smiles vs. crying

2 month stats

weight: 13 lbs. 4 oz. (97%)

height: 23.5 in. (75%)

head circ: 39 3/4 cm (50%) 

Beckett was not happy after his shots on Monday.  Poor baby was screaming and red and stiff as a board.  After some Tylenol and yummy milk he calmed down and went to sleep.

I am loving the smiles and coos from this baby boy.  Oh I just love him.  I love snuggling him and holding him and kissing him and smelling him.  He is earning his keep with his dazzling little smiles:)

Steve has scouts tonight and so I had to put the kids to bed by myself.  It actually worked out great.  Emery went to bed at 6:30 because she didn't take a nap today.  Chandler and Beckett then had baths together and Chandler went to bed by 7:30.  Then I put Beckett to bed but he is now screaming.  I'm wondering how long I should let him cry before I go up there.  It sure stinks when you don't have someone else to got get the crying kid for you.  I am so lucky Steve's been home for 2 months and I still get another month of him home.  Oh how I love 3 months of paternity.  

Today I took Chandler over to a friends house for a play-date.  I need to do that more often for him.  It was fun though because I stayed and chatted and had some good girl time.  I even learned how to fix my ties that have come off the neck part.   Not that Chandler ever wears a tie anymore.  He always wants a bow tie now.  It is funny.  Speaking of bow ties, I have plans to do a tutorial on my other blog for them.  Hopefully in the next month I'll do one.  I haven't posted on that blog since November and it is about time.  I have a handful of recipes to get ready to post and a tutorial for a wreath made from coffee filters.  We'll see if I ever get any of it posted.  At least I've been trying to keep up on this blog.  Cute kids are way more important:)

We are doing something really fun next week.  Well, it could be really fun or turn out to be a really bad idea and no fun at all.  Then we will all look like crying Beckett with tears.  I hope it turns out to be super fun.  I will be sure to post about it after.  Are you all in suspense now??

Beckett has been so good lately.  He LOVES Chandler and Emery and will just lay on the floor of the playroom and watch them play.  It sure is cute.  They love to help me by holding his hands and talking to him.  Besides the crying after shots, Beckett has really cut down on his crying.  He will just lay awake and content which is ssssoooooo nice.  Now I don't have to always wish he was sleeping:)  Now we just have to wish he would sleep through the night.  He did go 5 hours last night.  

Let's hope for more tonight!

Patio furniture and Wheat grass

We got a patio table a few weeks ago.  It only took us a year after building the patio to finally buy a table and chairs!  Now we just need to get an umbrella for the table so Beckett and I can have some shade on those hot summer days when the older kids are swimming in the pool.  I really wanted chairs with cushions but it just doesn't make sense here.  During the summer we get lots of afternoon thunder shower downpours.  Then it clears and is a beautiful sunny evening.  The cushions wouldn't dry off to be able to use the table for dinner or anything.  So we got the sling-back chairs which will dry off very fast.  The table has a wood look but it is actually aluminum.  I really love it and can't wait to use it more.  When Steve's parents were here we ate dinner out on it and it was so nice.  

Want to see how much fun the packaging from the chairs was???

The swivel chairs came in this huge box.  The kids have had so much fun playing in it.  It has two small windows on one side.

 A lovely drawbridge type door.  This has been the favorite to open and close.  Lots of fighting has been happening but what's new?  Those two kids will find anything to fight about it seems.

 Lots of coloring all over the box has taken place.  (check out Emery's rat nest hair!) Along with lots of hole poking with pens and whatever else will poke a hole.  They also closed up the top and the door and used glow-sticks inside.  That was super cool. Anyway, I said the box could stay around until recycling day.  That happened to be today and I didn't get it cut up and out to the curb.  I guess it is staying around for another two weeks.  (Recycling only comes every other week.)

Want to know about the lovely wheat grass on the table??  Well, I'm going to tell you about it because I have had so many people ask me how I have grown my wheat grass this year.  It has been kind of humorous to me because I did it last year and I guess people saw it on my blog or something but multiple people from church have asked me how to do it and multiple family members have asked.

