pediatrician four times in the past 6 weeks, and have a referral to an ENT to discuss putting tubes in his ears. For now, the shots seem to have worked and he is a pretty happy Tank. For the bronchiolitis, we have two different inhalant medications (which total $450 a month, in case you were curious) that he gets through his nebulizer a combined six times a day. He loves it (major sarcasm right there). His 6 month checkup is this week, so we'll reevaluate then.

And now onto the good . . .

* Tank is beginning to teethe. Everything goes to his mouth - from the bibs we put on him to absorb his incessant slobber, to his toys, to his lower lip, to momma's fingers. Everything, that is, except for pacis, which he really gave up this month. We've tried using them to console him if he is fussy, and it only makes him more angry.

* We tore down some of his 'Littler Dude' toys this month - his bouncy seat, activity mat, and swing are items of the past. The exersaucer and walker have set up their garage in our living room.

* Tank continues to be a Tank. He is wearing size 3 diapers, was nearly 20 pounds at his appointment last week, and is wearing mostly 9-12 month clothing.

Can I eat it? 

* When not sick, he is sleeping very well. He fell into a routine of getting hungry around 9-9:30pm, so we fed him upstairs in his rocker, and he would fall asleep until around 6am and wake up content and cooing. I know this can change at any time, but I have been so grateful for this schedule. The less I have to think about Crying It Out the better! (and who am I kidding - Baby Daddy gets up with him most of the time when he does wake up at night - I got a great one!).

* Perhaps our biggest change - we have a roller! finally! He has become a pro at rolling from his back to his tummy, not so much the other direction. He likes to do this in his sleep and scare Baby Daddy.

Real gentlemen wear socks . . . nom nom hand

* Just today (it is so amazing how quickly things change), Justin has started putting his arms up when I lean to pick him up. It melts my heart.

* He screeches when he really finds something funny, so bring your earplugs if you want to visit.

* We just ordered you a new carseat and a feeding chair. You have started food! You are very excited about the food and often knock the spoon around and move your head dramatically towards the spoon! You are getting better at swallowing, and have tried rice cereal, applesauce, and bananas.

Note the wispy hair and slobber

* HAIR! You have hair, though it is hard to see because it is very light blonde (gee, who saw that coming?) and wispy. Baby Daddy is jealous!

* He is trying to sit up when on our laps. He has not had much of a fondness for the Bumbo seat, but he can pull himself forward when leaning back. However, his forward motion tends to carry him forward.

* He does not stay still for long. While trying to get this month's picture, I took 311  pictures. Here are a few outtakes . . .

Haha Momma! Try to get my picture now! Now where are you going to put the caption?

Throwin up the horns

Well, Little Dude - here's hoping the next six months are as fun as the first six were. I'm so looking forward to you growing and learning more, as long as you still like cuddling with Momma, that is! 

The Baby Daddy's Back In Town.

(Wait, I only thought Baby Momma wrote Blog posts. . . Who is this 'Baby Daddy' that is credited with this post? I vaguely remember something about a father who used to post. . . )

Holy crap, was September the last time that you, dear reader, had the opportunity to be enlightened by my intelligently formed and razor sharp wit?

(I will wait until you are done snickering at the thought of what I consider intelligently formed.

Still waiting.

Alright, I'm moving this post along.)

So, in all seriousness, September was a long time ago. A lot has happened for the Hunt Family. We went through another October without the Cubs playing baseball (although the 2010 Cubs were hard to cheer for after about Memorial Day), we went through the peaks and valleys of an Iowa football season, which was ultimately a disappointment that ended on a high note on the field (Insight Bowl victory) and low note off (drugs say what?). We also got to watch the Chiefs not suck until winter (which has happened every postseason in my lifetime). And that's just the sports stuff :).

On a more serious note (aren't we already at 'All Seriousness'? What's more than that?), the Hunt Family has had its fair amount of firsts and changes. We experienced our first set of holidays together; greatly described by Baby Momma*. We've made it through most of a winter at The Lodge in The 'Loo^. Baby Mama has left the world of environmental lab testing for the world of industrial fluid testing and analysis. (You snickered when you read 'fluid testing.' Admit it. I just did). Justin has doubled in size (hence the nickname Tank**). Izzers continues to love treats. . .we do need SOME consistency, after all. So, to help commemorate the 5+ months since I last wasted your time (see, I can be honest about my ramblings), I'm going to post some of my favorite pictures that have not yet made the blog (hopefully I don't steal too much of Baby Momma's ammunition.)

Yes, there are three pillows AND a fleece blanket under the 12 pound fluffy dog . . .

A PG version of a bath picture. Yes, Baby Momma and I will still get yelled at for this picture in the next 10-20 years. Yes, that is me giving him a bath. Yes, I am deathly afraid I will break him during bath time.

Grandpa and Justin discussing proper cattle leading techniques.

This is how I look after I eat breakfast every morning, although without the bib, and with less hair.

This is what Tank does when I do dishes and Baby Momma is not around to entertain him.

Grandma and Justin discussing the likelihood of the Cubs winning a World Series in his lifetime. By the smirk on his face, I think he already knows better.

Although this lion smiles, it can still have one heck of a roar. . . (double entendres are fun!)

And I leave you with this one, which I was unable to make a caption for that did not make me sound like a terrorist:

*If you haven't already read those posts, you should. They are SO MUCH more, well, more (as in often) than mine. Better written too.

^ Winter with lows of NEGATIVE 25º F being just fantastic, and the 45 inches of snow (as of this post) making me love the opportunity to blow snow in said balmy temperatures. . .

**Baby Mama and I are on a mission to find a onesie/T-shirt that has a tank on it. If anyone shares with us where we can find one, we promise to give you a compilation of Izzers sweetest serenades ;).

His Laugh

( Justin in headlights)

I couldn't resist. 

Sometimes it seems like I have to pull out all of the stops to get Justin to smile. A few farting noises, goofy faces, bouncing around, and even dancing. But, when he does smile, and laugh - it is the best feeling in the whole world. He has the cutest little laugh. Realsies. 

But sometimes, it seems that all Daddy has to do is look at him, or make a razzy . . . 

. . . and this happens. 

He looks pissed off, but I swear he is happy. 

We're not dead

We just got our reliable internet back (and I use 'reliable' loosely - thank you Mediacom) after a week of not having it. We will post soon! promises and kisses . . .