Jonah's 8th Birthday Party

You'd think that a Minecraft birthday would be easy to throw, as far as store-bought decor goes.  Nope.  The stores didn't have anything, so I had to make everything.  Luckily, I did find some printable that helped out.  I like having themed parties for my kids, if that's what they want, but I do not like spending too much time on them.  Somehow, I did it again this year; spent a lot of time prepping for the party.  For some reason, Jonah has had all the themed parties in our family.  I think I tend to go the extra mile (according to my lack of party-throwing-ambition-standards) for Jonah, because he gets really excited about details.  Anyway, he was one happy boy, so it was worth all the mountains of laundry that got neglected that week. 

The only picture I got of what I made for inside of the goody bags...all Minecraft candy of course, "Diamonds," "Gold," "TNT," and "Melons."

This ham

Cooper likes to stand by as I take Max's monthly photos, and likes when I take his picture too.  I snapped these ones of this little ham this month.  We got a little cheesy on the poses, but it makes it fun.  I love him so much!

Max- Three Months

Life with Max just gets better and better.  We adore him!

This past month:
*developed a little dislike for baths.
*size 2 diapers
*lost a lot of hair this month
*sits up in his bumbo chair and tries to grab toys
*sucks on his hands a lot
*giggles and coos a lot more
*still a mama's boy, but getting used to Daddy and loves when Daddy lifts him in the air and brings him back down while Daddy makes funny faces and noises- it makes Max smile and giggle.
*he is getting more used to Cooper and all his smothering.
*loves to hold mommy's hands while falling asleep and sleeping.
*co-sleeps in our bed at night.  I love it!!
*nap time he sleeps in his rock and play bassinet or the swing.
*while lying down, he can lift his head a couple of inches.
*a happy baby!

Cherished Mornings

My little boys.  I have two big boys, and two little boys.  Cooper is becoming more and more of a big boy, but for now, I still consider him one of my little boys.  I snapped these pictures one morning in February.  Max is exactly 3 months old here, and Cooper 4 years.  I cherish the time I have at home with my little ones, while the big boys are at school and Rich is at work.  It's quiet, we snuggle, we have time to just enjoy each other.  Not that we don't love having everyone else home too, but it's always nice to have a little more quality time with people.  Although I wake up each day feeling like I'd like to sleep for three days straight (because of night feedings with Max), I still consider waking up to these two one of the highlights of my day.  Cooper comes in with his bed hair and smiles.  He is always so anxious to come in and give Max and I kisses and hugs.  He smothers that baby!  Max loves him right back.  Sometimes we spend a good 40 minutes just hanging out on my bed snuggling and playing.  I know the time is going to come too quickly when Cooper is off on the bus and my time with him is more limited.  Not looking forward to that.  And this time with a little baby at home, oh, it's amazing.  Nothing like having a baby around.  I felt this same way when Julien and Jonah were little.  I think I'm a sucker for these ages.  They simply melt me, and I LOVE this time to train, and love, and just let them be little.  I also love watching the bond between these two develop.  Cooper is AMAZING with Max!  He is very instinctive about how to care for Max.  And 4 year olds are great helpers too.  I could go on and on.  I think these photos captured the love I get to witness and feel each day.  I love being their mommy.  No place I'd rather be.  

 

Max- Two Months

I was so excited to do Max's two month photo shoot after last month's turned out so cute.  It is fun to see how much he has changed in one month.  I can hardly wait to see the progress over a whole year...although, no rush, Baby Boy!  This session, Max was swinging his arms all over the place and trying to suck on his fists; he discovered his hands, so it was a little trickier getting a still shot.  I may have taken 242 pics...okay, yes I did.  And the problem was there were SO many cute ones!  So, I have no choice but to post a bunch.  

Cooper jumped in there, and I'm so glad he did!  How precious are these of the two of them?!

These sweet little head shots will get harder each month, I'm sure, as he will soon be too big to lie on the chair like that.  I may still take pics like that even when he is too big, just for kicks.;)

What a sport!  He was pretty sleepy that day, and by the end, he just crashed.  I adore him.  Period.

