Stats & Pictures

Bub's 6 month check-up was yesterday, so I wanted to make mention of his stats (mainly for my records).

Weight: 18lbs 12 oz (73%)
Height: 28 in (92%)
Head: 17 in (82%)

Our Pediatrician verified, once again, that bub will be tall like his daddy. AND it's looking like he may have the Swann head size. Those Swann family members who are reading this know exactly what that means. Swann boys = Big heads (in a literal sense).

Now on to the pictures that I've been behind on....

Brody hanging out with his uncles (and Lolly & Pops) while his parents were working, on his half birthday. Yes, mommy was very sad she had to work on the half birthday. I had no choice though; I have to get my classroom organized.

Last week, Bubba met his second cousin, Dawson. They're 5 months apart, and soon enough they'll be buddies.

I was so afraid Bub was going to grab Dawson, because he grabs everything in sight, but he just chilled. Doesn't Brody look SO big next to Dawson?!

Brody and his Nan

Alright, I know I have tons of other pictures to share, but a handsome blue-eyed boy is waking up from his nap so I must run.

Have a great day!

Happy Half Birthday

Yesterday, we celebrated bub's half birthday. Someone pinch me. I cannot believe he's six months, already.

***6 months***

Bub has been eating solids for about 4 weeks now. [I decided to wait until 5 months to introduce solids.] He started at 5 months with rice cereal and LOVED it! We did cereal for a week, and then introduced baby food – veggies first, per our doctor. He’s had green beans, carrots, peas, squash, and sweet potatoes; the child LOVES it all and does not discriminate. Just recently, like two days ago, he got the good stuff: fruits.

He definitely has his daddy’s appetite and love for all food. :)

This month he started “school” part-time and had his first cold. The two correlate.

Scooting…..Check. Everyone that sees him in action will tell me how close he is to crawling. He draws those legs up and scoots that body forward and pushes backward. He’s just trying to figure out how to use hands, legs, & tummy all at once to get going.

He’s sitting up.

He is a busy body. Oh my goodness. The child gets more active as the days go by. He is STILL in constant motion.

The past couple weeks we have woken up and Bub is in a different spot. At night we lay him down on his back and when I get him in the mornings he is completely turned the opposite direction (sometimes face down) and he has managed to turn on his mobile.

During nap time, in his pack-n-play, he rolls onto his belly before falling asleep.

He loves his Johnny Jumper, bouncer, and exersaucer.

His communication skills are expanding rapidly, as evidenced by his squeals, bubbling sounds, and operatic octave changes. It is hilarious.

He cracks up belly laughing when I start laughing, when I kiss his belly, and sometimes when we just look at him.

Bub is starting to get the find-the-paci-and-put-it-in-my-mouth thing. He’ll take it out and put it back in, and pass from hand to hand.

He is holding his own bottle.

Bubba’s wearing 6 month in most; he wears 9 month Polo rompers and onsies, as well as some pj’s. And a size 3 diaper.

The consensus we get from those around him is how content, happy, and observant he is. My Nan calls him "happy jax." He really has such a sweet disposition.

There are so many more things I could add to this list, but not enough time....

Happy half birthday sweet boy! We love you more than we ever thought possible. Your smile is infectious and your personality is so delightful. Being in your presence is such a gift. We thank our heavenly father daily for giving us, you.

Love,
Mommy

Mini-Vaca

We've been MIA the past couple weeks due to a busy schedule, and me wanting to enjoy every second I have this summer with my boys. I realize I left you all hanging with my last post about a "big day," I will reveal that later. I also need to update about our fourth of July weekend.

Anyhow, this post is dedicated to our weekend. Last week Justin took off all week. Despite my boys each having a cold, we managed to have a fantastic week and weekend together. It just doesn't last long enough! I've always heard that as you get older time seems to fly by a lot faster. Boy, were those people right. I can't get over it. The days, weeks, months. It's crazy. Okay, back on track. So, this weekend we loaded up ALL our gear -mainly Brody's belongings - and headed to the Condo for a relaxing, lay-by-the-pool weekend with our little family of 3. To say that it was perfect for me would be an understatement.

We arrived mid-day Friday and after unloading we headed striaght for the pool.

Saturday morning we grabbed Starbucks and made our way to Garvan Woodland Gardens. A special place to us because Anthony Chapel is the where we got married. Justin suggested we tour the gardens, so that we did. It was beautiful.

We left both of bub's strollers at home; thankfully they had one for us to use.

Justin and Brody admiring the cod fish.

We showed bub where we got hitched.

