Maddux @ 9 months

• Army crawl expert.  Gets around the house quickly just using his arms to drag the rest of his body around.  He's only crawled on all fours for a few short moments.
• Loves books, but is in the mode of turning the pages as quickly as he can before moving on to the next one.
• 4 teeth with 4 more erupting
• Still no jabbering or attempts at any sounds other than screams/shouts and his consistent "Ehhhhh".
• Loved the freedom of the bath once he was allowed to crawl around on his own in a little water, or being able to sit in a bath seat.
• Is still a happy, happy boy in the morning.
• Has been going through a phase of really struggling to fall asleep at night.  He'll cry as soon as he's taken into his room and then continues crying when put into the crib.  But he doesn't want any help...he'll swat away hands that are trying to rub his hair, scratch his back, or otherwise comfort him.  Thankfully it looks like he's growing out of this one.
• Loves the freedom he's found as he moves around more.  And now doesn't love to cuddle or fall asleep on our shoulders.  He doesn't mind being carried around, but will often push away from whoever is holding him so he can get down on the ground.
• Has always eaten solid foods really well.  Doesn't make a very big mess.  Has been willing to eat just about anything we've tried.  But he will not pick up some foods on his own if the texture is odd.
• Maddux will interact with pretty much anyone and is content to be held by most, even if he isn't very familiar with them
• Continues to scratch his skin whenever he is uncovered.  He's ended up with quite a few self-inflicted wounds because of it
• Apparently thinks sneezing and coughing are funny.  He gets a cute grin on his face afterward.
• Much longer now, his weight gain hasn't kept up with his body stretching out.  He's now about 50th percentile in height and weight, but his body has the responsibility to carry around 97th percentile sized noggin.

Dapper Jazz fan

 

We went to see a Jazz scrimmage today so we could get a first glimpse at their new players, including Dante Exum, the teenage rookie from Australia.  Maddux pulled off the rare hate and leg roll combo with ease.

Sunday School

 

This was my Sunday School class today.

Old friends

We met up with some old friends from our Provo/Orem days.  Josh and Michelle were on vacation from South Dakota where Josh is stationed with the Air Force.  Our families met up at a park in south Salt Lake.

The Meat Platter

Spent the day in SLC, shopping and playing.  We finished dinner at a Mexican restaurant we hadn't tried previously: Los Cucos.  We asked the waiter if he had any recommendations off the menu.  He pointed to a sampler platter on the back of the menu and said that is what got ordered the most.  We asked what it was and he said, "Pretty much every piece of meat that we have in the kitchen."  Yes please!

Flexy toes

Old Family Photo

Alison posted this pic on Facebook for Mother's Day.  So many awesome things about it.  Lots of memories tied to this image.

Maddux @ 5 Months

• Wakes up very, very happy in the morning.  Whoever gets to him first is always welcomed with a huge grin, and a big cuddle after picking him up.
• He's been nestling his head against his blanket that rests on our shoulders when we pick him up.
• Weighed 18 lbs at his 4 month check.  Still eating, still healthy.
• Is tongue-tied.  Seeing the ENT tomorrow to have it taken care of.
• Doesn't let Stefanie rest much at night.  He will typically wake up at 1:00, 3:30, and again at 6:00. 
• Is sleeping in his own crib in his own room for most naps and at night now.
• First tooth broke through last week, and it looks like its neighbor is coming out soon too.
• Is a drooling monster.  Always has been, but of course it is even worse with him teething.
• Pulled his toes up to his mouth for the first time today.  He loves to put everything in his mouth, and will chomp and suck on anything (including blankets and bibs)
• Will almost always smile after making eye contact with someone.  Maddux is just a very happy little man.
• Loves when we take his clothes off.  He will grin, giggle, and will move his limbs excitedly.
• Can spread and curl his toes like his mommy.
• After not liking his pacifiers for a few months he started to suck on one to soothe himself to sleep.  Since his teeth started breaking he hasn't liked sucking on it as much but will gnaw on it the same as anything else that makes its way into his mouth.
• Did I mention happy and smiley and always grinning
• Is adored by his sisters, but particularly Mya.  She will sometimes be the first person in the room to notice if Maddux is getting fussy and she will jump up to help.  If he's being grabby or wiggly while getting a messy diaper changed she will run into the room to hold his arms to help.  She always speaks gently to him, and will make sure to tell him, "It's okay Maddux, we aren't laughing at you" to make sure his feelings don't get hurt. 

Maypole dance

Afton got to participate in a maypole dance at the Historic Clark Farm celebration.  After the dance the girls got to explore the different activities at the farm.  Afton loved touching and feeding all of the different animals; Mya wanted no part of it.  There was a small horse-drawn buggy that they got to ride in.  The farm is something that I wasn't too familiar with growing up, but some locals are doing a great job of making it accessible to others.

Bedtime, again

Afton loves to read in bed.  She always asks if she can take her book and a flashlight to bed.  Sometimes we'll tell her she can read one chapter and then be done.  Tonight she came out about 15 minutes after going to bed and said she couldn't fall asleep.  So we let her grab her book and light and off she went.

Fast forward another 15 minutes.  Stef was getting Maddux ready for bed and Afton quietly entered the room.

"I can't get Mya out of my bed."
"Out of your bed?  What do you mean out of your bed?"
"She is asleep in my bed and I can't get her out."
"Why is she asleep in your bed?"
"I told her she could come hold the light for me while I read my book.  But then she fell asleep.  And I can't her to move.  And she's making me hot."

I walked Afton back to her room and sure enough Mya was zonked on the top bunk.  Afton grabbed her blanket and stuffed animal of choice for the night and got under the covers in Mya's bed.  I stood on the bottom bunk the help get Mya adjusted more towards the middle of the bed instead of sleeping right up against the edge rail and she was already a cute little ball of sweat.  She was wearing a pair of footsie jammies, and that always meant Mya would sleep very "hot".

Bed Time For Sisters

Afton and Mya share a bedroom.  And a bed time.  And they generally do a great job of going through their typical nighttime routine of getting ready for bed, then into bed around their bed time.  Afton sleeps on the top bunk, and Mya on the larger lower bunk.  More and more often lately they ask if they can both sleep on Mya's bed since there is room for both of them.  The next morning they both will have stories about how Afton kicked Mya in the back, or how Mya's arm slapped Afton's face while she was asleep.  But they love being together.  Many times when they get tucked in for the night they will cuddle together or hold hands.

Last night was another "can we share Mya's bed" request.  I tucked them in at just before 9:00 and since it is spring break gave in to their begging to be able to read (Afton) and play the iPad (Mya) before going to sleep.  I said that Afton could read one more chapter in her book and when she was done they both needed to close their eyes and go to sleep.  With them in bed for the night it means a few episodes of Amazing Race for me and Stefanie.

We were just about through the 2nd episode when we heard loud giggling coming out of the girls room.  I looked at the clock and it was 10:35.  I walked down the hall and peaked into their room.  Mya was pushed right up against Afton, while Afton held the iPad for both to see.  They were playing some silly game with a toy train app, and anything they said or did was apparently hilarious because they'd just laugh and laugh. 

Two cute sisters + spring break = dad just closed the door and let them be.