5 Months Old Today!

It is hard to believe that Wyatt is five months old today. When I think back to the 26th of December it does seem like it has been that long. Last week, I looked at his baby album remembering him when he was so little. He is no longer the little baby that is only awake to eat. He is an adorable little boy that is a constant bright light of God's love for us. Ken and I were remarking last night that every day he has another expression that amazes us. No rolling over for his 5 month birthday, but that will come when we least expect it. He loves his exersaucer or "the office" as we call it.

One thing that we have started and he has done amazingly well is bedtime. I was worried that at night he would be asleep when we placed him in the crib…that this would lead to us holding him till he fell asleep until he was in elementary school. Okay, maybe a long shot there, but it's possible. I felt we needed to let him fall asleep at night on his own in his crib. I am sure many of you reading this agree. This past weekend we started to do it during the day for naps on occasion…I am not a stickler on this since he will do it with no problem and the fact I want him to be able to sleep anywhere with any amount of noise...so we leave him in the living room from time to time. So, we started on bedtimes in the crib wide awake. Last night, we had a hiccup in the plan but prior to that…slight crying (2 minutes or so tops) and that is it. I’m amazed!

I will never be able to express in words how much I love Wyatt…then again that is no surprise because he is just a miniature Ken. Just a reminder to those who doubt…prayers do get answered and dreams really do come true!

Happy 5 Months, Wyatt!

We See the Light!

Weekly posts are my goal…so forgive this long update…I will get better. The Knutson infirmary is finally getting better. We all have had a version of this cold/virus that has been going around. I think the guys faired better then I did. We all still have traces of it, but we think we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Last Sunday, Wyatt’s baptism went great…he looked so handsome in his white outfit thanks to Grandma and Pa (my parents), we made it to church before the service started, sat in the front pew and Wyatt was 2nd out of six to get baptized. He did fabulous!

We were blessed to have our families in attendance especially at such an early service. Many thanks to Ken’s Aunt Phyllis, Uncle Ron and Uncle Russ for coming in to participate in Wyatt’s special day. Katie, Matt, the girls and their Nana Phyllis came and my brother Kurt, Jeanie and Mary were able to make it as well as all of Wyatt’s proud grandparents. We are so blessed to have family that love and support us. Gigi and Pappa (Ken’s parents) were so gracious to host a beautiful brunch for all of us afterwards. Everything was so delicious…five hundred times better than the hot dog fest we would have had at our house. Ken, Wyatt and I can’t thank you ALL enough for being a witness and helping us celebrate as he begins his journey of faith. Many thanks to so many of our friends that came as well…our cup runneth over when it comes to the amazing community of friends that we are lucky to have in our lives.

Many people are asking me what Wyatt is doing as he is days shy of being 5 months old. Time flies. Ken and I love being parents. Wyatt is just a dream…he is constantly all smiles. After years of babysitting and my share of being a nanny…babies are just not this easy. [knock on wood] God blesses us daily with Wyatt. He is eating rice cereal and will no doubt love oatmeal which I plan to introduce next week…then on to veggies and fruit in June. If someone would have told me that Ken and I would be singing in unison while Wyatt ate I would have laughed, but it is true and we have the vocal styling’s that any 4 month old would love…at least ours does! He loves to look at his adorable little feet so we do anything we can think of to keep him looking up when he eats. Since, we started him on bottles he has earned the nickname of our little chipmunk because he loves to keep the milk in his cheeks and more often under his tongue. So, eating cereal is not any different. This keeps it challenging for us. No rolling over yet…although we love that he stays pretty much where you put him. He does love to lift up both of his feet, hold on to them and then slam them down. He is babbling quite loudly these days, he doesn’t cry too much at all so you know something is wrong when he does…he rather “tell you” and can get a frustrated look and babble tone when you don’t catch on to what he needs. This could mean he might be a talker in the future. The one thing he does that immediately brings joy into our day is that he will laugh out loud to tickling and a smattering of kisses. It is the most joyful noise…we need to record it.

This weekend Wyatt will be attending his first Kane County Cougar game. The Knutson/Ranalli clan is celebrating Father’s Day a little early so that will be fun. I think that about does it for now.

Have a WONDERFUL Memorial Day Weekend!

Mother's Day Weekend

Hope you all had a Happy Mother’s Day! I say “Mommy” all the time when talking with Wyatt and it is still surreal to me…that I am his Mom. We are so blessed to have two Mom’s (Ann and Joyce) in our lives that are just the epitome of unconditional love to all three of us. We love you both and I hope to be as wonderful a mom to Wyatt as you two have been to Ken and me. I had hoped to have a photo of us, but we were both feeling our colds and the day got away from us. I will make up for it by taking some next weekend.

