18 Months & 6 Months (and everything in between)

Ok, apparently I've been slacking.  We obviously surpassed January (oops), so onto February! 

 Nathan is 18 months old!  Aaron is 6 months old!  Aaron had his 6 month check up last week.  He weighs 18.3 lbs, and is 28 1/2 inches long!  He is in the 99% for height, and weight for height is about 20%.  Aaron is wearing 9 month clothing because he is so long!  He has just started sitting still semi-propped, and started eating baby food last month.  I am once again making it!  He loves everything to date (oatmeal, bananas, sweet potatoes, avacado, zucchini, and apples).  Aaron is so ticklish!  I love to hear him laugh and recently babble. Today he scooted his knees up under him while on his belly, so it won't be long before he is mobile!   He loves watching his big brother play and smiles when he is close.  

Nathan will have his 18 month check up next week and I am looking forward to seeing how he is growing!  He is trying to say more and more words.  This week it is ball ("baaa").  He loves to stomp and is getting good at throwing the ball.  He loves to collect rocks outside, and he is very good at putting things back where they belong.  Nathan had his first hair cut in a salon in January, and did fairly well.  He still had his curls even after the cut - YAY!!  We have started introducing him to the potty, and though we haven't had any "success", he still sits on it for a little while most days.  

There have been so many other things that have happened with my sweet boys, but they grow so quickly and I'm so bad at writing things down . . . 

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Christmas, 17 months & 5 months

Aaron's First Christmas & Nathan's first FUN Christmas :).  We traveled to my parents on Christmas Eve and were able to stay a few nights.  It was so great to spend time with family.  We opened gifts (from Santa) and family there in the morning and then traveled up to my grandparents house for lunch.  It was so fun to watch Nathan actually enjoy his presents.  We were all spoiled immensely, but the greatest gift was to be with those we love ~ celebrating the Greatest Gift of Love ever given!

 The boys continue getting cuter and cuter!  Be still my heart - I am so in love with them!

Nathan is doing more animal sounds, today he did a cow noise (moo), and he does a duck (wack, wack), a chicken (uck, uck).  Over Christmas he said "Gramps" (sounded more like mmps), but was so stinkin' cute!  Today he also started doing the motions to Itsy Bitsy Spider, which took me by surprise because he's never done them before.  I had the biggest smile on my face!  He likes to do Ring Around the Rosie, and walk on his tip toes.  Nathan loves to be chased (and caught).  He loves to "help" too.  For instance, today Aaron was sucking/chewing on my finger, (which apparently Nathan didn't like) so Nathan took my finger out of his mouth and brought him a paci and put it in his mouth.  I am blown away by how much he knows.  Constantly studying, learning.  And he definitely knows what he wants and doesn't want.  He's a smart one!

Aaron is getting better at rolling over and being on his stomach.  He loves to grab things (including my hair) and gives such sweet kisses.  His eyelashes are getting darker and longer, and I noticed today that his eyebrows still have a little red in them.  He sleeps 12-13 hours at night and we are so blessed!  When he cries (which isn't very often) his bottom lip sticks out and he gets these big crocodile tears.  I tear up every time he cries . . . I wonder if that will ever stop?

Growing

Seems like just yesterday I posted about Thanksgiving . . . & now we are 1/2 way through December!  It's been a rough couple of months for me.  Being so far away from family & friends has taken its toll.  My poor husband has gotten the brunt of it, and he's heard me say "I'm sorry" far too many times!  This Christmas Season, though I still have my days, has reminded me of Love, of Light.  I am constantly being reminded of His Truths - in fact one night (not too long ago) I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, the lies trying to take me down, the fear, the worry . . . and I was lead to pray "Remind of Your Truths".  So for 5+ minutes I was reminded - "I will never leave you, nor forsake you", "you are made in My image", "I am the Light of the World", "Cast your cares on Me", "you are loved".  And I cried, but my cup was filled and hope restored.  Why am I saying this?  I am so good at hiding.  Maybe that's why, to keep Light in my darkest places.  Light, Hope, Love.

  I am still growing.

