7 month update

It is day 3 without E's bah, and I must say it has still been a much smoother process than I was imagining.  We set aside this weekend, anticipating major fits, breakdowns, moments of doubt, etc.  However, this has thankfully not been the case and we have been able to have lots of fun as a family with only minor sadness.  She has asked for her bah several times, to which I offer her her "broken" bah and she then asks for "more bah."  When I tell her we don't have any other bahs, I see the little wheels in her head turning as she processes what I have told her.  She has still slept awesome at night and naps so I really can't complain.  I've probably missed it the most when we take car trips or long rides in the stroller because the bah always helped limit the whining.  Elliott always responds really positively to choices (where she has the control), so I think the fact that we offer her the broken bah (which she then refuses) has made the transition easier.  I am SO thankful!

In other news, Mason is 7 months old!

He is wearing 6-9 or 6-12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

He is still nursing 5 times a day and typically nurses every 4-5 hours.  He usually eats 6 ounces when I am at work.  I've dropped feedings a little differently than I did with E.  I've basically extended his day feedings but his last feeding is still around 9:30 or 10.

He sleeps *decently* but I would prefer he slept a little better.  I guess when you have a kid that sleeps like Elliott did, you kind of assume that's normal.  Apparently it's not.  He typically goes to bed anywhere from 7-8, but he still wants to wake up around 5.  He usually just lays in his bed and "talks" for a while then gets frustrated after about an hour or so.  Depending on the day (a day I work or not), I usually have to wake up to feed him.  This is a battle I feel we will have to face sooner rather than later, but I guess we'll finish the paci battle first.  Priorities.  

He still usually takes 3 naps a day, and I think he is about to be at the point where he could just take 2 naps (morning and afternoon)...these naps are usually 1.5-2.5 hours.  He is now consistently napping at the same time as Elliott in the afternoon, and it is INCREDIBLE.  It's amazing to have some kid-free moments in the afternoon!

He is still not a big fan of solids.  He has tolerated pears and sweet potatoes but certainly doesn't prefer it to nursing.

Poor little guy has had some serious decrease in his bowel movements since starting solids.  I hate it for him!  He used to go every day (at least once) but now he'll go anywhere between 3-6 days.  

He can sit better but still tends to lean to one side or the other.

When he was a little less than 7 months old, he started rolling from his back to his belly.

He loves chewing on his feet...and really anything within his reach.  Still definitely in the grabbing phase, and he loves to play with my necklaces, hair, face, etc.

His talking face.  He talks a lot.  My favorite is when he says "mamamama."

He still loves to laugh...especially when he's watching his big sis.  He thinks she's the coolest.  This month has been so precious to me because they have begun to interact so much more.  Melt a momma's heart.

He loves shaking ANYTHING that makes noise....that's what he's doing here in case you couldn't tell.

He loves being where the party is, and definitely doesn't want to be left in a room by himself.

He is a spitty guy still and it is DISGUSTING.  I have been spit on more times than I can count.  I won't be sad when he moves past the spitting.

There is something SO sweet about Mason, and he can put me in a good mood no matter the day.  He just goes with the flow.  Short nap?  That's okay.  Been a while since he nursed?  He might politely let me know by giving a few grunts.  He does cry just not often, and generally loves to smile and look around for things he can grab.

The end of an era...

The era of pacifiers that is.  We decided to take away Miss Elliott's pacifier today.  This has been a decision long coming, and for those of you who have actually read this blog for a while, you might remember we actually planned to take away her paci before Mason was born, but that obviously didn't happen.  We always found an excuse why the timing wasn't right.  In my head, I had an absolute cut-off of 2 years old.  2 years old was so far away...until it wasn't...until it was only 2 weeks away.  So after much thought and consideration, we decided that this weekend would be it.  We didn't have any plans, so we figured we could sequester ourselves indoors subject to screaming and anger of an almost 2-year-old.  We got multiple books from the library about getting rid of your paci (which she wouldn't read), googled how-tos, heard multiple peoples' opinions.  Ultimately, we decided to cut the end of the pacifier and tell her it was "broken," an idea courtesy of my mom.  That way we weren't lying and it was a concept we thought maybe she could grasp.

