gruff.

Everytime I'm at work I miss Colin...I literally walk around thinking to myself, "I miss Colin." PRETTYYY pathetic.

Also, Archer's two favorite things right now are: 1) a family hug and 2) a family...chain kiss. Anytime Colin and I hug Archer crawls over and says "UP" we scoop him up, he pulls Colin close and says "awwww." If Archer sees Colin kiss me he then has to kiss both Colin and I...pretty darn awesome.

Ok, back to work, tonight has been INSANE! I am off from Dec. 12-22nd though, and then off for Christmas Eve and Christmas day so I REALLY cannot complain!

-The overnight working Kimble Mama.

big words...

I forgot to post the big words segment...

This is the list of words Archer is now saying, perhaps not always understood by the outside world---but Colin and I almost always know what little man wants.  We have been strongly discouraging WHINING and instead asking, "Archer, what is it that you want?"  Generally, he will tell us---which is super weird! We are actually communicating!!!

Here is the list (and because I do not remember what I posted previously, I am just going to write them all):

Dada (which he shouts when Colin is out of the room)

Mama 

Truck (anytime he sees a truck or hears a siren)

Dog (which he will tell you says, "ouff ouff:)

Kitty kitty (which says "meow meow hiss)...adorable by the way!

Up

Out

bath

bubble

eat

juice

cheese

ba ba

santa (super fun right now)

aunt (for his aunts...)

baby or babies (twin cousins)

hey (which accompanies many things, "hey jonezy, or hey baby, or hey dada" but hey is said in a soft high voice like heeeeeeeyyyyyyy)

bye bye

grandma and grandpa which both sound like "pa pa" (the other night my in-laws came to stay and Archer crawled back and forth between them saying "papa up" 

Eliza

Andrew

busy 

happy 

apple

(oh yes, he will hold his little finger up when you ask how old he is to say "one" grandma kathy taught cousin Brody and Archer how to do that)

hot

ball

nose (which says "beep beep")

eyes

hair

hat

bike

house (for his little playhouse)

night night

diaper (he will grab a diaper and sit on it when you tell him it's time for a new one)

shoes

socks

poo poo

potty 

pee pee (the other night he was pulling on it in the bathtub so I gave it a name...ops.he now grabs it all the time and says, "pee pee")

yuck

no no no no no (DADDY!!!)

vitamin which actually sounds like "bu bu im"....but we know what he means...

berry 

book

penny

I think that might be it...I will try to only update this list from now on.

It is soooo fun to have a talking little man!!!  This really does just keep getting better and better!

broken bones and big words...

I was just finishing the very last sentence of this blog---when our computer shut off....we have "vintage" macs  and Colin's computer has to be plugged in in order to work-so as I began to get up I unplugged it causing it to abruptly turn off.  I vowed to stop cursing last night (in lou of Archer's ever increasing vocabulary) but cannot honestly say I didn't let a few choice words out when that happened; however, this is what I was trying to blog...

On November 23rd, sometime around 5:30pm, Colin and I were outside visiting with Colin's friend Jesse while Archer sat patiently on the bottom step eating a cracker.  Soon Ellen, Kris, and Eliza arrived to deliver a wonderful loaf of pumpkin bread before heading out of town.  As we were all standing in a circle around Archer he stood up, grabbed the railing as we had told him to over and over again, and began his six inch descent to solid ground.  Somewhere between railing and cement Archer went toppling off of the step.  He instantly burst into a cry unlike any we had ever heard from him (which is when I should have known something was terribly wrong...instead I thought he was just terrified).  I scooped him up relieved that he hadn't hit his head, and decided he was simply scared from the fall.  Unfortunately the crying didn't stop, nor did it deescalate.  I took Archer inside and while nursing him searched every inch of him for even the smallest scratch that could be causing his cry, but nothing!  I think started to move all of his joints thinking perhaps he hurt deeper than the surface, but once again, nothing!  Perplexed we gave him some motrin and dipped him into a warm, soothing, bubble bath.  This seemed to calm him down quickly, we fed him dinner in the bath tub, and then cuddled into dreamland. 

The next morning is when the injury became blarringly apparent.  Archer refused to bear any weight on his right leg and when he did by accident, would become hysterical again.  He had full range of motion and no bruising or swelling, but not bearing any weight seemed to be a tell tale sign of a fracture.  I placed a call to our pediatrician and anxiously waited for him to call back....for hours.  It wasn't until I called back around 4:30pm then they then told me he was out for the day and one of the other peds would be called me back shortly.  FINALLY I got the phone call and the sweetest lady put my mind at ease saying she didn't see a need to do anything about it that night and that they would refer us to a specialist in the morning.  Now...that wasn't quite good enough so we decided to take Archer to the after hours clinic in town.  They did Xrays, confirmed a "buckle break" and wanted to cast him.  We decided to opt out of the cast at the time (he was crawling everywhere and by this point not even attempting to bear weight on that leg) and take the xrays to our ped the next day. 

Needless to say, Archer is still crawling around and recovering.  Never did I imagine my sweet little 14 month old would fracture his leg---but I suppose anything is possible!!!  He really has been quite the trooper and doesn't complain at all, just crawls around about his business.  We talked with Dr. Rao (our ped) yesterday and he said in another 7-10 days we will need to get another set of xrays to check the healing. 

That's it for now.  Buckle broken baby boy!

-The Kimble

I say this everytime but...

Archer is awesome.  

It's amazing how two years ago our lives were filled with fun, but a much different kind of fun.  I was thinking back to the night I met Colin.  My friend Tim called and said he was touring with a band and they were playing a show in Philly a few blocks from where I worked as a nanny.  He told me the bands name and I looked them up on myspace music and decided it wasn't anything I was interested in.  I instead went over to meet him and get some food then went home to study for an organic chemistry test (HORRIBLE).  I had told Tim before I left if they needed a place to stay we had plenty of room.  Sure enough, at about 12am and seconds from entering into a deep sleep there they were---literally at my door!  One by one (and there were 8 of them) they filed into our apartment.  I will NEVER forget what Colin was wearing that night and he will forever think he looked cool...but he had on a giant (pretty sure it was an XL shirt with the sleeves cut out) long baggy mesh shorts, a six inch mohawk, HUGE diamon stud earrings, and horrible shoes.  I remember looking at him thinking he was a really funny looking  and really tall guy.  In our apt. you had to go through my roommates room to get to my room which is where Colin decided to make his bed.  I was getting ready to go into my room for pj's and sort of "stumbled" over him.  I sat down next to him and we talked....and talked....and talked.  We talked about our past relationships in dept and what we had learned from them.  We talked about the future and what we wanted out of our next relationships and life in general, we talked about God, we talked and talked.  Before long the sun was coming up and it was time for me to get across the city to my 7am class.  I said goodbye and couldn't stop thinking about the nice guy I had chatted with all night-and about the amazing things he had said.

