{ in this moment... }

...the kitchen is a mess

...I'm still in my sweats

...the dogs need to go out

...my lunch is sitting on the coffee table, uneaten

...there are plenty of unfinished projects

....I choose this instead:

{ 4 Months }

Weight: 14lb 10oz

Length: 26.75in

Likes: You want to stand.  All the time.  Sitting and laying down is no fun.  You have such strong legs and you love to use them! Your new favorite love is your jumper.  It was a gift from Jen and her momma and it's perfect.  You press the buttons and play music for yourself non-stop!  When you first got it, your feet didn't even touch the ground, but now they do!  You also have learned to play with your rattle and rings and you love those too!  

Dislikes:  You still aren't a big fan of your tummy time.  You just roll right over.  Within seconds, every single time.  You also don't like to be held facing in.  I guess you are just like your mom, very curious and want to see everything that is going on.  

Milestones: Still sleeping through the night!  However, naps are a different story.  We are really struggling trying to get you to take naps during the day.  You will nap in the morning for about an hour, but that's about it.  The rest of the day you may nod off here and there, but nothing consistent.  We're not giving up though! :)

You are still eating about 6 oz every 3 hours.  We are just about to start with some baby food!  I'm thinking we will start with some oatmeal and see how that goes!  

Still not quite sitting up on your own.  You have gone a good 1-2 minute stretch sitting up, but you are definitely not strong enough that we feel comfortable leaving you unattended.  You are so close though!

You are teething.  It's official.  Who knows when the tooth will actually pop through, but we can feel it and you are definitely showing all the signs.  We pray they come quickly...

You are growing out of all of your clothes so quickly!  You wore 0-3 month clothes for so long, we thought you would never out grow them, but now you are quickly outgrowing your 3-6 month onesies and sleepers and we're thinking this size isn't going to last quite as long.

Firsts: You have started grabbing at things intentionally.  We will set your toys down in front of you and you will reach for them with such determination.  You don't always succeed, but you keep trying!

You had your first airplane ride!  (Well, it was a day after you turned 4 months, but that's okay :)  It was very exciting and everyone on the plane commented on how great you did, most not even realizing there was a baby onboard!  You just slept in my arms almost the entire trip!  

Your vacation had a lot of "firsts" --- first time on the beach, first time in the Ocean (Gulf to be accurate), watching your first sunset, first time seeing where Aunt Lauren lives, first time eating sand...it was bound to happen!  You enjoyed it all.

Fun Fact: You have a new "home."  Your dad finally convinced me to move your nursery from the side room off of our bedroom to your own nursery across the hall.   This momma put up a fight, but it really was a good decision in the end.  We painted and got all the big furniture in, but are still working on the finishing touches.  We really, really need some blinds to keep you asleep past 6:45am, but besides that, we all love your new nursery!

{ sitting, pinning, & praying... }

Watch out world...we have a sitter!  That's right!  E has been able to sit up assisted for quite a while now, but never really showed any interest in wanting to do it on his own.  Until yesterday!  And now, of course, it's all he wants to do.  Only problem is, when he falls --- he falls hard!  So,  I don't go very far, but it is fun watching him learn and hit milestones along the way.  You would think he was going for an olympic medal in sitting by the way Bryan and I cheered for him.  

{ Ellis sits --- 9/15/2012 }

He surely would have won the gold...

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In other news, I have been making a lot of Pinterest meals.  Bryan wanted to know what dinner was going to be before I looked in the cupboards at 5:30 each night, and I guess I don't blame him.  Planning ahead really does work better whether I am ready to admit it or not :)  

A good friend recommended we try this Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe she made from Pinterest.  She claimed her kids liked it better than take out!  Now, I'm a little partial to my Hunan, but I decided I would give it a try! 

Turns out, it was pretty darn good!  And not too difficult.  It was a bit more sweet than sour and in the future I might cut the brown sugar down, but besides that, the way the chicken is cooked is really kinda fun and tastes great!  I even was able to fry up the chicken in the morning while E was napping and then I just made the sauce and threw it in the oven for an hour and it was ready when B got home! 

This is for sure to be added to our dinner rotation!

{ Sweet and Sour Chicken - http://pinterest.com/pin/225461525066285696/ }

Okay, fine, I don't really have a dinner "rotation".  Do people really have this?  Or is it just something people say about meals they will make again.  I don't have a literal list of meals that I rotate.  Maybe I should...how novel an idea.  Okay, I guess people really do this. 

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What I can tell you is that the following meal, unless completely overhauled, will NOT be entering any rotation of mine.  Introducing, the worst overnight oatmeal I've ever eaten.  Now, let me be fair,  99% of the time I blame yucky food on myself.  And I do in this case as well.  I am sure I did something wrong, because many people have told me these are the bomb-digity.  I somehow managed to follow the recipe perfectly (minus the chia seeds - which are listed as only optional) and my oatmeal turned into yucky-crunchy-yet soupy-sour-oatmeal-mush.  I kid you not, I spit it out of my mouth.  (kinda of like how B spit the moldy cucumber that I accidentally served him out of his mouth yesterday --- but that's a whole 'nother story...)

