House Hunting Continued

As I posted a few weeks ago, the process of house-hunting has been a bit of an adventure for us.  And, the adventure continues.  After writing last time, we made another offer on the first home (the fixer-upper) and it was accepted this time around.  But, it didn't pass the bank appraisal and we were once again houseless.  So, we revisited a house we had toured earlier and decided to make an offer on it.  Our offer was accepted, but we were fearful of being excited after losing two other houses.  However, it has now passed both the inspection and the bank appraisal so we're becoming a bit more hopeful that this may actually be the house for us!  If so, we're planning on moving in on March 23rd.  It's small, but cute and perfect for our little family of three.  And, we even think we could squeeze in a few guests so feel free to come and visit!

Week Eighteen - Four Months Old!

What a week in the life of Kai.  On Saturday he turned four months old!  Where has the time gone?  We celebrated his "birthday" with a first feeding of rice cereal (yum!), and his first front-facing walk in the stroller.  As you'll see in the pictures, I'm not sure how impressed he was with either one! 

I have felt especially blessed this week, as I know that at this stage many moms have to go back to work, but I get to stay home and be a full-time mom to Kai.  Every day I am more and more thankful that I am able to be here with him to share in all of his changes and growth.  I wouldn't miss it for the world, and I'm so grateful for Bryon's support in allowing me to do this.

I'm also feeling very blessed to have such a great baby.  Recently, it seems like everywhere we go people ask, "Is he always this good?", and the answer is "Yes, he usually is".  So, we are blessed with a cute, fun, well-behaved baby, and lots of time to spend with him.

Bryon giving Kai his first taste of rice cereal.  Hmm, not too sure what to think!

He's getting the hang of it, and apparently thinks he can now feed himself.

But, his fingers still taste better.

"All done.  Time to wipe off my face." :)

Getting ready to go out for a walk, facing forward for the first time!

 

Valentine's Day

Bryon surprised me with a fun Valentine's date on Sunday afternoon.  We went to a beach park near Sandpoint, roasted marshmallows over a fire, made smores, improvised various games with marshmallows (eg. marshmallow/beachwood baseball), and drank hot cocoa.  Then we returned to town and enjoyed some yummy sushi for dinner.  It felt just like one of the dates we used to take during college and I loved it!  Thanks Bryon.

Week Seventeen

Week seventeen of Kai's life was full of fun.  Gramma and Papa Budensiek came to visit for the weekend, which meant that Bryon and I got to go out and celebrate Valentine's day and go skiing while Kai got to enjoy some special Gramma and Papa time!  And, to top off the fun he had with his grandparents, Kai decided he was going to end the week by starting to roll from back to front.  He's been rolling from his belly to his back since November, but never the other way.  Maybe the Olympics inspired him.  The question is...is he rolling for the Canadian or the American team?

His Valentine's bib from Grandpa and Grandma Gamache.

Week Sixteen - Reading Time

When I was little, my dad used to come home every day for lunch.  After he was finished eating, he would read me a Bible story as I sat on his lap.  Since Bryon is able to come home each day for lunch as well, he has continued this tradition with Kai, reading him a Bible story from his baby Bible and often following with some Shel Silverstein poetry.  How perfect. 

Week Fifteen - Mr. Houdini

Kai is our little "Houdini Swaddle Master".  Since birth he has loved being swaddled, and will not sleep peacefully unless swaddled.  However, he has an uncanny ability to escape any swaddle we put him in.  Even experienced moms and grandmas can not swaddle him tight enough.  All of this has created great frustration in our lives.  Kai is a great sleeper and since he was just a few weeks old he has been sleeping through the night pretty consistently, but if he manages to escape his swaddle, he wakes up (thankfully once reswaddled, he goes right back to sleep again).  Thus, we dubbed him "our little Houdini".  Finally, after weeks of frustration, Bryon and I decided something must be done.  So, after some swaddle research we bought the "Miracle Blanket".  It truly was rather miraculous, for a couple of weeks anyways.  However, Kai has now mastered even the Miracle Blanket and I'm not sure what we're going to do next!  Let's hope he gains enough muscle control soon to not require swaddling!

The only other big news this week is that Kai had his first haircut.  We decided it was more than time to do away with the comb-over. :)

Getting ready to enter the Miracle Blanket.

"Guido the Burrito", all swaddled and ready for bed.

FIRST HAIRCUT!!

 Before

After