Christmas came and went and we had a terrific time! Auntie Maria, Uncle John, Birdy, Gram, Grandpa all ate dinner with us. It was very mellow and nice. We opened presents and Otto slept through it all. He did get a big yellow duck from Auntie Maria and Uncle John and once he woke up he REALLY responded to it! Then Auntie Cori, Uncle Buck, Andreas, and Sophia came to visit for three days. We had a blast. We went to Laguna and hung out with the Fishers-we took a long walk (I forgot the Ergo so Trevor had to carry Otto in his arms the whole way) to the beach and played in the sand. The next day we went hiking to the Hollywood sign behind the observatory. It was a beautiful day! Sunny and in the low 70's. Then we went to visit the Slaughters for a fried food b-b-q. It was a lot of fun and great to see everyone again. The next day the Groth-Cordovas took off and Otto hung with Gram and Grandpa while Trevor and I saw Fantastic Mr. Fox (GO SEE IT NOW!!!!). Then...I got sick and threw up. And Trevor caught it after me. Luckily Otto was spared. So now we can't go to the mountians with Fishy and friends for the New Year. BUMMER but at least we are together and we have our new best little friend to ring in the New Year with. Not so bad!!!
Here are a few cute pictures and some from recent events.

Otto's first outing

Gram, Grandpa, Otto and I went to the Griffith Park Observatory today! It was a crystal clear LA winter afternoon so we loaded up the subaru and headed toward the hills. We had a great time exploring the grounds and the Lenoard Nimoy theater. In a few years Otto is going to LOVE visiting but now he pretty much slept the whole time we were there. Our visit was my grand scheme to give Otto a change of venue and hopefully keep him awake but all the fresh air and walking around lulled that little newborn to sleep. Ah well, I'm sure he'll be awake and running around soon enough and I'll be longing for the days when he would nap for hours.
OH BIG NEWS!!!! He rolled over 2 days ago for the first time!!!!! And then he did it again yesterday and again today. Otto is a true athlete and I think VERY advanced for his 7 weeks.
Here is a picture from our big afternoon. Clearly he was not overstimulated...but he does look happy.

happy boy

Here are two recent photos.  The smiley face one was taken in the morning-Otto's favorite time of day.  Like his Poppa, Otto wakes up with some effort but when he does he's all smiles.  And the second was taken during Otto's favorite activity...sucking.  He LOVES his pacifier.  Otto also is getting to really love his play yard jungle gym.  He lies down and looks upward at the butterflies and monkey and parrot and just smiles and giggles.  It is really darling and I got it all on video tape.  He is awake so much of the day now-in fact yesterday he did not sleep during the day at all.  At the time I thought it was the answer to my sleepless night prayers but as it turns out all no napping did was make Otto over tired and unable to fall asleep.  Hmmm.  There must be a happy balance.  

Trevor was in New York the past two days and arrives back tomorrow and I know Otto misses him as much as I do.  Come home soon Herr Poppa!     

Otto und das lufter

Otto is ABSOLUTELY smiling...and I think laughing or it just may be a coo. Either way it's adorable! He is sleeping much better at night now. Something just switched and he is letting me sleep about 4 hours straight. It has been wonderful. He does have a little heat rash and I'm pretty sure it is because I'm bundling him up too much at night. I have to remind myself that just because I'm cold at night does not mean everyone else is cold as well. So tonight I'll only put him in 2 layers instead of 4! I took this picture of Otto this morning. Every moment he is awake he is seeking out his best friends-the ceiling fans. He loves them and can't get enough fan gazing. In this picture he is staring at the one in our bedroom. He is making brief eye contact with us but I think it is only because we get in the way of the fan!

5 weeks

Happy 5th week to Otto.  He is a little disappointed because his favorite college football team the Florida Gators did not win the SEC Championship yesterday.  Both Tim Tebow and Otto Von Tebow cried.  His favorite pro team the San Diego Chargers play today so an NFL win may improve his football outlook a bit.  Otherwise all is happy in Otto's world.  He gave Trevor and I a huge smile this morning so all is happy in Grothtown as well.   

Momma's boy

If anyone out there didn't already know this....Susan is a perfect mom. I love watching her and Otto together. My days are filled with sweet images like this.

blue steel

This series of photos was taken right after nursing.  Otto's eating prowess is remarkable and it makes him VERY happy.  He has a strrrrooooong suck which may be partially responsible for some overproduction on my end.  As Grandma Deidra says I am a Guernsey!  I have been doing some internet research to learn how to correct the problem-it is becoming a bit problematic causing fussiness and frustration and may be one cause for the restless nights.  Google has provided some suggestions that I am excited to try out.  

We've been pretty mellow yesterday and today although Trevor and I did go to the premier of Young Victoria and Gram and Grandpa Kucera baby-sat.  T and I had a great time and really enjoyed the movie.  Otto LOVED hanging with his grandparents-his favorite spot is the dining room table.  He loves to lay flat just look about.  

Trevor will be done with his writing tonight so we are really looking forward to a weekend of NO WORK!!!!  A first since Otto arrived.  T is going to play tennis with Ross and Otto and I are going to stay home and watch the SEC Championship (or really the National Championship as #1 and #2 are playing).  GOOOOOOO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!  

I'm also including a pic of Trevor holding Otto in the "Calming Reflex" pose in front of our Christmas tree and one of Marilee and me at the Grove after our Sandra Bullock movie.  

I hope I have good nursing and Gator news to report in my next post!   

Otto Von Tebow (as Gator friend Jon called him) is doing great.  He had a pretty good night sleep.  Cousin Karin told me to read Baby Wise and live by it.  I do have the book so I'm going to give it a shot.  Although our little Nugget (Trevor and I have been calling him Nugget for about a week now and T questioned if we would remember we called him that as a newborn.  I said I'd blog about it so we wouldn't forget-but he is such a little nugget that I have a feeling the nickname will stick for a while)...our little Nugget has been sleeping for most of the day today so I feel like we may be in for a looooong night.  I try to keep him awake but that little newborn has his own agenda.  It did give Trevor and I a chance to go to Costco for diapers and other sundry so I guess there is one upside.   

Otto and I went on a big walk yesterday with Rachel and met Sam over at the LA Mill for chocolate milk and snacks.  It was sooo fun but got quite chilly on the walk home.  Then Birdy came by and brought Joan's on 3rd cupcakes for Otto to eat (indirectly).   

Gram and I are going to see the new Sandra Bullock movie tonight so Herr Poppa will be in charge of klein Otto for a few hours.  Everything is very happy in Grothtown!