So Spoiled

There are so many things we LOVE about Oregon (the weather and not having to pump my own gas to name a few). But one of our favorite things in the summer is all the fresh produce. While living in Corvallis for our internship we discovered the farmer's market and blueberry picking. Since moving here we've discovered even more. We've already gone berry picking several times and we found a farm where they deliver us a big bag of fresh produce every week. The farm delivers the bags to Todd's work every Tuesday. It is so much fun to see what is growing on the farm every week. It is such a fun way to get fresh produce and try new things. So far our favorite new things are rhubarb and fresh chives. We've had so much fun trying out new recipes and enjoying all of the fresh produce Oregon has to offer.

Shots

Last Friday we had shots for James at his 4 month check up. Poor little thing, he had a little bit of a cold and the shots didn't make him any happier. He waited until both pokes were done and then he let the nurse know how mad he was. On the plus side we got lots of cuddle time in. He is such a sweet little guy. I can't believe he is 4-months old already, the time is just flying by. At this appointment he was still in the 75th percentile for height, but he's dropped to the 50th percentile for weight. His head was still in the 30th percentile. The doctor told me that he had a beautifully shaped head, Todd said that is how you compliment bald babies. Regardless I think he's cute.


James has been such a joy to have in the family, even if he's tired or cranky he is always ready to show you he loves you with a big smile. One of his favorite things to do is spit and make funny noises (pictured above). In the car, I can always here him in the back just spitting away.


He's always learned how to give kisses. I was trying to get a picture of the two of them, but James just kept turning and giving Hailee "kisses." We need to work on him closing his mouth, but it's just too cute.


We are just so happy to have this little guy in our family. He's made our family even that much better.

Happiness

So I'll admit I was more than a little nervous about Hailee's reaction to having a new baby brother after being alone for so long. Things couldn't be better if I had planned them myself. She absolutely adores her baby brother and is so helpful. She never complains about getting a diaper or helping me with James. (Just don't ask her to clean up her doll house, she likes it "messy".) She loves to play with him and he loves to give her smiles in return. She is always the first to the crib if she hears him wake up and is always ready to talk or sing to him if he's a little sad. I went into their room yesterday to find this little scene, Hailee had climbed into bed with him and they were having the best time. Every day they become better and better friends, I'm sure that as soon as James can get around they will be getting into all kids of trouble together. They are the cutest little pair.

Daddy's boy

James has always loved his dad. From the beginning he would always look to find him when he heard his voice when he got home from work. I think he's glad to have another boy around when he gets home. Sunday after he got home from his church meetings I was sitting on our bed with James and Hailee. Todd sat down at the computer chair by our bed and James started reaching out to him. Once Todd picked him up he was so happy. That is the first time he's actually reached for one of us. He is getting so big. This time around it's seemed to go by faster than when Hailee was a baby. Maybe it's because he is growing faster than Hailee. He's already gown into his 6-9 months onsies and he's not even 4 months quite yet.

Why is it....

For the past month or so James has been putting absolutely everything in his mouth. If it's in his reach you can bet it's going to be in his mouth. I have been worried that he was going to get sick since he has be chewing on everything. I've also had help from Hailee handing him things that probably shouldn't be in his mouth. Not that I can really blame her, it's quite cute to watch the look of concentration on his face as he gets something in his hands and puts it in his mouth. So now I'm just wondering why I am the one that got sick and he appears to be just fine. Maybe I should start chewing on things to build up my immune system.

We've also discovered that he does not like to be hot at all and has very little tolerance for any heat. It has been hot here, well over 90 degrees and with no air conditioning it's been kind of miserable. The evenings cool down, but the afternoons are HOT. He spends a lot of time in just a diaper and a fan right on him. We're surviving so far because usually every few days it will cool down and we'll get a break. This week looks like it's going to be hot all week. We might need to get a few more fans.

Who Knew?

I would love to spend a day inside of Hailee's head. She is constantly thinking and saying the funniest things. My favorite time is when we are driving around and I can tell she is thinking about something. Then after some time of thinking she'll ask the most random questions or have the funniest little comment. There really is no limit to what she thinks about, it's everything from the tooth fairy to the sleeping habits of bears.

The other day when Kristy was in town she was showing us her new toy, her iPhone. She was showing us some pictures and one of them was a guy she had gone on a couple of dates with. Hailee in a nonchalant voice said "He looks just like a regular guy to me, not a soccer player or anything." We all just about died laughing. Who knew that she though soccer players were the standard to which boys should be judged.


A little while after that we were watching the Gold Cup (another soccer tournament), Todd and I were talking about different players. I commented that I really liked the way Charlie Davies plays. Hailee quickly commented "Yeah he is really cute too mom." Now who can really blame her, soccer players are really easy on the eyes. I thought the same thing and that is why I married one, I wonder if she'll do the same.

Baby Blessing

So the real reason behind all the fun this weekend was blessing James. It was great having both sides of our family here for his special day. Todd gave him a beautiful blessing and James was perfect throughout the whole blessing. I tried to have him sleeping like Hailee did through hers, but even wide awake he just sat there quietly. Hailee wanted to know why he was getting a name when he already had a name. I think she was thinking that he was going to get a new one. Once we had all that straightened out she was excited. Since James was over three months old I was a little worried that he would be hard to hold and that his clothes wouldn't fit him. Luckily he still fit into his clothes, but just barely. Todd said that Hailee was easy to hold and James took some careful holding, he was a lot more of a handful.

Grandma and Grandpa Mortensen

Grandpa and Grandma Cunningham

Aunt Kristy

Aunt Kristen and Emily (along with Grandpa and Grandma)