Bedtime (Bath Night) Routine

Since Ryder started taking baths in February 2010 (he took showers with one of us before that time), he has had the same bedtime routine on bath nights (on non-bath nights it's the same, just without the bath!).  Now that there are two brothers in the mix, the routine has changed slightly.

We first start with Ryder in the bath (pardon the yellow pictures - that's what happens when you don't use a flash in a very orange bathroom!).

One brother is added at a time, with Ryder in the bath. 

(Jarrett)

(Harvick)

While the second one is getting a bath, the first one gets dressed.  While the second one gets dressed, the first one hangs out in one of the cribs.  By the time the second baby and Ryder are dressed, both babies are in the crib, and recently Ryder asks to join them for a few minutes before he brushes his teeth and goes to bed!

Ryder trying to show his brothers that the mobile has a moving picture.
(Jarrett on the top, Harvick on the bottom)

Pointing out the turtle as it passes.

Bath nights take quite a bit longer than they used to - but, all 3 boys love the bath!  And, I love the way they all smell after bath night!

Brothers . August 2011

For the past 3 months, there has been a "special" occassion for the "Brothers" picture - May they had matching outfits (twice in fact), June was their Dedication outfits, and July was coordinating Independence day outfits.  The first week of August the boys ended up all being dressed in orange - I had picked out Harvick and Jarrett's outfits, and Patrick had helped get Ryder dressed.  When we noticed their coordination, I took the opportunity to take their picture, just in case nothing else came up this month!

Brothers . August 2011
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

(July 2011)
(June 2011)
(May 2011)

Harvick & Jarrett . 16 Weeks

16 weeks old
15 pounds, 6 ounces (Harvick)
And, drumroll, please . . . .
15 pounds, 13 ounces (Jarrett) - for the first time ever, Jarrett outweighs Harvick.

(Compare to Ryder at 16 Weeks)

Harvick and Jarrett are more talkative by the day!  They both have very good dispositions, and are easy to make smile and laugh!  Both boys have become ticklish as well.

They continue to enjoy being together for the most part.  They are spending more time on their tummies, but don't love it near as much as Ryder did.  They also enjoy spending time sitting up, so the Bumbo gets used frequently!

I think this post has more pictures than any other week, so far.  I can't help it - they are just so cute!

Jarrett is a little nervous about Ryder giving him a kiss on his head!

Their hands are in their mouth.  CONSTANTLY.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Cute boys!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Harvick helping me fold some laundry (a co-worker of mine very graciously gave us A LOT of hand-me-downs from her grandson!).

Tummy time!  It's not the greatest picture of Jarrett, but Harvick's smile is too cute.
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

I think this is my favorite picture that I have taken of all 3 boys!  It doesn't matter what I do - if Ryder is around, Harvick and Jarrett turn their attention to him.  And, of course, Ryder wants nothing to do with my camera most of the time, but when it involves taking pictures of his brothers, he wants in on the action!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Hanging out with Dad.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick in the middle, Patrick on the right)

"Mommy + Daddy Love Me" matching shirts!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Ryder is showing Harvick and Jarrett that there is a "ball" inside of their toy - they were captivated with Ryder!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

The boys, as usual, are growing up too quickly.  I can't believe I typed "16 weeks" already!

Mmmm . . . Peaches!

One really great thing we did with Ryder was introduce him to fruit and veggies early on.  We used a "teething feeder" (similar to this one) to give him very small amounts of a fruit or veggie that we were eating for dinner.  By introducing him early, he was able to get a taste for each of the foods, and also we could make sure that he didn't have any allergic reactions before he started really eating solid foods at 6 months.  By the time he was ready for solids, he was able to have just about everything . . . no waiting between everything for 3 days, since we had already done that!

Earlier this week we pulled out the teething feeders, and gave Harvick and Jarrett some very soft peaches.  They absolutely LOVED it!!!

(Jarrett)

(Harvick)

And, of course, Ryder wanted to join in on eating peaches too!

We gave them more peaches tonight, and it was as big of a hit as it was previously.  Too bad Brigham City doesn't have a peach eating contest for babies at Peach Days - all three of our boys would win for sure!

Ryder . First Day of School . 2011/2012

Today was Ryder's first day of school . . . well, preschool, actually (and, only for a "1/2 day").  I'm not sure that he totally understood this morning when we told him he would be going to school instead of to his babysitter's house, but once we got there, he was super excited!  We hung up his backpack on his very own hook, put his slippers away (the school works to have "soft feet", so the children are required to wear soft-soled shoes), and headed outside to meet up with his class.  The toddler class starts outside, just because they are all already dressed for the outside weather, and they don't have to spend extra time changing in and out of shoes/jackets/hats/gloves/etc.

