Landry is such a happy girl with so much personality. She has so much expression in her little face and lately has mastered the furrowed brow. She loves to make anyone, but especially her brothers, laugh and can be such a ham. For instance, riding in her cars eat with her paci backwards so the boys can see and laugh or giving us her spoon for another bite by holding it in her mouth. We love it!
She has become a great sleeper and sleeps through the night every night now. Yay! And lately she's even started sleeping in until 8! As a result, she's down to one nap most days. I'm so grateful for her good sleep.
Landry also continues to be a great eater. She's game to try anything and likes almost all of it. She easily out-eats the boys during dinner. She still loves meat, pasta, and fruit and also loves peas. She does great with milk, too. She's started eating more from a fork or spoon and can even stab most of it herself. I'm amazed at her hand eye coordination at this age. She gets a big, proud grin on her face every time she gets something on her fork.
She's also finally really clicked with signing and I think it's really decreased her frustration and screaming. Some days I had felt like all she did was yell at me, but it just occurred to me last night that she hasn't done that in awhile. Her most common sign is please and she uses it vigorously anytime she wants anything. She also does milk, drink, and all done. She hasn't really done more ever, but now please suffices for that as well. She's not talking much, but has so much expression in her voice. She hardly uses "gaga" anymore which was the universal word for Diego, babies, and any animal or child.
Landry's big accomplishment lately was learning to stand on Thanksgiving. We were at Nana and Papa's and BJ had her on the floor. The last couple weeks she'd been getting better about standing and barely holding on to us. He had her on her feet and let go and she stayed up! And now she can do it for quite awhile. Steps aren't too far behind I'm sure! We're all excited for her to walk.
She still has no interest in TV and minimal interest in toys in general. But she is really good about focusing and working on something that requires dexterity. One time she had a pen and one of Macy's bones and she sat for several minutes getting the pen in and out of the bone. She loves piecey-type toys that she can grab and put into something. I'm still trying to form some solid Christmas ideas for her.
She is quite busy and loves to get into cabinets and toilets. We have to keep an eye on her upstairs!
We love continuing to see her personality develop. She's a little girl with a big personality for sure!
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Sweet Apologies
I'm proud of who our boys are becoming. I've seen such growth and maturity in them over the last several months and it makes my heart so proud and happy. Pierce, especially, has shown a lot of maturity- less fits, better use of words, and the ability to accept outcomes. But lately I have seen both of them really doing a great job with unprompted, sincere apologies. And I was blessed to share in one with each of them tonight.
Blaine has been really sick with a nasty virus passed from Landry. It's caused a high fever and he's had a pretty miserable 24 hours. I was feeding him some banana and PB tonight and I'd broken it into bites and he very sharply told me that he didn't want it that way and wouldn't eat anymore. I said that was fine and moved on. He got a little mopey afterwards (which he often does these days) and it's usually his way of feeling badly about his reaction or responding to discipline. It was probably the former tonight because much later before we went up for bed he randomly looked at me and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry for being mean to you about my banana." My heart melted a little and I told him that it was ok and I knew he wasn't feeling good. So sweet.
Then at bedtime I had agreed to look up a Planes character name for Pierce (his latest and current obsession). I wasn't finding the exact one he wanted and finally told him we'd look tomorrow. He proceeded to meltdown and told me I was the meanest mommy ever. Not unheard of, but I'd had such an exhausting day I looked at BJ and said I'm out as I gave both of them a quick good night. I later felt badly about leaving in such a huff so I tiptoed back in about 20 minutes later to see if Pierce was still awake. I startled him by appearing on his bed, but we hugged and said good night and I love you. I had thought about bringing it up, but just decided to let it go and appreciate the loving moment. I left and a few minutes later he came out with his pixie smile with an empty cup needing more water. I got him some and bent down to hug him. He kissed my cheek and then paused and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry I was mean to you earlier." I was so touched that he had done it completely on his own in his timing. Maybe that's the reason he'd come out all along. BJ had said that they'd discussed apologizing to me, but Pierce had said that he wasn't ready, but could tomorrow. But his little heart led him to do it in that moment. I'm so proud and incredibly touched.