{ Overnight Oatmeal - http://pinterest.com/pin/225461525066107663/ }

Help me out, anyone know what I could have done wrong?  I mean they sure do look pretty!

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Okay...must get back to work while I am childless and at Starbucks (glorious...) but I wanted to share a bit of a story with you today.  A friend of mine is going through one of the roughest times of her life with a lot of unknowns coming up in the very near future.  Without sharing too much detail could you all just keep my friend "C" and her little unborn baby A in your prayers this week?  I know that's very vague, but God knows her story and will hear ya.  I promise :)  Thank you. 

Pinterest Musings...

Turns out whoever created Pinterest is Genius.  They somehow get us to believe that we are all super crafty and organized and now somehow going to accomplish more things in life because we can pin them all to a board.  There's actually something about just pinning a project to my board that makes me feel accomplished.  Like maybe everyone out there will think I actually did this.  Or hey, my son's nursery might not be complete, but I sure do have a lot of cute things pinned in my "Baby T" board so that counts for something right?

Wrong. Now not only do I not complete projects, but I spend hours pinning projects that I will never complete.   But I love it.  And so do all of you.  Something about feeling crafty without actually being crafty.  About knowing that I can soak my feet in Listerine to get the dead skin off but not actually doing it still makes me feel cleaner.  If I Pin a "daily cleaning checklist" but never use it, or heck even read it, I still feel like a better housewife.  They are genius.  Pure genius.

However, I've got the best of them.  I actually am using my Pinterest boards today.  For real.  Putting the virtual pinboad to life.  I'll show them...

Today's (well let's be real, this week's) Pinterest Projects include:

Meal Planning from my Recipe's Board:

Chicken Tacos

Cowboy Casserole

Baked Cheesy Tortellini

Crafting from my "Baby T" Board:

Name Bunting

DIY Beanbag covers

Striped Wall DIY

Beauty project from my "organize and clean":

Listerine Foot wrap (yes I really am excited about this one...)

And lastly, because we are going to Florida this weekend (oh, did I forget to mention that?), I will be scouring Pinterest for packing lists and tips to keep a 4 month old happy on an airplane.  Yikes.  Exactly why I didn't mention the trip. I'm attempting to not stress about it and the only way to do that is to pretend it's not happening.  That's also a great way to have a heart attack come Thursday, but I'll take it in stride :)

I'll keep you up to date on these projects!

Oh, and of course no post would be complete without a photo, so I will include one from this morning's Dr appt.  That's right, E Man is 4 months old!  I can't miss the opportunity to take his 4 month pics on the beach this weekend, so the post and details will come later!  

But these eyes can hold you over till then...

4 year journey...

On this day 4 years ago we started a journey.  A journey that has taken us from Bloomington to Chatham to Springfield.  A journey that has taken us from renters to homeowners.  A journey that has taken us from young and stupid to a little older and a little less stupid.  And a journey that has taken us from dog owners to child owners (parents, if you prefer).   It's been quite the journey so far and I can't wait to see what comes next. 

We're only at the beginning, friend, and I truly am lucky to share the rest with you. 

Happy 4th Anniversary :) 

{ 3 Months }

Weight: 12lb 12oz

Length: 25in

Likes: You finally love your activity mat.  I gave up on the swing and the bouncer but I pushed through with the activity mat.  You really go crazy laying on that thing, batting at all your rings and toys.  You also just love to be independent.  Every once in a while you like to be held, but most of the time if you are fussy, you just want to be put down and left alone.  You love for anyone to talk to you.  You will focus on and smile at anyone who talks to you.  Your new favorite thing to do is make this adorable gargling sound when you are done with your bottle.  Grandma Lisa said it sounds like you are practicing rolling your "R's".  Oh, and of course you love going to Target with your mom. 

Dislikes:  You hate being burped.  You scream bloody murder when I try and stop feeding you.  It's pleasant, really ;)  You have a love/hate relationship with tummy time. 

Milestones: Since 9 weeks you have slept 10-12 hours a night.  You rock. 

You are up to 6 ounces every 3 hours pretty consistently during the day.  You've been a little finicky lately with not finishing your bottles, but I'll pick my battles. 

You want to sit up and stand assisted all. the. time.  Laying down is for babies.  This makes getting things done around the house a little more difficult.  I have a feeling you will be sitting up on your own pretty soon.  

You have definitely found your voice.  And you use it all the time.  You have a lot to say little man and I love trying to figure out what you are trying to tell everyone.  You scream and babble and have the cutest little giggle.  You are very happy. 

Firsts: We took our first long road trip this month to Nashville, TN.  Your dad was at camp with the youth group there and so we tagged along.  We stayed with your Great Aunt Liz and got to meet your cousin Ale and Great Uncle Jim.  Grandpa Hay went with us on the journey!  You were a champ.  We had a bit of a rough trip with a flat tire, but you slept almost the entire way there and back.  You slept through your first fireworks show, but that's okay - there's always next year. 

