Visiting the Aunts

Day 2 (Saturday) found us on our way again, bright and early. We stopped in Visalia, CA to have a quick visit with my Aunt Susie (my mom's youngest sister) before heading on to Arizona. We were only there for an hour, but it was great to see her and to have her meet Brice. I'm so glad it was on the way. Boy, do we look like we're related or what!

Our final destination of the day, for a few days visit, is my Great-Aunt Frances' (my mother's-mother's sister). She and my Great-Uncle Ray live in Golden Valley, AZ - it's between Kingman, AZ and Laughlin, NV...about an hour or so from Las Vegas. We just lounged around today. I think Brice was glad to not be in the car anymore. Uncle Ray kept asking: Where's that baby? He just loves having Brice here.

He nawed on his hand and grabbed his toes - his new favorite thing to do.

He napped some - he likes his eyes covered when he sleeps during the day.

And he wore his new shades. He looks so "Hollywood" in these. They helped keep the sun out of his eyes. It's bright down here! It was pretty cool for this time of year, about 85 for a high...maybe 90. It's pretty humid, as it's monsoon season, but we lucked out and didn't have rain today. I decided to stay in my PJ's all day - that was so nice. I don't ever do that at home, something about visiting my aunt just makes me relax a little bit more.

Road Trip!

We started our road trip yesterday. Poor Brice was stuck in his car seat most of the day. He did get a few breaks, like when eatting (since he's breastfed) and when we stopped at a Target. We also stopped to visit with my dad, stepmom and sisters.

It was my youngest sisters 11th birthday on Monday, so she was having a sleepover with lots of friends. It was kind of a mad house, all those 11 year olds running around. Girls will be girls.

Val was holding Brice for awhile, and all the girls gathered around their sectional and were watching him. It's funny what they will sit still for.

Of course as soon as we walked in the door, all the girls were ooh-ing and ahh-ing over how cute he is. That felt good, becuase I know 11 year olds don't lie about that kind of stuff. He is pretty darn cute!

A New Toy!

I talked Aaron into getting Brice this jumpy chair. Since he loves to stand so much, I thought he might like to stand in this. For now we have it hanging in his bedroom door way. We put up some temporary trim since the door hasn't been replaced yet. Soon. I'd love to put it in the opening to the hall, that way he could watch his Baby Einstein video's and bounce away.

He isn't bouncing yet, but i'm sure it will just be a matter of days.
He didn't fuss at all. I just looked over and he was resting his head on the side of the chair. He is such a sweet little guy. I just love him to pieces.


He was watching his Baby Einstein video. He really likes it. I can put it on continuous play and have him watch it at least two times. Ahhhh, an hour to get things done. Yesterday he took an hour nap! An hour! I was so shocked. He slept a lot on Friday, too. I was worried, since he never sleeps, but he's just fine. Today he didn't take quite as long of a nap, but I did get some down time. He occupies himself in his crib for a little while most days. But I can't go without him for long. I have to go in and visit and talk with him...and i'm rewarded with lots of big smiles and laughs. He thinks his mom is pretty funny.

The Happenings This Weekend

He's just talking up a storm! We can go on for minutes just cooing at each other. And he talks to friends and family, too. It's not just coo's, but "buh" sounds and he's starting to use his tongue to make noise as well. We even get a "goo" and"a-goo" sometimes. Definitely expanding his vocabulary. The last few days he's been sleeping a lot more than usual - which is nice. Since he doesn't appear to be sick, I guess we should be getting ready for a growth spurt! He was 13 lbs today, so we'll see how much bigger he gets this week.

We worked on our yard this weekend. I mowed the front and back (big job) and I planted our pots on the front porch. I also got some grasses planted between our yard and the walkway to the front door. It looks sooooo nice. Once Aaron finishes the flower boxes for in front of the house, i'll post a picture. Besides the flower boxes, he power washed the sidewalk in front of the house and the concrete slab and walkway in the back. I can't believe what a difference it is. We have the best looking yard on the block. Aaron's friend asked us "What's with the oasis?" At first he wasn't sure what he was talking about...we're the only green lawn in the neighborhood. I love having a sprinkler system!

Ryder being, well, Ryder. He thought it would be a good joke to pretend Grandma Bonnie gave him a small wine to drink. I have to say, it was pretty funny. But of course I can't get him to post for a serious picture...ever. Since he's always been this difficult since i've known him (4 years old) I'm not thinking it's going to change. Wonder what the teen years will be like.

3 Months Old

My how time has flown. He is really getting so much bigger! Everyday he changes in some way. Some days we wake up and he is doing something new just all of the sudden. This last week he began to have more control over his head. He is less of a "bobble" head now and has really good control. He smiles and laughs all the time - and his talking is picking up even more. He just babbles away. But of course, there are other changes. He has been a bit fussier than his usual the last few days and I think he's going through a bit of a growth spurt. He's want to eat again after an hour a few times throughout the day, this is very hard on me. But it wont last forever, so i'm just trying to enjoy this time of his life - he will never be this size again, nor will we have these "firsts" again.

This is a picture from breakfast on Sunday. He was just such a happy boy. He has been pouting out his lower lip lately, and it just breaks my heart when it is proceeded by a cry. He really knows how to tug on my heartstrings. But when he's doing it just because, and not because he's sad, it's so adorable. He'll mimic Aaron when he pouts out his lip. Another new development, he is a back scooter for sure! He moves himself all over his crib and play yard, and when on the floor, he's spinning circles. Apparently I was a back scooter myself and never crawled. I wonder if he'll be starting to stand/walk at 7 months, too... Well, this is now the end of leaving him on a flat surface without supervision. No more leaving him on the bed, or the couch, or his Boppy pillow. He'll now need to be buckled into everything. It just surprises me how much he moves around in just a few seconds. Can't turn my back on this one!

All Smiles

He's all smiles these days. My favorite time of the day is after our first morning feeding...the morning feeding that we actually get up from. He sits on my lap and smiles away. We gets lots of little laughs out of him, too. On the flip side, this boy can shriek like a girl! It's so funny when it comes out of him, luckily, it's not that often. He is just such a happy boy.

Today we had a comment from a shopper at Joann's, she had been talking with her mother and then turned around when Brice started "talking" and said "He's just perfect, isn't he!" That was so nice to hear. Of course I think so, but i'm his mom. The babbling has picked up this past week, as well. He just talks and talks to us. It's so adorable.

He's started to join me in the shower for his "baths" and that is quick and easy. It just seems like a lot of work to get his tub out and put in the sink and fill it and then empty it and let it dry and put it away... Shower's are quick and easy. And then he goes into his cute little Pooh Bear towel to dry off...courtesy of his Auntie Andrea. That's about it for week 11.