ivan jude - week 8

So I got a little half smile out of him.  Even though he is now smiling all the time, I have yet to catch a really good one on camera.  My camera is always out of arms reach and who wants to get up and get it when this cutie is flirty with you?

Jason went back to work this week and I felt somewhat ready for it. I had planned out some new things to do with the boys and give them a little more structure and I had worked it all around Ivan's eating schedule.  Of course, come Monday morning, Ivan decided to grow again and has been eating around the clock since.  The first few days were really frustrating, because I wasn't sure what the problem was - reflux, growth spurt, milk supply, bad sleep habits.... the list goes on.  That's the newborn phase for ya!  By Wednesday I was pretty sure it was a growth spurt with possible milk supply issues.  Currently my supply seems fine, but were still in a funk.  I'm kinda just going with and hoping we get back to the old normal soon.  And God's teaching me through it.  His plans and purposes, not mine!

In other news, my family came over on Saturday to celebrate an early birthday with me.  And they brought Chinese!  As always, the cousins had a blast together.  Sometimes I can't believe how old these two are.  They were just the little babies everyone took turns holding.  And now look at them...

And here are the other goof balls.  They have a love hate relationship.

Ivan caught sight of his hand this week.  And definitely enjoys time on the activity mat or anywhere else he can just look up and gaze at something.  One of his favorite spots is in front of the mirror or looking out all our windows.

 Whoever decided to put those bears on babies' bottoms was a genius.  Amos and I think it's the cutest thing.  He always asks to see if Ivan has something on his bottom.

Well  hello handsome!

All and all, we've had a really great week.  Jason has left me a little something something each day for my birthday week and I've have felt much love from the people I love.  When asked what Amos was going to give me for my birthday he said, "I think maybe some of my old toys.  No wait, Mom's don't like toys.  Maybe a new couch."  Check!

Lastly, I started exercising again this week.  And, oh how I wish I could go back in time about 4 months and tell myself not to stop doing those squats.  Going up and down stairs has been torture!  Feel the burn!

 

ivan jude - week 7

Here's my big 7 week old.  Don't worry, he ALWAYS has socks on.  They just slipped off in his swaddle and I didn't realize it until I started taking pictures.  Couldn't pass this one up, with his big, not sure what color yet, eyes staring at me.  We think they may be a little lighter than the other boys eyes.  Maybe more hazel like Mom's.

Last Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with my Mom's side of the family.  Ivan spent all of his time in someone's arms, mainly sleeping.  But the other kids had a blast running around, playing with cousins and eating yummy food.

This guy cracks me up.

Our last week of Christmas vacation was fairly laid back.  We spent a lot of time in our pajamas like this.

 Ivan started the week with a major growth spurt - eating at least every 2 hours, even through the night. He must have put on some pounds, because when we took him to the doctor on Tuesday he was 13 lbs 2 oz.  Turns out he had already outgrown his zantac dosage and needed it increased.  We've seen a wonderful difference again in his sleeping, with the correct dosage.  In fact, just last night he slept the longest stretch yet - just over 6 hours!

Check out the hair situation.  Poor guy is really thinning out. Luckily there is new stuff coming in right behind.

We've LOVED having Dad home.  The boys had fun testing out their new guitar with Dad.  Amos said he just needs a little strap for his.

 10 years from now, this is going to be awesome!  I'll have four handsome serenaders!

 "Did you see that red bird?"  We're always looking out our windows looking for deer, red birds, blue birds and squirrels!  We love our windows!  And Ivan loved some guy hang-out time.

 We even got in a quick date night this week!  Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law we got to go out with friends. We took Ivan with us, hoping he'd sleep the whole time, but he had other plans.  We still had a blast with good friends and good food.  Can you say, Red Lobster 4 course meal?

Jason gifted me with a week of service for Christmas!  What could have been better?  He's been wonderfully crossing things off my house list.  And I have cabinet doors!  Pictures to come...

christmas recap

I've already said it, but we had a great Christmas.  Christmas with a newborn in tow is always a little harder (we've done it twice now), but we had lots of help and lots of fun.  We spent the weekend before Christmas at my family's house and then had Christmas morning at ours!  Then Jason parents, brother, and Grandma came to see us Christmas night!  We were beyond spoiled.

 We officially pack out my parents house.  6 kiddos makes things a lot more fun!

 Amos has got the stance down!  Watch out, here comes Batman and Spiderman!

 Watching a new movie.

Christmas morning was a ton of fun at our house.  Jason got a few candid shots of the boys as they woke up.  Ivan made sure we were up before the boys.

 Amos was able to find all his presents this year by reading his name on the package.  He is growing up.

 The night before Jason put together their new kitchen and hid clues all around the house leading them to it.  Amos loved searching for the clues.  Silas used the time to sneak into the living room and eat all his smarties without anyone knowing.

 Christmas Monkey bread and bacon!  Hard to beat that!

But wait, it's not over yet!  Nana and Papa brought another tree full of presents with them.

 Like I said, were spoiled.  Amos had a blast this year opening up presents and trying new things.  Silas would be a little more fixated on one present at a time, but he sure loved any ball he opened.

Oh, and Happy New Year!