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/

Beau: Three Months

Beau is three months! ...I'll be honest--I'm excited!! This is when the personality and laughs start coming regularly and I like that. Beau is around 14 pounds already -- and I am proud of my little chunk!

He smiles pretty regularly and it just melts my heart every time. Isaac is still great with him and that makes me so happy.

Probably the most exciting news -- at least to me -- is that he is sleeping through the night!! I'm talking like 11-12 hours sleeping through the night! And a rested mommy means a happy mommy for all! Isaac slept through the night around the same time (3 months) and I just knew he could when we tried. It has been totally different with Beau. Since I'm nursing, I'm not as comfortable in knowing how much he is getting (although, again, he is 14 pounds, so it must be enough.) So with Beau I approached it as a gradual thing. He was pretty consistent going from 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. for about a week, so I thought I'd stretch his feeding to 5 a.m. The night I planned to do this, he woke up at 3 a.m. -- I put his pacifier in (another dilemma -- I did not want to get in this habit) did this a few times and then he slept until 7 a.m. So he was obviously much more capable than I thought. Then I was going to start pushing all night when he was 11.5 weeks but then Isaac got sick and we all didn't sleep well. Every time Isaac woke up crying, Beau woke up about 10 minutes later. So we postponed. Last Friday (12 weeks and 2 days), we put him to bed earlier and he woke up 5 hours later...I was so worried since we put him down earlier that I ended up feeding him. Then he woke up 5.5 hours later, again I reverted to feeding him. I remember thinking, "I have gone backwards in the process! I am so done!!" So Saturday night -- I was ready to let him cry it out. I didn't want to use the 'wait 5 minutes, comfort him, wait 10 minutes, comfort him...etc..' because then whenever his schedule gets out of sync, he's expect that and I'd have to do it. And I did not want to do that. Well, Beau woke up around 2:30 a.m Sunday morning and cried for several hours. I was so worried that Isaac wasn't sleeping, that it turns out he was and Taylor and I didn't! But it was all worth it when Sunday night he went to bed at 7:30, woke up at 4:45 a.m. and cried for about 20 minutes and then fell asleep again and I had to wake him up at 7:45! Every night since has gotten better and better and last night he went down at 7:30 and didn't wake up again until 7 a.m. Hallelujah! ....now if I could just get to bed at a reasonable hour...

At the start of this sleep training -- I was worried about making him go for so long -- but his temperament and disposition have been so happy that I am not worried. He eats about every three to three and a half hours during the day. He's also gotten on a good nap schedule -- his morning nap is between 8 -9 a.m and is his longest nap -- anywhere from 2 to 3.5 hours. Then he has one between 12-2 and then again between 3-5. His lunch nap is between 1 -2 hours and then his afternoon nap is between 1 -2 hours as well. Usually if his lunch one is only an hour, the afternoon will be two and vice versa. There have been days that he will take four naps -- and then bedtime is between 7:30 and 8. ... not like anyone may care about his sleeping and feeding schedules, but now it is written down and I'll have it for next time (since I didn't do this with Isaac)...

He has recently found his hands and will stare at them and then suck on them. We have a baby floor mat that has hanging rattles and such and he has also started to learn that he can hit them and make noises. He is becoming more and more fun (minus his weekly blowouts...grr!) We love our Beau!

A family update

I don't know if I've ever done a family update, so here we go.

Isaac
Isaac got his first real haircut this week. It was at a children's salon in Denver and it was so cute. He got to sit in a firetruck and he did so well with sitting still and not freaking out.
Look at all that hair--

And the finished look

Isaac started preschool at the beginning of January and he absolutely loves it. And I love that he loves it. We carpool with two other families and when I go to pick him up he always stops what he is doing and yells "Mom!!! I missed you!" And gives me a big hug--I LOVE it. He is a very loving boy -- and he has been a GREAT big brother. He has always been great with Beau and has recently told me that now he wants a sister. He is talking a lot more, playing a lot more and just being a lot more aware of things. Since preschool he has also learned his ABCs -- he knows his numbers really well and always wants to dial people's phone numbers and push buttons on the microwave. Every morning Isaac makes sure that Daddy "hugs and kisses" mommy and then mommy and Isaac have to go to the window and wave and blow kisses to daddy as he drives away. Isaac also is a "sunbeam" at church. I walk him to primary every Sunday and he just loves it. He can't wait to go to class every time. Last week he was asked to say the opening prayer and I thought he'd clam up and not want to do it, but he was totally comfortable and happy to do it. He is learning his primary songs well and we are working on bible stories as well! He also is doing a weekly soccer class...that he goes to when I remember about it! But he LOVES it! He is a happy and loving boy and we sure love him!