Needless to say, I was beyond busy with school, work, and living in an amazing city---so when Colin continued to ask for my phone number I was really reluctant to give it to him.  This went on for about a month and a half until the eve of my 21st birthday.  Colin IM'ed me and asked for my number so he could call and wish me a happy birthday---I gave it to him and again we talked, and talked, and talked.  This time we talked about our families and friends---it was soooo fun to get to describe every family member in depth to someone who was an interested and safe stranger sort of.  It was during this conversation Colin sort of started expressing feelings for me---and suddenly I replayed all of the times I had thought about him in the last 6 weeks.  When the sun began to come up and it was time for me to head to class again he asked if he could call me after his show that night---let's be honest, how could I resist???  So night after night we chatted into the wee hours of the morning and never ran out of things to say.  We anxiously awaited our next chance to hang out and discovered it would be 6 weeks away.  (Sidenote: Colin and I met while he was touring with Emery, then REmet with sparks in our eyes at the end of the same tour, and his last tour was also with Emery).  Six weeks honestly could not come fast enough, and thankfully it didn't have to!  One night I had gone out with some friends and came home awaiting Colin's post show phone call, but when he called it was different!  He told me he was six hours away from me and it was time to meet!  He said he had unhitched the trailer from the van and was driving towards philly, that I needed to get in my car and drive towards New York and we would meet in the middle.  WHOA!!!  So off I went at 12 like a crazy woman filled to the brim with nervousness!!!  After the longest 3 hours of my life and two cell phones going dead (at the time I was switching providers from Cingular to AT&T because I was killing my minutes talking to him so I had two working phones both of which died)---the last call I placed was to tell him my phones were both done and he said meet me at exit 163-the first gas station you see.  I sat and waited until I saw the big white van pull in.  There he was.  He scooped me up and kissed me...love.  Hahaha, it seems so cliche to type---but the feelings were soooo powerful!  

Never in my life have I known a more honest and caring person.  My husband is nothing sort of being the exact opposite.  He is a true dreamer and a passionate loving man.  He cares more about other people and living life than anyone else I know.  I honestly have yet to meet anyone who has a negative thing to say about Colin.  I am sooooo blessed to be his wife.  No, being married to a passionate, extroverted dreamer isn't always easy, but somehow it is always refreshing.  I adore that man, and envy his heart.  He reminds me to gossip less (and tries to motivate me to avoid radaronline.com--never going to happen), get out more, and stop nagging.  :)  He is indeed my bruiser for life.

There are so many awesome moments with Colin that stand out.  I remember sitting with him in a little mexican restaurant in Philadelphia on Valentines day.  This place is crammed and you sit literally shoulder to shoulder in a tiny tiny room with lots of people.  He leaned in and just started talking---I think to this day that is one of the moments I have felt the most loved.  The list goes on and on....and on.  

So now, when I babble on about how amazing Archer is, I often think back to that meeting.  It's crazy to look at a little boy who is a whole lot of love.  There were so many amazing moments that led up to Colin screaming "IT'S ARCHER" when the little bundle was born.  The cool thing is those little moments continue, and there is living breathing proof of our pure and simple love.  I'm sure having a daughter is going to be awesome, but having a mini-version of the man you love most is pretty dang cool.  

This is maybe the most random blog I have posted yet, but all in the wake of mopping and thinking back over the past few years. God is so good.

Ok, Archer's nap is over and it's time to hit up babies r' us.  

-sorry for the random babbling blog. 

The Kimbles.

Beach...

Pictures are coming soon but for now..

WE HAD A BLAST AT THE BEACH.  Archer is insane---and there is so much love in our little family--it is often very tempting to say one is fun and enough because things run sooo smoothly with the three of us; but what fun would only one be?!? BRING EM ON!

We left our house on Saturday and went to Mandeville for Halloween...so fun!!!  Archer and his cousin Brody rode together in the wagon with cousins Brooks and Harper close behind in their twin stroller.  We went to about 10 houses before coming back.  We then went to Colin's parents to sleep and I cannot tell you the last time (if ever..) Archer has slept in a room without us that was not his own.  Therefore, at 1am when he woke up screaming in the guest room across the house I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was, I actually rolled over and asked Colin what I should do.  An hour later (and after trying anything to soothe him) I relented and brought him into bed with us---this is how bad habits are formed I am sure.  Needless to say, I put him between Colin and I in the dark room and he reached up and touched me and said "mama" then reached up and touched Colin and said "dada"...and he was out!  We lost an hour of sleep (time change) and then at 6am buddy boy was up!  Colin was awesome and got up with him and suddenly I remembered the tired of having a newborn, but BOY WAS THAT MOMENT SWEET!!!

I eventually got up around 8am, had some coffee, and we hit the road.  Archer played in the car for about 30 minutes and then fell asleep for 3.5 hours, woke up and we were there!!!  We checked in and hit the beach.  We spent the next two days that way, sand, food, playing, swimming, etc.  On Saturday night we were watching the Phillies play and Archer was walking around saying, "Phiwee" and "baball" it was adorable.  Oh, my friend Ellen made a list of all of the words her daughter Eliza was saying, so I decided to do the same seeing as I am sure someday Archer will wonder what he was saying by the time he was 13.5 months old ;)  Here it is: Dog, doggy, dada, daddy, mama, kitty, apple, ball, shoes, socks, baseball, phillies, bike, book, bite, night night, up, baby, keys, that, ba ba, beep beep (while grabbing my nose), and hat.  Pretty impressive!

There were so many awesome moments the three of us had on the trip---but they all just sort of become happiness and not a clear definable memory.  I am a blessed lady with an amazing family for which I am beyond grateful for. 

That's all for now...I am in a comalikeexhaustionstate.  Oh, I did learn today that irregardless really isn't a word, disappointing because I really enjoy using it!

Love the beach exhausted/vacation is never really relaxing Kimbles

Beach...

Today is a super exciting day!  For one it is Archer's first Halloween---and he has an adorable costume!!!  Secondly, we are going to spend the night in Mandeville with family and then head to the beach in the morning!  Archer has yet to go to the beach-but always beelines straight for the sand at the park so I am sure this is going to be a super fun experience for him!!!  We plan to stay Sun and Monday night and return home around bedtime on Tuesday.  Ahhh....vacation (sort of).

That's it for now, when we get home I will post pictures.

Love the Kimbles.

A brief moment...

I have a quick moment to type out a few things--so here I go!

Archer and I had the privelege to babysit for Eliza for a couple of hours the other day while Ellen ran to a Dr. appt--we had a blast! It was crazy because Archer and Eliza really played together--ok, not together, but would follow each other from room to room and toy to toy!!! It made me really want to throw a sibling in there for Archer!

Archer is amazing...I feel like I always say that---but he is becoming a wonderfully fun toddler! I can now ask him to come with me around the house while I clean and he is proving to be somewhat helpful, for example-he will open and close the dryer repeatedly while I am loading it with wet clothes. He also helps put various things away---which has led to my cell phone being lost most of the time--he likes to put it in his dresser drawers or toybox! It really is fun though to say, "come help mama make the bed" and he will toddle behind me and pull on the sheets (or play on the pillows). I am soooo looking forward to the 2's and 3's---and lately I have been incredibly nostalgic about it. It seems like lots of our friends are having babies right now and sometimes I think about how wonderful this time is-and how happy we all seem--and I think "this is the time of our lives." While I work I often talk to patients about Archer and everyone offers the same advice, "It's the most amazing thing and it flies by." So now more than ever I am really trying to live this up! Teary eyed thinking about my babe going away!!! People keep asking when I am going to wean...and the answer is simple--when we are ready! There are days where I am beyond ready and just want my body back--but I remember, this isn't going to last forever and when it's over I know I am going to miss it.

