Over the September 1st weekend, we made our first big outing with our new little man. Ethan stayed home to play with Emily and we ventured to the Milwaukee area for one of Mike's co-worker's weddings. Brady was great, he slept through the majority of the event and planned his eating times for non-busy times (apart from the middle of dinner).
One of our favorite parts of early fall weather is going to the cottage, relaxing, and sitting by a nice warm campfire! Ethan and Lainey especially loved the s'mores this year. This was an extra special cottage night because the McCarthys were there to hang out with us. Ethan of course loved all the extra attention - especially from Erin and John!
As Brady gets a little older, Ethan has been trying to help us out more and more. Here he is trying to help bathe Brady - who, by the way, still hates his baths!
On one of the warmest days of September, we went to my dad's house for a cook out and Uncle Aaron was able to spend some quality time with the boys. He hasn't held too many babies so holding Brady was an extra special moment :)
The other two kids playing at grandpa's house. Kileigh is one CRAZY driver!
Although Brady is starting to wake up a bit more, he still spends a lot of time sleeping. It is amazing how much he can sleep through anything and in any position! One thing we have noticed that is completely different than Ethan is that Brady likes to sleep with his arms straight up. Ethan always needed to be swaddled.
Although Ethan isn't usually much of a sleeper, this month we had the misfortune of having a bout of the flu run through the house. Ethan spent the better part of about 12 hours keeled over a trash can - poor peanut! Although he felt pretty crummy for that night and into the next day, it didn't take very long to bounce back to his normal self.
One of the latest toys Mike introduced to Ethan is this Nerf gun! Ethan is having a ton of fun playing with this toy outside.
And he thinks he is super funny trying to shoot us!
He really thinks he is pretty funny a lot of the time (and he is). Here he is being a "baby."
Being a "baby" with Brady.
Along with helping a lot with Brady, Ethan is also really into helping Mike and I now. He mostly helps me with cooking and cleaning up the house. He puts measured ingredients into a bowl, stirs, throws clothes down the chute, and picks up in general.
On September 11th, we remembered the passing of Mike's dad 4 years ago. We sure do miss him! I think we can see a little of him in each of the children. Right now his sense of humor is coming across loud and clear in Ethan!
Another part of fall that we love is FOOTBALL!! This year we have started to celebrate football season in a new but old way, going to Milton High School football games. It's fun taking the boys there since it was one of the first places I think of when I think about the beginnings of Mike and I. We were high school seniors at a football game when he offered to share his coat with me :). This game was extra special because it was also Brady's first bottle!! At 5 weeks old, he took it like a champ!
The kids loved cheering on the home team. Ethan was mocking everything a guy above us was saying. He also mocked everything the announcer said.
Ethan also loved the dancing, of course!
The next morning we met up with my mom and Kileigh for some coffee. Kileigh and Ethan both took a turn at feeding Brady a bottle.
Our attempt at a "sitting" shot.
Ethan doing what he loves, dancing and dressing up!
Just another day at the cottage. Ethan sure loves his babies!
Sweet boy :)
On the weekend of September 22nd, we met up with my dad, Kileigh, and Courtney at a hotel in town to have some swimming fun! Ethan loved "swimming" with Mike and had absolutely no fear of putting his face under the water!
Another thing we started this month with the cold weather coming in is making Ethan some "special coffee" or hot chocolate. He loves it! He is always wanting to have some of our coffee in the morning so this way, he can!
My sweet boys!
Possibly the biggest thing that happened this month is the starts of Brady's smiling! At 6 weeks old he started smiling and it took a few days to finally catch one on the camera. It sure does make our hearts melt!
Ethan has become quite the technology pro. He can completely work my Nook without any help at all. He loves Angry Birds games and also likes to do the puzzles and reading games.
The last weekend in September we went to another Milton football game. Before we went to the game we went to the Redzone to eat and saw Carol! Ethan loved sitting and chatting with her and the rest of the table before the meal came. He loves any time he can talk to a table full of adults who laugh at him and all his silly jokes.
Mike's mom met us at the game and even got some precious Ethan snuggle time during the half time show.
Ethan again showed his helping skills when it came to yardwork. There was a lot of raking to do this month and he was definitely up for the challenge. He did his best, sweeping the leaves and raking the sidewalk :)
He also tried to help Mike mow. After watching Mike start the mower one time Ethan duplicated all of the same steps. Ethan has a crazy memory!
Although bagging leaves is pretty fun...
playing in them is WAY better!
As time goes on Brady is really starting to pay attention to people and their voices. We get lots of stares and smiles these days!
Brady's 1 Month Appointment:
Weight: 10 lbs 4.8 oz (52nd percentile)
Length: 21.5 inches (39th percentile)
Head: 37.6 cm (52nd percentile)
Some things we have noticed in the first 6 weeks:
1. Brady is very gassy! At first we thought he maybe had some reflux but through process of elimination have figured out he has gas pains. With some gas drops when he has issues he is like a whole new baby.
2. Brady is quite sensitive to motion. If you go down the stairs too quickly or bend down to pick something up while holding him or even switch his position too quickly, he is sure to let you know!
3. He is a cuddler! How can I get so lucky?? Two babies who like to cuddle :)
4. His skin is much more sensitive than the typical baby. We have had to eliminate all scented laundry detergent and softener and we have to make our own wipes or his skin gets red and irritated.
5. He is a hungry boy! He likes to eat every 2-3 hours around the clock. Luckily, he has his nights figured out so he eats and goes right back to sleep.
6. I am a bit naughtier this time. Brady slept with me for about the first 8 weeks.
7. I always worried that I wouldn't be able to love the second baby the way I love Ethan, good news is, I can :)
