Garden

Dave planted a garden this year, we got a bit of late start but it's been fun to watch it grow and eat the bounty. Next year we'll get an earlier start and maybe even get some meat chickens.

Dave & Leo

Peas!

Zucchini!

Spinach, zucchini, peas and the smallest head of broccoli for dinner one night

Emma supervising

 Can't get away without posting a photo of Leo :)

First visit to Boulder

The plane ride went a lot better than I had anticipated. The TSA folks in Fairbanks were extremely helpful, letting Dave help me load the car seat, stroller base, my one carry on and personal item, laptop, liquids, and breast milk through the scanners. The flight attendants on Frontier were also extremely helpful and the ladies that sat next to us couldn't get enough of Leo. I chose the red-eye because it was a direct flight and I didn't sleep a wink. But Leo slept for 1/2 of the flight. He did really well, I nursed him during take off, changed his diaper after we reached elevation and walked him around in the back galley for a bit and he fell asleep for an hour. Unfortunately, the people behind us were yapping and had their over head lights on and that woke him up and he was alert for 2 hours. Talking to anyone that would listen to him. I had to get up and stretch my legs so I went to the back galley again and walked him around in the baby bjorn in hopes that he would fall back asleep quickly. No such luck, there were too many things to look at! The nice flight attendant turned off the lights and I was able to bounce him to sleep. He slept for the remaining 2 hours of the flight, albeit fitfully, probably not the most comfortable to sleep in the baby carrier especially when I'm sitting down. He was fast asleep when we started the descent and I couldn't decide what to do - wake him up to nurse him, or leave him be. I decided to not wake the sleeping baby and if he started to cry I would nurse him. He slept right through landing until we reached the gate. I might chose a day flight next time so I'm not so wiped out after!

3 reasons to take Leo to my parent's house: (1) visit family!, (2) Dave is going to be in Barrow anyways for part of it so I didn't want to single parent, and (3) 20th high school reunion. It's been a great visit so far and we don't want to leave (I speak for Leo, too).

Mom has been helping out a lot

Up close and personal!

He loves his bouncy chair that A-ma got him

Perfect for reaching for toys and kicking his legs

He has even fallen asleep in A-gon's arms!

This is the only photo that I took at the reunion. It was great to see people, but a hard venue to catch up with everyone. Hard to believe 20 years has gone by since high school!

Shannon, Patti, Lexie, me

 Arnows came by for a quick visit before Leo had a melt down (nap time!)

Leo and Emily

Harvesting

It's that time of year where berries are picked, and fish are caught, canned, smoked, filleted. We took Leo raspberry picking. Dave's coworker has some bushes that needed to be relieved of berries so we spent a couple hours filling some tubs

Dave the mighty berry hunter

Leo slept in the chariot for a little while

But then decided that he needed to supervise the berry picking

Very curious

Dave went dip netting by himself again this year. Last year I was pregnant so I didn't go.

Again, Leo supervising

Not too interested in these filets yet

A few more random pictures from that week:

Getting better at tummy time!

 

Our doula Angela came by for a visit. She hadn't seen Leo since he was born. It was really nice to see her. And finally get a photo of her and Leo. She helped us so much during labor and attempted delivery.

3 months

He makes the funniest faces now, some pretty great expressions lately.

Best frog impressions

Very Alaskan in his Carhartts

Chillin' with Papa

Can raise his right eyebrow just like his Mama

12 weeks!

He has more control of his arms and hands now, more but not complete. He likes to stick his arms out in a saluting position, sometimes grabbing onto you. He's been pausing during nursing to smile up at me and touch my face. Melts my heart. He's added some new vocalizations to his vocabulary. And has started to complain and protest when he's had enough of something. And the grunting. Oh boy. His little personality is starting to show. He is so interested in everything, especially faces. He likes to talk to his burp cloths. And has started to notice Emma. We are really lucky that he is such a good baby.

Mom came up for 3 weeks, she was only going to be here for 2 weeks while Dave was in Barrow again but extended her stay for another week. We were thankful for that. Dave came back and was sick and couldn't help out with Leo. The 3 weeks went by too quickly and we miss A-ma so much. She helps us out so much, we're spoiled when she's here.

Parenting is hard. It's the most difficult thing I've ever done. And the most rewarding. I love my sleep. And I can't function well without good sleep. Considering that I've been seriously sleep deprived for the past 3 months, I've been a bit of a mess. Some people can function on 3-4 hours, I'm not one of those people. I've had some melt downs. There are times in the middle of the night that I feel like I'm going to die. My back hurts from carrying our gigantic baby - my stomach muscles are still non-existent from the C-section. I watch what I eat so I don't upset Leo's tummy. But it's all worth it. We can't imagine life without him.

I think I've mentioned that he's a night owl just like is Papa. It drives me nuts but there's nothing I can do it about it. And is reflux still acts up once in a while. He goes down for the night ~midnight, waking up 2-3x to eat. We don't start our day until ~ 11A! After 3 months, I've finally succumbed to his schedule. There's no point fighting it, I might as well try to sleep in the mornings while he's sleeping and start my day at 10/11, too!

On Wed we take take our first plane ride. Going to Colorado to visit my family while Dave is in Barrow again. I'm terrified to fly with him by myself but loads of people do it and survive.

Asleep in Dad's arms

With A-ma

We have a thumb sucker!

Sometimes he's clever and uses his other hand to prop up the other

With A-ma at the botanical gardens

Loves getting his hair washed and taking a bath now.

Getting better at holding his head up!

What chu talkin' about Willis?

Emma misses Mom terribly

Top of Ester Dome

Curtains that Mom made for Leo's room