The Lost Thumb has been Found

For all those who remember Evan and I talking about our 20 week ultrasound or showing you pictures of it...Denver sucked his thumb throughout the ultrasound. At one point he lost his thumb and got mad and started flailing his extremities around until he found his thumb again and the ultrasound tech just happened to get a picture of him in the process of getting his thumb back in his mouth. Here's that picture...which if you look close they typed in "WHERE'S MY THUMB????".

This past week Denver found his thumb again! I think he's only found his left thumb as I can't recall seeing him suck on his right thumb. Now we typically find him in the crib in the morning sucking away on his thumb. His thumb has become a good tide me over and when he's tired his thumb goes straight to his mouth! Enjoy the video that we got of Denver sucking his thumb in his crib Sunday morning before he woke up. (It's a little dark as we didn't turn the lights on in the room until the end because we didn't want to wake him up before we got it on video!)

Three Months Old

Denver was 3 months old last Sunday. We are having more and more fun with him every day! Today we went to Target and he just talked away while we were there and was full of smiles. Denver didn't like to sit still much before, but now he really doesn't like to sit still. He's always wanting to be looking at something new or playing with a toy. He has a musical gym and today we got him another gym that has 6 different spots for toys to hang from (1 which is a mirror that he loves to look into) and he loves both these toys. They can entertain him for up to 30 minutes. One day he was sitting in my lap basically asleep and woke up when I moved him and he saw his musical gym and starting reaching for it and going "eh, eh, eh" until I put him down to play with it. Then the other morning Denver decided to get up at 5a.m. (when Mommy was working a night shift so Daddy had to get up! Ha, ha, ha....sorry Dad, but it's funny to Mom) and he played with his musical gym until he fell asleep! Amazing! Denver is also slowly figuring out his jumperoo, but hasn't figured out how he can jump...we have to bounce it for him.


Denver is still a Minnesota Twins fan! We're getting excited for baseball season. Daddy thought he needed to get Denver a baseball glove today, but Mommy said just wait until he gets bigger! Daddy can't wait to play basketball and baseball with Denver.


Here is what I've accomplished for 3 month pictures. Denver has learned that Mommy takes too many pictures and knows that if he starts crying I'll stop....so it's getting hard to get good ones. I'm still hoping to get a good full body one of him in his little button up and corduroy pants.

ROLLING OVER!!

We are rolling over!! Denver rolled over for the first time today. Believe it or not, both Mom and Dad got to be there to see him roll over for the first time. Dad is very proud as he read in a book that at 5 months your baby MIGHT be able to roll over one way. I missed the first rolling over for the video camera, but got it for the 2nd and several more after that. Here's the video of him.

More Bath Time Fun and Jiber-Jabering!

Denver continues to do well. We think he's still working on a tooth though as he's been fussy at times and nothing seems to soothe him other than rubbing his gums or giving him some orajel and/or tylenol. He sucks on his fists constantly and is always drooling. We wear bibs pretty much all the time now to prevent his shirt from becoming soaked in drool! He seems to talk a little more every day. Last week we had a meeting in Church and one of his little girlfriends (who is 10 days older, lives down the street from us, and her mommy works with me, besides the fact of going to Church together) was there...we had them facing each other and Denver started to giggle at Abby and then Abby started to talk away to Denver. It was so cute and fun to watch. It makes you wonder if they know what they are saying to each other! Denver keeps working on rolling over, but hasn't gotten very far. It's going to take awhile to figure out how to get that arm out of the way, but that's okay because we like that we can put him in one spot and run out of the room and he'll still be there when we get back! Denver was 3 months old on Sunday. I hope to take 3 month pictures tomorrow and will hopefully have them posted by the end of the week.

Here are some videos of Denver. One of them is part of bath time and the other is of him talking. Whenever I turn on the video camera he seems to quit doing whatever he was doing that was so cute. These are some of the better ones I've been able to get. I hope you enjoy them. His little personality comes out more and more everyday. It's so much fun!