The teacher was surprised at Ryder's eagerness to join the rest of his class, rather than hang around me a little longer - however, that came as no surprise to me.  Ryder loves to play, especially with other children - he rarely has separation anxiety with Patrick or me.
Of course, I took a picture of him this morning - wearing the shirt he picked out for the day, and his new backpack.


First Day of School . Ryder . 2011/2012
08.23.2012

When I picked him up, the teacher said that he had played excellent with the other children, but that he was not a fan of "Circle Time".  He threw a quick tantrum, but got over it quickly, and was willing to sit down if he could sit with one of the teachers.
It will be interesting to see our little boy as he transitions into this new phase.  We are happy that he will have an opportunity to spend time around peers (2 days/week), and also be able to spend time with his beloved babysitter during the week!

Yep, they are brothers!

I'd make you guess which boy is which, but the wall color gives it away!  But, really, there is no mistake - these boys are brothers!



Ryder . 12 Weeks

Harvick . 15 Weeks

Jarrett . 15 Weeks



Harvick & Jarrett . 15 Weeks

15 weeks old
15 pounds, 6 ounces (Harvick)
15 pounds (Jarrett)

(Compare to Ryder at 15 Weeks)

These boys refuse to keep their hands out of their mouths . . . much like their older brother refused at the same age!  They are both starting to grab their pacifiers and bring it to their mouths on their own - although, Jarrett does it much more often.

Both Harvick and Jarrett enjoy spending time sitting up, and on their tummy - they both have such strong necks!

"Prince Charming"
(Jarrett)

"I WAS BORN AWESOME"
(Harvick)

Such cute boys!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

They like to be able to reach each other when they are laying together.
(Jarrett on the top, Harvick on the bottom)

Harvick continues to keep his fists clenched, even when in a good mood.

Jarrett enjoying the swing!

See . . . hands in their mouths . . . constantly!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

This was my first full-time week back to work.  And, it went okay.  I'm enjoying my last three weeks of having Fridays off . . . come September 9th I'll be working, sadly.

Next week, again, brings changes for our family as Ryder starts Preschool on Tuesday . . .

Roy Days 2011

Since Patrick and I moved to our home in Roy in June 2005, we have attended the Roy Days Fireworks at the Park.  Fortunately for us, it was a short walk from our home, which was always nice - no fighting with traffic to get home!

Even after Ryder was born, we took him, at just 2 weeks old to the firework display.  Last year we braved it again with a just-turned-one-year-old.  This year . . . we decided we couldn't break tradition - we took all three boys out for the evening!

Thankfully, you don't have to get to the Park early to get a good spot, but it is good to get there before it is dark!  We took a few toys along for Ryder, hoping it would help entertain him.  Patrick played frisbee with him - even though he primarily would just throw it straight up in the air, Ryder loved it!  All of the boys were in their jammies, ready to get to bed as soon as we got home.

Throwing the frisbee!

It's hard to be photogenic when it is dark outside, and a big camera makes a very bright flash.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Ryder will not often take a picture with Patrick or I - he is usually too busy playing!  It's not a great shot, but I'll take it!

Ryder LOVED the fireworks this time.  We laid down together, and he would point to the big ones as they lit up the sky.

Every year we take a self-portrait family picture (even when it was just Patrick and me!).  This year proved to be the most difficult yet.  And, again, the whole self-portrait thing is not Ryder's favorite.  Oh well - at least all five of us are in the shot . . .even if part of Patrick's head is cut off, and Ryder looks like a bit of a grump!



Roy Days . 2011

And, a bit of a look back . . . pictures prior to 2009 are now off of the computer, so I just have easy access to the last two years . . .


Roy Days . 2010

 

Roy Days . 2009





Harvick & Jarrett . 14 Weeks

14 weeks old
14 pounds, 10 ounces (Harvick)
13 pounds, 10 ounces (Jarrett)

(Compare to Ryder at 14 Weeks)

Harvick and Jarrett are growing like weeds!  They have transitioned into their 6-9 month clothing, with the exception of pants - they can still fit in some 0-3 and 3-6 month.

Both boys have mastered using their hands/fingers as a pacifier.  Both have done it occassionally before, but in the past week, it is constant - their hands are always in their mouths.

This week all of the pictures are of them together.  I try to get individual and together shots, but this week my favorites all happen to be together ones!

