Zoo Fun

Trent went to the zoo for the first time this past weekend. Hunter was all over the place because he was so excited about all the animals. Most of our focus was trying to keep Hunter contained while Trent just sat back and chilled! It was a gorgeous day so I know he was relaxed by the weather!

We got there right when the zoo opened, and we went with a large group of friends. Hunter is at the perfect age for the zoo. He was in heaven!! He kept saying, "I wanna see LSU tiga!" And he got so excited when we finally got to the tiger cage! I packed Hunter's lunch and snacks because he has been eating a TON lately...sure enough, he ate every bite! I fed Trent while Hunter ate. It was a challenge to find a secluded spot to breastfeed Trent, so I found a table by the chicken coop! Trent was so distracted as random chickens would cross my feet...it was hilarious! Scott said, "Bran, you create chaos!!" Yes I do- but it is fun chaos!!

Speaking of eating...Trent is getting the hang of baby food. He is still a very messy eater, but getting better! He likes rice cereal and has eaten a variety of baby foods...sweet potato, broccoli, peas, banana, carrots. He eats baby food with rice cereal for dinner, and he just started eating lunch too! We will start breakfast in the next few weeks. This will get us to 3 meals a day with breastfeeding in between. These phases are going too fast!! He still breastfeeds 8am, 11am, 1pm (before nap), 4pm, and 7bedtime. His dinner is usually around 6:00, and we have started lunch whenever Hunter eats (usually around 12:00.) The 1:00 feeding before nap will be the first to go, but he will let me know when he is ready for that. He is a huge eater and is growing like a weed. He is a big boy with a big appetite!!

We had a little "photo session" after church. I thought the boys looked so cute, so I took a million pictures. They are starting to really act like "brothers." Trent laughs when Hunter hurts himself and Hunter is always looking for ways to protect Trent. Hunter is still all boy... he gets dirty and sweaty daily, loves physical activity, and is rough and tumble. He continues to make me smile as I watch his gentle and sincere love towards Trent. He just adores him! Trent has the most beautiful eyes and light hair...he is going to be a mega heart breaker! We are in a good place! Both boys are at a wonderful age and phase...I want to bottle these days up!

Sunshine!

There is just something about the sun that makes our days so pleasant, more adventurous, more positive and fun!! We have been on so many walks this week. Everyday, people comment on how cute my "walking team" is!! Hunter and Trent in the stroller with Bentley walking alongside while Zoe sits in the front of the stroller. I think this is Zoe's favorite thing to do! She sits right by Trent's feet at the front of the stroller, and she gets lots of attention!! Trent moves his feet a lot so he is always pushing and kicking Zoe! I love spending time outside with my boys during this beautiful weather. We do everything outside...eat, read books, play, wait for daddy to get home, you name it and we are outside!! Trent gets totally relaxed while outside, the breeze seems to put him in a trance. He sits there with his eyes fixated on something then he will "snap" out of it and start watching Hunter play!

Hunter is such a protective and wonderful brother. They have started to really play together. I put them both in the cozy coupe and Hunter holds onto Trent so tight just to make sure he is okay!! Trent is starting to get a little more vocal in the evenings, which is a new thing!! We are starting to try baby food, which has been unsuccessful so far. He will eat a few bites like a champ then start gagging and spitting after about 6 bites! Maybe he is not ready for it yet? I will keep trying everyday until he gets the hang of it. He is pushing back his wake time in the mornings...he sometimes wakes close to 8! 7pm-8am is a lot of sleep!! I think he is in need of some nap change, but I can't figure out what?? Trial and error begins, which means a few days of crying! These transitional periods are always a little rough until you completely figure out the next "phase." They are both napping now, so I am going to watch old episodes of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!!

6 months

Weight: 17.8lb

Height: 27.5in

• able to sit up alone, but I have to leave pillows around because he is still unstable
• sleeps 7:30-7:30 (he sometimes wakes around 6 but goes back to sleep after eating)
• morning nap 9:00-10:30 or 11:00
• afternoon nap 1:00-3:30 (same time as Hunter, so that is my quiet time)
• sometimes takes an evening cat nap in the car
• breastfeeds 5 or 6 times a day (8, 11, 1, 4, 7...give or take an hour)
• just started rice cereal at night, he seems to like it
• today was our first day to try baby food for lunch (peas and he ate very good!)
• he is a very still sleeper
• big thumb sucker, and he hooks his finger around his nose at the same time- so cute!
• gorgeous blue eyes
• very calming and pleasant to be around
• an easy smile...no teeth yet
• no signs of crawling yet
• can stand up if he holds onto something
• rolls from tummy to back (not back to tummy...he is strong enough, just not motivated!)
• very strong core!

Half of a year has passed, and my love for this sweet boy is undeniable! God knew exactly what he was doing when he pieced Trent together. He is this perfect blend of sweet, calm, cool, charming, easy, and chill. Hunter is just as in love with Trent! He was holding Trent's hand and kissing his forehead during the 6 month doctor appointment....melt my heart!!! Such an adoring big brother! Happy 6 months to sweet Trent!

Growin' Boy

Trent will be 6 months old next week, and I have decided to start rice cereal. All of a sudden, he was waking up at 5am crying. I would feed him and he would fall right back asleep. I give him a pumped bottle every night at bedtime, so I KNOW how much he eats.This just makes me feel better to know he is getting enough for the entire night. After a week of early waking, I thought....hmm, maybe it's time for the next step and he's ready for rice cereal at night? He literally grabbed the spoon like he was an old pro! However, he is a messy eater so we are working on the swallowing concept! And of course, Hunter wanted to "help!!" It was so funny. Hunter would open his mouth trying to get Trent to cooperate! Trent ended up with food in his eye and all over the place!

