tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43660220406416877522024-03-12T17:47:14.698-07:00Bowl CakeLife, in all it's random glory.Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-52481367657164218072015-03-28T20:01:00.000-07:002015-03-28T20:10:06.813-07:00Well Hello ThereSo yeah. Ben turns one and I suddenly disappear and forget all about trying to keep track of what's going on in our little family. Silly me. My memory sucks. I really do have to chronicle stuff somewhere.<br />
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So, in the past 4 or 5 months a lot has happened. Ben kinda started walking. Kinda meaning he took his first real steps when 16 months old, but even though he totally can walk, chooses not to. He is a fast crawler and sees no reason to walk. But he can walk. In fact he can run if there is something he really wants. Lazy baby.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncooperative 13 month old</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">14 months old</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">15 months old</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shy 16 month old Batman</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">17 months old and wearing the overalls Morgan wore when he was a 1 yr old.</span></div>
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Sam turned 3! Stinkin snow storm almost cancelled his Curious George themed party. Only two of his little friends managed to make it to the party. Most of the family didn't make it either. But he had a blast and ate way too many cupcakes, so it's all good. Right now he is OBSESSED with the movie Cars and won't let his little Lightning McQueen car out of his sight. He even sleeps with it. Every time going up for nap or bedtime he has to grab his binky, 2 bunnies, and McQueen. If he forgets one of these items he ends up sitting on his bed crying till you fetch them for him. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Evil Mommy kept telling him to catch the balloons as I inflated them.</span></div>
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Babies, babies, babies! It feels like half the people I know are having babies this year and it's a wonderful thing. It helps to control the baby want.</div>
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And, skin cancer. I had a bothersome mole removed and it turned out to be a basal cell carcinoma. Surgery followed, stitches came out a few days ago, and now I just have to wait for the healing process to make the scar less angry looking. Oh yeah, stupid cancer was on my FACE. So I now have a scar on my upper lip that goes around the side of my left nostril. But, even though I will have this scar for the rest of my life, I really can't complain about it. I had cancer and it was the easiest kind of cancer to get rid of. I mean, if you have to get cancer, this is the kind you want. Stupid fucking cancer.<br />
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Oh, and somewhere in there Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Morgan & my birthday, and Valentine's Day all happened! Yikes. But we are all good, healthy, growing, happy, and enjoying the nice weather that Spring has brought after a long, long winter! <br />
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And I'm going to Vegas with my bestie in May!!!Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-79485106198380779382014-10-20T10:32:00.004-07:002014-10-20T10:33:07.723-07:0012 Months, One Year, Stinkpot SkunkadooAs I sit here just beginning to type this out I have two little kids upstairs napping and one of my favorite childhood movies (Secret of NIHM) is in the dvd player and just ending, so be forewarned I am feeling a little misty in the ether. Ben turned one on Saturday, Sunday was his birthday party, and now the baby years for this family are over. Toddler years will be here for quite a while before the little boy years take over, and for that I am thankful! But for sure I will forever miss the baby years.<br />
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First, lets talk about the party. We had a crazy busy weekend (Freemason family dinner, pumpkin patch, open house at the local fire station) that was capped off with the skunk party. Okay, yeah, on second thought lets start with that other stuff.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Pumpkin Throne.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jumbo's is celebrating their 20th season. Hence the "Happy Birthday" which made me love this photo of my boys on Ben's birthday weekend even more!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Of course the one he wanted was this odd little gourd type thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The only way I could convince Sam to sit on the firetruck was to give him my phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Stinkin phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's amazing how different my two boys are. Sam had NO interest in participating in ANYTHING. Not even a bounce house. Ben is too small to participate and the jealousy watching other kids have fun was angering him!</span></div>
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Now on to the party! It was a skunk theme party with the colors being black, white, and blue. Super cute, right? It was kinda a disaster, but we made it work. The balloons didn't float, the food was late coming out of the oven, and the kids (yes. mine. both of them) kept ripping down decorations and trying to pull everything off the table. Oh, and Sam is sick! Kinda fitting that a year of baby jealousy was topped off by Sam getting sick with a fever and us almost having to cancel Ben's first birthday party. But it all worked out in the end and everyone had a great time! Especially Ben, who has decided cake is the best thing ever! And Sam perked up and helped Ben unwrap and play with all his new toys!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chocolate cake with a whipped cream core and blue whipped cream frosting! He couldn't get enough of it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"What are you doing to me? Why am I topless?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">C.A.K.E.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh, lovely cake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">MINE. My Cake!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">WEEEE! There's SUGAR in CAKE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">OMG, so much cake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Must. Nap. Now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And gifts!</span></div>
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<u>And that brings us to the monthly list of what my squidlet does:</u></div>
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~ Cruises, turns himself around and takes a step between objects, holds on to things with one hand and cruises. Will be walking soon...</div>
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~ Loves to eat table food. Breads, muffins, bananas, cheese, carrots, cereal, crackers, etc. Pretty much anything as long as it's not too big or too pasty/thick.</div>
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~ Has 4 words. Mommy, Daddy, No, and Baby. He says baby referring to himself. As in he yells "baby" when he needs your attention or help. It's hilarious.</div>
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~ Can get up the stairs in a heartbeat with no help. Loves to sneak over to the stairs to practice. We now have a baby gate for the stairs. He stands at the gate shaking it and fussing.</div>
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~ Usually takes one nap a day. Pretty much the only time he takes two is if we are out and he falls asleep in the car or we have a playdate. He ALWAYS falls asleep at playdate. Evidence -</div>
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~ Sleeps through the night almost every night and has become much better at the self soothing since we started the short periods of cry it out. So far he hasn't woken up his brother with his crying! Yay!</div>
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~ Adores anything with wheels on it. Adores anything that Sam plays with and will imitate whatever Sam is doing. Loves music and Thomas the Train. Also seems to be a big fan of Sesame Street.</div>
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~ Loves to be outside, but I think he's like me in that the sun is not his friend and he's a little sensitive to allergens. Poor ginger.</div>
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<u>Dr Stats:</u></div>
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<i>we go tomorrow and I will update</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<b>SKUNK PICTURES! </b>We will do the 12 month shots and then I will hog up sooooo much space and make this post waaaaaay too long by posting the first 12 months so you can see how he's grown! Love him!</div>
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And now....In The Beginning -</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1 month</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">3 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">4 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">5 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">6 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">7 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">8 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">9 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">10 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">11 months</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">12 months</span></div>
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Welcome to the Toddler Years!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-8174684170882556092014-09-18T12:55:00.002-07:002014-09-18T12:55:27.192-07:0011 Months Old and Feeling SadIn 4 short weeks my little apricot bunny will be a year old. My last baby. I spent so much time thinking about having a baby, trying to have a baby, struggling to have a baby. Now my second baby won't be a baby much longer and I am forced to face the fact that I'm not ready for my baby years to be over so soon. But we are done. No more babies for us. I got the two boys I had only dreamed I would be lucky enough to have. But seriously, pout.<br />
