Oklahoma

Lately it seems such terrible things have been happening to people in our country.  School shootings, bombings and these awful natural disasters.  

I have to pull myself away from the TV because you can get so wrapped up in the tragedy to the point its unhealthy.  I pray and always make it a point to look for a way to help instead.  

But tonight I just could not get myself away from the TV.  When I first saw on Twitter that those children were trapped in that school, all I could think about was my Aidan and how close he is to their age.  How awful it must have been for them when that storm hit.  To be away from their families that keep them safe.  I flipped from channel to channel.  Adam and I were on the edge of our sofa aching for good news to come from this disaster.  

We knew it was looking grim.  We happened to flip to the Weather Channel just as the reporter was breaking down after relaying the rescue mission had turned in to a recovery.  Adam put his head in his hands and my eyes filled with tears.  Those parents worst nightmare.  Every parents worst nightmare. 

Then as if it wasn't bad enough that they had to go through a Tornado, the poor babies drowned! They drowned!  As a parent I just could not imagine getting that news. It makes me sick to even think about. You send your little ones out the door in the morning and there is no guarantee they will ever come back.  It's terrifying to think about.  Life is fleeting.  My heart sincerely goes out to all of those families.  

I've double checked and triple checked on my boys in their beds tonight and I've kissed them more times than I would like to count.  I hope all of you are feeling as blessed for your children's lives tonight as I am and saying an extra prayer for those poor people in Oklahoma.  

God Bless them.  

5 Months

I probably say this every time I do a post on Kellan (and Aidan for that matter) but I cannot believe how fast time is flying.

This time around I am trying so hard to soak up the time with him.  I'm not really rushing him to meet any milestones.  I'm just enjoying him a day at a time.  I love it.  Really, really love it.

You are teething like a crazy person.  You drool so much I can hardly keep up with it!  Just this week you started to get a little fussy so I gave you a dose of Tylenol and some Orajel.  It was instant relief and you were back to smiling at everything. 

Speaking of smiling.  You do it a lot.  Which we love.  And you have the greatest laugh. 

I think you and Aidan have your own language.  Obviously you aren't talking but you are VERY vocal and you have a particular noise you make when you are trying to get his attention.  It's kinda weird, kinda cute.  Aidan says we don't get it.  Only you guys do. At his lemonade stand today, you heard his voice but couldn't see him and started the noise! It took me a minute to realize what was happening and next thing I knew, Aidan was at my feet, talking to you and you two were laughing out loud at each other. 

I totally thought you wanted to try food.  When we were eating, you looked so interested so I bought some bananas and apples.  We tried each one, once, a week apart and you looked at me like I was crazy.  Sticking to the milk for now.  No problem.   When you are ready, I'll make your food myself. 

I don't think you have gained much weight since your last appointment.  So maybe you weigh 19lbs.  Your a big, squishy boy.  People stop me on the street to look at your rolls.  They are the best.  But if another person tells me "he's SUUUUUCH a big boy" like I don't see you all day everyday and miss that, I might hurt them. 

You are still in a size 3 diaper and you are wearing 3-6 months clothes. 

All on your own, you got serious about your bedtime.  Every night you are in bed between 8-8:30.  Most nights closer to 8.  You get real bent out of shape if it's later.  I typically give you a bath, rub you down with lotion, smother you in smooches, put you in your sleep sack, turn on your fan, then sound machine and put you down.  You don't ever cry anymore.  And you sleep until 8:30 the next morning.  It's great.  I miss you sleeping on my chest and any chance I get, let you pass out there. 

And you are sitting up all on your own!!! You are a little wobbly but you have just about mastered it! 

We love you sweet boy!

Room Sharing

We could live here until the next baby (if there is one?) BUT we only have one bathroom and there isn't a ton of entertaining space.  I would love to start to be able to have Aidan's friends over or host a dinner party where all the guests can eat in one area!

There are really slim pickings as far as real estate here in Charlotte so we may be waiting longer than expected for the next Casa de Harvey but that's OK.  We look at houses everyday. 

So I've been daydreaming about a new house to love and to decorate.  Which brings me to the question.  Are my boys to far apart in age to share a room? We want at least four bedrooms so there would be no problem giving them their own rooms but something about me loves the idea of them sharing the same space.  While they are still young anyways.  Once Aidan went to middle school which will be right around when Kellan starts elementary school, he could move to his own room.  Then their is the option that baby #3 will also be a boy and could share a room with Kel and Aidan could have his own room since he is much older. 

Adam seems to think the solution to the problem would be to just give each boy their own room and have one of them with a set of twin beds.  He says that's what I like about the shared room idea.  He might be right.  But he also remembers just like I do how much fun it is to have a sibling crawl in to your bed at night.  Laughing under the sheets while your parents yell from another room for you to get some sleep.  Those are great memories I have carried with me!

So what do you think?

All images via Pinterest

Happy Baby

 

There was a time in the very beginning of this child's life I was seriously wondering if I would ever see him happy.  He basically cried for the first two months.  Well I am happy to report, we have turned a corner and he is happy as a clam at hide tide! Thank the Lord! 

