Another big year!

Last Saturday we celebrated Harrison and Miles birthday together. It's hard to believe that we have a 1 year old and an almost 4 year old.

I debated (for months actually) if the boys parties should be separate, together or just throw Miles the traditional 1 year birthday and just do something special with Harrison. The decision came to me just as soon I saw Harrison's excitement of having a birthday party. His birthday actually falls on Thanksgiving day this year---so doing some "big" or "special" that day certainly won't be happening.

The next debate was party theme. I picked the Goldfish theme months ago and Harrison was set on Spiderman. I thought of decorating each room separately to accommodate each theme, but in the end it was easier to just pick one theme and go with it and Goldfish it was. Harrison will get his Spiderman cake and decorations on his actual birthday. This year it won't be pumpkin pie, but rather Spiderman blue and red frosting. Harrison's already started to talk it about it, he loves birthday parties. I think that is what made party planning so much fun this year. He had been growing with excitement for weeks before the party. I don't think a day went by in the last month he didn't talk about the party. The part I love about his age is the near explosion at anytime with excitement and for Harrison the party was never about the presents, but always about who's coming. I asked him, "What do you want for your birthday?" His response, "People to come to my birthday party." I love him.

All in all the party went smoothly minus the mishap of Doug flipping an end table hanging the streamers from our 9ft ceilings and lastly the crock pot for of hot dogs sprung a leak... I mean what better time to form a crack than at a party...right? Anyways---thank goodness for second crock pot and we were back in business. The rest of the day went smoothly, we even got a nice day for the piñata and jumping castle.

After the party was winding down Harrison laid down for a nap. When we woke up he walked around noticing the cake and food was put away. He then turned to me and asked, "Where is the food and decorations?" My response, "I put the food away and took the decorations down, the party is over." Immediately following he started crying and saying, "I don't want my party to be over, I want people to be here." The sobbing actually made me tear up too---he was just so saddened it was all over. I think he'll be excited to celebrate soon again in just a few more weeks.

Miles did amazing with the whole day. He took a long morning nap, he was a little hesitant at first when he woke up to a house full of people, but warmed up and enjoyed the company (not to mention the food). This reminds me as well I completely forgot to blog about his 1 year well check (it was the day before the party). I'll get that up soon.

Here are a few snaps from the day (wish I had more). Thank you to everyone who came to wish these two guys a very happy birthday. We are so blessed to have such great friends and family in our lives.

 

Miles @ 10 Months

Not ready. He will be one in just two months. Yep---pretty much I close my eyes and open them an there goes another milestone.

I absolutely love being his Mommy. I feel so completely blessed to have him---all the drolly, gummy smiles, the belly laughs. He brings so much happiness into our lives. If my mood is feeling out of sorts all I have to do is look at him and the world around suddenly disappears into a  that blissful moment. God gave me the best gift in life...to be a mother.

I'm late in posting this month...but I think it's more of an avoidance of that "growing up," thing he is doing.

Likes:

• To try to pull himself up on absolutely everything
• Make us giggle, his giggles echo back
• Drawers, cupboards, empty plastic water bottles
• When you sneak up on him or he sneak up on other people
• Phases, "I'm going to get you," "Ouch," "Boo"
• Playing with the puppies (and I'm sure they enjoy it too)
• Bath time
• Playing (stealing) Harrison's toys
• Food...Any and all kinds

Dislikes:

• When you leave the room (pretty sure he thinks we are running away)
• Getting dressed
• Being told, "NO." He'll burst into tears when you tell him
• Bibs (shrieks and tries to take it off unless you come armed with food)
• Diaper changes

Biggest achievement of the month:

• Crawling (kind of). He's got his own system down pulling his right leg inwards and using his arms and but too scoot around. Craziest mode of transportation I've seen, but it seems to be working for him. He's a little behind in the pulling himself up and crawling. I am totally ok with this. He can take him time doing everything, this Momma is in no hurry.

Biggest challenge of the month:

• More of a challenge for us than him---but getting both yard and housework done....he's into EVERYTHING. Nothing's safe anymore :)

Sleep: Fabulous. He sleeps for 10-12 hours at night. He usually says goodnight before 8 every evening. The last several days it's been more like 7/7:30. I suppose a growth spurt is on it's way.

