Milestones

Hey, everybody (Leif speaking)! March has been a busy, fun month for me as I've learned so much! Mommy & Daddy bought a jogging stroller, and we finally have been able to take it out a few times--Mommy tells me she's excited to use it this summer (she has no classes this summer so will get to spend lots of time with me!). I'm going to be her coach--she'll run while I sit back, relax, and tell her to speed up!

I'm getting big and strong: I can roll over completely both ways and can also sit now without any help! Mommy is still hesitant to leave my side though because I tend to tip if I wave my arms too much! I can stand really well too as long as someone has a hand to back me up. I really like textures, dancing, and grabbing my toes. I'm starting to grow teeth as well (Mommy says my primary mandibular central incisors will erupt soon), so that has been uncomfortable. I chew my fingers and drool a lot. I also discovered that I can get people's attention by coughing. It's kind of a habit now, especially when I get excited!

Another big change has been having baby-sitters in the mornings as Daddy is working again! He is building scaffolding again at the Flint Hills oil refinery. Mommy brings me to one lady's house on Tuesdays and Thursdays and another on Wednesdays (Daddy doesn't work Fridays yet and Mommy doesn't have class on Mondays!)--it's really nice because they both live in student housing so we don't have to drive anywhere! They both are really nice and have a kid I can play with.

Well, the pictures tell the rest! (Start from the bottom and work your way up.)

I love hanging upside down! Daddy can always make me laugh!

At cousin Riley's 3rd birthday party. We are best buddies! I'm not so sure about this stuff yet!
It's fun to be messy!
My first "solid" food! Rice cereal + milk! I started eating it on March 24th.
Mommy played her violin for me! Someday she can teach me!
Another mirror
I really like mirrors!
Grandma and Grandpa came to visit me for a few days!
Snuggling with giraffe after bathtime
Taking a snooze with the blankie Grandma made me
Mommy and Daddy went skiing with Uncle Jeff (he's a ski instructor)...I wanted to give it a try.
Daddy and I like to do boyish stuff like build forts!
Jumping in my Johnny-Jumper!
My first game of Rook. It's a Sevig family tradition!
To pooped to play
Visiting with Aunt Kayla and Kevin in Fargo

Four Months Old

Hello, everyone--we did not forget about you! The past couple of months have been a busy whirlwind! Alissa has been preoccupied with learning all kinds of things...local anesthetic injections, drug interactions, oral cancer...but you don't want to hear about all that! Bjørn is still loving being a stay-at-home daddy. He will most likely start working again in March, so we're keeping our fingers crossed for finding good child care!

In the meantime, Leif is growing, growing, growing (15 lbs. and over 2 feet tall)! We are having so much fun with him. He is quite the "talker" and is always reaching for things now. It won't be long before he rolls over with ease (back to belly) and sits on his own. He enjoys his pacifier but is also fond of his index and middle fingers--we think he's starting to teeth as he is quite the drooler. Bjørn can really get him to laugh by giving him whisker rubs with his face. Here are the pictures after Christmas!

Leif is quite flexible!

First pair of shoes (totally not functional yet but aren't they cute?)

Bjørn is teaching Leif some chords...Leif is speculating about whether he should be a guitar player someday.

Good book, huh? Leif discovered he can kick off of the couch with his feet to swing himself...we don't even have to turn the swing on!

He has recently discovered his feet.

More guitar...we'll break out the violin next.

Super Bowl Sunday...we didn't care about the actual teams that were playing!

Future hockey player

We went to Fargo over Valentine's day weekend to meet our new little niece, Kate Elise. We had a great time seeing the Nelsons, Auntie Kayla and future-Uncle Kevin, and some friends.

Kate and Leif...already buddies!

Cousin Stuart is also letting Leif borrow his Twins hat since he outgrew it...we can't wait for this summer to go to a game!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays! December flew by! Leif will be 3 mos. old on Sat. which is hard to believe! He is much more interactive now, and is sleeping through the night (almost). He got his first round of shots a few weeks ago, and he was a trooper (cried then slept all day). He loves to blow bubbles, and smiles and squeals at us when we imitate him. He has rolled over a few times now on his own (belly to back), and he loves to kick!

Alissa finished off her semester well, and Bjørn continues to enjoy being home and is starting up the next season of hockey games. Over the holidays, we traveled to Fargo and Minot. We saw many people from both sides of family and some old friends, which was fun! It was Leif's first long trip, and he did very well! It was so cute watching cousins Stuart and Riley try to help with taking care of "Baby Leif" as well!

Meeting Auntie Kinsey for the first time!
Meeting Grandpa Hanson for the first time!
The guys built an awesome snow fort outside the Nelsons'. It was complete with windows and tunnels. Apparently, the rabbits liked it too as the next day it was filled with rabbit pellets!
Meeting Great Grandpa and Grandma Listul

Grandma Connie taught us how to make lefsa.

The "Lundgren" clan: Mom, Dad, us, Kayla, and fiance Kevin

Leif slept through most of Christmas.

Opening Leif's first Christmas gift

"Baby's First Christmas"
"Grandpa's Little Sidekick"

Making Daddy proud with his first "head in arm" wrestling move!

Best buds

Fun in the tub

Ice skating at the "Oval," the world's largest outdoor rink (artificial) in Roseville, MN

Santa's little helper

Three month pictures taken by Alissa Nelson

Being a mom...

I just want to take this opportunity to share a funny story...

Bjørn had just left to go play hockey for the evening. I set Leif on my lap at the computer desk, with my hand supporting his butt. He was content, and I proceeded to type up an email. Well, I didn't get very far...all of a sudden I heard the typical squirting sounds that indicate that Leif is filling his diaper. However, not only was he filling his diaper, but he was filling my hand as well! Yep...poop was leaking out the side of his diaper. I quickly grabbed the crumpled napkin that was fortunately sitting on the desk to catch what I could and raced him upstairs to his changing table! Fortunately, most of it went into his diaper and on my jeans and not on the chair or floor. Even his onesie remained clean for the most part. Not only that, but his poop doesn't really smell that much...I'm expecting that it'll worsen quite a bit when he starts eating solid foods!

Before I had Leif, I dreaded the thousands of diapers to change and the constant crying...but I have found that I don't mind it so much. He's just too darn cute! We are discovering more and more about his little personality with just his little cries, facial expressions, etc. I actually thought this leakage incident was quite humorous and since I didn't have Bjørn there to laugh at me, I had to laugh at myself and share this with you, the reader.

I know there will be many more poopy incidents, along with wetting the bed, vomiting, and peeing on the floor, but hey, being a mom is the best! I wouldn't trade it for the world:)

P.S. Leif rolled over by himself for the first time today and he now weighs around 12 lbs!
P.P.S. I have been discovering lots of lint between his toes and fingers (where does it come from!? I suppose he kicks and moves around a lot!) along with the smell of stinky feet...I think we need to bathe him more than once or twice a week. I thought that more than that would dry out his skin too much, but I suppose cleanliness is important too!