Linked 13: Simple

At home he has bike, scooter, power wheels, toys galore. At the park he is surrounded by slides, swings and tunnels and more...



But what does he choose to play with?



Sticks.

 



More SIMPLE @

 Tracy, Carla, Heather, Janet, Jenn, Rhonda, Tracey

The Fort

There are two things Harrison loves to do besides eat and watch Mickey Mouse. He loves to "hide" and "make houses."

Doug introduced him to a "fort." The whole family enjoyed it... I can't wait to introduce him to the "Hot Lava" game. Remember those days?

 

You just can't make up moments like these.

 



6 Month Well Check

I am pretty excited to sit down and write about a well check. Yes, W-E-L-L. After what seems like 6 months of sickness this is well deserved.  We ended up seeing our regular Dr. Gerhard's Nurse Practitioner Emily as we had to reschedule his 6 month well check. She was OK, but I really prefer Dr. Gerhard and Miles will see Gerhard again at his 9 month well check (that doesn't include shots---yeah).


This baby boy turned 6 months old already. How did that happen? It couldn’t have? Oh wait…it did. EEK!!!

Alright…drum roll please!

Weight: 16lbs 4 ounces (that’s the 25 percentile)

The nurse’s reaction…”He’s got some good legs.” “I don’t like the scrawny ones that I’m afraid I’m going to break!”

This guy’s not only got good legs, he’s sports a double chin and cheeks you can’t resist wanting to give a squeeze. Let’s just say Mr. Chunk can draw in a ladies crowd and he did on our Wisconsin Dells trip (which I promise post soon).

Height: 2 ft something (that’s just under the 3rd percentile). I don't have the exact measurements because the nurses we had didn't write down the stats like the normal nurses we have. He’s very short…following in the steps of his big brother who wasn’t even on the growth chart of height for months. I guess we can blame that on genetics.

Head circumference: I can’t remember the exact measurement but I do know the measurement was in the 13th percentile. Again on the petite side, but even as a adult his Momma doesn’t have a very big head—so another genetic thing.

Development: On track. He can sit with support, roll over from tummy to back both sides and lift his head from his belly and he can stand up and support himself on his legs. The nurse practitioner said the only thing she would like to see is that he uses his hands to push himself up further rather than rest on his elbows. (Already in the week since this appointment, I’ve seen an improvement thanks to his enrollment baby boot camp).

Immunizations: The same immunizations were given today as at his 2 and 4 month checkups with the exception of the flu vaccination he received. Due to such a hard year of the flu they are still recommending immunization. We did it…though honestly after both Harrison and Doug having the flu with being vaccinated themselves, I’m not that strong of a believer in that vaccine anymore. The effectiveness is than 60%. The site itself from the flu vaccination was swelled up, red, hard and I am sure painful. Unlike his last set of vaccines he didn’t run a temperature, but he was so irritable for 3 days. He would be crying one minute and laughing the next---a roller coaster of emotions that I don’t care to ride again. He’s up for a booster (second round) of the vaccine in 5 weeks. I’m honestly not sure if I’ll follow through with that. Point and call me a bad parent all you want---but after what he endured and put his parents through we might just wait until next flu season to re vaccinate.

Even though Miles was premature by 5 weeks---things are so different the second time around especially with medical appointments. No blood draws, nutritionists, immunologists, no physical therapy---rather boring. I like boring.

Miles @ 6 Months

Say what? ....6 months?


Easily the fastest 6 months of our lives. I'm afraid to blink and he will be in kindergarten and I'll blink again and he will be walking down the aisle with some lucky lady.

I changed up the format a little for this post. Adding a few more things. I think I'm finally happy with this format...only took me 6 months to find my groove.


