Highlights and Lowlights

Lately we've found ourselves in a great rhythm. I get up with Vince at nights. That boy is like an alarm clock he's up every 3 hours on the dot if he's up at 2:45am then he'll be up at 5:45am. It cracks me up how exact it is. Although about 2 times a week he will sleep for 5 or 6 hours at a time (once even 7 hours!!!). Dillon will get up with him the last time between 6:30 and 8:30 so I can sleep for a good chunk while he's up getting ready for work and with Vince. 

Then while the guys are at work Vince is up for longer periods in the day and gets really playful at times. It is so precious and these little moments make the 2am feedings so worth it. Below is a video of one of our play times. They are brief (usually 5-10 minutes once or twice a day) but I was thrilled to capture one to keep and to share. 

There are maybe 2 hours a day now when he's napping and I don't have to pump or run errands or cook dinner so it's nice to have time to do other things (thus the increase in blogs) and I've been able to get to my growing to do list, and work on lesson plans for next year. I almost never nap during the day, but I'm adjusting to less sleep. I love watching him so peaceful while he dreams. He's so big now! He's 23 inches (20 when he was born) and weighs 15 pounds (he's gained 5 since we've been in DE)

He sleeps in the weirdest positions. Look at all that chub he's got now!

The guys are home from 12:45 to 3:45 and they both grab lunch and quick cat naps. Also it gives me a chance to run to the gym or to the store with their car. Then they head back to the doors and get home just before 9pm. I love getting have time to really make dinners again (now that I have a break from work and class) and have been experimenting with recipes. This week I made chicken lettuce wraps, and hawaiian meatballs from scratch. 

Then we all spoil Vince rotten with attention. He's like a fun new toy for Dillon and Kyle (evidence below). Vince loves boy time. 

I was in the bedroom when Dillon walks in with Vince like this. I of course burst out laughing. Vince likes it and it's cute enough I don't care about the outfit getting streched out.

Kyle getting in on the action. 

This week I have been on a video conference with work for training on new technology as we are becoming an ischool next year. It's been a challenge, but on the up side it made me unavailable to take Vince to the clinic for his immunizations on Wednesday, so Dillon took him. I would have lost it, although it was't any easier on Dillon.

This is Vincey before his shots in his cute new outfit

When Dillon got back he told me it broke his heart. Vince got 6 immunizations packed into 3 shots. Dillon said Vince's crying escalated in intensity as he got each new shot, but that after like 3 minutes he had calmed back down with a pouty face on.

About 6 hours after his shots Vince suddenly started screaming. I've never heard him like that. It was clearly an "I'm in pain" scream. He was beet red, sweating, crying, shaking... even thinking about it has me tearing up again. It was so hard to see him like that and nothing I did could soothe him. It lasted for about an hour and a half and I was frantic by the end.

He finally cried himself out, and slept fitfully for 4 hours

I was desperate, and so worried he would be this upset/uncomfortable all night and into today. Mercifully he slept for a long time. When Dillon and Kyle got home they gave him a blessing. It was so powerful to watch Dillon administer the priesthood in a father's blessing for the first time. After that Vince got up to eat a few times but quickly fell back to sleep each time.

Today he's back to normal but will make the most heartbreakingly precious pouty face any time I accidentally touch his legs. He pulls his chin up, sticks his bottom lip out so far, and his eyebrows tilt down super far. But he doesn't cry. He's trying hard to be brave. I seriously don't think I could physically/mentally handle another day like yesterday so I'm really happy he's feeling better!

Vince's First 4th of July

We were still burnt out from out trip to DC so we decided not to go into Philadelphia (as we had planned) for the 4th. Luckily Wilmington hosted festivities along the boardwalk right outside our apartment. Dillon and Kyle didn't have to work so after they slept in we set to work on the city's scavenger hunt.

His hat doesn't quite fit yet, but it still works for keeping the sun off

All along the 3 miles of boardwalk there a plaques teaching about the history of Wilmington. The children's museum had a scavenger hunt to find hidden information on those plaques. It took us almost 2 hours in the heat, but we filled out ours before going home for lunch. 

This is the pirate ship that is usually docked along our boardwalk

We decided against going to the movies and opted to watch a Band of Brother's marathon. At 6 that night we went down the boardwalk to turn in our scavenger hunt forms at the little fair the city hosted. They had food vendors and live music. 

