February 12, 2012

I am almost positive my heart melts and my uterus explodes every time I look at these pictures.

I am taking some short courses to actually learn to *use* that DSLR that we bought awhile back. Of course now that fancy-schmancy camera we dropped so much money on is just a run of the mill one (Nikon D3100) but I cant keep up with this shit. I figured I might as well learn to use the one I have before I upgrade yet again.

And these are my favorite subjects ... no one could blame me. I LOVE these pictures. 

February 11, 2012

We had a Breaking Dawn party at my place! I wanted to get the girls together and try to show them what we did during deployment at Lewis. It was so much easier and more fun there when we kept busy ... We're all going to need that here.

February 10, 2012

Sleepy baby! Only in our bed and only if momma is near. Someday I'll miss this needy lovey stuff!

February 9, 2012

Getting BETTER at this eating thing. Now we have to work on actually sitting up in the high chair. His default position is with one leg kicked up onto the tray. This should surprise no one.

Also Sammy has finally caught on, just like we thought she would. When I was pregnant we laughed that Sammy would become Johns BFF once she realized that there was food to be had underneath his high chair. Today Sammy stationed herself underneath as soon as she heard John get buckled in, so Id say shes got it. The only issue with that is John likes to lean over the side so he can see her fuzzy tail. John LOVES him some Sammy. You can clearly see that here: http://youtu.be/lJsi0vkvLLw

February 8, 2012

John in baby circle. He was probably asking “did anyone make that pie I asked about earlier? Because its been like, an hour”.

I am so thankful for playdates (and other assorted get togethers). Weve been here damn near a year now (I have no idea how its been that long) and it feels like home. Its also nice that John has so many babies his age that he can socialize with ... so maybe he wont grow up to be a spoiled asshole. Or, he wont grow up to be AS spoiled of an asshole. Lets not get too crazy. 

February 7, 2012

Card we found at the PX. We're sort of acting like he's already gone to that place because its easier than trying to shift focus later.

February 6, 2012

How he wakes up all the time now ... he looks around for me, then when he lays eyes on me he smiles this big. One time he didnt see me but I started talking and he did the same right when he heard my voice.

There are days when I would give anything to go back to work ... or to Hawaii ... or just to nap in peace. But when I see that smile it makes me pretty grateful that this is my job and he is my boss. 

February 5, 2012

So we TRIED to go to church without daddy. Please note the word TRIED ... because it didnt work. I managed to get us all up, dressed, and out of the house on time. Service began and in typical Gumbranch form everyone was so very nice, fawning over John and being so welcoming. 

Typically I leave service to feed John and he naps. Thats easy enough with Allen there because Devon isnt sitting alone (not that it would kill him, there are worse places he could sit alone, but I know it sucks). So John doesnt even make it through the music selection before he begins his high pitched screaming. Not unhappy, just his “because I can scream”. I tried to take him to the bathroom and feed him, but he wasnt having it. After about 30 minutes I just got Devon and we left.

It was frustrating at the time. Now, it doesnt seem like such a big deal. Next time we go well be utilizing the nursery - I just cant be “that” mom whose kid is shrieking through the service (even a happy shriek). File this under one more thing I learned while daddy is away!

February 4, 2012

Ack I am so far behind. But I am determined to keep this going. Thank God for instagram because I can just update from that on my blogger app. Have I mentioned that I love my iPhone?

I have no idea where I left off but I should probably go more in depth bow that were actually catching daddy up via this blog. So this is where we left off, with John eating peas. They are homemade peas ... and we're still getting the hang of it. I took this because my friend Jaquelyn said she hates when her husband feeds her daughter and gets food everywhere. I offered up my shame in the form of this photo, where I admitted that John can (and usually does) get the best of me at mealtime. He wants to feed himself so badly that he grabs the spoon, I wrestle it back, and then food goes flying. It's all fun and games until there are peas on the ceiling.

February 3, 2012

Too many good ones today to pick just one - this is the Friday bonus edition.

Today we wore a tie onesie, had a playdate, sat up on his own for a bit, scootched around, hated apples and chewed the tub!

February 2, 2012

First part starts tonight - its not goodbye, it's see you soon. Well call this a dry run.

February 1, 2012

I set John down so I could pull the cookies out of the oven. He was on that playmat so imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw this.

January 31, 2011

Mari came over today and took some fun shots - this is by far my favorite!

January 30, 2012

Much love for daddy,

January 29, 2012

Finally! He got a haircut!

January 28, 2012

Oh my ... Who is that handsome devil in the mirror?

January 27, 2012

4 month shots today ... someone is very very sleepy / sickly :/

January 26, 2012

Having lunch outside with daddy. It's so different here - much more family friendly. We get to visit daddy a lot, and I think that keeps us connected.

