The Markwell Fam

The Markwell Family paid us a visit this weekend for an early birthday/dissertation completion visit for Dennis. We had a great time, we even got a babysitter for all four of the kids and the adults had a night out on the town.

The kids played as well as can be expected. Elizabeth and Leyton mostly played near each other and wanted the toy that the other one had. Kensley and Redding grabbed each others face and drooled on each other.

All in all, it was a very nice, laid back weekend. Thanks for the visit! We can't wait to see you guys again!

Leyton, playing golf, was too busy for pictures.

I had bought 4 of these "Mummy loves me" t-shirts for the kiddies. Only Elizabeth and Redding were awake for pictures. Maybe next time...Elizabeth riding on Diego big wheel.
Parents night out!

Elizabeth borrowing Sarah's lipstick. Now whenever Leyton sees me putting on lipstick he says "no Mommy, that is Wizbeth's wipstick".

Hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you....

Solids

Redding is now eating solids. He does OK with the cereal but LOVES the bananas! I am not sure how much of it he actually eats because most of it ends up on his clothes (or on me).

Loony Tunes

We have a great Loony Tunes indoor play area in our mall. I had taken Leyton a few times when he was smaller and he had not enjoyed it as much as his recent trip. Dennis and I took him the other day and he had a blast! He is getting very brave, too. I love seeing him play with other kids (hoping he shares and takes turns).

Redding enjoyed himself also. He mostly just clung to mommy and eye-stalked big brother!

A few Leyton-isms...

In the cart at Wal-Mart, with "my" vitamin waters.Seemingly his favorite place to nap

Sliding

Just a few things I never want to forget...

• For some reason, Leyton has developed a habit of dipping his food in his water cup. It used to bother me but then I decided it was better that he dipped his peas in water and eat them rather than him not eat them at all.


• The other day we were riding down the road and I heard him saying "off hair off'". When I looked back, he was attempting to pull the hair off his legs. "I no like it mommy. Pull hair off".


• His favorite thing to say, "more, do it again, more, do it again"


• He has taken up a bit of Spanish, from both his teachers at school and from watching Diego/Dora. He says "cuidado" when driving next to trucks on the highway, he also counts to 10 in Spanish (18 in English), he knows a few colors, and a few random words here and there. It is really cute.


• He walked into the kitchen the other day with a basket and said "I go on berry hunt. I not scared. What a boooootifull day"


• Ah, pooping. He now gets a golf ball when he goes "stinky" in the potty, rather than his underwear. He has gotten one golf ball so far. I don't understand why the pooping is so difficult to accomplish. He is peeing in the potty just great. Oh well. In due time.


• Dennis was out-of-town for a week recently. Leyton missed him so much. Every night, he would ask for Daddy. When we would go somewhere, he would ask if we were going to eat lunch with Daddy. One night at dinner, he saved a bite of chicken on his fork for him. He kept saying "no eat it Mommy. No eat it Leyton. It for Daddy". Too cute.


• Chatter, chatter, chatter. I need to say no more.


• Leyton learns songs very easily. He walks around singing the Black Eyed Peas all the time and "Monster Boogie" and "Boinga". He must know 30 songs or so. It is too cute to hear him sing. At School they learned the song: "I love Jesus, I love Jesus. He's my friend. Ahhhmen, Ahhhmen". Adorable.

Funny faces

If you can't beat them, join them

In mommy's glasses

Kisses
Blahhh

See my teeth

Leyton either loves the camera or hates the camera. I was trying to get some fun pictures of the boys the other day and the only way Leyton would let me take his picture was if he was making a funny face.

Hey, I figure these show his personality better than anything.

He is such a little ham.

Brothers

I have to say, I was really worried about having another baby. I was worried how Leyton would react. I was worried he would hate him, hate me. I felt guilty.

Really guilty.

Now, I don't think he remembers life before Redding now.

Are things perfect? No. Are they better than I expected. Without a doubt.

Leyton is such a great brother. If Redding is crying, Leyton rushes to his side to see if he can help. "It's OK Redding. I here", Leyton says to him.

Redding will just laugh and laugh at him. It is hilarious how fascinated Redding is with Leyton.

Of course, I have to watch Leyton closely with Redding because he doesn't understand the things that can hurt him. For instance today, Leyton was hammering things (the carpet, the wall, cars, etc.) with his plastic hammer. Suddenly, Redding starts crying. When I arrive, Leyton is petting Redding and saying "it OK Redding, shake it off". When I asked what happened, Leyton said "I hammer him. He no like it".

Time out.

Like Yo Gabba Gabba might say..."Don't hammer your brother".

Redding's Checkup

We went for Redding's 4 1/2 month old checkup today. He is doing well and growing quickly. He has gained 4 pounds since his 10 week old checkup. I guess Mommy's milk is fattening him up just fine!

He weighed 15lbs. 14ozs. (50%) and was 27 inches (90%). These stats are almost identical to Leytons at this age. Funny how that happens.

We are debating when and if to have his lingual frenum cut. We had Leyton's done around this age but the doctor said to wait with Redding because his doesn't seem to be as bad. We are going to reevaluate at his next visit at 6 months.

A few other notes...Redding is reaching for everything. He has to have a toy or blanket in order to keep his hands occupied or else he gets a bit ancy. Leyton still makes him laugh like you would not believe. I think they are going to be a good team together. Trouble, but a good team.

Redding is rolling over and really wants to sit up on his own. I can't wait for him to reach this milestone but in the same breath, I don't want my baby to grow up too quickly!

Sleeping, ah, sleeping. Like Leyton, Redding is not a great sleeper. We are adjusting though.

As long as my babies are healthy, I am happy.

What more could a mother ask for?

Well, maybe a manicure and pedicure.