Family Frenzy

Summer always brings us back to the mountains of home.   A break from the heat, air fresh and clean, and mama's cooking.   But best of all, visits home mean family, and family is something we have in abundance.

 Paw-Paw and Seth have some wrastlin' time on the floor.

Obviously, Seth won this match.  No title belt here, just a crown of Paw-Paw's hat.

         

Cousins....minus a couple, but still trouble.

We have a tradition with the cousins.   Each year, we have an all out, no holds barred water fight.   It is becoming more involved each year, and the older the boy cousins get, the more serious and planned this thing becomes.  I have a secret....I plan to ALWAYS put myself on their team.   I don't want to be on the receiving end of their business.  We will let Uncle Doug take that job.

     

Lesson learned....never sit on a tree stump with a wet bum.   The tree sap soaked right in.   Her cousins coined her "Sticky Buns" for the remainder of the week.     Take a guess at what they  offered her for breakfast the next day?

Uncle Tony, Aunt Alex, Izi and furry cousin, Charlie.  

Charlie is the only cousin we allow to lick Kaelan.

Izi and K

These two mountain girls love nothing more than spending time running around the mountains, playing in dirt, kicking pinecones and putting on fourteen layers of lipgloss.

Despite the dry conditions and the lack of rain, we spent plenty of time enjoying the cool weather and lovely scenery. 

Here, daddy and Seth enjoy the wonders of God's creations.

Actually, they were watching slurry planes headed to the huge fire that broke out while we were there.   The much needed rain came, but along with it came lightening.   The fire was less than 10 miles from town, and sadly caused a lot of damage and chaos.   We were actually glad to be there and know our family was okay rather than trying to contact them via phone.  

All was good within a few days, and the fire was contained.  

We are so lucky to have family that live and work right on site at the Sacremento Peak Obseravatory in Sunspot, NM.  Kaelan just loves studying space and constellations right now, so a night time trip to a place of space study was the bees knees.   The stars were unbelievable because we were at such a high elevation and there is an ordinance that keeps out unnecessary  light.   No street lights, porch lights, just dark, dark, dark and amazing views of space. 

Hiking up to some of the telescopes at dusk.

The crew at an overlook of the flatlands and White Sands.   Speaking of Whites Sands.........I have a few photos to share with you about that.  Or, maybe you are reading this in published order, which means I already shared them with you.  Either way, on to White Sands......

The Sands

Every time we head home, we make the rounds to all the old haunts of my childhood.   There are so many places of adventure that I now get to see and experience for the first time all over again through the eyes of my children.   Since our last visit to White Sands, Kaelan has asked us many times to take her back.   As hot as it was in NM for that time of year, the weather was dreamy the day we decided to head out to the dunes.  We spent the morning in Las Cruces (our college town) and filled our bellies with green chile.   We rolled into White Sands just in time to watch a storm over the mountain range.   This year I was hoping to do some serious sledding and rolling, because the little "secret" in my belly made me play it safe last year.  However, I found myself enjoying hanging out and just watching Kaelan do all the tricks for me. 

This way is so much less exerting.

 

 

             
Awww....look at this cute little explorer we found in the sand.  Stay tuned to find out why sand and babies don't mix.

 

Seth loved the sand.   He loved laying in it, rolling in it, touching it, eating it.  

The sand loved Seth, too. 

So much so that it took up residence in his diaper.   Daddy took on the task of removing sand from all folds and crevices (and my little booger has a lot of those).   When all was said and done and removed, dad reported that we could have filled the sandbox in the backyard for free with the contents of Seth's bum alone. 

 

Okay, so I DID play a little.

