Firsts

Ari and Sean, first swim of the summer. (Please note they have now gone swimming a dozen times, and I have not been in the pool at all yet! Doh.) I realized this day that he still fit in his 2T swim trunks, but I didn't have a rash guard shirt that fit him, so we bought one a couple days later.

Ari also took his first gymnastics class this summer. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of him in class, since my phone cam hasn't been working and I kept forgetting the real camera - and I thought I had a couple more weeks to bring it. On his third class, and also the day that would have been his first swim lesson... he got his first (and hopefully last) broken bone. I still am amazed that he could fall about 2.5 feet onto a thick padded mat and break his elbow. Poor kid! It really never occurred to me that he would get seriously hurt in toddler gym class. He was just finally getting used to the class too, this class was the first one he was actually having fun with and not fussing at all. And needless to say swim lessons are now postponed a few weeks.

Here it is just splinted, before the cast.

I didn't get a great pic of the cast itself since it is always in the sling, but he picked lime green. He has been a trooper about it although it's already starting to get itchy and that definitely bugs him. We go back on July 17th to get it off, assuming it is all healed up.

Father's Day

Father's Day was fun this year because Ari actually understood it a bit. Sean got his big present a couple months early, when a grill he wanted was on sale. But we got him a battery charger to open on the holiday, and Ari made him some cute projects. This was my favorite Father's Day activity that we did for Sean:

This is an "all about dad" activity:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E19gRmkTnRg/T8fUjCXi-LI/AAAAAAAAAE0/7ksA_6_2Na8/s1600/father%27s+day+printable+8x10.jpg

Ari's answers:

My daddy's name is Sean.
My dad is 3 years old.
His hair black and his eyes are green.
My dad's favorite food is crackers.
Daddy's favorite color is red.
My dad likes to wear pants and a shirt.
My dad's job is going to work.
He loves to eat "openmeal" (oatmeal).
He's smart because he knows: me!
My dad works hard at work.
Daddy always tells me "love you too!"
I'm happy when daddy: is here.
I love my daddy because: I love him!


Too cute!

I wanted to let Sean sleep in but our kids had other plans. The baby woke up at 4 and stayed awake until almost 6, which was totally random, and then of course Ari was up at 6:30. Sleep is for the weak! We did take Sean out to breakfast (Jerry Bob's) and Ari stayed with Nana, Papa, and Aunt Mandy so we could go to Guadalajara Grill for dinner since I had a gift card. I really tried to go all out and spoil Sean because he is a really fantastic dad and we are all so lucky to have him! I think he had a good day. :)

4 Months

Avery is four months old! He had his well baby check up on the 14th and he is healthy, happy little boy. He weighs 15lbz 6oz (50th percentile), is 26" long (85th percentile), and his head is 43cm (90th percentile). He has gained 6.5lbs and grown 4" since he was born! (I looked up Ari's 4 month stats again to compare - Ari weighed 14lbs 14oz and was 24.5" long.)  He had a fever the day after his shots and was pretty miserable, but by the day after that he was fine.

At 4 months, Avery grabs things and puts almost anything he grabs right into his mouth. He is teething and has several bumps on the top and bottom gums. He has rolled from his back onto his belly a couple of times. He is ok in the car now as long as his big brother is in the backseat with him! He loves to watch Ari and if he starts to fuss, he will calm right down if Ari sings to him (not so much if I sing to him though). He is trying really, really hard to sit up and I imagine he will have the hang of it by 6 months for sure. He is really a laid back, happy little guy and we are very much enjoying this stage with all of his smiles, giggles, and "talking." Since I know he is my last baby I am trying even harder to savor all of the cuddling and cuteness everyday. :) He slept through the night for a few weeks, but this past week he hasn't been sleeping as well... he did seem to have a little cold, and the teething may also be the culprit.

These pics were taken the day after his well baby check up, so he wasn't feeling great. He did give me some great smiles anyway though. :)

Potty Time

A few weeks ago, Ari said he was ready to use the potty all the time. Of course, his interest only lasted a couple of days before he changed his mind... but I decided to get serious. He has been physically capable for so long and just not interested, so we bought new cool undies and just made the switch, and tried to keep him motivated. He had a couple of accidents in the first week, but then we were pretty much good to go, although going #2 in the potty did take some convincing. But he finally earned his reward after being accident free for a week or so, and he picked "green cake." We made this key lime cake together. I am so glad to only be changing diapers for one baby now! And the cake was delicious, here's the recipe:

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  
• 5 eggs
• 1 (3 ounce) package lime flavored gelatin mix
• 3/4 cup orange juice
•  
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice + a bit of lime zest
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 
  
• Combine cake mix, gelatin mix, oil, eggs and orange juice. Pour into three 8 inch cake pans, or two 9 inch pans. Bake according to instructions on box. Allow to cool, then frost.
• To make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add lime juice, zest, and confectioners sugar. Mix well.