May - Mid June

Okay, so I'm behind (and have lots to share). As we wound down for the summer May seemed to take on a lazy tone, but we were glad to have the slower pace. June, however has been a different story!

Syd received a letter at he end of the school year for being in Newspaper.

Jud had his final 8th grade band concert before moving on to LHS Band.

Jud also received awards from his 8th grade teachers at the end of the school year.

Darren has been in Kansas the last few days trying out for the minor league baseball team. He plans to go to Johnson County Community College and play ball! We're really excited for him! He and Julia plan on moving to Overland (or nearby) in July.

Joseph is growing in leaps and bounds. It seems like he really went through a cognitive and physical growth spurt in the last few weeks!

He latches on to the silliest toys. This yellow block was a favorite for 3-4 weeks!

He's silly during playtime.

Another toy he's latched onto. He likes to suck on the ears,

He met a new friend, Isla S. He LOVED her. :) And her dog.

He's got a thing for strings right now. (And his Sissy!)

He's using the stroller like a big boy. He likes being able to look around!

He loves swinging too!

Every baby needs a little pool in the backyard so they can swim naked!

He LOVES music.

And he loves getting into weird positions on his feet.

He likes the buttons, mostly.

He's modeling part time (j/k).

We took him to the Broomfield Aquatic Park (AKA The Bay) with my New Mom's Group a couple of weekends ago. He LOVED it! He liked all the falling water and being outdoors.

JT and his friend, Ida.

Friends from our Bradley birthing class. (Left to right: Britte/Ida, Leslie/Joseph, Lorena/Olin)

Videos of JT's newest and exciting developments....

He loves holding and eating finger food. For now, they must be big pieces he can hold onto. He won't pick up small bite-sized pieces and put them in his mouth.

He loves playing Peek A Boo with the tunnel. He will stick his head in the tunnel and look for you when you disappear. In this video, the game turned into something else when his Sissy started being silly to make him laugh.

Joseph is on his way to crawling! He's just started doing this in the last few days. I expect him to be in motion by his 8th month mark on Sunday (6/19).

Favorites 'n More

I've decided to make a list of things we loved, hated and never used with Joseph. When you're pregnant you don't really know what you need and what you don't. After 8 months of baby I now have a pretty good idea about what I can and can't do without. I hope that in doing this I can save a new mom from some of the trial and errors I experienced. Every baby is different so this isn't full proof, but I'm particular so I won't steer you wrong!

Favorites (Stuff I couldn't live without):

• Medela Double Electric Breast Pump - I purchased a Lansinoh when I was pregnant trying to save some money and just ended up spending more because I disliked it. Beware! They won't let you return the pump once the box is opened so buy the good one first!
• Ergo Baby (we have the Infantino version from Target) - I went through 4 different wraps, slings and carriers when I finally found Infantino's version of the Ergo Baby. It's super comfortable so I can strap JT in my back and get chores done around the house. (You can carry them in the front too, but he was too old to tolerate it by the time I found it.)
• WubbaNub - JT takes the Soothie pacifiers and these WubbaNubs have cute little animals attached to the pacifier. It makes it easy for Joseph to put into his mouth (even at 5-6 months old) and easy for me to find in the car seat or fin in the crib at night! No need to tether the Bink to baby!
• Carters Swaddle Blankets - I use the lightweight blankets to cover JT up for naps now that it's warm out. They're big and soft and lightweight so he feel like he has something over him but he's not too hot.
• Homedics® SoundSpa™ Lullaby Sound Machine - I went through 2 of these trying to find one soothing. This one is perfect and has a cute projector for the ceiling.
• JJ Cole Infant BundleMe  - Since JT was a winter baby I was so glad to have this! It kept him warm and snugly! I could zip him up in it and throw the little flap over his face to protect his whole body. I finally had to take it out the car seat Mid-May, but it served us well for 7 months!
• Fisher-Price Rainforest Baby View Auto Mirror - I finally broke down and bought this when Joseph was about 5 months old. I couldn't tell if he was sleeping or spit-up or anything else since I drive and SUV and the window was too far away to stick a mirror to. This has a bendy bar that you can conform to the back seat!
• Aquaphor - I love this salve. I use it at night to keep Joseph from getting a diaper rash, I used it on his face, cradle cap, dry skin, scratches... pretty much everything. I even use it for my lips when they're chapped.
• Butt Paste - Magic. When baby gets diaper rash put some of this on and cover it in Vaseline. Works like a charm!
• Aveeno Baby - Spend a little more and get this for bath time. It doesn't smell like the Johnsons & Johnsons but it is so much better.
• Carters Hooded Bath Towel - These are thick and wonderful and $10! Don't waste your time on the paper thin ones from Target - they don't absorb the water.
• Costco (Kirkland) diapers and wipes - These are my favorite over any brand anywhere. The diapers are soft and don't leak. The wipes come in disposable packs so I can throw one in my purse, the diaper bag, the car... anywhere!
• Bumbo & Bumbo Tray - I started having Joseph sit in this as soon as he could hold his head up. He felt independent and it made it easy for him to be anywhere I was without me holding him. The Bumbo Tray makes him more secure in the Bumbo and gives him a place for his toys. I even used it as his first high chair!
• Glider - I've spent 100s of hours in rocking Joe. I even doze off in it myself. I definite MUST have in the nursery!
• Sleep N Plays - Have been the staple of JTs wardrobe. During the winter I didn't really even change him out of them. I even put socks on under the footies up to when he was about 3-4 months old.
• Lansinoh Milk bags - I uses these to store breast milk. They're pretty self explanatory, but you MUST put a lot of air in them before you freeze your milk or they will leak when you thaw it out.
• Humidifier -  Helps them breathe easier. I have a warm mist, but it's recommended to get a cool mist.
• Plastic Bibs - I love these now that JT is eating solids. They're easy to clean and big. I've ruined too many cute soft bibs thinking they'd come clean. They don't. 
• Earth's Best Organic Baby Food - I thought I would make Joseph's baby food... and I did for the first month or two. However, it's tough to expose him to different food when they're not in season. It's also tough to make the food smooth enough. This is easier and I can buy them in Variety 12 packs at Babies R Us for $10 and I still feel like he's getting good food.
• Diaper Genie - Love this. It keep the stink out for days. I don't know how it works, but it's magic.
• Bright Starts Comfort & Harmony Bouncer - JT LOVED this chair. He sat in it until he was literally hanging off the ends. We called it his "poop chair". He would get so comfy in it he'd poop every time we sat him in it.
• Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether - Spend the $20. They love this toy! (You can actually get it on Amazon.com for $17 and change.)
• Baltic Amber Teething Necklace - We bought our from Inspirations By Finn (on Amazon). It works! JT used to drool. A lot. There's no more drool so it must be working!
• Nosefrida - This Snot Sucker works better than any aspirator! I'm amazed every time I use it!

