7 months

Measurements: No official measurements this month!  But I get told at least once a day what a big boy he is so he's still growing like a weed!  He has pretty much outgrown all his 9 month onesies and pajamas but can still fit in 9 month pants.  But, most of his clothes are either 12 or 12-18 months right now.

Eats: Weston still nurses every 3-4 hours although he's getting hard to nurse.  He's super distracted, especially if Hudson is around.  He squirms, kicks, sometimes bites.  I will nurse him until he turns a year but we will see past that.  I feel like it's a wrestling match every time he needs to eat!

In terms of solids, we haven't found anything Weston doesn't like!  He's tried a whole bunch of things now- avocado, banana, oatmeal, apple sauce, black beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc.  Basically anything we eat that I can mush up, he gets for dinner.  

Sleeps: Not much change in his sleep patterns..for the most part he takes 2 naps a day although the past few days he has only take cat naps so he falls asleep around dinner time.  Bedtime is between 7 and 7:30.  He usually still falls asleep nursing (the one time he's actually calm nursing!) so I may need to break that habit soon.  Normally he wakes up once a night although he's been teething so the past few nights it's been twice.  I'm not going to lie, he does end up in our bed sometimes because I'm just too tired to try to get him back to sleep.  Between his sleeping habits and Hudson's (see big brother update below) we are pretty exhausted around these parts!

Milestones:  We have a tooth!  A few weeks ago Weston got a bad cold and was pitiful.  He was clingy, snotty, etc.  On Thanksgiving Day he was pretty miserable.  I figured it was because of the cold but my father in law insisted he thought it was teething.  Well, sure enough, the next day we saw the tooth "slit"!  It's now popped through but I'm pretty sure he's trying to cut the other bottom middle tooth as well.  Weston has started sitting in both shopping carts and high chairs at restaurants.  This is so helpful to me when we go places!

Likes: He still loves his big brother and I love to watch them interact.  Weston loves to stand and still doesn't care much for laying down (although he's usually happy to sit).  He enjoys his bouncer which is a big help when I'm trying to get things done!

Dislikes:  Weston is pretty easy going.  Obviously he has his fussy moments...when he's really tired or hungry.  But, for the most part he's super content!

Big brother update:  Where to begin with our sweet, funny, yet very strong willed child.  Let's start with how he's NOT sleeping.  Hudson's always been a terrible sleeper.  But, he wakes more during the night than his baby brother.  It isn't uncommon for him to wake up 3-4 times a night.  Sometimes I can go lay him back down and he will fall asleep but usually he wants someone to lay with him.  Chris is willing to do that so he usually ends up sleeping in Hudson's bed.  I know it's a habit that needs to be broken but I feel like we are still in survival mode right now in terms of sleep.  

Hudson still loves school and is learning so much.  He says the funniest things and is a sponge when it comes to learning.  He  can tell his left from his right for the most part (unless he's really lucky in guessing every time we ask!).  He still has zero interest in potty training but I figure he'll start when he's good and ready!

I'm so excited for the holidays with my little ones!  We think Christmas is special when we are kids but I think it's even more special when you HAVE kids.  Merry Christmas!

Lately (in pictures)

Because there aren't enough hours in the day to write a proper "catch-up" blog post...

This might be my favorite picture of my boys ever...taken by my friend Cassie who was watching them one day while I worked :)

This boy loves to eat, as evidenced by his thighs ;)

We spent a perfect day at the zoo a few weeks ago with a few of our friends

Weston's first library trip!

I came home from a run one day to find this...Weston wide awake and Daddy fast asleep on the couch

Matching babies makes me so happy!

Oh the matching outfits...and overalls at that!

Funny thing about this picture...for Hudson's one year photo shoot we sat him in this dump truck.  At 7 months Weston hardly fits!

We had a lunch date with the Fain's.  Christie and I worked together for 6 years and became very close friends.  But, she lives in Virginia and this was the first time all our kids were together!  So much fun!

Half a year!!

