Growling Good Halloween

At Daddy's work there is a Halloween party. We were really excited to go!

He doesn't know how to say "trick-or-treat" yet, but he does understand chocolate. In order to get the message across he growls and smiles (get it? "growls-or-smiles")in his lion costume. So far no one has been able to resist him.

Theravance also had inflatable bouncy rooms. He tried that out too!

11 months!

Hi All-

Sorry for the lack of writing. We've reached the winter months, when the colds/flu/sickness come in waves every-other week since September. We've already had the wet cough scourge, the crusty eye disease, thrush, stomach flu, the frighteningly high fevers of Roseola, and the green slug mucus ailment. Did you know that kids get up to 14 colds/flu per year in their first 4 years of life?

We have managed some fun, though. We bought Tobin up to the mountains again for the apple harvest. He found pumpkins too- we were so excited! We rented a tent trailer to try (before we buy). It was great for the heater that kept us cozy at night and that he could have some independent floor time, to play with toys and move around.

He is also walking 5-10 steps now, very controlled. Mommy and Daddy are really very grateful for the reprieve. We were worried that he was going to be an early walker- super mobile without the cognition to understand cause and effect. That would have been so dangerous. Now, he is always wanting to go walking, but wants to hold a hand for stability. So sweet!

We have also started rejoin the social scene- we had a Harvest party at his preschool, Halloween Party at Daddy's work, and today a first Birthday party! Currently, he's fast asleep after the birthday party (why Mommy can get to work!). Speaking of sleeping- most night's he's sleeping all the way through- Yipee! Mommy's finally catching up on sleep, well almost.

We hope to post some Halloween mischief soon, until then: "Bye, bye!!"

Eight months and cruising!!

So far we've sprouted three more teeth- the top two eyeteeth and a front tooth (the other is a few days behind). Yup, he is teething out of order- blame it on his novice parents, not knowing the right way... "How unusual," said our friend Katie, who is a real Dentist!! Actually, he's taking after his mommy, who also cut her fangs before her front chompers. At day care they call him the smiling Jack-o-Lantern!

Eight months old today!! Tobin is cruising!!



He's been holding our hands and marching along for the last week, but now he's doing it independently. Daddy is so proud!!



Our best to you!!

6-months

Hi All-

Can you believe it? Today was Tobin's 6-month check-up!

Overall, our peditrican is very pleased with Tobin's development. He kept saying, "He's doing really well!" He very impressed at Tobin's activity level- Tobin showed him how he can sit up by himself, roll over from front to back and reverse, and how he's in the ready to crawl position- he kicks, but hasn't figured out how to put it all together.

Tobin weighs 16 lbs 4.5 oz (33% percentile) and is a whopping 28.5 inches long (97% percentile). He's a big boy! In length, he's the same size as an average 10 month old! Although Mama was a little worried that his weight-for-height ratio is low, the Dr reassured us that Tobin is fit and thriving. He's eating two solid meals and drinking 45-60 oz of baby milk a day.

Here's a picture of him- he's in his PJ's and we are hoping he's going to feel sleepy soon! Oh, that's the other great news- he's sucessfully transitioned from his bassinet by our bed to his crib in his own room- and also, 5 out of 7 nights has slept all the way through! Hoorah!

Love to all,
Nate, Erika, and Tobin

PS- I wasn't impressed with the Mac.com website, so let the free trial lapse. I am investigating other options, and will keep you informed.

Happy Easter!

Tobin's first Easter Egg hunt- you can see he's very excited about it- "Look there's one over there- let's go, Dad!! Quit taking pictures, Mom!!"

Nate is back from Taiwan, and we are really enjoying family time together again. Everything went well with his job. While Nate was away, Erika moved back to Ken and Marion's house during the work week and they helped out tremendously with taking care of Tobin when Erika was at work.

We hope this finds you all well and happy this Easter Sunday.

Love,
Erika, Nate, and Tobin

Hi Family-

We have very exciting news: Tobin rolled over for the very first time this evening! Footage can be seen here:
(links removed, will be fixed later)

Sorry for the grainy, dark quality of the video- my digital camera is ancient. Nate travels to Taiwan for business on Saturday, and I'm hoping he can find a deal on a shiny, new one!!

Otherwise, all is well here. I have returned to work 4 days a week (Friday I get to be a stay at home Mom (but actually, I'm running around doing errands all day)). Tobin thriving on a hybrid of daycare and grandparent care, for which we are so grateful. He's also cooing- reported to have talked up a storm with his new "girlfriend" at daycare today. Everyday a new discovery- we are so enjoying our little miracle.

Love to you,
Erika

2-week Check-up

Tobin had his 2-week check-up this week. The Dr. is very happy with his progress- he's gaining weight well he's up to 8 lbs and has grown to 21 inches in length. We did not have any vaccinations this visit- Mama says "Thank goodness!"

Little Toby has been upchucking quite often, though, which apparently is
pretty normal as they grow, parts develop at different rates- and the esophageal sphincter tends to be weak. We are watching very closely, though, in case he has pyloric stenosis, which is a extra-strong valve at the bottom of the stomach (as it empties into the small intestines). Our strategy is to feed smaller volumes more frequently, slow him down by taking breaks, and hold him 20 minutes after feeding. So far, so good- we have plenty of diaper changes to show that food is getting through him and Mama is building upper arm strength holding him all day (but really not getting anything done).

Nate's week of blessed paternity leave is over, but he calls frequently during the day. I put him on speakerphone and Tobin's eyes lock on the phone- wondering how Daddy got in there. But he always listens to what Daddy's saying and loves Daddy's silly songs.

Love from here,
Erika, Nate, and Tobin

He's here!

Hi All-

Our baby was born on precisely on his due date: 11/22/06 at 7:15pm. Labor was very fast- only 1 hour and 45 min from water breaking to birth- so fast, in fact that we almost didn’t make it to the hospital in time! It was fairly intense, for Nate most of all. We barely made it to the labor and delivery ward, and believe it or not, I had the baby right then and there in the hallway in front of the nurses station. So no doula, no doctor, but I did get about 10 nurses to huddle around me and Nate delivered the baby.

Toby weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz, measured 19.5 inches long, and very healthy. We were sent home Friday and adjusting to our new situation- Luckily, as you know I have lots of help, not only daily visits from my Mom, but Nate has a whole week of paternity leave off!

Best,
Erika, Nate, and Toby Segraves