5 months!

It's hard to believe that my little man is 5 months old today! As Jarrod and I have been reflecting on the past 5 months, we both came to the realization that we have really enjoyed Beckett the last 2 months more than we did the first 3. That may sound bad, but when you have a baby who is a little colicky, it's such a nicer life when that baby gets out of that stage. Beckett is a such a happy little guy and is growing so much! He weighs 17 pounds and is over 26 inches long.

Beckett is rolling all over the place. One minute he's on his back, the next he's on his belly. He's realized that life isn't so bad on his belly afterall. He is trying to scoot and puts his knees under him, but he can't quite get his little behind to follow what his brain is saying. He is loving solids. He eats like a champ. After finding out that rice cereal tastes awful, I have been trying everything that I put in my baby's mouth. To my surprise, most aren't too bad except for the Beef and Turkey Broth. Disgusting!! It tastes like what cat food smells like. He does love mixed vegetables, pears, peaches, peas, green beans, mixed berries, sweet potatoes, carrots, and doesn't mind oatmeal. It's much sweeter than rice cereal. He gobbles everything right up, but we do have to be careful about giving him too much "orange" foods. We don't want him turning orange and too much Vit. A isn't good for him.

We did find out Mr. B is allergic to mosquitos just like me and his daddy. Over the weekend he was bit on his arm and it started to blister up. Jarrod and I both do this and it's not surprising Beckett had the same reaction. It didn't seem to bother him much, but it leaves a not so nice scar. Yes, scars are cool, but not these kinds.

Mr. B loves music. We went to church this morning and as soon as the choir began to sing, he started jumping. Mind you, jumping has started in the past few days. We inherited a johnny jumper, so we're eager to try it out to see how he likes it. He loves his exersaucer, so I'm sure the jumper will be a big hit. Beckett is finally responding to his name. He turns when he hears Jarrod and I call it out. He gives us a huge smile when he finds us. So cute! He has become very attached to me. Not only because I am nursing, but I am home all day with him. When Jarrod comes home, Beckett's not quite sure about him at first and will throw a little baby fit, but warms up after an hour or so. I think it kind of hurts dad's feelings, but it's just a phase.

This weekend, Nana and Papa Anderson came to visit. We went to the KSU game and boy was it hot! We stripped Beckett down to his diaper and he was happy as a clam. The boy loves to be naked, so he had no complaints. He even got his picture taken with Willie the Wildcat. We are planning for a wild weekend coming up with weddings and Jarrod leaving and then Beckett and I are heading to Lindsborg for a few days to relax at Nana and Papa's house. I need a little break from reality and Nana and Papa love the company. We'll be there just in time for Jaron's 5th birthday.

Well, that's all the updates for now. Hope everyone is doing well!

Always,

Megan, Jarrod, and Beckett

Baptized!

Beckett had a big day this past Saturday. He shared his baptism with his cousin, Jaron. Both my son and my nephew were baptized and what a special day it was! We decided to have a small, quiet ceremony at my church in Lindsborg; the same church Jarrod and I were married in. My uncle Ralph, who also married us, baptized Beckett and Jaron. It was a great day. I didn't think I would be so emotional, but I cried through the entire thing. To see Beckett's face when my aunt began to play the organ was priceless. I love seeing him experience new things. He's heard me sing and Jarrod sing, but when everyone started to sing Children of the Heavenly Father, he got so excited. I barely got through Jesus Loves Me at all. That night we celebrated our big day with a party at Papa and Nana's house. We had a lot of people over to celebrate with us and mom made a great feast. By the time the night came to an end, we were all exhausted and there was not any food left at all. Beckett slept through the entire night until 6am when he finally woke up to eat. It was great!

This weekend, my folks, my Godparents, and my dear friend, Erin, and her fiance, Joe, are coming to the KSU vs Louisiana/Lafayette game. It should be a really good time. Next weekend marks another busy weekend. Jarrod is flying out Sunday for a week to Tempe, AZ, to a training. But, before he leaves, we have 2 weddings to attend and a family function to take part in. Friday, we are headed out of town to visit relatives from Hesston and to see one coming from Portland, OR. Then we are headed back to Manhattan for a wedding that I am in and then turning around the next day for another wedding that I am in in Lecompton. I am going to try and take off a few days while Jarrod is gone to head to Lindsborg to stay with my folks. October is prooving to be a very busy month.

