Easter morning

The Easter Bunny came to our house! And, man oh man, was he good to the kids! Their baskets were loaded, overflowing with fun stuff and yummy candy! Around here, the rabbit hides plastic colored eggs, candy filled of course! You hunt for your eggs, each kid getting one of each color only (if you find another say blue, you have to put it back!) then, once you have one of each (7 this year... including some super cool zebra eggs!) you hunt for your basket!
Olivia was last to find hers- she was a bit out of sorts, had to be woken up at 9... we couldn't wait any longer! She was a bit sore from the day before- running and playing all day! Her basket was in Wes' pack-in-play but under the top level, hidden behind a blanket, it was clever... a tough spot to find, then get to! She practically had to take apart the crib to get at it!

Billy's basket was in the pantry. He had just about given up (he was third to get his) and even Bill had stopped hunting by that time! I suggested they go back an look in places even if they had already hunted there- there are only so many spots big enough for a basket... and yup, sure enough it was there all along!

Billy actually found Savanna's basket and squeaked and squealed giving it away when he asked "Savanna is yours the yellow basket?!" as he slammed the utility closet door! She got a cool book called Savvy- she has been devouring it! She also go her own shampoo and conditioner, it smells yummy.

We weren't sure the bunny was going to bring Westley a basket, he is so small. But, he did! It had some cool stuff for him, and was hidden under his play mat on the bassinet part of the pack and play. Billy found it first, but didn't say anything, then when Savanna found it she pulled it out for him! All in all, it was a great morning. The kids had fun and got some cool things, and we had all the rest of the day to hang out and play before dinner at Auntie and Uncles house.

Wes' 11th week

Are you getting tired of Pictures of Wes yet?! We had another busy week, ending with our Annual Easter egg hunt and Easter day! I had so much fun thinking about baby's first Easter, and things didn't go quite like I thought they would, but all in all we had a nice weekend- the weather was amazing, the bunny generous and friends and family all around! Things didn't work out for me to get the chance to introduce Westley to my dear friend Kelley, and I so wanted to meet her new son Sam, but we will make up for our missed visit for sure!

Wes was way overtired at the egg hunt, totally off schedule and over stimulated I think. He was rather fussy and Poppy had to help him work thru it! It was very warm- almost 80 (about 20 degrees above normal!) so he couldn't wear the lovely sweater Mom-Mom knit for him. I scrambled for a backup outfit and didn't come up with anything. Grandma and Sissy helped get him dressed and picked out this duckie shirt; I thought he was pretty cute for an egg hunt!

This week Wes really figured out toys! He loves a big dragonfly toy we have with hanging rings. He bats and pulls at it in his pack and play, and we attached it to his play mat and he was very interested! If he is in the right mood I can get about 20 minutes at a time where he will play with himself, looking in his mirror and kicking and swinging his arms! He is very cute~

A tender moment with Brother

One sad little cowboy!

Ok, he looks a little like a buccaneer, but sad for sure!

Olivia has a magic tough for bouncing Wes on the yoga ball to quiet him down, he was so cute the other day with his head hanging off her arm...

A sleepy Westley after a walk with Mama- it's been so nice these past few days, we really have been lucky that finally after about 3 weeks and 12 or so inches of rain we finally have seen the sun! There were plenty of people dramatically effected by flooding. We were lucky- a day or two off of school and some major mud, but otherwise ok- and now able to be out and about... but it won't be long before the bugs swarm!

Shots from Savanna's camera

I downloaded Savanna's camera for her today and found quite a few cute shots of Wes on there! She had a few adorable ones that were a little blurry or a touch out of focus... she joined camera club this fall and had fun with that and got a nice camera for Christmas. It's too bad that some of her picture were not quite right... but these sure were cute. And, I can't believe how big Wes is getting already! I almost don't remember him this small, what fun I had going thru her file looking at him from her point of view:

(man I look wooped! Was I really THAT tired?!)

Daddy Daughter Dance

Savanna and Bill were off to the Daddy Daughter Dance Saturday night. She "danced his legs off!" We found a very pretty blue and green dress that had enough pizazz for her, it wasn't the black/white or violet "theme" that she thought she wanted, but after quite a few stores, it was "flowy" and the right texture (not stiff) and looked like something not every other girl would be wearing... plus she got a pair of high heels to go with it!

