Sunday, October 28, 2012

A short visit

Bala and O'Pa came to visit this weekend. Aaron was beyond excited. He carved another pumpkin with RaRa, played the IPAD and a million other games with O'Pa, made Goop with Bala, sat around a fire outside, and just plain had fun. Corb showed everyone how awesome he was at rolling over and eating bananas! Mark and I even got to take a short ride together:) They didn't get to stay long, but we sure did enjoy the time together. We are looking forward to Thanksgiving with Matt and Lori will be here (and Esssie too!).





Wednesday, October 24, 2012

"A great big 'ole Cow-a-pitt-er"

Yup. Aaron and I had fun building different shapes and animals with blocks this afternoon. The Cow-a-pitt-er as Aaron called it, was my favorite.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Aaron goes to the Dentist

Today Aaron had his teeth cleaned for the first time. He asked the Hygienist about 1500 questions as she showed him all her instruments and explained to him what she was going to do. He did great and was sure to explain the entire experience to Mark when he got home from work this evening.





Sunday, October 21, 2012

Camping trip

We got back today from a camping trip with a bunch of friends. Greg and Megan are here on furlough and so we got together some friends from church and spent the weekend at Rock Island State Park. It was a beautiful place to camp and we had the perfect spots for the kids to play without just constant supervision. Aaron brought his bike and rocket ship. Other kids brought toys too, and they loved playing 'in the woods,'so there was plenty of things to do. We went on a short hike by a beautiful waterfall, talked until late in the night in front of the campfire, went fishing, and just had fun hanging out. It was a great weekend, and ended in an uplifting worship time together. The weather was pretty great. Sunny and slightly cool during the day, which is PERFECT campfire weather. Nights were not as perfect because it was a little too cold for me. We brought LOTS of blankets. We even brought a heater just in case and I am so glad we did because it came in handy last night. It was Corban's first camping trip (Aaron's too unless you count the practice night he did with Mark and the trail ride). Both boys did great. This family is camping again for sure. Mark and I shared our site with Greg and Meg which was great. We have missed hanging out with them. I loved watching our kids play together. This is really the first time they have gotten to do that because the last furlough Aaron was pretty little. We definitely had a lot of laughs over the little conversations we heard from them over the past two days. Hopefully we can make this an annual event:) Here are some pictures. Hopefully I will get more from others who were there and can post more.




Things I want to remember from Aaron's first camping trip.
1. After we got camp set up and dinner going Aaron started asking (and kept asking) when we were going camping. Apparently he thought 'going camping' meant getting in the tent and going to sleep.
2. He called Greg "Grag."
3. When we asked what his favorite part of the camping trip was he said 'riding in the back of the truck to go fishing.'
4.It was really cold both nights we were there. Mark and I woke up in the night and turned the lantern on to make sure Aaron's wasn't too cold. We found him completely out of all of his covers. We asked him if he was cold and he said, 'no dad. can you turn the light out?' That child is some kind of serious hot natured.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Horse lovers

Tonite we spent some time outside. The weather was wonderful so while Mark worked with Pepper (a horse), Aaron, Corban, and I decided to play. I looked up at one point and Aaron was inside the fence 'playing' with Bingo (his horse). Bingo didn't even seem annoyed that Aaron was following him around. So I decided to snap a few pictures and happen to get an adorable shot of Aaron and Bingo. I love how Aaron is really starting to love horses. He asks to ride all the time and is even starting to ask Mark how to guide them when he is riding. Here are a few pictures.






Monday, October 15, 2012

Corban 5 monhs

Well the little man is 5 months old. Hard to believe. This past month has been a whirlwind of a month. So many new things for you. Here is what you are up to...