Dislike! (Stuff I've hated):

• Any clothing that was separate shirt and top. It rides up and totally pointless. Even now, I don't buy or dress him in separate shirt, bottom outfits. Onesies are your friend!
• Moby Wrap - This thing loosened as I moved around and I couldn't get it one the same way twice. Also, don't even think about sitting down in it or you have to rewrap the whole thing.
• Playtex Drop Ins - The old ones rocked. They now have these new preformed Drop Ins that are very unstable and will actually fall out if you don't get the nipple on carefully.
• Receiving blankets - Never ever used these. Ever. They were too small for my big 9 lb boy and since he was a winter baby we used the big soft blankets anyway.
• Summer Infant SwaddleMe Cotton Knit Adjustable Infant Wrap - These are great in theory. The velcro is supposed to make baby feel tightly wrapped. Joseph not only hated being swaddled, but he could still get out of these. Ruggs dubbed these "Baby Straight Jackets" so I guess that made JT Houdini.
• Shoes - Any shoes are completely pointless. They're cute, but they don't go on easy. They're not comfortable and it's not recommended that they wear them so their feet can develop correctly.

Wish List (Stuff I wish I'd had):

• Video Monitor - I would have loved to have one of these to see him in his crib.
• Jogging Stroller - The last thing on my mind during pregnancy was running. Now, I'm running on a regular basis and I either have to run indoors or leave baby with Dad.
• Itzbeen Baby Care Timer - I laughed when I was pregnant about this. I thought, "If you can't remember when to change and feed your baby you shouldn't have one." Little did I know about the baby time warp my life would become for the first 2-3 months. I literally couldn't keep track of anything the first few weeks.

Tips (Advice from fellow Moms I've found helpful):

• After 2-3 months get baby to bed early! 7 pm is a good starting point to start establishing a schedule. You have to adjust to find out what works for you and baby. 
• Read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" while you're pregnant. Read lots of baby books while you're pregnant! (Kindles are handy while nursing.)
• Buy extra sheets and Puppy Piddle Pads for the crib. Then you can layer a sheet and a piddle pad on top of each other. It saves you from emergency laundry.
• After 2-3 months give baby a full extra formula bottle before bed (when breastfeeding). It helps you feel like they are well fed and it keeps them full a little longer.
• Follow your baby's lead. Don't push them into conforming to what you think they should be doing (sleeping, eating or otherwise). Be patient and try to just give them what they need.
• Give yourself 6 weeks to figure out breastfeeding. It takes a while, but it's worth it!
• Sleep when you baby sleeps! The world (and laundry) can wait.
• Know that for the first 6 weeks - 3 months your time will be spent constantly holding and caring for baby. They will become your whole world because you are theirs. Embrace it and affirm that it only lasts for a little while. And then get out for an hour without baby occasionally to treat yourself to a Starbucks or pedicure!

April

The kids were busy, busy and lots of fun events happened in April!

Sydney played tennis for Legacy again this year. She played doubles with her friend, Krista. She was very close to playing on the varsity team!