It's super easy:

1. Find a cute container (dollar bins at Target)
2. If you have some put a few rocks in the bottom if the container doesn't have holes.
3. Fill container up with dirt
4. Spread a nice layer of wheat on top of dirt
5. Water
6. Wait 3-4 days and your first sprouts should appear
7. Watch how fast it grows

You can literally watch it grow during the day.  I saw my first sprout on Sunday morning and when we got home from church at 2:30 there were tons of sprouts and probably at least an inch high.  Once it gets tall you can trim your grass if you want.  Just keep the soil moist.  I don't even water every day.  I'm the worst at watering.  Probably why I'm no good at gardening.

You have plenty of time to go gather supplies and plant some grass for Easter.  It looks so great on tables or window sills or wherever.  Last year I planted lots of little pots of it and gave them to the people I visit teach.  If anyone here needs some wheat give me a call.  I have a big can open and I'm willing to share some if you don't want to open a can of wheat.  (it will just cost you $10...j/k)  Seriously call me and I will give you a little baggy of wheat- it doesn't take much.

2 months old

Beckett turns 2 months old today.  

Of course it was a rainy dark day all day so I couldn't get a nice picture.  

And I remembered at bedtime so there really wasn't any natural light.  

At 2 months we are getting a few more smiles.  

I'm pretty sure I've gotten a few coos from him.  

He sleeps in the playpen instead of his car seat now.

He sleeps in the guest room.

Beckett goes to bed around 8 and wakes up around midnight- but that's my longest stretch.  

It's every 2-3 hours after that.  

He weighs a lot- (I'll find out how much on Monday- my guess is 12+ lbs.)

All his hair is rubbed off the back of his head.

He's cute and cuddly and we all love him to pieces.

Beckett's Baby Blessing

On Sunday we blessed Beckett at church.  He was mighty cute in his little hat and bowtie.  

I almost laughed when Steve held him up after the blessing to show everyone and Beckett looked so huge.  He looked like some monster baby up there.  Usually you see these tiny little babies so it was just funny to see him look so big.  All of our kids have looked huge though.  They have all been blessed around 2 months old.

I tried taking pictures of Beckett after church but he just wasn't having it.  He just cried and fussed and wouldn't look at me contently or sleep or smile.  He just wanted to keep contorting his face into ugly looks.    

Most of the time he looked like this so I eventually just gave up and I will try again another day.  Maybe....

Steve's parents were able to drive from Louisville (where they were visiting Steve's sister and her new baby) and come for the blessing.  The kids loved having them to play with and it was nice to only have to worry about feeding Beckett.  There was always someone taking care of him for me.

p.s. I love Chandler's crooked bowtie.  

p.p.s. I hate my fat face.  I just can't seem to loose my weight this time and it is really frustrating me.  

St. Patty's Day

I didn't really plan ahead for St. Patrick's Day.  Thankfully I was quick on thinking and came up with some fun food.  Before Chandler saw me I poured a little milk and dyed it green.  He loved it.  Then I made green pancakes. No, Chandler did not eat all those on his plate.  For some reason he thought he needed them all but changed his mind and put one back.  Then we all got dress in green clothes.  I wish I had a picture but I never got one.  There was a lot of mismatched green going on because the kids insisted on every item being green.  I had my tooth implant appointment that morning which was not fun at all.  It hurt so bad after and still does but the pain is getting less now.

Then I went to the store and got some corned beef for dinner.  We had green pudding at lunch time.  We made shamrock sugar cookies.  Then we had cabbage and corned beef and green Jello for dinner.  Oh and lemonade dyed green.  I'm pretty sure it is Chandler's favorite holiday because his favorite color is green.

I'm sticking the rest of these pictures on this post because they are so cute and they have Chandler's St. Patrick's Day pillow case in them so they fit with the post:)  Plus I think they were taken the day after St. Patrick's Day.

