Merry Christmas

Christmas has a whole new meaning now that I have my boys! All of my focus is on them. I want them to be happy, I want to surround them with good people, I want to keep them involved with our wonderful church, and I want them to enjoy time with family. Christmas is very busy for me since I have taken on the responsibility of filling my moms shoes. We have such a big family (18 immediate family, and growing!) so the shopping, wrapping, decorating, coordinating, planning, cooking for this bunch is quiet the challenge. Mom was so deeply rooted in traditions and family time, which is something that I promised her I would continue. Taking on this responsibility has taught me so much about being a mom. It is a time of being completely selfless, making sacrifices, and constantly thinking of other people.

 As much as I love doing this for my entire family- I don't want it to take away from "my little family" time and traditions. Scott and I reserved Christmas morning just for the 4 of us! It was just us and the boys while opening Santa presents, eating breakfast, and playing with our new loot! It was a slow and remotely quiet morning, we loved it! We took our time and didn't look at the clock once...we just enjoyed simply being with each other! It was a perfect first Christmas for Trent!!!

We do Christmas Eve morning/lunch with my family. Then we do Christmas Eve dinner with Scott's family. Scott's mom was in town this year, so Christmas afternoon we went out to the Woodlands to visit. This year was extra special because Hunter is a great age to get super excited about Christmas. He loved every detail...the Christmas lights, the songs, Santa Claus, reindeer, Christmas trees, and everything else! He loved talking about Santa Claus and looking at him, but he did not want to get too close!

However, his Santa confidence slowly built up. In fact, Santa Claus (aka: Scott's cousin) came to our house Christmas Eve while eating dinner. It was the best moment ever! Truly, this moment was my favorite mother moment so far! Hunter screamed and cried with anxiety when Santa surprised us by walking in the door! Then, he started warming up to Santa and kept shouting "choo-choo, big car!!" That is what he wanted for Christmas! It was adorable. Hunter was jumping up and down and screaming at Santa "choo-choo, big car!" THEN...Santa reached into his bag and handed Hunter a gift. Hunter opened it and started shaking...literally! It was a CHOO-CHOO! That sent Hunter over the edge! He started shaking, jumping, screaming "thank you Santa, thank you Santa, thank you Santa!" Oh my, it was so sweet. Every ounce of his little mind and soul believed. It was such a lesson of innocence and living in the moment. We all (including Santa) had tears of joy as we watched Hunter's reaction!

And sweet Trent, he just went along with the program. He has the ability to exude calmness and contentedness, which is just what we all need during the holiday hussel and bussel! He inspires me everyday to try and be more "go with the flow." He enjoyed Christmas. He enjoyed watching and listening to Hunter's excitement. He loved looking at Christmas lights, and of course he loved all the extra hugs and kisses! He actually attempted to open his presents. He would reach and grab the paper, then shake his arm to loosen the paper. He got a few "grasp toys" which are easy for him to hold. Hunter would clap and say "Yea, Baby Trent playin'!" These boys are so much fun to watch!

All in all...it was a busy Christmas full of laughter, love, food, family, and great memories. I look forward to the many holiday seasons in the future. Each year will bring new adventures! This year has continued to soften my heart and make me appreciate the true meaning of Christmas! 

Pardner

My sweet dad, aka "Pardner," is so willing to do anything for my little family! He is not physically able to do too much considering his failing knees, kidney transplant, diabetes....all of which entail TONS of medicine that make his muscles weak. However, he is willing to bend over backwards to make my life easier. It is hard for him to watch me raise my family without my mom. It breaks his heart to know what I could have had, but he does what he can. Best of all, he loves us so much! Hunter goes to school on Monday and Tuesday's 9:00-2:00. Picking him up in the afternoon is difficult because that is right in the middle of Trent's nap! So, my dad comes over every Monday and Tuesday and sits at our house while I go pick up Hunter. This way, Trent gets a long and uninterrupted nap! Hunter loves it too because Pardner always brings an "after school treat" for him! It's a WIN WIN for everyone! Thank you Parder!!!

5 months

Trent Joseph...how are you 5 months old!??

