Midday Pool Party!

I had an extra break from item review today (10:30 - 1:00!) so I got to go to the pool with the family! The water slide was Beckett's favorite, and Harp definitely knows how to relax poolside! :) 

Animal Kingdom Part 1

 Sunday morning, we got up bright and early for our character breakfast at tusker house before the park opened. A friend gave us that tip so we could get on early and take the first safari rides of the day, when the animals are most active, and when we were able to avoid long lines. 

Great tip! We were (literally) the first people in the park. The breakfast was amazing - tons of delicious food and some great personal interactions with Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Mickey. 

Kisses for both kiddos!

We rode some rides, but the highlight of the day was seeing Baloo and King Louie! Beckett's face was priceless. I'll never forget how happy he was! 

Up, Up, and Away!

Boarding our first family flight!

From Champaign to Chicago:

We all sat together from Chicago to Orlando. :) 

Like father, like son... <3

Airport

Here we are at the champaign airport. 

Arriving:

Checking in:

Riding the "magic stairs":

At the gate:

Harp is ready to go!

Harper's first plane:

4 Months, Continued!

We matched for the appointment! (Now I understand the whole American Girl Doll thing!)

Harp's appointment with Dr. Leifheit went really well (except for shots). She is 24" long and 12 pounds, 12 ounces. I looked in my baby book and I was 24.75" at 5 months, so she's ahead of me! :). She is still the 25% for weight, and 50% for height. Amy was very pleased because she is on the same trajectory she has been since birth. 

With our sweet doctor:

Developmentally she is right on track! Smiling, tracking voices 180 degrees, bearing weight, sitting upright with balancing assistance, vocalizing, and exploring things orally. 

This month, we are supposed to introduce rice cereal to get her used to he texture and idea of using a spoon. Amy said it also contributes to brain development because it's another exploration and new experience. We also got our sleep training schedule and I was thrilled that I had nothing to do with crying it out - something that I have no interest in trying. (Not judging other people for whom it works! It just doesn't work for us!) additionally, soothing her with the "5 S" method (shhhh-sound; suck-paci; sway-swing; side lay; and swaddle-she's outgrown this strategy) will help us teach her to self-soothe, something I didn't do well with B. I just want to hold my babies all the time! Giving her a chance (just for a few minutes at a time) to fuss and bit and find ways to soothe herself will be good for her in the long run. (Although I think Beck turned out just fine!!)

She had 3 shots and one oral vaccine. Poor baby! She cried, I cried, and then we went out for ice cream. (Talk about self-soothing.)

One last pic... 

"Undress to her diaper" dosen't specify anything about her bow...

Ready to Go!

I wish this weren't so blurry! The kids are ready for a big adventure. 

Last night, Beckett chose his friends to take on the plane. He picked Baloo and mosquito. Harper tried on her mouse ears! 

Love them!

So long, Gym!

With Jennica:

Monday was our last gym class. We won't be here next week and it's the last summer session. Because it was our last class, we got to jump in the foam pit!

I've noticed that Beckett tends to be a leader. He does something and other kids follow and mimic him. Another thing I've noticed is that he is initially hesitant at trying new things, but once he tries it and experiences success, he wants to repeat it many times! I wanted him to have a chance to listen to adults, follow directions, burn energy, and interact with peers - he got to do all those things in this class. I also noticed that he really wants to please and do what his teacher wants him to do. It gets hard because it is so much fun and there is a ton of stimulation, but he tries really hard to refocus! I can't believe he's only 2, but at the same time, I can't believe he's already 2. 

Last week, a guest teacher named Sam was there at the handstand station. It was the only time she's ever been there. She wasn't there on Monday, and when we got To handstands, Beckett asked, "where is Sam?" At first, I had no idea who he was even talking about! That memory - man! Maybe that's where some of mine has gone! 

The pit! (Vids on YouTube)

4-Month Comparison!

Holy cow!

Happy 4-Month Birthday!