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Ben continues to be the most active little thing ever. All he wants to do is stand and cruise all day long. All. Day. Long. He now crawls with his belly off the ground and it makes me snicker to see him race across the floor like a little wind-up toy with his head held high. Sam likes to tickle him and tries to wrestle with him. Ben doesn't really understand the wrestling yet, but he's still happy to be getting attention from his big bro. Teething has been a bit of a downer for Ben as of late. He's cutting his second top tooth right now and it must really hurt. Poor squidlet.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Who? Me?</span></div>
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Things with the family have been very, very busy lately. MIL has had more Dr appointments than usual, and sense she is in a wheelchair now Morgan has to take her. We just bought a new (or rather new to us) car. Which means I am now officially a mini van rockin momma and we are trying to sell my old Scion. I love that Scion. It's the last thing I have of me before we became engaged, moved in together, married, home owners, parents. I will miss it, but I LOVE my Mazda5! It's kinda awesome to be able to take the entire family to run errands and still have room for groceries and whatever else we pick up. I also have joined the community Halloween committee. Meaning I'm in charge of making props for our Halloween Haunted Walk on the nature trail near our house. So much fun! We have almost no budget, so I am literally making everything. Bless Pinterest. And, of course, I've been busy planning Ben's birthday party!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sliding Door Lust</span></div>
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<u>Get On With It, 11 Month Old:</u></div>
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~ Crawls proper, with his belly off the ground.</div>
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~ Pulls himself to standing at any surface he can manage, including walls.</div>
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~ Cruises very well and tries to turn himself so his back is against the couch/table and take a step while reaching for you. Can almost do this without help.</div>
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~ Loves banana bread and will strike down all those who try to take it from him</div>
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~ Like his mama, isn't too fond of the sun. It hurts the eyes. Maybe the soul too.</div>
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~ Is mostly wearing size 18-24 month clothing. Sam wears 2T and 3T, still wears some 24 month pants. Soon I suspect they will be sharing a wardrobe. Definitely within the year.</div>
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~ Tries to climb the stairs. Gets himself up to the 3rd step sometimes before I discover him and drag him back to safety. Need to get a gate.</div>
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~ Is about to graduate to the big boy car seat! Morgan says he will put it in the car this weekend. I hope so 'cause the infant seat is TOO small!</div>
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<b>Skunker!</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Do you see that curl?</span></div>
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And some more because I loves him and his brother so much!</div>
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And there we go. One month to go. And also it appears I need to work on putting matching tops and bottoms on Sam! And at some point during the month Sam got a haircut. I think I need a nap.</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-64703633924246135442014-08-24T10:14:00.000-07:002014-08-24T10:14:23.216-07:0010 Months and an OceanLate getting my memories jotted down this month because the day after Ben turned 10 months old we shuttled our little family off to the beach for a much needed vacation! Chincoteague, Va was perfect! Not too crowded, not built up like Ocean City, small and isolated. We rented a 2 bedroom townhouse not far from the national park entrance. Indoor heated pool, 2 bathrooms, and just enough room for us to sleep comfortably and have play room for the kids. We didn't get to see any ponies close up, but we did see a herd or two grazing in the marshes far from the road. I love that the boys got to experience seeing the ocean for the first time together. They're too young to have any understanding of what an ocean is or how special it is to share an experience like that with your sibling, but some day they will. Plus, at long last, I got to bury my toes in warm sand again. I'm so glad we went!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ben fell asleep in the pool!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Buried his butt in the sand and his toes wiggled free!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our rental didn't have a bath tub.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Touch pool at Tom's Cove Visitors Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wallops Island NASA Launch Site</span></div>
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This vacation was much needed, but also an experiment to see how well the kids would handle a trip like this. They handle the trips we take to Cleveland to visit my friend just fine, but this is different. Eating out every night, multiple things planned every day, some naps skipped, sleeping in a strange place where screaming all night would be not appreciated by those staying in the townhouse next to ours. Thank goodness we lucked out with an end unit! In the end, they did really well. The first night was rough for both kids. But after that we figured out a better sleeping arrangement and everyone slept through the night every night. At times Sam's patience was stretched to the limit when in restaurants, but we pushed through and found ways to keep him entertained. And so now we know that trips like this are a possibility for our young kids! Next year there will be no question of if we should take a family vacation. We're outta here.</div>
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Also, Ben is 10 months old now! Time, please slow down. I guess I better start planning his birthday party.</div>
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<u>My 10 Monther:</u></div>
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~ Is ready to start tying table food. So far he loves cheese and baked things like muffins and pancakes.</div>
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~ Can not only get up an all fours lightning quick, but has also started taking some shaky crawling steps. Every day he gets a little better at it. I predict by the end of the week he will be crawling more than army crawling.</div>
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~ Sleeps though the night almost every night! And even if he does wake up he usually self settles and never takes a middle of the night feeding anymore.</div>
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~ Prior to our trip a week ago to Cowan's Gap and our vacation to Chincoteague Ben didn't like the water at all. Turns out he loves the pool as long as it's heated. And after a little encouragement he adores time at the beach! He likes to splash in the tiny waves coming up to the shore and dig in the sand with his clumsy little toes and fingers. There really is nothing cuter than a baby at the beach.</div>
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~ I think he keeps trying to say "kitty". He crawls towards Lincoln and makes a "Kiiiii" sound.</div>
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~ At long last Sam has started calling the baby by name. Finally. That name is Bob, but at least it starts with the right letter.</div>
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Won't you take me to,</div>
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SKUNKY TIME!</div>
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And thus ends a very picture heavy post. Or, actually no it doesn't. Here are some more.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Donkeys at Erin's family farm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A very brave tiny Sam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">McGuyver sun shade for my gingersnap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cowan's Gap</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Birthday party at Little Gym.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Growing too fast.</span></div>
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-74673585717521152982014-07-23T03:58:00.000-07:002014-07-23T04:06:24.925-07:009 MonthsActive. That best describes Ben at this point in time. All he wants, all day long, is to be on the floor army crawling and rolling from toy to toy. You try to hold him for cuddles and tickles and he twists and flails till you put him right back where he was. He's on a mission. A mission to get all Sam's things and to figure out how to do a "real" crawl. In fact he's so focused on this crawling mission that he sometimes has trouble sleeping. He will roll over in his crib onto his tummy, push that butt up in the air, and try to do push ups with his arms to get himself up on all fours. All the while with his sleepy eyes squeezed shut and crying because he wants to sleep, just can't relax enough to do it. Consequently, he has spent a few nights in the past week or so sleeping in his swing. (Yes, we moved the swing to the nursery.)<br />
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Ben really is a one baby brute squad. Compared to other babies right around his age he seems like a tiny giant. Which makes it all the more interesting to see just how each baby in our playdate group develops differently. Julie can sit up on her own with no need for supervision. Casey and Angelina are both starting solid table foods with little interest in baby food purees anymore. Ben is a display of brute strength, but can't do either of those things yet. <br />
