Watson is 3 months

How in the world could he already be this big? It seems like he was born yesterday! 3 months has flown by so fast. W is the sweetest baby boy, very laid-back, loves to swing and ride in the stroller and eat and smile and watch his big sister. They are two peas in a pod already.



A few things about 3 months...

Wearing Size 2 diapers
3-6-9 month clothes
Naps-3 a day-takes a short morning nap, sometimes middle of the day nap, and usually a lengthy afternoon nap, all in the swing, occasionally in his crib.
Eats-ALOT-nurses about 5-6 times a day, every 3 hours, takes a bottle at bedtime-around 6:45 or 7-and a dreamfeed bottle at 9:30.
Nighttime Sleep-INCONSISTENT!! Every night is completely different. He likes to keep us guessing. Weeks 10-12 have been so much better and he has normally gotten up once to eat-around 3 or so-and then back to sleep until about 6. Saturday night he slept all night-9:30-6:30-which was 9 hours. But Sunday night he was up 3 times to eat, Monday night it was 2 times, and last night back to just 1 time. Maybe he had a growth spurt.
He just started Zantac yesterday for spitting up so much. Hoping that will help his sleeping at night too.
I have no idea what he weighs. One month ago he was 13.9. I'm assuming 14+.
He is a doll. I love having a boy. He makes us all smile w/his sweet little non-stop happy face. Seriously he wakes up smiling every morning. Loves for us to get him out of his crib. It's the sweetest thing!


(This blurry pic was the best I could get of them both-she is so fast and not slowing down for the camera.)

Hayes was 28 months yesterday. I have to document that we are deep into the terrible two's w/her. Sister has had some major meltdowns lately. She is exploding w/happiness and laughter one second and completely falling apart the next minute if she does not get her way. I read "Shepherding the Child's Heart" a few years ago. I'm about to pull it out to read again. Hoping to find some solid and practical Godly advice for these little daily fits of hers!

Lastly here is bedtime video from a few nights ago. H & W were playing on Hayes' bed. This just makes me smile. We LOVE these sweet babies so much!!


(Now that I just watched this video he looks like he is in a danger zone! She has a hard time controlling her excitement to say the least!)

Happy 3 months big boy! You make us all so happy w/your joyful little self. We love you lots and are so thankful we get to be your parents!

Summer

Today is day 3 of our summer. I did not dress Hayes until after 1 and still haven't even brushed her hair yet today, and we're getting close to bathtime! It is definitely summer. We are trying to stay busy. Alot of time at home is fun, but can also be very long w/2 little ones! So I have made a very loose schedule for us to follow each week M-F, something fun, but cheap/free to do everyday instead of waking up wondering how I am going to entertain from 7:30 a.m. until Daddy gets home at 5:30. We started it today!



Last week my sweet friend Amy invited us to a new (to us) park in Hoover off Patton Chapel. It was great! The playground looked brand new and we were the only people there. The equipment was really nice and perfect for little ones. Hayes and Mary Carmen ran around together and Watson and baby Clara hung out in their strollers. He took a nap. Hayes took a big interest in the stairs close by-not suprising! If you live in B'ham I think it's called Patton Chapel Park-you can google it to get directions. Thanks, Amy, for introducing us to a new playground!



Friday I took both to McWane by myself. It was much easier than I was imagining. Although, I went w/the intention of only going to play on the 3rd floor where it is flat and you can see your child from every direction (which is very helpful if your toddler likes to run away like mine), but it happened to be closed that day. So we went to the Just My Size play area and played in the water table and the big climbing structure and little playroom. Thankfully it was not crowded, and she has managed to master most climbing things now so I didn't have to worry about having to climb up and get her out or help her get down. I did have to do that once when I was pregnant w/Watson. Not an easy task! We saw the sharks and fish too. She did not care to touch them. She had a great time and got rid of a little energy. And they both napped that afternoon which is a sign of a successful day!







Hope your summer is off to a good start!

My Little Reader

Here is a little clip of storytime at our house last week. Hayes was reading NUMBERS to Watson. I'm so glad she likes books and wants to "read" to us. Of course she just has most of these little books memorized by looking at the pictures. But, it's a step and it makes this kindergarten teacher happy!