When the Baby was on Board

Lookie what I found in one of my picture files this morning.  I never posted any photos from the baby showers I was so blessed to have while pregnant with The Boy.   These are from the shower hosted by my dear friends Ivonne and Lorri (mothers of the other 3 Amigos gang members).  We had such a marvelous time with games and goodies.  I had told folks over and over that I did not want any kind of shower of party, but these gals got me!   The ladies even had a scrapbooking section set up so folks could make a starter book for Seth.  So awesome.   The cake and cookies were made by Miss Ivonne....she is such a baker.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful gals in my life! And Ivonne, I don't just love you for your cakes, but they really sweeten our friendship!

This is me and my little "Oatis" at a little over 38 weeks.   The picture on the right was the winner of a guessing game on what the baby would look like.  Thankfully, he was much cuter.

The ladies convinced me that my photos would look like I was mad if I kept saying, "Ohhh, how adorable" after I opened each gift.  They suggested I look surprised instead.  Hence, the look on my face while opening gifts.

I havent' located pictures from another shower I had, perhaps those will be found sometime when Seth is in college, but I wanted to document this special time in my life.  So there,  documented.

Observations at half a year

Kaelan and Seth at about 6 months of age.

A couple of things I've noticed:

*Seth is definitely a BIGGER baby than his sister.  His head is probably twice the size as hers. 

*Seth is a silent watcher, while Kaelan was always watching and yelling.  

This could change in the next few weeks.

*They both have crooked little smiles and dimples up by their eyes.

*Seth's little baby biscuits (rolls on his legs) are much thicker than Kaelan's were. He often gets stuck in the bumbo, poor fella.   But they make munching on him much easier...nom nom. 

*Judging by the pictures these kids have cheap parents.  Or maybe the word is "thrifty" or "green". 

Same toys for kids 5 years apart?  Geesh.

Seth at 5 1/2 months

Kaelan at 6 1/2 months

 

Seth in the bumbo at 5 1/2 months

Kaelan (sideways....grrrr.  I tried for 20 minutes to save it in the right direction, and though it showed it saving horizontally, it kept uploading sideways....grr....)   Kaelan at 6 months.

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt Em

It can be a little worrisome when Kaelan and daddy go out on their father/daughter dates and excursions, simply because my stomach can sometimes knot wondering what sort of music dad is pouring into that little sponge-brained kid of ours.   Let's face it, this Michael Jackson obsession stage we are going through right now.....completely her father's doing.   And the fact that she even knows who Winger and Poison are????  Again, the sin of her father.   Me, I try to expose her to the more refined side of music.  I give her healthy doses of  The Beatles and Beethoven.  I spice things up with Foo Fighters and Weezer.  Yes, I even give her the Bieber she so desires even though it makes my ears feel like they are being cleaned with Qtips dipped in acid.  But the 80's hair bands and the rap of his youth, I steer clear of those.   He feels it will be a gap in her musical knowledge, and therefore he takes every opportunity to close that gap.  
And that my friends is why Kaelan does things like this:

Vanilla Ice-"Ice, Ice Baby".   The world could have survived without that one, eh?   Yet my kid knows ALL the words to that song.  She even accused David Bowie and and Freddie Mercury of stealing Vanilla Ice's music when she heard "Under Pressure" on MY ipod.   I smacked Doug in the head for that one.   Are you kidding me?   Ice totally ripped that music off.

Now, if you were born after 1980, I realize that none of this post has made much sense to you.  In fact you should probably stop reading now, because this next picture will mean nothing to you.

 In fact, maybe ALL of you should stop here. 

This picture may scar you.

Yes, that is me.  Yes, I attended an MC Hammer/ Vanilla Ice concert.  Yes, I wore Hammer pants, and yes, I married a man who wore Hammer pants.  Yes, that is an African freedom emblem around my neck and sadly, I probably could not have told you who Mandela was back then, but I was stupid and that was the style.    

NO, I did not buy the ticket.  It was a gift. 

Does that serve as redemption?

Oh, but for the record, YES I could do the running man.

I  can't have my daughter listening to this kind of nonsense.  It brings up too many painful memories for me.   Just look at those shoes!  Oh, the pain.  Like a dagger in my heart I tell you.

