...and a baby.

Moving on up!

2015-06-21T23:28:00.000-04:00

Look who graduated!

More to see in the graduation album on SmugMug. There are also recent pictures in our summer adventures album. You don't need to be logged in to view the pictures, but let me know if you need the password. (And if you want to sign up yourself, you can use this link to get a discount on your first year.)

Who Is Going To Learn Spanish Next Year?

2015-05-08T19:37:00.000-04:00

This guy!

Peter got into Dos Cominos, the district's dual language program, and we couldn't be happier.

Happy Five Years!

2015-04-12T18:52:00.000-04:00

I find it so hard to believe that FIVE years have come and gone, while this still feels like yesterday. He had a very low key birthday this year, spending the afternoon playing with his new gifts followed by dinner at Gritz and Granddad's. He also had a special surprise at school when Charles and I came to read to his class.

He has grown so much over the past year, I cannot believe how much of a boy (as opposed to baby) that he is now. He has grown two inches and is now 43.75 inches and 40 pounds. He is so very much looking forward to kindergarten next year (and we are waiting to hear if he got into the dual language program). He loves to be helpful, especially with Charles, and is also fiercely independant. He has started to get a bit picky about his food if it is not made to his precise specifications, but he thankfully has not limited himself to chicken fingers and fries like it seems so many children do. He still likes salmon, hibachi, sushi, teriyaki chicken, tacos. He eats his vegetables first, especially corn, green beans and broccoli. Although if his pizza (which is a favorite) has visible basil, he refuses eat it. We are definitely blessed that Peter gives us such few things to complain about.

While there aren't a lot of photos here, there are more from the day in his birthday album on SmugMug. There are also recent pictures in our spring adventures album. You don't need to be logged in to view the pictures, but let me know if you need the password. (And if you want to sign up yourself, you can use this link to get a discount on your first year.)

The End of an Era

2015-03-26T23:08:00.000-04:00

So this afternoon, the boys "helped" while I took the railing off of the crib and turned it into a toddler bed. I would have much prefered to leave him in the crib, contained, for at least as long as I did Peter but he has been trying to climb out recently, as well as climb in. So tonight is the first night of Charles sleeping in a big boy bed.

Bedtime went pretty well. He only got up when he would follow Peter out of the room (and tell us that Peter was going potty), and it only took a few tuck-ins before he was good for the night. The big test will be seeing how the morning goes. Fingers crossed it isn't an early morning.

I have been terrible about posting recently, I am going to try to be better. There are some recent photos in our winter adventures album on SmugMug. You don't need to be logged in to view the pictures, but let me know if you need the password. (And if you want to sign up yourself, you can use this link to get a discount on your first year.)

Happy Two Years!

2015-02-25T20:08:00.000-05:00

Just like his brother, Charles's second birthday seemed to come like a whirlwind. Of course the birthday party has been postponed due to Charles's pneumonia, but being stuck inside all week has made all of us a little stir crazy. He is almost the same size as his brother as well, just slightly taller at 36 3/4 inches but still 27 pounds (90th and 50th percentiles).

He also is starting to act more like a little boy, although I do still see a lot of baby in him (even if he is really getting too big to be a baby anymore). He wants to do everything that his brother is doing and is doing much better at keeping up and holding his own. He eats like a champ, but a bit on the messy side. He loves to play with other children, and enjoys the playdates that he has with his friends. He doesn't really know his alphabet, but has started to learn his numbers, and has been counting to five for a while (although I'm not sure that he really knows what it means).

And since I am a little late posting, here is from BabyCenter.com

At twenty-four months, most children can:
Name at least six body parts - He can definitely do this, and is currently a pretty big fan of head, hands, nose, ears, cheeks, chin, feet...
Half of speech is understandable - I think that he is much more understandable if you are around him a lot, but he definitely has actual words (even if he seems to be missing some sounds, such as the "s" in "snow").
Make two to three word sentences - It started with "let it go", and has definitely evolved from there.

