Happy 5 Month Baby Bake!

Dear Sweet Baby Bake,

Wow, 5 months and counting ... and I officially missed the actual day by a few days. As Sophie says, "I Sorry Baby Bake" ... Mommy sorry Baby Bake.

It has a been a busy month for our family ... which is why I am so late.
Daddy has been on 4 business trips since September
so it has been just you, me and Sophie holding down the fort.
Life has been flying right on by.

This month, your biggest accomplishment is rolling over from back to belly. I was so disappointed to have missed your first real flip from back to belly . I was cooking dinner with you on the floor next to me (on your baby mat) to protect you from your biggest fan - Sophie ... who was otherwise preoccupied ... lucky you. And when I went to check on you, you had flipped over onto your belly. It was such an exciting event but a bittersweet moment ... since I missed it. I worry that being the 2nd child, I will miss so much of the "firsts" that I never missed with Sophie. People tell me that does happen ... and it makes me sad. Since then, I think you hate to be on your back, because you just flip, flip and flip lifting your head high! I haven't missed a single one of those flips!

I have to note that physically, you are heavy and solid ... though I only have your sister to compare to ... and Sophie has always been a bit of a petite little thing. About 2 weeks ago, you weighed 16.6 pounds at the doctors appointment so I can only imagine that you are at the very least 17 pounds by now. It is pretty remarkable. And something funny is that as a baby, your head width was in the 50th percentile at birth and now, you're in the 90th percentile. What is with my children and their big heads????

You're starting to find your voice and use it. You are constantly talking. Maybe you're competing against your sister for attention? Don't worry, we're listening and enjoying the chatter. It seems like you always have something interesting to say ... and your mommy LOVES listening and talking to you. It is music to my ears.

It's incredible how smiley you still are - even now. It seems like you were born happy and smiley. You love to smile at anyone who will look at you but you save your most special smiles for your Mommy, I think. And I LOVE it. There is no doubt that you are a Mama's boy ... and I hope you will always be!

One of the best relationships you have is with your sister. Sophie LOVES you and you ADORE her. She is an awesome big sister and you are a very patient little brother. Your relationship with her really warms my heart and I can only hope you'll always love each other as much as you do now.

The only downfall of this month is you've developed separation anxiety from your Mommy. You cry whenever I'm too far away or have left you for too long so usually, I try not to leave you for too long. I know that you will have to learn to "trust strangers" but for now, can I "baby" you a little?

My prayer for you is that you (and Sophie) will always know that wherever you are and whatever you do, Mommy loves you and will support you forever and always. You and Sophie are the best gift that God has ever blessed me with ... and I am proud to be yours.

I love you Baby Bake ... forever and for always.

Yours,
Mommy

Re-tweet!

Since the last time I blogged, my computer has bit the dust and was revived by a Mac Enthusiast - with a little love from Apple. Apparently my logic board gave out (do you have any idea what that means (????) ... neither do I!!!!) and the repair man had the good sense to ask Apple to "pay" the $800 that they were going to charge me. They agreed and I only paid $45 ... I'm back to blog.

A few weeks ago (yes, I was already behind!) I went on a (sort of) girls weekend to Palm Desert. I've been in a bible study with most of these girls for about 6 years so we've been through it all together. We lounged, sat by the pool, ate, ate, ate some more and just hung out together. On Sunday morning, we woke up and had church together in our pjs. It was a good reason to retreat ... or as we called it, re-tweet!!!!

So the best part about this retreat, besides getting to hang out with the girls, was the surprise visit from our friend, April, who used to be a big part of this group until she moved back home to Texas last year. In fact, none of us knew she was coming except for one of the other girls, Jenn, who helped to arrange the fun! Since I met everyone in Palm Desert, I didn't see her until I got there (everyone else had carpooled). And despite their planning, I was holding Blake when I saw April and out of shock, nearly dropped him! It was a really great surprise ...

And as you all know, I can't live without my family ... for even a weekend ... so they all came along too! Do you believe me? Well, here's where the sort-of came in. While we were planning the trip, I found out that Andrew was headed out for the entire week on a business trip so we figured that since I would already have Blake with me (since I was nursing), he would take Sophie on a Daddy/Daughter weekend. I think they had the BEST time ...

This is how retreat became ... RE-TWEET!!!
Don't ask, just go with it ...

Getting ready for breakfast ... cheese!

APRIL!

Lounging in the pool
We literally did this ALL day long.

My sweet little guy

The best photo of Blake and I yet :)

The only time I saw Sophie and Andrew the entire
weekend was when they popped by for a swim.

