Brothers

I finally captured the boys playing with each other.  Jake knows Caleb is there but rarely interacts with him.  I'm glad I got it even though Caleb looks completely fed up with Jake's antics.

Making a mess less messy

Over the weekend we finally went through all of our boxes and bins left over from when we moved.  All these bins are filled with crap and things we didn't need right away.  I have been asking Dan since the weather became nice to help me but something always came up.

Here is the starting pile.  A gigantic mess and jumble.  Everything that I have been missing or needed was in the bottom bins.  We hauled everything outside and went through and got rid of stuff we no longer need.  The boys were hanging out and causing mischief, so we set up a table, a chair, paper and colored pencils to distract Jake.  It didn't work.

It was quite the operation and took us all day to finish.  We did have to take a break to feed Caleb and tend to a cut that Jake got on his hand.  

We found a bin full of personal items from Dans childhood.  He had lots of weird toys and pictures that were pretty funny to look at.  He had a story for everything, I think he was reminiscing about his youth. I think most of the bins we had were full of Dans's stuff, lots of Legos and Nerf guns.  Yes, I am aware, my husband is a giant child!

Now all the bins are organized, labeled, and stacked neatly.  It's been driving me mad every time I walk into the barn seeing that mess.  Next time we move, we will be more organized.

Silence

It is oddly quiet in my house right now.  Both boys are in their room sleeping and Lily and I are in the livingroom relaxing.  Usually the boys are on opposite schedules, so when one is awake the other is asleep.  But miracle of miracles, they ended up needing a nap at the same time.  It very strange to sit here in the quite.  There are no little boy noises, no appliances running, t.v. is off, no one outside, it's like the world stopped and I'm the only one still moving.

I could get off my butt and do laundry or pick up the house or do the 100 million other jobs that need to be done, but I think I will sit here with my book and enjoy this time to myself.  I better take advantage of it because this might not happen again!

Food

At Calebs 4 month appointment we got the okay to start solids.  This was a couple of weeks ago and we decided there was no rush.  We started Jake on solids as soon as we could and it didn't go so well.  I didn't want to have a repeat experience.  Plus I don't have my steamer/blender yet (I broke the old one because I used it so much).  

When I went grocery shopping this weekend I picked up some avacados just to see if Cal was close.  I mushed 1 up and gave him a couple of bites.  He did very well! He opened his mouth for the spoon, swirled the food around and got a good taste.  

I wonder if Caleb will be a great eater also.  It's been awesome to watch Jake try anything we give him.  Getting kids to eat a wide and healthy variety of food is so challenging and stressful and I don't want to go through that.  I plan on making all of Cal's food and my hope is that he will take to it just like his big brother.

Saturday happenings

On Saturday we made plans to spend time with Ben and Allison.  We wanted to take Jake to the playground then go out to eat.  Naturally my plans never happen as I expect.  Jake and I met Allison at my parents house and we were suppose to leave for the park, but my parents bought Jake and Caleb a climber so we had to play on it.

He had so much fun!  I am very thankful that my parents thought of my boys and gave them something they could use.  He played on the climber for over 45 minutes and I finally pulled him off so we could leave.  Since he already got his exercise and was worn out, Allison and I decided to browse around Walmart.  

After Walmart we stopped and got some ice cream and came back to my house.  Ben picked up the pizza we ordered and we watched Planet Earth while eating.  

As soon as the episode was over they went home. Everyone was pretty tired so I don't blame them one bit.  We had a great time and love hanging out with them!

Rock hunt

Jake has a new obsession.  He loves to find all the rocks in the yard, carry them around and collect them.  I remember doing the same thing when I was younger. Like mother, like son!

After he collects them, he throws them in the sand box, then takes them to the pool.  Sometimes he just likes to sit down and blow on them, I think he's trying to get the dirt off.

He's a pretty strange child, but if this keeps him busy and entertained who am I to tell him no?

Shout out

Thanks so much to Aunt Beth and Uncle Ben!!!!!!  After we got home from running errands there was a package waiting for us......

Inside was a box of diapers of each boy!

How generous and thoughtful of them to buy not one, but 2 boxes of diapers!  It is astounding how quickly diapers rack up our grocery bill, so this will help us out tremendously. As an added bonus, the box was so big that Jake can play in it!

This face says it all, don't you think?

Thank you so much.  Dan and I cannot express how much we appreciate it.  Can't wait to see you guys in less than a month!!!!

Summertime slump

I don't know what my problem is, but I am constantly angry and fed up at the world.  It could be the diet and exercise,(lack of sugar and walking everyday, it could be that I am stuck at home EVERY SINGLE DAY and never have a moment to myself, or it could be due to all the family problems Dan and I are having.  Your guess is as good as mine.

The weather has been gorgeous.  Cool in the mornings and warm in the evenings, perfect summer weather and I don't want anything to do with it. We play outside about 5 minutes and then come and watch tv.  I feel guilty for not taking advantage of the beautiful weather and teaching my son to watch tv instead of playing, but I can't summon the energy to do anything about it.

Watching endless TV 

Jake has hit the terrible twos.  He refuses to take naps and then is a crying mess for the rest of the day.  He is obsessed with TV.  He finds the remotes, iPads or phones and hides in the bedroom watching his shows.  He finds pens and the colors on every surface. He also throws fits and screams his head off when he doesn't get his way.

Pen on the blanket and wall

Throwing a fit because I wouldn't let him eat Legos

Caleb, my wonderful guy, is the only light in my darkness.  I love sitting with him and and making him laugh or listening to him babble.  It's amazing how happy he makes me.

Our fridge broke and we had to last 5 days of eating out of a cooler until the new fridge was delivered. We had to pitch all the food that wouldn't fit into the cooler and go to the store every night to get something for dinner.  Our cupboards were very bare and I was starving.

I think I need a vacation.  Time away from everything and everyone.  I need to recharge and reset and get happy.  But, alas, that won't happen;this is the life of a mother.

4 months!

This boy is always so happy. He is a smiley laughing machine.  All you have to do is look at him and he gives you a 100 watt smile.  

He is a great baby.  Sleeping at least 10 hours a night, almost rolling over, sitting up with little help and ever so happy.  He loves his monster blanket and cuddles with it.  He is a drooling mess and puts everything in his mouth.  

Every mother says that time is going by so quickly, but I feel that is perfect.  I am a not a fan of the infant stage and can't wait for him to be older, but Caleb makes it easy for me to love this stage. I love his smile and is by far the cutest best looking babe (but I'm a lot bias!)