Ok, back to work.

Love the Kimbles.

Good Intentions...

I honestly really always have the best of intentions when it comes to blogging...and often renew my pledge to blog at least weekly every time I blog---I am simply going to forgo that pledge this time :)  

WHAT'S NEW?!?!  Archer is crazy!  He is the best/most fun kid I know...simply awesome.  He walks everywhere and babbles NONSTOP!  He has a growing list of words--mama, dada, baba, dog, doggy, bye bye, ni night, truck, duck, baby, up, bath, hmm, a few others that are not coming to me at the moment (forgive me while my son splashes in the bathtub and I attempt to quickly blog).  He also just started putting two words together and it is the sweetest thing imaginable!  He will say "Hey Mama (in the sweetest soft voice".  He also says, "hey baby" and "hey dada."  Two nights ago in the bath he took his little alien squirter toy and his little frog squirter toy and put them up on the ledge together and was making sweet little babbles like they were playing back and forth---it was adorable!

Archer now wakes up between 6:30-7:30am, naps from about 11am-2pm, and then goes to be between 7-7:30pm.  Oh!  And he has started POOPING!!!  For 6 months now almost Archie boy has been chronically constipated--and now we have poop (which makes cloth diapering slightly less handy).  

Hmmm..other news, we are moving to Salt Lake City, UT in May (no we are not Mormon, yes Colin's bro and our sis-in-law live there) Colin's brother has a business that he would like Colin to be a part of and Colin is super excited about it, as are Archer and I (slightly worried about being submerged in snow and cold again after getting used to winter without it, but surely..I will survive!)  It is a wonderful opportunity and we are so excited!

Ok, that's it for now as Archer is throwing his leg over the edge of the bathtub saying "mama UP, mama UP"

-The Kimbles.

cloth diaper update...

Alright, as promised, for my friends and family who are either cloth diapering or about to start, here is my review of the diapers we have...

From top to bottom and left to right it goes:  (almost all are one size diapers)

The first two diapers are "cloth diaper wholesale" diapers.  These diapers were very reasonably priced ($10 for white, $12 for colored) and very wonderful.  The stuff in the front which is interesting, but with a baby boy very helpful (I am able to do an extra fold over in the front for added dryness).  Bang for the buck I would DEFINITELY suggest having a few of these in your collection!  They have never leaked for us, and we often use them as our overnight diaper of choice (right behind Bumgenius all-in-ones).  They are adorable and the woman that sells that is very friendly and helpful!  They fit wonderfully and have two snaps on either side to secure.  The size is adjustable the same way most other one size diapers are and that is by the snaps down the front.  They are able to get incredibly small and seem like one of the most practical diapers for newborns.

The next three diapers are our "Fuzzibunz."  I would ALMOST say these are my favorite, or the ones I always reach for (while probably being Colin's least favorite...all of the snaps).  I love how perfectly they fit Archer and they seem to be rather "slim fitting".  Fuzzi bunz have been around forever, and I believe were one of the first cutting edge diaper companies so they know what they are doing!  The size varies incredibly and several different ways: there is an internal elastic piece you can use to make the diaper tighter around the legs as well as the snap down front AND this diaper (unlike any of the others) is available with a "hip snap" (hence Colin's hatred for all of the snaps).  This diaper is not as "user friendly" as the bumgenius option, but I think it is by far the best looking and best fitting diaper we have.  We have NEVER had a leak!!!  We dont often use these for overnight seeing as they are slim and we would prefer to have them clean to use during the day.  Also, Archer could not get out of these if he tried!  Overall, Fuzzi bunz are def. in our top three!!!

The next four in line are Happy Heiny's.  I bought four of these after reading reviews, and wish I I hadn't bought any.  I really do not like or Happy Heiny's and would be willing to trade or sell them to just about anybody.  One of my friends really really liked them for her newborn and said they were her favorite on her little girl for the first few months.  For us they are very BULKY (I need to get different inserts) and almost always leak!  We probably should change his diaper more often (we only change him 4 times a day usually) but we don't have the leaking problem with any other diapers.  When we use a HH we must change him often and generally try not to put one on him before going out.  Not only are they very bulky the velcro tabs are rather large and almost look to be uncomfortable on his chubby tummy.  The tabs are available in velcro or snaps (the first navy blue one is the snap option) and I prefer the snaps.  The velcro is SUPER easy for Archer to get off and unless he has pants over them he will instantly take the diaper off (he is even able to get it unhooked with clothes on).  They dont fit well, are bulky, and often leak which makes this choice our least favorite.

Next in line (second row) are "Rocky Mountain Diapers".  The woman who sells the wholesale cloth diapers also sells these.  The Rocky Mountain diapers are super cute with a colored liner on the inside.  They seem to be of less quality than most of the other diapers, but have never let us down!  I like the sizing system tons!  To adjust the tightness around the legs there is an elastic strip that has snaps so you simply pull the elastic until you get the desired "squeeze" and then snap it in place, really wonderful!  Overall, very cute and fit nicely!  I would recommend these for sure!

Following the Rocky Mountain Diapers are the "Haute" diapers.  These diapers are WONDERFUL!!!  They are very similar to Bumgenius but are bigger (can use them for much longer).  Actually if you look at the picture the ones after the Haute are Bumgenius and you can see the size difference!  We love the Haute diapers and have no had a single issue with them.  We also generally use these for bedtime and are very satisfied customers!  They are available in snap or velcro tabs and we have one of each. 

Next up, Bumgenius.  Bumgenius is a great company and I really believe they have the right concept, it seems to be their goal is making cloth diapering the logical choice, based on ease of use and affordability.  Bumgenius just released two new brands of diaper-one called Flip, and the other "Econobum".  With Econobum they claim you can cloth diaper from birth to potty training for $100.  I am really dying for them to release either so we can get our hands on them (when we do I will be sure to post something).  For now, we have the Bumgenius all in one, and the Bumgenius one size.  We almost always use our all in ones for bedtime (with an extra insert).  Because the insert it fastened in it seems like the most logical solution to a moving baby moving around that insert allowing the diaper to leak.  I love the all in one's and if it didn't make more sense financially to buy one size fits all I would only own Bumgenius all in ones!  On the other hand, our bumgenius one size diapers are great.  They fit perfectly (but are our smallest diapers by far---I am not sure how long he will be able to wear them, although they look to get very tiny for a newborn).  The biggest beef I have with them is that the only option (unless you go organic) is velcro.  We have washed ours a handful of times and already the velcro is crummy, not to mention....Archer ALWAYS takes them off!  If this diaper had a snap option it would be one of my favorites for sure!!!  Bumgenius has no plans to make a snap option available because their new "Flip" diaper is essentially that.  I would def. suggest having a couple of these in your stash, but the all in one's and the one size fits all (all in twos).

