conrad jay - week 20

I failed this week in taking pictures.  We had a pretty full week, so that's where I'm going to place the blame. We were able to meet new friends and hang out with old ones!  Conrad took it like a champ.  Being number 4, he's just got to be a little more flexible.  We dropped the dreamfeed this week and he's now sleeping 12 hours at night.  I'm been making use of it too, and going to bed as early as I like!  Oh sleep!  How I've missed you!

One of my favorite stages is definitely when they are sitting on their one, but still immobile. It's coming soon!  And I thought I would just through in a few photos of Silas at the same age, for your viewing pleasure.  I can't believe how much Conrad looks like him!  These next two are Silas.

Thank you Instagram for a few more pictures from the week.  Ivan is all kinds of busy.  He carries this little stool with him everywhere so he can turn the lights on and off if the need arises.  We're working on not whining to get what we want. It amazes me every time how he can shut the whine off, after being reminded, and ask so politely in a sweet little voice.  Consistency has been key!

These two have a special little bond.  The gap in ages helps them not get on each other's nerves quite as quickly.  This is the exact picture I imagine while I spend time making these books for our family!  I'm so glad it is coming true.

Silas chose the bubblegum flavor at Braums and he wasn't disappointed!  Most of the time he looked like he had on bright pink lipstick.  Amos said it was gross.  I would have to agree.

Ivan had to stay inside with Mom and Conrad.  He switched over to big brother and was building towers for Conrad to knock over with his head.  He thought it was hilarious.

And that's all I got.

conrad jay - week 19

We had our first field trip this week, and even though Conrad didn't join us, he was there in spirit.

I had a fun experience this week.  I was reaching on the top shelf to get down my Instant Pot, when the lid slid off and busted me in the face.  I was pretty stunned and am still suffering from my black eye.  I don't think anything was broken. thankfully.

Give them a box and they'll go to the moon!  Hours of fun.  Why do we have toys?

Conrad got a new jumper this week!  Ivan loved one that we borrowed so much, that I thought it was worth it to get Conrad one, even if he's the only Vance boy that will use it!   Side note:  Is he not the cutest?

Caps for sale??

 Silas still does such a great job hanging out with Conrad.  They like to play together.

On Fridays, we've been having Poetry Tea Time.  We break out the fancy dishes, fill them with Daddy's Iced Tea and read poems.  It;s one of our favorite times.

Here are our pictures from the Farm Field Trip.  Silas and Ivan needed some time to warm up to the animals, but Amos was interested from the beginning.  Silas wasn't so sure that the electric fence would keep those pigs from getting him.

He started warming up to the smaller animals.  The goats and chickens were his friends by the end.

Amos really liked the pigs.  Although, they did stink.

Ivan spent most his time just like this.  Quizzical brow, in Mom's arms.

Silas brushed the horse, but wasn't too sure about feeding it.  Amos let him nibble on his hands.

Amos spent most of the time, running after a chicken trying to catch it.  By the end, he had mastered the art, and brought up a caught chicken.

Later that day, Grammy, Aunt Amelia and her kiddos came over to play.  

They didn't get to stay too long, but they helped break in our new playground!

We took a family walk in Carthage on Sunday.  The boys enjoyed playing American Ninja Warrior on all the equipment.

Yesterday, we had Conrad's 4 month check-up and shots.  We brought along the whole gang.  Luckily, we had just visited the library and they had new books to entertain them for the visit.

This guy was perfect.  He was 16 lbs 5.5oz and 26 1/2 inches long.  He was a trooper for the shots.

We're hoping for cooler temperatures next week and  a lot more time outside!

conrad jay - week 18

We celebrated Priscilla's Fancy Nancy birthday with her, and this guy decided to get fancy.

Have I mentioned lately how BIG he's getting.  In a week's time he's gone from sitting still in the exesuacer, to going crazy in it.  They really can change so much in a week.  

Love this look.  The weather has been so nice that we braved the mosquitoes and chilled on the deck for a while.  His brothers want to be outside constantly.  And this time of year, I can't blame them.  Poor Ivan is covered in mosquito bites though.  Can't wait until those are gone.

Speaking of Ivan, he's getting so big.  He now wants to read books to me.  He climbed up onto the bench all by himself, with this book, just to entertain me while I was cooking dinner.  He's got words for everything and does a pretty good job letting you know what's what.  He will not be left behind.

We made it to the park on Thursday just before the rain.  Jason and the boys have been following American Ninja Warrior this summer and so of course, everything becomes an obstacle to overcome.  Silas wanted to come back later and show Dad his moves.

 Fancy Feet

And I strategically chose this park because Ivan can maneuver it all by himself.  Conrad napped in the stroller.  When the rain started falling, we hit up the library.  

This is how I found the boys Saturday morning.  They knew we were going to Priscilla's Fancy Party and already had their suit jackets on.  

Conrad skipped his morning nap and we acting a little grumpy, but I had to snap a picture of the littlest cousins together.  And that's the only shot I got of the day.  We had fun at the party and then continued to play for most of the day.  

Jason stayed home and got all his work done on Saturday, so Sunday meant rest and time at the park.  Conrad enjoyed it in his usual style. Have I mentioned how laid back this guy is.  

Ivan's usual fashion...do it all.

Amos was the master at the monkey bars.

And Silas spent the whole time braving the big slides!  His face says it all.

This week we are trying to drop the swaddle.  Wish us luck!

Check out Amos' American Ninja Warrior moves.  Can you guys who his biggest fan is?

conrad jay - week 17

"Another crazy hair day?!?"

Some sort of BUG hit Ivan last week.  And it wasn't very fun.  Luckily it was just about a 24 hour thing.  We spent a lot of time cuddling.  I knew it was bad when HE told me he was ready for a nap.

This one had a really great week.  He's still be sleeping 9-10 hours at night and taking four naps a day.  I tried dropping the swaddle last week and it just didn't seem to work, so he's still swaddled for all naps and nighttime.  His favorite pastime is under his activity gym and smiling up at us.  We've put him in the exesaucer a few times and he's OK with it, but he'd rather be on his back.

His brothers are definitely his favorite.  Silas is entertaining him with his creations.

 We're in full swing with school.  Although our school is pretty much a glorified morning time right now.  We're reading Aesop fables, fairy tales and Bible stories. Memorizing poems and scripture.  Skip counting and playing with dominoes. Learning to draw and coloring with chalk pastels.  And then, of course, lots of time outside.  It's been a joy!

We headed down to the lake for probably the last time of the season.  It was a great way to spend our long weekend.  It was fun catching up with all our family down there.

With the cooler temperatures, these guys weren't quite as keen on swimming.  Instead, they wanted to spend their time on the tube.  

 Amos gave skiing a shot, but forgot to let go of the rope.  He decided he would wait until next summer to try again.

Jason came up with the idea of camping out in the backyard with the boys Sunday night.  It didn't take five minutes for us to realize that the mosquitoes were too terrible to make that a reality.

Instead we enjoyed smores inside and set up the tent in the living room.  That's right.

Sleeping on the cot wasn't working for Jason, so after the boys went to sleep, he joined me in our bed.  Silas came in that morning and joined us in our's.

 Jason's family joined us on Monday to help put up the new playground equipment the boys got for their birthday's this year. It also just happened to be Nana's birthday!  The boys helped her open her gift.

Conrad had fun in Nana's arms most of the day.

And the men put this thing up in warp speed!

All the boys want to do now is go outside and play!  Our backyard is getting so cool!  And in the shade, even I can be out there!