Grand Marais

Kate and Eddie invited us to Kate's parents' cabin last weekend, and we had so much fun! It was absolutely beaufitul up there with the changing leaves. Her cabin was right on Lake Superior, so we had a good weekend of relaxing, catching up, and of course, playing with Declan! Poor Declan has been fighting a bad cold for a few weeks now, and I think it finally caught up with us. Tony and I have been a little under the weather this week. I think Declan will help boost our immune systems with all of his little colds.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

See how close the deer was!

Declan wanted to stay up late our first night there, so we bundled him up and he hung out with me while I had some fresh hot cocoa!

We hungout on the rocks outside of Kate's house - it was so beautiful!

Some cute pics....

Here are some cute pictures from the last few weeks...

Solids!

A few weeks ago, we got the green light to start Declan on solids! So, we started him on rice cereal, and since then, he has also tried carrots and green beans....and LOVES them all! I am pretty sure we won't have a problem with him disliking anything! It's so funny feeding him - he just can't wait for us to put the food in his mouth!
We weren't sure how he would do, because they say between 4 and 6 months old, babies can start eating solids, but sometimes it takes them a while to get used to swallowing thicker substance, but Declan has been doing quite well. Of course, much of it gets all over his bib, face, hands, ears, but he is really getting the hang of this whole spoon eating thing!

SJU Homecoming

Tony and I took Declan up to St. John's homecoming this weekend to visit Conor. It was a beautiful day and we think Declan had a good time at his first football game! It was so fun to see people and their kids....I can't believe it has been over five years since we graduated! We visited Conor's dorm room, which brought back memories for Tony....their room was right by Tony's old room! We couldn't leave without getting Declan some Johhnies gear....a new sweatshirt and winter cap for the hockey games this winter!

He was wiped out!

Conor and his girlfriend Cate



Gotta love the Baby Bjorn!


Declan and Ali

4 Months Old!

Sorry it has taken me so long to post, but it has been a crazy month! I was supposed to go back to work the week of August 18, but I ended up with Pancreatitis. I was in the hospital for a couple of weeks, but I am back at home getting much better!

Declan had his 4 month appointment last week, and I was so proud of him! He cried for a second when he had his shots, but then was just fine! He now weighs 15 pounds and 15 ounces, almost 16 pounds already, and he is 26 inches long! He is in the 75% in weight, and the 75-90% in height! We are now able to start him on rice cereal, which we have tried a few times, and he seems to like it! In fact, he grabbed the spoon out of my hand yesterday when Tony and I were feeding him....I think he wanted to help.

He is getting so big everyday and is so much fun! He is smiling, laughing, and talking like crazy! He is also developing a more consistent nap and bedtime schedule, which has been nice for Tony and I. At daycare, they discovered that he likes when the little boys bark at him (I think he remembers Luca!) and he laughs like crazy. We have also learned that he also likes when we sing and dance with. He's so much fun and loving daycare. Tony and I are so glad we decided to go with Melanie's Munchkins instead of KinderCare.

Here are some recent pics....

Hanging out with Auntie Colleen when we met for lunch one day

We brought Declan to his first hockey game on Saturday night! He slept most of the time, but seemed to enjoy it. He is excited to go the the Johnnie hockey games to see his Uncle Conor play soon!

Hanging out with Mom!

Grandpa and Grandma Caswell got Declan some new jammies, and they came with a matching hat! We had to get some pics with him in it - he looks so cute!

Such a big boy in his bumbo seat!

Tony and I at Rutter's cabin

Tony sent me flowers and balloons in the hospital, and when we got home, Declan seemed to love them - he couldn't stop staring at them!

Declan and Dad hanging out before the Talbot golf tournament. We will have to get Declan some baby knickers soon so he can join in the fun!

Getting ready for bed!

Everything goes in the mouth now!

Not going as planned.....

I'm sorry I haven't been able to post lately. Things did not go as good as we hoped for at the Fairview hospital, so we came down the St. Mary's, the hospital at the Mayo for further testing and evaluation for my pancreatitis. I am updating the caringbridge website if anyone is interested, which is: www.caringbridge.org/visit/shannoncaswell.

Hopefully, I will be out of here soon and back home with my boys.

Gall stones and a wedding

We had Kate and Will's wedding last weekend, which was a blast. I ended up going to the hospital the next day though with Pancreatitis, and ended up having my gall bladder taken out Tuesday night. I had a bad stomach ache about a week before the wedding, but I wanted to push through it. I was hoping the stomach ache was just from the stress of going back to work and the upcoming wedding. It's a good thing I went in because I ended up having a ton of tiny gall stones in my gall bladder, which apparently is more dangerous then having larger stones. Yikes! Things are going well now though and I am home recovering. Going back to work has been delayed to September 1st, so we can make sure I am 100% before starting. I have posted some pics from the wedding below.....