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<u>Anywho</u>:<br />
~ My 9 monther army crawls like it's his full time job.<br />
~ Within the past week has started doing the "planking" motion of getting his belly completely off the ground, just can't quite seem to figure out how to get his knees up under him when his front half is already raised.<br />
~ Is on stage 2 baby foods and puffs (broken into 3 pieces). Will gnaw on whatever I am eating, but have to be careful he doesn't actually break off a piece or he gags on it.<br />
~ Has officially captured Sam's full attention. Now that Ben is mobile Sam spends most of his day crawling along side Ben and imitating whatever Ben is doing. It's a game to them. Just have to watch Sam for when he grabs Ben by the ankles and tries to drag him around the living room floor.<br />
~ Is wearing mostly 12 month clothes. But even some of those are snug since the latest growth spurt. In his arsenal of outfits he even has a few 24 month rompers I've been putting on him.<br />
~ Can't make up his mind if he wants to sleep through the night or not. He'll go 4 or 5 nights sleeping like a champ, then for the next week be up 2 or 3 times a night. It's kind of exhausting because your body just doesn't know what to expect and so can't get used to one routine. Part of the problem is we tend to hurry to Ben when he's crying overnight so he doesn't wake Sam up. But we just might have to do a week of putting up with Sam night waking so we can get this overnight situation resolved. In the end everyone will be better for it.<br />
~ CAN FEED HIMSELF A BOTTLE! You guys, seriously. This is something Sam refused to do and so I am beside myself with hysteric joy that Ben FEEDS HIMSELF. You just put him on the floor and hand him a bottle. That's it. My life is suddenly so much easier!<br />
~ So far this summer Ben has yet to enjoy water play. No sprinkler or baby pool action for him. He's not interested. Not even a toe dip is tolerated. Hopefully he doesn't flip out when we go on our beach vacation in August.<br />
~ Is on the verge of outgrowing the infant car seat. We might stretch this a little longer than we should because vacation will be easier with a car seat we can carry a sleeping baby around in. But after that it's time to spend a few hundred dollars on yet another car seat.<br />
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Dr Stats:<br />
Height - 30.75 inches, above 99%<br />
Weight - 21 pounds 7 ounces, 79%<br />
Head Size - above 99%<br />
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Skunky Time!<br />
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-80669009428285110172014-06-18T13:06:00.000-07:002014-06-18T13:06:23.194-07:00A Quick 8 MonthsAnd I thought Sam's first year went by fast! Until Morgan mentioned this morning that Ben only has 4 more months till we can stop buying formula, I had not stopped to think about just how quickly these first 8 months have flashed by. Wow.<br />
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<u>My Beloved 8 Monther:</u><br />
~ Takes 2 naps a day and has a pretty fixed schedule. Which of course means everything is about to change.<br />
~ Since having a nasty cold that lasted a few days has slept from 8:30-7:45 every night. EVERY NIGHT! Please let this stick!<br />
~ Army crawls in a lurky, slow manner. But whatever, it means he's mobile.<br />
~ Has learned how to complain. Does so with increasing frequency. Still the happiest baby ever!<br />
~ I can finally remove my hands from his sides while he's sitting up. I can't stray far, but he is less of a supported sitter than he was just a couple short weeks ago.<br />
~ Would like to still be a swingaholic, but his brother won't leave him alone while he's in the swing. So he doesn't get much swing time anymore. Debating if we should move the swing into the nursery, but really what's the point in that?<br />
~ Protests often against the cuddles. He wants to be on the floor where he can explore and try to steal Sam's toys. <br />
~ Wants to explore everything with his feet.<br />
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SKUNK TIME + BIG BRO TIME<br />
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Yeah, someone was more than a little jealous he wasn't a part of the photos.</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-11202620613443839172014-05-18T12:50:00.001-07:002014-05-18T17:57:23.356-07:00Month 7He's so big. A friend of mine gave birth to her little girl 2 weeks ago. To sit Ben next to this tiny pink baby girl is like putting a watermelon next to a potato. I can't believe that he was ever that small. Given, she is slightly smaller than Ben was at birth, but still. Time flies by and he just keeps getting bigger!<br />
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And there's the gruesome twosome. Sam's been getting excited about being able to play with his brother as Ben slowly becomes more and more mobile/sturdy. It's great, except that he doesn't understand why he can't shake Ben. Yeah, that's not so great. But with lots of supervision they smile and laugh till their little faces hurt. </div>
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<u>What the 7 monther does:</u></div>
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~ Eats 5.5 - 6 oz bottles roughly every 3 hours.</div>
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~ Is sleeping in the crib in the nursery! Now that Sam is sleeping every night in his big boy bed we had the crib available for Ben. He took to it right away and even started sleeping through the night. The sleeping all night long only lasted 4 days, but those were some good nights of sleep!</div>
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~ Says "Mama" and "Dada"! Without a doubt it is words he's saying, not just babbling. And he said "Mama" first! </div>
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~ Still a supported sitter, but much stronger and confident than he was a month ago.</div>
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~ Is trying with all his might to army crawl. Sam never did this, so it's new!</div>
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~ Is VERY opinionated and will make a variety of cries/squeals to let you know how displeased he is with you and your lack of CONSTANT attention.</div>
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~ Has done all of the stage 1 foods. Just like Sam, prunes were his favorite.</div>
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~ Likes to throw his weight around. As in he will full body lunge at something he wants or the direction he wants to go in. You really gotta keep a strong hold on this kid.</div>
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~ <strike>No teeth yet</strike>. Correction. Two hours after I wrote this he cut his first tooth!</div>
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~ Loves trucks, cars, and trains. Of all the toys he scoots/rolls/wiggles himself towards that belong to Sam, those are the ones he's the happiest to snatch up!</div>
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~ Smiles all the time. Always. Except for when he's not. Which is usually as soon as I walk away.</div>
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SKUNK</div>
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And finally, as much as I hate to end these posts on a sad note, I do want to make note that right after Easter our pet tortoise Chloe passed away. I had her for 15 years and who knows how old she was when I purchased her. It's sad, but Sam's to young to understand why the turtle is gone and Ben was never formally introduced to the living rock. So yeah. That happened. </div>
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-42281549201970336272014-04-21T11:26:00.002-07:002014-04-21T11:27:01.001-07:00Half A Year: The 6 Month Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mommy's little helper</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The revolt against peas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bottle lover</span></div>
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Six months old! One of the biggies! <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>With Sam every new stage of life was amazing and exciting and even better than the last as I learned about babies while he grew up before my eyes. The second time around I know what to expect. I know what's coming next. This stage. This. This is my favorite. Right now I wish I could freeze time and keep him just like this for a while longer than I know it will last. This moment when he's full of drooly smiles, endless cuddles, coo's and adorable squeals, and can't crawl away from all my kisses and tickles. This moment is just as sweet as it is fleeting. I've been burning through the camera batteries lately as I try to capture as much of THIS as I can.</div>
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<u>What This 6 Monther Do:</u></div>
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~ Eats 5 or 6 oz bottles roughly every 3 to 4 hours. Still gets up once a night.</div>
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~ Rolls over, both ways, every way, spins in circles, wiggles his way towards toys.</div>
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~ Sits up, assisted. Can hold this pose for several minutes before the abs start to give in.</div>
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~ Has VERY strong legs. If you hold him up so he can stand flat on his feet he will stand there for a good 5 minutes before letting his weight start to buckle his knees. He loves to stand!</div>
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~ Adores his brother and will tolerate nearly anything as long as it means Sam is near and paying attention to him. Even if that means getting not so gentle open hand taps right on his forehead. </div>
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~ Just like Sam, loves the cats. Not like Sam, Lincoln lets Ben touch him! (But it makes Lincoln drool with nervousness, gross.)</div>
