Happy Mother's Day

Since today is my very first Mother's Day I thought I would do a post pictures of some of the mothers in my life.  I am very blessed to have an amazing mother who I appreciate more and more each day, especially now that I am a mother myself!  I'm also very lucky to have such a great older sister who I can go to for help and advice with all of my "new mom" questions.  Thank you both for everything you do for me!  I don't know what I'd do without you ladies!

Grandma and Grandpa Robinson on their wedding day and then on my Mom and Dad's wedding day

Grandma and Grandpa Knibb on their wedding day and then on my Mom and Dad's wedding day

Mom and Dad on their wedding day

Mom the day before I was born

1st baby picture with Mom

Family Pictures 2007

Gorgeous Mom

Grammie and her boys

Kelly and Rhett

Kelly couldn't do a serious shot

Kelly's little family

Although she's not a mom yet, Kinsey is a fabulous Auntie who is always willing to have a "date" night with the cutest baby boy in Lethbridge! (except for when I forget she's going to Sylvan for the weekend!)

Mom doing up my wedding dress (one of my favorite parts of the whole day)

Mom and me after the wedding

Family pics 2009

Kell's family

Grammie lovin' on her boys

Mom and daughters

Still gorgeous

Much better serious shot

Auntie Kinsey being "fierce"

And some of Jay and me since I was preggo at the time

The whole fam damly

My first hold of Paxton.  Best moment ever!

Home with my little man

My special Mother's Day pancake from Jay

My 1st Mother's Day card from Paxton (and Jay)

* A big thank-you to 2 more great moms: Rhonda who did all the family photos for us, and Chantal who did the wedding photos.

Paxton at 5 months

Another month has come and gone and Paxton is now 5 months old.  He's changed so much since he was born and is getting cuter by the day (I'm not sure how that's possible, but he's got it figured out!).

At 5 months, Paxton is:

- wearing 6-12 month clothes!  I don't know what we're going to do if he keeps growing like this.  If he keeps it up, he'll end up outweighing his cousin, Brock, and I'll have to give Kelly hand-me-downs instead of the other way around!  Kelly has assured me that once he starts crawling his weight gain will slow down, so I'm not too worried.  Thanks, Dr. Big Sis!

- a little character.  Jay and I can usually get him to laugh for us when it's just the 2 of us.  However, Paxton has decided that he is not a "circus monkey" and won't perform for other people most of the time.

- has started blowing raspberries.  I think it was by accident.  Lately he's been sucking in his lower lip (which causes his top lip to sort of go pointy and I think he looks like a turtle when he does it).  So I think that when he has his lip sucked in and he tries to make noise it results in the raspberry.  It's cute right now, but I'm sure I won't like it in a year or so!

- "talks" to the dogs.  He will natter at Mo and Maggie until they come over to see him and give him kisses.  He thinks that doggy kisses are just hillarious and laughs a lot!

- weighs 17 lbs 12 oz!  I couldn't believe it when the nurse told me that.  He's gained 2 lbs in the last month!  Paxton is also 26 inches now.  So he's gained 10 lbs and 5 inches since he was born.  Where did my baby go?

- can almost roll over from his back to his front.  He learned how to arch his back this last month (which is so awesome when I put him in his car seat now!).  Last night he was laying on his back on his play mat and would arch his back and then throw his weight to the right.  I thought he was going to make it over a few times, but not yet.  It won't be long now, though, I'm sure.

- is a drool machine.  I still can't feel any teeth coming,  but the drool is definitely there.  Poor kid, he gags a lot because there's so much.  I can't wait 'til he gets it under control 'cuz he has to wear bibs all the time so people can't see all the cute shirts he has!

- is getting more dextrous with his hands.  He is much better at grabbing things and is starting to put everything in his mouth (ew).  Mom and Dad are going to have to be on the watch from now on so he doesn't eat anything bad!  Paxton can also get his rings unhooked now which is no fun since he then usually "loses" them between his tummy and whatever he's sitting in (high chair tray, jumperoo seat, etc) and gets really upset about it.

- is a total ladies man.  He loves to "flirt" and is still pretty good about going to people he doesn't see all the time.  He did have a cranky weekend a few weeks ago where he didn't want anyone but Mom and Dad but he had a cold so that's understandable.

- is an awesome sleeper.  He's sort of settled into a schedule since my 4 month post.  Paxton usually sleeps for 8-10 hours at night, then has a 1-2 hour nap in the morning and 2 1-2 hour naps in the afternoon/evening.  This makes Mom especially happy.  But now that I've put it in writing he'll probably change it up on me!

