Bugs!

Perry hasn't been fond of bugs for quite a while now. Alex likes to blame me for this since I tend to over-react when I see one close to me. I like to think that Perry was just born this way and that I didn't create this problem, but I'm afraid I'm probably to blame. While out shopping for some gifts this weekend, I came across a little bug collecting kit. I instantly knew I had to get it...I needed redemption! Alex was often always outside playing with bugs when he was younger, so I knew he would be especially excited about Perry's new toy. Once Perry woke up from his nap, he and Alex went outside for their first "hunt". When Perry saw the magnifying glass, he knew exactly what to do with it, thanks to our friend "Sid the Science Kid".

 Perry was saying "Sid" while hold the magnifying glass up to his eye. Doesn't he look just like a little Sid?!?

 Alex started looking under the rocks for bugs. Under the very first rock, he found quite a surprise...

 a snake!!!

 It was just a small garter snake, but still.....ewww!!!! He found a cricket a little later. Perry thought it was so cool to see a real snake. He was a little hesitant around the bug (or should I say snake) house at first, but eventually warmed up and enjoyed going to look at it at every opportunity. 

 The next day, they let the snake and cricket go.

Mardi Gras

We went to the Highland Parade this past weekend. It was my first time to attend this parade and it was Alex and Perry's first time to attend any kind of Mardi Gras parade. We met up with some friends and watched the parade roll by. Perry was mesmerized by all the people and activity going on. He especially liked the marching bands (no surprise). He didn't care about catching beads (he wouldn't even wear any), but he liked to watch the floats go by. The sun was brutal, as you will be able to tell from the pictures. It was a lovely day though, and such a fun Sunday afternoon activity. Mills stayed back with Mae Mae. He will hopefully join us next year.

Captain Shreve friends--doesn't that officer look like Officer Rogers (wasn't that his name?) I think it was him...so random!

4 Month Comparison

I think my boys have similar features that make them resemble each other, however, their face shapes couldn't be more different. Here's a little comparison blog. As you will see, Perry was just a little chubbier than Mills. They are definitely beyond adorable in their own individual way!
Mills:

Perry:

Mills:

Perry:

Valentine's Day

I want to start out this post by mentioning a couple things related to Valentines Day...

The other day, Perry said "I love you, Momma" for the first time without being prompted to do so. I was so excited to hear him say it that I jumped up and down and squealed. It was really special...and also very timely considering it was just before Valentines Day.

On Valentines Day, I asked Perry if he would be my Valentine. He responded with "No way, Momma". Hahaha! 

I don't really make a big deal out of Valentines Day, but I think it's fun to give out extra hugs and kisses. My mom, on the other hand, likes to go all out and give lots of presents. She came over yesterday with a car full of gifts...I'm not exaggerating. Perry was having the most fun with the balloons. He kept playing the little stick balloon like a guitar. So funny! You can kind of see him doing it in the picture below:

 I tried to get a cute picture of Perry and Mills...not successful:

Perry and Dada

The boys' presents: They both got a Thomas the Train mealtime set. Perry also got a raincoat and some shorts. Mills also got a nice bubble and a play outfit.

I didn't take pictures of the other presents. I got some cute attachments for my "Happy Everything" plate, some cheese spreaders, and a salad fork (one of our stainless salad forks went missing) and Alex got a pair of pants. Thanks, Mae Mae! My sweet Nonnie also came by and brought some goodies for all of us. She is always so thoughtful! 

We sure do feel loved!

Cheetah's Visit

Blanche (Cheetah) was here this week from Sunday to Thursday...and thank God (seriously) she came when she did since Perry ended up getting sick with RSV. It was so nice to have an extra person around the house to help out and look after the boys as needed. I took Perry to the doctor Monday morning and ran a bunch of errands in the afternoon. I needed to get a few supplies for the sewing projects we had on the docket as well as some medication for Perry. That was pretty much the extent of my involvement in the sewing projects. Ha.

One of the projects was updating this quilt...

 Blanche made this quilt for Perry along with coordinating baby bedding/curtains. It used to say "Cheetah loves Perry", but I thought we should make it more generic so that Mills wouldn't feel left out. It is such an adorable baby quilt and I will cherish it forever!

 So happy!

Learning how to use the sewing machine

Cheetah needed to stretch and relax after sewing. Perry joined in.

Other things we (and by "we", I mean, "Cheetah") accomplished: altered/remade a jacket for moi; redesigned a little smocked bubble that had a set-in-stain so that Mills can wear it; made a matching blanket and pillow for each of the boys (Thomas the Train for Perry and a sweet patchwork for Mills); monogrammed Perry's school bag; made and monogrammed Mills' Easter basket liner; and updated the quilt I mentioned above. Phew...I think that about covers it. It was a busy few days!

Puddle Time

We have a little drainage problem in our back yard, so whenever it rains, water will collect in this one spot. It's normally nothing but an annoyance, however, the other day (before P got sick) I decided to make it something positive and let Perry have some fun playing in the water. Side note: it was a very warm day here! He was quite hesitant at first, but once he got over the weirdness of getting his shoes soaking wet, he had a blast. He really liked standing "up" on the grass and jumping into the water. He would squat real low with his arms swung back and then jump into the water. He looked just like a swimmer getting ready to jump off his block. Alex and his brothers were competitive swimmers, so I guess Perry has it in his blood to be a natural!

 Thinking about it...

 Getting his hands wet...

 Stepping out a little...

Officially having fun!

4 Months

Mills is 4 months old now! We went to the doctor for a check up a couple weeks ago and he weighed 14 pounds, and was 24 3/4 in long. I love that Mills is sleeping well. He goes to bed at 7, I feed him between 10-10:30 and then he sleeps until 7:15ish (or whatever time I wake him). He doesn't always sleep well between 7 and 10, but I can deal with that. He takes 4 naps/day, with the last one being a short cat nap. His new thing/problem is rolling over in his crib. He can't roll back to his tummy, so one of us has to go flip him. Some nights he doesn't do it at all, other nights he'll do it a couple times. Thankfully, it's a quick fix. This is when I'm glad that our bedrooms are so close. I would hate to have to walk across the house or up some stairs in the middle of the night.

He is also scooting everywhere in his crib. I will often find him facing the opposite direction than how I put him down.

Mills has definitely discovered his hands. He likes to clasp them together or stare at them. He is grabbing for objects in front of him and holding onto toys (like Sophie the giraffe).

Mostly, he just likes to chew and suck on his fingers. He does this ALL the time! While he's nursing, he likes to hold my hand/fingers with his free hand. Another new thing regarding nursing is him being more social while he eats. He'll pull off to coo and smile at me and if anyone is around, he'll stop and turn to see what's going on. I'm having to explain to Perry the importance of using a soft voice and playing quietly.  For me, the sweetest moments with Mills are after he nurses and is just laying on the boppy pillow talking to me. He melts my heart! I pulled out the jumperoo this month and Mills has enjoyed sitting in it, however, I think big brother Perry has had the most fun playing with it. We have also been going on lots of walks in our new stroller. Both of the boys enjoy this time.