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~ I swear on several occasions I have heard him Say "Mama" when he needs something. I remember this with Sam also and wrote it off as baby babbling with no meaning behind it yet. It still makes me happy to hear it!</div>
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~ He appears to be allergic to Willow trees. Long story, but pretty sure that's what keeps causing him to sneeze and get stuffy when we spend time outside or have the windows open.</div>
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SKUNK TIME!</div>
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Dr Stats:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">28" tall, 96%. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> 18lb 7oz, 70%. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> Head size 18", 98%.</span></div>
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And now I feel the need to share the Easter photos I took yesterday even though... well... yeah. Two kids. That rarely works.</div>
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Also, this is Morgan at 6 months. It's safe to say this kid is all Daddy!</div>
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-84310191548057547552014-03-19T12:41:00.000-07:002014-07-23T10:40:00.758-07:002 and 5 and More!Hello Blogger, my old friend. I've come to talk with you again.<br />
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Lots to talk about. I'm going to type for as long as the boys sleep and hope that I can jot down all these little things I want to make sure I remember. First, Sam turned two on February 25th. Two! Can you freakin believe it? I know I can't.<br />
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Sam is every bit still the quirky monster he was at one. He loves Super Why, The Pajanimals, anything with wheels on it, mega bloks, cheese, and a handful of stuffed animals. He pretty much refuses to go to bed without a stuffie. And sometimes only Bedtime Bunny will do and we have to search the house for him. Which is why I picked up a spare bunny as soon as the Easter displays hit the stores! He likes to pet Ben's head and play with his feet. He's started trying to figure out how to dress/undress himself, which means sometimes you glance over during dinner and see random limbs sticking out of his clothes from the wrong hole. Speaking of dinner - bad subject in this house. Sam is the very definition of a picky eater. Thank goodness for those yummy kid yogurts with the veggies all blended up in them to the point you can't taste it. My boy, just like his momma, loves his carbs and keeps fighting us on this crazy balanced diet thing.</div>
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Dr Stats:</div>
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Height - 35 inches, 64%</div>
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Weight - 28 pounds, 65%</div>
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Also, Ben turned 5 months old yesterday! This kid, sigh. He's just so much fun. I mean, he smiles from the time he gets up till about 5 minutes before his next nap. He's just so happy all the time and giggles so easily. He adores Sam and gets so excited any time he gets to be close to his big brother. Even when that closeness is Sam purposely putting his head directly in the path of flailing baby feet JUST so he can cry to me about how the baby is hurting him. Even then, he's beyond thrilled just to get the attention from his big bro. </div>
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He just started rice cereal about a week ago. It took a couple days of moving his jaw up and down in a chewing motion and watching all the junk dribble out of his mouth before he got the idea. But now he's an old pro at it and is ready to move on to the good stuff! I really hope Ben won't be a picky eater!</div>
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<u>My 5 Month Old</u>:</div>
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~ Still eats a 4 oz bottle at most feedings. Sometimes I sneak a 5 in to see if he can keep it all down with a 50/50 success rate.</div>
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~ Rarely sleeps through the night as of late. He was going a good 9-11 hours every night, but then sleep regression and a cold broke that habit. But there is hope on the horizon! Last night he slept the best he has slept in over 2 weeks!</div>
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~ Is a swingaholic. Takes most of his daytime naps in the swing.</div>
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~ Loves his rattle ball, moustache binky, bumbo, activity gym, the cats, his feet, and just yesterday discovered the monkey rattle that was Sam's best friend back in the day. It was instant love.</div>
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~ Rolls, rolls, and rolls some more. Still prefers to lay on his side.</div>
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~ Is very gracious about the one thousand and two kisses he must endure each day.</div>
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I'm very thankful to have fallen in with a group of moms that I have a lot in common with. We now get together a couple times a week so the kids can play and we can have adult conversations! Even if 80% of those conversations do revolve around the kids, it's still wonderful! I love that Sam has friends and gets to play and learn with kids his own age. And a few of the ladies in this group also have infants within a month of age of Ben! I'm hoping this group continues and these kids will form lifelong friendships. How awesome would that be?</div>
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Well, Ben's awake! Time to stop and hope that I remember to update this and my last entry with the Dr stats!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-75132893653210141412014-02-18T12:07:00.001-08:002014-07-23T10:43:57.816-07:004 Months Old!You would not believe how often we will be out and some random person will come up and ask about our beautiful baby boy and then be SHOCKED when we tell them he's only X months old. Yes, he looks like a 6 month old. He's getting really good at that rolling thing, but doesn't like it when he goes the whole way over. He prefers to lay on his side and bend his neck back so he can watch everything going on around him. Like so.<br />
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Ben's pretty fun to be around, for a baby. He's very laid back and likes to play. He swats at Daddy's face and tries to grab as much facial hair as he can give a good painful tug to. He loves to be tickled and has lots of tickle spots. His natural state is happy. Which is refreshing since these days Sam's natural state is to look at the world with a good dose of suspicion. I only have myself and my veggie hiding ways to blame for that one I suppose.</div>
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<u>My 4 Month Old</u></div>
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~ Has a spazzy, snorty laugh that makes me laugh. Which makes him laugh even more. Which makes me laugh even more. Etc.</div>
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~ Eats 4 oz bottles 7 or 8 times a day.</div>
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~ Had his first cold a week ago. He handled it like a champ.</div>
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~ Appears to be in the very early stages of teething. Sam never complained about teething until about 2 months ago when he started cutting his canine teeth, cause those things must hurt! Ben on the other hand seems to have a lower pain threshold. </div>
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~ Loves the cats. A cat being within a foot of his face is definitely the most thrilling thing he has ever experienced.</div>
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~ Is an old pro with the activity gym. He grabs, bats at, and even gets his feet in on the action.</div>
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~ Wants real food. Wants it bad. He sees us eat, he especially sees Sam eat, and demands to know why he can't have that too! Our Ped had us start Sam on baby cereal at 4 months, but I haven't decided if I will have Ben wait a little longer or not. Many things I have read say to wait till 6 months. Maybe we'll split the difference and wait till 5 months.</div>
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Dr Stats:</div>
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Height - 27.25 inches, above 99%</div>
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Weight - 15 pounds 13 ounces, 57%</div>
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Head Size - 17 1/4 inches, 96%</div>
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BRING ON THE SKUNK!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mr. Monster on his way to library baby class.</span></div>
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And a week ago or so I had some fun with the kids. Ben in little funny outfits and Sam in the snow. Snow which we got about 18 inches of. Lots and LOTS of snow. And for the first time, Sam liked it!</div>
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And there's the news that is news! Right now I'm doing a last minute plan for Sam's 2nd birthday party which is on Sunday. Eek! So unlike me to not have this all planned out already. We're also painting and putting together furniture for Sam's big boy bedroom. We fell a tiny bit behind schedule on that because the kids got sick. (Sam had a stomach virus at the same time Ben had a cold) We've been happily going to weekly playdates with some of my mommy friends from library. A couple weeks ago we started doing ABC Mouse with Sam and he loves it! LOVES IT! I've already seen a bit of difference in him with listening and using more words. It's possible some of his little behavior outbursts lately were due to pure boredom. And I've been day dreaming about burying my toes in warm sand. Mommy wants a vacation. But I still think going on vacation with wee kids is just more work than it's worth. Meh.</div>