You stayed in the church nursery for the first time and I only came and checked on you 3 times.  I'd say that's pretty good :)

You were also left with a "babysitter" for the first time last week.  Your Grandma Lisa came and watched you all by herself for while we were helping out at the Springfield Gospel Fest.  I only called to check in on my way home :)  You (and grandma) did great!

Fun Fact: You now are an official cloth diaper baby!  Last week you started wearing them and we never turned back!  Dad says they make your butt look big.  I think they are adorable.

{ 2 Months }

Weight: 11 lbs 14 oz

Length: 24.5 in

Likes: Sophie the giraffe!  You LOVE her.  Your first crush, I'm sure (well besides your momma)! You definitely are gaining more control over your movements and are starting to "squeak" her on purpose.  You love to dance.  Seriously, with or without music you are a mover!  Your new favorite time of the day is FaceTiming with your Aunt Lauren...she's pretty cool. :)  Oh, and you are starting to like your baths...not loving, but it's not a fight anymore.  

Dislikes:  You no longer like to be swaddled.  And you really don't like when I try and clip your fingernails.  We are still trying to figure out how to get you to stop scratching your face. 

Milestones: You are sleeping through the night!  Yay! :)  You consistently go 6-7 hours a night.  Last week you even did a 10 hour stretch...!  10 hours!

You are now eating 5.5 ounces every 2-3 hours.  It seems like you are constantly hungry!  But, the Dr says you are gaining the right amount of weight so I won't fight it.

You continue to punch and kick and hold your head up like it's your job.  Tummy time isn't your favorite, but when you are in the mood you get your head way up high!  You follow sounds and objects with your eyes and will smile the cutest smile when I smile at you.  

Firsts: You had your first shots at your 2 month appointment.  You hated them so much that you held your breath for way too long.  You finally screamed.  Reminded me of the day you were born.  You should stop doing that to me, please.  :)  But you calmed down pretty quick and haven't had any reactions yet.  

You sat up in your bumbo chair for the first time.  You weren't so sure about it and got tired pretty quick, but none the less you sat up for a while!  

You went out to Lake Petersburg and "swam" for the first time.  Well, we put your feet in the water and you played on the beach with me...close enough!

Fun Fact: We have had quite the time getting you to stay still while you sleep.  As soon as we moved you into your big crib, you started wiggling like crazy.  We would put you down in the middle of your crib and within the hour you would have your arms and legs out the side of the crib.  We got wedges and even a mesh bumper, but nothing stopped you from getting yourself all the way over to the edge of the crib and sliding down towards the rails.  We finally figured out that for some reason you just want to be on the side of your crib, so we stopped fighting you.  We now place you to bed on the very edge of your crib with wedges between you and the rails.  Once we gave in, you started sleeping through the night.  You sure are a persistent little boy! :)

InstaFriday

InstaFriday

{ 1 Month }

I can't believe little mister is 1 month old (well gosh, 6 weeks as I write this...)  I won't lie, I feel like making it to this point is an accomplishment for all of us!  

Weight: 9 lb 4oz

Length: 23in

Likes: Your boppy is your favorite thing.  You nap on it most of the day, when you get fussy you like to just be left alone on your boppy, and you even slept on it at night in your cradle.  You love when we sing to you.  Dad says that I know way too many silly kid songs.  So, while I sing my high-pitched, baby rendition of head, shoulders, knees and toes, he dances around with you and sings Dave Barnes songs.  You love car rides, walks at the park, and photo shoots with your mom.

Dislikes:  You do not like to be burped.  You never have.  When we first brought you home, you hated having your diaper changed, now you've learned it's not so bad.  We are still trying to figure out bath time, as of now, you aren't a fan.

Milestones: You have been a pretty good sleeper from the beginning.  (And no, I don't believe that just because I said it out loud means that I have jinxed myself...it is what it is...he may change, but I don't think he will mysteriously stop sleeping well just because I verbalized it.)  You started out with 2-3 hour stretches and are now up to 4-5 hours.  I'm very thankful for that, as your dad and I both love our sleep.  Let's keep it up!

You are up to eating 4.5 ounces every 3-4 hours...you've always been pretty regimented.  You put yourself on that schedule, but we didn't fight it.

You hold your head up very well.  You have from birth.  I didn't know it was a big deal, but everyone that holds you comments on how strong you are!  You are a wiggler that is for sure, always kicking, punching and lifting your head.

Firsts: You smiled for the first time when you were about 2 and a half weeks old.  I think it was a fluke, but by 4 weeks you were smiling like a pro.  We love that little smile and I was actually lucky enough to catch the very first one on camera!

You rolled over.  I know, it sounds crazy, but you did.  Not 100% onto your back, but when we lay you down for tummy time, after about 2 minutes you know exactly how to throw your head to the side so that you will roll over to your side, and then eventually wiggle to your back.  Got that one on video, too!

You went to your first wedding. Your grandpa Hay was married in May and you got dressed up in your polo and pretty much stole the show!

Fun Fact: You LOVE staring at yourself.  With the modern marvel that is the iPhone, I can put on a video of you at any point and you will just stare and smile at yourself.  You already know how cute you are!  We will worry about the implications of this later ;)

Love you buddy!