Our little doll is four months old today!  She is such a sweet pea and this month has really been all personality!  She is cooing, laughing, sustaining and seeking eye contact, and smiling all the time.  (Except from about 6:30 - 8:00 at night, which is when she seems to fuss a little.)  She has found her voice and makes a wide range of sounds, including some very high-pitched sing-songy noises.  Shonn and I agreed that we don't remember Beckett doing that.

She has her next doctor's appointment on Tuesday, so I can update some of her stats then. But for now, I can share that she is grasping her hands together and chewing on her fist constantly. She is also a little drool box and loves to blows bubbles.  Through a mother's biased eyes, I think she is one of the prettiest little babies I have ever seen, but oh boy - she has the WORST gas I have ever smelled, and that's a FACT! (I'm sure she'll appreciate me sharing that someday.)

Here is what baby center has to say about development at four months:

Researchers believe that your baby can now understand all the basic sounds that make up his native language. Between this time and 6 months of age, he'll develop the ability to make some of these sounds, which means you may hear the words you've been dreaming about, namely "mama" and "dada." While child development experts say it's too early for your baby to connect those sounds with you, that won't make hearing them any less exciting.

You can encourage your baby's attempts at communication by mirroring or imitating his expressions and sounds. He may try to imitate you, too. Say "ba" and he may try to say it back.

Reacting when your baby makes noises or tries to say something will help him learn the importance of language and better understand cause and effect. It's great for his self-esteem, too: He'll begin to realize that what he says makes a difference. Expand on what your baby says and try to give it meaning. For example, you can say, "Yes, that is a ball!" Soon, his "ba" will become "ball."

Harvesting

We helped Brad harvest a little this morning. As you can see, Beckett was dressed for the occasion. :)

Pumpkin blossoms - Brad told us how to cook them and I can't wait to try:

Green beans, potatoes, onions, and zucchini. I just love summer!

We also had two more strawberries on our plant today!

It's a good thing I spend money on Beckett's wardrobe. Haha

Sweet, Funny Boy

A few recent funny and sweet phrases from Beckett, before I forget them:

1. Harper crying at nap. Beckett: "She's the grumpy dwarf on Snow White."

2. Lexi trying to get his Teddy Grahams. Beckett says, "No, Lexi!" She does it again. "Lexi, you are going to have a timeout for not listening."

3. "I want to pray for Daddy because he works so hard. And Mee Maw and Papa's camper."

4. While eating breakfast... "One spring day, there was a donut. What's your name, donut? You don't have a name because you're a donut. I'm going to eat you now."

5. While watching Lion King, Timone and Pumba start crying. "They need a paci!"

6. After Nemo... "Why did the diver get Nemo?" I told him because he didn't listen to his Daddy. "That was naughty like Peter Rabbit."

7. While playing with the potato heads, I asked him their names. "They don't have names. They are just the potato heads. These are their babies. (Smaller potato heads) They cry a lot."

I love our funny, sweet, smart boy. He is so sensitive and perceptive. And SO loving. (It melts my heart when he says, "mommy, I want to pray for you.") I'm so lucky! 

And a quick video from this morning:

Indoor Park Fun

Ally found this amazing indoor park and playground in Champaign, so we all met there for play group today. The playground is inside a gigantic church and is open to the public. It is a beautiful facility, and a great way to get people ink church, too!

Requisite adorable Beckett-and-Ava photo of the week (and cutey prego Kim, who looks fantastic!): 

The girls (before Reese got there) - look at Harpey standing up with the other big girls! Vivienne just turned 6 months:

Here's a pic of the two baby girls together!

Moving on to play time... First, Hadleigh roared:

Then Beckett showed her "how a T-Rex roars":

One of the slides was a lot of fun for Hampton! I can't believe how big he is getting!

The kids lives the merry-go-round, the fire truck, and the bouncy racecar:

And Kristin loves on Harper while Beckett hugged Hadleigh in front of Kim's adorable baby bump and loved on baby Reese:

Harper and Hampton had a little stroller chat:

And then Beckett enjoyed the water fountain. (I think he looks so big here!)

We ended the day with a trip to the mall for a carousel ride and a game of dress-up at baby Gap. 

Fun times and good friends! :)