First Comes Love...

Happy Birthday, Hei Hei!

The Lauckner kids are back to school and I'm back to being officially over-scheduled. 'Tis the season! Abigail went back the day after Labor Day and the boys went back earlier this week.  Below are pictures of everyone's first days, if you'd like to see.

Alright, little man - it's your turn!

I didn't think I would be at kid #3 and able to track a first piece of art, but when I never do any at home I suppose it becomes more obvious  ;) Ben worked on this a few weeks ago with George during his speech therapy session.  I had some paperwork to fill out, so Ms Judy offered to bring Ben in for George's sessions.  Both had a great time and Ben was thrilled with his masterpieces! He's been pointing at it with pride on the bullet board for a few weeks now  💕

...and now I'm a mother of either toddlers or little kids, but no babies.  It's been an odd few months not pregnant or with a newborn, but it's also been nice to slow down a bit and focus on each kid and their growth. And Ben, have you ever grown!

This month has been ALL about words - you are talking up a storm! Last month you really enjoyed repeating what Sis or G would ask you to say, but this month you've taken off and new words are sprouting up almost daily. Here are some of the fun things you're saying: Ah-La-La = Banana (and you stick your tongue out with each L) Allah = buba / pacifier  Beh-ewh = bless you (after anyone sneezes or coughs) You ask where people are;  I get "where Dada?" about 13 times a weekday Mamie got you to say "Mamie" last weekend, and now you ask for her most every morning "where Mamie?" (you started saying Papa this month too) Ah-wa = water Ew-til! = you're silly!  (that's my fav) E-ew-ah-er = see you later Go! Go! GO! (you shout when I'm at red lights. ha!) This month I've also noticed you really starting to think of yourself as one of the big kids.  Tonight I was putting on a movie for Abigail and George while I put you down ...

So I missed your 19 month post, but I'm back at last to share what's new since your 18 month birthday. You're really growing up and becoming a toddler!  Even Abigail reminded me yesterday that once you turn 2, you will no longer be a baby (😱) - it seems so right and fitting, though. You are starting to talk a lot - so much more than anyone else at this age, and while they are not words others understand, Dad, Abigail, George and I know exactly what you're saying. Here are some examples: Meh-moh = Elmo (you're obsessed with Elmo right now and finally like TV!) DD = GG (George) Bu-Boh = Mabel Baba = Grandma and / or Grandpa Tissy = Sissy (she taught you this and shines with pride each time you say it) Cah = car Kai = tree (it's a weird one, but totally legit) You are such a happy, albeit direct and pushy little guy, and we love you to pieces! Spending solo time with you in Sun River

Alright buddy - your turn! I'm not sure I'll ever get use to back to back birthdays (especially in my world, where every birthday is the biggest deal ever), but I clearly need to adapt. Benny, you are such a spirited, funny, perceptive guy.  You light up a room with your smile and curiosity, and have been learning things these past few months faster than I remember your siblings doing.   You're my little sponge!

Well little man, you're now a month shy of one and a half and the busiest little guy I known. In keeping with tradition at 17 months, here are 17 reasons why you are awesome:

hey Bey! What a busy and crazy month it's been with the holidays and all things surrounding the election. I feel like my head has been anywhere but here - I hope I'm able to apply my energies to something tangible and constructive in the coming months, but for now here I am - your mess of a Mom 😁 You continue to explore and develop your coordination, and these past few weeks you really started engaging with the big kids  ( the only not-so-awesome thing is George's "hug" - he comes up from behind, hugs around your neck, and lifts 😨 ) Here's what's new this month: You sing the tune to Happy Birthday (the big kids and I swear!) , and "Aba-gah" is your new favorite word.   You adore Barleen's fish oil and Vitamin D drops and run to the kitchen when you see them coming. We are officially at one nap a day, from 12:30-2:30, and you sleep from 5:30pm-7:30am at night.  You wear 18-24 month clothing and size 5 shoes (my favorite litt...

Most days I feel like everyday occurrences (running to the store, washing dishes, getting people to school on time) are wrapped in a layer of chaos, and Ben's first haircut was no exception. We had a 12:30 appointment at Kid's Club in  U Village but after hitting 520 traffic, we showed up 12 minutes late.  TWO MINUTES past the grace period, and the gal that was to cut his hair said she couldn't do it. 😳 But the salon was very sweet about it and asked that we stick around the village while they try to squeeze us in.  And lucky for us, 30 minutes later I got a call saying they could take us. Aside from a couple George meltdowns over Thomas the Train ownership rights (the salon's trains, not his) and Ben throwing a bottle of bubble bath that burst all over the floor, I would say it was a success (low expectations are key!) Here are some pictures of little man's first cut:

Oh boy...aliments were the name of the game this month.  Not necessarily yours each time, but from Thanksgiving until now, we've had everything from stomach bugs and bronchial congestion, to back pain (the latter was mine - in bed for 3 days straight, driving everyone mad) .  Today is the first day of Christmas break, and while most everyone was sick last week, you, me, and Dad are still on the tail end of this cold.  I brought everyone out for errands this morning, twice (cause I'm stubborn like that!) and you managed to tell me in every non-verbal way you know how that it wasn't cool. My bad.  (but just bear with me once more while I drag you to the mall for your first haircut after nap, alright buddy?) 😉 You started talking a lot this month.  Dada, bah (bottle), bye, and buh (book) are your first words.  I'm not sure which came first, but the fact that you're such a big Dad fan (seriously, you can't get enough of the guy!) , I think we'll award hi...