The Little Mama, Storytime, and 12 weeks

Hayes has become such a sweet little mama lately. She wants to take her baby everywhere she goes. She feeds her non-stop most days. Her favorite thing to feed her is a brownie! She is constantly moving the baby's high chair around the house, from the playroom to the kitchen, dining room, etc. to find just the perfect spot. She even makes little smacking noises like the baby is eating. It's hilarious. A few times now we have found her in Watson's room rocking her baby. She will turn on the sound machine, and rock the baby in W's rocking chair, and then put the baby in Watson's crib to take a nap. It's the sweetest thing. And baby has started going everywhere w/us too. Yesterday to the playground and today to McWane. Baby is going to need baths regularly I am thinking.











My goal lately has been for afternoon naptimes to be the same for H & W. We have finally gotten into somewhat of a routine w/that and most days it works out giving me a little bit of free time. Some days she won't nap but he does, and vice versa. We have started having storytime everyday before naptime on the floor of Watson's room. Hayes picks out some books for us-her favorites are Where is my Baby? and Today is Monday. They both lay on their pillows. She will let me read for about 5 seconds and then she wants to read. She knows both of those books by heart already! W usually smiles the whole time, unless he gets kicked or bumped by his wild big sister (which is usually the way our storytime ends.)





And today Watson is 12 weeks old. He is such a little chunk of love and happiness. We laugh at him all the time because he is such a happy and jolly little baby! He seems to get bigger by the day. I know I carried Hayes around in her carrier until about 11 months. I'm thinking I have about 2 more months until he's too heavy for me. Every night my shoulders and back are hurting from carrying him in his carseat!He smiles at you anytime you look at him and loves for you to get in his face and talk to him. He has started squealing and laughing out loud alot. His little personality is really coming out. We think he's going to be pretty laid back. He's really noticing Hayes alot lately and completely lights up when he sees her. He's a funny little baby! Happy 12 weeks big boy!

Happy Birthday, Carson!

Our nephew Carson just turned FIVE years old yesterday. Happy Birthday, Carson! He is such a big boy and such a little cutie pie! He is Alyssa and Cory's youngest. And that seems hard to believe that their YOUNGEST is now already five. How time flies. I'm sure they think the same thing!



Carson is the sweetest big cousin to Hayes and now to Watson. I know he is now thrilled to have a boy cousin on our side since he spend lots of time w/his big sisters! Hayes talks about him alot. He is the only one she would talk to on the phone w/all these birthdays lately. We love you, Carson! So proud of you and can't wait to see you next weekend to play!

The Last Day of School

Today was Hayes' last day of school! So our summer has officially started as of this afternoon. And I am happy to say that both are napping at the moment, which is a pretty good way to start the next 3 1/2 months at home all day, every day! haha! I am looking forward to it but curious about how we are going to fill up our days. But it makes me happy to live right here in B'ham, where there are lots of good options for kids and play.



This is why I love Mother's Day Out...doing things we don't do at home every day and interacting w/other kids!



She insisted on taking her baby this morning and would not get out of the car without her. I told her she would lose her. She did not care. Oh well baby made it back home. I have to pick my battles carefully these days. She is all of 2 years old, stubborn and Miss independent.



We love these ladies...sweet teachers, Martha and Carol, but missing Necee. I'll have to get her pic w/her later. Hayes had a major bond w/Necee from day 1!


I kept telling Hayes this morning that this was her last day until September. She of course had no idea what that meant! She has had the best year in the Puppies Class w/her teachers and friends. They are sweet, sweet ladies and have taken great care of her this year. They sent home a cute All About Me book and artwork from each month. This thrills me. I never knew how meaningful those little things were to mamas when I was teaching kindergarten and sending home cards/gifts for Christmas, Mother's Day, etc. Now I can't get enough of them! That little handprint makes me want to cry just to look at it, sweet little hands and fingers! No actually the sweet part is that she had no idea what they were making when they painted her hands. I'm sure she was in a rush to get back to playing. I love it. Next year she will be in the 2 year old class! Now when I look at her, she looks like she should be in the 2 year old class! She already wants to walk in and out to the car by herself and carry her own bag. She does not want me to pick her up and carry her in and out anymore. She will go Wednesday/Friday mornings when she starts back. She is growing up way too fast and I don't like it at all.







She was super excited about her bucket from her teachers w/sunglasses and other fun stuff. Now we are ready for the summer!


And not to leave out the little man in the house...he got his little footprints done last week. I think they turned out precious!

The Shoe Holder and Sleep

I was in the kitchen the other day and glanced at Watson in the swing and saw something on him. I guess Hayes thought that looked like a great spot to put her shoes.



Thank you little brother for being a good sport. One day you will be big enough to defend yourself!

