Field Trip

Every year, your school takes one "field trip" to the local pumpkin patch. Sadly, the patch we typically go to closed down. So this year, we headed to the pumpkin patch our family always visits. It was a gloomy, warm day, but lucky for us the rain held off until right as we pulled away (just like last year!). Pumpkins were picked, apples munched on, and hay rides given. All in all, a fun day for the 3-year old preschool class!

 

 

 

 

7 Months

Time is just flying by, Peanut, and now that we are in my favorite three months of the year, I know it's going to go that much more quickly! This month we have been busy visiting great grandmas, playing at the park, and getting ready for Halloween. You are such a sweetheart and make all of us that much happier.

• We won't get an official weight this month, but I'm sure you are at least 18 pounds now, wearing size 3 diapers and size 6 month clothing.
• While you are one of the happiest, most content babies ever (seriously, you rarely cry and when you do it doesn't last long), you are not the greatest of sleepers anymore. This past month, your longest stretch of sleep is typically from 8:30 to 2 / 3 AM. After a quick feed, you are back down until about 6:00, another quick feed, and down again until anywhere between 8 and 9. Now that you are pulling up so easily, you will pull up in your pack n play and stare at us in the middle of the night. Before, you would put yourself back to bed, but now that you can see us, it doesn't seem likely that you'll fall back asleep on your own while sharing a room with us. So, it seems like it may be time to transition you into your own room...however the thought of having to go "all the way" upstairs in the middle of the night to feed you, doesn't seem worth it, when I can so comfortably nurse you in my own bed. So, we'll see, but I have a feeling you'll spend a little more time in our room. Once awake for the day, you usually nap somewhere around 10:30 and 12:30. If we are lucky, you will nap again somewhere between 2:00 and 4:00.
• You are still eating about every three hours. You also eat a small helping of fruits or veggies at dinner time. Your first taste of sweet potatoes was hysterical! The texture and taste combo was too much for you to handle and you could not stop gagging. You had all four of us practically in tears from giggling so hard. Now that you've adjusted, you love sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, and bananas. This month, we will add a small helping around breakfast time too.
• We cannot keep you contained anymore and you no longer enjoy the safety of your playpen. You don't like to be trapped in there and want to be free to roam (sorry Sister, it's sometimes necessary though to keep you safe!).
• You now prefer to be standing than sitting, and pull up on nearly any and every surface you can. You are even getting brave enough to let go and will stand without holding on to anything for 3-5 seconds!! We just can't believe how quickly you are growing.
• You are a drooling machine, continuing to put everything into your mouth, yet still no signs of teeth.
• You are exploring new sounds and your inflection matching your moods. You are trying to imitate some of the sounds you hear us say too.
• You love to lift your arms up in the air, almost as if you are waving with both hands. You find this very entertaining and crack up at yourself. 
• We've wondered if you would have as easy of a sleep cue as your brothers (Ry sucks his thumb, and Wy likes to stick out his tongue and tickle his pants). This month, it seems to be your ear. When you're sleepy / falling asleep, you pull on your ear. At first we thought maybe you had an ear infection, but ears are all clear! So, it seems like this may be your sleep cue for now!

You are just sweet as can be and we can't get enough of our Little Squish. Your eyes just sparkle with joy and we can't get enough of it! We sure do love you, Little Sis!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 Months

This month, I went back to work after what felt like an extra long summer thanks to a perfectly timed March maternity leave! Even though I only work 2.5 days, it was quite the transition for all three of you bambinos. On my days home, we tried to soak up as much of these final summer days as possible. It has been a very busy and full sixth month.

