The Milkman, The Paper Boy, and Evening TV

We are going to have a very, very full house over the next few months.  For the last couple years we have been living in an apartment (that I ADORE) that has comfortably fit our family of three.  When we learned we were expecting bug, we were pretty content to stay put even though this apartment is technically only a two-bedroom.

But then we found out that jb's brothers' living situation was changing.  I know I sound like a broken record - but it has been so, so, so nice having the three of them living just a few blocks away.  Still, we knew it probably wouldn't last forever.  Uncle Jared got engaged (congrats again, Jadge!) and he and his fiancee got an apartment in another part of town.  Uncle Julian decided to move back to Pittsburgh to be near his dad and other brother.  That left Uncle Daniel in search of new roommates.

Leo's crib may seem superfluous since he sleeps in our bed, but he really enjoys playing in it while I'm folding diapers. It was a hand me down from little Anne, one of our young Pittsburgh neighbors. The little cart on the right was one of the best investments we made. It was like $35 and has a ton of storage - not to mention fits in with the decor. It holds socks and hats and bibs and all the clothes he has grown out of but that we want to hold on to.

Nursery

Here is a mini tour of Leo's nursery. The sock monkey on the door was a gift from Linda and David. The banner with his name was a gift from Heather and Elliot. The letter wall cards were a great find by grandpa. Eventually I'd love to have a small couch or futon on this wall.

The changing table! The heart of the nursery. On the wall are mirror decals and hanging by the window is a nightlight that casts different colored stars and moons on the walls and ceiling (thanks grandpa!). He has all his toiletries on the shelf (we heart the burts bees line) and his cloth wipes and spray bottle. The top drawer hold clothes, the middle drawer holds diapers, and the bottom drawer holds clothes he still needs to grow into and larger items like sweaters. The square drawer holds extra diaper inserts and the side cabinet houses waterproof mats and other linens. We almost didn't get a changing table. I figured we could change him just about anywhere - on the floor, on the bed - but I'm really glad we have it. Leo loves laying on the changing pad and some of our best times happen during diaper changing time.

And We're Back

I should warn you, I may go a bit picture crazy. A lot has happened since I was last able to properly check in, so I'll do my best to do a general run down.

Jb has been working very hard. Leo loves helping daddy work, and it's becoming clear where he gets his serious face.




Of course Leo's smiles are coming more easily everyday. He even flashes them at strangers these day. He's even laughing regularly, which is just the best sound ever.


We've continued to have regular visitors - which I love!



Leo has grown out of almost all of his clothes. He's huge. We had to make an emergency run to the store to buy some new larger clothes because it seemed to happen literally overnight.


We've been exploring our new city and attending lots of political rallies.





We are still going strong with the cloth diapers.

We've established a bedtime routine. Nothing too fancy, but it's nice to have bedtime cues for Leo so he winds down at the end of the day. Basically we change his diaper, maybe have a bath, put on pjs, brush his gums (maybe with teething tablets if he's having a rough day), snuggle into bed and read a book and sing a song.


We made our first trip home to Pittsburgh since the move. We also had a pediatrician's appointment for Leo (yes the office is worth driving 300 miles for!). He's healthy, got some vaccinations, and is still of average height and normal but lean weight. Leo loved spending time with grandpa, pops, abi and his aunts and uncles. Most of all, though, Leo found Abi's fish positively fascinating.



We had plans to go to DC for the One Nation rally, but due to a flat tire we didn't make it. It's really too bad, because I made Leo a shirt to wear for his first march on Washinton.


Our apartment is starting to feel like a home.





Uncle Daniel moved in. It's been great to have him around. He's been really helpful with watching Leo, preparing meals and lending a hand with the housework. He is picky about his title though. He doesn't like it when I call him our live-in Manny, and he doesn't like being called mommy's helper - so since we share the domestic and childcare during the day I thought he might like being called my sisterwife. Somehow he's not digging it. Picky picky picky.


Pops brought Leo back an entire wardrobe of Cowboys' gear from his trip to Dallas.


In other news, Leo is teething up a storm. Nothing has broken through yet, but he is clearly working on it. We've been using frozen teethers, his amber necklace, and on especially rough days, Humphrey's teething pellets. Mostly he's been a champ, but on some days it does get the best of him and he breaks down into a puddle of fussiness.

I've been out and about with Leo meeting new people in the neighborhood. We've been going to the baby and me yoga class, attending a local breastfeeding support group, taking walks, and checking out the library and sing-a-longs at Milk and Honey. I'm starting to feel like we know people, even if just by sight.

Leo is scooting around all over the place. He is also starting to get up on all fours pretty regularly, but isn't sure what to do once he's up there. He's blowing raspberries and going "ahhhhhh" when we pat his mouth so it sounds like "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah". He's giving loud, long, slobbery kisses and biting on anything he can get in his mouth. Love him.