And to document, 11 weeks and 4 days-W finally slept all night last night. 9:30-5 a.m. He was so proud of himself and couldn't stop smiling at us this morning-Making Progress!!

Holley is 9!

Our oldest niece, Holley, had a big birthday yesterday. She turned NINE! That is 9 years of sweetness. She is Hayes and Watson's oldest cousin. She is polite and smart and well mannered and loving and just an all-around really good girl. Her parents are doing a great job raising her! I look at Hayes and so many times she reminds me of looking at Holley when she was little. They have lots of similarities to me. Nathan and I always say that we hope Hayes will turn out like Holley, along w/her siblings. They're all such great kids, and that's a testament to Alyssa and Cory's super solid parenting skills. (Those 2 are good role models for us!) Happy birthday, Holley. Wish we could be at your fun birthday party today. Hayes would LOVE a waterslide! We all love you so much!





And she loves AUBURN, the only one out of her fam of 5. I hope she ends up there one day, despite what her Daddy might say about that!

Cooking in the Kitchen

Hayes is really enjoying having a constant playmate.


This child is definitely not at a loss for entertainment.


He seems to enjoy her little funny, silly self too.


I'm glad he is a good sport, at least for now!


Hayes 27 months
Watson 2 1/2 months

Highlights from M-Day weekend

We did not get to go home for Mother's Day, Nathan was out of town until Friday night. So we had a very special weekend w/just our fam of 4. It was sweet and low key and perfect. Nathan did a great job giving me lots of little breaks all weekend. I wish it could be Mother's Day every weekend! I will just hit the high points, b/c the little baby in our house is about to wake up soon!



* Daddy got home Friday night-yippee! I do not like when he is away. It's no fun for anybody, least of all his little 2 year old girlfriend. She wants her Daddy home all the time. I am not quite ready to do the bath/bedtime routine w/both by myself just yet. Leah, Alice, and Claire came over to play Thursday night for a bit while I gave W his bath and put him to bed. Big cousins are so cool! Thanks for coming to play and hang out, Leah! We had a great time!



*We celebrated sweet Caroline's 2nd birthday w/a fun bouncy house, balls and hoola hoops and cupcakes on Saturday. All perfect things for little people!

*I had some fun Mother's Day free time ALL by MYSELF on Saturday! I ran a few errands and shopped a little. Found a new dress for my birthday/Watson's dedication day coming up next month. AND, randomly found a piece of furniture at an estate sale close by. I'm so glad I stopped! I could get addicted to those sales. We seem to have quite a few around here lately.



*Played outside and enjoyed the nice summer-y weather. Hayes and W got a new water table for Easter. It's the new favorite thing around here now. I love it too b/c it keeps her entertained and in ONE spot while we are outside.



*Went to bed early Saturday night and Nathan got up to feed Watson during the night. It was so nice to have some uninterrupted sleep!



*Watson had his 1st day in the nursery on Sunday and did great. He napped the whole time until I came back to feed him. I'm glad to have our Sundays back in a sort of normal routine now that he can go to his little class.

*We ate lunch at a new Mexican place in Homewood. Mexican is my favorite. It's about the only thing I ever want if we go out to eat! Both Hayes and Watson behaved thankfully, thanks to Nathan's sweet tea and a spoon for Hayes, and sweet W just had a full tummy so he was happy.

*Sweet cards from my babies and supper cooked all by Nathan, and Hayes helped a little.

**Huge Mother's Day present-Watson slept for 6 hours Sat. night and then 6 1/2 hours last night. Maybe night time is finally clicking w/him. I hope so!!

I love my family. They are precious to me, all 3 of them. I'm thankful they love me back.

And a BIG happy Mother's Day to Nana, Shug, Honey, Alyssa and Lindsey-5 GREAT MOTHERS! We love all of you so much. Hope your day was a special one!

Happy Mother's Day weekend!

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.



Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.



Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.



Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.



Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.



Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

My friend Anna Lynn sent this yesterday. I've read it before and love it more every time I read it. It's all SO TRUE!
Happy Mother's Day to my mommy blogging friends!!

