Sleeping Situation

There is a reason the posts on the Dillard family blog have become scarce: Bryce. It may actually be mommy's fault. The problem is that Bryce is still sleeping in a Pack n' Play our office. When he is asleep or napping we do not dare go in to offload pictures on to our hard drive for fear of waking him. When Bryce was younger we could off load pictures while he was awake and playing happily on a blanket. At 8 and a half months Bryce does not sit still for a second. Bryce's real bed, a nice crib all decked out to match big brother's bed, sits empty.The plan was to move Bryce into the room with Jack once he was sleeping through the night, but Bryce still wakes up at 5 AM to eat and then goes back to sleep. Mommy cannot bring herself to put Bryce to sleep in the crib in the boy's room because I am so fearful he will wake up Jack at 5 am. Additionally, the Pack n' Play is the only bed he knows. As soon as we put Bryce in the Pack n' Play, he grabs his stuffed elephant and goes to sleep. I know the first few nights in the crib will be tearful and we just haven't gotten up the courage to move Bryce. We will, but until then a great crib will be waiting for a baby to sleep in it and posts will be fewer...

Pictures

Bryce turned 8 months on May 5th. I haven't taken him to get many professional pictures (not since my friend Sandy took his pictures when he was 2 month old). My intention was to use our great camera and take my own pictures. But our great camera is too fancy for me and when you take pictures in "auto" they don't turn out any better than a point and shoot. So I took the boys to Picture People. They do a good job and I got a few good pictures. Here are 3 of my favorite pictures.

Bryce is 8 Months Old

Who's so big?
Bryce: I am!!

Bryce has grown so much this month. He is huge- both chubby and really tall. Despite his size he is crawling really well he can stand and walk with assistance. Bryce loves music and enjoys dancing in his crib. He loves Jack and is most happy when Jack is playing with him. Jack mostly ignores Bryce, but indulges him by playing in close proximity, which make everyone happy (especially mommy who can sometimes get a few chores done while both boys are happily playing). Bryce's greatest achievement is sleeping through the night. It took 2 nights of "crying it out," but was well worth it and long overdue. We are all really enjoying this age. Mom & dad hope Brycie doesn't walk too soon, as we remember what a challenge it is for the parents. Plus, we have some baby proofing to do as we have grown quite lax with a 3 year old.






Here are a few pictures which highlight the major difference between the first and second born. "What is that you are feeding your child?"
"Oh a bit of pizza. We don't know if he has cheese allergies, or adversion to tomatoes yet, but he seems happy chewing on the crust so okay, as long as he doesn't choke."




A video of the boys dancing.

May 5th

May 5th is a big day in California. Cinco de Mayo involves huge celebrations of Mexican pride. It also happens to be the day Marty proposed to me. In the past it was neat for Marty and I to celebrate Cinco de Mayo California style, with margaritas and a Mexican dinner. Here in Washington the day seemed to be just like any other, there really wasn't too much civic celebration. Though there was no Mexican fare on the menu today in the Dillard house we were all feeling sentimental. Both boys were born on the 5th so we were celebrating Bryce's 8th month, we took the boys to get professional pictures, and mostly spent the day remembering how it all began...



A picture of us post engagement May 5, 2001