Barton's Visit / Mommy's Birthday

First...check out this LINK. That was posted almost exactly 3 years ago. Crazy!

Jack has been using his jumper a lot lately...he LOVES it. Doesn't his serious look remind you of Layla? I can't get enough of his dimples and big brown eyes.

OK...on to the Barton's visit. Grandma and Grandpa Barton came down to help us with Layla while Jack went to his head squeezing appointment. The first appointment took a little longer than 2 hours and with 4 hours of driving time...it would have been a long and boring day for this active girl.

My birthday was a day for Mommy to get stuff done and just play around the house. Layla's hair was in need of a major brush down:

But she decided to do Grandma and Grandpa's hair instead:

After a birthday dinner at Olive Garden we headed back to our house to eat cake! Here is Layla putting the final touches on Mommy's birthday decor:

Before doing cake and gifts we decided we needed a family photo. Here are a few of the "bloopers":

I'm going to caption this one:  Jack to Layla: "Sissy, is this serious?". Layla to Jack: "Get used to it kid...that camera is everywhere!". Us through our teeth: "SMIIIILLLEE. Look at the camera. Sit still!".

And finally a good one:

Then it was time for happy birthday and cake. This has been my all time favorite birthday for two reasons: #1- Jack is here, which means our family is complete. #2- Layla actually sang happy birthday this year. And this is my all time favorite picture EVER:

 So much love and happiness right there...melts my heart. And another reason I loved this birthday- Layla picked out my presents:

Luckiest Mom in the world to get a turkey baster, butterfly spatula and a mega water gun. You KNOW you are jealous! Look how excited  she was for me to open that stuff!

What a great week! Thanks for making it special Daddy and Gma and Gpa Barton!

Sweet Potatoes Time!

Jack has been eating rice cereal at night for about a month. He's doing so well with it that we decided to start "real" food and sweet potatoes were one of the first things on the doctor's list.

I'm making my own baby food this time...funny how different things are with #2. Normally people are more relaxed, I'm more paranoid! Sweet potatoes were a piece of cake and now I'm wishing I would have just found the time to do this with L. AAAAAAnywaysss...here's how Jack felt about the sweet potatoes:

Here we go...first bite:

Hmmmmm...this is interesting. 

GAG!! What have

 I guess I could go for another bite...

I'm not sure about this. Where's my cereal? Do you have ANY idea what you are doing?

Overall he did OK with it. Not bad for a first timer! ;o) Next up...steak

Butterflies at Dow Gardens

Several weeks ago our friends invited us to Dow Gardens for a rare "warm" day in March to see the butterflies. It felt amazing to not only get out of the house, but spend some time outside. Outside + friends + a Panera lunch = Layla in heaven. I am SO thankful for my friend, Neely...she's been a great help since Jack has been born and makes sure we having something to do weekly, even if it is just to play at each others house. :) Here are some pictures from the butterflies:

Checking out the butterfly nursery:

Maddie was the first to "catch" one. Hayden looks thrilled. LOL

Jack snoozed most of the time, I'm sure he'll get in on the action next year!

I was SO proud of Layla for wanting to hold one. She really enjoyed it! 

The girls being butterflies. ;o) 

Jack's Head Appointment

I'm writing it all down quickly so I don't forget (and have to explain it 100 times to everyone on the phone). ;o)

We went to Lansing today to get Jack's head squeezed. He was a TOTAL. ROCKSTAR. in the car...only cried for the last 10 minutes or so of the trip. Whew! We got to the doctor's office right on time, walked in and secretly started cracking up.

It was kind of like a spa/doctor's office/chiropractor's office. There was some kind of aromatherapy going on (it smelled heavenly) and it was very chill. The receptionist was so nice and seemed excited to see us even though I've canceled and rescheduled this appointment 10,000 times.

We were sent back to our room and Bryan and I started busting out laughing. There were some weird things going on...more aromatherapy, a massage table instead of the exam table I was picturing, a sink with bath toys and some kind of hieroglyphics on the walls. Bryan's exact words: "If this guy draws a triangle with a star on my son's head we are OUT. OF. HERE.". LOL!

The doctor walked in and was very nice. Answered all of our questions (Will this hurt? How many times do we have to do this? Yada Yada...) and got started.

I honestly think this is some kind of voodoo. He started by pointing out a "flat" spot in Jack's spine and a spot at the base of his skull that is lopsided and causing his head to grow funny. He explained that helmets work for some kids but for Jack, wouldn't fix the main problem (spine/neck) and would only make a cosmetic change.

