Scooby Doobie?

This morning, Davis looked at me and said "Where are you, Scooby Doobie?" I asked him who taught him that and he said "Davis taught me that!"

He must think of things he wants to say for the first time during the night because this wasn't the first morning he surprised me with something new. The other day I walked in and he said "Guess what?" Never said that before- and had nothing to follow it- but was just very pleased with this new phrase.

Also this morning, Holden rolled from her back to her stomach. She has been trying for a while, but always gets stuck on her side. She seems pretty pleased to be sleeping with her arms free- and her newest thing is squealing and grabbing her feet as she rolls. What a doll.

And how cool is this guy? Look out ladies...

Comparisons

Last night I decided to go back and look at my blog posts from when Davis was the age Holden is now. I wanted to see what he was doing and what he looked like to see where they have similarities and differences. Can I first just say that doing this reminded me why I blog. I do love that my friends and family read my blog, but first and foremost, I do this for memories...

And I was thrilled to so easily be able to take a walk down memory lane and see exactly what Davis looked like and what he was up to at 4.5 months. There were some pictures where Davis looked a lot like Holden:

and then there were some where they looked different. Okay, not so different, but he looks more masculine while she is clearly more girly.

I read that Davis was almost 17 pounds at that age, while Holden is barely 12. Five pounds doesn't sound like a lot until you realize that it's almost 50% of their overall weight.

At 4 months, we had begun the unswaddling process with Davis and we are just now doing that with Holden. Last night was the first night and it went better than expected. She has been struggling and getting out of her swaddle, which wakes her up anyway, so we figured it was time. Luckily, because it was easier, she was able to get out of her swaddle and fall right back asleep with her arms out.

With Davis, I wrote a funny post about how much it bothered him to be unswaddled at that time. And I also noted here that he was waking up a lot wanting to eat and we were having to fight it and let him cry himself back to sleep. She doesn't really do that. She really only wakes up when it's been a while and she is hungry...and it's pretty easy to get her back to sleep.

I also noted that the doctor suggested we start Davis on real food at 4 months- to keep his caloric intake down. When I went to Holden's four month appointment- the doctor said there was no hurry. I'm actually kind of excited about giving her real food, though. Maybe she will spit up less? Here's hoping. She is ruining a lot of pretty outfits. Ha.

When Davis was four months, he was holding his own bottle and we started putting him in his little jungle exersaucer. Holden loves to be held, and loves to be fed, so while she puts her hands on the bottle, she shows no interest in actually doing the work of holding it. That's fine with me. It's so nice to rock and snuggle with her while she eats. I guess it's almost time to get the jungle out to see if she's ready for it.

She loves to be upright. She has amazing posture already. Davis rolled a ton, but was less focused on sitting up.

Anyway, it was so fun to compare and see the differences between the two of them. They have different temperaments. I mean, they are both very laid back, easy going little people, with sweet hearts...but they are also different. I love watching them grow up. I love seeing what they share in common and how they differ. I love them. Period. :)

The Best Weekend Ever

We did so much fun stuff this weekend...and all of it was random, unplanned, and just enjoyable. The best thing was having Bennett home. It felt great to have three long days for The Bennett 4.

We: had Corky and B over for dinner. We partied all day at the Dezendorfs on Sunday, playing in the water, eating BBQ and drinking peach panty droppers. I love how much fun it is to get together with our friends. It's total chaos. I swear, Davis thinks Erik, Greer, Zach and B are just as much his friends as they are his dad's. Ha. Anyway...we took naps. We played in bed. We exercised. We JOINED THE YMCA.

I'm ridiculously excited. It's definitely the nicest Y I've ever seen- it was recently redone by a great design firm in town. I asked Davis last night what his favorite part of the very fun weekend was and he said "I had fun at the YMCA." And all we did was take a tour. His socks are going to be blown off when he actually gets to play there.

Here are some pictures:

So sweet! 

Playing in Holden's bed is Davis' new thing.

As is holding her. 

Holden's new thing is sitting up. With a little help...

This new view is so amazing!

She is so teeny tiny.

Davis did some reading in her bed and set up a little audience.

Corky got Holden and Mary Mae matching suits. Have you seen anything cuter?

So sweet, they look edible. Like little candies.

