6 Months

Where does time go?  I cannot believe that Rayne is 6 months.  I also cant believe how different the personality he has from just 2 months ago.  I have to say he is my absolute FAVORITE!  This will be a long post as I have so much to catch up on.  We went for his 6 month checkup  and he is now weighing in at 17lbs and 26 1/2 inches and absolutely doing awesome which is a huge relief.  At 3-4 months he was projectile vomitting and hadn't gained any weight from his 2 month checkup which caused some worry but with the right formula and him getting older we figured it out and we have not had a problem since.  He's now on cereal and we tried jar food for the first time today.

 

 

His reaction to sweet potatoes

I decided that I needed to go out and explore moose jaw and do more things.  I joined a mommy and baby class at the YMCA called Jolly Baby.  We go for about a half an hour and they play music, sing and do actions for the babies.  Rayne loved it and pooped him out he had a 2 hour nap after.

Before Jolly Baby

After

Rayne is such a mover he just has to see whats going on and twist his body and he loves touching and grabbing his toes every chance he gets.

I just LOVE this boy!

Rayne at this stage:

*No more vomitting!!!! Yay!
*Grabs his toes and talks gibberish a lot!
*Is a ball of smiles, giggles and laughter.  He will just start laughing when no one is in the room.  He cracks me up
*He is now a pro at rolling over
*Very grabby, my hair is his new toy and will drool all over everything he touches
*Will cuddle in dads arms and watch spongebob squarepants
*Started cereal and jar food....still working on sweet potatoes
*Love, love, loves music....he will go to sleep almost 90% of the time listening to me hum "Come thou font of every blessing" it calms him down almost immediately
*Is very content and loves watching people in everything they do.  Any person to leave the room he will follow with his eyes.  Anyone who makes noise before coming into the room he will stop doing what he is doing and look in that direction until that person enters the room
*He is also so patient and loving...some days he seems to sense when i'm the most tired and will let me lay on the couch and he will sit in his chair and just be content so i can lay in peace and close my eyes sometimes this last up to 30 minutes.
*Still loves baths
*He still loves to Cuddle, my favorite time is when he snuggles right into my arms.

 

He is one happy boy!

BATES CHALLANGE

With it being a new year the Bates family has decided to turn over a new leave and do a family makeover and reevaluate what we want to stand for as a family and we are starting with losing weight.  I figure if I post it and put it out there on internet land I will keep on top of it.  So here is me at ------lbs lets see if I can make my goal of losing 80lbs.

Spring Already?

I don't ever remember a January in my life that has been this beautiful and gorgeous.  I have all my windows cracked as its just way too hot inside and really nice outside.  I took this picture from our balcony, we are on the edge of town and often see gorgeous skies, animals of all sorts (three squirrels where chattering away yesterday in the trees) and just beautiful landscaping.  I LOVE It!

I took the following right before Winter came.....i just love living in Saskatchewan!

Now if I could just capture my secret love....the NORTHERN LIGHTS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well another year has past us by.  We had a whirlwind of a year, a busy, surprising, filled with gifts and blessings kind of year.  Kyle was promoted to assistant manager in training at a small branch in Moose Jaw, SK.  That included a move 2 weeks after giving birth to our precious bundle of joy, Rayne Malcolm Sean Bates, which we now refer to as BEAN (he moves like a little mexican jumping bean).  After worrying, searching and praying for a home in our price range we settled in to a nice apartment with Moose Jaw housing authority.  (Will post pics when done decorating).  We are on the third floor, which makes everything a hassle getting in..but i don't complain because its ours and slowly making it our home.  Here are a couple of my fav pics throughout the year.  We hope yours was just as great and wish you the best in the new year.

Rayne Malcolm Sean Bates, July 28th, 2011.  7lbs 10oz

Halloween -Monopoly Man

Always full of smiles, he laughs all day long!

Santa in Training (5months old)

Family Pics, Fall of 2011.  Rayne is 2 months old

Future Musician

While we were away for Christmas we got out of whack with our routine and fought with Rayne each night at bedtime.  One night Uncle Ryan was playing the guitar and everyone joined in singing with him.  Rayne was mesmerized the whole time and eventually fell asleep.  I can't wait until he's older I know he will share a special bond with Uncle Ryan.

Rayne even got cuddle time with Daddy.

Christmas

We had a blast this Christmas, Kyle was able to take holidays after working for a year straight.  We started the Wed before Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Kydd's house.  Visiting and having a great time.  Christmas Eve is always with the Bates family with lots of good food and turning down the lights and finishing the night off with sparkling cider.  This year Kyle and I started our own tradition were we open one gift on Christmas eve.....PJ's.  Here is Rayne sampling his.

This year my parents did Christmas on Christmas eve because my sister wasn't going to be here for Christmas.  We quickly snuck away from the Bates to open presents.  I was surprised by something I have wanted for a very long time...but with me and my bargain hunting I was waiting for it to come on sale, Kyle knew this and found it on sale for me.....a KITCHENAIDE MIXER in RED!!!!!!! My kitchen is now complete with almost everything red and kitchenaide (What can I say they are the best).

                                                  (Isn't it BEAUTIFUL)
My mom also bought me all the spices I needed for my cupboard....i know, not that exciting but do you know how expensive it is to stock a spice cupboard.

Rayne even surpised us with a gift this Christmas....He rolled over and is now a pro at it.  He gets a huge smile after accomplishing it.  He's really close to crawling too, he has no problem with his leg movement he just has to learn to get the arms going.

We had a very merry and blessed Christmas with eachother and Family and can't wait to do it again next year.