Clayton is TWO MONTHS!

Clayton is two months.  I really cannot believe it, and it makes me sad that time has passed SO quickly-even though I have been making every attempt to enjoy every little thing with Clayton.  I am so thankful that the transition to four kids has been so easy!  Really everything has gone so smoothly that there is nothing in these first two months that I am glad is over.  Clayton is an easy baby, which I really appreciate!  This will be the last of our weekly updates on Clayton, from here we will go to monthly updates until he's two. 
At two months Clayton nurses every three hours during the day.  In the evening he does a couple closer together feedings which then get him to do a 4 (a couple of times even 5!) hour stretch at night!  Then back to the every 3 hour feedings.  He is great about going right back to sleep after he eats which is so nice for me to be able to go right back to bed during the night!  Clayton still sleeps in his bassinet at night in our room and will continue to do so for a while. 
A good eater and a good sleeper makes for a happy baby, and that he is!  During the day Clayton has longer awake periods now which are great to squeeze in extra cuddles!  He doesn't dislike tummy time, so we do plenty of that!  This has helped with his head control which seems to be improving daily.  He now prefers to be held up right rather than horizontal so that he can turn his head and look around.  Clayton also has started trying to reach up and touch the toys that hang from the tops of his bouncy seat and back-time-gym.  One evening he even managed to swat down the orange giraffe on his bouncy seat!
Having three older siblings has made Clayton a busy newborn!  Recent outings Clayton has been on include Dawson's field day at school, Dawson's kindergarten program, Dawson's birthday party, Gym Bugs, to Vonore to eat lunch with Daddy for the first time, to the strawberry patch (although I'm not sure this one counts since his Lolly was kind to go with us and hold him in the car), Carter's preschool orientation, and for a walk in the park!  He's one busy baby!  Honestly though, he's so good it's easy to take him everywhere!  He rarely fusses or cries.  We (obviously) still keep him with us at church and in Sunday School, and he's perfectly content being held and looking around or sleeping. 
Clayton has changed so much in these two months.  He has gotten much bigger.  He now weighs 13 pounds and 14 ounces (wow!) and is 23.5 long.  Obviously none of his newborn things fit him at this size, and he's wearing 3months and 0-3 months clothing.  At his 2 month checkup this morning Dr. Collins  said he is obviously having no problems eating since he is gaining weight so well and he seems like a very happy and content baby!  He also had to get shots.  He tolerated these great though!  He will not go back to the doctor until he is 4 months old. 
A few other things I want to remember about this stage...
-Clayton LOVES a bath!  As soon as he goes in the water he's all smiles and talking.
-He's started "talking" a lot more...and louder.  We've heard a lot of "a-goo"'s and various other sound combinations as he has found his voice.  It's so sweet!
-Clayton's siblings are so awesome with him.  They get just as excited as John and I do when Clayton smiles or talks!  They've also noticed on their own that Clayton has a sweet new baby smell, and I regularly catch Carter and Nora Kate smelling the top of his head and commenting on how good he smells.  This melts me heart! Clayton's one lucky boy to have siblings that LOVE him so much!  There has still been no jealousy toward Clayton, unless you count Nora Kate being jealous that someone else is getting to hold him! Hah!

Sweet baby Clayton, we love you so much!!

Happy baby

(look at the shape of Nora Kate and Clayton's mouths! the same!)

So none of Nora Kate's actions in these pictures were instructed.  These are all just things she does on her own with Clayton it's so sweet.

Nora Kate is constantly snuggling Clayton...

Kissing Clayton

And constantly about an inch from his face trying to get him to look at just her.

She loves her baby brother so much!

Tummy time

Whew, tummy time wears him out every time! ;)

Dawson is SEVEN

Dawson is SEVEN!  When he was born in 2009 at 7 pounds 13 ounces, it was hard to imagine him as a seven year old (and I was probably too sleep-deprived to try to imagine him at this age!).  If I had, I would have never guessed a seven year old could be so fun!
At age seven Dawson sometimes seems like such a big kid now that he's going to school and has his own friends.  Then there are other sweet, tender moments like when he needs his Mommy that I realize he's still my little boy too! 
School...Dawson has absolutely LOVED being in kindergarten, and I'm happy he's adapted so well.  He has made friends with LOTS of kids at school this year.  When I go to eat lunch with him I love to see him interacting with these school friends.  He has also really liked his teacher this year which has most definitely helped the transition from preschool to kindergarten go smoothly!  Dawson has done well in school and learned a TON!  He impressed me with how quickly he learned his sight and slide words this year and what a great reader he has become!  It's amazing how much he learned in just one school year.  Dawson had homework every night Monday through Thursday and really enjoyed having homework!  He also regularly talks about how he enjoys Writer's Workshop at school. 
Sports...Not only has Dawson enjoyed school this year, he has played both basketball and baseball this year.  He says these are his two favorite sports to play.  We are in the middle of baseball season now, and he's enjoying it. 
"When I Grow Up"...Dawson still regularly talks about being a farmer when he grows up, and he plans what animals, color barn, and crops he will have. 
Outings...Dawson likes to be on the go all the time.  If we don't have plans he will come up with things for us to do!  This has always been his personality (so much like John)!  His favorite requests lately of things to do include fishing, golfing, and Dollywood. 
Family Life...At seven Dawson is a GREAT big brother to everyone!  He understands that the others are younger than him, and he is usually really good about showing or teaching them things and snuggling and holding Clayton!  Dawson has a special relationship with Carter, Nora Kate, and Clayton.  It's interesting to me to see how he treats each one differently and how they each have a different relationship with their big brother.  I won't say that it's all always perfect, there are the days where people "mess up" his big kid things, like Lego sets, etc.  But for the most part, he's patient with them!
Sleep...During the school year Dawson went to bed at 7:30 and got up at 6:40.  When school is out he stays up later until 8 or 8:30 and gets up at 7:30.  Then he has to nap on Sunday afternoons when everyone else in our house naps.  I love that we have started this Sunday quiet and rest time in our house!  He sleeps in a twin bed in his room he shares with Carter.  The boys have started on this kick of talking about bunk beds for the past couple of months, but thankfully we have managed to distract them from this idea for the time being.  They do love sharing rooms though!!  Dawson even recently asked if Clayton could sleep in their room!  Sweet big brother!
Chores...We have started giving Dawson more chores this year than before.  His daily chores include making his bed, putting all his clothes in the hamper, sweeping the kitchen floor after dinner, getting the mail, and cleaning the kids bathroom counter and sink each night.  He has done great with all these chores!  He's a great helper!
Dawson seems and acts so big at seven!  He's such a sweet, fun, smart big boy!  We love him so much!