Picture Day

Today we went to Camera Shy and had the boys' pictures taken.  We mainly went to have Jake's 4 year old pictures done and Alex's 6 month old pictures done.  I thought we'd have an updated family picture taken while we were there.  I wanted to get a picture of Ryan, too, but we ran out of time.

The best part about Camera Shy is that you get the pictures the same day.  So while the photographer edited our pics, we ran a few errands.  We took Ryan to Hobby Lobby to pick a craft for being good for pictures (even though he could have been a little more cooperative), we took Jake to Target to pick out a prize for being good for pictures (and I also had my eye on a frame there), I did a return to Old Navy, and we got a bite to eat at Chik-Fil-A.

After we ate, we went back to Camera Shy and viewed our pics.

Here are some of my favorites from today.

 

Alex's 1/2 Birthday

Alex is .5 year old today! 

He is such a happy, sociable, smart baby.  He smiles at pretty much anyone who talks to him and even reaches for complete strangers sometimes!  He likes to touch faces and pinch, too!  He still likes to use my hair as a handle and pulls it constantly--drives me bonkers!

I'm pretty proud to say that I taught him to say "mama".  Most babies say "dada" for their first word.  So, I've been saying "mama" over and over to him and a few days ago he actually said it back!  Now he stays it quite often, mostly when he is getting tired and upset but he still said mama first.  And I won't lie, it melted my heart.

Alex is learning something new all the time.  His newest thing is starting to think he needs to be mobile.  If there is something he wants, he can make his way to it by pushing himself forward and army crawling.  Just this last week, Alex started getting up on all fours and trying to use his arms with his legs to actually crawl.  He will be motoring around the house in no time. 

Alex at 6 months:

• started formula.  My milk dried up so luckily he took to a bottle really well.  We aren't too happy with having the new expense, but I'm so glad there is formula so Alex has something to keep him nourished so he can continue growing.
• loves peaches, bananas, and applesauce.  We tried a few other foods such as prunes (and he was very  regular the next day, yikes), sweet peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes.  He ate them all really well.
•  has two bottom teeth that popped through.  They aren't all the way up, but they are kind of up and causing him to be a little cranky.
• is becoming mobile, as mentioned above.
• can sit with some assistance.  It won't be long until he can sit up on his own.
• says "mama" and likes to babble
• starts to get tired around 7:30-8pm so we put him to bed around 8:30pm.  Since starting formula, Alex has been pretty good about sleeping through the night until about 7am or later.
• likes to grab his toes
• is a massive drooler! If Alex is leaning on my shoulder, he will drool down my entire arm!  He also keeps the neck of his shirts good and wet.  I'm sure this has to do with cutting teeth, but he's always been a bit of a drooler.

My little 6 month old babe!  

He is leaning over because his cake is next to him and he wanted to grab it so bad.

I just happened to catch Alex's face at the right moment, but doesn't it look like he is thinking, "Give me some cake!"  Too funny!

Alex with his 1/2 birthday cake.

Alex's 1/2 birthday cake.

I'm no baker so don't look too close.

Who do you think had the first piece?

Jake, of course! He is my good eater and was first in line for a piece of cake :)

Happy 6 month birthday Alex!

Bridal Shower for Whitney

My cousin Shane is getting married on August 2nd.  

My mom, sisters and I went to Nephi tonight to meet Whitney, Shane's fiance, and attend her bridal shower. 

Shane and Whitney by the welcome sign. 

These are the pillows that we gave to Whitney as part of our shower gift.  

She wanted to get a picture of them so I think she liked them :)

 Whitney is really nice.  It fun visiting and seeing family and friends. 

We are super excited for Shane and Whitney and are looking forward to their upcoming wedding.

It's Sunday

We didn't get up until after 8am today, which is late for our family.  I think we have Ute Stampede hangover, lol.  We've been getting to bed really late and getting up fairly early so we didn't get up in time for church.

