December!

Shaun was so impressed with the lights on the Christmas tree! They are just normal multi colored lights, but he loved them! Every time he first saw them, he pointed at the tree and “ooohed” and aaahed” and squealed like crazy. It was really cute. He also wanted to touch the tree a lot, so we had to constantly tell him to not touch it. He pulled it down twice! The second time I caught it before it actually hit the floor. No damage though. We haven’t put our tree up in a few years, so I was excited to have it up again! Last year, being 7 months pregnant, I didn’t want to have any more “chores” than necessary, and we knew it would be the last time we would have the opportunity to not put it up. And the prior 2 years I think, we just weren’t in the mood to put it up. We have still collected our tree ornaments every year though. We buy an ornament every year, with the year on it. This year it is a baby’s first Christmas ornament, with a picture of Shaun in it. So, someday our whole tree will be filled with ornaments from each year of our marriage!

Shaun has started drinking out of a sippy cup. He drinks “juice” in it throughout the day. I say “juice” because it is really water, with just a little bit of juice to give it a little bit of flavor so he will want to drink it. He is really good at drinking from it when lying down. He is still working on tipping it up properly when sitting.

Shaun loves to be on his feet and “walk”. No, he isn’t walking yet on his own, but he wants us to hold his hands and walk around with him. His little feet want to run too! I think we are in big trouble soon. If he still wants to walk around after we stop, he gets all mad until the walking starts again, and this is basically just going round and round the living room. He loves his new race car that he can walk behind, see the pictures linked at the right for December.

We had a good, but unusual Christmas. See the previous blog for all about that.

Happy New Year!!!

An unusual Christmas!

This year was an unusual Christmas for our family because of the weather! First, we postponed the Christmas Eve gathering at my Aunt’s home in west Seattle because we didn’t want to travel on the slippery roads, and it was still snowing! We postponed it until Saturday, but the side roads were still not good enough, so that gathering is now not until January 17th because that is when everyone is available! However, we still went over to my parent’s house. We had Shaun open up the presents from us, so they could watch since Shaun doesn’t yet know what is really going on.

Christmas day, we slowly and carefully drove to my parent’s house. It was a blizzard outside, but we were not going to miss getting together with family on Christmas day. We slipped and slid there, without incident.

Then we had a mini scare. About half an hour after arriving, our SUV slid down their driveway into the garage door! We heard a bang, and everyone said, “What was that?” Everyone was scattered throughout the house because Dad & Renae had just come in from shoveling snow. I went and looked out the front window and our car was down next to the house! I said, “It’s our car, it’s our car!!!” I couldn’t seem to get out an intelligible phrase like, “Our car has slipped down the driveway and hit the house..” Everyone came running over, and there was a moment of panic, before Dad, Bill and Renae all rushed outside to “fix” it.

Luckily there was no damage that couldn’t be fixed. First they worked on getting the Explorer back up the driveway. Apparently the vehicle slid down on ice even though the emergency brake was on and we thought we had left it far enough at the top. We are guessing that the e-brake slowed the car down a lot, thankfully. After they finally got the car back up the driveway, after a lot of sanding and slipping, they worked on clearing a place on the street to park it! This involved putting chains on and a lot more shoveling! They were all running on adrenalin because we hadn’t even eaten our Christmas brunch yet, so no one had anything in their stomachs yet besides coffee. (And it was still a blizzard outside!)

The car bowed in the garage door, but the 3 of them were able to “unbow” it with all their strength, and it still works! While this was all going on, Mom and I determined that the other family should not come over today because it was too treacherous and slippery! So, we had a quiet day there with just the 6 of us again. We had our brunch (after reheating) and opened presents. We watched “Back to the Future”, a present Dad got, and went out sledding in their backyard. It was a lot of fun! We hadn’t been sledding down the backyard in probably 15 years. Usually there is not enough snow to sled. All 6 of us went sledding many times, even Shaun (on Dad’s lap of course!). Abby chased the sledder down the hill each time and she could keep up even though we would go fast!