The next two are "Whammies".  I feel 100% neutral about these diapers!  The first one has an interesting way to close, with little clasps, that Archer wouldn't be able to figure out--even at the age of 3!!!!  I imagine as he gets older I will begin to reach for that diaper more often than now.  The other is a snap closure.  I enjoy these diapers, I wouldn't buy anymore, but do enjoy  the ones we have.  

Last on the list, Smartipants.  I LOVE our smartipants diapers, they are the trimmest next to Fuzzibunz.  Smartipants insert is open at the front and the back and the insert comes out on its own in the wash (no need to touch a pee soaked cloth just simply throw it in the wash machine and it finds its way out).  These are our newest diaper so that is all I have to report so far (not to mention I am fairly tired of typing...)

That is it for now, I will write more as the times goes by.  All in all, it is essential to have some wholesale cloth diapers, Bumgenius, and Fuzzibunz on your collection!!!

One year ago today..

One year ago today I was blessed to welcome a sweet little boy into my arms.  Since that day I have learned more about life than I could have imagined.  I was telling someone last night that every cliche thing people say about having children is true, but the truest of all is the saying "having a child will change your life forever."  Not only does it change your life, but it teaches you all of the best things about life.  Archer has taught me more about myself and how to live than any old wise man could.  Live simply and live happily!  I remember shortly after Archie was born Colin went away for the weekend to play some shows.  There was some band drama etc and Colin came home, scooped up Archer and said, "this is JOY, this is what life is about."  It's true.  Life is still good---and our buddy boy reminds us of that.  Everyday is about trying to have fun.  You always hear people say that after they have a baby they almost instantly "don't remember what we did before the baby."  SOOOO TRUE...we have no idea what we used to do, besides get a whole bunch of sleep!  

Last night we welcomed lots of our best friends into town and Colin suggested having a conversation about what we have all learned in the past year.  We have a best friend from Washington that recently got divorced, some best friends that just recently got married, we had a kid, and our other best friends just finished school/are on the brink of deciding what to do and where to go.  We haven't had the conversation yet, but I asked Colin what he has learned.  He said, "that I don't matter."  He didn't mean it in the pity party way, he meant it in the way that having kids is always putting someone before you...a very humbling experience indeed!!!  

Ok, party is on, birthday boy just woke up from his nap!!!

Needless to say, having a kid is the best thing I have done all year, and the most rewarding thing I have done to date (blah blah cliche cliche), but thank god for the lessons I have learned! 

new words...

Today Archer started saying three new words...

"Hot" which is "aut"
"Yuck" which is "ut"
and my personal favorite "Ouch" which is "out"

there is something beyond adorable in seeing a little, not even walking, baby bump into something and say, "out" while looking at you with a furrowed brow...

Colin went to New Orleans for the Saints game today and had a blast, at least I think he did--he got home from the game at about 6:15pm, and I scooted out of the door around 6:25pm for work. I missed Colin like he had been on tour for two months today, it was weird. I always enjoy having him around (unless Archer is napping---then I LOVE alone/quiet time) but today was Sunday, and a football day, and it felt beyond wrong not to have Colin in the kitchen cooking chicken wings with the game on our little TV way too loud! There is something to be said for the whole "opposites attrack" theory---that man continues to blow my mind daily.

I will work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and then we will prepare for the arrival of guests on Thursday and Friday, CELEBRATE Archer's birthday on Friday, and then have his party on Saturday!!! HORRAY!

Archer continues to crawl to just about every window in the house looking for his "biph", which if if he is in the back of the house he can see in the garage....it has rained now for about 3-4 days and he is having a horrible time adjusting to no biph rides---therefore, I took him out yesterday and today in the drizzle...not enjoyable for me but seeing him happy made me happy so it worked!

We got him a few fun things for his birthday-and Grandma Jo pitched in and helped up buy him a "Cozy and Tidy Cottage" which has a mailbox, doorbell, and telephone. I have a feeling that he is going to LOVE it and that his cottage in the backyard will compete with biph rides!

If you are reading this and wanting to get Archer something for his birthday and wondering what to get (since I have had several inquiries) the follow are some ideas:

*Clothes (even though his fall wardrobe is fattening up-size 18-24 months (if it is short sleeves I would get 24 months, he will be able to wear it over long sleeves in the winter and it will still fit when summer hits---hopefully)

*Shoes-size 4, or size 18-24 months

*Books and CD's. We have a CD in the car that we listen to NONSTOP--and in fact when he starts fussing in the car we play it and he generally stops. HE LOVES TO READ (board books).

*Art supplies. Crayons, paints, brushes, canvas, etc.

*Anything else you think he would enjoy! He really likes pretty much everything. A couple of weeks ago we went to his girlfriend Eliza's bday party and he loved everything she got, in fact, he was REALLY into her presents!!!

Archer has blond CURLS at the nape of his neck, that get REALLY curly outside, and A CURL ON THE TOP OF HIS HEAD!!! He looks like a cupee doll. :)

One week from One...

Oh my dear Archie boy...

My how time flies (I instantly have tears in my eyes...)!!!  I am not "sad" that you my sweet boy are going to now be a "toddler" but soooo thrilled that I am mama to such a wonderful boy.  Everything you do, and everything about it is something to be adored by your daddy and I.  Often times I worry about you when you are grown up, and about you making the right decisions-but your dad reminds me that you cannot rebel against true love---and son YOU ARE LOVED!  Just tonight we took our Friday night bike ride to Zippy's burrito shop like we have been doing for the past few months.  We sat and watched you the entire time while you "acted a fool" and did anything you could to make us laugh....anything!  The best part is-you know you are funny.  It seems like more and more you do things to make us laugh and if we don't notice--you laugh for us!  I love your sense of humor and the fact that you are always looking for a good laugh or a way to light up the room!  Tonight at dinner you were also eyeing the lady in the booth next to us.  You were laughing and smiling with her and to see the joy in her heart that you had caused just about made me lose it!  You are the sweetest/happiest little soul.  At one point during your dinner "ham it up" session your dad and I caught each others glance (yes, for a moment all attention was diverted away from you--perhaps this is when you made initial contact with the cute girl next to us)-and it was magical.  The two of us made one happy little you!  There are times where you are in the other room and I hear your laughter (for some reason hitting Jonezy..softly...makes you laugh hysterically).  Boy oh boy of mine, you melt me!

New things this month:  not much stepping action, you def. prefer to crawl and almost resist any motivation to walk.  You say several things, lets see: mommom, meme, dada, dad, or daddy, Jonezy (Ja ja), UP (which means up, out, done, etc) and is super cute because you are uhP, bike (which is biph...the ph sound instead of k), duck (dut), dog, bye bye, just tonight I asked if you were ready to go night night and you said "ni ni", book bath and every other random thing that starts with "b" is ba, ball ball ball, "bob" when you want a sippy cup, you shake your head no for things you know you aren't supposed to do, and when daddy tells the dogs to "get out" of the kitchen while we are eating you LOVE to replay his actions by pointing your finger and saying "ge  ut".  You are still signing eat, more, bath, brush teeth, finished, etc.  MR. SMARTY PANTS!  There are several other things you do that clue us in to your intelligence-like your love for reading...well "reading".   You crawl into your room at any given time and simply sit and flip through book after book-always oriented the correct way, in fact we test you!  While you read you will call out things in the picture, balls, dogs, etc.  Other times when you cannot say what you are looking at you simply read the book "apica pica pica".