He's also a good napper. He usually goes down from about 9 am to 11 am and then again 1:30/2:00 for 1 to 2 hours.

Personality/Temperament: Happy baby plain and simple.

He is most happy: getting attention
He is least happy: not getting attention

Baby Talk/Communication: Still working on noises. I am hearing more "ba, ba" sounds and shrieking---some happy, some not so much.

We just started sign language over the weekend. We are working the sign for "more" and "all done." So far no imitation---more of a "what the heck are you doing stare."

Eating: Have you seem him lately? Definitely not going without that is for sure. Still no teeth (I said maybe the earliest they would pop is 10 months). Yeah for hopes of having naturally straight teeth." Experts say, "the longer it takes for teeth to come in the straighter they USUALLY are. Despite having no chompers we have moved past 3rd foods into toddler meals. What can't be chewed can be gummified.

Sizing him up: Oh goodness. I am thinking at least 25 lbs by his first birthday. He's like a bottomless pit. There is no way you could ever tell her was a preemie. He's quickly growing out of 6-12 month wear into 12-18 months. He seems to fall into the same category of short and round like his brother. Makes shopping for two piece outfits challenging. Thank goodness he has some hand me downs---just hope they fit.

Teeth: None.

Motor skills: Working hard on crawling and pulling himself up. Does a fabulous job picking up toys, and throwing them around.

Out & About: We get out as much as we can. He is a much better shopper than his older brother was at this age. A little attention, a few puffs and he's a happy guy. He still gets the attention from women. Something about that baby chub is irresistible.

Firsts of the month: Imitating opening and closing his eyes...it's probably the cutest thing ever. I need to get video of it.

Favorite baby gear: It's not here yet---but we are finally getting a gate for the top of the stairs. It's some $150.00 but totally worth the relief of knowing your child isn't going to plunge down 19 stairs. Why is it so expensive? Our home was built in 1885, with the original stair case still in place it's nearly impossible to find a gate that will fit securely in place. We should have bought this gate 3 years ago.

 

Miles 6 Month Portraits

Just under the wire... 7 months is sneaking up!


Baby boot camp paid off! We have a sitter! Official sit date I am labeling April 26. Official 6 months portraits taken April 29th.

I usually shoot the kids sessions alone; I usually work better this way. Not to criticize the husband, but man he can drive me nuts when I am trying to "work." And I think it's the stress of trying to capture your own children as a photographer that can be so frustrating at times. There are those days like...How I can photograph ever other child, but my own?

I decided to call in for assistance for Miles session. So glad I did. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten a quarter of these and without Amanda's help.

I am hanging my head in shame...The most recent photo I have of Miles at my office, not counting what is on the desk top wall paper is the ultra sound from our 11 week scare. I look at it everyday (we are so blessed). The most recent photo of Harrison 18 months...(he's going to be 3.5). I vow one of these photos will be in my office by the end this month.

And yes...any of these would look amazing for a canvas for the wall---hint, hint.

 

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.
 

Miles @ 3 Months

3 Months, January 13

3 months ago we stopped sleeping through the night, sleeping in became a thing of the past, we regularly smell of baby vomit and poop, our house is less than organized and I wouldn't have it any other way.

It hasn't taken me 3 months to realize that I want to do this again. I knew from the moment we came home from the hospital with Miles just the same feeling I had with Harrison. I can't imagine not doing this again. Our family isn't complete, not yet anyways. Doug on the other hand may take some convincing :).Watching how fast they grow and change and develop their personalities is just simply amazing. We are so, so blessed to have these children.


Oh, how he has changed so much already.

3 Months---


Sleep: Improving that last 3 days. Sleep a 6 hour stretch and 7 hour stretch two nights in row. Really, that felt like best birthday, Mother's Day, & Christmas present all wrapped into one. Since he is developing a regular (clock work) feeding schedule sleep is becoming more predictable. This will only hopefully improve as he reaches the 4 month marker (in which percentage of babies start sleeping through the night regularly). I know from experience sleep will be a roller coaster. His big brother is 3 and still doesn't always sleep through the night, so we know what we are in for.