At twenty-four months, half the children can:
Talk about self - This is just starting
Arrange things in categories - He does this sometimes, it's something that we are working on.
Walk down stairs - Oh yes, and has been for a while

At twenty-four months, a few children can:
Begin to understand abstract concepts (sooner and later) - Not so sure about this one
Become attuned to gender differences - Not sure how I would even know
Learn to jump - He is definitely trying to do this

There are more pictures on SmugMug, most recently in our winter adventures album. You don't need to be logged in to view the pictures, but let me know if you need the password. (And if you want to sign up yourself, you can use this link to get a discount on your first year.)

Happy Eighteen Months!

2014-08-29T22:32:00.000-04:00

With summer and moving, I have really fallen off with blogging here. Which I'm not happy about, as this is probably the closest that the boys will get to a baby book (because, let's face it, I'm just not that organized).

A lot has happened in the past three months, and Charles has been growing well. He is now 35 inches and 23 pounds 3 ounces, which is the 95th and 25th percentiles respectively. He is so very vocal, but his only real words are "Daddee" and "ByeBye", which is usually combined to "ByeBye Daddee!!!" while standing at the window in the morning. He loves to point out trucks, buses and planes, wants to do everything that his big brother is doing. He is up to twelve teeth, as he got his molars about a month ago. We are not looking forward to when the other eight teeth come in. He loves to sing, especially "Open Door" from Frozen, and will dance along to familiar songs.

Eighteen months!

And from BabyCenter.com:

At eighteen months, most children:
Will "read" board books on their own - While he used to want nothing to do with books, now he grabs and pretends to read all the time. He will point to objects and "tell" me what they are.
Scribbles well - He has started to scribble, but we don't let him have crayons too often, since he still tries to eat them.

At eighteen months, half the children:
Will string to words together to make phrases - He is not doing this yet, there is not a lot of English going on.
Brush teeth with help - He is more sucking on the toothbrush than brushing, although he really doesn't want any help at all.
Stack four blocks - He does this, and then says "Oooooh" when he knocks them over.

At eighteen months, a few children:
Throws a ball overhand - He will do this every once in a while, but is more likely to kick the ball than throw it.
Takes toys apart and puts them back together - He has been working on this, and is getting better.
Shows signs of toilet training readiness - Not really, but they say that younger siblings potty train earlier, so fingers crossed.

We're trying out a new photo sharing site, and are slowly moving our photos over. Check out our summer adventures album on SmugMug to see the past three months of photos. (The albums are password protected, send me a message if you need the password.)

Seventeen Months!

Sixteen Months!

Happy Fifteen Months!

2014-05-31T21:52:00.000-04:00

Charles is now 32 3/4 inches tall and 22 pounds 3 ounces, putting him in the 90th and 25th percentiles respectively. And while I have recently been failing on the blogging, Charles has been just amazing with how much he has grown into his own little person. But since I am so late, I'll get to the poll.

At fifteen months, most children can:
Play with ball – Oh yes, since watching Peter with soccer, he has taken to kicking balls around the house.
Use three words regularly – Not really. He babbles all the time, but not really in English.
Walk backward – I haven't really seen this, but it would not at all surprise me.

At fifteen months, about half the children can:
Scribble with a crayon – Haven't really tried this yet, he has been so intent on eating the crayon. Probably something I should start now though.
Run – All. The. Time
Adopt “no” as his favorite word – Not really.

At fifteen months, a few children can:
“Help” around the house – He loves to sweep, "clean up" and empty boxes
Put his finger to his mouth and says “shhhh” – He has definitely tried to do this, but wasn't all that successful with the "shhhh" sound.

Once again, there are more pictures in our May, Mother's Day and spring adventure albums on Picasa (which you have to be logged in to see).

Happy Fourteen Months!

2014-04-30T21:59:00.000-04:00

I am once again very late in posting, so I'll just get straight to the poll.

At fourteen months, most children can:
Eat with fingers – Yes, he loves to eat just about anything
Empty containers of contents – He makes it very hard to clean up, he empties everything
Imitate others – Oh yes, all the time

At fourteen months, about half the children can
Toddle well – He is running.
Initiate game – He does love peek-a-boo.
Point to one body part when asked – I don't think that we've ever tried this.
Respond to instructions (e.g., “give me a kiss”) – He can, but he doesn't always like to listen.

At fourteen months, a few children can:
Use spoon or fork – Working on this, and he's doing pretty well.
Match lids with appropriate containers – We haven't tried this either.
Push and pull toys while walking – All the time.

