Easter 2015

Easter.

It's quickly becoming my favorite holiday. Spring's arrival coupled with the remembrance of our Lord's Resurrection are certainly a wonderful cause for celebration!

And while it's my favorite holiday, it's also a hard one since we don't live near family. We have lots of responsibilities at church so traveling home isn't feasible. I was a little down this year, thinking of all we were missing back home and the fact that no one would get to see our sweet babes in their Easter best, but it was a beautiful weekend in spite of those things!

On Saturday morning, we kept our now annual tradition of attending our town's egg hunt! This year, Londyn Grace entered a painting in the art contest and received a ribbon and coloring book!

She also got to see the Easter Bunny! She absolutely loves anything in costume so she was thrilled!

She gave him a high five and also sat on his lap twice!

Brother slept through most of it, but woke up just in time to meet the Big Bunny, too! He wasn't quite as excited as Sister, but he didn't cry!

After the hunt, we stopped at Dunkin for some doughnuts before heading to the church for our afternoon of Upward basketball.

When we got home, it was time to color our eggs.

Londyn Grace was so into it. From putting the eggs into the pot to boil, getting her cups of dye ready and then coloring them and adding pretty stickers, she loved every minute of it!

They turned out really pretty! She decided to try one but only ate a few bites before deciding mama could finish it!

Before heading to bed on Saturday evening, I filled their baskets.

The first Easter basket is always a hard one for me since he can't eat candy yet and doesn't really play with toys so Liam didn't get quite as much as Londyn Grace, but he wasn't too upset about it!

Before getting dressed on Sunday morning, we came down to see what we waiting in their baskets.

The umbrella was definitely a favorite! 

Bubba enjoyed his ducky, too.

After a beautiful Resurrection Day Service, a sweet friend snapped a few pictures for us! It's been a tradition since we got married to coordinate our Easter outfits and have a photo taken. I love looking back at the pictures from years past.

This year was extra special since it was Liam's first Easter!

I love this picture of my two favorite guys in their matching bow ties!

And then of Daddy and both of his babies!

I'm hardly ever in pictures with them since I'm typically behind the camera so I was thrilled to get this one!

Then I took of few of our sweet babes in their Easter best! After taking about twenty shots, this was the least blurry of them all! :)

His sweet little suspenders and her smocking make this mama's heart happy!

I love this one even though you can't see their faces! They love each other so much!

It was a wonderful day! He is Risen, indeed!

Liam is 8 Months Old!

Eight Months! We are inching or rather speeding towards one year with our little man! Every month seems to pass a little quicker than the last!

He's still a peanut weighing in at 14 pounds 8 ounces. He is 25 and 3/4 inches long. He wears 6 month onesies so the snaps will button, but we still have trouble in the pants department! A few of his 3 month pairs fit best in the waist but are highwaters! Until this month, his stats have been similar to Londyn Grace's, but he is a bit behind what she was at his age now. Our pediatrician isn't worried since he is meeting all of his milestones and is a happy, healthy boy, but suggested with try some solids that have a higher fat content. This week he tried avocado. He seems to do better when Daddy feeds him than when I do! When I do it, he spits most of it out! He enjoys feeding himself using the mesh feeder. Honeydew is a new favorite thanks to Auntie! 

He's still nursing on demand which is about every 2.5 hours or sooner if he decides he needs a snack. Feeding on demand is what works best for my milk supply so that's what we do! When he is ready to eat. he just throws himself into nursing position! 

Each morning he takes a two hour nap in his swing and then at least one sometimes two more shorter naps in the afternoon/evening. At night, he still sleeping in Daddy and Mama's bed! He's such a sweet snuggle bug! 

People are always commenting on how happy and smiley he is and for the most part that is true! He's certainly happiest when he's in my arms though and I'm completely okay with that! 

Getting into his carseat is not one of his favorite things to do, but he's usually okay once the initial strapping in is complete! 

He does enjoy his jumperoo and absolutely loves splashing in the tub at bathtime!