Just tonight I was nursing you to sleep and thought I was going to melt away.  Holding you there in my arms so snuggley and warm---is bliss!  You boy are about to be a TODDLER and I cannot wait for all of the fun we have ahead of us!!!  

I love you so much.

-Your mom mom.

Cloth diaper report to follow...

For now---this is our stash (I think we have about 17-18 diapers total--and hopefully that is IT!)

Smarty Pants McGee...

Baby signing is super cool---and funny! We have been signing to Archer for awhile, but never very consistently...until we realized that we would like for him to be able to communicate in ways other than a very unpleasant whine-or grunt :) Once we started being consistent he INSTANTLY starting signing back--like "why didn't you guys have faith in me..." Needless to say, he now signs: more, eat, brush teeth, nurse (his personal favorite I am convinced--and the one he looks the cutest signing), bye bye (which means he is tired of being stuck inside and would like to go out to his pool or on an outing--and generally he signs bye bye while standing at the side door)=and then does some other cute "so big" and "high five" gestures. Tonight at dinner we did a run through of the list and he did one sign after the other, very cute--followed by a huge PROUD smile!

Alright...work calls me back suddenly!

Work Smerk...

I feel like lately life has been all work, no play!!! Somehow the measley three shifts/week I have to put in seem to be a hassle as of late. Thank goodness there are only 8 more months of this madness, and then back to mommyhood!!! I cannot imagine how amazing that is going to feel! Put in my one shift/week and spend the rest of the time doing all of the things I cannot while working (like having a clean house, cooking dinner...being a domestic diva basically..)

Archer is sweeter by the day (and more work too). He seems to be talking a ton--the other day I was cooking and he leaned against the oven and I said sternly, "Oh no, that's HOT." Everytime he got near it I made the same concerned mom face and said "hot buddy." Archer then started to tempt fate and hang out close to the oven saying "aut, aut." Interesting and didn't work the way I had intended, the same thing happened with "uh-oh." One toy fell sopping wet from the bathtub and I muttered "uh-oh" and then suddenly every toy from the tub was laying sopping wet next to me on the floor with a very cute little boy saying "ut ut" as they fell...this also seems to be a favorite while eating dinner and while playing in the baby pool.

It seems I was a poor birthday party planner already! I planned the party for the day after his birthday(Sept. 19th), but apparently missed the step where you talk to the people you really would like to be in attendence and make sure their schedule is free---sadly Archer's girlfriend Eliza and our friends-her parents-are unable to attend, along with our dear friends Andrew (Archer's buddy) and Lauren and Drew. I'm pretty sure Grandpa Keith and Grandma Kathy are unable to come (vacation) BUT on the up side, my dad is going to attempt to come, along with a dear friend from Spokane, and my frient Tyne from Iowa/Philadelphia/Wisconsin. You know your kid is awesome when people not only drive, but FLY to his birthday party!!!

I should have mentioned this before, I do LOVE my job---I honestly do! But I would be very content doing this one night/week instead of three... :)

Oh yes, we have fully converted to cloth diapers. We should have done this from the start (ok, maybe disposable until we got through up all night/really tired/baby pooping 12 times daily...) BUT it is very, very, VERY easy--not to mention all of the other benefits!!! No leaks..ever, and Archer looks cute in his colorful dipes! Thank goodness they are one size fits all--so when the next Kimble comes along we will have a stockade of diapers ready and waiting for FREE! I suppose Archer will have to use the potty because his baby sister or brother will need his diapers (hmm..I think rule number one of potty training is not to force the issue...this is an expensive problem). Perhaps it will be awhile before we add another baby to this brood. ;)

We are waiting soooo patiently for the weather to cool down! Right now our afternoon activity consists of a mall playground or soaking in the swimming pool in the backyard. We long for the days we can go on bike rides, to the park, or take our peaceful afternoon walks (without me worrying about having a dehydrated baby).

Oh, watch the movie "The Duchess" whoever happens to be reading this..who does read this?!?! It was a fairly good movie---at least we enjoyed it.

Alright, back to work for this mama. Hurry up 7am!!! I need to see my boys!

The things that kid can SAY!

Within the last week and half it seems like Archer has changed a ton.  He now stands almost all of the time, and either uses props (coffee table, walls, etc) to get around-or his handy dandy cart and push toy.  He also started saying quite a few words---very suddenly!  He now still says, and very clear: "mom mom" "da da" and even says "daddy" every now and then, "ball"--he has a little pink and little purple ball that he carries around with him everywhere-he even sleeps with them..and if he doesn't have them he will wander around the house saying "ball...ball" until he gets them from us or finds them.  He is also saying "uh oh" and "no" which sounds more like na, "jonezy" which is always whispered and sounds more like "juh juh".  There are several other things that he will say the beginning sound for, like book and baby are "b".  He has also taken a liking to kissing things..which is interesting.  He is constantly giving him stuffed animal toys kisses, and even surprises us with kisses out of the blue.  Just this morning I asked for a kiss and was attempting to get it on the cheek (I have a horrible cold) when he pulled my mouth towards him and planted one right on my lips. 

Life in the Kimble house is awesome (and will be much better once we get over our horrible colds and Archer gets that tooth in he has been working on---which will make 5)

Oh yes, and First Birthday Party planning...what the heck?!?!?

Month 10...

Today I started planning/thinking about Archer's first birthday party---and in a moments time found myself in tears!  I then started to think back to our sweet baby and here is what I thought up:

*Everyone says having a newborn is the worst...exhausting, stressful, never ending feeding/changing/crying.  Looking back--that stage was somewhat of a breeze!  Having a seven pound sweet smelling precious thing that sleeps 23 hours a day really wasn't bad!  Sure the recovery from the process of getting the babe out is somewhat tiring, and breastfeeding for 20 hours a day is tiring, but all in all, it was incredibly sweet (who would have though something so small could require SO MUCH attention and time though!)

Then at about 6-8 weeks the little bundle spends more time awake, and SMILING.  Suddenly the endless nights are absolutely worth it, and you can now sort of leave the house without planning where you will sneak off to when the little one becomes inconsolable.  Also, right about this time is when Archer started sleeping an 8 hour stretch at night (10pm-6 or 7am) which was wonderful for us!

Month 3-5 was AWESOME.  And if I didn't love every other stage...I would be brave enough to say this has been somewhat of a favorite!  At this point Archer was interactive (and babbled nonstop).  I could put him somewhere...playpen, swing, bouncy, bumbo-and he was perfectly content.  I always had a super clean house because babies at this age (at least Archie) took two long naps, and one short nap/day!  It was right at 12 weeks Archer started going to bed at 7pm, waking once at 3am for a feeding, and back to sleep until 7am.  He would then nap from about 9am-10:30am, again from 12:30-2:00pm, and from 4:00-4:45pm.  Hahah, typing about this has gotten me longing for those days! 

Month 6 into month seven got interesting!  Suddenly the after the afternoon nap was gone, bedtime slowly moved to sometime between 7-8, and wakeup time was somewhere between 6 and 7.  He was sitting...and MOBILE!  Even though he could crawl, he didn't fully understand his capabilities...that was next month..

