One Month Old

I have a one month old. Unbelievable! In some ways I feel like he's been here for much longer, but then I can't believe how fast it's gone by either. We sure love him and love having him around. He brings a sweetness to our family and it is so fun to see the kids learning things like, being soft, talking quiet, even cooing at their little brother. Joe is pretty happy to be here too I think. He is generally a very happy baby. I'm thrilled that he's a good eater and good sleeper. In just a month he's changed so much. I'm pretty sure he's gaining weight faster than any of my other babies did and yesterday he rolled over from his tummy to his back. At first I thought maybe it was a fluke, but he's done it twice. I am not pleased.  Don't grow up too fast!  He has a strong neck and when I have him on his tummy he pushes off with his feet and lifts his whole body up. Crazy! I'm taking way too many pictures of him, but I can't help it. He's so adorable! Today he gave me all kinds of smiles, but rather than grabbing my camera, I just soaked them all in and cood and smiled right back.

So, I'm no photographer and sure would love to get some great pictures of him soon. These were taken with my i-phone.

Sometimes someone else says it better

Found this on a blog and laughed out loud and could completely relate.

How to burp a new baby

• Step 1: Nurse them really good to relieve any engorgement.
• Step 2: Burp them in all the traditional ways -over the shoulder or on your lap.
• Step 3: Because you were unsuccessful, hold them in an upright position patting their back until they or you fall asleep.
• Step 4: Because it is the middle of the night, lay them back down in bed and crawl in yourself.
• Step 5: Pretend you’re asleep. Wait patiently for 1 to 2 minutes. Baby will begin to whine and fuss.
• Step 6: Pick baby up and a large boisterous burp will come out. This method never fails.
• Step 7: Now that baby is fully awake and will want to be topped off start over at step 1. 

And here is a few pictures of my Joe at some point in the night. Love this little stinker!

 A perfect Angel!

A few things

Thing #1: Hannah lost another tooth. This time it was the front top tooth. She now has an adorable little lisp and a giant space.

Also worth mentioning, the other night Aaron was reading the scriptures to the kids before bedtime. We never know how much they are actually listening. He was reading to them from 3rd Nephi when the Savior blesses the children and then he discussed with them a little more in depth about this event in the Book of Mormon. After scriptures, we said our family prayer. We noticed that Hannah was crying during the prayer so I asked her what was wrong afterwards. She said that she loved listening about the Savior and the children and that she was feeling so good inside. We told her that the Spirit was touching her and letting her know that the things we read from the scriptures are true and that the reason she was feeling that way was because the Savior loves her too. It was a sweet experience for us all.

Thing #2: Joseph has broken into a rash all over his adorable little face.

Does he look annoyed or what? His sleeping cycle is hit or miss most days. Night before last he had a rough night, but then last night he slept amazing! Go figure. He's precious and I adore him to pieces. The rash is supposedly due to my hormones. Sheesh! at least it is supposed to be short lived. I wonder if it's as painful as it looks.

Thing #3: When the kids fight (which has been a lot lately) they get to work it out together on our repentance chair. It doesn't always work as you can see from this picture of Nathan and Hannah.

Not a whole lot of love or repenting going on here.

Joseph's Birth Photos

Thanks to my sister, Carlee, who was able to capture our intimate (yet not too intimate) experience of Joseph's birth. Thanks so much Carlee Anne!

Dr. Aagard. The BEST OB I've had so far!

His First Two Weeks

Oh man, I think I always forget just how much I LOVE newborns. I get so caught up that last trimester with how little sleep is coming my way that I forget how much I love to snuggle with a newborn or how I love their open mouth kisses as they are looking for food. I am loving my newborn.

We are learning a lot about you. When you were in my tummy you got the hiccups all the time. You still get the hiccups all the time. It sounds so painful, but you never cry. You also sneeze a lot.
You hate to have your diaper changed and you really don't like baths either. You are one happy little camper if you are being held (which is never a problem finding someone who wants to hold you).
Like your siblings, you have a strong little voice.

Like your siblings, we hope to channel that voice of yours to do much good in your life. You love a pacifier, which is something new for us. Your brother and sisters did not like them at all.

 You do a lot of this:

and you sleep best in my arms. I don't mind one bit and love to watch you sleep. You often make noises, even make an almost laughing sound while you're dreaming.
You sleep for 3 hour stretches during the night and I inevitably have to bring you to bed with me in the early morning in order for you to go back to sleep. This is a big no no for me, but I can't help but love to snuggle with you so I always cave.
We discovered just today that you inherited your dads webbed toe. He is so proud! I'm just grateful your sisters didn't inherit it. I'm hoping you'll be as good a swimmer as your daddy. I give credit to his toe.

 You are loved by your family. I just hope I don't nibble your cheek or ear right off.

Happy two weeks sweet baby boy!

At two weeks you are:
20 -1/4" long
weigh 6# 13oz.

Growing Up

Hannah has been begging to have her hair cut short since....well, forever! We finally conceded and the hair is gone. She looks so grown up to me. She's changing all the time. I'm able to have more mature conversations with her. She's in between that stage of wanting more privileges, but doesn't like that with more privileges  comes higher expectations that we don't have of her siblings yet. She doesn't like that part so much. She is quick to show us that she is responsible. Just this morning she had most of her chores finished before I even made it downstairs. She is a big help to me and I need to remember to be a little more patient with her. After all, she is only 6 even if she seems so much older to me most of the time.

My Week Old Baby

Nathan is 5

I've kinda felt bad knowing that I wasn't going to be up for throwing Nathan a birthday party this year. I think he would have enjoyed it more this year than he did last. But alas, I couldn't bring myself to have a house full of kiddos with my newborn.

Nathan has been more aware of this birthday than any before. Maybe because he celebrated it in preschool so for the longest time he thought he already has his birthday and that he was already 5. Or it might be because he knew he was going to have a new brother right around his birthday. Whatever it was, it has been fun to see his excitement for his special day. And special day it was when he was born. I will never forget when the nurse placed him in my arms. Like my other children, I fell instantly in love, but for some reason, I dare say, it was stronger with Nathan.  His delivery was so calm and I was calm. But enough about his birth. On with what I love about this 5 year old of mine.

#1 - Your Eyes! They are big, expressive, deep, and beautiful. I love to look into your eyes.

#2 - Your moves! No body can bust a move like you can. I turn the music on and the rhythm just flows bud. You know how to bust a move and I love it!

#3 - Your laugh! oh heavens, if I could bottle it I would. It is so contagious.

#4 - That you are all boy! Anything and everything that is boy stuff, you love. Dirt! Playing rough! Swords! Cars! etc.

#5 - You are determined! I absolutely LOVE to see you set your mind to something. For weeks you've been practicing whistling because you know your Aunt Suzie and Grandpa Eyre are great whistlers. It was a proud day when you came running in to show us that you've learned how to whistle. Same goes for snapping. You've got it down. I'm also so impressed with your Lego abilities. You can build just about anything and sometimes I'm amazed what you've built all on your own.

Nate's Favorites at 5:

Color: Blue

Movie: The Incredibles

Food: Pizza

Hero: Nephi in the Book of Mormon

Song: Nephi's Courage

Game: Operation

Comfort: still his blankie

Activity: Swimming

 

 Nathan loved all of his gifts. Hannah even wrapped one of his old toys and he was thrilled to open it. Guess we know what we'll be giving him next year for his birthday.

 His big gift was a new bike. LOVED his expressions when we brought it out.

Happy birthday sweet boy! We sure love you!