I Finally Got Out!

It is often referred to as the "Baby Haze", or "Fog." That time after you've had a baby, when you're in pure survival mode. The world is moving on, for sure, but, you're not moving with it. Your life is full of feedings, diapers, spit-up, crying, etc., and that's all you know. Well, I'm not out of the gray quite yet, but, I got a little taste of the Real Life last night, when I went out with the girls. Granted, I felt a little out of style, unattractive, and nervous to be away from Mr. Fussy Pants, but, it was worth it. Jake was a trooper, and dealt with the kids wonderfully. He decided to get his hair cut, and left Tristan at his mom's house during this. Um, Baby Boy apparently, didn't like this much. As I have mentioned before, he is very very very attached to me, and really likes the comfort of home. We found out that we are never going to be able to go on a date EVER!! At least, not until he's about a year old. Sad. . .

We went to the So You Think You Can Dance Concert in Everett. I am such a big fan of the show, and it was just awesome to see it in person. The dancers were so amazing, and I was completely awe-struck. We are already planning our trip for next year. Thank you, girls!! I had such a good time.

Chuck E. Cheese Party

Rohne really wanted a party with his friends for his 4th Birthday. Well, being as he how he doesn't know a whole lot of other kids his age, this turned out to be a fairly small group. Our ward is really small, and he doesn't go to preschool, which doesn't help in the friend area. Anyways, we decided to invite the cousins, and best friends to Chuck E. Cheese on Wednesday to celebrate. All kids love it, right? It turned out to be a great day. Rohne just took his little cup of tokens, and went. He did all the games, and rides, completely independently. This was really nice, seeing as how Monique, Lori, and I, all had a baby glued to our hip. He is getting so mature, and growing up right before my eyes. It is times like this, that I realize how proud of him I really am.

Rohne was the only one who really liked Chuck E. the Mouse. Parker, and McKay were scared to death, while Samantha and Tay just tolerated him.

And, here's the Batman cake I did, with the help of Grandma of course. She had a hair appt., and couldn't come over until 8:30 p.m. But, we whipped it out pretty quick, and it actually turned out really good. Rohne loved it.

4 Months!

So, my baby is 4 months now. Well, I guess it's actually about 4 and 1/2. Although this time has been hard, I am so thankful for this little ray of sunshine in our lives. He is always quick to smile, and really really really loves his Mommy. This can be hard, when I've had a long day, and really want him to go to Jake, but, it's nice to feel so loved. I took him to the Dr. last week, and she said he is doing wonderfully. He is 17 pounds, 9 oz. and 26 1/2 inches long, which puts him in the 90th percentile for both. He is big, and strong, which is good. He can roll over, but, doesn't do it very often, because he is still most comfortable in my arms, and doesn't love floor time. He still has just 2 teeth, but, I expect to see more cropping up soon. He is not a great sleeper, still, which I hope to change. I fully plan on doing sleep training this time. I just HAVE to. I'm just too tired and grouchy all the time. He loves to giggle at his brother and sister, and watches their every move. I keep thinking he will become more content when he is able to romp and wrestle with them. He, still, to this day, has not had an ounce of formula. I am quite proud to say this, because he hasn't really been breastfeeding. I have been pumping, like a milk cow, for these 4 months. My body has never been cut out for nursing, but, it doesn't have problems producing milk. It has been a sacrifice, and after scaling back on pumping, my milk is almost completely dried up. This has been emotional decision for me, but, I think it is for the best. I will feel so much better. I have a really hard time working out, and losing weight while producing milk. It takes everything out of me. Although I feel selfish, I can't wait to feel a little normal again. I have a lot of frozen breastmilk, which will probably last at least another month. I wanted to get to to 6 months, but, after the blessing of my Pediatrician, (I just LOVE her, by the way. Sooo important to get one you love) she assured me he would be just fine, and I have done such a great job with him so far. I tried Rice Cereal with him, for the first time, last week, and he didn't like it at all! I'll keep trying, though, and he may learn to love it soon. I included a short video of his rolling over skills. Enjoy!! I just heart my baby.

