Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween from our Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and football!

4 Months Old

What better time to document our son's 4th month than the day after his 5th month birthday?  Still behind, the new norm for us.  This has been a month of great growth and change and new awareness for C.  Watching him learn (how to use his hands and grasp for things, for example) is one of the most heart-melting observations I've ever made as a Mom (and watching B learn too - just the whole learning thing, it's amazing!).  Knowing that we're likely done in the baby-making department makes me want to hold on to every tiny miracle and milestone and coo that he makes.

The other God-inspired awareness that caught me off guard this month is watching the bond develop between B & C as brother and sister.  For some reason I never thought of this as baby #2 was growing in my tummy, but it's been so sweet to see him watch her and her always be concerned with his whereabouts.  I love my bro so much and am hopeful that these 2 will wind up close despite the likely arguments and "he / she did it!" spats that are to come.  Also - check out B's awesome new "smile."

The boy has 2 teeth and is a chunk - 17 lbs. 6.5 oz at his 4 month appt, 27 inches long (90th and 97th percentile, respectively).  This is his first tooth, and literally a day (maybe 2?) later, the other bottom one popped through.

And now you can see them both when he smiles!!

Getting used to tummy time:

He was baptized on his 4 month birthday - such a special day for him and for our family:

We're trying to get away from naps in the car seat and get on a more regular schedule that includes sleeping in his crib, but sometimes he still crashes on the road.  Who wouldn't love the safety of being strapped into a device that somewhat resembles a giant plastic swaddle blanket?

Sitting on the porch waiting for Daddy to come home in his bouncy seat:

He's been putting weight on his legs since at least 2 months old which is insane.  Something tells me it's not going to take him 15 1/2 months to start walking like it did his sister:

Sweet smiles from his crib:

Sweet smiles from his chair:

And his new trick - rolling over on his tummy in his crib:

Love this precious little boy!!

State Fair!

Can you tell my family loves corny dogs?  Yep.  With mustard.  We made our annual trip to the State Fair the first week it opened.  Happy sigh.  I love this tradition!!!!

Also love the kids' market.  This is B's 2nd year to partake.  I have no idea what it's called, but basically they go through step by step and water peach trees, feed animals, plant a seed, etc.  At the end they "sell" the goods they've collected and get to "buy" animal crackers, trail mix, cookies.  B was super skeptical at first, but was all about it once we made it through.  

Proudly displaying her purchase - animal crackers - with Pop at the auto show:

C also had a blast and took it all in from the stroller, napping here and there.  This is pre-diaper-blowout:

Post diaper blowout wearing B's sunglasses - thanks, Dad:

Teaching B how to love corny dogs at a young age:

Smiling with Dad:

Big Tex before he sadly and shockingly burned down:

Miss you already butter sculpture, Chevy test track, and all the above.  See you next year. :-)

Random

--We've been having a lot of tamales lately after stocking up at local farmers' markets.  Does anyone else eat tamales with ketchup?  Because I thought this was normal, but just found out that apparently it's not.  And Thanksgiving ham with mustard?  Also normal to me.  The perfect mixture of flavors!
--I remember in high school (probably junior high too), all I wanted was a TV in my room.  I was deprived for so long until Santa finally brought me one for Christmas.  Now, I would give anything NOT to have a TV in our bedroom.  It takes away from so much - sleep, conversation with my husband, reading.  So much noise and distraction during a time that's supposed to be for winding down, for reflection on the day's events, time for peace and quiet.  Funny how things change as you get older.
--My Mom's group started back up for the fall and it is a true breath of fresh air.  Oh how I need fellowship with other exhausted women!  It helps me regain perspective and realize that I'm not the only one out there that thinks parenting is hard.
--I've been reading more about eating natural foods - this whole Paleo trend.  I think I'm going to jump on the bandwagon soon if we can stomach the cost of shopping at Whole Foods.  Perhaps baby steps first - just focus on the dirty dozen and go from there.
--The State Fair is here!!!  I just refrained from writing a thousand exclamation points after that statement.
--I'm drinking a blueberry beer as I write this while K is back burping our son.  He is a good man, a fabulous father, the love of my life.
--Have y'all heard Some Nights by Fun?  I typically don't let the radio go past volume 10 when driving in the car with the kids, even though I'd prefer 20+ with the windows down on this one.  Should've Been by Citizen West (I think?) is another current fave.
--We are obsessed with the food truck Cajun Tailgators and have eaten there twice in the past week.  Their boudin balls are delightful and heavenly.  K loves the crawfish pistolette.
--People always ask where C gets his red hair.  This is me when I was a baby.  K's grandma also had red hair, so it's on both sides of the family.

--We missed the window for garden planting this fall, although still have some peppers leftover from the summer along with some tomato transplants that my Dad sent up to the big D for us.  We harvested a giant batch of poblano peppers and jalapenos last weekend and made this recipe.  It was goooooood.  B and I also made a fresh batch of bread dough on Saturday and plan to bake it up to go along with strawberry freezer jam that I experimented with this week.  Mmmmm!!
--My bro tells me Seasons of Love has been neglected.  Sadly he is right...