Cowboy in Training

Look at the little cowboy in training? Jackson was playing with his black cowboy hat and gave it to Ethan, then decided to take it away. Well, of course, Ethan threw a fit, so Jackson had to go get his red one so Ethan could have one too.

This was the first time Ethan even remotely took an interest in any kind of hat. Kinda cute really...

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Tent City

Come on..you remember when you used to make tents out of blankets and stuff in the house? Well, it was cold the other day. Too cold to go outside and play, and the boys were getting bored. So I thought, why not?

And, you know, no tent is complete without the following items:

--TWO cowboy hats
--flashlight
--stuffed horse
--bandana
--animal print snuggie
--sword
--pillows

 

 

 

 

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Things have gotten much easier on the bath front these days since the boys have started taking a bath together. Before, it was I had one kid, Richard had the other. OR...I started Jackson on a bath while I was giving Ethan his, then got Ethan out and ready for bed, and poor Jackson was content to play while I was doing all of this.

Now, MUCH easier. Ethan's still using the tub sitter, but it won't be long and he'll be in the tub all by himself (without the sitter I mean.)

 

 

 

 

Almost wordless Wednesday--a Gladiator Cowboy? I don't know...

 

Wordless Wednesday

Liberty Bowl

Richard and I made it to the Liberty Bowl this year to watch the Razorbacks play. This was the first time we had left Ethan for the night so we weren't so sure how it was all going to work out. Ethan stayed with one set of grandparents and Jackson stayed with another set. It was just for one night but that one night was fun and just what we needed. Thanks to the grandparents for taking the kiddos! We had a blast in Memphis and got to see a Razborback victory, too!

Wordless Wednesday

Ethan's first snow!

Ethan's first snow just happened to fall on his first Christmas! That will be an easy one to remember, right? He wasn't so sure what to think about all of it. The wind was blowing quite a bit when we went out and it sort of took his breath away so he wasn't too fond of it until he got to touch it. Then, he seemed to like it ok.

Snow day!

This is what we woke up to on Christmas morning. I white christmas and it was beautiful! It wasn't much but it made it so great. We opened up presents, went to play in the snow and then made snow ice cream (of course!)

Christmas morning

We woke up to SNOW on Christmas morning! We had planned for Poppy and Grandma Rue to come over to the house around 7am and watch the kids open their gifts and stockings. 7am was just a guess as to when things might get going and it couldn't have been timed any better. Woke up at 7am, grandparents got there around 7am, Jackson woke up about 7:15! Opened the gifts, stockings and had some yummy breakfast casserole and then went out to play in the snow. What a great day! Jackson got several things, but his biggest gift from Santa was this big castle that makes sounds/lights up. Ethan....well, he was more interested in the paper and tissue paper than anything else. That, and watching what his brother was doing. I'm sure next year will be way different though.

Busy December (up till Christmas)

December was WAY, super busy. I mean, it literally came and went in a whirlwind. We started off with the annual town Chrismtmas parade.

Then, Ethan had surgery at Children's hospital for his tongue. Some of you may not know he was born tongue tied. So was jackson though and he had his fixed when he was only 2 months old. We decided to go ahead and get it taken care of for Ethan too. Now, he can blow raspberries, lick ice cream cones, stick his tongue out and do all the things he "should" be able to do. I'm glad we went ahead and got it taken care of. He did well through it all. No bad effects from the anesthesia, no stiches and minimal bleeding!

Then, we went and rode the train at Creekmore park in Fort Smith. This is something we usually do every year but this year we waited till the last minute and so did everyone else in Fort Smith it seemed. The line was HORRIBLE. I think we waited a little over 1 hour to ride a 10 minute train ride. Oh well, maybe we'll make it sooner next year.

Next..Christmas post!

Merry Christmas

weaning

I'm just about to that point....

I'm trying to wean Ethan from breastfeeding and I'm feeling pretty good about it this time around. When Jackson was little he really pretty much weaned himself starting at about 6-7 months old. Once he got the taste of real food, he didn't want much else except real food and bottles. I was crushed when he didn't need me anymore. I can remember standing in the kitchen telling Richard about how sad it made me and telling him that "He just don't understand." It really is a special bond between mom/baby and something that dad's just don't "get."

Now, Ethan is 7 months old and at his last well child check up, he wasn't even 15 pounds...a mere 2% in the growth percentage. Underweight. While Dr. J didn't come right out and say that I needed to stop with the breastfeeding, he did strongly suggest that he needed more than what I could give him.

So, with that info., Ethan is now on straight formula during the daytime and still breastfed at night. I can't completely give it up yet. I'm not ready to. He's only nursing 1-2 times a day now, so I know it won't be long.

I can remember when I stopped with Jackson my hormones were a MESS for awhile, and I'm so dreading that part of it all this time around. Also, with Jackson I never took the time to remember that last time, because frankly, I didn't know it was the last time with Jackson. But with Ethan, things will be different. I'm going to remember the last time with him. I need that, for myself.

Since Ethan has been on only formula, he's gained 1 pound in 1 week. He's now at 15 pounds, 10 ounces, and he seems happier now too. I needed to do what was best for him and for that, I'm happy!

Thanksgiving 2009 part 1

This past Sunday we celebrated an early Thanksgiving holiday at Granny Vel's and papa Benny's house. It was fun as always, but quite a show with 5 kids aged 4 and under. Plus an older kid....all BOYS. Yes, ALL boys. I don't think we would know what to do with a GIRL....what's that?

Of course, we all had our fill of turkey and dressing and all the sides plus desserts. mmmm, desserts. Here are some pictures from the day.

2 little HOG fans

Papa Benny, Jase, Granny Vel, Jessica and Jonathon

Us

John, Jenifer, Jaiden and Jordan

The Boys

Russell, Angie and Reid