Hot Off The Camera: Beau @ 6 Months

Whoa--two posts in one day! Hot off the camera are pictures of Beau at six months. For any that noticed, yes, I did NOT take pictures at 5 months. Oops. Well, it wasn't like I forgot, but it was right around the time we were getting ready for Hawaii and it was not a priority to me. It's rather a big pain to take these pictures, and I'm contemplating just taking them whenever he has his doctor appointments, but then I feel bad that Isaac has them every month.... but I'm sure I'll get over that feeling. :)

So, can you believe it, Beau is SIX MONTHS already. He weighs 16 lbs 3 oz (25%) and is 27 inches long (70%) and I don't remember his head measurement, but it is in the 25th percentile.

He does pretty well sitting up -- not well enough to put him down and walk away -- but well enough that he can sit up. He rolls like a rolling King. We can put him on the floor and he can roll to other side of the room. It's great now--a few weeks ago when he would roll to his stomach right away in his crib and fall asleep and then wake up screaming because he couldn't get back to his back -- was not a very fun period.

He's so chill, he eats solids twice a day and is a good sleeper. He is pretty content with Isaac climbing on him, never fusses, I'm sure that will change. He still nurses 5 times a day and sleeps for about 12 hours at night. His naps during the day total about 5-6 hours.

He seems to love the pool. He always is squirming to get in, so I assume that means he likes it. I love this next picture -- Isaac is trying to kiss Beau and Beau has his hand on Isaac's mouth trying to push him away.

I can't wait to watch their love and relationship develop! And yes, this is a classic Beau face: big eyes, open mouth. Like I said, he is pretty chill.

Up next: I believe we should be seeing teeth pretty soon....

Random Happenings

A week or so ago, we went miniature golfing as a family. We made family goals for the summer, and that was one of them. Isaac has had his own "set of golf clubs" for a year or longer and loves playing it, but for some reason, when we got there it's like he forgot how to hold the club and hit the ball! Ha! But we still enjoyed our evening out as a family followed by pizza!

Taylor did try to teach him, but he must have been too excited to really focus.

Last week, a friend and I took Isaac and his friend (her son) to a "spray ground" -- for a 90 degree day, it was perfect!!

My mom's birthday was last month, and part of serving in the single's ward and having the combination of a birthday that falls on FHE night means lots of fun (for us) and embarrassment (for her!) I called my dad during the day and asked for "permission" to make her birthday a big deal, and so we got a big cake, decorations and signs and of course--stuff for her:

Isaac started swim lessons again. He has already gone under water (he is scared of that!) more times than he did last year, so thats improvement!

We have a Velodrome here in the Springs, if you don't know what that is, don't worry--neither did I. It is a track for bikes to race on (to put it very simply). One of our good friends was racing, so a few of us went to watch. Here is Isaac with some of his friends watching.

And lastly, my dad has been telling Isaac for a long time about how they are going to go fishing together. And alas, yesterday, they went and got Isaac a fishing pole and went fishing.

He LOVED it! ... didn't catch anything, but he still loved it!

A week in Hawaii

Well...it's time. No more putting off this post. We spent a week in Maui, Hawaii at the beginning of June and L.O.V.E.D it!!!! It was Taylor's first time to Hawaii, and I don't think it disappointed!! We stayed at the Grand Wailea and it was awesome! I don't care to upload every single picture, so here are some highlights. A view from our hotel:
Isaac was our navigator to the hotel from the airport:
Monday: The boys went ziplining--they said it was awesome. It was 2.5 miles of pure ziplining.

While they were ziplining, Beau took his first dip in the water. This was the kids "sandy beach" part of the pool. It was perfect for Isaac!

That night we took family pictures. This was us playing in the ocean when we were all done. Once of the best memories for me!

Tuesday: Taylor and I took the boys to a part of the island called Kula. There is an LDS church there which was the first branch established back in 1851 in Hawaii. It was awesome!

Our family inside the church.

When we got back to our hotel, we spent the afternoon swimming.

Wednesday: Day at the pool. Isaac LOVED going to the pool. This day Taylor, Tyson and myself did a "Introductory to Scuba Diving Lesson" -- scariest thing ever!! It just enhanced my desire to NEVER scuba dive!!!!!!!

Thursday: Girls day at the SPA!! LOVED it!

That night: ice cream!

Friday: Another day at the pool. The pool had cabana's that you could rent--we got a small one on Monday and the larger ones on Wednesday and Friday--they were perfect with kids! That night we went to Ruth Chris's Steak House to celebrate Taylor's birthday.

