San Antonio and El Paso

With out refugee friend, Carlos

The Sweetest Boy

It seriously blows my mind that my second will be a year next month!!!!!

Rocky is the sweet soul of the family. He loves to watch Troy and play with what he's playing with. But he also gets his feelings hurt quite easily and wants to make sure mom is always nearby so I can right any wrong that might happen from Troy. 

This boy absolutely hates to nap. It's insane. He is great at night, but during the day, this boy really struggles. He hasn't taken a nap longer than an hour in probably a month. He's actually in bed crying right now! I don't know if he's just a light sleeper, can't put himself back to bed or what, but I have a theory that he just wants me. 

I used to think that life was easy if Troy was asleep, and I just had Rocky awake. But now, I don't mind Troy being awake...it's Rocky thats a lot of work! Don't know when that changed. 

He is pulling himself up, and just the other day took steps by himself while holding onto the laundry basket that was sliding on the floor. He has also let go and stood for just a second once or twice. He likes to be standing on tries to support himself on anything, stable or unstable. 

Poor guy takes a lot of falls, and a lot of abuse from his brother that likes to hold onto his shirt, lean against him, hold onto his head, etc. Bobby and I can't tell if it's out of malice, thinking Rocky is cute, or wrestling like we do to him.

Rocky is still a little squirt - 10% weight for his age. I do pride myself in the fact that he has a very round head because the boy never got set on the floor, and thus the back of his head is not flat whatsoever. He loves to eat, but will not take a bottle and is not interested in nursing so it's the liquid calories we need to force.

We had these boys close together so they would play...and it backfired because all they do is fight, constantly. But I caught this rare moment - 

And I just sit and watch. I love when they are both happy at the same time!

The other time this happens is when Rocky crawls below Troy's highchair, and Troy throws food at him. They both think that is very funny.

We spend mornings together. It's when he is the happiest.

This boy stands up the entire time in the tub, to my dismay, but won't stand up when I take him out and try to wrap a towel around him.

Rocky feels he is a victim, but Troy does not see it that way.

Right before bed, when the sun is low, and dad is home, and dinner is over is also a happy time in our home.

He always tilts his head back - happy, tantrums, sleeping, laughing, etc.

Got two teefers! On Dentist Keith's birthday!

Rocky, I love you so much I can't even begin to explain. I ache for those soft cheeks against mine right now.

Just please, work on those naps.

My Little Sticker

Dearest Rocky,

You're at that really fun stage where you cryyyy when I walk across the room. You want me CLOSE at all times. Preferably being held.

You are now a full fledged crawler, and are getting FAST. And you're getting more and more confident pulling yourself up. Especially pulling yourself onto the elephant slide...but then you get stuck because you're better at getting up than you are at getting down.

Today we subbed in nursery and since dad was working (what else is new?), you had to come with me. But you loved playing with the older kids! And the little girls especially liked to touch you. Usually though, you are good in sacrament while Troy is being a pill then right when we drop him off, you start wanting your nap...

I see two little bottom teefers coming in but as of yet, still no teeth! You eat a huge variety of food without them though...probably too much but mom is just not patient when it comes to lumch time so you usually get what T is having.

And your hair is as blonde as blonde gets!

Although still a mama's boy 10000%, you are starting to see what fun Troy and dad have and you want to get into it!

Your hair is shorter now! 4 haircuts in 8 months. Pretty good for a blonde guy.

Example of a mom who doesn't have patience to spoon feed her baby, so instead lets him eat this even though he doesn't have teeth....

Taking a break after house hunting. You did not like house hunting to say the least. (Aren't babies supposed to sleep in the car?!)

You grow up so fast, Rock Man

At the zoo - i.e. PetCo

Surprise trip from Grandma & GP & Kylee - The Best!

Your blue blue eyes. So different from your brother!

I love you.

Crawling!

And just like that you are crawling!!

And pulling yourself up!

What?!

When did that happen??

It started as one sided/Army crawling. But you leaned fast, within like 3 days. And now you are an expert!

 

!

You went 11 days without seeing dad :( Some from a conference Bobby went to, but mostly because you go to bed before he gets home! :( No wonder you are a mamas boy. You hardly know we live with dad!

7 months

Sweetest little bug, I literally can not believe you are 7 months    !

I love you so much, Rocky Brigham.

And you love me so much...a little too much!!!

You are a good baby, but I literally hold you about 10 hours of the day. You love to laugh at Troy from a far, but do not like anyone else to hold you, not even dad. 

You are a mamas boy 100%.

You are experiencing the wonderful world of food! When you want something, your whole body is completely consumed with getting it. You kick and reach and lean with your whole body and shake your head. I don't like giving you apple slices and things you could choke on, but this boy is adamant!

Unfortunately for me, Troy is not quite ready to transition to the table, so it is a lot of clean up time for me......But I refuse to buy two highchairs.

Found this picture recently, it is so sweet to me.

You are now a pro at sitting!!! And it is making playing with toys much easier, muah hah ha!

<3

WHY are you so gosh darn sweet?!

You've been "so close to crawling" for about a month now! You just can't quite figure out how to move a hand. You do get up on all fours all the time though.

Is it weird that I'm obsessed with that bum?

This was a pic from one of the first times you got on all fours. So exciting!!!

Happy eating face

This was right after your first clipper haircut (I'd cut it a couple times with scissors at random places). For a blondie, I think you have a lot of hair! (Especially when you were born!) You had hated it and cried, but you have a gift of smiling through your cries. 

And isn't he so handsome?

I can not get over how much you'd grown in 3 months. Just imagine if I'd put a newborn vs. 7 month picture up! It'd be even a bigger contrast!

Mom and me playin' in a play yard, sucking on dried mangos. Does not get better.

I could captian every picture "Smiley Rocky"

We facetime Isabel just about every day. Here they are both newbs at the Bumbo. We sure love this sweet cousin.

Ha. FOOD CRAZIE

(And do you see why he needed the haircut?)

Squeeky clean right after bathtime. 

Can't wait until you wake up so I can kiss those lips. Yum.