There are a few pictures in our April and Easter albums on Picasa (you need to be logged in to view).

Happy Four Years!

2014-04-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

And he's FOUR! This year we celebrated with family and friends at the park, and on his actual birthday he got to go visit our friend James at the firehouse he works at. Possibly the best birthday trip every. He has also grown, as he is now 41.75 inches tall and 36 pounds, putting him into the 90th and 50th percentiles respectively.

And as I am late with posting, lets get to the poll from BabyCenter

Cognitive Development
Uses sentences of six or more words – Oh yes, he talks CONSTANTLY
Speaks well enough for strangers to understand – Most of the time. Every once in a while, he will start using made up words, but it's only if he gets really excited
Starts to use “s” on verbs to show present tense (“he runs”) – Yes.

Social and Emotional Development
Develops friendships independent of you — Yes, he is very social and is very popular wherever we go.
Plays with other children, instead of just side by side – Has been doing this for a while now.

Physical Development
Uses a spoon and fork like an adult – Yes, and even uses a knife on things like pancakes.
Brushes teeth (he will still need your help and supervision) – He can do this.

And while this post is very much lacking in photos, there are lots of photos on Picasa (which you have to be logged in to see), including pictures of our firehouse trip in our spring adventures album.

Happy Thirteen Months!

2014-03-31T23:20:00.000-04:00

I am so behind on posting this, but I wanted to get it up before April. This has been a crazy month, mostly because of the week we were on vacation (which overlapped with when this update SHOULD have been posted).

He is sleeping much better, almost through the night most nights. Once we get to spring break, we are going to try to move him into the room with Peter (which should be interesting). He is trying to grow up so fast, as is starting to imitate us, just like Peter did at this age. He takes tissues and napkins and cleans his mouth and blows his nose (and then tried to eat the paper, some things don't change). He talks on the "phone", and he cleans up. He loves to put items into boxes or bags, and is starting to figure out his shape sorters.

And since it is so late, I'm going to keep this short. From BabyCenter.com

At thirteen months, most children:
Use two words skillfully (e.g., “hi” and “bye”) – Not really. Still a lot of babble. And "mama"
Bend over and pick up an object – Not so much bending over as he is squatting, which makes his Crossfitting Daddy very happy.

At thirteen months, about half the children:
Enjoy gazing at his reflection – This is a big yes. He loves mirrors, and it is something that can calm him down when he gets upset.
Hold out arm or leg to help you dress him – Yes, he puts his arms in shirts, holds out his feet for socks, and also holds out his hands for his mittens (and I can't even tell you how great that's been since it has been so cold for so long).

At thirteen months, a few children:
Combine words and gestures to make needs known – No words, but he definitely gestures all the time. He is so big into pointing right now (started with the ceiling fans in Florida).
Roll a ball back and forth – Not often, but he has done this.

There are a few pictures in our March album, but the best pictures are in our winter adventures and Naples albums on Picasa (you need to be logged in to see). Next month, I'll hopefully be back to regular monthly pictures and more frequent updates (although we'll see how that actually works out).

Let Him Eat Cake!

2014-02-28T22:53:00.000-05:00

While it may not have looked like the most appetizing cake, it was quite delicious with real butter-cream icing. He was obviously a fan of his first dessert.

More pictures in the birthday party album on Picasa (you need to be logged in to see).

Happy One Year!

2014-02-28T22:02:00.000-05:00

One year down and so much has changed. He has put on 11 pounds 10 ounces and gained 10.5 inches. He is now 20 pounds 4 ounces and 31 inches long, putting him in the 25th and 90th percentiles. He is walking like crazy and climbing on everything. He has figured out how to move furniture (like the little table) so that he can climb higher. He loves to eat, and is a big fan of feeding himself. While he doesn't have a lot of words, he is very vocal. Sleep, while still not great, has vastly improved and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. He also loves his big brother so much, but can definitely hold his own when Peter tries to take advantage of his age and size.

And since this post is already so late, from BabyCenter.com:

At one year, most children can
Imitate others’ activities – Yes, especially when you play with him
Indicate wants with gestures – He points and reaches for things, no other real gestures.

At one year about half the children can
Take a few steps – He is full on walking.
Say one word besides “mama” or “dada” - Not really, it is still pretty much all babble right now.