Month 8-9 was awesome.  Very busy, very independent, destructive baby.

And now month 10.  Our new "favorite" stage.  What a ham...what a mess.  Our house is always in a state of destruction...and we are always finding out why people make a living babyproofing other people's homes.  The attached pictures were all taken within about 30 minutes...enjoy.

New camera...

We finally realized our camera is not coming back (I realized long before Colin..but decided to be patient) so we ordered a new one today..HORRAY!  I think it has been close to a month without a picture of little buddy, but thanks to my ma-we have gotten plenty on video!!!

In other news, Colin is playing bike polo with some buddies, Archie is fast asleep, and I am enjoying a cold glass of wine, about to sit down and scrapbook...or watch tv...or sleep.  :)  Work wears me out and I am doing my best to enjoy this year as a full time nurse-looking forward to only working a shift a week after May 4th (when my contract is up).  I love working and absolutely love being a nurse-but I love being a mom/wife 10Xmore.  I feel like my time with my family is compromised and I have forever to work!

Archer is the best.  He IS joy, in every aspect.  This evening we put him in his pool outside and brought him in right before dinner...didn't diaper him because we didn't want to waste a diaper and sure enough got a very nice surprise on the kitchen floor (not a liquid surprise either).  Archer never poops unless he is diaperless apparently!

OK, I am off to enjoy this lovely evening.

Pictures soon I promise!

Sneezy...

Archer laughs hysterically when we sneeze...and yesterday started fake sneezing all the time, if we had a digital camera (we lost it) I would absolutely post a video-it is beyond the cutest thing you will ever see!

In other news, Colin has been fixing up a bike for bike polo for sometime now and just finished yesterday (he even built his own wheel which is bike building wizardry) just in time to play some intense bike polo today.  I adore that man and his hobbies for sure!

That's all for now, I think Archer and I are going to go outside and go swimming (as he gags himself with an ink pen he found on the floor).

-the kimbles.

It is safe to say...

We are addicted to our son.  Archer continues to amaze us, and we continue to say, "oh, this is our favorite stage FOR SURE!"  

At ten months he is a blossoming bundle of likes and DISlikes.  Archer is now crawling EVERYWHERE (has been since he was 6 3/4 months old).  He is pulling up, and even on occasion caught standing in the middle of the room!  He inches his way around furniture, often brave enough to let go and just stand there, or hold on one handed.  He thinks several things are hilarious and seems to think Colin and I are quite the act!  He loves to dance (especially after dinner, and especially to a few of his favorite songs..even better, we will leave him in his high chair and dance together silly which he thinks is the greatest thing next to string cheese).  He loves "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and his attempt at the hand motions are adorable!  Today in the car that song was playing on the cd (ug...children's cds already) and I was watching him in the mirror in the back mimic the actions to the song...it was unreal to see him doing that!  Little hands making a spider and then above the head for the sun and back down again to make a spider...crazy.

Let's see...Archer eats what we eat (and has been for the past two months).  He never really was interested in "baby food" even though we slaved away making 6 1 gallon bags of pure homeade baby food delight!  Once we started offering him what was on our plate he started eating solids!  Within the last week he has transitioned to three full meals (still nursing about 5 times/day).  

Hmmm..we just took a vacation to Iowa which was awesome.  It was, like always, a very fast trip!  We got in late on Wednesday night and had wedding stuff Fri, Sat, then one more night at mom's before returning to Louisiana on Monday.  Archer always seems to have an awesome time when we travel...he is such an extrovert like his "da da."

..Which brings up another interesting point, our talking boy.  Archer now says, "Da Da" and when asked where da da is he will look at colin and repeat "da da" leaving us no choice but to believe he knows word and association.  Archie also says "mom mom" which is amazing, and he totally knows that means ME--as he generally says it while trying to convince me to pick him up!  The only other thing we hear him say is "ball"...and he says it while crawling towards his ball or throwing his ball-fairly impressive.  We can ask him to get a book (he LOVES to be read to-and often read to himself, flipping through pages speaking garbeled baby language), get his truck, get a ball, etc and he will quickly do it.

Life in the Kimble home is awesome, and we feel our abundant blessings daily.  I am really going to work on updating this as often as possible-it has been far too long!!!

Love the Kimbles.

side note...

that was NOT dog poo..although it looks like it!  There is a gate blocking the dogs from Archer's room that has been up (and never down) since he was born!

For mature eyes only...

Archer HATES to poop!!!  In fact, will go days without pooping..and holds it in!!!  I think the transition from breastmilk poos to solid poos horrified him..the result is a battle to get the kid to let it out...WEIRD, I know!

Anyways, he was in his room tonight while Colin and I were cooking dinner when we looked in and found this.. (thankfully we found it before he did...if you know what I mean).

baby boy...

Archer is awesome..and crawling, and laughing, and playing, and simply a JOY to be around!  Colin went away once for the weekend a few months ago and came home, scooped Archer up and said "this is joy, this is what life is about."  It was a moment that sank in for me, and made perfect sense.  Different things make different people happy and feel satisfied, but for the two of us nothing makes more sense than loving each other and being joyous parents to Archer (and whoever decides to follow him).

SO....two weeks of work down for mama (dad and Archie too).  I worked four days last week, and four days this past week-and now I am off for the weekend, back for Mon, Tues, and Fri, and then I will be switching over to nights!  HORRAY!  Archer has adjusted easily I think--he is home with his super cool dad all day!  The boys come to see me at work for lunch everyday-which also makes it easier!!!!  I am beyond thankful for Colin!!!!! Nothing like an understanding, supportive husband who makes sure the house is always clean, cooks dinner, and washes the dishes/tidies the kitchen at the end of the day!!!

Archer, oh Archer, apparently kids are like wine--finer with age.  I think we love him more daily...seriously.  Just when you think there is no way I could love this kid anymore, you wake up the next morning and see his awesome smile...and love him even more!!!  It is times like that that I wonder how people can ignore the fact that surely there must be something greater than just us humans wandering around...I'm not sure how people can take credit for the greatest that little babies are!!!  You could call it chance..but Archer is way better than "chance" in our book!

I have so much more to write, but this is my first moment of absolute silence in quite sometime, so I think I am going to snuggle up with a book!!!

Love to all.

The Kimbles

first time in the pool...

Short but sweet...

This update is long overdue, and going to be pretty short (working mama is TIRED). 

Sooo...I started work today!  I shed more tears than one could think possible in anticipation of how horrible it would be to leave my little guy!  However, I woke up at 6am today and started getting ready with a bit of excitement flowing through me.  Archer, OF COURSE, slept in on the morning I had to be up...and then I had a good hour and a half with him before he and Colin dropped me off at work (8am).  A whole group of orientees sat around in a room  and the CEO of the hospital dropped in, wanted everyone to introduce themselves and say a little something, and it was suddenly my turn.  Not only do I pretty much despise speaking in a room full of people, I was also a new mom away from her baby for the first time...and of course I had to mention him!  Sure enough, the tears began to flow..ops!  Needless to say, the group let out a  big "ahhhhh" and suddenly after 4 hours of boring lectures, it was 12pm (LUNCH TIME...for me and for Archer!)  