• You now weigh 17 lbs 12 oz (the 78th percentile) and are 27 inches long (88th percentile). I am still squeezing you into some of my favorite 3 month sized outfits that I'm not quite ready to part with, but are more comfortably wearing 6 months. 
• You are still sleeping through the night and usually wake between 5:30 and 6:30 for your first morning feed. You go right back to sleep after this feed and begin your day between 8 and 9:00. When I first returned to work, you completely boycotted all naps in your bed when I was home. You only wanted to be held and could only fall asleep by nursing. The second I would try to lay you down, you'd wake up, only sleeping on my chest. But you have adjusted, and are back to falling back asleep in your bed by yourself. 
• You have been sitting up now for awhile, but this month you are much more solid at sitting up. You can push yourself up from laying down to sitting up by yourself. You also love a good workout, and we catch you planking all the time.
• You are officially on the move! This month we witnessed your adorable inch worm crawl (booty straight up, lay down, pull yourself forward, repeat!) and army crawl. Not long after, you  began the traditional crawl too. I will put you down, come back into the room one minute later and you are long gone!
• With that being said, we are in baby proof mode! The playpen is out and you are confined when down on the ground now. It's a little scarier having a baby on the move this time around, with older brothers. Their toys are much smaller and more dangerous, so we're having to be extra cautious and trying to keep the big boy toys upstairs and your toys downstairs. 
• Yesterday, you hit another big milestone! While loading up the dishwasher, you grabbed onto the sides and pulled yourself up to a stand!! Slow down, sister, you shouldn't be doing that for another couple of months!!
• Everything you touch goes straight to your mouth these days - signs you are growing some teeth and also ready to start eating food! (I'm not quite ready for this stage, but we will soon begin baby food in the coming days)
• You are really finding your voice - changing your sounds and volume to get our attention. 
• This month you felt grass for the first time. Easy to say you weren't really a fan, although you were interested in trying to eat the grass. 
• You love the park and can now swing in the baby swings there. You are happy to be in on the action with your brothers now and not stuck just spectating from your stroller. 
• You love to give kisses and if we ask for one, you'll open your mouth real big, grab our faces, lean forward and give us a big, slobbery, open mouthed kiss!

You are just so happy and content, Little Peanut. We adore you! Happy half birthday, Squish.

 

   

 

 

 

Celebrate Good Times!

Yay!! You boys survived your first week of preschool without tears, with good listening, and with excitement for next week.

We celebrated Wednesday afternoon with a trip to the park, a picnic lunch, and "going on an adventure," that ended, as all great adventures should, covered in mud! Celebrations continued today on my day off with a special Happy Meal lunch outside. (Our happy meals even included a mini Pete the Cat book about school... it's like they knew we read Pete to prep for school and knew we were celebrating a great start today!)

Here's to a wonderful new school year, Little Ones!

 

 

 

 

 

Campout

As a child, I went to every single church campout, missing only one up until I was married. Since getting married, I have sadly only made it to two campouts - when pregnant with you boys and the following year, for your first campout. This year, was the 50th anniversary of our church camps and I was determined to go!

With Daddy already taking two weeks off for our first two vacations, I knew it was highly unlikely that he'd be able to come with us. That being said, I was still determined to load up the car with three littles and get you kids to another campout!

As they say, it takes a village! Thank goodness for Zsu Zsu who rode with me (and Paka for graciously giving her up and driving on his own, so I would have another set of hands while driving). I knew campout would be hard, but I knew I wanted you boys to start building these church relationships and friendships that I know will last the rest of your lives. Thank goodness for Zsu Zsu, Paka, Tse Tse, and so many others. There was always someone there to help me get you kids ready, hold your tray while getting meals, or help me keep you quiet during the evening services.


It has been two months since campout and I will still hear you up in your playroom, "Come on guys, time to pack our suitcases, we going to church camp!" I hear you pretending to talk to our friends from church. And at least once a week I hear, "Mommy, can we 'pwretty pwease' go to campout again today?!"

