Gavin- 9 months

Gavin turned 9 months old on October 23.  NINE.MONTHS.OLD.

This month G was a little more fussy.  He had a lot of ear infections, a cold that wouldn't quit, and lots of doctor appointments.  He was still happier than a lot of babies would be (or at least happier than Emily would be).

 

Size-  We took Gavin for his 9 month well-check visit and he is a BIG boy.  I'm so proud of how big & healthy he is because I think back to when he was at Children's and they didn't want to let him come home because he wasn't gaining weight.  He is 23 pounds, 9 ounces and 30.25 inches long.
He wears some 12 month clothes but they are getting too short so we have started using some 18 month clothes.  He wears a size 4 diaper.

he's such a boy- always getting dirty!

Teeth- G has 4 teeth on top and 4 on the bottom. He is drooling like crazy and always has something in his mouth so I'm sure more are on the way soon.

Sleep-  This is the only department we have trouble with.... G buddy does not think sleep is important.  A couple of weeks ago he was going to bed at 7pm, waking at 11:00pm and 2:00am and then up for the day at 5:30am.  This week he has been skipping the 11:00pm wake up and the rest is the same.  We have tried to let him "cry it out" but he gets so worked up that he spits up.  He just isn't ready so we are slowly trying to work with him on sleeping. 

Interesting note, when we took him to the ENT at Children's yesterday the Dr. said he thinks Gavin may have reflux.  It makes sense, since he doesn't like laying down, wakes frequently and cannot be calmed down with anything but a bottle.  It's a lot like Emily was but he's just not as loud/crazy as Emily was so we haven't been thinking much of it.  Last night we gave him reflux medicine and propped his mattress up like we used to do for Emily and hopefully when the meds start kicking in we will have a better sleeper (please?).

I don't need sleep!

Eating-  Obviously, Gavin has no trouble eating.  He takes about 5, 5oz bottles during the day and 1, 4oz bottle during the night.  He eats pouches, oatmeal, cheerios, and puffs.  We have tried a few "real" foods but he tends to spit them out.  I did have some luck with avocado the other night (Emily's first food and still one of her favorites). 

Learning-  Gavin is all about the gross motor skills.  He is crawling, climbing over toys and us, pulling up to standing on everything, bear crawling, throwing balls (and anything he can get his hands on).  He says "ba" but no mama or dada yet.  He claps and does "so big". 

monkey see, monkey do

What he loves-  His sister is his favorite, hands down.  He follows her wherever she goes and he gets fussy when she isn't around.  He doesn't like books as much as Emily did, but he will look at them if she is.  He likes playing with the toy kitchen and chasing the cats around.  He lets out the loudest yell when he sees one of the cats and they take off running! He also loves bath time and being outside.

What he doesn't love- Diaper changes & sleeping.

Tubes-  Gavin went to Children's yesterday to see if he needs tubes in his ears.  The Doctor said he has had too many ear infections and that tubes would be his best option.  So we have an appointment on November 7th.  I know it's not a huge surgery, but any prayers would be appreciated. 


Both of my babies at 9 months old.  I don't think they look a lot alike but they have some definite similarities.

Happy 9 month birthday G-buddy!!

we had a busy weekend!

On Friday, my best friend from college came to visit from Portland with her little girl.  We haven't seen each other since my baby shower before Emily was born!  Long overdue (!!!) but we picked up like we had just seen each other a week ago.  I was thrilled that we finally got to meet each other's kids and spend some time catching up and chatting about motherhood.

I miss you girls so much already!!

Saturday we had Emily's birthday party with our family and friends.  It was a perfect day and Emily had a wonderful time!  My dad, his wife, and my aunt were all able to make it from Illinois and we were so happy they made the trip to celebrate with us!  Steve's parents and a few of our friends in town were there too, such a great day!

Minnie Mouse theme- surprise, surprise!

ready to party!

Emily's grandparents

Aunt Jody reading to Emily & Gavin

she was so excited about the singing and the cupcakes, her smile says it all- pure joy!

On Sunday, we carved pumpkins, roasted pumpkin seeds, and went on a "hay rack ride" around our yard.  Later in the day, my Uncle Cliff and Aunt Sharon came to visit.  They are from Chicago and were driving through PA and stopped to see us- yay!!  We hadn't seen each other since Emily was 4 days old!

Emily is an old pro at pumpkins but this was G's first time!

finished product

our "hay rack" ride

meeting Aunt Sharon & Uncle Cliff

It's weekends like this that leave me feeling blessed beyond belief. 

Emily Bonnie: 2 Years

Long post ahead, I have so many things I don't want to forget! 

********

Dear Emily,

You are two years old today! I can't believe how fast this year went and how much you have changed since your first birthday. 

