What do we do all week?!

We play! I clean and do laundry! When Brigham naps, Boston and I enjoy the sunshine!  We run errands, have picnics on the deck, lounge in our pj's until noon and have Cherry Berry a few times a week!  We go for walks, get wet in the sprinkler or go play at a park!  In the evening's when Derek is working we sit outside once it's cooled down.  Brigham loves to be outside at night, and that gives Boston more time to play outside!  When Derek is home on Wednesday's we spend time as a family!  I could go on and on, but to sum it up, life is great! 

I am so Blessed to have this opportunity to be home every day with the boys! 

Brigham loves looking at himself in the mirror!

 Now that Brigham is more interested in toys, Boston thinks it's fun to play with his little brother!

 Boston telling Brigham a story! 

 15 weeks already!  I had him at Urgent Care on July 4th and he weighed 13 1/2 pounds (fully clothed with a diaper).  He's a growin boy!

 Boston started swimming lessons this week!  He is the smallest kid in his class..but that's because he's with 6 and 7 year olds!  He does really well in the water!

 He is learning how to move his arms for the back stroke!

 Practicing the back stroke!

 Here's my little ham in the swing!  Don't you just love all the drool on his shirt!

Brigham is sleeping a little better again but still not through the night.  Last night was the first night we tried letting him 'cry it out'.  He ate 6 oz. before bed so I knew when I heard him crying at 1 AM that he wasn't hungry!  He had just flipped over to his back and that makes him mad!  I would let him cry 10 minutes, then I would go in and turn him back to his tummy and pat his back a few minutes, but did not pick him up.  He would stay settled for a minute but as soon as I left the room he'd roll back over and cry again for another 10 minutes.  This went on for 40 minutes and finally at 1:40 AM, after I had rolled him over to his tummy one last time, he was sound asleep.  It's 8 AM and he is STILL sleeping!  He is still really chewing on his hands, and anything and everything he can grab and bring to his mouth.  I still notice the little bumbs on his bottom gums but nothing has broke through yet.  We've got a busy weekend ahead!  Derek's brother Jeff gets married tomorrow!  We've got rehersal tonight, the wedding tomorrow afternoon, and then gift opening on Sunday.  Derek's sister Chelsea and her family will be leaving for home on Tuesday, so we'll be enjoying these last few days with them too!  Check back in a few days for a blog full of wedding pictures :)  

4th of July!

I didn't think we really had a lot going on for the Holiday weekend, but now that I sit and think about it... we were hardly home!  It was gorgeous weather so most of our time was spent outdoors! 

Sunday, we spent the afternoon at Oakwood State Park.  My mom and Lacey were camping with their families so my mom planned a family get-together.  A few of my mom's distant relatives were able to make it, so it was fun to visit with them and see my grandparents.  Brigham screamed in the car as soon as we left home, so by the time we were on the interstate I was in the backseat holding him.  I know this is NOT the wisest thing to do, but it was an hour and a half drive and after 10 minutes of the blood curdling scream I was in tears and just couldn't take it anymore.  We were driving down 41st street and I had my ears plugged and my eyes closed.. I was silently praying for it to stop.  He hates the car and i'm not sure what to do about it!  He was not his normal self all afternoon, so Derek and I and my mom took turns sitting with him in the camper.  The ride home was a little better.  The screaming didn't start until we had been on the road for 30 minutes..

Auntie Lacey & Brigham

 My Grandpa & Grandma Brendsel

 The kids had fun getting each wet with squirt guns!

 Holdyn

 

This morning we met up with the Elgersma family in Lennox and enjoyed a good ole' small town 4th of July parade!  Boston & Jada got plenty of candy, soda, ice cream treats & popsicles and even a donut!   After the parade we went to J & Renae's for lunch, and then Boston and Jada played outside in the sprinkler, pool and slip and slide!  When we got home Boston said 'Mom, Jada has way cooler toys than me'. 

The Elgersma's & The Gerdes' with the babies!

 Boston & Jada shading themselves before the parade started!

 Watching the parade!

 Gotta love Boston in the floaty!

Brigham still wasn't himself today, and hasn't been eating the best for a few days, so I decided I better take him to Urgent Care.  They ruled out ear infection and strep throat, so that's a relief.  When I mentioned to the doctor that I thought he was teething, he suggested orajel and tylenol so we made a stop at Walgreens.  I'm hoping those things will give him some relief.  I have been looking in his mouth the past few days for teeth and today it is definetely more noticeable that 2 bottom teeth are trying to come through.
 
We hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July with your friends & family!