Spring Break Visitors

Last week was my niece, Kayleigh's, spring break. Looking for something to do, my sister brought her and Brian for a visit. It's the first time they have been able to come since Alex was born. I know Kayleigh was worried that Alex would be too big to want to be held. She loves babies! Brian even wanted to hold Alex, though neither of them wanted to do it for very long.

We decided to meet at the zoo. With my new zoo pass I could get Lisa in free, so the only person we had to pay for was Kayleigh. We also bought tickets to ride the train. We were at the zoo for a couple of hours and rode the train twice. When we came home and talked about what we saw we realized we didn't see too many animals! But it was a hot day and the kids were ready to leave and we weren't going to torture them just so we could see more animals!

Neither of us took many pictures, but here's a picture of Robbie checking out the deer that was hanging out right by the fence.



That night happened to be one of the evenings that someone from church was bringing us Sonny's BBQ for dinner, so we ate outside. The kids sat at their picnic table and the adults sat at the patio table. The kids did pretty well sitting and eating. I was worried they would be up and not eating. It must have been the good food keeping them still!

Friday morning went quickly and then we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. Everything was going just fine until the cow came out. Both Brian and Robbie were scared of the cow and cried whenever they saw him. It was no fun! One of the workers told the cow not to come back to our corner which was nice of him. Eventually the cow left and we played in the play area for a while. No time would be long enough and the kids weren't ready to go when it was time. It was a short, but fun visit.

We didn't tell the kids that our mom was coming up that evening. They would never leave if they knew! Mom got here a little before dinner. Saturday she kicked us out of our own house so she could clean the carpets. We had some errands to run, anyway, so we hit a few stores and came home just as she was finishing up. The rest of mom's visit when so fast! But it was nice having her here cooking, cleaning and getting up with Robbie in the morning. I'm sure Robbie was surprised to see me get him up this morning.

We did get a couple of cute videos and pictures when mom was here. This first video is Robbie taking one of Alex's diapers to the garbage can in his room. The first time he did it I couldn't believe it! He knew right where to go. What a good helper we have!



Robbie doesn't always like to sit in his chair at meals any more. I let him sit in my chair while I got everything ready for dinner. I came back to see he already started eating my food! We're letting him use a fork and spoon more but he still needs a lot of practice.



Sweet, sleeping Alex



Robbie giving a kiss



Robbie getting a kiss



Keeping Robbie's finger out of Alex's mouth



Alex on his play mat

Robbie is 17 months old!!!!!

I'm trying not to think that Robbie is almost a year and a half old. He is such a sweet boy and so loving with Alex. He has been having some tantrums lately, but things have been so different for him: he has a baby brother, Grandpa and GiGi came and went, Grandma and Abuelo came and went, Nana came and went, Dad was home for 2 weeks, Aunt Lisa, Kayleigh and Brian are coming for a visit in a few days and Grandma is coming to spend the first part of her spring break with us. That's a lot for a little one! Matthew went back to work today, so it's almost back to normal around here. Robbie was up at 7:15 am, so Matthew got to say good bye to him before going to work. (Matt said last night he was going to miss seeing Robbie in the morning. I guess Robbie heard him!) I put Alex down for a nap around 12:30 and let Robbie play a little more and then he and I went into his room to read books and go to sleep. It's the first time in weeks that I have put Robbie down for a nap. He fought it for a few minutes and then must have realized that I wasn't going to let him leave my lap, so he calmed down and looked at a couple more books and went to sleep. Moms with more than one kid always say to get them on the same schedule, so I think I'm doing pretty good!

We went grocery shopping last week and put Robbie in one of the car carts. He loves to "drive" them, though it comes in spurts. Here's a short video of our little driver:



It's been pretty warm here during the day, so we started bringing out some outdoor toys that we bought at the end of the summer when they were on clearance.

This table toys has 2 sides that you can fill with water and/or sand. We put some water in one side. Robbie likes to splash in the water and then lick the water off of his hand.



This water ring attaches to the hose and then water comes out from holes all around it. Matthew had the water turned all of the way up and Robbie didn't like it until we turned the water down so the spouts weren't so big.

Daddy in the middle.



Robbie finally joined him.



Robbie playing with the water.



We also bought Robbie a little picnic table that we have set up on the porch. I think when Lisa and the kids are over we'll try eating out there. I'm not sure how successful we'll be, but there's not harm in trying!

Alex is 1 month old!

It's hard to believe that a month has already passed. I think time must speed up with each child you have. We better not have too many or I'll be old and gray before I know it!

