And this song goes out to Grandma

Since we can't be there to sing to you in person, here's Brett's little gift to you Grandma!  Happy Birthday; hope it is a very special day.

Z's 4 month milestones

Our little dude, Zack David turned 4 months old over the weekend.  And what a joyous four months they've been.  Zack has brought countless blessings into our family.  He is sweet, mellow, happy-go-lucky, and a great eater and sleeper.  He already adores his big brother...mesmerized by Brett's every move.  Big bro has been so sweet lately to voluntarily share toys with him. 

Just the other day at bathtime, I witnessed them "playing" together for the very first time - as Brett playfully splashed his brother, Zack started kicking his legs, smiling and very pleased with himself for splashing back at big bro.  I need to remind myself of this precious little moment down the road when the two little maniacs have flooded the entire bathroom with tub antics. 

Today was Z's routine 4-month checkup, and here are his stats:
Weight - 16 lbs. 12 oz., 90th percentile, gained exactly 8 pounds from birth.
Length - 27 in., 95th percentile, grown nearly 6 inches from birth. 
He has been rolling from back to tummy for a couple weeks now, and looooves clasping things in his hands-often *our* hands as we try to manipulate a toy or binky.  Little stinker is just reminding us how we are quite literally wrapped around his little fingers.

Today was a special milestone, too - after getting the OK from the doc, Zack got his very first taste of solid food.  He ate up the whole serving at lunchtime, so we tried it again at dinner...same results.  Go guy!  We may have taken it a little too fast on his first day...he was a little uncomfortable at bedtime, poor thing.  We'll just do one serving tomorrow.  Guess he's taking after his big brother, who is known to shove ALL his favorite food in his mouth at once - entire slices of bread, dozens of grapes, etc.  Little eating machines.  What are we going to do in thirteen years??  Oy!

Here's a quick little snap of Z at his first solid feeding.  For kicks, go check out our old blog posts from late-April early-May 2008.  That's when Brett was 4 months old.  They really do look alike!

Mary had a little pianist

Brett got his very first 'real' song to practice on the piano this week.  Today was our first shot at it since he's been down with the flu this week...usually I'd help him along, pointing at the notes and reminding him of the rhythm, but he insisted on figuring it out all by himself. 

Let's just say this little lamb made mama proud. 



I only managed to capture the second half. Still...:)

Field Trippin'

We've been having fun with "school" this year...once we wrapped up the curriculum I purchased last year, we've just been winging it and doing thematic units based on what Brett enjoys.  His daily lessons consist of Bible and piano, and every day we do additional activities that center around a topic. 

Last month we spent a couple weeks learning about farming/gardening, and then visited a super cool farm with friends.  Sadly, my hands were too occupied with little Zack to take any photos, but you can view Hannah's pictures here. 

Next, we did a unit on boats and water...and what unit on boats would be complete without a trip to the submarine at OMSI!  Brett got to take Grandpa Jack Brown on the sub for his birthday present, which was super-duper fun since Grandpa is a retired submariner.  I only got a pic at the OMSI entrance because only Brett and Grandpa went in the sub.  Brett had SO much fun climbing on the bunks and peering through the periscope! 

This week we started a new unit, focusing on building, construction, etc.  Our primary focus was on foundations, and we tied everything to the foundation for our lives, Jesus.  Love all the fun and creative directions this unit is taking!  Today our field trip took us to Wilsonville Concrete Products, where Mr. Doug showed Brett and his friends how concrete is made.  He helped the kiddos make their own sample of concrete, passed out shirts to take home, and let them choose from some really cool agates!  On our way home from the field trip, we noticed a house under construction so we stopped by to watch the work.  Fun times!

Brett and Dacia work on sinking fence posts into their concrete slab.   A boy and his mud puddle.  Sigh, those *were* new sneakers...:)

Thinkin' it's pretty cool to be so close to all these big machines.  The kiddos were riveted by the bulldozers, backhoes, excavators, mixers, etc.