Both of these were such good reminders to me of the importance and value of constant love and kindess. There's certainly a time for tough discipline, but I know if I'd been frustrated and stayed huffy in the moment that I wouldn't have gotten those sweet apologies out of their sincere hearts. I feel like God just spoke to my heart to reiterate that point and I pray it's one I won't soon forget. You catch more flies with honey...
Blaine has been really sick with a nasty virus passed from Landry. It's caused a high fever and he's had a pretty miserable 24 hours. I was feeding him some banana and PB tonight and I'd broken it into bites and he very sharply told me that he didn't want it that way and wouldn't eat anymore. I said that was fine and moved on. He got a little mopey afterwards (which he often does these days) and it's usually his way of feeling badly about his reaction or responding to discipline. It was probably the former tonight because much later before we went up for bed he randomly looked at me and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry for being mean to you about my banana." My heart melted a little and I told him that it was ok and I knew he wasn't feeling good. So sweet.
Then at bedtime I had agreed to look up a Planes character name for Pierce (his latest and current obsession). I wasn't finding the exact one he wanted and finally told him we'd look tomorrow. He proceeded to meltdown and told me I was the meanest mommy ever. Not unheard of, but I'd had such an exhausting day I looked at BJ and said I'm out as I gave both of them a quick good night. I later felt badly about leaving in such a huff so I tiptoed back in about 20 minutes later to see if Pierce was still awake. I startled him by appearing on his bed, but we hugged and said good night and I love you. I had thought about bringing it up, but just decided to let it go and appreciate the loving moment. I left and a few minutes later he came out with his pixie smile with an empty cup needing more water. I got him some and bent down to hug him. He kissed my cheek and then paused and said, "Mommy, I'm sorry I was mean to you earlier." I was so touched that he had done it completely on his own in his timing. Maybe that's the reason he'd come out all along. BJ had said that they'd discussed apologizing to me, but Pierce had said that he wasn't ready, but could tomorrow. But his little heart led him to do it in that moment. I'm so proud and incredibly touched.
Both of these were such good reminders to me of the importance and value of constant love and kindess. There's certainly a time for tough discipline, but I know if I'd been frustrated and stayed huffy in the moment that I wouldn't have gotten those sweet apologies out of their sincere hearts. I feel like God just spoke to my heart to reiterate that point and I pray it's one I won't soon forget. You catch more flies with honey...
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
'Twas the Night Before Pre-School
I can't believe my babies are starting pre-school tomorrow. I'm a mix of emotions. As I've explained it to Blaine, who has explained it back to me, I'm happy because I know they are going to love it, but I am sad because they are growing up. ;) This just feels like such a big milestone in their growth. It's the first life event that they will be doing independently, without me right there to watch, cheer, and guide. I just keep thinking what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall or watch the whole thing behind a two way mirror. It's really just out of curiosity. I don't feel worried for them at all, but I just hate the thought of not knowing all that they're doing and saying. I've made them promise to report back everything they do, but I just have a feeling that may not happen. It's starting to feel like this is the first release of many more. As Pastor Scott used to say, every day after birth is another day towards independence. I'm never really going to get them back. Ok, this post is getting way more depressing than I intended. Clearly I'm having a way harder time with this than they are. And I'm glad. They are truly excited and I know this will be good for them.
I'm so proud of who they are and I just pray that this would be an environment where they will flourish and become even more of who God wants them to be. I'm so grateful that we finally landed at the right church (Life Church) that seems to have a great program based in biblical teaching and who Jesus is. I have so much peace about it, the director, and their teacher. That makes this so much easier.