Trent has totally blossomed out of the newborn stage! He has his personality, quirks, likes, and dislikes. He is continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Here is what 5 month old Baby Trent is up to:

• He is SO STIFF! I joke that he swallowed a coat hanger!!!
• Has the most piercing blue eyes!
• Breastfeeds 8:00am, 11:00, 1:00 (before nap), 4:00, 7:00 (bedtime)
• He sometimes wakes around 6:00am, but I feed him and he goes back to sleep
• Sleeps from 7pm-7am (give or take an hour)
• Morning nap 9:00-10:30ish
• Afternoon nap 1:00-4:00
• He sometimes takes an evening catnap if we are in car
• Size 2 diaper 
• Size 6mo or 6-9 month clothes
• Rolls from tummy to back consistently, and back to tummy occasionally
• Can stand up if you position him on table or stand up toy. He is VERY strong
• Can sit up, unassisted, for only a minute
• Always...always has his hands in his mouth
• Thumb sucker!! He is not a huge pacifier fan!
• Loves his johnny jumper and excersaucer
• On the go- all the time! He is a very flexible baby
• We still eat lunch with Scott every Wednesday, and Trent now stays awake for lunch!
• Has the best laugh! He squeals and 'gasps' when he laughs!
• Just started using sleep sack- no more swaddle!
• Chunky monkey! I have to move around his thigh rolls during diaper changes
• He is very patient with Hunter, and is just very patient overall!
• Easy going temperament
• Continues to look more and more like an Evetts (my family)

I love this age. Everyday is such an adventure as he learns who he is. If I had to wrap Trent up into 3 words, I would say....calming, content, and cool!!! I have said that from the beginning, but he is sticking to it! We love him so much!!

Baby Trent

So, everyone calls Trent..."Baby Trent!" Everyone!! Not sure how this started, but even our pediatrician calls him Baby Trent. Hunter has called him Baby Trent from day 1. I have never heard him just say "Trent." Pretend that Trent is a professional athlete, can't you hear the announcers say, "Baby Trent starting off the season strong. Good catch by Baby Trent!" Hahahahaha!! He is such a sweet boy and Baby Trent is very fitting! Trent can now be held on my hip, like a "big boy!" I love this milestone, it makes motherhood much easier! He is also babbling away. He has a pretty loud voice, but it has the sweetest tone!

Baby Trent got sick last week. He caught Hunter's cold (probably because Hunter is ALWAYS in his face!) Dr. Brack heard slight wheezing in his lungs, so decided to do 2 days of breathing treatments to prevent full blown bronchitis. It was so sad to do the breathing treatments. He loved the steam mask. The steam and noise of the machine put him to sleep! He slept a TON...like almost 24 hours straight! However, he woke up a new and refreshed baby! So, the boys are on the mend!

We had our first Christmas family party last weekend. My dad's family is huge, so we meet early to kick off the holiday season...just to ensure everyone can come! Trent slept the whole time in the back bedroom because of his cold, but Hunter had a blast with his 17 cousins (15 of them are under 6 years old!)

We are so busy this holiday season- borderline too busy! I do everything that my mom used to do....which means shopping for my 18 immediate family members, tons of cooking, tons of wrapping! All this on top of friends, Scott's family, kids, etc! However, in all the business, we do not overlook the meaning of the Christmas season. Scott and I make a point to slow down and eat dinner together, say our prayers at bedtime with the boys, listen to Christmas carols, look at decorations, and just enjoy our time together and be grateful that God has greatly blessed our lives!!

Tis the Season

To be Jolly!!!! Clearly, Hunter did not get that message! He is having NOTHING to do with Santa. He loves talking about Santa and looking at pictures of him, but sitting on his lap is plain ole terrifying! Trent had no problems (next year may be a different story!) Here is their first Santa Sibling picture!

Happy Thanksgiving

Trent had a wonderful first Thanksgiving. We are so blessed to have so many kids in our family, and the cousins always have a blast together! Thankfully, it was beautiful weather...so they played outside the entire day!! My family divides up the cooking, and we all have "our dish!" My dish is the dressing, which is a big responsibility...what is Thanksgiving without a good dressing? I use mom's recipe, and I must say that I do a pretty good job! All of the food was delicious, of course, Hunter ate as much as the adults!! Sweet boy loves his food!

My boys continue to learn how to play together. Hunter loves to push Trent in the swing and read books to him. It is so sweet to watch them interact and get to know each other! Hunter has a cough and snotty nose- so I am anxious to see if Trent gets it. I don't see how Trent will get spared...Hunter steals his pacifier all the time then puts it back in Trent's mouth!! Oh the joys of siblings passing bugs!