My boys are growing too.  Too fast.  Aaron rolled over last Tuesday, the 9th.  From his back to tummy.  And now he rolls over all the time from back to tummy and tummy to back.  We can no longer leave him on the furniture for a quick second :).   Nathan today said "bra".  :)   We have introduced him to puzzles.  He's not quite there yet, but he tries.  My babies growing into little boys.  Something that we want to happen, something that needs to happen, but it happens so fast.  Growing - a wonderful blessing - for all of us!

Since we live in the desert, no where close to chop down a tree, we purchased a fake one! The best part was of course the BOX! - and that look - one of many that make me smile :)

Clapping for daddy as he put the tree together

 Standing on the BOX

  

 He rolled over!!  Yay Aaron!!

Nathan loves to give Aaron kisses!

we made clay ornaments - they look a lot bigger here!

 And Happy Hanukkah! 

the coolest part of tonight as I went to blow the candles out (cause I was terrified of burning the house down) was that one had already burned out, so I waited/watched the shammus, which was lit first to light the first candle, still glowing but really had nothing left to burn - I watched it light and go down and re-light several times.  I must have watched it for 5 minutes until it finally went out - but I was so wonderfully reminded (again & again) how God sent His Son to be the Light of the World, how He continues to show us His miracles, His Love, His Hope!  

November - in review

November seems to have gotten away from me . . . since it's now December. I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner.

My parents came to visit over Veteran's Day weekend and it was wonderful!  I wish we lived closer.  They are such amazing people - parents & grandparents!  We are so blessed!  

Carl had a birthday that we had fun celebrating!  Nathan decorated daddy's package (because mommy ran out of wrapping paper), but he had fun sitting on, standing on and pushing it around!

We now have a 16 month old & a 4 month old.  Seriously, where has the time gone?  It takes everything in me to remember to relish the days because they go by so quickly.  Have I mentioned lately that I am one blessed mama?  These two boys of mine bring me so much joy, and I am so thankful that I get to call them mine!

  Nathan - 16 months!  He is into everything.  Testing the boundaries.  Singing & dancing & clapping.  He loves to stack - anything. . . blocks, legos, cars on top of cars.  He stands on one of his riding cars with great balance.  He recently took up mopping the floors :).  He loves to hold his brother and is constantly asking "this?" as he points to everything in the rooms.  He gives the best hugs and kisses.  Nathan loves to facetime with Yaya (& Gramps).  His favorite tv show is "The Chica Show".  This week he did the motions and sounds to an elephant and the sound of a lion as we were reading "Goodnight Gorilla".  He copied Gramps and said "kick" clear as day (of course we haven't heard it since).  He clicks my fingernails with his when he is having a bottle, and I love it!  He is still growing like a weed and is still a big eater (especially meat).  

His 15 month check up stats:

weight:  24.4 lbs

height:  32.75 inches

Thanksgiving was lovely.  We were able to see both my parents and Carl's parents.  We stayed with Carl's parents and Thanksgiving there with lots of family!  It was a beautiful time and I am grateful that we were able to spend that time with them. We celebrated Auntie Shells birthday and saw the chickens and the turning trees.  At Yaya & Gramps Nathan played the piano for the first time and spent a little time with cousins and Auntie.  It was short but wonderful! We are looking forward to spending more time with all of them soon!

  Aaron - 4 months! A year ago today we found out we were pregnant with him!  My sweet, easy going baby!  Sleeping through the night (12ish hours).  He is cooing more and more everyday.  He has the biggest smile and smiles with his eyes as well.  Sometimes I am so overwhelmed with joy, I cry.  Aaron loves to sit up in your lap and has started wanting to stand as well.  He isn't great on his tummy (which is my fault, I'm lucky if I remember once a week to do tummy time with him.  He loves to grab toys in front of him and is getting pretty good at putting his thumb in his mouth (it doesn't stay there long, but he finds it :)  )  Aaron holds my fingers while he gets his bottle and I cherish these moments.  

His 4 month check up stats:

weight: 15.6 lbs

height: 26.5 inches

head: 16 1/4 inches

Aaron is 2 inches taller and a pound heavier than Nathan was a 4 months.  I just today put him in 6 month clothing - and he's not swimming in them!