Father,
I pray for this first year of school for Pierce and Blaine. Thank you for the opportunity to send them and that we found such a great fit for us. I pray that each boy would continue to grow into who you want them to be. I pray for the influences around them. I pray that their class would be filled with kind and functioning children who would become great friends and classmates. I pray that you would shield their ears and eyes from anything that is not appropriate for them right now. I pray for Miss Erin and Miss Callie that they would have direction from you and act out of your love to their students. Please give them leadership, patience, and love for each student. I pray that Pierce and Blaine would grow deeper in their walks and love for you. Help them to understand you even more throughout this year and your immense love for them. I pray that they would be leaders among their peers. That they would remember to be kind and generous. To be strong and courageous. Help them to be open to new things and closed to the things they know are not right. I pray that their character would deepen and their faith made real. And please help me to let go in just the right way. Help me to entrust them to you, for they are yours. Help me to trust them, but to be able to continue to encourage and pour into them on a daily basis. Thank you so much for the gift of being their mommy. I'm beyond blessed and so very proud of who they already are. Protect their hearts, minds, and bodies and go before them each day this year. I love you, Lord.
Amen
I'm so proud of who they are and I just pray that this would be an environment where they will flourish and become even more of who God wants them to be. I'm so grateful that we finally landed at the right church (Life Church) that seems to have a great program based in biblical teaching and who Jesus is. I have so much peace about it, the director, and their teacher. That makes this so much easier.
Father,
I pray for this first year of school for Pierce and Blaine. Thank you for the opportunity to send them and that we found such a great fit for us. I pray that each boy would continue to grow into who you want them to be. I pray for the influences around them. I pray that their class would be filled with kind and functioning children who would become great friends and classmates. I pray that you would shield their ears and eyes from anything that is not appropriate for them right now. I pray for Miss Erin and Miss Callie that they would have direction from you and act out of your love to their students. Please give them leadership, patience, and love for each student. I pray that Pierce and Blaine would grow deeper in their walks and love for you. Help them to understand you even more throughout this year and your immense love for them. I pray that they would be leaders among their peers. That they would remember to be kind and generous. To be strong and courageous. Help them to be open to new things and closed to the things they know are not right. I pray that their character would deepen and their faith made real. And please help me to let go in just the right way. Help me to entrust them to you, for they are yours. Help me to trust them, but to be able to continue to encourage and pour into them on a daily basis. Thank you so much for the gift of being their mommy. I'm beyond blessed and so very proud of who they already are. Protect their hearts, minds, and bodies and go before them each day this year. I love you, Lord.
Amen
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
First Weil Family ER Visit
It turned out to be a more momentous 4th of July than our family intended this year. We'd had a full day. We'd gone swimming as a family at Nancy's pool over lunch, home for rest time and then were squeezing in some quick haircuts before we all jumped in the shower to get ready for Mimi Val's annual 4th of July carnival. The boys were looking forward to it more than ever this year and we'd been talking about it for days, maybe weeks. BJ had already done his part to both boys and I was trimming the top of Blaine's hair while Pierce sat in one of the lawn chairs off to the side. They were watching the iPad like usual and then it all happened so fast. I turned my head as Pierce hit the deck- literally. He immediately began crying hard and BJ immediately scooped him up while telling me that he'd split his eye open. The three of us rushed inside. I semi-froze while trying to figure out what to do first/next. BJ directed me to get a towel and we held it on for a minute before surveying the damage. He had a pretty deep split above his right eyebrow. Knowing I tend to overreact I probably would have waited it out longer, but thank goodness BJ was decisive and in control and immediately knew they needed to go to the hospital.
