Hunter 7 months

Hunter is 7 months now. I can't believe another month has passed us by. I guess I can since we have been sick for 3 of those weeks. Anyway, back to Hunter. He is still growing like crazy. He now has 12 and 12-18 month clothes in his drawers and he hasn't shown any signs on dropping down to 3, 8 ounce bottles from 4 a day. I guess when we get into more food it will happen eventually. He has successfully eaten carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes and peaches so far and I plan to start him on applesauce tomorrow. Peas didn't agree with him, but everything else has been great, and he ate those no problem too. I'm hoping by next month he will be able to do some finger foods from the table and we won't have to buy anymore baby food.

He is still a very mellow baby and a great sleeper. He is still taking 3 naps most days, with a 2-3 hour nap in the morning, another 2-3 hour nap in the afternoons and then another 1 hour around dinner time. Sometimes he doesn't get the three if we are out and about, but he still is a happy boy if he doesn't get it. It is more a break for me so I only have to two munchkins to worry about.

He is starting to sit up more by himself. He leans forward a bit, but usually can sit that way for a few minutes. I haven't been brave enough to leave him alone like that though, maybe by next month. He still is rolling all over the place and is usually content to just play with a rattle or other toy for about an hour if someone else is in the room with him. He isn't too interested in trying to crawl yet. He also will just sit on your lap and watch what is going on with no problem. He also loves his activity chair, and his feet are finally touching the ground in it.

We are so blessed to have this happy, content, mellow man to complete our family.


You can see his teeth now when he grins and I LOVE it.


Here he is playing with a rattle. What is does most of the day, when awake.


Tanner came in and was helping me take pictures of Hunter. He adores his big brother, even when he is "helping him". Tanner really is pretty gentle with him most of the time. Jessi is usually the one that is too rough.

Artists

The other day, I decided that I would actually let my children be creative for once, and not worry about the mess. They actually did better than I thought. Maybe we will do it more often now. Anyway, we got out the paint. Here is what they did.



Another reason that I decided to do this was to keep Tanner entertained in the kitchen. He has no diaper on under that smock, just a shirt. He has been really bad about telling us lately when he has pooed in his diaper and I had told him that if he didn't start, I was going to take the diaper away. (another attempt to potty train him) He didn't like that and so the rest of the day he ran around buck. He still had 2-3 accidents. I guess he still isn't ready and just doesn't seem to care. I guess he will want to one of these days. It is hard to be patient though when I know he can do it if he would just try. Oh, well, someday it will happen.

Mother's Day (sorry no pictures)

I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother's day. We had a rough day but it was still pretty good considering. After out long weekend and snow trip last weekend, Jessi and Tanner started in with colds last Monday. We took them in to the doctor on Tuesday and Jessi had an ear infection. Tanner had a little bit of a cough and some rattling so the doctor prescribed an inhaler. By Thursday night Hunter and I were starting to not feel that great and Friday night I didn't sleep much and woke with a really sore throat. We tried to get into the doctor Saturday but it didn't happen and by Saturday night both the boys started having goop in their eyes. So instead of going to church and enjoying a relaxing Mother's day we went to the doctor and spent have the day their. MJ also thought that he might have strep, but luckily he tested negative for that.
The good part though. . . Jessi sometime during the week had made a Mother's day card for me and kept it a secret and hid it from me, so she surprised me with that first thing in the morning. Then after we got back from the doctor and had lunch. Jessi "took care" of me by bringing me a drink of water without me asking because I was coughing while I was trying to "nap" on the couch. Then she and Tanner "cleaned the house" by dusting what they could reach while I slept. It was very sweet and showed me again what great kids I have. I am very lucky for the wonderful children that I have to call my own. Then MJ's wonderful sister took a chance of getting sick herself and brought us dinner, even after we canceled on them when we were supposed to have them for dinner.
Also I wanted to express my gratitude for all those wonderful women in my life, mothers and non-mothers, that have helped me through the tough times and the good times. You are wonderful examples and I try to be like you more and more each day.

Snow in CA

We went from one extreme to another the weekend after the shower.



Who says it doesn't snow in CA?

We drove up to Tahoe area and found some snow in Donner pass.



After we were all bundled up



We made a snowman. . .



Took some family pictures. . .



Jessi made a snow angel. . .



And of course had a snowball fight.

We had a great time and we got to park right next to the snow.

Fun in the SUN

A few weeks ago, Jessi and I went to a baby shower while Daddo watched Tanner and Hunter for me (MJ was working). Daddo went all out and got out the pool and Thomas the train. Tanner didn't want to go in the pool until Jessi and I got back but then they had a great time. Hunter even got in for a few minutes with just his feet. Enjoy the pictures!