So, the postponed Christmas day gathering happened today, Sunday with the rest of the family (My Aunt, Uncle, Grandma, Cousin & Cousin law in addition to my sister and parents again!). Finally the weather has turned to rain, instead of the snow and cold we have had for the past 2 weeks!!
Here are some pictures of Shaun and his gifts! He is not spoiled, is he???

Learn & Groove Table from Mom & Dad

Race Car from Grandma & Grandpa

Popper from AuntieBaseball bat and ball from Grandpa & Grandma Hunter

Basketball Hoop from “Aunt” Jess & “Uncle” Albert
Hammer set from Great Grandma NairnCube that plays lots of music and noise from Great Aunt Beth & Great Uncle Jon

More Snow!

Well, we have more snow folks!!! This has been quite a storm for us here in Western Washington! The first round was last weekend and then the second round started Tuesday night. The ice never went away between the storms either. The highs were maybe up to freezing, maybe not! Wednesday was a bit warmer, but then round 2 hit. It has snowed almost all day today. I have spent three days this week working from home so far, and it looks like maybe tomorrow too. I actually want to go back to the office. Now that is saying a lot! Our street is still fully covered. And we are supposed to get more in the coming days too, when will it ever end!!!!!?????

I was also bummed because I missed 3 gatherings that I was looking forward to. The first was on Wednesday, a work luncheon up in Bellingham for a coworker who is leaving. The second was our playgroup Christmas party Wednesday evening. And the 3rd was our office holiday potluck/party today.

Here is another cute video of Shaun (& Abby & Dad this time). Dad went out Christmas shopping between storms on Tuesday evening and he came back with this sled also. Grandma & Grandpa got him the cute hat!

Snow!

Shaun experienced snow for the first time today! (It snowed a few times after he was born, but he was too little to go out in it back then.) It snowed yesterday and last night. We got a total of about 3-4 inches. It's supposed to be cold all week, and maybe more snow! The roads were a little slippery this morning, but we made it to church. We are even going out again this evening to the church Christmas show! As you can see, Abby gets energized by the snow, she loves it!

Our New Stockings!

We have Mom & Dad stockings now!!! And Shaun has one too!

Our stockings and tree!

Christmas Card & 2008 at a glance!

A look back at 2008….

This year we did not send a letter with our Christmas card. Instead I directed all of you here! So, welcome if this is the first time reading our family blog. We have tried to move to the 21st century! I (Suzanne) try to post at least once a month, on the 1st, if not more often to update you on our life and share pictures! Here is a summary of the highlights of 2008 for the Hunter Family:

January – Anticipation of our son’s arrival. Doctor visits, last minute preparations, supply buying, baby showers, baby classes….. I could go on, and on…. ;)

February – Great anticipation on when the birth will come, and it started 9 days early with my water breaking at work! How our life changed! Shaun was born on 2/12 weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces and 21 inches long. We all went home from the hospital on Valentine’s Day! We learned how much longer it takes to get out of the house!

March – Grandma (Hunter) came to meet her 4th grandchild with Uncle Seth from Montana. Uncle Seth is only 14 and already has 2 nieces and 2 nephews! Shaun joins Kyra (6), Kayla (4) & Kamron (2) as grandchildren on the Hunter side of the family. However, they live in Montana, so Shaun hasn’t met them yet. Hopefully someday soon.

April – We took the first family trip to the ocean with Shaun. We felt like we were moving in! Who knew that one little person could have or need so much stuff!?

May – My first Mother’s day. It was very special, in fact, every day I love being a mom! Shaun and I and his friends and their Mommies started up our own play group. Shaun is 3 months old!

June – Bill’s first Father’s day. The start of our weekly summer day trips to the cabin at the lake. I returned to work 2 days a week. I decided to start a blog to keep you all updated and get up to date with technology!

July – I returned to work full time and Bill is officially a stay at home Daddy!

August – Shaun is 6 months old! Wow, how time flies! We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.