In a 5 minute time span we went through about 3 scenarios of who would go where when we finally decided upon just BJ and Pierce heading to Children's Mercy since the bleeding had subsided some. I desperately wanted to go too, but Landry needed to eat and there was not point to making half of us just wait around. I helped load Pierce in to the car and prayed with him quickly before they left. We recited our recent verse, Joshua 1:9 about being strong and courageous and not to be afraid of discouraged. Timely verse for sure. They left quickly and Blaine and I waved from the driveway. In a desperate and scared voice Blaine waved after them yelling, "Good-bye, brover. I love you. I'll always be your brother!". It was one of the sweetest things I've seen. I looked down at him and he looked like he could have cried. I scooped him up into a hug and reassured him that everything would be ok. He had his shoes on just like I'd directed him earlier when I thought we were all going to go, but no shirt. Bless his heart. We talked through what had happened and what they'd probably do to help Pierce be ok. He settled down then. BJ did a great job of keeping us updated and we even got to face time with Pierce for a bit. BJ said later what an amazing job all of the staff did walking Pierce through everything and making it fun. Pierce literally said he had a great time! He ended up with 3 stitches which were named "string band aids". So clever!
My goal all along once I knew his status was to get us to that party. BJ had said Pierce had started crying as he got out of the car to go into the hospital. BJ asked him what it was and he said he didn't want to miss the party. Poor thing! So they rushed home and I had everything ready to go so we could pile in the car and head out. Nana and Papa followed and we made it in time for the end of dinner, a little carnival time, and plenty of cotton candy and ice cream. All 3 kids loved the fireworks thanks to Bob's hunting ear protectors and we ended up having a great night. Landry stayed up for the whole party and all 3 crashed on the way home. Definitely a night we won't soon forget!
In a 5 minute time span we went through about 3 scenarios of who would go where when we finally decided upon just BJ and Pierce heading to Children's Mercy since the bleeding had subsided some. I desperately wanted to go too, but Landry needed to eat and there was not point to making half of us just wait around. I helped load Pierce in to the car and prayed with him quickly before they left. We recited our recent verse, Joshua 1:9 about being strong and courageous and not to be afraid of discouraged. Timely verse for sure. They left quickly and Blaine and I waved from the driveway. In a desperate and scared voice Blaine waved after them yelling, "Good-bye, brover. I love you. I'll always be your brother!". It was one of the sweetest things I've seen. I looked down at him and he looked like he could have cried. I scooped him up into a hug and reassured him that everything would be ok. He had his shoes on just like I'd directed him earlier when I thought we were all going to go, but no shirt. Bless his heart. We talked through what had happened and what they'd probably do to help Pierce be ok. He settled down then. BJ did a great job of keeping us updated and we even got to face time with Pierce for a bit. BJ said later what an amazing job all of the staff did walking Pierce through everything and making it fun. Pierce literally said he had a great time! He ended up with 3 stitches which were named "string band aids". So clever!
My goal all along once I knew his status was to get us to that party. BJ had said Pierce had started crying as he got out of the car to go into the hospital. BJ asked him what it was and he said he didn't want to miss the party. Poor thing! So they rushed home and I had everything ready to go so we could pile in the car and head out. Nana and Papa followed and we made it in time for the end of dinner, a little carnival time, and plenty of cotton candy and ice cream. All 3 kids loved the fireworks thanks to Bob's hunting ear protectors and we ended up having a great night. Landry stayed up for the whole party and all 3 crashed on the way home. Definitely a night we won't soon forget!
My protectors
Awhile back we were reading a library book. It was a book with animal characters and at one point the mommy protects the kids. At the end I told them that I would always take care of and protect them, but before I could really finish Blaine piped up and with a serious look on his face told me that it was their job to protect me. Pierce chimed in to and they both explained to me that Daddy had told them since they are boys that they are the protectors. And since Landry and I are girls that they would take care of us. I was so touched and proud of them. They truly hold on to every thing BJ tells them as boys and I love it. And I really think they meant it. They're shaping up to be some pretty amazing boys.
Two Questions
It's been several weeks ago, but there was an evening a dinner where both boys asked a question back to back about the same topic. I'm kicking myself that I didn't write it down right away. But in the moment I remember stopping and looking at BJ and saying, "Does that not encapsulate each of them perfectly??". I'm pretty sure the topic was about caterpillars changing into butterflies.
Pierce: "How do caterpillars become butterflies? Caterpillars don't have wings and butterflies do. How can that happen?"