For our next unit, I think we'll learn about grain, flour, etc...and then take a trip to Bob's Red Mill.  Anyone care to join us?

Rub-a-Dub

Two cuties in a tub!

This is how we do baths these days...Z in the baby tub and B gets what's left of the big tub.  Fun times.

Rockstar in training

I scrambled to get my camera this morning as Brett performed a mini screaming rock concert in the kitchen.  Yes, that is a real microphone plugged into the computer speakers.  No, we probably aren't the brightest parents around, providing a three year old with drums and a mic, and expecting that the three month old will be able to sleep at any given moment throughout the day.  But for memories like these, it's worth it, right?

In case you couldn't decipher his lyrics, he is in some form singing/screaming about Jesus.  A hit single will be coming out soon.  ;)

3 months old

Check out our lil' smiler.  Zack will be 3 months old tomorrow.  Sweet little snugglebun...can't get enough of him!

Here's one of Brett around the same age...we think they're starting to look a LOT alike.

See what I mean?  Brett top, Zack bottom. (can someone pleeease tell me how to get these pictures to publish side by side??)

Da boyz...

Last weekend we celebrated Grandpa's birthday - lovin' on his littler man

In other news, Daddy took Brett to his very first rock concert (Kutless, Disciple and the Newsboys).  Brett did not have any fun at all, as you can see.  They stayed until almost 10 and Brett stayed awake jabbering the whole way home from Salem.  He is a total rocker at heart.  Now if I can just figure out where his volume control is...

Okay, so it just took me forever to get this post formatted correctly... blogger is seriously trying to melt my brain.  Going to publish now before it scrambles my editing again.

If you're chunky and you know it

Today was Zack's 2-month checkup. Sweet little guy did great, even with shots. Ready for his stats?

Length: 24.25 inches. 95th percentile!

Weight: 14 lbs. 1 oz. 95th percentile! And up 5 lbs. 6 oz. from birth. Wowza!

His head is measuring in the 75th percentile, which is funny because he's not at all like his big bro. Brett was off the charts his whole first year.

Ready to guess? Here are pics of both boys at 2 months old...who is who?

if you're happy and you know it

Brett is constantly asking to hold, snuggle, play with, burp...you name it...his little brother. He was born to be a big bro. So thankful and blessed that we are able to see this precious side of our big boy. Last night they were snuggling on the couch...all smiles. My only challenge was getting a picture where Brett was actually smiling at the camera instead of playing with and tickling Zack. Sweetness.

These were shot a couple days ago when we had a little bit of sunshine. Z's been smiling for a few weeks now, but we are just finally starting to capture those adorable gums on camera. What gets him to grin, you ask? For some odd reason, he loves to have his nose and face wiped. Most kids scream at the sight of a kleenex approaching their face...but lil' Zack man thinks it's a silly game. This one in the highchair was snapped in a series of a major spitup wipeup.

Oh boy(s)

I guess becoming a mom of two little boys means that my blogging efforts will just never be up to snuff again. Oh well! Life is busy and blessed. Here is a post I've been meaning to create, much for myself, to remember what our big guy Brett looked like when he was a littleun like his brother Zack. They are just over 3 years apart...so fun to see their similarities and uniqueness!Brett, first month Zack, first month

Brett, second month silly face

Zack, second month - smile!

And one of the two of 'em - sweet sweet boys!

Meet Zack

Hi everyone! Just a quick update from the hospital...

Little Zack David Boehme was born early this morning, at 3:43 a.m. He made his grand appearance just about 5 hours after we suspected he was on his way. We arrived at the hospital at about 2 a.m., at 7 cm. Within the half-hour, we were 8 cm. Pretty soon it was go-time, and after just 5 minutes of pushing, here he was! Did it all without pain meds or intervention too. :)

Here are Zack's stats:

Whopping 8 lb., 12 oz.

21 inches

Little champion!

Hope you enjoy his first photos...we are enjoying our new little man very much! Brett just took his first visit as a big brother...fun, fun! We are gonna have our hands full for sure.