This is what it looks like when we all get together- chaos. Dudes holding other people's babies. Boys fighting over car seats. It's the best time.

More hugging. Or wrestling. Not sure.

He fell asleep at 5:30 that day. It was a fun one.

Holden Finds Her Voice

Davis and I walked in the door yesterday to a very loud squawk - like we'd never heard before. I said something like "Well are you telling us 'hello' Holden?" and Jennifer said "She has been doing that ALL day!" And truly, she is now talking (squawking) every minute that she is awake. And it's loud. It cracks Davis up- so that is fun.

We were working with Holden again last night on rolling over and all of the sudden I looked over at Davis who was lying on his back, grunting, pretending he was working so hard to roll over. Ha! Funny kid. So I cheered and he continued to grunt and I said "Holden look- Davis is rolling over too!"

It's amazing how things can change in just one week- good and bad. Last week I had great sleep. This week, Holden must miss me, because she wants to stay up all night with me. Zoinks. This week, Holden is rolling from stomach to back and working hard to flip from back to stomach...and she's found her voice.

She is grabbing everything. And the sweetest thing is that Davis constantly brings her things and says "Do you want this, Holden?" as he tries to put it in her hand. It's really quite silly how much it melts my heart to watch him be so sweet to her all the time. He has yet to get frustrated with her. Ever. He's two. That's pretty amazing.

Also- her face is changing. I know I'm her mom- but gosh- I think she is getting pretty. She is almost 5 months and I remember our doctor telling us that Gerber always uses 6 month old babies because that is when their face really rounds out and they get those sweet cheeks. I think it's really true. I need to schedule our family photo shoot with Sweet Louise Photography. I want to get some pics of Davis and Holden together...

So Bennett is finally home! He got in late last night- and I'm so glad he is back. I'm really looking forward to this weekend, we have some fun things planned, but the most important thing will just be spending time together.

Okay- that's all for now. Happy Thursday.

Girls Trip

Sunday, my mom, Holden and I took a day trip to Houston for Mason's graduation lunch. Mason and her younger sister, Lovell, are like my baby sisters (though not so baby anymore). Their mom, Jodie, is my dear friend and Godmother and my mom took care of Mason when she was younger, and is also both hers and Lovell's Godmother. We are very connected and I LOVE that they are like family.

Mason was the first little girl I babysat. I was about 13 and she was about 6 months old. I would go over to their house, watch movies, and go in and peek to make sure she was still breathing as she was sleeping. I babysat Mason until she was old enough to babysit Lovell, herself. I went on trips with them, we kept Mason the night Lovell was born, they were our flower girls, and we've really grown together even more over time as Jodie and the girls moved to Austin. They now live in Houston- so we see them less- but it's just like family. You can pick up right where you left off each time you get together.

Anyway- we took a day trip and of course Holden was just the sweetest little pea the whole time. People kept asking if she was always so good- and really- she is. I loved spending the day with just her because I feel like I spend so much time splitting my focus between the two of them- and because she is so little and easy- I feel like she gets the short end of the stick sometimes. Davis is 2 after all, and can be a little demanding...

And my mom and I had so much fun talking while driving there and back as well. It was so nice. So quick, but so nice. Here are some pictures.

This is really the first picture where I looked and thought "Oh my gosh! She is a little girl! Not a baby blob anymore..." I love this picture.

Amazingly, she didn't require any wardrobe changes during the party. Yahoo! I do a quick change right before I go in when I want her to wear something special. Katie gave her this dress!

Mason, Holden and Lovell! Full circle...

You seriously would not believe how amazing the flowers were. They were, hands down, the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen. It's all anyone could talk about. They were peonies- and seriously- bigger than a hand with fingers spread. Amazing.

More peonies. They don't even look real.

And to try to give you an idea of size...I was clearly obsessed.

And how cute is this picture? I took it right when we got home. Honey and the smalls.

Davis stayed with Nikki and Tony while we went to Houston and it sounds like he had the time of his life. They went swimming, they got cupcakes, they went to Kerbey Lane for pancakes, they sat on Tony's motorcycle, they watched Barney via projector on a giant wall. He was as happy as a clam. Here's the note I got from Mikki this morning:

I am so glad to hear that he had such a good time!  It was an action packed-day and Tony and I laughed this morning and last night at some of the funny things that he said and did... at one point he said 'Mikki, I can't work so hard!' while playing with the vacuum cleaner or maybe it was the hangers in the closet - i laughed and said 'it's ok davis, you are right, you don't have to work so hard!'  He loved announcing to Tony 'we have cupcakes, Toeneee!'  