Adjustments

Now that I've been back at work for 2 full weeks I figured I better make some time to get some updates on here and let everyone know how it's going. It was very hard to leave the house for my first shift back, but each shift it's a little easier to leave. I think that's because I don't "dwell" on it so much and I know I have to go and that I just need to enjoy every minute I get at home with Denver AND Evan. I think Denver has enjoyed his time with his Daddy and Grandmas, but we can tell he misses his Mommy! Night shifts are easier in the fact that Denver sleeps through the night and I can usually make it home in the morning right before he gets up, so he only notices I'm gone in the evening before bed. The only problem with that is that he wants to nurse and snuggle with his Mommy before he goes to bed which has made the evenings a little difficult for Daddy. Day shifts are a little more difficult for Denver because he wakes up to both Mom and Dad gone, but thank goodness it works for Grandma Verni to stay with him so at least it's a familiar face that picks him up out of his crib in the morning and plays with him all day long. Since I work 12 hour shifts I'm gone from the house for about 13 hours and so I'm going nuts by the time I finally get to leave the hospital and go see my baby boy! We are all slowly adjusting and hopefully we will all continue to do well with this transition in our lives.

Here are some new pictures of Denver:

We tried a foam liner that lays in the tub for bath time...thinking he might like that better, but his Daddy was right he likes his blue tub the best. He likes lots of water to be able to splash and when you put enough water in with this yellow thing then he turns his head and drinks the water.

Elmo is one of Denver's best friends. He likes to play with Elmo and he fell asleep with him in his carseat one day.

Valentine's DayMom and Denver played at home all day and then Daddy came home from work and they played together for awhile. Then the 3 of us went out for supper and to Tom's basketball game.

Drew, Ethan, and Tom's Biggest Fan!

Denver loves to go to the Freeman Academy and Augustana Basketball games. He usually is very content and happy just watching the game. There is lots of action for him to watch and there are always new things to see!

Ethan, Denver, and Drew

(Ethan is too scared to hold Denver!)

Denver and Tom

Two Months Old

I've been a little slow once again on getting Denver's 2 month pictures posted. Now that Denver's 10 weeks old I figured I better get them on here!

Denver continues to do well. He is interacting with his surroundings more and more every day. He bats at things with his hands and sort of grabs at them. Denver talks more and more every day. (2 parents that love to talk....what's this baby going to be like? Could be scary!) We also think some teeth are maybe working on there way in. One day Denver was crabby and I couldn't figure out why. He had red cheeks which made me start to wonder if he was working on a tooth and when I stuck my finger in his mouth to feel I felt a little piece of a tooth on the top. Since then we've had a couple more days like that, but I can't feel a tooth anymore so we'll see. I go back to work on Super Bowl Sunday for a night shift. It will be difficult to go, but it will also be nice to get out of the house by myself. It's amazing how grocery store trips by myself have become a highlight! Grandma Kim is staying with Daddy and Denver Sunday night (Grandma works Sunday day...that's why she's spending the night....not that I don't think Evan can handle it on his own) and Grandma will stay until Mommy gets home from work and gets a little sleep. Grandma Verni will be coming to Sioux Falls to watch Denver on Wednesday and Thursday when Mommy has her first day shifts. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this transition. Thankfully, Denver consistently sleeps 8 hours at night so that will help tremendously.

Daddy and Me

Daddy and Denver have lots of fun together. Going to the gym is still important to Daddy and he's been trying to teach that to Denver. Denver has been working out with Daddy at home, and going to the gym with Daddy and Mommy.

Getting ready to leave for the gym.

Here Daddy is teaching Denver how to do sit ups.

Matching boys! Don't they look good?!

