Happy 8 Months Rhodes

Happy 8 Months Precious Rhodes! 

You are just the sweetest little baby and you are growing up way too fast!  In the last 2 weeks, you have gotten your first two teeth! You have also learned to pull up and now you pull up on everything! The other night I caught you on the stairs...time to use the baby gate again!  I love snuggling you, but you like to be active so your favorite times to snuggle are when you are tired or hungry.  

You are wearing size 4 diapers and size 12-18 month clothes.  You are a big boy, but I guess it is good you are solid since you have 2 big brothers that like to wrestle you!  You are doing great eating baby food! I know you are ready to try more soft table foods, but I'm trying to savor every drop of your baby-ness, so I have waited to try much other than baby food, bananas, avocados, and fruit in your mesh feeder.  You still nurse, but also get some formula bottles.  You are really good at going with the flow! Your ideal schedule is to nap at 9, 1 and short nap at 4:30ish, but sometimes naps are on the go and you rarely get the last cat nap of the day.  

Rhodes, you bring so much love into our home! I sure am a blessed mom! What an honor and privilege and responsibility to be raising three sons! 

Photos taken June 7 by Simple-Color 

{don't miss Simple-Color's big announcement here}

The little turtle shortall Rhodes is wearing in the first set of pictures is extra special.  My dad bought it for Beau before his homecoming.  

Here is a photo of Beau in the outfit at 13 months old. Beau is holding a potato stick from Korea.  He always wanted to be holding one of those for his first days/weeks home.  Looking back, he was just grasping to hold onto anything familiar.  

Congratulations Angie and Mahlon!

My sister Angie recently got married and we are so happy for Mahlon to officially join the family! 

Angie is such an awesome sister and has so many of our dad's best qualities.  She is such a hard worker and always strives to be the best at any task at hand.  Angie was an excellent first grade teacher for many years and she definitely inspired my teaching aspirations.  She has worked her way through the education field, working as a reading specialist with Reading Recovery and now works with data and assessment for her school system.  Angie loves fiercely and spoils Beau, Palmer and Rhodes in such a fun way! 

Mahlon has felt like part of the family for a long time and we are so thankful to have him!  Anyone who meets him will tell you how kind and easy to be around he is.  He is also the baby whisperer...he could always get Palmer to sleep when he was a baby and now can do the same for Rhodes.  Angie and Mahlon enjoyed a beautiful time in Jamaica and I'd say that is quite a fun and special way to start a marriage!  There is something about the sun and the beach that just feels right! 

May your years together be blessed!  Praying that you will always see the best in each other through each season of life.  Trust God and don't sweat the small stuff.  

Congratulations! We are so happy for you! 

Congratulations Isaac and Rachel!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Gresham

Wishing you a life led by God! May He guide your steps along your journey! Lean on Him and on each other.  

 We recently traveled to Colorado to celebrate the wedding of Isaac and Rachel.  Isaac is Raleigh's youngest brother and we are thrilled to welcome Rachel into the family! 

{I'll be sure to blog some of the professional wedding pictures later!}

As the forecast for the trip came into view, there was more and more rain appearing.  Nana to the rescue! She found three matching rain jackets the day before our trip! 

Raleigh and Brandon as they were embarking on the 17ish hour drive to Colorado!  Those are two dedicated brothers! 

Boys were ready for the airplane ride! 

Almost time! 

 Here we go! 

 The boys really got into the hotel experience and loved pulling the luggage! 

 The one landmark my mom wanted to see was Garden of the Gods. 

We sat in the car for a few minutes when we arrived to let some rain pass and then we went for it.  The boys had fun exploring the rocks! 

 As we continued on our walk, the sky kept getting darker and darker.  

We got some pictures and then the sky broke loose.  There was a massive hail and thunder storm and there was nothing for us to do but make a run for it!  Sweet Palmer kept yelling "ouch ouch ouch" as the hail hit him.  I used the blanket I had to cover Rhodes head and face so his little legs were exposed.  In the end, it was an adventure and adventures make memories and memories make families!  

About the time we were trying to console three drenched and shivering boys in the car, Raleigh received a phone call from a number we did not recognize. Something in my gut told me to answer.  Turns out I had dropped my phone at some point while we were running to car, and someone found it and was calling to return it.  So kind! 

 

Sweet brothers! 

 Aunt Beth was such a great hostess and the kiddos had lots of fun playing with her! 

Work time with Grandpa and Uncle B! 

 Grandma Gresham and my mom

 Grandma and Grandpa Woodworth with Rhodes! So thankful that all of Raleigh's grandparents were there and Rhodes was able to meet them! 

