2 Sweet Boys

Life with two young boys definitely has us minding our P's and Q's.  When both boys are awake and unrestrained, I pretty much have to keep my focus 100% on them.  Jackson can now reach up and touch things on the edge of counters and shelves.  The other day, he turned off my griddle 3 times while I was trying to grill him a panini.  Luckily the power component is pushed away from the heating component, so he couldn't burn himself.  He can undo pen caps, squirt spray bottles, etc.  Nothing is safe anymore and he is so curious about everything!!!  Judah rolls and moves so much that we really have to watch him.  He can kick and shimmy his way out of many positions and even barrel rolled the 1.5 feet off the couch the other day (don't worry folks, he was completely fine).  Needless to say we have to watch what we do very carefully...and what we say...      

Jackson pretty much attempts every word he hears and often times will remember words he hears for later use and can apply them in the correct context.  Because he has such a vast vocabulary, but can't articulate perfectly, sometimes we have to really think to figure out what he is saying.  It often times requires us to stop and think about the context of this comment and what words he has maybe heard said.  Some words even sound the same, but he's saying two different things in his mind.  For example, "Shub-up" at the breakfast table means "syrup" but when directed at Boosie or Judah means exactly what you think it does.  Needless to say, he is learning to use the word "hush" as an appropriate substitute.    

A 1980s classic from Daddy

Jackson loves to be in his pool on hot, hot day.  It's pretty much the only way he can be outside for more than a few minutes unless its first thing in the morning.  The $7 pool hardly fit Jackson and all his toys, but this $19 pool we found can fit the whole family and allows room for Jackson to "Swim" around.  He loves it!

They can't be too far from each other!

Judah currently weighs about 16 pounds and is approximately 26 inches long.  He is going through major developmental milestones and sleep transitions right now which is fun to see, but means Mommy gets very little sleep at night!  He is very ticklish and has recently discovered how fun it is to grab fistfuls of Boosie fur/skin and hold on for dear life.  He loves being in a standing position and pulling hair.  Jackson isn't a fan and has learned the hard way to freeze when he gets in Judah's grasp until Mommy can gently untangle the little fingers.  

Fun at the Beach

Jackson asks to go to the beach frequently, so we grabbed a random Friday to take the boys.  Just like last time, Jackson loved playing in the sand.  However, this time he also discovered searching for seashells and had quite the collection by the end of the day.  He left his collection at the beach so he would have more to play with next time he was able to visit!  A few times he mistook Mommy's toenails for seashells when he was digging in the sand.  

Judah also had a great time as the weather was perfect!  Not too hot and with a perfect sea breeze for napping and enjoying the sights!

The water was also warm enough that it was refreshing and comfortable to wade.  Jackson also enjoyed this and had fun chasing the waves with Daddy!

Judah - 4 Months

Judah is growing up so fast!  I feel like he's been a part of the family for more than 4 months and yet, it is hard to believe that he is already so big and can do so many things!!  He LOVES his brother Jackson and is pretty content to be doing anything where he can see Jackson.  He thinks he is grown and tries to stand and sit up with or without your help.  He will fling his body around trying to get in a position to be able to grab toys or see better.  He is working really hard at cutting those first few teeth and is drooling up a storm and chomping on everything.  He loves sucking on his fingers or a blanket/burp cloth.  He can grab toys that are dangling in front of him and has enough control to take his paci out of his mouth, but can't yet put it back in his mouth.  

He is becoming quite the little charmer and smiles all the time at people.  We were recently on an airplane and he greeted each and every person with a huge smile and squeal!  He talks up a storm and has a stronger/louder voice than Jackson (at least at this age).  He hasn't quite broken into a full giggle yet, but does a squeal laugh when he gets excited.  

He does still get grouchy at times, but I have learned that he loves to be sung to.  When he is crying, I just have to sing softly to him and he settles right down.  This works almost every time!  He likes most songs, but especially "Jesus Loves Me."

Summertime Fun

Daddy spent the afternoon on Friday mowing the grass.  Naturally Jackson wanted to be outside with Daddy.  However, It was 95 degrees outside that day! so Jackson got to watch the grass mowing from the comfort of his pool!

Meanwhile inside...

Jackson's First Haircut

Jackson's hair was not only long but it is really starting to thicken up and my attempts at just trimming the very front and very back were no longer doing the trick.  Not to mention the summer heat would have his hair soaked with sweat.  He needed a haircut!  I was hesitant because I knew he would no longer look like my baby, but would be transformed into a little boy.  Alas, we bit the bullet and took him down to the salon for his first cut.  

He expressed that he was excited and he marched right into the salon, but the moment he hit the chair and the smock was placed around his neck, he was nearly frantic.  So daddy sat in the chair with him and that helped a lot.  He was still very nervous about the clippers and seeing his hair falling was quite unnerving.  He cried for the first few minutes and then returned to his normal self, making observations and commenting on the "mess."  The stylist remarked at how well he did and he was able to come home with a little certificate for his baby book.  

First look at the clippers

Crying into Daddy's chest

Coming around to the idea

So pleased with himself!

He was all grins looking in the mirror at the salon and getting all the compliments from the other men waiting to get their hair cut.  However, the moment he saw himself once we got home, he burst into tears for a good 10 minutes.  It took him the rest of the day to get used to his new look.