LIFE Lately

We have been here and staying busy. And by busy, I just mean moment to moment activies, like pouring milk 37 times a day, washing dishes and multiple sippy cups, reading books, disciplining, strapping and unstrapping the carseat, trying to get little ones to fall asleep, trying to get them in the bathtub, and then trying to get them out w/out pitching fits, building stairs w/blocks, eating tons of snacks b/c we have a snack monster living at our house, crying, a little napping, and of course changing lots of diapers! It's our every day life and as tiring as it is some days, it's a sweet life. We are fortunate. We all live here together and we wake up and go to bed together at night. We eat together and play together and hang out together. I know now that lots of families are in such great need. Serious need, like do not have homes to live in or food or clothes for their children. I have no idea how that would feel and do not ever want to know. I am sad for all the families in this situation, but thankful that God is working through all the volunteers to meet people's needs in various ways. Who knows why things like terrible storms happen? It's not for us to know or even ask why? All we know is that the Lord is in control of everything, He is sovereign and He loves us way more than we can imagine. I read an awesome post on Gatherings about where God was during the storm. Read it if you have a chance.


Now, here is your personal public service announcement. When we lost power last Wed. morning our generator did not kick on like it should have. Thanks to our good friend, Colt, someone came to fix it and voila we had some power! Thank you Colt! Well about 2 in the afternoon we were all 4 taking NAPS (Nathan's bank was closed so he was home too) and I woke up somehow right at 2 to feed Watson. Then I heard a beeping and we figured out in was the carbon monoxide detectors. Hmmm, a little scary but probably just broken. Nathan got it off the wall and it said, "move to fresh air." We grabbed 2 little ones up from their naps and called 911 and waited outside, trying to keep an active 2 year old from running wild and falling into the huge hole from a tree that uprooted in the backyard. Then our firefighter friend Ryan F. came on the big red fire truck to check it out. And yes we had CARBON MONOXIDE blowing up into the crawlspace into our house. The generator was turned off and they aired our house out until it was all gone. Do you know how thankful I was that we had spent the $30 or 40 at Lowe's to get those detectors?!! And at the time I'm sure we were thinking, should we really spend the money to get those? Let me tell you, they SAVED OUR LIVES! If you have any natural gas in your home, please go get some detectors asap. We could have easily not been here today. And just to follow up, we did get the generator working properly in a way that did not blow fumes into the crawlspace, (THANK YOU AGAIN to COLT!!!) so we did have power until our real power came back on Saturday night. Again, it's ridiculous what all we take for granted everyday like power, hot water, etc.




I cannot remember where I heard this, but it's a great thing to keep in mind in your daily prayers-What if you only had today what you praised God for yesterday? That's a little scary. Am I really completely 100% thankful for each moment and blessing as I should be? I try to keep my prayers with Hayes very basic, like thanking God for every little thing we can think of like our home, car, meals, snacks, toys, cousins, grandparents, friends and teachers, school, church, and of course these are things that I normally take for granted, but I want her to know that God cares about every aspect of our lives. I don't want her to take these things for granted. I just want to live a thankful life, even if we did not have what we have today and our house had been wiped away, I still hope I would be just as thankful. As long as we are all together that is all that matters. Things can be replaced but people cannot. So from now on I will be thanking God everyday for every little thing I can think of! Amazing what your kids can teach you when you are trying to teach them something. Praise Him, praise Him all you little children, God is love, God is love.


So after the storms we had some company at our house. Lindsey and Baker came to stay w/us. Brent was out of town and joined us on Friday. We had a full and bustling house all week! Hayes was beside herself to wake up to a COUSIN in her house. And if you cannot tell from past posts, COUSINS are the absolute best things in the world to her!! They had a lot of good playtime together all week, inside, a little bit outside, McWane Center, and Chucky Cheese. We do love some company at our house. Thanks Lindsey for spending your "after the storm" days w/us!! We ended the week w/the Kennedy Family Reunion and then my Dad's 60th birthday lunch in Montgomery on Sunday. It was an eventful week to say the least, as I'm sure everyone's was.


I love this picture! Someone commented that Jimmy (aka Grandaddy) looked like a Santa w/no suit! hahah! I love it b/c he really does!! and by the way, this Grandaddy loves his grandbabies to the moon and back. I have never seen a PROUDER Grandaddy than him. It's soooooo sweet how much he loves them.









Happy B'day Pop Pop! We love you!





Our aunt Ann, Grandmama's youngest sister, holding Watson. She is a good reminder of our sweet Grandmama. She would have loved to have been at the b'day party!!




Sunday fun w/couins! Everyone was looking a little straggly from the bouncy house at the party. Lots of fun and good way to burn some energy. Wish we had one at home!




Thanks for hanging in there if you are still reading. This was way longer than I intended it to be, which is usually the way my posts turn out. And how in the world did I have time to do this LONG post? my two are napping at the same time right now, which is something that does not happen every day. And yes I'm thankful for that little window of free time and not taking it for granted!