4th of July

We made it to Gin's (my cousin's) lake house for the 4th.  Ellie had the absolute BEST time.  She was in heaven with all the attention from Aunt Reenie and Uncle Carty, along with Gin and Janet--she loved swimming in the lake--and she loved all the food and sweet tea that she could consume.

 Ellie and Uncle Carty--who is more like a granddaddy than an uncle.  They have a sweet relationship and they do love each other so.

 Josh stayed out in the lake with Ellie for a good 2+ hours.  Better him than me...I am a pool girl myself.  I couldn't believe that she loved the lake water as much as she did.

 It was a hot day but the best breeze was blowing off the water--Thomas had a great nap in his car seat and I enjoyed catching up with family.

 She loved jumping on the Zoom...and she tried her hand on the kayak!

One of our very favorite summer traditions!  

Pony Party

Ellie was invited to Ruthie's pony party a couple of weeks ago--she was SO excited about going and she talked about it for days and days beforehand.

 She isn't tall enough to ride the ponies at the zoo when she goes with Grammy so this was her first opportunity to ride.  Josh and I thought for sure she was going to be scared but she hopped right up and rode like she had been doing it all 3 years of her little life.

 I'm fairly certain she would fit right in on a farm--she loves outdoor living and all things animals!

 Ride em, Cowgirl!

Life with Two

We are slowly getting the hang of having two.  I no longer have a panic attack at the thought of being alone with both of them, I can be brave and venture out (and survive) with both of them, and we are finally settling into a routine where I can handle Thomas' feeding schedule with Ellie's social agenda (because good gracious, does she have one at the early age of 3!).

 So far, Thomas just rolls with the punches and goes along with wherever we drag him.  Hoping the sweet, laid back demeanor continues.

 Ellie is going to school two days a week from 9-12.  Unfortunately I feel like by the time I drop her off, it's time to pick her up but we're going to let her try napping at school a couple of days during the month of July as she will be doing that when she starts EE3 in the fall--that will give us a couple more hours at home with Thomas.  I know it's important to spend time individually with both of them and Josh and I both are trying to make that happen weekly.

 Ellie wanted to eat lunch outside on her new picnic table--I stripped her down and she was in heaven.  The back deck is one of her favorite places to be these days--she has a new sensory stand where she is currently making "flower soup", her plastic swimming pool, the picnic table and of course her sandbox.  

 She spent two weeks this summer in Columbia taking swimming lessons.  She was absolutely terrified of the water and would be a stage 5 clinger whenever we went to the pool or the water park--making it less than enjoyable for all involved.  We really just wanted her comfortable in the water and allowing us to get her face wet without her freaking out.

She had her first week with Coach Brooke--she literally dunked her the entire week.  Over and over and over.  I think she swallowed an entire pool by the time the week was over.

The second week she had Coach Grayson and because she had learned how to blow out when she was under water, she was able to start practicing actually swimming.  I will have to post a video of her swimming the short width of the pool by herself--I could not believe the progress that she made in 8 lessons.  Our plan is for her to do two more weeks next summer and hopefully we will have a swimmer!

This summer has been pretty laid back, as I knew it would be with a new baby.  We've spent a lot of time at home--hope to have a couple more field trips before school starts back in August!

Thomas is two months!

Our Tom Tom is TWO months old!  He is seriously the happiest little babe in the world--I am so thankful for an easy going baby who gives the best smiles and rarely cries.

 We are going to see Dr Dobson in a couple of weeks for your two month appointment (he'll actually be closer to 3 months than 2...Dr Dobson's a hard man to get in with these days!).  I'll update his stats then but I'm guessing he's about 11 or so pounds.  He's just steadily growing as the weeks go by and his look has changed so much in two months!

 He has excellent head control and doesn't mind tummy time one bit.  He prefers to be "sitting up" in our laps when we hold him and will often push with his legs and stand straight up.  He is extremely strong and I have a feeling that gross motor will be a strength for him.

Thomas is smiling up a storm, laughing some, focusing well with his eyes as well as tracking.  He is also cooing and "talking" to me when I talk to him.  He loves to lay on his play mat and reach and grab for the dangly toys.

 Thomas is wearing:

Clothes: 3 months (and can fit in 6 month onesies!!)

Diapers: size 2

I am NOT used to a baby who grows so quickly!  I have already packed up most of his newborn clothes (with the exception of his Kissy gowns).  

 Sleep at night is fairly inconsistent, even though we are on a somewhat rigid schedule with him.  He continues to only wake up once to eat--we just don't really know when.  Sometimes it's 2:30, sometimes it's 3:30...last night it was 6!!  We never really know what to expect from night to night.

He takes naps well--likes to be in his crib, loves to be swaddles and is very dependent on his white noise.  He also is sleeping well in his car seat when we're in the car.  Praise the LORD.  I really do pray it continues.  Ellie was a horrible car rider and life was not pleasant for 2.5 years when we were in the car.  

 He eats every 2.5-3 hours.  If he takes a bottle, he typically will take 4-5 oz.  He REALLY loves to eat and doesn't miss a chance to do it!  He is continuing to nurse really great as well and doesn't seem to mind switching back and forth from nursing to bottles.

He gets nightly baths--Josh bathes him most nights and he enjoys them as long as he's not overly hungry or cold!

He can take or leave the paci.  Sometimes he wants it, other times he spits it straight out as soon as it's in his mouth.  He does like to suck it when he's falling asleep.

I'm continuing life with the dairy and soy free diet.  It's gotten easier as I have gotten used to it.  We don't eat out as frequently (which is probably a good thing).  His issues have seem to be resolved--we still see frequent hiccups if we don't burp him really well.

 Ellie continues to be OBSESSED with him.  She takes her job of putting his paci in when he's crying VERY seriously.  She is actually a really big help to me, with the exception of being too loud when he's sleeping.  She brings me diapers and wipes, my pump, and just about anything else I need her to fetch.  

We love you, sweet baby boy!