Tenley's Big Gift.

This year we had a really hard time deciding what to get Ten for her big birthday gift. Yes, I know her birthday was back in March...I said we had a hard time deciding. We thought about getting a trampoline but decided the kids were still too young. Goose wanted to get her a Trek Mod 3, basically it's a tricycle for big kids and adults, I think deep down he wanted to ride it and that's why he wanted her to get it. 

In the end...She won and got the American Doll that she wanted. She was so happy when I surprised her by taking her to the American Doll store in Dallas while we were up there a few weeks ago.

Ten with her doll Kit...

She wanted Kit because she said they looked alike.

Even though her gift was...a few months...late. She got what she wanted and all is forgiven. Next year we will start asking her sooner what she wants, that way we have time to plan.

Squirrel!

You will have to have seen the movie "Up" to understand my blog title.

Sweet Miles! He has grown into quite the little boy. He is eager to help. He likes helping with Madi, cooking, even cleaning. I think it is actually more about the praises he receives upon competition of a job well done. While he is cleaning he is will comment about how happy his Daddy will be when he comes home and see how clean his room is or whatever he is cleaning. Whatever the reason, I always appreciate the help.   

Carol McCowen Phoography

I have noticed however, that although he is helpful, he tends to get distracted easily. Meaning I have to help keep him focused on the task at hand. For example, I can't just say "Miles go pick up your room". I must go into his room with him and say things like, "Miles picks up your boots and put them in the closet."  I can't say, "Miles see all those shoes(boots, flip flops, and tennis shoes) put those in your closet". That is simply too much for him. If I were to give the second instruction then he would inevitably either forget what I asked him to do, or get side tracked with a really cool toy laying there next to his boots. Make sense? The longer the instructions and more detailed, the more chances he has to get "hung up" somewhere along the way. He simply works better with more instructions...in smaller doses. Goose and I have laughed about this several times.

Carol McCowen Photography

With all that in mind...I thought I would share just one of the many times that we laughed about this very thing.

The other morning while I was nursing Madi in my room, Ten woke up and came to use my bathroom. I remembered too late, that we were out of toilet paper in there. I called Miles to my room, he was playing in the living room. He came running. That's how it began...
"Go into the laundry room, in the port a crib, grab a roll of toilet paper, and bring it in here to Ten, please". Even as he turned to go, I thought to myself...that was too much instruction.  In the meantime, Goose called from work, so I was talking to him. It had probably been about 5 minutes. Ten says,"Mom, is he getting me toilet paper or not?!?"
So I called him again, "Miles, come here". Of course he came running(holding a toy in his hand)..."Yes, Ma'am?" As if I hadn't asked him to get anything. "Miles, what did I ask you to do?"
With a completely lost, innocent looking face, "I don't remember".
"Miles, listen to me, get toilet paper from the crib in the laundry room" Thinking I did a much better job this time.
Unfortunately I didn't, He comes running with a diaper(which was no where near the toilet paper...or the laundry room for that matter).
"Miles, last time, she needs toilet paper. Get toilet paper. The toilet paper is in laundry room. Can you run get toilet paper?" He smiles and says,"Ok, I'll go get the toilet paper". 5 seconds later runs in with toilet paper. YES!! Finally! "Way to go bub"! He smiles and runs off to play again.
Goose was laughing on the phone the whole time. If I'm honest, I was laughing too. The toilet paper he brought me was from the other bathroom...not the laundry room. My scatter brained, big helper, sweet boy!  

Carol McCowen Photography

It can be a little frustrating at times, but I would still rather he helped. I feel sure that as he gets older it will get better. If not, I'll just keep breaking things down for him and smile along the way.

On the movie "Up"...remember the dog that kept saying "Squirrel"? That's what I think of every time I ask Miles to help.

Aunt Nic's...

After we played with Aunt Cara and the boys we headed over to Aunt Nic's for the rest of the weekend.

Late night chat with Aunt Nic...

Ready to go swimming. Nic has a swimming pool, so the kids were on cloud nine!! Ethan was able to come play with us for a couple of days.

This wasn't as much fun as she originally thought it would be...she kept getting splashed in the face...

