A New Smile

Freddy has a new smile, it seems! It's been a while since I've posted a blog entry here, I'm considering phasing this blog out and focusing on my Swirling Tree blog. I will be posting pictures of FGH on there as well, I know a lot of family and friends keep up-to-date with him through this blog. Right now he's asleep in my art room, he loves it in there so we're considering swapping rooms. It sounds like a pain to move all that stuff to and fro, but right now I've got my computer on the dining room table along with stacks of folded paper and a tub of glue...and lots of other stuff...

Well, there are blobs of pesto mashed potatoes from lunch crusting up on the floor underneath the highchair that I need to tend to...

Happy Valentines Day!

He's Movin'

I guess I can finally admit that Fredrik is a walker! Two nights ago he walked from the far side of the living room to my studio/art room...about 15 feet. He had been making little teetering steps, one or two between his little chairs and "walker" toys (not a walker, but a walk-behind deal with wheels) but now it's official. Pretty darn adorable.

new table and chairs

Life is better now that we are settling into a routine again. Peter's back to school, Fredrik and I are back to our usual schedule which has made the days go by a little smoother. I think he really appreciates a schedule.

Here he is using his new table and chairs from Ikea (and gma and gpa Hemberger).

Stumped

I've been feeling really depressed all day. I feel like Fredrik is not a happy boy. Teething takes a toll on this guy. He can't sleep, he takes one bite of the ten or fifteen things I offer him at a meal then chucks it on the floor and screams. He doesn't want to drink much. He gets frustrated with books, toys, games, and us. Napping is ridiculous and we've taken to car rides, then parking when he's asleep and doing homework/reading/what not until he wakes. I brought him to the car today after over TWO HOURS of trying EVERYTHING to get him to take a nap. I'm a stay-at-home-mom and can not even figure my baby out, I'm with him all the time! Hey, that gives me an idea...maybe I need to step away from the problem. I don't know. People talk about phases, so maybe this has nothing to do with teething and is just a phase. While I'm ranting; over-stimulation, what's up with that? Busca seems hyper, yet the only thing that calms him down is loud stimulating music or lots of bouncing and dancing. And he likes when I read books using crazy voices, not a calm soothing lullaby voice. When he was born I adopted a go-with-the-flow attitude, adjusting things to suit him, but now he's getting older and I feel like I need to lead him to the valley of calmness-for his own sake. But then, of course, it is probably his personality,right? Nature vs. nurture...who wins this one?

On a more happy note, he did have happy moments, even today:
1. He enjoyed walking around the Art Institute in the sling today (free!) and seeing lots of people and paintings.
2. He enjoyed a ripe pear.
3. He's braving his way through his new tunnel, even without one of us waiting at the other end and seems very proud.
4. He is having fun with mimicry- especially if I cock-a-doodle-doo.
5. He seems to be learning cause and effect all of a sudden and is trying new motor skills-like trying to put a ring on the stack-o-rings stick. (maybe this is frustrating for him?)

Any thoughts? Anybody?

Snow Days

Fredrik LOVES his new Land's End snowsuit that he got from Grandma Hemberger. As soon as it was on he was smiling and laughing. It's down-filled with a faux-fur trim that makes him look like a little Inuit. Either that, or it looks like he suddenly grew a crazy amount of hair. There are even fold-over "mittens" and "boots," what a great design. Peter took him to get groceries at the Co-op and he said he snuggled up and slept on his chest they entire time. He feels so cozy. Bring on the cold!

Christmas Baby

We had a very Merry Christmas full of travels, family, friends, food, and, of course, presents.  

I guess we began celebrating the season on the 21st at our house with some "solstice" presents.

We started traveling on the 22nd in Forest City, IA with   Grandma and Grandpa Hemberger.  On the 23rd we partook in the annual festivity of Lille Jul Aften in FC.  A large crowd gathered for glogg, sing-alongs, the children's nativity (FGH was too mobile to play Jesus, though he was the smallest babe), and a smorgasbord.  I took video that night, so I hope someone reading this will forward some photos to me!  On the 24th we had mock-Christmas morning with the Reids, Mittmans, and Hembergers, and then we headed north for Christmas with the Larsons, G.Grandma June, and the Jacobsons, and Lindblooms of course.  FGH and Madi played together really well and loved all the toys they received.  More presents, a delicious breakfast, and play time followed in the morning and then we lounged around the Larson house for most of the day before heading home.  We're feeling a little stir crazy after all the busy days.  It's dull inside and cold outside.  Without further ado...the photos...

This is my all time favorite, striped pants, vintage jacket, crazy-colors awesome toy.

Solstice gifts under the Christmas tree...how unitarian.
blocks are good things
Jonah and Fredrik in matching stripes
Lachen, Aksel, Fredrik, and Jonah in sweaters made my Gma Hemberger
Madi and Fredrik in their Christmas outfits
Telephone toy...a blast
Gma Larson, FGH, Madi surprised by...something...Santa?
Another good read
some assembly required, nice drill, Freddy

Gimme that Tree