The Zoo: March 2010

I was a lot more adventurous with Baby Beckett than Baby Hamilton. It probably had something to do with Hamilton's crying every time we went someplace. Beckett, on the other hand, spent his first weeks sleeping and eating. Thus, the following trip to the Santa Ana Zoo happened. Our friends the Lowes, Brandons, and Streets went. Funnily enough, we all ended up having babies in 2010. Mine was the only one "out" at this time, though, which meant the other moms made the trip MUCH easier for me....i.e. no running down Hamilton by myself. Looking back on these photos, I can't believe how much these little guys have grown up in just the last six months!

Sarah and Hamilton holding hands...so cute!

The power of snacks...the first time they are still...

The animal merry-go-round

eagerly waiting for said merry-go-round...

our little hatchlings...

Beckett is Eight Months!

Every month celebration post is beginning the same way: I cannot believe he's eight months! Time has really flown by, which is exciting because fun breakthroughs are on their way, but it's also a little sad because I will miss this extra squeezable, not-so-independent Beckett. Now on to his update...

• He had his first "temper tantrum" the other day. Hamilton took a matchbox car away from him. I tried to give Beckett a baby rattle instead, but he just squeeze his little fists together and made a very disgusted sound. When, he got a matchbox car back, he was back to his happy self. Already a big boy!
• Hamilton has a drop-off playgroup for a couple hours every week, which gives me some alone time with Becks. One day we went to Target. I let him ride in the cart seat for the first time (with his cushy seat cover), and it was the most pleasant shopping experience with kids in a long time. He seemed so pleased to be riding in the cart like a "big boy" and just smiled and laughed every time I talked to him.
• I took Hamilton and Beckett to the park the other day. Hamilton eventually made his way to the swings but was trying to get in a baby swing with tiny leg holes. I explained, "No, we have to get in the other one because this blue one is for tiny legs like Beckett's. Wait! What?! Beckett can ride in the swing!" So, I got to push both my boys in the swings (Hamilton got giant "blast-off's" and Beckett's were baby "blast-off's"). Beckett really seemed to like it, but kept one hand tightly on the swing and the other balled in a fist. It was the highlight of the day and served to undo some contentious moments earlier on. I can't wait to do more and more activities with them together.
• On a sadder note...Beckett got an ear infection in both ears a couple weeks ago, which led to my better appreciating Hamilton's quality of eating whatever medicine is given him. Beckett would make his mouth as closed and tiny as humanly possible. He also refused to eat any solid foods. Consequently, I've experienced more Beckett frustration lately than in previous months. Yesterday, though, he miraculously started taking the medicine no problem and has been eating yogurt. Hopefully, we'll get fully back on track soon.
• He is about 20 pounds now. Carrying the car seat is virtually impossible.
• He lights up and starts kicking whenever Alex comes home.
• He is sitting up better and better...just scared to leave him alone with Hamilton who can cause falls through well-intentioned hugs and ill-intentioned pushes.
• Beckett's still nuts about Hamilton.
• Beckett and Hamilton have been going to sleep in the same room for about a week now (I'd normally tranfer Beckett to the crib when I went to bed). Only one incident of Hamilton climbing in with him, but he did so so carefully, he didn't even wake Beckett up.
• The photos are from Beckett's first official photo session since the hospital. I kind of love the cheesiness of the Kiddie Kandids-brand of photography. We took them while Hamilton was at his sports class with Alex...this made managing everything easier (H is a bit of a camera-hog), but I really could have used him to help make Becks laugh!
• The awesome shoes are from my great aunt Edith Ann. She got similar ones for Hamilton. I can't wait to send her the pics!
  

I know this is technically "catch-up" month, but here are some recent Hamilton moments I had to record before I forgot them forever...

• in a sad, quiet voice after I told him he was going to the doctor: "I don't want Dr. Pang to doctor me. I'm not brave enough." He WAS brave enough, though, and got examined while sitting in a chair by himself.
  
• first words of the day: "Mommy? Is it morning time? Can I get play clothes on?"
• after I told him he was being a good big brother, he laughed: "I'm not a good brother! I'm Hamilton!"
• at the doctor for Beckett...Hamilton to Dr. Pang: "Beckett's sick. He threw up." Why did I even go? He's got it all handled. He also rolled the stool over, "Here you go, Dr. Pang."
• after I raised my voice (not even that much) for him to stop doing something: "You scared me! Mommy say 'I'm sorry'!"
• "But turtles live in the water," justifying why he put a toy turtle in the toliet.
  
