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!

Eden: One Month

-around 10 lbs
-awake more and more
-very noisy snorts
-tolerates her brothers
-ravenous when awake
-parties at night
-turns to our faces and voices
-loves to be held
-easy to console (except during this photoshoot)
-hates when her bow falls over her eyes and when her nose is wiped
-very loved and adored

*****

We've officially had little Eden for a month! It's been a very good month. She has been my easiest baby to console and just loves to eat above everything else! My family came into town to help the first week and they were a godsend. Then Sam had his Paternity leave the week after that. So I've had it pretty easy.

I was so nervous getting pregnant. I knew I wanted more children, but motherhood is so hard the thought of adding on sounded daunting. So I added a quote by Elder Andersen to my phone's wallpaper to help me move forward. "Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling...it is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.” There is no "good time" to have another child, so I acted on faith. And Heavenly Father has blessed me so abundantly. I am doing well so far and I can't get over my precious daughter! She is the perfect addition.

Silly at the hospital

My beautiful daughter

First bath at home

Despite being so rough, they adore her!

First trip to the beach

Dressing her is by far one of the best parts of my day

Already sooo awake

I could stare at her all day, and I do

Squishy girl

Corpus Christi Trip

When Sam was on Paternity leave, we couldn't resist doing something together as a family, so we decided to finally make the trek down to our nearest beach two hours away in Corpus Christi. Eden was only a week and a half old, and I couldn't get in water just yet, but we thought it would still be fun with precautions.

We chose the South Padre Island and got to park for free due to Sam being Active Duty in the military. After getting everyone dressed and ready at the visitor center, we found a little spot for ourselves and set up camp. Eli immediately headed to the water and got bowled over a few times before he had enough, and Joey is our scaredy cat and seemed done with the beach two minutes after getting there (sigh).

The rest of the time we both took turns taking Joey to the gift shop, then to get lunch, then to get a snow cone (he was the hardest to take care of!). Eli was sooo content digging in the sand, then building a sand castle. I hung out with Eden most of the time and took pictures of our adventures. Sam tried to go snorkeling but the water was extra murky that time so it was short lived.

I think it would be fun to go camping on the beach one of these days, but for now, it was a quaint two and a half-hour beach time that took four hours to drive to get, haha. We'll have to go and do it again for boogie boarding, better snorkeling and beach-walking.

Good weather: hot but cloudy.

Sand Castle city

Managed to add a moat! 

Always chasing Eli.

And our cute beach babe. 

Eden's Newborn Photos

Photo credit: Isabella Macias Photography