I'm two!

You became a big sister this year and even though it has taken you awhile to get used to having Gavin around, you show your love for him in some pretty sweet ways.  You love making him laugh, you bring him toys, pat his head, give him kisses (only when asked) and you love helping mommy and daddy get him out of bed.  I know very soon you two will be the best of friends and you'll cause all kinds of trouble for me and daddy.

I can't get over how short her hair is compared to now!

You started going to school a few days a week and you have done great with it.  You have become quite the talker, although you are shy about it sometimes.  You are so smart and all of your teachers at school talk about how impressed they are with how much you know already.  You can name and point out all of the colors and shapes, you know a ton of animals, you can say your ABC's (in your own way), count to ten and sometimes higher and you can repeat just about any word we ask you to. 

You are shy around new people.  If you don't know someone really well you hide behind my legs or pretend they aren't there. It takes you a little bit to warm up to new people and situations and that's ok.  You are an observer and I think that is a great quality to have.  Thankfully you warmed up to your teachers at school very quickly and you love going to see them during the week. 

One of your favorite things is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and I think that show has taught you a lot!  When you watch it now you answer the questions, it's the cutest thing.  You also love Baby Einstein on the Farm and you dance to all the songs.  You love music and dancing so much!

Being outside is another of your favorite things.  You like to swing, slide and kick your big pink ball around the yard.  You can climb the ladders of your swing set by yourself now! You love going on walks, riding your trike and running around outside with Grandpa and Grandma. 

Every morning when daddy or I come to get you out of your crib we say, "Good morning sweetie, I'm so happy to see you!" and you have started saying "so happy to see you" back to us.  It is the best thing to hear.

Before bed is my favorite time with you.  You ask for your milk and say "read the books!" then we head to your room, sit in your rocker and read all of your favorite books (Goodnight Moon, Fancy Nancy, Goodnight I Love you, Llama Llama Nighty Night). Just recently you have started to "read" the books along with me.  When we are done reading you say "rock-a-bye baby" and we turn out the lights and rock and sing and you play with my hair.  I love these moments so much sweetie.

You are a great eater most days.  You won't eat any noodles though which blows my mind!  I thought all kids liked mac and cheese.  You love just about any kind of fruit, chicken dipped in ranch, veggies, crackers, yogurt, popcorn and pouches.  Daddy and I call you our healthy eater.  You are still drinking your morning and night time milk out of bottles and you will not budge.  We have tried every sippy cup known to man but you just throw them down and refuse to drink.  You do drink your milk after school out of a sippy cup so there is still hope!  You also still take a pacifier to sleep.  I'm not sure when daddy and I will try to take that away from you- I'm in no rush because you are such a good sleeper.  You will probably need braces one day because of it but both mom and dad had braces so you would probably need them anyway!

Another thing I don't want to forget is how much you love repetition.  You will do the same things over and over and it keeps you busy for a long time.  You bring me every single thing out of your play kitchen, tell me what it is and then you put them back one by one.  When I'm in the kitchen cooking you hang out with me and you either take out each piece of Tupperware and then put it back or you go from one cabinet to another putting one of your toys in, taking it out, going to another cabinet, putting it in and taking it out again- chattering the whole time (I usually have no idea what you're saying).  You concentrate so hard when you're doing these things and it's funny to watch.  I always wonder what's going through your little head!

This summer we took our first family vacation to Lake Erie and you are definitely a beach baby! You loved the boats and the water and we can't wait to take you back every summer.

And of course, I have to mention your "Honey Badger" attitude.  You have a stubborn streak little girl, just like your mommy.  There are days I wonder how my parents got through some of my temper tantrums when I'm trying to get through them with you.  But I wouldn't change one thing about you,   because there are just as many smiles and laughs as there are tears and fits.

Oh Emily it has been a wonderful year, there are so many more things I could list.  You are my best girl and I love you so much!  I can't wait to see what your next year will bring and all the new things you will learn and do.

I love you more than words sweet girl,
Mommy

Emily is going to be two...

I mean, how is it possible that two years have gone by already?  I don't feel two years older.

It's bittersweet.  Half of me wishes I could freeze her where she is for a bit, I wish these first years could last longer, I wish I could slow it all down.  The other half of me is amazed every day that she's a little taller, knows a new word, and does something new that she didn't do yesterday. 

This week, I've found myself hugging her tighter, kissing her beautiful face even more, and rocking her a little longer at night.  She's our baby girl, she's the one who made us parents, and on Friday we will celebrate her 2nd birthday. 

just hours old

1 year



2 years

She's beautiful, funny, and smart and we are so lucky she's ours.
We love you more than words Emily Bonnie!

