Noah at 5 Months

+Started to grab his feet
+Eating solids - oatmeal is his favorite
+Still pits up a lot
+Moved up to size 3 diapers
+Moving up to size 6-9 month clothing
+Visiting the doctor tomorrow to see weight and get shots
+Rolled from back to front a few times
+Wakes 1-2 times a night
+Likes his toys

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I am really behind on the blog but these type of posts I try really hard not to compromise on because my babies grow so fast so I have to capture them at the right moments! It's still hard to believe my Noah is 5 months old. He can be a really happy child, but he also isn't afraid to let us know if he doesn't like something. I took him and the others on a long road trip by myself and the poor thing did not like it! He likes it best when he is held by his mom standing up. 

He also got a pretty bad sunburn and it was so sad: it got swollen and blistered. I've learned never to forget to put on sunblock, even if he's sleeping!

We love our Noah! Excited to finally go to the doctor to see how our little man is fairing.

4th of July outfit for church.

His sunburn looking a lot better.

Starting to grab his little feet!

He likes his swing. He'll fall asleep in it sometimes.

Eli's best little bud.

With Grandma in Mexico.

Very loved around here.

Caved and bought a bumbo for the first time
($5 off facebook market) I'd say it's worked out for us!

Dear Eden,

Happy 3rd Birthday, baby girl! You are full of spunk and personality and I love it. Three is an age mischief and stubbornness, but I know it won’t last (I think). What to say about my baby girl…

Something I love about you I didn’t really get to experience with the boys is your love of music. I like to play the playlist I curated when I was pregnant for you at bedtime and you call it your “labor music”. You like to sing to yourself and dance to music. I really hope you keep this love as you get older!

You love your shows and anything to do with them. So far the favorites are Micky and Minnie Mouse, Cocomelon, and Paw Patrol. Another thing you love are unicorns. You like to put socks on your hands and pretend they are hooves and neigh and gallop around the house. We got you a stuffed unicorn “Pinky” and she is your favorite stuffed animal, along with Minnie.

We haven’t taken you to the doctor yet (next week), but I reckon you are right where you need to be in size. Which is surprising considering how picky you’ve become. Your favorite foods are yogurt, “circle sandwiches” (those smuckers PB&J sandwiches), candy, chocolate milk, juice, cereal, and Mac and cheese. Your average toddler diet, you know. You talk fine, I have no worries there.

Another thing you love is swinging. When we were in Texas you loved to swing in the front yard and I captured the many times we were out there together. For California I requested Daddy to build a swing set and you are in heaven. You request to swing all the time. You even have me put Pinky in the baby swing so she can swing too.

You are on your last box of diapers (I hope). We are going to start potty training really soon. You seem on board. You like to wear your underwear outside your diaper and request to sit on the potty. We have yet to see you pee in the potty but hopefully I can relay how to do that sooner than later. Really excited to not change two sets of diapers.

You are a true girl. You love all things pink. You love unicorns and dancing and dressing up and taking care of your stuffed animals. You request to have your hair fixed. You even cut it yourself (well, with your brother’s help). Luckily it doesn’t look too bad!  I’m so happy to have you as my daughter. Thank you for being the sweet girl you are.

Excited to see what this year will bring for you and me. Hopefully next year I can continue to gush about my sweet Eden. Enjoy being three, princess, I love you!

Love,

Mama

Noah at 4 Months

+Started to laugh

+Kicks his legs all the time

+Likes to be held standing up

+Spits and gurgles

+Still pukes quite a bit

+Started to grab things

+3-6 month clothing

+Size 2 diapers (but not for long)

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I'm a little late in posting this and didn't want to overlap some of the things he has doing this month for sure. Noah is such a sweet baby. He really has grown to be a lot happier, even though he still prefers his mama. He smiles freely with people and his siblings love him. We haven't gone to the doctor since we recently moved to LA but we will see how he is doing and get his shots next month, so there's that. We love you Noah!

Noah at 3 Months

+Laughs when tickled

+Really found his voice

+Wants to be held more

+Takes mini naps 

+3-6 month clothing

+Size 2 diaper

+Really likes to suck on his hands

+Takes the pacifier better than before

+Still likes baths

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Time is a funny thing. On one hand it is hard to believe that Noah is 3 months old, but on the other hand it is hard to recall life without this little guy. His siblings really love him and I melt when he makes the sweetest noises and biggest gummy smiles. He was blessed this past month in Albuquerque (I'll blog about that eventually) after Joey's baptism. We also took him cross country and he visited four new states in addition to Texas! He's quite the traveler. He did really good which gives me hope for the drive to California we are making in a few weeks. Though he isn't the soundest of sleepers we get by, especially now that he is more willing to take a binky! We love you Noah bug!