Feeding: Weighs in at a solid 12lbs (he had to be weighed yesterday for his Tamiflu dosage). This means he doesn't have a problem guzzling down 4-5, 4 ounce bottles a day and nursing 2-3 times a day. Since I went back having to keep to a schedule has been a benefit. I make it a point to pump at least 2 times during the work day. Hopefully when I start making my home visits again I will be just as diligent as I even mapped out time in the day to pump. With this schedule I am on I pump up to 5-6 times a day if I don't nurse at all. In actuality Miles wouldn't need to be supplemented at all as I am producing enough to keep up with his demands. However I am still supplementing 1-2 bottles of formula per day as I want him to be able to consume breast milk for as long as he can so I am stretching it out making it last longer.

Personality: Lots of smiles, lots of coos (so vocal, I love this)! He's pretty easy to please as long as you don't ask him to do tummy time without a boppy pillow, put him in his car seat and you spend at least an hour an evening walking around with him. The baby Bjorn baby carrier has become a very loved item. He really enjoys hanging out on the floor kicking his legs and occasionally the swing. We have the exersaucer in storage, though his legs won't touch the floor for quite a while, I think I'll Doug bring it home since he has such good head control already and he hasn't rolled over yet, but that's just around the corner.

Appearance/Size: He seems so big. I swear they grow faster the second time around. He wear a nice double chin, hand dimples, chubby feet and toes and several thigh rolls well. You can no where physically he made his debut 5 weeks early. In fact he is fastly out growing all of his 0-3 month clothing. Where is my baby going? Pause please. His eyes are getting brighter blue everyday, I am certain he will be keeping those baby blues. Miles has had a nice mullet (hair) since birth and tons more hair than his big brother ever did. However in the past couple of weeks his hair is becoming a little sparser but his mullet seems to be holding on.


Milestones this month:

-Mommy returning to work
-Sleeping through the night
-Having his first cold

What I am looking forward this month:

-First giggles
-More restful nights
-A week of vacation

Three Months.



 Ok-- Mom, I'm done.

 

Blowing Bubbles

 

I shrieked when he did it...I am pretty sure everyone in our neighborhood could hear. You could have sworn that I capturing his first steps or something.

I tell you this is one determined kid...he has been trying for months and months to blow bubbles and yesterday it FINALLY happened at 2 years 10 months.


I ran in and grabbed the camera (always charged, always with a memory card)....and had to capture some of these.

Now go blow some bubbles!

 

26 Months (yesterday)

Call me crazy, but as each month passes I want to write down every little thing that Harrison does...I don't want to forget anything. We are so thankful for every single day.

A story I follow online hit me hard this week. Two days ago a couple lost one of their premature twins Maddi. The twins were born at 24 weeks gestation on October 16, 2011. In honor of Maddi, Harrison and I are tying a note to a white balloon and letting it go on Valentines day. Not everyone gets the leave the hospital with their baby. We will be praying for big sister Izzy. If you would like to read their story and join Izzy's fight click HERE. 

What better way to start off 26 months than this adorable photo?

26 things about 26 months

1. Sleeps with his plug and at least 3 blankets.

2. Loves Mickey Mouse.

3. Says, "mow, mow" for vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, & motorcycles.

4. Surprised me by humming "twinkle, twinkle" for the first time on 1-25-12.

5. When asked a color of something, everything is green or purple.

6. Favorite food is grapes & lunch meat.

7. Starting to use two words like, "Where daddy?"

8. He wakes up every morning with as much energy and the energizer bunny,

9. Loves being tickled.

10. Still uses the signs, "more", "help", "please," "thank you."

11. We have to spell the words "outside" or  we must act on immediately.

12. Can zip his coat (with some help getting started)

13. Loves to wear his mittens in the house

14. Word used most often, "yeah."

15. Loves Llama. Llama books---we own every single copy, newest one ordered.

16. Pretends to put make-up on with me in the mornings.

17. Favorite toy: Play-dough

18. One word for potty training: NO

19. Identified the letters H, D, M tonight during bath time.

20. Always eager to help Mommy in the kitchen, knows where the mixing bowls and spoons are.

21. Will practically do anything with the incentive of watching Play House Mickey.

22. Has the attention span of a 2 year old.

23. Can independently put together 5 peg puzzles

24. Still has some separation anxiety issues at daycare drop off

25. Love to catch him dancing when he doesn't know I am watching.

26. Gives the best hugs and kisses

There are just some days that you need to sit back a take a look at your life and appreciate it for everything that it is.

Life is beautiful.