Boy, oh boy, do we love this boy! Ian is doing so well. He's growing and changing every day. Ian is 24 inches tall and 12 pounds, 12 ounces. He almost put on 3 pounds this past month! We've ruled out any dairy allergy, which I'm grateful for. He just has eczema like his sisters. I've started using a product I use on the girls and his skin is looking really good. The doctor was a bit concerned about his right arm/shoulder this last visit. She mentioned it looks like nerve palsy, which is something that can heal on its own. So, for now we are keeping a watch on it and making sure a particular little 3 year-old doesn't yank her brother's arm. A lot of times this happens going through the birth canal, but nothing was noticed earlier, so I have a feeling it's happened at some later date. Anyhow, so we're keeping an eye on it and hoping it does heal correctly.
In the past couple of weeks Ian has found his voice. It's so much fun to hear him coo (check out the video below). He is definitely awake a lot more during the day now. Andy's co-workers purchased a play mat for Ian and he has been enjoying that. The girls are still very much in love with their little brother. And he seems to like them as well! He gives them plenty of smiles. Ian still loves lights and fans, as well as being outside. He has become more tolerant of chilling in his bouncy chair, which is nice. As long as he has someone to watch, the girls or I, then he's content.
Ian is also on a pretty good schedule. And if the schedule deviates due to other things planned, he goes with the flow. I guess when you are the third, that's how you have to roll. Ian is still sleeping really good at night - usually only waking up once. My favorite is when he goes until 5 AM and then doesn't wake up until 8-9 AM, which allows me to get Rachel off to school. But 5 AM is stretching it, since it's 8 hours since he's last eaten. But he has done it off and on for us... We are still using the woombie and loving it. Sometimes all I have to do is zip it up and he falls right asleep. I can't tell you how much I love that thing! :)
Ian has brought so much joy and happiness to our home. I love when Audrey says her prayers at night and says, "Thank you for my good day playing with Mommy, Rachel, and Ian". We are definitely grateful for our good days (and if a bad one comes along, we'll take it as well) with Ian.
Happy boy at the park one day:
Happy to see his fan club (Audrey, Rachel, and Mommy) after a good nap:
Cooing away:
It's not every day that you get to fly on the corporate jet with the CEO of your employer, but Andy got to do just that. I actually laugh every time I think about it. A few weeks ago Andy mentioned that he should just hitch a ride with Jim Turley up to Utah. He knew Mr. Turley was going to be in Houston for an event on Thursday night and then would be flying up to Utah on Friday for a recruiting event at Sundance. Not thinking it was a reality, Andy and his fellow coworkers all booked flights...
Ian also rocks his body side-to-side. Every time he does it the girls get so excited thinking he's going to roll but I don't think that's going to happen for awhile yet... I am also surprised at how he has figured out how to move in his woombie. He must move like a caterpillar. Yesterday morning I could hear him over the monitor for about 15-20 minutes just making noises. I guess he was working hard, because he was totally upside down in his crib:
Happy to ride a pony:
I guess this was a picture of a mad rush to get out of the pig area:
And his Papa Michaelson on March 2nd:
Ian sure is a lucky boy to have these two grandpas give him love, attention, and be wonderful examples to him. I am looking forward to the coming years and watching their relationships. :)
Cooing away:
Ian was blessed by his daddy on March 4, 2012. It was a very special day indeed! Ian is loved by so many who were unable to be here. But lucky for us, there were some very special people who were able to participate. Both grandpas and grandmas came and the Mackay family. Ian's blessing outfit and white blanket were made by Grandma Michaelson. He looked so handsome and the outfit fit perfectly! The four buttons on the front of his blessing outfit were taken from his grandpas' shirts - 2 buttons from each grandpa. Ian was an angel during his blessing. He was wide awake and smiling (according to the reports from the grandpas). Ian was given a very nice blessing. I am so grateful for Andy and for the priesthood he holds. After being blessed Ian snuggled with me and slept through the rest of church.
Our first family picture:
Papa Michaelson, Daddy and Ian, Papa Smith, and Uncle Craig:
All the boys who enjoyed the day:
All the girls with Ian:
Papa and Grandma Michaelson with Ian:
Papa and Grandma Smith with Ian:
Audrey has found a new hobby - she loves doing puzzles. I had to take a picture this afternoon of her because this is the first time she's completed this puzzle all by herself. She is quite familiar with the puzzle. Every time she does it she puts the pieces together in a certain order. First comes the princess, then the dog, then the dragon, the trees, the sun, the castle, and finally the pond with the ducks. It's so much fun to watch Audrey enjoy things as she learns and grows!
