Week 7 was heaven

This past week has been incredible. Hunter is smiling a little bit more regularly and he's getting stronger. This morning I noticed him reaching for and grasping the toys hanging from his car seat! He also turns his head at the sound of my voice and is SUPER interested in looking around at the world. I went to my first Mommy and Me class this week, which was nice because I got to meet other mommies.

It was a little bit of a rough week because he got fussier than he had been in the past. In fact, he kept me up one day from 3 am-9 am! We think it was just gas...but I did break down and get him a pacifier. In addition to the pacifier I stopped eating all forms of dairy (milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, etc). I think it's helping actually, because he isn't crying as much as he was. He's been letting me sleep (these past few days) for 5 hour stretches at a time! I'm feeling the most rested that I've felt in a long time.

This week I am meeting with my old advisor to discuss the possibility of not completing the clinical Ph.D. requirements. I'd like to be done with coursework, and to not have to see clients anymore. I also won't have to do internship if this works! I like this plan because I still get my Ph.D. (mom taught me to never quit anything) but I can work from home. We'll see what I do with the degree - if nothing else I will be "Dr. mom". Please wish me luck as I am extremely nervous about asking for this accomodation. I'm just meeting with my old advisor and then I'll have to bring it up with my current advisor...but one step at a time.

Ok - pictures from the past week. Keep in mind that these are in backwards order, so the most recent pictures appear at the top of the blog.

A family picture taken while the precious one sleeps. He's finally starting to fit into some of his hats! He's got a peanut head like his Uncle Jeff.Thor was quite taken with this ice pack...he was protecting it so Nala wouldn't take it.
Gramma Susie holding the baby
On Saturday night we went out with the Parkers. This is "Gramma" Teri holding Hunter. They can't WAIT to have grandkids, so they've adopted Hunter (and us) in the meantime.
Gramma Teri again
This was taken last week, actually, at the Parker's party.

Brian feeding Hunter at night. Brian takes Hunter for a few hours at nighttime so I can sleep. We also happen to think that his pjs are the cutest things ever (on him, of course).
So, one of Brian's tenants bought us this hat...we're hoping it's a gag gift, as it's the worst present we've received. Honestly, would you put this on your baby boy?!
Grandpa loves his little grandson! Hunter feels so safe, he goes right to sleep in Grandpa's arms!
AND he gives him a bottle!
The cutest face in the whole wide universe! Look at those lips! (I'm in love).

At the Parker's house
Terry, Enrique (the cat), Brian and Hunter
At dinner. Hunter wanted one of everything, but he's on an all breastmilk diet.
Grandpa Terry is so in love with baby Hunter that he actually got a changing pad for our visit. He is going to be an amazing Grandpa when his kids have babies, but they can adopt us anytime!
The fam

Hunter asleep on Daddy
Sitting in his Bumbo chair. The wide eyes are a new thing he's doing when he looks around at the world.
My favorite outfit! Uncle Jeff got him this one. And isn't the pacifier the cutest thing ever?
Yes, that does say $5.08. Incredible, no? This is in San Juan Capistrano - we were visiting the Parkers down there.
Gramma Terry hold baby Hunter

Margy Gatz, my advisor, and one of the leading Alzheimer's Disease researchers in the world. She is a truly amazing woman.
John and Jessica came over to enjoy the pool with me and Hunter. We were having a fantastic time until Hunter pooped in the jacuzzi! Oops.

In other pooping news, Hunter gave me a rocket propelled poop at 5:30 one morning. Seriously, it got on the wall, his stuffed animals, his bouncy chair, etc, etc.
A long day at the pool really took it out of him!
And again, with mommy in it.
Hunter sleeping with Daddy.

At the pasrty last week they were auctioning off different things. Hunter really wanted this Mercedes, but we thought we'd have to wait until he was a little bit bigger.

Barbara! One of my favorite people at school!
Poorni - the labmate who should be honored as the most open, down to Earth and easy to talk to. I poor my heart out to Poorni pretty frequently, and she is an incredible friend.
Aunty Jess - We're working on our dissertations together so we've become really good friends. She's going to be a fantastic Mommy...and her mom is READY to be a Grandma, right Jess? Haha.

Until next week! Enjoy your Fourth of July and be safe!