Each month I want to report little facts about him.  The only way I am able to remember all of these things (since I am always behind on my blog), is by taking notes on my iPhone throughout the month. 

Thank goodness for that!

Max-2 months:

*He flirts big time!  Always cooing, smiling, and giggles have started.

*I have had mastitis 3 times since he was born, but nursing is overall going pretty well.

*He is holding his head up better.

*He mostly wants Mommy and isn't easily soothed by anyone else yet.  

*He get smothered by his brothers constantly.

*He got cradle cap right before this photo shoot.  I learned the next day how to get rid of it.  (I never knew that with the other kids and they had it for weeks).

*He is sleeping better at night.  He is waking up for 3 feedings per night (about 45-60 min each time).

*He still loves the sound of the blender and vacuum and it will make him stop crying and calm him down.

*Since 5 weeks old, he has been taking a binkie.  I resisted for the first while to establish nursing, and to decrease the risk of thrush, but the time came where his need to suck was so often and I was too sore.  So binkie entered the picture and it's been so helpful.  

*He still loves taking baths and loves getting his diaper changed.  

Life is getting easier as we are getting a little more sleep and establishing more of a routine.  Time can slow down now!  Love love love this angel.

Christmas 2013

Christmas was crazy this year, for me, at least.  I was still getting use to my little newborn and unable to do my traditional baking, and I lacked major energy this year.  It was tough to get the shopping done, but somehow I did.  Rich did a little shopping too.  But regardless, Christmas was still magical and special and the kids felt loved.

The boys sporting their new p.j.s and showing off their new ornaments.

Max in his new Christmas jammies killed me.  Look at this precious angel!!

It was extra special this year to have a new member of our family to celebrate Christmas with.

This year we got them slippers too.  They loved that.

Christmas morning was great, but I only took a few pics and they weren't that exciting..whoops.  We opened gifts bright and early, and had a great breakfast.  Then we got ready and headed over to Rich's Mom's house for an early dinner.  It was a good Christmas!

Cooper's 4th Birthday

My Christmas baby turned 4!  I can hardly believe it!  Cooper has been such an amazing blessing in our family.  He is so precious.  I love spending every day with him.  He is fun, funny, affectionate, talkative, snugly, smart, and so sweet.  He loves to follow rules and especially loves to make sure others follow the rules too, especially his brothers.  Rich calls him the family policeman.  He is innocent and cheerful.  I love watching him play and use his imagination.  His puppy dog eyes and little looks he gives me get me every.single.time.!  He loves his baby brother, Max.  He simply adores him. Every chance he gets, he is in his face, smothering him.  I think it overwhelms Max sometimes, but I think over time, he will learn to adore Cooper right back.  As expected, he has changed a bit lately, as he is no longer the baby of the family.  He tests us more and is a little more sensitive and rebellious, but for the most part, still pretty obedient most of the time.  We could not imagine our family with our precious Cooper.  He melts our hearts and brings us smiles continuously.  I am so glad I get to be his mommy.  He has been such a joy.

For his birthday this year, we kept it simple.  His birthday is the day before Christmas Eve.  It is always so busy but we still took time to celebrate this little cutie.  I'm trying to get away with not throwing a friend party until he is a little older.  Next year he will probably ask for one, and that's okay, but I like to put that off as long as I can to keep things simple and the cost down.  This year we went out to dinner at The Habit.  We invited grandma and grandpa Good, and great-grandpa Wilken.  It was yummy and fun.  We then went back home and had presents waiting for him to open.  He was pretty excited about that.  He got a bunch of art supplies and some Lego's.

Can you tell he was excited?!  

Some things Cooper is into at age 4:

*coloring
*crafts
*play dough
*all things Disney Jr.
*Power Rangers
*the Wii
*baseball
*golf
*soccer
*computer games
*snacking all day
*helping mommy with laundry and baking
*reading with mom and dad
*puzzles
*playing with neighbors
*talking my hear off;)

Holy Cow, we love this kid!

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y  C O O P E R   L O V E!!