Hunting?

I'm not a huge fan of hunting, but living in Texas it's everywhere. I've explained to Jud that he already has two hobbies that take a lot of money and time away from the family (golf and cycling) and that adding another (hunting) to the mix just isn't going to happen. However, I am ok with him going on one or two trips a year. He was invited down to the King Ranch by a bank they do business with and Jud, Jimmy and Key all went on the two night boondoggle. They hunted quite a bit of dove and I'm looking forward to some bacon-wrapped dove in the future.

Jud shot a wild hog that was roughly 200 pounds. So stinkin' ugly.

Jimmy and Key each shot a Nilgai which is in the antelope family, but is also compared to a cow. They are apparently really fast.

Growing...

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in so long. We've had lots going on. I'm going to try to update what's been going on over the last month soon, I promise.

Anyway, on Sept 17 we took both boys to the Doctor for check-ups (Miller - 3 years and Miles - 2 months). Jud came with me as I didn't want Miller to see Miles getting his shots. Once Miller was done Jud took him to school.

Miller weighed 39.5 pounds (>95%) and was 3 feet 4.5 inches tall (>95%). He didn't need any shots except a flu shot. He didn't even know he was going to get a shot and didn't see it coming so he didn't even cry. He's such a big boy!

Miles was just shy of 14 pounds (94%) and was 25.5 inches tall (>95%). He's a big boy. Everyone keeps asking me so let's compare. At 2 months, Miller was 12 pounds 7 ounces and 24.75 inches long. Yep, Miles has Miller beat. Miles got three shots. He whimpered with the first, cried with the second and screamed with the third. Luckily he was easy to settle down and didn't really have any bad reactions during the next few days.

Bath Time

Miles is still too little to take a bath with Miller, but we did do baths at the same time the other night. Look - they are both frogs!

Miles - Eight Weeks

Miles was eight weeks old on Sept 6. He's already not a tiny infant anymore. He goes to the doctor this week so I'll be sure to update his stats when we get them. He will get his shots too. :(

Miles has such good neck control, I thought we'd try out the bumbo. He can sit in it just fine for about a minute or two and then starts to fuss. I think he gets tired.

Miller is such a good big brother! He is super sweet with him...

...most of the time.

My sweet baby boy. He smiles the most when he is full with a clean diaper - makes sense.

I can't wait to see how long he is.

So sweet!

Labor Day Weekend

We headed to the lake with the Argue family for Labor Day weekend. I t was so nice to get away, even if Miles and I didn't spend a whole lot of time outside. It is still really hot here, but we did have one pretty nice night and we ate dinner outside.

Jud took Miller kayaking and he was so excited to finally ride on the yellow boat that sits in the garage.

Miles sporting his first ball cap.

Daddy and Miles got in the baby pool out on the patio with Miller. It didn't last long as Miles thought the water was too cold.

Miller rode on the blue rocket all by himself.

Miller's First Day of Preschool

Miller's first day of actual preschool was on Wednesday. He's going to the same school (at our church) where he went to Mother's Day Out the last two years. He goes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. His teacher is Ms. Debbie and she came for a home visit and then we went to see his classroom before school even started. Needless to say, when I dropped him off on the first day he didn't even bat an eye. Just gave me a hug and kiss and said "Bye Mommy. You come pick me up."

He actually posed for the camera this time.

He got a big boy haircut for school. Mommy misses his long hair and thinks it's too short.

Of course he had to hold Miles that morning before we left.

Happy 3rd Birthday Miller!

I can't believe Miller is 3 years old. How can that be? We had so much fun celebrating his birthday this past weekend. We kicked it off with a birthday party for him at Pump It Up. This was a perfect place for his party. He had so much fun!

The birthday boy waiting to go into his party giving the camera his typical "Maybe?" look with the shrugged shoulders.

Sliding down the big inflatable slide with his friend Will attached.

Jud sliding down the slide holding Miller and one of his buddy's from school, Holden.

All the kiddos lined up and ready to go into the party room.

All the kids sitting in the party room enjoying a snack before the cupcakes.

