Arkansas Trip

We loaded the Mazda5 to the max and headed down to my parents' place in Monkey Run, Arkansas to spend July 4th and the following week. The boys had a blast on the farm and surrounding area, Sammy especially *loves* being at James' side 24/7. We were glad to have my folks' friend Tracy, her teenage son, Michael, and her four-year-old daughter IsaBella there for the week, too.

Breakfast at the Coco Bay Holiday Inn Resort we stayed at in Kansas City, just over 1/2 way between Minneapolis and Monkey Run. (photo courtesy of my Lotus Elite)

Freddie was terrified by the bird. Luckily, we were also there for Saturday breakfast on our return trip so he got to see him again. He nearly knocked all the food off the table jumping into my lap when the bird made his appearance.

Some light reading at the truck stop in Missouri.


We spent all day (10-5!) on a pontoon boat my parents' rented on Norfork Lake (Isn't that the name of this lake, guys?) Freddie fell into a dead sleep on the boat about 30 minutes before we headed back to the dock.


My absolute favorite part of the trip! And I was overwhelmed with how well our kids did out on the boat all day. Sometimes the frustrating little critters really impress us. :p


Sammy wanted to bring his life jacket home. I wanted to capture his face like this. lol


A car seat on a boat is different than one in a car. JD actually slept pretty well for us in the car seat while we were in the water!






James is one happy retiree. :)

(this is where my camera ran out of memory - I forgot to delete pics before we left. Now I'm waiting on more pictures from my mom and Tracy!)

At the creek by Nana and Ba's house. Photos courtesy of James' Blackberry.


All the kids loved the creek.


Freddie and "IsaBell" by the front garden. (Lotus Elite camera)


Sammy on the FARMALL. "If it ain't red, leave it in the shed!" :D (Lotus Elite camera)

The boy loves tractors. Favorite part of his trip was riding tractors with Ba, hands down. Thanks, James, for paling around with our little big guy! He had so much fun and is exhausted from his week on the farm.

More to come!

"Little" Brother

Holly! Thanks for the shirt! Next one you make him should say "Super Chunk" :D

Just a quick update on JD's stats. He weighed in at 15lbs and 24 inches at his two month well-check last weekend (to be fair he was closer to 2.5-months-old). Now he's about the size Freddie was at birth. (just kidding. kind of.)



We are about half way to my parents' place to celebrate the 4th, and he's been a real trooper for a Car Seat Hater. Go, Jack!

Happy 4th of July, Blogger friends!

bumGenius 4.0 (and a little rave for Sandy's)

Many of you know we are a cloth diapering family. And like the majority of CDing families, while I was all about it the hubs was a more challenging sell. Thankfully, Jacob found his gateway diaper: the bumGenius 2.0 pocket diaper and all was sunshine and butterflies (or, Tide and baby poop. Whatever.)

The latest-and-greatest version of the bumGenius line was introduced last week, the BG 4.0. The changes I am most excited about are a new snap-closure option and redesigned sizing to fit bigger babies (like our boys!).

New colors, too, but oddly enough they replaced the "Brights" with even more pastel pastels. That's right your BG choices are now pastel or more pastel. Bummer.

Here's a quick look. Follow the above link more more 4.0 info if you're a diaper geek like me. :)


If only I could get Cotton Babies to make their fantastic Deluxe All-in-One with snap closure (and bring back the BRIGHTS!) I'd be one happy CDer.

Here is JD rocking a medium (!!) BG AIO in Moonbeam (a discontinued color):


But wait. I already am a content CDer. We have Mother-ease Sandy's love! I would marry this diaper for the way it contains newborn poop.

And JD in my fav combo MEAF cover + ME Sandy's. He doesn't look happy but he loves not getting poop up his back as much as the next guy.

I know it looks poofy but this combo smooshes down so well he can rock a onesie no problem!

When Jacob goes to San Fran, we go to Dairy Queen.

I'll see your Ghirardelli Square and it's glorious ice cream shop and raise you two Blizzards and one very melted chocolate sundae. So there. (no jealousy whatsoever over J's latest business trip)

Anywho, here are a couple adorable shots of the kids from last week. I really love these guys.

The "new" Dairy Queen is just a new building where the old Dairy Queen was, around the corner from Minnehaha Falls. Great location.