September – I turned the big 3-0!!!

October – 2nd Annual applesauce making party with Renae & Jessica. Shaun’s first Halloween and first trip to the pumpkin patch.

November – Shaun is 9 months old! First Thanksgiving Feast!

December – First time on Santa’s lap & Christmas! We learned that Shaun will be getting a new “cousin” next summer! Ok, what will Shaun and this new baby be to each other if their moms are cousins? We will call them cousins anyway!!! Until then, Shaun is the only child of this generation on my side of the family. Bill can see the light at the end of the tunnel for school. He has one more class next quarter, and then he has his Bachelor’s degree! Whoohoo!!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!! We hope that 2009 will be good to you and your family!

November!

At the beginning of the month Shaun gave up the army crawl and now is only doing the regular crawl. He can move super quick! He also started walking along furniture too. He turned 9 months. His 9 month professional pictures are linked at the right.

He also started eating what we eat for dinner and other finger foods. He has been eating baby food out of jars for 3+ months now. He thought that the harder textures were weird at first. It took him awhile to realize that he can put the food in his mouth himself. Of course, everything but food goes in the mouth easily! We started with Cheerios and Kix for practice. He learned really quick how to feed Abby though (and so did Abby)!

His first meal of ours was a hot dog (ground of course). He seemed to love it! He also enjoyed his first Thanksgiving! He had our feast, ground to make for easy chewing. I’m excited to have him eating what we are. Doc said that he should be eating everything that we are by his birthday, so we are starting slowly. We dropped one bottle, so he is down to 3 a day and 3 meals instead of 4 bottles and 2 meals. I am still pumping so he is still getting my milk and usually 1 bottle of formula a day now. This month we had to start adding formula because my supply is decreasing in preparation for stopping. I’m going to be done with pumping around his birthday! My goal from the beginning was for him to have my milk for a year, and I think I will make it.

Bill reenlisted for 4 more years in the Navy reserves. He is just trying to make it to 20, so he can officially retire. He is on the downhill side, on year 12! It’s hard to believe that I met him when he was in year 1!

I am thankful for a lot this year. Most importantly for my family and my job security! I love being a mom and I love how our family has changed this year. I love seeing how good of a Dad Bill is. It makes me love him even more. I am grateful that my job is not in jeopardy during these rough economic times. There has been talk on the news about state employees being laid off and worried about their jobs. I am grateful to be in an agency and job that brings in the money, so we even add jobs when the economy goes down. I also just learned that my cousin is expecting her first child. This is a big answer to prayer and we are excited to have a second little one in the family close to home.

We also went and visited Santa Claus for the first time! Shaun didn’t know what to make of it I think, but he did not cry! We are all now getting into the Christmas spirit!! Merry CHRISTmas!

Play Time!

Abby and Shaun playing, or should I say, Abby trying to play with Shaun?

9 months old!

Shaun is 9 months old today! Here are his stats from his doctor visit yesterday:

Weight: 20 lbs 1 oz, 44th percentile
Length: 29 3/4 inches, 91st percentile
Head: 47.6 cm, 96th percentile

Doc said he is good and growing! He also got the first half of his flu shot. They break baby's shots into half shots a month apart. He did fine!

He also got his 9 month pictures taken. I will post them after we receive them back in a couple of weeks!

October!

We are crawling! First was the army crawl, and now Shaun is doing a combination of that and a normal crawl on his knees. See a previous blog for a video of the army crawl. He can also now sit back up from being on his tummy, back or crawling, which is new this month too. We also finally put up a gate in the house. We have been needing to do it for about a month now, since Shaun has been mobile via rolling. However getting a gate became more pertinent a couple of weeks ago because he can now move so fast. The gate is for the living room because that is where we are the most when Shaun is on the floor. Our living room is by itself, between two sets of stairs (I know, not very baby friendly), so we gated off the entry way to the room. We made sure to get a walk through gate so it is not a hassle to get through. Abby also has to get used to the gate because she is used to wandering the house as she pleases to get food, water, and most importantly into mischief! Hopefully the gate will help reduce her getting into mischief! We will get another gate for the top of the stairs eventually too.

