Tuesday

Up until 7pm today, I really hadn't done much but play with and take care of my kids. We went to the library this morning for story time and got several new books. Then we went to the park, had lunch, naptime. After nap, I felt like a bum b/c I meant to do errands in the morning. Instead of doing them in the afternoon, I decided we should go to the pool. So, I got out all the pool gear and we headed off. The boys did great... MJ played well in the baby pool, Joey hung out in his chair. I thought I should have brought a magazine so I could sit and read. Joey fell asleep and I took MJ in the big pool. We left early b/c it looked like it was going to pour and we had a long walk back to the house. We made it home and 8 minutes later it poured. After dinner I was reinspired to do errands, so we did some shopping at Walmart. And with some very tired kids in a double stroller (Joey actually fell asleep), I managed to get all that I needed. We got home at 8:30 and I quickly bathed the boys and put them off to bed. After cleaning the tornado that hit our house (figurative) I felt I should blog a little. So here we are. It was a good day!

This is another bath tub picture of Joey from Monday. I thought I should share his whole chubby self.

It's hard to see in the background, but Joey is in fact lounging out by the pool.

4 months

I was trying to get some cute pictures of them on the couch, but it wasn't really working. Instead we have a very excited MJ saying cheese!


We've had a busy week... and it's only Tuesday. I will devote this post to our Monday adventures: First, we went for a follow up for Joey's right foot which has metatarisis adductus. I know I spelled that wrong. Anyway, the doctor says it's looking better and just recommends that I keep stretching it when I can. The doctor's office was far away, and we waited there for 2-3 hours. We left our house at 7:30am and returned around 11:15... at that time, I was late for watching a friend's girls. She quickly dropped them off and was explaining to me how her 2 year old is potty training. In that time, MJ had found the Raid (which I was just thinking I should put away since I had destroyed this ant colony before I left for the doctor). Julie had to go, so I tried to get her girls to play nicely while I whisked MJ up for a bath. I called poisen control and everything sounded fine (he is okay) but when it was all done, I hung up the phone, sighed...and then say the 2 year old with this sad look on her face. She had a BM in her panties while I was distracted. It was no big deal and we had a bunch of fun playing. MJ was much nicer with his friends. They all played basketball outside and ran up the hill again. It was great.

I woke MJ up from his late nap for Joey's 4 month check up. He's doing well and big of course. 21 lbs (over 97%) and 27 3/4 inches (also over 97%). So he's off the chart but proportional. He is about the size of an average 9 month old. In comparison to MJ: MJ was 22lb 1 oz and 27 inches at his 4 month check up. So, Joey's just a bit stretched out, but very similar. Again, I'm glad I have the SafeSeat.

That evening, Little Pete and Kristin came over to play and have dinner. The boys played pretty well together, but we had a few instances where both of them wanted Lightning McQueen (the Famous Race Car). It was actually quite comical the way they would both cry when we took the car away to share with the other. We had them both crying once, and then MJ dropped a car on Joey so he started crying too. Kristin and I just laughed.

And here is Joey at the end of the day taking a bath in the big boy tub. He can still fit in this mesh chair that my mom got for MJ, but it seems they like it when they are able to splash around in the big tub. So, now I give Joey his bath first and come down to get MJ afterwards. So far, this system is working. I'm excited for when Joey can sit up so I can put both of them in the tub together.

More Pictures

We have many pictures just like these, but they are just so fun to take. MJ will get down on the floor and pose with his head up as well, but we've never gotten a good picture of it. We'll keep working on it. These pictures were from last week. Joey's definitely getting stronger. We have all sorts of pillow configurations for him to help him sit. He looks so much like a little old man in the last one.

Bless you the mouth

MJ had a little stomach bug yesterday, but it only lasted a couple of hours. When he finally woke up at 10am he was cheery and quite normal. But just in case, we ate tummy friendly things like chicken noodle soup. He was hiccuping a bit and he said "Bless you the mouth, Mommy" He likes to transfer thoughts. For example, when in his car seat on our road trip, he can easily grab his feet. We were singing "If you're happy and you know it" and he thought we should sing "If you're happy and you know it clap your feet" since he could clap his feet together while sitting.

And here's Joey playing at home and practicing rolling over. MJ is watching me as I blog this and he sees the picture. He calls this picture "Joey's strong" I guess b/c whenever he's on his stomach like this we cheer Joey on and say "You're so strong". Joey also scoots around when he's on his back. Yesterday he pivoted 180 degrees around his head by kicking his feet.

Roll Over

Sunday night we drove back to Detroit. I hung out in Dearborn with my Grandma again. We managed to play cards while MJ tried to nap. I put Joey down on his stomach for some tummy time while my Grandma and I were playing cards. When the hand was over I looked down and saw this little munchkin on his back. If he had down one more roll he would have been heading down the stairs. Since his first roll, we've been practicing it more and he's been having a lot of fun. I got it on video once we got back to our house. MJ doesn't seem to get why it's so cool that Joey can roll over. He gets down on the ground and does it too. :-)

We visited the car show at the bottom of the Ren Cen again. They changed the cars out. There were fewer to play in, but a lot of older classic cars.

MJ and Joey had fun playing at the hotel.

Sunday

Did I mention that Saturday night we went out for Steph's Bachelorette party? We had good times, I didn't have a camera with me, but other people have shared their pictures.

Sunday we went back to Emily and Jeff's place to celebrate Emily's Baby shower. Her son (Joseph Matthew) is due June 9th. She looks great considering she was less than 1 week from her due date. We played this game where we'd guess how big her belly is by cutting a piece of string. I was within 1 inch of her exact belly size. Here is a picture of the ND ladies who were at the shower.

MJ and Mario went to a park by lakeshore while Joey hung out with me. Emily got this Bumbo and Joey gladly demonstrated how it is used. I'm so excited for Emily... we are waiting for some great news any day now!

Saturday Afternoon

Mario took MJ to the zoo (his first time to a real zoo if you can believe that). I was sad to miss it, but I guess this is how Mario feels when he's gone during the week and I take MJ to some new place.

Meanwhile, Joey and I went to Steph's Bridal Shower. He was the only boy allowed. We had a great time celebrating Steph's upcoming wedding!

We had dinner with friends from ND at Paul and Colleen's house. My self-timer and it's flashing light seem to help MJ smile at the camera but it also seems to make red-eye pretty bad for everyone. (Left to Right) Our family, Len & Kristin, Paul & Colleen.