Thanksgiving-Rosemary Beach 2013

we decided to mix things up a bit and spend thanksgiving at our favorite beach.  what a great decision!  the weather was a bit cold the first couple of days, but beautiful after that.  regardless of time spent on the beach or in the water, the little beach towns are so fun that it is still a great time of eating, shopping, and eating some more.  the houses we stayed in this year were within walking distance to rosemary beach which was such a bonus.  i don't think we will ever do it any other way.  we opted to drive this time.  let's just say we will probably try to gather some airline miles before our next beach trip.  the kids did REALLY well but it is still a long ways :)

brief drive recap when i need a laugh in the future:
(texas -> florida) left monday night at 6:30pm.  everett was asleep by the time we hit the highway.  lofton had to stop for a potty break after an hour.  everett woke up crying about 11 and refused a bottle because it was cold so we made a quick pull over to a gas station for hot water.  started bottle and spit up everywhere.  changed jammies and he jumped and played for 30 minutes and then crashed.  he basically slept until right before we got there around 8:30am.  if FLOODED the entire drive.  brutal for dewey and i.  pretty breezy for the kids.  and then there was the drive home....
(florida -> texas) left sunday morning around 10:30am.  the details and time frame is a bit fuzzy but i do recall stopping 3 times in 30 minutes to heat a bottle for screaming baby, clean up baby after he spit up, and potty break for L.  then we finally got going and major traffic jam.  i actually got the baby out of his carseat for about half an hour because we were standing still.  we considered stopping several times but pushed through and arrived home sweet home at 1:30am.  good thing E had slept for 7hrs at this point and was ready to party!!  oh well, it was still totally worth and it and one of my fav vacations so far.

EWM-7months

Trying to play catch up and it's amazing how fast I forget things!  At 7 months Everett is still all smiles. He now eats 5 bottles each at 6.5 to 7ounces and has just started eating two solid meals.  He still prefers the solids by far!  Sleeping is still hit or miss, but I have big plans to get tough very soon :)  Sadly I know how much little guy weighed at 7 months because we had a sick visit.  First ear infection and bronchiolitis.  He really was pathetic for about 5 days.  Spoiler alert for 8 months-we visited the doctor again...

Weight 16lbs 14oz (only 3oz up from 6 months because he was sick and hadn't eaten a thing!).

New accomplishments-he sits up!!  that head was hard to balance but he finally got it.  he also shakes his head no to most questions you ask of him and it is really adorable

Lofton "Fashion Icon" Mitchell

Lofton is ALL girl.  She will occasionally rough house and she thinks her pink/purple tee ball set is fun, but otherwise life revolves around dress up and baby dolls.  As such, she really prides herself on coming up with some fab outfits.  I initially fought the crazy but have decided to just go with it.  The look of pride on her face when she runs into my room with her newest masterpiece is worth the looks we get at target.  Here are just a few that I have captured over the past few months.

EWM-6months

oh so behind.  what's new?  I will try to get several in over the next few days.  my sweet boy turned 6 months on 10/19/13.  he finally rolls regularly but sitting up and sleep just aren't in the cards at this point.  that's ok.  it's all a blink of an eye in the whole scheme of things.  he is a total sweetheart and his sister's best friend.  we could not ask for more.  Everett continues to eat 5 bottles per day, each about 6oz and started oatmeal with fruit once a day at 5 months.  He would really prefer to toss all of the bottles and just eat regular food.  Mommy and pedi say no, so we will keep on fighting through the bottles.  Similar story as his sister at this age :)  Everett still fits into 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers.
6 month stats:
Weight-16lbs 11oz-30th%
Length-55th%
Head-85th%

EMW-5 months

Big boy turned 5 months on 9/19/13.  He is proving to be such a content little guy and a joy to be around.  That being said I would prefer to have a little less middle of the night time :)  At 4 months he spontaneously started sleeping through the night only to be completely derailed 2 weeks later.  By his 5 month birthday, Dewey and I had been taking turns holding him most of the night for 2 weeks.  Total exhaustion.  This too shall pass but in the meantime...i will be drinking extra coffee!
E finally rolled from tummy to back on 9/13 but has only repeated this event once at school.  Per his teacher, "I really think he just lost balance with his head, and that big noggin just flipped him over."  Quite likely.  He is getting so giggly, appears to be cutting multiple teeth at once, and loves to gnaw on his toes.  E eats 5 bottles each 5.5oz, wears size 2 diapers, and 3-6 month clothes.
love you little man!  xoxo

hard to balance this melon...

strapped Lofton into her carseat before school and turned around to get him.  out cold!

watching a little Baylor football.  Sic 'em!

Hyatt Lost Pines

We did not take an official family vacation this summer, but we did decide to do a long weekend as a family of 4.  We wanted something that was an easy drive with a toddler and infant but could still suffice as the "beach" since playing in the sand is Lofton's favorite thing.  We decided to go to Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop, TX and it really was the perfect place for our little get away.  While we were there Lofton had lots of time playing in the beach entry pool, running in the splash pad, painting under the shade trees, riding a pony, playing on the playground, making s'mores, and sleeping with Mommy and Daddy.
Sadly she honestly thought that we had MOVED to this hotel and was in tears when we got in the car to head home.  No worries little love, we will be back when you are old enough to do even more of the activities and your brother does something besides sleep :)