Shaun also is pulling himself up. He loves to do it on anything that will allow him to, especially Daddy! I think he is going to be a climber….. We had to lower the crib mattress because he can pull up in there now too. Several times I have come into his room and he is standing in his crib waiting, sometimes quietly, sometimes not…

Shaun also has 8 teeth coming in! They just keep coming! He had a runny nose for a while due to teething and it still comes and goes and is a sign that more teeth are coming…

We had some fun gatherings for Halloween and a fun time at the pumpkin patch (see previous blogs). Shaun was a pumpkin. First was our dress up playgroup. A lot of Shaun’s buddies came in their costumes! What a cute bunch of 8 month olds! The second was a dress up day at baby class. I joined Shaun and Daddy while the class paraded around the hospital to show the nurses and staff their cute costumes. See the link at the right for October pictures.

We started doing baby sign language at 6 months. We are hoping that someday soon he will be able to do some signs back. We are doing signs like: eat, milk, all done, Abby (dog), mommy, daddy, etc to start with. He has learned to clap, so hopefully that is a good “sign”. Hehehe…. He gets so proud of himself sometimes and starts clapping and smiling, it is so cute!!

Nap time has become a struggle. He is taking short infrequent naps; some days, only 30 minutes, twice a day and other days he may take an hour at a time. Thankfully though, most nights he still sleeps well, going to bed at 8:30.

I can’t believe my baby is 8 ½ months old! He is growing and learning things so fast.

Halloween playgroup!

We had a Halloween dress up playgroup tonight! What a cute bunch of 8 month olds! Here are some pictures:

Shaun the pumpkin!

Shaun, Kirin and Nadia

Mady the fish

1st annual trip to the pumpkin patch!

We started one of many new traditions in our family today! We went to the pumpkin patch at Craven Farms in Snohomish. It is nice to have one (ok many) right down the hill in the Snohomish valley. This one is geared towards young children with a lot of things to play on, a petting zoo, hay ride, corn maze, face painting and of coarse the pumpkin patch! It was good to have nice weather today and the days leading up to today so it wasn't muddy (looks like it could be if it has been wet). Here are a few pictures from today. I'll post more at the end of the month in the October pictures.

The "Army" Crawl!

Shaun has learned to do the army crawl!

2nd Annual Applesauce Making Party!

Last year, my sister, cousin and I decided to carry on the tradition of making applesauce that my Grandma did every year when she had apples. I have two apple trees in my yard and the three of us were craving Grandma's applesauce that we hadn't had in 6+ years, so we said, "Why don't we make it"? We went to my Grandma and asked her for the recipe, (which she gathered from memory) and we were off! My two trees produce enough good apples for about one batch so we bought some more so we could have a lot of applesauce! This year we did it again and carried on our part of the tradition! This year we even had a food mill to mash the apples. Last year we had to literally mash them ourselves which took a lot more manual labor. We were all so excited to have the food mill after seeing how much easier it was! Thank you Mom and Dad for the present! Shaun even got in on some of the action! Here are a few of the pictures from yesterday! We made a lot of applesauce!!!

Apples ready to be made into applesauce!

Cutting up some of the apples!

Apples cooking!

The food mill!

Taste testing the flavoring!

One batch of applesauce! We made 3!

September!

Today is Bill’s Birthday!!! It is kind of neat having back to back birthdays. We are the same age on my birthday only, since he is a year older. Now, back to September..

Shaun has continued trying new foods. He has tried a bunch more foods and likes them all! He gobbles food right up. He has a good appetite!

Shaun has started exhibiting signs of separation anxiety. For the past several weeks he has not lasted in the nursery at church. We started putting him in the nursery when he was 3 months old and we never got called until the beginning of this month when he was just about 7 months. Anybody have any suggestions on how to get through this quickly???