We are still waiting on his first tooth to appear! He is constantly chewing on something! I'm forever taking things away that he's not supposed to have! 

Londyn Grace is still his favorite and he's always watching her. She was so excited to take him to the playground for the first time. He went on the swings and even went down the slide with her! I'm looking forward to watching them play together as he becomes more mobile.

He is such a joy to our family! We love you, Bubba Boy, and praise the Lord for eight months together! 

Londyn Grace is Two and a Half Years Old!

Two and a half.

If I tell you not to smile at me, it results in this super cute squinty-eyed smile! 

These last six months have been nothing short of amazing. You are such a big girl now. There is not much baby left in you and though it hurts my heart, it also makes me happy. I'm just so happy to be blessed with the privilege of watching you grow and change each day.

At halfway to three, you are tipping the scales at around 25 pounds and measuring 35 inches tall. You are wearing 2T and 3T dresses. You are growing out of the size six shoes you just started wearing in January so we bought a 6.5 in your easter shoes!

You are smart. Constantly blowing us away with your language skills and knowledge and understanding of so much, you definitely take after your Daddy when it comes to all of that. You are always adding new adjectives like probably and actually to your vocabulary. It makes me giggle to hear you use such big words! You've known all of the alphabet since before you turned two and continue to point out letters on signs, menus and wherever else you see them. You know what letters several words start with. You can count to 12 and recognize those numbers, as well. You also know all of your colors and shapes and are currently learning the days of the week. You have a really good memory and recall events  and even little things that happened months ago. You love tractors, especially riding on Pop Pop's, and because of that your favorite color is yellow!

my beautiful girl

I often ask you if you are two or ten because of the conversations we have! You respond, "I'm two!" If I ask you your name, you respond, "Londyn Grace Hodge!" You also know brother's full name and mama and daddy's real names, too.

You are very aware of what's going on around you and are always asking "What's this, mama?!" and other questions. Your little mind seems to be in overdrive taking everything in.

You like when things are in their places and exactly as they should be. Today as I was preparing to make stamps out of potatoes for an art project, you said, " Those are for dinner! We need to cook them!" Speaking of art projects, you absolutely love to paint. You would paint all day if you could. You also love doing puzzles and playing with play doh. You don't even open your toy box on most days because you'd rather be doing one of the aforementioned things. And regardless of what you're doing, you're most likely singing! You are singing about 99% of the time! Your sweet little voice is constantly filling our home with song! Reading is also on your list of loves. We read book after book after book and you still want more. You do like to watch old episodes of Barney on Youtube. Your favorites are Barney's Birthday and Barney's Ball Machine. 

You are sweet. One of your favorite things to do is to snuggle buggle with mama and it's certainly my favorite time of day. At night, we read books in mama's bed and then say your prayers before your snuggle close and drift off to sleep. You are quick to say "I'm sorry, mama" after you've done something wrong. You melt my heart with how often you say "Thank you, mama!" after I've done something for you. Most nights after you take your first bite of dinner, you say, "Mmmmm. It's good! Thank you for my dinner, mama!"  Recently, Daddy and I were under the weather and you were constantly asking, "Are you feeling better, Daddy?" and "Are you okay, Mama?!" when I would cough. I pray you never lose your care and concern for others. 

such a silly Goosey

You are the best big sister. You like for mama to hold "two babies" meaning brother on one hip and you on the other. Brother Boy is definitely one of your favorite people. I don't know what I would do without your help with him. You are faster than mama to clean him if he spits up or grab something from him if he's chewing on something he's not supposed to be chewing on! In your words, "Liam always eats stuff!" You were pretty excited when he finally got to taste solid food last month! You love to go upstairs to greet him when he wakes up from his nap.

