Week 10, 11, 12 (Oct 2 - 21)

Hi friends and family, sorry we went missing for so long.  It has been an exciting 3 weeks!  The first week we had a visit from Grandpa Mitch and Aunt Audra.  The following two weeks were weeks back to work - at half time.  Most of these photos were taken in two days...Friday and Saturday of the first week. After getting my hair done with LeiAnn, Mitch and Audra strolled into town and met us for lunch at Jake's on the Lake, pictured here.

 Grandpa Mitch surprised us all by holding little Aldo (probably because Aldo is so good at holding up his neck!).  It was lovely to see GMa and Grampa reunited after the 3 months Gma spent with us, but away from Gpa.  Thank you both!

OK, here it is.  Aldo's first bottle feeding.  He took to the bottle no problem, whew.  Oh, and Aldo has also taken to the pacifier, although it doesn't get much use since he has finally found his thumb (versus his knuckles) and enjoys soothing himself.  Incidentally, some of you may have heard me go on about an outfit Aldo wears that accentuates his "baby doll" look (you know, that doll whose eyes click open and shut when you move it from reclining to sitting up).  Well here it is.  Just imagine this little guy by candlelight and you'll see what I mean...creepy.

LeiAnn getting some good baby time - coos and laughs and chats....

 Auntie Audra pictured here with Aldo and the onsie she bought him some time ago, in anticipation of his happy arrival.

We had to snap this photo of Aldo in his Hawaiian shirt from friend Eva on Maui.  Doesn't he look like the cool guy?

We changed his diaper in the trunk, which was very convenient.

Ahhh, the activity blanket.  Aldo spends a lot of time here each day now.  He loves to swat at his bumble bee AND stare at himself in the mirror.  There's been several nights where he wakes up with energy and I drop him here and let him kick is legs and throw his arms, and laugh laugh laugh.  Also pictured next to Aldo are his owl lovey, which he is just starting to take to, and his favorite new friend the Hippo.  Aldo is interested in eye contact so the Hippo is perfect for this - Hippo and Aldo carry on many a conversation and good laugh.  FYI, one of Aldo's first "words" was Aguuu.

No pictures of our adventures to Sacramento, but we had four, two-hour drives together and Aldo was great - sleeping most of the way.  Gma and Gpa took good care of him those days.  I don't have the details, but on the first Monday in Sacramento Aldo's cousins, the twins, and Uncle John came to visit and gave Aldo some great entertainment.  So far, Aldo has no problems being away from his Mommy for this time, and I'm quite happy as well.  But to this picture...Aldo is watching for the first time a Baby Einstein DVD - he lasted 15 minutes but he enjoyed it.  Oh, and he is very seriously practicing his sitting up.  He pulls himself up from this propped up position but he tends to overshoot and fall forward or sideways.  Oh well, practice is good.  And do you notice the rattle in this picture?  Aldo is definitely learning to grab, including his mommy's hair.

 Just a sweet photo of Aldo and the decadent blanket Tina (Stosh's mom) made for Aldo and I.  The fuzziness is bunny hair from Tina's own bunnies.  This is a very soft, cozzy and warm blanket.  Stay tuned and later you might see our matching hats!  Thanks Tina!

 

Sari visited after being 3 months from Tahoe and we got in a hike (though no photo) together.  Aldo was distracted during this time, however, because he needed to nurse every hour, on the hour (for 48 hours, minus the nights).  A growth spurt no doubt.  We took a video of Aldo at his activity blanket but very saddly, it won't load to the blog.

 

The Tahoe weather continues to be just magnificient.  We have Autumn color due to our very cold nights, but the days are still warm and mild.  Aldo is demonstrating that he has a memory in a couple of ways.  First, he smiles when I put on either my bike shoes or the Baby Bjorn pack - two events which trigger 'exercises' he enjoys.  And when I have him hold my pinky fingers while he's reclining, he automatically lifts his legs and pulls at his tummy for the pull to sitting position.  I'm loving this little guy!