November

November, like every other month was hectic!  So I will just recap leading up to Thanksgiving..

This was "Ike and Brandy day".  I get Veteran's day off so we have declared it our day from here on out.  This year we went to breakfast, got massages, shopped, ate a late lunch and picked the boys up early.  We loved it.  I wish we could have one every month.

Then the dreadful RSV hit our house.  Poor Spence!  My parents thankfully came and stayed with the boys for a whole week!!  They spoiled us by having supper ready every night too!

 We cheered hard for our Bulldogs!  They had a good run this year, and we are looking forward to next year!

 We had pizza with the Anderson's.  Best buds.

 Then we pulled out the Christmas decorations and got started decorating!  We knew Brant would be so excited so we put the tree up while he was napping so we could surprise him.  He didn't disappoint either.  First thing he said was ooohhhh...  Spence seemed to like them also.

 Brant helped out with decorating.  He loved it.  He has become a great little helper.

Halloween 2014

Oh my goodness!  I just love this picture of our sweet sweet boys!

The boys wore their costumes to school on Halloween!  I would not let Spence wear his actual costume because he’s a spitter.  So we used Brant’s from last year.  They were the cutest things!!!

My parents came down for Trick or treating!  Brant was so excited to see them.We were so excited to trick or treat with Gray.  The boys both did well.  They made it to about 4 houses so I call that an successful.  

Spence's actual costume!

My parents, Amanda and Jason stayed for the weekend with us!  The boys loved it!

These guys supporting our Dawgs.

Spence and Uncle Jason get along jusstttt great! 

Spence 4 and 5 months

Not just a whole lot has changed for Spence these past few months just as sweet as ever!

Weight: 17lbs at your 4 month check up

Diaper size: 4…almost caught up with Brant

Milestone: Rolling over!  He's good at this.  He is almost sitting up unassisted, and hates laying down.

Food: Still just breastfeeding.  We did attempt some cereal and he was not really interested.

Sleeping:  6:30-3 or 4 or 5...you just never really know.  Still swaddled in the rock and play.  I have tried swaddled in the pack and play, and I have tried unswaddled in the rock and play neither worked out well yet.  Maybe next week...I keep saying that. 

Here are some pictures from the last few months…

5 months

Spence-a-roo,

You are just precious!  You still rarely ever get upset, and your cries are usually easy to read. They mean I'm hungry or I'm tired, and occasionally you just want us to hold you. This past month we took you for a check up and found out you had an ear infection, a touch of RSV, and getting a tooth. We were clueless because you rarely fuss. We say you smile more than any thing!  You are just wonderful and we are loving watching you grow and learn new things. It feels like it is happening even faster this time. We love so much little buddy!!

Brant 19 and 20 months

It's hard to keep up these days!  So here is a little up date on Brant...

-full of energy

-still loves lining up his toys

-started rolling cars and crashing them into each other

-loves being outside

-starting to tell us when he has gone poo poo

-got tubes and is starting to say a lot of new words

-loves his barn and animals

-favorite movie is Cars

-loves Mickey Mouse and Veggie tales

-loves running

-loves music and dancing

-sleeping great since the tubes

-loves our bed and playing in the pillows

-favorite foods: PIZZA, yogurt, peanut butter, any kind of dip- ranch, hummus, ketchup, etc., bread of any kind

Most pictures look like this these days cause there is no stoping

Tube day...

 

 

20 Months

 

You love getting in the baby things....

Brant Man,

 

You are a ball of energy.  Daddy and I can hardly keep up, but are a ton of fun.  We say you are our little entertainer.  You have the sweetest heart.  You are very concerned about others, constantly checking on Spence.  You give the best hugs and kisses.  You have started saying mmmmm and kissing us on the cheek, and will blow us kisses too.   We love so much big boy!!



Brotherly love

These two sweet boys!  Spence is just crazy about Brant.  He is always watching him, and smiling at him.  Brant has gone from non-stop loving on him to most of the time paying him no attention at all.  UNLESS we are holding him then he certainly notices.  I know it is a phase and soon they will be big buddies, right?!  Sometimes they are now....

 

Almost the same size.  Brant is one diaper size above Spence and only about 10 lbs.  Watch out "Big" brother!  

Ike and I are eat up with these two!  All the exhaustion is totally worth every second with them!

Big boy bed!

We  I decided that we MUST have a playroom.  I seriously felt like the toys were taking over the entire house.  We have 4 bedrooms, but with all of our family living out of town we really need a guest room.  We have planned all along for the boys to share a bedroom so why not go ahead and start the process.  My parents had already bought a toddler bed for Brant so the plan was to transition him to the toddler bed, take down one of the baby beds and have the other for Brant should we need it, and hopefully he would be transitioned in time to move Spence to the baby bed.  Spence is still in the rock and play, but I feel certain that is about to be over since he is already rolling over.  This was night one....

He appeared sooo excited....and even went to sleep in it that night...

 

BUT oh around midnight he started crying to be put in his baby bed.  Every night since we ask him and he chooses the baby bed.  We certainly do not want to force it on him.  So looks like we are back to 2 baby beds which I'm totally fine with. 

The playroom has changed our lives!  Brant LOVES it, and play so well in there.  AND toys are not all over the house as often. 

Buster

I have dreaded writing this post.  I have actually tried to start it many times and I could not bring myself to finish.  BUT I had to document this; Buster has been such a huge part of our lives.  Ike and I both felt like a chapter of our lives had been closed.  September 19, just a normal day.  Ike and I were loading the boys up for school, and Buster like always followed us to the truck.  It was so second nature for him to do that.  Neither of us really even noticed.  I heard it happen, looked up and I could immediately tell he was gone.  The driver said all she saw was a squirrel…of course.  He loved some squirrels.   Buster was a great dog.  He was our baby for many, many years.  He was there for all of my tears during infertility and miscarriages.  I told Ike it was weird I had never lived with him without Buster.  He was the most hyper dog you would ever meet at 6 ½ years old.  It broke my heart that our boys would not get to play with him.  I had looked forward to the day that they would love him as much as Ike and I did.  His life had certainly changed with adding 2 brothers in 2 years, but we loved him so very much.  I know the Lord has plans for all things including Buster.  He brought him to our lives for a period of time I could not have made it without him.  I am thankful for that time.  He will certainly be missed.

Part 2

More on life lately...

These 2 have been bathing together some lately.  I'm not sure yet how I like bathing together.  It is still a little tricky at this point.

Aunt Amanda and Uncle Jason came to visit. 

Sweet Spence sleeping outside

We had some play times with Gray.  These two are definitely the best of friends.

We went to fun day with the church.

Brant loved all the activities.  He thinks he is grown.  They cleared out the jumper for him, and then he refused to come out.

And just for fun a few of Spencey :)

 

Spence was loved on at a baby shower for his soon to be cousin Kamden.