We just have too much to be thankful for this year. A new home, a healthy baby, and a loving big brother! This year, undeniably, has been the best year of my life! Trent has been an amazing addition to our family. He has the best laugh ever! He squeals, squints his eyes, and leans forward while laughing!

He is also a chubby little monkey! He has so many rolls on his thighs. I have to move around the fat rolls during diaper changes!! He is SO happy while getting his diaper changed. He puts his legs in the air and laughs! Then he will arch his back and start kicking away....such a happy camper. This year I am most thankful for MY BOYS and the joy they bring to our lives!

Trent's Baptism

We are so honored to have my brother and Scott's sister as Trent's Godparents. Beau and Macy are both very involved in our lives. I talk to Macy daily...multiple times a day, so she knows everything about Trent and loves him dearly!! Beau and his family live down the street from us, so we see each other almost daily! He will pop in to say hi, or we stop by their house on our walk. His kids are quiet obsessed with Hunter and Trent...which is precious, and we love them to come over! We are very happy with our choice of Godparents. We know Trent will continue to love them and look up to them!!

His baptism was simple and perfect. I had some breakfast for friends and family before the service. We had a nice time visiting and adoring Trent! He wore the same outfit that Hunter wore. The jumper was Scott's as a baby, and the shoes were Beau's baptism shoes from 1968!! He was wide awake during the baptism, and I LOVED watching his eyes stare at Pastor Daniel while water was trickling over his head! Pastor Daniel is such a gem! He has really motivated Scott and I to open our hearts and strengthen our Faith! We are so blessed to have him baptize both of our boys.

This was a very special day, and of course, I wish my mom was there! Her presence is always near and dear! We can always sense Zsa Zsa! She was so lively, genuine and vibrant! We miss her SO much! Scott and I often talk about Zsa Zsa and her love for her grandchildren. This would have been a very special day for her...BUT something about knowing she is with God makes days like this almost surreal!

I was rocking Hunter on the night of Trent's baptism, and Hunter randomly pointed behind me and said "Zsa Zsa!!" My Mom LOVED nothing more than rocking babies. When she was dying, she told me "think of me every time you rock your babies, and know that my arms will be wrapped around both of you!" She would always tell me that her favorite memories of me as a baby is when she would rock me in the middle of the night. She told me to think of her and talk to her every time we rock. Therefore, I got the chills when Hunter said her name!! She IS the best mom and role model...near or far....she is incomparable! I can only try to be half as good!! I know she loves my boys!

4 months

 Weight: 14.9

 Height: 26

How in the world is Trent 4 months old?? He passed his doctor exam with flying colors. She said he looks good, engaging great, and is very strong! She was so impressed that he can literally stand up. It was a pretty uneventful doctor appointment, which I am very grateful for!

 I told her, "I don't want to jinx anything, but Trent is the perfect baby!" She quickly said, "You can't jinx a perfect baby- God places these kind of babies in our lives so we can learn ease, peace and pure contentment!" I love that! It is true...I admire Trent's peace! He has this ability to exude extraordinary calmness and coolness!! These are traits that do not come naturally to me, but Trent is continuing to prove that these are amazing traits that I should practice!!

 Trent was so lovingly put together with God's hands, and you can feel that blessing when you are around him! Scott and I say that if Trent could talk, he would say things like "Mom, I'm hungry- when you get a second, please feed me." hahaha!! I literally forgot to feed him the other night before I put him to sleep. I remembered at 11:00pm! This means that he was last fed around 4pm! I bathed him and laid him in his crib, and he never made a peep...oops, bad mother moment! But, the point is that he just goes with the flow- such a gentle soul!And his eyes leave me speechless...he is just as beautiful on the outside as he is on the inside!

You know you have a sweet baby when kissing his eye lids is what puts him to sleep! I really have nothing else to say....he has just stolen my heart!

And these other two boys are just as special!! Scott is my backbone, Hunter is my joy and Trent is my peace! All together...they are my world!!

Milestone!

Trent is 3.5 months and he rolled over (on purpose) today!! He has "accidentally" rolled over a few times, but today he did it 3 times in a row- on purpose! What a strong fella! He rolled from tummy to back. He is not a huge fan of tummy time, but he doesn't scream. Instead, he grunts and moans in frustration while on his tummy!! Hunter is proud of him too...he lays on his tummy next to Trent and chants "Roll baby Trent, roll baby Trent!" Then Hunter cheers when Trent successfully rolls....these boys are a riot already!

