Tommy and Tony

We spent last weekend with the Rasks and the Nelsons in SE MN. Tommy and Tony got to hang out! We had a wonderful time, the Nelsons were amazing hosts and we always love to see the Rasks. They really need to move to MN. Seriously, you guys miss us, we know you do!

Thanks for the great weekend - enjoy the photo!

Sarah, Mike and Tommy

Peek A Boo!

Tommy loves books, really he does... but he was a little too busy playing peekaboo with Mommy during this reading session with Daddy!

Garage Sales

I had so much fun during two garage sale trips in the last few weeks. Bargains galore! One was in New Ulm - so much clothes for Tommy for $10. The second was in Stillwater with my coworker Kate - and we found Tommy his new Gopher's hat! He also has a new St. Ben's Sweatshirt from that sale. I love it!

Is it a sign that I'm really growing up when I start blogging about garage sales? :)

Ear Infection #4

And we have Ear Infection #4... a double this time. We're seeing an ENT tomorrow. Hopefully he'll tell us that everything looks normal and Tommy will just grow out of these. Send a little prayer to Tommy's ears! He weighed 19 pounds 5 ounces yesterday at the doctor's office - Big Boy!

Hats and Mother's Day

This photo really doesn't need a description... but maybe an explanation! I hit the bargain jackpot at a few NU garage sales this weekend, and Tommy got a new hat! When he was modeling it, Grandma and Grandpa H got out their hats and the laughter ensued. Tommy thought it was hilarious, and then we all realized that really, it was pretty funny.

We had a great, great weekend in NU and Mother's Day was wonderful! A big thank you to Michael and Tommy for giving me a super first Mother's Day!

Love, Sarah

Happy Monday from Tommy and his cute little belly.

Dinner at Blake and Candy's

Wyatt, Tommy and Candy

Dan and Kelly - and Baby Girl

Blake, Wyatt, Candy and Tommy

Dr. Stenzel has a friend

Active!

So I tried a little photo shoot today so I could update the blog... and as you can tell, he's a high energy boy!!!

Tommy is good! He loves to stand (with our help) and continues to test out his voice. And by that, I mean scream. He loves it. He has definite favorite toys - cups and his stacking rings. Mike and I are soaking up every minute with him, working on trying to get him to crawl, but not too hard. We're enjoying him not quite being mobile yet! Back to the doc yesterday, and the 3rd ear infection has cleared, but there is still fluid behind his ear drum so we're being referred to an ENT. So hopefully Tommy can stay ear infection free through the summer - that's the goal! He weighed 18 pounds 7 ounces at his appointment yesterday, big boy!! We hope everyone is doing well!

We hope you had a good Easter too

Happy Easter!

Tommy, Mike and Sarah

Another message from Tommy

4+ / ☺171/7-*-+*/1np\
fffff ,nnm
//210


Typed it all by himself...

Another ear infection... but smiling!

Tommy got kicked out of daycare yesterday... for his temp of 101.9. We visited the pediatrician, who diagnosed an ear infection which he said was "raging"... that makes a new mom feel good. So we are home today, hanging out and Tommy seems like a happy boy! Little extra love from Mom and Dad today, and hopefully he'll start to feel better very soon. If you catch an orange tinge to this photo, yes, he had carrots for lunch.

Tommy's 6 month appointment

Here are his stats:

17 pounds 14 ounces = 50th percentile
27.5 inches long = 70th percentile
head is 18 inches around = 95th percentile!

Doc said all looks good. Still working on getting rid of his ear infection and his nasty cough, and we are still adding solids slowly. Only veggies so far, and green beans are NOT a favorite. Tommy is sitting really well on his own! He loves his toys, being sung to and being tickled lately. He is making more sounds too - a favorite of mine is mamamamama... go figure. He isn't exactly waving, but he sure does pump his entire left arm when he gets excited! The changes are amazing, and so fun to watch. What a little love muffin!

