.the grab bag.

I have just a bunch of randomness to share from our life this past week. It has been a little bit of a fitful day seeing as Finn's naps have been some kind of crazy since this weekend. He pretty much slept 2 hours during the whole day yesterday, and cried whenever we tried to put him down. I tried to let him cry himself to sleep, but after many hours of trying to get him to sleep it was a hopeless cause. This sleep training stuff is unpleasant work (he's crying himself out as I type). I decided I needed to get serious about Finn getting himself to sleep instead of me nursing him to sleep. I'm just waiting for these crying days to pay off.

I often find myself feeling like I'm going to miss everything about my sweet baby boy. I was feeding him today, and wanted to stop time so badly. There is a part of me that doesn't want him to get any bigger, or change anymore. I just feel like this part of his life is slipping aways so quickly, and it makes me feel very melancholy some moments. But then there are other moments that I get so excited thinking about his future and seeing all his "firsts". I've started creating a list of all the things I want to do with our children. Things that I or Roy did as children, and new creative things I've read or heard about. What a crazy fun adventure being parents is going to be, and I look forward to it with great happiness!

We had a great LONG weekend...we don't get nearly as many of those as we would like. We spent Monday hiking and eating with family. My little brother Sean just finished his Military summer training and was able to spend the whole day with us. He selflessly gave us his time helping find a new lap top for Roy and tweaking our desk top at home. What an awesome brother I have.

Birds have moved into our carport. I had know idea they were there, but Roy finally pointed it out to me. He did not take kindly to our new neighbor as it was streaking his car constantly. Sure enough the nest had 5 eggs, and I didn't have the heart to move it. I told Roy, "that's like 5 baby Finn's". And wouldn't you know one day later 3 of those eggs hatched. We will wait until those babies are grown before we move that nest.

Well Finn finally gave into sleep so I'll close this post just by saying how much I love my family, my country, and my life!

.the stank.

Finn used to be our regular little pooper...he was a natural! But he's decided this past month to be less regular. He likes to go several days between deposits, and that of course always makes me worry. Despite my worry though he always goes, and he's never constipated. This last stretch of no poop has been his longest. He has gone a week with nary a skid mark. Consequently, this little mans gas has been stank(y). He no longer smells like a sweet babe and that has been unfortunate. This morning however, I'm glad to report that Finn finally went. Roy commented that you know you're parents when you'er happy to see pooh in your baby's diaper. Yes Finn, you poohed, all is right in the world again!

.open windows, open doors.

My two favorite things to hear in the mornings...
The birds outside, and Roy and Finn having their morning conversations together. I don't want to forget those sweet moments as dad and son greet each other for the day!

.saturday.

I love weekends! I love them when there busy, and I love them when there empty. It was especially nice to have Roy around today because Finn and I struggled in the sleep department last night. We've had a bit of a cold making the rounds, and Finn is in the middle of his fever day...that bites. He is sleeping it off right now and I'm listening to his congested snores...everything is cute when youre a baby!
Speaking of that man of mine...he seems to be constantly on the go. Even right now as I type he is mowing lawns earning some extra mula for his little fam. But if he's not working he is busy being young men's pres, and when he's not doing church stuff he's doing condo biz, which I have to admit I'm almost done with. We get calls at all hours of the night ( everything happens at night ), that only Roy can help with, even though we hired a management company to deal with all the calls. Getting our own house is getting higher on my priorities everyday. Our precious hours with him come at a high price. I know he is trying to find a balance, and I'm very proud of all his hard work he puts in for not only us, but others. I just wish others wouldn't take advantage of his service. He'll never say " no", but maybe I should.
Whoa bad additude! Sorry about that, I think it's been building up for some time. We are allowed to vent our frustrations every once in awhile right?
Saturdays....i guess I love them so much because I get to wake up and have Roy there. Not even Sunday's are good for that.

laughing

Finn has been laughing for weeks, but we've never been able to catch it until today. Great Grandma came to play and boy did she get the little man to giggle his guts out. in my haste to catch him, I recorded him upside down...mostly though, it's just fun to listen to him.

.4, you're huge.

