Stroller Attempt: Take Two

Since our baby now weighs 21 pounds and it's getting more and more laborious to carry him for extended periods of time, we decided to try the stroller again. It didn't go so well.



So in his sling he went for the day. This was at the state fair a couple weeks ago. When we're home all day, it's much easier to carry him around and let him roll around the floor as he wishes. I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to be strapped in something either.

It did come in handy having the stroller though.


Anyway, I really want to get one of these, I think he'd be much more comfortable. Not to mention our dogs. I often find them snuggled together sleeping.


Can you just picture me pulling a red wagon with my baby and our dogs all cozied up in it? Heck, I want someone to pull me in a wagon snuggled up with my baby and my dogs. Wouldn't that be nice?!

A Week of Events

This past week or so has given us several happenings to say good bye to, some to say hello to, some to celebrate and others that make us feel melancholy. First of all, we've had to say good by to our gummy-baby; our boy finally cut his first two teeth. It happened last week, one right after the other. Trying to capture a decent image of them was not an easy task. And while he's been oh-so-gentle on me, he hasn't been so gentle on his teethers, my hairbrush for example. I'm grateful he's more considerate with his mama's skin than he is with a wooden handle, those little teeth are sharp! Poor guy...



For our main event Alex and I celebrated our 5th anniversary this past Saturday. Five wonderful years, boy they've gone by fast. In some ways we miss feeling more youthful but are so proud of what we've accomplished thus far and so excited for what our lifetime ahead together will bring us.

The day after our anniversary was the 6th month mark of Burl's birth. The weekend was spent trying to be lazy, but was instead filled with sleepless nights and grand efforts trying to keep our baby comfortable (you know how it can be having a teething baby who's tummy is getting used to digesting more solids).



We've said good bye to summer and hello to autumn. I'm always excited to welcome in autumn, it's my favorite time of year. Burl and I go for many nature walks throughout our days and even nights. His love for and comfort in the outdoors have grown. He's developed a fondness for falling asleep in my arms while walking outside as I sing to him. These sweet moments feeling the chill in the air and the warmth of his body against me in the safe, coziness of our neighborhood are ones that I'll treasure.

Catching Up

Things have been a little hectic in the Ek household lately. With family visiting, trips back and forth to the airport, visits to the zoo, Alex's business, things have kept us on our toes. Along with all of this, I've been going through our (mostly my) "stuff" and rearranging our rooms. There is some serious purging and organizing going on around here.


I have MANY projects going on around the house. You can see I always have my little helper with me.

Yes, that is a peppermill Burl is playing with and no, I don't let my baby play with medicine bottles. It's an old pill vile with hair pins in it, one of his favorite toys. Ya do what ya gotta do.

Our baby's a happy guy and makes his mama and papa even more happy. He's getting more and more busy and getting pretty, ah-hem, plump these days. Our healthy six month old is the same size as most 1 and 2 year olds I know. Hooray for vegetarianism and breastfeeding.

Crawling

Well it happened Monday, Burl started crawling. He had been getting ready to do so for the last week or so; balancing up on his toes, pushing himself forward, scooting and rolling forwards and backwards. Then Monday he got his knees under his tummy and took a few "steps". I held him tight all day Tuesday and didn't let him down. He's growing so quickly...






He's becoming very mobile, he tries following me during his tummy time while I'm walking around the house. If I leave him unattended for any period of time (which is never very long or often) he'll end up on the other side of the room than where I left him. It's time to baby proof our house...

He's five + months old now, and I love him more than ever. His smile, his eyes, his laugh, his cry, his voice, his breath, his skin, his little fingers, I never imagined a love like this. And what's even more amazing is his love is reciprocated. The power of our bond is incredible.

Running Again

I started running again two weeks ago. I've really missed it. I tried running when Burl was a few weeks old, but this is what happened when we used the jogging stroller (I know, he didn't fit in it).


And this is what happens still if I leave while he's awake.



So I haven't made running a priority until now. I was lucky to lose the pregnancy weight without having to try very hard. I lost most of it within a couple months after his birth, I think because I'm nursing.

I have noticed a decline in my milk production since I started running. So I'm back to pumping and taking herbs (fenugreek and blessed thistle) to increase my milk supply. It's been a constant struggle for my body to supply my baby's demand. I'm determined though.

Anyway, I want to express my love for my running shoes. They're some of the few mass-produced items I have in my life, and they're probably made in a sweat shop in China. But several years ago, I started getting really painful injuries in my legs. My running store fit me into the Asic 2100 series and recommended I rotate my shoes. Ta-da! I strayed once with a pair of Mizuno's, big mistake. I donated those to a charity that supplies running shoes to people in Africa. I thought, "Who would want my used shoes?" The charity sponsor reminded me that it's better than no shoes at all. That humbled me.



I have several pairs (thanks Rich and Barb!) that I rotate throughout the week. I love my Asics! My current routine is shorter 4-6 mile runs throughout the week and longer runs with mileage increases on the weekends. The Seattle Marathon is Thanksgiving Day weekend...we'll see. I've said it before, my plans since becoming a parent are all subject to change at any moment :)

Wearing Our Baby

Burl loves to be held. What baby doesn't? Some of the baby gear I've gotten the most use out of have been my baby carriers. He lives in them. In fact, the bigger he gets, the more he loves being in them. Ugg. But we love the closeness and the convenience.

I took him on a 6 mile hike the other day in one of my wraps. It worked out well, but I think as he gets bigger, I'll need another type of carrier for long walks and hikes.

Right now, I use the gypsy mama for extended use, and the hot sling for quick in and out use. Alex is still testing the carriers to see which one he prefers. We still haven't used the stroller, waste of money. Oh well, you live and learn.

4 Generations

Alex's Grandpa Bishop on his mom's side is in town. We had a wonderful dinner with him last night and caught a couple pictures of the four generations.


Our baby is so lucky to have all of his grandparents alive and love him so much. And to have a great-grandpa as well. It's more that Alex or I ever had.

This smile above is how he looks at me all day long. I feel like the luckiest mom to have my baby so in love with me and smile at me like this!