Well hello there, little man.  It's been forever since I've blogged about you (life was so busy last month that I gave myself a break and skipped your 13 month post), but I'm back to share everything new about our Benny Boy! You're walking everywhere these days, and getting into everything.  And, while your sister reigns supreme as the family antagonist, you're quickly securing the spot of family bully (I swear you know EXACTLY how to make George mad and delight in these antics daily). A smart, aggressive little cookie, you are. Here's what's new since you turned one: We're slowly transitioning to one nap, which leaves you tired in the afternoon and usually down for the night by 5:45-6pm You weaned last month, which makes you the youngest one to do so, but I'm embracing the autonomy and freedom this allows (I've been pregnant, nursing, or both for almost 6 years, so I was ready too!) You're walking everywhere and trying to run.  Y...

Parties were the name of the game in September. Benjamin turned one on September 16th, which also happened to fall on a Friday, so to keep things low key we celebrated with a BBQ at the house that evening. It was intimate and perfect; a lovely late summer evening, gathered in the backyard for burgers and fries, gifts, and cake. It was so nice having the time to sit and visit with everyone. We were joined by Gma, Gpa, Uncle Victor, Auntie Catherine, Auntie Lucy, Uncle Richard, Auntie Gloria, Jessica, and Sage.  Unfortunately Mamie and Papa were out of town (as well as Auntie, Uncle Ian, and the kids), but Mamie and Papa were able to FaceTime with us for the cake smash which made it really fun and special. Here are some pictures from the evening: Benny's little smash cake And just like that, I have another one year old...it blows my mind.  Every time. Happy Birthda...

Benjamin! Your first birthday has come and gone and you're no longer a little baby, but a pre-toddler, trying so hard to be like the big kids.  You love singing and screaming, have perfected the knowing smirk, and love a good laugh. As expected, this year passed quicker for me than it had with Abigail or George, but it has been amazingly sweet and fulfilling, none the less. I am so excited to see your growth in the coming year and I look forward to cheering you on as you take your first steps and utter those wonderfully sweet first words - there are such fun times ahead! Here's what's new this month: You eat like a champ and will try most anything; baked brussel sprouts are a surprising favorite right now. Playing in the stairway between the two baby gates is your favorite thing to do  (and totally defeats the purpose of them!) Your first steps have yet to be taken, but you're standing independently and taking a single step.  So close!  I'm act...

Happy Birthday, baby boy! Just a mere month (well less at this point) until your first birthday.  I would be lying if I said this year has flown by.  It's been fun, it's been busy, and it's been exciting, but it's been hard. Life with three is amazing, but I've struggled with a desire for autonomy.  A couple of months ago I wasn't sure if I felt done having kids, but recently something clicked and I'm feeling ready to move on to the next stage: early adolescents / self sufficiency! So, it looks like you'll probably be keeping your roll as baby of the family :) You have turned into a skinny, mini toddler this past month, loving to play, go everywhere, and interact with everyone.  You are very sure of what you want, alert as ever, and can light up a room with those bright blue eyes (you smile with your eyes, just like Sissy!) Here's what's new this month: I finally got top and bottom stairway gates installed You usually crawl wit...

Baby!  You're not a baby anymore! You sure have become mobile and active this month.  You crawl everywhere; one leg with a foot on the floor, the other tucked in at the knee - you sure are funny. You love being around your family and your eyes light up watching everyone interact.  You scream to be noticed, love a good laugh, and are a sucker for a goodnight wave goodbye. We adore you. Here's what's new this month: Your two naps are getting shorter, and call me crazy, but I'm looking forward to getting down to a single nap a day You think toilets are water tables, so bathroom doors are always shut (You're also a sucker for a good toilet paper roll!) You're crawling up stairs, but I've only let you get 2-3 steps up You're pulling up on everything and have started letting go for a second...walking is in our near future You're walking with Jonny Walker (push toy).  It's only a few steps on the carpet, but you're learning the m...

Bey Bey!  You're getting so big! I'm absolutely loving everything about you right now, and it seems like the past couple weeks have brought so much growth.  You are such a social, curious baby.  You love watching people, mimicking their actions (you just started waving this week), and boy can you eat! Here are some fun things you're up to: You're teething on everything and have cut both top and bottom teeth, as well as both K9's (yes, K9s- ha!) 9 month baby stats: 28.75" (65%) and 17lbs, 1.5oz (9%) You're crawling (off your tummy) everywhere and pulling up on EVERYTHING! You love laughing and being tickled You can't stay put during a diaper change to save your life You love eating any food you feed yourself.  Favs: cheerios, pizza crust (or any bread), yogurt dots, avocado, ground beef, and watermelon You're finally sleeping un-swaddled (I thought the day would never come), but lovin' on your paci now more than ever (I think it...