an apple a day

keeps the doctor away? Not when you're a baby! This past Friday we headed to see Dr. Gamelin for Cole's 6 month doctors appointment. He's actually 6 1/2 months now, but it was the soonest that we could get it. He's a healthy, happy, growing boy. 28 1/4 inches long (92nd percentile) and 17 lb 12oz (47th percentile). Long and skinny! He got three more shots, which he handled pretty well and it didn't seem to affect his mood as much in the days afterwards this time. We talked with Dr. Gamelin mostly about food (how much and how often should we be feeding him, what things can we give him and when) and skin stuff (Cole has had some dry patches on his legs, but they have gotten better with the use of some great lotion that Brad and Mercedes gave us). So, all in all, a good visit.

Cole does enjoy apples, even if they don't keep the doctor away. I think it probably feels good on his teeth. He's definitely getting at least one new one in right now. He's been chewing on everything in sight!

first farmers market of the year

Yeah for the Farmers Market! One of my favorite Saturday morning activities. And even better when it's a beautiful sunny day. We met up with Shahnaz, Ginie, and the boys for a visit by the fountain.



Our little gardener. Cole was obsessed with this weed! He takes after his Grandpa Walt, I think.

Then we were off to swim lessons. Cole was better on his back this time and was a pretty good sport about being dipped under water.

weekend in seattle

We spent last weekend in Seattle with Keli, Rob and Buster. It was SO much fun. I'm going to write more later, but wanted to get a few pictures up in the meantime.

Cole didn't sleep as much as we were hoping in the car, but he was so happy the whole time.

First stop Salumi, owned by Mario Batali's parents.


Cole testing out Baby Faw's Johnny Jumpup.

Aunt Keli


Cole's new buddy, Buster.

I don't get photos of me and Cole too often (thank you, Rob!), so I had to add these.

ta-da! two teeth

Cole got his first tooth a couple of weeks ago, and I've been wanting to show everyone, but it's kind of hard to get a picture of the inside of a baby's mouth! He now has his bottom two teeth in and I randomly snapped this photo, and, ta-da! You can see the them (or at least one of them). Man, they're sharp!

baby sign language

Cole, Brittney and I are taking a baby sign language class. It's every Wednesday for an hour and so far, so good. At least Brittney and I are learning a lot. And hopefully Cole will start picking up some of them soon. I think he's starting to recognize the sign for nursing/milk. He seems to get excited when I do that one and yesterday when I did it he leaned towards me with his arms out (precious!). It will be fun once he's able to start signing himself.

Yesterday we learned various food signs. Some of our favorites, that we practiced last night at dinnertime, were apple, banana, and cracker. Here are Cole and Elijah enjoying the plastic food that the teacher brought in as props.

And we ended the class with a story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The kids were actually pretty engaged by it, although it doesn't look like it in this picture!

first swimming lesson

Yesterday was Cole's first swimming lesson at the Aquatic Center. It's a nice, small group (there were only 5 yesterday) and as always, it was fun to meet some more moms and babies. Two of the babies are really close to Cole's age -- Annica is two weeks older and Zane is two weeks younger. We started on the steps with a song about reaching your arms forward and then over your head. Which was kind of funny because babies arms don't really move too easily and the range of motion is pretty limited. But eventually he'll be able to get those arms over his head!

We practiced laying back (which was the least popular activity). Cole just kept closing his eyes when I layed him back. When he opened his eyes and saw me behind him, he seemed to like it a lot better.

1-2-3 blastoff! We practiced "jumping" off the side and then swimming (kick, kick, kick) to the other side.


And he even went underwater, which we don't have a photo of, but I've been told that they do underwater photos with the kids at the end of the session.

As usual, Cole took everything in stride. Some big smiles, squeals, and of course some grunts. That's his thing these days, grunting. Turns out Annica also likes to grunt. There was an instant connection!

swinging in the sun

The weather here is so beautiful right now -- sunny and in the 70s. These are the days that we live for in Oregon! Yesterday afternoon Cole and I took a walk to our neighborhood park. He loves to swing and watch the other kids run around.