Swaddled No More

Ian told me on Tuesday that he didn't want to be swaddled at naptime anymore. I was a little skeptical at first, thinking that he would change his mind as soon as his scratchy little fingernails started investigating his sleepy face. But the real hang-up was actually the sneaky fingers that kept plucking the pacifier from his mouth just as he was drifting off to sleep. His droopy eyelids would pop wide open in irritation everytime it happened, as if those naughty little fingers were not connected to the same consciousness. SO funny.

After watching those little "thieves" for 10 minutes, and replacing the binkie myself each time, I started guiding Ian's fingers to a blanket his Great Mamma (Great Grandma Searles) made for him, hoping the pacifier would be left alone. Sure enough, after 10 minutes of that, Ian's need to be swaddled had been overcome. We haven't swaddled him since, at naptime, or during the night.

I am actually feeling a little bit sad about this -- it is an unmistakable sign that he is growing up. However, I recognize that the swaddling was getting out of hand -- though he insisted on being tightly wrapped, he would usually work his hands free before you could even turn your back. And then he would cry. So, no more swaddling is a good thing.

Houston Temple

Amber's Visit

Our buddy Amber spent a long weekend with us. (Though it wasn't long enough. : ) We had all kinds of fun, and I was sad to see her head back to Provo for her last semester at BYU.

I have appointed myself as her official headhunter for PR positions. Only ones based in the Houston area will be considered. Let me know if you hear of anything promising!

Amber made us a cheesecake while she was visiting. Those who were able to attend my baby shower a few months back probably remember it as the best cheesecake they have ever tasted. Yummmmm..... I think I am going to go have another slice. Here is the recipe for the rest of you. I am telling you-- it is REALLY good stuff.

Dutton Family Cheesecake

Crust:

2 cups Honey Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 stick butter, melted
¼ cup sugar
2 handfuls pecan crushed

Mix well & press onto bottom and sides of springform pan

Filling:

4- 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 teaspoon almond flavoring

Mix well. Spread into crust. Place in cold oven and turn on at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Topping:

1 pint sour cream
¾ cup sugar
½ teaspoon almond flavoring
½ teaspoon lemon juice

Mix well. Take cheesecake out of oven. Pour on topping and spread evenly. Return to oven and bake for 8 more minutes. Remove and allow to cool a little before placing into refrigerator. Chill at least 4 hours, but best if chilled 6-8 hours or overnight.

2nd Anniversary!

Sunday was our 2nd Anniversary. What a fantastic two years these have been! And although our anniversary was slightly eclipsed by the rice cereal and rolling, it was a great day.

Here are some of our engagement pictures, taken by our brother-in-law Chris. He is such a great photographer!

Four Months Old & A Day of Firsts

This handsome guy is now four months old. Last week he weighed in at 18 lbs. 1 oz and 26.5" long. (up only 3 ounces from last month, but 1 and 1/2 inches longer!) Apparently he is now focused on getting longer and not rounder.

To celebrate the 4 month mark, we decided to give him some rice cereal, and he decided to roll over for us -- all in the same day!

Ian before his first taste of rice cereal. He looked a little nervous, didn't he?

Okay-- now he looks hungry enough to give it a try.

After eating (wearing) the rice cereal. We haven't seen that look of satisfaction since his first bottle of formula at the hospital!

These were taken moments before Ian first rolled over. Our little rolly polly has rolled over exactly twice each day ever since. The day after the first roll, I had my back turned while watching a "Choose to Give" clip on the computer only to turn around to find him on his back (not how I left him.) Apparently he was still shy about showing off his new skill.

"You want to put that themometer WHERE?"

Best Buds

These two missed each other terribly and it was fun to see them reunited at the airport. This adorable picture was taken the Saturday after we got back. Awww... my two favorite guys in the world....

C A L I F O R N I A !

Thanks to a frequent flyer ticket from a good friend, Ian and I spent last week with my folks in CA. We sure did miss Scott, but had a fun time getting re-aquainted with Grandma and Grandpa Ogden.

Here are some pictures from our trip -- it was very relaxing, with the bulk of our time spent showing Ian off to various long-time friends. With Diana Moore -- a dear friend of mine from my hometown stake, and my very favorite college roommate.
Grandma Ogden played with Ian while I had dinner. Ian just loves the view from there.

My kitty Connor bowing to Sir Ian.

Making fishy faces during a bath in Grandma and Grandpa's sink.

Grandpa found this Baby Einstein excersaucer at a garage sale for a price that couldn't be beat. He got it to collapse nicely for the plane ride home, though I got a lot of questions about the the tire-shaped cargo.

Cousin Tyler, Aunt Val, cousin Katelyn and Uncle Scott checking out the inside of Ian's mouth through the pacifier. It is an amazingly insteresting view.

The Reedy's with Ian.

Ian and Uncle Scott really hit it off.

Story time with Uncle Jason.

Green Eggs and Ham, anyone?

Relaxing on Grandpa Ogden's lap. They were insta-friends and Grandpa was an expert at getting Ian to giggle.

After a fabulous lunch with childhood friend Heather and mom Kathy.

Evening with three generations of long-time friends the Brunks.

Ian and baby Cheyenne loved each other and took turns cracking each other up.

The three of us gals have been friends since elementary school.

Sleeping

The good news is we discovered that Ian can put himself to sleep. (Too bad we didn't discover that 4 months and thousands of rocking/bouncing/ssshhhhing sessions ago.) It is really satisfying to swaddle him, give his bed a couple rocks, and then sneak out before he is even asleep. And he really seems to PREFER it to us rocking him -- he actually falls asleep much faster most times. And I suddenly have a lot more spare time.

Bad news is he thinks 5:00 a.m. is an appropriate time to "Rise and Shout." Hopefully this is just lagged time zone adjusting from our CA trip, and it will work itself out shortly.