Kev was home with the kids today while I worked, so he got to be the initiator of life without "bah" (what an amazing dad, right?).  I must admit, I was kind of thankful that I just got to receive updates via text message verses dealing with it in person.  She did surprisingly well all morning, but the first test was nap time.  She ALWAYS has her bah at nap times.  Kev said she asked for it, understood it was broken, asked for "more bah," cried for a couple minutes, then went to sleep.  What?!  I was expecting angry tantrums, screaming fits, skipped naps.  I was definitely imagining the worst and let's just say that was NOT it.  Tonight, she went to sleep without even really asking for it and didn't even cry.  Am I dreaming??  How is my reality so different than my expectations?  I feel like God has been SO very gracious to make this transition smooth, and I am so very thankful!

I, on the other hand, felt sad about it all day.  It's hard to put into words because in so many ways, I'm thankful to be done with the bah.  I'm so thankful to not have to fish for it in the back seat while driving when she throws it on the ground (real safe, right?), to not have to scour the house pre-nap time, pre-night time, pre-going-anywhere-time, to make sure we have the bah.  I was expecting her to respond in anger to not having it, but that hasn't been her response at all.  Today after work when we were running errands, she asked for her "bah," and I reminded her it was broken.  She didn't cry, she didn't get angry, she just had such a sad look in her face.  I was literally bawling in the front seat just to see her sadness.  I think I realized tonight that I'm not sad that she's growing up, but I'm sad because it's so hard taking away something she loves.  She has never been attached to a blanket, a lovey (although she has recently taken to her kitty cat and baby), her bottle, nursing, but she really LOVED her bah, even from day 1.  I know this is part of being a parent, helping them grow and develop, but it is still hard.  I'm still processing my thoughts and implications of this event in the life of my sweet little girl, but I am so grateful that day 1 was *fairly* uneventful.

Sleepover!

I feel like my life has been a whirlwind lately.  A good whirlwind but a whirlwind nonetheless.  I feel like I am constantly checking things off my list, and yet the list never seems to shorten.  I think it's a combination of chasing after 2 kids under the age of two, working, trying to stay connected to family and friends, traveling, and trying to keep a somewhat organized home.  The two things that I really want to do and yet constantly seem like a struggle to find a consistent time are time with Jesus and working out.  I think since my schedule is different every day (since I work 3 days a week) it just is difficult achieving any form of routine which quite honestly drives me a little batty.  The one thing I don't really like doing and struggle to find time is cleaning.  Not like picking up, cleaning...mopping, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming...you get the picture.  Cleaning has never been one of my favorite things and now with two young kids, it feels like I am seriously fighting a losing battle.  I mop the floor one day, and the next day it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in weeks.  How does this happen?  Wouldn't a housecleaner be awesome?  

So in the midst of this whirlwind, I have really done a poor job taking pictures...hence the iphone pictures.  What would I do without my phone, camera, digital media, calender, calculator, list, and so much more in one device?  So as I was perusing my old iphone pictures, I realized I never posted any pics of a momentous occasion in Elliott's life...her first friend sleeping over.  I'm sure there will be many more sleepovers to come (is it bad that I kind of cringe to think about large group sleepovers?), but this was her very first one.  And who better to spend the night than her BFF, Miss Maryn.  We decided early in the summer to do a trade with our friends so we could have a night away, hence the sleepover.  Elliott was absolutely THRILLED to have Maryn spend the night.  I did a pretty poor job of documenting all we did (again...whirlwind), but we had SO much fun!

We went swinging at the park, a fave for both girls.

We swam in the backyard.  Hugs.

This picture cracks me up because it really emphasizes their size difference.  M is 3 weeks older than E but she is so petite.  And E, well, let's just say she took after her mommy.  Not petite.

Daddy's so silly.

Watching Boz before bed.

This pic was actually from the 4th but just too stinkin cute not to post.

I was the most concerned about bedtime/naptime since the girls were sleeping in the same room.  They both cried out for less than a minute, but then quickly went to sleep.  Score.  Miss E actually woke at 4:30 and cried out and when I went to check on her, she was straddling the crib railing.  Awesome.  I put her back in the bed, and 30 minutes later she came trotting into our room.  Whattheheck.  Apparently, she was so excited M was there she decided to crawl out of her bed.  She actually hasn't done it again since that night, which I am very thankful for because I'm just not mentally ready to put her in a toddler bed.

