3 Months- Jonah

Last Wednesday my sweet little Jonah turned 3 months.  We are just enjoying him so much at this stage and love seeing his personality come to life!

Here's what he's been up to.

Height:  Not sure, maybe somewhere between 24 and 25 inches

Weight:  Probably around 12lbs 9 ounces

Likes:  You LOVE your big brother.  Your eyes follow him all around the room and you just smile when we can get Benjamin to actually stop running around and pay attention to you!  You love being outside and going for walks in the front pack.  You love listening to music and playing on your play mat.  You hit the toys so intentionally now.  You like your paci but don't take it when you go to sleep sometimes.  You also really like your Floppy and sleep with him at night too.  You love smiling with your daddy and mommy and you also really love your bathtime.

Dislikes:  You didn't like your Bumbo at first but you're warming up to it now and like to be on the kitchen table while we eat.  You sometimes fuss in your car seat but did amazing on the drive back to Idaho a few weeks ago.  You didn't like learning to sleep in your crib last week but you just took an almost 3 hour nap there today (yeah!)

Eating:  You are still breastfeeding only and it's going great.  You eat every 3-4 hours (sometimes 2 1/2 and a few times you went almost 5).  I'm not sure how much you eat everytime but you're healthy and happy. 

Sleeping:  You still sleep really well.  I've started you on taking naps in your crib during the day to try to establish more of a regular routine and though you were mad at me for doing it, after a few days you caught on and are doing much better.  You take about 3 naps a day, go to bed around 8 or 9, eat one more time around 10 or 11.  Then you sleep until somewhere between 4:30 and 6, eat, and then sleep until somewhere between 8 and 9:30.

Personality:  You are such a sweetheart.  You are really content to be held, or watch your brother.  You are ticklish and have the cutest little giggle.  You smile all the time and goo and coo all the time too.  You are pretty mellow except when you're hungry or tired.  You're a cuddlebug and we just eat it up.

 learning to stand already

 enamored with a clip of Baby Einstein :-)

 why do I think he's going to have an ornery streak like his brother???

 

Highlights:  This past month you went on your first visit back to Idaho to visit your grandparents and aunts and uncles.  You did awesome on the drive and you loved the loving attention you received.  You are now sleeping in your own room and doing great so far.  You're also using the Bumbo now and I think you're close to rolling over...you've done it a few times by accident when I've put you down for tummytime with your arm tucked underneath you.

HA HA HA, this picture just makes me laugh.  Just goes to show you cannot make little boys pose for a picture if they aren't feeling it.  They really do love and adore their Auntie Amanda though :-)

Jonah, you are the sweetest, most adorable 3 month old we know and we love you to pieces.  You are such a wonderful addition to our family and we thank God for you!  Love you muffy!

Raise your hand if you're the cutest little 3 month old this mama knows.....why, yes sweet boy, you ARE!

 

Sweet morning

Jonah slept in his nursery, in his crib, and not in the playpen by our bed for the first time last night.  To say I was sad would be an understatement.  I'm not sure it was hard for me...I guess I just know how fast it's all going.  He was 3 months yesterday and it's really hard to believe.

He slept great though and seemed to adjust really well.  Getting him to sleep there for naps instead of always taking them in his cozy swing....now that's a different story for a different post.

Benjamin always wakes up before Jonah in the morning so we always have breakfast, play, etc.  And this morning Jonah woke up a bit earlier than normal, so we both went to go wake him up this time.  Benjamin thought it was fun to watch Jonah on the video monitor and wanted to go see him in his crib.

And of course, Benjamin wanted to climb in.  I'm all about them continuing to bond as brothers and keep interacting more and more, so I said sure.....no jumping, but sure!

And it was super sweet to see Benjamin pay a little more attention to his brother, and Jonah just adores Benjamin and watches his every move.

 Jonah's eyes followed Benjamin wherever he crawled to!

he was loving it when Benjamin would tickle him with his Floppy

I love my two sweet boys....brother playtime in the crib will probably be a morning tradition.



