Aaden's Creation

To sum up Aaden in a few words, he's creative, imaginative and very literal. He's got a scientific mind like his dad. We know he will likely be some sort of engineer. He prefers watching documentaries on cars, the world, space and machines to children's programming. One of his recent favorites is an old Discovery Channel show called Build it Bigger. There are a few episodes on Netflix right now and he watches them frequently. His favorite being the one about the Malaysia SMART tunnel that was built to channel flood waters away from the city of Kuala Lumpur and carry cars. The episode is all about the drilling (use of the tunnel boring machine) and constructing of the tunnel 10-12 years ago. Check out a quick video to see what's up:
http://www.dannyforster.com/tv/build-it-bigger/malaysia-smart-tunnel#

He's mesmerized and took it to a whole new level yesterday, constructing the TBM and tunnel out of Lego.

I had to document & video this as Lego modifications happen rapidly around here:

 Tunnel complete with dinosaur bones and varying rock formations to be blasted out

 Roadway & city above the tunnel

 The back-end of the machine 

 The other side

 The boring machine pushing through the rock face (the rocks hinge open and closed)

 Inside the machine, miners have dynamite, conveyor belt to get rocks out, steering wheel & coffee!

Updates February 2014

What we've been up to lately:

Legos:
Aaden and Owen are quite the Lego builders. Aaden got a few Lego books for Christmas and has been inspired to create all out Lego scenes. They typically include planes, trucks, cars, houses, police stations, robbers "dens", boat landings and landscapes. He's got quite the imagination. Owen's Legos are typically inspired by Aaden's and at nearly two and a half, it is shocking how quickly and accurately he can recreate a plane, car or boat mimicking his older brother's creation. Here is a small collaborative example:

Brother time:
The older brothers have definitely become good friends since Jackson's birth. It is sweet to see them play for hours, talking and discussing their latest creations. Aaden got bunk beds a few months back and while Owen is still in his own room, he can often be found cuddled up on the bottom bunk with his brother. They also like snuggling for a show now and then when mom needs to get ready:

Jackson will be 8 months in a few days and has become quite the personality. He continues to be the easiest kid on the block. Sleeping 12-14 hours, taking 1-2 long naps depending upon our school schedule. Goes with the flow on most things. And since Christmas has cut six teeth!!! He absolutely loves solid food and started at six months feeding himself nibbles. He hasn't met a food he doesn't like! He's mobile rolling and working on pushing himself up and sitting unassisted. He's my cuddle bug and is so content to play and watch his brothers. He's really the perfect addition to our family and his big brothers adore him. 

Kristofer has been very busy at Dynon, working long, late nights. He's excited about a few projects coming down the pike and is enjoying managing a team of six. He's also looking forward to better weather so he can start putting his touches on our new yard.

As for me...always a lot going on...I love it all but am definitely more exhausted! I've also let a lot of things go, namely this blog. So who knows if another update will be here in a few days, weeks or months. I've decided to just do what I can and let the rest go. Loving on my boys every day is my number one priority and I'm blessed to be at home with them every day.

Christmas 2013

The woefully neglected blog...

Finally downloaded a few snapshots from Christmas with both of our families this year. We hosted both celebrations in our new home. It was nice to have everyone together here and have enough space to spare & celebrate!

About our boy ~ Updates

As of week 2.5 he was weighing nearly 8lbs and was already up to 20.33". He loves to sleep on his Mama and nurses routinely every 1.5-2 hours. Mama isn't getting much sleep, but is thankful we have a healthy, growing baby on our hands! He's already upping his awake times during the day and seems to be the quiet, inquisitive brother...similar to older brother Aaden. He's currently got deep, dark eyes and soft, sandy-brown hair. I'm enjoying that he's staying newborn sized for longer than a day or two.

...and people have asked about my recovery: it has been fantastic {a fabulous perk of natural/home-birthing}. I was thankful for the extra help from grandparents for the first week and a half. I have been on my own now for two weeks and while I'm not getting enough sleep, I feel great otherwise. So nice to have my body back and be able to take care of my household.

Love our caboose boy!

First bath at day 12

First nap in his own bed

Check-in/Check-up

One of the wonderful perks of midwifery care is that they still do home visits. A post-labor/delivery follow up always happens within 48 hours. Saturday, one of our lovely midwives came over the weigh Jackson, check on both of our vitals and take blood for routine testing. It is so nice not to have to leave our home and get the care we need!

We both passed with flying colors and were able to schedule our one week post-partum.

The {birth}day party

Friday, June 21st was our celebration day. As we did when Owen was born at home, we had a family birthday party. Cake & gifts for all the boys. Grandparents and some of the aunts/uncles & cousin came to meet our special boy.

Already loving his cousin Chandelle! :)