... Four Little, Five Little

This little man is a whole FIVE months! He is just a little guy. The only thing that is big on him is his cheeks.
Here he was at four months old:

Growth stats: (3 months 2 weeks)
Height: 24.5 inches / 52nd percentile
Weight: 12.2 lbs / 12th percentile
Head: 15.2-15.3 inches / 2nd percentile

By four months old:
-Grasp a toy and bring to his mouth
-Started using Bumbo chair
-Could stand in exersaucer for 10-15 minutes before getting tired
-Can do tummy time, but no rolling over. Still doesn't enjoy it.
-Beginning to have conversations
-Still nurses a couple times a night
-Still wears 3 month size clothes and 1-2 diapers

What he loves:
-Loves to smile and be happy all the time
-Listening to music, especially singing to him
-Smiles when he is put in his own crib for a nap
-Loves his pacifier almost as much as nursing, but doesn't require nursing for soothing
-Likes to have his diaper off (coos and smiles)
-Enjoys laughing at people tickling him and being completely silly at his face
-You know that Baelor likes you if he begins gnawing on his knuckles upon meeting you

Here is our little guy at five months old:

He still pretty much enjoys the same things from four to five months. The only changes that he has really made are the fact that he has finally rolled over a handful of times. We haven't captured it yet because he won't do it with us watching. As soon as I pull that camera out he is too interested in it to do anything else but stare. He is getting pretty strong legs though. I think he might be one of those babies that are late at rolling over and sitting, but will run as soon as he learns to walk. Baelor is almost too strong for the Bumbo chair now. There have been a few unsettling incidences where he has almost flopped himself out of it. This wouldn't be dangerous if I wasn't putting him on the kitchen counter to watch while I cook (shhhh!).

As parents, we've really noticed his personality grow. He is gonna be a TALKER! He likes to chatter on and on at what appears to be run-on sentences. It's completely adorable with his droolie, gummie smile.

Lately, big sister Reina has been wanting me to sing a particular "angel song" for bedtime. I lay in bed next to her and even do hand gestures that correspond with the words. If Baelor hasn't gone to bed yet he gets to squeeze between us and "watch the show" as well. It's so cute because he looks back and forth from Reina to mommy as if saying, "Hey guys, I fit right in. I totally know what's going on." Daddy is the lucky one because he gets to view his three favorites all snuggled together in one bed.

Every night Paul and I lay in bed and chat about how COMPLETELY AWESOME our kids are!

Spring is in the Air

Besides this mid-April snowfall, it's been a pleasant spring here in the PNW, I think at least. We've had quite the collection of non-rainy days which have allowed us to spend more time outdoors; something we look forward to all winter long! Easter Sunday was actually warm enough for Reina to find her eggs outside. That was the extent of our "Easter Bunny" Easter, but Reina watched this video at least 5 times that day. We like to keep Easter centered on Christ so her basket was a whopping $1.79 (the cost of a dozen eggs).



Reina and Cousin Heleena twirling!

We've been to a lot of parks this spring. Baelor recently went in a real swing for the first time and LOVED it, as do most babies. It's not as cold as it appears...I just dress my kids extra warm. Reina is over 3 years old and has never had an ear-ache (knock on wood).

Baelor is such a happy little guy. I really couldn't have a more happy, easy, pleasant baby. He only cries when he is hungry and mildly if something is irritating him. He really does smile like this all the time. He loves to snuggle up to mommy. Thanks to YouTube I finally learned how to properly use my Moby. Way easier watching a tutorial than reading directions. What a great invention these little wraps are.

 In an early May record-braking warm day, Reina of course wore her twirly purple dress that she is obsessed with, and enjoyed getting completely soaked with her friends! But look at the sheer happiness!!

We finally got a minivan! Yep, a silver Honda Odyssey like everybody else. Didn't necessarily want a silver one since I have two siblings and in-laws with the same, but it was the one we found for low miles in our price range. I'm loving the sliding doors, leather seats, safety, and extra space! Thanks again babe for supporting my "splurge". I was tired of fearing another "rear-end" accident with our precious cargo.

We've already gone to the Farmer's Market where we stuff ourselves on kettle corn. Reina especially enjoyed petting the many dogs! She's always been a lover of doggies.