 Grandma and Grandpa Gresham and Rhodes 

Congrats again Isaac and Rachel! 

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend was fun and filled with memories!  We arrived in Nashville Friday evening and headed out to a food truck event! It was awesome and very crowded! 

Beau chose bibimbap and this is his "it's too spicy" face! In his defense, it was really spicy.  

 Saturday morning, my cousin Sarah graduated from Belmont! Congrats Sarah! We are so proud of you!  My mom led the benediction at graduation, which was extra special since Sarah was graduating.  

 

 We had some outside fun!  

I just love this picture! Of course they get frustrated with each other sometimes, like any brothers, but they really love each other so much and have an incredible bond! 

 We grabbed a quick family shot on Mother's Day.  I sure am a blessed mama of three handsome boys! 

Sunday afternoon we drove home through Birmingham and made a quick stop at our alma mater.... Samford.  It was such a joy to watch the boys run around the campus. 

When I visited Samford as a high school student, I felt at "home" and knew that is where I wanted to spend my college career.  Over ten years later, and it still feels like home.  It truly is a special place.  

A quick Samford selfie! 

I did find it odd, that the Samford students called me "ma'am."  In my heart, I still feel like a teenager.  But I guess 10+ years and 3 kids post college, makes me a "ma'am." 

I can't finish a post about Mother's Day weekend without a shout out to my amazing mom and my awesome mother-in-law.  

I am constantly learning how to be a better mom by watching my mom.  She is still mothering me and is also now an incredible nana! My gracious mom recently flew with me and the boys to Colorado.  After the flight home, the people in the row in front of her commented on how patient she was the entire flight and told her they enjoyed listening to her sing.  {She held and sang to Palmer for almost three hours.} Mom, I love you.  You are a rock star, my mentor, and so talented at so many varied things! The fruits of the spirit are evident in your life and it is contagious to be around someone who exudes that much love and joy!  Happy {very belated} Mother's Day! 

Mimi, you are such an inspiration for raising three awesome sons {and an awesome daughter, too}.  I know I have so much to continue learning from you about raising men who love Jesus! You serve your people well and are a servant in so many areas of your life...selflessly giving of your time and resources.  Thank you for all you do to make us feel so loved!   Happy Mother's Day to you! 

Beau, Palmer and Rhodes are beyond blessed to have such a special Nana and incredible Mimi! 

Rhodes {at 6 months}

Height: 26.33 inches (I think...this is somewhat scribbled on our chart and I forgot to clarify) 

Weight: 17 lb 3 oz 

 I didn't get a a great picture at his 6 month check up because he loved the crinkly sound of the paper so he would't look up. 

 Rhodes had his first visit to the church nursery this month as a 6 month old.  They said he did great until the very end of class and his bottle ran out.  Oops! I'll always pack two bottles from now on so he will have plenty to eat at church. 

He is still nursing every couple of hours, but on our way home from church last week I bought some formula so I can start supplementing when he needs to have bottles available.   

What a chunk hunk! 

Rhodes has been in our room in a pack and play until this month.  You just never know if you will have another sweet newborn sleeping by your bed, so I kept him there longer than necessary. 

 When we found out we were expecting Rhodes, I insisted on getting matching cribs for Rhodes and Palmer because I just knew they would be so precious in a room together.  Well, the cribs did look adorable together, but there is no way for them to share a room just yet.  They are on somewhat different schedules.  Palmer is loud.  Palmer loves to "share" his toys by throwing them into the crib, etc.  

  I finally made the leap to put Rhodes in his crib for naps and night time so we moved the crib into the guest room at the foot of the bed.  While he doesn't have a whole "nursery" set up, it is so much more practical for him to have his own room right now.  

With three boys, I'm confident that some combination of brothers will share a room at some point, just not yet.  

Rhodes seems to sleep better in his crib.  He typically goes to bed some time between 7pm and 8pm and is up around 6am.  He is up once or twice a night.  Rhodes naps 2-3 times a day.  

 Rhodes loves his bath and is just content to relax in the water as long as possible.  I have to say he has outgrown the puj tub, but I am hoping to make it work until he can sit in the big tub. 

Rhodes is never lacking in attention from his brothers! 

These days he loves to roll around, likes to put everything in his mouth and constantly has his hand in his mouth.  

He is wearing 9 months clothes or 9-12 month, depending on how it runs.  He is in size 3 diapers and they are none too big.  

He can sit for a second or two unsupported, but can sit longer with a little support.  

We love you Rhodes and can't wait to have more adventures with you this month!