Christmas lights

We went downtown to see the big Christmas tree lit up. Tripp wasn't very impressed.

Buddies??

Asher was really wanting to be Tripp's buddy, but Tripp was pretty disinterested.
Asher kept playfully trying to swat Tripp's face!

Sweat Equity....candy style

Nate, overseeing his project. He did "prep-work" the day before on the ice skating rink.

The Umplebys have invited everyone over for pumpkin carving and gingerbread house making for the last 3 years. They are one of the few who actually have a house and room to host everyone. They throw a good party - we always have lots of fun. There were 20 people this year

Ryan's version of Fenway Park, complete with red and green seats and the green monster wall.

Time goes by fast!

Becky, Melissa & me at my baby shower 7 months ago.
Asher, Elsie & Tripp were all born within two weeks of each other. It's so much fun having babies the same age!

I did it!!!

I finally put Tripp to bed in his crib - yes I know that he is 5 months old and this should have been done 2 months ago. Nate had to give me a little nudge, but we got the baby monitor out, put the heater in there and layed him down. And...... he went right to sleep. I'm such a spaz. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with this. It's just so comforting when I wake up (every hour) to make sure I hear him breathing. Plus (gulp), he was WAY too big for the bassinet. It was getting ridiculous. Maybe that's why he didn't grow all that much at his last Dr. appointment. You know when you put a baby watermelon in a square box and it grows to be the same shape and size of the box? Or when a goldfish is put in a large pond, it gets bigger that it did when it was in a little fish tank? Crap. I think I've stunted his growth.

A whole new world

We started Tripp on rice cereal last week. It's totally fun to be at this next stage. He's getting so big... but that's the problem. I didn't at all like seeing him in his high chair, eating solid food. This means my sweel little baby isn't a newborn anymore. I am totally going to miss the baby stage - I can tell already. I guess that's why people have more babies right?
I must say: It is pretty entertaining seeing his tongue kick out half of what I put in his mouth.

Tripp's two favorite things....(besides his mom's you-know-whats)

Nate and I have only bought Tripp two toys. (He has received others as gifts and hand-me-downs). And I'm happy to say that they are his favorite two toys. Or maybe I expose him to them most often because I bought them and I'm biased. hmmmm.

The first is this little ball. All the holes are just the right size for him to stick his fingers into - easy for him to hold. And he'll hold on to this thing FOREVER. We have to pry it out of his fingers. And he loves to eat it too. But he sticks every thing in his mouth now days.

The second toy is this bouncy extravaganza. We bought it at Costco last week. He loves to stand up on our laps, so we thought it was time to get him a toy to stand up in. The seat swivels around to expese him to the various toys on the tray. He isn't quite tall enough to bounce yet. But he loves to stand up and see the world from this new perspective!! So cute!

Working Mom Guilt

I know that I only work 2 days each week (and Nate is with Tripp those days) and I shouldn't feel guilty - but I do. Every day. I feel guilty if I put Tripp in his bouncy seat to watch Baby Einsteins for 20 minutes while I take a shower. I feel guilty if breast feeding isn't going so great and I have to give him formula. I feel like I'm either letting him down, or Nate, or work, or my church obligations. And the kicker: Tripp rolled over for the first time last week while I was at work. I MISSED IT! He did it again and I missed it. At least Nate was there both times. I feel like guilt starts the second you become a Mom. This sounds like I'm Debbie Downer. I really am LOVING being a mom and, quite frankly, I have the sweetest little boy in the world. I wouldn't trade this for anything. I just wish I could stop feeling guilt. Guilt should be reserved for making really bad decisions and purposely doing stuff to hurt other people. Not for those who are doing the best they can to be a good mom.