Separated by Thirty-one Years

1975

(Dean, Sandy, Mike)

2006

(Ricky, Katie, Tommy)

Ricky is Dean's, Katie belongs to Sandy, and Tommy to Mike

Happy 6 Months to Thomas Spencer!

Tommy is a whopping 6 months old today! We celebrated by going for a long walk and going to the park for the first time, which as you can tell by the picture, was fun for daddy but Tommy napped. We also went out for dinner, and Tommy napped through that too. He's a big happy boy though - babbling away, getting better at sitting every day, loves his toes and his toys and is starting to give really good hugs! These 6 months have been exhaustingly wonderful and we are SO blessed with our Tommy!

Tommy and Marissa

Mike and I went to visit Jess and John Kostka on Saturday. Tommy and Marissa were hanging out together, teaching each other some Babywise, and we caught it on film. As you can see, much like her mom and dad, Marissa can't peel her eyes off the hockey game :) and as usual, Tommy is hamming it up for the camera. Playing together mostly consisted of Tommy tugging at Marissa like he does at his toys, so we'll give them a few more months. We had a great time - thank you Kostkas!

Still cute, still sick

Back to the doctor today to check on Tommy's cough and breathing, and nothing serious is happening which is a huge relief. Just a good ol' lousy respiratory and ear infection. But Grandma Shirley and I did find out why we get so tired - Tommy weighs in at 17 pounds 6 ounces... explains my aching back! Daddy will be back tomorrow night, and we are looking forward to it! I am SO grateful to my mom for helping out this week - absolutely couldn't have done it without her. THANK YOU!

All is well in Palm Springs

The airport on the way out was a zoo. Why didn't I remember Spring Breakers would be flooding the airport. It was hot, too hot, on Saturday. The temperature was close to 100. It has since cooled to a comfortable level. Enough about traffic and weather...

I'm missing Tommy and Sarah. I'm glad Sarah's mom, Shirley, is helping while I'm gone.

Mike

Still a cutie pie...

Even with his cough and ear infection! Ok, this picture is actually from over a week ago, but Tommy is still a cutie. He had a bit of a rough weekend fighting a cold, and now it has turned into an ear infection and a nasty wet cough, but we are trying to get through it with smiles! Grandma is with us this week, as Daddy is golfing and mapping in Palm Springs. Tommy says Hi Daddy! We miss you!!!

Sweet potato heaven!

This was last Friday - dinner time is much more interesting for Tommy now that he gets more than plain rice cereal. Feeding him is much more interesting too!

Mike's Birthday (Dean's too)

Mike turned another year older this weekend, and the Larsen and Henderson families gathered to celebrate. Good times had by all - Tommy had quality time with all his favorite family, and was particularly precious all weekend.

First week at Daycare

Tommy had his first week of daycare last week. After some adjusting, things are going pretty well! I even survived, although I felt like I ran 7 marathons by the time the weekend rolled around. I missed my little guy so much!

Tommy's favorite toy - a Whoozit

Tommy's favorite toy - a Whoozit - was a gift from Nick and Lindsey.

He who laughs last...

Click the picture or follow this link to watch Tommy laugh.

How cozy can Tommy get?

Good cuddles with Grandma last week!

Tommy's first REAL snowstorm

We went for a walk after the snow stopped, it was beautiful and Tommy mostly enjoyed it!

Tommy wanted to write you a message

nhu
cx
er 555b mm gv



he really likes the space bar

Grandma and Grandpa Larsen

We celebrated Cousin Ella's 2nd Birthday yesterday, and Tommy got to see Grandma and Grandpa Larsen! (That is Cousin Katie in the picture, Ella was too busy to capture in a photo with Tommy)

Rice cereal!

Last Thursday, Feb 15, we tried some rice cereal for the first time. Just a little... and it was a good time! Tommy wasn't sure what to think at first, and then it didn't seem like much of it was staying in his mouth, but eventually it was all gone and seemingly most of it ended up in Tommy's tummy! Tommy wore Mike's favorite Big Bird bib from when Mike was a baby, which was pretty special. We'll try again this week, a little thicker and see how it goes!