Billy and I were planning to go see a movie as we missed the Mother Son bowling event, so we left a bit before the dance. I missed getting a picture of Bill and Savanna together and they didn't think to ask somebody to snap a shot of them. I'll see the professional portraits when they come, but I am sad to miss a cute informal picture. Oh well. Bill wore his suit coat and a new green polo w got to match Savanna's outfit, I thought he looked quite handsome- it was a pretty combo! Bill only has one more Dance to attend; after next year Savanna will be too old... what fun memories he and the girls must have of these events

Westley- week 10

Another Saturday has come and gone... marking 10 weeks with Wes! Milestones this week?! He hit the 12lb mark went to another movie (awake this time) and discovered that he can reach for toys! What a big boy~

We had some fussy days last week with a bout of constipation. After 3 long, sad days and a consult with his Dr. we opted to increase the water in his milk by about a 1/2oz per scoop of formula. So now he gets 2.5 ozs for each scoop of formula powder and we are back to good again! I was so sad to have him so fussy and obviously unhappy (straining and crying... poor guy was red in the face half the time and clearly uncomfortable) We have things straightened out, which I'm glad about... back to lots of messy diapers again! The next step would have been to take him in for an evaluation and formula change; right now he is on the Similac organic and is happy to eat, so I didn't want to mess with it.

The Daddy Daughter Dance was this weekend. Bill and Savanna were off on Saturday night, so having missed the Mother Son event while I was laid up, Billy and I had planned to see a movie while they were doing the dance. We went to How to Train your Dragon (with Olivia and her friend too) Wes was awake for the whole movie and did really well- he only fussed right towards the end. I walked him up the aisle, and he was fast asleep... he slept the last 5 mins of the movie, I was so impressed with him! What a good baby!

Wes has been very "talky" he is cooing and really beginning to babble. He is sometimes making more then one sound at a time and is quite happy to sit facing you and have a "conversation." He tells us stories, and loves when he gets your full attention and lots of questions! He smiles quite a bit now, we have yet to catch a good one on film, but he is full of expression. He is going to have Bill's super expressive face I think! He has started to reach and try to grab toys. Well, one toy to be exact! We hung a toy with rings in his pack and play and a few days ago he hit is accidentally a few times and noticed that he could make it move. That turned into an exercise in intent. He certainly put it together that he could swing his arm and the toys would move. He is so clever- pretty quickly he was hitting it, and a few times he has even been able to grab and hang on. It won't be too long until everything in his reach will be fair game! Guess we better start to think about baby proofing the place...

9 weeks

Saturday Mr. Wes was 9 weeks old. I don't know how long I'll mark his age in weeks, I guess soon it will be time just to count the months! Sigh, my boy is growing up! He had his 2 month Drs. appointment and his vaccinations on Wednesday. I made Bill come, as I knew I was going to be upset and didn't want to hold him when he got his shots. He was pretty sad, mostly for the oral dose he had to get, he screamed the most for that. He was already upset by the time the needles came out, so I didn't notice too much reaction! He did bleed a bit, and had little tiny band aids on his thighs... he ran a slight temp and was fussy that night, then Thursday he slept ALL day! He was seriously only awake about an hour in the morning and then an hour around noon. He had a slight fever that next day, but I didn't give him tylenol after Wednesday night. He was 22 1/4 inches long (25th percentile) and 11lbs 14ozs in weight (50th) His head circumference is 15 5/8ths inches (50th)

One evening this week he found his thumb, he sucked it like crazy... to the point that I had a hard time nursing him since he wouldn't get his hand away from his face. The next day however, he had forgotten I guess, since he is back to sucking fingers or his whole hand. We had two really gorgeous days and he was able to spend some time outside. He really enjoys being outdoors and like the other kiddos I think he is going to be an animal/nature lover! He quiets right down and just looks all around when you carry him outside. I have taken to bringing him into the shower with me some days- he loves the water! I can let the shower splash right on his face and he just closes his eyes... I hope that means he is going to be a swimmer! All the other kids like the water too, so I'm taking that as a good sign.

He is starting to really coo and smile- he likes to have "conversations" and will "chit chat" when he is in a good mood. He isn't stringing sounds together, but we get multiple babbles in a minute or two. He also smiles and "flirts" a lot- he loves the attention and follows your face intently! It is so cool how you can really start to interact with him now. He is growing and changing so quickly! I am really looking forward to Grandma and Grandpa Houston arriving back from Florida, I can't wait for them to meet him.

Pine Wood Derby '10

Once again we have a winner! Well, not THE winner, but A winner! Billy placed 3rd in our town's Pine Wood derby allowing him to advance to regionals. He was very happy to have another chance to "win one of those trophies." It was a pretty close race, Billy and another kid actually tied for 2nd place- they had to race each other for 2nd and 3rd place. There was a coin toss and Billy won the choice of lanes; he picked the second lane and they faced off. The fire engine themed car won by a nose and we got the 3rd place slot.

He sat right at the end of the track and watched each run, he did really well and won most of his heats. Our pack has grown, and there was more competition this year, so it made for lots of interesting races. The winning car was pirate themed and very cool! It was built by a new Tiger and his Dad (like us last year.) I was glad they won, the little guy was so happy... it reminded me of Billy at last years race!

So, in a few weeks we will head out early in the morning to spend the day on the bleachers once again watching a zillion little wooden cars whiz down the tracks... and hoping to place at that level. Mostly, however, I hope Billy gets the cheap free-bee frisbee he wanted so badly last year!