* Last week we went uptown and brought Beckett into Steve's work to show him off.  It was fun and everyone loved seeing him.  I think Steve enjoyed seeing coworkers since it has been so long.  Beckett was very well behaved.  Emery was well behaved because she is so shy.  Chandler was very naughty.  He's driving us crazy these days. But at least he loves his brother!

*About Emery's shyness:  It's funny because when she is at home she is wild and crazy and loud.  But so many people have no idea what her personality is.  We were joking on Sunday that we should put a sign on her that says "do not talk to me".  She wouldn't go into nursery (which is weird because she used to be fine) so she had to be taken from me crying.  She calmed down pretty fast and then another adult came in and said hi to her and she just started balling again.  That is why she needs a sign:)

*I'm annoyed with my picture taking skills or lack thereof.  Lately it seems like my pictures always come out slightly blurry.  I pretty much never use a flash.  I hate how it makes pictures look but I don't know how to actually use my camera and change settings or anything.  I just take them on automatic and hope there is enough light (which apparently there isn't always).  Anyway, it is making me mad but I'm too lazy to figure out how to use my camera.  I just want someone to come and show me how.

pigtails

  I got an idea the other day to put Emery's hair in pigtails.  Oh.my.goodness.  SO CUTE!  She hated every minute of it and ripped them out really fast but I plan on getting her used to them. 

I convinced her to let me do it for church two Sunday's ago.  She wore them the whole time and didn't even complain.  It wasn't until we got home that she started saying, "no, don't like" and pulling at them.

She really hated them the first time I tried it.  She cried and whined and eventually pulled them out.  The girl is even cute when she is whining!  What am I going to do with her?!

If she is in the right mood I can convince her to wear pigtails.  I tell her how pretty she is and that she will be pretty like a princess and she likes that.  I haven't pushed my luck and tried to tie ribbon on them yet.  I'll wait a while for that.  

Emery is so grown up looking these days.  I bought her some pink sunglasses and she loves them and wears them all the time.  Best $3 I've spent.  I don't encourage her to take them off once inside because she looks so cute in them.  It just cracks me up.  

Don't be fooled by that long sleeved shirt.  It was 83 degrees today.  I am not prepared for this hot weather and the kids are lacking in shorts and t-shirts and sandals.  Thankfully it was windy so it didn't feel too hot unless you were in the sun.  

Max's party

Last weekend we went South a little bit and celebrated cousin Max's birthday.  We met up with Kendra and her family at a bounce place.  The kids had fun running around and playing.  

Then we left there and went over to a park for some lunch and cake.  

Kendra and Michael picked up some pizza and we met them at the park.  It wasn't exactly what we thought the park was going to be like but it turned out to be perfect.  We were in a city that neither of us were really familiar with so we were going off what the internet said.  

Kendra made a super cool cake that looked like a pizza.  Max really likes pizza and they all thought it was so funny how it was actually cake.  I actually think Kendra is the one who started me on making cool birthday cakes.  

The only problem with the cake is she had to use a ton of red food coloring to make the "sauce" icing and the kids teeth were so red.  In fact, the next day Emery's poo was nice and red:)

I didn't notice Sawyer's or Max's teeth all red.  I think my kids are really messy eaters or something.  We didn't have forks so the cake had to be eaten like a pizza.

Beckett was there too.  He was very good and slept the whole time at the bounce place and then was awake at the park but he slept during all the driving time.  

Kendra is amazing and made this cool little car thing for Max.  I haven't posted about it yet but she made Emery a cute doll bed for her birthday.  I need to take pictures and post about it.  Anyway, I now want Steve to make the kids one of these because everyone loved it so much.  

It was a fun day with perfect weather.  I'm glad we were able to go celebrate Max's birthday with him.  I guess when Kendra was telling him his birthday was coming up he said, "and Chandler and Emery come to my birthday?!".  So you know, there was no pressure for us to go or anything:) 

Thanks for inviting us Max! 

Beckett-Bucket-Bucky

*Chandler has now started calling Beckett "bucky".  Emery calls him Bucket.  I think he gets called Bucket more than Beckett around here.  Oh well, there could be worse nicknames (like "buckeye").  

