The House Hunt is Over!

When we moved back to Oregon in January our plan was to rent a place for a few months until we found a house. Well, a few months turned into seven months and we figured we needed to get our butts in gear and start looking. We looked at seven or eight places but nothing seemed like that perfect fit.

Our realtor called and told us about some new builds in the North Albany area (the location we wanted) and we met him there on a Saturday morning. Before we knew it, we were deciding on a floor plan and signing contract papers. We didn't anticipate it happening so quickly, but I guess when it's a new build there isn't the back and forth of negotiations that can carry on for a few days.

 Doesn't the house look GREAT??? It's expected to be move in ready by November 20th.

 Lexi already loves the neighborhood and feels right at home because we have a few friends who live out in that area. They all kept pulling for us to buy a place out near them, but we didn't want that to sway our decision. It's actually pretty great that we ended up there after all. Greg has a shorter commute to work, Lexi has friends nearby, and we are in a neighborhood that I can take the kids out in the jogging stroller and start running again! I think we are all pretty happy about it.

Coincidentally, we signed papers the day after our 5 year wedding anniversary. Greg and I were joking about "Oh yeah, I guess the 5 year anniversary is the one where you buy a house!" We had no clue that the 5 year anniversary is in fact, "wood".

 

Ryder at 5 Months Old

 Ryder at 5 Months Old: Ryder weighs 20lbs and is well into 9 months clothes. He has turned into a little giggle machine, especially when his sister tries to crack him up. I have realized lately that Ryder is a big time cuddler. Alexis was never that way. Ryder loves being held and will nuzzle his head into my neck or rest his head on my shoulder and be at complete peace. It could be that he's so big it takes too much energy to pull away from me, but I'm going to say it's that he loves me so much he wants to cuddle. He continues to roll from back to tummy but can't seem to roll back yet. He isn't too interested in the pacifier, but will suck his thumb on and off. We were given the "ok" at his 4 month appointment to start him on solid foods, but I wasn't quite ready for that. I think we will try out some purees in the next week or so. He has started riding in the car now without much fuss. I think it helps that toys entertain and occupy him better. Ryder will take his first ride on an airplane tomorrow morning as our family flies out to California for a Disney vacation!

Tillamook County Fair

My mother in law lives in Tillamook which makes visits there pretty fun. We normally stop by the cheese factory or hang out at the beach when we go.  We've enjoyed the Tillamook County Fair a few times but hadn't been in a couple of years. We were excited to experience it with Alexis this year since she is so active now and interested in animals. The weather was perfect and both kids did really well considering it was a long afternoon with a lot going on.

 Looking at the cows with Daddy and Aunt Meg

 For the longest time she refused to let go of the stroller. She kept saying, "Wyder, Mommy. Wyder" She's already so protective of her brother.

 If you hold hands with Alexis she automatically assumes you are going to swing her. Good thing she is so light!

 They had so many great things set up for kids to do at the fair! She loved the tractor. In one of the buildings they had a maze built with hay bales where kids could pedal trikes around. Then they had an area where kids took a basket, went and collected an egg from the chicken coop, dug up a potato from the dirt, and picked an apple from the apple tree. It was adorable.

 And of course they had sweet little baby chicks. Alexis was in love with them and was giving that chick in my hands a hug haha.

 

Greg and his brother wasted spent money on the ring toss. Needless to say they didn't win, but they had fun trying!

 I wanted Alexis to go on some rides at the fair because we will be going to Disneyland in September and I thought it would help her feel more comfortable in that situation. For the most part she did pretty well. We only had one panic and terror moment, but she had Daddy with her and the tears disappeared as soon as they got off the ride.

 We had a lot of fun at the fair. It was nice to spend time with family while were there as well. Ryder was with us even though I have no pictures to prove it. And we ate some deliciously-bad-for-you fair food which I also have no pictures of. Tillamook icecream - check! Elephant ear - check! Curly fries - check! A bag of kettle corn for the drive home - check!

Ryder at 4 Months Old

Ryder at 4 months: Our little boy is 4 months old today. He weighs in at 20lbs and is in size 3 diapers, 9 month sleepers, and 6-9 month clothes. He is finally a more content baby as of the last week or so. He can now digest breast milk on a regular basis, but unfortunately Mommy can't produce enough for him just yet. I'm praying that we see improvement there over the next month. Ryder has been sleeping through the night occasionally, and when he doesn't, he only wakes once to nurse and goes right back to sleep. Sharing a room with his sister wasn't working too well so we moved him downstairs in the pack and play which seems to be working well for all of us. Maybe once his bedtime lines up more closely with her's and he sleeps consistently through the night we can try it again. Ryder found his toes the other day and likes to hold onto them as well as squishy toys and rattles. His sister makes him giggle on a daily basis and we love hearing that sweet laugh and seeing that happy smile. While Alexis insisted on being in the photos again this time, there were tears from both children and not much patience from Mommy. This is the best picture we managed, just keepin it real folks.

Three Under Three

My niece Macie recently stayed with us for ten whole days. She will be three years old in September and has always held a special place in my heart. Although she's my niece, she will always be like a daughter to me. I was looking forward to having her with us, but was also a bit anxious about caring for three kids under three years old for ten days. It was a busy, exhausting, memorable time.

 

Of course the time Macie spent with us was the HOTTEST of the summer so far. We spent a lot of time outside. The girls loved the water table and soaking each other from head to toe!

 

We spent a day in Tillamook with Greg's family. Naturally we went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

 

 We went to the beach while in Tillamook and it was absolutely beautiful! I stood ankle deep in the ocean for the whole two hours we were there and my feet didn't even go numb! Now that's warm for the Oregon Coast.

Macie LOVED the water and sat, swam, splashed, and ran it it the entire time (the reason I was in the ocean the whole time as well, keeping an eye on her). She truly is a little water baby toddler.

 Alexis opted to be held by Nana most of the time and also play in the sand with her shovel.

 

We also spent a day in Florence. It wasn't as warm as our day in Tillamook, but there were rocks and shells everywhere! The girls loved it.

 For the most part, the girls played pretty well together. Or course everyday had it's disagreements and difficulties with sharing, but these cousins love each other so much. I had a great time watching them play and interact with one another each day.

 

It was a long week and a half with three kids under three. But we made some great memories and these three cousins had a great time together. 

Ryder at 3 Months Old

 Ryder at 3 Months: I can hardly believe our "little" guy is 3 months old already! Ryder weighs in at 19lbs! He wears size 3 diapers and 6 month clothes. Alexis weighed 19lbs at her 12 month check up and is still in size 3 diapers, we anticipate little brother will catch up to her in size in no time. Ryder is all smiles and coos these days. He still sleeps in his bassinet in Mommy and Daddy's room, but is outgrowing it. This weekend, the big transition to crib and sharing a room with big sister will happen. I think Mom is much more nervous about the transition than either child is. Ryder has been on Alimentum formula for nearly two months now. He's breast fed at night, but when breast fed during the day all of his colic symptoms return and he is not a happy camper. For now we will continue him on formula during the day so that we can have him be the happy, smiley, content baby that he has been. Ryder has started sucking his thumb in efforts to self soothe and he is getting very close to rolling over from back to tummy, but can't seem to roll his body completely over that bottom arm. Excited to see all of the changes and development this next month will bring!