Celebrating Clara

Brad and I like to say that Clara has a good life. Her second birthday was no exception, Clara had a birthday-palooza. We started on her actual birthday on the 11th. We practiced singing Happy Birthday for a few weeks beforehand. Clara was excited when she actually got to fill in her name in the song on her big day.

We got her a play kitchen for her birthday which she LOVES. She is so excited to cook us food and sit down at her little table and eat it together. It's fun to watch her learn to play pretend.

She ended her birthday outside running through the sprinkler in her clothes. I love the simple joys of being a little kid.

A few days later we had her party. A couple months ago when we went to another birthday party, Clara told me she wanted to have "friends" at her birthday. So, we invited some friends (and lots of family!). It was a great night of hanging out with people we don't get to see often enough and celebrating our little girl.

My mom out did herself again with the treats. Why would I ever learn to bake when she does this?

Don't worry about Luke, he got plenty of attention

Clara was a little overwhelmed when everyone sang, but asked for the song "again" as soon as it was done.

We ended the night playing outside. Many thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate. Clara is one lucky girl!

 

Luke at Four Months

Mr. Luke is four months old! He is a happy, happy baby. He seems to be a social kid who likes it best when someone is near. Clara usually takes care of that for us :) His smile is amazing. Seriously, I know I am biased, but his smile just kills me. It is hard to ever walk away from. He's starting to reach up and bat at your face when you get close and talk to him which is pretty sweet. 







Just like Clara, he also loves to lay on his playmat and shake the toys that hang down. He rolled over from his back to tummy the day he turned 4 months..and hasn't done it since. He is pretty content to just stay where we put him.



We are slightly embarrassed to admit it, but he still sleeps in his carseat and swing. Seriously - we do what we need to do to survive! Our biggest challenge is he won’t nap for very long unless someone is holding him. We TRY and remember that this stage is short, but it will be nice when we have a few hours (even 30 minutes!) on the weekends when both kids are sleeping on their own. He still likes his swaddle and his paci. We’ve started a bedtime routine of a few books before he goes to sleep at night. It is so sweet to sit and snuggle and feel him relax while we read to him.

He is usually up once or twice a night for a “snuggle” from dad and up around 4 to 5 to eat with mom. That routine is working ok for us right now, as I can feed Luke at lunch and after work - less pumping and bottles! He had the dreaded "four month sleep regression" last week, but seems to be emerging on the other side.



In the last month, Luke went on his first road trip to Des Moines for the day to help Aunt Amy pick out a wedding dress. He traveled great except for the last 45 minutes when he was DONE with his car seat. Remember what I said about liking to be held? :)



We are so blessed that Luke is able to stay with Steph and his two grandmas this summer. He gets lots of one-on-one attention and they don't mind holding him when he sleeps. We are lucky to have so many people around who love our kids.