The many faces of Baby

So, I know I am totally biased, but, I really think that my baby is one of the cutest ever! He was being such a ham this morning, so, we did a little photo shoot. Enjoy the faces of Tristan!

Mmmmm. . . this bib tastes way better than the rice cereal Mom was trying to feed me!!
He loves to stare at the camera light

His perfect "Blue Steel" impersonation

What a good smiler!

Rohne is quite proud that he can hold the baby while standing up now. Of course, I am always right there to make sure an accident doesn't ocur. Tristan never seems to mind being carted around by his big bro.

I started taking pictures, because I wanted a good picture of him in these jammies that Aunt Nat gave to him. They are so darn cute on him, and it makes me sad he us outgrowing them so fast. (They're 6-9 months! We love our chunky boy!) He is also losing his brown hair, and it's coming in really blonde. I really thought that he would have a different hair color than my other kids, because it was so dark when he was born. Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

He is now a 4 year old!

My not so little boy just turned 4 a week ago. He has always been such a big boy, that most people were always shocked to learn that he was still 3. Well, now, he looks his age! Although he has always been a challenging child, he has so much energy, and happiness, that he lights up our lives. He is such a brother, and learned at a very young age, how to get under his sister's skin. He loves jumping, fighting, climbing, racing, tackling, you guess it. He is all boy!! We have too many swords, and guns around our house to count, and he plays with all of them. Because he has an older, very princess sister, he has always loved to play dress up too. So, this birthday turned out to be just that. I think that people scored on all of the after-Halloween sales, and he got lots of dress-up outfits. From Star Wars, to GI-Joe, I think he is now set in that department. He and Tay have been having quite the time playing with all of them. Thanks, everyone, for the great gifts!

We had a family party at Red Robin, where we ate yummy food, opened presents, and had birthday cupcakes. Although our family is growing, (6 Klein grandkids now!) we're still able to do this, and it's not completely out of control. Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Jessi are always a big help in entertaining the young ones. It was a fun time.

Here's a picture of all the kids, trying on the new toys.

Happy 4th Birthday, Rohne. We're so happy that you're in our family!

Trick or Treat!

Harry Potter & Minnie coming away from one of the houses, very happy! It was a lot of fun Trick-or-Treating with these kids this year, because they were really into it, and sooo excited!

Our first stop was next door, at the Landlord's. They love to see our kids all dressed up. They always have to get their picture taken, and walk away with yummy sugar-free treats. Art used to work at the Dentist's office!!!

I didn't show a picture of Tay just alone, being Minnie. Here she is at our Ward Carnival.

This was the closest Jake and I got to dressing up this year. He's wearing Rohne's Harry Potter hat. We didn't have much time, or energy, to find costumes. I sooo couldn't fit into mine from last year, darn-it.

Our cute, little lion baby. My good friend, Rachel, gave me this costume for Tristan to wear. It was so cute. Thanks, Rach!!

He endured Trick-or-Treating very well, just chillin' in the jogging stroller. Yes, the paci is purple. This is actually a new development, him taking a pacifier. Like, within the last week. He has never taken one before. Can't say it helps a whole lot, with the grouchiness, because he doesn't love it yet. But, we'll keep tryin'!

After going around our neighborhood, we headed over to Jake's parent's ward to the Trunk-or-Treat. We quickly realized that house to house was way better. It was so dark, you couldn't really see, or interact with anyone, and our poor, timid children kept getting mowed over by older kids, with pillowcases. It actually made me quite annoyed!! I mean, where were their parents? The kids got a big stash of candy, that we really don't need in our house. I had a friend who actually traded in her kids's Halloween candy for cold, hard, cash. I tried that with ours, and it didn't really work. I think I will just throw it away in a couple days, and tell them we ate it all. I've done that before. Jake and I are starting our hard-core diet/workout plan. I need to get rid of this baby weight!!!