merry christmas 2014

Life with two kiddos is busy and the holidays certainly add to that. This year, I {and Lofton} made the decision to say no a lot. No to extra errands, parties, commitments. We, and our kids, are healthier and happier when we stuck to our routine as much as possible.

With Jack's surgery scheduled for the 30th (more on that later), we made the choice to celebrate Christmas in Pensacola with my parents the weekend before Christmas. We then travelled to Lagrange for a night to celebrate with Lofton's mom, grandparents, and brother's family. That left us home on Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day.

We went to church on Christmas Eve where Jack competed with the preacher for attention, we made a gingerbread house, left out a Christmas tree cake for Santa {the struggle to make cookies was real this year} and then snuggled into bed.  Santa came early for our little lambs.  Reese got a new bike {which he did not ask for}, some books and Legos.  Lofton and I gave him some new shoes and a field goal for the yard.  Can I tell you how much he loves that field goal?  Best $14 I spent all year.  Jack also got a riding toy-- a rocking giraffe.  He's too little for it now but I'm sure he'll be sitting on it soon.  He also got a few books, some spoons and a slew of new pacifiers.  

Christmas Day was quiet with just the four of us but also nice.  I cooked while Jack napped and the boys played in the yard, then we played a zillion rounds of Uno.  

Our favorite part of Christmas this year was reading our Advent book each night.  It's hard with a six year old to maintain a balance of Santa fun and Jesus but we certainly try.

These two fill my heart to the brim.  And that bottom picture is perfection to me.  Reese being his silly self and Jack along for the ride.  

JLB {five months}

This picture cracks me up.

Jack is literally the most pleasant baby I've ever encountered.. except the moment I took this picture. Such is life, though.

Month five included much of the same for our sweet babe.  Eating and sleeping like babies do :)

This month brought more mobility which did interrupt his sleep briefly, but we are back on track now.  He likes to scoot all over his crib and would then get frustrated when he couldn't get back to his sleeping spot.  We finally just stopped playing his game {seriously I would go in and he'd be laying on his back back smiling in the middle of the night} and he seems to have worked out his issues.

He can now roll not just from his front to his back, but also from back to front.  The first few times he rolled it was in an attempt to get closer to Reese, his favorite person, but now he does it regularly.

Reese makes this kid laugh like no other.  Jack is the happiest when Reese is right next to him.  This works out well as our oldest is a born entertainer.  Jack doesn't find me nearly as amusing, but continues to be his most content when perched on my hip.

Our daily schedule has stayed pretty much the same.  He wakes up around six and goes to bed around seven.  His naps aren't super predictable but he's generally so happy that it doesn't matter.  And if being a non-predictable napper is a trade off for good nighttime sleep, I'm fine with that.

We tried introducing rice cereal and that was a bust.  I don't have strong feelings about him eating it so we just moved on.

Knock on wood, we haven't been to the doctor {at least for this child} since his four month shots so I don't have an updated weight.  He's wearing primarily nine month clothes, with a few twelve month longalls to accommodate his stride length.  Still in size three diapers :)

thankful

It's hard to believe that this time last year I was violently ill and wishing away the days until June.  Five months in to parenting two I can say that our days and hearts are much fuller, the bags under my eyes are vast, and I usually need an extra kick of caffeine at some point during my waking hours.  But these watching these kiddos love on each other is worth every single minute.  

My heart is full of gratitude for the people I get to do everyday life alongside.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends.  

Rosemary Beach

This summer I had a great idea to take a family beach trip for Fall Break.  Reese loves the beach and was admittedly disappointed that we didn't get to go this summer.  October at the beach is my absolute favorite so I booked a place in Rosemary Beach without a second thought.

 And I'm so glad I did.

It was the perfect trip and at just the right time.  The weather was amazing-- hot enough for Reese to swim but not so hot that Jack couldn't be on the beach.  We rented an umbrella both days and doll baby napped like a champ.  We stayed in a one bedroom carriage house that was maybe a 1/4 mile from the beach.  It was a great set-up for us as we don't need a lot of room.  The living room had a pull out couch but Reese preferred sleeping in the king size bed with us.  Of course.

We made one quick grocery trip for necessities and then didn't need the car again.  We were able to walk everywhere-- the beach, dinner, the pool-- pushing Jack in the bob stroller.  It really was such a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.  Lofton and I were a little unsure of what to expect with an almost four month old, but he did great.  Reese is always a champ about rolling with Jack's schedule, but he really got ample time playing in the sand and had no complaints when it was time to head back to the house for lunch or a nap.

Lofton and I are already thinking of a time we can go back.

JLB {four months}

A little late... 

Just like that another month zoomed by.  The gap between our children has made me to forget how rapidly the milestones and days fly past.

Jack is becoming sweeter and more laid back.  Is that possible?  He's developing his laugh and loves to use it.  He primarily laughs at Reese and Lofton, but I'm trying to up my game.  His voice doesn't seem to surprise him anymore and he squeals when he wants us to pay attention to him.  It's his "hey second child over here being neglected" squeal.