Then I tried to put him in the highchair. He looked adorable in it! But he kept leaning over and sucking the tray! Then he would pick his head up and laugh...like he was trying to be funny! And he kept looking down trying to find his feet. He is such a curious and aware fella. Seeing Trent in the highchair made me realize how BIG Hunter is. Hunter LOVES his highchair, and eats 3 meals a day in it. Hunter is such a kid- he's probably ready to start sitting at his little table. We will make that transition when Trent is ready to start really eating. For now, Trent just looks cute as bug when I put him that BIG high chair!

Trent smiles with eyes! I can see a big ole smile even when he has his pacifier in his mouth. He has started making "tooting" noises with his mouth- it is hilarious! He blows his cheeks out real big then sticks his tiny little tongue out! Gosh, I love him! He has absolutely the best laugh...it sounds totally "nerdy!" His eyes are always locked on Hunter, he thinks Hunter is so funny! They will be a great pair because Hunter is always trying to make Trent laugh, so they will feed off of each other for years to come! Hunter is the most gentle, dedicated, and sweet big brother! I heard Trent crying the other morning- then all of a sudden, it was silent! I quietly peeked around the corner to find Hunter holding the pacifier in Trent's mouth while he was singing to relax him! Oh my, he is so sweet!

Hunter was immediately drawn to Scott- like from the very second he entered this world! Yes, he loves his momma, but he is a daddy's boy through-and-through! But, I must say that Trent is totally a momma's boy! Oh my, he shakes with excitement when Scott brings him to me in the mornings. He has his eyes on me most of the time. The funny thing is....as of now, Scott and Hunter have opposite personalities while Trent and I have opposite personalities! Maybe it's true- opposites attract!? Regardless, I love my boys more than words can ever describe. I love that they make my time stand still. I love that they can always bring a smile to my face. I love that they continue to teach me what life is all about! They are so wonderful, and I am truly loving this phase of our lives!

Happy 30th Birthday Daddy!

January 7th 2013...Scott is 30! Age is just a number, but it does feel weird to say that Scott is 3-0! However, it is safe to say that he does not act 30...at all! We still act 20 (or younger!) We play pranks on each other, we still laugh at burps, we use paper plates to avoid doing dishes, we play that "what if" game all the time (ex: would you still love me IF I walked like this or ate like this?), we use rock-paper-scissors to determine who does what, we make up our own television commercials and American Idol auditions, and best of all....we dance like fools with the boys, we sing in opera voices to make them laugh, and we still love a good peanut butter and jelly!!

Scott may be 30, and I will be 30 in August. This means we are aging and life is moving along...too fast! But, we will always live, laugh and love like children! Darn those responsibilities like bills, money, groceries, and cleaning! Oh well, that's all part of life!

I asked Scott "are you a little upset that you are now in your 30's?" And he said "absolutely not! This is the best I can ever imagine life being, regardless of my age, life is only getting better and better!" That is a great answer. So, cheers to life getting better and better! On behalf of continuing to act young...I planned a birthday party for Scott and friends to go paintballing! They had a blast and played like little boys in a candy store! Happy Birthday to a wonderful man! The boys had a blast paint balling for Scott's 30th!

Happy New Year

2013! I don't really have new years resolutions set in stone. I just have general goals that I need to refocus on. I would like to do so much in order to make myself a better mom, wife, friend, person, Christian...where to start? I am still discovering my many faults as I grow, which means I am continually setting goals on improving! Some days I do better than others at being patient, slowing down, enjoying the moment, having quiet prayer time, and being go with the flow. However...God made me high strung, energetic, type A, over planner, and 'to-do list' obsessed! I have learned to embrace these qualities and use them to my advantage. But I do challenge myself to learn from my kids!

Things that I inspire to be more like Hunter...he finds joy in everything! His smile and laugh fill the room. His aura is so spunky! He reminds me so much of my mom. He is extremely social and loves people, loves a party, and loves to go-go-go! He is quick to smile, quick to laugh, quick to forgive, and quick to love! He loves life. He is excited about life! These are all qualities that I admire most about Hunter. He is such a gem...he is my JOY!

Things that I inspire to be more like Trent....he is just so darn calming! He has the most zen aura! His patience is off the charts! He is so accepting of whatever situation he is in. He just goes with the flow! He has this charm about him that makes him so cool. He is quiet, very light-hearted, easy going, and content. He is so steady, even tempered, and gentle. His serenity is admirable....he is my PEACE!

 My boys are very different- yet both so sweet and happy. They are my "ying and yang!" You can learn so much from kids...the challenge is trying to be more like them! Happy New Year to you!

The Holy Family

Trent got asked to be Baby Jesus at our church Christmas Eve family service. Hunter got to be Baby Jesus, so I thought it would be nice if both of my boys got this opportunity! This means that Scott and I were Mary and Joseph! What about Hunter??? Well, he got to choose which manger animal he wanted to be and he chose to be a pink pig!! Scott and I were dying laughing! He looked in the mirror and said "I'm beauuttiful!" He looked adorable in his pink outfit and curly tail. What a wonderful memory!

Scott and I (Mary and Joseph) walked down the isle with lots of eyes on us. Scott was trying not to laugh as Hunter the pig was sitting by the alter waiting for us! We sat down and Baby Jesus was handed to us. Hunter did great and sat in one place the whole service. He kept looking at Scott and I, smiling like he knew we were "acting." Trent was all wrapped up and would not lay down in the wooden bed....no way! So, I had to hold him, and I was hot with those lights on me! Trent did great and had a pacifier in his mouth the entire time. Who knew Baby Jesus had a blue soothie pacifier?! It was such an honor to play the Holy Family (and the pig!) Our church is so wonderful, and we are blessed to have our boys grow in this community!