Alex is on a pretty good night schedule, though I can't say the same for the day time. I'd rather him be good at night, though. Robbie is also doing better at night...really in the morning because he has been sleeping later. I'm sure it's because of the time change and it stays darker later into the morning. I'm not complaining!

Alex is awake a lot more during the day. He likes the swing, though Robbie doesn't leave him alone when he is in it. We have pretty much gotten Robbie to stop poking Alex in his eye. We're still working on him being gentle with Alex, though. Robbie just loves hugging him and giving him kisses, which is so sweet, but sometimes Robbie's mouth is open when he's "kissing" Alex and leaves teeth marks on him, so you know he's being too rough. (I've felt one of these kisses, so I know Robbie isn't biting Alex.)

Alex 1 week



Alex 1 month



I think that Alex looks more like Robbie now than he did when he was first born. Here is Robbie at 1 month.

Firsts for Alex

Alex's first first today was a trip to the zoo! Matthew and I have talked about getting a zoo membership and decided to go ahead and do it today while he is still off work. Actually, I was the one that got the membership because I can get one adult in free. We figured when Matthew is working I can bring one of my friends along (though many already have a zoo membership) and kids under 3 get in free. Anyway, I'm sure Alex wasn't too impressed because he slept most of the time. Robbie really enjoyed it, though. He was mostly interested in the birds (maybe he'll be a pilot!!). We skipped animals that weren't moving or too far away. We definitely wore Robbie out. He fell asleep on the way out of the zoo, slept all of the way home (30+ minutes) and slept for about 90 minutes at home. He is going to just one nap, so hopefully he'll keep taking good naps in the afternoons.

Ready to roll! (Hat courtesy of Jim and Jean from our trip to Lowry Park Zoo last year. Double stroller courtesy of Jonathan and Chat.)



Pointing to the ostrich.



Looking at the birds.



I know there's a zebra at the top of the picture, but it's actually the vulture exhibit.



When I first caught a glimpse of the bloody zebra I was shocked! I realized it was fake before Matthew pointed out the sign. Obviously I'm not the only one surprised by the zebra!



Petting the "alligator".



Pretty much how Alex spent the entire trip!



Pointing to the fish.



Check out their crazy eyelashes!



Deciding which goat to brush.



That's one way to claim the food for yourself!




Robbie with the goats.



I just love Robbie's face in this video!



He was literally head bobbing asleep!



Matthew decided Robbie would be more comfortable being carried.



Still asleep in the car.



Alex's other first was his first bath (in his bath tub)! He did so much better his first time in the bath tub than Robbie did.

It's a monkey!

I know Matt put the bin in front of the tv to discourage Robbie from pushing buttons. (It didn't work.) Robbie climbed up on it for the first time this afternoon. Can you see how proud he is of himself?? We got him off when he started standing on it, though.



Robbie likes to be on the bed when Alex is getting changed. After I changed Alex we were sitting on the bed and I thought I'd let Robbie "hold" Alex. I don't think Robbie cared about holding Alex, but he still gave him a bunch of hugs and kisses!



Today is a half day for my school (I know I don't work there any more, but it will always be my school), so the 4 of us met the teachers at our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch. It actually served multiple purposes: 1) we didn't have to think about what was for lunch, 2) my teacher friends could meet Alex, 3) Robbie's buddy, Gene, was there (Gene is one of the teachers, but he and Robbie have bonded), and 4) I needed to give some things to one of the teachers that I forgot to give her when she came for a visit. It was so nice to see everyone and catch up. We'll get to see them (and more!) again Saturday when we all get together for Adair's wedding. :)

Alex's 2 week check up

Alex had his 2 week weight check this morning. The goal in the first 2 weeks is to get him back to his birth weight. I was nervous that he wasn't going to make it because after 1 week he had only gained 4 oz leaving him with 8 oz to gain the 2nd week. He did it plus an extra ounce and a half! Alex now weighs 8 lbs, 5.5 oz. He also grew a half inch in 2 weeks. The funny thing is in Robbie's first 2 weeks he shrunk a half an inch! I know the difference is because I labored with Robbie so he had a slight cone head and lost his height as his head rounded out and Alex didn't have to do any rounding. The doctor also checked Alex's head control and eye focus and he passed both tests with flying colors. Actually, when the doctor put Alex on his tummy on the table I thought he was going to roll over or crawl away! I think Alex realizes he is going to have to be quick if he's going to keep up with Robbie. We are still working with Robbie to learn Alex's limitations. Alex really doesn't like Robbie poking his eye or putting his finger in his mouth. Robbie has started trying to pick up Alex, too. But, if they are anything like my brothers, they will both be picking each other up and wrestling soon!

Fun with Grandma

I'll let the videos speak for themselves! :)