Bear's 4 month Stats

We had Bear's 4 month appointment on 2/2/12, a little later than his real 4 month but we got it done.

First and foremost, he is healthy. 

His spitting up? Not an issue unless he wasn't gaining or was losing weight. 

His sleeping only 2 to 3 hours at a time at night? Annoying but not an issue. 

No interest in rolling over? Also not an issue. 

The Doc complemented him on having such a sunny disposition - yep, Bear has transitioned into being a little ray of sunshine. He is super smiley, giggles a lot and is generally a happy guy. When he wakes up, he is all smiles. 

Bear at 4 months

Weight: 15lb 2 oz (48%)

Height: 25 Inches (45%)

Head: 42cm (36%)

Bear at 2 months

Weight: 12lb 3oz (58%)

Height: 23.5 Inches (67%)

Head: 40cm (46%)

Bear at 2 weeks

Weight: 9lb 9oz (74%)

Height: 22 Inches (90%)

Head: 37.4cm (56%)

He is my little Shrinky Dink. But the Doc said he is growing well and that the fact that he is falling on the curve is nothing to worry about. Besides, the curve is a little skewed because there are both formula and breastfed babies on it and most (not all) breastfed only babies grow slower than formula fed babies. 

So today, on this beautiful sunny day, I am thankful for:

My healthy baby

His sunny disposition

His melt your heart smiles

Sunshine outside

An awesome run with Trooper and the stroller

Working from home

I'm working from home today - and I love it.

I am wearing a tee shirt and athletic shorts

I have music on (105.9 the brew at the moment - which is playing "Hells Bells" - interesting work selection, haha)

I have my woof wandering around the house (though I think he put himself to bed...)

I have a cup of tea next to me

Earning money this way is heavenly

Raspberry Jam

I made jam - for the first time. 

Remember - I am not domesticated, so I don't own canning tools. I had to improvise. 

I purchased a flat of Raspberries from the farm down the way for $10

I looked a recipe up on google. I chose the "old fashioned" one because it was simple - A pot, fruit, sugar. 

The recipe called for equal parts sugar and fruit. 

 Mmmmm. Mashed Raspberries

After boiling the sugar and fruit together, I decided they needed to be canned -

 Poor-Mans Canning set up. Towel on the bottom of the pot, large soup pot.

Poor Mans jar tongs - BBQ tongs

Finished product cooling - lets hope that they actually sealed and that what seemed to be pretty runny thickens up to become "Jam"

But I just want to say, hurray for me for trying this, doing it without any of the tools and (succeeding?)

Oh and on another note, our household no longer has car payments. I officially own my car! And Nick has owned his for forever. We only have 2 "debt" items left to pay-off, one of which is our house :-) YEAY!!!

Give a hug, get a hug

Nick and I are enjoying a much needed vacation in Bend together in our Airstream. We are staying at Crown Villa, a resort RV park that we have stayed at previously. Nick is taking a class today (Thursday) and I am just hanging out in the Airstream for the day. Tomorrow, we have the whole day to explore Bend and enjoy time together. We are definitely trying to enjoy time together just the two of us (three if you count the woof) before our lives change forever and time alone comes with a lot of planning.

Recently, unexpected deaths and sicknesses have touched the lives of some otherwise very young and healthy people. It is a reminder that there are many things that just are not important. Getting frustrated over an unfinished bathroom and entryway, getting overwhelmed with yard work, being annoyed with the uncertain nature of childbirth and when the baby will come - it is all so trivial. These events are reminders that in the end, there are only a handful of important things in life. Health, Happiness, Love, Family and Friends. Everything else is really just distractions that keep us from looking at what is important.

I hope that today, everyone takes the time to just enjoy time with their loved ones, revel in their health and smile big smiles of happiness. Give a hug, get a hug - and tell those you care about that you love them.