Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Bath Time Perch

Here is what Joseph is doing:
And John is perched in the bouncy next to me enjoying the rarely-seen-or-heard sights and sounds of the bathroom. Both boys seem pretty happy right about now. Why didn't I come up with this form of entertainment sooner? Whatever. I'm hoping this means I'll be able to blog a little more often and maaaaaybe I'll even finish our 2012 family photo album before the end of this year.
And maybe I'll even figure out why our computer is being so finicky about me uploading pictures from iPhoto. You never know what this extra time will allow me to do. The sky is the limit (or something like that).

Monday, April 29, 2013

A Few Good Reads

Here are a few articles/blog posts that I've enjoyed reading recently.

If you've ever read a book on parenting I'm sure you've heard at least one opinion on how to get your baby to sleep. Here is one mom's (hilarious) take on sleep advice for your baby.

Dwija. She's funny and down to earth. And every once in a while she'll hit you with a serious post that makes you smile and nod. I always enjoy reading her posts and this one was no exception.

And oh my goodness - this. It's just what I needed to hear right in the middle of my attempting-to-get-back-to-my-pre-pregnancy-weight-and-into-my-pre-pregnancy-jeans diet.

I'm hoping to do another post on the boys soon, but until then this will have to do. Happy Monday!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Kiddos

Finding the time/energy to post lately has been difficult. I've been debating getting an iPhone which would mean I would have to pay for internet on my phone. There's a part of me that wants internet on my phone SO. BAD. Just so I can upload pictures straight from my phone to my blog/email/facebook, etc. Then there's the cheap side of me that's like "Betsy, and extra $30/month!? For internet on your phone?!" *sigh* I just don't know. I have been taking a TON more pictures with my phone lately - mostly because it's easier/more accessible. Cute moments pass so quickly that if I don't capture it with my phone the moment likely won't be captured. I just don't have time to run and get my camera.

Anyway, enough about that. Here are some pictures I have managed to get using my real camera.
 The doctor asked me today if John tends to lean his head that way (to the right) and I said no. But now that I'm looking at these pictures I'm starting to wonder. I may have to start paying more attention to how he holds his head...
 John hates. hates. hates. tummy time. He usually only lasts 2-3 minutes before he starts wailing for me to turn him back over.
 Joseph was very interested in John. This was the first time we tried this pose - both of them laying on the giant pillow on the couch.
 Despite the expression on his face, John did eventually enjoy laying next to his brother :)
 We're getting so many sweet smiles from John lately!!
 Joseph and John got to meet my friend, Emily, a few weeks ago. Happy birthday (a day late), Emily!!!
 And Joseph says thanks to Ally and Catherine for sharing their parfait (Joseph is a little mooch).
He's also very creative. He's obsessed with my oven mitts. Here he is carrying around his basketball with the mitts. No clue where he got that idea.

I'll end with a little something funny.
I take the boys out for a walk nearly every day and yesterday was no exception. The only difference was that I took the single stroller instead of the double with John in the baby carrier. As I went to put Joseph in the stroller he closed the gate to the kitchen and said "bye, John!" (I think I actually laughed out loud when I heard him say that.) He thought we were going to leave John at home while we went for a little walk!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Joseph Dribbles

My little basketball player :) I love the way he says "dribble."


Thursday, April 4, 2013

A Letter to My Sweet Joseph

Joseph,
You are the best big brother to baby John. You love him so much and are very helpful to mommy. You make me so proud. We get so many comments from people about what a sweet, friendly boy you are. You are so easygoing and make friends very easily. Whenever we're somewhere with kids around you just walk right up to the kids and start playing with them.
You especially enjoy playing ball with daddy - basketball, soccer, football it doesn't matter to you as long as a ball is involved you love it! You've also started talking a LOT lately. You repeat everything you hear and it's adorable. You use your words to try and comfort you little brother. And you give him hugs and kisses to show him how much you love him. You also give me lots of hugs and kisses - it's so sweet and melts my heart!
You've recently taken up building as a hobby, and you're pretty good at it. You do tend to get upset when your towers fall, though. You huff and puff and whimper for a bit until I remind you that everything is ok and you start building again.
You have also recently begun to be fascinated with buckles. You really enjoy buckling John's carseat when he's not in it (and sometimes when he is), and you're very good at buckling yourself in to your booster seat (especially when you're hungry and want to eat!).
You are very much a toddler now. You can count to 10 all by yourself, but you often forget "5" and you (almost) never count on command. You love to sing your "CC's" (ABC's) but it's only recognizable to daddy and me so far (unless we point out what you're doing to someone else). And just today you asked me to sing "i-o"(Old MacDonald) after hearing it on Sesame Street. Speaking of Sesame Street - you LOVE that show. You love it a lot, and you learn a lot from it, too! It's so sweet hearing you try to count along with the characters and repeat new (and old!) words that you recognize on "see see seet".
I can't believe you're almost 21 months old now. It's been so much fun watching you grow and learn. And, although it's been challenging at times, I'm so thankful that God gave you to us! You've taught me so much about love and patience and dying to self - thank you! I look forward to continuing to watch you grow and learn. I love you!
Love,
Mommy

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

A Letter to My Sweet John

I have been bad about recording the lives of my boys lately. Joseph and John - you are both so sweet and such a joy for me and daddy. Today a letter for John.

John,
You are the best sleeper any mom could ask for. For several weeks now you've given me at least 5 consecutive(!!!) hours of sleep every. single. night(and sometimes 6 or 7!!!)! And I usually only have to get up with you once each night. What an incredible treat for me. I definitely wasn't expecting that this soon (you're not even 8 weeks old!).
You've even started smiling a little. I haven't gotten any of your smiles on camera yet, but it warms my heart each time I see you smile.
Your brother, Joseph, loves you so much. He likes to wave toys in front of your face, in an attempt to entertain you, although he sometimes gets a little close and squishes/hits your face. We're working on that, and you're such a good sport - you don't even get upset (usually). Joseph also loves to help you keep your pacifier in. This is especially helpful to me when I'm trying to fix dinner. But, between you and me, I'm pretty sure he takes it out of your mouth sometimes just so he can put it back in.
Joseph also loves to give you hugs and just today he asked to give you a kiss! He also tries his hardest to calm you down when you're upset by saying "Don. Don. Fussin'?" (John, John, why are you fussing?) in the calmest voice over and over and over. With an occasional "Don. Cahm down" (John, calm down) thrown in there for good measure. You mostly ignore him.
You're going to be 2 months old this Sunday, and I can't even believe it. Time has flown by. You seem so big to me now and are very alert lately. You love your pacifier (thank goodness!), being held and nursing. I love you so much and can't wait to continue to watch you grow!!
Love,
Mommy