Our weekend was packed full of activities. Starting with last Friday, I had a company quarterly meeting in which I help plan, organize and execute our meetings…this quarter had a Kentucky Derby theme and we had a hat contest where I won 3rd place!

Ken and his Dad kicked off the beautiful spring day by playing a round of golf and father-son bonding. Saturday, we went to Family Fun Fest which was put on by The Vickie Lynn Bare Foundation. Vickie was a dear friend and sister-in-Christ who was also the Children’s Ministry Director at our church. We both adored her and had the opportunity to work with her. She passed away over a year ago to Breast Cancer. Vickie initially was the reason that I walked the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for so many years. The turn out was fabulous and it is difficult to believe she has been gone for over a year. On Mother’s Day, we went to church and then on to an amazing brunch at Ken’s sister’s house to celebrate Mother’s Day and our niece’s 2nd birthday! What a wonderful brunch…DELICIOUS food as always and a lot fun! Unfortunately, the nasty cold that has been traveling around got to Superman (my Dad) so we postponed our Mother’s Day celebration till everyone was 100%.

The cold has made itself present at our house as well. Wyatt got it first…and then me. He has such an adult cough for such a little guy, but through it all he is smiling and laughing as usual.

Wyatt will be getting baptized this Sunday, the 17th and if you would like to be a witness as he begins his journey in faith you need to wake up early; sorry but the 8:30 am service at our church is our service. He has his outfit…now his Mom needs hers. Wish me luck!

The Office etc.

I must tell you all that this blog will mainly talk about Wyatt's milestones and to help us keep record of them as well as a tidbits about Ken and I. Today, Wyatt enjoyed his office (ExerSaucer) for the first time. Many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. B for this gift that will also help us to enjoy dinner at a leisurely pace. He also is enjoying rice cereal as well...we added it to his diet last Saturday and he eats like a pro. Tonight he laughed out loud for Ken continously as he tickled him...what a joyful noise.

Wyatt and I also went for a walk/jog and he wore a hat for the first time. Thanks to Grandma and Pa for the stylish cap. A day full of blessings.

First Post!

Welcome to the Knutson Blog!
Could it be that I am actually doing this...welcome to the 20th century, right? I intended to start this back in December when Wyatt joined our family, but here it is May and I am just beginning. I had planned on doing a lot during my maternity leave and you know none of it got accomplished. I hope to update this blog regularly so if you would like to see what is happening with the Knutson Trio...please read on and visit whenever you would like.

Ken and I are enjoying parenting. Wyatt is just a dream come true! He is 4 months old and is growing at the rate of a 6 month old...already an over-achiever. So, he is taking after Ken. He is currently 18 pounds, 10 ounces and is measuring 26¾ inches! He is just absolutely adorable. He is making noises and smiles constantly. This past weekend (May 2nd/3rd) he started to really laugh out loud; which I just can't hear enough. He loves to stand and is arching his back so I am sure rolling over will be in the near future. Since we had to recently give up our gym memberships we got a jogging stroller. Yes, you read that right. A jogging stroller...since it is how I lost weight in college I am hoping it will have a repeat performance. The stroller was my first "online community" purchase (not Craiglist but something similiar) that was NIB (New In the Box) for ½ the price of a new low cost jogging stroller. It is really nice and whole lot easier to manuever than I thought it would be...Wyatt sleeps the entire time so he can't recount that we mostly walked our first time out. It really made me realize how out-of-shape I am, but that is not a story I wish to tell...ha. ha. Don't expect to see results when you see me next...remember baby steps! No pun.

I have to mention that Grandmas are AWESOME! Wyatt is so blessed to have two sets of Grandparents that love and adore him. My Mom has been watching Wyatt for three days a week when I am working downtown. It just doesn't get better than your Mom. Everyone asks me how I am doing with separation anxiety and it helps immensely to know he is with Grandma. She has always been a gift from God, but I will never be able to tell her how much it means to me that she volunteered to care for Wyatt and we didn't have to look into daycare...he is one lucky little boy. My parents have been great about watching him if we ever need anyone. Ken's parents also have been so incredibly generous to us...I think Wyatt is the best dressed baby in Illinois and we are so glad to have them back from sunny Florida. They have already volunteered to babysit for us. God has blessed us with an amazing family to support us and love us!