Growing Babies

Sophie at 4 and a half months

Jack and Sophie are growing so fast.  I got misty eyed tonight thinking about how we will probably have to put the swing away soon. Both kids are growing like weeds, and the boxes are filling with clothing that they have both outgrown.

Trying to fetch Herme from the cage

Both kids recently had their respective doctor appointments.  Jack was 26.5lbs, and in the 50th percentile for height and 20th for weight. He has always been a slender kid. Sophie was 15.11 lbs and was in the 90th for both height and weight.  

Jack loves to brush his teeth.  Teeth momma, brush teeth!

Jack is running, climbing, and fully jumping.  He walks down five stairs at a time without holding on, and has really good balance.  His new favorite animals are frogs and giraffes.  We had about 200 tadpoles in the two ponds, and a few new green frogs that sleep on the lily pads all day.  He goes to the zoo almost every week, and feeds the giraffes.  He is quite smitten by both animals. 

No matter how I cut the hair, it still comes back wild!!!

It is great that he is now telling me when he is hungry.  Eat, Mamma, eat!!!  I hear that a lot.  In just the last two weeks, he has started eating vigorously and sleeping a ton.  He napped one day for over five hours straight!  I think he is going through a growth spurt.  

I went to the bathroom, and came back and Jack decided that he wanted pancakes for breakfast. He poured out the WHOLE bag on the floor.  He then tried to clean it up by kicking it.

His handprint in bisquick

Jack also loves to give these awesome hugs, where he holds you so tight.  When we skype with Carl, I say give daddy a hug, and he hugs himself and then blows his dad a kiss.  It is so sweet:) Jack and George have developed a closer relationship. Jack has started riding George like a horse, and George doesn't seem to mind (most of the time).  

Jack trying to feed Herme triscuits in his cage

One of our new favorite activities is playdoh.  With all of the rain this summer, we have been forced inside.  Jack likes to make balls, and cut the playdoh with scissors and push it through the machine.  We have a lot of fun.  We also make a lot of food in Jack's kitchen.  He makes Daddy hamburgers every Sunday morning via skype.  

Uncle Steve came to visit us.  Jack had a wonderful time with his uncle.  They really enjoyed their time at the zoo together. They also loved to play t-ball, and have Uncle Steve push him in the red car.

Waiting for their turn to feed the giraffe.

Jack and Uncle Steve feeding the giraffe.

I personally believe God can only give you what you can handle.  When he gave me Sophie, he gave me the most beautiful, sweet, and happy angel one could imagine.  Sophie has been sleeping through the night since four weeks of age, and she and her brother sleep in the same room now.  They both sleep about 11 to 12 hours per night.  

Uncle Steve and Sophie snuggling.  

Sophie is now officially a thumb sucker. She won't take a pacifier, and loves that left hand thumb. Jack also sucks his fingers only on his left hand.

She smiles constantly, and only fusses for two reasons.  One, she is hungry:) Two, she is being asked to take a nap.  Sophie is a great night time sleeper but HATES to nap.  She fights naps, and the past few days I have been able to get her to nap for about an hour and a half per day (at most). We are out a lot during the day, and so I think she just can't sleep through the chaos in the morning, and then gets overtired in the afternoons.  

Eating at the zoo

Chubby cheeks

Sophie is SO ready to start eating solids.  She is grabbing at everything, and literally takes handfuls of food off my plate.  Today, I gave her a few sips of water and she wanted more and more.  She really acts so much older than she is.  We are going to wait on solids until Carl comes home.  I think it is going to be a great bonding experience for the two of them.  I have already bought a few baby food containers though so they can start when they get back.  I really am looking forward to this stage of her eating.  I always loved shopping for all of the fun baby foods for Jack, and am excited to do it again.

Our little girl is all smiles

Sophia at five months

Everything goes in her mouth!  Tonight, she literally grabbed half of a hot dog and some Italian bread and tried to eat them both!  

Sophie's new favorite toy is the jumperoo.  It is funny how she jumps.  She kicks her two legs together when she jumps. It is so cute. It is like a little dance.  Sophie is really ticklish.  When I change her clothes in the morning and at night, every time I touch her neck she giggles.  She is ticklish on her belly and neck.  She has the sweetest little giggle, and it doesn't hurt that she is a little rolly polly.  I can't get enough of her little rolls!  Carl calls her buddha baby!

Still not sure what colors these eyes will become

Sophie loves sitting in this chair, and playing with all of the toys. Jack comes and plays with her.

She pushes this table off EVERY day. I am constantly putting it back together for her.

Our little lady is teething

Sophie loves to watch Jack, and she gets so excited when he wants to play with her.  She also loves to watch Herme, and tries to grab at him.  George is very protective of Sophie, and I am hoping that George becomes Sophie's dog instead of a rivalry over Herme.  

Jack loves to get subs, and bring them to the zoo.  He eats a full six inch!

Getting ready for Tropical Storm Isaac

Not so sure that the blood pressure machine is going to help him with this storm

Another one of Jack's favorite indoor activities is animal jump.  We take all of our large stuffed animals, toss them on the floor, then climb on the chair and jump on them

Here he goes

Our best discovery of this summer are pop-pops. Jack loves his "green pop pop."  He really enjoys popsicles!