At one year, a few children can
Walk alone – Oh yes, all the time.
Scribbles with a crayon – Since he tried to eat EVERYTHING, I haven't given him crayons yet.
Say two words besides “mama” or “dada” – Just like above, it's all pretty much babble.

There are more pictures in our February album on Picasa (which you have to be logged in to see).

Better Late Than Never

2014-02-21T15:30:00.003-05:00

FIVE new milestones and no posts to show for it. I did want to get this up before tomorrow, and they all get overshadowed by the posts that I probably will not get up for few days (since tomorrow will be very busy).

The first four are the four new teeth that Charles has gotten in a matter of days. They are the four on top, and I have be unable to get a photo of them as Charles tries to eat the camera every time.

But the big one is that Charles is now walking. Full on walking. This video is from last week, and he has much improved since then. He can now change direction mid-walk, and doesn't need to pull up to stand anymore. I cannot believe that this time as already come (and a little earlier than it did with Peter).

Please excuse the extreme mess, as I was in the middle of folding an epic amount of laundry (because things like this don't happen when everything is neat and clean).

I know that I haven't been updating here as often as I would like, and I hope to start doing better. There are a lot of changes coming up for both boys, and I want to use this space to keep a record of everything.

Happy Eleven Months!

2014-01-27T16:07:00.001-05:00

I am so very late in posting this, although I did get the photos done on time this month. It just took me forever to measure Charles, since we don't go to the doctor this month. We are estimating that he is about 19 lbs 8 oz and 30.5 inches long. I cannot believe that he is already eleven months, and we have less than a month left until he turns one. This year has gone by so fast.

He is eating like a champ, which I think is helping the jump in weight from last month. He is a big fan of feeding himself, but has started to use the pouches again. He loves to share, and will even pull open our hands to give us things (especially puffs). He is also so close to walking, he takes about three steps before sitting down and crawling. But I really think that it is time for me to keep the video camera out to catch his first real steps. Sleep is still not great, and we are trying to break him of his middle of the night feeding habit, but haven't been able to yet. I'm hoping that soon he'll be able to move into the bedroom with Peter, but that won't happen until he can sleep all the way through.

But since I am so late, let's get on to BabyCenter.com.

At eleven months, most children can:
Say “mama” or “dada” to the correct parent – He has just started doing this, more "mama" than "dada"
Play patty cake and peek-a-boo – He loves to play peek-a-boo, almost any time he has a blanket or napkin or anything he can put over her face
Stand alone for a couple of seconds – Yes
Cruise – All the time

At eleven months, about half the children can:
Understand “no” and simple instructions – Definitely does understand, and even follows sometimes
Put objects in a container – Loves to do this, and is also trying to use his shape sorters, but isn't quite able to maneuver the shapes into the slots

At eleven months, a few children can:
Say one word besides “mama” or “dada” – Not really, but he desperately wants to
Stoop from standing position – Yes, but mostly to start crawling

This month has been a photo fail, but there are a few pictures in our January album on Picasa (you have to be logged in to see).

Happy Ten Months!

2013-12-23T17:02:00.000-05:00

As always, I'm late in posting. The pictures are a day late as well, as we never found the time to take them yesterday. Of course, today is busy too with Christmas so close, and pictures were hard to get with such a squirmy boy. Last week, we went to the pediatrician for the ten month check up, and Charles is now 18 pounds and 30 inches, putting him into the 10th and 75-90th percentiles respectively. She was not concerned about the lack of weight gain as he was just getting over the stomach flu. Sleep is still not great, and being sick did not help at all in that area.

Keeping this short, as there is a lot to do before Christmas! From BabyCenter.com:

At ten months, most children can:
Wave goodbye – He does this, but he won't do it all the time.
Pick things up with pincer grasp – Yes, and then eats it.
Crawl well with belly off the ground – So very quickly, it's hard to keep up.

At ten months, about half the children can:
Say “mama” or “dada” to the correct parent – Not really, but he did say "dada" for the first time today. Shame that Geoff wasn't home to hear it. Still saying "mama" much more often, but I'm not sure that it actually means me.
Indicate wants with gestures – Sometimes, but not very often.

