5 months

Our sweet little guy is 5-months old today! I told Anthony it was crazy to think that just 5-months ago they were pulling him out of my belly! Pretty crazy. These days he's loving - yelling as loud as he can to check out his voice, smiling, laughing (he laughs out loud watching Braden and B sure does love that!), sucking his top lip and snuggling. Last night he rolled from his back to his belly. I need to start him on cereal, but haven't wanted to do that yet... want to keep him a baby as long as possible, I guess!

Braden likes getting in Hunter's crib. Hunter tolerates it.

Giving Daddy a little smile.

Braden loves his Daddy! They snuggled on the couch while he was drying off from taking a swim!

It was cool enough to walk to the park tonight, yay! Braden spotted the ice cream truck. Daddy ran home to get some money, but was too late. Thankfully the ice cream truck man was nice and gave B a Popsicle! Pretty appropriate that his first ice cream truck item was a rocket!

The park by our house has a horse corral at it because we live near a lot of horse properties. Braden likes to go check them out. He was talking about petting the horses today, but I figured he was all talk. He surprised me and actually gave the big, brown horse that we saw a few good pats on the nose!

Sitting

Hunter pretty much has sitting up figured out! He's right on schedule with his brother who figured it out just before turning 5-months, too!

Lately

Hunter likes checking himself out in the mirror.

And keeping an eye on those around him...

including his giraffe!

Some good relaxin' time with Daddy.

He's enjoying the bouncy swing. Unfortunately we lost a spring to the exersaucer in the move, so he hasn't had the chance to experience that. I might have to give in and try to find a garage sale one of these weekends... barf! I wish my favorite consignment shop hadn't closed. At least they go through people's junk first!

We went to an evening event at the Zoo. Braden got to play some drums, then we left. There were way too many people there and it was hot!

Cute little Kyndal has been over to play a few times. Braden hadn't seen her for a few weeks and missed her! They picked up right where they left off though.

Watching Sesame in the morning. You can't tell it here, but he does really like it!

We love how he says chocolate! He's been reading more books. My Mom sent him a book about going to the moon that was mine when I was a kid. He loves it. Unfortunately it's 40-pages and he wants to read it before every nap and bedtime! We won't comment on my age considering in the book no one had been to the moon yet!

Rockets and his sand table are favorites these days. Also, as you can probably guess, he has decided that it is no longer cool or fun to get a haircut! It has been 3-months now. We'll see how long this one lasts! Thankfully I don't have to style it. That's one reason I always wanted boys... I saw all those ribbons, barrettes, ties, bows and other things my niece has had and having to "do" girl hair scares me!

"Reading"

I've mentioned before that Braden's memory often surprises me. The other day we were sitting on my bed and Braden saw one of his books on the nightstand. He picked it up and "read" the first page to me! He hadn't seen the book in awhile as it had been out of his "rotation." He went and got it this morning while we were watching for the recycle truck and I got him on video "reading" some. The translation is below the video!

Tremendous chuggy tractors, sturdy and strong. Hitching up to farm machines and pulling them along. Pretty good for a just turned 2-year old if you ask me!!

Watching for the recycle truck this morning. Daddy wasn't here, so he was stuck inside watching with Mommy!

His first finger painting masterpiece!

Couple videos.

Fishing.

I have to share another funny Braden story. We had Brussels sprouts at dinner tonight. When Anthony put the bowl on the table Braden said "watermelons!" We had to agree that it looked like a bowl full of tiny watermelons!

Hunter loves being able to sit up in his Bumbo. This toy is perfect for him and he loves playing music on it! He's growing up much too fast for my liking...

Flagstaff!

Anthony had a long stretch at home and we took advantage of it and headed up to Flagstaff for the weekend. We love it there and don't get there enough. Plus it's almost 30-minutes closer from our new house! It was great... we had a little rain, sun and perfect temps. Braden got to see at least a dozen trains and got to try out fishing for the first time! He was a happy boy.

Nothing wrong with a little soccer before bed in the hotel room. We thought we would have a suite, but ended up with a "normal" hotel room. Braden was in a pack and play. Anthony was picking up some toys after he went to bed and his Elmo camera started talking. All of a sudden you see his little head pop-up and he says "cookie monster" with a big smile and lays down and goes to sleep. It was so cute.

Hunter checking out his giraffe before bed.

Such a happy, little boy!

We spent lots of time by the train tracks!

One-train...

It was a little chilly for Hunter.

Another train...

Night train... Braden's new thing is making the dinging sound that happens when the gates go down at the train crossing.

The entry to the train tracks. Pretty appropriate because Braden says "look" a lot.

More time at the tracks.

Hunter enjoyed all the time outside.

Braden's first fishing spot.

Getting ready.

Trying hard!

Daddy did a lot of the fishing actually. Unfortunately no luck in the catching department.

We did have a little boo-boo as we were getting in the car to head home. But Braden got his bumblebee ice and bear and was all set for the ride home.

4-month stats

Hunter had his 4 month appointment on Wed. It's always great to see Dr. Sotelo... I love it that I love our pediatrician (and he was chosen as the best pediatrician in Phoenix Magazine, so I'm not the only one!). Hunter is doing great and we once again have a healthy, solid little guy on our hands! He's about 1lb lighter than Braden was at 4-months and a 1/2 inch longer. That was what we were guessing. He's loving to explore his voice these days, laugh and check out his feet and toes. Still just as pleasant as can be and really only cries if we wait too long to get him down for a nap. Such a joy.

Weight - 19lbs 10oz (100%)

Length - 27" (95%)

Head - 17 1/4" (90%)

Hunter loves the Bumbo chair!

Couldn't leave Braden out! We've still been doing a lot of swimming!

Super Sarah!

I've mentioned Sarah before, but wanted to share a little more about her. We are very blessed to have her as our kids' nanny! She is an amazing woman and takes great care of our kids when we are away from them. I can honestly say she does more fun things with Braden than I think of doing! She's trained as a Child Life Specialist and the only bad thing for us is that she does want to work in that field when she finds a job. I don't like leaving my kids, but leaving them with Sarah makes it a lot easier! And in reality, it's a good break for all of us!

Braden with Sarah and her sister Anna (who comes along sometimes to play!).

At the Children's Museum.

I escaped from work for a bit to visit them at the Children's Museum! Braden made me a pizza.

Picasso Harmon!