Eden: 4 Months

-Starting to notice and play with her hands
-Sleep schedule thrown off due to sickness this month
-Loves attention and will talk when given enough
-Almost skipped 3-6 month clothes and on the way into 6-9
-Kicks and flails her feet in tummy time
-Always snorting due to stuffy noses
-Enjoys her play mat and her binky
-Not as easy to console as before, but still an easy baby
-Fits perfectly into our family

*****

We're four months in and it doesn't seem real at times. Eden finally met her Grandparents on Daddy's side for Thanksgiving and I'm so grateful we have such wonderful family that are willing to travel to us to meet her. As sad as it is to be so far from them, I have a lot more pictures of Eden because of my daily pictures to send to the Grandmas. They get to see her grow every day.

Eden has her doctor's appointment in a couple days so we'll see her growth. But I pulled out the 3-6 month clothes and they were already stretching. No fair! As far as milestones, she is setting her own pace. Eden can be found bringing her hands together in what looks to be a plotting way and likes to hold onto things that come in contact with her palms and bring them to her mouth. You can tell she is working on how to purposefully grab but she isn't there yet. However, she loves her play mat and can be found holding onto the toys that dangle in front of her so she's on her way!

Poor girl has been sick for the past week and a half with a cough, stuffy/runny nose, and more recently low grade fevers. I'm wondering if she might have a small ear infection as well as she has been fussier than usual. Hopefully not! It's been messing with her sleep at night and I have to get up with her many times and make more of an effort to help her sleep. Today she seemed a little happier so we'll see how tonight goes!

Enjoying her play mat.

So stylish.

Plotting something.

So many cute faces from this girl.

Waving hi to her grandmas.

Bibs to catch the drool.

Halloweening 2018

This year I took Halloween a little lighter than last year. Last year was pretty epic as far as activities but I figured we would be fine not doing things like the Zoo Boo and a Pumpkin Patch. But it was still pretty action packed! 

We started October off with a visit to Sea World for some Trick-or-Treating. We put out an open invite to join and had a friend from our ward come around with us.

Managed to finish the costumes enough for this event.
Joey: shark, Eli: Rubble from Paw Patrol, Eden: Spider Baby

I was hoping the shark pullover I got would satisfy Joey, but he really wanted to be a Hammerhead Shark. I had no idea how to do it, but with some velcro, hot glue, and felt, I came up with this bad boy. I'm pretty proud of it, especially it being my first attempt.

Joey's school had a Character Parade where the kids dressed as characters from books. Joey wanted to wear his Hammerhead costume so we searched hammerhead sharks from books and came up with Harry Hammer. Never read the book but Joey was satisfied so we went with it! The best part was that Sam could come! That NEVER happens, so it was a big deal! 

Later that day was the school carnival fundraiser and we had a good time. Our favorite was the Cake Walk. They filled the spots, had the children walk to music and if your number was called when the music stopped, you were out. Last person got to pick some treats in the cafeteria. Joey won, so he picked some mini cupcakes. Sam got to join us an hour in. I heard this brought in $6000 for our school and it's being used for field trips. Yay!

Joey in the costume contest. I really didn't know who won but look at that face!

Not really a Halloween activity but Joey wanted a picture with this scene at the DoSeum. Not the best lighting...

For Family Home Evening we pulled out the pumpkin carving kit. This year I chose pumpkins from the store because I didn't feel like paying three times as much for a pumpkin 30 miles away. We decided to do it outside because the weather was gorgeous.

Joey helping with the messy part.

Eden being perfect as always.

This lizard came to join us on our house.

Can you guess what Joey requested?

Yep. A hammerhead shark.
(We had to move inside because of the stinking mosquitos)

Our Raba Rattler.

Final Product. 

The day before Halloween we headed to our Ward's Trunk-or-Treat. We got there early to help set up and enjoyed Chili and games before the boys went Trunk to Trunk for some candy. It was all eaten before the night was up.

Rocking her little outfit.

I got festive. Sam went as an on-call doctor. *Insert eye roll*

Our boys. Joey's costume falling apart very slowly.

Halloween night we took the boys Trick or Treating. Now we know the good street. Luckily it didn't rain on us when we went out. It was thundering and pouring half an hour before and I didn't want to get stuck with our bowl of Halloween Candy. The boys finished their candy within the week. I only let them because I was too tired of sticky hands and chocolate faces. Get it all out of the way!