Saturday: Our last day :( This day, I conquered another fear (Fear #1 was scuba diving on Wednesday). Taylor and I were able to go just the two of us (thanks again mom and dad for watching the boys!) and we decided it would be fun to rent scooters and drive around Maui. It was AWESOME and I am soo glad we did it, but I have NEVER driven a scooter or anything two-wheeled in my life. (4-wheelers are way different than scooters!) Needless to say, the first 30 minutes or so I was sooo scared that I was going to tip or something... but the things we saw were so breathtaking!! Nothing like driving along the ocean coast in Hawaii!

It was a GREAT trip! We loved every minute. In the words of Isaac, "We miss Hawaii!" Thanks again Mom and Dad for a wonderful trip!!!!

May: Trip to Utah

As I thought about all the things I need to blog about, I decided I am going to be better at updating. I am going to be better at recording the funny things Isaac says and the milestones Beau is hitting...and then I started this post and uploading the pictures...and by the third attempt and having to upload one at a time...I thought, "I don't know if I am going to get better at this..." :) Ok, no really, I do WANT to be better, just don't know how well I will execute that goal.... :)




Well, let's go back to the month of May. May was an eventful month, hence the lack of time to blog. Sara McConkie got married -- this was a highlight of our month -- for those of you who don't know, Sara and I grew up together, danced together, went on some double dates together, and then when we graduated high school we decided to be college roommates together. She met a boy named Matt and they dated -- and it's so fun knowing I was a part of their love story (in terms of talking to Sara lots about it) ... well, Sara and Taylor (my hubby) are cousins. Sara introduced me to Taylor and obviously Taylor and I are married, so NOW Sara and I are cousins!! It's so fun...and who whould have thought that six years ago when Sara and Matt started dating, that the four of us would all be related?! SO, again, Sara's wedding was an exciting highlight for us. The month started off by attending her bridal shower here in Colorado. Here is 5 of the 6 freshman roommates:

Then in the middle of May we drove out to Utah. We caravaned out with Sara's brother, David and his family. Beau did alright in the car...he didn't understand why he couldn't get out of his carseat when he was awake...but he did well, we can't complain. We arrived Thursday night and the wedding was on Friday. We were able to attend their sealing and the luncheon following. I am PATHETIC to say that I didn't take one picture. After the luncheon we went up to Salt Lake for the reception. Sara asked me to be a bridesmaid, and that was fun to be apart of their special day! Again... no pictures, pathetic, I know!

--I want to remember how my sister in law, Heather, had Isaac stay at their house Friday night after the reception. We were staying in SLC and she lives in Spanish Fork. Isaac had had an accident in his pants (too busy playing to stop!), was in his church clothes and I was totally unprepared for a night stay with cousins -- far away from us. Of course Heather thought I was crazy for worrying -- not like I was worried about who he was with -- that was the part that got me through it! -- but it was so on the whim and I was so unprepared it made for a worrisome me. But Isaac had a BLAST with his cousins and I love family for this reason! -- The ability to do things like this.

Saturday, while in Utah, Taylor signed up to do the Salt Lake Century -- a 100 mile bike ride. Taylor just got into cycling last summer and got a fancy bike for Christmas. I thought he was crazy for riding for 100 miles just to sit in a car the next day, but he did fabulous on the ride and the car ride wasn't a big deal. He did SOOOO well!!

Our good friend, Jordan Johnson, also drove out from CO for the ride! I think that was a huge motivator for Taylor--to do the ride with someone! We have three other couples that live by us in the Springs where all the hubbies like to ride and we are all in the same stage of life, so it's so much fun -- for the wives and the hubbies -- and the kids!
We drove home Sunday and we timed it perfect. Beau slept all morning during our drive. He was awake for our lunch stop and then slept all afternoon until we got home!

The following Saturday was Sara and Matt's Colorado reception. We were so excited to attend that as well. Look at this gorgeous, tan couple! (Finally, I got pictures!!) And now, we can have fun saying we are all 4 cousins

Since Sara and Matt were in town for the reception, we were able to spend Sunday afternoon/dinner with them before they headed to Oklahoma. It was great spending some one on one time with them and their family who were still in town from the reception! Sure love them!

Beau: 4 Months

Beau had his four month appointment yesterday and he is growing like he should (aka along the curve) and is healthy as can be. So, at four months:

14 lbs 4 oz (35%)
26 inches (above 90%)

When they first told me his weight, I'll be honest, my first thought was "That's it?" but then when they measured him and said he is above the 90th percentile, I was pretty surprised. Taylor and I have been talking about how he is probably going to be short and chunky. Apparently we were wrong! He seems to be on track to be like Isaac -- tall and skinny.

Beau is a pretty content, chill baby. He is nawing on his hands all the time. He likes a pacifier every once in a while (but more than Isaac liked it). He rolls onto his side. Has gotten really good at "tummy time." And is still sleeping through the night anywhere from 10-12 hours (except for last week because we had someone staying with us and he knew that if he woke up he would be fed...little stinker!) And I can happily say that his blow outs have become few and far between.