This boy came up and gave Vincey his bat, so sweet

They also had a pie eating contest. As Kyle literally eats as much as Dillon and I combined, we wanted to sign him up but it was full by the time we got there. It was super funny to see people going at the pies!

Pie eating contest at the park

The pie eating champion (on the left)

It was a pretty hot day (and humid) so we decided against hanging out in the park to hear the orchestra play that night before the fireworks, but we stayed long enough to hear them announce the winner of the scavenger hunt.

Waiting by the river and playing with Vincey

Kyle is a GREAT uncle, we're so happy to have him here

This is the muscle shirt Kyle got Vince while on his mission in Australia, it's for a rugby team there. I love how his little jelly rolls look like biceps! Too precious!

I love my family!

Sure enough Dillon won the scavenger hunt! We got passes to a ton of local museums, gift cards to nice restaurants, and an overnight stay at a local hotel- it was fun to see Dillon called up in front of a ton of people

Dillon getting his prize!

Two handsome boys!

After that we went back up to our apartment to cool off for an hour, and then came back down and literally stepped our of our building to watch fireworks. It was SO nice not having to battle traffic or save a spot, but just to get to go out to see them. The show was much better than I was expecting for a smaller town.

Since Vince likes noise and color he loved the fireworks. He was reaching up to touch them and was so calm looking all over to take it all in. I had much more fun watching him than the fireworks. He's been so playful lately too. I few times a day he want to goo and gah and will smile when I tickle him or make dinosaur noises. It is so precious. I tried to snap a few pictures of his smiles. They don't do his cute face justice but Tori begged me to share them.

A Quick Trip to DC & Vince's 2 Mo

One of the really cool things about being here in Delaware for the summer is how close we are to some major East Coast sites. In an attempt to take full advantage of this opportunity we took a quick trip to Washington DC the last weekend in June. 

DC is about a 2 hour drive from where we live, so we set off in car after Dillon and Kyle got off of work on Saturday. After checking into our hotel we set off on the metro to see some of the sites that night. It was hot and super humid there but we really enjoyed the sites. 

Our first night we saw the White House and walked through the Federal Triangle on our way to the Capital Building. The Capital Building was SO much bigger than I expected, like SO much bigger. It was probably the highlight of the trip for me. 

The Boys in front of the Capital Building

Vince liked the sites too!

Vince is such a good stander, he loves getting to stand any chance he can get

Dillon sure loves his little boy

I can't believe he is big enough for this already

Thanks to our amazing friends Kaitlin and Addi (who are getting married in just a few weeks!) we knew which sites to hit- they gave great recommendations. Close to the Capital Building is the restaurant Addi said we had to try. It's called Good Stuff Eatery and has great burgers and shakes. 

Good Stuff Eatery, the place Addi recommended 

Vince doing some more standing. I love the way he's looking at Dillon here

We were so hungry by the time we sat down the burgers had no chance- gone in minutes

After we ate we were tired from the long week, and really hot and sticky so we decided to head back to the hotel. The next day we checked out of the hotel and packed up the car before heading back into the city. Our first stop was the Holocaust Memorial Museum. The first time I went to Germany I had the chance to go to the Dachu Concentration Camp, so it was interesting to get to learn more. The museum was really powerful.

Vince standing (of course) while waiting to go to the exhibit 

I think he looks so old in the picture wearing the Vikings InVINCEable onsie Aunt Kathy made for him

That day it was also Vince's 2 month "birthday"! He is so big, his thunder thighs (which used to be the size of Dillon's thumb) are bigger than my wrists! He has gotten to the point that he doesn't like to sit alone when he's awake. He likes to sit, and to listen to music or to be played with. He also gurgles and smiles a few times a day, but you can never get him to smile the same way twice so it's tricky (impossible so far) to catch his big gummy grins on camera, but it makes me cry most of the time since he's SO CUTE!

After the Museum we walked around the National Mall. It was SO HOT! 99 degrees and super humid. I felt awful for poor Vincey in the heat but he was a champ. We saw the Washington Monument, the WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and Lincoln Monument. After that it was just way too hot to be out with a baby so we called it quits and headed back to our car.

Vince and I in front of the Washington Monument

Our family proudly in front of our home state's pillar 

My handsome boys!

While in DC we discovered a very weird quirk of Vince's. He loves noise. On Saturday Night he was overly tired from being out all day in the heat and being too stimulated to sleep. So by the time we got back to the hotel he was screaming. He screamed through his diaper change, and through his dinner. I've never heard him like that. So I suggested a bath (which he loves). It soothed him and he was finally calm. 