I cracked up when I saw the big DQ logo - I was reminded of this magnet James made for me (when I was in high school) to hold my DQ work schedule on the fridge. It was a black and white newspaper photo of some lady chef in a big ol' chef hat. James blacked-out a tooth and drew a red DQ symbol on the white hat and taped it to a magnet. It was hilarious. I wonder if my parents still have that magnet...

More pics...


Aren't they cute??!!


We had a good week together. The boys went to "Buggie" camp at one of the local rec centers and loved it, Sammy especially. We walked around the block and went to the park, hit up the "Musession" Stand during one of the Little League games across the street, ate lots of nachos, and watched a couple of movies. It went a whole lot better than I expected! I made no plans outside of camp, though, and that helped. Baby didn't do most of the aforementioned stuff but was around for the ride. :)

I am loving this Suburban Snapshot blog.

I feel a kinship with this mom! This is a blurb from her post Present. I laughed so hard I startled JD (who is currently nursing/napping). I'm so there.

Read on...

New moms do nothing but live in the moment. You're constantly attending to the needs of a brand new human. In the early weeks, between sitting on the couch boobs (or bottle) out, holding, swaddling, and wishing someone would invent Magic Eraser: Infant Poop, you don't have a lot of time to stare at your baby and imagine her first love, her first prom — you're lucky if you can imagine her first crap of the day. Your brain spends its time functioning at 150% on 12 minutes of sleep (simultaneous if you're lucky).

Why Having a Toddler Is Like Being at a Frat Party

Hilarious post on the Suburban Snapshot blog. Here's a tidbit:

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.

8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.

Read the full post: Why Having a Toddler Is Like Being at a Frat Party

"I see lambs."

And I am suspicious of rotating lambs.

"I see lambs.", originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

A recent discovery on his Little Lamb Cradle Swing. Jack is somewhat interested, possibly a little terrified, of the rotating pastel lambs above his head.

Sleepy Wrap!

I thought I loved my Moby best until I got a Sleepy Wrap! Oh my. The material is a little different. It stretchier in some ways. If I had enough brain capacity to think of exactly how to explain this, I would. I will have to revisit this when I'm more rested. But the material is more like a lightweight sweatshirt with stretch than a stretchy cotton tee, if that makes any sense. You literally put in on so tight you think there is no way Baby can fit. But he does! And it's soooo comfortable! Not that the Moby isn't, it's just different. I love them both. I'd have both. Wait. I do :D

JD is so cute his mama wears him. :)


More about what makes the Sleepy Wrap so cool...! Sorry it took me so long to update this. Kids! A week of single motherhood! Hard!

Here's a cool link to 27 reasons WHY to Sleepy Wrap (or wrap carry in general) - Why Sleepy Wrap?

And in case you don't want to follow the Yellow Brick Road, here are a couple of the reasons I like the most:
*your baby fits just perfectly every time!
*no pressure points on your baby -no pressure on developing hips or spines like other hard baby carriers which place pressure on your baby’s pelvis
* holds your baby high -the fabric bounces back unlike the t-shirt like material of other stretchy baby wraps to keep your baby snug against your chest
* evenly distributes the weight of your baby-much more supported than carrying with your arms, on one shoulder, or your hip
* comfortable -moves with you instead of restricting you

And my absolute FAVORITE reason, seeing as how I have a super Chunk...
*** much more snug than carrying a car seat *** I would like to add much lighter than the car seat + Babycakes.

YAY!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my husband, the Daddy and Very Cool Dude to our three small boys. Thanks for all you bring to our family, the good, the rad, and the attached earlobes (sorry, Freddie, you lost the lottery on that one! ;) We love you!


*Freddie was asked to be in the above picture but politely declined so that he could have his own "Make Your Mama Proud" photo shoot, seen below.

The newest guy with Daddy. Notice the matching wardrobes. hehe

Dad's Wrap

First, an early Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Now watch this - it is so sweet and shows you how Daddies can wear their babies. And listen for the darling new baby clearing throat sound. Also very sweet. I'll be sad when JD stops making that little noise.

Word to Your Mama

Watch out ladies, this slobbery heartbreaker will be of dating age in about 13 years!

Welcome, Cousin Lily!

Jacob's sister Wendy and her husband Lau welcomed their baby girl to the world yesterday just before 2 pm CST. She weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz (I think) and mom and baby are both doing very well.

A photo of our new niece courtesy of Wendy's camera phone.