He also spent some time telling doggie about all the things he was doing at mikki & tony's house, which was really cute.  And when tony put cars in his pocket at kirby lane, davis needed cars in his pocket, too. It was such a fun day and I'm so glad he had so much fun at his first playdate at Tony and Mikki's house!

And Bennett- well Bennett was home for a whopping 26 hours this weekend. He got in at 2:00 a.m. Friday and had to leave at 4:00 on Sunday morning for an annual conference in Vegas. We got to spend a lot of fun family time together on Saturday- but I'm telling you what- I'm ready for him to be home for good. I'm looking forward to a long weekend- more than you know.

Now We're Rolling

The doctor told me not to worry about Holden rolling over anytime soon- so I haven't really thought about it since her 4 month appointment. So I was incredibly surprised when she rolled right over yesterday, while Davis and I were playing trucks as Holden looked on.  I was so excited! I explained it to Davis and he was so excited too!

He clapped and we cheered and then we tried to get her to do it again, on video. Of course she wouldn't do it, but it was so funny, Davis kept pushing her side, trying to help her, while saying "Holden! Go the other way! Holden you can do it!" It was a really special moment with my two little people- both that she rolled over- and that Davis was so happy for her and trying to help her. They are so dear.

On top of all that- I just got this video from Jennifer- capturing the action. Yahoo!

Cloud Nine

So it's been hard managing everything while Bennett has been traveling so much. I'm not going to lie- I've complained about it, felt sorry for myself about it, and really just dwelled on it. It's hard to do everything at work and at home, and do it well, all by myself.

And the part that has been the hardest for me has been that short time from when I get home to when they go to sleep. Without fail, Holden wants to eat from about 6-7 so I'm constantly having to tell Davis "I'll play with you when I finish feeding Holden..." and then once I get her to bed, usually around 7:15, I have limited time to feed, bathe, and actually PLAY with Davis. It's the only time I get to spend with them during the week- it's SO stressful- and I don't feel like I'm really focusing on either one of them. I'm just barely meeting their basic needs.

But this week has been better. I've realized it's okay to let her cry a little. She is not going to die from waiting 10 extra minutes for her bottle. I've timed things better- I've figured out that I have this small window when I get home where I can lay her down and fix Davis' dinner so he is actually eating part of the time while I'm feeding her. I've also realized that I can engage with Davis more while I'm feeding her. Half of it is sitting and talking with him while he plays. And Holden really enjoys watching Davis- so that helps.

Anyway- two things happened yesterday that have put me on cloud nine today. The first is that I put Holden to bed at 7:30 last night...and she didn't wake up until 4:30. 4:30...NINE HOURS PEOPLE! FOUR MONTHS OLD, NINE CONSISTENT HOURS OF SLEEP! And then, on top of that, she didn't wake up until 7:45 this morning. Which meant, not only did I get to sleep, but I was able to get up at 7:00, take a shower, make Davis' lunch, throw some laundry in, and actually spend time with Davis in the morning. And I got to spend a little cuddle time with her at the 4:30 feeding. I looked down at her at one point and she was just smiling at me. Made my heart melt.

The second thing is that Bennett sent me a text last night after I had gone to bed that said "I love you. You're my best friend. I know that goes without saying..." And it really made me feel like a million bucks. We really are best friends. Yes, sometimes we want to kill each other (that's part of living together for 7 years) but at the end of the day- we really like each other! That's a great thing.

Anyway. I'm on cloud nine today. Sleep and love, man. Makes the world go round. When you get enough sleep, you find yourself doing things like singing "Cinnamon Raisin Toast" over and over to your two year old, to the tune of "This Little Light of Mine". AMAZING.

For Memory's Sake

Just jotting a few things for memory's sake...

Holden is 4 months old. She's still as sweet and happy as ever. So easy going, never fusses, never cries unless she is hungry. She does this funny thing right before bed- regardless of when she's eaten last (could have been as recently as 5:00) she will eat again around 6:15, and not just a little, but a full feeding. It's like she knows she needs to double up before she sleeps for a long stretch, which is fine by me, if it means she will sleep longer.