Family pictures

This weekend we had Gavin's 9 month pictures, Emily's 2 year pictures and our family pictures.....it was interesting/crazy/funny/tiring to say the least.

First, I had to figure out what everyone would wear, good lord what a task.  After a few trips to the store and many discussions (which Steve pretended nicely to care about), we (I) settled on blues and greys. 

We met our photographer in the afternoon; Gavin was half asleep and Emily just wanted to run wild through the park.  We walked what seemed like 10 miles to different areas in the park to get different backgrounds, etc.  Of course after a few minutes of walking, Emily wanted me to carry her, Steve was carrying Gavin, and we were all sweaty by the end of the shoot.

Side note- I stepped in dog crap and Emily chanted 'mommy step in poop' for the rest of the afternoon. Good times.

running to Daddy

relaxed little guy

can I ride this bike?

my handsome guys

Gavin is not sure why he's laying in the grass

an outtake, this is about how the day went

more running

These are just a few I got through facebook. I'm hoping we got at least one family shot with all of us looking at the camera but I'm happy with the ones I've seen so far.  Their little personalities are captured perfectly!

ear infections & tubes

On Wednesdays I have Gavin all to myself while Emily is at school and Steve is at work.  I look forward to lots of smiles and giggles and an all around fun day with my little man.  But he just wasn't himself yesterday.  He was fussy and crying most of the morning and didn't want to eat or nap.  He was only happy being held and watching Baby Einstein, so that's what we did. 

 I called our pediatrician's office and got him an appointment that afternoon.  Gavin has had six ear infections since he was born.  Possibly even more than we know about because little guy hardly ever fusses or gets a fever when he has one. This past week he has not been sleeping well, doesn't want to drink his bottles and he has been a little fussy so to the Dr. we went.  Poor baby has a double ear infection that the pediatrician called 'significant'.

He just had an ear infection mid-September that we had re-checked, after his antibiotics, at Children's Hospital Express Care.  And now he has another.  Our pediatrician told me that he would decide at Gavin's 9 month visit if he should be referred to an ENT specialist for tubes.  I don't know a lot about tubes, but if it's for the best, I'm all for it.  I don't want him to be in pain or on antibiotics all the time.

Have any of you dealt with tubes? Tell me all about it.

Thankfully, it usually works out that while one baby is sick the other is happy. {if it didn't work this way, I might be in a padded room somewhere}  So naturally, Emily has been in a great mood the past few days- actually since my post about her crying all the time...



 ...maybe she read it and felt bad?

just keepin it real

My toddler cries.....a lot.

Terrible twos, that's the name for this all.the.time. crying/tantrum throwing, right? 

Here's how most days go (I even took some crappy cell phone pics so you can get the full effect, you're welcome).

Emily is awake anytime between 6 and 6:30. 

Get her up for school. Some mornings she cries unless one of us stands and holds her- do not sit down or put her down, that will cause more crying.


Try to get her dressed.....good lord.  Take off her socks, crying.  Take off her pajama top, crying. Put clean clothes on, after chasing her around the room. Combing that hair without crying- an impossible feat.

I changed her pants.

Give her some milk and hope that the milk will keep her occupied for a few minutes while I try to get dressed for work. Usually more crying at the gate while she screams, "mommmmmmy" over and over until I get my butt back out to her.


Go to school- walk in the door and a transformation to the happiest, best behaved little girl happens miraculously.  Teachers at school have never seen her throw a fit.  Strange.

school is the best!

Pick the kids up from school.  If I pick Gavin up instead of her, crying.  If I don't give her milk as soon as she gets in the car, crying. If I don't figure out if she wants to walk up the steps or be carried up the steps- you guessed it, crying.

yesterday she wanted to walk up the steps, today she wants to be carried. Duh mom.

Make dinner with the toddler chanting "mickey" following me all over the kitchen, opening drawers, throwing tupperware and towels everywhere.  Steve and Gavin are happily playing in the living room.  Try to get Emily to go play with them, more crying at the gate- "mommmmmmmy".

blurry because she's trying to yank the gate out of the wall.

Get her to eat the dinner- *might* happen, as long as there is ranch for dipping.

Play outside- usually a happy time.

Bath time- depends on her mood, sometimes bath time is fun, other times- not so much.  Drying off is always cry inducing.

I wanted out of the tub but I DO NOT want to be dried off

Bed time- easy peasy, thank God.

Oh Emily, I love you so much. I just wish I knew what was going through your little toddler head so I could fix what makes you cry.  As I've heard many, many times from your Grandpa Mark- "she's just like you were".  I'm sorry mom & dad.

Are your toddlers as crazy emotional as mine?  Please tell me yes.

And if you have a toddler and haven't seen this- go now and get a good laugh.

Happy Friday.