I spent 30 minutes nursing Archer in the parking lot, and downing a ham sandwich Colin had kindly made for me.  I then went back for another 4 hours of lecturing and the work day was over!!!  My boys were there to get me and Archer was HUNGRY!  Home to feed Archie and spend some quality time together.  Colin did say he thought Archer missed me, and even said when he woke up from his nap he was very curious as to where I was, so Colin shoved food down his throat to distract him! 

Colin is AMAZING!!!  He understood that I would spend almost every second obsessing over Archer while he made an amazing dinner and cleaned up the house!  Before long it was bath time and a very serious hard-time getting to bed for the little guy (I won't even pretend like it bothered me to sneak back in for another hold, cuddle, rock, or nurse--whatever he seemed to want).  By 9pm Archie was defeated and fell asleep!  Onto to studying for boards and waiting for him to wake up for me (which once again, I won't even try to pretend it will bother me). 

Tues-Thurs the same schedule, boards Monday, work Tues-Fri, then 3 shifts from 7am-7pm, and I will be ON NIGHTS, where I will stay for a year (three times/week) until my contract is up, then it is PART-TIME for this mama!!!

I love my boys and miss them terribly all day-but what a wonderful profession to be in!

OH HOW COULD I FORGET!!!  Archer is crawling!!!  Almost always to dangerous things he should not be allowed to touch...but for now it is motivation!!!  He seems much happier, and very proud of himself.  It seems as though Archer is always smiling and laughing, and what an amazing thing that does to the hearts of his parents to see him so truly and genuinely happy-what a blessing that child is!!!  Daily we are reminded about the pureness and simpleness in life...I am beyond in love!

OK, that was much longer than it should have been!!!  

love the kimbles!

Bike and Big Boy Seat!

As promised!!!  

So much!!!

So much has happened since I last blogged..where to begin really?!?!

Archer and I had a trip planned to Iowa for 6 days mid March.  The night before the flight (I was so nervous about how he would handle the airplane/so many people being around/the change in schedule) Archer would not go to sleep...was SCREAMING!  I went in to pick him up around 10:30pm (we were set to leave our house at 3:30am) and he was warm.  I took his temp and it was 100.5...GO FIGURE-the night before we leave!  The next early morning my little guy had two bottom teeth!  They poked through, but seem to be in a standstill-they are still not completely in so I imagine they continue to bother him as gnaws on everything in sight!

Our flights were awesome, and Archer was a CHAMP!  He would sleep the entire time on the plane, play on the layover, and then sleep again on the next flight---what a sweetie!  

Our trip was wonderful!  It was so good to see my side of the family-and they are all so wonderful!  Everyone drove to my moms house on Saturday for a big get together which was so kind of them all to do!  I had an awesome time hanging out with everyone-and we are so thankful for such a wonderful trip!!!  (Colin missed us badly!)

While we were gone Colin lost his job.  Long story short...it was for the better!  I got hired last weekend for a position I had been watching at a hospital here in town where I will work 3 nights/week from 7pm-7am (self-scheduling thank goodness) and so it will make the transition so much easier on all of us if Colin is home with Archer!  I'm not sure how long Colin will stay home with Archer, but def. for a month or two while we get accustomed to me working. The nice thing about it is I will miss out on bedtime 3 times/week but that is really all.  I will be home around the time Archie wakes up, and then I will sleep for 5 hours or so while Colin and Archer play/nap.  I will also still be able to nurse Archer when need be which is such a relief for me!

In Archer news...let's see...he sits great, it would take a lot of force to knock him down-he has; however, started to lean forward while sitting so he ends up on his tummy and then scoots around-basically he crawls with one leg!  He gets to where he wants to go though so it keeps him happy.  Two nights ago he got up on all fours and rocked back and forth and suddenly it hit me...it wont be long!!!  He has started eating solids more readily and LOVES teething biscuits!  He also really likes to feed himself, go generally when we are nearing the end of his dinner we will strip him down and give him his bowl and spoon.  It creates quite the mess, but that is what bath time is for!  

Oh yes, we also are getting Archer's "big boy" car seat in the mail tomorrow!  We have been waiting for so long and finally there was a wonderful sale that we couldn't resist!  We will see what he thinks about it and I will be sure to post pictures!

Archer has also been sleeping "through the night" more so now than ever before.  The other night he went to bed around 7pm and woke up at 6am.  I am not thrilled at all about the new 6am wakeup call, but I will take what I can get!  

Colin and I have been on a vigorous search for a tandem bike!  We both have too many bikes already in our garage and we have a baby trailer and also a baby seat for the bike, but have always thought he was too young.  Last summer (during the end of my pregnancy...and really throughout the entire thing) the best form of exercise I could get was biking...WE MISS HAVING LONG BIKE RIDES TOGETHER!  So...we were at the park the other evening when a couple our age with a son six days older than Archer pulled up on their tandem bike with their baby boy in his car seat in the bike trailer!  WE HAD NO IDEA THAT WAS POSSIBLE!  It makes perfect sense though!  Then there was a lady there with a bike seat so we put Archer in and took him for a spin to see what he would think...he LOVED it!!!  HORRAY!!!  The Kimbles can FINALLY be a biking family again!  I will let you know how it goes when we get set-up and post pictures of that also!

WHEW!  I start work on April 20th!  One week of daytime orientation/classes from 8am-4pm, then two weeks of day time orientation on the unit (3 shifts/week from 7am-7pm) then I will complete my orientation at night.  I am soooo not ready to leave Archer and not ready to work at all, but I am thankful that I have a great degree in a field that offers so much flexibility (pay is not bad either) and that Archer will be home with Colin for awhile.  

Alright, I need to get in the shower before the little guy wakes up from his nap!

P.s. Archer has been a bundle of personality lately and very, very attentive to mommy (he watches everything I do while I am not holding him)! Colin thinks we need to fix that, but I ADORE it and remind Colin that soon he will have the little man to himself all day...he needs to be his mommies boy for now!!!!

Working Mom...

HOORAY...school is out FOREVER!  Ok, maybe not forever, but at least for the next five years!  I finished school on Monday the 2nd, and I have a job interview on Monday the 9th...there is indeed still great need for nurses!  The unit that I am interviewing on is a brand new 10 patient medical floor (not sure how crazy I am about that..but we will soon find out).  I am planning on working nights so that my time away from Archer is absolutely minimal.  I have a great friend Ellen here who has offered to babysit Archer while I am sleeping, etc. but the details have yet to be ironed out.

In other news, Archer continues to grow and thrive.  It is so awesome to see him grow and change daily!  He has been battling a cold for about a month now which is super annoying!  In the last couple of days it seems to be almost completely cleared up, but this past week was a different story.  It started I suppose on Monday night when we went to put him down for bed, he SCREAMED which was very unlike him.  When we picked him up he was fine, but screamed when being put down again. We decided to let him stay up a little while longer and tried again...still no luck!  Finally the exhausted baby boy fell fast asleep on my chest, on the couch.  We slept there until about 1am when I woke up and decided to put him in his bed, once again he awoke and started to scream, so in between mom and dad is where Archer slept for the night!  He woke up the next morning with a giant smile on his face!  The next day I decided to take him to his pediatrician to see if there was anything going on with his teeth or throat (he sounded really raspy!)  Turns out he was fine and also a whopping 20lbs!

