Ode to Beck

Okay, I have a million things to say about my little guy who just turned 4-months-old (I know can you believe he's already 4 months??), and I never sit down to do it. So I'm going to take a minute and talk about my Beck.

I cannot even begin to explain how much I love this little person. I have never really loved the newborn stage; however, with this fella I have appreciated it much more. I don't know if it's something that comes with age, or if it's just because things have been so hard lately, but he is something that amidst the trials and tribulations brings me joy. Really, I can't believe how many times I have just cried and told him how grateful I am for him. He came exactly when he was supposed to. Had he come earlier I wouldn't have needed him quite as much and had he come later it would have been too late. Perfect timing for this perfect baby.

Beck literally lights up a room with those big blue eyes, chubby cheeks, and huge smile. Now I know it will be hard to believe, but everywhere we go we get comments on his hmmm..., let's say plus sized figure. Yes, I know, he's huge!! and I love to kiss every inch of his rolly polly, cellulite covered, creviced body. I often get asked if my other boys were chubby like him, and although Beck certainly takes the cake. The other two weren't too far behind, and you see what happened to them. So I'm not too worried that I have a future Biggest Loser contestant on my hands.

So...some stats...at Beck's 2 month appointment he weighed in at a meager 16 lbs 4 oz. He was off the charts in all areas-height, weight, and head. My doctor came in and was looking everything over. His first comment was (with laughter) Are you going for some sort of record??

We recently went back for our 4-month appointment and Beck had climbed the scales to reach 19 lbs 4 oz. this put him at 88th percentile for height, 96th for head, and a good 1/2 inch off the charts for weight. So what does he eat? Milkshakes on the left, and heavy whipping cream on the right. What size does he wear? 6-12 months. I occasionally try to squeeze him into some 3-6 favorites, but the pants look like leggings and the shorts look like hot pants.

We bought Beck a Bumbo chair, and I was so excited when I got home I ripped it out of the box, stuck it on the countertop, and tried to put Beck in. There was just one problem...he didn't fit. His thighs are so round! Bryson laughed hysterically for a good couple minutes and eventually he worked his way in. He's already outgrown his carseat, swing and bouncer chair. Bryson told me we needed to get him a bigger tub and I told him they don't come in sizes!

Some of my favorite comments are..."Mom why does he have 3 chins?" (Kesler) "He doesn't have a neck." (Brevin) "Where are his knees?" (Everyone) We recently got a tape measure out, and just out of curiosity measured all three of their calves and thighs...they were all within an inch of one another.

Holy cow! Beck loves his big brothers so much. They can get him to smile and laugh like no one else. It's been interesting since Brevin has been in school how much Beck misses him. As soon as Brevin gets in the car Beck is all smiles and giggles, and before long we are all smiling and giggling. Brevin loves it and plays with him for a good hour every afternoon. A few days ago they were playing when Brevin sneezed. Beck thought that it was the most hilarious thing ever and starting laughing his little tail off. So Brevin faked sneezed for a good 20 minutes following.

Beck has recently discovered his own mouth. He is often found chewing on his tongue, sticking it out, or sucking on his lower lip. Brevin and Kesler call him "Chapstick" when he does this because he looks like his applying lip balm.

Oh man, I love him. I just can't get enough!! I am so thankful for my chuga luga. He makes me so happy.

Thank Heaven for Little Boys

Holy cow I am sooo behind!! again! Picture mania lately leaves me little time to post on my own blog. I always feel guilty (which I know I totally shouldn't) posting on this blog when I am 6 behind, yep 6, on my pictures. But there are a few things I just need to get written down so I don't forget! I am appreciative for insomnia...which gives me a little time to do this.

Meet David and Goliath. This is my little brother's little boy, Hudson, next to his big sister's big boy, Beck. Hilarious huh? They are 2 months apart in age and 2 years apart in size. If we're talking Snickers I told them that I guess we know how to make the king sized version and they the bite size. The legs...oh, the legs ha ha.

My mom with her grandsons and her black eye :)

Marbled paper. This was way fun. You put shaving cream in a pan. Then drip some food coloring randomly. Take a toothpick and swirl, pull, push the color spots around. Then get a piece of card stock and push it on lightly. Finally grab a squeegee and swipe all the excess off. I let both of the boys give it a go and they LOVED it. The papers actually turned out pretty stinking cool, but Beck woke up mid project so the final product was never documented.

Unbeknownst to me, Kesler had been chewing on the food coloring bottle.

Best buddies. This summer we spent a lot of time with the Williams family. Jax and Brevin were on the same T-Ball team, football team, and their mom taught the boys swimming lessons. It was so fun to get to know them. Our paths have crossed often, but after spending so much time together this summer we are convinced that we were destined to be friends! We have so much fun whenever we are with them, and can't wait for them to finish their house so they'll only be a few steps away!

