March

3.1.17 Working on my latest shirt-quit.  It turned out really well!

3.2.17  She knew she was in trouble as soon as I saw what she was doing and burst into tears.

3.6.17 Liking the Bumbo

3.9.17 She was in heaven riding Scott's car at the park. 

3.10.17 I was surprised at how happy they were to ride at the same time.

3.14.17 First time trying out the big swing.

3.15.17 Taking a ride on Grandpa Ridges new side-by-side.

3.16.17 They were hiding from airplanes...

3.19.17 Dad, Caroline, and Ben all under the "tower" in the playroom. Looks comfy.

3.21.17  The daffodils bloomed!!

3.21.17 Had such a fun time visiting with my former companion, Kim, her mom,  and her new little one, Shannon.  Shannon and Matthew are only a week or so apart and it was so fun to have a little photo shoot.  We're thinking they would make great pictures to show at a wedding reception someday :) 

3.23.17 Trouble

3.25.17

Matthew at 3 months

Matthew is a pretty mellow little guy.

He will intentionally smile and giggle now.

His head is much steadier.

He still sleeps most of the day and wakes up usually just once a month.  

He doesn't really like bottles.  

February

2.3.17 Ben LOVES this book!  "The Caboose Who Got Loose"

2.3.17

2.5.17 Scott's 3rd birthday party.

2.8.17 Warm enough to eat outside!!

2.11.17 This picture doesn't portray the emotional distress I had shortly after I let them paint.  I knew it was a bad idea.  Suffice it to say that while I was trying to clean up the paint off the wall that Ben went to lay on top of his < 2 month old brother.  Then while I was trying to help Matthew Ben started playing with the plunger.   Not my finest moment and not terribly encouraging for a new mom of 3.  I wasn't sure if Ben and I were both going to make it to his 2nd birthday.

2.12.17

2.15.17

2.19.17

2.19.17

2.20.17 My first trip to the grocery store by myself with three kiddos. I made it almost 2 months- I think I should stay in SC for the first month after every baby!  It was so helpful.

2.20.17 Couldn't have done it without Curious George.

2.23.17

2.27.17

2.28.17 I hope they'll always be friends!

Ben is 2!!

Ben is a hoot.  

He is a talking maniac- we can even understand some of it.  

Some of the things he says: "I wanna carry you" "I'm code!!" (cold) "Tant you!" "You welcome" "Where's Kaa-nine?" (Caroline) He also will say a little prayer and sing Wheels on the Bus and a few primary songs.

He knows most of the letters thanks to Caroline. 

He loves anything with wheels- the kind he can push around or ride- and he is a speedy little guy.

He loves to follow the bigger kids around and laughs whenever they laugh and he loves to make them laugh, too.

He has such short little legs and when he runs it just cracks us up.  He has such a cute run.

He can put his shoes on all by himself.

Is pretty sweet with his little brother even though I have had to stop him from steamrolling Matthew a few times.

Is one determined little man.  He wants things done his way and it is hard to change his mind.

He definitely likes to try my patience and it's a good thing he's so darn cute!

We had a small little party to celebrate Ben.  First we went to Red Robin and then Grandma and Grandpa Ridges came over and Grandma and Grandpa Leckie came via Facetime and we did cake, ice cream, and presents.

Matthew at 2 Months

Height: 23 in (50%) 

Weight: 12 lb 1/2 ounce (50%)

Head: Don't have the measurement but is was something like 90th%

Aside from the spitting up Matthew is awesome!  He's like Ben was- somewhat unpredictable, but enough of a fire hose that I want to be prepared every time I feed him.  He does the out the mouth and nose business, too, and it just makes me so sad.  But, he's growing well so I guess it's not too detrimental.  I just do a LOT of laundry.

The only part of the day that has any routine at all is bedtime.  I'll usually feed him around 7:30-8:30 and then swaddle him, give him a pacifier (he's the only one of my kids who will even tolerate them thus far), give him a kiss, and leave.  He usually wakes up somewhere between 2:00 and 4:00 to eat and goes right back to sleep.

He's starting to smile intentionally. It makes my heart so happy!

He's doing better with the head control.  Not quite such a bobble head anymore.

Poor kid, I feel like he spends such a large portion of the day in the swing.  I feel like the floor is so cold and also a little less safe with the other kids running around like crazies.

He's pretty sensitive to being left alone.  Unless he's asleep he is quick to let us know that he doesn't want to be in the room by himself.

He rarely rarely cries.  He'll get fussy- but I think I've only heard him actually cry a handful of times. It's a trend I hope continues.

I really enjoy this stage when they're so sweet and cuddly, but I'm also looking forward to him being able to join his brother and sister in playing.  They're so sweet to him (most of the time) and I hope they'll all be such good friends! He's developing the necessary toughness to be a younger sibling.  I walked around the corner the other day to see Ben sitting on him.  Matthew wasn't crying at all but Ben still got a direct trip to time out.  Ben also will occasionally give the swing some extra pushes.  So far we're all still doing alright. 

Trying so hard to lift his head. 2/1/17

Loving his new swing 2/8/17

Practicing his high school picture pose. 2/9/17

2/11/17

Matthew's Blessing Day

 Jared was able to bless Matthew on Sunday, February 5th. 

He was joined by Dave, Mike, and Chris Ridges. 

It was a short and sweet blessing that he would be given the blessings needed to be and instrument to spread the gospel.  He was blessed with the gift of clear communication to clarify nuances of the gospel and misunderstandings.  He was also blessed to have confidence in his knowledge of the Lord and the gospel. 

The rest of January

What happens when she doesn't take a nap... combined with jetlag she didn't stand a chance. 1/25/17

Caroline is taking a gymnastics class this winter.  It's an 8 week course, one day a week.
This was at her first time since we missed a couple weeks in SC, but she seemed to like it. 1/30/17

Matthew practicing his boxing moves with Ben. 1/30/17