- loves baths in the big tub.  He wasn't too sure at first and would cry when I put him in.  However, since he figured out that he can kick his legs and splash all over the place, bathtime has been far more pleasant.

- is still trying to suck his thumb despite my best efforts.  He discovered his tongue a few weeks ago and will try to grab it a lot, so Mom is on constant watch to make sure he's not sneaking a thumb suck in there.  Sometimes, Paxton will stick his thumb in his mouth while I'm not looking, but keep his mouth open.  He then waits until I look and say "What are you doing with your thumb in there?" and pull his hand away.  He thinks it's really funny and will giggle then start it all over again.  So cute!

- is blonde.  He is starting to get "dandelion" (super fuzzy) hair like his cousin Brock, except for about an inch above the back of his neck where it's still dark.  So awesome, "cuz it looks like a mullet.  To clarify: my baby DOES NOT have a mullet, it just looks like it.

- still has blue eyes.  I'm not sure if they're going to stay that way 'cuz there've been a few times when they looked more grey to me.  I guess we'll see.

- stood on Grandpa Dooley's hand a few weeks ago!  He's the youngest one out of the grandkids to do that.  I'll have to get the pictures from my Mom and post them later.

- is really good at grabbing hair; even my ponytail doesn't help anymore.  Paxton especially likes to grab the short hairs at the back of my head when it's up in a ponytail.  Awesome.

- has super cankles.  They're so big that I can hardly ever put socks on him since the elastic will cut the circulation off to his feet if they're on too long.  Hopefully it gets warm soon so I won't have to worry about socks anymore.

- thinks he's a starfish.  He likes to have his arms and legs straight out when he's held now.  I miss my cuddler!

- doesn't like to face in when he's in the kangaroo wrap any more.  He prefers to face outward so he can see what's going on.

And now for the pictures.

Dad thinks Paxton looks like a Jedi with the blanket over him in this one.  With the red eyes, I'd say more like the Emperor.  "Come to the Dark Side, Luke."

Maggie moving in for some Squishy kisses

You lookin' at me?

Paxton's first birthday hat at Kate's birthday

Hangin' with Grammy at Kate's birthday

In the stroller after a walk.  I thought he'd sunburned his nose at first glance, but after a second look I realized that his sunglasses had slipped down to his lips and his hat was at his nose.

Surprise

Easter outfit from Grandpa Chicken and Roseanne

Another new outfit from Roseanne.  The runners are so cute, but they just barely fit him. *sigh*

Passed out in the kangaroo wrap

These are my rings and my toys.  I will not share with you, Dad.

Paxton was being super fussy this day, so I stuck him in the Bumbo on the island so he could watch me while I made lunch.

In the big boy bath

So tired from jumping

Sandwiched between Dad and Mo

Hi Mom.  Nothing to see here.

My favorite crooked smile

Ode to the Old Guy in the Pickup

I just got home from walking the dogs and can barely believe what just happened.  I just had a near death experience!  Some old guy (probably around 60-ish from the glance I got) in a pickup almost ran over me, my dogs and my baby!  We were walking past his driveway when he put it in reverse and started backing up.  I'm assuming that he didn't look behind him because he just kept coming until I started yelling, "Hey!  Hey!" and flailing my arms as I ran out of the way.  I understand that he probably wouldn't have been able to see the dogs or possibly the stroller due to the box of the truck being in the way if he HAD bothered to look behind him first.  However, I'm not the smallest person in the world so he should have been able to see me.  When he finally stopped and we were out of harm's way, I threw my hands up at him like, "What is wrong with you?" and gave him a very scathing look from behind my sunglasses before continuing on my way.  I hope that ruins the rest of his day!

The moral of the story is:  I don't care how old you are, how long you've been driving, how big your vehicle is or how much of a hurry you're in; ALWAYS check behind and to the sides of your vehicle before you back up.  I just might be walking past.

Things that make you go Hmmmmm

Just for the record, I am neither angry nor really annoyed this morning.  I am just perplexed.  My husband was up at quarter to 7 this morning.  This may not seem odd, but it's Sunday which is one of his 2 precious days off and usually I don't dare attempt to get him up before 9 (it's generally closer to 10) for fear of the wrath of sleepy Jay!  And even if I do get him up by 9, he will usually either go back to sleep or lay there with the dogs for another hour.

