Aldo and I went for one of our hikes in the Nordic Center, the longer version; long enough that a feeding was necessary which led to the need for a diaper change. He was more fussy during this feeding, I believe because he didn't like the cucumbers I had eaten earlier in the day. I had found a semi-secluded area to feed him but his fussy noises could be heard: a babies cries in the woods, a bit akward.
Now this is the real excitement for the week. Aldo and I got out three times on the bike. This is a picture of him after the first ride. He's resting in a hammock-type seat which floats over the normal child seat; the child seat being for the big babies who can hold up their heads (~6 months). We rode the bike path from the condo to where it meets Alpine and then later to where it meets Squaw. Aldo slept. He seems to really enjoy motion...a motion junkie. As for me, the ride felt amazing even though it is far from epic. We hope to get out several times each week to get us ready for when the snow flies and when we'll use this carrier as a cross-country ski trailer. Whoohoo.
Of course, more happened during the week but I didn't get pictures. For one thing, G'Ma returned for a few days and helped me get some chores done. Aldo also got into the Baby Bjorn carrier that Julie Bernard handed down to us. In the Baby Bjorn, Aldo slept peacefully while I finished baking a quiche and pumkin pie - ahhhhh. We made another trip to Tahoma on Sunday to visit Heather and John and the doggies. Other news is that Aldo is smiling and cooing even more often than the week before, usually at specific hours (11 a.m. and 4 p.m.; hours which follow nice long sleep periods). Finally, the weather continues to be absolutely beautiful and kind: highs in the low 70's, gentle breezes, cool (but not cold) nights. I can hardly express how much this fair weather makes life easy and enjoyable.
A lot has happened this week. Aldo now: smiles, coos and holds eye contact; recognizes my voice (his siren wail became silent when he heard my voice); and sleeps almost through the night (ok, this happened only once, last night, but I have hopes)
Check it out...
Grampa John and Grandma Kristine visited this week as you can see from the photo below. We had amazing weather and a great time.
In this photo, Kristine is getting some quality time with Aldo. I don't recall if this was Kristine's birthday, but Aldo was very sweet the entire day for her. He gave her many smiles and coos and enjoyed a meal at Lakeside Pizza in Tahoe City - his first meal out.
Aldo and I had a trip to town on Thursday, in the stroller (which makes use of the carrier). What a great day! Aldo made it 2.5 hours and 4 stops without waking! I was prepared with the diaper bag full of the essentials, but he didn't need a thing. Take a look at one of the earlier posts to see the difference (in the carrier) between Aldo's earlier size and this week.
Saturday night John and Heather had me over for dinner. I realize this picture is blurry but it was so much fun I had to include it. Heather is holding Aldo (John in the background at the computer) while Aldo attempts to ride the wild Webster (black lab). Just FYI, the salmon was amazing. Oh, and Aldo made it halfway home from Tahoma before needing fed - I would complain but Saturday night he slept almost the whole night: down at 9:30 p.m. and up at 7 a.m., with only a 3 a.m. feeding. I'm not sure what got into him.
Here's the eye contact, smiling and cooing...and all in his Moses basket. What a happy guy.
On one of our walks to the lake at Bristlecone park, a 7-year-old boy started a conversation with us. "Can I look at him closer?" he asked. "Sure, just no touching...How old do you think he is?" "One week." "Well, he's six weeks old and at one week he was even smaller than now." "Oh." "He really likes this breeze." "Oh, well maybe he'll grow up to be a person, um, who tells the weather, what are they called?" "A weatherman." Silence. "Yeah, maybe he'll grow up to be that." I think now that the kid was expecting the bigger word, meteorologist. "Um, he's drooling."
We're back again. The first three photos in this post are meant to be a fashion show.
First, the adorable and utilitarian boat hat. You may not realize it but infant-size hats are difficult to come by. This one, a perfect mix of greens, greys and blues, and which is also reversible, we found in Tahoe City. I love it.
A super (dah-dah-dah-dahhh) onsie from Aunt Audra.
A view from the backside.
A two-minute walk from my doorstep is the Lake Forest Meadow, newly refurbished to capture runoff from the Highlands neighborhood above and to filter that water before it reaches Lake Tahoe. A commemorative bench was placed here and Aldo and I enjoy sitting quietly in the shade, feeling the warm summer breeze on our faces. This is home.
This week Aldo and I hiked 5 Lakes Trail in Alpine Meadows; a three hour adventure, door-to-door (the drive to-and-fro, the hike up and down, but also two feedings). I admit the overall adventure was a challenge. I almost choked out of the starting gate when Aldo's siren cries turned out, upon stopping to soothe him 1.5 miles into the drive at Tahoe City, to come with his first tear. Oh it was so sad. But some holding and a good feeding set him right so we continued on.
This week was the first week Tahoe temperatures were cool enough to put Aldo into some of his warmer-weather clothing, which was exciting! I believe this outfit, and the one pictured below, were gifts from Joanne Tenney. (I'm not sure who provided the froggy suit, pictured farther below, but...too cute.) Well, the news here is that we can all be thankful the weather changed when it did and that I got the camera out because these adorable (and comfortable) outfits no longer fit Aldo - just a few days following these pics. It was a huge surprise to G'Ma and I when we observed yesterday that Aldo, in the outfit to the right for just the second time, couldn't fully extend his legs because the fabric held him back. Talk about a growth spurt! Aldo is now out of newborns and into 0-3 months.
Would you say he's smiling, below?
New this week, Aldo received his batch of cloth diapers. These are not at all what we were expecting...color, multiple snaps, a tongue insert for extra absorbancy. We've had some leaks but I am satisfied with this product. If anyone needs a diaper service, call Megan of Bear Bums 775-247-4977.
This week I got out the Bob stroller and put it on the 'road'. Aldo and I strolled the 1.5 miles to town on the bike path to reach the Tahoe City Farmer's Market at Commons Beach. When he got fussy, which he did, I pushed down on the stroller's handle and the stroller springs compressed and gave Aldo two bounces per one push. It was enough to relax him. G'Ma drove in to town as support service, should anything go awry and also to carry home the bounty. I fed Aldo at the playground before completing the return stroll home. G'Ma had burp and comfort duties.
