Everett's 1st Bath at Home

 Everett got his first bath at home and did pretty good. He wasn't to sure of the experience at first and then I managed to get him to smile for me as I wrapped him up in his towel sleeper. He loves this sleeper so much after bath time and it has been difficult to get him to change out of it after how cozy he gets.

 He's fallen asleep a few times in it and Brendon is so sweet to want to stay close to his baby brother when he sleeps. It is so sweet to see how to see how much he cares for Everett and wants to be near him. A few times while they have been sleeping I will have Everett in my lap and Brendon will reach out for Everett's hand to make sure he is still there.

Car Rides

 Our boys love car rides and it is amazing how well they do in them and how well the fall asleep. Here are a few pictures of the boys in the car and at home. Brendon also loves having fun playing while we drive he can be a little entertainer for us as he pretends to be different people and animals.

Open House for Mommy's Cousin/ Meeting Great Grandma

1st off I want to congratulate my cousin Samantha on completing her high school education and for going to college this coming fall. You have a bright and exciting future ahead of you!

   

While at my cousins High School Open House Everett got to  meet my Grand mother for the first time.  We had a blast spending time with family and Brendon was determined to make sure no one took his baby brother for too long. If he felt they were done holding Everett he would tell them "give my mommy my baby brother" and stand there with his hands on his hips pointing at me.

 After a while I put Everett in our carrier and Brendon started to play with some of the other kids. My cousin Samantha (the graduate) gave Brendon several of her balloons to play with and he spent the next 2 hours running back and forth with the other kids as they chased him. (Eventually they all had their own balloons)

All on our own (Everett week 2)

Daddy left us for a weekend to go to California for a baby blessing this was a challenge but also a fun adventure for the boys and I. We were able to go to my parents a lot for Brendon to have a chance to run around get worn out so he would go to bed at night really easy. This also gave me a break off and on with juggling both boys. Here are some fun photos of the weekend and the week following after daddy got home. 

 

 

 Brendon was determined to read to Everett and to show him pictures of daddy all weekend. He said we couldn't forget daddy. Every day he would wake up and ask how long till Daddy would get home and then he would tell baby brother.

 My biggest shortfall for the weekend was I let Brendon have my tablet for his games and to watch his shows way more than we normally do. But a moms gotta do what she can to entertain and contain a energetic 2 year old. 

 Here are some fun shots of Everett sleeping

 Aunt Kat had her Fair well dance while Daddy was gone and we went over to help her get ready. Brendon was determined to get a kiss or 2 from her because she looked like a princess.

 So sweet, I love watching my boys sleep and getting to cuddle with them.

 Brendon went fishing and caught a Kat. He ran around my parents house with the net for an hour trying to catch Aunt Kat. His laugh was so fun to hear when he'd get her. She would then escape and they would start again

  

One of Brendon's calmer moments is whenever he is near the puppies. He loves to just sit and pet them. This new set he got to name and says they are his puppies. He loves to watch Anna, Elsa, and Sven play when we go over.  

 A few fun Selfie pictures we took to send to Daddy while he was gone.

 Everett got to meet Great Grandpa Rivers for the first time. Brendon was not happy that he was holding his baby brother and kept telling Great Grandpa to give baby brother back to his mommy. It was fun to watch them talk back and forth as my grandfather explained he wasn't going to take him away.

 

Daddy's home!

 We attended my sister Kathleen's 8th Grade Graduation, that should have been held in the High school if you ask me. We ended up in the standing room only over by the handicap section with my mom, and that was a good spot, a lot of people were in the halls outside the gym and standing outside with the gym doors propped open. My dad was clear across the small gym standing along the bleacher wall. (We all drove up separate and it was hard to get all together with the crowds) Anyway it was a lot of fun to watch and Brendon loved playing Eye Spy Aunt Kat. The principal ended the ceremony with great statement 

" Believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you"

 Cuddles with Daddy

Week 1

Here are just a bunch of photos of the boys from the first week.

  Everett does not like hats and would wiggle to get them off. It didn't matter what hat we tried. He would rub his head to get them off. The far right photo is the look I got after putting it back on.

 

 From day 1 he was a thumb/finger sucker. His ultrasound pictures can prove that.

 Brendon was a little entertainer from day one of baby brother coming home. No matter how tired I was he made the day go by fast and he made it fun. (Left) he was making cupcakes and decorating them with his cars while we watched cupcake wars. (Center) He he is pretending to drive a train. (Right) Daddy got home from work and asked Brendon if he wanted to go for a walk, He said yes and went to get dressed all by himself.

Here is another of Everett as we got back from going out for a little bit. It was only a short trip to my parents but it wiped us both out.

Brendon loves Everett so much and he wants to be near him all the time. Nap time is no exception, several time during the week I had my lap taken over by both boys sleeping. This made getting up to get stuff done difficult, but so worth it to relax and enjoy the special moment between these two.

I love nursing my kids, I know this is a bit personal but I have to say it is a great bond between a mother and her young child. Anyway Brendon is a hoot when I am trying to nurse Everett. Most of the time it is puzzle after puzzle and book after book but every so often he decides to act out. So far it has been baby powder on the ottoman and gold fish (crackers) spilled in the couch. We'll see what he comes up with next.

Brendon loves books and when he can he will convince us to read one after another, But the greatest blessing I have found is his desire to read the scriptures. He is determined to not go to bed until we read at night and say  our prayers. He also has to have his picture of Christ while we read. Although he is so young and may not remember what it was we read each night the spirit is so strong and  a great blessing in our home and lives from this sweet little ones faith.

(Left) Brendon watching for Daddy to get home. (Right) My favorite photo of Everett from the week.