You are silly and full of energy. From jumping on the bed to running around, you are always on the move. You are independent. Putting your shoes on by yourself and even going potty without help are just two of the things that warrant, "I do it!" meaning you don't need mama's assistance! {You've been fully potty trained since right after around your second birthday}

You enjoy going to basketball on Saturdays to watch the kids play and Daddy coach. You love Sunday School and look forward to seeing all of your friends each time we go to church.  

The distance from family is really starting to become real to you and saying goodbyes after visits is getting tougher. You love talking to everyone on Facetime though! Thank the Lord for technology. 

You are my big helper! Every morning, you climb up on a stool next to me as we wash dishes. I cherish that time with you while brother naps and we sing and talk while we work. Every evening, you sit on the counter and help me prepare dinner. You love to carry Daddy's plate to him. 

There is so much about you that I just can't put into words. Your Shirley Temple curls. Your pretty blue eyes. How precious you look in your smocked dresses. In so many ways I just wish I could freeze time and keep you this age forever, but I'm so looking forward to what's to come with you, Goosey!

We have big plans for growing a flower garden and spending lots of time at the park this summer. 

talking to the ducks

I'm sure I'll think of so much more that I want to keep record of, but for now this is a pretty good synopsis of you at two and half years old. 

You are my favorite girl, and I just adore you!

I just love your expression in this one!

talking to mama about wanting to go to the park after we finished taking pictures

Speaking of "I love you!" when I say, "I love you!" and you say it back, I ask, "How much?" and you say, "SO much" and then I question, "How much is SO?!" and you finish with, 

"WAY MORE THAN YOU KNOW!" 

And that is so very very true!

I love you, Goose, WAY MORE THAN YOU KNOW!

But even more than Mama's love is the Savior's love for you! I pray that more than anything you learn as you grow and mature, you grasp that wondrous fact at an early age! 

You are my precious gift from Him! 

Happy Half Birthday, sweet girl!

Liam ~ Six and Seven Months

Well, I did it. One of those things I promised myself I'd never do. I intended to give the same time and attention to Liam's monthly updates as I did to Londyn Grace's in her first year, but here I am two months behind! I feel so badly about not keeping them current as these updates are a baby book of sorts for my little ones, but between the flu, my laptop having an unfortunate run in with apple juice and just being busy with two babes, keeping house, running my business and helping with the ministries at church, I just couldn't keep up. I started typing his sixth month update on time and have managed to take the pictures on the exact day he turned six and seven months old so that makes me feel a little better. I also am active on Instagram and keep daily and weekly notes about his growth and development on there!  If you're not following me, I'm @ephthreetwenty !

So without further adieu, let's get caught up on my sweet Bubby!


Six months. A half a year! Our little Liam babe is halfway to one!

He weighed in at 13 pounds 2 ounces at his sixth month checkup which is a few ounces less than LG was at this age, but I'm guessing it's because he is so active. He measured 25 inches long.

This month he moved up to 3-6 month shirts/onesies and 6 month pants mainly because cloth diapers are so bulky. 

He's still a peanut, but has grown so much since our first chalkboard picture was taken back in September. 

His biggest milestone this month was learning to sit unassisted. He doesn't sit long though because he's constantly making his way to his belly and rolling and wiggling to get a toy on his playmat (or something he wishes were a toy!)

He also rolled back to belly for the first time this month and learned to jump in his jumperoo! It's crazy that his feet didn't touch the floor in it back at Christmastime, but now they do! Babies don"t keep!

He's hitting all the physical milestones faster than Londyn Grace did so I have a feeling he may crawl earlier than she did as well. 

Speaking of his big sister, they are still the best of friends! She can make him smile unlike anyone else! He loves to grab her hair so she's constantly saying, "Liam's hair grabbing!" He also loves to put things in his mouth so she's frequently saying "Liam always eats stuff!"

As far as sleep, the morning nap in his swing was still consistent at six months from around ten until noon. The afternoon nap was more than likely taken in mama's arms and he was still sleeping between mama and daddy at night since he likes to snack frequently. Nursing is still going well. 

This month we took his six month portraits (which I did manage to post on time!) and celebrated his first Valentine's Day!