Shaun also got his first major cold. He had a small one back in May/June, but this one was probably the real thing. Luckily there was no fever, just a lot of sneezing and some coughing. He sure doesn’t like his nose wiped! Bill caught it too, but was over it fairly quickly, and I somehow only got a scratchy throat for a couple of days! But everyone has been healthy now for a couple of weeks.

Bill went to Rhode Island for their annual legal conference for 4 days for his navy weekend. It was a long 4 days for him. He left home at 3am on Thursday morning and got home at 12:30am Monday morning!

Shaun isn’t crawling yet, but he is getting really mobile! When he is sitting, he goes forward like he would start crawling, but instead kind of rolls to the side. He then starts rolling and rolling to move across the room. I think we need to shop for some gates! He also puts his arms up to get picked up and smiles and giggles a lot! Bill especially loves the big smile he gets when Shaun gets up in the morning. Shaun also loves playing with Abby. Bill holds Shaun and they chase Abby around playing with a ball and Shaun laughs extremely hard! It is hilarious! We haven’t heard him laugh so hard ever or about anything else except Abby! Shaun & Abby even started playing with each other by themselves. Abby will try and egg Shaun on by bringing a toy to him and acting excited like she does and Shaun reaches out and they both have fun! They are buds!

Shaun also has a third tooth! We noticed it on the 24th. It is on the bottom also, next to his two front ones. So far he has 3 bottom teeth! The days after we noticed the third tooth was tough on Shaun. I think the teeth were bothering him, so he wasn’t feeling all that well. He had a couple of rough nights.

Bill started fall quarter last week. He goes to class for a couple of hours on Monday and Wednesdays. Two more classes to go and he has his Bachelor’s degree (one class this quarter and one class winter quarter)!

Golden Birthday!

Today is my birthday! I’ll just say that it is my golden birthday and that I am no longer a “20 something”! What is the old saying that my parent’s generation said when they were in their teens and 20s? “Never trust anyone older than 30…” MMMmmm…..

I feel old when:

I think of something that happened in the early or mid 1990’s and realize that it was 13-18 years ago. I feel old or not so new in the adult world anymore!!! A decade ago, I didn’t remember too much that happened that length of time ago!
Or, when my sister’s students were born in my second year of college, 4th graders!
Or, when my 10 year high school reunion was last year.
Or, that I have been married, graduated college and at my job for 7+ years!
Or, when my good friend, Carrie’s oldest child will be in Kindergarten next year!


Some lasting memories so far in my life:

1. Falling off my bike and knocking my permanent front teeth out when I was 10.
2. Going on many family vacations while growing up, like Disneyland, Grand Canyon, Reno, Vegas, Salt Lake, Yellowstone, Hawaii, DC, and NY.
3. Graduating from high school in 1997.
4. Going off to college in 1997.
5. Meeting my future hubby in 1998.
6. Graduating from WWU in 2001. Go Vikings! Boo Wildcats! (The annual battle in Seattle is coming up between Western & Central, Bill’s school!) Yes, there is a rivalry in the Hunter household! Which will Shaun choose……?
7. Starting my career in 2001.
8. Marrying my best friend in 2001.
9. Finding a gray hair in 2006!
10. Finally getting pregnant in 2007.
11. Saying goodbye to one Grandpa in 2007 and the other a few weeks ago.
12. Giving birth to my son in February.
13. Being a mom so far for 7 ½ months!
14. Turning 30!

Go See Fireproof!

We saw Fireproof on Friday night. Go see it! It is worth the big bucks that tickets cost these days. We don't usually go to movies more than a couple of times a year, but we made an exception and went and saw another to support Christian movies and we are glad we did!

Anyone who is married, going to be married or wants to be married someday should see it! See one of my previous blogs for the trailer. Make the time and go on a date, it is worth it! Tip: bring a tissue or two! (Don't worry, it is really a happy movie in the end!)

August!