Beau

Beau is now 11+ weeks old! Yea! He is becoming more alert and aware and smiles are easy to get--which is SO fun! He is a good and happy baby. His sleeping is soo inconsistent, so we are going to work on that. Night before last I put him to bed at 8:30 and he didn't wake up until 5 a.m. -- he's been holding out on me! :) So we are going to slowly work on sleeping through the night. He weighs 13 pounds right now, which makes me happy on many levels -- 1) because my milk is doing what it's supposed to do 2) I guess I have enough milk 3) the more he weighs, the more he is able to sleep through the night. :) I've often felt like I have had my first baby twice. Isaac was a c-section and I didn't nurse, Beau was a VBAC and I am nursing. So they are two very different experiences -- and while this nursing stuff is uncharted territory for me, I am happy to still be doing it. Beau is a pretty content little baby -- except for his moments of gasiness! I swear he is the gassiest baby I know. He is also the king of blow-outs...another thing Isaac never did. But he loves when Isaac comes over to him-- the other day I was trying to get him to smile at me and he was just kind of looking at me, then Isaac came over and he smiled right away for him. I can't wait to see these two interact more.

Taylor

Taylor had a job field switch due to the economy. He is currently working at Wells Fargo as a Personal Banker and he is doing so well!! He is at one of the busiest branches in town, which is a huge blessing. Banking has always been an interest for Taylor, so it is great to see him in it and enjoying it. Bankers have goals that they have to hit daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly. And for two weeks in a row, Taylor was ranked the #3 banker in the state of Colorado! I am so excited and impressed by Taylor -- he has never been in banking before now and he is already in the top 3. He works hard and he deserves it. He has also really gotten into biking. He got a new bike for Christmas and has gotten all the garb that goes with it...clips, biking shorts, biking jersey...etc... there are three other guys about his age in our ward that like biking as well, so they like to go together. The Air Force Academy is right by our house and I guess there is a loop they like to do that is about a 13 mile ride. He is the Priest Quorum advisor (boys ages 16-18) at church and has been for 2+ years. He LOVES it. He literally asked our Bishop to never release him. He enjoys working closely with the YM president and the boys.

Me

I dream of the day that I will get a full night of rest again! :) Being a mommy is what keeps me busy and I love it. I have always dreamed of being a mom and it's the best. It's not always easy and sometimes I lose my patience, but I love it. I feel a great responsibility to teach my boys and to progress in areas individually, so I've recently made goals for myself, i.e. daily scripture STUDY, daily piano playing, increase ability and knowledge in cooking, etc. And then I have daily goals --like on Monday's I try to come up with age-appropriate FHE's (Family Home Evening) lessons for Isaac. One week we got a rope out and tied it up like an "iron rod" and we taught Isaac the importance of making good choices to stay on the iron rod. I try to spend one morning reading the Ensign, and I also try to read out of The Friend frequently for Isaac... So between those goals, the duties of housework, the demands of a nursing baby, and the business of two kids, I stay busy. I still help my dad out with work and he is great to give me things that I can do from home or with my boys. I am a Sunday School teacher at church for the 14-15 year olds. I have done it for 2 years, this is my 3rd year. I really enjoy it and it is especially fun now as I see siblings of those I taught the first year! The youth in our ward are so great! I was teaching dance last year, but I am not anymore. And it's probably for the best as nursing Beau in the middle of a class is not ideal. However, I've had several opportunities to teach dance at church. Just this last week I was asked to teach a jazz dance to the activity day girls. I've also started....gulp...running. My sister told me of an app on my iTouch called "Get Running" and it's supposed to get me running a 5k at the end of the program. So far I am in week 2 and I am enjoying it so far... hopefully it will at least get me back into shape. (which, side note, what is the point of working out while your nursing??? If your body is going to hold on to x amount of pounds for nursing, isn't working out kind of a wash???)

So that's us at this time in our life. We are extremely grateful for our sweet little boys! They keep us busy and add so much to our life!

Isaac's first visit to the Fire Station

Isaac's preschool class got to visit a fire station today since they learned about it this past month. Isaac loves fire trucks as it is, so this was something he looked forward to for a long time. Remember that fire hat he made last week? He has been wearing it all the time and we had to take it with us today!

Inside the truck...

I love Isaac's face in this next picture--he looks so interested!

Quick smile for mom!

Even got to wear a real fire fighter's hat and coat!

All the kids with two of the firefighters -- I love how Isaac has his arm around the guy! I'm pretty sure the guy initiated it, but it shocked me that Isaac put his arm around him too! Ha!