Mr. Finn,
Another month has made it's way into the past. You are on your way to being our little boy instead of being our little baby. As a four month old you continually make us laugh with your assortment of high pitched squeals and your attempts to blow raspberries. You're even more in love with your hands then you were a month ago. They are constantly in your mouth and covered in drool.
You've also discovered you prefer seeing the world sitting up, and you do rather well with just a few pillows around you.

You've been testing your legs out for awhile, but you have gotten really good at standing for long periods of time. No wonder with hams like these!

Sleeping is becoming a lot more regular around these parts now. You always take a 9:00 nap in the morning and one at 12:00 in the afternoon. We are still trying to get in a third somewhere around 4:00, but you fight that one far to well to get any sleep value out of it. Nights have become good again. You sleep from 5-8 hours during your first stretch and then another 4-5 hours after your mid-night feeding. I'm not holding my breath, because babies are anything but predictable, but for right now, we both sleep well!

Your dad and I were talking last night about looking into your eyes and seeing just how real you are! We love all that you bring to our lifes Finn, and look forward to all the memories we get to make with you. Like this one...

First bike repair with dad. Such sweet moments!

.mom.

There is something about becoming a mother myself that has deepened my bond with my mother even more. I think it's the fact that I more fully understand her sacrifice that she made for her family. Once you're in the trenches, as it were, there is band of brothers (or sisters) effect. We have an understanding of our roles that only other mothers can fully appreciate. So on this day of Mothers, I can truly say that I love and appreciate my mother more fully. Thanks for being the stubborn, task oriented, hard working, adventurer that you are mom. You and dad have raised a solidly loving family, and I can't thank you enough for your sacrifice!

.lonely night.

Since Finn has entered our life's, Roy and I have spent a few nights apart, including the weekend after Finn was born. I've done this before in our married life and never minded, but somehow having a little person that depends on my for everything has made these lonely nights even more miserable. Last night was one of those nights...Roy spent it with the young men on a camp-out. Thankfully, Finn slept well. I on the other hand tossed and turned whilst dreaming of all kinds of craziness. I was happy when 5 rolled around and I got to feed the little man in bed with me and snuggle with his little frame. Just having someone else in the bed with me eased my mind, and I slept like a rock until 7.
So we made it through the night and Roy will be back early today, and what a nice day it is turning out to be. I think we will take a walk down to the park, Finn and I, and get out to enjoy this sun.
In other news, Katie came over last night so that I could teach her an Irish dance for her 3rd graders. It's been such a long time since I have even thought about those steps and how to count out the rhythms. Needless to say, it took us a bit of time before we finally got something that worked, but I did it...and I realized how much I missed it. Perhaps one day I will pick it up again.

.I might just die.

Went out for our morning run this morning, and to be honest I probably could have walked faster. we lapped around the park a few times, and Finn was just a cooing away. On the last lap I checked on him and he was out like a light. He was all limp and peaceful. I didn't think this kid could get any cuter, but I was wrong. I hurried home so that I could document his cuteness, but wouldn't you know he woke up as I was getting the camera. He's still ridiculously cute!

Also on our run this morning we saw a guy flying a kite. I tried to remember the last time i flew a kite...it's been a really long time.

We also checked out the ducks in the canal. The little ones are just starting to swim around, and I think it's one of the cutest things besides my sleeping son.

Good morning run!

.left to his own devices.

My friend Hayley described watching her son Mikey playing once as spying on him. I totally felt the same way yesterday. I was cooking dinner and Finn was just having a good ol' time in his bouncy chair. I had to grab the camera and capture his sweetness. I especially love how he blows a rasberry right at the beginning. Oh how I love this kid!
Side note...we have now implemented a constant clipped in mode for the bouncy chair. It seems that Finn can now kick his way right out if he so desires.

.sucking wind.

Got an early mothers day gift yesterday....the Chariot. What is "the Chariot" you might ask. It's one of these:

It's a sweet ride that converts into about a bazillion things... no really it does. Least of which is a jogging stroller. Finn and I took our first spin in it this morning, and it was really fantastic!

I may be completely out of shape and sucking wind, but I think Finn and I will get use to our morning runs!