Happy Halloween!

Fun-Filled Weekend

This weekend was a lazy one, but we also had lots of fun.  We started of Friday with a Halloween party at our house.  It was really fun and I think all the kids had a great time.  I got Hannah to take a little time out from all the fun to pose for some pictures and some came out really cute, despite the messy face. 

There were way too many yummy treats there to keep her face clean!

Friday night we headed to our friends Judson's house to watch the Rangers game.  Ethan was super excited.

Even though it was a bummer that the Rangers lost, Hannah had fun playing with her buddies, Judson and Will, and that was worth it! I love how much fun this girl can have. 

Saturday morning Wes and I woke up early and got the kids ready and headed to downtown Tyler to take some pictures of a friend of mine's family. Her kiddos are precious!! Don't worry, Lindsay, I won't ruin your Christmas cards by posting pictures of your precious family!  But, Wes did need me and Hannah to be a model to check the lighting on his camera, and he actually got a cute shot of us.

After pictures we headed home for lunch and naps. Saturday night we went over to our friend Will's house so that Wes could help with a plumbing issue they are having. We didn't get any pictures of our fun there, but the kids had a great time.  Will and Hannah play so well together. Maybe a little too well according to daddy....they gave each other the biggest hug and kiss when we left and Wes isn't so sure about this kissing business. 

Sunday we went to church and after lunch Hannah, Ethan and I took naps while Wes worked in the yard.  Ethan only slept for 20 minutes, which has been the norm lately.  He definitely needs to get the memo that the Tyler family requires LOTS of sleep and jump on the bandwagon. Whew...this no nap thing is killing me....but he sure is a happy boy anyway!

Hope your weekend was as great as ours! 

Rice cereal

Last night we tried rice cereal with Ethan for the first time.  I wasn't quite ready, but there were a few things that lead up to us taking the plunge and I just felt like we needed to start.  

Here he is before the goodness.

He LOVED it and knew exactly what to do. He kept opening his mouth like a little bird. I felt like I couldn't get it in fast enough.

The first time recommendation on the box is basically like feeding milk from a spoon, so we thickened it up a little. He liked it, but he spit out about half as much as he kept in. 

End result.....

Yummy!!!

Eventful weekend

This weekend was great! My mom came to town on Thursday afternoon to spend the weekend with us.  Wes left Friday afternoon for an overnight men's retreat thing so my mom mainly came in to help me with our kids while he was gone.  While she was here, she played beauty shop with Hannah.

I have no idea how my mom gets Hannah to sit still long enough to do this to her hair.  I can barely run a brush through it without her squirming. 

Friday evening my mom and I took Hannah (and Ethan) to a festival at Aunt Jenn's school.  To say Hannah had fun is an understatement.  She loved it, and was so excited to get her hair sprayed pink and her face painted. 

On Saturday we hosted a baby shower for Aunt Jenn and Uncle James and baby Andrew.  Andrew is due in February and we can't wait to meet him!!! This was a family shower and baby Andrew was showered with lots of goodies.

I think the shower went really well and this is one loved little boy already. 

 It was great to get to visit with our family and share in the excitement with Jenn and James. 

Ethan - 5 Months!

Within this past month Ethan has completely changed from an infant/newborn to an all out baby. He's so smiley and giggly all the time.  He's so ticklish and I love hearing him squeal.  He's very aware of people in the room and we can no longer have any distractions while he's eating, which is very difficult when you have a 2 year old that wants to sit on your lap when you're trying to nurse!

Ethan continues to be an extremely happy baby. If at all possible, I think he even has his sister beat. Hannah was easy, but Ethan has been a breeze.  Our only little issue is that Ethan still wakes up several times in the night.  It's usually because he's rolled over and is mad because he can't flip back over, or is nestled up into his crib bumper and can't escape. Nonetheless, it wakes him up and he's not happy about it!  This makes for a tired momma, but I know it's just a phase.  I also noticed 2 little slits in his gums, so teeth are right around the corner, which probably plays a big part in interrupted sleep. 

Ethan, at 5 months you:

• Are in size 1 diapers
• Are in a size 1-2 shoe
• Nurse very 2 hours (hoping we can stretch a little more when we start solids) 
• Go to bed at 7:30 every night
• Weigh about 13 pounds
• Love people watching and rarely sleep when we are out in about - Don't want to miss a thing.
• Are cooing all the time
• Are rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy
• Are starting to "tripod" sit for very, very short times
• Are cutting 2 bottom teeth
• Enoy the exersaucer for longer periods of times
• Constantly chew on your fingers or a toy
• Love when people talk to you - you just light up
• Still like the ceiling fan when it catches your eye

Ethan, you have such a sweet, sweet demeanor. You are so laid back and you just smile and giggle at everything. It makes my heart so happy to see you loving life so much.  Your little belly laugh just makes me smile. You have the funniest facial expressions and anyone who has been around you longer than a few minutes comments about it.  I find it incredibly difficult at night to put you down in your bed, because I know it will be hours before I hold you again. I just want to treasure each and every moment with you. You are truly a huge blessing to us.You're exactly what we needed to complete our little family.

I love you, sweet boy! 

Staying at home

This week we've spent the majority of time at home. I love days that we all stay in our pajamas all day.  These days also bring on challenges with a busy 2 year old that has cabin fever by 10:00 a.m., but we always seem to get through it, but not without checking the clock every 20 minutes to see if it's a reasonable time for nap time yet - ha!

This week Ethan has been enjoying getting in the excersaucer more and more.

While Hannah enjoys getting under it.

Ethan has figured out what his favorite toy is and he LOVES it. It's constantly in his mouth, along with his fingers and anything else he can get his hands on.

Ethan is also rolling everywhere.  He rolls to his stomach from his back almost instantly after putting him there. It's funny, because it seems like he has more trouble rolling from his tummy to his back, which is the opposite of most babies.  Because of this, he spends more time playing and laying on his stomach.  I asked Hannah today to bring Ethan some toys to play with and she definitely took the task seriously. 

When I looked down he had a ton of toys to choose from, only some of which were choking hazards.

I sure love my extra time at home with my little love bugs. And this below picture has nothing to do with this post, other than it was taken this week, but who doesn't LOVE a little naked baby right after bath!?

Sweet little guy!

She's back!

After 3 days at Granna's and 2 days at Granny & Pawpaws (Wesley's grandparents) with daddy, Hannah is home! I sure missed my precious girl.

Rumor has it, while Hannah was at Granna's she stayed up until after 10:00 p.m. most nights munching on popcorn, she ate pringles while grocery shopping with Granna, got a real pedicure at a nail salon, was introduced to Dino Dan on Nickelodeon, and I'M SURE had her fair share of some candy. 

There's always some Granna detox that takes place once Hannah gets home from spending time with her and Pawpaw, but it was worth having the little break from her and spending sweet time with my little man. 

So glad to have all my little chicks at home. 

Just me and E

This week Hannah went to stay with my parents for a few days.  She's there now and although we miss her like crazy, I'm having lots of fun with just my little man.

First time in blue jeans.

He's recently found his feet and loves grabbing at them. 

We've also been trying a few more activities since he's getting SO BIG! He likes the exersaucer for short times and it's so cute because he can't quite touch the bottom yet, so his sweet little feet just dangle. 

I love little babies in these sleepers, but since it's been 400 degrees outside all summer, I haven't put them on him much.  Now that we are having cooler weather, he's sleeping in these now and I just want to eat him up.

I think Ethan is loving all the extra attention, but we're missing our little sidekick...

We're ready to see sister soon, but I'm treasuring these sweet moments with my precious boy. 

Wordless Wednesday