My goofy little girl

Small Group Retweeeeet!
Charlotte, Jenn, April, Christy, Allyson and Amy
otherwise known as:
Charlalalalala
Juhhhhnnnnnn
YAYpril
Fanoosy
Yallyson
YAYmy

We celebrated Christy's birthday during retreat with the most
interesting dinner at "The Homestead"

Smores by the campfire after dinner

I love these girls

Until Re-tweet 2012!

And since my family came along, after everyone left, we spent
a few more hours lounging at Sophie and Andrew's hotel pool

Daddy and his babies

Sophie's Trip to the ER

Since this involves no photos ...
because I had NO time to take any ...
this will be quick.

It is 1am afterall ...
and we have just returned home
from an adventure.

Tonight,
Sophie went to the ER
for the first time in her life.

On our way to school,
Sophie let out a single cough
that I heard,
thought about,
and then promptly forgot.

After school,
on our way to a birthday party,
yes, a birthday party on a Monday -
I heard a similar cough -
deep and congested.
I started to worry
but it was only one little cough ...
so we went on with our plans.

After the party,
I heard another similar cough
and now, I'm starting to worry ...
Did Sophie accidentally infect small children at the party?
Did Sophie get sicker at the party?
Is Blake now sick?

All
these
worries.

Well, as the evening wore on,
Sophie seemed to get progressively worst
but seemed rather content to be watching
oodles and oodles of "Dowa the Explowa"
(otherwise known as "Dora the Explorer" - a new favorite)
What a treat.

But during bath, Andrew noticed that Sophie seemed to be having trouble breathing
so it was time to call her pediatrician, who directed us to head to the ER ...
just to be safe.

Since I am nursing, I had to stay at home with Blake -
just in case he woke up ...
and pace - up and down our short little hallway
while Andrew and Sophie went to the ER.

I have been there with Sophie for everything
so not being there was just strange,
and a little sad ... and a bit of wishing
I was there instead of at home with a sleeping baby.

But by all accounts,
Sophie was the most well behaved patient.
She hardly made a peep ... and slept most the time.
Maybe because it was way, way past her bedtime.
Good timing huh?

The first report was that Sophie had a fever of 103 degrees
... and was being treated with tylenol.

The next report was that it was determined
after an x-ray that Sophie has the croup -
which is basically a very bad cold.
Colds can affect little ones more since their airways are so small
and cause them to have problems breathing.
Which is what happened to Sophie.
They gave her medication so we are hoping it will help.

By about midnight,
Andrew called to tell me that they were about to be released
and that Sophie was to have little contact with Blake.
Just so he doesn't catch the croup.

Yeah, right ...
good luck to me for keeping
a lovey dovey sister
from her smiley little brother.
Sigh ...

It is quiet now ... and everyone is asleep.
Including Sophie.
I should probably follow suit.

Tonight, I will say my prayers for a little girl
who I hope is feeling much better in the morning.

Here's to a restful night
and an uneventful tomorrow ...

First Day of Preschool

Two weeks ago Sophie officially started preschool.

Preschool ... can you believe it?

This is our new normal -
a big rush to get out of the road at 8:30am to make it to school at 9am
and then mommy's big rush to pick up by noon.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The time that Blake and I spend in the car picking up
and dropping off has been a little bit of a challenge ...
especially with all that construction on the 405.
But it has been an amazing fit and Sophie is loving being at school.
She comes home almost daily singing songs she has learned,
talking about friends she has made and just growing up.

Moms and Dads were invited to stay the first two days of school
to make the transition easier for our "little" babies -
and Sophie did amazingly well!
I could tell she would be just fine!

Here are some photos from Sophie's first day at school ...

Sophie at the drawing station

Sophie washing babies with her buddy, Charlee

Snack at Miss Jessica's table

Headed out to the playground with Miss Ashley

In the tunnel ...

Sophie's favorite - the "sandboc" (aka - sandbox)

Lining up to head back to the classroom
Emmaline, Charlee, Meredith, Desmond and Sophie

Horrible photo of us both ...
but to remember Sophie's first day

Singing the "O-O Song"
... otherwise known as "Oh He Loves Me"
with Miss Ashley

Saying prayers

Goodbye until next time!

My little preschooler!

Kid's Club ... A Day at the Gym!

I am so horribly behind in my blogging - it is quite embarrassing.

At night, I dream about what I'm going to write ...
but seem to never quite have the time to get to it.

I wish I had the gift of multitasking and boundless amounts of energy ...
but instead, I've been given the real gift of my kiddos and the gift -
mainly because of my mom who watches Blake for an hour or two - of napping.
It is a joy but it means I just don't have the time to blog ...

It is what it is ...
and I'm trying to enjoy how busy I am because before you know it,
I'll be complaining of my empty house - because the kids, who are now all grown up
are too busy with friends for their boring 'ol mom ...
You can hand me the tissues to dry my tears then.