Shaun has two teeth!!!! We spotted the first one on his 6 month birthday and the second one last week. They are both his bottom front, and are just sticking out slightly from the gums, the first a little more than the second. He can also sit up really well now! It is amazing the progress he made in just a week at the beginning of the month. He went from only sitting for a few seconds to sitting until he had more than one thing to think about (like holding a toy) to sitting for a long time. He also can move across the room on his back. He started doing this in July. He arches his back and scoots on his head! It’s amazing how far he can go and how fast! I don’t think it will be long before he is crawling or scooting on his tummy! You can see that he wants to move, and he wants to get to Abby!

Shaun and Auntie Renae spent 5 more days together at the beginning of the month while Bill took a class for Navy duty. Bill finished summer quarter in the middle of the month and now is on break until fall quarter starts in a few weeks.

Shaun had some professional 6 month pictures taken. You can see those and others from August linked at the right.

Shaun also started on solids! He is starting on stage 1 baby food. We are starting him on one food for a few days before starting another to ensure that he is not allergic. Hopefully he is not allergic to anything because we are not! So far he has had bananas, green beans, pears, carrots, apples, and peas. He seems to like them after a few weird faces sometimes! We will probably be moving to stage 2 foods sometime in September. Doc said to stay away from wheat, citrus, berries, nuts, eggs, and honey in the first year.

Shaun graduated to a convertible car seat. We bought a new one just yesterday. He outgrew or was about to outgrow his infant seat. There is a picture of him in his infant seat for the last time and in his new seat for the first time. This one will last him for a long time! For those of you that don’t know, it is convertible because it can face both backward and forward. He is allowed to face forward as soon as he turns 1 because he already reached the poundage requirement of 20 pounds!

We also enjoyed some nice summer weather at the lake. We were all in swimming, including Shaun in his crab float on a 90+ degree day (see pictures)! Unfortunately it seems that our summer weather has left us for this year. Who knows, sometimes we get a good September….. I also got a new short haircut. It was time for a change.
Suzanne

New movie from creators of Facing the Giants!

I loved Facing the Giants because it came at the time we were struggling with infertility too.

Grandpa's Obituary

Grandpa's obituary was in the Seattle Times yesterday, 8/24. A more in depth one can be found at:
http://bartonfuneral.com/2008/08/23/edward-kennedy-august-18-2008/

He will be interred with military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery on Sept. 10th at 11:30AM. This will include a 21 gun solute! Go Grandpa!

In Memory of Edward Kennedy

May 12, 1918 – August 18, 2008
90 years old and married for 62 years!

My Grandfather, Shaun’s Great Grandfather, and my Dad’s Father passed away last night. I am grateful that Shaun & I got to see him one last time 2 weeks ago even though I didn’t know it would be the last time, but always knew it was a possibility.

It has been several years, maybe already 6, since he had an infection/stroke or something and hasn’t been my same Grandpa since. I will always treasure the memories before that time. Some of them include trips to Wild Waves, cross country and down hill skiing (he was my teacher when I was in high school, so that means he was in his upper 70s and still skiing!), and going to downtown Seattle at Christmas time to see the sites which included the Ballet and the train censored to move when you put your hand on the glass. Also, we spent lots of weekends over the years at Grandma & Grandpa’s house.

My Grandpa loved the out of doors and climbing mountains. He was a pro at Mt. Rainier. He was a member of the Tenth Mountain division in WWII. There is a plaque on Mt. Rainier dedicated to the division. My parents saw it just last month when they were there on vacation. He also was one of the founding 5 members of REI. Whenever I would buy something there, I would say, “I’m going to use my Grandpa’s #, which is 5.” They would say “what?” or wait for me to give the next 6 or so digits. I would again say “5”, and then they would put it in and/or say, “really, let me just look it up by his name”. I loved seeing their reactions. My dad did the same thing once, quite a few years ago, and the cashier said something to the effect of, “I thought all of those old guys were gone.”

I love you Grandpa!!! Now my 2 Grandpas can see each other again without their ailing bodies to hinder them.
Suzanne

Shaun is 6 months old today!