Every year we take a birthday pic like this. This is the best one we got. Too bad Miller isn't looking at the camera. Lately he doesn't want his picture taken.

Miller and Aunt Evan share a birthday and she was super nice to get up and spend her birthday morning at Miller's party. What a great pic of the birthday boy and girl! Happy 25th Evan!

When we got home from the party, Miller was super excited to open some of his presents.

We decided to continue the celebration with the family on Sunday. We headed over to Noni & JoJo's for dinner and this is what we found in the driveway...

Miller got his very own red convertible just like JoJo's. He was so excited and it only took him a minute to learn how to drive it (we do still have to make sure he doesn't run into anything). Can you say spoiled? The bummer is, that it has basically rained every days this week so we haven't been able to drive it that much.

He also got a really cool Lightning McQueen scooter from Evan and Blake and a new bike helmet to match from us.

So, if you asked Miller anytime in the last six months what he got when he turned three, he would tell you, "gum or gum balls." We told him he could chew gum when he turned three. Well, we delivered. Jud's parents brought down Jud's old gum ball machine and we filled it up, wrapped it and gave it to him. He was so excited. I think he actually enjoys putting the penny in and getting the gum ball out more than chewing the gum itself.

Miles - Six Weeks

I can't believe he's six weeks old. We are doing well. He is still a super great baby, but he is fussy in the evenings and needs full attention at times. He is still sleeping one 5 1/2-7 hour stretch and then eats every 3-3 1/2 hours during the rest of the day. We are working on getting on more of a schedule. Eat, Play, Sleep is what we are living by right now.

He smiled last week (5 1/2 weeks) for the first time and every time he does it just melts my heart. I worked hard to capture it on camera yesterday and he performed a little.

We got a new tummy time mat (thanks Erica) and tried it out yesterday. He's not quite ready for all the fun things on it, but looked at himself in the mirror for a while. Miller laid down next to him and held his hand for the longest. Not sure why I didn't get a picture of that.

Grandpa Max & GraMary's Visit

Jud's parents came to visit and meet Miles. They were both here for a week and then GraMary stayed for another week. We packed a lot into those two weeks.

The gang having a dual celebration for Miller and Max's birthdays. Miller's birthday is the 28th and Max's is the 27th.

Grandparents and grandsons.

Miller opening his birthday gifts.

GraMary and Grandpa gave Miller his very own suitcase. Look how excited he is. He pulled that thing around for the next week.

Mary made an angel food cake for Miller. His birthday is going to be so much fun this year!

Miller got some big brother gifts from Aunt Kara, Uncle Chad, Bekah and Max. A Lightning McQueen Umbrella and rain coat. He was so excited. Thanks guys!

It rained a few days later so we let Miller run around the backyard in his new gear.

We went to the zoo one morning. Miles and I only went for about a half hour because it was so hot. We got there when it opened at 9 am and look how much Miller was sweating.

Miller riding the train with Grandpa and GraMary.

Blowing bubbles with GraMary.

Miles just chilling.

Miller swimming at Royal Oaks with Grandpa Max.

GraMary and Miller walked up to the mall one morning to ride the train and carousel.

GraMary and I took Miller to Nickelodeon Storytime Live. He loves Dora and had so much fun!

Miller eating ice cream with daddy at Jason's Deli.

Miles all dressed with no place to go.

Max & Mary - we had so much fun and are so glad you came. Thanks for everything and for all your help!

Miles - Four Weeks

I can't believe he's four weeks old already. He's doing so well. He is such a good baby (knock on wood). He doesn't really cry, just grunts or whines when he's hungry or needs his diaper changed. During the day he eats about every 3-3.5 hours (most of the time we have to wake him up). Then at night he usually has one long stretch where he goes 6-8 hours between feedings. He can focus really well and is starting to follow things with his eyes. We are anxiously waiting for the smiles to start.

Miles rolled over (front to back) for the first time at exactly four weeks. This was the first time we actually did real tummy time so he may have been able to roll over earlier (Miller rolled over from front to back at three weeks). We didn't catch the first time on camera, but we got the second time on video and this is the third time.