BathTime.PlayTime.FunTime

These are a few snapshots I've taken over the past few days...

Ethan still loves his baths.  His new favorite game is filling an empty bubble bottle with water and then squeezing it to make a water fountain.  Such a funny kid!

I have to say, I'm pretty proud of this one.  I walked in his room to see what he was doing, and this is what I found.  He loves for us to read him Bible stories.  His favorites are the 10 Plagues (or 8 Plagues, as he says), The Boy King, Josiah (I think he knows it's not his cousin) and The Big Fish (Jonah). 

We've been doing more (Dr. ordered) tummy time and upright time.  After her 4 month visit the Dr. was slightly concerned about positional plagiocephaly (flat head).  He thinks it's mild, but told me to make awake time, tummy time.  She loves to lay on her back...so this is not easy to be 100% compliant with.  We're trying. 
Sometimes she's happy...

 But it usually turns into this...

 The bumbo seat is also acceptable since she isn't on her head.  She likes it...sort of.  It's better if she has something to gnaw on.  Teething stinks!  I'm hoping those suckers pop through soon. 

Last, but certainly not least, we have spent a little time outside.  It was super windy, but enjoyed by us all. 

Nora's first time in the carrier and she liked it!  I did too, even if I did have to walk backwards for a while so the wind wasn't in her face.

This is all he wants to do when we go outside...Golf! 

Nice form!

4 Month Stats

Nora Diane at 4 months:

15 lbs 5 oz (90%), 26 in (97%)

4 Months

Nora is 4 months old today! She is a huge blessing to our family and such a good baby. Even when she's sick like she is today. :(
A few things about Nora at the 4 month mark...

• She is smiling all the time, laughing, cooing and loves to 'talk' to us. And she loves to be talked to.
• She is trying to roll over, but just can't quite make it.
• She's getting better at grabbing toys and making it to her mouth with them.
• It seems like she really wants to sit up. If I put her in her bouncy seat, she will sometimes use her abs and try to sit up. So, we have been giving the bumbo seat a try.
• She has started sitting in her highchair during our meals and seems to enjoy being up at the table with us.
• Still eating and sleeping great. She eats every 3-4 hours during the day and still sleeps from about 9pm-7am (sometimes longer). She has a morning nap, after lunch nap and sometimes a late afternoon or just before bedtime nap.

Happy 4 Months Baby Girl!! We Love You!

Wearing her new hat that Jared's Aunt Sharon made and sent her

Still smiles, even when she's not feeling well

4 Months goes by fast!

Ethan and Nora

 She has her 4 month checkup tomorrow afternoon, so I'll post her official stats then.

Party Hardy!

We spent this past weekend in Salem celebrating lots of birthdays!  February seems to be a busy one for our family.  Finley (my cousin's daughter) turned 4 on the 12th, my nephew Josiah turned 4 and Caleb (another cousin's son) turned 2 a week later and one more week later, Callum (yet, another cousin's son) also turned 2.  Confused yet?  Anyway, lots of birthdays, not to mention the adults with February days!  It's always crazy and fun when we all get together with the little ones. 

Saturday we celebrated with Caleb at his house.  His party was camo/Army themed, complete with an Army truck in the front yard!

Camo Caleb and Timm

He was loving being the center of attention!

Uncle Mike taking Paige, Jim, Josiah, Ethan and Jared for an Army truck ride

Sunday afternoon we had a combined party for Josiah and Finely.  This party was a Batman/Tangled themed.

Birthday Boy Josiah

Josiah, Shannon and Paige opening presents

Finley opening her presents

Paige modeling the Rapunzel hair that Kacey made for the girls

Some of the kids at the growing kids table

Ethan, enjoying his ice cream

The weekend was fun and tiring.  Here are some random pictures from the rest of the weekend!

Nora and I at Caleb's party

Lego fun with Ethan, Jim and Josiah

Nora and Katie...Best Friends!

Nora (almost 4 months), Katie (6 months)

White Valentine's Day!

What a beautiful day!  I woke up to Ethan saying, "Come see what's outside!"  He was so excited about the snow.  He hasn't gotten to play in the snow this year, so we bundled up and headed out for a while.  But not until after he got his Valentine's Day goodies.  He picked his singing, pop-up, Spiderman card at the store and I bought it without him knowing, so he was very excited when he opened it!

Candy and fruit punch for breakfast is okay, right?!?

Nora is all smiles, as usual!

Happy Valentine's Day from Nora!

Some Valentine fun in the snow...

His 1st Snowman!

Our 2 Little Valentines!

She wasn't too sure about 'playing' in the snow.



Jared and I are celebrating our 12th Valentine's Day together!  TWELVE!  That's crazy.  It was 12 years ago on Sunday that he first asked me out on a date and I, of course, said yes.  And then 4 years after that, he asked me to marry him (which, again, YES was the answer!)  Happy Valentine's Day/Anniversary Jared!  Here's to many many more!!  Love you lots!

Week In Photos

Not too much happening around here this past week.  We've had some pretty rocking dance parties in the kitchen...

Nora had her fisrt bottle... (I've got Mom's night out planned for this Saturnday!  So we thought we should try a bottle before then.)

She chugged it!

Nora enjoyed some time in the bumbo and tried to roll over...

Is It Really The End of January?!?

The weather has been very warm for this time of year, around these parts.  So, yesterday and today we decided to take advantage of the spring-like temps and outside we went.  Yesterday, we just went to the backyard for some baseball and exploring fun.  Today, we went to the park.  It was super windy, so we didn't stay long (and it was naptime).  Ethan hasn't forgotten how much he loves to play outside!

Playing under the treehouse

Just exploring the backyard...and being cute!

Ringing the bell

At the park

Just saying 'HI!'

Nora prefers her playtime to be indoors...not that I blame her :).

She's getting better at this tummy time thing!

 We also had some visitors over the weekend.  My dad had a meeting in Champaign on Friday morning, so he stopped by on his way home.  He stayed the afternoon and for dinner.  It was a good time, as Ethan always loves his Pop time!

This was just after Ethan got up from nap.  He was still in cuddle-mode.

And on Sunday, Grandma Karen and Grandpa came up.  I didn't take a single picture, but we had a great time.  Not that Ethan doesn't love his Grandma's...but he sure has a special bond with the Grandpa's!  He and Mark played & played and laughed & laughed!