Makes me Happy!

These two boys sure do know how to make their momma feel so blessed! 

Lately just watching them makes my heart happy!

The other day we were all in the playroom, Carson in the bumbo, Noah playing and I had got up to go to the bathroom.  I come back and Noah took my spot right by Carson and each time Carson dropped a toy off his tray, Noah would pick it back up for him and put it back on.  Then he also had a little noise making toy and once it would go off, Noah would turn and push it on again.  It was just so cute to see Noah be such a good big brother and Carson was completely content with his brother by his side.  Things like this happen most days! 

 This is another one of Noah's favorite things to do to Carson.  When I have Carson on the floor Noah likes to get over him and sometimes he likes to get a little too close and put his weight on Carson.  I usually let Noah do this but just watch him closely so that he doesn't hurt his bro. I can't wait to see these two as they grow together.  I know there will be times they don't get along but now they are so cute together!

 Love it!N

4 Months Old

Our sweet little boy turned 4 months old on December 29th.  We had his checkup at the doctors this last Wednesday.  Carson had a growth spurt in the last two months.  He is now 25 inches tall and 14 lbs 12 oz.  At his two month appt he was in the 10 th percentile for his height and how he is in the 40th.  That's a big jump for a little guy.  Then he was in the 25th for his weight and now he is in the 36th percentile. 

At 4 months  Carson is
-still not sleeping through the night, he did once but we haven't even came close since.  As a matter of fact most nights it seems like we are going backwards.
-is an early riser, most days he thinks it's time to hang out by 5 or 6. 
-loves, loves his jumperoo.  That thing is his happy place, he loves to jump, bounce and watch his big brother play
-is pretty much over his cranky evening time.  Every once in awhile he gets crankier.  We still usually have to keep him entertained in the evening but at least we aren't pacing anymore. 
-loves being talked to.  He will smile at anyone who talks to him
-laughs every once in awhile.  He has such a different laugh than we are used to, it's just kind of a chuckle not a belly laugh. 
-can be a cuddler now  sometimes, sometimes he will let me rock him to sleep which is nice!
-likes holding a burp cloth just like his brother
-has rolled from belly to back multiple times, when he is on his back he will roll to his side but never all the way yet
-is really starting to reach out for things, and getting a little better with his hand control
-likes to suck on his fingers but hasn't stuck with the thumb yet.  Some days or nights when we want to pacify him with something it would be nice, since he still won't take a paci which we have given up on.  I have already packed them away so it's really too late now
-still cat naps in the morning but will on most days take a long afternoon nap

And is such a cute little boy with his chubby cheeks, we just love him!C

First Attempt

Two weeks ago we attempted cereal with Carson for  the first time.  Now I remember our first attempt with Noah, didn't go so well, there was lots of crying and we ended up trying again the same night while he was in the little bath thing.  Carson did extremely well, he seemed to actually really like it.  The first couple bites we didn't get much in his mouth but after that he did better and better and finished the whole bowl. 

I was hoping we would actually get some sleep after trying cereal but nope little man was up every 3 hours that night. Since I didn't get results I was hoping for we haven't done it since.  Not sure when we will really start doing cereal.  I would like  to try again for a few nights and see if it makes a difference.

Here are a few pics of the little messy face!

New Years Resolutions

I'm not normally a big New Years Resolution maker, but this year I have a whole list of things I want to do/improve for 2012.  I thought I would share them, it might help motivate me in really trying to achieve my goals. 

1) Time Management I want to spend more quiet time with God, and it's easy to say I don't always have time for it, but that would mean no one should see me posting things on pinterest, facebook, or blogging because in realty I waste a lot of the free time I have doing these three things!

2) Make it to my weight loss goal. I know this one is cliche and pretty much on most people's list but I am going to make it there and stay there!  I have done so much better after Carson, I gained 33 pounds with him and since he was born I have lost 36 pounds.   I would love to loose 7more pounds, and it's not a huge amount so I know I can do it! 

3) Stick to a Budget and save some money.   We have always had a budget since Matthew and I have been married but have never really had any follow through or did any checking up on it to see how we were doing.  I think we always knew we weren't following it so it was pointless to track but for 2012 I am ready.  I have my spreadsheet all figured out, printed and ready for budgeting to begin.   The crazy thing is I'm kind of excited about it, however I need to keep the momentum going so I don't cave in and let my discontentment take over and  make persuade me to forget the budget and get things we really don't need.  That could be a whole other goal but I'll just lump discontentment in with  this one.  ( I really don't like to address my problem with that!)