After lunch we headed back out by the pool.

Late afternoon, Saturday, my mom came up to stay and watch Brody for the night so that we could go on a date. Before we left for the night, we got one family photo on the deck.

"The family should be a closely knit group. The home should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed."

--Billy Graham

80

This past Sunday we celebrated Nonie's (Justin's grandmother) 80th birthday! If you remember from an earlier post, she just had undergone a serious surgery, and yet you wouldn't have even noticed if you saw her at the party. The woman is resilient. We had a good time catching up with family and celebrating a wonderful woman. She adores her grand kids and great grand kids, so I'm glad that everyone was able to be there.

Jon with Malyn & Justin with Brody

Our boy was pooped by the time we left Little Rock and he slept all the way home. When we got him back home he was ready to strip down, play, eat, and take a bath. The child would love to be naked all day, everyday, if I let him! :)

We all had a big day yesterday! More on that, later...

5 months

Today, Bub is 5 months old and loving life!

*B is a CUDDLE BUG. Oh my goodness. He gets this from his daddy.

*Bub loves to be outside and loves to be in motion.

*Baths have always been enjoyable, but now he is having so much more fun splashing in the water. Needless to say, we have water all over the place when we’re done.

*He is sitting up on his own for short spurts at a time, and then he’ll lean and fall to the side or front. I’m usually there to catch him. :)


*Bub is a little roly-poly. He is rolling over almost every day. He prefers rolling from back to front.




* He’s been “talking” using vowel sounds for a while now, (“Ahh, Ohh, ehhh,” ), but he is currently throwing in a “ba” & “da” here and there.




*He is teething; the bottom left and right side are the worst.






*Our daily routine is pretty much the same: 6:30 bath, read, and in bed by 7. Sometimes he will fall right to sleep and then other times he’ll play and talk to his mobile for 15 minutes. He wakes up at 6:30 – 7:00 a.m.



*Bubba’s naps are more consistent, now. He usually takes a 30-45 min. nap around 9 a.m., and then he’ll take a 30 min – 1 hour nap around 12:30-1:00, and then a 30 min nap around 4:00 in his swing.

His favorite stuffed animal is "Monk" the monkey. He takes naps with Monk. He also loves to pull and chew on "Joey" the giraffe.

Happy 5 months, bub!!

Daddy

[yes, I realize I'm a little late with this post, but our lives will not slow down so it is what it is. ]

I knew from day one Justin would be the best dad. No question about it. He loves people. He is a family man, and he has a big heart.

Justin is and will be a hands-on dad. From the moment we found out I was pregnant he encouraged me, supported my growth :), and helped out in every way possible. He's the daddy that doesn't mind changing a poo-poo diaper or getting peed on.

Watching my boys interact is the sweetest thing. They adore each other, equally. Brody is enamored with Justin. He has the most fun in his company. I never knew that he would admire his dad at such a young age, but you can tell he just watches his every move and cannot get enough of him.

Again, happy first Father's Day, daddy! You are loved more than you will ever know.

This weekend bub and I baked chocolate chip cookies for J, we scheduled a surprise day of golf for him with a buddy, and we spent Sunday doing exactly what he wanted to do. Oh, and he got a few new Polo's and a sweet card from B, and some golf stuff from my parents.

Friday night we had my parents over for dinner to celebrate Father's day with my dad. Justin grilled steak and we had salad, baked potato, bread, and sweet tea (dad's fave). For dessert my dad requested lemon ice box pie. It was a great evening and they got to help give bub a bath & bottle and put him to bed.

pops and bub

Pool time

I cannot believe it is already mid June. C-R-A-Z-Y! We are loving these summer days, and soaking up this time together before I have to go back to work.

Bub experienced his first pool day, yesterday, and it was a success. His momma was just pooped after the fact. I have so much more respect for my mom toting around 3 kids during those summer days at the pool. Plus friends. One is enough to make you tired. All the STUFF. I don't know how I managed to forget one of his Gilligan hats, but I did. Thankfully bubs friend Emmett had one for him to borrow.

We had a blast and we have some photos to show for.....

"Ready to go, mom. Let's do this."

"Hummm...so is this kind of like bath time??"

Jill, Emmett, Brody, and me

it's a tough life.

My parents came by to see his first swim and my dad kept calling him "Hollywood." I guess because of the glasses. Who knows. Justin also came by during his lunch break to witness his first swim. B loved kicking around in the water and swaying around the pool. We're all looking forward to many more pool trips this summer and our upcoming trip to the lake.