Brooks-Part II

Our little boy is getting chunky!  We took Brooks for a weight check on Friday (exactly one week since we started supplementing with formula.)  He gained 1 lb 2 oz last week.....hooray!  The doctor was very impressed, and we go back in two weeks for another weight check.  Brooks continues to eat like a champ, and I feel like he is getting heavier and chunkier by the day.  I cannot wait to see what he weighs when we go back. Here is an updated picture of our little guy:

Blogger....BOO :(

So apparently, I have reached my quota for uploading pictures onto my blog :(  I am trying to figure it out, but I think I may have to start paying a monthly fee in order to keep sharing pictures on here.  Pardon the blogging break while I look into this!

Thanks :)

FRIPP

We spent July 11-15 on Fripp Island with some of our best friends, Scott, Ann, and Daniel Coleman!  Trey and Scott were roommates at UGA, and it turns out that Scott and I are also distantly related (our grandmothers were first cousins!)  Ann's family graciously let all of us stay at their beach house, and we had such a wonderful vacation that we are all ready to do it again next year!  Ann and I, plus all three kiddos, loaded up the minivan and headed to Fripp on Wednesday.  Scott and Trey joined us on Thursday evening.  We spent our days at the pool, beach, riding in the golf cart looking for "mo dee" (more deer), walking, and enjoying the great outdoors.  We also had a little bit of relaxation time when the kids were napping and asleep for the night!  And, Scott and I celebrated our birthdays while we were there!

The boys did awesome!  They napped well, slept well at night, and were pretty happy and content most of the time.  We had babies at all stages (4 months, 8 months, and almost two)!  Here is a recap in pics:

Fripp Island 2012

We are already looking forward to next year :)

Baby Brooks

So, I have always known Brooks was on the smaller side.  His height was always around 50% and his weight around 25%.  These stats are in stark contrast to big brother who stays around 85% for height and 70% for weight (although I am sure weight has gone down lately.)  Anyways, the past few weeks, I had started wondering if Brooks was gaining enough weight, but since he had plenty of wet and dirty diapers and didn't act hungry, I assumed he was growing fine and was just tiny.

Well, on Thursday, I took him in for his 4 month check up.  The poor little thing had dropped to below the 3rd percentile for his weight :(  His height had also dropped.  Needless to say, he has not been growing properly.  The doctor was appropriately concerned, and wanted me to take a day to pump and feed Brooks bottles and see how much I pumped vs. how much he ate.  I pumped 25 oz and he ate 36 oz.  Obviously, I have not been supplying enough milk for him.  I mean the little guy gulped down 10 oz at one feeding and 9 oz at another.  So, I am now offering formula after he nurses, and has eaten an extra 8-10 oz each day!!!

I feel so so horrible that he has not been getting enough to eat....I guess he is just so laid back, he didn't let us know!  Who knows!  Now, however, that he is used to that full tummy feel again, boy oh boy, does he let you know.  I kind of feel like we are back to the newborn stage in some ways.  He is waking back up at night to eat, is eating much more often, his nap schedule is all out of whak, etc.  However, I am just so so thankful that he is getting plenty to eat!  It has been a little difficult figuring out what bottles/temperature of formula, etc. that he prefers, but we are getting a handle on things.

Already in just 48 hours, he feels a little heavier to me, and his face seems a bit fuller.  Please just pray he continues to grow and get chunky!!!  He is as sweet as ever, and we are just so thankful that the only  problem was the supply of his milk!  So, hopefully, we'll have some chunkier pictures coming soon :)  For now....

(Brooks looks exactly like my dad in this picture!)

4 & 22

Brooks

Well...my sweet Brooks is 1/3 of the way through a year....I can't believe it!  It is so much fun to see his little personality developing.  He is super sweet and cuddly and super smiley!  He LOVES to cuddle and be held, and he loves to be talked to.  He does not like to miss out on anything!  He loves his big brother, Reives and is smiling at him more and more.  Everyone who keeps Brooks talks about what a good, sweet, and easy baby he is.  He really is pretty laid back for the most part :)

He is sitting in his Bumbo a good bit now, and he also likes his floor mat and bouncy seat.  He still likes his swing most of the time, but he is not sleeping in it as much now.  He seems to be transitioning from 4 naps to 3 naps, and he eats anywhere from every 3-4 hours during the day.  He still wakes up 1 or 2 times a night for his Mama to come and put his paci in his mouth, but sleeps for about 11-12 hours at night.  Brooks is a stomach sleeper, and we are starting to have more issues with him rolling to his back and not being able to get back to his stomach :(  I hope he can learn to roll the other way very soon!!!!

Here are some pictures of my sweet boy on his 4 month birthday:

We love this little guy so so much!!!

Reives

Little R is going to be 2 years old in 2 months!  WOW!  It seems like every week he is changing.  His communication is getting better and better, although many of his words need "interpreting."  He has put 2 words together a few times now, "more deer" and "bye bye Daddy."  He constantly says "Ta ta" (thank you) and "pees" (please.)  He loves to give kisses, high fives, and fist bumps to everyone.  If one person gives him one of those things, he wants to give one to everyone in the room...seriously.  At restaurants, he starts looking for people at other tables to do these things to.  It cracks us up!  He loves to be just like Daddy...wear his hat like Daddy, wear Daddy's shoes, wear his sunglasses like Daddy, etc.  It is so cute.  He asks for Daddy all day long, and sometimes when I tell him that Daddy is at work, he hits something because he is mad.  (I try not to laugh b/c it is really funny!)

Reives is still afraid of loud airplanes, but he seems to be getting a little less afraid now.  He is also not too keen on thunder.  He loves to play with water and loves the pool.  We have spent many mornings at the pool recently, and he loves to splash around in the kiddie pool.  Trains, cars.  and trucks seem to be Reives's favorite things right now.  He loves to push around his "choo choo" and "tchars."  

Despite daily tantrums and fits, Reives is at such a fun age.  He is learning so much, and it is just so fun to watch.  It is fun to watch him get excited about things, and pick up on new activities and words.  He is like a little sponge!

Here are some pictures of Reives on his 22 month birthday:

We love this little guy to pieces!

And my two handsomes:

July 4th

We celebrated July 4th at "The Farm" with Trey's family.  It was a wonderful day filled with fishing, boat rides, golf cart rides, relaxing on the porch, and a whole lot of yummy food!

I love this picture of our family on the porch.  It has quickly become one of my favorites!!! I didn't take too many pictures that day, but I did snap some of our delicious desserts made by Carolyn (my sister in law)....better known as Aunt Chee Chee.