Where The Red Fern Grows

Jake and Tyler have been really into hunting lately, and Jake requested some hunting books from the library. Where The Red Fern Grows came  up in the library search I knew they would love it. We haven't read many long chapter books together, mostly Laura Ingalls books. I was really excited to get back into reading with them. Lately we've been doing books on CD at night because I needed a break from reading to them. Don't get me wrong, I love reading to the boys, but I've been reading to them since Jake was a baby, so after 7 years I needed a break and they have really enjoyed listening to Adventures in Odyssey anyway.

We started Red Fern way back in January and it took 6 weeks to get through it, but we did it. The boys loved it, especially Tyler. When Jake was at school he would ask me to read it to him, which I couldn't because Jake would miss what was happening in the story. He even would tell me I could just re-read the part later to Jake. Half way through the book, Tyler also asked me where all the pictures are, which I thought was funny. I told him he would just have to make the pictures in his head. At night, when I stopped reading, Tyler would call out "No Mama! Read more!"

I loved it when the boys would explain what was happening in the story to David. And half way through, Jake started asking for his own set of hunting dogs. The part I dreaded most was the end of the story, when the dogs die. I thought it would be hard for the boys to read a sad story, but it turns out it was harder for me than it was for the boys. I was the one crying as I read the pages. The boys just looked at me like I was crazy. One of the many differences between boys and girls I guess.

It was so nice to have a book read when the boys were bored or just needed some down time without always turning the TV on. I didn't just read it to them at night, we read on Sunday afternoons or after Jake got home from school. This was partly due to the fact that I didn't want to keep re-newing the book from the library and we would have never gotten through it just reading a few pages at night. But it turned out to be a great way to fill those times when they want TV. Now we can't wait to watch the Red Fern movie. We have a movie night planned for next weekend and it's one we are all looking foward to watching. We are also looking foward to the next chapter book. I have a long list full of books that I can't wait to read. Many of them are books I read as a kid, some are books I wish I had read as a kid. David and I decided to take turns reading, so I guess he will pick the next book.

Collin- 12 months

My baby is a year old! I really can't believe it, especially since he still looks like a baby to me. He only has his two bottom teeth, so he still has that toothless grin that gives him that baby look. Both Jake and Tyler had their top and bottom teeth before they turned one. Having front teeth instantly gives them a toddler look. Collin already has that third baby pace down-SLOW. He also isn't even close to walking, and both the other boys were walking before their 1 st Birthday. But he is cute, healthy, and happy so I can't complain.

We spent most of July at the cabin. Everybody loves it, especially the boys, so why not! We spent the first week of July up north, came home for 5 days and then went back up for  another week.

It was fun to see Collin playing and crawling all over. Last summer when we went up, he was only a few weeks old, so he slept. This summer he is all over the place, mostly in the sand and water. Being up north, Collin also gets lots of attention from Nana, so I get a chance to hang with the bigger boys. He likes it.

And, he gets to see his Daddy more, because the second time we went up, David took his vacation and spent the week with us.

Collin is also loving having his two brothers home this summer. He loves to play and be with them.

They all loved playing with "feely goopy" and playing in the swimming pool together.

He also gets Gator rides with Tyler. I still can't believe how good the boys are with him.

At one year, Collin:

• loves to climb the stairs
• loves to shut doors
• will give a hug if you are fake or real crying
• waves bye
• says momma and dadda
• loves to pet the kitty and does it nicely!
• is starting to point
• eats everything, but is starting to be picky like no bananas, or potatoes unless mashed
• loves hotdogs, cheese, peaches, strawberries, bluberries, pancakes, graham crackers, and scrambled eggs
• drops his sippy cup at least 5-6 times during a meal
• puts anything he can find in his mouth
• uses his right pointy finger to guide his left thumb to his mouth
• still takes 2 naps one at 10:30 and one at 3:30
• loves to play on beds and dive into the pillows
• weighs 21#12oz. and is 29 1/2 inches tall
• loves to chase the balls, especially the beach ball
• is starting to push trucks along with his hand
• will walk behind a cart to walk and can steer it

Collin-11 months

I am so tired of being behind on these month updates! I refuse to quit now, I only have 1 left before Collin turns one. These last few months have been the most fun yet, so I have to remember them while I can.

We have been very busy with usual summer activites and I am adjusting to having 3 kids home full time. On top of all this craziness, Collin decided to start crawling! It was shortly after he turned 10 months, and I was seriously wondering if he was ever going to.

Even after 2 kids these milestones are still exciting and fun to watch. It's crazy how they just start crawling all of a sudden.

I've been trying to look back to see what we did for the month of June. Jake turned 7 so planning and having his party took up one week.
Then I spent another week cleaning out the house to get ready for a major garage sale I had with some friends. It was a lot of work. Thankfully my mom came and helped me with the kids.

I've been trying to do some fun summer activites with the older boys, just little things like talking walks and bike rides, growing tadpoles, planting the garden, and library summer programs. That's about all I can handle. I've been getting some fun pictures of Collin while we have been playing.