Two Month Check Up

Denver had his 2 month check up today. He passed with flying colors. Mommy and Daddy had to fill out a "Denver questionnaire" (this tool is actually called Denver...it's not because of his name). After answering these questions we found out that Denver is doing some things that babies don't do until 4 months! Denver weighed 10lbs. 4 oz. and was 22 1/2 inches long. These measurements are in the 20% area, but has followed the growth curve from birth so Dr. McKercher was okay with them. Everyone said he's doing great, so we were happy! Denver also got his 2 month immunizations today. This included 3 shots and 1 oral. The oral one he liked...he did great with it just like he does with his medicine every day. The shots on the other hand he did not like and cried for quite awhile, but now he's happy. He slept on the way home, then ate when we got home, and then played for quite some time. He's currently swinging and trying to fall asleep.

Otherwise things are going well here. Denver continues to be a pretty happy baby. He is starting to sleep through the night on a more consistent basis. He goes anywhere from 5-9 hours at night (he's gone 8 hours pretty consistently lately).

Grandpa Rodney and Grandma Verni got Denver this onesie for Christmas. We maybe need to work on drinking more milk so we aren't so little! ;)

This onesie was the guestbook at the baby shower Aunt Kim threw. We are so greatful that every one loves Denver so much! We can't believe that our blog has been viewed over 1,000 times! Denver is so blessed to have such loving and caring family and friends!

Denver continues to love bath time. He is always happy and content after he's had his bath and evening snack!

Baby Dedication

Today we had Denver's baby dedication at our Church (Oak Hills Baptist Church in Sioux Falls). Pastor Tom did Denver's dedication. Pastor Tom invited Shelly our Children's Ministry coordinator to also be a part of the service; Pastor Tom prayed for her and the Oak Hills Children's Ministry to be an integral part of Denver's life.

Evan read Denver's life verse. Proverbs 3:1-6

We had a small dinner celebration at our house after the service. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who will help us raise our son with a heart for God. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for us as parents and for Denver. We love each and every one of you!

Giggles!

Denver learned how to giggle on Thursday! Denver and I were sitting at the table and I was showing him his hands and then we started clapping them and saying "yea" and out came a laugh. I couldn't believe it and said "Daddy come listen quick". We were so excited that we didn't think to get the video camera out until he wouldn't do it anymore. Then Saturday night we got him to do it again and the camrea was on this time! Here is a video of him...hopefully it works.

LSU and others...

Here's the big LSU post for the Houstonites (and any other LSU fans). (FYI Denver's relatives from Houston sent him this LSU outfit with instructions to wear it for the big game and to cheer LSU on to a victory) Unfortunately, Denver had to cheer silently for LSU because Daddy says that the Big Ten doesn't get enough coverage, so he was going for Ohio and Denver didn't want to hurt his feelings. :) Once again Denver's good luck helped out another football team! (Sadly, Mommy doesn't know anything about college football so she didn't care who won.)

Things continue to go well here. Denver is changing and doing more and more every day. He typically is a very happy baby and is full of smiles which we're finally getting caught on camera! Denver loves to bounce and loves music. This past Sunday in Church during the praise and worship songs he just smiled away.

Before we know it football season is going to be over and baseball will start again. Denver is ready for baseball season. I think he has at least 5 Minnesota Twins outfits (not to mention that his nursery is decked out in Minnesota Twins paraphernalia)!

Time Flies!

We used to think time flies, now we really think time flies (I'm scared of what it will be like when Denver is old enough to be in activities! Ahh!). Things have been busy here. I have slowly been working on being able to leave my little boy. Grandma Billie's hospitalization really broke me in by having to leave Denver at his Great Uncle Terry and Great Aunt Jaci's house without much time of thinking about it. Through this I have learned that it's okay to leave him behind and that it's good for him; but it's still hard!

Since my last post a lot has happened. I'll do my best to catch everyone up.

Here are Denver's 1 month pictures that I never got posted.