She also went to prom with a (giant) group of friends. They rented a party bus and went to Maggiano's for dinner. She looked beautiful and had a great time.

Jud ran track with Rocky Top last month. He'd never run before so it was a great learning experience for him. He learned a lot about running, track/field and had fun!

Joseph had his first Easter. He got a little Easter basket full of new toys. 

We had the Kochevars over Easter afternoon and enjoyed some delicious food!

Darren and baby Joe

A house full!

Kim & Greyson

Aubrey, Bailey, Karyl & Jillian

Darren & Julia

Joseph opening his Easter present from Grandma Shirley

Syd & Jud with their Easter gifts from Grandma Shirley

The kids! (Pretty cute group!)

Our family on Easter

Joseph had some exciting stages last month! He's finally starting to take longer naps. He's inconsistent, but he now sleeps anywhere from 30 - 90 mins. (YAY!) Last week, he started getting his two bottom front teeth in! He's not cooperating in getting a picture. I wish he would because they're super cute!

He wrangles around wherever you lay him.  He'll roll from back from front and front to back. He likes to sit or stand up to play too. He now loves when you play peek a boo with him - he giggles and giggles! (Jud is playing with him in the video below. JT sticks his head in the tunnel to find Jud.)

He got a new highchair, which he loves to play is as much as the likes to eat in it!

He's eating new foods. I'm introducing 1-2 new fruits or veggies per week. So far he's eaten: rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, barley cereal, bananas, applesauce, pears, carrots, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes and winter squash. He's not a fan of the green veggies so I have to mix them in with the barley cereal. He loves to eat! (In the video below he's trying peas for the first time and does not like them!)

He likes you to silly and he likes to be silly too! Sometimes it seems like he's laughing just to be silly!

His play is developing. He likes to investigate everything. He's discovered that most of his toys have tags. It's funny to watch him play with them.

JT has discovered every kids favorite toy. The remote control. When all others toys fail, this will make him happy.

He wants to see how everything works (and tastes!) He also likes to bang things on the tables, ground and other toys (I guess to hear the noise it makes!).

Now that the weather is warmer is likes to sit outside with us too!

May should be just as exciting as April was. We're on the home stretch til summer! :)

March

Spring is here and we're finally getting out and enjoying the weather! The kids have started their sports; Sydney is playing tennis again this year and Jud has decided to try his hand (or feet) at track. They're on the home stretch until summer with school and are both motivated to do well this semester. Sydney is attending prom in a few weeks so look for pictures. :)

Ruggs bought a new "baby" in March. He's so proud!

Joseph is moving in and out of things so I try to keep a camera handy - I'm not sure when/if he'll keep doing it! He was sucking his thumb for a couple of weeks (it was SUPER cute) and I'm not sure we even got a picture of it! We does still, however, suck on his big toe....

He also started sitting up in his own. At first I would hold him...

Then I sat him between my legs for support...

And now he can sit up on his own for about a minute!

A couple of times a month we have playdates with friends. In the picture above, he's playing with his friend Mason.

We've also started introducing new foods. I'm making all his baby food so everything is O'natural. We started out with cereals and have graduated to bananas, sweet potatoes and avocado. The first time he tries anything he's acts like he may not love it, but so far he hasn't refused to eat anything. His favorite is rice cereal with bananas.

I also read that introducing a sippy cup at 5 months is recommended since they accept things more readily at this age. So, when I feed him in the afternoon I offer the sippy cup with a little diluted pedialyte in it (I figure it's better than juice since it doesn't have any sugar). He loves it! He'll even cry/protest if I don't give it to him when he wants it! He knows exactly what to with it... well, sort of. He hasn't got the hang of tipping it up yet.

He also loves to play with his toys on a blanket on the floor. He's mastered rolling over from tummy to back and is now working on back to tummy!

We also got him a new ducky tub. It gives him more of a playful independent tubby time than laying on his back. We only do this a few times a week since it's not really conducive to washing, but it's a lot of fun for him!

He also got his first pair of shoes last month. Where to do they go?? Directly in the mouth!

He got a Sofie last month (after many shopping trips of me showing self control) and he LOVES it. It's really worth it.

He also got his first cold last month. We made it through ok and he was actually pretty mild through it all. The Dr prescribed him Amoxicillin and we finished that last Monday.

Wednesday, he developed hives. Since it pretty unlikely he's allergic to Avocado (the new food introduced to him that day), I'm betting he's allergic to Penicillin like Syd. :(  It comes and goes on different parts of his body and it doesn't really seem to bother him. He also doesn't have any other symptoms but it can look nasty! If it persists through the weekend I'll be taking him to the Dr. on Monday.

We're also taking him tomorrow to have his "6 month pictures" done. Yes, he's actually only 5 1/2 months and I was originally going to take him to visit the Easter Bunny at Flatirons, but I found a GREAT deal at Portrait Innovations. So be ready for wallets of JT's Easter pictures! :)