Cruz & His Baby Seahorse

Granny and Gramps sent Cruz the cutest little seahorse for Easter. It's tummy lights up and it plays super-soothing music. He is just at the stage where he is reaching and grabbing for things and he absolutely LOVES this seahorse

We keep it in his crib and, since he learned to roll over last week, he will roll right over, grab it and snuggle up to it. It's so cute to see him curl his body around the seahorse and bury his head in it like he's cuddling with it.

Thanks again to Granny and Gramps for the neatest and most thoughtful gifts!!

Noah & Mommy's Mascara

Noah came out from my room the other day with black stuff all over his face. For a split-second I wondered, "What in the world?" Almost instantly though I realized he had gotten in my my mascara!

Silly boy! He always likes to watch me get ready, but we've now had to discuss that only mommy's wear makeup, not boys! LOL!!

Such a cute little face all smeared with mascara though!!

Big Brother Luke Feeds Baby Cruz

Luke is such a good big brother. He's kind and gentle and absolutely loves his little brothers! He is especially eager to gain enough responsibility to be a "baby sitter." He loves to hold his baby brother and is ever so careful to cradle Cruz's head.

Yesterday Luke was DELIGHTED when as I asked him if he wanted to give Cruz a bottle. He kept saying that now he was a "real babysitter!"

I'm not sure Cruz knew what to think. He kept looking at me like, "Why is my brother feeding me?" In the end, he didn't drink much from Luke and I had to take him to finish things up. That didn't matter to Luke though. He felt helpful and victorious in his tasks!

My sweet boys. They are loud and messy and rowdy, but they are equally loving and sweet!!

Cruz's 1st Bites of Food

Today Cruz got his first taste of solid food: mashed avocado & mommy's milk. For sure, more ended up on the bib than in his tummy, but it sure is a fun first step towards eating table food.

In his usual fashion, Cruz smiled for the camera while taking each bite. His green slobbery smile melts my heart. It's a bittersweet moment as I know this is the last "first bite" I'll be giving my children. I'm grateful for these moments and treasure them greatly!

Luke Wins Another Reading Award!

At this Friday's Wrangle Round Up Luke won his second award for reading above the level required for kindergarten!! He didn't know he was receiving an award, so he was super surprised when daddy showed up for his assembly.

That morning I asked him if he wanted to dress in his cowboy boots for the round up. Not only did he do that, but he added a hat as well!

I'm so proud of all the progress Luke is making in school. He is reading 1st grade books and is writing short stories. It's so wonderful watching him fall in love with learning!!!

Cruz Looking Like His Big Brother Luke!

Today I dressed Cruz in an Old Navy outfit that both his brothers wore when there were babies. I was immediately struck by how much he looked like his biggest brother Luke! It almost took my breath away.

I have a picture of Luke wearing this outfit and I knew I had to take a picture of Cruz to compare it too. I wish Luke's picture was digital, so I could put it in this blog post. Never-the-less, Cruz's chunky body and chubby face remind me so much of Luke at this point in his life. The only thing different are his beautiful blue eyes! Ahhh...I treasure those blue eyes!!

Cruzie-Woozie - 4 Months

Despite my best attempts to nick-name Cruz "Little Bear", it just hasn't stuck! Probably because there isn't much little about him. At 4 months old he is wearing 9 month clothing and is pretty near the top of the percentile charts for size.

Considering how sweet and round and yummy Cruz is, I've gravitated to calling him Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Pumpkin and Punkie. These just roll more naturally off the tongue and certainly describe him better.

Another name that we all call him is Cruzie-Woozie. Noah chose that name and it's definitely stuck! It's so cute to see the big boys loving on and playing with Cruz. It gets my imagination going in to the future and what they will all be like playing together once Cruz is mobile.

Despite the fullness, loudness and messiness of life, not a day goes by that I don't stare down in to that sweet round face and feel such enormous blessing. I love watching his eye lashes uncurl in to a beautiful frame around his big blue eyes...I love watching his mouth make that peaceful, "nursie", sucking motions while he sleeps...and I love counting the chubby rolls on his legs right down to his fat little kankles!

Oh, to remember these moments! I know they will be grown before I know it!