He still wants to be held most of the time but at least he's smiling!  He is starting to form a little personality and he is hilarious.  Our favorite thing to do is get a good laugh out of him.

 

I snapped these of him a weekend or two ago sitting in the Bob stroller while Adam did some yard work.  He loves to chew on that poor Monkey. 

 

 

Did you just die from the cuteness?

The Brothers Harvey

You can't turn back time but if I could, I would have had Kellan a few years ago.  There are advantages of having such a big age difference in these two but now that I've seen how much they both already enjoy each other, I wish they were a tad bit closer in age so they could play together more.  Not that I think the age difference is going to stop either of them from wanting to hang out with the other. 

 

Aidan is such a good big brother.  

 Someone said to me once that even though having another baby was going to change his life so much that giving him a sibling would be the greatest gift we could ever give him.
And already it has been such a gift.
He's planned so much for the two of them.  Fort building and bike rides and boys trips with Daddy and Scout.  He makes it all sound so good I wish I could somehow be along for the ride. 
The adventures of the Brothers Harvey have only just begun!

T Ball Part 2

Y'all! Our boy is a pro. I know what you're thinking. "Every parent thinks their kid is great." And while you are probably right, I honestly think Aidan has some baseball blood running through him. Adam played baseball his whole life. More than anything we're just so thrilled Aidan is having fun. We're not pushing him to do one thing more than the other...just signing him up to try a little bit of everything and right now Baseball feels like his sport.  If he ends up being in to football or the piano, it will make no difference to us.  He's just fun to watch.

It should be mentioned that Adam is "that Dad".   Aidan played first base and Adam stood on the outside of the fence and coached him through every minute of the entire game. And while I'm sure he was probably annoying the other parents Aidan was the only kid on BOTH teams to catch not one BUT two balls. He also had two great hits off the tee.   He's a great team player and he takes the game seriously.   Several of the parents were shocked it was his first game EVER.   Adam has really been working with him and it has paid off.  I know it's just T Ball but Adam has used it as an excuse to spend more time with Aidan and they have the best time together playing catch and when Adam is giving him "tips" the world stops revolving and all Aidan sees or hears is his father.  It's heart warming to watch.   It was a tear jerker (I'm only 4 months post partum, everything makes me cry!) when Aidan caught that first ball and he turned to Adam and yelled "just like you taught me Daddy". I don't think I've ever seen a prouder Dad than my hubby standing at that fence watching his boy in that moment.   His first game.

We've had two weeks of cancelled games due to rain but our next game is this weekend and we can't wait!

Enjoy the pics and this short clip!

Every single Decot family member near and far called, text, sent telegrams wondering why Aidan was wearing a Detroit hat in this picture.  Let's just get something straight.  The "D" is for Dilworth and we are Red Sox fans through and through. 



 

Standing outside of the car before the game.  

First base.

(It shocks me how many moms just walk around on the field micro managing their children/says the wife of Baseball Dad)

Gearing up to hit the ball.   

Practicing with Adam at a field near our house.

 

Team practice.  I love his Ray Ban's!



 

 

Beach Bags

I've been the world's worst blogger recently.  There are so many things going on around here.  We're busy, busy, busy.  Which I always say I would rather be than bored BUT jeese! I always get slammed with so much in a small amount of time. 

I've missed this little space of mine on the Internet so I'm hoping to be back here more often.  I'm cutting some time out for this blog!

I've been on the hunt for the perfect beach/pool bag for the summer!  My Nana used to call me the bag lady and I'm telling you, not much has changed.  I probably have more bags than I know what to do with but I always find a reason to need just one more!

Mom or not, when you head to the pool or the beach, you've got some stuff to pack!  Sunblock, a good book, towels, swim diapers, snacks, extra sunglasses, pool and sand toys...the list can go on and on and on. 

I've found some great bags this season. Now I just need to pull the trigger and buy one.  Or two.  We'll see.

I've been so unimpressed with anything Coach in years but they may have hit the nail on the head with their beach totes this year.   The Bleeker Tote is super roomie and I love the option of the two straps.  It comes in some great classic colors like Kelly green, a rain slicker yellow and navy. 

Coach Bleeker Beach Canvas Tote

Pottery Barn Kids has really improved their tote and diaper bag collection.  This is a diaper bag but as a Mom of a (relatively) new baby, the changing pad that is included and the extra pockets may come in handy.  There is plenty of room to throw in a towel or two and a few extras. I love this color combination.

Pottery Barn Kids Aqua Classic Mom Diaper Bag



Then there is the classic LL Bean Boat Tote.  It comes in 4 sizes.  Most importantly XL.  There are two strap lengths, I think 8 different color options and you can get it with or without a zipper.   I've had them in the past but it may be time to purchase one with Harvey monogrammed on it. 


LL Bean Tote Open Top Boat Tote


So what do you think?  Which will it be?