Two weeks ago, it was another great "Kids Club Craft Day" at the Viljoen's house.
Our friend, Mia, decided on the theme of "Gymnastics" and the little ones running and rolling, stretching and creating ... it was a fun, fun day!

Running ... running ... running ...
Sophie's all-time favorite game!

Everyone needs a sweat band!

Cone hopping

More hopping!

A necessity when exercising ... a much needed water break.

Everyone ... STRETCH!

Balancing on the ball

Summersaults!

Sweet "Baby Bake" was there too!
Happily watching from his seat.

Side-stepping ...

Shanna and Addie kickin' the ball ..

Hula-hoopin'

Cheering!

Sophie, Addie and Anabelle eating yummy sweets!

Sweet Anabelle

Happy FOUR Month Birthday Blake!!!

My sweet Blakey-boo,

Four months ... really Blake?
Can I just bottle you up right now and keep you from growing?

It's funny all those nicknames I've started to call you:
Blakey-Boo, Baby Bake, Buddy, Little Man
I sure hope you don't get confused!

You are still your smiley little self - so cheerful and so mellow
... but you are showing signs of being a mama's boy, anxious when Mommy is not around.
Admittedly, it makes me feel loved and wanted but I am glad that you don't seem to be as clingy as your big sister was at your age.

I LOVE your smiles.
You smile at just about everyone
and talk to anyone that will listen
You are such a charmer ... especially with the ladies.
I think we might be in trouble!

As far as Sophie -
She loves you and you adore her.
It warms my heart to see your face when she's around
and to be able to watch your relationship grow.
I can't wait to watch you grow into the best of friends

.... BUT ....
I will still allow you to plank over her,
rub your face in hers,
scream in her face and
slobber her with kisses ...
when the time comes.
I keep warning Sophie that at 4 months, you are
1/2 the weight of your petite sister!
But keep in mind that your sister loves you oh so much!

You are starting to want to roll over ...
you're constantly on your side and trying so hard.
I'm glad that you are firmly holding your head up now.
Doesn't the world look so different when you can hold your head high?

You are an incredible sleeper ...
especially when you are swaddled.
I think that if you could, you would sleep from 8pm until 9am.
When you aren't swaddled, you still do pretty well but I
could really do without the 5am wakeup call! I love my sleep!

The worst part of this month was when Sophie pulled you off the couch ...
and you landed onto our hardwood floor with a loud ...
KER-plunk!
Thankfully you seem to have recovered quickly and seem to be fine.
We've had you checked out by the doctor ... don't worry.
I will never leave you on the couch again, even just for a second.
I promise.

I love you Blake.
Forever and ever.
And then forever more.

You and Sophie are miracles to me ..
and I am so thankful to call you mine.

Yours for always,
Mommy

San Diego

Since Blake's actual due date was June 1st, we began the summer with no plans for a vacation, figuring that with a newborn around, travel just might be a thing of the past ... at least for the time being. What we didn't expect was an incredibly mellow and sweet baby. So why not? A summer is not a summer, after all, without at least a short getaway right?

So we talked about it and talked about it but it wasn't until the Thursday before Labor Day that we finalized our getaway to San Diego. San Diego was far enough away to feel like a trip, close enough to home that we could get there by car in a few hours ...

The trip started out kind of rough ...

... with both kiddos crying -
seemed like a little bit disasterous to me ...

But soon enough, everything (and everyone) was calm ...
And the rest of the drive was relatively uneventful.

First Stop.
La Jolla.

Lunch at a bakery.
Sandwiches and sweets.

Then a walk down to look at the beach ...

Mommy's attempt at a photo with the kiddos ...

Family photo in La Jolla

After a quick pit stop in La Jolla, we headed off, in crazy traffic, to our hotel on Coranado Island. We played in the pool. ate dinner sitting on comfy chairs, slept and went back to the pool.

It was exactly what we needed but we sure did travel far ...
to play in the pool.

Wheeeeeee ....

Practicing blowing bubbles with Daddy

Wading in the fountains

Drinks by the pool ...

A Daddy and Sophie snuzzle by the side of the pool

Silliness ...

All the while, Blake and I sat happily by the side of the pool ...

Speaking of which ...

Why do a lot of my photos with my kiddos look like this ...

... and Andrew gets these lovely smiley photos???
It just isn't fair ...
Ah well, it's not about us, it's about the kids.

And at the end of the day ...

Everyone got squeaky clean ...

And closed their eyes ...

... and went to dreamland ...

And on the way home,
we were rerouted through Temecula
so we called up one of my good college buddies and his family ...

Andrew, Blake and Sophie (who was under the table)
with the Lilligs - Matt, Becky and Grayson ...

Much fun was had by all.
Until the next trip away ...