Picture Updates

For the three people that actually still read this blog, I apologize for the lack of postings. Brady has exceeded all of my expectations and is such a good big brother. Wally could not be a sweeter boy and is all smiles. He is officially sleeping through the night, 7:00pm to 7:00am...we are so excited. Wally is also officially a red-head. Maybe we should say auburn, but definitely reddish. Colby likes to give him a Mohawk.

Wally loves his big brother and Brady loves him right back. First thing Brady asks in the morning is "where is Wally? I want to kiss him". The look on Wally's face when Brady walks into the room is priceless. I love to watch it.

Brady is really in to building forts and he has now decided he needs a magazine when he goes "poo-poo". :)

First Broken Bone

The first of many I am sure. Brady has taken it well though and told me this morning his boo-boo didn't hurt anymore. He has to wear his brace for another week and according to the Doctor should be good as new. We are so glad he has made a quick recovery and although we have had to miss swimming lessons for the last two weeks, he seems unphased. Kids are amazing.

Summer Fun

It is HOT and while enjoying any time we can spend at a pool, we also have to get a little more creative to entertain the boys. We have been to several movies and plays, the Children's Museum, the duck and turtle pond at Northpark, even the grocery store can be an outing. At least it has AC. Last week we took Brady to his first baseball game. The game was at 7:00, but it was still 100 degrees when we parked. We were lucky enough to be in a reserved, shaded area where Brady could walk around and watch the game when he felt the need. It was so much fun and the perfect set up for his first game. It has been a fun summer so far, but really, really looking forward to October and a break from the heat.

Wally is getting so big. At his 4 month appt, he was 15lbs 6 oz and I don't remember exactly how long. I do know he was in the 85% in length and head size, just 50% in weight. Which surprised me, as Wally is so much more solid than Brady was. He isn't chubby, just solid around the middle, with broader shoulders. Brady was more like a little baby bird at this age. Maybe all that crying burned a lot of calories. It is so interesting to see the differences in the two of them already. Wally has started wearing several 6-9 month outfits due to his length, which is just crazy to me. He also got his first tooth this week. One on the bottom just poked through yesterday!

My big 3 year old!

We had a great birthday for Brady this weekend. We figured this would be the last year he wouldn't request a big party, so we were selfish and wanted the time with him to ourselves. We planned a little stay-cation and visited the Westin Resort in Frisco, about 25 minutes from our house. Brady swam and swam with his friend Railey, then we had cupcakes for everyone by the pool. It was the prefect birthday for him...and for us. He loved sleeping in bed with Mommy and Daddy and ordering room service pancakes in the morning. Brady was such a big boy and went down the water slide at the pool time after time with all the big kids. He is fearless.

Sunday we came home and had Grandma, Popa, Amma, Uncle Beet and Aunt Ali over for burgers and cake. Brady got some great presents and loved playing with his new matchbox race track. I think Uncle Beet liked it just as much!

Brothers

I cannot tell you how much I love Wally and Brady's relationship already. It is going to be so much fun to watch it grow through the years. We can already pin point Wally as the laid back brother and Brady as the more intense one. No big surprise there, but is so cute to see their personalities develop. Colby and I both think Wally is on track to be the bruiser of the two. He is thicker and longer and eats more than Brady ever did. We will just have to wait and see! This weekend I put them in our bed together while Brady was watching Backyardigans. Wally seemed to enjoy it too.

Wally is starting to laugh and still smiles all the time. Even his caretakers at school comment on how "Wally loves me, he's always smiling at me!" I can't break it to them that he smiles at everyone. He is really starting to laugh too, which is the most beautiful sound to any parent's ears.

This weekend we took Brady to see the ducks and turtles at Northpark again. The last time we were there, he fell in. Flipped right over the railing and I about had a heart attack. I had to pull him out of the water by his shirt collar and attracted the attention of a police offiicer and multiple mall patrons who rushed over to help. It was awful and I had to wheel my 2 1/2 year old out of the mall soaking wet. We talked about it this time and he remembered the drama from our last visit. He even pointed out where we were standing when he fell in. He was much more cautious during this visit, thank goodness.