Likes:

• to be talked to, he echos in loud squeals and screams
• rocking back and forth
• bumbo (he could sit in it for hours if we let him)
• peas, sweet potatoes, squash
• bath time
• going sockless (loving his feet)
• tickles
• swing at the park

Dislikes:

• tummy time
• any fruity food, cereal
• laying down on his back
• being held like a baby (he's a facing outward propped up kind of guy)
• sleeping through the night

Biggest Achievement of the Month:

• Rolling over, yes it FINALLY happened. He can roll both sides while on his tummy. No back to tummy yet.

Biggest Challenge of the Month:

• Sleep. He still hasn't slept through a night since the second week in January.

Sleep: Ugh. We don't get much of it. He's usually up 1-2 per night, I would say closer to 2 is the reality. First wake up is about 12 and the second wake up is 3 or 4am. Just in the last few days I have noticed that he used to wake up just starving, but now at the first wake-up we can usually put in a plug (aka pacifier) and he is easily lulled back to sleep. The second wake up always for food. Working on a routine the second time around seems like such a challenge. We didn't really have any sleep issues with Harrison until after the age of one. Since then it's become a roller coaster of sleep patterns. From what I have read and heard, this is pretty typical. However from what I also have read there seems to be a lot more people with kids that don't sleep even at ten/eleven months old. Knowing this, makes me a little nervous! Seriously this streak of sleeplessness might continue for several more months. YIKES, say this isn't so!

 

Naps are still all over the place. Morning naps are more easily predicted. He likes to take his long nap around 9/10 am for up to 2 hours. Afternoons---cat naps here and there and in the evening he takes a 30 minute snooze about 6/6:30. This evening snooze gives me a solid 30 minutes to devote to Harrison, which he totally needs/wants, especially on night when it's just the 3 of us. I dream of the day when both kids nap at the same time.

 

Temperament/Personality: He wants nothing to do with laying on his back other than playing with his toes. After about 10 minutes, he'll let you know, he's done and moving forward with bigger and better things! This kid loves his bumbo more than anything. He can be quite content in there for more than hour. He so desperately wants to sit by himself. We were almost there last month until he discovered he likes to rock back and fourth and ends up throwing himself backwards or stands up (which I remember Harrison doing a lot of this). I'm pretty crushed about him not sitting alone at 6 months or holding his head up high while on his belly. Partly this is due to his prematurity and shoulder strength takes longer to develop, but I also blame us for not working with him as much as we could have. I think with Harrison we were drilled with everyday something we had to do that we have just been so relaxed with our Miles. However I started him on what I call "baby boot camp" a couple of weeks ago. "Baby boot camp," is 15-20 minutes we devote to practice sitting, tummy time and rolling over. This is usually done after bath time each night. Since enrolling him in "Mom's home made program" he learned to roll over (tummy to back) within those first two weeks and does it continuously.

 

He's least happy:

 

He doesn't like long car rides (and neither did his brother). Ask me about our Wisconsin Dells trip last weekend? He cried 1.5 hours of the 2 hour drive home. Not enjoyable for his parents or his sibling trying to nap in the back seat next to him.

 

Food Service- He knows when he is hungry and he'll let you know that no matter what you do, your not moving fast enough.

 

He's most happy:

 

Generally he is a happy baby if he got his toes to grab on to, a full belly, a fist full of mom's hair (ouch), in the tub, being carried or sitting in his bumbo.

 

Baby Talk/Communication: He's a talker (gets that from his Momma). Not to keep comparing Harrison and Miles, but this is so different from his big brother who didn't talk until he was three. Miles found out he can screech most recently and apparently he likes it because he does it all the time :).

 

He knows his name. He calms down when I enter the room and start talking to him. He uses his voice (loud & clear) when he's the least bit hungry I'd say he has pretty effective communication for a 6 month old.

 

Eating: Loves food. He'll eat practically anything you put in front of him. I got the camera all ready when I prepping to give him peas last week for the first time. I remember Harrison's disgusted, "What did you just feed me look," (and then spit out) of his first green veggie (which I think was green beans). To my dismay, Miles ate the whole container without a "what are you feeding me?" expression. The only thing you can't really get past his lips is rice cereal and sweet fruits like peaches and apples. He just started liking bananas this week.