How is my baby already a half a year old?? The past 6 months have gone so fast. Weston continues to be such a joy.  He's about as laid back as they come which I hope continues!

Measurements: Weston weighed in yesterday at 20 lbs 10.5 oz (94th percentile).  That's bigger than Hudson was at a year!  Oh my.  He's 27.8 inches long (91st percentile). He's outgrowing most 9 month clothes and is pretty comfortably in 12 months clothes.  He has a few 18 month sleepers he can wear but most 18 month is still a bit too big.  He's in size 4 diapers and a size 3 shoe!

Eats: No change in nursing...about every 3 hours or so.  But, we started some solids this month.  So far he has had avocado, banana, sweet potato, and oatmeal.  He has liked it all!

Sleeps: We are pretty much down to 2 naps a day unless he takes super short afternoon nap.  Then he will sometimes take an evening cat nap.  But, he generally naps around 9am and then again after lunch which thankfully happens to be the same time as Hudson! Most nights he still wakes once but last night he slept all night!  I'm hoping it continues but I'm thinking it's more likely only because he was so worn out from having his shots.  But we will see what tonight brings!

Milestones:  Weston is just about sitting up!  He does still topple over some but he's pretty steady.  He rolls everywhere but doesn't have any interest in trying to scoot crawl like Hudson was at this age.

Likes: Weston loves to sit and stand but isn't a fan on being laid on the floor.  He continues to love his big brother.  They have started to "play" together.  Hudson will do peek-a-boo and Weston just cracks up.  Since they face each other in the car, it's not uncommon to just hear them laughing back and forth.

Dislikes:  Weston is pretty easy going.  Obviously he has his fussy moments...when he's really tired or hungry.  But, for the most part he's super content!

Big brother update:  Hudson continues to love school.  Yesterday on the way out the door he said "I love school!  I get to see all my friends".  It makes me so happy that he loves it and is learning so much.  He amazes me at how smart he is and how much he picks up on.  He knows quite a few of his letters (not the sounds though).  He counts to 11 and then gets a little confused but we are working on it.  He has been able to spell Hudson forever but now we are working on our last name.  He loves to play outside and be active but he also loves to sit and watch cartoons.

And of course, a few pictures!

Catching up

Life has been a little crazy lately. Blogging has been put on the back burner but this is my 3rd blog post in as many days so maybe I can finally get caught up!

1) Chris is currently running for Clemmons Town Council. It's kept him really busy with meet and greets, forums, meetings, etc.  But, I do think he's really enjoying the whole experience so I'm trying to be supportive! The election is November 3rd so things will calm down after that.

2) I have a lot going on in my work world lately. This is our busy season for Novant.  I have worked 50 hours over the past two weeks.  For full time working folks this doesn't sound like a lot but when I'm used to being home with my kiddos 85% of the time, it's a lot.  Things will slow down in the middle of November but until then I'm working quite a bit.  On another note, I have two other jobs lined up beginning in January.  I am going to be doing some personal training at the Y on a very part-time basis.  There's a lot of benefits to working for the Y and there's no absolute time commitment so that makes it nice.  It will be flexible which we definitely need.  Also, I am going to be an adjunct professor at Salem College.  I may have a little too much on my plate but this was not an opportunity I could pass up.  I interviewed at Salem College actually a few years ago and, while they didn't have any teaching positions open then, they have kept my resume on file.  So, I got an out of the blue phone call a few weeks ago asking if I was interested in teaching their Introduction to Athletic Training class.  It's just twice a week and after talking with Chris, we decided I should do it.  I would love if it could turn into something full time down the road but we'll take it one semester at a time. I'll definitely have to find a good work/life balance starting in January because I can see how it would be easy for me to get wrapped up in work and forget that I am first and foremost a Mommy!

3) I love this time of year.  We have so many fall festivals coming up...the first one is this afternoon when the boys wake up from their naps!  I can't wait to post pictures of their costumes :)  I decided to make both their costumes this year and am pleased with how they came out!

Of course, I can't end any post without a few kid spam pictures!