I love my baby boys blue eyes.

And of course David celebrated Father's Day with his 3 boys. Wow, he has his work cut out being a role model for 3 BOYS. He is really good with them and is a great dad. We'll check back when they are teenagers though.

Tyler is still being big brother of the year. Every morning he wanders into Collins room and gets in his crib and talks or plays with him. I listen in through the monitor and secretly thank Tyler for giving me an extra 15 minutes to lay in bed. It has been soooo nice not having to rush out the door each morning and sleeping in until 8, and staying in our jammies until 2:00pm ooops, I mean 9:00am.
Collin also learned to wave bye, *note to self must get picture of him waving. He is also really close to pulling himself up. I love when they learn to do it and you walk in to get them out of their crib one morning and there they are standing up in their bed. It is shocking and cute all at the same time.

Of course our third child is the one who loves to put things in his mouth. I can't even begin to list the random things I have found in his mouth. Of course Jake and Tyler have a million small toys especially those damn Legos. It is exhausting keeping tabs on this mobile guy.

Out of the three, Collin gets our baby of the year award. He has been the easy baby we've had. Of course any baby would seem like a good baby after having Tyler. But Collin doesn't make a peep. If he starts getting distressed, he pops his thumb in and he is good to go. If it is really bad, he puts his other hand up to be sure the thumb does not come out under any circumstances. We can take him anywhere and he is content as long as his thumb is accessible. He still isn't much for playing toys- he likes to watch his brothers, crawl around, go outside, take stroller rides, take baths, eat, and sleep. Between 2 naps a day and eating, he doesn't have much free time anyway.

Collin- 10 months

I'm trying so hard to remember Collin at 10 months, but that was a few weeks ago, so I'm just doing a picture post instead. It's to hard to think that far back. It's been a rough month. Enough said.

We celebrated Mother's Day, and I got a picture of Collin and I.  I'm glad we have Mother's Day to remind me to take pictures of me and the kids. It rarely happens.

He is so close to crawling! He just can't figure out where his feet need to go.

Mr. Collin got his first tooth!

Over Memorial weekend, we took a much needed family trip to the cabin. Collin loved taking walks in his stroller.

Collin- 9 months

Oh, how I love this sweet boy so much! He brings such joy to our family each day, especially at a time when we need it most. It's impossible to have a bad day with him around.  He has this way of looking at me, if I do feel grouchy  that says, "hey, what's your problem?" He is just so so content and happy, and it rubs off on anyone around him.
Take this face for example-

Makes you smile, doesn't it? And just look at those chubby cheeks! I must give this kid 35 kisses a day. He has started giving "kisses" back. Really it's just a open mouth spit fest, or maybe he is trying to get me to lay off the kisses by slobbering all over my face, sorta like a "Take that, mom. How do you like it?".

We have spent a lot of time lately doing laundry and Collin loves to help.

I think he pretends he is getting dressed, because he puts everything over his head. It makes doing laundry a lot more enjoyable to have a helper.

We celebrated Easter this past month and I was just not prepared for it. I can't believe how much work it is! There is a lot of planning when it comes to holidays. Getting oufits for everyone, making food, buying candy and treats for Easter baskets, boiling and dyeing eggs, taking pictures, getting Easter decorations out, and planning the day out to fit every side of the family in. Collins Easter basket consisted of a bib and a book. That's it. I know that he is only 8 months and he doesn't realize that he only got 2 things, and that it's not what Easter is about, but still. I would have liked to have a cute little basket filled with cute Easter goodies for him.

                                         Collin's Easter picture

Despite all the work, we had a wonderful Easter. Jake and Ty spent the morning egg hunting, then we had breakfast casserole. Then it was on to church, followed by a yummy Heavenly Ham dinner at Grandpa Stan's house. Then we had another egg hunt with the cousins. We spent what was left of the day back at home, taking pictures and jumping on the trampoline. Collin just watched it all, and smiled for the camera.

                     He's had enough in this picture. Time to throw the thumb in.

The big milestone for this month is standing! We prop Mr. Collin against some furniture and he can stand on his own. He topples over here and there, but for the most part he is steady. Pretty soon he will be pulling himself up to stand and "cruise" the furniture, but for now, he is happy to not always be sitting.

Lately he has been getting a lot better at rolling and moving. He can turn when he is sitting by moving his legs and arms around so he isn't always stuck facing the same direction. He can reach a lot better, and at times he reaches a bit to much and ends up on his belly. When I put him to bed at night on his back, I find him later on his belly with his butt up in the air. I love it when babies sleep this way. It is soo frickin cute! He has also started moving by sitting up first, and then moving himself backwards by pushing against the floor with his hands. He is also tolerating his belly more.

