6 Month Old

There's another big birthday in the house!!!!! Happy 1/2 year birthday to my littlest man, Everett.  6 months has been awesome for you.  You are growing like  a weed.  You're so big that no one believes me when I say you're only 6 months old. Here are your stats:

19lbs (73%)

28.3 inches (96%)

Size 3 diapers

9-12 months clothes

In order to hit that 19lbs requires a lot of eating- and that you do :) You're taking 4-5 bottles of 6-8oz and eating a little bit of puree food at lunch.  You still haven't decided if you like eating food yet.  You'll take a few bites of whatever I feed you, but you seem very dis-interested.  So far you seem to like sweet potatoes and fruit the best.  Anything green...forget-about-it!  I think finger foods will be a whole different story with a happier ending :)

Unlike you're brother, you haven't settled into a routine as easy.  You struggle to get to sleep without a bottle so you've been taking most of your feedings before naps (which is exactly what all parenting books tell you NOT to do- oh well....).  Naps are around 10 and 2.  Bottles at 7, 10, 2, 5 & bedtime.  Bedtime is still 7:30 and you wake between 6:30 and 7:00am.  We had to Cry It Out again after vacation, but it only took 1 night (1 hr..ugghh) and you're back on track.

Not as much sickness this month- 1 ear infection so far (knocking on my desk...)

What's new this month? So much! Sitting up like a champ. In just the last few days you've been getting up on hands and knees.  Your preferred way to travel however is by rolling. You can be in a new location in seconds flat. You love to sit and splash in the bath with brother, you love to bounce in the jump-a-roo and you love playing with your toys.  You're pretty content to sit and play with your toys on the floor, entertaining yourself.  Of course wrestling with Dad is your favorite!

You're an amazing little boy. You are smart, and silly, and your smile is so infectious.  I heard your teacher say to another, "Isn't he so cute! You should wait untill you see him smile".  She was so right.  I feel so incredibly blessed by you. I can't get over how easy and happy you are.  I'm so, so, so THANKFUL for you.

I told him "Say Cheese" and I got this....

I love you, Evie! Mom

Turning 3

Happy Birthday my big BOY.  You are 3! It has been a great month celebrating you.  Many days of present opening, candle blowing, friends singing and smiles galore.  It was so fun watching you enjoy your special week/month day ;) I'm sad that's it's over, but I know the next one (4... yikes) will get here too quickly.

Birthday doughnuts and balloons

 New Fire House!

Birthday Party Time!

 A little help from my friends :)

3 Year Stats:

30 lbs (26%)

36 inches tall

What You Love:

Firetrucks

Ambulances

Police Cars

All things construction

Playing T-Ball & Soccer

Your friends

Swimming- and you're awesome at it!

Movies (Despicable Me, Toy Story, Monster's Inc, Cars)

Music and instruments

Candy/Chocolate

Vanilla (white) ice-cream

What's New:

Potty Trained (just not at night ;)

Started Gard 3 at Creme- having some trouble adjusting so far

Started organized soccer

Started to peddle your trike

Can write the letter "J"- we think you're right handed

Funny Things You Say:

What he Do's?

But Why?...for everything

When driving you say to me "Mom, 2 hands. Be safe!"

Every time we drive by a water tower you scream "WATER TOWER!"

Call everyone a Silly Goose Head

Tell everyone "I miss you ___." teachers, dad, mom, grandparents, dogs :)

James, you are such a wonderful kid. You're bright, funny, kind and so loving. You are the best big brother to Everett and a great friend to other kids.  You amaze me with your incredible memory and you talk like a teenager :) You are very athletic... but sports, so far, isn't your thing. Your real love is trucks/tools & music/instruments. You're doing great at school and meeting all your social, emotional and educational milestones.  Dad and I could not be prouder of the little boy you've become.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET BOY.

XOXO

5 Months

Baby E/Evie/Evie-Pants/Everett/Bubba,

All the sudden you're 5 months old. Another 30 days flew off the calendar and another monthly sicker photo shoot complete.  It is true what they say that time flies faster with each child.

The 5th month has been so much fun.  You are rolling over both ways.  Have flipped onto your tummy at night and naps (resulting in much better sleep!).  You are almost sitting up; so strong but a little wild with the head ;) I would imagine in a few weeks you'll get the hang of it.  You are eating great.  Having 5 bottles a day (5-6oz/bottle) and eating 2T of cereal at lunch.  You have become quite the "dive bomber" and grab and dive trying to get a hold of whatever you see that intrigues you ;) - toys, hair, James, Charlie...mommy must HANG ON TIGHT! You are still mouthing and chewing everything you can find.  Everyone keeps telling me teeth are on the way, but I think we are still months away from that (given your family history).

You are taking 2-3 naps a day approx 1-1.5 hrs and are sleeping from 7:30-6:30 most nights.  Every once in a while, we have a middle of the night wake up call for an extra feed.

As I write this you are sickness free...but this is the first time in 4 weeks.  July started out with Hand Foot Mouth, followed by 2 nasty colds and an ear infection finale.  It's been tough but you've been a great patient.  Your sleep has been very disrupted (up every 2-3 hours) but you're still such a happy boy during they day.  I forgot how awful the first few months of day care are on your immune system. I just take comfort in the fact that you're building it up and we'll have more healthy days to come.  Last time at the doctor you weighted in a whopping 18lbs 1 oz!

You're still a very content baby, but are getting much more active and curious everyday.  You smile constantly, will go to anyone and are starting to "talk" more and more.  Your little personality is really starting to shine.

Each month is better than the next. Can't wait to see what month 6 brings! xoxo my darling.

Love, Mom

4th of July in Ohio

We took our first 'family of 4' flight to Ohio for 4th of July.  I was a little apprehensive to make the trip; envisioning hours of melt downs from missed naps, accidents, spills, crying and chaos, but the boys proved me wrong.  They were absolutely awesome. No tears and pure excitement from both of them the entire trip.  It was a precursor for the whole weekend.  We had such a good time visiting with Mimsie & Popsie.  Everett loved being outside and getting loads of love from family.  James and Popsie were attached at the hip;  swimming, fishing, play trucks, exploring...the list goes on.  The kid never stopped smiling (well... either did Popsie:)  We had perfect weather; warm during the afternoon and cool at night.  We relaxed, talked, and enjoyed just being together.  It couldn't have went any better.

1st stop Well Check! 

Next Stop Tickle Time with Popsie

It's such an amazing thing to see your kids enjoy your parents.  It's like looking back in time; a view through the looking glass at life when you were little.  I can instantly see 30 years lift off the grandparents when grand kids are around.  I'm sure Mimsie and Popsie collapsed in pure physical exhaustion for days when we left, but I know they loved every minute...as did we.

4 generations

Playing "hammer ball" (aka Croquet)

 Happy 4th of July!

Fishing!

PJS Sr. Jr. & 3rd :)

Till next time Ohio ;)