Monthly Archives: July 2017

July 9, 2017 ~ 7 weeks

Go Reid! Look at those strong neck muscles! We’ve had a few good tummy times lately but in all honestly sometimes the days go by and it’s bedtime and I realize we haven’t done any at all! Oops! But his neck continues to get stronger. Each day he seems to change and this week we’ve noticed that he is really following voices and people with his eyes much more. He also has been smiling more frequently in response to something you may say or do to him and he has many facial expressions. There is no doubt he is continuing to gain weight at a good pace as he just FEELS heavier when you pick him up.  I call him a tank. We also moved the shoulder straps in his car seat up a notch as he is getting longer!

The work continues on Reid’s closet, but we are nearing the end! The drawer unit that Kevin built is in place and he is cutting and installing the shelves. Then it will be touch-up painting and putting things into the closet, yay!   I love how Griffin wants to regularly cuddle with Reid. When in comes in our room in the mornings he is always excited if “Reidy” is awake and he can snuggle up with him.  For the 4th of July we were invited to the Pilgrim’s home in Dublin. They have a fun gathering of food and friends and the evening concludes with a prime view of the Dublin fireworks which we are able to walk to directly behind their house! This year we took blueberry-amaretto squares which were delish. But I’ve decided that I need to make a half recipe as there is always so much leftover when there are many options at a pot luck! So I’ve been eating the leftovers here….yikes! When we did tummy time this particular evening Griffin was so encouraging to Reid, it was really cute to watch.  He was so excited for him when he got his head held so high! We have a bit of a problem with our gutters! With all of this rain lately it’s apparent that our front gutters outside our bedroom window and the back gutters on the patio need some love. The screens on top of the gutters perhaps aren’t meant to take in the volume of rain that we’ve been receiving in this big downpours lately. So, another project for the list. On Friday we headed to the new Duck Donuts near Polaris to pick up Saturday morning treats. I didn’t realize that you choose a glaze, topping, and drizzle and that the donuts are made to order! I stayed in the car with Reid while Griffin and Kevin went in and selected the patriotic assortment along with a custom one I requested :).  Afterward we headed to Star Lanes for a couple games of bowling. Griffin has been asking to go bowling for two weeks so he was quite excited! Saturday was another game of t-ball and also team photos. Thankfully we made it there early, with his glove, bat, and hat and a big smile! Also this week Finn got to be the last batter, which means his hit is a grand slam home run! I was able to record it, check out the video below. 

Brutus is happiest when he is touching a human or Lily! He regularly cuddles right up next to her or touches her body in some way when they are in the same room. He also loves the outdoors and constantly chews on sticks! And check out this cutie! Again, filling out 3-month outfits really well 🙂

July 2, 2017 ~ 6 weeks

What a cutie! A lot more of the same going on here this week. Eating, sleeping, diaper changes, coffee, playing, baby snuggles, brotherly snuggles. You get the idea. We also FINALLY got our replacement carpet installed in the guest bedroom so now 2.5 months later our carpet upgrade is complete!

Griffin loves to help dress Reid after he chooses his outfit for him.  Brutus loves to be where we are at all times.  Matter of fact if you leave him inside and not in his crate he often scratches at the doors (which has added yet more to my “to do” list of projects, now I get to repair the door frames!). He is getting to be a big boy, not just in height, but he is really filling out. His tail remains a strong weapon. Here he’s watching Grandpa, Finn, and Kevin play hockey in the driveway.  Amy and I met at the new IKEA this week with the kiddos. It was a pretty busy place and I was able to get the bins to organize our new loft playspace.  Friday when Kevin got home from work we decided to call my parents to see if they were up for visitors. It’s their annual hosta sale which we normally try to be there for so we quickly packed up our things (one small suitcase for the four of us!) and the dogs and headed north. We picked up pizza for ourselves (which I ordered from the incorrect location, ugh!) and then later Finn, Mom, Reid and I went to Whit’s for some frozen custard. Finn got the “dirty worm” kids sundae and I had the grasshopper (mint swirls and chocolate pieces in vanilla custard) and mom got her traditional half and half.
Sunday after church we picked blueberries at Blueberry Valley. We got about 5 and a half pounds in not too much time. I forgot to pack the baby carrier so I ended up holding Reid and not really helping pick too much, oops! But we all had a good time (other than when Finn got upset that I took his bucket without asking him and he gave me the rolled eyes look and a bit of sass). He even found a toad and picked it up.  We are so proud of Finn for having the courage to walk from our car to the farm stand at the blueberry farm all by himself and purchase a half dozen ears of sweet corn! He and Kevin had already gotten peaches and blackberries when we decided we wanted sweet corn too. So Kevin gave him money and he had to go talk with the lady and take care of the whole transaction. He did great and was really proud of himself on the walk back to our car.
Later on Sunday evening we joined the Bethune’s and met up with the Eilerman’s for our first Sunday on the Scioto concert of this summer. We enjoyed our regular Jimmy John’s on a picnic blanket and also took our fresh blueberries to share 🙂 This weeks Brutus destruction includes Lily’s collar which he chewed through WHILE she was wearing it!  Ugh, this boy!  And we were treated to batches of cookies this week compliments of Debbie and Griffin. Chocolate chip and peanut butter batches were made on a rainy indoor kind of day! It’s kind of dangerous for me to be home with all these sweet treats, quite honestly.  I’ve lost all self control!