Jumping into Christmas

I wonder when exactly Max will understand what Christmas is all about. Right now, he understands that Christmas lights are really "purty" and punching the ornaments on the tree makes a great sound. I tried to tell him about Santa, but he just started repeating everything I said, which is a great indicator he has no idea what I'm talking about, but he'll humor me. I am actually grateful for this because he has no demands for gifts, and I'm fairly positive he'll go bonkers over the box of dinosaur bandaids I bought at the dollar store for his stocking.
On the other hand, I'm excited for my kids to be excited about Christmas. Both boys got to meet Santa at our ward party and both were less than impressed. All that waiting for a candy cane? You can't quite make out Max's expression, but he's furrowing his brow and glaring at Santa.Joey and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary today. I'm pretty sure Joey was demanding 4 years ago that we take a cruise on our 5th anniversary... yeah, that didn't happen. Instead he's working nights right now and I'm blogging. Normally, I'd be pretty upset we didn't get to go on a date, but things are a little different now. I'm just really glad he's got a few full nights of work this week. I've tried (not always successfully) to think of it positively. It really makes you get your priorities straight when every penny counts. I really think it's made us pull in tighter and appreciate more family time.
Luke had his 4 month checkup this week. He's 97th percentile for height and 75th for weight. I can't help being shocked at the difference between Luke and Max in size. I think it took Max about 9 months to reach Luke's 16.5 lbs. Luke has a healthy appetite and is all around a great baby. I am also happy to say the barfing has significantly decreased. Here's Luke in his jumper (thanks Aunt Sarah for letting us borrow it for a while). I didn't think he was old enough for a jumper, but he constantly tries to jump while standing on our laps. And the kid is a porker so our arms were dying! As you can see, he's a pro...I'm thinking future circus trapeze performer. Oh and if you're wondering why he's in the bathroom, it kept him occupied while I gave Max a bath.

I'm a big kid now!

I've been dreading taking Max out of his crib ever since it dawned on me that we'd need the crib for Luke. I put it off as long as possible, but after many nights of Luke getting his fat arms stuck in the slats of his all too small cradle, I knew it was time. I figured it wouldn't be too much of a shock to Max since he's so accustomed to climbing in and out of his crib. We finally got everything sanded and painted last night. Max was pretty eager to help set up the bed and immediately took the first jumps on it... too bad the mattress wasn't on the frame yet. He also threw a big fit when I made him get off to put on the sheets. Even with all his excitement, I thought he might make several trips out to the living room after being put to bed. I am happy to say he didn't make a peep all night! He even went down for a nap just now without a fight. I wish I could say the same for Luke, what a stinker!If I've learned anything about Max these past two years, he can't be pushed into anything. He wanted a big boy bed, so he went willingly. I'm sure if I had tried this a few months earlier, he would have fought me tooth and nail. That's not to say he didn't immediately climb into Luke's new crib and throw a fit about it being his bed too. I'll choose my battles.


Luke had a first this week also. He started cereal. I thought he'd be more excited about it than he was. Everyday at dinner he wants to be up at the table with us and smacks his lips as he watches us eat. I guess I forgot how disgusting rice cereal is. Why do they make everything for babies so nasty? Even the smell of formula is revolting.

So here is the before. Look how excited he is

During...Poor Guy!

And After. Guess it's not that bad after all.

Ow, my freakin' ears!

While watching "Destroyed in Seconds" with his father moments ago, Max exclaimed, "Oh crap!"

It's a fine moment in the Light house.

Playing catch up again

Seems like it's getting harder and harder to keep up with this blog. I can't believe Luke is almost 4 months old. He's getting so big! He's rolled over 3 times from his belly to his back. He can hold his head up like a champ, especially if he's watching TV. He also loves to sit up straight and refuses to lean back and relax. He's such a happy baby and loves to snuggle with his mommy. He also seems to be working on his bottom front teeth. He growls and gnaws on my knuckle like there's no tomorrow. Now if only we could get him to stop puking! Not only does he spit up like a bubbling volcano all day long, but he hates the car and cries to the point of puking... it makes trips real fun.
I forgot to post a picture of the boys' Halloween costumes. I made Max's costume from scratch (He's Max from Where the Wild Things Are, in case you live under a rock. And FYI he's Max from the book, not the movie). Whenever I do a sewing project, about half way through I ask myself, why did I want to do this? I broke my needle and being the resourceful rural woman that I am, I used hot glue to finish it. Joey's costume was a little impromtu tribute to life in Dayton. Oh, and Luke is a horse, not a cow... it was a common misconception during the trick or treating process.

Max went pee pee on the potty yesterday for the first time! He loves sitting on his potty, and makes lots of great grunting noises. He also says, "cool," with a sheepish grin everytime he toots on the potty, something he does not get from me. He still likes to climb anything he can get his hands on. He's also pretty big into his train. No one taught him to say, "All aboard!" like this, but I ask him to say it when I need a good laugh.

