Roller Coaster

 Not much has been going on in the new life of the Larsen three.  Ty has been a roller coaster of emotions and brings us along for the ride. If he's had a good day, he sleeps pretty well at night, often going at least 4 hours between feeding (we're working on extending this). Occasionally, though, he is a little stinker and nothing makes him happy. Below are our attempts to make him happy.

When I am worn out, Tim takes a turn holding him, usually bouncing him.

We bought a swing off craigslist to help keep him occupied during his meltdowns. 

It didn't work (notice the picture).

We noticed Ty likes lights, so we constructed a "light fort" under our dinner table to entertain. It works temporarily.

 Ty hates changing clothes, so sometimes when his clothes are a mess, we go the magical route and turn him into a merman. He likes it much better.

 We know Chompers is tired when he lays like this with his arms dangling down like a monkey:

And we finally get some rest!

Dad's Visit

My dad came to visit us and meet Ty last week. Though we weren't able to go full speed and show him everything, we did quite a bit with a newborn.

Ty liked Grandpa Tom

We went up to Rocky Mountain National Park on Thursday and had a picnic and walked a few of the easier hikes.

 We saw a LOT of elk that were shedding their winter coat and growing new antlers. (No moose spotted though :( )

 We spent the night in Estes Park and drove Trail Ridge Road the next day. There were some beautiful sights.

 Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the country. We drove over 12,000 feet and crossed the continental divide.

 Ty was so good in his carseat for over 4 hours!

 Saturday we missed out on Dad taking us shooting because it was raining, but we walked around fun shops and ate lunch on Pearl Street in Boulder. Later I went with him to The Avengers while Tim babysat.  Sunday was a perfect day and we grilled bratwursts and chatted.

 Ty is not very photogenic, but Dad managed to capture a smile in our make shift family photo.

I was really excited to have my Dad come visit.  We hope he'll be back soon!

1 Month

This little guy is growing like a weed. Last week he turned one month old and we found out at the doctor's office that he has almost DOUBLED in size since birth.  Here are his statistics:

Birth: Weight: 5lbs, 13 oz

Height 18 3/4"

2 Weeks: Weight: 6lbs 15oz

Height 19 3/4"

1 Month: Weight 9lbs!

Height: 21"

We call Ty "Chompers" because he acts like a little pac man -aimlessly opening and closing his mouth if anything comes close. He chomps on his clothes when we pull them over his head and towels after we bathe him, but not only that, he will bite down then shake his head from side to side like a little puppy. We have found two hickeys on his arm from sucking. See below.

 

Ty also LOVES the outdoors. My good friend Lauren sent me a Boba wrap so I can "wear" him.  I put him in it to go on walks and he just looks around until he falls asleep. When he is fussy, we take him out on the back porch and he calms right down.

 

He is also starting to enjoy taking baths, but I think it is because once I take him out, I lay him down next to a space heater so he can warm up. The other day, Tim put him down after his bath, and by the time I got there, I found him sticking his feet up by the heater like in the picture below. It was so funny!

 

 The doctor has also been impressed by his neck strength. This is because Ty is not a cuddly baby. He is always fighting against us if we try to hold him close (unless he is falling asleep). He also likes to have his arms free so he can spread them out as far as they go. There is no successful swaddle for this guy. 

Nevertheless, we love him like crazy.

Mother's Day

It's a bittersweet Mother's Day for me as it's my first time as a mother, and also my first time without my own mom. I've missed her a lot lately as I learn to care for a child and wonder what her experiences were with us kids when we were babies. I know she watches over us and find comfort knowing I will see her again.  

Me and Mom in 2010

Ty is amazing and the best little gift.  I have found so much joy in being able to care for him.  I constantly find myself staring at his perfect little body with amazement and am so grateful to have him.

I am so lucky.

Below: Wearing the outfit from Ben and Kaitlyn (and making his chubby face)

 

For the Fans:

Wearing the cute forest animal outfit Aunt Aubrey and Grandma Diney got him.

Mommy sure loves this guy.

Grandpa Rod came to meet Ty this weekend

Looking up at Grandpa

Hanging out on the play mat TJ and Kristen got him