Onto November! Lots of fun things ahead.

Joey: 5 1/2

Joey is officially 5 1/2. This year is zooming by, with the fact that he started Kindergarten and Eden is already 3 months. But this post is about our Joey. I mentioned in Joey's 5 year birthday letter that I couldn't pinpoint one big interest. That changed rather quickly. What is it now? Sharks!!! It's all about sharks day in and day out. Joey's all time favorite is the Hammerhead shark and knows quite a bit about sharks. He will tell anyone nearby about all the different sharks and draws them when he gets the chance. I'll take it over Paw Patrol, though.

At Corpus Christi.

The Megladon.

Daddy/son date to the aquarium to pet sharks.

 Joey had a hiccup with potty training but is back to being in underwear and this momma is so grateful. However, he still has issues keeping his hands to himself. Joey has strong impulses to run up and touch, squeeze, or even hit then run off. We are learning about respecting others, personal bubbles, what is appropriate, so hopefully there will be improvement there, especially at school.

He does love Eden, even if he doesn't know how to be gentle.

We started at a new school since we moved into our new house and Joey's doing so well! At first he said it was hard and I was worried about him for a little bit, since he's normally easy going. But now he really loves school. Joey will tell me all about his day, which I love! I can keep track of his behavior and activities on a little app his teacher uses, and he's also receiving extra help in speech and other subjects.

Life's going too fast!

Things he is learning include reading (which he is making strides on), math, science, writing (this is improving little by little) and the extra curriculars include PE, library, music, and art. He is inquiring more and understanding more of what is asked of him. I'm so proud of him even if there are times he doesn't have spectacular days. I'm hoping he is making friends! (one friend, Patrick, is moving at Thanksgiving)

Joey at the DoSeum with "Hammer"

Said he wanted a picture with this fire truck
 and I couldn't say no to that request!

Lost his first tooth! 

 Joey's front teeth have had a few traumas and have been loose in one way or another for a year. At his old dentist all she would say is, looks like he will be loosing teeth soon and left it at that. Finally I went to see another dentist who took x-rays right away and knew he banged them a few times without me saying what happened. He was going to have both of them removed November 1st, but one fell out already (and right before picture day). We are still getting his other one out, meaning all he'll want for Christmas is his two front teeth. Sadly his teeth won't grow in for probably another couple years so he'll have that gap for a while. Luckily he's still cute!

We love our Joey!

Eden: Three Months

-Halfway into 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers

-Started tracking people across the room

-Coos and social smiles

-Loves sucking on her hands

-Recognizes and loves her mama

-Longest stretch of sleep is 6 hours

-Content, easy little girl

-Behind on tummy time, but working on it

-Starting to drool

-Has mommy and daddy wrapped around her little finger

*****

Then she was three months. Time has gone too fast but I couldn't have asked for a better baby. Seriously. I got mastitis this month and she was perfect while I waited at he E.D. and feeling terrible. She even let me sleep while she cooed in her own bed. Luckily a friend took Eli during that day. I always forget to do tummy time with my babes but hopefully she isn't too behind on development in that area. We'll see if she starts rolling this month!

Cute outfit courtesy of my sister.

Still the perfect napping buddy.

Managed to get both of them looking at the camera and smiling. A rarity with any of my kids. 

Looking like a Hobbs in this picture.

Love having a girl to dress.

Eden: Two Months

-weighs 11 pounds

-doesn't sleep until 10-11pm

-longest stretch of sleep has been six hours

-smiling more and more

-likes her diaper changed

-big eyes with undetermined eye color

-bows starting to fit her head better

-eats well from breast and bottle

-our pretty princess

*****

Cannot believe it's been two months with Eden. I'm still figuring out life with three kids, especially now that Joey started school, but she is a pretty easy baby. I love dressing her every day, seeing her little smiles, and her snorts letting me know she's awake and ready to eat.

I was a tiny bit worried for a week or two when she still wasn't smiling or making meaningful eye contact, but she really did find her smile this past week. It's so gummy and heart string-tugging. It's worth not getting to bed hours after everyone else falls asleep getting that time just the two of us...even if I'm a zombie every day.

Ready for church

Sweet cuddles

So good in her bouncer

Joined mommy and daddy at a game night

Not looking like a newborn anymore

There's her smile!