Visitors

We have had some visitors these past few weeks. Two weeks ago Tom's dad flew in from Alaska. So we had three generations of Tom Kortes in the house. The boys had a fun weekend together, Tom and his dad were able to enjoy this amazing weather we are having and play some golf. Tom sr was great with little Thomas and jumped in with holding and playing with the baby. This past weekend my brother Luke flew in from Chicago. We had some yummy dinners with my mom and watched a lot of football. We also got Thomas a Halloween costume, a monkey! It is so funny!!!

Carrots

1. To help celebrate Thomas's 6 month birthday we gave him some carrots! He does really well eating solids. He like carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans but hates peas. We have started mixing some bananas into his rice cereal in the morning. He gets cereal in the AM and veggies in the PM along with 5 bottles the rest of the day. He is a messy eater and I am sure glad we got so many bibs as shower gifts.

6 months

On Thomas's 6month check-up all was well. We went hoping that Thomas would be on his non-adjusted age, maybe at the 3-5 percentile. He measured in at the 30 percentile for non adjusted and 95 percentile for adjusted age!! We were so proud. Developmentally he scored for a 4 month old. The doctor was amazed at how well he is doing.

A Week of Firsts

Lots to update on. First Tommy has started eating solids. Well, the pediatrician calls them solids, I think it looks more like gruel. So far Thomas only has had rice cereal. Hopefully this week he will have some veggies.

He also had his first roll over, which Grandma Eileen was a witness to. I finally saw him roll over last night. I was so excited!!! He went from tummy to back twice. First he throws his head to one side (usually the left), then pushes with his right arm and leg, and flips. The best part is how proud of himself he is afterwords.

Tommy also for the first time moved an object from one hand to another. He was playing with his heart rate monitor wire and moved it from his left hand to his right and then went for his mouth. He did not succeed in getting in his mouth but he was able to poke his eye. Whoops. . .

Finally, he ate at his first restaurant. Last weekend Tom, Tommy, Eileen and myself went to the St. Louis Art Fair. We over dressed the poor guy and he sweated and fussed until we got him into some AC. We all had lunch while we cooled off and Thomas did great. I was worried he would cry and people would give us the "what are you doing here with a small baby" look, but he was just an angel.

He is getting so much better at holding his head up. The latest weigh in is 16 lbs! We see the pediatrician again on Friday and will get the official stats. then.

St. Louis or Bust

My mom has moved out to St.Louis. She has a great house just a mile down the road from us! Charlie and his girlfriend Monica came out for a visit and helped move mom in. The Jerseyites are slowly coming around to embrace the midwest lifestyle; little traffic, nice people, easy access to the city, less expensive etc. By the end of their visit mom's house was unpacked, set up and looked fantastic. I know mom left a lot behind and I hope she will be happy here.

Back to School

I have been back to work for three weeks. It feels good to have a routine and seeing all my kiddos again. Students and collegues alike are anxious to see Thomas and hopefully I can bring him to some sporting events. It is hard to leave Thomas in the morning, especially since he looks so snugly while he is sleeping! It helps that the grandmas are taking care of him and I know he is in loving hands.

My brother Luke came down for a visit from Chicago. We had fun with Uncle Luke as he got to know his nephew. Plus the old boy put on a show, water skiing at the lake.