Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Fred: Month Two

Dear Fred,

I can't believe it's been two months since you entered into this crazy world! Two months. I know I'm going to say that every month, and I really do mean it. I'm amazed at how quickly time flies.
You've started drinking more formula before you go to bed. You've started to be more active with us. I think you're finally starting to recognize our voices. Maybe not necessarily as your parents, but definitely as the most heard voices around.
You've gone from hating baths to loving them.
You rolled over for the first time. I think it was a fluke because you really, really hate "tummy" time and I had you propped up on a pillow. You haven't done it very much since!
You flew on your first airplane and flirted with your first flight attendants. You met your Grandpa Beste, Uncle Scott, Aunt Bekki, Uncle Shaun and your Beste/Price cousins. And, you learned the fine art of high pitched screaming (and your Father thinks it was from them). I was really worried about how you would do on your first flight, but true to your (already developing) character, you behaved like a perfect angel.
You saw the Gulf of Mexico, by way of South Padre Island. You were able to take part in a Beste tradition of road trips for absolutely no reason other than "why not?". You also watched (well, slept through) the Super Bowl while Grandpa Beste and I enjoyed the commercials. It should also be noted that you gave me a wonderful delight at the end of the game - a boy fountain in my face. It was entertaining to everyone around I might add.
You also flew to California and met some of the Dempsey and Ales side of our family! You met your Grandpa Russ, and Grandma Jill. You met your namesake, your Great-Grandpa Fred Dempsey and Great-Grandma Joyce Dempsey. We were also able to visit with your Great-Grandpa Charlie Ales and your Great-Grandma Muriel Ales! On our way to Fort Bragg we visited with Aunt Lindy and Uncle Dave (on the Ales side).
You got to see the gorgeous Mendocino Coast and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

So many things have changed in our life since you joined us. We don't sleep as much. We defintely drink a lot more caffeine. Simple things amaze us. Tiny things entertain us. Childrens toys have changed over the last 30+ years.
Lots of changes. So very many things. And we wouldn't change it, or you, for anything.
I've gotten to spend every single day of your first two months with you. It's a time I will treasure forever.
Daddy and I "invested" in a FLIP camera and have had such fun taking short video's of you! Here's a fun one of you cooing and making baby noises as you play:
Love you!
Mommy

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Fred's First Trip

My parents (Heather's parents - Don and Mary) live in South Texas, and the flight is only 80 minutes or so. With that in mind, I took Fred down to visit. It was also a GREAT way to test out how he will handle flights. We want to take him to California to meet his paternal extended family but worry about having "that" baby on flights that screams from take off to landing. 

Fortunately for us, he was a champion traveler! He didn't peep a bit during either flight, and it made it so much easier for me! What a relief!

Fred experienced a few firsts while down south:
- His first ocean and beach
- His first flight
- His first "real" smile
- His first van ride.
- His first Super Bowl (and this also gave Mommy her first... potty fountain. Niiiice)
- His first interaction with cousins and their noises ... lots of noises.
- His first blessing (from his dad, grandfather, and uncle)
- His first un-assisted and un-propped turn over (he went from his tummy to his back).

We're hoping to get to California soon - possibly as soon as next week! YIKES! Oh the joys of Steve's rotating days off. We are planning on me going back to work on the 18th, so time is running out.

After our California trip, our next trip will hopefully be to Portland, Oregon to see Grandma Sheri, Great-Grandma Linette, Great-Grandpa Cash, and Great-Great-Grandma June... and of course all of the great family who live there!