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Ok, see you next month since that seems to be as frequently as I can motivate myself to write here!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-48813760836354641052014-01-19T03:37:00.000-08:002014-01-19T03:37:19.228-08:003 Months Old AlreadyHi there. It's 6am and I just finished organizing photos on this laptop and here we go for another Ben milestone post! Time, it is a flying.<br />
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<u>My 3 Monther</u>:<br />
~ Eats 4 oz roughly 8 times a day. Every 3 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the evening.<br />
~ Will sleep through the night! It's not every night, but he can sleep for 8+ hours! More often he sleeps 5-6 hours and gets up for a bottle. Still that's GREAT!<br />
~ Loves his activity gym. I mean, loves it. He lays on that thing punching and kicking like a mad man. <br />
~ Is getting better every day at holding his head up. Tummy time is mostly done on the couch now because Sam has stepped on Ben a couple times, but Ben doesn't mind at all because it's easier to see the tv from up on the couch. Typical man.<br />
~ Wears 6 month clothing. I had to squeeze him into this skunk outfit for photos because it's a 3 month outfit. Which means Ben is trending bigger than Sam since he wore the same outfit in his 4 month photos. Oof.<br />
~ Poops once a day. And seems to understand "vacation mode" and will hold his poop till we get home if we're out running errands or visiting people. I'm so thankful that both my kids were born with this "vacation mode".<br />
~ Is very happy. Smiles all the time. Has his daddy wrapped around his finger. And his mommy too. Stinker.<br />
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Yesterday, the day Ben turned 3 months old, we left him for the first time. Erin and her hubby came and watched the boys so we could have a date night. I remember the first time I left Sam with someone else I was a wreck most of the night. I spent our entire meal staring at the baby at the neighboring table. Experience has made me savor these quiet hours and I handled this separation much better. We did spend a few minutes looking at pictures of the boys on our phones and talking about them. I did have the cell phone out on the table during our entire meal just to make sure I would see it if Erin needed us. But it was nice to have 5 hours of quiet us time. <br />
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And here's Sam in that 4 month old photo I was talking about!</div>
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In the past month there has been much cute going on, so I'll just tack a few photos on the end here. Plus the now infamous Baby in a Boot Box incident. We were at Grandma Charlotte's house and needed a place to lay Ben down for a nap that was safe in a house crowded with people, a dog, and a very excited/clumsy Sam. So we laid him in a boot box, made him all snugly comfy with blankets, and slid him under a chair! Hey, it worked and he was safe. He slept great too.</div>
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-44720687315773183932013-12-20T03:14:00.000-08:002013-12-20T06:10:13.118-08:00Stinker is 2 Months Old!As I sit here at 5:45am typing away I realize how I can keep up with this memory blog and still have a toddler happily living in this house. I have to write at 5am when hopefully he's still sleeping. Joy. But nevertheless, I am taking advantage of this rare moment when Ben is finally asleep again, Sam is still passed out, and I'm freakishly wide awake.<br />
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Yesterday, well I guess it's not yesterday anymore...it's two days ago...anyway, let us start again.<br />
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Two days ago Benedict turned 2 months old! I continue to be surprised at how expressive and active he is. He smiles at everything and everyone. He loves to watch what Sam is doing with intense focus. On the nights that Morgan has Ben duty (responsible for feeding and cuddling when he wakes) I am greeted in the morning with the biggest smiles and coo's that melt my heart because I know he missed me! Oh, and he is totally going to be a full on ginger. That hair looks like it turns a bit redder every day. His eyebrows too. Love it!<br />
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<u>My 2 Month Old Likes to Party All The Time and</u>:<br />
~ Eats 3 ounces at a time. Still getting some breastmilk, but mostly formula.<br />
~ Like clockwork, 12 hours after getting breastmilk has a period of hardcore fussiness. So really not feeling bad about planning to switch him to all formula soon.<br />
~ Has 2 or 3 periods of awake time every day. They usually last 3-4 hours. If he throws in that 3rd one then it's usually only an hour (or so) long. But LOTS of awake time!<br />
~ Sleeps okay at night. Most nights he has a "fake out" about 45 minutes after he goes down where he wakes back up and wants more to eat before agreeing to sleep for another 3-4 hours. But I think the fake outs are slowly being phased out. Which we are thankful for.<br />
~ Sam was doing sooooo good with Ben. Being gentle, helpful, loving. That has turned to outright attacking Ben. He wants to climb all over him, grab Ben's fist and make him punch himself in the face, yank on his feet, etc. And when Sam is mad at me he will run over and slap Ben. Hopefully this behavior can be fixed soon. Very soon. Not holding my breath. Sam is just as stubborn as I am.<br />
~ Has rolled over from his belly to his back several times. He did this a couple times in his first month as well, but I thought it was a fluke. Now he's doing it with more frequency, so I'm counting it as a skill.<br />
~ Has a girlfriend. Her name is Julie and she's 3 weeks younger than Ben. They lay next to each other on a blanket at library and talk during circle time. It's kinda ridiculously cute. And Julie is the little sister of Evie, who used to be Sam's girlfriend. But ever since Sam got his hair cut I don't think Evie is very interested anymore. Sigh.<br />
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Dr Stats!<br />
Length - 24.75 inches, 98%<br />
Weight - 13 pounds 13 ounces, 82%<br />
Head Size - didn't tell me, but did say 96%<br />
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And, just because I can, here's a picture of Sam at 3 months! I love seeing them wearing the same outfits! It pleases me deep in my mommy heart.</div>
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-79750433070910832252013-12-09T11:48:00.002-08:002013-12-09T11:48:52.597-08:00We Remembered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The tradition continues. December 7th was Lincoln's 7th birthday. Our yearly excuse for pie. Happy Birthday, you annoying bag of fur. Love.</div>
<br />Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-68022610438144656622013-12-02T10:24:00.002-08:002013-12-20T03:22:02.983-08:0014 Days Ago Ben Turned 1 Month Old...OopsI really dropped the ball here. I mean, damn. Two weeks ago this would have been posted if it were Sam because I would've had plenty of time to organize photos, thoughts, and sit peacefully with the laptop. Oh my geez. Having a not quite 2 year old running around, plus an infant, makes for some crazy days. It also doesn't help that I can only get the laptop out when Sam is napping because he's really good at ripping keys off.<br />
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Anywho...my little kabuki boy is one month old! <span style="font-size: x-small;">Plus a little.</span><br />
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<u>What he's like at this stage</u>:</div>
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~ He sleeps around 2 hours at a time overnight. Sometimes he stretches that to 3 hours.</div>
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~ Eats 2 ounces per feeding. If getting breast milk can take as much as 3.</div>
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~ Has two periods of awake time each day that can last up to 3 hours each. I don't remember Sam being this alert. Maybe he was.</div>
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~ He is VERY expressive! The range of smiles, pouts, frowns, goofy spaz, and alert observing faces is wonderful to watch. Again, I don't remember Sam having more going on than content or screaming at this point.</div>
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~ At a week and a half old Ben was sleeping in the other room when Morgan and I heard a tiny roaring laugh. We both swear it was him, not the tv. It must have been a really good baby dream. His next laugh happened on Thanksgiving at 5 weeks old. I was holding Ben in my arms all milk drunk and half asleep. I kissed him on his cheek and he smiled and let out a soft laugh. I melted. Now we anxiously await the next one!</div>
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~ Ben and Sam have already bonded and I love it! Sam loves him. Brings him things. Pats him on the back when he helps to burp Ben. And Ben likes to watch whatever Sam is doing. Smiles when Sam comes over to say hi or touch their foreheads together. It's all so adorable and so much more than what I had expected. I had hoped they would be best buds forever, but didn't really expect that bond to happen till Ben was old enough to pal around on the floor along side Sam. The sibling love is amazing.</div>
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<u>Dr Stats</u>: (gotta update when I find the paper from Dr)</div>
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Weight - 11 pounds 12 ounces, 88%</div>
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Length - 23 inches, 96%</div>
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Head Size - 15.5 inches, 95%</div>
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And now, just to round things out and make up for being so late with posting this, PHOTOS!</div>
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-21849636423248192382013-11-16T08:09:00.003-08:002013-11-16T08:09:49.833-08:00Goodbye to the Curls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I said, it was time for Sam to get his big boy haircut. I mean, he is almost 21 months old. And those lovely curls kept getting knotted up and smeared with food. Yesterday we took him to Cartoon Cuts to get his first REAL haircut. I managed to not cry. Can't say the same for Sam.</div>