But I digress.  You may ask "Why is today a different story?  Is it Mother's Day or your birthday or anniversary?"  No it's not.  Jay willingly got up to go golfing with his Dad.  Granted they are going to the Country Club which is pretty much Jay's favorite golf course, but this is what it looks like right now.

And it's about 2 degrees outside.  Not the most awesome weather for golfing.

*Sigh*  It makes me shake my head every year that Jay will brave the elements (He golfed yesterday in 35km hour winds.  I'm not sure what it was gusting to, but it was definitely a good ol' Southern Alberta wind!) and/or get up super early on his days off to go whack a ball around.  I know I did recently get some clubs so that I can hopefully get better at golf and enjoy it more, but I wouldn't be out this morning!

If I could just figure out how to "bottle" whatever it is that motivates him to get up and golf, I'd be rich!

Easter Pics

I've been meaning to get my Easter pictures up, well since Easter, but I've definitely procrastinated it.  Not much to say in this post so it'll be mostly pictures.  We had dinner at my parents' house the weekend before Easter, and my Mom decided that would be our Easter dinner since she forgot Easter was the next weekend.  So I didn't get any pictures then.  We went to Jay's Dad's house on Easter Saturday and then his Mom's on Easter Sunday, but didn't get any pictures at Grandma's house.  Enjoy!

Visiting before dinner

Peggy and Ryder

Paxton and Shane taking a nap.  Shane was slightly in love with Paxton.

Puppy kisses!

Paxton's Bunny and Chick napkin holders.  Such an attentive audience!

You talkin' to me?

Easter grass hair

New outfit from Grandpa and Grandma (Roseanne loves shopping for Paxton!)

New undershirts.  I have the dumb look on my face 'cuz Jay and I had gone to Costco just before heading over to his Dad's house to get some of these undershirts.  We walked right past them on our way in and then wandered around the clothes section for like 15 minutes looking for them.  We finally gave up and headed to the ridiculously long check out lines to buy some other stuff.  Then, on our way out, we spotted the undershirts but it was way too busy to go back for them.  We told Chicken and Roseanne the story when we got there and they were both trying not to give away the fact that they'd bought the same ones! 

It was pretty funny.

Easter morning with the goodies.  Mom and Dad helped eat it (there's still some left!)

Smirkey Smirkerton

Looking all polite in the Jumperoo

Be Observant! Be, Be Observant!

My husband loves to golf.  I, however, am not so great at it so it's not one of my favorite things to do.  But I do go out with him to one of the par 3 golf courses and whack the ball around at least once a year.  So when I heard that my brother-in-law had found a set of clubs for Kelly on Kijiji for cheap I said to myself, "Hey, I bet I could find myself a set as well.  Maybe that will get me more excited to play since I won't have to share Jay's clubs with him.  Perhaps I will also get better at golfing and enjoy it more."

I headed to the computer and found a set of 7 men's clubs with bag and pull cart included all for $50.  I said to myself, "Hey that sounds like a great deal!  And I usually play with Jay's clubs anyway, so it doesn't matter that they're men's."  So I contacted the owner and arranged a time to go pick them up.  I was so proud of myself on the way home, and brought my new clubs in to show Jay. 

I pulled the driver out of the bag (insert suspenseful music here) and noticed something about the clubs for the first time.  They were left-handed!  And the worst part is, I said to myself earlier today, "The ad didn't say if they were right-handed or left-handed.  Maybe I should check that out."  But then I thought, "I'm sure that if they were left-handed the owner would specify that.  You know, since most people are right-handed."

Jay thought this was hillarious and proceeded to make fun of me, of course.  So I took some pictures of the clubs and immediately put an ad of my own up to re-sell the clubs.  I figured that I should probably try to find some right-handed clubs to sort of redeem myself, so I perused the ads again.  I found a different set with more clubs (I checked to make sure they were right-handed this time) for the same price, but without the bag and cart.  But that was ok since I had purchased a bag and cart earlier in the day. 

So it all worked out in the end.  I got a fairly decent set of clubs, bag and cart.  The moral of the story is: Be Observant!

Oh ya, anyone looking for some left-handed clubs?

Paxton at 4 months

First of all, I can't believe that it's already April!  And secondly, I can't believe that my baby is 4 months old already!  Well I can, but I don't want to. *sigh*  So I guess it's that time again.  "What time?" you might ask.  Why, it's time to let you know how Paxton has changed in the last month, of course!

