My 5-Month Man

Wes continues to be joy in our home. His personality is really starting to shine through and as we get to know each other with each passing day, things seem like they never existed without him around.

I love having a monthly photo shoot with the kid because his expressions are priceless.

Nothing too fancy, but as long as I can remember this face with these eyes and funny mouth movements, I will be just fine. 

 I'm one lucky mama to scrub this kid each night.

 Now, this is the personality I'm talking about! Isn't this smile just rockin'?! 

I could squeeze his cheeks, give endless kisses and just eat him right up.

Month 5 was a good month.

 Those bottom teeth we spoke of in month four haven't broken through, but they sure have teased the kid...as you can see by his tongue checking them out.

 Maybe by month six we will have some news for you -- 

 but for now, I will cherish the gummy smile he has been perfecting.

 This is rare as he falls asleep on his own in his crib.

Although I miss the cuddles, he sleeps like a champ. We are still waking him up before we hit the hay to feed him a bottle, but it is worth the 10 hours he gives us after that. 

Well worth it.

(We will let you know when he is no longer exiled to the basement. We haven't been that brave yet.)

 This is honestly his favorite past time.

If he does not have shoes or pjs on, he is all over those little piggies.

It is my favorite thing to watch him do, because it never gets old to him...LOVE IT!

 These were a bit snug, but we HAD to get a shot, of course!

Not only did Thad wear these when he was five months, but they are Tyson's overalls and he just turned 11! What!?!

Aren't my boys just awesome? It's funny because sometimes (when I don't have their baby pictures side by side) I think they look alike, but I think the chubbiness and the BIG blue eyes are they only things they have in common.

Wes is still loving the paci. I have kind of forced him to. 

He has just recently gotten really good at it and takes it while he's awake just for entertainment.

That's what we were going for people.

 He rolled over for the first time on June 11!

I have still never seen him do it as I have been out of the room the 3 times it has happened.

I walked out to put laundry away in my room and came back to my little stinker on his belly.

He is about a month and a half behind Thad in this area, but he has a couple pounds on Thad, so I can't blame him. 

I'm sure he will come around before I know it!

 He is getting so BIG!

We went to the doctor for a sick appointment and he has gained an entire pound and is now weighing in at 17 lbs 13 oz.

Please keep in mind that some 1 year olds weigh this much.

He is a Heavy Kev all around. Just. Plain. Solid.

Thad had better watch out.

 I had to throw this in because I love his fat legs all straightened out and the funny look on his face.

I love you baby Wes.

And so does brother and dad. 

We think you are the bomb.

Summertime Fun with Grandma Teresa

It is such a blessing to have family and friends who are willing to come visit, especially since we're not visiting Utah this summer. Grandma Teresa came out mid-June and it was just what we needed out here in Connecticut.

 As you can tell, this boy was beyond happy to see his Grandma Teresa.

 He was pretty much attached to her the whole first day.

They both loved it.

Right before she got here, Thad started discovering his dance moves, but her arrival must have sparked something inside of him, because lots of this happened over the few days she was here:

 We seriously couldn't get enough and luckily got some sweet video to go along with these stellar images!

 Thad was right next to Grandma Teresa whether she was holding Wes or not. 

I think he's a Grandma's boy.

We started out our activities right, with a fun trip to Stew's.

 Wes doesn't mind the cow so much, 

 but I couldn't give Thad enough money to get in that picture with them.

He really dislikes that cow.

 Can you see why we love going here?

 The evening was spent with a nice trip to the beach because Grandma hadn't been there since the summer we moved in!

Next Stop: New York City

Grandma's first ride on the train!

 Lunch in Bryant Park was very delightful.

 And a stroll through Times Square to show where Daddy works.

 Once we got to Central Park, Thad luckily found lots of joy going down the slide in the picture below over and over again.

 It was in the most perfect shady spot where we could watch and relax...

Except, he did convince each one of us to go down at least once with him. 

Daddy might have indulged him a bit and gone down 3 or 4 times. Best dad.

 Wes is the perfect baby and so easy going.

 After the park we jumped on the subway to head to Brooklyn to cross the bridge back to Manhattan.

Wes was so funny, and competing with the noise of the train the whole time. He just kept making this funny yelling noise to see if he could hear himself. 

Such a cute little stinker!

Thad was a bit fatigued after our trek across the bridge (from late nights and nap skipping), and the one negative about our sit-and-stand stroller is that it is not comfy for him to relax or sleep.

 Luckily this boy has the nicest dad in the world who carried him around for about an hour through Canal Street and Little Italy.

What a dad.

 We happened upon this fun little street festival in Little Italy and though we didn't stick around (as we needed somewhere for dad to rest his arms), I couldn't resist snapping a picture!

We had some delicious rice pudding at Rice to Riches in SoHo and sadly it was time to head home after that.

 We were lucky enough to see our friends Jon, Jamie and 4-week old Lucy and got to sit by them for the journey home. We unknowingly rode the same train in and walked to Bryant Park with them from Grand Central, so it was funny to see them again and a blessing to spend extra time with them as they have now moved back to Utah. 

We love the Curtises!

 We couldn't resist a beach day on Saturday, so we all headed down to Calf Pasture for a day in the sun.

 Wes will never say no to the beach! He loves it!

 I was so proud of Thad for doing this!

 He is very unsure and sometimes scared of water whether it's the ocean, pool or bath tub, but the more we have been going to the beach the more comfortable he is becoming.

 Perfect sleeping baby that let his mom get a tan.

Thad stayed up as late as he could each night to soak up every minute with Grandma, but when you live so far away from each other, you have to let him get away with some of these things!

After a fun Father's Day celebration, Teresa's visit was sadly coming to an end, but we made the most of her last day in Norwalk!

 Round two was had at Valencia's.

We ordered a burrito and arepa to share, but we surely learned our lesson: Stick with the arepas.

The burrito was good, but the arepas are just perfection!

 Some time at the harbor never disappoints. 

With water, rocks and a playground we've got endless fun.

Before we knew it we were off to the airport to send her off. It surely went by quick, but it was the perfect summer trip for us and hopefully for her. Thank you so much for coming to see our family, we honestly wish we could see you more. These trips make all the difference and help us make it between our Utah visits.

The morning after she left when Thad woke up and ran to the bathroom to get the flashlight to wake her up downstairs as he had done each morning during her visit.

He was sad when he remembered she was gone, but we sent her this picture bright and early!

Love you, Grandma Teresa!