Colin is gearing up to go back to the police academy...not happily!  I imagine for a loving, passionate guy being around a group of men that talk endlessly about tazoring could be awfully tiring!

Oh yes, Archer is now sitting perfectly without help, rolling almost anywhere his fat little body can go, and trying a variety of fruits and veggies.  By far his favorite is sweet potato, followed by peas and surprisingly he is not found of fruits really of any kind (besides the prunes he was giving to hopefully help him poo).  

Hope all is well!

The Kimble

a few pictures...

Archer LOVES the dogs suddenly, and they do not seem to mind him (thankfully).  Also, we had an outing with our dear, dear friends Ellen, Eliza, and Eliza's grandma today, it was soooo beautiful!

oh yes, and I know my pictures are sideways (I cannot figure out how to flip them on Colin's computer)

long night...

HORRAY!!!  Last night Archer slept from 7:30pm-5:30am (for a quick feed) and back to sleep until 8:15am.  Now...if only I could have also gotten some sleep!  The entire time I was waking up, checking the clock, and then checking the baby.  Also, for the mom's reading this that have breastfed a babe-I was rather uncomfortable!  Needless to say, Archer was about a foot taller when he finally did decide to wake up this morning!  Oh yes, and he had peas mixed with his cereal this morning and thought it was the most delightful yet!  

Love the Kimbles

p.s. Attached is a picture of Archer in his playpen.  I modge podged some baby faces for him (he LOVES looking at faces...this kid could be held in front of the fridge for hours happily) and he usually talks nonstop to them.  On this particular day I put him in his playpen to unload groceries from the car and this is how I found him 10 minutes later...who knows how long he was under there, but he wasn't complaining!

Where to begin...

It has been so long since I have posted anything!!!  It seems like so much has happened and changed...

Colin and I had our FIRST DATE (just the two of us) since Archer was born.  IT WAS INCREDIBLE!  We used a gift card from my Aunt Joc to go to Applebees...rather interesting experience, and then we went to Target to shop for highchairs (which is a gift from dear friend Tyne).  I cannot explain how nice it was to just be the two of us, even for a few hours!  We did spend a majority of the time talking about our little man and about issues that could come up in the future and what we would do.  Our friend Chris is double majoring in English and Marketing and had tons of reading to do (he lives in an apartment with 2 other guys) so we asked him to come read over here while Archer was sleeping---we will do this again weekly hopefully!!!

Also, I have been doing my clinicals on the weekends and overnight, 7p-7a.  It is really nice to not have to go in until Archer is almost ready for bed (I don't feel like I miss as much) and then I get home as he is waking up.  I generally feed him and then go to bed, and wake up the next time he needs to be fed.  This has done WONDERS for Colin and Archer's relationship...now suddenly I am asking Colin what Archer likes, or how to do certain things for him.  Just last night I put Archer to bed and he was sort of fussing and Colin said, "he needs his butt pat for a minute or two" so I went in his room to pat and he wasn't calming down, so Colin came in to settle him.  The boys have had many adventures also!  Last Friday night Colin took Archer to a Mardi Gras parade downtown (Archer wasn't found of all of the noise so they stood back a block watching).  Last night we went to the mall to pick up a few "business casual" clothes for Colin when we were walking and Colin was holding Archer, suddenly Archer grabbed onto Colin's face (one little hand on each cheek) and just started starting at him.  This lasted for nearly two minutes and he just stared, smiled, and cooed.  Colin's heart melted I am pretty sure, and I teared up a bit-it was so sweet.

Colin continues to stay super busy at work!  He is so great at what he does, and soooo patient!  Lately he has been getting really anxious to go back to school (I don't blame him) so we are trying to figure out how to go about all of that.  There are lots of options to consider, between schools and exactly what he wants to get his masters or phd in.

ARCHER on the other hand is beyond wonderful.  I honestly did not anticipate loving him more DAILY, but that is what continues to happen.  As I type this he is in his excersaucer spinning around pulling all of his toys into his mouth (seems like yesterday I put him in there for the first time and he just flopped around...unsure of what he was supposed to be doing).  He is soo fun, and so responsive!  He now goes DAYS without pooping (our record was 11 days...eight days ago).  We started offering him cereal in the morning again three days ago and he seems to really enjoy it now!  He actually holds onto my hand with the spoon in it and brings it to his mouth for each bite and back into the dish for more.  He seems to be a bottomless pit..but because he is still so little and young, I tend to really limit the amount he gets (which results in an unhappy baby when the food goes bye bye).  

Sleep...hmm, good and bad!  Archer used to be a champion sleeper..and then we bumped his bedtime up to 7pm.  It is really nice for Colin and I to have to much time together, but it results in me getting less sleep.  For the last few nights Archer has been going down at 7pm, waking around 1am, again at 4am, and then for the day at 7am.  Colin asked when Archer will "sleep through the night" I replied, "when I get tired of getting up."  As of right now, I am ok with how it is going.  During the day we get two long GLORIOUS naps (morning and early afternoon) and then a short, hour long afternoon nap.  It works for us, and we all feel rested...so we are doing ok!

Ok, well speaking of naps, the little guy is ready to go down and now staring at me from his excersaucer with a very unhappy face!  I hope all is well!

Love the Kimbles

change in plans

So long cereal!  I think we started too early for little Archer, he doesn't seem that eager about it and it seems he isn't catching on just yet.  We have decided to put away the spoon and try again in a month or two.  Boy...it sure was cute trying though!  

Bedtime snack...

Well...we took the plunge!  Archer has been exceedingly fussy while we eat, chomping and feeling as though he is missing out AND consistently waking up at 2 a.m. whether or not we ignore him for agonizing amounts of time SO we decided to put the ole wives tale to the test and give him a very small amount of rice cereal tonight.  He laughed most of the time and thought it was great, while demonstrating his "extrusion reflex" and spitting most of his two tablespoons of breast milk soup out!  Right at the end of the feeding he started to get the hang of it so we shall see what happens.  Our plan for now is to give him nightly feedings while we are eating dinner for the next two weeks-1 month and then at 5 months start giving him 2-3 feedings of cereal a day perhaps even adding oats to the mix, and then at six months starting him on fruits and veggies.  We still have not even decided if this is something we will do every night, just sort of giving it a test run.  Also, I start clinicals again this weekend overnight so if we can give Colin any help he can get with Archer at night....poor guy!

That is all for now, we will keep you updated on how this solid (not sure why it's called that..should be thickened liquid) diet goes.

One for the money...

First things first, I apologize for the picture posted; however, had I not posted a picture of the actual events it would seem I was dramatizing the situation!  Archer used to be quite the pooper, pooping usually 6 times a day.  As of a few days ago that has changed, he now just gives us one big poop, which means new outfit/handwashing/bathing.  It is really interesting and quite chaotic if we happen to be out and about when it happens!  OH...the joys of parenthood (Colin takes one look and runs the other way).