Bode is 5 months old!

Bode had an exciting month with a few new milestones.  He can now roll from front to back and back to front, although I didn’t exactly witness the back to front.  I set him down on his back and turned to do my hair and when I looked back, he was on his stomach.  Since Lola wasn’t around, I figured he must have done it!  He loves to play with his little hand toys and is getting much better with his hand-eye coordination and hanging onto his toys.  He has actually started to reach out a little for things that are in front of him.  He’s very ticklish and has a cute little giggle when you tickle his belly.  And just today, he started to make this funny new sound.  Kind of a spitting / trying to blow bubbles sound! 

He has tried cereal, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and green beans …. And pretty much, can’t stand any of them!  Every time I try a new one, I think “maybe this one will be the one he’ll like”.  Nope, you darn near have to pry his mouth open to get anything in.  Hopefully he’ll learn to like something soon! 

(he still doesn't like to smile for the camera)

A few Bode pics...

Green Sled

Lola got a sled for Christmas from Grandma Paula and Papa Dana.  Since Christmas, that sled has sat in our garage and every time we would pull into the garage, Lola would say "green sled?"  But with all of the green grass that was still on the ground, the sled wasn't getting much use. 

Finally... some snow! 

My Birthday

On January 14th I celebrated my 31st birthday.  It was a very low-key day, which was just the way I liked it.  Brian, Lola, Bode and I enjoyed the day together at home and then my parents came up in the evening so Brian and I could go out to dinner with some friends. 

Swimming Lessons

Lola started swimming lessons tonight.  I had been talking to her about it for awhile trying to prepare her for what they may do with her.  Apparently, all of the hype worked because she was out of control today!  Bouncing off the walls wondering if it was time to put on her swimsuit yet - she probably asked me fifteen times!  I told her when daddy got home from work, that is when it would be time to go.  When Brian walked in the door, she yelled "Swimming Lessons!!" 

When we walked in, she immediately got shy, of course, but they were very friendly and very good with her.  There were a couple of lessons / swim team practice going on at the same time, but she was the only one in her class.  Her teacher put a back floaty on her and just spent the time walking with her in the water and letting her kick her feet and blow bubbles in the water.  She put her on the side of the pool and held her as she jumped off into the water.  When she hit the water, the teacher took her under real quick and when she came up, Lola was choking a little and was a little unsure of what just happened, but then she wanted to jump again, so it must not have been that bad.  When the 30 minutes was up, her teacher asked if she was ready to get out and she said "No, more swimming!" 

(These aren't the best.  I just got a new camera, so I'm still trying to figure out the settings).

She must have really started to have fun, because she randomly started to climb on her teacher.  She said "Lola, are you a monkey?" and she said "I'm not a monkey, I'm Lola Preston!" 

Lola's Big Girl Bed

For Christmas, Lola got all kinds of fun things for her new big girl bed, which we put together on New Years weekend.  We had been talking about it for awhile and I was so excited to put it all together!

She's in such a unique position.  On one hand, we tell her that she's such a big girl (potty training, dressing herself, new bed, etc.) but on the other hand, no matter how old she gets, she will always be my baby Lola. 

She knew I was in her room working on her bed, but her and Brian were doing something else in another room.  When I got it done, I called her in and she got a huge smile on her face, started clapping her hands and yelled "Lola's new bed!"  I was so excited that she liked it!  I went to go get the camera and as I came back in, there she sat on her bed, reading her books out loud.  And in one moment, I went from excitement to tears.  What was my baby doing in this big bed?!  What have I done? 

Random Photos

A few pictures of Bode eating his cereal...

Lola and Bode both had their Illinois shirts on for the "double header" on Saturday (both basketball and football!). They were 100% not cooperating to get both of their pics together, but I did get Lola... plus her ponytail, which I just mastered!

More Christmas

At my parents on Christmas Eve night...

 The kiddos with their stockings

Bode with his Christmas Eve gift - a "Baby's First Christmas" ornament.  Lola's was a Noah's Ark ornament. 

Santa came!

Bode's Santa gifts

Lola's Santa gifts

Bode got a Kawasaki 4-wheeler from Darren!  

My nieces 

Since we had a very non-White Christmas, the girls had to demonstrate Lola's new sled from inside! 

Merry Christmas!

(a little late with the Christmas pics!)

We had a wonderful Christmas, both with our new family of four as well as both of our families.

In typical Preston fashion, we did our Christmas early (the 21st).  Brian and I are just like little kids and can't wait to open presents!  

Lola's presents had purple ribbons...

Bode's had blue and lime green ribbons (the colors of his room).  Lola loved finding the right ones under the tree and handing them out. 

Lola handing me one of my presents (Brian was VERY generous this year!)

Bode with his gifts

Lola with her presents.... She loved her Disney Princess nightgowns and her jewelry box with the twirly ballerina. 

Brian with his presents

  

Bode's 4 Month Update

Bode had a good check-up on Friday.  He weighs 15 pounds (45th percentile) and is 25 inches long (50th percentile).  Brian is a little nervous because Lola was always really tall and so far Bode is just average, so he's got some growing to do! 

He told us that we can start with cereal, fruits and vegetables.  We gave him the cereal that night and I had the video camera up and running for an America's Funniest Video moment when he made funny faces and tried to figure out the soon.... but it was pretty uneventful.  He seemed like he'd been doing it for weeks! 

And lastly... the giggle is now official (because I heard it)!  :)  We were playing peek-a-boo the other night before the bath and I got it! 

Bode Philip is 4 months old!

Little Bode has become quite the 'talker' this month.  He loves to lay on the floor and yell and squeal and make lots of noise!  He is so close to rolling over from back to tummy.  I thought for sure he would do it by Christmas, but not quite.  He gets all the way over on his side, but just can't quite figure out how to get over his arm (several times, Lola will come up and roll him over!  I don't think she quite gets it why I just don't roll him over if that is what I want him to do!)  :) 

He loves to suck on his hands and tries to see how much of his fist he can get in his mouth.  He also is starting to play with little hand-held toys that he can hang on to and bring up to his mouth.  On Christmas day, noticed him hanging onto his paci and putting it in and out of his mouth! 

We brought up the exersaucer and have started putting him in that.  If he's in a good mood, he'll stay in it for a little while and make the toys make noise. 

I'm not sure if I'm 100% calling this one yet.  My mom was able to get him to giggle by tickling him on Christmas morning.  She tried it while I was standing there, but he didn't do it again.  You can definitely tell that he is ticklish though.  His little tummy will tighten up and he’ll pull his legs up and make a grunting sound with a smile when you tickle him.  Since then, I’ve gotten close to a laugh, but not 100%.  I was playing peek-a-book with him the other night and and he did this gurgly smile thing.  

His doctor's appointment is Friday, so I'll update after I get his stats!   

Bode's 3 Month Pictures

Here are a few of Bode's 3 month pictures.  I remember my friend, On-e telling me that 3 months is just such a blob phase.  They are not quite that cuddly newborn anymore, but they haven't started doing anything real fun yet.  Despite the blob phase, I was very pleased with these too!