4) Get Organized This is something I always want to have more of.  I love organizing closets, cabinets, drawers anything that allows me to. However the last few years since we have added children into our lives my life feels way less than organized.  I feel like there is always somewhere in the house that needs my attention and I just don't feel like I ever have everything together.  I am going to be making a household binder, thank you pinterest for some great ideas and websites to keep papers, budgeting, and information all together and easily accessible, then I am going to try and develop some sort of plan for cleaning the house, weekly and monthly goals since  cleaning is always a big stressor for me. 

5)  Learn to Relax more  Now  this one doesn't really make since after the other 4 items on my resolution list but it  does to me.  I am always so uptight and high strung and want to learn to just not worry about all the little things and enjoy life with Matthew and my boys.  This will honestly probably be the hardest item on this list, just because  I feel like I always have to be doing something and always worry/stress out about stupid things!  I want to do things I enjoy like sewing/ or crafting during naptime or after bed instead of working on my to-do list or cleaning.  I always feel like there are a million things I need to do but want to learn to just stop, have fun and enjoy the ride of life! 

I may have a lot of things I want to do/achieve this year but what I already have is a wonderful husband, and two adorable boys who make each day interesting.  Matthew and I both have jobs, we have a wonderful home, money to buy food/ life necessities, vehicles to get us where we need to be, and awesome friends and family.  We truly have everything we need and are so blessed.  We are thankful for  the last year that we have had with our boys and look forward to each new day of parenting since I realize no two days are ever the same with little ones.

Carson's Christmas Day Firsts

On Christmas Carson did two things for the first time for us

He rolled over twice from his belly to back

Then that night he did some first real laughs for us when Matthew was giving him zerberts.

I just love the video we got, it's too cute, Noah of course is hanging out right his brother watching dad and laughing along with Carson.

I put the video on facebook, if you haven't seen it, here is the link
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100105335069775&saved

Merry Christmas

We have been celebrating Christmas now for a few weeks.   This year has been very different in that our Christmas family events have been quite spread out.  We already had one in the beginning of December and that had one last Sunday and then had just mini family events all weekend around the actual dates of Christmas. 

Here are a few pictures from Christmas at dad and Dinah's last weekend

This was Noah helping me open Carson's presents, it was like double for him since everything Carson got he thought was fun and was for him as well.

 Love the look on Noah's face, he enjoyed present opening this year

 Our cutie pie Carson, hanging out while everyone was opening presents.  Next year he will get to join in on the action

Friday we celebrated Christmas with the Dirks' and I failed to bring my camera so no pictures from that one.  Dad and Angie got Noah a remote control Jeep which he was in love with.  Saturday morning he was already playing with it at 6:45.  We have already run the batteries down.  I didn't think he would figure it out but he has mastered forward and backward.  If he can't get it to turn he just picks it up and points it in the direction he wants.

Sunday morning mom and the crew came to our house for Christmas brunch and presents.  I again pretty much failed to take pictures.  Aunt Randi had taken some of the kids and I took a whole like 5 pictures so here are the few  I have. 

Noah's joy, he loved pretty much every present and wanted to play with everything as soon as he opened it. 

Grandma Shelley and Kevin got Noah a baseball tee ball set and as you can see we have some practicing to do with him.  Right now he hits the ball off the tee with the wrong end of the bat.   

 Our annual toe sock picture,  don't ask me how this started but mom got us toe socks one year when they were cool many years ago and has been getting them for us ever since.  Funny thing is, she got us these same toe socks last year but couldn't find any others so bought them again.  Apparently toe socks aren't really in any more, haha!

Noah climbing on his mount of presents while playing with his magna doodle. 

 Yes mom.....

 Noah trying to wear the glasses from his Mr. Potato Head

I wish I had more pictures but I was not in the best of moods Christmas morning, I was tired, grumpy and let stress and worry get to me.  I missed out in just sitting back and enjoying the day with my family and I regret that.  I hate that I worried about silly stuff and wished I would have just enjoyed each minute of it.  We still had a great day overall and we all got such great gifts and are so thankful for everything we received and the wonderful friends and family we have.  Noah I think was overwhelmed by the end of the day and didn't know what to play with.  He kind of stayed away from his playroom, I think there was just too much new stuff in there for him.  We are in the process of picking some items to stow away for awhile and bring them out later in the year and also splitting up his toys so he has some downstairs as well. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, the Jones family sure did! 

Melts my heart!

Is that not sweet or what?

This morning I was making Carson do some tummy time and Noah was trying to entertain him as usual then he laid down right by him and put his arm around him.  I couldn't believe it and ran to get my camera.  He actually stayed like that for awhile because I caught a picture thank goodness.  Oh I just love these too!  It amazes me every day how much they already seem to like each other as well!  Wish you could see their faces, but still cute!