Adios Shaggy!

He has only been on this Earth for 5 measly months but has already had 2 haircuts!! Carter had his first one at around 15 months!

The magical moment

Hey everyone! Well, it's been a difficult month to say the least, and since I strive towards being as impractical as possible at all times, I capped the month with one of those "themed" birthday parties. Half of me thinks themed birthday parties are cheesy and unnecessary, but the other half of me ruled on the day that the Garbage party was conceived. I was driving home from a birthday party one day and was talking about a cute invitation I had seen for a train-themed birthday party. It said "Two-t Two-t!' Get it??? ha ha- I still think it's genious! Anyway, I was thinking about doing a train themed party, but I worried that Carter might want a train party later on in life, and I didn't want to squander the opportunity for a birthday that he wouldn't even remember. My husband then said that perhaps we should do a garbage truck themed party since he also loves the garbage man/truck. Instantly I started to ponder it and decided that it was a winner since I knew he probably wouldn't request that one later on.
The party didn't go without its hitches. I wanted people to come expecting to eat, but didn't want the late night party that we had last year since the family was coming over the next day. So I scheduled it at one, which is naptime. So, most people decided to come late, which was fine, I just felt like a moron for scheduling it at 1 in the first place. Then, there was the dead frog that a kid found in the sandbox, the umbrella that almost tipped over and crushed the guests, the fact that I left too much to do for the day of and was scrambling around like a chicken with its head cut off the whole day and the nuggets we ran out of. I could go on and on, but alas, the kids were active and enjoying each other and the adults seemed to enjoy each other too. I was relieved that the kids enjoyed climbing into the "dumpster" play yard that we filled with recycled trash and treats, and they liked drawing "grafitti" and hitting the trash monster pinata. I was also relieved that we only ran out of chicken nuggets and those were easy to replenish. But the most fabulous moment of the whole day was watching Carter's shy smile slowly appear as every guest gathered around and sang "Happy Birthday." Words cannot express how much it warmed my heart. He talked about it all evening saying, "People sang." So, I have learned my lesson as I sit here exhausted in a truly "trashed" out house. Themed parties are completely unnecessary. All you need is a crowd of people to stare at your little guy and serenade him next year. But will I heed my own advice?????????

4 month stats

Gabe is in the 50th% for weight and 75th-90th percentile for height. Where have I heard this before? And Gabe is losing his hair bit by bit and it is turning fairer just like Carter's did. He is still not on much of a predictable schedule with anything, but I know he'll come around when he stops all of this spitting up. At least he is not fussy anymore. Normally he is as sweet and cuddly as these pictures minus the drool show. Enjoy!

The latest haps

Well, all is going really well in our land. I am not the walking zombie that I expected to be once I went back to work, and both boys are thriving. I really enjoy this new life. It would be hard to do all by myself, but with so much family around and a modern-thinking husband who does not retreat to his man cave when he gets home from work, I am able to keep it from getting ugly.

I have bit the bullet and become semi-domestic. I am a little closer to being a real mom. A real mom cooks, cleans, does laundry and of course, mothers her children. Before having #2, I was only a half-mom becuase I didn't do any cooking or cleaning. However, it became obvious to us when faced with a picky eater and a screaming newborn whose mother needed her husband home ASAP and not out looking for food to pick up on the way home, that I needed to change things.

So I have begun to explore new "quick" recipes, and learn how to feed a child who, has steadily been marking off his list the things he is willing to eat since he turned 1. I have been pleased with how most have turned out, although I am still bummed becuase I have not yet found that magical meal that only takes 30 minutes to prep, cook and clean. This week I chose to make a souffle since it has so many protein/iron rich eggs in it. Since Carter asks for birthday cake every day, and the souffle was made of sweet butternut squash and carrots, I decided to up the chances of him trying it by calling it "birthday cake souflee." And luckily for me, he bought it for now. I don't expect these little tricks to last long. He caught on quickly that "banana mush" was really just a banana mixed with anything he normally hates and he even was able to tell that there was pureed chicken and applesauce mixed in with his ice cream one day. (I got desperate) But some time has been bought for me to continue experimenting with new things for him to try. I have also had success with edamame due to it's cuteness when you push the beans out of their pods and they go flying onto his tray, and like it because it has so many nutrients.

So that's what I've been up to. Here is what the boys are up to:
Carter- has developed a fondness for youtube videos relating to Elmo, Thomas, and Caillou. He still loves watching trucks in action. He is really into this Russian video of a train who gets distracted by nature on the way to the station that we randomly stumbled upon. He sings songs all day. He loves "Happy Birthday," Firetruck Song (which he has customized and changed to Garbage Truck song, "Silent Night," "The Wheels on the Bus," "Elmo's Song," "Choo Choo Train," and "I've been working on the Railroad." He is obsessed with ladders and turns everything (coffee tables, his high chair, etc) into a ladder for him to climb. He loves the books Silent Night, Franklin Rides a Bike, and 10 minutes 'Till Bedtime. He is really happy when Gabe is awake and comes around to play with him frequently. He has become more able to follow along with tv shows/movies. Unfortunately, now there is no turning back. I get about 45 requests to watch Horton Hears a Who each day.

Gabe is starting to sleep in his crib finally. He still wakes up more frequently than when he is in the swing, but at least I don't feel like I'm fostering any bad sleep habits. His colic has disappeared and he is 100% pure heaven to be around. He finally likes tummy time even though he still spits up every time he is placed on his stomach. He recently has begun to "talk." He seems to be more vocal than Carter was at this age, perhaps becuase Carter was tongue tied and I didn't have his frenulum clipped. Or perhaps, he may just be more extroverted. In any case, it's really funny to listen to him. Unfortunately, it just reminds me how fast he is growing and this, of course, makes me so sad. Gabe likes to bounce on my knee, play pattycake, peekaboo, and be tickled. He loves exploring my face and hair. He can roll over both ways although he rolls from tummy to back with the most ease. He hates being dressed after having a bath.

Anyway, that's all for now.

Playing

My favorite things

I love when...

Carter puts his hands over his eyes to hide if we tell him we are going to change his diaper.
He tells his brother, "It's ok baby," and gives him a kiss and a pat on the head.
Carter says, "Mommy/Daddy sit. Play trucks,"
"tadaa," when we turn on the Christmas tree
and "mommy backseat" (to tell me to get in the backseat of his car)

Gabe smiles in response to clapping rhymes like pattycake,
smiles and cooes at me to avoid bedtime
smiles and curls his tongue
burps, poops, passes gas (relief for him, and in turn, relief for me)

C having fun

C loved to play in the snow! I was so glad to make it back from my hair appointment in time to take him outside and experience it. Of course there was an ocean of tears when I told him it was time to come inside and take the nap.