Chase the swimmer

Now that we've finally opened it and cleaned it up, Chase absolutely LOVES going in the pool.

The first time Chase and Daddy went in was June 9. We want Chase to get used to wearing a life vest on the pool deck and he happily obliged, but insisted on wearing his Elmo rain boots.

Check out this outfit...

The water was still pretty cool

 but Chase went in and got Daddy in.

They practiced kicking and splashing

Chase's favorite part is being thrown up in the air. It's a good workout, too.

A few days later, Chase convinced Mommy to swim with him

 He also loves jumping in the pool....1....2...3...JUMP!

(although he doesn't always wait, so Mommy and Daddy need to be ready at all times)

We try to practice some kicking every time we are in.

Every time he goes in, he gets a little more adventurous...

His favorite part of the raft is leaning to the side and falling off.

(Daddy's not even holding on in this picture!)

Since it's been so hot the past two days, Chase has been going swimming every day. Sometimes he's less interested in the swimming than "mowing" (vacuuming with a fun noodle) the pool and he definitely enjoys taking the water out.

Chase is doing a great job exploring the water.  He loves to jump off the side and be thrown in the air, and doesn't mind getting his face wet as a result of these activities.  Yesterday he went for a ride on Daddy's back around the pool and practiced floating.

Its going to be a great summer!

Brice at 1 month

At 1 month, Brice is...

-Nursing all the time- every 45 to 90mins- with cluster feeds before bed. He had his first bottle on a week ago and has been doing well with them.

-Sleeping for a 3 hour stretch and then 1.5-2 hour stretches at night. He's up a lot!

-Sort of on some kind of schedule. His typical day (right now) includes waking up between 7 and 8am, hanging out for while, taking a few cat naps before taking a long afternoon nap (like 2-6pm), waking up to nurse just as Mommy is sitting down to dinner, playing with Chase and reading with the family before Chase's bedtime, and then spending time with Mommy and Daddy and cluster feeding before going to sleep between 10 and 11pm. He typically wakes up at 2am, 3:30am, and 5:30, but those times and the length that he is awake varies from night to night.

-He's done so-so with the binky. He seems to like it, but has instances of being super-hungry when it comes out. So it's a work in progress.

-His body had pretty much finished the newborn peeling by 3 weeks, but then his cradle cap started. Brice is now going through puberty and old-age all at once: He's losing his hair and his hairline is receeding, plus he's got baby acne. I thought he might get away with just four pimples on his cheek but it's all over his cheeks now.

-Mommy is still dressing him mostly in newborn clothes, but he's getting too long for many of them. He fits in the 0-3 month clothes, but Mommy doesn't want to rush his growing up!
-Smiling sometimes and starting to make eye contact. (Smiles aren't necessarily at a person, but they are a start!)

-Moving! I'm not sure I did this justice in the last post. This boy moves! He moves all over the co-sleeper, holds his head up and throws it around when we're holding him, cannot go in the swing because he throws his boy around, and yesterday he rolled onto his back during tummy time. Taking pictures was a challenge....

-Doing okay with tummy time...

-A beautiful, sweet boy:

(yes, most of this was copied from the 4 week post since not much has changed...)

Nonnie and Pop Visit

A couple of weekends ago Nonnie and Pop came to visit and meet Brice. They played with Chase, met Brice, helped us in the yard, and even took us out on a successful trip out to dinner!

 (and cheesing it up)

Chase had a fabulous time "working" in the yard with Nonnie and Pop.

Luckily, the enthusiastic toddler did not slow them down one bit! They planted herbs and tomatoes, and cleared out a huge section of bushes and brush in out backyard. Thank you so much!

Chase tried a mini burger at Matchbox. He didn't eat any of it, but between all of the other food and the company, he was entertained for the entire meal!

Chase and Pop wore matching shirts....

...and Chase showed Pop some love.