The funny thing about toddlers is they always think the other might be getting something better than them.  They can't be happy with what they have because there so concerned they might miss out.  I'm sure I do something similar, but it's so sad to see in your kids.  It made me laugh though because as soon as one was done with a meal (yelling "all done, all done"), no matter how much the second one had eaten, the would start yelling "all done" as well.  Oh kids.  We had so much fun with Miss Maryn and look forward to many more sleepovers with her in our future.

Just because he's the cutest.

Michigan...

This past weekend we traveled up to northern Michigan...way north...like 45 miles from Canada north. We went to see some sweet friends from college that actually live in Texas but were going to be in Michigan for a wedding (what are the chances).  We left on Friday and the trip took a little longer than we anticipated...about 8.5 hours.  We got stuck in some pretty bad traffic (think 5 miles in an hour) and then made 2 stops, but the kids did amazing! 

When we left, E wanted to make sure to bring her kitty cat, baby, and giraffe.  She was fake sleeping here because I told her to look at the camera.  Sigh.  What am I going to do with this girl?

One of our stops was at Starbucks...no surprise.  It's a fave for all us (except Mason hasn't learned to love it yet). 

 This was the sight we saw as we crossed the bridge into the UP (aka upper peninsula).

 A view of the sunset as we were pulling into the lake house.  Seriously awesome.  Sorry about the crooked skyline.  My photography skills failed me.

The next morning both kids woke up at 6 (what vacation looks like with kids), so we decided to find some breakfast.  We found a cute little restaurant that had a boat out front that Elliott loved. 

 

 On Sunday, we decided to take a ferry to Mackinac Island.  Elliott was super excited about riding on a boat.

 Our little family waiting for the ferry.

KC and Kinsey and our family.  How sad is it that this is the only picture we took together as a group?

My sweet friend Kinsey.  It's hard to tell here but she is like 30 weeks pregnant.  I know...makes you a little jealous.  I think she seriously is like the best pregnant girl ever.  Kinsey and I have been friends since our freshman year in college.  I have learned SO much from this girl and I am so thankful to call her my friend.  I just wish she lived closer!!

 The island was SO beautiful!  There was the touristy section that had maybe a million fudge shops and other trinkety stores (as I like to call them), but then there was just beautiful houses and forests with paved trails.  We ended up on a trail intended for bikers so went on a nearly 2 hour walk, but it was SO much fun!

Cars were not allowed on the island so there were lots of people on bicycles and in horse drawn carriages.  Elliott was OBSESSED with the horses.  She of course calls them "neighs" so was constantly walking around asking for "more neighs, more neighs."  We of course had to get our picture by some.

Elliott's favorite words all weekend: boat, wah-wah (water), peet wah-wah (feet in the water), neighs (horses).  The kids really did amazingly well, even though we had to wake up at 3:45 Monday morning so we could bring KC and Kinsey to the airport.

This weekend made us realize several things.  We were reminded of our love to travel, explore new places, see new things.  Even though this looks different with kids, it is definitely feasible.  It also made me realize that true friendships are not affected by distance.  Even though we are not able to talk as often as I would like, our time together was so precious.  I think we both walked away encouraged and challenged.  It was a great weekend away even though it has made for a slightly more exhausting/chaotic week!

Brother and sister

When we took Mason's 6 month pictures, we tried to take a couple of pictures of both kiddos...even though E was still in her PJs.  Not an easy task.  They NEVER look at the camera at the same time.  Slightly infuriating.  I still loved these pictures anyway.

I love her little scrunched up face that emphasizes the major gap between her two front teeth.  Cuteness.

 Showing us what she saw.

Telling us and showing us what she saw. 

The only picture they were both looking.  "Don't even think about messing with us."

6 Month Update

6 months have come and gone in the life of our little Mason.  It's hard to believe that half of a year has already passed since we brought him home from the hospital.  Words cannot describe how much we love this easy going, cheerful, go-with-the-flow little guy.  He has most certainly added so much to our family in his 6 months of life.