 Jake and Tyler are getting so big, so I'm glad to have another little guy around. Tyler is still loving the big brother role, and the first thing he asks me in the morning is "where is Collin?" Then he goes up to his crib and climbs in with him and talks and plays with him. I listen to it all through the baby monitor and I just love it.  I feel like the boys grew up so fast, so I am glad to have this guy to go through it all again. It's hard to believe in a few months he will be one and the baby stage will be gone. I'm looking foward to the summer with all of them and just hanging out with my boys.

 

Collin- 8 months

Well, your nickname has stuck around. Tyler pretty much calls you chubby cheeks all the time. It's a good name for you, because you do have some chubby cheeks, and arms and legs. I need to weigh you, but I know you must be at least 20 pounds.  You love food!

 We moved you out of your infant carrier- thank goodness- that thing weighs at least 20 pounds plus you, and I was carrying 40 pounds around! I also stopped nursing you. I left you for the weekend with daddy while I went to a spa weekend with friends, and pumping all weekend didn't seem like much fun. I don't think I had enough milk for you anyway. You didn't mind a bit going to a bottle. 

Nana came to visit the first week in March, and she hadn't seen you since Christmas so she was amazed at how different you were in 2 short months. Of course her visit flew by, and I have no idea what we did to fill the week she was here. Probably our usual of shopping a few days, and hanging out at home in our pj's until 11:00. Your two older brothers keep her occupied for most of the day.

I've still been working a lot so you have bonded a lot with daddy. Which is good, becuase  you didn't seem him much when you were first born. It's good for you to have some daddy time, and he already tells me that you like him more than me. Whatever!

The biggest event that happened in March was a trip to Florida. I couldn't wait to take you outside! We drove, and I was a little worried with you being trapped in your carseat for 16 hours, but being the laid back baby you are, you barely made a peep.  

We didn't spend much time at the beach. Between you eating sand, and your brothers having a melt down everytime we went, we mostly stayed by the pool. You had a great time playing on the first step of the pool, or floating in your inner tube.  We even gave you a bottle in it!

  Not much going on developmentally with you. Still no crawling. But you have been saying a few "words" and repeating what I say, like "bye bye", "dada", and some "mama". I'm not sure if you know what these words mean though. You clap when I start to sing patty cake, and you've started banging objects together.  I can't believe you still don't have any teeth but I think you are showing some signs of teething. 

Next month we will be able to spend more time outside and I can't wait for it to warm up! I also can't wait for your first Easter. Each month is more things to look foward too!

Collin-7 months

Here we are, already another month and still no blogging besides Collin. At least I'm keeping up on that. I can't figure out why I don't have time to do anything with David home all the time.

Anyway, the 7th month mark has been nice, because Collin now has a schedule down, so we know when to feed him and when to lay him down for naps. He's down to 2 naps a day, one mid-morning, and one after lunch. We feed him solid food for breakfast and dinner. So far he is a good eater. Not a big fan of avocados, though. But he loves the usual sweet potato, squash, applesauce, pears, peaches, and peas. I need to add some more food to his menu now that I've just typed out what he has been eating. It's time for some new and different foods!

He has been very playful lately. He loves attention and keeps us all entertained.

Peek-a-boo!

This month he has also learned to clap and loves to do patty cake.

"Mom! Did you just see that? I clapped my hands!"

He is still a very easy going baby. He must know he is the the third kid and just goes with the flow. We moved him up to his crib, finally! But he is still not sleeping through the night. He's been getting up at 11:30 and 4 am. When I go up to feed him, I can hear his tummy growling, so I know he is really hungry when he gets up and is not doing it out of habit. I guess I'll have to try feeding him more during the day to see if that helps him sleep through the night.

I really can't think of anything fun or exciting that we have done with Mr. Collin in the last month. I am subbing a lot, so he gets to spend a lot of time with Daddy, which is good. We are really getting tired of winter at this point, and I know he is probably getting bored of being in the house all the time doing the same thing everyday. We just made plans to go to Florida in a few weeks, and I can't wait to show him the beach!

Tyler is still an awesome big brother. I never expected him to be as good with Collin as he is. He loves to play with him, and anytime he hears him fussing, he is very attentive and tries to calm him down. Every morning he comes down and greets his "chubby cheeks" as he calls him. Speaking of mornings, this is what I get to wake up to every morning:

I don't think I'll be writing about Collin crawling at 8 months. He absolutely can't stand being on his belly. When I do make him do it, he lays his head down and throws his thumb in so he his not building any muscle. He doesn't even really roll around much. He'll do it here and there, but not a lot. He's too cool for that kind of stuff. He is going to skip right over crawling and go straight to walking.

He is sitting up really well, and we took down his Rainforest Jumperoo. I think he got tired of it. It has been 2 1/2 months of him sitting in the same toy, so I don't blame him. He prefers to sit and play with toys and watch the chaos around him. I'm just glad to get that tacky thing out of my living room!

I can't wait to see what fun things he will be doing at 8 months. He is so much fun now and not so breakable! It is fun to tickle and wrestle him in a baby sort of way, of course. He is getting excitied about certain things and he "jumps" up and down with excitment. Hopefully it will start getting warm soon so we can go outside!