Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Tahoe this year with Day, Paw, Great-Grandma, and Great-Papa. We were there to see the seasons, very literally, change. As we drove up on Thursday, it was snowing (and not just a little bit, I might add!). By Saturday, we were taking a walk in the beautiful weather and Luke was swimming in the Northstar pool (I, unfortunately, did not bring my camera so failed to document our fun day). Here are a few highlights from our weekend.

Luke spent his time playing outside (with Paw!), learning how to make German Kuchen from Great-Grandma, and eating chocolate ice cream

Mia spent her time riding in the Ergo (one of her favorite places to sleep), eating, and taking sink baths.

We also had a great time just hanging out at the beautiful Northstar Village. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful place to go visit - I hope that we'll spend several weekends in Tahoe this summer!

Blessed

so incredibly blessed to have two HAPPY and HEALTHY babies

Our other babies

When people hear that we have both a dog and a cat, they often will ask us how that works.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then here is the answer to that question:

Moments

I wish I could bottle them all and save them for later

Do you think...

...he could grow some eyelashes?


C'mon, he's killing me here - why don't I have those???

Moving on up...

...into 3-6 month clothes. Not sure how this happened because it was less than two weeks ago that she was swimming in all of them ... but they fit now!

Size 2 diapers too!!!

Oh, and in other Mia news, she started rolling from tummy to back last week. She's still working on back to tummy. She has also discovered her ability to scoot around on her back, so I'll lay her down in one spot and find her rotated or in a different place altogether after just a few minutes.

Conversations with Luke

Okay, he seriously is at that age where he cracks us up all the time. Here are just a few examples:



In bed one night last week, I walk in to kiss him goodnight and tuck him in

Luke: Mommy, wanna lay with me?

Me: Of course I do, but only for a few minutes. Mommy is hungry and I need to go downstairs and have dinner with Daddy.

Luke: Want a hot dog?

Me: A hot dog?

Luke: Ya, a hot dog. I have a bunch in my hot dog stand.

Me: You have a hot dog stand? (I'm thinking that maybe I'm mis-hearing him because the kid has never even had a hot dog in all his life, and I have no idea how he would know that they are sold out of stands)

Luke: In my bed. A hot dog stand in my bed. You want one? They are hot - mmm, yummy. (as he pretends to gobble one down, and reaches his hand towards me to "hand" me one)


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At the dinner table with Mommy and Daddy he sees the bowl of broccoli and a big serving spoon, which he reaches for

Luke: Mommy, want some broccoli?

Me: Oh, yes please (we help him to serve us)

Luke: Mmm, broccoli, it's so "nummy" and good for you. Yum!

Daddy: Luke, do you want some?

Luke: Nope! ... Daddy, you want some broccoli?

Daddy: Yes, please

Luke: Mmm, broccoli is so nummy and good for you. YUMMY!

Me: Yes it is - do you want some Luke?

Luke: Nope!

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One night right before bed Luke was waiting for me to come brush his teeth. I had run to throw on my pjs (a nursing nightgown that night) before tucking him in. As I come into the bathroom

Luke: Oooh, that's a "beeautiful" dress you have on
Me: Why thank you (as I laugh to myself)

Luke: Where are you going?

Me: Oh, just to bed. These are my jammies.

Luke: I need a pretty dress for sleeping.

The next morning

Luke: Mommy! You still wearing that beeautiful dress. So pretty!!

Rice cereal

Mia had her first feeding of rice cereal tonight. Our pediatrician told us that at her 4 month appointment that we could start any time, but that we should definitely get some practice under her belt before she starts other solid foods at 6 months.

Mia was very serious about the whole thing, but she very obviously enjoyed it. She kept wanting more - so much so that I mixed up some extra after she finished the first batch. Looks like maybe she'll be our "eater" ... I hope so! I am not sure I could handle two kids with eating issues.

Exersaucer fun

Mia tried the exersaucer for the first time last night and she LOVED it!

