more Rockford pix

Trip to Rockford

Here are some pics from our recent trip to Rockford, IL. Lots of drama surrounding this trip, resulting in days of exhaustion upon our return home. BUT, it was all worth it to see Grandma and cousins, Gavin and Ella.

To begin this trip, Nevi, Robb and I were out the door at 4:40am Friday morning on June 25th (planned on leaving at 4:30am but running a little late) to catch our 6:30am flight. It was a smooth drive to the airport until we arrived at our park-n-ride, where we were held up significantly by a VERY slow shuttle ride to the terminal. At this point, we had 50 minutes still to check baggage and go through security. We stood in line to check our bags for 8 minutes only to find out that bags must be checked 45 minutes prior to departure and we had missed our window by 3 minutes. So, we stood there in shock as they told us we couldn't board (plane still not leaving the airport for another 43 minutes). The next flight that had seats available was the NEXT morning, same time. Soooo, we did the same thing all over again on Saturday morning, only we left the house at 4:15am on the nose. By the time we actually landed in Chicago, we had Saturday afternoon and Sunday to hang with mom, Gavin and Ella. Kristin and Keith were unable to get off work so they dropped the kids off so the cousins could play. VERY nice of them to do this. Our flight back to Denver left OHare at 7:20am Monday morning, so we left Rockford, once again, at 4something in the morning, arrived back home feeling pretty beat and bruised.

By the time we got home and settled, Robb was off to work and Nevi had 102 degree fever. She was fire hot with goose bumps all over. I called our pediatrician and did what they said (Tylenol and tepid bath) and put her down for the night at 6pm. By morning, her fever was gone and I could see how happy she was to be home. I think the early mornings and missing hours of sleep really took its toll on all of us.

TEETHING: Today, July 5th, Nevi is doing well. She has been teething for the last few days, which is obvious by Nevi's lack of contentedness. Her bottom left molar is pushing through the gums. If it is anything as painful as it looks, she is being a trooper, considering. But she is sleeping more and 'not quite herself' as this tooth comes in. Her molars on the the other side have already come in.

EATING CHANGES: Up until 3 days ago, Nevi has eaten anything we offer her. Suddenly and completely out of nowhere, Nevi has decided to be a little more picky about what she will eat, or more accurately, more picky about what she will keep in her mouth. She will still put most anything IN her mouth, but if she doesn't like the texture or taste of something, she will spit it out. I'm finding that she likes mostly bland foods right now. She is back to getting the 'chills' when food is too seasoned or not a pleasant texture. She did this 'whole-body-chill' thing when she first started solids but hasn't done it now for quite some time. Additionally, she is not eating as much and pushes food away when she's done, or just starts throwing it on the floor. I am happy to see that she recognizes 'full' now, however, we will be working on proper communication via sign language or spoken word to avoid many more carpet stains.

June schtuff

Nevi and I went to the Denver Aquarium yesterday - it's been cool and rainy all weekend. Just as I suspected, she took greater interest in climbing the seat rocks than the actual fish, but it was still a good trip. Anytime we can change the scenery and explore new grounds is a good day.

Pushing Neviah Chair

Swimming Video Clip

Memorial Day Weekend w/ Gma & Gpa

Grandma Mom and Jim Pa came into town for Memorial Weekend for an array of adventures. Day 1, we hit the Grand Opening of the outdoor pool at the YMCA, our new fitness center. It was a bit cool but Nevi didn't seem to mind as she floated in her boat and played ball with her peers. Day II, we watched the Indy 500 while Grandma made homemade Tirimasu (best I've had to date) and Kate experimented with her new juicer (carrot/apple/celery/ginger...yum!). A lovely sunset walk on the trails and a friendly game of Euchre concluded our day (for the record, Robb and I totally schooled the grandparents).

Day III was spent at the Boulder Creek Arts Festival, where Grandma reconnected with old friends who drove up from south Denver. Nevi was a wanderin' and a climbin' trees with Jim Pa. When she got a little hot and bothered, we dipped our feet in the Boulder Creek...bbbrrrrrr!... to cool her jets.

Nevi has always been a very vocal baby, expressing herself with cooing and shouts. But now, she just plain yells. When asked how Nevi is doing, the honest answer Robb and I can give is... she's very 'yelly'. It's just how she communicates right now so I continue reinforcing sign language and simple words. So far, Nevi can say hi, bye, no, mommy, daddy, good girl, uh oh, oh jeez, banana (nana really), apple and other simple words and she also knows probably 20 different signs in ASL. She can repeat many words you say and come pretty close to the pronunciation, but doesn't repeat/initiate the words in correct context yet. That'll come.
She has two of her molar teeth in and the doc said that the others are on their way. I think she's got 10 teeth all together now. She is 21 lbs, 3 oz as of today, and the doc is recommending that she gain weight by adding additional healthy oils and fats to her diet. She's in the 75% for height and 25% for weight.

Nevi is still a momma's girl and takes a little while to warm up to new adult faces. She LOVES to play with girls her age up to 10 y/o. She initiates play with peers very quickly and likes to give them hugs. It's pretty darn cute to watch.

First big spill

Not mom's proudest moment but an experience all the same. Nevi fell face first a few weeks ago onto our cement slab in the back. And I was standing right next to her but couldn't break the fall in time. I was sick to my stomach after that for most of the day. Big bumps on her forehead and a scabby/bloody nose. She proved once again just how resilient and tough she really is. The scabs are already gone and she plays just as hard as always.

Right now, one of her favorites things to do is to put stuff in stuff. Example below where Nevi has decided to pick strawberry leaves and place them ever so strategically in my water bottle. I suppose she's really perfecting her gross and fine motor skills, but I did cringe slightly because they were my STRAWBERRIES!!! Oh well, a parent's ability to' let go' of these minor things seems to improve drastically each day, re-prioritizing Nevi's development and exploration above all else.