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Now I'm gonna pause and say we took him to this place because they are completely kid themed and even have tv's in front of each chair so the kid can watch their favorite cartoons while getting their haircut. Did this work for Sam? NO. Please note in the following photo that I put our ipad in front of the tv and played him Ok Go music videos instead of him watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It's the only thing that would calm him down. This means a few things. One, I rock because I had the forethought to bring the ipad. Two, Sam rocks because he has good taste in entertainment.</div>
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It's done! I'm not gonna lie, I miss the curls like crazy. Last night when holding Sam on my lap before bed (a nightly routine) I got really sad because I would always play with his hair while had some relax time before bed. But Sam doesn't seem to care and that's all that really matters. My little surprisingly blonde boy.</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-85504421233572494852013-11-09T12:34:00.003-08:002013-11-09T12:34:56.772-08:00Photo Heavy Baby Free For AllOkay. Yes, Ben is now 3 weeks old and Sam has officially accepted him. How do I know this from a kid who doesn't talk yet? When Ben cries Sam runs around trying to find him. If Ben is upstairs crying Sam will stand at the bottom of the stairs grunting to get someones attention that his little brother needs help. It's five kinds of adorable. Now if only Sam would stop throwing temper tantrums when Ben is being too needy. (Yeah, I know that's not gonna happen. But a girl can dream.)<br />
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In true Christa fashion, I have been taking at home photos of the kids because I am too cheap to take them to a real photography studio. I mean, the one time I did take Sam to a photographer for Easter photos with live bunnies I was more than a little disappointed in what we got. I expect a professional to give me professional results. I don't think that's too much to ask. ANYWAY, here are some of what I've been doing.<br />
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<u>Birth announcement photos</u> - 5 days old. Can you believe the biggest pumpkin we could find at the pumpkin patch simply wasn't big enough for Ben? I can't.<br />
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<u>Halloween Photos!</u> - Ben was Robin. Sam was a lawn gnome. We had a grand ol' time!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Of course I had to put him in the Tonka truck. He fits in it!</span></div>
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<u>Sibling Photos</u> - Confession time. My bestie (Hiya, Aud!) was hired by us to take sibling photos. She is a photographer, and a damn good one. But the fates conspired against us and for a variety of reasons every time we tried to get together it fell through. So here, at 3 weeks old, is my fumbling attempt to get two kids in one photo and have it look semi decent. Turns out putting a Cheerio on the baby works wonders for creating a fake tender moment.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">But the tantrumy photos are still my favorite!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And Ben was passed out the ENTIRE time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Also, can we take a moment to love on Sam's curls?</span></div>
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Seriously. I love those curls so much. They are soft and bouncy and it makes me grin from ear to ear to see him running around the house with those ringlets springing about. But it's too much now. When I trim him he looks like he's the Mullet King. And far too often he looks like a girl. So last night we had some fun at Sam's expense as a fond farewell to the lovely curls. Soon they will be gone and he will have a big boy haircut. (I really hope I can make it through taking him to the salon without sobbing like an idiot.)</div>
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Yup. Some day he will be really pissed over these photos.</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-38856212188964363172013-10-22T14:59:00.004-07:002013-11-08T12:47:26.409-08:00October 18th @ 12:10am<span style="font-size: large;">Introducing Benedict Ethan!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4puOxkRiYm4/Un1Ny9D1k_I/AAAAAAAAG6E/2OxF8-_n2Ng/s1600/birth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4puOxkRiYm4/Un1Ny9D1k_I/AAAAAAAAG6E/2OxF8-_n2Ng/s320/birth1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">9 pounds 13 ounces, 21.5 inches long</span></div>
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Labor was pretty textbook and much easier than what I went through with Sam. From the time I was given meds to thin my cervix till he was born was about 13 hours. Much better than 30! And this kid broke my water for me in the most interesting of ways. I was sitting up in the hospital bed reading when he bucked HARD like a horse inside of me and I heard a pop. It shocked me so much that I yelped and scared the crap out of Morgan. A few seconds later I noticed that I was leaking and then flooded the bed. TMI, I know. But it was so freaky!</div>
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Ben is 10 kinds of awesome! He looks almost EXACTLY like newborn Sam. I mean, carbon copy likeness. To the point that both Morgan and I keep catching ourselves calling him Sam. He's a very good natured baby unless he is hungry. Then watch out! His appetite is pretty amazing.</div>
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We are home now. Everyone is happy and healthy. Ben didn't get named till Sunday, the day we were leaving the hospital, and we actually ended up filling out two sets of birth certificate forms because we weren't sure which name we were going to turn in when the paperwork lady came around to make things official. Things are going pretty good except for a rough patch here and there as we adjust to our new family unit. Really, we couldn't be happier!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-11989983220303153692013-10-13T18:46:00.002-07:002013-10-13T18:46:37.501-07:0038 WeeksRight now I am 38 weeks 3 days pregnant with Jaba the Hutt. Sam came on his own accord at 38 weeks 6 days. Whereas I know that means nothing, I'm using it to keep hope alive that I will naturally start labor in the coming days. But no matter what I'm getting induced in the wee hours of the 17th. The end is near! <br />
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A couple weeks ago (36 weeks) I had a second growth ultrasound which revealed an estimated 8 pounds 8 ounce child within me. Can I get an Amen and an Oof? Which is why at 37.5 weeks my Dr did a membrane sweep to try to get things moving and went ahead and scheduled my induction for the day I turn 39 weeks just in case. That first membrane sweep didn't bring on labor, but hopefully the one I will get tomorrow morning will. I'm nervous about being able to fit Jaba out since I was barely able to get Sam out. I'm also nervous about induction because I know Pitocin causes more painful contractions. I labored with Sam for 30 hours. . . umm. . . .yeah. That sounds awesome.<br />
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In other kid news, Sam has gone through two back to back growth spurts which have led to a kid who's sense of balance is way off! As in his face is a magnet to all things sharp or hard. So many bruises, scratches, and bumps. Poor kid looks like an abused orphan. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Say what, Momma?</span></div>
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Anxiety lives here full time right now. I'm nervous about my mom (who keeps saying she's going to cut his hair and I will cause her bodily harm if she does) staying with Sam for a few days while I'm in the hospital, anxiety over breastfeeding, anxious about when labor will start and how things will go, and I'm trying like hell to keep my house at some acceptable level of clean while being so huge I can barely move. And of course the government shutdown. Can't forget that. Morgan is the only bread winner in this family and he's been off work for 2 weeks unpaid at this point. Awesome. But at least him being off work has made the tail end of my pregnancy a little easier since he can chase the kid and help clean/nest! Silver lining, people. Silver lining.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love Daddy more 'cause he can still run and chase me!</span></div>
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The end is near. So near. Wish us luck as our family grows yet again and most likely for the last time! I can't wait to see this little boy. I know he has a full head of hair since you can see it in the ultrasound photos, but what color is it? How pudgy will those cheeks be? How will Sam react? It's gonna be exciting, stressful, and wonderful!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-4407802912177950102013-09-26T18:46:00.001-07:002013-09-26T18:46:57.454-07:00Everything: A Final CountdownAgain, I continue the trend of not making the blog posts on a regular basis. I just haven't been too interested lately. But here it is. Everything.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYsC0Yi8GRk/UkTdHd-coEI/AAAAAAAAGpo/LqdSBNwVrE0/s1600/jaba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYsC0Yi8GRk/UkTdHd-coEI/AAAAAAAAGpo/LqdSBNwVrE0/s320/jaba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Baby #2, aka Jaba the Hut, is a giant. At 32 weeks he weighed an estimated 6 pounds 1 ounces. Which is trending quite bigger than Sam did. And Sam was 9 pounds 5 ounces when born! Translation - I might be in trouble. I have another ultrasound (36 weeks) this coming Tuesday to see just how big he is at this stage. No matter what, go time is getting nearer every day.</div>