Another trip to Boston

My boys are well seasoned travelers by now...at least from NC to Boston. We spent the first week of October visiting their Uncle Jamie.  If you read this blog, there's a good chance you already know that my brother was in a serious car accident on August 19th.  He's doing well now but we wanted to go and keep him company as he isn't cleared to walk yet so he's been pretty confined to the house. We had a great week spending time with him and other family as well.  Here's some pictures from the trip...

These stickers kept him occupied for quite a while on the plane ride...until he realized he could watch Paw Patrol on my phone!

My sweet boys on the plane. I could tell this man to Hudson's left was a bit nervous about being on the same row as two small children. But, it was the two screaming toddlers in front of us that he should have been worried about...

These two have a love/hate relationship ;)

Playing with our dinner ;)

Lobster races!

They look like they are nicely sharing Bub's lap...but usually it's a battle for who gets to sit with him

Best buds these two ;)

Bundled us for a trip to the Topsfield Fair

Weston hanging out with his buddy Connor

Until next time...we love you!

Thank goodness for plane naps on the way home!

5 months

Measurements: No well check this month but I can assure you Weston is a BIG boy!  We did have to go to get Weston checked out when he had a bit of a cold and he weighed in at 19 lbs 7.5 oz.  I have no idea how long he is but he is long!  He is wearing mostly 9 month clothes but can wear 12 month too.  He's in size 4 diapers already! 

Eats:  Obviously Weston is well fed ;)  No solid food yet but we'll start soon!  He still nurses pretty much on demand but it's usually about every 3 hours although he can go longer stretches if he needs.

Sleeps: Weston has gotten into a better nap schedule this past month.  He takes 3 naps a day (unless he catches a cat nap in the car here and there). But it's generally a late morning, afternoon, and early evening nap.  None are very long, usually about 45 minutes each.  He has become a tummy sleeper at night so he's back to waking usually just once.

Milestones:  We have a roller!  If you put Weston on his back he will roll to his tummy in .2 seconds.  Then he starts to fuss because he doesn't like it.  Weston also spent his first few days at preschool.  No, we have not enrolled him but the preschool Hudson goes to has infant drop in days.  I have been working quite a bit lately so it's nice to be able to have him and Hudson in the same place when our regular babysitter isn't available.  Weston went on his 3rd airplane ride, he's a well seasoned traveler already!

Likes: I'm so happy to be able to write that Weston LOVES his big brother!  He thinks Hudson is hilarious. It's so sweet to see the two of them start to interact.  Weston also loves his Momma still!  No separation anxiety yet but when he's fussy or tired he only wants me.  This can be sweet and exhausting all at the same time, especially at bedtime!  He really likes the bouncer IF he's fed and rested.  One morning this week he bounced away for about 1.5 hours!  But, usually it lasts about 10 minutes.

Dislikes:  Weston continues to be pretty laid back.  He doesn't like to be tired but, then again, who does?  I'm thankful for my happy boy!

Big brother update:  Hudson is LOVING preschool.  I am so thankful.  He had a little trouble with me leaving the first few days but he got over that quickly.  He continues to be incredibly strong willed but so very sweet at the same time.  He tells me randomly that he loves me or that I look beautiful.  He's still such a Momma's boy and, although I feel like he's growing up so fast, I am cherishing all the sweet time we have together now.  On days I work he will tell me "Mommy, I missed you". He says the funniest thing and Chris and I are constantly laughing at his active imagination.  He has an incredible memory for a 2 year old and is very perceptive.  We really have to be careful what we say around him because he is a little sponge.  I am so thankful for both my boys!

Beach 2015

This post is long overdue! We went to the beach the last weekend in August for a few days. As always we stayed with Chris' aunt and uncle who are so generous with their home at Emerald Isle. We only actually went to the beach twice (it's a chore with 2 little ones!) but spent time at the pool, aquarium, and enjoying their cable television...who can resist a Fixer Upper marathon??

I never take as many pictures as I would like but here's a few from our trip: