[Drew :: 4 months]

Stats

Height: 25 in (50 %tile)
Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz (54 %tile)
Head: 16.5 in (37 %tile)

At 4 months, Drew...

• sucks on his fists
• smiles all day. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but he really is a smiley baby.
• loves to be talked to
• is definitely our little boy blue with his dreamy blue eyes
• has rolled over from his tummy to his back once
• sleeps like a champ- goes to bed around 10 and then sleeps until around 6 when he gets up to eat and then goes back to sleep for a few more hours
• is still adored by his older brother. He is probably Ryder's favorite person and is the first thing Ryder asks about in the morning when he wakes up.
• still has the cutest chipmunk cheeks you've ever seen.
• has this way of staring at you like he's staring into your soul. While he's an incredibly happy kid, he also has a seriousness about him that is beyond his years.
• does a little pouty lip before he cries. I've yet to capture it in a picture, it's hard to anticipate!

... and as you can tell by this adorable scowl, then he decided he was done.

[Drew :: 3 months]

At 3 months our little Drew:

• Smiles all day long, especially when someone is talking to him. He loves to interact with people.
• Spends afternoons being ferried around the house by Ryder man in our little, red toy wagon.
• LOVES to watch ceiling fans. It doesn't matter if they're on or off, he just loves to look up at them, smile, and coo.
• Still a big fan of riding in his carseat (his momma very much appreciates this). Most of the time, when it's time to go somewhere, we put him in his carseat, put a blanket over his lap, and his eyes will get heavy until he just passes out.
• Has decided recently that he would actually rather not drink out of a bottle. This has made daddy's life very interesting while momma is at work. We're working on it.
• Wearing 3-6 month size clothes.
• Consistently sleeping through the night. Eats around 9-10 pm and then doesn't usually wake up in the morning until 5-6 am and then goes back to sleep until 8-9 am. It's a good schedule we've got going!
• Poops in waves. Will often have multiple poopy diapers in an hour and then wont poop again for 6 hours or so.
• Is loved to pieces by his persistent older brother who sees fit to flip him in and out of tummy time repeatedly and bounce him vigorously in his bouncer.

[Drew :: 2 months]

2 month stats

weight: 12 lbs 3 oz (40 %tile)
height: 22.75 in (25 %tile)
head: 15.75 in (60 %tile)

At 2 months old, our little man Drew...

• Is starting to sneak us smiles. When he does, he melts hearts. It's hard work being a lady killer.
• Still eats every 2-3 hours during the day, but he does go long stretches at night and for that, momma is grateful. Wakes up once in the middle of the night and then goes right back to sleep.
• Aka. Mr. Big Cheeks. Most common greeting from people is, "Oh wow, look at those cheeks!"
• Has rolls on his legs and a perfectly round tummy that is to die for.
• Loves to be held facing out so that he is sitting upright and can see what's going on.
• Will coo and have a little chat sometimes after he eats. Right after eating is when he is the happiest. Although, who wouldn't be happy about that.
• He has the most beautiful blue eyes. They are still dark, but most definitely blue. Can't wait to see what shade they end up.
• Likes to have his diaper changed. As soon as you set him down on the changing mat, he quiets down and just lays there, content, until you've got a fresh one on.
• Is getting to be really good at controlling his neck and head. Still a bobblehead, but definitely improving.
• Loves to ride in his carseat whether that be in the car or in the BOB. Either way, as long as we're moving, he's usually a happy camper and will often fall asleep.
• Wearing 0-3 month clothes mostly, but also starting to break into the 3-6 month category too!
• Still referred to as "baby brother" by his big brother Ryder. Ryder man loves on him constantly; tries to share his toys with him, gives him "kisses on his hair", and wants to make sure he's always right by us while we're playing. I hope they are going to be such good little friends.

2 littles

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I"m shocked when I remember, "oh yeah, I've got 2 kids."  The transition has been interesting, to say the least. Sometimes I feel like it takes every minute of every day of my 100% constant attention just to survive. Somebody always needs me, and frequently they both need me.

Then, there will be a day when the stars align and they both end up napping at the same time and I have an hour or so to do something normal. To take a nap. To make something for dinner that is more than just paninis or omelets (our 2 go-to meals). To clean the kitchen or do a load of laundry. To sit down and blog. Then I remember, this is how it used to be. Back when Ryder's 2-3 hour nap time was my free time and I used to be semi-productive during the day. I will get there again, but today is not that day and probably not tomorrow either. Because now I have 2 littles who depend on me for everything and that is just fine. That is where I am right now.

Its been all about redefining what "productive" means. If we can all get ready for the day and do one thing, that's a good day. Anything else on top of that is just frosting.

There have been a few things that have helped me keep my sanity... things I don't know what I would do without.

• Chad is such a good, hands-on daddy. When he comes home from work, he is all about jumping right into the chaos and even sending me out the door for some alone time. That man is a keeper.
• Almost every day, we take the double BOB out on a run/walk. I like to say we're "rocking" it. We hit up the park and/or go around the lake. It's a necessary part of both mine and Ryder's day.
•  Listening to conference talks and/or scriptures on my phone. Love that LDS app. I made a goal to listen to at least 1 talk a day and even when I'm only half listening because I'm trying to avoid some sort of catastrophe or attend to a little's need, I still feel better and at peace afterwards.

One happy surprise has been how much Ryder man loves his "baby brother" (still will not call him Drew). He wants to love and take care of this baby brother the best way his 2-year-old little self can. Often times despite his good intentions, he can love a little too much, but I can't really ever be mad at him. How can you be upset with a 2-year-old who wants to give his brother too big a hug? Or kiss the top of his head ("kiss his hair!") too many times? Or who accidentally rolls over his hand when he insists that baby brother lay next to him in his crib while we're saying prayers? You just can't.

So, I'm figuring it out. It's a change, and as I'm starting to go back to work, there's more to come. But, we're making it and every day, things get a little more routine, a little better. Motherhood is quite the journey.

Malaya turns 8 and gets Baptized!

Our niece Malaya turned 8 a few weeks ago. I still kind of can't believe it. She is starting to be so grown up! We're so proud of this sweet girl and the decision she made to be baptized. She's setting such a good example for all of her sisters. The baptism was on her birthday (May 3) at 11:00, and then afterwards we all headed to the park for a picnic lunch and family celebration. It was a beautiful Saturday and the perfect day to be outside with all of the people that we love. After heading back home for an afternoon nap (for everyone in our family), we went back down to American Fork in the evening for some birthday cake with the birthday girl. It was a fun day to celebrate our very favorite Malaya. Even at 1 month old, Drew was such a good baby and was up for a day full of festivities. Fun was had by all. Happy Birthday Malaya!!

[Drew :: 1 month]

At one month old...

• He is a ravenous eater. Eats every 2-3 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours at night. He has gone 5 hours between feedings ONE TIME at night. That's it. 
• Squeaks constantly. While awake, while eating, while asleep. He is Mr. Squeaky.
• Has gas like its nobody's business. Seriously, this kid likes to channel his inner 15 year-old-boy. His gas happens all day long and can be very loud. It's actually pretty impressive that such a little human can make that much noise.
• Drew has such a mellow temperament and a sweet disposition.
• Knows his days from his nights (thank goodness!) so that even though he wakes up frequently at night to eat, he always goes back to sleep right after eating. There's no convincing this kid that night time is sleep time. He just knows.
• Sometimes during the day while he's awake, he just wants to be put down to have time to just chill. He will lay on a blanket on the floor and just investigate the room.
• Ryder man calls him his, "baby bruder" and refuses to call him Drew. He loves to hold his hand, help change his diaper, and give him kisses on the head. He always wants his baby bruder to be included with what we're doing and wants momma to hold baby bruder constantly.
• Loves to be held upright and holds his head up to look around. Is the cutest little bobble head you've ever seen.
• His eyes are already looking blueish and he has perfected the "looking into your soul" stare.
• Has old man hair. Receding hairline, very short on top and longer in the back.
• As his cousin Haley put it, "I really like his froggy legs and fuzzy ears."
• Since day 1 has had the most perfect, round head. He now also has the cutest round little cheeks and round belly to match! Has been described as a "chunk".
• Rocking tummy time.