4 Months Old

Leo is now 4 months old and things just keep getting better and better. We have had some really good times recently, especially since Leo is now a full-fledged giggler! Along with all the fun, we have had some really rough nights. Leo must be going through a growth spurt, because he is getting up every 2 hours at night and I am exhausted!

Leo loves nothing more than standing, sitting with assistance, playing and being an all around active guy. I predict that he will really keep me busy when he is mobile. He is also very close to rolling from back to stomach. What a guy!

Today we went to Aunt Tiffy's for lunch. She prepared Greek salad pita pockets....yummy! Too bad Leo was ill behaved! I was a little disappointed, but hey, he's a baby!

First Cold

On Saturday, not only did Leo have his first real giggle session (a much needed reward after the Mookie incident), but he also caught his first cold. I hate to admit it, but I most likely gave it to him, which breaks my heart. The previous week, I had a sore throat and general fatigue. It is now Wednesday, and Leo is still very stuffed up and has a cough. He also has had horrible nights and has been waking up every 1-2 hours. He is still in pretty good spirits though and I am trying to keep things very low key for him. As you can see in the photo above, Leo is not smiling. That is in part due to photo selection; I am trying to rally up some sympathy for the boy...hehe! Gosh, even when he isn't feeling well, he is the cutest thing ever!

On Sunday, we had our friends Mike and Angie and their daughter Aubrey over. We had a nice dinner in the backyard and since Joe and Mike couldn't attend the Portland International Beer Festival, they went to John's Market (which has hundreds of beers from all over the world), and had their own beer festival. We all had a great time and it was the perfect distraction after Mookie's passing.

On a side note, doesn't Aubrey have gorgeous hair? Why is hair like this wasted on the youth???

Goodbye Friend

Mookie Wilson - May 2001-July 2008

Today has been filled with many tears because we said goodbye to a member of our family. Mookie passed away today around 1 p.m. and our family will never be the same. Since the 4th of July, it was almost impossible to get Mookie to stay inside. He preferred the outdoors and took to a patch of ferns close to our front yard. The weather has been quite pleasant, so we allowed him freedom to stay outside. We have never lived on such a safe, cat friendly street, so in a way, the freedom to explore life outside our home was a gift to both Mookie and Miette. However, Mookie has always been more adventurous than Miette, so he would choose to stay out much longer and we would have to force him to come in. We provided him with food and water as well, but we started to notice that he wasn't eating or drinking his water. When Joe took him inside, he had lost a considerable amount of weight and refused to eat.

When Joe took him to the vet this morning, his temperature was alarmingly low and after running a series of tests, they determined that his kidneys were failing. We only had one choice, which was very painful, but humane.

Most likely, Mookie took to the outdoors because he knew he was sick and wanted to be left alone. Unfortunately, we misread this because Mookie always tried to get outside. He seemed most happy to explore outdoors. I just hope that his last few days weren't filled with too much pain.

I met Mookie when Joe and I started dating and he was only 4 months old. Mookie could very well be one of the driving forces that made me fall for Joe. When I first met Mookie, he had a face that melted my heart. He was just the most adorable thing I had ever seen! Joe was so sweet to Mookie and I was always so impressed by his tenderness to this beautiful kitten.

Mookie was never very social and often hid when we had company, but to those he trusted, he was a very loving and devoted friend. One of Mookie's signature moves was to ram his head gently into you when he wanted attention. He did this with very few people, so when he did, you knew you were a member of his very select inner circle.

Although Mookie and Miette had a rough start, they became the best of friends. We often found them cuddled up together and you would be hard pressed to find a cuter duo. Also, when Leo was born, Mookie was very curious about him. We always found him relaxing around Leo's possessions ... Leo's papasan chair, carseat, blankets etc. I am just so sad that Leo never really got to know Mookie.

Mookie was a wonderful cat. We loved him with all of our hearts and it will take a very long time before before we recover from the heartache of his passing. I hope that wherever Mookie is, he is filled with happiness.

We love you Mookie and will never forget how special you were to us and Miette. Rest in peace sweet kitty.

Happy 4 Year Anniversary!

I just wanted to take a moment and wish Joe a happy 4-year anniversary. Joe has always proven to be a caring and loving husband, but with the birth of Leo this year, I have discovered what a wonderful father he is too. His undying devotion to both me and Leo is daily evidence that I married the perfect man for me. Joe has been a pillar of strength both through my pregnancy and in Leo's first month's of life. His love for Leo melts my heart and I know that he will always be there to protect both of us.

Joe, I love you honey...thanks for sharing the biggest year of our lives! Together we created a beautiful angel.

Just a Funny Photo

This is just a funny photo I am uploading to show you Leo's latest "skill." He is the spit king and I accidentally zoomed in way too close to capture this perfect moment. Hehe!

15 Weeks Old

Leo is now 15 weeks old and as of Wednesday, he weighed 11 lb. 4 oz. That may not seems like a lot, but he has doubled his birth weight, so I am very pleased. Leo and I also attended a work party today and he did quite well. My manager Rob is leaving Otak for a great new opportunity and I will really miss him. Rob hired me knowing I was 9 weeks pregnant and I was so grateful for the opportunity. For now, I am working 1 half day a week (I know...hectic work schedule!), but I am staying in the work force and working for a company I love. Anyhow, it was great to celebrate with co-workers and I was able to get Leo all decked out in his "little man" attire.

Summer

So we are in full summer mode. Today and tomorrow it will exceed 90 degrees, which makes life with baby a bit more challenging. I try my best to ensure that no part of his delicate skin gets sun exposure, especially since he inherited my fair skin.

Leo will be making his first airplane trip to visit relatives in Southern CA. Leo and I will be joining my mom to go to my cousin's wedding. It will be great for Leo to see his great grandma again and meet new relatives, but I am a bit worried. Leo and I are just getting the hang of things and I am apprehensive about throwing him into a whole new environment, routine etc. for 3 days. Plus, we will be without Joe, so that will be sad. By the time the trip rolls around, he will be almost 4 months and with the great strides he has recently been making, the trip may be a piece of cake. Please wish us luck!

Happy 4th of July!

Leo celebrated his first 4th of July in fine style at Aunt Tiffy and Uncle Martin's house. We shared a day of bbq with our parents and Leo was a champ. We ended the day with our bellies full of smores, which were delicious. I have a real weakness for smores, and this is unfortunate considering I can't seem to get rid of the last 10 pounds of pregnancy weight. I have started running again and am back up to 6 miles, but I just can't get rid of the extra flab...yuck! Despite the set back, the smores and all the other delicious bbq food was worth it!

Leo is now 14 weeks old and life keeps getting better and better. He has discovered how to self sooth using his hands and it is hilarious. He will try to stick both of his fists into his little mouth and consequently will create pools of slobber around him.

I also managed to get Joe to take a photo of me and Leo. Please take a moment and look at me and then look at Leo. This baby looks nothing like me!!! Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly content that Leo is Joe's mini-me. Both my husband and son are very handsome, so I couldn't be more pleased. Also, it seems increasingly apparent that Leo has beaten the genetic odds of having brown eyes in favor of his daddy's green eyes. Ahhh... and aren't they pretty?