quality time

This is my last week of maternity leave. I'm sad to leave him and a little worried about how it's all going to work when we're both at work (and of how tired I'm going to be) but I am excited to get back to work. It doesn't help that the past few weeks Colin and I have finally gotten a routine down and he's become more happy and interactive during the day. It's going to be hard to be away from him all day! So, we're trying to enjoy all of our time together this week...

I will miss this face!

This weekend Colin traveled out of state for the first time. We spent the weekend in Edwardsville with Grandma and G and Aunt Zoe. Colin screamed for the first ten minutes of the drive, and I was about to tell Mike to turn around. But as soon as we got on the interstate, he quieted down, and then slept the rest of the way.

a beautiful sight...

We were so happy. The ride home featured one quick meltdown at Springfield, but after a bottle and having Mom relocate to the backseat for entertainment, he was quiet for the rest of the trip.

He had a great time at home, spending time with the grandparents and Aunt Zoe, and even getting to meet some of Mom's friends!

He was a little fussier than normal during the weekend, but considering the new environment and people, we were very happy with how the trip went. It was great to spend some time with family and friends, and nice to know that we actually can travel with him (although, it might be a long time before we get the energy to do it again!)

watch out, Colin...

Mom and Dad got a new camera. Poor Colin's every movement will now be tracked with a flashbulb (even more than before, if that's possible). here's some pictures from the past week:

http://tinyurl.com/colin10-11

rolling on...

To make up for yesterday's less than stellar videos, here's Colin merrily rolling along this morning. Sorry about the belch, he is truly Dad's little boy.

rockin and rollin for real!!

This morning, Colin rolled over for the first time! He's been getting ready for awhile - pushing himself up on his arms:



Then this morning, I was getting the camera ready, hoping to catch some of his coos. Before I knew it, he was rolling over! I turned on the camera in time to catch the second half of the roll (and ensuing confusion/crying):



Unfortunately, attempts to replicate have thus far been epic failures.

He immediately fell asleep after this and is still sleeping.. he's apparently put in his hard work for the day.

Update: It wasn't a fluke - he's been doing it all afternoon! Amazing how yesterday he couldn't do it, and now he can't stop! Hopefully he'll remember how when Dad gets home tonight.

Date Night

Last night, Mike planned a surprise Mom's night out. Dorothy and I went and had much-needed glasses of wine, along with much-needed pedicures and girl talk. Meanwhile, the dads got basketball, beer and pizza, and the babies got to play. Everyone wins! Colin and Ellie spent some time on the play mat together...


Hey lady..



Nonchalantly trying to hold hands...



Playing it cool.

Happy New Year!

Colin wishes all our family and friends a Happy New Year! He even timed his naps to allow his parents to have a nice dinner and stay up til midnight! 2009 was such a great year for our family.. here's to a wonderful 2010.

inching along...

Since the day Colin was born, everyone has commented on his super strong legs. Though he's nowhere near crawling, he can move himself along by pushing off of our hands (or whatever else is near). Here's a video of our little inchworm making his way across his mat, with Dad's help (at the end, you can hear Colin give himself a little shout out).