Ok...here's the plan...you chase me and I'll chase you.

Ahhhhhh

My little fish

Poor kid has my sensitive eyes...that sun is just too bright.

Madi and Aunt Nic watching all the fun...

Having so much fun. I love watching my kids play with their cousins.

Oh...you are SO gonna get it now.

Here Ethan, throw the ball back to me...

He doesn't look ready to catch it, but he did. He must have his daddy's fast reflexes.

Trying to make a whirl pool...it doesn't work out very well when you are the only one going in circles..

Taking a break...poor baby was a little water logged.

Even Madi put her feet in for a little bit. She seemed to like it, or at least she didn't scream her head off.

She found the pop ice.

"Pssst...don't tell them I said so, but these kids are cr-A-zy!!"

"Mom, I love you, but would you stop taking pictures of me already?!?"

Trying to make a whirl pool from the outside...that wont work, silly girl.

Pausing the fun for a quick pic...

I love how she has to eat things on the side of her mouth, since she doesn't have any teeth in the front.

Orange was his favorite. I think having ice pops on a hot day is like having hot cocoa on a cold day...

The look on his face says he is guarding that pop ice for all it's worth.

"Is that your second one kid?" She just smiled when she got caught.

We spent most of our time out in the pool. But for a change of pace we attempted the park...

Madi chillin in her car seat, under the shade.++

Showing off his "mad" Monkey Ring skills...

Miles wasn't impressed, he can do that too!

Photo op fail! Syd come back...where are you going??

It was just way too hot...we headed back to the pool...
She was so excited when she got back in the pool. She told me she was in there all by herself.

Peek-a-boo!

I love this kid...how cute is he diving for rings?!?

I think this picture is too cool...catching the splash drops just as Miles is going under.

Cute kid...

She couldn't quite bring herself to lay all the way back...

Ethan's turn...

Who knew it could be so much fun to hold yourself up on the side of the pool with your feet out of the water?!?

Thanks for letting us come hang out Aunt Nic.  The kids can't stop talking about Aunt Nic's house and her pool.

4 Months...

It's true, even though I can hardly believe it myself. Little Madi is already 4 months old. She is as happy as ever. I can't even remember what life was like without her, she "fits" into our family so perfectly.

She had her 4 month check up(6-12-12). She is growing, growing, growing. She weighs 12lbs 11ozs(45%). She's 25 1/2 ins(90th). At 4 months Sydbo has her beat(13lbs 6ozs and 26 1/2ins). Ten and Miles both smaller.

All grins and giggles. She is laughing now, it is the sweetest sound. When I'm pregnant I can't wait to hear the heartbeat. After I have my babies I can't wait to hear them laugh. Truly, a sweet, sweet sound.

She loves talking...she gets that from me. She just jibber jabbers and then politely waits for you to answer her back.

Her exercises. She lifts her head and legs up off the ground at the same time and just holds them there. Have you ever tried? It's hard ...and 2...and 3...

She loves being, held, played with, smiles at, and talked to. She loves playing Patty Cake, Open Shut Them, Peek a boo, and pretty much any song you will sing to her.

She mastered rolling from her back to her tummy earlier this month and continues to roll from her tummy to her back. Basically she just rolls all over the place.

She travels well. In her four months we have already traveled to Denver, Dallas, and multiple times to Lubbock and town. She never seems to mind riding in her car seat and long as the car is going, she doesn't care too much for it when we are just idling.

She is happy I would say about 95% of the time. The other 5% comes in when I take too long getting situated to feed her. When she is hungry...she is hungry! She is still a good eater nursing about every 3 hrs during the day.

I would say she is still sleeping through the night. We have had a couple of rough nights, but I am chalking them up to growth spurts and teething. Yup, she is teething like crazy! Chewing everything she can get her hands on. No teeth have surfaced yet, but the fever, drooling, and chewing phase have definitely begun.

She goes to bed so easy. After she has nursed. I lay her in her nap nanny with her paci and blanket and she falls fast asleep. Which is helpful since it takes me at least an hour to get the other 3 to wind down.

Keep growing little Madi, We love you so!