These are the kids of the preschool and pre-K group. Several of the kids are kids that Isaac goes to church with and I love that-- next year he will know almost his entire class from kids at church! Isaac loved his trip to the fire station and has talked about it all day! I can't imagine what it will be like the next time we drive by one... :) Next month he gets to go (hopefully) to the Air Force Academy since they are learning about air this month -- balloons, bubbles, airplanes, etc. I have hesitated about him being in preschool this early (since he'll be in preschool for a year and a half, then pre-k, then kindergarten) but I am truly grateful for where he is at and I love that he loves it!

Isaac and Preschool

Isaac started preschool at the beginning of January and I couldn't be happier with how well he has done with it! He wasn't scared at all--he was so ready. The teacher constantly tells me how well he is doing and how she is so impressed with how he has done coming into a new environment, and halfway through the year, too.

At the end of the month they have a "show and share" for the parents to come see what they have been doing. It was cancelled in January because they had "Pajama day" instead. So this was the first one and oh my I had such a "proud mommy" moment. I'm kicking myself for not having my iTouch on me to video tape it! They learned about members of the community in the month of February, particularly, firefighters. So they made these cute hats and they sang a song--it was soooo cute! Isaac kept looking at me during it to make sure I was watching. I LOVED it!!! I'm so happy he is doing well in preschool and while moments like this make me sad that he is growing up, it also makes me so happy to watch him do these things knowing we have so much more fun things ahead of us.

To add to the cheesiness, here is Isaac with his firetruck! Ha! He gets to visit a firestation next week--he will LOVE that! I'm so grateful he is in a good preschool and that he enjoys it!

"I don't want to watch my brother get shots!"

That was Isaac's response when we took Beau to the doctor today for his two month check up!

Now, I realize I can be cheesy or that it's even weird that I remember...but part of the fun of having two boys that were born pretty close in seasons means that Beau can wear all the clothes that Isaac did. So, I remember what Isaac wore at his two month picture, so I did the same for Beau! Here is ISAAC at 2 months:

And here is Beau at two months: 11 lbs 3 oz (48%)
23.4 inches (77%)

Head: 39 cm
(If I was really good, I would remember Isaac's stats....I guess if I really wanted to, I could go find it! ... actually, I'm about 90% sure that Isaac was at 50% for all his measurements) :)

What do you think?? Do they look alike?

He is healthy and happy! Couldn't ask for more! He even blessed me with a 2 month old gift: He slept from 9 pm to 4:30 a.m! Here's to hoping that becomes a habit.... ;)

Look at that double chin! I am very proud of that... a.k.a I am still nursing! I can't believe I've lasted this long! I only nursed Isaac for a week and a half or so....so it's a big accomplishment to have gone 8 weeks!

Beau and Isaac with their bears! I can't have a photo shoot without Isaac wanting in on it! :)

Beau's Blessing

On Sunday, February 6, we were able to bless Beau at church! We were so blessed to have a lot of family join us. Taylor's parents came and 3 of the 5 other siblings came. My Nana also came out for it. We were so grateful to all of them for coming and spending the special weekend with us...I just wish I took more pictures!! Ah, I hate that. With Isaac, we took a lot more pictures with other people, but I hated the family picture we took...so this time I made sure to get a good family picture but we never got pictures with our other family....maybe with the next child I'll get it right!! It was a crazy day because it was our first BIG snow storm of the winter....I was so worried that church would be cancelled...sure enough, it wasn't, but the last two hours of our three-hour block were. My sister drove into a ditch on her way to the church building...so it was a crazy morning. Then our little brunch afterwards was great, but not everyone could be there at the same time or had to leave, and Beau needed to be put down, so needless to say...pictures didn't quite happen. And we were grateful to have our good friends, the Harline's, join us for the brunch! Here is our family of FOUR:

Sweet little Beau...Beau and Isaac both wore the same blessing outfit.

See...he was ready to go to sleep.... but we have a picture of Isaac in this exact spot on this couch, so we wanted to do one of Beau.

Daddy and Beau. Taylor did a wonderful job giving Beau a blessing.

Mommy and Beau

Beau and my dad. Beau is named after my dad, so I love this picture. Beau Kevin -- Kevin is my dad's name.

Chilling on my dad's lap

I missed the smile! so this is like a half-smile :)

And big brother, Isaac, was happy as can be to have so many uncles and aunts to play with!

My dad and I

It was a wonderful day--a day I had been looking forward to for months. I'm so grateful we could share it with so many family members who had to travel to be with us.