Catching-up

After quite a dry spell, I figured it was time to update everyone on what has been going on with Miss Krysten. Summertime has found us very busy and it's hard to beleive that our little girl is 5-months old already. Here are some of the things we've been up to ...

Dave enjoyed his first Father's Day with his daughter. Here she helps Daddy open his presents. Krysten was very generous and purchased a round of golf for Dave and a friend at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton.

Later that day we were celebrating with the whole family at Nana & Papa's house when Aunt Mary played a round of "I've got pants on my head" with Krysten.

After dinner it was present time again, and Papa proudly displayed his newest photograph of Krysten, while Grandpa secured his first set of bragging attire.

The next weekend brought more fun as we headed to a graduation party for 4 of our cousins (yes, 4). Jaimie, Mike, and Chris all graduated from college this year, and Zachary graduated from high school. We are very proud of all of them and it was a great celebration. Krysten was lucky enough to get to pose with one of the guests of honor.

A few days later, Krysten had her 4-month check-up at the doctor. She weighed in at 15 pounds 12 ounces, and measured 24 inches long. She is 95th percentile in weight and and 75th in length, so at least she is getting more proportionate. We love our chunky monkey and she took her 4 immunization shots like a champ (well, with a little bit of crying of course).

One of the fun new habits that Krysten has recent developed is the need to cuddle with something when she goes to sleep. It can be a blanket, a burp cloth or a stuffed animal (we just have to remember and go remove it after she falls asleep).

June was so busy that it flew by and before we knew it 4th of July was here and Krysten experienced her first of many 4th of July picnics at Nana & Papa's house. Here she hangs out with Aunt Liz ...

... Dave and Jaimie get in a game of bags (I think they won) ...

... and BIG NEWS ... Uncle Brad FINALLY held Krysten!

After an exhausting day our little girl checked-out early and even missed the fireworks (there's always next year!)

Krysten has also been very busy working on her development. Most notably she accomplished rolling over from her tummy to her back. She did it for the first time on July 3rd, and then did it again 6 separate times on July 7th (4 times to the right and 2 times to the left). Although she performs this trick on occassion, we have yet to get it on film.

She has also been working very hard refining her vocal chords and was very proud of herself when she found her screech. Here is an example of what I mean (she is so sufficient she even wipes up her own spit).

Next up ... our first family vacation ... stay tuned!

Such a Big Girl

Our little girl is growing up right in fron of our very eyes.

Krysten has come a long way in gaining good head and neck control ... I would say she is about 90% there, so I've been talking about wanting to get her a Bumbo Seat. I heard about if from my friends who have 8 month old twins. It is a seat that is specially designed to allow a baby to sit up straight before they are able to do independently. So, Grandma happened to be at Babies R Us this week and bought Krysten her very own pink Bumbo Seat. Of course we had to try it out right away.

We've been pretty busy the last few days and haven't had a lot of time to try it out, but she seems to really like it, as she prefers to be sitting up where she can take in all the action.

With her teeth trying to work their way in as mentioned in a previous post, Krysten has TONS of drool these days, which has caused her babbling to turn more into gurgling. Here is a video of one of her latest gurgle sessions, regardless of the fist in her mouth, which she constantly tries to shove in there.

Krysten's first sign of independence is already upon us, as we noticed this week that she is making frequent attempts to hold her own bottle. She is not at the point of pushing our hands away, but I'm sure it's coming.

A tooth, some talking, Memorial Day, a Bike Race ... And summer has only just begun!

The big news on the homefront is that Krysten appears to be working on her first tooth (she's already growing up so fast!). I know it's hard to beleive, but there is a signifiacnt lump in gum right where the upper left eye tooth would be, plus she is having periods of extreme fussiness that is only cured by Orajel.

Krysten's babbling has become a daily occurence, usually quite a few times a day. Here is a short video of her talking with Daddy.

Krysten has had a few adventures over the last few weeks, starting with her first ever Memorial Day picnic at Nana & Papa's house where she finally got to meet our friend Scott.


The next weekend was also filled with fun when we spent the afternoon with Jen's friend from work at the annual Winfield Criterion (i.e. a bike race). Although we didn't really know anything about bike racing, it was fun day. Here Krysten spends some time with Jen's friend Beth, gets some air time in with Daddy, and enjoys her dinner with Beth's kids, Marli & Eric.






Cousin Melissa began her summer job as Krysten's Nanny this week and had some fun getting Krysten to sit up in her boppy.





Later that night, Mommy thought it would be a good idea to use the boppy for tummy (which Krysten usually hates), but she seemed to enjoy this time around.

The Eagles, Mother's Day, Cereal and the Zoo

The Ulmer's have been very busy the last few weeks since our last post. Jen is back at work and Krysten is spending lots of time with family members during the week who we are forntunate enough to have helping us out. Krysten has become more frequent "baby talk" with quite a few conversations being had per day. She also had her first sleepover at Grandma & Grandpa's house last night so Mommy & Daddy could have a night out. Here are a few other things we have been up to:



Krysten became the worlds newest Philadelphia Eagles fan a few weeks ago when she sported her Philadelphia pride for the first time (don't worry, the Bears outfit will be out in full force come the fall).