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Sam got VERY sick while Morgan was on a beach trip with his friends. Fever of 103.3, cold chills, vomiting, lethargic, fever rash, not eating, etc. It was scary. We ended up taking him back to the Dr, or actually the ER this time, once Morgan got home from his trip because his symptoms just kept getting worse. Turned out he had a viral infection with rash and a bacterial ear infection all at the same time. Poor kid. And the next day Morgan came down with strep throat. Oh the joy. By some miracle I managed to not get sick.</div>
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Thankfully it wasn't long till he was feeling a bit better and getting back to his quirky self. Seeing him all lethargic and miserable was really hard. </div>
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My delightful spaz.</div>
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We went on our annual <a href="http://www.steamintohistory.com/">scenic train ride</a> last weekend! A bit early this year since I don't feel comfortable going on trips closer to my due date, so no fall leaves this time. But it was a great operation and Sam had a great time! They even had a local children's author on the train reading her book to the kids.</div>
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And as usual, Karen just loves to spend time with Sam so much that it made the day pretty easy on me. She was more than happy to hold him on her lap (which is good since most of my lap is belly right now) and tell him stories. And Sam was happy to have her lap and easy access to her camera. Hmmm. . .buttons.</div>
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Other than that this little monkey has been getting into everything and enjoying the last of the "no pants" weather. We go to the zoo, library, and anything else I have the stamina for while we can and the weather is great. Hopefully we can get another zoo trip in before his brother is born.</div>
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And that brings us up to yesterday. He is now 19 months old, refuses to sit nicely for photos, and in less than a month will no longer be an only child! He still has no clue that there is a baby on the way. But he does love to sit on the couch with me and look at pictures of the newborns on my BabyCenter Oct birth club. He smiles and says "baby" and wants to touch the pictures. Hopefully he will be just as happy to have a screamer come live with us.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooJGVjfL9K0/UkTi-p7YteI/AAAAAAAAGqo/ehVbBCjYR8Q/s1600/drama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooJGVjfL9K0/UkTi-p7YteI/AAAAAAAAGqo/ehVbBCjYR8Q/s320/drama2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Of course, he himself is quite a drama queen screamer as of late. Yes, the terrible twos have come a bit early. Oi.</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-18556246010133688822013-08-26T09:55:00.004-07:002013-08-29T17:58:48.413-07:0018 Months OwlYup, he's a year and a half old now! If there is one thing I can say about Sam that no one could ever argue, it's that he has a great personality. He makes me laugh every day, even when I'm not feeling too good. The temper tantrums of "why can't I do anything I wanna do?" have begun, but never last long. He is a very independent little guy, which I guess is a good thing considering my attentions will soon be focused on a newborn. He loves it when you sit and play with him, but he's often just as happy to be figuring things out on his own. He will often walk off with a collection of items to sit on his own and fumble around with them. He refuses to hold my hand while walking, but it's okay if Daddy holds his hand! He's silly and smart. He babbles non stop, but hasn't added many words to his vocabulary at all.<br />
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And he poops a lot. A lot. Like sometimes 7 times a day. Good Lord. That should make potty training a treat.<br />
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<u>Stuffs He Do:</u><br />
~ He can stack blocks. Not just 2 or 3, but rather tall stacks of blocks. Motor skills are good!<br />
~ He understands how things work and demands that the light switch be flipped on & off while eating his breakfast every morning.<br />
~ Everything is a phone. If you say "ring ring!" he will pick up whatever is close and say "Hi!"<br />
~ His favorite day of the week is Tuesday because that's library day and he gets to see all his friends! At the end of the toddler program is the only time he waves and says "Bye" at the same time. It's adorable and kills me.<br />
~ He is a fruitaholic. He's learning to like meat. He hates all things veggie. He used to love them. I miss that.<br />
~ The Sprout Good Night Show is our best friend in this house. It has helped us to inch his bedtime down to 8:45! I know that sounds late for a wee one, but it's much better than the 9:30-10 that was his norm. Yay for Nina!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBx4T7GM8ms/UhuHyFb6w7I/AAAAAAAAGe4/Ty2rtIQOgQA/s1600/pants3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBx4T7GM8ms/UhuHyFb6w7I/AAAAAAAAGe4/Ty2rtIQOgQA/s320/pants3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo time is hard. So hard.</span></div>
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These Peter Cotton-tail overalls once belonged to my husband. They are really cute, although I can't seem to wash the smell of old lady house out of them. Anyway, the above shows Sam on his 18 month birthday and Morgan on his 1 year birthday! So cute.</div>
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Update with stats from his Dr appointment:</div>
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Height is 34.75 inches, 97%</div>
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Weight is 25 pounds 7 ounces, 50%</div>
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Head size they didn't write down for me, but they did say it's still above the 97%.</div>
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So he's staying true to form and growing steadily!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-5136370877408581082013-08-10T18:52:00.000-07:002013-08-10T18:53:18.456-07:00Saturday Photo Round Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgjtBMupSm0/UgbsNUZnlZI/AAAAAAAAGbE/AGfC4Fdzfts/s1600/dodo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgjtBMupSm0/UgbsNUZnlZI/AAAAAAAAGbE/AGfC4Fdzfts/s320/dodo8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This boy. Oh, how I loves him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Opinions and all.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoNS0xIycJA/UgbspyxnfqI/AAAAAAAAGbU/OPd3j3R0iXs/s1600/me2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UoNS0xIycJA/UgbspyxnfqI/AAAAAAAAGbU/OPd3j3R0iXs/s320/me2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">He's not a fan of pants in hot weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Which means he's pretty normal.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLC6vTQQZPI/Ugbs-IvaZXI/AAAAAAAAGbk/h4j9VrxUmHQ/s1600/fort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLC6vTQQZPI/Ugbs-IvaZXI/AAAAAAAAGbk/h4j9VrxUmHQ/s320/fort.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Even if he is the world's ONLY child that doesn't like forts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0D4bMBZtANQ/UgbtRusUiJI/AAAAAAAAGbs/D5OJ_ZpXKX0/s1600/sleeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0D4bMBZtANQ/UgbtRusUiJI/AAAAAAAAGbs/D5OJ_ZpXKX0/s320/sleeper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">He does, however, like to nap in random soft places.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hqD_DXBrpo/UgbtkcrSNVI/AAAAAAAAGb0/x3tqXRCAJTw/s1600/deck4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4hqD_DXBrpo/UgbtkcrSNVI/AAAAAAAAGb0/x3tqXRCAJTw/s320/deck4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And, once again, not wear pants.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tj_oy1ni-JU/Ugbtw3n1_KI/AAAAAAAAGb8/TNhV_Co60vg/s1600/29+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tj_oy1ni-JU/Ugbtw3n1_KI/AAAAAAAAGb8/TNhV_Co60vg/s320/29+weeks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And I am huge at 29 weeks pregnant!</span></div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-78016579938890580522013-07-31T12:04:00.001-07:002013-07-31T12:04:25.791-07:00Reflection I keep wanting to compare this pregnancy to my last pregnancy. No secret that this time around things have been a little more uncomfortable for me. I think mostly because, as odd as this may sound, I'm not as active now that I'm not working. You would think that chasing after a toddler all day long would be more activity, but no. Definitely no. Not with the kind of job I had. And since I'm not as active I tend to get tired a little quicker and experience more discomfort when trying to do things like rolling around on the floor with Sam.<br />
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Tomorrow I will be 28 weeks pregnant. I was 29 weeks pregnant with Sam during that hectic week leading up to Christmas when we were crazy busy at work. Then I was laid off at 30 weeks and worked one <a href="http://bowlcake.blogspot.com/2012/01/that-was-nice.html">additional week</a> packing up equipment and years worth of work. I wonder if I would have the stamina to do that now? To pack all those boxes of computers up, stack them, and prep them for shipment. Not sure I could. At least not without sneaking a nap on my office floor. (I totally should have done that!)<br />
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I've been having cramps on one side of my uterus. My back is killing me. I pee constantly out of fear that one of these times I'm just not going to make it to a toilet during a Pencil Neck kicking frenzy. The indigestion hasn't been as bad as it was with Sam, so YAY! And thanks to the new mattress we got earlier this year I'm actually sleeping. And I mean getting quality sleep despite waking up several times a night to pee. So thankful for that one.<br />