It was exhausting. It was difficult. But man, oh man, it was so worth it!! I pray you have many more campouts to attend, many more relationships to grow, and a long life walking with Christ as your guide!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Day of 3 Year Old Preschool

Thanks to a March maternity leave, summer vacation felt like it was extra long this year. That being said, all three of you babies got extra attached to me, especially you, Wiley-bug. When I went back to work, you had a hard time saying goodbye and getting into our new routine. A week before preschool was to start, we started a paper chain countdown to help you out. Each morning, you warned, "Ok, but I gonna cry a whittle bit when you 'weave,' Mommy."

Monday night, we prepped by setting out backpacks, picking our first day outfits, and reading (listening to them on the ipad) books about the first day of school. You were both excited and ready for a new school year.

You woke up, Tuesday morning to find balloons and streamers hanging from your door. Your [sleepy] eyes sparkled with excitement when we asked why everything was decorated, "It my first day of school!" There weren't any nerves in the air...yet.

 

Once downstairs, you boys were thrilled to see more balloons in streamers decorating the kitchen and your breakfast chairs, along with special pancakes: 3 P R and 3 P W (3 year old Preschool for Ryan and Wiley).

Backpacks and shoes were on by 8:00...thirty minutes early! You were pumped and ready to go.

Once buckled in and on our way, the mood in the car slowly shifted. Wiley, I could watch as your body language changed and you got more and more quiet. Nerves were finally kicking in. Sensing the same shift, Ryan, you asked, "You okay, Wy? You gonna cry when Mommy 'weaves?' You no need to cry." As we neared the school, we prayed that you boys would have the courage to face your first day of school together. Ryan, you suggested that you  boys could sing "Jesus Loves Me," if you got nervous and God and Jesus would hug your hearts (what we tell you at bedtime so you can be brave!). Between that and our prayer, I was barely keeping it together myself. The love you two have for each other is just so beautiful to witness.

We arrived at school and all headed in, hand-in-hand. Daddy took you, Wiley to wash your hands, while I took you Ryan. While washing hands, you casually let me know, "I no want you to 'weave' now, Mommy. I scared you 'weave' me." Your eyes began to water and I knew we were doomed! We were gonna have two crying kids and probably a crying Mommy with this drop-off. Mustering all the bravery I had in myself, I whispered to you, "Buddy, Mommy has to leave. I have to go to my school for a few hours too. But today, I need you to be brave for me, okay. Wiley is a little scared too and he needs his best buddy to help him be brave. Can you do that for me, please; can you be brave for Wiley?" With a hug and a kiss you said, "Sure!"

Out in the hallway, we teamed up with Daddy and Wiley (who was hanging onto the classroom door jam, refusing to go in). We gave our quick kisses as you headed for the room, Ryan. Head held high, and courage oozing, you grabbed Wiley's hand, pulled him away from the door, and led him into the classroom. We watched as you tried so hard to stay brave, Wiley. No tears fell, but you could see the apprehension in each step. How lucky you boys are to have one another to go through each new stage! I watched (through my own watery eyes) as you two headed to hang up your backpacks, ready to conquer the day. I pray you continue to stand-up for each other and lead one another throughout the rest of your lives. I pray your relationship just grows stronger and stronger. I am so excited for you boys and another year of preschool. You both have such wonderful qualities; I can't wait to see what you do not just this year, but with your lives. Continue to shine little boys! We sure do love you!

Camp Fires and Campouts

After a busy morning and afternoon, on a whim, Daddy and I decided we should do a family cookout, camp fire, and sleep out in the tent! The weather has been unusually cool and we wanted to take advantage of it.

After a lot of prep work (with lots of  "help" from you two) of setting up and several trips to the backyard, we were finally settled in. Yummy smores, a warm fire, and scary ghost stories told by Daddy. Before we knew it, it was time to get tucked in to our sleeping bags. Luckily Unfortunately for us, Charleigh, your pack-n-play didn't fit in the tent. So once the boys were all tucked in, we headed back up to the house to go to sleep too.

It was a long, but fun night making memories, just the five of us.