4 months old

Remy is four months and growing up so fast, getting more handsome, if that is possible.  He has quite the personality, and can charm anyone, much like his daddy.  We went to the doctor last week, and he was so smiley and talkative during his visit, (up until he received his shots) our pediatrician asked if she could come home with us.  She gave us the go ahead to start solids, although I'm not entirely comfortable doing that just yet.  Remy is right on track with his growth, and he weighs in now at 12.5 pounds.  He wears size 2 diapers and recently graduated to his 3-6 month clothes.  That of course meant that Ben and I went on a shopping spree, and had a lot of fun picking out some new clothes for the little man. 

 One of Remy's new shirts: Dad thinks I'm Rad

Remy has an arsenal of new tricks up his sleeve now.  He loves to talk and to hear you talk to him.  He smiles much more and will often grace you with a laugh.  He LOVES all the attention we give him and just soaks it up, wanting more.  He has undergone a little bit a separation anxiety now that I have started working at the office part time, but he likes spending time with his dad.  He loves sounds we make like kissing noises, tongue-clucking, rolling the r's, and tongue-blowing.  He has recently discovered that blowing raspberries on his tummy is hilarious!!  He will sleep now most nights for six hours, which has been nice for Mom.

Grinnin in the Bumbo

Tummy time has become somewhat of an adventure.  It has become much more tolerable now that we have added some toys to the blanket, but once he's had enough, he'll roll over on his back to say he's had enough.  So now, we alternate between time on his tummy and his back as he practices reaching out and playing his toys.  He'll often look over to the side when he's on his back, but he hasn't quite gotten the hang of rolling from his back to his tummy.

Chilling on the couch with Dad

He has becomes increasingly aware of his surrounding, and the fact that his hands are more than things to suck on.  Breastfeeding has become a more tactile experience for him, in that he'll often reach for my face or grasp my clothes.  Sometimes, he'll just look at his hand as he moves it around.  And he'll often stop to smile and laugh at me.  He loves toys now, and will sit propped up, as he reaches out for them.  He does much better in the carseat if we put a toy in with him, and we've added toys to his swing tray which makes swinging much more fun.

Bundled Up with Dad to take out the trash

Remy's hair has also started to grow back in after I made him bald, although it is lighter than when he was first born.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it has some red in it, but we can only hope.  Otherwise, Remy looks very much like Ben, which is nice because I think they are both quite handsome!

Christmas all December Long

I have been slacking getting up our holiday pictures this year. Christmas was very enjoyable this year, even though we didn't have the opportunity to go up to Idaho and spend it with family. Ben had to work on Christmas Day, so we spent our holidays hunkered down in Utah. It actually turned out nice because we didn't have to worry about traveling (I hate unpacking), and we had a little bit of extra money because we didn't have traveling expenses.

Our Christmas Tree

Our presents

Christmas Eve was nice for us, as we drove up to Sunset and ate lunch with one of Ben's friends from work and his family. It was my first experience eating chicken a la king, and I must say it was delicious. We brought baked bree cheese as an appetizer and ate to our heart's content. Remy did really well around new people, and eventually fell asleep. Ben and I decided to head home early so that we missed the holiday traffic. When we got home, we prepped for our Christmas turkey dinner by brining the turkey. Afterward, we decided to open up presents, as Ben had to work the next day until 3:00pm, and there was no way I could wait that long to open my gifts. I'll admit, I am very much like a child at Christmas because I love the anticipation of gift giving and surprises. This becomes very difficult though because Ben and I are not very good at keeping secrets and surprises from each other. During the month of December, we have received several gifts from each other, which were "Christmas" presents, but used immediately. For example, I received a new knife set as well as a food processor for Christmas, but they were never wrapped and put under the tree. Ben received the new Assassin's Creed Brotherhood game and the Baby Bjiorn baby carrier he was wanting, early in December which were never wrapped and put under the tree. It is rather surprising we even had gifts under the tree for each other this year.

Remy received a Christmas outfit from my parents, and some toys and books from Ben's parents. The toys and book are starting to come in handy now as Remy is getting older and paying more attention to the things around him.

Ben received a webcam for Christmas so that he can Skype with family. I figured it is a good way for extended family to communicate with us as well as see our handsome little boy. He also received the complete Seinfeld series, but we sent that back so that he could get a charcoal BBQ.  I am excited for it, but maybe more for the grilled food this summer. Ben also got two fleece pullovers, which have been really nice.

I received a new pair of tennis shoes, which were sorely needed (the last pair I had was purchased by my mom when I came home from my mission four years ago). Ben also bought me a new cookbook, which has become something of a tradition every year. This year, it was America's Test Kitchen Healthy Cookbook, and I am anxious to try some new recipes. I also received some new pants for working out at the gym. I also received some money from Ben's parents.

Lastly, from my parents we received a Christmas orange.  For all of you who are unaware of our Adamson family tradition, my parents always give us money each year for Christmas, but in different and interesting ways.  One year, it was in a bookmark, a stick in the mud, a coconut, a puzzle, etc.  This year we received a box of oranges, with a "special" orange inside.  My dad inserted a plastic orange and had drilled a hole in it and put the money inside.  I'm not quite sure how they're going to top it next year.  The money went towards a new dresser for our bedroom.

Overall, Christmas was a blast, and nice enough, we might just stay in Utah next year as well.