4 Months

We now have a 4 month old in our house.  Are you saying "Saaay whaaaat?!" to that as well?  Yeah, me too.  It doesn't seem possible, but tis true.

Our little chunker of a Wee Lad is such a joy to have around.  I can't even imagine or fathom what life was before he entered this big world.

Weston is always so happy, and has the sweetest smile.  His coo is to die for, and his giggle is enough to make you cry happy tears.

I told Carl the other day that if I was asked what my dream job would be, I would respond with:  Kissing Weston's (or a babe's) cheeks all day.  Every day.  Seriously, Weston's cheeks are so kissable.  I think I felt the need to say that to my beloved after he told me to cool it on the lipstick kisses on his cheeks.  They are that irresistible.

Ok, onto some stats.  Which, are super fun to look back on for myself, and to do a little comparing to his older brother.  Who, by the way, still doesn't understand the cocept that Weston is little.  LITTLE, Carson- Weston is LITTLE!!!  "Please leave Weston alone, get off his back!, do not break his arm, do not throw a ball at his face, do not drag him by his feet, PLEASE do not step on his belly! (please makes raising your voice sound a little more pleasant, right?! Ha.) do not scratch him, and please don't kick the poor child" Are all things that we say a lot 'round these parts.  It's amazing this child doesn't have any major wounds.  But in all honesty, Carson loves his little brother dearly.  (Check out the picture below.  Carson's face is scary mischevious, and I am pretty sure he is pinching Weston---you just can't see it.  Oh yeah, add "please don't pinch Weston!" to the list of things we say to Carson regularly.  Ha.)

 

-Weight:  At his 4 month doctor appointment, he weighed in at 15 pounds, 8 ounces.  Which is 63% on the charts.

 

-How much is he eating now:  He is still eating 5 ounces every 3 hours.  Our pediatrician told us at his appointment that we could start feeding him cereal if we wanted to.  So, I tried.  And, only because I was so eager to start feeding him with a spoon.  I don't really feel like he needs anything extra, and I definitely feel that he gets full off of his formula---especially since he is still drinking only 5 ounces.  But, I just absolutely love feeding little ones baby food and cereal.  I never got to do any of that with Carson, because he refused both, so I am so excited to start with Weston.  I think we may continue to try with cereal a few times, and see if he gets the hang of it.  Otherwise I will wait until the 6 month marker, and start with baby food.  I will let Weston let us know when he is ready.  HE is in charge, afterwall.  Oh, and isn't that an understatment :)  I love it! 

-Size of diapers: Size 2

-How long does he sleep at night:  He goes to bed about 8:00-8:30 at night, and sleeps until about 6:00-6:30 in the morning.  That is IF he doesn't feel like he needs a little pick-me-up in the middle of the night, and needs to be fed.  Which has been every night lately.  He wakes up about 4:00 (all smiles, may I add) and wants a bottle.  He does go right back to sleep afterwards, so that's nice.

 

-What size of clothes is he in:  He is still wearing some of his 3 month things, otherwise he has moved up to the 6 month clothing.   

-Facial Expressions:  This little character of ours is full of some fun facial expressions.  I abosolutely love his little "flirt" look---it is my favorite!

-Learned anything new this month:  Weston's hand/eye coordination is so good, and he loves pulling things to his mouth---to suck on, of course.  That is where everything goes these days....straight to his mouth.  He is a rolling machine, and also scoots (on his back-somehow, someway) around the room.  I will lay him on the floor on a blanket, tend to Carson for 1 minute, and come back to find Weston off the blanket!   He also still loves to stand--he is so strong!  I absolutely love baby rolls.  They are so adorable! 

-Is Weston a good traveler:  He has his moments in the car.  Sometimes he will fall asleep instantly making the car ride so nice and peaceful.  (Ok, well--maybe not peaceful with his big bro constantly talking, but at least peaceful in the aspect of Weston not screaming his head off.)  And other times a trip to Cedar Falls (30 minutes) is horrible! 

-Did Weston celebrate any holidays this past month:  No big holidays this past month.  Up next: Halloween, and a Big Brother's THIRD Birthday.  What?  Did I seriously just type that?!  I can't believe we are about to have a 3 year old.  Not to mention---we need to get going on planning his party.  We will more than likely wait until the last minute, because I am a procrastinator like that.  I swear I work better under pressure.  Ahem. 

-Recognize anyone new:  Weston loves it when people talk to him.  His eyes light up when he hears his Daddy's, or Mama's voice....and that makes my day! 