*Our ward is awesome.  We have the best friends.  Last week we had 4 dinners brought to us because they wanted to help out.  I felt so silly accepting them but I'm learning to accept help and let people do things because they want to.  Now I need to remember to make sure I look for opportunities to help others.  I feel like I've been so selfish lately and only thinking of myself.  I haven't even been calling my family very much.    

*I can't wait to get some good smiles on camera.  The kids are starting to notice Beckett smiling and they get really excited when he does it.  Emery always comes up and says, "smile smile bucket smile?".

*I really love the smell of baby breath.  I love Beckett's milky breath and little mouth.  Gross?... probably but he's my baby and I love him.  Did I ever mention how Chandler wanted to try my breast milk??  Well, he was very obsessed by it for a while at the beginning.  I was going to put some in a cup for him but we never did it.  It was all because the lactation lady at the hospital had said how I could feed my milk to my older kids and how great it was for them.  I'm all for nursing but I'm not that whack-o.  That's just too gross and weird.  

*I really really love our van.  I used to not like driving it because I wasn't used to it but I love it now.  I still hate parking it though.  In parking spots and in the garage.  It is a tight squeeze in our garage.  I always feel like I have to park farther away just to get a spot not next to other cars.  It scares me.  I'm sure the first scratch or dent will be made my me:)

*Emery is amazing.  The girl buckled herself into her car seat- all by herself!!  She also gets herself dressed and picks out her clothes if I let her.  She is just so good and responsible and awesome.  I love Chandler too but man the kid is lazy.  He doesn't dress himself or buckle himself or do any of those things.  Emery will put her shoes on when I ask and Chandler won't even get his shoes for me to help him put on (Emery will get them and bring them to Chandler though).  They are just so different.  I hope Beckett is more like Emery in that aspect.  It's probably a girl thing though.

*Steve has been really into Les Mis.  On PBS they had a 25th anniversary performance of the musical and he recorded it and is always listening to it.  The songs get stuck in your head.  I don't even know the story so Steve has been telling me all about it and we've tried watching it but it is long and we haven't gotten very far.  Tonight Beckett was crying too much and we couldn't hear so we turned it off and I'm doing this blog post instead.  Steve read the book and says it is one of his favorite books which I think is crazy, 1500 pages or something!  Has anyone else read it?

*I really love dressing Beckett in some of my favorite clothes of Chandler's.  It just brings back so many memories.  I love it.  I don't love how fast Beckett is growing.  I set out a blue dress shirt for Beckett on Sunday and Steve questioned me about it ("are you sure this fits him?") once he was putting it on Beckett and then showed me and I couldn't believe how tight it was.  I mean the buttons could barely be buttoned.  It was ridiculous.  He only wore the shirt once!  Stop growing so fast baby!!

*Kayli commented that I hadn't posted any pictures of blowouts.  Well, that is because Beckett doesn't really have them.  It's also not as amazing? as I used to think it was with my first.  I don't think I took any of  Emery's. Anyway, so far Beckett's poops haven't been huge blowouts.  Lucky for me.  Makes life much easier. He is starting to spit up a little more but that's still not too bad either.  Emery really freaks out when he spits and always gets me a burp cloth.  She is such a good helper.  She is also afraid of diaper changes because he peed once and it really scared her. 

*Tomorrow someone is coming to our house to take my blood and urine sample.  I have to have cholesterol and whatever else tested for life insurance.  When they came to do Steve's, he couldn't pee in the cup.  It was pretty funny because he came into the computer room where I was and was like, "I just went to the bathroom before she got here, what an idiot".  I just laughed and laughed at him.  Anyway, now I will know to make sure I don't go right before she gets here.  It's not like when you're pregnant and you can give a urine sample whenever you need to.

*I'm also getting my implant surgery for my tooth this week.  I'm kind of nervous.  I hate getting numb in the mouth.  The thought of the numbing gel makes me sick to my stomach and then the pain of the shot and then the fat lip feeling.  Ugh, it's all awful.  I just hope it doesn't hurt too much after but I hear it does.  

*The end.