Happy Half Birthday

When I started writing this blog I wanted to celebrate the little things that happen everyday. Funny stories, sentimental moments, moments of complete and utter insanity...all the things that make this amazing ride worth it. Looking back over the past few months I realize I have done no justice to all the incredible things that happen in the first year of life...oh wait I'm sorry in the first SIX months of life! In no specific order Wes has learned...how to live outside my belly and breathe on his own, how to stay asleep for 3 hours at a time and gradually increase to a solid 12, how to smile, laugh, and outright screech in delight! He has learned how to roll over and bear weight on his arms, to push up to his knees, and somehow pop up to his toes. He figured out how to drink from a bottle at one moment and take food off a spoon the next, he can grasp things and hold on for dear life...he responds to his name, and he recognizes the faces of those he knows and loves. He has won over the hearts of many in his short little life, and although 6 months is such a short time in the scheme of an entire lifetime, my world before Wes has become a bit fuzzier, as if it was years and years ago...Happy Half Birthday Baby Boy we love you to pieces!

xoxo
Erin

Itsy Bitsy Yoga

I haven't officially signed Wes up for any mommy and me classes yet, but it seems as though he has mastered the art of itsy bitsy yoga! The positions he has been able to contort himself into are remarkable...I only wish that I could be this flexible after a yoga class...see for yourself


Heres a little downward dog on the beach....

And here is where the real "practice" comes in...

I guess he needs to unwind from all the hard work his days involve....

Relaxing on the beach....

Cruising in his car....

Its a tough life, but someones gotta lead it! 

Namaste!

Erin 

That Mom

When I was pregnant I daydreamed of the days when Wes and I could jump in the car and head off to do "errands." It seemed like such a novel idea to be able to run to the store or pick up dry cleaning... at my leisure...on a tuesday! I imagined me and my happy baby strolling through shops just window shopping the day away...what the HELL was I thinking!!!! Shopping with an infant is neither fun nor productive. Today I became "that mom", the one who picks up her screaming baby because she'd rather fumble with the carriage than allow other shoppers to hear him scream, the one with zero makeup on and a t-shirt that predates college, oh except in my version of the story the shirt is covered in spit up. Not quite sure where I took the wrong turn, but today's adventure was a clear indicator that, although Target is like a giant play date for mommy...its not such a fun place for Wes.

In my defense the trip started out in story book fashion. Wes was all buckled into his fancy Patriots shopping cart cover. Mind you he's not quite six months and he can't sit up independently yet, but how in gods name do you grocery shop with a stroller. I guess most people can pop the infant seat into the grocery cart and call it a day, but in my world 2 issues arise 1. I am 4 foot 11 and I can barely see over the shopping cart without a seat popped onto the top, and 2. Wes is already 18 pounds and 27" long you try picking that seat up! Any way I digress...we were all buckled in and happy, smiling at all the people who were oohing and ahhing over how cute his little smile is and asking where I got the snazzy shopping cart cover (Thanks Auntie Nikki), but it quickly went south when the cute little caterpillar toy we were playing with bopped us off the head (insert first freak out of the day). We quickly recovered and continued on our way...meltdown number 2 began when I would not allow him to play with the straw from my iced coffee. I began to rapidly throw items into my cart hoping to get out with at least 2 items from my list. At this point we are in full on tantrum mode...I am sure many of you know my profession, for those who don't I am a behavior specialist.... so what do I do to make the tantrum stop? I picked him up, completely reinforcing his behavior! Now I realize he's an infant, and yes he needed to be comforted, blah blah blah...but I was so that Mom who was going to practice what she preached and not give in...yep pretty much failed at my first attempt. Oh well...we made it home safe and with a few necessities. I have other things to thing about...like how I'm going to clean the spit up that dripped between the seats in the car...hmmm...Happy Friday All!

xoxo
Erin

Serious Slacking!

I know, I know I have been doing some SERIOUS slacking!!! We've had such a busy week and so much has happened! Wes has continued rocking back and forth on his knees but can't quite figure how to propel himself forward...however he has completely mastered the art of belly sliding backwards! Fear not though, he continues to live up to the hype...although he is stuck rocking on his knees, he has "advanced" in other ways! Thats right...he has cut his first tooth, at a mere 5 1/2 months! He has also surpassed many of his peers by getting not only one but 2 haircuts in his short little life. He is rocking a buzz cut now and he's pretty handsome if I do say so myself! In the last week or so Wes has had quite a few firsts...in no specific order he has....had his first sleep over, eaten his first popsicle, and taken his first ride in his exosaucer! Check out the excitement for yourself....

"Seriously Mom! More pictures!!!!"

Meeting his buddy Emmett...

...and the pride of turning his aquarium on by himself....sorry Auntie Kim I know this isn't your favorite picture! 

I'll work on the tooth and exosaucer tomorrow....Good night all!!!! 

xoxo

Erin

ready...set...GO!

Unless of course I'm not there...and then he better not move a muscle! We are officially up on our knees and ready to roll! He's rocking back and forth, but just can't quite figure out how to slide that leg forward. I'm sure its just a matter of time before me sweet little stay put baby is moving all over the house!

ahhh the sweet smell of spit up

It's been a wet few days around here....yes I realize that after 5 straight days in the 90's there is nothing wet about the weather... but take a step inside the Petersen household and you'll be wishing you brought your rain slicker! Mt. St. Wes has been officially upgraded from a volcano to a monsoon, and man is it coming down! I have just finally gotten the little man into his 4th clean onesie (in the span of an hour) and off to sleep so now it is mommy's turn to shower and indulge in a clean dry shirt...so I will leave you with a video of Wes giggling and screaming in delight! It's so cute it almost makes you forget about the river of puke that has officially crested and reached the flood stages...enjoy! Oh and don't forget to press pause on the music down below so you can hear his adorable little voice! Check back tomorrow for a gazillion updates from the weekend...lots of super cute photos to come!

xoxo
Erin