Krysten has also shown some progress with being able to hold some of her toys. We are most sucessful with her keys and make sure to give it a try every day. She doesn't really reach for them yet, but will grasp them if put in her hand. Here is a video of one of the first times she did it.

Our first Mother's Day was great. Krysten slept in until 8:00 a.m. (which was her first gift to Mom) and we had to wake her up to get to church on time. Here is Mother and Daughter on their first Mother's Day.



Krysten also spend time with Grandma and Nana on this day, and we were able to take a picture of four generations of Szymaniak women together.

Last weekend we decided it was time to start Krysten on some rice cereal, as she just wasn't seeming very satisfied with just formula anymore. Here is a video of her first meal of cereal.

Since then, she has become a champ with the spoon and eats every last bite.

Daddy likes to play a game with Krysten in which he gets her to stick out her tounge. She has become very adept at this and will now do it frequently without any prompting. Some days if I didn't know better, I would think she is related to Gene Simmons. This picture is a bit blury, but you get the idea.


While Daddy is happy when Krysten wears outfits to support his favorite sports team, Mommy also gets her turn (thank you Aunt Mary!).

Yesterday Krysten had her first trip to the Brookfield Zoo. She was so excited that she slept for most of the time that we were there. She did wake up long enough to eat, have a poopy blowout, and see the monkeys and gorillas in Tropic World. Here she is with Daddy, Auntie Karyn & Sami.

Krysten's Baptism - May 4, 2008

Krysten's Baptism day was Sunday, May 4, 2008. The weather was beautiful and the baby was as cute as could be ...

Here Krysten gets ready for the big event. Krysten wore the same dress that Mommy wore at her Baptism, which was bought for her by Great Grandma Lily Engfer, who we are sure was with us in spirit.

Once at the church, Mommy showed off the pretty baby for all to see

Krysten received the sign of the cross on her forehead from Deacon Chuck

Surrounded by her 4 godparents and Mommy & Daddy, Krysten is Baptized. Although she had been fussy earlier in the ceremony, she did not cry when the water was poured on her head.

With help from cousin Taylor, the Deacon blessed Krysten with oil (she smelled pretty for a week!)

Krysten is presented as the first time to the congregation (along with the 3 other babies baptized that day)

Krysten with Mommy and Daddy after the service ... she was so worn out she couldn't stay awake for the whole thing.

Krysten with proud godparents cousin Kate, Uncle Brian, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Mary

Krysten with Grandma & Grandpa Engfer and Grandmom Ulmer

Krysten with Nana & Papa

The Engfer clan

The Ulmer clan

Krysten Meets Uncle Brian, Uncle John & Aunt Sarah

The Ulmer clan arrived in Naperville this past weekend for Krysten's Baptism. This was the first time Krysten had met Daddy's brothers and future sister-in-law. Needless to say she was a hit and Uncle John wanted to pack her up and take her home with him. Aunt Sarah asked Krysten to be a flower girl in their upcoming wedding next May, to which Krysten excitedly said "yes"!

Uncle John and Aunt Sarah became pros at feeding a baby.

Uncle Brian proved to be a natural.

And Daddy and Krysten showed their Flyers pride as the team won the series on Saturday night. Daddy was very happy his brothers were here to watch the game with him as Mommy doesn't care for hockey too much. Football season will be another story all together.

April Wrap-Up

It's hard to beleive that April has flown by and Krysten is already 2 1/2 months old. We had quite a few adventures these last few weeks. On the 22nd, Krysten had her 2-month check-up at the doctor and weighed in at a whopping 12 pounds 4 ounces, and is now 22 inches long. She is 50th percentile in length and 80th in weight. Needless to say, this girl is solid Engfer-Ulmer. She also received 4 vaccine shots that, which she was not pleased with. Although she did not have a severe reaction, she was just not herself for about 2 days or so. Mommy took the camera with to the doctor, but did not realize that the batter was dead, so sadly there are no picutes from this outing, but here is a random cute one.

The next day was Administrative Professionals day and we went out to lunch with Mommy's favorite administrative staff from to work to thank them for all of their hard work. Krysten was a bit cranky still from her shots, but that didn't deter Kathi Polz from getting in some quality baby time.

Later that week, Mommy introduced Krysten to the Mickey Mouse song and we played with our Mickey rattle. Sadly, Harley and Jovi enjoy playing with Mickey too and he now only has one ear. Krysten still loves him just the same.

The weekend brought a visit to our friends the Holstead's and Krysten spent some quality time with cousins Taylor and Sami.

Sunday was church day and Krysten must not have liked the scriptures for that day because she was so fussy that Daddy had to take her outside for a while. Things were better after church when we went to breakfast with Nanna and Papa and Krysten go her meal too.

One of Krysten's newest developments is the discovery of her right arm and hand. She frequently will make a fist with her right hand and make very controlled movements with her right arm to bring the fist to her face and eventually gets it into her mouth. It is fun to watch the amazement on her face each time she does it, as if it is the first time she realizes that it is there. This short video shows what I am talking about.