We are so happy for them, and excited to get this little group of Rodriguez cousins together. It's kind of cool, William and Sammy were both born on the 13th and Jack and Lily were born on the 15th of their respective months. And then there is sweet little contradiction Freddie, doing his own thing smack-dab in the middle. :)

Here's the line up, in case anyone is wondering:
William - 7.5
Sammy - 5.5
Freddie - 3
Jack - 2 months + 1 day
Lily - 1 day

We can't wait to meet you, Lily!

Two months!

Chunk smiles., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Yesterday Jack-Jack turned two months old. Time has gone by so quickly, but so slowly at times. Bizarre. He continues to be an easy and sweet baby, as babies go. He's still a baby and I'd question anyone who outright called babies "easy" He has his moments, good and bad, but he's not being voted out of the family :)

He has his two month well-check this coming Saturday, so I'll let you know what he's weighing in at then, but I will say he is nearing Chunk proportions. I've taken to calling him Chunk (among other things.

I was thinking about changing the blog name to: The Adventures of Gale Force, Slobber Face and Chunk. What do y'all think? Would that kind of nickname stick around and humiliate him in later years?

And in case anyone is wondering, Freddie *very much* continues to be a slobber face. I don't know why. Just the other day we were walking into a store and I was a bit appalled by his appearance - he looked like a man leaving the gym with a huge sweat (although his was drool) stain down the front of his shirt.

Sammy and T.C. Bear

Sammy and T.C. Bear, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Today was the day Sammy got to go to the Twins vs. Braves game at the new Target Field. Due to a communication breakdown, he didn't get to do the full experience but the Twins were good enough to offer him an additional opportunity to come back to be a part of the Kiddie Grounds Crew during a future game this season. For more photos CLICK HERE

Silly Sammy and his Tots

Silly Sammy and his Tots, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Thank you, Sonic, for my son's favorite collectables.

From back left: Mummy Tot, Diver Tot, Stingray Tot
Front from left: Skeletot, Pirate Tot

Not pictured: Freddie's Tots. I believe he has three or four. ??

Small Paul

Small Paul, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Our neighbors (and friends) gave JD this adorable Small Paul by Paul Frank outfit. We share an affinity for Paul Frank, and our boys look cute in funky monkey :)

Not sure why this pose makes Babycakes look like he has a huge head and little arms. I promise this boy is no T-Rex!

Our angelic baby

Our angelic baby, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Jack has been less resistant to being put down for his naps. The trick is to get him into a deep sleep in the wrap or in the rocker first.

Who does this baby look like?!

The Three


Sweet Freddie and his baby


Or...

Cool guy Sammy and his clone


In B&W I think JD looks a bit like both of them! Alright, I think that in color, too, but he definitely looks more like Freddie when you can't tell how blue his eyes are.

Chillaxing with Miss Em

Chillaxing with Miss Em, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

So much of my prenatal care with Jack, dates with Jacob and any random babysitting needed over the past couple of years is thanks to Miss Em. We even kind of joked that we'd name the baby Emilio in her honor because she seriously watched the kids for about 75 percent of my OB appointments. :D (but we decided that was a smidge too ethnic)

The boys love her so much (so did Emma) that if we all didn't already call her "Miss Em" we'd be calling her "Auntie Em" (partially because it's funny and partially because she is like an aunt to the kids and a sister to Jacob and me).

Link to a great blog post: Common Car Seat Errors

A good refresher, even for parents who know a lot about car seats! Common Car Seat Errors

Here is one bullet point we recently put to use, as Freddie is 41 lbs and our vehicle (or car seat, can't remember which) only LATCHes to 40 lbs...

Using the LATCH system beyond its weight limit - most vehicles and car seats have a weight limit for using LATCH, usually 40 or 48 lb. Check your vehicle and car seat manuals for this information. Sometimes it is not in the vehicle manual and you will need to contact the manufacturer by phone, or ask a CPST to look up the information for you in their LATCH manual. If the vehicle and car seat manuals defer to one another, err on the side of caution and assume a 40 lb limit.

Please check out the article - I bet there is something you don't know that could keep your babies safer!

Yummy Baby Goodness

Squishy baby, squishy car seat. Now, if only said baby loved said car seat. Or any car seat.

This is Baby Jack-Jack. He's like a sugar-covered doughnut (like the ones at Chinese buffets?) or a marshmallow. Most of the time when we are around him we restrain ourselves from nibbling on him.

