Smiley Anson

Anson started smiling a couple weeks ago, but I have finally captured it on camera! I sound a little crazy in this video clip, but he gives me some nice big smiles, so it is worth it! He has become quite a smiley guy already - just like his big brother.

Father's Day

We had a nice little Father's Day this year, especially considering things are still pretty crazy around here. Eric got a beer-of-the-month club membership as a gift from all of us. I figured the boys owed it to dad :) Then on Father's Day we all went out to breakfast (just at Perkins - we didn't want to try to do anything fancy) for our first outing as a family of 4! Everyone behaved well - Anson was awake but mellow. After that we went over to the park to get some outside time before it got too insanely hot. I took A for a stroll on the walking paths while E and G played. Anson slept until he woke up wanting to eat. I wasn't really perpared to nurse in the park, so we zoomed home! After nap time we went to the pool. Anson just slept in his stroller in the shade while Eric, Grady, and I swam. One of us took turns sitting by Anson to keep an eye on him. So I was impressed that we actually got out and did some things and got to all hang out together.

A few pictures...

Daddy and his boys



poor Anson is trying to sleep and would have probably napped nicely through breakfast if we hadn't jostled him all around for pictures!



just documenting his first restaurant trip





That's it!

I also have to mention that Grady now swims - for real, without a float or anything. Granted it is not pretty, but he can actually go a little distance now. He will jump in and then swim to the stairs. He is having SO much fun in the pool this year!

Anson at One Month

So Baby Anson is a month old (actually, 3 days ago, but close enough)! So obviously he isn't exactly doing a lot yet, but in an effort to start off these monthly updates the right way, I will do a little post.

Eating - Still his favorite thing, of course. He eats about every 2.5-3 hours during the day and every 3-5 at night. He seems to be gaining weight well (we'll see for sure at his one month WBV this week).

Sleeping - Hit and miss. Some times of day he will consistently sleep very well (like he always takes a great 2-3 hour nap around 1PM) and some times of day he just doesn't go to sleep easily so I wear him or take him on a walk to get him to fall asleep. At night he sleeps in the "Snuggle Nest" between us in bed.

Health - not as gassy as he was now that he is pooping more. Spits up a little now (maybe 3-5 times/day?) but seems to be free of any real reflux. Let's hope that continues! I think we are pretty much in the clear on that.

Smiles - Does little "sleep smiles" all the time (I know they aren't real smiles) and has smiled a few times while awake (and looking at someone). First smile was at 3 weeks at Grady!

Tummy Time - We haven't done this a lot but he has been in his playgym or on a blanket on his belly several times and seems to like it

Tubs - loves the tub - fell asleep instantly in it the other night :)

A few new pictures of the boys...

Tubby Time:

asleep



all wrapped up



With Grady





Not too sure





Yesterday at the park



I am really enjoying having a snuggly little newborn again, despite the challenges. I just can't wait to see his little personality emerge!

Weekend Fun

We had a really good weekend. I am now at the point where the weekends with 2 kids feel relatively "easy". Of course Eric is about the most helpful husband one could hope for, so that is a big part of it. On Saturday Eric brought G to see "Curious George Live", which he loved, of course. He really loves shows - music, dancing, all of it. He talked about it so much when they got home. Since it has been almost 100 degrees - seriously - for the past several days, they hit the pool in the afternoon. On Sunday morning Grady and I had a great breakfast date. He was a doll and charmed everyone in the place, as usual. He was wearing his "Big Brother" shirt and everyone was asking him about his brother. Other than that I am just enjoying little Anson lots - snuggling him and holding him whenever I can. And he has been great - sleeping 4-5 hour stretches once most night. So many nights he is only up once to eat. Not bad at not even 4 weeks old.

Some pictures of my two little loves...

G and I have been doing lots of art lately





Another one of Anson sleeping - haha! So angelic though.



He looks like he is chatting with Daddy



We just started giving him "the bink" a little bit - he has an insane desire to suck



First (and only) bottle so far



"Chubs"



G at the show



this was taken from right at their seats - they had a great view!



I know you just HAD to see another "sleeping baby" photo ;)

Smiles!

It was a great day - my baby boy smiled for the first time, and it was at his big brother. I think this is a good sign of what is to come for them. These are the days that you just want to hold onto forever, even if you are sleep deprived and can't remember when you ate last :)

Grady and I were getting Anson changed and dressed for the day. We do it on the floor so Grady can help. I have been using that time to give him a little tummy time each morning. BTW, he has no complaints at all - seems to enjoy it just fine. Well today, he was on his tummy and Grady was right in his face (of course - where else would he be!?) and Anson looked right at him and smiled this huge smile. It was definitely a real smile, and it lasted quite a while. And if this smile was any indication, he has inherited the giant open mouth smile that Grady and I have. A few minutes later he gave me a quick smile when he was on the changing table. And he gave Daddy an almost-smile this evening. Smiles at 3 weeks old!? Maybe he WILL be a lot like Grady!



Some recent pictures of the boys...

Anson sleeping in the swing - we still don't turn it on - just seems like "too much" for a tiny guy



my "little porkchop", as I sometimes call him (mainly because he's already a lot chubbier than G was)



My beautiful boy



goof-ball



I liked his outfit, so I was trying to get a picture - he was being silly



he likes the heat - if I bring him outside (in the shade, of course) he'll sleep and sleep





I brought G to Touch-a-Truck last weekend - a big hit!





the beloved excavator



"Grady - pretend you are dirt"















ambulance - we were talking on the headsets



not my tiniest boy but still smaller than a tractor wheel





Professional Photos

I just wanted to share a few of my favorites from the photoshoot my friend did at our house the other day. I thought she did a great job, especially considering Anson wanted to eat the entire time she was here!


Brothers :)



cutie G





Anson









the family