Julian - 4 Months

4 Months!  Julian is 4 months old.  I took Julian to the doctor because he wasn't feeling good - both ears "borderline" infected and a red throat - so we haven't officially had his 4 month check up yet.  He's on amoxacillin for a few more days and then we can take him in.  I'm really not looking forward to it because he'll get a lot of shots.  :(

Julian rolled over from back to belly on Saturday (but hasn't done it since).  He's babbling a lot, and tries to play with Amelia.  He is OBSESSED with her!  He gets the biggest smile on his face when he sees her.  I know he's antsy to get moving to keep up with her.  :)  He's also antsy to eat some real food!  We got the go-ahead to try some stage 1 foods with him when I took Julian in to the doctor.  We've tried rice cereal twice.  He still mostly spits it out, but today he opened his mouth and pulled the spoon (well, my hand that held the spoon) towards his mouth!  We'll keep giving it a try.

Julian is really enjoying toys a lot more - especially his monkey lovey, baby books, and his snail.  He is constantly trying to sit up from a laying or reclined position, and he can sit unassisted for a few short seconds.  Tummy time is still a struggle, but he's getting better.  He has really good head/neck control, but not a whole lot of upper body strength.  We're working on it.

For comparison purposes, check out Amelia's 4 month post and this picture of her @ 4 months old:

DSLR pictures

We've been making an effort of using our "good" camera more.  I just uploaded the pictures we had on the camera and (since there are a modge podge of them) decided to post them here.

Holding Julian

Smiling children!

With Babcia

Sweet

Amelia!

My current fave of Amelia - check out that dimple!

Kisses for Babcia

By the tree

Random Happenings

Our summer has been pretty uneventful.  I'm not complaining.  In my experience, "eventful" usually equals "sucky".  In other words, no news is good news.  The kids are growing and learning and having a grand ol' time enjoying their new house.  Frankly, it's been too darn hot to do a whole lot of things we'd like to do.  Bummer.  Well, there's always fall!

Anyway, here are some pictures that show a little about what we've been up to. [I have a bunch of videos to upload, but we'll save that for another day.  I just don't have that kind of time today.]

 Reading.

 Looking handsome with Daddy.

 Taking pictures with Grandpa.

 Cute naked baby.

 Amelia reading to Julian.

 Ooh, he was so mad at me.

 Holding his bottle!

 My pretty princess.

 Trying out the new double stroller!

 Playing & eating.

 The boys sleeping. [No, Julian doesn't normally sleep like this...it was for 30 mins, tops.]

 A real attractive picture of my kids.  :)

 Amelia told me she was going to Target.

 4th of July

 We painted her toenails for the 1st time!

 My little firecracker!

 With Grandma

 Amelia & Grandpa

 Almost rolling over

 Amelia told me she was doing her chores, like Cinderella.

 Catching a few zzzzz's.

Julian's like, "What the heck?!?"

 The only face we'll get out of Amelia if we tell her we're taking a picture.

 Playing

Enjoying her Belle Squinkies.

Father's Day

I am an extremely lucky girl.  I am surrounded by fantastic dads.

My dad...I just don't think I can write about how I feel about him without crying.  I'm a bit of a Daddy's Girl.  I admire the heck out of him.  His father passed away when he was young.  My dad not only supported his household, but he took care of his mother and different-abled sister.  He worked like a dog in a physically demanding job, and often did without so that his girls (wife included) could go shopping and have things they wanted and needed.  I rarely heard him complain, and I don't remember him taking too many sick days in his whole work life since I was around.  He is kind, laid back, hilarious, loving, and giving.  Not only does he love me & my sister, he ADORES Amelia and Julian.  Watching him as a Grandfather takes my love for my father to a different level.

Alex is the best dad.  I always hoped that the man I married would be as great of a dad to our kids as my dad was to me.  Alex has met and exceeded that goal.  He is wrapped around Amelia's little finger.  His eyes light up when she's around.  He was fantastic during her birth, and I would NOT have made it through Amelia's newborn phase without him.  He has never complained about changing diapers, and I would even go so far as to say that he was a better, more natural parent to Amelia when she was a newborn than I was.  Alex is so in love with Julian, and I can tell there is a pride he feels when looking at his son.  His first concern is taking care of the kids and me.  There isn't anything that he wouldn't do for us.  And he's a fun dad!  He likes to take the kids places, and do activities with them.  He's very hands on, and I love it (so do the kids!).  Alex is an amazing dad, and I constantly stand in awe of how much he loves all of us.  I love to sit back and watch him interact with Amelia & Julian.  I love Alex so much, and could not parent without him.  I hope he feels the love that his family has for him.

Wow, that was mushy!  :)  I hope both of the dads had a great Father's Day.  Alex really wants a weight bench, so as soon as he picks one out, that will be his gift.  Julian & Amelia gave him an iTunes card, and a framed picture of their hand prints.  We spent the rest of the day at my parent's.  We gave my dad a Cabela's gift card, and had a really nice dinner.  I had fun, and I hope they did too.

 Kissy

The best dad 

 Julian in a hat

With Daddy - Julian's expression is hilarious! 

Put that hat back on! 

...or take it off & run away! 

 Maxin' & relaxin'

My view of the backseat...on the way to Grandma & Grandpa's. 

Talking on Skype with Babcia & Dzia Dzia

A Week in Pictures

 Someone found her Jasmine costume and wanted to wear it...over her outfit.



Julian in all his glory, complete with spit-up stains. 

 The blur also known as Amelia entertaining Julian

 Amelia & Julian playing Princesses

Tummy time.  He gave up and decided to suck on his fist. 

Princess Village 

Amelia over-seeing Princess Village 

Amelia puts her Minnie pillow over her head and sings, "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!"  Old school style.