A Fun New Sound

Hunter has figured out how to make raspberries and now he does it all the time. Rather than calling out to us when he wakes up, we often hear him making this noise from his crib instead. He will stop in the midst of playing and start making raspberries and, of course, if we instigate it he will mimic us as well.

A Piggy Says "Oink, Oink"

This is our experience introducing solid food to Hunter. We think the videos say it all!

His very first spoonfuls of rice cereal...

Two days later, his 5th feeding of rice cereal...

First Snow

This past weekend we took Hunter to Bloom's Diary Farm to see Christopher's Train Garden. This garden was set up by a one of Ryan's soccer mates, in memory of his son who loved trains. The train garden was amazing and the stories and comments posted around the room about Christopher were truly touching.

While there, Hunter also got to meet Santa for the first time, and it just so happened that we got our first snow that day, too!

Our Little Indian

Hunter likes this sound so much that if we put our hands in front of his mouth he automatically starts making the noise!

Now, if he could just relax in front of the camera...he still stares at it mesmerized!

4 Months Old!

Yesterday was Hunter's 4 month birthday, and today he had his check-up with the doctor. He was a trooper; didn't even cry when he got his vaccinations. He now weighs 15 lbs 11 ozs and is 26.5 inches long. That's the 68th percentile for weight and 92nd for height. What a big boy!!

Hunter continues to be a complete joy to us! We are still amazed by his daily growth and development. Lately, he wants to be upright all the time, whether it's sitting up or "standing". He is now able to roll over from back to front, as well as front to back. He also loves to chew and suck on his fingers, and seems to be showing the early signs of teething. These days it's impossible to hold him against our shoulders without getting a big wet drool mark indicating his presence there. We expect to see some little teeth buds coming through in another month or so.

Hunter's motor skills have also improved. He can now reach out and grab things (though depending on the object it may take 2-3 tries before he gets a good grasp) and once he has it, he inspects it and then tries to shove it in his mouth!

He is still quite vocal, especially when lying on his changing table. That seems to be his favorite podium from which to address his minions (us)! In the mornings, he "tells" us all about his dreams from the night before and in the evenings he "tells" us all about what he did at daycare. Not a lot of vowel sounds yet, but we're sure those aren't too far off. He continues to tease us with his belly laugh. He is basically giving us sneak previews of what is to come, but isn't belly laughing consistently yet. From what we've seen, it's going to be pretty awesome though!

Here are some pics from this last month! Enjoy!

First Gobble, Gobble

Hunter's first Thanksgiving spanned just over a week! We began the weekend prior in Ocean City visiting with his Mom-mom and Pop. On Thanksgiving day, we had a lovely dinner with his Pop-pop and Granny J, then a nice visit with Faye, Jerry and Nanny. The day after Thanksgiving we spent the day in Pottstown with the Vandreys, Scotts, Wilkinsons, and Wausnocks. Hunter seemed to enjoy the visits, though was getting a little tired of his car seat. Much like his mom and dad, he doesn't seem to be a big fan of the "road warrior" holiday tradition.

Of course, we were having such a good time that we forgot to pull the camera out and take as many pictures as we would have liked. Oooops! One thing is for sure...WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!

Squealer

We definitely have a little squealer on our hands. That, or he is just appalled at all of his mommy's split ends...

A Special Delivery

As everyone knows, Hunter was not cooperative about coming out of my tummy in a timely manner and actually arrived two weeks after his due date. This tardiness was an early sign that he is indeed his father's son! Unfortunately, because of his delay, he missed meeting his Great Grandmother "Memaw" before she returned to Georgia at the end of summer. (This fact has been driving her nuts, too! She has told me on several occasions that she is green with envy because everyone else has gotten to snuggle Hunter and she hasn't even met him yet.)

Though she is several States away, it is obvious that she thinks of Hunter often. We have received several packages from her filled with blankets that she and her girlfriend Sandy have handmade for Hunter. These blankets are in several of our previous web posts because we use them daily, whether it is to put them on the floor so Hunter can play on them or to wrap him up in them so he stays warm when we are outside.

Just the other day another package showed up on our doorstep and inside was a very special blanket, named Spencer the Elephant. It is the coolest blanket that we have ever seen!! Memaw hand knitted it for Hunter and it has taken her quite a long time to complete!! She actually mentioned several times over the last few months that she didn't think she'd ever finish it and, if she did, she wouldn't have any thumbs left. (I'm happy to report that she still has use of both thumbs!)

Here are some photos of this fabulous blanket. There are also some pictures of the sweater she knitted for Hunter. He looks like he's posing as a GQ model in it! THANK YOU MEMAW...We love you MORE!

Getting Ready for Real Food

Next month, Hunter will likely start eating some rice cereal and other solid foods. To help get him prepared, we have started to place him in his high chair from time to time so he can get use to it.

These clips are from the very first time he was in his high chair. He seems to like it and he looks like such a big boy!

3 Months Old!

Today, Hunter turned 3 months old. He continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

Hunter has now been going to Day Care for 1 week and is a big hit among the other children there! They often update Ryan and I on Hunter's daily activities when we pick him up in the evenings. "He talked and woke me up from my nap" or "He smiled twice and stared a lot". It's quite cute.

At 3 months old, Hunter is now able to quickly roll over from front to back; he is making new noises which sound closer to a babble than a coo; he has started to suck his thumb on occasion; he's given us the hint of a belly laugh and we are sure in another week or so he will be giving them with more gusto; and he is quick to grab toys with both hands and immediately place them in his mouth.

Here are some pictures of our handsome little man taken throughout this last month...