Where has the summer gone?!

Here's to thinking I'd have more time to post now that it's summer. Summer has really flown by.

Collin is 6 months old and went to the doctor July 1st and got a good report. He weighs 18 pounds, 11.5 ounces and is 27 inches long. He's 75% in weight and height and 80% in head circumference. He is going to have to have surgery and while I don't want to go into details here, it's a little embarrasing for him, he's got a condition called hypospadius. We have to go visit a doctor at Reily Hospital in Indy on August 26 at 10:00 am. Please keep us in your prayers for that. That visit is just for a consult, but it's inevitable that he will need surgery.

He has begun second foods now. He still enjoys his fruit, and we're still using up some of his first foods that he had before we bought the new food. Mommy tried to give him chicken and gravy-not one of his favorites, as a matter of fact, I don't think he liked it at all. We'll have to give it another try. Maybe it was just because it was something new. We've bought him some juice, a sippy cup, his basic fruits and vegetables with a few dinners mixed in and a couple of different fruits, like bananas, which he loves with mixed berries. That should prove interesting. As I'm sure by now you are well aware Collin puts everything in his mouth. The doctor felt for teeth and said he didn't feel anything yet, but we know he's teething based on his temperament.

Now for other Collin news. Collin has successfully mastered the art of rolling over. He does it back to front and front to back, although he doesn't roll front to back very often. He also enjoys standing with our help of course. He likes to bounce on our lap and make those leg muscles strong-of course we encourage him to do that too. He makes a lot of noises now and sometimes words do come out-yeah, mama, nana, and yes-still dada. We know they're just coincidences when they do come out, but it's nice to think he's just advanced for his age. Although I must admit I'm now convinced he's said dada for real. He wasn't talking or babbling at all and he said "dada" and then didn't babble anymore after that. While I'm not sure if that was coincidence or not, we're saying he said his first word. It makes Tom happy! :-D We can't put him in the pumpkin seat anymore since his magic trick (see picture below). One thing I'm finding that's the most difficult is what do you do to entertain a 6 month old? I give him different playing opportunities, but that only satisfies him for maybe 15 minutes and then he's ready to move on to something else. We don't really have a whole lot here for him. He plays in his entertainer, he swings in his swing-although not as much as he used to, he lays on his activity mat and then rolls on his belly so he can't really play much. I even put toys down so that when he does roll over he has something to play with (and to get him to try to crawl a little bit), but to no avail. It seems that when he's on his stomach for a long period of time he spits up. Any ideas as to why that is? I'm really at a loss as to what else to do to keep him entertained. I think he enjoys watching the other kids at the babysitter's, and I'm sure he gets some play time there too, she calls it social play. Unfortunately, we don't have other kids here so he doesn't get that.

Father's Day was very simple for us this year. We were already in Bellevue because Tom, his dad, his uncle, and cousin all went to Chicago for an Indians game at Wrigley field and to do some sight seeing. On the night before Father's Day we went to Marconi's, our favorite Italian restaurant back home to celebrate. Collin and I bought Tom a good pair of running shoes so that when he runs it's a little easier on his knees. Knee problems run in his family, so he doesn't want to do anything to them that would make a possible situation later worse. That was our Father's Day. I'd like to say it was a pretty good day for Tom. At least I hope! :-D

Collin's had his first Fourth of July and while he didn't see any fireworks, his family sure enjoyed seeing him and admiring at how big he's getting. He has his first family reunion coming up in a couple of weeks, has already been to his first graduation party, and will have his first wedding coming up in early December. So many firsts for such a little guy. He truly is a miracle and we feel so lucky every day.

I've included some pictures, but you'll have to wait a little while longer (although hopefully not as long as you've had to wait for this one) to see him in his Fourth of July outfit. Everything was themed from his outfit, to bib, to the socks on his feet.

Thanks for checking in and check back soon!