Dumb Jillian

Dumb Jillian.

Why, oh, why do you insist that I squat lower, punch harder and tell me there is no substituion for your endless jumping jacks and push ups?

Yes, I'm talking about THE Jillian.  Jillian Michaels, trainer torturer extrodinairre.

I've kind of decided that I don't want to look like I just had a baby 3 weeks ago....when in reality it's been 3 months.  Hence the relationship I started with Jillian.  She knows I've been avoiding her (or ANY kind of exercise) for quite some time now and when I finally pushed play on the DVD, I think she was a wee bit irritated.  Or at least she acted like it when she was telling me to lift my weights heigher and stop being such a wimp.

Dumb Jillian.

Anyhoo, I'm on like Day 5 of her 30 Day Shred DVD and though I really like the feeling of working out, I don't like working out.  Who likes to feel like they are going to die right there in their living room from lack of oxygen and leave their children without a mother?

Dumb Jillian.

But, I need to get rid of the um, baggage, that my two precious boys have given me (with a little help from a whole lotta ice cream) so I continue.  And in reality, it's about 25 minutes combining strength, cardio and abs and though its miserable at times (even on Level 1) I think it's going to be great.  At least I keep telling myself that.

Dumb Jillian.

The best part is that I've ropped the hubby into it too.  He joined me starting on Saturday and I think he thought he was going to die.  But he didn't.  I won't let him die, my boys need their Daddy and I kinda like him too.  Anyhoo....he's started doing the workout too and I think he feels the same way I do about that feisty little trainer girl.

Dumb Jillian.

When I can fit into all my non-maternity clothes I'll probably change my mind but for now my sore muscles agree with me.

Dumb Jillian.

Oh how I love sunshine

This weekend was full of wonderful, amazing, warm, mood-lifting, stay outside all day with a smile on your face, SUNSHINE!

It was awesome, we soaked up as much as we could.

Friday I helped a friend with a fundraiser garage sale.  It was super easy to help because I love our friends so much, but it was also gorgeous outside and I do love garage sales.  Tha night we went for a walk as a family to feed the horse of course, I made curry and we spent some more time outside before we let Benjamin watch Toy Story.  We think he liked it but he did wake up twice crying at night after watching it.....nightmares maybe?!?!

he has SUCH focus when watching his shows!

Saturday was a bit overcast in the morning so we laid low catching up on a few inside projects.  But after lunch it was gorgeous outside.  While Ben napped and Jonah napped in the swing, Peter and I laid outside on a blanket and chit chatted then half-napped....it was soooooooo nice out.  Peter mowed the yard, the boys played, I made pasta salad for dinner, it was perfect.

Sunday we enjoyed church, ate leftovers, then spent more time outside while the boys napped.  After they woke up, we still played outside and took turns reading from Peter's Kindle.  It is so easy to read from those things even in the sunshine, we love it.  It was just another perfect day of sunshine.

Oregon was overdue for some signs of spring and it sure didn't disappoint this weekend :-)



Cousins!

Benjamin doesn't get to see his cousins, Alexander and Aiden, all the time because they live in separate states but each time they get together they get along more.  And they love each other despite the distance, miss you guys!

 ha ha ha, picture FAIL!  :-)

Cousins are the best!!



1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

I have to document this story about my firstborn.  As much as I'd like to never have to admit that it was my child, I'm hoping that maybe someday when he's older he'll re-read this blog post, realize how sassy he was to his mama and take good care of me when I'm older (or at least upgrade me to a room with a view at a nursing home, ha!)  :-)

We were hanging out in my parents basement, Ben was playing with toys, Jonah was napping in the swing, my sister and I were chit chatting.

Benjamin asked to go upstairs.  I said no because Jonah was sleeping, we needed to stay downstairs.

Benjamin said "I need to go up 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 stairs."

