Brad likes carrots?

Don't let the beginning of the video fool you, the answer to the question: does Brad like carrots? is a big NO, as can be seen by the end of the video.


Video taken 3/29/11

While Grammy was here we made some baby food for Brad. We did this also for Luke when he was this age and it was nice to carry on the tradition with Brad. The first food I made for Luke was carrots so I tried them with Brad. Let me tell you, Brad hates carrots. They are the only food that he consistently makes a gagging motion for when he eats them. I have to hide them with other foods, even mixing in rice cereal isn't enough. This week I mixed on ice cube (how I freeze the baby food) of carrots with one pear and one apple. He ate it but not with the usual vigor he usually eats with!



I checked Luke's baby book (or calendar rather) and turns out he didn't like carrots either!

Brad talking

Brad talking, until he notices the camera that is :)
Video taken 3/28/11

5 month comparison

Alright, so readers, we are used to the idea of these now right? So I'll just jump right in :)

At 5 months, little Luke was about 15 lbs 5 oz and about 25 inches long. He's still got those chubby little cheeks and his nasal bridge hemangioma was getting a lot smaller by that point. You can see one of his long wisps of hair on his forehead in this picture.



At 5 months, Brad was about 16 and a half lbs and about 25.5 inches long. A little bit bigger than Luke, but with much less hair :) Developmentally, both boys were doing about the same things around this time. Luke had already had his first ear infection by this time. Brad continues to be such a smiler and giggler!

We love visitors!

We love having visitors! One of the best benefits of not working right now is the ability to be (somewhat) flexible with our schedule. I would love to travel and visit all my family and friends, but since it isn't really an option to leave two children behind and Josh doesn't have a ton of vacation, it is a great thing to have family and friends who also come visit us!

In March we were blessed to have my Aunt Susan and Uncle Ken stay with us at the beginning of their vacation. It is neat that Luke is old enough now to remember people and he now asks about them. Since he thinks all our family lives in Florida (since most of our visitors are always leaving to go home to Florida) it has been a thinker for him that they went home to Michigan!







Thanks for visiting us! [Aunt Susan, I have print copies of these pictures that I will mail to you :)]

Later that same week, my Dad drove up to visit us since it was his Spring Break from school. These two boys love their papa, and I really loved having my Dad here for a few days!

Bounce Luke Bounce

One Thursday morning in March, I took Luke to meet up with one of his buddies from school, Ben, at a bounce house warehouse. This place was full of bounce houses and we had been there in January for a birthday party. Luke had a great time at the birthday party so I thought he'd be in heaven to get a chance to go there again. We got there a little bit before his friend and I couldn't convince Luke to go on anything. He can be extremely timid and he decided to be that way this day. Kids were running all around but seeing no familiar face, Luke was not about to bouncing.

Bounce Luke Bounce



How about this one?



Doesn't that one look fun?



When Ben arrived, Luke grabbed his hand and the two of them were off!
Then Luke had a wonderful time, he just needed a friend.









But between you and me, I was sure getting frustrated that he wouldn't go play after paying for our entrance...same frustration currently applies to our Tuesday morning gym class. After 6 weeks of trying to cajole Luke to participate while at the class (and it is a sports themed class with all little 3 year old boys) I gave up and we haven't even gone now for two weeks. Good thing big brother has a little brother growing up who will be ready to be his constant buddy (we hope!)

Have I mentioned he is a happy guy?

Even this morning at Publix as I was unloading the cart full of groceries, I heard Brad talking and when I looked up two women had gathered around him to make faces for him to get him to smile and talk more. They weren't even waiting in line, just had noticed him there and came over to talk to him!

photos from March 6, 2011

Brad says 'hey"

Brad wakes up so happy (usually!). I captured one morning's wake up and even got a "Hey" from him :)
Video taken 2/25/11



We are pretty sure that the colicky phase passed when he reached 4 months. He still has his moments for sure, but this is his personality...usually happy and bubbly, but can turn into a sourpuss quickly.

I love this sleeper he is wearing. My Mummu picked it out as a gift for Luke. My aunt Lynn told me Mummu picked it out because she liked how it felt on her fingers (Mummu already had vascular dementia at the time). Seeing Brad wear it makes me smile :)