Shaun had his 6 month check up yesterday!

Here are his stats:
19 pounds 10 ounces (85th percentile),
28 inches long (93rd percentile)
45.7cm head circumference (93rd percentile).

He is a healthy, growing boy!

I will post a 6 month picture to the right as soon as I can and in a few weeks post other pictures including his 6 month professionals (after we receive them), they are adorable!

Gross!!!

This evening I had a major blow out on my lap! I was sitting, holding Shaun in my lap when I heard something. I looked down, and my lap and part of my shirt were covered! We have had blow outs before, but never on me!! I put a load of laundry in right away! I guess that is part of being a mom! :)

Yesterday Shaun ate some watermellon! He sucked on it through a mesh bag and he loved it! The watermellon was his first food besides rice cereal. And today, he ate some bananas for the first time! (stage 1 baby food). He seemed to like it. He would make a few weird faces sometimes while eating it, but he kept opening up for more!
Suzanne

It’s our 7 year anniversary today!

Highlights from Each Year:
Year 1: Honeymoon phase!! Bill ended his active duty military service and started his Reserve service in Everett.
Year 2: Bill earned his Paralegal ATA degree at Edmonds cc.
Year 3: 9/10/03 new home is ours!!
Year 4: First year of the infertility struggle. 8/04-Bill’s Mom, Ethan & Seth came for a visit from Montana. 10/1/04 adopted Abby, the dog.
Year 5: Second year of the infertility struggle. 3/06-Bill transferred to the JAG unit in the Reserves at Bangor. 4/06-We went to Vegas to visit Bill’s dad, step mom and Grandparents and to see the sites.
Year 6: Third year of the infertility struggle. 4-5/07-Bill was in Rhode Island for 4 weeks for Navy duty and I went to visit for a week. 5/30/07 conceived Shaun via IVF!! Bill earned his AA degree-8/07.
Year 7: Bill started at CWU to earn his BA degree in Law & Justice. Parenthood begun! Shaun born 2/12/08!!!! 3/08-Bill’s Mom and Seth came to see Shaun from Montana!

I have really been blessed with such a wonderful family! I never knew that I could be so happy! In life, we as humans usually are impatient and want things to happen right now or on our timeline. Well, we have learned that God’s timing might not be the same as our own! Trying to conceive was the first time we really saw God’s timing was different and that we are not always in control. We were wondering if God’s plan was pointing us to adopt to have children, so we even had started researching adoption agencies. I knew God had a plan for our family to grow, and I’m just so happy that the time finally came! We are so excited for the future to see what it brings! Suzanne

Daddy Time, Auntie Time & Class

I had a fun time with Daddy this month! He took me to baby class. Mommy has taken me to this class since I was 3 weeks old! I enjoy class and have fun watching the other babies and mommies. We sing songs and learn something about taking care of me!

Daddy also has taken me to “Story Time” at the library. Yes, they have a story time that is for babies as young as me!!! I like it too. We read several books and sing songs too, and then have play time afterwards! I hope Daddy keeps taking me!

Daddy has set up a nice schedule during the day to make sure I get enough naps, so I’m happy! Mommy feeds me at 7 before she leaves for work and then I go back to sleep until sometime between 8:30-10am, depending on the day. I usually take a short nap, maybe 30 minutes to an hour or so around noon. Then in the afternoon I take about a 2 hour nap until Mommy gets home. I may take a short nap sometime during the evening and then go to bed for the night at about 9:30. I’m sleeping well at night. Mommy and Daddy are so happy about that. Sometimes though I might wake up stuck on my tummy and need Mommy or Daddy to move me or get the binkie. However, I love to sleep on my tummy with my legs tucked up with my bottom in the air! It’s okay that I sleep on my tummy now that I am really good at moving my head around, plus Mommy & Daddy can’t stop me!

I also got together with my play group friends. In May, a bunch of Mommies started up a group from the baby class. A bunch of Mommies were going back to work and wanted an evening activity to get together with other little ones. We do it twice a month. It is fun!

