New mode of transportation

My parents got him a backpack carrier and he loves to go for walks in it.

This is what happened when he went on a walk with Agong on his own. His hat got all wonky and Agong thought he had fallen asleep.

This is what we found under the hat. Not a sleeping baby!! Just one that couldn't see anything! HAH.

Mom & Dad says he looks like me in this photo

We're looking forward to many outdoor adventures with this kid! Hope he likes being outside!

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

About a month ago, Leo went from taking long 90-120 min naps to 30-45 min naps. And waking up crying. I couldn't figure out what was going on and decided it was another phase, hoping that it would pass soon. A couple weeks ago I saw a flash of white on his lower gum. Ding ding ding! He's teething! No wonder he's sticking everything in his mouth and chewing the heck out of it! Drooling, fussy, etc. etc. And most likely not napping very well because of it, too. Both bottom front teeth are coming in. Going to miss that gummy toothless old man smile.

Here's our crappy napper. Tired but fighting sleep.

We went through a rough period - the only way he would take a decent nap was in my arms nursing, or in the bed. One night he even had to sleep ON me, I tried putting him down 6 times and it just wasn't working.

Waking up happy for once

His new favorite thing to chew on are his socks. He pulls them off whenever he can. I read somewhere that chewing on socks and wash cloths help with the discomfort from teething.

Gumming on sock instead of napping

One sock in mouth while making a move for the other sock

Now what are you going to do? No socks!

Thumbs up for socks!

We also got him some teething biscuits which are his next favorite thing. He loses his attention pretty quickly with the teething rings/toys.

Water Dragon

We took Leo to the pool for the first time last week. He enjoys taking baths so I assumed that he would like playing in the pool. I was right, but I didn't know HOW enthusiastic he would be about it! Agong calls him a water dragon. He LOVES the pool. He doesn't appear to be afraid of the water or mind getting water in his face, in his eyes, up his nose and accidentally drinking it. The local rec center is only 5 min from the house and the leisure/kiddie pool amenities include a bubble bench, a couple water falls and some slides. The water temp is perfect, about 90 degrees. Unfortunately, Fairbanks doesn't have anything like this in town. But the swim lessons are supposed to be really good - people stand in line to sign up for them at 3AM!

Splashing like a maniac

Likes to doggie paddle

And also take a break to enjoy some brewskies

Some short videos:

Aquarium

We took Leo to the Denver Aquarium this weekend. He loved seeing all the exhibits.

Deep sea diving in his future?

Tried to touch the fish through the glass

With Uncle Sam & Auntie Erica

Sweet potatoes YUM! Sorry Leo, no pizza for you yet.

Very intrigued by others eating

Fell asleep on the walk back to the aquarium parking lot after lunch despite our best efforts to keep him awake

Post-aquarium shenanigans with Porter

A couple short videos of Leo at the aquarium

At the end of this next one, he notices his hand and puts it in his mouth. Pretty funny.

7 Months

I can't believe we've been here for almost a week already. I'm trying to make time slow down. I'm really looking forward to Dave, Kristina and Ryan joining us but that also means that we will be at the tail end of our visit. I'm trying not to think about that too much. Mom has been helping me watch Leo so I can get some work done on my dissertation.

7 Months already!

At lunch with Ama

Mom & Dad set up a toy train that they have been holding onto for decades, patiently waiting for a grandchild to arrive.

Leo's a little unsure of the train

First time in grocery cart!

First time in swing! Still a little small for it.

First time down the slide! Smiling at the top.

Still smiling at the bottom

 We've been taking advantage of the weather and going out for strolls in the neighborhood.

Sam & Erica came over for dinner one night

Hi. My name is Leo. I just woke up from a nap. Give me milk now.

Poor Dave. I don't know how much longer I can stand living in Fairbanks. The cold and dark is really getting to me. And the amount of effort it takes to live there and now with a wee one. It's so nice to be able to outside without having to dress him in layers and layers or not being able to go out at all because it's -40 out. I know people raise their kids in Fairbanks just fine. But I'm pretty sure I'm not one of those people that can hack it. Or want to, really. I know there are trade offs to living where we live but I'm not certain that they are worth it anymore. More motivation to finish the dissertation and move on!

Frequent Flyer

Here's a funny one of Dave and Leo before I begin this blog post:

 

Leo and I left on Friday night for Colorado. We took the red-eye to Seattle and then a morning to flight to Denver. He did really well. The only problem was he didn't really sleep too much. Pretty brutal. He just wanted to look around. He decided to practice his consonants for the first hour on the way to Seattle. Dub dub dub dub gu gu gu gu nananana mamamdadada. Then he let out a super happy shriek that could wake the dead. At least he wasn't crying!

This is what he looked like when we got to SEA-TAC

I had a companion ticket that was about to expire so I bought Leo his own seat. I was starting to regret it but it was the best $150 that I have spent in a while. It was a bit of a pain in the butt to carry him in it on the plane along with 2 carry-ons but we had some help from fellow travelers. I had to nurse him to sleep but then easily transferred him in the car seat and he didn't have to be on my lap ALL the time, only some of the time because he really doesn't like being in his car seat all that much.

Leo has his own frequent flyer mileage account with AK Airlines. Not kidding.

The weather has been amazing this weekend. In the 60's and it hit 70 today! We took Leo on his first walk. He had a good time. I need to get him a sun hat and sun glasses!

Dave called him a naked mole rat when he saw this photo

Banging on everything is his new favorite past time

Reading with Agong

Happy with Uncle Sam!

It is so nice to be here in so many ways. To be closer to my family, to have help during the day with Leo (and at night from my mom!), and to get out of the cold and darkness. 100 degree temperature difference from Fairbanks today! We can't wait for Dave, Kristina and Ryan to join us. And to see Erica this week. A month seems like a long time but I think it's going to go by quickly. I don't even want to think about it yet.