 Trent is HUGE...literally a monster baby!! I feel like he is bigger every time I take him out his crib! Maybe that is why he is sleeping so much!! No joke, he is not that much smaller than Hunter!! Crazy to think that he started off under the 3rd percentile! Looks like he inherited Scott's size and personality!

 These boys continue to make me learn, grow and enjoy everyday!! They often challenge me, but they also show me the true meaning of life....love, patience and the gift of living in the NOW/in the moment!

Happy Halloween

What a fun day to have kids!! We are going to our neighborhood parade and party. They have Halloween themed games, food, and all sorts of activities! Hunter is a Ninja and Trent is a Lion!! Hunter wanted to be a BOX. I think because we had boxes everywhere while moving, and he loved playing in the boxes-too funny! I tried to put a box on him, but he refused! He just likes saying "be a box for Halloween!"

 Trent is 3.5 months and growing like a weed. He is wearing the same shirt that Hunter wore last Halloween...that's right, Hunter wore it at 13 months and Trent is wearing the same shirt at 3.5 months!!!!  Trent continues to be world's coolest baby! There is just no other way to explain him! He eats and sleeps like a champ, and his smile is so endearing!!

He makes this adorable squeal sound when he gets excited! His hands are always in his mouth, and sometimes he actually gags himself! He does seem to be spitting up more all of a sudden. I am hoping this is a phase that will quickly pass!

Our days have become "regular", which means times are becoming consistent. It took some trial and error to find a routine that worked for both boys and our increasingly busy life!! The best part is that the boys nap at the same time!

And for my record books....this is what our days are looking like with a 25 month and 3.5 month old:

6:00ish occasionally Trent wakes (Scott gives pumped bottle and Trent goes back to sleep)
7:00-7:30 both wake up (sometimes Trent sleeps a little later)
8:00 Trent eat ...Hunter eat breakfast
9:00-11:00 Trent nap (I try to let him nap in crib, sometimes he naps on the go) Trent eats when he wakes
12:30 Lunch
1:00-3:30 boys nap time (I feed Trent right before I lay him down. Trent wakes around 4:00 or later)
5:00 Trent eat (Trent may or may not cat nap on the go at this time??)
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Bedtime rally starts! Bath, pj's...chaos time!
7:30-8:00 Trent eat (both boys in bed)
10:00 "top off" feeding for Trent (he doesn't wake...I feel like a navy seal during this feeding!!)

3 Months

Happy 3 months to my wonderful Trent! You are just the coolest baby on the block!! Is it possible for a baby to be "cool??" Well... YOU ARE!! You are so content and easy going, which are personality traits that I already admire about you! You are so loved and easy to love!!

• Just started sleeping through the entire night about a week ago! He goes to sleep around 7:30pm (I do a "top off" feeding around 10:00) then he wakes around 6:30...whoo-hoo!!
• Breastfeeds about every 3 hours during the day
• Has the most gorgeous blue eyes
• Takes an 1.5 nap in morning, a "cat nap" around lunch, then I lay him down around 1:30 and I have to wake him up at 5:00!! He takes a LONG afternoon nap! Hunter also naps around 1:30 too- so I do get a little alone time!
• We are still on the go often with big brother (school, playdates, etc). He still does good in carseat, but he has to get tired of it!
• He now loves bath time, still using the infant tub
• He sits in the bumbo chair often, and he loves sitting up and watching the action
• He has the cutest laugh ever! He gasps and "sucks in air" when he laughs
• A total thumb sucker!
• Pouts out bottom lip when he cries- so cute!
• Has rolled over a few times, but not consistent
• Is VERY strong in the upright position...he puts all weight on his legs and can almost stand while holding onto something!
• He has really blossomed and growing very quickly!

I love everything about Trent...so does Hunter! They are so fun to watch, and I truly feel that they will be wonderful friends! I look forward to our journey ahead, but I am also holding onto each day! I know how fast time goes, and I know how fast babies grow! I want to bottle up this time...I LOVE Hunter's age and I LOVE Trent's age. This is just a fabulous phase of life for us! We have our challenging times, but we have meshed so naturally as a family- so we always seem to smile through the challenges! We are settled in our new home, and we have adjusted to our new life (before/after pics of house coming soon.) I love my "new normal" life, and I thank God daily for my many blessings!