Blaine (at almost the exact same time with a concerned look): "Does it hurt the caterpillars?"
Each in a nutshell.
Pierce: "How do caterpillars become butterflies? Caterpillars don't have wings and butterflies do. How can that happen?"
Blaine (at almost the exact same time with a concerned look): "Does it hurt the caterpillars?"
Each in a nutshell.
Spash Bash 4th Birthday Party
The theme of the party this year was Pierce and Blaine's Splash Bash. We planned a backyard water party and added a few more of your friends to the invite list. This summer started out really cool and rainy and as the weather forecast drew nearer it was looking like rain for your party day. I began to sweat at the thought of having 8 kids with nothing to do inside. (I am so not cut out to plan outdoor events.) So we went to Hobby Lobby and bought a few craft and game supplies for an impromptu indoor party if needed. I waffled on the morning of, but it ended up being perfect weather. Plenty of heat and sunshine! We set up a couple of wading pools, a homemade slip 'n slide, water guns, and a beach ball pinata. Everyone had a great time and once again you got some really fun and thoughtful gifts. I'd say your first friend party was a success!
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Happy 4th Birthday, Pierce and Blaine!
I can't believe you're 4! I know #5 is probably supposed to be the biggie, but something about this birthday has felt like "official big boyhood".
Your birthday day began was supposed to begin with swim lessons, but right as we got there the skies opened up and it was cancelled. We think that may have been a result of Blaine's birthday wish coming true. :) We headed to Chicky Way with GG Bon (who was in town), Nana and Papa, and Daddy. Then we had them over for dinner and you got to have PB and Hs and homemade Octonaut cupcakes. This year your big gift from us was an outdoor hot wheels track.
We went with a Splish Splash Bash theme and invited added a few friends this year to play water games in our backyard. The weather for your party day wasn't looking good all week and I even planned an indoor party as a back up. But despite all of my stressing, it turned out to be the perfect hot and sunny day. We had pools and water guns and even a homemade slip and slide with a tarp and soap. Everyone had a great time and we were reminded again of how many people love you both. You're blessed boys!
You both love Octonauts and know more about sea life than I ever will. I am constantly impressed and delighted with your creativity and imaginative play together and all of your new Octonaut toys have only increased it. Pierce is "Peso" the medic penguin and for a long time Blaine was "Kwazii" the pirate cat, but recently turned "Captain Barnacles" since Lukas moved and the position opened up. Your Thomas obsession has dramatically decreased, but Pierce espeically still rotates around to obsessing about a certain train or track every so often. Your train table sure doesn't see the action it used to.
You are both so incredibly smart and constantly amaze me with what you pick up on and easily apply. Pierce, you are so great with numbers, facts, and spatial knowledge. Your mind is a steel trap and sometimes I think you can't get enough knowledge. Given enough time, I have no doubt you could sit down and count to 1000. We can drive somewhere one time and you can remember the way the next time. You are a strong leader and certainly prefer things done your way. You love and thrive with routine, but can quickly melt down if it's broken or you're thrown for a loop. You continue to become more verbal, but still make your funny open mouthed "Pierce noises". You rarely stay put in bed after bedtime and always seem to be able to squeeze a little more pee out.
Blaine, I know we say it a lot but you have such a tender and compassionate heart. I love this about you. You are so attuned to others' feelings and hate to see them hurting. We've worked lately on being generous and on more than one occasion you have volunteered to give a toy you wanted to your brother or let him go first or choose the vitamin color he would prefer. I pray you never lose that! You are so verbal and easily apply new words and phrases all the time. Probably many of them are from me and if I wonder you tell me that's where you learned it. (i.e. "This darn computer" spoken through your headphones at the library yesterday!) You are so athletic and move with a lot of power and grace. You are less interested in sitting still and focusing. You are also very sensitive and sometimes have a hard time snapping out of a bad mood or moving on from a discipline. You love playing with your brother and often look to him for the play scenario or next move. You love your daddy and adoringly ask him to "tell you you a little about his day" many nights over dinner.
