Cruz Tries Cereal for the 1st Time

Last night I tried a little experiment with Cruz and let him drink as much milk as he wanted before bed. I was shocked to realize that he sucked down 6oz like it was nobody's business!

So today I decided that I really do need to start working with him on eating solid food. Last week we tried avocado for the last time with more ending up on the bib than in his tummy. Today we tried some organic rice cereal.

I think the consistency of the cereal was a little thicker and easier to stay in his mouth. Still, he doesn't really know how to swallow or what to do with it.

At any rate, we're going to keep trying because even though my chunky pumpkin is 90% for weight, I think he's hungry!

Noah & His Dump Truck

Granny and Gramps sent Noah a big surprise for finally completing potty training...a big green dump truck! What a HUGE hit! Noah has not stopped "picking up trash" from around the house since he got it.

He's picked up so much trash, in fact, that I had to find out what all exactly he had in there. I was shocked when I dumped it out to find (among other things) Lincoln logs, popcorn kernels, snack wrappers, straws, action figures, and an alien!

He loves this dump truck so much in fact that when I threatened to take it away this morning if Noah didn't take his medicine that he immediately took it without one other word!!

So, not only did this dump truck help incent Noah to potty train, it's also leverage for good behavior today!! YAY!!

Noah's End of Year Music Program at LAP

Monday night Noah performed in his end of the year program at LAP. I was incredibly sentimental that night watching him sing and dance. For one, it was only last year that Luke was performing there and now he's such a big boy, in kindergarten, reading and writing. Secondly, I will never forget how close we came to losing Noah as a baby after his surgery for pyloric stenosis. Every milestone, every music program, every day is SUCH a blessing with him in our lives.

The night ended with more sweet memories, as the teachers made us an entire, full-sized binder filled with pictures of Noah throughout the year. Seeing him last fall, looking like so much of a baby, made me realize just how much he's grown this year! My concerns about the teachers understanding what he was saying, transitioned in to whether or not he would ever be fully potty trained, and are now shifting again as I wonder how much he will miss the wonderful teachers who have become such a big part of his life.

We are blessed in so many ways, it's honestly overwhelming and incredibly humbling. I think all those thoughts were what caught me off guard and made me so emotional.

Next week is the last week of school and I'm organizing the end of year party with a special treat for each of the teachers. There's really no way to thank them enough for pouring out their lives in to my sweet angel all year!!

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!!