Remembering to Capture the Moments

…Even if they are staged ;)

With two kiddos running me around and filling our days, it is really difficult to remember to try and capture these special memories we are making. I rarely bring my camera out with us anymore, so pictures at home have to suffice! I love when my friends send me pictures of events and outings since I used to be the unofficial group photographer and have been slacking these past four months. I promised Nolan I would document his life with more than just my cell phone so every once and a while we set up an at home photo shoot. My friend Shari got Nolan this adorable stool and I set up the letters while N was practicing tummy time. Between the two boys, they kept getting knocked over but I was able to snap a few shots that I was happy with!

Brothers

I’m seriously at a loss as to what these blog posts should be titled. Whatever ;) I’m out of original ideas but the premise is still the same-- lots of pictures of my sweet boys hahaha

I love the way Nolan looks at Carter now and how they interact with each other. N watches every single move Carter makes and laughs hysterically when he does something funny. I love seeing this special relationship grow and develop and look forward to watching them become the best of friends.

And in other news ------------ since these pics were taken

Carter has given up his sucky for good!! Post on that coming soon ;)

Nolan- Four Months Old

Four Month Stats- 18lbs 8oz ~ 27.5in

Mr Chubs is still growing healthy and strong! He is SO much happier now that he’s on Prevacid and has been much more enjoyable this past month. I feel bad saying that but he literally cried all day and all night long for those first few weeks and it was driving me crazy. I knew he was miserable {and making all of us miserable too!!!} so I’m glad we were able to find a solution to help him feel better. Now he is so smiley and talks all the time and only fusses when he’s hungry and tired. He still eats every three hours around the clock but I chalk it up to him being a chubster and needing more food more often to stay full! We started on solids but after a successful first attempt, his interest waivered so I put everything away for a while. The boy isn’t hurting for calories and since rice cereal is pretty much disgusting, I figure we can wait! Once he’s sitting up and a little more interested we will try again!

It was almost impossible to get a photo of Nolan without hands shoved in his mouth! Just like Carter at four months, the teething is going full strong! This kid drools more than I have ever seen and I end up changing his outfit multiple times a day because he soaks through everything. Not even bibs help because he just chews on those too haha

Love these silly faces!

Carter the Pirate

Nolan Tries the Jumperoo

With a little help from some blankets, Nolan has been enjoying his time in the doorway jumper! It was the first place I could set him down that he didn’t instantly start fussing. Carter loves to push him in it which gives me a glimpse of the boys at the park in the future! Nolan hasn’t quite figured out how to jump yet, but he certainly enjoys not having to lie flat all the time anymore!

Spencer’s Third Birthday

At the beginning of March the Baby Brigade got together to celebrate Spencer’s third birthday. His theme was “Under Construction” and Shari went above and beyond decorating their clubhouse and setting up for the party. The whole gang was in attendance and by some miracle we were able to get a group shot of the mommies! The kids had an awesome time playing on the Fun Bus despite the cold weather. With our group being so huge now the entire month of March is filled with parties and this was a great way to kick off the spring birthday season!

Third Birthday Party

We decided to have Carter’s party on his actual birthday since we were scheduled to host play group anyway! The Baby Brigade gang joined us at Monkey Joes on a Tuesday and we were literally the only ones in the place. Quite VIP ;) The big kiddos had a blast running around and being completely crazy! We were very thankful that so many of his buddies were able to make it and spend the special day with us. I wasn’t sure about having a party at a bouncy house place but it could not have been more perfect. They did all the set up and clean up, provided the decorations and balloons, and fed us delicious pizza and drinks. All we brought was the cake-- easy peasy! C lasted a few hours after his friends had to head home but it was an awesome day and seeing the joy in his face the entire time was totally worth it!

What a great surprise that Hattie and Poppy were able to join in the fun!

The cake might have been hideous, but it sure was yummy!!!!

Birthday Morning

What better way to wake up as a three year old than with balloons in your bed and streamers on your door! Carter was so thrilled that we decorated his room while he was asleep and it was so fun to see his reaction to the surprise! We had a pretty lazy birthday morning before Carter’s party and he had a chance to open a few presents, grab a special yummy breakfast, and play with his balloons before heading off to see all his little buddies.

My Big Three Year Old

C was so excited he did a birthday jig!

Birthday Breakfast of Champions--- just the icing off the donut!

Masterpiece Mixers

While the Morgans were here visiting in February we decided to have a girls night out! I joined my mom, Alex, and Kristin at Masterpiece Mixers for a fun night of painting! Thanks to Kris for dinner, Alex for setting everything up, and Mom for making it all possible!! And a special shout out to Linc and Poppy for watching all the boys so we could have some time alone :)

TA-DA! So happy with our finished products!

To My Three Year Old

Dear Carter,

Happy, happy, happy 3^rd birthday my biggest boy and birthday twin! You were {and still are} the greatest birthday present I will ever receive! You tell me all the time you are not a baby anymore but you will always and forever be my sweetest first born. These past six months have possibly been the toughest of our lives but there are still so many moments when I look at you and know we must be doing something right!

You are wild and crazy with more energy than I know what to do with but you are also so cuddly and loving that it makes up for all the times I throw my hands up at your behavior in defeat. You are incredibly stubborn and head strong but with a very sensitive side that comes out when you are nervous, tired, or over stimulated. Right now you are obsessed with Spider Man, pirates, and anything that has to do with video games. You anxiously wait for daddy to get home in the evenings to play with you since they make mommy sick! You are one heck of a negotiator and have this little devilish grin that basically lets you get away with murder. You fell into the role of big brother very well, but I can still tell that it has been a really tough transition on you. You say all the time that Nolan is your best friend but there were a few weeks there where you told me to put him back in my tummy. It was difficult to go from the center of our universe to having to share it with your brother, but I promise you little man it only made your daddy and I love you MORE! Every day is an adventure with you and even though I can get frustrated with the never ending questions, comments, requests, etc just know that I love you more than anything and you will always be my favorite big baby ;) So happy birthday my dear boy. I hope this next year is even better than the last three have been and I cannot wait to watch you grow and develop into a little man!

My Sweet Carter- Three Years Old on March 5, 2013

More From February

Ouch! Carter gave himself a black eye, Tired babies, pint size pirates

Goofy faces, bumbo time, enjoying the cooler days

Picnics with friends, lots of naps, food shopping together

Happy Birthday Trenton!

Wild kids at Monkey Joes

Trucking Right Along

February seems to be flying right along and before you know it I’ll have a three year old! In the meantime, we have just been trucking right along and staying busy. The boys and I leave the house every morning whether it’s to go to art class, gymnastics, play dates, or run errands. I usually don’t have my real camera with me so enjoy a glimpse at our days via cell phone snaps ;)

Channeling Kandinksy at art class

Unseasonably warm weather = park time = sunburned mommy!

Meeting new friends, projects for the bedroom, and lots of baby snuggles!

Being crazy with my biggest, dealing with awful reflux, sweet brother moments

Play time at “Play” and the big foam germ pit!

Little man is teething up a storm --- Elmer the Elephant day at art class

Valentine’s Day at gymnastics and then out to lunch with all my loves!