Wally is now sleeping from about 9:00pm until 3:00am and then from 4:00am until usually around 6:30 or 7:00am. Not bad at all. One feeding a night is very doable, but I do get extremely giddy when he makes it until 5:30 or 6:00am! He will get the hang of it soon enough.

Little Brother

Little Brother Wally is not so little anymore. He was 11 lbs 9 oz at his two month appointment, which is right at the 50%. Head size is average and he is in the 75% in length, so tall...just like his brother. His current hair color is pretty red, but he is losing it and there seems to be another layer coming in. We will have to wait and see if it will match Mommy's. Wally is such a sweet boy and has the cutest little smiles. He always has the biggest grin right as he is falling asleep. It makes my day every time.

New Trick

Well, I knew the day would come where my little boy would learn how convenient it is to be...a boy. Brady has officially learned how to pee-pee standing up and likes to do it in the back yard. It is so darn cute, we don't stop him, we just hope he doesn't do it at school. Colby and I have both told him that it is ONLY something he does in our back yard. Hopefully he is listening.

Wally Update

Wally is doing great and has changed so much just in the first 6 weeks! I look back at his newborn pictures and can't believe how different he already looks. He has lost a ton of hair and now has a receding hair line, so we are just waiting to see what color it comes back in. It is looking pretty red! Wally has a look of surprise pretty much all the time. He is just taking it all in I guess, but his expression is so funny. He still looks a lot like his big brother, but seems to be taking on more of a look all his own. He is gaining weight and already out of all his newborn clothes. He was 10lbs 9oz at his 4 week appt, which isn't huge, but above average. Wally was also in the 75% in length and head size. His head was pretty small when he was born, but apparently he is starting to take on that characteristic from his brother as well.

Wally is on reflux medicine...it also seems to run in the family. He was a great sleeper for the first 2.5 weeks, but he is still stuck on the 2 hour sleeping schedule and apparently does not like to nap anymore. Sometimes we will get a three hour stretch at night and once he slept almost 4 hours! Of course I was so worried about him I couldn't sleep. Wally is a bouncing junky, so we have again gotten some good use of our exercise ball and bouncy chair. I am sure he will get the hang of this sleeping thing soon, but I hear so many stories of babies his age sleeping 6, 7 even 8 hours a night...so jealous! I remind myself to cherish these moments with my little guy...he won't be this age very long.

Brady has been such a good big brother and loves to give Wally kisses and hold him. He will also try to console him when he cries, by patting his head and telling him "it's ok Wally, Mommy will be here in a minute." He also tries to show him how to play on his play mat. Pointing out the animals and how to swat at the toys. Can't wait to see these boys play together as they grow up!

Baby Wally is Here!

Wallace arrived almost three weeks ago and we have been busy with our new family of four. The labor was long, but the delivery was easy. He was ready to come see us by that point. Wally was 8.5 and 20 1/4 inches. The whole experience was awesome, except for some epidural drama. It was a little more painful than I would have liked towards the end, but it was really cool to feel more and be more aware of what was going on. I remember everything very clearly...probably because I had fewer drugs in my system. Wally came out beautiful and looking just like his big brother Brady!

Rodeo and Finally a Belly Shot

Two weeks ago we went to the Fort Worth Rodeo. It was great, although the weather was not. Good thing most of the events were indoors. Brady sat through the entire 2 1/2 hour rodeo, with just a few melt downs. We walked around the grounds to see all the animals, although Brady's favorite part was sitting on the John Deer Tractor and the GMC Suv. We almost had to bring one home with us! He threw a full on fit when we finally had to leave, but it was fun while it lasted.

I am 37 weeks this week and from what they tell me, this guy will be a decent sized baby. At 36 weeks, he measured 7 lbs 1 oz on the sonogram. Which means by 40 weeks he could be upwards of 9 lbs (so the Dr says). I don't know how much I believe that, those measurements never seem to be accurate...although he sure feels big! I am hoping for that reason my Dr. will want to induce me a few days early, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I am so ready to meet this boy!