But once we got him out he was back to screaming and inconsolable again. So Dillon took him into the bathroom and just ran the tub. The noise of the water calmed him down. After like 15 minuted Dillon came back out with him again. But after a few more minutes he was crying again. So Dillon made loud sounds. Basically he growled at Vince. 

Shockingly he quieted right down. Between Dillon growling in his ear and rocking him he fell asleep. It was hilarious. Soothing sounds were useless, but make monster sounds and the odd ball conked right out. So we got a white noise app on Kyle's tablet and when Vince is overly tired we play it for him and he will sit wide awake but super content and listen to it. It's the strangest thing. 

Vince on the floor listening to a rainstorm

Since then, on 2 separate occasions, while I was trying to make dinner before the guys got home Vince was needing attention and would cry when I put him down. So I propped him up on his pillow in Kyle's bathroom and ran the tub for him, and sure enough he sits quiet and happy long enough for dinner to get made. It's weird to do, but the odd ball loves it. So you can imagine how much he loved fireworks... but that will have to wait for the next post.

Vince hanging our by the tub

Our Delaware Adventure

Vince and I have been with Dillon in Delaware for 2 weeks now. Dillon is out here for work selling for the summer. We're staying in a company apartment (which is super nice) in Wilmington. My brother Kyle is here selling too, and is staying in our second bedroom. 

 You'd think being home with my baby all day with no work or school I'd be swimming in time. False. Very False. I'm amazed how fast the days fly by. Making lunch and dinner for the boys, feeding Vince, cleaning... sounds like nothing but I swear I'm busy all day.  

I'm delighted to say Vince slept for 6 hours last night! He usually needs to eat every 3 hours day and night, so to get to go 6 hours... blissful. I've been up with Vince at nights since Dillon is the one working in the days and since I have to feed him anyways, and a few days a week I feel painfully tired. When I was working and going to school full time before Vince was born I thought I knew what tired was... also false. But I sure do love my little man!

Vince in his stroller before a walk (he loves them, they always put him to sleep)

Vince and I take long walks most days (when it's not raining or too hot for him) on the miles of boardwalk just a few steps from our apartment. It's so pretty. We also walk to the grocery store a few times a week and bring home our haul in the bottom of the stroller. It's fun.

Dillon looking at the river along our boardwalk

The view of Wilmington along the river

Bonding time with Vince, and the rare and needed nap

Vince in his cute Tigger outfit

We are 80% sure his eyes are blue now

Yet another walk, and Twins outfit

Such a cute little tater tot

Daddy and Vince bonding time

Dillon usually takes a quick nap with Vince on his lunch break

Since we're so close we took a day trip a 1/2 hour north to Philadelphia last weekend. Our first stop was the legendary Phillie Cheese Steak place Geno's.

We're glad we went for the experience, but we were underwhelmed. In fact I would go so far as to say I didn't like it. The meat was flavorless, the cheese was like plastic, but the onions and bread were good... It was worth going once though.

We were just there before getting Kyle from the airport so we had to rush through the sites (and everything closed as we were getting there, so I'm sure we'll go back to Historic Philadelphia. On our quick visit we did get to see the Liberty Bell and Liberty Hall.

We didn't get to go in Liberty Hall so we'll go back for sure

A nice thing about not working or taking classes this summer (aside from having lots of time with my Prince Vince) is I have time to cook! I try to make a good lunch and dinner for Kyle and Dillon everyday. For those of you who don't know Kyle east like a boss. He easily east more than Dillon and I combined. Not sure where he got the metabolism from (or why I didn't get it...) but it's a chore to keep them fed!

Thai Peanut Chicken for dinner last week. 

Kyle and a group they work with went to NYC this weekend to see Wicked, but we elected to stay in Wilmington. On Saturday we took a family trip to the local zoo. It's super small but it was a beautiful day and we had a blast being out with Vince.

Dillon showing Vince the Tiger

Vince got to wear his safari hat for the first time (it's too big for sure)

On Sunday we were lucky to be given tickets to the Phillies-Rays game by Dillon's boss. Turns out they were 3rd row seats just above the Phillies dugout across from 1st base! They lost, but we had a great time. Vince stole the show, and he loved the sounds. The louder it got the happier and more interested he got. Too cute!

Our seats at the game

Our precious boy and his dad at the ballgame

We're loving our adventure out here! Next weekend we are going to DC with Kyle, and we're excited!