boys will be boys

Hendrix is always dirty.  

Sometimes I wonder why we bother with baths, because he never stays clean and fresh smelling for very long.

He loves playing with rocks.  He loves being outside.  

He loves throwing the rocks.  He also still loves to eat the rocks. (really? I thought you were over that, little man.)

He watches Gabe and really likes to take his lead.  Whatever Gabe does is apparently super cool.  

Gabe tosses rocks?  me too.  

Gabe walks down the path and wants to take my hand?  ok.  

Mom wants to hold my hand? no way.  

I see where I stand.

I think that Gabe is really enjoying Hendrix now too.  
He can teach him things.  
He has a little follower. 

Who doesn't like that kind of attention?

One of their newest favorite things to do together is wrestle.  Actually I think it is a form of tackle football, but all I know is that they both end up on the ground, rolling around, with lots of giggling and laughing. 

On the carpet inside?  sure.  

But on the cement outside?  not so sure it is a great idea.

They are good pals though, and I am so glad that Hendrix is getting to have an older boy mentor to hang with.  I think they both get a lot out of their interactions with each other. ;)

Following Gabe's lead on other favorite toys, Hendrix really likes balls of any kind and recently picked up tossing around a baseball.

They also share a common passion for cars.  Gabe has lots of trucks and trains that he shares with Hendrix, and Hendrix has just picked up making 'vrooming' noises while playing with them.

He got this car play set for his birthday and recently figured out how to send the cars down it all by himself.  He loves it!

He also prefers not wearing clothes.  He has always been pretty happy when he doesn't have pants or even a shirt on, but recently he has even started trying to pull his diaper off.  He wants to be naked.  Is that a boy thing?

oh my sweet little boy.

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nanny reflections

Gabriel turned 4 this week.  Milestones like that make me realize how quickly time flies.  It seems like just yesterday that I was introducing myself to him and his sweet big sister, on my first day of work.  I want to spend a few minutes pausing and reflecting on what the last four years as a nanny has been like..... 

My first day, August 2007

Riley - 3

Gabriel - 3 months

I was about three weeks into my married life when I started getting to snuggle with this little guy four days a week.  It made me really crave having babies of my own, but it also encouraged me to wait until it was the right time for us to start our own little family.  Babies are so awesome, and I have loved being able to watch him grow up.

rolling

teething

eating birthday cake

exploring the world 

no longer a baby but a toddler....

summer fun!

Christmas celebrations....

birthday parties

Being a nanny has become so much more than just a job, and actually more of a lifestyle.  I feel like just another member of the family, a big sister, or a cousin....and I love being able to have that special role in these amazing kiddos' lives.

And now they get to have a role in my kid's life.  It's pretty awesome. 

Really awesome actually. 

So happy birthday Gabe.  You are a great kid!

Hendrix's Due Date

Today was Hendrix's Estimated Due Date.  I guess all I can say is that it was a terrible estimation.  :)  He will be 5 weeks old tomorrow.  I find myself wondering about whether if he was born today, instead of 5 weeks ago, if he would weigh more or less now than he actually does?  I guess we will never know!

He did have another "weigh in" at the doctor's office yesterday and Hendrix is now 8 pounds 12 ounces.  Yes, I realize that he is gaining weight very rapidly......he went from the 4th percentile to the 15th percentile in just two weeks.  My little guy is an overachiever!  The best part about that news is that the doctor said we can stop waking him up every three hours to feed him in the middle of the night.  She said she doesn't want him to go for more than a 6 hour stretch, and if he wakes up on his own I should feed him, but we are very excited to think about sleeping uninterrupted for a 6 hour stretch!!!!  (Granted, he might be so used to the frequent feedings that this is a mere fantasy).  Last night was the first night of this new routine, and he did sleep for 4 1/2 hours.  We will see what happens tonight ;)

I finished my second week back to work and that went even more smoothly than the first.  I am started to get better about coordinating the feeding schedule with the various errand running I do with the kids throughout the day.  Gabe is starting to feel more comfortable with Hendrix too, and it is really cute to see him take an interest in him. :)

   

He has been reading him stories this week, and loves saying "hi baby!"

Last night Hendrix saw his first soccer game.  We went to watch my brother Jake play soccer for Central College and were delighted to see him score the winning goal in a shootout against UNI.

It was a gorgeous night for soccer!  I can't believe how lucky we have been with the weather so far this fall :)  

Jake was very excited to see Hendrix after the game, and he was also very pleased to see what he was wearing. :)

  

This afternoon we took Hendrix to the Center Grove Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Farm.   

It was a beautiful afternoon, and Hendrix enjoyed sleeping in his Baby Bjorn.  It was the first time that we have used it, and it was great!  :)

While Hendrix caught some z's we enjoyed some caramel apples!  YUM!

What a great start to the weekend!  I love fall!!!  I am really thankful for the men in my life :)

One Month Old!

Yesterday, Hendrix turned one month old.  

He has taken to big, full body stretches!  

The kind that show how his sleeves and pant legs are both getting a little bit short on him. :)

He really likes playing on his little mat, and is starting to interact with the toys that are hanging from it. He has figured out how to flail his arms around to hit the toys - which make rattling and crunching noises.

All this growing is very tiring.

We were getting packed up to take Gabe to preschool.  Gabe wanted to help by putting his paci back in his mouth when it fell out.  It was so cute!

And we're off!

Can't believe how quickly the time is going by.  We are lovin' every minute!