5 MONTHS (HP style)

We will have our usual month to month update at the end of the 5 month mark but for now, in honor of the last Harry Potter movie release, we celebrate month # 5.

Are you seeing the little lightning bolt scar on his head?
Kaelan and dad were really getting into this photo shoot.

Stay tuned......Kaelan already has big plans for month 6!

Month by Month: 4

Month 4

My dearest little stinker, you really can be quite smelly at times.   We don't know what happened this month....mom did not change her diet in any spectacular manner, but something certainly changed in your "output".   It has  been a little sad, actually.   We could tell that your tummy was hurting and your were feeling a bit uncomfortable....then came the confirmation in the form of the most gaseous baby EVER!    We are talking put the dog to shame kind of gassiness!    The doctor thought it was rather comical and did not seem concerned.  He mentioned that it was just a change in your "flora" and it happens with babies.  

Man oh man, your flora is ripe.  

Thankfully, some major diet changes have helped and towards the end of the month the dark cloud had lifted. 

Literally.

Well, enough about your flora.  Let's move on to other great happenings.

This month your tendency to be vocal took a turn and instead of just noises, you started to make more lingual sounds.  You love to coo along to music, and there is a most adorable call that you make when you want your sister's attention.   It sounds a lot like a chimp, but it does the trick and brings sister to your side. 

You had several small road trips, and  your fist BIG road trip at the end of this month and you did a marvelous job!  We were so pleased with how well you traveled.  We had the chance to show you off to all our friends and family in the mountains, and not one of them didn't think you were something spectacular!   While on vacation, you said your first word.....seriously!   While hanging out in mom and dad's bed early one morning, you were cooing away.  When daddy said something, you stopped and seemed surprised by his voice.  Then, clear as day, you said, "DAAAD".   Dad and I both giggled and then repeated what you said.  Then again, you smiled and said it.  "DAAAAD".  You did this over and over again smiling each time.  Just to prove it wasn't a fluke, the next day when dad came in the room and spoke, you looked up from your floor mat and gave us a "DAAAAD".  You have since done it a few times.  Very cool that you talked.   Not so cool that it wasn't MOMMY that you said. 

No teeth for you yet, but you are very close.   You lose about 10oz of drool from your body an hour and you have a few swollen places on your gums. 

You are rolling both directions now, back to tummy and when you feel the need, back to tummy.   Putting you on the floor is quite interesting now, as you never end up where I put you down.  You are diggin' the jumperoo and the sit up toys now.  You are pretty close to sitting up unassisted and you LOVE to stand up.  

There is still no toy that can match the fun that your sister brings.  You absolutely love for her to come sit on the floor to play with you.  Luckily, you are still her favorite toy.

And here is what your DAAAD has to say:

Dear Seth-

Two steps forward and one step back.  Your growth rate is impressive, your new sleep pattern  . .  not quite as impressive.  Regardless, each time I go to pick you up and you smile, I forget that it's 3 in the morning and just enjoy spending time with you.  One of my favorite things is to watch you try to get your sister's attention.  As we drive down the road and she's busy playing a game or doing something other than making you the center of attention, you chirp, shout or pound your fist until she takes notice, then, once again, the smiles. I love you son, it's fantastic to watch you grow, and I can't wait until 3am to see you again!

Love, Dad

 

It is true, your sleep patterns changed a little this month.  Nothing too serious, but we miss those stretches from 7:30 PM to 6:00 AM.   Right now, you are waking up around 2:30 or 3:00 AM and wanting to EAT!   I have sent dad in to try and soothe you back to sleep because well, it is hard not to want milk when the milk truck is in your room!   You have gotten your way lately and forced us to feed you, but you usually go right back to sleep and then push on through to 7:00 AM.  We are going to work hard on dropping that middle of  the night feeding this month with the introduction to SOLIDS!  The doc says you are a big boy and you are ready to eat some of the good stuff.   Oh joy!  Here come the fun diapers!