The Baby Whisperer

I have always known my dad is good with babies. Kids are drawn to him and he is quite the favorite amongst the grand kids in our family despite mom's efforts. Well things have not changed since Little J.'s arrival. The first couple of months were quite challenging when it came to calming Jonathan and getting him to STAY asleep for a long stretch of time. One evening Dad took a turn and after some time came back in to the living room with Little J. perched on a pillow sound asleep. Since then Dad has taken Jonathan several afternoons to give me a break. He always gets the same results: Jonathan sleeps better with Grandad than any other member of the family. I have even had to ask for lessons on how he gets him to stay asleep for a long nap. Although it has helped in some ways, "Little Grandad" still prefers being with Grandad perched on a pillow on his stomach when he is ready for a nap. I am so thankful for my dad and the relationship he has already built with my boys.

Pumpkin P.J.'s

Charla loaned me a pair of Halloween pajamas that Lilah wore last year- gender neutral of course! I was able to find a similar pair for Parker on clearance. Couldn't resist posting some pics!

Parker's way of "kissing" is to lean his head on something.

Halloween...finally!

It is still a little strange sometimes when I realize that Parker and Jonathan both just experienced their first Halloween. It is fun that they get to do this together. We had a busy but fun day. Thankfully they never put up a fight with their costumes and looked pretty cute as a pumpkin and a scarecrow not that I am biased or anything. Part of our time was spent at the church's Fall Festival. They are still too young to do anything so we just strolled around and showed them off! After a late nap I took the kids to my parents to get a picture with their cousins Collin and Brooke. Then we made a brief appearance at the off campus Fall Festival which happened to be in our neighborhood. By the end of the day we were all happy to get in our beds!


Tony and Charla stopped by with Lilah. We had to snap the camera fast before she walked away!

Two Months Of Jonathan

I must say that month two of our Jonathan has gone a lot smoother than month one! We are learning what works best to calm him when fussy, his cries, and feel like he is getting more and more settled into life each day.

Some things about Little J.:

• Started to smile. He smiles the biggest when talked to and when you change his diaper
• Cooing some and has a "laugh" almost identical to Parker's
• Staying happy for longer periods of time when he is awake which is a HUGE accomplishment
  
• Prefers to nap on his stomach. It's the only way he will stay asleep for a long stretch of time
• Likes to look at Parker but does not enjoy when Parker grabs his face, steps on him, or takes his pacifier away
• Sleeping in his crib in his room for longer stretches at night. We usually only get up once with him
  
• Dressed up as a pumpkin for his first Halloween
• Made his first debut at church on his two month birthday and had many admirers
• Hair color is still a mystery
  

Ten Months of Parker

Parker turned 10 months old last week. It is hard to believe this time last year we were just finding out we had been matched and meeting our birth mom and her family for the first time. What a blessing Parker continues to be in our life. We are so thankful on a daily basis for the choice our birth mom made.

Here are a few things Parker is up to these days as well as a few more pics thanks to my dear friend Arlene:

• Crawling, pulling up, and cruising some every chance he gets.
• Warming up to finger foods a little more each day. He likes cheese, ham, tortillas, and of course bread!
• He loves to clap his hands and play Patty Cake. Now when you mention the words he starts clapping on cue.
• Interested in Little J and pulls up to his bouncy seat, swing, and the arches of the play mat to check him out. He often goes for his face or his pacifier. Sometimes Jonathan likes this, other times not so much.
• His favorite past time is to pull up to the coffee table, chair, or any other surface and bang on the top of it. He loves the noise it makes. I guess this is just the beginning of raising a boy!