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.

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.

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:)

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.

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

Something new

For the past week or so I have been noticing that Corban has been watching us eat. And when I say 'watches' I mean SERIOUSLY watches in deep concentration. He has even grabbed at what I was eating once. So I decided to go ahead and try some rice cereal tonite. With Aaron, I didn't try cereal until he was 5 months, and he didn't take it well so I almost didn't even try with Corb. I'm glad I did because he is a totally different story. It's like this child knew what I was doing. He took the first bite like he had done it a million times. When I would take a break he would squeal at me until I gave him more. So I would say it was a very successful experience for the little guy. Maybe he will sleep through the night...maybe. Either way I think we'll try it again tomorrow night.


Pre rice cereal

Post Rice Cereal

He doesn't look too messy...but I did wipe some before I remembered to take the 'post' picture. Cute little chunky monkey:)

Corban 4 months

Today Corb is 4 months. Yay for 4 months:) I LOVE this age. I am really enjoying watching you start exploring your environment.


-You are grabbing at everything. Your favorite toy is your cow that crackles and rattles when you grab it or chew on it.
-You are pretty good at sitting in your bumbo now and prefer it over your play mat.
-Your daddy an get you to laugh like no one else...I love you watch you light up when he talks to you. You are also starting to do this more and more with Aaron.
-Sleep is still about the same as last month. Actually sleeping at night is slightly worse. You aren't sleeping as soundly...I think I'm gonna have to start being a little pushy with sleep soon. Naps are better, you aren't crying as much to go to sleep but still sleeping just an hour each time. I keep waiting for you to sleep longer...and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. No real schedule yet:(
-You definitely recognize your mama. The past few weeks I have seen a preference for me. You are a pretty big flirt with other people though. The way you wrinkle your nose, and those eyes just melt people the second you start 'talking.'
-We had a little bit of the 'problem' lately with you taking a bottle. You took one pretty well, but seemed to be getting worse and worse over the past few weeks. Then this past week you decided you were no longer going to take a bottle. It was on a day where Ms. Corynn was watching you and mama was at work. Being the good friend Ms. Corynn is, she brought you to the hospital to nurse and then Daddy had to bring you back when he picked you up to nurse again...STINKER! I have since tried a new kind of bottle and you took it...for now.
-I decided also to take a leave of absence from work for a few months until you get older. Mama was getting pretty stressed out with things and decided it was best.
-You nurse every 4 hours for the most part. Your schedule is usually 7 or 8am, then sometime around lunch, 3 or 4pm, and then bedtime. We haven't started any solids yet, but that is coming soon:) We go to the doctor this month so I don't have a weight yet...but daddy says you weigh a 'ton.' You are getting pretty chunky:)
-You are in size 3-6 month clothes.
-You are very good baby in general. You are very adaptable and just kind of 'go with the flow.' I love this, since I seem to be more 'on the go' with you than I was with your brother.

I have told your daddy how much fun you are right now and I know it just keeps getting better from here. We are looking forward to your first camping trip and Halloween next month. We love you little man!