And this is Baby Jack in the Combi Coccoro. It's delicious, too. :)


I took out the infant padding to see if he'd take to this seat any better. He's putting on a good show, but this is in the house. He still cries most of the time in the car seat if he's awake. And wakes up the minute he's out of the car and screams if he isn't removed from the seat.

And, a quick look back. This is seven weeks ago (well, in a couple of days, we left the hos on Saturday, he was born on Thursday) as we were leaving the hospital.

Born a car seat hater, lol.

Obligatory embarrassing bathtime picture.

And shameless product placement, Part II.

We love this Baby Bee's stuff. It smells so good we want to nibble on our baby.

I've been holding out on y'all.

Here is one of the boys from a couple weeks ago. You may not have seen it if you haven't been over to Flickr.



Baby in the middle seems so much bigger now! And has less of a receding hairline, lol!

baby guns

baby guns, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

He is so tough he totally could have pulled off a name like Marshmallow.

Scenes from Sunday

Jacob was in the band this morning, it was an all-together service (meaning kids stay with you, not attend their regular kids' church), and taking on the challenge of my crew in that situation sounded... stressful... so the kids and I opted for a relaxed morning of playing close to home. We started off in the backyard on the "new" Rainbow play set, then put some miles on the scooter and bikes. All in all a great morning even if Mommy didn't - still hasn't! - gotten a shower! :)

Here are some pictures. As usual, more on Flickr.

Jack's morning Uncle Fester face. He's a doll, right?


bubble rocket


Freddie's Billy Idol face (cracks me up!)


The full Freddie effect


Sammy's favorite swing


A Moby nap (Trust me, that's funny 'cause it's play on words :)

"Do you have a cover?"

We went out to eat at a family-friendly salad bar tonight (Q. Cumbers for you locals) and I received my first breast feeding in public comment. A women across from us (only kind-of across from us... walkway between us, her chair was facing a different direction than mine) asked me, "Do you have a cover?"

At first, I couldn't hear her because, er, she wasn't that close and like I said, family-friendly place, not super quiet. Plus, I was sitting with two boys, a friend and Jacob, and I was on the far side of the table. Discretely nursing.

I gave her a blank stare and said, "No."
Her: "Didn't someone give you a cover?"
Me: "No. I'm not going to cover his face."

She returns to her table, and chair that's not even facing in my direction, and proceeds to finish her meal reading the newspaper.

Really? My nursing my six-week-old without *any* exposed flesh disturbed her that much that she had to say something? Really? I mean, come on! There were other women wearing tank tops with more on display than me!!

I am flabbergasted that this exchange actually took place. Jacob and I watched ABC's "What Would You Do?"on public breast feeding and have been joking/talking about it lately. Because it seems so ludicrous to us. We must have willed it to happen to us!

Anyway, just had to share. I am still in disbelief. I totally support breast feeding but am not really a I'm-going-to-nurse-my-baby-in-front-of-an-Applebee's-type mom, (aka the Applebee's Nurse-In ) but STILL. I keep replaying the scene in my head and can't fall asleep. There are so many other things I'd like to say... Shoot.

Bunk Beds!

Bunk Beds!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Finally! Yeehaw!

They aren't sharing the space yet, but I found the exact bunk beds we wanted (an older but exact copy of Tami's boys' bunk because I loved theirs so much) on craigslist last week and Jacob hustled to pick them up (thanks for the loan of the truck, Kip!). The beds were a total score. And another one of Jacob's childhood dreams realized.

More bunk pictures HERE

Preschool graduation!

Preschool graduation!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Sammy was a mechanic in his preschool program. He wore Jacob's Van Halen concert t-shirt and held a wrench. I forgot the other accessories we had. D'oh!

More program pics up at Flickr but they are kinda bad - sorry!

Jack's Storyboard from Tami!

These are pictures from Jack's newborn photo shoot with Tami. AKA Tami Tripp Photography:D

Also, from that shoot, a couple of my big guys:




How gorgeous are these?! I *heart* Tami!

Jack's favorite way to travel.

Jack's favorite way to travel., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

A Mei Tai from my Freddie carrying days. Loving it with a newborn!

Pure Joy riding Swipers Sweepers

Swipers Sweepers, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

We took Freddie for unlimited rides on his birthday at Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America. He and Sammy rode Swipers Sweepers A LOT. They loved it. I loved listening to their contagious laughter every time they swung around the corner.

For more birthday pictures check out the Flickr set

Freddie's birthday lunch at Highland Grill

Big guys at Highland Grill, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.