Noah at the Dunlaps after his blessing.

A happy traveler!

Look how big he's getting!

Joey being a sweet brother.

They sure do love him!

Biggest smiles come during bath time.

Noah at 2 Months

+13 lbs 11 oz

+Size 1 Diapers

+0-3 month clothes

+Social smiles

+Breastfeeds better

+A little jaundice still

+Spits up quite a bit

+Still doesn't like a pacifier

+Likes his head rubbed

+Sucks on his hands a lot

+Starting to coo

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Noah is 2 months old and getting to be a chonker. The doctor said most jaundice is gone by now so we have to monitor it, although it has been getting better rather than worse so I'm not too worried. He is very loved in our family, especially by Eli. And he loves Eli back. He gives quite a bit of smiles reserved for him only. His gummy smile is so sweet and he gives me the biggest ones when I rub his little head. Not much has changed other than being a lot more alert than last month and taking to breastfeeding a lot better, which helps me out. He doesn't take super long naps unless in a complete milk coma and wrapped up really well. But he was having longer stretches at night which has been nice. It's fun seeing his personality coming out more and more!

Joey and Eli loving on him.

Fell asleep like this on Sam's lap.

Looks like he's doing a jig.

Found his hands!

Always looking curious with his big eyes.

Hanging with Eli.

Visiting with Grandma Hobbs.

That smile!!

Dear Joseph,

Happy 8th birthday, dude! It’s a big one, as it is the age of accountability. It is the age you decide whether or not to be baptized, and you told us that is what you want. We are very happy for your decision and hope you are ready for that day!

You are almost done with second grade. I still have memories of second grade and so it is bittersweet to have a baby of my own close to finishing it. You will be starting a new school next year in Los Angeles so I hope it goes well! We recently received a report card and you are passing all your subjects. Your weakest subject is citizenship, which encompasses responsibility and conduct, but you went from “needs work” to satisfactory. I remember starting this past school year and how much we struggled getting you to write even a word or two and now you are taking more responsibility for your own work. Hopefully it will get to a point without needing to constantly remind and redirect you, but you can do the work and that’s great!

I noticed just how much older you are getting. For one, I had to get new clothes and shoes for you again! In another major way your front teeth started growing in! It has been over two years of having no front teeth but they are coming in and they make you look so much older. You also have a pretty decent appetite and maybe the least picky of the kids. I will say you aren’t fond of many childhood staples like Mac and Cheese, but you replace it with healthier options like beans and fruit. You are starting to eat things I cook which is a big deal!

This Christmas we got a Nintendo Switch and you love it! Your favorite game of all is Animal Crossing and you love catching all the fish, bugs, and critters that come your way. It’s the perfect game for you and your brother. Dad decided to get you new games for your birthday which you are taking to as well: Pokémon Shield and Luigi’s Mansion. They are still new but as I write this letter you are concentrated deeply in Pokémon.  Your favorite show is still Wild Kratts, but I think you secretly like Mickey Mouse Club House. You will come up to me and say Eden wants to watch it when I know she never mentioned it. It’s really cute but I understand it’s uncool for you to say you want to watch it!

You can be a sweet big brother. Noah was born last month and you ask to hold him often. You also have a lot of patience for Eden, which is a big deal considering she is in the throes of toddlerhood. Eli is a different story, but I realized you guys spend quite some time together. So you do get along quite often, it’s just easy to notice when you don’t! Lots of whining and tattling. We are learning how to say sorry and how to forgive. I’m learning a lot of patience as well with you and your siblings so I too need to learn to say sorry and forgive. We are all in this together. 

This year we paid for swim lessons. The reasoning was to get you used to water more than anything! Swimming is an important skill but it will take quite a bit of work to get you proficient due to your distaste of getting your face wet. I want to put you in an extra-curricular soon but it has been a head scratcher as to what you would really enjoy! Let’s face it, you inherited my athleticism and flexibility. And music doesn’t seem to be your jam. Perhaps scouting? I know if it involved animals and nature you would be much more keen to learn. Hopefully by the next letter I can mention a new thing you have tried! 

You will be getting baptized next month with your cousin Ryker. I’m hopeful it will be a good experience for you as you start your path of discipleship. We love you so much Joey and look forward to another year with our 8 year old!

Love,

Mom