The Word "Captivating" Describes Her

I am not old by any means, but as a kid I remember adults saying how "time flies" by. I know I am getting older because this is becoming more and more true. I can barely keep up with each passing month of my little guy's life! I hope I am giving enough time, attention, and pictures as Reina had. I need to be on the show "Hoarders" when it comes to pictures of Reina....quite embarrassing. At least she'll have plenty to choose from when she makes her wedding video! Well, lately I have been devoting most of my posts to Baelor so I thought I'd remind everyone that I do still have a daughter and she still does get a lot of our attention. Reina is such an expressive girl. I really can't put into words how captivating she is. Somehow she can just draw you in. Is it her big, brown eyes? Or her loud voice that can carry over a crowd? Or how you don't expect such expressions to come out of a little three year old? Kids say the darndest! It seems that no matter where we go, she gets an unusual amount of attention from adults and fits right in with any kid her senior. I say that if they needed a little person for a part in a show or commercial, she'd fit the part to a "T". She really is a much better actress than myself, and she will copy exactly what you want her to do or say. Reina is such a little character...she understands humor. Just thinking of some of the things she does or says makes my insides giggle. Since the weather has turned warm and sunny, Reina has mastered blowing bubbles. The other day she was outside blowing them and the wind blew hard enough to create a bubble all by itself. Reina said, "Good job bubble, you can go to my birthday party!" I know I sound like she is the perfect little princess...most of the time yes, but sometimes she does act like an adolescent teenager- major attitude. So after a meltdown she is back to her sweet and silly self. We really just carry on normal conversations with her and she responds often much older than her age. I giggle at this.

Three year growth stats. (3 years 1 month):

Height: 38.3 inches / 71st percentile
Weight: 33.6 lbs. / 72nd percentile

In April she took a dance class preview...only once a week for a month (as I had a couple Tuesdays off of work). It was a combo of ballet, tap and tumbling. I'm not quite sure what all the french poses are called as I never took ballet, but she said that of the three ballet was her favorite. Some favorites were doing the arabesque, twirls down the room while arms form a "bubble", and of course somersaults. She did great at participating and trying. Was she the best in the class? No. Did she attempt everything? Yes. I'm just happy she wasn't a Grumpelstiltskin. I'm not going to force her to dance because I love it. She can try whatever she wishes. I just know that she really does have a natural talent since she has great rhythm and body control. We'll try again when I can really commit to it. I snapped a few photos:

We got lucky and just love her to pieces!

In the process of saying "Shhhhh," reminding everyone that Baelor is sleeping

With some of her best buds Owen, Abigail and Peyton

3 months

I am getting so excited to see Baelor Leevi grow into his personality! Yes, the newborn stage is good in it's ooey-gooey goodness, but honestly, I'm not much of an infant lover. Baelor is just a smiling machine! I think Heavenly Father blessed me with a smiley one because Reina wouldn't break a smirk for my cheesy/high squeeling mommy faces. So, thanks for the baby who relishes in my exaggerated expressions.

favorites:

the sight of mommy

diaper changes

his binki (although still can't keep it in too well)

his swing for short naps

really warm baths

discovering his knuckles

smiles every time he sees his sister (or as Reina says "stister")
music....especially sung in front of his face

Baelor enjoys conversations and likes to show-off by kicking his feet and "saying" his favorite word "hi"....he really can say it well. He is just an easy baby. As long as he is fed, he is quite patient. Baelor is a modge-podge of features...at least on my side of the family. Sometimes I see my sister Tarja, or my other sister Sanni. Yet sometimes I see his cousin Finn (my bro's boy). Lots of Finnish in him, I think. We are just in love with this little guy, including Reina. He is already getting some nicknames: Reina mispronounced "brother" and said "butter" so I often call him "butters" or another word with "butter" in it like butternut squash, or buttermilk pancakes. It suits him with his ginormous cheeks! One time I called him "butter face" and Paul said I can never call him that again....I guess it's a rude name to call a girl? You'll have to ask your husbands what this means :)

Paul discovered a way to get rich via baby gear; just come up with a silly name and people will buy it. It's true! Just off the top of my head I have a few silly items: Petunia Pickle Bottom (diaper bag), Moby (wrap), Ergobaby (carrier), Bumbo (chair), Boppy (pillow), Peg-Perego (stroller). So that's just a few that I own. Some others I've heard of : Bumbleride, Bugaboo, Wubanub, RaZbaby, Beaba, Robeez. There's a whole other dimension when it comes to cloth baby diapers... Bummis, FuzziBunz, Thirsties....so silly, but we may have to get in on the baby gear phenomenon! 

Baelor on my baby blanket