 

-Anything else:  Weston has been a little stuffed up lately, but it hasn't put a damper on his attitude one bit!  I had never used one of those "sucker" things on Carson, but Weston was so full of snot, that I felt the need to use one.  He actually didn't mind it at all, and I think he may actually be thanking me for shoving something up his nose. :)  Carl is super grossed out by them.  He makes me laugh---a lot of things gross him out.  Anyway--Big Brother felt the need to "Hemmy" (that means help me. which it should actually be help you, but you get it.  Ha.  i seriously am in love with Carson's language!) and took it upon himself to shove this "sucker" thing up Weston's nose.  I had the camera right there, and good thing.  I captured the moment, and can't help but laugh.  This is a pretty typical look that Weston has plastered across his face anytime that he hears or sees Carson around.  I would too.  I don't blame the little guy.  But, I AM convinced they will be the best of friends in a few years :)

 

Our dearest little Weston is so much fun to have around.  He is such a good baby, and is very content (most of the time)  He has a few favorite toys--the crinkly block in particular--that he really enjoys playing with.  We are also finding that he doesn't like to miss out on the action.  If there is noise, and people around, he would rather skip a nap, or miss bedtime to assure that he doesn't miss anything. 

Our family is so blessed to have little W.  He makes my day with just one look.  We love him so much, and couldn't imagine life without his beaming smile.

Iowa State Fair

This Summer's temperatures have been hot.  And by hot, I mean---almost unbearable to be outside most days.  With temps well into the upper 90s, and 100s, with a heat index at 110+ degrees, I didn't know what the Iowa State Fair weather would bring.  With two little guys, and one being way too young to tolerate the heat, the weather was going to be our sole decision making factor as to whether we would make the trip or not.

Needless to say, the weather was amazing pretty much the whole 10 days that the fair took place.  We decided to go the second day, on a Friday--in huge hopes to avoid the massive crowds that the weekend would bring.  It was about 60 degrees when we got there, and about 80 when we left later that afternoon.  It was a beautiful day, and one that we could truly enjoy.

Aside from the "Iowa State Fair" being on our Summer List of things to do, and the fact that we both fight over who can be the first one to check something off of our list, we both enjoy spending a day on the fair grounds.  This is one of Carl's most memorable childhood memories, and their Family "vacation" every year.

Carl and I were both excited to try a few different things "on a stick."  Ya know---what the Iowa State Fair is most famous for.  I kid you not when I say....we weren't 50  feet into the fair grounds, and Carl had a porkchop on a stick in his mouth.  He was rather eager to get a check beside his name.  He also had it gone in about 1 minute.  Long enough to share a bite with Carson, and woof down the rest.  I later had the guts to ask him...."Did you really enjoy the porkchop enough to spend $7 on it?!"  He glared at me in return.

We decided to try the "Little Hands on the Farm" activity with Carson right when we got there, while it was still cool outside, and before Carson was tired.  I had never done this before, and I was thoroughly impressed.  It was so neat, and I think all the kids enjoyed it

A basic outline of Little Hands on the Farm:  You pretend to be a farmer for the day, and you go through different scenarios.

......you pick the corn- and feed the corn to the pig

 

 

.....plant vegetables in a garden-and pick them later

.....pick the soybeans-and feed the animals

.....sheer wool off of the sheep

.....pick apples from the apple trees

.....pick the eggs that the chickens laid

.....pedal your tractor around the farm-drop off hay to feed the cows, and put fuel in your tractor

.....milk the cows

.....and at the very end, you turn in all of your things from your basket, get a dollar, and buy something from the store!  The store had so many different items you could buy.  From rice krispie treats, to chocolate milk, fruit snacks, to ice cream bars.  Carson chose chocolate milk.  No shocker there.

It was such a delight to watch Carson do the different activities.  Weston had fun, too- and was along for the ride.

After Little Hands on the Farm, we met up with G&G Brouwer, and had some lunch.  We chose to go the sandwich route, and had a pork sandwich.  It was very good.  I also had a Strawberry Smoothy, which is my favorite.  Full of sugar...it has to be good, right?!

After we met up with G&G, we did some wandering around the fair grounds.

In and out of the different barns to look at the animals, and made a long stop in the building that housed the fish.  Yes, fish.  We spent a long time looking at the big and little fish swim around.  I love seeing Carson's face light up in excitement.  And I think my favorite part of the whole entire day is seeing Carson enjoy himself.  He loved every minute of it, and we had to do some major convincing to get him to move to the next stop.