 

I've started him on second (solid) foods---which is pretty much the same as first foods, but just comes in a little larger amount. I'm thinking of trying to start him on oatmeal verses the rice cereal. If I remember correctly (and the blog helps with memory we had better luck with Harrison on oatmeal verses the rice cereal. We are keeping solids to one time per day for now and haven't started solids at daycare. I'm thinking in a couple of weeks we'll increase the frequency.

 

He nurses one time a day, usually in the morning and he has become partial to one side (which from what I read can be pretty typical). I am continuing to pump 3-4 times a day. I keep getting the question, "So how long are you going to keep doing this?" I honestly can't believe I made it 6 months already. I stopped at 16 weeks with Harrison. I can't say I'll make it a whole year, but my hope since I made it to 6 months is to make it to 9 months. I am clinging to the hope that continue to breast feed will promote better health. Bottles are every 3 hours or so. We bumped him up to 5 ounces last week for feedings. Sometimes he can eat as much as 6 ounces, but that doesn't make him go any longer between feedings. He's definitely not starving that is for sure! He has his six month well check appointment April 18. I am guessing he weighs no less than 16lbs. He's our chunk. I jokingly say... "You know some women produce skim milk, some 2 percent, some whole, I'm pretty sure I produce cream."

 

Sizing him up: He's a big boy. Remember at 35 weeks he weighed 6 lbs 4 oz., yes...5 weeks early. I grow big babies. He's true to size for most clothing with the exception I think Gap runs a little bigger as he can still get his buns into 0-3 month jeans. He'll be getting a whole new summer wardrobe as Harrison only wore sizes 0-3 and 3-6 during his first year. I don't mind going shopping for new clothes (since most of his stuff is hand me down), but with two in childcare, I am beyond broke. Thank goodness for Once Upon a Child (second hand clothing store)---they have some pretty cute stuff.

 

Teeth: Not yet, but he chews on everything. However, if I'm nursing, they can take their time debuting their first appearance. They say the later the teeth come in the better! Glad Harrison's first one didn't pop up until he as at least 14 months old.

 

Motor Skills: Rolling over! Yes finally can roll tummy to back! His first roll was a few days shy of 6 months. He's more of the "take my time" kind of guy. These later skills used to bother me, but I kind of got over that the first time around. This especially is true as I photograph so many infants at so many different ages. Everyone master's skills at their own pace.

 

He's a grabber. Nothings safe within reach of him. Last night he spilled my can of pop and knocked everything off of where it was within his reach. If you remove something within in reach, he will continue to look for whatever you took away. He's a smart boy!

Out and About: Miles likes to be part of everything and sitting in a car seat just doesn't happen. I guess I can't blame him---I mean besides chewing on his own hand (or gagging himself), throwing toys out the other other thing he gets ti do is stare at me. We are almost ready to ditch the car seat for shopping carts. When we are out he is quite the ladies man...ladies just can't get enough of those chubby legs and dimple smiles.

Firsts: Rolling over, grabbing his feet and trying lots of new foods.

Fave Baby Gear: Bumbo---this thing travels everywhere with us (the pool, the bath tub, stroller, wagon, etc) and the baby Bjorn is pretty much an everyday used item.

I can't believe how fast these months go by. I haven't taken official 6 month photos, but I plan to soon. For now, this adorable photo will have to do!

I'll have more to post later and he had his 6 month well check today, but I can't promise you when I'll actually get to posting it since I am finally hitting publish on this entry and I started writing this 6 days ago.
 

Mom X2

I get this question a lot, "How's life with two kids?"

The short answer: It's amazing.
The long answer: It's really amazing.
The really, really long answer: It's really, really amazing!

