First Comes Love...

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

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...

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...

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...

Life has been a whirlwind this past week.  George was sick, then toward the end of the week it was go-time getting everything ready for your baptism.  After spending a few nights in Leavenworth after your big day, we got home Tuesday evening and are finally getting back to the swing of things; George and Abigail are both off to school this morning, you're taking your morning nap, and I'm blogging with coffee in hand (we win!) Things have been so busy and it's hard to believe how fast you're growing.  You went down hard for nap this morning, so once Abigail was off to school, I spent 15-20 minutes nursing and rocking you to sleep.  I usually put you down awake for morning nap (honestly, for lack of time) but this morning I reveled in all things baby; staying there with you in our rocking chair, breathing in those sweet baby smells that too soon will be gone. So much has happened this past month and you're growing up before my very eyes! Here's what...

Just look at you!  You're so big ! I took this picture yesterday, and only after looking back on it did I realize how grown up you look.  I can't believe my baby is closer to a one year old than a newborn (Aaaahhhhh) We've had a great month! Solids are going really well and you love most anything we feed you (although you always wig out over cold applesauce) You love avocado, rice, and your Mum Mums (I swear I find half soggy Mums attached to your highchair, clothes, and on the floor constantly!) Sleep has been good; 6:30/7pm bedtime, waking once a night to nurse, then asleep until 6-7am.  It isn't amazing, but it ain't too shabby, either! You are so alert, observant, and oh-so social.  Just this morning I was drinking coffee from a mug with Dad and my picture on it.  You were staring at the picture of me, so I pointed to it, said "that's me! Mama" then held it to my face.  You quickly looked from the picture to me, then broke out wi...

The big half year is here! I've gotta say, having George's two and a half year post the day before this one was intense; it made me realize how crazy September will be.  And, as is always the case when my baby turns 6 months, I start thinking about your first birthday...  Ha! Things have been great.  You are an adorably perfect mix of Abigail and George.  Active like George, and oh-so cuddly and sweet like your Sis.  I seriously can't get enough of you.  You are SUCH a sweet, easy, happy baby; you make Mothering look easy. Last week we started solids.  I grabbed some cans from the store and we started with sweet potato.  You haven't taken much interest in purees, although you love watching us eat.  If I had to guess, I'd say you don't like being spoon fed.  I bought some rice Mum Mums too and you love those, so I think it's time for me to Goggle '6 month finger foods' and see what things you can start feeding yourself. Sleep has...

Happy #5, Benny Boy! You have grown up so much this past month, and in the sweetest ways possible.  You adore a good tickle or friendly face and can't seem to soak in the world around you enough; every time I look at you, your eyes are quickly scanning the room, working hard to put all the pieces together. A smart little guy, you are  :) This month I moved you to the nursery.  It was becoming increasingly difficult to put Abigail and George to bed at night, but putting them together in a room has made bedtime simple - they love being together.  As such, you now have your own room!  It's so sweet being back in a nursery with a little one.  Since George was in our bedroom until he was 5 months, then living at Gma and Gpa's for another 6 months, he wasn't in his own room until his first birthday.  So, in many ways, having you in a nursery reminds me so much of my first time around the Motherhood block, and many nights it fills me with such joy just...

I can't keep up! I could have sworn you were turning 4 months in a another week or so, but when I looked at the calendar, I saw we're already there. Oops  ;) The name of the game this month is sleep. More specifically, the lack thereof. Around Christmas sleep was good; typically waking only once a night, but you regressed around the new year and have been waking every 2 hours most every night since.  It's slowly killing us all, and while I try to be positive about it, it's really wearing on me. (I happened across George's 4 month post yesterday and saw the same story ...Boy I hope you're a better sleeper than your brother was!) Aside from the most precious gift of sleep, things are great! Here are some fun things we're loving this month: You started rolling to your tummy  You're sitting up really well You're engaging with toys.  Your favorite is that crazy handled rattle You laugh when we tickle you.  It's the cutest thin...

Happy Birthday, Benny Boy I'm a bit late writing this, but given how busy we've been, I'll consider it a small miracle to be writing this at all! It's Christmastime, and I love this time of year with a brand new baby.  Sure, it lacks sleep, seasonal motivation, and has me falling behind on overindulging, but it's perfect. My favorite way to celebrate, by far. This past weekend we hosted Gma's side of the family for a big sit down dinner.  Dad and I farmed off the big kids Friday night, and you came along with us for a big Costco and Freddie's run to get all the food and drink.  Then Saturday morning, you helped out by being super chill and taking a long morning nap.  By the time guests arrived, we were totally prepared. So thanks for all the help  :) This month has brought so much change!  You are holding yourself up really well and are increasingly engaging with people around you. A sucker for a good smile! Here are your new news this month:...

Man, life is busy with three kids four and under, but I'm loving it so far! Before you came along my days were more relaxed, but I love the energetic chaos of three; it suits my dysfunctional need to be super busy all the time. We've had a really great month; celebrating your first Halloween , and spending a bunch of time in Leavenworth - we're back up there this week for Thanksgiving and I can hardly wait. Every day you're transitioning more from infancy to babyhood, and while I love the early days, I do think I prefer the early months- those first big smiles and coos, rolling over, and finding a rhythm to the day. I feel like I've gotten to know you so well this past month, and what a sweetheart you are. Here's what's new: Last week you started going to bed around 7-8pm and waking for the day around 7-8am Between that time, you wake to nurse around 3-4am, then again at 6-7am.  You're a great sleeper! You rolled over last week while up o...

Wow! To say this month has flown by would be an understatement.  Life is moving so fast these days, and half the time I have to remind myself I'm no longer pregnant, let alone the Mom of a one month old! It has been an interesting month.  Finding my groove has been hard, but I just started spending my days alone with the 3 (Kevin, Mamie, and my Mom have been helping a ton), so in all fairness, I haven't had much time to learn the ropes on my own- but it's coming along.  I'm not sure 3 is harder than 2, but George has been having a really hard time adjusting, so trying to cater to his needs (which is a priority!) while figuring out everything else has left me exhausted most days. But on the bright side, things have been wonderful and pretty easy with little Benjamin! Sleeping: We go to bed at 9pm.  Sometimes he sleeps until 2am, other times he's up at 11pm.  Either way, after that first feeding, it's every two hours.  Every night.  But on the...