Honestly, Michael and I considered not getting one of these because they are just so big. Thankfully, Kate and James told us that we were crazy and that it was a life-saver. Luke spent SO much time in it. Looks like it may just be Mia's favorite as well!

Mia at 4 months old

I can hardly believe that Mia is already 4 months old. She is growing so quickly ... too quickly. Here are a few Mia-isms from this month:

1. Mia weighed in at her 4 month appointment at 11lbs, 15oz, and 23.25 inches long. She is still wearing 0-3 month, or 3 month clothes. I washed some of her 3-6 month stuff, but most of it is still so big it looks silly!
2. This month brought giggles, deep-down belly laughs, squeals of delight, babbling, and as of this morning, her first "da-da"
3. The out of control spit up that Mia has become known for subsided this month (thank goodness). She still spits up more than Luke ever did, but it doesn't happen after every meal anymore.
4. She has become a fountain - she pretty much drools all day. We go through several outfits each day due to drool and/or spit up
5. Sleeping remains inconsistent. She went for one 10 hour nighttime stretch this month ... but only one. We got many 7 hour stretches, but I would have to say that in general she still wakes up every 4 or so hours. She is also a pretty light sleeper - it doesn't take much to wake her, and she can still sleep in the car, but not if we are just out and about somewhere.
6. Mia hates to sit reclined. She will pull her neck and shoulders forward so that she can sit up. This is probably why she likes the Bumbo so much, and the Dr. gave us the go ahead today to use the exersaucer (good enough neck control), so we'll pull that out.
7. She loves to be held facing out, and also enjoys being held in a standing position on our laps. Bottom line: she's happy when she's being held or carried.
8. She is FULL of smiles. She will smile for just about anyone who glances her direction.
9. She loves bath time, especially if it is with Luke.
10. The pacifier is growing on her, but she still doesn't consistently take it. However, she is so oral right now - she LOVES to have her hands or the corner of a blanket in her mouth.

I took a ton of pictures of her this week, and am having trouble choosing which t o post, so here are quite a lot!

First dentist appointment

Luke had his first appointment with the dentist today. Both our dentist and Luke's pediatrician recommended having him seen around the age of 3. When I spoke with the dentist's office, they suggested that if I thought he might have reservations (read: be "difficult"), that I should schedule an appointment ahead of his first cleaning for him to come in, sit in the chair, have the dentist count his teeth, and get a prize - just to get used to the idea in preparation for the cleaning appointment. I thought that Luke might not be a huge fan of having his teeth cleaned, so I made him a preliminary appointment.

We talked up the dentist a lot in the past week, and much to my surprise, Luke did really well. Once I convinced him to get into the chair, we were home free. He did so well, in fact, that they decided to just go ahead and do his first cleaning today. He sat there, listened, and followed directions so well. The hygienist was wonderful with him. I even thought that there were times when he might be liking this dentist visit!

Although, when we got home and Luke called Daddy at work to tell him about his trip to the dentist he said, "Daddy, I went to the dentist. It was not fun." Oh well!

With his prizes after the visit (a yellow car and a balloon)

CHEESE! Clean teeth!!!

Luke has all 20 of his baby teeth now - with the top right 2-year molar being the last to come in and still making its way down (but already through the gum line). Dr. Weatherholt started him on a daily oral fluoride tablet. All of his teeth are healthy and look great!!!

Is Spring here to stay?

Let's hope so because Luke is fully enjoying these outdoor afternoon treats!

We've had such a long, wet winter - I think we're all ready for ice cream, popsicles, and some consistent sunshine!

Oh, and yes, that is Luke sitting in the Bumbo chair that we have out for Mia. He likes to (re)try all of the baby gear out.

Such a little boy

Luke found a new friend living under/in between the stones of our back patio. Now he goes out every morning looking for him, and when he doesn't see his potato bug friend, he comes in and asks me, "Mommy, where's my potato bug? I can't find him."