He is nursing great -- about 5 times a day for 10 minutes. He smiles a ton and has recently started laughing a lot more.

As the above picture shows, we are at the point where we can no longer put him on the couch and walk away for a moment. He is a moving, squirming little boy!

Isaac's "ROAR" pose. Isaac is still the best big brother to Beau. He is awesome with him and always wants to kiss and hug him. When I put Beau on his stomach, Isaac will say, "Good job, Beau! You're doing it!!" It's sooo cute! I love my two boys!

Easter Weekend

What a weekend we had! I organized and hosted our second annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt behind our house again this year. We have a large open field behind our house, so it's perfect for an egg hunt. We had a 30 percent increase in participation this year, so it was a success. We even had a neighbor bring a real bunny, so that was cool for the kids. Here's part of the group gathered before the hunt began.
Isaac finding some eggs!

Isaac got to feed the bunny.

Isaac and Lucy!

I even sneaked in a picture with him!

This is Isaac's most recent "look" if you came to our house right now. He is "Cowboy Isaac", wears his special band, aka a workout band, and goes on adventures with his flashlight. Haha, silly boy!

Beau didn't really know any different this weekend -- he still just ate, slept, ate, slept... but he's sure a cutie!!

Saturday evening we dyed Easter eggs -- we had my parents and my sister and her family over for it even though Isaac was pretty much the only one that cared. I don't know why we make it such a tradition...the second we were done and started to clean up I tossed the eggs in the trash... oh well..

Sunday morning -- Isaac got his Easter basket first thing. Nothing too exciting, just new little toys and candy.

Isaac and Beau wore coordinating outfits -- not matching -- coordinating. :) Taylor does NOT want our boys matchie-matchie, so they were close but not identical.

Unfortunately, with 9:00 church, we weren't able to take a good picture. Instead, we took it right before Isaac's nap and right when Beau woke up, so Beau was HUNGRY. Haha, even though this isn't the picture I hoped or intended to get, I LOVE it. It's just, so real. :)

Later Sunday evening, we went to my parents house for dinner and another Easter egg hunt. One of my friends taught me how to make the famous Lion House Rolls.... I know, I'm sure everyone knows how to make them, but I am SOOOO excited that I can do it now!! See, proof:

This is how Beau spent Easter dinner.

And everyone else-- my parents invited a gal from their singles ward, Talia, who we all LOVE, and she brought her boyfriend, Heath. It was fun!

Following dinner we had the Easter egg hunt. My favorite picture of the hunt is when Isaac was freaking out about the mountain lion. He has been around it several times before, but for some reason, grabbing an egg underneath him was too much. Hahah... "Hurry Isaac, go fast!"

We had a great Easter!

April 1: It's Been Two Years

April 1 marked two years since our angel entered and left this world. It's hard to believe it's been two years. I'm one that enjoys celebrating holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc, and one that likes to remember special days, but with something like this, I was at a loss of words for what to do. I didn't want to make a big production of the day, but I wanted to do something.

We picked up lunch from Great Harvest and met Taylor for lunch. It was nothing fancy, but we were together. We decided to take a picture of our children on the bench that Taylor got me for Mother's Day two years ago for Angelina. It is placed next to the waterfall (that we built in remembrance of Angelina, as well) and last year we had a plaque made that says "In Loving Memory of Our Angel, Angelina Joyce Housley, April 1, 2009"

I told Isaac about Angelina this year. Not like he understands or talks about it -- but at least the dialogue started. He knows he has a sister in Heaven and hearing him say "Angelina" is about the most tender thing ever.

Taylor mentioned how without everything that happened with Angelina, we wouldn't have Beau here today. So while it is a day of remembrance of the hardship we were faced with two years ago, it is also a day to be grateful for what we learned and gained. I truly believe I will have the chance to raise Angelina after our mortal journey on this earth and that gives me so much strength and hope. And I am truly grateful that we had this trial in our lives -- grateful on so many different levels; grateful to see how Taylor and I really came together during a hard time, grateful to have my faith tested and strengthened, grateful to have an angel looking over us, grateful to have a better understanding of my relationship with the Lord, grateful she was born at 20 weeks instead of 40 weeks, grateful that given what had to happen--the delivery and recovery went as smoothly as possible, etc....

April 1 was also a day that I held both Isaac and Beau a little tighter, a little closer, a little longer ... I am so grateful to be a mom to these two precious boys. So, April 1 is also a day that we count our blessings.

For Angelina's story, visit: http://www.letterstoangelina.blogspot.com/