And the fish won...

Braxton's first ice fishing experience.  The day after Kaleb's birthday party with Dad, Papa Glen, and Uncle Rhett.  20 miles outside of Bismarck.  Beautiful sunny day.  Several hours of fishing.  Many a Twizzler eaten.  Not a fish to be seen...

Happy First Birthday Cousin Kaleb

This weekend, we all trecked over to Bismarck to ring in the big "1" for our favorite cousin. 

Oh, How They Grow!

Now that Kyler is nearing the six month mark, I figure it's time to write down the "where we're at now" stats.  I am learning so quickly that I do not remember the specific age or time when Braxton accomplished the many baby-growing tasks.  As Kyler accomplishes more and more, I find myself going back on the blog to see what Braxton was up to at this age.  What is neat to see is that they are accomplishing things about the same time and at about the same pace.  Braxton, at this age, was quite a bit bigger, though.  I point that to two things - 1. formula vs breastmilk, and 2. personality (not to say that Braxton was a bit more demanding or anything... :).

Kyler will be six months old later this week.  Right now, he is sitting up on his own.  He has been for about 2-3 weeks now.  He is rolling (only one way).  And can turn himself in a complete 360 on his belly.  He started eating rice cereal about 2-3 weeks ago.  And since then we have started adding in baby food.  He's mastered squash, carrots, and green beans.  Oh, and had his first helping of prunes tonight (he's been trying to poop all day - just tryin' to help the kid out :).  He is able to put his paci in and out on his own.  He is "talking" a lot - Jon's convinced he's sayhing "dada".  At a doctor's appointment last week, he weighed in at 18 pounds even.  He has two teeth on the bottom.  They popped through about the same time, sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas (forgive me, that's the best I got right now!). 

Kyler continues to be a very satisfied little guy.  He is happy just to sit and admire the world around him.  His dad calls him a mama's boy, but I'm taking full advantage of the special attention I get.  I know it won't last long :).  He also loves to watch his big brother run around a play.  And he is starting to really respond to Braxton when he gives him his one-to-one brotherly talks.  He continues to sleep through the night, but has picked up a habit of waking up at 5:30.  Not when I really want to be starting my day - especially on the weekends.  But, if you're lucky, you can cuddle him back to sleep for an extra hour or so. 

You can tell that every day is an exciting challenge for him.  Whether it is playing with his toes or stealing his brother's toys, he is enjoying each and every momen.  I am envious of his abilty to find such amazing joy in the mundane things in life.  We should all take a lesson or two from a baby and take the time every day to admire those things!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

We have just finished our week-long Christmas extravaganza.  Right now, I am watching Braxton playing in his "Cars" tent and Kyler rolling around on the floor among all of the gifts, wrapping paper, and bows.  It has been a fun and exciting week, to say the least!  We had a chance to see so many of the people that we love.  We've eaten about every kind of Christmas goodie you could imagine.  And we've sang more renditions of "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" than one person should be able to humanly sing.  And we endured the "Great Blizzard of 2009". 

It has been an opportunity for me to not only enjoy the season, but to reflect on the two bright stars in my life.  Amidst the chaos of the holiday season, I took some time to count not only my Christmas cookies, but to count my blessings.  I have two wonderful little boys in my life that make each day, and especially each day of the holidays, better than ever before. 

Below are several of the pictures from our week of Christmas bliss.  From the Christmas program at daycare (pictures to come), to the holiday celebration at Gma/Gpa Southams, to the trip to Santa's workshop, to the celebration w/ the Perkins clan.  We also had our own little Christmas celebration and two fun days at Granny Hunt's.  Whew, what a week! :)

Christmas Card Out-Takes

Don't worry, Kyler made it through without too many bumps or bruises :).

I'm a cowboy, baby

I wanna be a Cowboy baby - Ridin' at night 'cause I sleep all day


Cowboy baby - I can smell a pig from a mile away

Last weekend, I talked Jon and the boys into going to Walmart with me.  As Kyler and I dutifully picked out the groceries, Jon says "Braxton and I will be right back".  Well, about 20 minutes later, here comes Jon, and behind him, Braxton, walking like he had something in his pants.  Well, looking a bit further down, I discover that Braxton is wearing his very own pair or cowboy boots.  They both look at me with puppy dog eyes, and say "pleeeease??".  That's the last time I let the two of them out of my sight at Walmart!

Well, since that day, Braxton will ONLY wear the boots.  And he has inherited two of his daddy's old cowboy hats.  Twice this week, he went to daycare with his hat (and of course the boots) on.  The ladies at daycare now call him "cowboy".  And Braxton has assured me that Kyler, too, will be a cowboy "when he gets big".

Thursday, when I picked him up, I handed him his cowboy hat that was patiently waiting for him above his coat cubby.  You could tell that he was excited to tell me something.  As I am putting on his coat, he is gathering his thoughts.  And then he says to me - "Mom, I'm going to put on this hat.  And then I will be a cowboy.  And then I'm going to ride horsies.  And bulls.  And I'm going to chase pigs.  And then the pigs will fall in the mud!". We both laughed so hard, we could hardly get out the door.  What a kid!

Four Month Checkup

Kyler had his four month checkup this week.  From the words of the doctor - "he's perfect".  Yeah, I know :).  He weighed in at 17 punds and was about 27 inches long.  That puts him around the 90 - 95th percentile.  Sounds pretty good to me! 

Kyler has been busy learning all kinds of new tricks.  He has started rolling over.  No more leaving him hanging out on the couch!  He is smiling and almost laughing.  He continues to sleep through the night - about twelve hours when we don't have to wake him in the morning.  Couldn't ask for a better kid!

Life continues to be wild and crazy with two little rugrats around.  I fall into bed every night completely exhausted.  And the To Do list continues to grow and grow.  But every day, I get to laugh with my family, I am amazed at some new feat that my boys accomplish, and I end every day with a hug and a kiss and an I love you from three wonderful men.  Who could ask for more ;)?