conrad jay - week 11

We didn't have too much happening this past week, but it sure was a hot one.  Conrad's just trying to keep cool.

We did start the week with some visitors!  Cousins.  We don't get to see them near enough, so we love anytime we get a chance to hang out.  These two were playing together.  At least their type of play.  And they were great at sharing.  

And these older guys had on all the costumes, all the time.

During nap time, these two hung out.  This shot was too cute to pass up!

And here's my Mr. Smiley.  He had a really great, laid back week until Monday.  Monday was a rough day for this one, but then he ended up sleeping 8 hours last night.  We both needed it!

He also took his first bottle this week.  I was already prepared to have to coerce him to take the bottle (like I had with all his brothers) but no.  He just turned to the bottle and guzzled it down!  Thank you.  The other change this week was sleeping on his back.  He's made the move from his rock and play to to the pac and play.  He took the change like a champ too!  

We spent Saturday at the Lake with Grammy and Gramps, Grandma and Grandpa Garrett and the Parks.  How fun!  Everyone was excited to see Grammy.  Amos and Josie had spent most of the week at Grammy and Gramp's house going to their church's VBS.  They loved it and the rest of us missed them.  It was a very different week without our oldest two in our house.

Our swimmers are getting braver and making their way out pretty far with Daddy.

Ivan's become such a little boy these days.  He's talking so much and wants to do everything his brothers are doing.  While Amos was away, he moved himself from his high chair to the bench with Silas.  And I don't think he's going back.

We have a shot about like this one when Amos and Josie were this age.

Solomon gives me the best faces!

conrad jay - week 10

As mentioned last week, it was the Vance work week at our house.  Conrad tried to get in on the hammering. Instead, he just tried to sleep over all the hammering and banging.

Lots of tummy time this week.  Someone's starting to get used to it.

We soaked up the 60 degree weather that graced us for a few short hours.  Windows open, attic fan on and reading in the sunroom!  It seems like a distant memory after these last few days.

Here's a terrible before picture of one of the basement rooms.  It's the only one I snagged, but all the rooms looked about the same.  Terrible.

Trying to watch Daddy doing some intense burning outside.

Friday brought lots of help for our work party.  Even Grandpa Garrett showed up with all his expertise.  

And then the rest of the family showed up and Conrad was so excited.  Emma too!

We tried to beat the heat with lots of water play.

And then they attempted the impossible: to move the carport.  It's been in our backyard with a ton of junk in it.  Jason spent a day clearing it out and had it ready to move.

They did it!  The impossible.

And here are some in the process pictures.  The beam is ready to be stained and trimmed out.  And finally....a fan is on its way.  And believe me, we need it these days.

Here's the upstairs bathroom, almost finished!  Just a little more trim and some wall art!  Definitely happy with the improvement.

 And our carport is now being put to good use.  For a car.

Basement organization at its finest.  I even have a wrapping station.  This one's my room.

And here's Jason's man cave.  We got it all cleaned up and its even pleasant to be down there.

Here's a work in progress on the main bathroom.  It's been mudded and textured.  Can't wait to paint it and have it looking great too!

And lastly, this little guy had his two month check-up.  He was 12 lbs 10 oz and 24 inches long.  He's growing like a champ!  We love you Conrad.

conrad jay - week 9 + a birthday

We've had a crazy fun week, full of lots of birthday celebrating!  We like to make birthdays a pretty big deal around our house.  Tuesday was full to the brim from Birthday pancakes to birthday spankings, and everybody got in on it.  Plus haircuts!

Conrad had been fighting sleep all week long.  I thought maybe he was ready for longer wake time, but that didn't seem to be helping.  He would just lay in his rock and play, not crying, but not sleeping.  It was rather frustrating.  And now I think it was a wonder week.  I vaguely remembered these from the previous boys, and sure enough, week 8-9 is where they are recognizing patterns and have trouble going to sleep.  Nailed it.

His not sleeping during the day came in handy Sunday night where he slept for just over 9 hours!  And I went to sleep when he did, so we both slept that long!!!

He's seems to have a cold currently.  I'm definitely more on high alert with him than I was with the other two boys and early colds.  Hoping this one passes without any complications.  Come on breast milk!  Do your duty!  And now he's sleeping like a champ.  In fact, he's hard to wake up.  I think he's tired from fighting off the cold.

Conrad joined me on my run to the store this week.  It was just him and me and he was good company.  All his smiles made the trip fly by.  I think his brothers think he's a keeper.
                                             


                     

Saturday brought the big birthday party.  We were a little worried that the Hiking part of it might get rained out, but luckily the forecast was wrong!  It was super hot instead.  All the Dad's a big kiddos headed out and the moms stayed for conversation and iced coffee.  Do you see what I did there?

The kids received the mission and found their maps.  They headed to the trail to hunt for clues!  They were very success and found the treasure.  They returned just in time for lunch and cake!  It was definitely a good day, spent with friends.

                                       

And Sunday brought...you guessed it...more cake!  

 HOW?  How does he look so old???

 A WATCH!!! Amos, what time is it?

We had a combined birthday for all the family at my parents house.  We don't get to see our cousins near as much, so we always have a fun time with them.  Conrad was a bit of a handful, but he slept his longest stretch to date that night.  I told Jason the key for him sleeping through the night is just to be fussy and not sleep at all during the day.

This week is WORK WEEK at the Vance house.  It's just about as exciting as Christmas here, for me!  We are tackling most of our Summer To Dos and I'm loving it.  And I have a WONDERFUL husband who loves me!  We're putting in a swing set, moving our carport, finally cleaning out the basement and ending the week with a party involving both our dads and lots of power tools!!!  Such fun!  I'll hopefully have lots of finished project pictures to show next week!  Stay tuned!