Seven months.

This month brought the flu to our house. It started with mama and then hit Big Sister hard. We thought Brother Boy was going to be spared, but just as Sister was recovering, he started vomiting. It was pretty awful to see such a tiny boy so sick, but thankfully it was only a 24 hour thing with him and he never lost interest in nursing. 

He weighed in at 13 pounds 15 ounces and measured 25 inches long.

When we are out and about, he is such a happy and social boy! He loves to wave and then act shy when someone says hello by burying his face in mama's shoulder!

He is very much a mama's boy and loves being held.

He spent a lot of time teething, but no tooth has popped through yet!

He is such a stinker, but a super sweet one! 

He has lots of nicknames including Bubby, Bubba, Brother Boy, Little Big Man, etc. 

He still has Londyn Grace wrapped around his finger! They look for each other as soon as they wake each morning! 

This month brought his first taste of solids. He tried sweet potato just like Big Sister did. He wasn't too sure what to think, but tolerated it well! Mama's milk is still his main source of nutrition!

He still hates his carseat and loves bathtime!

He discovered his bowtie and promptly removed it during our chalkboard pictures! Just look at that grin!

Things in the sleeping department are still the same other than he's staying up a little longer in the mornings before taking his morning nap in his swing.

He is so snuggly and still loves to nurse and rock in the afternoons while Londyn Grace naps.

I am in the very very early planning stages for his first birthday party which will be here before we know it! 

We are so so thankful for the gift of our little Liam babe!

Here's hoping his eighth monthly update is a little more timely!

Liam's Six Month Portraits

Yep! You read that right! A half a year has passed since our sweet, sweet boy joined our family! Last Saturday morning, it was time to take his six months portraits!

I clearly remember my excitement over getting to take Londyn Grace's six month pictures outside. Unfortunately, we couldn't go out into the sunshine for Liam's since we are in the middle of one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record here in New Jersey. We are very much looking forward to Spring's arrival!

Our bedroom has several windows and some pretty great natural light so I decided it was the next best thing to getting outside.

I pushed our bed out of the way and set up shop in the corner so we could get a few shots of our Bubba!

I found his Baby Gap one piece cardigan sweater at Once Upon a Child a few weeks ago on the clearance rack for one dollar and bought the faux fur rug at Home Goods.

He was in the middle of a leap {speaking of leaps, if you've never heard of the Wonder Weeks app I highly recommend it!} so he wasn't as excited as his mama for his session, but I still managed to snap a few smiles.

The next one is probably my favorite of the whole session!

And then there's this one of him showing his silly side!

I would have loved to hire a photographer and have a session done, but overall I'm happy with how these turned out!

After I took these, it was time for a costume change! 

I wanted to incorporate the rocking chair we used for Big Sister's pictures so I choose a pair of vintage overalls and a hat that Mimi had gotten for him a few weeks ago to compliment the blue chair.

I always love my babies in blue since they both have blue eyes!

He spent most of this time looking at Sissy, but I love that I caught his love for her on camera!

If anyone can get a smile out of him, it's Londyn Grace.

I really love the next one! His sweet little smile and his eyelashes make my heart so happy!

And then there are his precious little feet and hands in this one!

It's so hard to wrap my mind around the fact that we are over halfway to his first birthday!

He seems just as surprised by how quickly time flying! 

Happy 6 months, Big Man!! Daddy, Mama and Sister love you so very much and praise the Lord for what you've added to our family! 

Liam is 5 Months Old!

Our Bubba Boy hits the five month mark today!

And just like I did when LG turned 5 months, I'm having a hard time with it! I still can't put my finger on it, but it just seems so old!

The newborn days are behind us and we have finally settled into a good routine! What a difference a few weeks makes! Even just in the last week, I've made some changes that have helped me feel less overwhelmed and more capable of handling two little ones and the daily chores and responsibilities that must be attended to!                

This past month was a month of big accomplishments for our little man!