• Wearing 6-9 month clothes and wearing size 3 diapers.
• Eating every 3-4.5 hours depending on the day and feeding.  He eats between 5.5 and 6 ounces from a bottle when I'm not home.  He has been dropping a feeding most days and typically still nurses 5 times a day.
• Sleeping from somewhere between 7 and 8pm to somewhere between 5:30 and 7am.  I don't think he is as good of a sleeper as Miss E was at this point.  Maybe it's him, maybe it's us.  I still do a dream feeding around 10.  I know theoretically I could drop that feeding, but I hated with E when I dropped that feeding, I still had to pump before going to bed.  Have I mentioned I hate pumping?  Feels so unnatural.  So instead of pumping, I just nurse him, and then lay him right back down.  However, he has been waking up up early still (like before 7) which is driving me a little crazy.  Since he's in our room, I can hear every noise he makes.  We typically try to give him his paci several times.  He'll usually go back to sleep, sometimes I just get up and feed him because I don't want to keep getting in and out of bed.  
• He still takes regular naps but has been fighting any bedtime/naptime.  I usually lay him down, he fusses a little bit, we give him his paci again, then he falls asleep.  Sometimes I want to rock him, but he just pushes away and looks at me.  Cute boy.

•  He tried solids when he was 6 months old with his evening feeding.  So far, he has tried oat cereal, bananas, and avocado.  Not a fan of anything yet.  I bought a butternut squash for our next food choice.  We'll see how it goes.
• He still loves his bouncer and loves grabbing the toys dangling above his head.  His other favorite toy is his activity gym.  He rarely gets discontent in either one.  Have I mentioned he is the easiest baby EVER?
• He loves grabbing anything these days...hair, faces, toys, necklaces, clothes...you name it, he's tried to grab it and then most likely he tried to put it in his mouth.

 

• MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS: He got a tooth this month!  His first tooth pushed through right when he turned 6 months (bottom left).  He has another one beside it that is about to push through as well.  He has been *slightly* more fussy this month, like cries occasionally, so I thought he could be teething.
• He rolls over constantly from his tummy to his back but still hasn't rolled over from his back to his stomach.  He can roll on his side, but hasn't really attempted to do more.
• He is getting more and more stable when he sits alone.  Still can't leave him unattended but it won't be long.

• He still loves people and will generally smile at anyone he sees.  
• He loves to be tickled still and giggles a ton (especially when he has the tired sillies).
• His sister is his hero, even though she is not always kind.  He doesn't mind that she takes his toys, gives him crappy toys, gives him hard pats occasionally, doesn't like his feet to touch her, etc.  I'm sure this will change.
• She officially nicknamed him "Macey."  Not a very manly nickname, but I love to hear her call him that...especially since she came up with it.  Now we all call him that, poor guy.  He can tell us to stop when he gets older. :)
• Elliott does love her baby brother too and is very concerned about his "night-night," "eat," "blan (blanket)," and "bah (paci)."  Her favorite activity is when they lay in his bed together.

We love our chubby little baby boy, with all his rolls and sweet smiles.  We're so thankful for his 6 months of life.

While daddy was gone...

Kev took a quick trip to Oklahoma this past weekend to visit his family and attend a high school friend's wedding.  It was the first time for me to be home with the kids by myself overnight (much less 3 nights), and I would totally be lying if I said it was an easy weekend.  I actually really struggled for multiple reasons.  It made me so stinkin' sad to not have him here.  I know it was just a weekend, but I seriously love my husband and love hanging out with him.  The weekend is typically "our" time because it's our free time.  It was also surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) difficult to be with kids 24/7...no relief, no breaks.  I love my sweet kids, but they can be EXHAUSTING.  Especially when there is fit throwing/whining involved.  Nothing that quite exhausts me mentally like fits and whining.  This weekend made me realize again how blessed I am to have a husband who does SO much and loves me SO much, and it also made me realize how difficult it would be to be a single mom...

or a mom who's husband works longs shifts...

or a mom who's husband is overseas.

I'm sure there are many more difficult circumstances, it just made me realize I'm pretty much a wuss and depend on my husband lots.  We actually did have some fun while he was gone.

Like playing on the cars at the mall...who needs to pay for one when you can sit in a stationary car?

Or playing in a huge pile of stuffed animals at the Disney store.  This was her first experience at the Disney store and she was a BIG fan.

Took bubble baths.

Or holding hands with a friend at Target.

Hung out with this happy guy.

Snuggled in the bed.

Got sweet kisses from my little man.

Read lots of books...specifically this book...over and over...

We survived...but we were oh-so-happy to have Kev back.