Our daily routine has stayed pretty consistent.  Both of my children do best on a schedule.  Wonder who they get that from?   I feed him at 6:00am, then he eats at school between 9:30-10:30 and again around 2:00.  We have a bottle around 5:00pm {although he doesn't always finish it} and then our bedtime bottle around 7:15.  He sleeps through the night most nights. We are going to introduce some rice cereal soon.  I'm hoping the introduction of solid food helps with the reflux.  It's still raging.

We had our first cold this month and it threw a wrench in our sleep.  Jack was so congested at night we were having to hold him upright to sleep.  It's taken a a week or so to get him back to his all night snooze routine but we are almost there.  We don't let him cry at night, but have let him fussed it out some.  He usually soothes himself back to sleep without needing us.

Jack discovered his hands this month.  More specifically, sucking on his fingers.  He has a tepid relationship with the pacifier.  If someone holds it in his mouth for him he likes it,  but the kid isn't holding it in on his own.  That's where the fingers have come into play. We can hear him on the monitor at night sucking on them.  He also does it in the car.  Unfortunately he gags himself more often than not.

His head control has improved and if we would practice tummy time more he'd probably be rolling all over.  The benefit for me of him being able to hold his head up is I can change the position I carry him in.  I love a hip baby and I swear the child would be perfectly content to perch there all day.  I'm enjoying these days of semi-imobility.  Jack tracks Reese's every move around the room and as soon as he can roll/crawl/move to follow him, I know he will.

A few notable events this month:  Jack was christened on October 5th by our friend, and pastor, Scott Bowen.   It was Scott's last service before leaving to lead a church in Tennessee.  Jack was under the weather but it was a special day nonetheless.  Additionally, we took a family trip to Rosemary Beach for Fall break.  It was amazing.

Stats:

Weight-- 17 pounds, six ounces {on Nov. 5}
Length-- 26 and 1/2 inches long

Wearing-- primarily 9 month clothes, he can still wear a few six month things depending on the stride // 6-12 month onesies//size 3 diapers

catching up

Life is busy and there are days we have a hard time catching our breath.  I don't foresee the pace slowing down anytime soon, though, so we're doing our best to enjoy this season we're in.

Lofton and I hit the ground running at five each morning.  There's dressing for work, bottles to make, lunches to pack, and children to wake and feed.  It's a carefully choreographed dance that we've perfected over the last month.  Lofton drops the boys at school and I'm responsible for pick up.

I make my race across town as soon as I can each afternoon.  I've become even more efficient in my classroom than before.  I will not take work home-- time with my kiddos is too precious-- and so I jam every bit of planning and paper grading into my mornings before the bell rings.  Jack is first on the pick up list and Reese is second.  It takes me about an hour to get from work to both kiddos schools and home.

Afternoons are a blur of homework, snacks, bottles, an occasional baby that needs to be rocked, and preparation for soccer practice.  Lofton swoops in for Reese when he gets off work and they are out the door.  Jack has held firm to his sevenish bedtime so I'm usually rocking him to sleep when the big boys return.  Lofton takes care of feeding Reese and getting him to bed.  Then we try to have an adult conversation before we go to bed and start anew.

It's rough and we're tired.  But we know it's a season.  And we wouldn't trade these hard days for anything.

Fall break starts Friday and we are headed to the beach.  A short vacation for just the four of us.  It's much needed time away to catch our breath.  The days are long, but these moments are short.  When Reese turned six a few weeks ago I found myself constantly thinking "did we do enough to enjoy the time we've had with him as our little boy?"  I know we did.  It was a silly question, but the sentiment remains.  Even in the busyness I want to enjoy this time.

JRB {six}

Reese,

You are my first born, the baby who made me a Mama. And today you are six.  If I really think hard about it, I fear I'll start crying and never stop.  We've officially turned the corner to little boy land. It's exhausting and amazing all at once.

You are such a boy these days.  Our lives are consumed with Legos and Ninja Turtles and soccer and football.  You come home from school sweaty and dirty.  Full of silly stories about lunch and friends and recess.  You're chatty-- maybe too chatty-- at school, but I'm learning to let go and not worry about it.  If talking is the worst of your problems, we'll be okay.

This year has brought with it homework and learning to read.  You continue to love books and are picking up more and more words you can read independently.  We still read Jack and Annie {Magic Tree House} books daily.

Each afternoon we race home to watch WildKrats on PBS.  It's about two brothers whom are scientists.  You have become a walking encyclopedia of information on habitats and exotic animals.  Currently you want to be a football playing scientist when you grow up.

In addition to reading, you have developed a love for writing.  I bought you a few notepads at Target and we now find notes all over the house.  After one particularly sassy evening, I went to bed and found a love note from you on my bedside table.  That's so you, though.  Strong willed and full of sass, but with such a heart of gold.  You love so deeply and always have.

In the last month your love for Jack has exploded.  You ask to hold him all the time. Watching you with your brother melts my heart.

God knew what he was doing when he gave me you.  You are my best little friend, my favorite errand runner, my heart.  You challenge me, but it's because we are so similar.  I have prayed this verse over you since you were born and now more than ever it rings true-- Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

I pray for you.  I pray you stay the same funny, kind hearted, science loving kiddo you are right now.  You are a good friend, a great brother, and the most amazing son.  Your daddy and I are so incredibly proud of you.