At ten months, a few children can:
Stand alone for a couple of seconds – Yes, and it's happening too fast.
Put objects into a container – Not quite there, but he is trying, most often trying to feed Cookie Monster his cookies. Usually gets him in the eyes instead of the mouth.

There are more pictures in our album on Picasa (you'll need to be logged in to see).

A Gift From Jingle McJingles

2013-12-07T11:36:00.000-05:00

The boys had a Christmas surprise from our elf, Jingle McJingles, when they got up this morning. Overnight, he had decorated our tree!

Charles woke up first, and was so excited. It is his first Christmas tree, and the happiness on his face (even though I couldn't get it on camera because I was holding him) was just perfect.

Of course he felt the need to try to grab everything, which is why we have the small tree this year.

When Peter got up, he was so happy that the tree was finally decorated. He really enjoyed looking at all the ornaments.

It is starting to feel more and more like Christmas around here.

It's mornings like these that I really love the Christmas season.

Thank you, Jingle McJingles!

39 Weeks 2 Days

2013-11-24T21:11:00.000-05:00

Charles has now officially been an outside baby longer than an inside baby. The past nine months have gone by so quickly, I feel that it was much faster than last time. Charles really has started to develop his own personality. He loves attention, he wants me to hold him most of the time, but when Geoff gets home he goes racing to the door. He loves to play and can hold his own with his brother (who loves to play with him).

So very much looking forward to what the future brings.

Happy Nine Months!

2013-11-24T21:02:00.000-05:00

Once again I am late in posting, and I had lost track of the date, so even the pictures are a day late. Charels absolutely loves to eat, although he isn't such a fan of the purees anymore, very much wanting to feed himself. So he is getting a lot of chopped up fruits and vegetables, some puffs and even some meat (if it is small enough and soft enough). Sleep is still torture, although he will sometimes nap, he will not sleep through the night, and for the most part won't sleep at night if he isn't right next to me holding my arm.

Since I'm already late in posting, I'll keep it short and go straight to the BabyCenter.com poll:

At nine months, most children can:
Stand while holding on to something – All the time, seems to just want to be standing.
Jabbers or combines syllables – Yes, he is very talkative.
Understands object permanence – It wold appear so.

At nine months, about half the children can:
Cruise while holding onto furniture – He does this, which means that actual walking isn't too far behind.
Drinks from a sippy cup – He is starting to get this. For the most part, right now he wants us to hold it for him like a bottle (which he rarely ever used), and doesn't quite get that when he holds himself he has to hold it up. But he's working on it.
Eat with fingers – Another thing he's trying. Puffs don't seem to be a problem, but most of his other food is apparently too slippery. He has been know to pull it to the end of the table and try to pick it up with his mouth.
Bang objects together – Thankfully not all the time, but yes.

At nine months, a few children can:
Play patty-cake and peek-a-boo – He loves peek-a-boo! When he put him in the stroller, he will often grab the blanket, pull it up over his face and the down with the biggest smile. In fact, he'll do this almost anywhere that he has a loose blanket to play with.
Say “mama” or “dada” to the correct parent – No. Still not saying "dada" and "mama" doesn't really seem to mean me.

Finally, there are more pictures in our November album on Picasa (which you will have to be logged in to see).

Happy Eight Months!

2013-10-31T23:18:00.000-04:00

What a busy month we've been having. Charles had his first and second trip to a pumpkin patch and his first Ragamuffin Parade. He went to the doctor, and he is now up to 17 lbs 10 oz and 28.75 inches tall. That keeps him in the 25th and 90th percentiles, and it looks like I was not too far off with my estimates last month.

He is full on crawling now, not really army crawling at all anymore. He can sit up by himself, and pulls himself up on everything, even starting to try to climb up onto things. He is eating like a champ, and he is starting on finger food. We've even fed him while we were out and he was thrilled to be a part of dinner with the rest of us.

I am going to keep this short, so from the BabyCenter.com poll
At eight months, most children can:
Says “mama” or “dada” to parents (not specific) – Still no "dada" but "mama" is still used, mostly when he wants to be picked up
Passes object from hand to hand – Oh yes, seems like he's been doing this forever.