Foot pursuits and heating pads

So right now it's very quiet around the house. Max is at a friend's house and Luke is sleeping peacefully in his swing. You would think I would be enjoying this time, and I would if it weren't for the stabbing pain in my lower back. You see, it all started Monday morning around 11:00. About this time every morning, Sesame Street ends and so does Max's attention span. I quickly throw on his shoes and kick him out to the backyard to burn off energy. It took a while for me (and Max) to feel secure enough to send him out on his own. We had to clear and childproof the yard so he could have some freedom... backfire! I'm not sure how this qualifies as a milestone, but on Monday at 11:00am Max climbed over the 5 foot fence behind our house. As I went out to check on him, I caught him running across the ditch and onto the 3 foot fence that borders the busy road behind our house. I screamed at him to stop and I got a very nonchalant, "Okay, Mommy." from him. However, to Max, "Okay" just means, "that's nice whatever you just said, but I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing." I attempted to climb the fence (yes, I'm out of shape too) but quickly realized I would have to climb back over it with an unwilling toddler. So I quickly ran to the garage, hopped in my car, and squealed out of the driveway and around the corner just in time to see him get over the fence and start to run toward the road, all the while my baby is laying on the floor screaming in the living room. The kid is C-R-A-Z-Y! I really don't know what to do to contain him. I thought our yard was big enough, but apparently not for this free spirit.
My back has been a little wacky ever since lugging Luke the Puke around. I think the stress of pulling my toddler off the fence, acerbated it. It was a little throbby that evening, but then yesterday morning I attempted to get up quickly off the floor to answer the phone and SNAP! I looked just like an old person in the cartoons that walks around bent over at the waist. It was a little alarming to find I was unable to get up... then Max jumped on my back. Awesome. My wonderful friends took my children and I made an adventure-filled trip to the Chiropractor. Anyone else have their chiropractor check their facebook page while working on you or make small talk about how they're filing bankruptcy? I don't think I'll be making a return trip to him anytime soon. In the mean time, I'm walking around with heating pads and ice packs tucked in my waistband trying so hard not to make any sudden movements or heaven forbid, sneeze.

Monkey Max is Two!

Most days I find myself trying to calculate exactly how many days I have until Max enters kindergarten. Nursery has given me a taste of what school could be like... hours of quiet!!
Today is different, I'm feeling a little nostalgic.

Two years ago today I was pretty sure this baby was not going to come out. Max's dramatic entrance should have tipped me off that we were headed for trouble. The moment the doctor announced he was, in fact, a boy, he peed on me. From birth, he has had a mind of his own. He has to do things his own way, in his own time... not that I know anything about that. I never would have guessed that the same person who woke up every 45 minutes for the first two months of his life, peed through every piece of clothing, and refused to take a bottle would turn out to be one of my favorite people. These past two years have flown by, and I can't help missing my fuzzy headed little monkey baby who could only sleep snuggled up on my chest.

Happy Birthday, Monkey!

Randomness

So I wish I could post pictures from Luke's baby blessing but alas, pregnancy left me with crap for brains. We didn't take a single picture the entire day. Just another thing for Luke to present to his therapist in the future. Thanks to all the family that came to support us that weekend.
Here are some random pictures instead.

Turns out Luke is scared of the camera. I took many pictures, with and without the flash, but every time I got this wide eyed look out of him. He is really getting cute. He loves to smile and show off his dimple. He coos and squawks a lot. Best of all, he sleeps! We are up to 6 hours consistently at night. I'm sure lots of babies out there do it better, but in this house, that's a record. We tried formula the other night out of curiosity and Mr. Piggy didn't even flinch. Luke is already wearing 3 month clothing (which Max was wearing at 6 months). I'm picturing him sitting on Max as soon as he can catch him.


I had a milestone of my own. I made a trip to Michaels with two kids, bought everything I wanted (at half off, no less), came home without a tantrum, and decorated with what I bought. Ok, it's not the grandest floral arrangement, but I love looking at it because I was able to do it with both boys. It's proof that I can do this mom thing!


We're still working on projects around the house. Joey worked on the spa this weekend, working out the kinks so we can sell it finally. He tried to convince me we should keep it, but I'd rather have the money. Here is Max doing his part.


Lastly, here's a picture of Max, back from camping over night with his daddy. It's amazing how less than 24 hours can produce that much dirt. He says his own prayers at night now. His favorite phrase right now is, "Thanks...that's nice!" I guess he's trying positive reinforcement on us. He also has discovered his love of bubble bath. Randomly throughout the day he'll smile and tell me, "I got bub-bows." Whatever gets him through the day, I guess.