He did a quick exam noting not only this spine/neck but also the obvious flat spot. He also pointed out to us that his ears are not centered (one is farther towards his face than the other) and that his head is pointier than it should be. Things that aren't obvious unless you knew what to look for, but we totally saw it once he started pointing it out. He also felt the roof of Jack's mouth...this is where it gets interesting folks-

He said that the roof is flat instead of raised. Something that Jack could grow out of but the molding and reshaping of his skull will surely fix. This could be the reason #1- Jack doesn't take a bottle. #2- Jack doesn't take a pacifier. #3- He wants to nurse ALL THE TIME (every 2 hours still during the day). Nursing helps relieve some of the pressure he's feeling from his head AND works better with his mouth.

I thought were we just going in for a little head squeezing but I came out feeling better about the fact that I'm not doing something wrong when it comes to this bottle thing. Ahhhhh...$380 worth of relief for both Mommy and baby. ;o) I know I should probably just enjoy nursing but let's face it, I'm tired.

After some vibrating, molding and massaging...we were done! The doctor confidently said we should see a change in a few weeks. Whaaaaaat?! We shall see. He also gave us a few things to do at home- lots of tummy time of course but also a relaxing technique to help take some of the pressure off his neck.

I was pretty pumped after leaving. I think this is really going to work for Jack and maybe even "fix" a few things (bottle!!!) that we haven't been able to work out. We will go back at the end of May for a quicker session and to check his progress. We hope to only have to go 2-3 more times...but it all depends on how Jack's head decides to grow. ;o)

Happy 5 Months Baby Jack!

Jack is 5 months old today! Here's what happened with Jack last month:

Jack was baptized:

We celebrated Easter:

And this is the only nap Jack took last month:

Ok so he took more naps that that...but our baby boy does NOT like to sleep during the day. We THINK we found the trick- no more swaddling and letting him sleep on his side or tummy. He's slept better the last few nights (last night we got 9 hours!!!) and does OK now during the day (3 or 4 30-40 minute naps). Let's hope he continues to figure out a better sleep schedule during the day...but he's a total rockstar at night. Bedtime is sloooowly being moved up- now he's going to bed around 9:30 and waking up between 5 and 7am to eat. Sometimes he'll even go back to sleep! 

Jack is SUUUCH a big boy. Mommy's arms and back hurt and I think I might need a wheelchair by the time he turns one. He is probably about 18.5 lbs right now...maybe more. He's still in 6-9 month clothes but will need to be moved to 12 months soon. I refuse to move him up before summer, I'm not buying this boy 12 month winter clothes! He has been officially moved to Layla's old carseat since he is too big for the carrier. This is tough because no more falling asleep in the car and easily transferring him to the stroller easily. He isn't sitting up so we still have to take the carrier everywhere. Plus it is still freezing outside so the cold makes this even harder. I don't mean to rush but I can't wait until he can sit up. Mommy's life will be a lot easier!

Jack has been pretty good at eating his rice cereal and oatmeal. He still doesn't care for it in the mornings but he does great at night. We are moving on to "real" foods soon...wish us luck! He still isn't taking a bottle and is eating more milk than ever. I'm still able to store some and plan on looking for a donor for "Jack's milk" soon.

Jack's favorite things are jumping in the jumperoo, Mommy's milk, watching Layla and playing on his belly. He also loves to be naked and LOVES our dance parties (he kicks his feet to the music and likes to dance with Mommy). Bathtime is his favorite time of day:

His eyes are still a funny bluish/brownish color. I have a feeling they will be brown but that blue is still trying to hold on. 

Layla loves to give Jack a bath! I can't get enough of the way he looks at her. They really adore each other even if Jack drools on her sometimes. Layla says her job is to brush his hair everyday. She also makes sure to bring us burp rags or his favorite toys when he's fussy. It is the SWEETEST thing to see them together.

Can't wait to see how much he grows next month!

Our MI Easter

We had a GREAT Easter yesterday. It was a little strange not having family around but we did get to spend the morning at church and then the afternoon with our good friends, the Elliott's. :)

First up- the Easter bunny came! Layla was SO excited to see her basket and eggs outside her door when she woke up.

Jack thought the Easter bunny did pretty good too. :)

Did you know the Easter bunny shops at Von Maur?! Layla always gets excited when she sees those little gold "ABCs" on a package. 

Jack's first Illini hat. 

We were 15 minutes late to church because someone had a breakdown. But after a great service we were off to our friend's house for some more Easter fun. Here is Layla with her BFF Maddie and Hayden (she let Hayden touch her for about 10 seconds! LOL). 

Hunting eggs outside. It was a GREAT day!

Trying to get a pic of the girls with their eggs. Layla screams "I have to poooottyyyyy". 

Jack hunted eggs in his dreams. 

The girls opening their eggs. 

Stickers! 

After a great brunch and egg hunt we headed home to lounge for the rest of the day. Layla looooooves her baby brother and Jack looooooves his big sister. 

Here comes Peter cotton tail...

LOL

Sir Drools A-LOT

My sweet babies. What a GREAT Easter!