Cousins!

Micah (age 3 1/2 months) and Noah (age 22 months)

At the park

Of course, we had an appropriate bib for the occasion!

L to R: Karen & Micah, Wendy, Shiffra, Christy & Laurel

On Saturday Micah hung out with "the girls" at a nearby park. Our friend Laurel was in town from Alabama, so we met up for lunch. We had such a nice visit! The best part (for me!) was that Micah was very well behaved! (Wendy can attest that he can be very difficult in social situations.) He even took a nap in the stroller! It was nice and comfortable in the shade of the big trees at the park. That was a refreshing visit for me.

Dean runs the Byron Center 5k

Dean did fantastic, especially considering that he had a major head cold. He was able to beat his time from the Reeds Lake Run last month, finishing in 25 min and 19 seconds. Terri DeBoer, WOOD-TV channel 8's meteorologist was the emcee for the event. I couldn't resist taking a picture of her. :) It was a beautiful day for a race, and the weather was perfect.

Left to right: Dean & Micah before the race, Terri DeBoer after the runners started, Dean after the race

Nap Time

This is how we place him in his crib

This is where we find him when he is waking up

Yep, Micah sleeps on his tummy. He would never sleep for any length of time on his back. One day my mom came over when he was a newborn. I was desperate for some sleep. She put him on his stomach in his basinette and kept him right by her and watched him. Of course, he was just fine, and he slept so well. So did I! After that, I started letting him sleep on his stomach for his naps, and it worked so much better. I agonized about this quite a bit, but then I realized Dean, myself and all of our siblings all survived quite nicely on our stomachs. I even talked to his doctor about it and he stated that because Micah was healthy, breastfeeding, sleeping in our room (at the time), no extra stuff in the basinette, and I was not on any medications, etc. that he would probably be just fine. After that I let the guilt go and we've all slept better. We received a nice side positioner at a baby shower, but by the time I tried it, he didn't want anything to do with that ("just put me on my tummy, thank you!). I think if we have other children I will try having them on their back again, and if it doesn't work, use the side positioner early on so they get accustomed to it.

Just before Micah turned 3 months old we started using his crib, and it went so well, he has never been in the basinette since then! Micah, in general, is not an "easy baby". But on the flip side, he is a very good sleeper! He takes a couple of good naps every day, and during most nights he sleeps 7-8 hours, sometimes even longer! The problem is, mama still wakes up in the middle of the night and feels the need to check on him. :)

Micah and his Grandpas

Outside with Micah

We've been trying out a few local parks and trails lately. Micah is really starting to enjoy the outdoors. We take him outside almost every night for a walk. When he starts to get bored (aka "fussy"), Dean entertains him with his own special version of Who Let the Dogs Out! WOOF WOOF! Or we start making our own variations on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do youuuuuuu seeeeee? Ah, but it is nice to be outdoors anyhow!

Mr. Cute!

Diane & Nathan's Wedding 7/7/07

Diane & Nathan

On Saturday we went to see "Aunt Diane" get married. Diane and Dean worked at Sam's Club together and have been friends for several years. Dean was an usher at the wedding. Micah wasn't very happy for most of the day, but he cheered up in the evening after taking a long nap in his stroller.

Left to right: Micah and the clown, Diane dancing with her father, Micah visiting with matron-of-honor, Nicky

On Friday afternoon Grandma V. came to babysit Micah while Dean & Karen went to Craig's Cruisers with the bridal party. We had a blast. Dean beat Karen on the go-carts, but Karen beat Dean at laser tag. It was so fun to get away for a couple of hours!

The bride and groom at Craig's Cruisers

The many moods of Micah

happy & contented

upset

Sleeping

serious

worried

chillin'

silly

Dean's 5k Run

On Sat. June 30, Dean ran the LaSalle Bank Reeds Lake 5k Run along with 1,408 other participants. He finished in 26 min. and 16 sec. GO DEAN GO!

Micah & Karen went to the race so they could cheer for daddy! Dean might also participate in the Byron Center Run late in July and attempt to beat his time.