I do think some people think I am like a super wonder women, but I'm not. I know there are people I follow via blogs and Facebook and wonder the same. I mean seriously you had time to go to the gym, work, take your kids here and there, make dinner from scratch, attend PTA meeting, do the laundry, wash the dishes, play with the kids, walk the dog, while taking photos of all of this and then slap them into a post all in the same day? Now that is wonder women. You'd find me still back at make dinner from scratch.

It's all about getting a routine for me that is keeping life, sorta sane. I used to be able to get up at 4 am for the day, no problem, but when kids (yes both) don't sleep through the night (I know even at almost 3.5 years and 6 months old) 4 am turned to 5 am which is now really closer to 6 am. I also stopped trying to work (edit photos) when the kids are awake. It's much to challenging and then I feel like I am missing out stuff, even if it's just bath time. Any client work doesn't usually start until after 9 pm and I put myself to bed every night before mid-night. It turns out I do need sleep! This was my biggest mistake for the past few months, I hadn't realized that I was so tired that I was actually physically sick from the exhaustion.

I am realizing I'll probably never get over the feeling like I am missing my kids growing up. But what I have realized the more time I dwell on that, the more I miss everything that I do get. Let's face it, we all can't be stay at home moms. I think I've got over mourning that, but honestly a part of me will always hold on to that hope. We have to keep dreaming! Having kids of my own now, I see the need to shoot beyond the stars, kids do, why can't we?

Evenings with two kids can be pretty chaotic---well that's more around dinner time and since Doug and I are lack of planners, we never knows what's for dinner. We get home around 5, so it's usually a rush so we can have something on the dinner table by 6. And then it's clean up from everyone dropping their things at the door on their way in and time to give the dogs such much needed attention.

After dinner time is my favorite. My jammies are usually on by 6:30 and my hair pulled up into a pony ( I have to be comfortable). Our evenings are filled out with building forts, playing Candy Land & Sneaky Squirrel games, reading stories, hide and seek, bath time, snuggles and then it's nap time. Yes, "Time to take a nap" is what Harrison calls bedtime. Little quirks like this, I'm sure I won't forget. A couple other things is when he is really excited about something he shouts, "Ewww," And when we were playing a game the other night and he took the lead, every time he would score and say, "that's not fair." A little expression confusion:).

Don't let this post fool you. Every single minute of every single day is not blissful. We are raising a 3 year old---chances are you have heard the expression that "3s are worse than terrible 2s." And at 6 months---that toothless, gummy grin isn't always on his face. Some days are survival mode, but this is real life and this is what I love about our life.


Enjoy a much needed miss-mash of photos.

 

 

It was spring...For a day anyways.

Where is spring? It's MIA.

Ice storm today...so lets think of happier times.

Sunday afternoon it was FINALLY warm enough to take our first trip to the park. Most of the snow was melted and it was about 50 degrees. A vast improvement from about a week ago and yes people it's April, but NOT spring.

We decided to take the wagon so we could have something to put both boys in. We opted out of getting a double stroller as they are so clunky and big and Harrison would rather walk or ride his bike.

I think Harrison was in heaven during our time there....He has been asking for WEEKS to go to the park. This kid definitely has spring fever!

I think Miles enjoyed the wagon ride, he's so curious about everything these days. I know he loved the swing, loved, loved loved it! He had such sweet contagious giggles swaying back and forth. It's so much fun doing all of these firsts again.

Later on Miles and I raced Harrison down some slides, we were pretty fast!

It felt amazing getting out and enjoying the some fresh air.

We are beyond excited to our trip to Wisconsin Dells this weekend, some much needed "summer type stuff" (and shopping) is weekend. This weekend also marks Miles half birthday. I can't not believe how fast time goes...I keep telling everyone, "I think the second one grows faster than the first." I'll start his 6 month blog entry tomorrow, but not likely getting his official 6 month photos until later this month. I am also beyond excited for family lifestyle photo session next month with Bliss Photography!

I'll work on getting a miss-mash of photos together for an entry. I'm still clicking, just not getting them up here as fast as I used too. Turns out, two little boys keep me very busy!