Spring Break week in Mena!

We spent all last week in Mena and were blessed with warm spring weather almost everyday! Chris spent the weekend with us but had to head back to NWA Sunday night. We had a busy week- Finleigh's Moose and Zee 2nd birthday party, visiting the great-grands, going to Mimi's house, getting pictures taken by Aunt Jenny and lots of outdoor playing! We all had such a fun time! Ayden LOVES doing anything outside with his Pappaw, and he even got to go on a 3o mile trail ride with him on the side by side, which Ayden calls the "monster truck". Ethan was his smiley, happy little self and loved seeing all the new faces! He slept great in his pack and play and adapted well to the change in routine! Both the boys were really good actually and made it pretty easy on me, but we sure missed daddy and we ready to come home Friday! Here are pics from our week! p.s. I will post the pics by Jenny as soon as she sends them to me!

Living room redo!

We just got a new sectional for the living room and (after 2 years of living here!) hung curtains! We LOVE the new sectional, it is SO comfy, plus has hidden drawers for storage, fold down tables with cupholders and lights, and 4 recliners with built-in vibrating massage! It is by far the most we have ever paid for a piece of furniture, BUT we are hoping it lasts for years to come! We paid a little extra to have it completely stain guarded and it came with a 5 year warranty for tears or damage. Come see us soon, there's plenty of room to sit! ;)

And, for the purpose of being realistic....THIS is how the living room usually looks, and I am

just fine with it! :)

Look who's biting!

My cute little leprechaun!

Ayden's 3 year check-up

So, it's 7 months late, but we finally got around to taking Ayden for his official 3 year well-child check-up ;) He is finally over his bronchitis and was back to his super happy, healthy, energetic self for the doctor! He is 42.25 inches tall and 49 pounds. Both his height and weight are above the 95th percentile, so he is definetely a big boy! The doctor wasn't too concerned, though, he just said we needed to make sure he stays active....that certainly won't be a problem! We also discussed Ayden's behavioral issues with the doctor and he gave us some great advice for our strong-willed little guy. He said he feels like Ayden is a very normal and well-adjusted 3 year old with great social skills and that he doesn't think he has a behavior disorder, he is just the kind of kid that likes to push his limits! He feels like the tantrums/fits are very much related to his age and with consistency in the rules and routines of the household, it is just a phase that will pass. We felt so much better after talking to the doctor! Poor little dude had to get 2 shots, one in each thigh, and he put up QUITE the fight to say the least. He even had Ethan crying! Worst of all, since he wasn't relaxed when the nurse gave the shots, his poor little legs are super sore and he spent the rest of the day limping around! :(

We are so very thankful for our healthy, hilarious, lovable boy!!

What can you say....

I am just too cute for words.

Our sick big boy!

As most of you already know, Ayden has been SO sick the past 2 days! I only thought I know what having a sick kid was like, but this experience has made all the past illnesses seem like a walk in the park! He came down with bronchitis quite suddenly, and to top it off it is accompanied by a very sore throat. Thank goodness he was negative for the flu and strep throat, but regardless he has been one very sick little boy :( Chris and I both have been so worried about him and I slept right next to him last night and plan to again tonight. He is on antibiotics and albuterol updrafts and they finally seemed to help a little this afternoon. He got off the couch and played for a little while and drank 2 cups of gatorade. But just an hour of playing wore him out and the pic above is of him right now. Ayden voluntarily laying down??? Yeah, that's sick! Please keep our sweet little man in your prayers for a quick recovery!!

Better late than never!!

On Ethan's 6 month birthday, the very day I said I was giving up hope of him ever taking a pacifier, I decided to try ONE more time....and whatdoyaknow? He took it and has been sucking happily away ever since! Some people may think I am nuts for "pushing" a pacifier on my kid, but seriously, it makes life a lot easier. Sleeping, rides in the car, and outings to Walmart and restaurants are all much easier with a "pacified" baby ;) Besides, Ayden was super-easy to wean from the binky, so I am not scarred from that experience at all. It may be different this time around, but regardless, I am looking forward to 12-18 more months of binky bliss :)

Sweet binky baby!

He reminds me so much of Ayden here!

Ethan's 6 month stats!

Today was Ethan's 6 month well-baby check-up! This was his first visit with Dr. E, who has been Ayden's pediatrician since he was 18 months old. I really like him and meant to use him from the start, but ended up following up with the pediatrician who saw Ethan in the hospital. Anyway, his visit was a little overshadowed by his very sick big brother who had to see the dr. too. We held off on shots today because with Ayden being sick, I didn't think I could handle a fussy baby and a sick big boy on the same day!

Anyway, Ethan is super healthy and growing well! He weighed 18 pounds 5 oz (60th percentile) and 28.5 inches long (95th percentile). He is hanging out in Mommy and Daddy's room today to hopefully avoid sharing any of big brother's bronchitis germs!

6 months old!

Enjoying some oatmeal and bananas

on your 6 month birthday!

Sweet sleeping 6 month old boy!

Happy 6 month birthday Ethan! I cannot believe you are HALF a year old!! What a wonderful addition you have been to our family! Here are all the new things you are up to at 6 months!

-You said your first real word a couple of weeks ago: Momma! Your daddy was holding you and you looked right at me and said it! I was so excited! You also said Daaaaaa a few minutes later :)

-You babble a lot and makes lots of silly sounds

-You have found your hands and feet and love to just hold them out in front of you and stare at them!

-You love to suck on your hands, thumbs, fingers, and arms! Last week you left a giant mark on your arm from sucking on it!

-You do not have any interest in taking a pacifier!! I guess I will just give up trying now!

-You are getting your 2 bottom teeth! Teething has been a little rough but not too bad.

-You are eating solid food very well now! You eat rice and oatmeal baby cereal, pears, apples, bananas, butternut squash, broccoli and sweet potatoes so far and you love it all! Momma makes all your babyfood and loves doing it! You usually eat babyfood once a day, but I plan to increase that to twice a day this week.

-You nurse about 4 times a day and take 3-4 four to six oz bottles

-You have finally settled into a routine! You sleep in your crib all night! Your crib is right next to mommy and daddy's bed :) Sometime about a month ago we started consistently putting you down in your crib between 7:00-8:00 at night and found that you slept really well! You like being able to stretch out and move around. We quit swaddling you and got you a "sleep sack" which is like a blanket that zips up and you wear it. You sleep 4-5 hours at a time which means you wake up twice to eat during the night and wake up in the morning about 7. Your daddy helps with the nighttime feedings on the weekend which is nice :)

-You are consistently taking 2 naps a day in your crib for 1.5-2 hours each, one around 9 or 10 AM and the other around 2 or 3 PM.

-You roll all over the room when we lay you on your blanket.

-You love love love to watch Ayden do anything! You laugh out loud watching him run and jump and play. I can't wait until you can really play together!

-You are a big boy! You are wearing 9-12 month clothing and size 3 diapers. You have a check-up next week so we will see how much you weigh and how long you are!

We love you so very much and everyday is such a joy with you in it! Mommy is already starting to think about your first birthday party....it will be here before we know it! I wish time would just slow down!!

Homemade Baby Food

One day last week I spent the morning making baby food for Ethan! I really do enjoy it, I made it when Ayden was a baby too. It really is easier than most people think. I got a Magic Bullet food processor and I love it! You can steam the fruits or veggies and blend them in the same container! Just a couple hours of work makes a enough food for a few weeks, and it really does taste good without all the added preservatives of store bought food. Ethan loves his baby food!

My baby food cookbook

The Magic Bullet in action!

Baby food ready to freeze!

The finished food!

Sweet potatoes and broccoli ready to eat!