This morning, Jake asked me what day it was.  Ryan promptly answered, "It's Sunday and you know what that means? It's family time and we're all playing board games!"  Yep, that's a line from "The Lorax".  My boys either have awesome memories and can recite lines from movies or we watch movies way too much.  Probably the latter, ugh.  But I got a good chuckle out of it today.  It was pretty darn funny :)

Alex is 5 Months

Alex at 5 months:

• can roll from his back to his tummy and from his tummy to his back.
• has started to eat solid foods.  So far he has tried rice cereal mixed with apple juice, bananas, green beans, and peaches.  He LOVES his rice cereal with bananas and will also eat bananas plain.  He ate the green beans ok.  He wasn't too sure about the peaches.  We need to try them again.
• has moved from the bassinet to his own crib.  The first night was death--it was like we had a newborn all over again.  He got up at 1am (just put his binky in), 3am (put his binky in again), 5am (fed him), and 7am (up for the day), ugh.
• weighs 16 pounds (I know this because I've had to take him to the doctor for a cold, again.  He gets them from the gym daycare, ugh.  Dr. Fullmer assures me its fine and will only make his immunity stronger).
• wears 3-6 months clothes, but I need to move him to 6-9 months.  He is also in size 3 diapers.  He is getting so big.
• is very social and will smile and coo when people talk to him.  Sometimes he even acts shy and will bury his face in my shoulder.  It's so cute.
• can keep his binki in his mouth by himself pretty good. He can also take it in and out, but not very well. 
• loves the saucer. He'll giggle and talk while playing with the toys. 

Alex is 4 Months

Alex at 4 Months:

• babbles and talks to us
• is so grabby--he is starting to grab at food, toys, and anything you have in your hands.  I can no longer eat something without him trying to grab it out of my hands.
• found his peep.  Every time we change him or get him in the tub, he immediately grabs himself.  What is it about boys, lol.
• is super wiggly.  I feel like I'm in a constant wrestling match when I hold him.  It's exhausting.
• can do a 1/2 roll and is so close to rolling all the way over
• sucks on his fists and loves to put his fingers in his mouth
• likes to face outward so he can see what is going on.
• is good at the gym daycare--all of the ladies love him and they haven't had to come and get me unless he is poopy.  We have a pretty good routine.

I forgot to take a picture of Alex on 05-25-2013.
This picture was taken 05-18-2013.

Alex is 3 Months Old

Alex is 3 months old today.  

Man, time flies.  3 months while pregnant seems like an eternity, but once the baby is here time really does fly.  He is really a good baby, pretty much only cries if he is tired or hungry .  I just need to find my new normal--I can't always get everything done that I would like to in a day.
Isn't that how it is for everyone though?

Alex at 3 Months:

• is sleeping through the night and in the bassinet.  Next step will be to get him to sleep in the crib.  Baby steps :)
• talks to us.  He coos and says "oonga" alot.
• kicks his toys while he sits in his bouncy chair.  His face looks so determined while he is doing it, too.  It's like its his job, lol.
• now wears 3-6 month clothes and as soon as his size 1 diapers are gone, we'll be moving him to size 2's.  He's a little chunk and I love it.
• loves the tubby.  He looks up at me while I'm tubbing him and kicks, again like it's his job.  He's almost too big for the sink now.  We'll be moving him to the little tub that goes in the tub soon.
• he arches his little back when we change his diaper.  He doesn't really know what he's doing, but it makes it so we have to hold him really well to get his diap on.
• he likes to jump.  If you're holding him, he'll try to jump on you (if that makes sense).
• loves to suck on and eat his hands. He acts like he doesn't get fed :)

Alex Love the Bouncy Chair

Alex has been loving his bouncy chair lately.  

He will watch the hanging toys and try his hardest to kick them.  He is a pretty happy baby. 

He will talk and try and kick the toys.

He loves blowing bubbles lately, too. 

Spring Flowers

I am my father's child--he loves taking pictures of his yard.  

I love taking pictures of my yard to see how it progresses every year and see trees get bigger. 

I also love the beautiful spring time flowers.

Birthday Dinner for Mom

My sisters, mom, and I finally met up tonight to celebrate my mom's birthday that 

was on March 24th.

We met at the new Kneader's in Spanish Fork and enjoyed a yummy dinner together.  You can always count on some good conversation, too.  I eventually had to leave even though I would have preferred to stay and chit chat.

Alex came with me to the dinner.  He did really well and didn't fuss much until he got hungry.  I was glad I didn't have to go far to get home though.  Alex wasn't loving being in the dark for the car ride home.