That's How I Roll

Its absolutely amazing how fast babies develop! Every day there is something new to celebrate. Espen is now rolling from his back to his front. He rolls over almost immediately when he is laid down. He hasn't really mastered the whole front-to-back roll, which leads to a lot of fussing to be rescued when he tires of "tummy time." At his last doctor visit, Dr. Murphy said that back-to-front is harder, so he is perfectly capable of going the other way, he just doesn't know it. :) And here I thought they were equally difficult. He moves a lot in his sleep too. He doesn't like to stay how I put him. This morning I woke up and he was sideways in his bassinet. Yesterday he was sleeping on his tummy with his butt up in the air. :)

This video is from 8/12, when he first started rolling over. He does it much faster now and without encouragement, but the octopus Brad and Laura brought on their last visit (which we have affectionately named "Sailor Bob") was a great motivator in those early days.

Espen LOVES his feet!!! He likes holding them, he likes taking off his socks, and he's even gotten his toes into his mouth. It makes diaper changes a little challenging, as he won't let go of his feet.

We have also begun baby food. It was earlier than I expected, but at his 4-month check-up the doctor said he was ready for food. He really does fit all the signs: he sits well with support, he holds his head up great, he doesn't immediately spit out spoon-fed food (contrary to the video of the first rice cereal experience - he has gotten much better!), and he is really interested in what Jason and I are eating. This morning he even grabbed the spoon from me and tried to feed himself with limited success. :) He kept ahold of it even when I took it back and "helped" guide it to his mouth. He likes to do that with his bottle too. He'll grab it (or your hand) and pull it into his mouth and push it out, and in, and out... It can make for a long feeding. :) When he nurses, he just likes to pull on my shirt or punch me in the chest, so that's fun. So far he's had rice cereal (as you've seen), bananas (which he LOVES!), and we started oatmeal this morning (the jury's still out on this one).

Here's a picture of him eating bananas for the first time.

Espen is also quite the chatterbox! He has figured out that he can make fun noises. He will babble to himself a lot. He likes to say, "dadadadadadadadadadadadaaaaa" a lot. Jason is trying to claim this is first word. He is full of you-know-what. He's also started blowing raspberries. All...the...time. It's cute until he does it with a mouth full of bananas. :)

We were also brave enough to take him to church for the first time this past Sunday. He was really good! He liked the singing and all the people, especially all the kids. We haven't set a time for his baptism yet, but probably mid-October or late November depending on my dad's treatments.

We found out last week that my dad has prostate cancer. Its still so early that we don't know exactly what will be going on in terms of treatment. Fortunately it looks like they caught it fairly early, so hopefully he can make a full recovery. The doctor was quick to point out that there is no "cure," but with treatment and monitoring my dad is likely to be ok. It is still really scary and the side effects of all the treatment options are pretty intense. All your prayers are greatly appreciated.

So that is our life right now. Some good, some bad, but lots of love!