Back to Mexico we Happily Go :)

 YAY! Back at Casa Alegre for another vacation that did not disappoint!!

We wasted no time getting down to the ocean on our first full day there!

  

Playing with Pappy (aka grabbing his face and hat)

We decided to go into town for dinner this night to a restaurant with a great sunset view and it was the PERFECT night to go. The sunset and weather was GORGEOUS!

The next day - the water was GLASS so Dustin and Ember headed out on the kayak for a great ride.

Relaxing and having fun inside some too

One of Ember's favorite things about Mexico is the Jacuzzi since the ocean is usually a little chilly and a little scary if there are waves. Daddy and her went in the Jacuzzi at least once every day. And Reece actually loved it when I would sit him on the edge and let him kick his legs in the water.

Reece's first time in the hammock!

This was the first trip we didn't take Ember's booster seat to eat in. So, she got to sit at the big table and she sat in a different chair each meal!

Maci needs a haircut so we tied her long bangs up so she could see

Playing on the beach nicely by herself.

On our last night in Mexico, the house next door to us had a HUGE group of people come in - I'm talking about 20 kids and 6 adults coming to a 4 bedroom house. It was like watching clowns pile out of a little car at the circus. But, they had all kinds of toys and things including this personal para glider with an attached fan. It was just so fun to watch!!

(We later found out that one of the men next door was one of the owners of Squatty Potty... as seen on Shark Tank..... so that was pretty cool!)

Reece had his first bath in the sink in Mexico! Gotta love babies at bath time!

Another beautiful trip with great weather! We are hoping to come back at the end of April to get one more trip in before it gets too hot in the summer! 

Reece 6 Months Old

HALF A YEAR?? WHAT?!?!

Reece has hit 6 months old! 

As much as I want to be in denial - Reece is half way to being 1 year old. And I just can't over how much personality is packed into this little package of a baby. If I were going to describe him in two words they would be smiley and loud. He will smile at anyone who gets near him or talks to him and he is always making noises - usually very loud noises - whether he is happy or upset about something. 

When I inaccurately measured him by having him stand by Ember's height chart.... it says he is still about 25 inches tall and I have no idea about the weight right now. He has a doctor's appointment in about 2 weeks so we will know then. 

Reece has started going some longer stretches again at night and only wakes up 2 times on average each night. And he is starting to transition from 3 naps each day to only needing two. He still takes 3 some days if he wakes up earlier in the morning or if one of his other naps is short.

Reece still really enjoys his play gym and Sit Me Up but his favorite place is his bouncer. He also is starting to really like sitting up with the Boppy's help and playing with toys there. He still loves baths and anyone giving him attention. He is also thankfully doing so much better in his car seat. He will talk and coo in there and play with his toy that hangs down from the handle. Reece really likes sitting in the stroller and going on walks or sitting in there at the park and watching his big sister play. There isn't much that he dislikes in general. He is a happy little camper most of the time.

Reece still loves Sophie the giraffe and his O-ball. We have pulled out some other toys too recently that he is having fun exploring and playing with. He really just likes anything new whether it is a kitchen utensil or some of Ember's toys. He grabs at absolutely anything within his reach - food, phones, toys, hair, faces, etc. And he is really liking the game Peek-A-Boo. 

Reece has learned some new tricks this month. He can sit very well with support with the Boppy and play. He has learned to make a fake coughing sound. He sure is moving and grooving now when he does tummy time - he can turn in circles on his belly and is always facing a different direction than where we left him.

Reece had a few firsts this month as well. He experienced his first Super Bowl and Valentine's Day. Reece also got to swing for the first time. He really liked it till I stepped away to get my camera to document it and then he started crying. He went to his first birthday party for a friend when Micah Mews turned one. Reece is not in size 3 diapers and also sadly got his first stuffy nose and cold this month. He also sat in the booster seat a few times this month to get him used to it before he starts eating solids.

I can't describe how much this little guy's smile melts my heart every time he flashes it when I walk into the room or come near him to pick him up. And the giggles when you tickle him or play with him are such sweet sweet sounds. I thank God for this little blessing daily!

Here are some more pictures from his 5th month of life.

Reece 5 Months Old

Here is the big 5 month old! 

(I guess Baby Chee Chee turned 5 months today too!)

