Baba's Visit!

Baba means grandmother in Ukrainian. George's mom was born in Germany and both of her parents are Ukrainian. She moved to Rhode Island when she was around 8-years-old. That is a long introduction so you understand when I say Baba Bates came to Cedar City to visit! It really was wonderful to have her here. She hadn't seen Sawyer since he was 3-months-old and of course hadn't met Jack yet.

She arrived Friday at midnight, and Jack was ready for a snuggle!

Sawyer warmed up pretty quickly and enjoyed going on walks with his new friend.

Sawyer and Jack loved spending time with Baba!

Chelsea came and had lunch with us on Saturday. It was a good visit and great to catch up on her life!

This is a great three generation photo :)

Sawyer LOVES to be just like papa - good thing he is such a great example.

On Sunday we drove down to Kolob (northern part of Zion Nat'l Park). It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed romping around in the creek. Jack was great and rode around in the front carrier until he decided to blow out of his diaper and through multiple layers including his carrier! Haha. It's amazing how much extra you have to pack for kids. We've been loving the clear skies and sunny weather! And in case you didn't know this week is fee free week at all the national parks, it lasts until Sunday so get outside and play!

I borrowed Natalie's sewing skills while she was here - thanks for all your help and patience in teaching me!

I look a little haggard, but it's worth it for these handsome boys!

Lately doing the dishes has been one of Sawyer's favorite activities. We will continue to encourage 'fun' activities like this!

The Amazing Papa - changing Jack's diaper while entertaining Sawyer at the same time!

Sawyer thought this was hilarious and was laughing so hard. 

All tuckered out after playing so hard.

Baba left early this morning. When Sawyer woke up, he went right to the couch where she's been sleeping and said, "Baba?" We're so sad she left, we already miss her!! Thank you for making the loooong 18 hour ride out here to see us. We loved spending time with you :)

Jack's Photo Shoot

When Jack was exactly a week old we had his pictures taken. Here is a plug for my friend, Nicole Christiansen - her first newborn photo shoot was with Sawyer and she did awesome! She took photos of Jack for us as well. They turned out SO well. I love, Love, LOVE them and can't wait to get some prints to display in our home. Check out her website here or facebook page here. It's funny, we tried to put him in a few similar positions/props that we used with Sawyer, but since he's bigger he wouldn't fit, haha. Jack definitely has his own look, but often I see him looking like Sawyer did when he was a baby. Jack was great for the photo shoot - and was wide awake almost the entire time.

Proceed with Caution - Serious Eye Candy Below:

This was the one position we were able to mimic from Sawyer's photo shoot. They look so similar!

One-eyed Jack

Jack Hammer - turns out there are a lot of 'Jack' nicknames!

He is oh so soft!

This is a classic Jack scowl - he's pretty good at them!

How big is Jack? SO BIG!

Our blue-eyed angel!

Smile :)

Last Monday George and I took both of the boys to the pediatrician. Jack for his 2 week appointment and Sawyer for his 18 month appointment, although he isn't quite 18-months-old yet. Everything went well, we have some big, healthy boys!

Caught this cute smile on camera April 14th.

Jack's 2 week appointment stats:

10 lbs. even  - 83%

23" long - 98%

Head circumference 36.5 cm - 37%

I don't think they measured him right when he was born (at 20.5") because at his 3 day appointment he was 21.5" or maybe he is growing an inch every few days, but that seems fast. He continues to be a wonderful baby and this time in my life is pure bliss getting to snuggle a sweet newborn. He has been a good sleeper - I usually get up with him twice a night, sometimes three times. I think the most he's gone is 5 hours in a row. He likes his baby swing and binky, but prefers to be held. He isn't a very good burper; and gets the hiccups frequently. He's a handsome little guy and his eyes are definitely blue and his hair is blond, with a hint of red. He has big hands (like his papa) and they can usually be found clenched in a fist. He is calm...maybe even more so than Sawyer was when he was a baby. We're loving this soft, sweet baby boy!

Sawyer enjoying a popsicle at the park.

Sawyer had his 18 month appointment (a week and a half early):

27 lbs. 4 oz. - 70% 

34.5" tall - 96%

50 cm head circumference - 94%

This boy can down some serious food! It's wonderful to have a good eater. He loves bananas, broccoli, carrots, meat balls, yogurt...pretty much anything we give him. He loves sugar too, but I try to limit that. We better start saving for our food bill for when our boys are teenagers, yikes!  He is obsessed with shoes lately and would wear them to nap and bed times if we'd let him. He's very active and loves to play chase. He has become a bit of a screecher. He has also taken to hitting. Probably acts like a normal one-and-a-half year old I suppose. He loves the outdoors and enjoys going for walks and throwing rocks. He loves when we sing songs with hand motions and joins in with us (eg. Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You're Happy and You Know It, Popcorn Popping, etc.) He is saying a lot of words, too many to list and occasionally will string a couple words together (up high, help please, all done, etc.) He keeps us busy and active. Starting next week he'll be old enough to go to nursery, yay!

Sawyer has been a great big brother and loves Jack. I was a little nervous to have them so close in age, but so far so good. Sawyer doesn't seem to mind when we're holding Jack. We're still working on not throwing balls to us while we're holding the baby though. It makes for some tricky nursing sometimes! It'll be fun to watch these two grow up together!

Visitors

Jack has been a lucky little guy and has had lots of hands to hold him these first couple weeks of his life. Abbie, Alethea, Mac, and David all came to visit. Not to mention the 'regulars' with Grandpa & Grandma Lewis and Joe & Sara's family.

We are going through major withdrawals since everyone left earlier this week. It was wonderful to have everyone here enjoying this special time in our family's life.

Brothers

Can you tell who is who?

Snow Canyon

We've been able to get out on lots of adventures lately because of all the helping hands that came to visit. Last week we ventured south to Snow Canyon, which wasn't snowy at all. In fact that will probably be our last visit there until next fall/winter because it was so hot! Luckily we found a nice shady canyon to explore and climb.

Sadie in her specially constructed harness by Uncle David and Mac.

Sara & Kaden (mom and 6-year-old son) climbing side by side.

Kyson being belayed by Mac. While we were hanging out in the canyon I heard Kyson ask Kaden if he thought video games or rock climbing was more fun. Kaden didn't hesitate to say, "Rock climbing!" Yay, right answer!!!

Sawyer didn't get up on the wall, but he did enjoy wearing the climbing shoes around. This boy is obsessed with shoes!

This one of David belaying Mac isn't actually in Snow Canyon - it was a different climb in the St George area. I'm so glad my brothers enjoy this sport and never hesitate to take us novices along when they come to visit.