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Other than me thinking a lot about pregnancy and having dreams about breast feeding (hello anxiety!) we have been happily busy lately. Pig roasts, house warming parties, lots of library events, teething molars, a lost toddler war against the coffee table leg, and a Sam that has come down with a nasty head cold with cough. So here's a few photos to make up for all the words.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DuiyG_4mtg/UfleRdO63HI/AAAAAAAAGZw/oGTsRQrP8OI/s1600/pigroast1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5DuiyG_4mtg/UfleRdO63HI/AAAAAAAAGZw/oGTsRQrP8OI/s320/pigroast1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Those donkeys are the biggest dogs he's ever seen!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMYlHrPT1oY/UfleoG_DlJI/AAAAAAAAGaA/GDFDDfAMM9s/s1600/pigroast10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMYlHrPT1oY/UfleoG_DlJI/AAAAAAAAGaA/GDFDDfAMM9s/s320/pigroast10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Silly friend without kids gives a baby his OWN ice cream cone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Coffee table mean tu me!"</span></div>
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Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-20013402734132576592013-07-19T12:12:00.000-07:002013-07-19T12:12:24.128-07:00An Unsolicited Review: Addycase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DH-htYq248c/UemIjzIDA6I/AAAAAAAAGXc/HQY6PSh3-L8/s1600/ipad3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DH-htYq248c/UemIjzIDA6I/AAAAAAAAGXc/HQY6PSh3-L8/s320/ipad3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have this toddler. This toddler who is an ipad hog. And this toddler LOVES to get into the istore and try to install things at random. Kids really do have magic little fingers that can do things on electronic devices in a split second and you have no idea how they did it! He installed a skee ball game. At least it's a fun game and it was free.</div>
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I've been looking for an ipad case designed to make the ipad more kid friendly. Something that helped protect it from drops and slams, blocked access to the home button, and wasn't hideous. After a few searches I found the <a href="http://www.addycase.com/">Addycase</a>! The ONLY case I found that did all of the above without being military grade protection. All the kid covers, with the exception of the Addycase, didn't even cover the home button. Seriously? That home button is the gateway to all things i-related that you don't want tiny fingers getting at. What are they thinking when they design these things?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtRB6Nmf3lA/UemMGwfqQHI/AAAAAAAAGXo/Fy2h9D3Jw7Q/s1600/ipad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtRB6Nmf3lA/UemMGwfqQHI/AAAAAAAAGXo/Fy2h9D3Jw7Q/s320/ipad1.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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So yeah. I bought one and have been using it for about 2 weeks at this point. It's pretty ideal. The soft rubbery cover has a handle to make holding and carrying it around easier for toddler hands. It has ports in the case to allow you to use the camera (front and back), use the mute button, and plug it in to charge. And even though the case does cover the home button, on/off button, and volume controls you can still access them with your adult fingers and a little pressure! Plus there's no way he could get the cover off. Not like the cover on my phone which he can remove in 1.3 seconds flat.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-B6i9Xkblg/UemMPX9yNsI/AAAAAAAAGXw/P4wwzx35bFA/s1600/ipad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-B6i9Xkblg/UemMPX9yNsI/AAAAAAAAGXw/P4wwzx35bFA/s320/ipad2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sam has dropped the ipad at least 3 times, thrown in once, and spent probably too many hours playing the couple of apps I went ahead and purchased for him these past 2 weeks. Nothing broken/cracked/etc. Like I said, pretty much ideal in design.</div>
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Now if only the designers of apps would stop putting buttons in the kid games that lead you DIRECTLY to the istore! And I'm not talking about just free apps. Apps that I have paid for have tricksy little buttons attractive to tiny eyes. But eh, at least the case solves half the problem!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-44856302803953891842013-06-23T13:23:00.000-07:002013-06-23T13:23:19.421-07:00Midsummer, Must Destroy Daddy!Midsummer's Eve was Saturday! Of all the <a href="http://yellowsnapper.livejournal.com/79712.html">odd feast meals</a> the boys have each year this is the one I look forward to the most. Usually there is dancing under strings of lights hung from the trees in Matt's parents back yard. A fertility ceremony involving a <a href="http://yellowsnapper.livejournal.com/79881.html">fire barrel, torches, and flowers</a>. The possibility (or as Caitlin says the eventual) of an explosion/someone catching on fire/man related accident of epic proportions. Good times!<br />
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However, this year tragedy struck when Matt's grandmother passed away on Thursday. His only remaining grandparent was lost and his mother was understandably stressed and grieving. Especially seeing as grandma was currently living at Matt's parents house. All of this lead to us volunteering our house to be used for the feast meal since it was too late to postpone. So this year there was no dancing under lights, dangerous fires, or fertility ceremonies. There's always next year.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Instead there was LOTS of cake!</span></div>
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And then this morning (in between party clean up attempts) Sam and Morgan had a good 'ol fashioned tickle and face smash session. Some things are too cute not to share.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Then Sam tried to run to me and Morgan pantsed him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And he was very confused by it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And Daddy had to help get them drawers back up.</span></div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4366022040641687752.post-65935616427566857682013-06-20T14:23:00.002-07:002013-06-20T14:23:36.324-07:00A Little Something 'Bout Pencil NeckI don't seem to be talking much about this pregnancy. It's a combination of things. Busy chasing Sam, not really much to tell, I'm lazy, I can't break out the laptop unless Sam is napping or he rips it apart, and I'm on Facebook this time around. Up until I was 8 months pregnant and laid off from my job I wasn't a Facebooker. But yeah, doing a 2 sentence status update with a photo is more in line with my lazy ways.<br />
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But, for fear that my precious pigeon pea #2 will read this 20 years from now and wonder "Why the lack of love, Mommy Dearest?" here's an update all about him.<br />
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He's growing and healthy and everything checks out. He's much more active than Sam was. He didn't give me his first firm kick till week 20 (which Sam did at 18 weeks), but he is constantly flipping and thumping around. So much so that at our 20 week ultrasound they couldn't get a picture of everything they needed, even after an HOUR of scanning. So today I went back for a 22 week follow up so they could get that last photo they needed.</div>
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No, the last photo they needed was not of his penis. However, I like to remind myself often of the joy that will be TWO BOYS! There are some who think I am completely loony for wanting two boys when we only plan on having two kids. But for me, I really couldn't be happier. I'm not a girly girl. And I know if I had a girl she could be just like me and not care about hair bows, curling irons, ballet, and the latest hot boy band. But. . .what if she did? I'd have to ship her off every other weekend to my SIL's house just so she could get a dose of girldom. This, this I am much happier with. Much more comfy with. All Hail The Penis!</div>
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Other than the most obvious difference (amount of activity) between Sam and Pencil Neck, he also doesn't like for me to eat. I often go till noon before I realize I haven't had anything to eat or drink. Even then, even though I might be starving, he sometimes just won't let me eat. Nothing sounds like something I could manage to swallow and not feel like crap later. He does love him some french fries! But Mommy and Pencil Neck cannot survive on potatoes alone. Oh, and he also hates it when I drink plain water. Yeah, that's great. Survival instincts. He ain't got 'em.</div>
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Another funny thing, which I have managed to capture this time around, is that awkward stage of pregnancy where how pregnant you look completely depends upon if the baby is laying towards the front or towards your spine. It's ridiculous. 5 1/2 months is apparently when this is the most extreme in my baby gestating. Look and be SHOCKED!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bedtime, kid pushing out my belly 'cause he's in the front.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Next morning, looking much smaller 'cause he's resting against my spine.</span></div>
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And that's about it for right now! I have not started organizing and washing all Sam's baby clothes because I still have months to go till labor. Kinda pointless since I would just feel that nesting urge to wash them again. When Sam teeters over to me and grabs my belly to either headbutt it or give me a good shake we tell him "That's right! Tell little brother to wake up!". But of course he doesn't understand what we're telling him. The arrival of the new baby will probably be quite the shock to him. But I think he'll handle things just fine since, aside from the headbutting and stuffed animal choking, he's a rather gentle little guy.</div>
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And so the countdown till mid October begins!</div>
Christahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17706543707288513930noreply@blogger.com2