August 2015 - Kim Stays While Jason is Gone

There were about ten days that my sister, Kim, was considered “homeless”. She is a student at BYU and in between semesters she had to move out of one apartment a week before her new apartment would let her move in. We worked it out so she could come stay with us while she worked in Provo and Pleasant Grove and waited until she could move into her new place. We blew up a giant air mattress in the family room that stayed inflated for the entire time she stayed with us.  Well, we came to realize that it would be the same week that Jason was going to be gone on his fishing trip to Canada. It was perfect! I would have some company while he was gone. Kim stayed from Sunday through the following Tuesday. Jason didn’t leave for Canada until the mid-Tuesday so he was able to see her for a couple of days.

On Sunday, before Jason left, we had Kim invite Kyle over for a night of treats and Settlers of Catan.

Kim had work every day, working two part time jobs; however, some mornings she was free, and some evenings she was free. Monday night, Camry joined Kim and I and we headed to Provo to try Bruges Waffles. They were amazing (we even got some fries, too)! We brought one home for Jason, and we also took one to Tyson because it was his birthday that week. When we got back, we watched some Lost (as Kim and Camry have been dedicated in finishing the series - they began before Kim even left on her mission).

Camry got The Monster...so good!

On Tuesday, Kim and I wanted to go shopping. Jason was working before he left on his trip, so I got a sitter for the boys for a couple of hours. It was fun, fast, and we found some good items. That afternoon, after Jason left, we went swimming at the Scera with Charlie and Colson. That night, Kyle came over to watch a movie with Kim.

On Wednesday, Kim came with me and the boys to the Curiosity Museum. She had never been, so I was really excited to show her. From there she headed to Draper for the night since she had an early morning dentist appointment there. That evening Amy came over and we grilled peaches with ice cream, watched ANTM and Project Runway, and painted our nails. Good times.

Little did I know that we would be back at the Curiosity Museum the next day! Kim had her dentist appointment and then work, so I wasn’t going to see her until late that night (she worked until ten). I got a call from the Gruber gang wanting to go to the museum, so we met up with them and had a great time. At least this time we stuck mainly to the outdoor section. We played hard and were exhausted by the end.

just loungin'

On Friday, we met up with Kim on campus for lunch. We spent some time walking around to see where all of her classes were going to be and then ate at the CougarEat. It is always fun to expose the offspring to the family university. I even taught Charlie to say, “BYU! Go Cougars!” So cute! Later that evening, Bryan came to cut our grass. He did a great job. Then Kim got home and Camry joined us as we went to dinner at Sweeto Burrito. After that, we came home and ate some ice cream and watched Lost. These days were such special moments to remember, to spend such quality time with my siblings!

Colson breaking in Charlie's 2nd year birthday swing - which Charlie never showed interest in until now

Watching Uncle Bryan mow the lawn

Camry ended up staying over that night. Kim had work early in the morning, so it was just us and Camry for a nice leisurely breakfast. We laid out for a little bit while Colson napped and enjoyed the warm sun. After Camry left, I took the boys to the park at Windsor Elementary to show Charlie where he would be going to school the following week. Such a big step!

I love seeing my boys in the swings together! Charlie is finally getting the courage!

On Sunday, before Jason returned from his trip, we headed to Draper for Tyson's family birthday dinner. Yay for more family time!

Next up, what Jason was up to during that week.

Colson’s Ninth Month

(July 6 - August 5)

Colson is doing better and better with the formula. At the beginning of the month, I was able to give him two to three bottles a day to supplement nursing. I am thrilled to finally see this progress. He can even hold his own bottle while lying down. By the end of the month, his formula drinking was awesome! He would drink six ounces in one sitting before naps and bed. My routine after feeding him the bottle was burping him and then laying him down in his crib, even if he was awake. He might whine for a minute or two, but he would usually fall asleep pretty quickly. I am so happy!

We have teeth! His top left and bottom left teeth cut through. Late in the month, Colson had two more teeth. His second and third upper teeth came in. That makes three teeth on the top, and one tooth on the bottom. He didn’t stop there. By the end of the month, his bottom right tooth joined the crew. That’s a total of five teeth, with more on the way. Five teeth in one month! As you can imagine, teething was very painful for him! It was a difficult time. Poor guy.

Colson loves to eat things from his fingers, like mashed bananas and mangoes. He loves the pureed sweet potatoes. One of his favorite things is to hold onto an apple slice and suck on it. We have also started using this baby mesh strainer or net, and he has loved it! We have put in watermelon, grapes, frozen peas, mango, peaches, blueberries, bananas, and other things; it is perfect! You put the food in the pouch, and he is able to gnaw on it while the juices of the food seep through the small holes without the danger of choking. It is brilliant!

Colson is one cute little boy. We get lots of comments from people on how cute and handsome he is.

At the beginning of the month, Colson started pushing up onto his knees. We knew crawling was just around the corner. And we were right! On July 22nd, at eight months old, Colson started crawling! This stage definitely came faster than we expected. With all of this teething and crawling going on, it is no surprise that he is putting EVERYTHING in his mouth! He finds anything and everything on the floor possible. He is our vaccuum! His favorite area is on the floor beneath Charlie’s kitchen chair. He is our puppy waiting for table scraps. He also loves to pull himself up onto his knees and feet when he is at my knee or at the base of the stairs. He is so proud of himself when he can pull himself up and stand there. He loves to crawl towards something quickly and then dive his face and mouth into it, like my knee or teddy bear. He gets a kick out of it. It is pretty cute.

Colson loves being wherever Charlie is. Colson gets so excited going into Charlie’s room in the morning or after Charlie’s nap to let him out. He starts bouncing in my arms when we are at his door.

Colson got another cold during this month. However, it could have been the teething.

Just as any baby does, Colson has the softest skin. I love feeling his little soft hands sliding or rubbing on my arms while drinking a bottle.

I do have to admit, being a mother of two boys leaves little time for personal things during the day. I rarely wear makeup during the week, which has never been my style or way of doing things. The only times I would allow myself no makeup was when I knew I wouldn’t see anyone that day or I wasn’t going anywhere. Now with the business of boys, going to the gym, working from home, keeping house, etc. I will allow myself to go to the store and other places without makeup now. It is only when I am going somewhere and will see someone that I know that I consider wearing makeup, and even then it is debatable. I guess the truth comes down to valuing as much sleep as I can get. The boys are my alarm in the morning. I don’t want to wake up until absolutely necessary, and as a result, there goes my self-prep time.

Speaking of going to the store, Colson is able to sit in the cart now without a car seat. He loves sitting there and looking around. It is great! More importantly, I don’t have to lug him around anymore in the car seat. That thing gets really heavy, really fast!

Pictures from July 4th:

 

Pioneer Day

 

Colson and Penelope - 11 days apart

 

Colson gets plenty of cousin-lovin'