Idaho Road Trip and Baby Blessing

We picked Bryson up from his last day of school and kicked off our summer vacation by taking a road trip to Idaho to visit my sister Monica and her family. The boys did awesome in the car both directions, and I'm glad that Colin seems to enjoy the car (as long as it's moving) and we only had to stop a few extra times for him. We got to Monica's around 12:30 in the morning on Saturday and enjoyed spending time with Monica, Bryan, and their son Cooper all week. We also were able to see our friends Scott and Mitzi and went to lunch and to the park with them. On Sunday, Jarom and Bryan blessed the babies. Colin was blessed to be able to have health, develop spiritual gifts, and to always be a good influence on those around him. It was nice to be able to bless the babies together and to share the experience with Monica and Bryan and our friends and families (my parents listened on the phone and Jarom's cousins came). I've decided I never want twins after babysitting both boys for a few hours, but it was fun to see the babies together and take some adorable photos of the two of them.  The rest of the week was spent caring for babies, playing Frisbee golf, eating frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf, and jumping on trampolines. We also got together with Jarom's cousins Kevin and Brandon a few times and ended up jumping off a 20 foot bridge, which I'd never do again because my backside is still hurting from the impact, but at least I can say I jumped off a bridge now, right? Jarom will post the bridge jumping video at a later date.  Colin turned three months while on our trip.  He's growing fast!  All in all, it was a successful trip, and we're so thankful to Monica and Bryan for hosting us all week.

Colin's first road trip

Bryan and Cooper with Jarom and Colin

Scott and Jarom and their sons

 

Colin on blessing day

Dads and babies on blessing day

 
Colin and Jarom with cousins Kevin and Brandon

Uncle Bryan helped Bryson stand on his head and Cooper smiled while Bryson held him

Such cute babies!

Holding hands

Colin and Cooper having a crying battle.  I love Colin's sympathy cries.

Cousin Cry Battle from Melissa G on Vimeo.

First and Last

Bryson graduated from kindergarten today.  He sure has grown and learned a lot since the first day of kindergarten.  His favorite things about kindergarten included centers, art, and learning to read.  Bryson was always proud of finishing his homework and reading the books he was sent home with.  He loves to write, count, and add, thanks to his teacher.  At the graduation, the kids sang a few songs about going into first grade, and you can pick out Bryson's voice among the 95 other kindergarteners, which is so funny to me. Bryson got his certificate from his teacher and we watched the DVD of photos his teacher had compiled all year, and then had dessert on the playground. Colin slept through basically all of graduation, though he woke up during the singing part. We're so proud of our soon-to-be first grader!

Bryson with Mrs. B.

First Grade, First Grade from Melissa G on Vimeo.
Kindergarten Songs from Melissa G on Vimeo.

Track and Field

Colin and I went to Bryson's field day this week.  Bryson had a blast at this school event and enjoyed the long jump, the egg on a spoon relay, water games, and various types of races.  He tripped over one of the hurdles (in his defense, the hurdles were almost up to his waist) so that was his least favorite activity, but he just brushed himself off and kept going, which made me proud.  Bryson received all sorts of ribbons (they awarded first, second, third, and fourth place as well as participation) and was very proud of himself.  Colin and I wore our hats and hung out under an umbrella, and I think Colin had as much fun watching Bryson participate in the games as I did. 

 

2 Months

Colin is already two months old, which is just crazy. He's growing so fast. Colin weighed 10 pounds, 11 ounces at his doctor's appointment last Monday and is 22 inches long.  That puts him in the 25th percentile for growth. Bryson was never on the charts, so although Colin is on the smaller side too, we're happy with his weight gain, especially since he's had some issues with his mouth. Colin also got some shots at his appointment and reacted poorly to them as indicated by leg redness and a 100.2 degree fever. Since then, though, Colin has been more himself.  He gets a little fussy in the evenings and still spits up quite frequently, but the reflux medicine seems to help.  We had his lip tie surgically released earlier this month so he can open his mouth wider, and he is now learning some new nursing and sucking techniques so that he'll latch better and I'm not sore. Colin is developing some strong opinions as he prefers to be held to go to and stay asleep, whines and kicks if I try nursing him in the "football" position, and is quite the Mama's Boy (he whines when Daddy is holding him and he sees me).  He loves splashing in the bath, sitting in his bouncy chair, kicking on his play mat, riding in the car, and watching and listening to Bryson.  Colin is starting to communicate a little bit with "ahhs" and he rewards us with lots of smiles, especially when Bryson and I sing to him. I love that Colin is interacting a little more now. Even though life with a newborn is challenging, we love Colin so much. He's so fun! 

  

 

Mother's Day

Bryson treated me like a queen on Mother's Day, with a little help from Daddy and Grandma Jane.  He made me a "Happy Mother's Day" banner and had me open presents while he fed me a breakfast of cold cereal.  Bryson gave me a framed picture and a book he made:  "Sometimes we fight, sometimes we argue, but sometimes we hug and say I love you." He also had Daddy help him with things that he needed "so Mommy didn't have to do it" and wrapped a nursing cover and a baby wipes clutch purse from Colin.   Bryson also let me take a much-needed nap with Colin, and I appreciated that.  He planted a flower for me at school and decorated the bag it came in.  I guess Bryson doesn't think my life amounted to much (see message on photo below), but I loved his gifts and how he really made an effort to make it a nice Mother's Day for me.  You can also enjoy the Mother's Day video we made at the end of this post. 

Mother's Day 2014 from Melissa G on Vimeo.