Fall Firsts

As Kyle mentioned in the last post, Elsie had her first giggle this month. Later that week, she had her first roll. Here's a video I captured of her in action:

Now four months old, Elsie likes to:

-Coo

-Reach for objects and grasp them

-Bring things to her mouth

-Reach for her toes

-Smile at her brother

-Sleep (mostly waking up once a night around 3am, but sometimes sleeping through 8p-7a, sometimes waking at 2am and 6am... keeping us on our toes, of course)

Some pics:

She's mostly grown out of her crossed-eyes, but she can still make a great face. Ha!

Sam wanted to pose with Elsa

Then he wanted to take a picture of me with Elsa:

Professional Dadding

Sara reminded me that this Blog is supposed to have "occassional input from her husband" so I've decided I need to get back into it a bit.  As opposed to long blog posts, I think I'll be starting out with some short, sweet hits.

So, despite having not worked since May, having two kids since June, and Sara being back at work for almost a month now, this is my first real, honest-to-goodness stay at home dad week.  Due to a series of visitors and funky night float work schedule for Sara (where she works three straight nights and sleeps at home during the day) up until this week my schedule has been pretty flexible.  With people at the house I don't need to take Elsie when dropping off or picking up Sam and when she sleeps I'm able to head out and run errands/meet with people for coffee/etc.  Now, it's a whole new ball game.  And it's started off really strong.  Both kids have shown themselves to be grade A nappers; not only sleeping for 2 hours + at a time but managing to nap concurrently both afternoons.  This means I've had time to clean, read, and now blog.

Anyway, here's are a couple quick video of my new bosses.  This one was taken right after Elsie laughed repeatedly for the first time.  We tried to capture it on film but she's not much of a show-off.  Sam on the other hand...

My recent work project

My academic project this year is helping a pediatric trauma anesthesiologist create videos for a series of on-line modules he created as a refresher course for first responders and early hospital providers on caring for pediatric trauma patients. The modules cover how to stabilize the cervical spine and back, where to feel for a pulse, where to place an iv, and how to manage the pediatric airway (the anesthesia speciality!)

We used Sam and Elsa for some of the videos. Here's some rough video of Sam, allowing me to place a cervical collar:


http://depts.washington.edu/simcentr/pedanes/00034%20-%20c%20collar.MTS.mp4

Elsie Speaks

At 15 weeks Elsie is talking to us more and more each day. She is especially verbose while atop her changing table. She likes to play on her mat and hit and grab the parrot hanging above her. She's rolled on to her shoulder, but not fully onto the belly yet. Rolling and laughing are both just around the corner... She's holding things firmly in her hand and bringing everything up to her mouth. She still won't take a pacifier, but she likes her two middle fingers enough to soothe herself. Her sleeping is excellent: 0-1 wake-ups a night! So awesome.

Alexis came for a visit this past weekend and it was so good to see the expectant Mamma! She just jumped right into caring for the kids-- changing diapers, bottle feeding Elsie, bathing Sam and putting him to sleep. He is loving his new books; we read all 3 three times today after her departure! The visit flew by and we can't wait to visit her and Corey in February.

Cape Cod & Wedding

More pics from the Cape (courtesy of Laura and Remo)

Massachusetts Extravaganza 2013

Upon embarking on our Massachusetts Extravaganza trip, Kyle and I quickly realized one thing: it was ambitious. Flying cross country, changing time zones, relocating every 3 days, and sharing a room with a toddler were not exactly conducive to the structure, routine, and nap schedule we have at home. Oh yes, and the nursing infant too!

That said, the trip was fantastic! It was so great taking Sam to the Cape Cod cottage that I visited all through my childhood, getting to spend quality time with the extended Gravelin family, and enjoying a wedding!

Cape Cod: 4 days/4 nights

At the cape, the weather was unfortunately overcast and occasionally rainy (we brought Seattle with us, apparently), but we still managed to have fun. Just outside the cottage, we explored the beach, collected shells, and discussed how anchors and buoys work.

Sam boarded a Pirate Ship with Kyle, Lula, and Remo. The ship sailed into Lewis Bay, acquired treasure, and shot water from its cannons. Diana, Mark, Dad, Karen and I waved from our beach as the ship sailed past, but apparently Sam was too entranced in the pirate action to notice. Instead, he raised his hand and waived it without looking!

The following day, we took a trip on the Cape Cod Scenic Train with views of cranberry bogs and the Cape Cod canal.

Ever the helpful toddler, Sam enjoyed washing the large windows facing Lewis Bay with Diana and Mark!

We were so glad to share time at the cottage with Laura, Remo, Diana, and Mark. When not asleep, Elsa started turning on the charm with her smiles and coos.

 Enjoying ice cream sandwiches on the porch...

A Cape Cod Kid:

I loved getting to show Sam the family cottage and the Cape. Hopefully next visit we'll get to enjoy the  ocean a little, too...

Boston: 2 days/2 nights: 

After the cape, we were off to Boston to stay with Diana and Mark. Day 1 we had breakfast with Kyle's college friends in Back Bay and went to a Labor Day bbq at the Kromers where lots of toddler boys were able to play and run amuck together. Day 2 we visited with my medical school friend, Laura, for breakfast, then took the T downtown for a duck tour. Sam loved the T!

South Hadley, MA: 4 days/5 nights

In western massachusetts, we went on a short hike in the Mount Holyoke range. Sam found many mushrooms and acorns. Although I had to carry him halfway, I deemed it a success when he said in the car, "If you put an acorn in the ground, it grows a tree that makes more acorns."

The next day, we went to the Holyoke Children's Museum with Becky, Scott, and Gavin. We joined Karen and the bride-to-be, Kelly, for lunch. We also hit the condo pool and a local playground.

The third day, we drove up to Amherst to an awesome playground bordering a beautiful creek. Then we went into town where Kyle and Sam had Antonio's pizza, I had a gluten-free sandwich at the Black Sheep Deli, and we all topped it off with ice cream from Bart's. It was an awesome Amherst Day!

Our last two days in town included the rehearsal dinner at the Holyoke Delaney House and the wedding itself, at the beautiful Easthampton Log Cabin, overlooking Mt. Tom and Western Massachusetts.

Sam with cousins Ethan and Gavin, the ring-bearers:

 A brat-pack in the making...

 "The Tom" with his grandsons:

 This picture does not afford you the view of the grass-stains on his butt after he slid down a hill...

 Lots of cool things to play with at the reception!

Our journey back to Seattle:

Chillin on the plane:

Back at home

A Boy and HIs Guitar

Yes, he is wearing underwear under that guitar...