Tummy time!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Harvick's shirt is true for both of them - "Here comes TROUBLE".
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

More tummy time.
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Happy boys!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

The expressions on the boys' faces crack me up!
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

When I link to the post of Ryder at the same age, I typically take a glance through the post.  At the bottom, I commented that it was my last part-time week (which, is true again now), and that I was okay with returning to full-time.  And, while I am returning to full-time, I would really love to go back part-time permanently.  But, when you work for the State, in order to get benefits (at least in my Department), you either work full-time, or no-time.  But, the part that saddens me most is that I only get to go back to a 4 day work week for 3 weeks . . . starting in September I will be working on Fridays, since the Legislature is forcing us to go back.  I'm definitely sad about the change, but am trying to see the positive - it will be nice to get home earlier each day, and have more time in the evening as a family . . . but, I will still miss my Fridays off!

Fraternal or Identical?

Among the many (MANY) odd things random people will ask us about Harvick and Jarrett, is the question if they are Fraternal or Identical twins.  And, although they do look rather different, they are similar in many ways.  The other night I snapped this picture before getting changed into their jammies.  They had their pacifiers, and weren't willing to part with them, so I have grayed out the strings, as to not make it bias since they have their own colors.

What do you think, which one is which?!

Tell me what you think in the comments!

Harvick & Jarrett . 3 Month Pictures

For Harvick and Jarrett's 3 month pictures we took them back to Simply Art Photography.  You may remember that Dani (the Photograhper) had offered to take a handful of free photos of them back in June.

This time, we took the whole family!  Ryder had the shortest attention span of all time, and was barely able to cooperate for a family picture.  And, unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any shots of just the 3 boys this time around.

In the end; however, Dani was able to get some great shots of Harvick and Jarrett both alone and together!  A few pictures have been posted to her blog:

3 Month Pictures - Simply Art Photography

Harvick . Leg Update (Part 2)

(Part 1)

This morning Harvick had his second follow-up appointment with the Pediatric Orthopedic Doctor at PCMC.  Two x-rays were taken by the technicians for the doctor to evaluate.

And - GREAT NEWS - the bone is healing "better than average".  He stated that the bone looks "terrific", and has shown great progress in healing.  In fact, it has healed so well that instead of having us come back in 6 months, he instructed us to schedule an appointment in 9 months.  The doctor is confident that there will be no issues!

One very interesting thing we were able to see today is the amount of growth Harvick has had in the past 6 weeks.  Apparently, when your body has trauma, such as a broken bone, your body stops growing momentarily to focus all it's energy on healing.  The calcium continues to be deposited, causing there to be a thin white line at the end of the bone - once your body continues growing, the line remains in place.  It was interesting to see how much growth has occurred between 6 weeks ago and now - just in the one bone (it happens to every bone in your body, but only his leg was x-rayed).

The next "leg update" will not be until May 2012!  Once again we appreciate all the well wishes and prayers for Harvick!

Harvick & Jarrett . 13 Weeks

13 weeks old (3 months)
14 pounds, 3 ounces (Harvick)
13 pounds, 10 ounces (Jarrett)

(Compare to Ryder at 13 Weeks)

This post is loaded with pictures - Harvick and Jarrett are such smiley boys, it's hard to resist taking pictures often (really, though, I should resist more often . . . we are running into computer storage space issues (again)).

Harvick and Jarrett have both adjusted well going to their childcare provider's home.  They continue to do well with their schedule, but are at a stand still with their nighttime sleeping.  Harvick and Jarrett have officially moved into their room (they slept on one of the crib mattresses, laid on the floor, in our room) - and, are sleeping in their own cribs.  They still require swaddling at night (we have had to buy the larger "Swaddle Me" blankets), but are starting to nap without being swaddled.

They both are at their happiest immediately following a feeding, or when laying outside on a blanket.  Which, is funny to us since Ryder was always incredibly sleepy following a feeding, and enjoyed the outside, but preferred to be held.

Wrapped up in their Swaddle Me blankets following a nap.
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Tummy time!
(Jarrett)

(Harvick)

Wearing coordinating outfits.
(Harvick on the left, Jarrett on the right)

Relaxing together.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Hanging out at the Farmers Market.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Harvick enjoying sitting in his Bumbo.

Sitting together.
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Jarrett loves to be sitting up, and talked most of the time he was in his Bumbo!

Super cute babies!
(Jarrett on the left, Harvick on the right)

Harvick's leg follow-up is next week - he continues to show no indication of any issues, and we are hoping the x-ray will reveal no problems as well!