 

We then ended with a look at the horses, and the sheep.  Grandpa had fun introducing Weston to the sheep!

Carson was very intrigued that this sheep was getting a 'haircuck'-- as he calls it.  He is rather obsessed with his 'haircuck' and it makes me smile everytime I hear him say the word.

We all had such a fun day at the Fair, and the weather was gorgeous.  Both boys were pooped (along with Dad and Mom) after the long day outside.  And that to me is a huge indication that the day was a success!

I am lovin' all of the Summer activities that our little family is engaging in this year.  As Carson grows older, it is so much fun to see him enjoy these same things that we do.  I hope that all of these memories are being stored in Carson's memory bank, as they are with us.  We are truly cherishing these fun times spent together!      

happy-medium

I am not a morning person, and I struggled to wake up this morning, as it was still dark in the room.  I had Carson's legs pretzeled around me, his feet in my face, and I could faintly hear Weston breathing from across the room.

Carson ended up in bed with me in the middle of the night, as that is becoming routine these days.  Since I sleep alone, I am usually okay with throwing him in bed with me, and cuddling with him-- as his little body fits perfectly with mine.  But as this is becoming more regular, I am finding out more and more things about sleeping with a toddler who is all over the place.  One thing I found out about myself is this:  I don't and can't share a pillow.  I need one all to myself, and Carson doesn't allow for that.  Not a good combo.  And also; toddlers kick in their sleep, and they kick hard.  Also not good.  So, we are trying to find a happy- medium.  A little more room for each individual.  

During the night, Carson woke up as the storm rolled in.  He was frightened as he stumbled into my room, and stood by my bedside.  He managed to mutter the words "I'm scared" and I immediately snuggled him, and tried to make him feel safe.  We laid there and listened to the thunder, and watched as the lightening reflected through the windows.

When I finally managed to pry myself out of bed, I walked to our sliding door that overlooks our deck and backyard.  There was standing water on the deck boards, which is an obvious indication that we had a good rain.  That is something that I think we are all thankful for these days.  I think my flowers were perking up a little extra high this morning, and if they danced--I think they would be doing a happy rain dance.  Along with the grass.  But I am almost thinking that it doesn't even stand a chance these days.  Not even the rain will help it grow green....but we will see.

This week has seemed to be more crazy and busier than most.  And with that being said, I am ready for it to be over because of that reason.  Carl and I haven't really seen or talked to each other much this week, for the mere fact that we seem to be on the go all the time.  So we are trying to find a happy medium.  A good mix of both.  A little bit busy, and little bit relaxing and enjoying our time together.

The one conversation Carl and I did manage to squeeze in un-interrupted, we talked about just that.  How this week seems to be busy, and we don't have much time at home to just hang out.  And then we both asked each other---would we have it any other way?  What if we weren't busy--- then we would be "bored," and wish we were more busy.  There is a lot of truth behind that.  We are human after all, and we always seem to want what we don't have---in some way or another. 

That was a little mental reminder to myself---to not take any day for granted.  Find a happy-medium before things get too busy, and out of hand.  Yes, we may be busy, and always on the go.....but just go with it.  We are busy with our two wee lads, family and friends, and that is an amazing thing.  We are surrounded by loved ones, and that's a blessing in itself.

That brings me to the next topic: our always seemingly disastrous house.  Another happy-medium we are trying to find, and fall in love with.  Our home is supposed to be show ready at all times right now, and most times---it is so far from that.  There are toys strung throughout the house, clothes everywhere, dishes in the sink, stickers in places you can only imagine, and Carson's little knick-knacks hid in corners of the house.  But that can also only mean one thing---our kids are happy, healthy, and love to play.  If they weren't, we would long for them to be just that.  So we will take the messy house, and go with it.  Toys all over now has a new meaning, and vision in my head.  It means there are children whom live within the home, and that brings joy to this world.  Yes, a messy house is a joyful house.

I feel like the "happy-medium" ness will always be around.  For one thing or another, we will always be battling to find a comfort zone to live within.  And it's different for each and every person.  Suitable to one's own needs and wants.  Whether it be "us" time, kids, messes, work and play, time alone with your spouse, figuring out the difference between your dreams and reality, or just everyday life---I challenge you to find a happy-medium that you can live with that works best for you.  But if you can make that dream become reality---go for it!  And go big, because that's the only way to go about things.  

I'm feeling tired as we near the end of this busy week, but feeling blessed beyond measures.  We have a busy weekend in store, and I am excited for it!  Bring it on :)