Bye Bye Paci, Hello Fire Truck

We have been hesitant to get rid of the Paci because it is James's most valued and loved possession, his "lovie", his comfort.  However, lately he had been talking about his Paci and asking if it was only for babies and if he was a "Big Boy" yet.  To which Pete and I explained that yes, he was in fact a big boy now and that paci's helped babies feel better and that soon he wouldn't need his anymore.  He mentioned giving his paci to a baby... and with that, I jumped into "Operation No More Paci" mode.  We told him we would take him to the hospital to choose a baby from the nursery to gift his paci to.  As a reward we would take him to the fire station to meet a real live Fireman and see a Fire Truck.  FIRE TRUCK! That was all it took....he talked about it for days so that following Thursday, we skipped school early and headed to the hospital.  James walked right up to the Nursery window where he choose a baby boy, (because he likes "babies boys best") gave the nurse the gift bag with his beloved paci and promptly asked "Now, to the Fire station?"

His eyes lit up upon our arrival to the fire station and his head whipped from side to side as fast as it could trying to take it all in.  We met the nicest fire man (Randy) who gave us a great tour.  We we so lucky that the fire station was running drills which included full gear and a house full of fireman and equipment.  It was truly James's heaven on earth.

That night (and most nights since) he simply asks about the paci...but I think its his way of asking us to re-tell the story of our adventures at the fire station.  You're a big boy now! So brave.  Mom and Dad are so proud.

4 Months

Sweet Sir Everett you're 4 months old (well 4.5 because I'm so late in posting this)! I can hardly believe how quickly these months are ticking by.  I'm thrilled as each new milestones is met, but a bit sad as I realize that my newborn is gone and a little boy has quickly replaced him.  You are a dream; happy almost always, quick to smile and always good for a laugh.  You love your big brother more than life itself, although I saw for the first time this month a little angst over sharing toys ;)  You were not very happy when a toy was "rapidly" removed from your tiny but fierce grasp!

A lot of first this month.  The biggest first is that mommy went back to work and you are officially a Creme de la Creme student with your brother.  You are loving your class and settled happily into your new routine and have attached yourself quickly to your caregivers.  They tell me you rarely cry and give everyone who enters big gummy grins.  You're sleep schedule has been a bit disrupted as you're only taking 2-3 cat naps (approx 1-2hrs/day).  However, this has resulted in great night time sleep heading to your crib around 7:00pm and waking at 6:30am.  Sometimes you'll wake early around 5:00am to eat and head back to sleep in the swing till 7:00am.  You are still sleeping in your swaddle but we have 1 arm out as we start to make the transition. We're working on this slowly (over the past month) and hope to have both arms free by next month.  You refuse a paci but love sucking on those fingers to soothe.

Another first this month was cereal which you took to great and are having 1 meal of cereal at lunch after your 10:00am bottle.  Feeding schedule is still the same; every 3 hours 5/6 oz per meal. Working on the 7,10,1,4,7 and getting pretty close most days.

Still not rolling much, although you can go belly to back if you want to.  You most often just ask mom for help ;) You are grabbing those toes, handling toys with both hands, and are able to pull your self to a sitting position in your chair.  You also went swimming this month.  Daddy dunked you and you didn't care a bit.  You love to kick and splash in the pool. Our 2nd little fish!

You love your bath, sleeping in the swing, walking in the baby Bjorn or the double stroller with James.  You like to chew on your Sophie and lay on a blanket outside.  You're doing much better in the car- praise the Lord!

Your stats this month:

16.75 lbs (81%)
25.5 inches (74%)
16.75 Head (83%)

You are the calm to our storm, you are the lightness in our crazy, you complete us :) I love you to the moon and back.

NOAH!

This post is way over due...but motherhood, life...you get it.

On May 29th we became the coolest, most "in the know" suburban-ites around.  Instead of going to bed at 8pm, we invited all our friends to a house concert on our patio with Noah and Ian Guthrie as our musical guests.  Noah, family friends of my parents, has been touring the country promoting his first album 'Among with Wildest Things'.  He was in the Dallas area and offered to come play privately for us.  I was already a big fan of his, but after hearing him live, crazy fan is more appropriate ;)  He is beyond amazing, talented and overall just a good kid.

We had an amazing time and someone (hint: he's 2) hasn't stopped talking about Noah and Ian ever since.  I think we have planted the seed for a future musician.

Ian gave James a pair of his drum sticks; he slept with them that night :) Most evenings we play "band" and he is Ian and mommy is Noah ;)

  Our guests: Emily and Dennis (aka Grand Dad)

Annie & Nick

The Dabrowskis

 Nick & Katie

 Austin & Lindsey

 Ed & Jenna

 Ken & Stephanie

Me & Annie

Noah & Ian, thanks for sharing your talents with us.  Such an amazing summer night!

only1noah.com

3 Months

Another month has past, quick as a blink.  You are growing like a weed and discovering new things every day.  You are working on your roll,  you'll rock side to side and have, a few times, rolled from front to back.  You are enjoying tummy time much more now that you can push up on your arms and look around.  You love to "sit up".  We just pull you up by your arms and you sit very well hanging on to our hands for support.  When lying on your back, you do this silly baby crunch, attempting to sit on your own.  If we aren't careful, you'll pull yourself over... flat on your face ;) You love to talk, squeal and giggle.  You are so very ticklish, especially your collar bone and back. You squeal real loud followed by this deep-voiced little chuckle. It is addictive. I want to tickle you all day to hear that sweet sound.  You have mastered the toy grasp with both hands and love to put everything in your mouth.  You are really gumming everything and everyone.  Maybe an early teether?

You are eating every 3-4 hours now as we have begun to substitute some hypo-allergenic formula.  We are using Neocate 1-2 times a day and you're doing great with it.  I'm now only pumping and have stopped nursing due to an impatient little feeder (one commonality with your brother).  I miss nursing but it's been better for both of us to resort to the bottle.

You are still a great sleeper. Taking 4 naps a day (wake time 1.5 hours).  You go to bed about 7:30-8:00pm.  I feed you at 11pm and you're good for the night until 5:00-6:30am.  If you wake to eat before 6:30-7:00am, you'll often go back to sleep till around 8:00am.  You are taking most naps in the nap nanny and are sleeping in your crib at night.

No dr. appt this month.  My guess is your are about 16lbs.  You are wearing 6 month clothes and size 2 diaper.  You're a big, big boy with a personality to match :)

Happy 3 Months Little Man ;) XOXO