Swim Time

Southern California has very random weather changes in the first months of the year. Last week it was raining and cold, and this weekend it was close to a 100. This saturday we decided to take Declan swimming for the first time.
I would say that it was good for the first time. The water was nice and heated. We got Declan a little swimming floaty. He didn't even flinched when he got into the water and he liked being in it. He was not a huge fan of his floaty at first but then he got more and more used to it... I think we had more fun than him but there will be many more swimming practice this summer!
My dad came along to take pictures and Doug's brother came along too.... We all had a good time.

Baby food

Declan so far has loved his baby food! When I tried before he was not very interested and would cry when I tried to feed him. So I waited a week or two but now he loves it!

5 months

Yes it is happening...our little baby is 5 months... it has flown by. Before Declan was born many people would say to us, oh you will love when he gets "this" age, and it is so fun when he is "this" age, which I am sure is all true. But Doug and I have honestly enjoyed every age. Declan has been an absolute joy and such a good baby. When he was smaller people would say to me, "wow! he is such a good baby" and yes, they are right. He goes with me everywhere, only cries when he needs something, can entertain himself for a long time, mostly by just playing with his own hands.
At this point Declan has reached some milestones. He loves and giggles, ALOT. Mostly when daddy comes home and plays with him. He love his tummy time. He can roll over from his front to back (although not that often). He loves his rice cereal. ANd when Doug and I fed him some sweet potatoes he LOVEd them. Thank goodness!!
We are so lucky to have such a sweet and happy little baby! He is the joy of our lives.... Can't wait to see what other fun things he will do this month! I will post pictures soon!

Croup

Well, we had our first experience with a sick child, and yes it was quite the experience...
It start off, Declan has always had a small wheeze in his voice, especially after he has been moving around a lot. When I asked the doctor about this she said he seemed out but if it got worse or he wheezed a lot that it could be ashma and to bring him in. So the Sunday of Easter, Declan started with a deep barking cough and a running nose. That night he was up most of the night with a cough and when he would cough it would irritate him so he would wake up crying. I spend the night in his room to help him and soothe him which seemed to help some. By 6 am he was wheezing really badly, this made him start crying and the combination was not could. It sounded like he could not breathe! I know the cold air could help so we stood with him outside to see if that would help some, and it just seemed to make Declan more upset. With all my suspecting fears that he had asmtha, I thought he was having an asmtha attack.
After about a half an hour of trying to calm him down he just seemed to be getting worse and it seemed that it was harder for him to breathe...Since the urgent was closed we packed up quickly to take him to the ER. Doug gave him a blessing before we left which helped and Delcan was able to come down and fall asleep in the car on the way there. Luckily the ER at the time was not very busy so they got declan right in. One look at him by the Doctor and she said he had croup. I felt relieved that it was not asmtha and she gave him a dose of steroids. The steroids helped to open up the airways so he could breathe better and to shrink the viral infection.
This seemed to make a huge difference and after that he seemed much better We gave him a few steam baths and after a couple of days, he was back to his normal happy self.
I am lucky that it was not anything worse and for modern medication that we have today! I hope he does not get sick for a while but we realize that children get sick a lot and this will be the first of many trips to the doctors.

Easter

Well, this Easter was fun! Especially when you have a little baby to share it with....
Although we did not know it at the time Declan had croup, and he was not feeling well. But he was a good sport during the day and it was not until that night when his symptoms really started.
My dad, grandpa and aunt heidi can and celebrated with us at the Summerhay's house. I am lucky that both families get a long so well, and we can all celebrate together. We had a wonderful dinner, and lots of yummy desserts. Doug's sisters set up a fun easter egg hunt and baskets for the kids. I am grateful for such a wonderful family and the knowledge I have of the atonement. Easter is a great way to remember Christ and what He did for us.
Doug and I and Declan read the Easter story in the morning before church and I think that will be the start of a tradition every year!

Super Saturday

So I am sure like most other people I look forward to Saturday!! I love that I get to spend time with Doug and he gets to spend time with Declan. Often times during the week, Doug has church meetings at night so he doesn't even see Declan. So when Friday night rolls around I am one happy girl...
This Saturday we had no plans, which is a rare thing so we were able to just relax and do some things that we enjoy....
Doug loves washing cars, so he washed, my car, his car and my dad's car. I did some gardening with my dad and planted lots of yummy things that will hopefully grow so we can have some good BBQ's this summer! We planted, tomato's, basil, peppers, and my dad even has some grape vines going. So we shall see how it turns out:)