- You are basically an easy baby. I have said this from the beginning and you are staying true to it. You love to be held (especially to fall asleep) but will play on the floor just fine as long as you aren't hungry or sleepy. You don't really care who is holding you and are content to just be carted around everywhere.
-I noticed over the past month that you were watching us eat very intensely. You actually started reaching for my food. So I decided to start some rice cereal. You LOVED it at the time and ate all that I had made for you, BUT that night you slept awful and it seemed like your stomach was bothering you. I waited a few nights and tried oatmeal instead. That was much better on you and it seems to be your favorite time of the night. You get really excited and scream and shake your whole body while I am making it for you. Today we started pears and you love those too. I am starting to be convinced that food is going to be easy for you. You still nurse 4 times a day.
-You are starting to get more of a sleep schedule now. Bed at 7pm. Wake up once in the night and about 7am to start the day. Then 1st nap between 9 and 10am, then again about noon or 1pm and then another nap around 4ish. Some days are completely messed up but I am excited to see some promise of a more scheduled life.
-You LOVE your daddy. He can get you to 'talk' and giggle like no one else.
-You are a pretty big flirt. You will stare someone down until they look at you and give you attention. You raise and lower your eye brows and smile really big when you finally do get someone's attention.
-Nicknames are: "Corby worbs", "Corb", "Corby-worby,woo."
-Unfortunately you have decided that bottles are NOT for you and refuse to take one. I have tried all different kinds and had high hopes....not it's just not going to happen. I have taken an leave of absence from work. The plan it to return in January when you are more capable of making it without someone having to bring you to the hospital to eat.
-You have found your hands and love to chew on your fingers. You have also found your thumb. Mostly you just chew on it, but the other day you fell asleep with it in your mouth. We'll see if you are going to be a 'thumb sucker' or not.
-Aunt Lori brought your horsey jumper back for you to use. You are still a little small but still seem to enjoy it for a little while at times.
-The biggest change right now is how much more aware of your brother you are. You notice when he comes in the room and are always laughing or talking to him when you see him. I am loving this because he will keep you distracted if I can't get to you right away.
-You spend a lot of time in your bumbo. You love watching what it happening all around you and it is a great place for you to do that and it works out well for me to not have to carry you all the time.
-Your favorite toy is still your soft cow that jingles when you shake it and is soft so you can chew on it...which you do.
-You have rolled over one time. You are not a fan of tummy time...the screaming starts after about 5 minutes. Aaron has helped keep you entertained so sometimes you last a little longer.
-You are sticking your tongue out a lot right now. It gets me every time. Too cute!
-You are going to be a cow for Halloween, thanks to Gigi who was proactive in getting you a costume. You're pretty adorable, and chunky, if I do say so myself.

Corban, you are such a joy to have in our house. We love hearing your happy screeches and sweet voice giggling at your big brother. Keep growing sweet boy:)







Sunday, October 7, 2012

Saturday Fun!

We FINALLY had a weekend where we stayed at home. It's been a long time and will be a while again before it happens again, so we made the best of it. I cleaned out closets and put summer clothes up, Mark played 'animals' with Aaron, watched football and messed with horses, and Corban just watched all of us in between naps. Oh yea, and we took a short walk. Both boys have colds so we didn't want to go for a long time. Here are some pictures.










Friday, October 5, 2012

Farm Day

The longer Aaron attends Stepping Stones Preschool, the more I like it. The teachers/staff there are really good with the kids and seem to genuinely love each child. I don't see too much micromanaging or too little control either. From what I have seen each child is loved for who they are and are encouraged to express themselves freely. Last Thursday I went to Farm Day with Aaron's school. It was great and Aaron really enjoyed it and acted like he had never seen anything like it...even though he has been around all 'farm' stuff his whole life. He acted like he had never been around hay, tractors, horses, and everything else we saw...minus the chickens which he did without his mama. Aaron's confidence level has really increased since school started. I am so excited about this and hope it continues. Parent teacher conferences were last week too and I am glad to report that Aaron is super smart and doing great at school. Ms. Laura said she is going to start challenging him more after fall break with higher level work. She said he is the 'singer' of the class....surprise!(He told us last Sunday he wants to be a song leader when he grows up.) He loves to go to bible class and jump in the bouncy. He plays well with others and listens very well to instruction. Mark and I were so proud to hear how well he is doing. Enjoy the farm pictures:)

Jumping from hay bale to hay bale

ahhh...chickens! He wasn't scared at all.

Aaron's class (minus Sophie who wasn't feeling the picture taking situation)

Hay rides are fun! Poor Corban was kinda smothered, but he enjoyed it...promise.

Aaron loves Luke Wilson (he calls him Luke Wilson...not just Luke)

Sweet boy. He kept saying he 'caught' a pumpkin