With this crazy little thing I call my life, I am so so so lucky for my boys. They keep me going. Beck has brought such a strong sense of love to our home. I know he came just when he was supposed to. I am in awe every day of how much Brevin and Kesler love their baby brother.

I asked Brevin if he would want to have another baby at our house (totally hypothetically of course) and he had the sweetest response. He crinkled his little face up and said "No, way!" I was actually really surprised given how much he loves Beck so I asked him why, and his response was this..."I don't want to see you go through that again, Mom." I was a little taken back and asked "Go through what?" he said, "You were always puking, and sick, and hurting. Remember that day when you came to get me from school and you needed to puke and didn't know where to go? So you grabbed that cup in the car and puked in it? I don't ever want you to have to go through that again." He really is such a good boy. I couldn't believe that at 6 years old that had bothered him so much. I just love him.

Well Lindsey and Nate moved to Las Vegas this weekend. Nate will be going to law school at UNLV for the next 3 years. Yep, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to survive. I cannot even explain how much I did not want to see my sis go. Yeah, yeah it will be good for them. Anyone who has moved away knows that. It just stinks that we aren't going to get to see them like we're used to. Lucky for us, airline tickets to Vegas are usually cheap. So I told Linds that we would see each other once a month one way or another. Lindsey really is the best friend, sister, sister in law, and aunt you could ask for. We know she would do anything for us. Nothing makes my kids happier than a visit from Sissy and Nate. They spoil them rotten and love them so much. She's also AMAZING to me and to Bryson. We know we can count on her for everything. I hate to see them go. We just love them too much.

So we headed down last Sunday to spend a couple of days with them before they left. Sunday evening they took us to Wheeler Farm to feed the ducks and look at the animals. It was very clear that these birds were used to being fed. They were scaring the daylights out of my kids.

Brevin telling him to back off...

The duck that most resembled Kesler's hair...

We were looking at the goats and I looked over and saw Kelser grabbing onto of the goats horns saying, "You think you're tough? Huh? You think you're tough?" It was hilarious.

Bryson thinking he's funny...

First thing Monday morning we headed off to a new water park in Salt Lake called Cowabunga Bay. My kids thought it was the best thing in the world...actually, so did Bryson :) It's a 6 foot story structure will tons of slides coming off in all directions. It was so nice to have Sissy there. She had just had surgery on her hand and couldn't get it wet, so she insisted on holding Beck the whole time and letting the 4 of us be crazy. It really was such a fun day. My fearless Kesler went on every single slide whether he was tall enough or not. And occasionally Bryson would disappear and we'd see him running to the slides by himself. He's such a big kid, but that's what makes him a great dad.

Thanks for such a fun trip Sissy and Nate. You guys really are the best, and we are going to miss you more than you know!

Swimming Lessons

The boys tried out swimming lessons for the first time this summer. They did great! My only regret was that I hadn't started them sooner. I have been wanting to the past couple of summers, but never did it. Lucky for me, our friend Shelby teaches private lessons, and she had time for them !! She was amazing with them. I cannot believe how much they progressed from day 1 to day 8...crazy. Beck and I got to chill by the pool every day while the big bros swam, and Bryson came along the last day to watch.

Beck's Blessing

We blessed Beck on July 12, 2009. He looked amazingly cute in his adorable little blessing outfit. Bryson did in amazing job on the blessing even though Beck cried through the whole thing. I had a feeling it might happen so I leaned over just before they went up and told Bryson that Beck would only whimper, but he wouldn't wail so to stay focused on the blessing and it would be fine. That's exactly what happened. Bryson was confident and Beck quit crying as soon as it was over :)

It was a bittersweet day. My grandpas have never missed any of the important events in my kids' lives and in the past year my Grandpa Thompson passed away and my Grandpa Farrell is unable to leave his home. It made me really sad that they weren't there. With only one family I was worried that we might be small in numbers, but I was so grateful for our friends who came and made up the difference. We really are blessed with such good friends, and I am so thankful for them. Heaven only knows how much we need them.

We are also so so so lucky to have my family. They show us unconditional love. As with all families we certainly have our ups and downs, but when it matters most they are always there. I need to thank Sissy and Nate for coming up the night before to help. And I need to thank everyone who came to support us. We love all of you and are so thankful for you.

After a weekend of cleaning, and preparing for the blessing we were spent the following day...Beck especially. The boys feasted on the carmel apple dip the williams' brought to the blessing so I had to put these funny pics on here too...thanks Shelb.