At 4 months, Paxton:

- is laughing.  He's been doing it for about 2 weeks now.  He's still pretty stingy about it and a lot of the time he'll just give me a really big toothless grin.  But I can usually get one or two out of him by either tossing him up in the air (just a little bit) or by doing "Upside down, Rightside up" (rolling him from a sitting position on my lap down my legs so he's upside down and then rolling him back up to a sitting position).  Paxton also ,for some reason, always giggles when I'm taking his shirt off.  I'm not sure why, but he seems to think it's the funniest thing ever.

- "talks" a lot now.  He only does it when someone else is around, but if we coo back at him he'll go on for quite a while.

- weighs about 15 1/2 lbs I think.  He was 14 lbs 8 oz and 23 inches long on March 8th, so I'm guessing he's gained about a pound since then. 

- is in to 6 month clothes now!  I've packed up everything that is just 3 months.  He can still fit in to some that is 3 - 6 months, but mostly it's just 6 month stuff.  They're a little big, but it's surprising how well he actually fills them out!

- is a jumping fool in his Jumperoo now.  He can jump high enough to make the music and lights come on by himself (good for Mom since I don't have to keep pushing the button for him now).  Jay got a really good video of him the other day, but I can't post it on here.  (Help, anyone?)

- still will only tolerate being in the high chair, Jumperoo, etc. for about a half hour max.  He's figured out how to grab his rings now and can usually get them in his mouth as long as his bib doesn't get in the way!

- loves it when you click your tongue at him.  He gets a huge smile, and then will stick his tongue out trying to imitate you.

- has turned into a "squirmy worm."  Once you put him down on his change table, the floor, etc. he starts kicking his legs and waving his arms around.  I guess the days of being able to put him on his change table and not worry he's going to fall off are over.

- is weaned.  He has now gone for 4 days without any Mommy milk.  I'm kind of sad that I had to wean him so soon, but even with the pills the doctor gave me, I wasn't producing enough.  At least I was able to breastfeed him for 4 months.

- discovered his hands.  It's kind of funny because he looks like he's plotting something now.  He clasps his hands in front of him and then rubs them back and forth.

He still hasn't found his feet, but I'm sure that's not too far away now.

- doesn't like having a nap/sleeping schedule.  He likes to change it up every week or so.  He actually had 2 days in a row this week where he slept for 11 hours at night!  I was really happy about that, but then the next day he went to a 4 hour stint thing again.  He hasn't done that for almost a whole month!  Then for 2 days he decided that sleeping 1 or 2 hours at a time during the night was fine.  Mom did not agree.  Last night he slept for 3 hours and then 6 hours.  I don't get it.  And naps are just as unpredictable.  He had one week where he decided he only needed one nap a day, but it was for 3 or 3 1/2 hours.  That was great!  But the last few days he's been on the awake for 2 hours, sleep for 1/2 hour, awake for 2 hours, sleep for an hour thing again.  Arg.

- is definitely getting too big for his baby tub.  One of these days I'll get the bathroom cleaned and then we can upgrade to the big bath.

- is starting to try to hold his own bottle.  This is great, but I found that he's also pretty sneaky.  Despite my best efforts, Paxton is determined to suck his thumb.  If I catch him at it, I'll take it away and try to distract him so he doesn't go back for it.  However, I was feeding him a bottle a few days ago and he had his hands up on it.  I was chatting with Jay when I looked down and realized that not only was he "holding" the bottle, but he'd snuck his thumb in with the nipple!  And he made sure that it was the one on the far side so I wouldn't notice it!  I don't know what I'm going to do with this kid if he's starting this at 4 months already!

- had his first road trip.  We went up to Kelly's for Zane's birthday.  He did pretty well, but he'd had about enough of his car seat with about an hour left of the trip both on the way there and back.  He did sleep quite a bit though, so I can't really complain too much.

- is starting to recognize the camera.  He usually stops whatever he's doing and gets this "deer in the headlights" look when we pull it out now.  It probably won't be too long before he starts hammin' it up when the camera comes out though.

- is getting stronger.  He can stand pretty well by himself, even though he needs someone to balance him still.  Won't be too long before he can do the famous stand on Grandpa Dooley's hand!

- is still a cuddle bug.  I realized this month that he doesn't curl up anymore (*sad*), but he still wants to cuddle when he's tired.

Laundry Baby (it's clean laundry)

Smiles!

Sad Face

"Standing" on the recliner

Excited about St. Patrick's Day

Hanigin' out on the play mat

My "Driving" hat from Auntie Kelly

Onesie from Jackie