January 25, 2012

Besties.

January 24, 2012

This makes me want to squeal - there are few things cuter than a fluffy butt and baby tie.

January 23, 2012

My boys! Its a beautiful thing.

January 22, 2012

This is what John thinks of church. On a side note, we are loving Gum Branch and are very close to becoming members. It depends on what happens with that news were waiting on ;)

January 21, 2012

Thanks to Instagram I can keep up ... Even when I don't keep up, eek! Things are INsane around here right now. Lots of things going on - should be getting some news this week - I hope!!

Here we are - drying dipes in the sun. Fluff is worth the work!

January 20, 2012

That's all <3.

January 19, 2012

As Jaq captioned this: "I don't always wear diapers. But when I do, I prefer my Fuzzibuns".

Also, my autocorrect knew Fuzzibuns.

January 18, 2012

Favorite bedtime story = On the Night You Were Born.

January 17, 2011

Sammy still needs to get used to John. Some days shell hang out with him, others she just gives him the side eye. Before John came around she was the queen of this castle - now she has to share the throne. She's not a fan but John loves her.

January 16, 2012

My big baby!

January 15, 2012

Everyone can flame away but ... I gave my kid a taste of food.

I'm ducking the things people are throwing at me right now. But I puréed a small bit of banana, and he ate maybe a teaspoon. We're starting slow (and skipping cereal all together). My momma instinct said he was ready, even though I wasn't planning on it until 6 months.

He's happy. I'm happy. That's what matters.

January 14, 2012.

One year ago today I found out what "shock of lifetime" meant.

I couldn't have imagined what those two lines would bring me :)

January 13, 2012

Playdate at the park! Of course, it's a bit unfair as he spent most of the time in the stroller. But we did swing a little, so there's that.

January 12, 2012

This is sold as a towel but John much prefers it as a swaddle blanket.

January 11, 2012

Sent this picture out to Beba, Yeci, Dana, Sheena, Christi and ...Heath? Only because he was recovering from snore surgery and I figured it would help. A little John goes a long way.

January 10, 2012

Okay, I know all kids grow differently, and there is nothing wrong with that. Peace, love and acceptance man. But this kid is on an 11-12 team ...

I'm just sayin'.

January 9, 2012

Homemade slime for a school project. Im not going to lie - I thought up the project idea. Does that count as giving him an unfair advantage?

January 8, 2012

I'm behind on this ... What's new right? I've been busy with two kids and zero daddies. I feel like a Maury episode. Anyhow.

We have a back to front roller now also. There goes my ability to put him down and walk away ... Thank God for play rooms and baby gates!

January 7, 2012

Devon had his first game today - he won!

January 6, 2012

We set Johns jumper up in his doorway (none in the living room have door moldings). We all tried to tell him how enjoyable it was, but he mostly held on for dear life.

January 5, 2012

We officially have a teenager.

Oh my. 

January 4, 2012

My cosleeping baby and I, trying to keep warm! Cosleeping is one of the best things we've done, even if we fell into it accidentally (it was easier to nurse in bed). Now nights and mornings are our favorite times of day. Its not for any hippie-AP-style-is-the-only-way-to-parent thing. I like sleep, nursing and cosleeping are easier, and I'm too paranoid to have him in his own room. If we have another, well need a bigger bed.

January 3, 2012

January 3, 2012

With all the talk of “sleep training” flying around, Ive decided to at least start a “routine”. With the colic (although things are getting better, praise Jesus) its been hard to establish much of anything - nothing ever works twice. But, I decided that I would at least start doing things at the same time every night, when I could. A bath at 730, a book at 8, and nursing by 830. After that its “quiet” time so that nothing sets off the crying fits. Its night two and tonight his crying spree was shorter and he only woke up after being put down one time (normally its 3 or 4).

Anyhow - things are looking up. Of course I would have loved to have an angel baby, but having a “challenging” one has made me better. God wanted to teach me something, and He sent me John to do it. At least He sent the message in a super cute package! 

January 2, 2012

January 2, 2012

First, Blogger needs to get their uploader right because Im tired of all the crap uploads (like this one). This would be the most determined 3 month old ever, sitting up in his Rock and Play in order to get to his feet. 

The feet are a recent discovery, but since hes realized that they are there he wont leave them alone. Last night he was in his baby tub and he lifted them out of the water. As he saw that they were there, he smiled. This leads me to believe that I can spend less money on expensive toys and just let the kid see his feet a few times a day. 

January 1, 2012

 January 1, 2012

Started off the new year by finally going to meet Auntie Dana and Devin. Devin is so good natured and sweet (a contrast to John’s cranky ways), but he did have a fascination with John’s hair. After several attempts to put John’s whole head in his mouth, we decided both babies were best served being put down for naps ;)