At eight months, half the children can:
Stands while holding onto something – He is so happy that he can do this. Getting back down is still a bit a of a problem.
Crawls – Oh yes. Not just army crawling, but full on silent ninja crawling. Starting doing it consistently at Grtiz and Granddad's house when we were there celebrating Daddy's birthday.
Points at objects – Sometimes, but not often. Mostly if he is strapped into the highchair, he'll point at the food he wants.

At eight months, a few children can:
Pulls self to standing, cruises – Is starting to cruise now, but he wasn't quite yet on the 22nd.
Picks things up with thumb-finger pincer grasp – Working on it, and has it about half the time. Puffs beware.
Indicates wants with gestures – Just food and if he wants to be picked up.

And finally, there are more pictures in our October album on Picasa (which you have to be logged in to see).

Think It's About Time

2013-10-13T21:42:00.000-04:00

I went in to get Charles after his nap, and I found him pulling up on the side of the crib. I guess it's time to lower the crib again.

And maybe I shouldn't wait so long to get him after he wakes up.

We're In Trouble Now

2013-10-10T16:49:00.000-04:00

Charles has started to pull himself up. So far he has only done it on Peter's little table, but he's trying on other things (like the couch). This means we are that much closer to standing and then walking.

Help us now.

Working on it

All the way up

Kicking the Ball

2013-09-28T15:15:00.000-04:00

This week, Peter started at a soccer clinic at school. He was a little hesitant at first, but really got into it at the end. Even though he didn't participate for most of the class, he has been talking about it non-stop ever since. I'm really looking forward to the next six weeks, it should be a lot of fun.

Happy Seven Months!

2013-09-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

Sunday was a pretty busy day, and by the time I was able to start taking the pictures, Charles just wanted to go to sleep, so we finished our photo shoot yesterday morning. We don't go to the doctor this month, so I am just estimating that he now weighs about 17 pounds and is about 28.5 inches long. We'll find out next month if I was right and if he's been putting on enough weight.

He is still loving his food, and have really only added pears I made and carrots from a pouch since the last update. He did have a frozen peach in his teether, and I'm thinking that it is nearly time for puffs (although honestly I don't remember when you are supposed to introduce them). He is still being super active, and has many times just (army) crawled out of the room. Even if I am sitting on the couch, he will try to crawl to the kitchen to find me. He is almost able to sit up by himself, he is so close you can tell that it frustrates him. Sleep is still awful, he only wants to sleep next to me, although he is napping well during the day. I am late enough with this update, so I'll just get to the poll now.

From BabyCenter.com
At seven months, most children can:
Sit without support – Yes, he is doing very well at this.
Drag objects toward himself – Oh yes, and we are trying to keep the living room a Charles safe zone, since he's into everything.

At seven months, half the children can:
Lunge forward or start crawling – He lunges, and he army crawls. I think that regular crawling will be coming soon.
Jabber or combine syllables – Yes, he seems to love the sound of his voice. Still isn't saying "dada".
Start to experience stranger anxiety – More seems to have separation anxiety, and doesn't want anyone but me most of the time.

At seven months, a few children can:
Wave goodbye – Not yet.
Stands while holding onto something – Yes, but I've only tried it with the couch and my hands so far, and he can't do it for long. Although he is super proud when he does.
Bangs objects together – Not often, but he has.
Begins to understand object permanence – Haven't really seen this, but I haven't really tested it either.

And finally, check our September, fall adventures and other albums on Picasa (you will need to be logged in to see).

Time for School

2013-09-19T20:20:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday was Peter's first day of school.

He is now in the three's program at the nursery school at church, and he is loving it. Unlike camp, I actually remembered to take pictures of his first day, and got a few of his second day as well.

Last week was shortened days to get the children used to being there, but he started his regular Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule this week and has been doing great.

I am late in posting as I have been slow getting the pictures online. And I probably won't have many more of Peter in school since he doesn't need or want me to stay. I cannot believe how fast he is growing up.

Many Faces of Food

2013-09-10T21:01:00.000-04:00

We are continuing on our solids adventure. So far, we have bananas, avocado, sweet potato and peaches that I've made for him, and pouches of apple, sweet potato and green beans. He's loving it, and he loves sitting with us at the table when we eat. We have a few new pouches to try and more fruits and veggies to explore, so this collection will continue to grow.