Man, oh man! 5 months already. I can't believe how close we are to half a year. Reece is such a little character who really has a strong personality for a little baby. He is a social little thing and always grabbing people's attention....and hair ;)

Reece is still around 25 inches tall. He is taking about 3 naps a day with at least one nap being around 2 hours. He has regressed some at night and is getting up 2-3 times but I attribute this to us moving him into his crib in Ember's room, transitioning him from the swaddle completely, and him rolling to his tummy but not always wanting to be there. Thankfully, he is very good at going right back to sleep after I feed him so there isn't much to complain about.

Reece loves his bouncer and his bath tub. He likes to "march" in both places - just rhythmically move his feet back and forth in a marching motion. It is pretty cute to see. He loves rolling onto his tummy and is doing much better at being content once he is in the tummy time position. Reece has started sucking his forearm/wrist as a comfort method and to soothe himself when going to sleep. Reece still loves cuddles, face to face interaction, and mirrors. The only thing that he really dislikes on most days is his car seat and he has even been caught cooing and talking in there a few times.

Some of Reece's favorite toys and games are being sang to and bounced by Mommy and Daddy. He loves when Ember comes up close to his face, backs away, and then repeats. He loves gnawing away on Sophie the giraffe and a few other toys as well. 

This month, Reece has learned how to bounce in the bouncer and sleep without a swaddle. He has also started sleeping on his tummy the majority of the time. He can do "superman" during tummy time and lift his arms and legs off the ground simultaneously. He has begun to make more noises such as spitting and he was saying things like "ah-da" and "ah-ba." 

Reece got to go to his first sit down restaurant this month when we went to Brandy's with his Mima, Pappy, Uncle Jared, and Aunt Hope. And he is getting closer and closer to sitting unsupported.

This boy has become quiet the noise maker. I am having a hard time at church, our Life Group, and my women's Bible study because he loves to shriek happy shrieks. I think Reece just likes to hear his own voice or he is trying to compete with his big sister. They are cute cute noises and I love that he is so joyful but it sure makes concentrating a little difficult. I am so excited to continue to watch his little personality and character develop. God is already shaping him into such a sweet, happy little boy. Each month drives us deeper in love with little Reece Tovrea.

Here are a few other glimpses into Reece's 4th month of life.

Reece 4 Months Old

And just like that - Reece is 4 months old! 

Mr. Personality he is! Always making noises and faces and smiling and cooing at anyone that will give him some attention! And this sweet little thing is a hugger and a cuddler - clings on to you like a little monkey :)

Reece is 13 pounds and 14 ounces. and he is 25 inches tall. He is still waking up 1-2 times per night depending on the night and taking 2 short naps during the day and one longer nap. 

Reece likes to be lifted into the air above our heads and also likes to fly like Superman on Mommy and Daddy's legs. He absolutely loves mirrors. He will smile every time he sees himself in the mirror and sometimes shriek at himself. He likes rolling over and sitting in his new Sit Me Up. Reece still is not a fan of his car seat. He hates when we have to clean his nose at all. He loves to roll over onto his tummy but then he gets mad when he can't roll back over the other way! 

Some of Reece's favorite games he likes to play is being tickled. He is especially ticklish on his legs and tummy. He likes to have his belly and neck "eaten" and raspberries. He is starting to really like chewing on Sophie the Giraffe and loves a little snail toy that makes noise and has a mirror on it. 

Reece has learned some new tricks this month. He has rolled over from his front to his back just a handful of times and usually scares himself. He has learned to laugh and it is one of my favorite sounds! He also screeches and screams when happy to make his voice heard. And right near the end of the month, he found his feet and is playing with them and pulling off his socks often. Reece can often push up onto his hands when he is doing tummy time.

Reece had some fun firsts this month! He got to meet the Brucks family for the first time and he loved them all and all the love and attention they gave him. He went to the zoo for the first time this month at the Phoenix zoo with some dear friends and their kids. He went to his first parade when we attended the Christmas Light Parade in downtown Flagstaff. He went for a ride in the stroller without being in his car seat for the first time and then he also took a bath without having to be in his newborn sling for the first time. And Reece got to experience his first Christmas where he was very blessed and spoiled. And he got to celebrate his first New Years Eve!

Reece is our handsome little joy of a baby and Dustin and I often talk about how blessed we are to have him in our lives! Ember really enjoys being his big sister as well and often comes over and says "Reece, I love you so much!" as she gives him a hug and a kiss. She is smitten with him as well. He has stolen our hearts! 

Here are a few more pictures from the month!