Jarrod and I will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary on the 21st. This year I actually get to drink some champagne! Yeah me! Jarrod's excited to break out the Dom Perignon. We were supposed to toast it last year, but I was preggers with Mr. B. I think we will get a babysitter that night and then a couple days after that, Jarrod leaves for Atlanta for yet another training. Good thing it's all free for us for him to travel or else we'd be broke!

So, with all of this, Mr. B is growing so much. His personality is great and he's cooing, singing, rolling, and still sleeping in his own bed. I finally offically took the pack n' play out of our room so I would not be tempted to bring him in when he woke up in the middle of the night. Except now, if I do bring him in to our room, I end up nursing him and falling asleep. When I wake up, he's there snuggling in between Jarrod and I. This is a bad habit that we are not going to continue, but every so often, it's nice to snuggle with our boy.

Well, that's all the updates I have so far from our end. Beckett turns 5 months old on the 28th of this month! It's hard to believe. Oh, and he's got a new cousin...Gavin Cole Kekela Larson was born Sept. 8 and weighed a hefty 8 pounds, 15 ounces. Big boy!

Love from Manhattan,

Megan, Jarrod, and Beckett

4 months old!

Beckett turned 4 months old on August 28th. Hard to believe he is that old already! He is reaching many milestones lately. He loves rolling from his front to back and is trying to roll from his back to front, but realizing that he doesn't like his front too much, he tries not to roll over all the way. Smart kid! He loves to stand and hold onto things and will last for about 15 seconds before his legs give out. He does the motions of walking, but doesn't know that he is doing it. He smiles so much and loves to make all sorts of noises now. He's also sitting up by himself, but not for long periods of time. He'll stay sat on his bottom for a little while before he wobbles one way or the other. He's also in his own room and in his own bed! Big boy! I think he actually loves having his own room. He's a light sleeper and with Jarrod and I being near him, he wakes up easily to all sorts of noises...mainly the sound of Jarrod snoring:) He's still getting up 1-2 times a night, but he goes to bed with no problems and going back to sleep has never been a problem for him.

He had his 4 month shots and got a fever for a couple days. He was not feeling too great and latched on to me constantly. He wanted to be cuddled and rocked a lot. He got over his fever and then had to go back to the doctor today to get another shot. Yes, this is the bad part. The clinic ran out of one of the vaccinations so we had to go back a week later to get it. Not a happy camper, but he napped for 2 hours after the ordeal!

Beckett attended his first KSU football game last weekend and he was a real trooper! He was all smiles all day long. He never fussed once. It was a hot day so we stripped him down to his diaper and made sure he was cool. He loves being naked, so it was a good day for him. He flirted with all the girls and by the end of the day, he was a tired pup. We were so impressed with him!

We have decided to get Beckett baptized on September 20th in Lindsborg. We are going to have a night service and my uncle who married Jarrod and me is going to baptize him. My nephew is also going to be baptized at the same time. It's going to be a great family event.

Beckett is really starting to love food. He gobbles up his cereal and has started fruits. He really shouldn't be eating too many solids until he's 5-6 months old, but the doc gave us the go ahead since he's so interested in what we are eating. He only eats fruits mixed in with his cereal and so far, he loves pears and peaches. He likes bananas a little, but always gives the "yuck" face when we feed it to him.

Halloween is coming soon...this year will be a fun holiday for us. We will be trick or treating to our friends and family's homes and businesses. Beckett will be dressed up in a great Monkey costume. We'll see how long the hat part lasts. Can't wait to get pictures! He will be so cute!

We are enjoying every minute with our little man. This is the most exciting and challenging time of our lives. We watch him grow and love to see the world through his eyes. Everything to him is fresh and new.

We are thinking of several people and wish them all the best in the world. Jarrod's brother in law's mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer which has spread throughout her body. They have given her 6 months to live. My uncle was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. He underwent surgery Tuesday and the prognosis is good. Sounds like he was able to come home today. Jarrod's dad just beat throat cancer and is doing well. We are very grateful for the people in our lives and hope for the best in every situation. Our thoughts and prayers are constant these days. We hope all is well with you and yours.

All our love,

Megan, Jarrod, and Beckett