Speaking of, she is doing so well with sleeping. Usually goes to bed around 7, then wakes up around 3 a.m. and again around 5 or 6 a.m. Usually she goes back to sleep at that time, but not today. Today she was in a wrestling mood. She wrestled her little pink and grey striped mouse like she was in the WWF.

And she LOVES sitting up. She always sits with her back so erect- I mean, she has perfect posture. She's enjoying the swing and the bumbo and seems to be happy that she can sit up and see what's going on. She holds on to things all the time- whether hair or blankets or Davis' cars.

I took her to the doctor on Friday for her 4 month check-up...the doctor said everything checked out fine. Her ears are clear, her neck has loosened up (she was favoring facing one way pretty significantly) and she is growing as she should be. She is in the 25th percentile for both length and weight, and a whopping 75th percentile for her head. I remember Davis' head was always in the 85th to 95th percentile, and you could tell...but I can't really tell with her. It seems proportional to me. Maybe I'm just used to big heads. Ha.

I asked the doctor about her rolling over. Holden spends so little time lying down because of the reflux, so she can roll to her side, but she hasn't spent enough time to start rolling all the way over. The doctor said not to worry about it. Reflux babies often learn to sit up long before they roll over...so we'll see.
Some funny things Davis has said/been saying lately:

- "Mommy play one more time!" (which actually means, "play a little longer!")

- "I do" (for past, current and future tenses)

- "I need big ones!" (which actually means, "I want a lot of them...")

- "Daddy in Denber. Not ca-da-da-do." (after I explained that Bennett was in Denver, Colorado)

- "Dear God. Thank you for Max, for Colin, for trucks, for every-ding."

- "Dwankle Dwankle little star..." (I swear, this is what it sounds like- country twang)

Geez, I know there are more. I always forget them when I go to write them down.

Oh, one more thing, today when we were leaving school, I headed for the door and he made a distressed sound and said "Mommy! Have to get my lunchbox!" and he was right!

Mother's Day

Yesterday I woke up to breakfast in bed, after sleeping in until 9:30. Such a treat, especially because I am not feeling so well. After that we hung around the house for the morning and Davis played in his new sandbox. Bennett, Holden and Davis gave me the greatest little gift bag- such thoughtful things.

The new John Irving book, to complete my collection:

The latest People magazine:

5 pound weights for my workouts:

And Skittles!

Bennett knows me well. I felt very special. Davis, of course, thought the Skittles were certainly for him...so we shared. Yesterday afternoon I went for a pedicure with my mom and Nikki and then we all went to dinner at Matt's El Rancho. It was so beautiful outside. It was a very nice day, and I am thankful.

Also, did I mention that Bennett and I laid down at 8:30 last night and set our alarms for 9:30 so we could get up and do some work...and then we slept until Holden woke up at 3:00 a.m.? Oops. Must have really needed that sleep.

And have I updated you on two major Davis developments? He is binky free for over a week now and has only asked for it a couple times...AND he is going to the bathroom (both #1 and #2) 2-3 times a day now. I think he's almost ready for some Cars underwear. :)

And Holden is FOUR MONTHS OLD! More on that later...

Snapshots

Some joyful pics from the last month or so...
Happy Saturday!

To My Mom

If I am a good mom at all...I first owe it to my mom.

My mom taught us to believe that we could do anything we wanted to. Really. Anything. And she showed us, by working hard to live the type of life we did, even as a single mom. She took us amazing places, she gave us a great home, and she surrounded us with people that would only build us up and give us someone to admire.

She let us march to the beat of our own drum. My name is Kathi Melissa but since I was 5, I've gone by Sam. I came home from school in kindergarten and asked her and my sister to call me "Sam", AND THEY DID.

One of the best things I remember my mom telling me, even as early as the 5th grade, was that "the most popular person isn't the coolest person. it's the person most well-liked by the most people..." I've never forgotten that.

My mom taught me to be brave and adventurous. As far back as I can remember, we have driven back and forth across the country for trips and travel. Yes, my young mom, with two kids under 6 in the car, for drives that lasted for days. Through ice and snow, sleet and hail. I don't know many other people that could do that- without breaking a sweat. I remember thinking that my mom could drive anywhere- that she never got lost. She knew every road in the whole wide world.

