4 Months Old

Hayes had a great 4 month check-up!  Not that I was surprised.  He is our chunky, happy-go-lucky, sweet, big boy!  He weighed 14lbs 9oz (25-50%) and was 24.75in long (25-50%).  He had to get 3 shots- poor guy!  Jordan was with me and was so worried about her baby!  Luckily he calmed down pretty quickly!  The doctor couldn’t believe how strong he is and how he can basically sit in a tripod position all by himself!  This picture cracks me up, but it shows that he can do it…

This month has come with some other physical milestones too.  He has rolled a few times, but he still doesn’t do it all the time.

He is getting a lot better at using his hands.  He is really working hard to reach for toys and to pull things to his mouth! 

He is finding his fingers to suck on more and more too!  He has found his thumb once or twice, but he really likes the 2 fingers on his left hand the most.  They are the ones he usually ends up really sucking… just like Cole.   

Caught him with them in the car and a few minutes later he was passed out!  And then I looked back at his big brother and saw the same thing!  Haha.

He also has started sitting in the Bumbo.  He LOVES it!  I think he just really enjoys being able to look around and watch everything going on.  He also likes a new perspective on his toys!

This boy is about as ticklish as they come!  This video doesn’t even really capture it completely, but I had to include it to remember these sweet giggles.

Socially, he talks all the time.  He squeals when he sees his big brother and sister, and he gives everyone the biggest smiles!  He is so happy and loves to be talked to and played with.  It is really fun to watch Cole and Jordan with him as he is getting more and more interactive with them.  They think it’s hilarious when he belly laughs, and they love making him smile!

One thing I have to be careful about is the way he zones into the tv!  If it is on, he will find it and just talk to it so sweetly.  It’s really pretty funny how aware of it he truly is.  He is mesmerized! 

He really seems so big even though I know he is still little.  People do comment all the time about how he seems older than he really is.  Maybe it’s the hair?  Haha.  He was thrilled with the static picture as you can tell!

Or maybe it’s these big boy outfits he has worn lately that make him seem so big!

Don’t worry though… I’m making him stay my baby in other ways!  He still really likes to snuggle!  If he is fussy, I snuggle him up in my wrap, and he is perfectly content!

With the pretty weather lately, we have spent a lot of time outside.  I think he is going to be just like Cole and Jordan and love being outside.  He has done great when we went to the zoo and park, and he has seemed to love being out in our backyard too.  He has even been a big boy on our jogs. 

Hayes, you are such a sweet, sweet baby.  I don’t think there could be a better word to describe you.  The way you light up when you see people and just coo and talk is so precious.  I could just sit and snuggle you all day… but we have 2 busy kiddos to keep up with so we can’t do it all day!  Watching you grow and change is bittersweet, but I am so grateful that you are a healthy, happy boy!  I love you more than you can imagine, and I am so glad God added you to our family! 

How do you exercise?

No matter your answer to that question, I’m sure it’s not as entertaining as mine!  How could it get any better than working out with these 3?!?!

We ran to one of the kids’ favorite spots the other day.  Cole ran a lot of the way with me, but he also hitched a ride on the front of the stroller quite a bit too.  Double jogging stroller? Nah… we can easily make it a triple!  Haha.

We made it to Turtle Lagoon, despite the heavy load I was pushing!  Hayes’ first time there…

He may not have run the whole way, but, when I brought up the idea of running to ChickFilA for an afternoon ice cream treat, Cole came up with his own plan… he would ride his bike.  I figured this would end up with me trying to push all 3 in the stroller and get his bike home somehow.  To my surprise, Cole made it the whole way AND back!!!  Y’all that was just shy of 4 miles!  4 miles!  So proud of my little athlete and excited to have a workout buddy!

Enjoying his hard earned ice cream!  Jordan thought she had earned some too!  Hayes earned some good snoozing on momma while we took our rest break.

Thankful for these pretty days where we have been able to be out and active.  Hoping my kids grow up with a love of being physically fit and healthy. 

My Artist!

Cole wanted to draw a picture for his class the other day.  He told me he wanted to draw a picture of the girls as princesses and the boys as knights.  He wrote out all his friends names and drew their pictures- all the way down to the crowns on their heads, feathers in their helmets, and swords in their hands.  I was really impressed with his attention to details and how hard he worked on it.  Coming from a momma with no artistic ability to speak of, I’m hoping that these pictures are a sign of a kickback artistic talent!

Pure Sweetness!

There are times that the way my kiddos treat each other just melts my heart.  Granted, there are other times as well , but let’s focus on the heart-melting ones for a minute!

For one, Cole and Jordan could not love Hayes more.  They are so sweet to him, and, as he is growing, it is obvious that he equally adores them.  He finds them hilarious and squeals when he sees them. 

I also love the big buddies that Cole and Jordan have become.  Having them so close together had its difficult moments when they were younger, but I am reaping the rewards of it now as I watch them play together now.  So sweet the way they pretend and enjoy each other’s company!  I loved eavesdropping on their imaginations from the swing the other day…

For example, I sent them to play outside in the backyard while I started supper the other night.  I walked to the window to check on them, and I found them swinging together and just talking back and forth.  Heart definitely melted…

So of course I walked out and snapped a sweet picture too!

Cole has got to be the best big brother there is.  He is constantly saying, “I’ll take care of Hayes for you Momma so you can ______.”  Or he will randomly say, “Momma, Hayes is just so cute.  I love him.”  The way he talks to him is the best.  “Hey Bubba Hey!”  “You’re so big!  Yes you are!”  And when they got to wear matching Ninja Turtle clothes, you would have thought Cole won the lottery!  Love these sweet brothers!

And he is equally as sweet to Jordan.  For example, we started him in piano lessons, and, even though they were supposed to be just for him at this point, he has included Jordan from the get-go, not wanting her to be left out of any part of it.  Luckily, his teacher is super laid-back and happily includes her as well.  Haha.  He just always wants her to make her feel big and special. 

And this is probably more trouble than it is sweetness, but I just can’t help wanting to hug, kiss, and snuggle this girl despite her spunkiness!  Oh the personality in this one!  I.Love.Her!

I know that everybody thinks their kids are best, but mine really are.  Haha.  I don’t know how any could be better, and I don’t know how I could ever love them more.  Each one brings something special to our family and makes it better.  Cole said the other day that we needed to tell God thank you for giving us such a great family, and I couldn’t have agreed more.  He has blessed us immensely with each other.

What a Guy!

I love my husband!  He is pretty great, if I may say so!  He goes above and beyond to spoil me and make me happy.  Take weekend before last for example.  He worked it out for me to go shop a consignment sale with my mom in the morning, go to a baby shower luncheon with friends, AND go to a girls’ night that night!  He even took Cole and Jordan to a birthday party- and took pictures for me!  And to amaze you even more, he did Jordan’s hair all by himself… well!

We had a Spring Scarf Exchange for our girls’ night.  Different and fun idea!

What I left them doing as I headed to the party…

And if Saturday weren’t enough, Murray went on to THRILL our kids with a pretty cool tent on Sunday! 

Only to continue his awesomeness by surprising them with Memphis Tiger gear so they could “watch” the basketball game together while I went to a concert with my momma.  They were a little excited…

And our concert was amazing.  If you haven’t heard of Ellie Holcomb, check her out!  Her music is so great!

Also, somehow between working super hard, taking care of me and the kiddos, teaching our class at church, etc., he is also currently training for a half marathon!  Super proud of his determination and commitment.  How he juggles it all… I don’t know!!!

I am a blessed girl to have such a selfless, thoughtful, and giving husband.  Thankful for the way he loves me!