I also had fun with Auntie Renae for 8 days. We hung out while Daddy did Navy duty. I was mostly good for her. There was just one day that was not a good day where I was cranky and fussy. We even went to Mommy’s office for a bbq!

I can sit up on my own for a little bit now. I fall over if I look around too much or lose concentration. Sometimes I support myself with my hand and then I can sit for a long time! I also like to suck on my toes! Mommy thinks it is amazing how flexible I am! I also have started “talking” more by making “dadada” sounds instead of just “aaaahh” sounds. And most recently, on 7/27, I ate rice cereal for the first time! I didn’t know what to do at first, but by the 3rd spoonful I was opening my mouth and ready for more! I’m eating a little bit once a day for now. I get to start solids in a couple weeks!

Grandma also got me my first water float toy for the lake. It is shaped like a crab! They inflated it and I tried it out inside, but it was too cold outside last weekend to try it in the water. Hopefully in August I will get in the water for the first time! There are pictures linked at the right of me eating, in the crab float and others from July!
Shaun

Working & Baby Boom!

I survived my first month back to work full time! It definitely keeps me busy, working full time and being a mom! I think we are all adjusting. We spent some Saturdays at the cabin at the lake enjoying the summer.

Baby Boom!!!! Several of my friends had babies recently! Ashleigh Neihart was born on 6/19/08 to Jill and Randy, my college friend and roommate. Aden Barrett was born on 7/8/08 to Kristen & Greg, my college friend. Caleb Hawkins was born on 7/25/08 to Jacqueline & Josh, my friend since Kindergarten!!

Watch for another blog from me on 8/4, our special day!!!
Suzanne

Daddy Duty, School and Navy Duty

I had my first month of full time Daddy duty, well sort of! Shaun and I go to baby class on Mondays and story time at the library on Tuesdays. They are nice outings to get out and about.

I am nearing the end of summer quarter at Central Washington University. I am taking one class, Research Methods in Criminal Justice. I go in for class each Tuesday and Thursday. We eat a quick dinner after Suzanne gets home and then I’m off to class for 2 hours. I plan to go part time for the next school year, and then graduate next year!

I also did 7 days of my yearly “2 week” Navy duty this month. I worked in the JAG office on the Everett base. Renae, Suzanne’s sister, took care of Shaun during those days when Suzanne and I were both working. She is a teacher, so has summers off, and has been eagerly awaiting this babysitting time since before Shaun was born! I think they got some quality Auntie-nephew time.

I went to Helena, Montana this month for my Navy drill weekend. I got to see the town I last lived in before I joined the Navy, 11 years ago. I even got to see some friends that I knew when I lived there. Bill

June 2008

Hi! I'm trying out this blogging thing! Hopefully this will keep you updated on the goings on at the Hunter household, along with pictures I post on Facebook (okay, mostly about Shaun)!

Shaun turned onto his stomach on June 2nd for the first time! He had been trying to for a week or so and finally made it. He then became a pro at it and does it all the time. He gets stuck on his tummy though and after a bit he gets mad and wants back over. He is lasting longer and longer before he gets mad though!

Suzanne went back to work on June 3rd for the first time. She only worked 2 days a week though, so it was a nice transition for the month of June. July 1st she is back full time. It wasn't as hard as she thought to go back though, especially knowing that Shaun and Daddy are safe and sound together!

Shaun turned 4 months on June 12th! At his doctor appointment he was 15 pounds 7 ounces and 26 inches long. His weight is in the 65th percentile and length and head are in the 85th. The doctor was very pleased with everything! He got his second round of shots. He was okay after the poking was over and he could be in Mommy's arms! Getting shots doesn't seem to effect him too much. He is a little more sleepy and cranky for the next day or so, but nothing extreme which we are thankful for!

Bill had his last day of work on June 25th. He is now officially a stay at home Daddy!! He had mixed feelings about his last day, since it was actually here, but all was good.

We are glad summer weather is finally here this week!