She also taught us that looks weren't as important as character. It didn't even occur to me until college that maybe not everyone showed up at school and work and everywhere else with wet hair. She went through a lot and we learned from it that you don't sweat the small stuff.

My mom was, and is, giving. Nikki and I have always known that we are her first priority, that she would do anything for us. Name it, she's there. That sort of support makes you feel confident.

And she worked hard to be happy and joyful. In the midst of loneliness or sadness, we always had a happy home.

There aren't many things that I am today that I don't contribute to my mom and what she has given me.

Before Work

Some mornings are rushed. Some mornings allow more time for silly stuff. This morning was one of those- and I am thankful for it because even with more time for play- Davis had a REALLY hard time at drop off this morning. Poor guy- makes my heart ache. Anyway, here are some cute pics of my little people before work this morning.

They look angry, but they were actually quite happy. 

Davis is so sweet to Holden, he loves to snuggle with her. She loves it too. 

In daddy's Tough Mudder headband. Always a great accessory.

As are mommy's purple patent maryjanes...

Oh and also, I read this quote on another blog today, and I thought it was great.

"Am I the right guy? I don't know, but I'm the guy being asked, and the last thing I want to do is miss an opportunity or make God mad, so I just keep saying yes." (Bob Goff, Love Does)

Pins

If you don't follow me on Pinterest- here are my 10 most recent pins. Is Pinterest addictive, or what?

So cute. Love stripes.

I love these jeans and the blouse. I would pick different shoes though.

Vinyl covers for IKEA furniture. Brilliant.

This picture had the highest repins of anything I've posted. I just like the bookcases.

Amen. Preach.

I've only pinned two food things- ever. I like artichokes when they're cooked like this.

How cute AND practical are these?

 From Noonday Collection- best jewelry and organization ever.

I don't know why- but I really love this photo. I don't even like horses.

I love this couch. Really I love the ice blue velvet. I'm sure a couch from Red would be better.

Beano

Davis has loved his little bla bla dog since he was tiny. He sleeps with it every night and has lovingly referred to him as "Doggie" (said "Doagie" like Hoagie) for the last two and a half years. The other day, I asked Davis what his doggie's name was. He paused, looked at me and said "BEANO!" and has called him Beano ever since. Of course, this really cracks Bennett and I up.

This shot was taken the other night while we were out running errands before the weekend getaway. Nothing makes you feel like a good mom more than taking your barefoot two year old into a liquor store to get Skinny Girl Margaritas. Classy.

Also, this is what was happening while I was gone Saturday. Two little boys, two baby girls, and five dudes, holding down the fort. I love how Porter and Davis are just hanging out, like they are just another two of the guys.

Shopping and Lazy Rivering

I'm so excited about this weekend...tomorrow we're going shopping for wedding dresses again and then Saturday (after an early morning workout- ugh) I'm going to Hyatt Lost Pines with some of my best gal pals to celebrate Carrie's 30th.

Don't call, don't write...I will be on a lazy river with some variety of amazing cocktail from 11 on Saturday until they kick us out on Sunday evening. I'll see ya when I see ya. ;)

P.S. Speaking of workouts- I haven't really blogged about that lately. I am pretty excited that I went back to work after Holden almost 20 pounds lighter than I was when I went back to work after Davis. I am a few pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight...but my new goal is -15 lbs.

And of course, beyond weight, I want to be really fit. Strong is the new skinny. I'm not getting to work out as much as I would like right now, just because we're so busy and Bennett is gone a lot for work, but I'm hoping I'll be back in a more regular groove soon. Ahmad gave me some workouts to do at home- so that helps. Yay Ahmad.

More WOYC

So the Week of the Young Child is now over- but we have some great pictures. The highlight for me was going to the Joe McDermott concert with Davis' class. Joe McDermott is a great Austin musician who plays all sorts of funny songs where you have to act like you're on a roller coaster or like you sat on a porcupine.

Remember how I said that Davis was usually the loner, off-to-the-side-guy during music class? Not at this concert. He was literally the most into it out of the 40-50 kids there. He was having the time of his life- it was like we weren't even there. Bennett got some amazing pictures and video- but here are some from Davis' teacher in the meantime.