May 22: 9 lbs?

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope everyone has a great weekend and are able to relax and have some fun. We're hoping the weather is good enough to get outside. Otis is in desparate need of some play time.

We had Ethan's 4 month check up yesterday and found out he has tipped the 9 lb mark...9lb 2oz to be exact. I can't believe it, he's growing so fast! Our pediatrician is really pleased with his growth overall and he is on a good path to 'catch up' to babies his own age. We also had the appt with the PT this week and all is well. There is no issues with his head or range of motion with his neck, so all is well here on the Ethan front.

We had some play time this morning and I was able to snap some photos. He's really getting more and more active these days and it's fun to have play time. Anyway, I just thought I would share them before the holiday weekend and give Grandma Kruse more cute options so she can update her photo book. :)

May 19: It's A Roll Over!

Last night was pretty exciting here in the Koelsch household. Ethan was pretty active and had been practicing his new trick where he pushes off with his legs when leaning against my chest. He loves to do this and it is now hard to burp him because if he feels a solid surface under his legs, he wants to push. I'm waiting for me to miss him once and for him to catapult right out of my arms. So far, I've caught all attempted escape efforts. He was more active then usual, so I decided to put him to the test and give him some tummy time. I was hoping he would work on pushing himself up and work on his shoulder muscles. What I hadn't expected was that he would roll over for the very first time! :) I was so excited that you'd think that he had gotten up and run across the room. He did this 3-4 times after his first one before tiring out. Unfortunately, Jon was out and by the time that he got home, Ethan wasn't playing anymore. But I was able to catch the 2nd roll over on video, which you can find here:

also on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNCscGrtFSI

I have no new pictures of Ethan to post today; just the video. But I do have this picture of Otis sadly allowing us to use him as our entertainment. Hey, we don't get out much anymore. :)

Ethan is continuing to grow at an alarming speed. He is maxing out his newborn clothes and is out of his newborn diapers. Is that possible? We are on our 3rd size since bringing him home 6 weeks ago. And has it really been 6 weeks?

We've had doctors appointments every week since being home for one thing or another and this week is no different. We actually have 2 this week. His normal visit to his pediatrician for his 4 month shots and weight check...I'm thinking he's well over 8lbs by now...that's just my guess. He also has to go to a physical therapist. He is having an issue with only wanting to look to the right. It drives us bonkers. It started in the hospital...we think because the window was to the right of his crib. But it hasn't let up, even with us positioning his crib at home differently so the all of the noise and action is to the left. He will start crying if we try to move his head left, so needless to say, our doctors want to start working on that before it becomes worse. This also means he's constantly laying on one side of his head and our pediatrician said his face was looking a little squishy last time we were in...really? Squishy? That's something you shouldn't say to a new mom.

Between doctors visits, we've been getting out for walks when the weather cooperates. We broke in the deck for the first time this year by sharing a bottle of wine last Thursday night. Ethan handled it well and slept all cuddled in a blanket while mom and dad had some adult time. We were waiting on news of Jody and Keith's baby girls arrival. She was the last of the 4 spring babies in our friend circle and I'm happy to report they are all now here. Of course, our spring baby came a little early. :) Jon and Adrienne's little boy came next on May 1: Beckett Thomas. Then Lis and Jim's baby boy on May 5: Henry Thomas. And baby girl Boutell followed up the rear on May 14: Baylor Carolyn. She IS the only girl so only appropriate that she was fashionably late. Not so great for Jody, who had to wait 5 days after her due date for her arrival then endured a 36 hour labor!

Congrats to all of the new baby's and we're so thrilled all of Ethan's little friends were born happy and healthy. :)

May 14: In Loving Memory

I want to dedicate this posting to Grandpa Koelsch, whom we lost on April 29th. He had just had surgery to replace a valve in his heart. This surgery was supposed to enhance his quality of life and not end it, so this was all a horrible shock to the entire family, but even more so for Theresa, Bob and Jon.

Larry was someone who livened up a room when he entered it and kept people laughing. Family gatherings will never be the same without him. I personally will miss him dearly, he was always so accepting and loving of me. From the day that I met him, he made me feel like I was a part of the family. Jon and I also mourn him for Ethan, who will never know his grandfather. I lost all my grandparents before I turned 8 and I know the hole that is left by not having a chance to have that special relationship that grandparents bring to your life. We take some comfort in the fact that at least Larry got to meet Ethan. He was so proud of him and everything he had overcome and couldn't wait to see him grow up and to bring him fishing.

We already miss Larry and will remember him lovingly. We will make sure that Ethan knows that his Grandpa loved him dearly.