He gained a pound and grew an inch! He weighs 12 pounds 1 ounce and measures 25 inches long.
It's time to pack the newborn clothes away and even some of the 0-3 things as well. We're buying 3-6 month outfits now! His newest nickname is Little Big Man! He's still so small, but seems like he's growing so fast.

His nursing sessions are so quick these days. He's eating every 2.5 to 3 hours typically. He's napping like a champ! All of the sleep his missed last month has certainly been made up for in the form of three daily naps! He's sleeping in his swing which is probably not the best habit to start, but right now we are rolling with it! :) At night, he's snuggled between Mama and Daddy! I never thought he would co-sleep like Londyn Grace did because he was sleeping so well by himself, but it's the only way either of us are getting any sleep at night!

He hit several milestones, too. He discovered his feet and also learned to roll from his belly to his back. He's working hard on rolling from back to belly, but hasn't mastered it yet. He is so strong and prefers sitting up (supported) over laying down. He officially outgrew his rock and play as tries to sit up in it!

He's a mama's boy through and through! Daddy often comments on the way he looks at me! There is something so special about having a son! He's already figured out that if he fusses when I lay him down, mama is pretty quick to pick him up again!

And as much as he loves mama, he loves his big sister something fierce! His face just lights up when he watches her playing, and she loves to make him smile.

He wasn't really into pictures this morning and I was having a hard time getting a smile out of him so Sister came to the rescue with his favorite Tigger! With a stuffy nose and teething combined, he hasn't been the happiest boy over the last few days.

Liam is very verbal much more so than Londyn Grace was. He's constantly cooing, talking and squealing!

He was quite the busy little one this month! He joined us for his first trip to Wycoff's Tree Farm to pick out our tree and even went into NYC with us to see the tree in Rockefeller Center and visit Times Square. We were amazed at how well he did! He isn't liking being worn at all lately (much to my dismay) and we couldn't bring our beast of a double stroller on the bus so Daddy carried him through Manhattan all day long! He slept for most of our visit!

For his first Christmas, we bought him a jumperoo, a few teething toys, a puzzle with the letters of his name, and his first Hess truck! We hope to continue the Hess truck tradition each year!

I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks because he's so close to sitting alone and that is always such a fun milestone! I can't believe we are nearly halfway to one! I've been brainstorming ideas for his party!

Our sweet, handsome boy really wasn't feeling our photo shoot today, but I did snap this smile! 

However, this last picture represents how he really felt!

Hopefully, his six month pictures will go better!

Happy FIVE months, Bubbers! We love you SO! 

Liam ~ 4 months

Oh, my! This is officially the latest I have ever been with a monthly update for either babe!

Anyways....

Liam turned four months old on December 9th. I took his pictures that morning, but never got around to typing a post.

There isn't much to say about that month other than the fact that it was the month that he decided that sleep was overrated.

He went from sleeping in his rock and play for most of the night to hardly sleeping at all!

Needless to say I had gotten really used to resting at night so it was a rough few weeks as I readjusted!

Sleep regression is real, folks! Londyn Grace never slept well so I was never used to sleeping, but he had been such a good sleeper since birth that this change was hard!

He did have an appointment with Dr. Schlachter in the beginning of the month and his stats were exactly those of his big sister's at his age. Weighing in at 11 pounds and measuring 24 inches long. I guess our babies are just going to be long and lean!

As for clothes, he was still wearing newborn pants (with room in the waist!) which were high-waters due to his length and 0-3 month onesies and shirts.

Overall, he continued to be our sweet, happy boy bringing such joy to our home!

Londyn Grace is still his biggest fan. She loves her "Miam" so much!

This month we celebrated his first Thanksgiving and thanked the Lord for the blessing of our boy!

I missed my sleep, but I wouldn't trade a good night's rest for one moment with my Bubba!

 Thankfully things are looking better! I'll be back on Friday with this 5 month update! There is so much to share from the past four weeks, and I intend on posting on time!