Baby's first Christmas

And it's a southern one.

Complete with big porches to play on.

Muggy "winter" days.

Lots of smiles from all the sweet, southern folks who are very chatty with our baby.

And hearing "ya'll" more than he's used to.

Oh, and that pacifier!! You'd think he's had it forever, but no, added to his life the day before the trip! He loves it. 

Happy 7 month milestone little man! Your sweetness has won us all over...

(Don't tell Eli you were playing with his truck).

Jacksonville Beach Florida

We are staying just twenty minutes or so from the Florida border. And in search of Trader Joes and Whole Foods (no offense Winn Dixie), we set off for Jacksonville Beach. We made a little time for beach play once all the shopping was out of the way. These boys have now touched the Atlantic and Pacific!

I've got Georgia on my mind...

Eli was super excited to fly and had all his gear and snacks in his own bag 

Shopping at the Winn Dixie morning after we arrived. Fire truck cart! Well we tried. Eli seemed to really need both wheels and Henri really didn't care about the whole thing. We kind of looked like fish out of water...

(I believe our cashier, whom my husband had a hard time understanding, said at one point, "wow ya'll buying a lot of produce!").

This is literally across the street from us! A great park with a dock for boats and the water right there. We will start exploring soon but are glad to give ourselves a couple days to adjust. These boys are such good sports about it all--they seem to be getting on local time well and did great on the long travel day out here. 

thoughts on sharing a room

Well, sort of. They have slept only a couple nights in the same room, and several good "stretches" otherwise. My wise husband realized that maybe Henri would sleep better in another room than ours. First night it worked great. Colds and bedtime issues have been in the way of keeping it up along with the prospect of upcoming travels throwing things off. But when Eli was a babe he wasn't out of our room (and bed) until about 15/16 months--Henri really is a different sleeper and we think he's ready. Plus these boys need to start practicing the "sharing a room" routine. We'll see how it goes...

Over the next couple months we'll keep trying it out.

And the boy himself playing with big boxes on the top bunk, a hideout, alongside of bear (who is in hibernation on the top bunk because we don't have room for him elsewhere). I'm glad this bed has become the "toy" we hoped it would be. He loves it! And he has never gone on top when put to bed, so he seems to understand where to sleep and when to play.

Around here

Boy is able to do this on my phone all on his own! 

A box of pears...

My treat for going grocery shopping with both boys while moon is out of town. (Something I've done solo very few times. Like maybe 3?). Anyways, we arrived at the counter and both boys did amazing. Henri sat on the front of the big cart and made friends with at least 4 TJs employees. He's very smiley. Eli drove his little cart shockingly well and didn't take my ankles out once! So there we were and the friendly gal checking us out was like: "do you want a free box of pears? They are ripening too fast for us so we're giving them away". Well, sure. And Eli loves them so much we're down to 2 left. Good thing daddy gets in tomorrow we might save some for him :).

Thankful + lately

Thankful for these boys of mine. All 3 of them counting Moon too. Thankful for moments to stop and realize how full my cup really is. I don't stop enough. 

This guy is moving all over. Getting oh so heavy but I can't imagine him losing any of his chubby self. Moon remarked the other week one morning that he thought Henri was losing his cheeks. I disagree completely and furthermore it is forbidden! This big boy has stolen my heart.

This one has also captured my heart! He has mama boy moments often as he still makes room for Henri in his life. The boys are starting to share a room. Eli is talking up a storm and amazes us with things he recites from books we've read to him. His 3 year old self is more calm and can recover better than 2 year old Eli from disappointment. But still no pants inside...

One day.

Finally got around to jotting a few more things in Henri's baby book and found his old ultrasound pics. I think he recognizes that tiny babe :)

(And I remembered the doctor at that very visit saying, "your baby looks healthy, everything is great, and measuring a little bit large..." )

Creating chores for Eli as he's very much in the "Eli do it" phase and really wants to help. If I ask for an assistant he's there! And actually does some helpful things. Laundry folding not one. So this was the "can you pile all the clothes here on the couch" chore. 

There truly is blessing and beauty in the simple, ordinary parts of days with these tiny people. Now off to get some sleep so I can be a part of it all over again tomorrow (minus the laundry).

Saturday

the bunk bed

anatomy of an outing with two

Sunny day called for getting out. 

Bundled those boys up.

Catered to last minute pleas for "blanket blanket!"

Got baby H snug as a bug.

Then naturally couldn't find my keys.

Looking, looking...

Boys start to get a teeny bit impatient.

Consider just leaving door unlocked...

Then find keys!

Enjoy chilly walk to coffee shop.

Park boys by entrance and smile at them as I wait in line. 

They are just fine. 

Then proceed to enjoy the second half of our little walk. 

Play peek a boo to Eli's giggle eruptions and Henri's cracked smiles.

Enjoy the best latte I've had in a while.

Walk home to smiling folks passing by. "You've got your hands full" one lady says and then turns back around and says, "but that's the best kind of full". 

I thank her, not sure what else to say. But yes, yes it is the best kind of full. 

Sometimes it's the getting out, the fresh air, the gratefulness found in little moments that helps to see this is indeed the best kind of full.

Chillin in Stumptown like all the cool babies/toddlers do these days.

Cheers!

(This thing is getting easier to use/push now that the weight distribution is getting more equal ;)

Look who up and started eating our food...

He couldn't wait until 6 months. His clear interest and eagerness for our food at the table meant we let him start some solids a couple weeks before the 6 month mark. He's doing the normal mostly-spit-it-out-but-I'm-really-quite-interested thing. Some avocado, some banana, some apple to date. 

a busy fall

Indeed it is and has been one busy fall. I keep taking pictures at the same mirrored spot a couple blocks away when we're walking. Then I go out with just Henri. Then sometimes wander alone, or with just Moon on our date nights. (Thank you uncle J!). It's a beautiful, busy fall over here, and I'm still getting lots of cuddles and three year old kisses so it's been pretty good all around ;)

Sweater pants I sewed for the babe as he needs a larger waist than some of the ones I sewed for Eli ;)

(He's going to be a workout soon to carry around)