• has recognized the number 5 and letter Y while out and about.
• held Beckett on his nap for a whole song at "Mommy and Me" class. So, so cute.
• ok...here's one flashback photo from June...when Hamilton discovered that Mr. Potato Head glasses + Beckett = hilarious
• 

Announcing a Month of Catch-Up

I was scrolling through some pics in iPhoto and realized, "Wow, we've done a lot of stuff I haven't said anything about!" And this, of course, is in addition to that list of posts on the right I said I'd write. Ah, well. Rather than be totally overwhelmed at my inability to document fully my little guys, I am dedicating the month of October to catching up. It will undoubtedly be mainly photo-based. But, don't worry, Becks, the 12th will be totally current and about you and your 8-month-old self.

To begin...

Parenting has a lot of downsides (messy diapers, toys taking over the house, being hit and screamed at, no sleeping in), but one upside is being able to take childhood photos that will really embarrass your teenager. Hamilton, these are for you :). They were taken on Beckett's blessing weekend. The shoes belong to my grandmother; I'll take credit for the sexy legs.

Because-It-Was-Too-Hot-To-Do-Anything-Else Photo Shoot

We Southern Californians have it pretty good in terms of weather. Those of us living in a beach city, even better. That said, we are always ill-prepared for a heat wave. "Just go the beach, you big baby!" one might say hearing a South Bay-er complain about the temperatures, but understand that you can't LIVE on the beach and few of us have air conditioning in our homes. Our upstairs is totally miserable, so we live downstairs. This is where the following photo shoot took place. It was mainly Hamilton's idea, who especially enjoys the instant gratification a digital camera brings. The boys are wearing diapers only because it's so hot...I'm wearing something similar, so am not in any of the pictures. Kidding.

Hamilton directed all the shots I took, which may come as a surprise, as most of you know how obsessed I am with Lightening McQueen...








We had to do a few takes of this last "action" shot of him "swooshing" Lightening through the air.

Beckett is Seven Months!

Well, I cannot believe it...my little baby is SEVEN months!( Awesome, but I've now lost the "I've just had a baby" excuse for my current weight. So sad.)

Becks is just getting cuter and cuter, in case anyone worried this belated post was due to a decrease in cuteness and sweetness. It's actually totally due to Hamilton NOT taking naps regularly, which used to be my blog reading/writing time. But, I digress...

Here are some highlights of our little guy...

• Favorite foods so far seem to be oatmeal and squash
• Can sit up on his own, but a big brother makes this a rare practice if Mommy's not in the same room.
• Can ROLL OVER! Yea! Yeah, I know babies usually hit this milestone earlier, but if Beckett's on his tummy, he can't see Hamilton coming. So, smart Beckett put that physical feat off a bit.
  
• Shows his excitement by catching his breath and kicking his legs and arms.
• He is making "B" sounds, which I credit to his hearing "Boo Boo Beckett" all day. The "B" sounds are a bit of a pain when I'm trying to feed him. He is also clicking his tongue.
  
• Current toy he loves chewing on: a small stuffed blue elephant (that I left somewhere, of course...hopefully, my grandmother's?)
• Watches way too much TV thanks to Hamilton (the "way too much" is compared to Baby Hamilton's "none unless sick")
• Has TWO little bottom teeth. Reasonably smooth teething experience...just a few sad times.
  
• Loves his mommy (I mean, check out the jammies he's wearing!). A recent time in Kid's Club (daycare at the gym), he wouldn't stop crying until I held him. Stuff like this still trips me out...you mean, he knows I'm his mom and it makes a difference? What?!
• Hamilton cracks him up...and scares him. This will undoubtedly be their relationship for the next decade at least.
• The two boys' personalities are pretty apparent in the following photo shoot. :) Chill Beckett does give a "behind the pacifier" smile in the last shot.
  

Conversations with Hamilton

The following post is to remind me that Hamilton is a cute, charming little boy and not just the sleep-deprived monster I've been dealing with all week....

While changing H's diaper during B's nap...

Hamilton: That's my peanut.

Me: Yep, that's your peanut.

Hamilton: Beckett's peanut is sleeping.

In the drive-thru line at McDonald's...

Hamilton: Are you getting chocolate milk or a Diet Coke?

Me: Probably a Diet Coke. [note: drinking a lot of this lately...hardest thing I can drink as a Mormon...]

Hamilton: I'll probably have chocolate milk and French fries.

While trying to get Hamilton's shoes and socks on...

Me: Argh! Will you just stay still? You're driving me nuts!

Hamilton: I'm NOT driving you nuts. I'm driving you bananas.

At the park, from out of nowhere...

Hamilton (in a sweet, little voice): You're my mommy forever.