I told him, "No.  If you go up 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 stairs, you will get 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 spankings."

Benjamin then looked me straight in the eye and without hesitation started spanking himself on the bum.  Yes, actually spanking himself.

As he did he said, "1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10"

Then he turned around and said, "Now I can go upstairs."

seriously.

I can't make this stuff up.  I think my face got flushed because I couldn't believe he would so quickly respond like that, or even know how to respond like that.  I can't remember exactly how I responded but I do know he didn't go upstairs, that's for sure.

Strong willed child much?

So, yes, Benjamin, read this in 30 years and make sure to take good ol' care of the mama who just might lose her life or at least her hair, raising you :-)



My little brother got married!

This past weekend we made the 8.5 hour trek back to Idaho to celebrate with my brother, Alan, while he got married to his fiance, Natasha.  We hadn't been back since September so it was time for a visit.  My parents hadn't met Jonah yet!

Can I just say that my boys did amaaaazing on the drive?!?!  Jonah hardly made a peep and was happy to either sleep, coo, or eat his hand.  Benjamin was awesome and loved all his books, snacks, stickers, shows, and pointing out all the trains, bridges, tractors, rivers, etc he could find!  We were soooo blessed that they traveled so well both ways!  Ben could NOT wait until he got to Nana's house.  He wanted to see Auntie Manda so much.

We got in around 9:30 Thursday night (Ben just walked in and was instantly comfortable) and Friday was spent relaxing, shopping a bit, and enjoying each other before the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday night.  My parents have a whole basement of toys that my boys just love.  Then we got everything decorated and ready for Saturday.

Saturday was spent with some last minute details, making sure the boys got naps and then we headed to the venue to get ready and take some pictures.  Benjamin was a ring bearer and Peter was a groomsman.  Of course, Benjamin melts down for the pictures....you cannot make that boy do something he doesn't want to do.  STUBBORN.  Anyway....we finished pictures then got ready for the ceremony.

The ceremony was beautiful.  My dad was the officiant and he always does such a great job.  I think he even "got something in his eyes" at one point.....funny, that happened when he married me too!  :-)  It was a special time watching them commit their lives to each other.  I was trying to pay attention while I was bouncing Jonah in my arms so he'd stay asleep and stuffing jellybeans in Benjamin's mouth to keep him quiet!

Funny story....when they were lighting the unity candle Benjamin yells "It's my birthday party!!!!" Ummmm, not quite sweetie. It was funny though I was a bit mortified too, ha.

After the ceremony we enjoyed some yummy food then I danced with Benjamin a little bit. I am not a dancer at all, but I figured I'd never see half of those people again and the look on my sweet boys face as I danced with him was so priceless and well worth any embarassment!

It was a sweet wedding and we had a good time.

The picture above reminds me of the last wedding that I took Benjamin to when he was only about 6 months old.....boy does he grow up fast!  I hope he always looks so excited to dance with his mama :-)

Sunday we went to church, then celebrated my dad's birthday at Applebees.  Benjamin isn't shy at all about ordering and told the waitress he wanted "noodles and pears".  He was acting so grown up and serious.

Monday morning we headed to Peter's folks house so he could see his Poppy, Gong Gong, and Uncle Knute.  We just spent the day eating, relaxing, and playing, it was great.  Benjamin loves the toys, and reading with GongGong.  Tuesday morning we ate another tasty breakfast then headed back to my parents to have a quick lunch before we had to take off.  We hated having to leave.....Benjamin kept asking to go back to Nana's house and see Auntie Amanda, Poppy & Gong Gong.  He woke up from his nap and immediately asked "Where's Grandfather??"  He misses you guys!!!

They traveled super well on the way home and we got in about 9:45.  I've been unpacking, cleaning, and trying to get Benjamin "detoxed" from the grandparent attention.  It was a fast but great trip.  Congrats on your married little brother, I can't believe you're old enough to get married.  And welcome to the family Natasha!  :-)