Big Boy Changes

     Quinlan had a big weekend: he started riding in his stroller without the infant adaptor and carseat, he went on the swing in the park, and he started practicing some serious rolling in his crib. As the weather continues to cool down, Quinlan has been able to enjoy the outside more. Of course he is always wearing the blue sun hat he got from Emmet as our fair man burns quite easily.
     Mom and dad took him to the park near their house and tried pushing him a bit in the swing. Quinlan did not really know what to make of this, but he didn't cry out and actually seemed to be enjoying himself a bit. We had to abandon the swings and continue our walk when the wind picked up as Quinlan was getting cold. 

      We then bundled him up in the blanket we had planned to spread out and sit on and took a nice stroll through Ball Sq. Quinlan liked looking out the front of the stroller now as he is now facing forward since taking out the infant insert. He opens his big blue eyes wide to take in all the new sites and occasionally coos and babbles to himself. Quinlan is looking forward to some more big boy milestones. Currently he is working on rolling over - he can roll back to front consistently and front to back when the mood hits him. He is also working on sitting up unsupported. Currently he needs just one hand at his hips.

Looking More Like Mommy?

        Daddy took some pictures of us before heading off to work the other day. Quinlan was wearing his fancy alligator pjs and looking super cute. Dad has been able to wake up early every morning, chant for 45 minutes to an hour, prepare for his day and then spend a few minutes with Quinlan when he first gets up.
      Quinlan is so lucky to have both parents be able to greet him each morning and he always wakes up with a smile... even if he hides it from the camera. Dad is then usually able to get home to spend time with Quinlan before bedtime, and mom also bikes furiously home on the days she is at MGH for a hope to see her little man before he goes to sleep.

     Mom has shifted her hours at MGH to 3 days a week, and had a good first day at Boston University as a teaching assistant on Tuesday. Mom is excited to be teaching again and is looking forward to the fall semester. Quinlan now has 2 teachers in the family.
     Quinlan has been working on his sitting, his rolling and some vowel sounds. We visit with the pediatrician Sept 26th for his 6 month check-up and we think the doctor will be pleased with all his good progress.
     Oh, and people are starting to say that Q looks more like mom these days, while she still thinks he looks a lot like daddy... either way, he is still pretty darn cute!

Fun in the Park

      Quinlan and mom went to the park on Saturday and enjoyed the great weather together. We played on the quilt in the grass, practiced our sitting (Quinlan is still working on his trunk control) and just laid back and let the wind blow on our faces. Quinlan definitely enjoyed this after the initial shock of feeling the wind blow.
     He has been able to enjoy more time outside with the improved weather and goes out for walks daily with Kristen or his parents. He will even get a short walk in the carrier under an umbrella if there is a bit of rain as we have found time outside helps him to nap during the day and sleep well at night.

First Week of School

      Dad has been hard at work getting ready for the first week of school that started today. He spent multiple hours sorting through his classroom, devising classroom rules, and developing interactive educational activities.
     Mom has been doing her best to support by preparing meals in the crockpot before she leaves for work that will be done when she gets home. That way, after Quinlan goes down for bed, a nice hot meal can be enjoyed immediately.
      Quinlan is handling the transition in stride and is having fun with Kristen, his new nanny. They have walked to the park together and read a book in the shade, practiced standing in his exersaucer, and ate yummy peaches and prunes. She has been amazing and has helped us all in this transition.

      Kristen is coming 4 days a week for 6 hours: M, W, Th 10-4 as mom is working only 3 days at MGH 1130-630, and on Tues from 7-1 as mom is working as a teaching assistant and Boston University. The position at BU is only for the fall, but allows mom to still remain in academia as she was not able to teach in her regular summer course at MGH Institute of Health Professions as she was home with Q.
     Quinlan is supporting us both wearing his Back-to-School bib and by sleeping through the night. Quinlan now sleeps from 7-4, wakes up eats, and goes back to sleep till 7. He has been going down well for his naps and sleeping 1.5-2 hours at times allowing mom to bake snacks for lunches and to prepare dinners. Quinlan, you are an amazing little man!

Parental Update

Quinlan 2 days ago in the bouncy seat

Quinlan 2 days after he came home from the hospital

We realized that we had not sent any updates about mom and dad recently, just prince Quinlan. So we thought we would update everyone on some new family changes: dad has excepted a position with the city of Somerville as a 3rd grade teacher. He had new teacher orientation Wednesday & Thursday and spent most of Thursday and Friday getting his classroom ready. Dad has amazing ideas for setting up a reading corner, and establishing collaborative work areas for the students. After a few days of hard work, and some help from mom & friends, the classroom is almost ready for the 20 students that have the pleasure of having Mr. Garton as their 3rd grade teacher starting Wednesday Sept 5th! Updates of this adventure will definitely be posted.

Check out the comparison shots of Q in the bouncy seat: 2 days ago verses when he first came home. He has definitely taken to the Eat Grow Plan!