We think Denver's Prevacid is finally doing it's job! He seems so much happier and doesn't fuss much during or after a feeding anymore. I have also found out that he doesn't like it when Mommy eats hot wings! Denver is not much of a napper. He likes to know what's going on all the time and really struggles to go down for a nap. He also did not want to miss out on the New Years Celebration as he laid on the living room floor watching the tv and kicking and talking away. I think it was 1:30a.m. before Daddy got him to go down in his crib! For the most part Denver does awesome going down for the night. He likes to stay up late, but when he's ready he will lay down in his crib awake and go to sleep by himself.

This was Denver's New Years Eve outfit. Dad said he had to ring in the new year with the right colors. (Daddy thinks Denver has been getting the wrong color tractors from Grandpa Rodney.)

I have been trying to work with Denver with developmental things more during the day since he doesn't want to sleep anyway. One day I sat him up and put his boppy behind him for a little support and let go....he sat up so good! I know I'm Mommy and I'm overly proud, but he really did use little support from the boppy. It's amazing our little 7 pound boy has grown up so much in the past almost 7 weeks.

Unfortunately, Denver's good luck charm for the Vikings ran out 2 weeks too soon. (The Vikings were undefeated after Denver was born until these past 2 games.) I had hoped to get Denver a Minnesota Vikings outfit and have a picture of him with this post, but never got it done. I was going to put a happy picture of him in his Vikings outfit and the crying picture of him in his Broncos outfit....oh well (he did cry though when we put the Denver Broncos outfit on him). Due to Denver's name several people have found it fun and funny (knowing his Daddy would not like it) to buy him Denver Broncos things because it has his name on it.

As long as we're talking about sports here's the picture of Denver in his "Bobcats outfit". Mommy kept forgetting the camera when we went to the games, so it took until the 3rd game and when we found out his outfit fit him that I finally remembered the camera.

Here are a couple pictures I took of Denver yesterday. He's chaning so much every day. Slowly we can see more of me in him, but he still looks lots like his Daddy.

More Christmas Pictures

The three of us enjoyed our day at home on Christmas day. We all had several naps! Denver slept quite a bit during the day which proves he was as worn out as Mommy and Daddy!

Denver spent time playing on the floor, swinging, and attempting to jump in his new jumperoo. Jumperoo's can be dangerous...ask Daddy! ;) (When Daddy was putting his jumperoo together he wasn't patient for the instructions and had to pull a piece apart which he ended up pulling the piece into his chin and gave himself a pretty deep cut from it...but he's okay now!)

Since we were at home Denver got to have his bedtime routine again. This consists of a bath between 6:30 and 8p.m. and then time to kick and play on the floor. After he's done playing on the floor he usually eats and then is out like a light! We need to get a book in there yet, but we'll get it figured out soon enough.

I included bath time pictures to show you how big he's gotten from his first bath at home! Sometimes we even take the sling out after he's done getting cleaned up and let him play a little (we have to hold him up yet while he plays though).

This post will probably be my longest ever because I have a ton more pictures that I want to share with everyone.

On Christmas Eve we switched Denver's medication to Prevacid. He was still fussy after feedings and was struggling going to sleep at times because he was so miserable. Tomorrow we should be able to tell if it's helping more than the Zantac was, but I think I can tell a difference already. He slept a little over 7 hours last night! It was amazing. Not only did he sleep 7 hours, but when he got up at 7 this morning he ate and went back to sleep until I woke him up to eat at 11:30 (I gave him his medicine when he was sleeping...he took it like such a big boy and just kept sleeping! The only bad thing about this medicine is that it has to be 30 minutes before his feeding so we have to be creative so he doesn't have to be mad very long about not getting to eat). Other than Denver's reflux he is doing awesome. He's getting so big; he is even outgrowing some of his 0-3 month sleepers due to his big feet (they fit him everywhere, but his little toes are smashed in the feet).

We hope everyone had a good Christmas as well and hope you all have a great new year! We are excited for what this new year will bring!