I could not be more proud and delighted with the boys you are becoming. You love God and have a better understanding of him than I had even hoped so far. We pray every night for your character and you are already displaying so many wonderful qualities. We love watching you grow and continue to blossom into the boys and men God has planned for you. We love you, Pierce and Blaine!
Your birthday day began was supposed to begin with swim lessons, but right as we got there the skies opened up and it was cancelled. We think that may have been a result of Blaine's birthday wish coming true. :) We headed to Chicky Way with GG Bon (who was in town), Nana and Papa, and Daddy. Then we had them over for dinner and you got to have PB and Hs and homemade Octonaut cupcakes. This year your big gift from us was an outdoor hot wheels track.
We went with a Splish Splash Bash theme and invited added a few friends this year to play water games in our backyard. The weather for your party day wasn't looking good all week and I even planned an indoor party as a back up. But despite all of my stressing, it turned out to be the perfect hot and sunny day. We had pools and water guns and even a homemade slip and slide with a tarp and soap. Everyone had a great time and we were reminded again of how many people love you both. You're blessed boys!
You both love Octonauts and know more about sea life than I ever will. I am constantly impressed and delighted with your creativity and imaginative play together and all of your new Octonaut toys have only increased it. Pierce is "Peso" the medic penguin and for a long time Blaine was "Kwazii" the pirate cat, but recently turned "Captain Barnacles" since Lukas moved and the position opened up. Your Thomas obsession has dramatically decreased, but Pierce espeically still rotates around to obsessing about a certain train or track every so often. Your train table sure doesn't see the action it used to.
You are both so incredibly smart and constantly amaze me with what you pick up on and easily apply. Pierce, you are so great with numbers, facts, and spatial knowledge. Your mind is a steel trap and sometimes I think you can't get enough knowledge. Given enough time, I have no doubt you could sit down and count to 1000. We can drive somewhere one time and you can remember the way the next time. You are a strong leader and certainly prefer things done your way. You love and thrive with routine, but can quickly melt down if it's broken or you're thrown for a loop. You continue to become more verbal, but still make your funny open mouthed "Pierce noises". You rarely stay put in bed after bedtime and always seem to be able to squeeze a little more pee out.
Blaine, I know we say it a lot but you have such a tender and compassionate heart. I love this about you. You are so attuned to others' feelings and hate to see them hurting. We've worked lately on being generous and on more than one occasion you have volunteered to give a toy you wanted to your brother or let him go first or choose the vitamin color he would prefer. I pray you never lose that! You are so verbal and easily apply new words and phrases all the time. Probably many of them are from me and if I wonder you tell me that's where you learned it. (i.e. "This darn computer" spoken through your headphones at the library yesterday!) You are so athletic and move with a lot of power and grace. You are less interested in sitting still and focusing. You are also very sensitive and sometimes have a hard time snapping out of a bad mood or moving on from a discipline. You love playing with your brother and often look to him for the play scenario or next move. You love your daddy and adoringly ask him to "tell you you a little about his day" many nights over dinner.
I could not be more proud and delighted with the boys you are becoming. You love God and have a better understanding of him than I had even hoped so far. We pray every night for your character and you are already displaying so many wonderful qualities. We love watching you grow and continue to blossom into the boys and men God has planned for you. We love you, Pierce and Blaine!
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Blessed and Grateful
Last night was one of those full circle moments where I felt like I got to sort of see my life from a more outside, bird's eye view. It was just a normal night, but Blaine wanted to surprise BJ with his newly achieved pumping skill on the swing. It was a cooler night and I had Landry wrapped in a blanket watching from the deck. After a bit a game of chase broke out with both boys and BJ down below. Both boys were trying to catch BJ and squealing with glee as he kept dodging out of the way. My heat was just filled with such joy watching all 3 of my boys and holding my sweet baby girl. In that moment I just couldn't picture wanting much else. I had a flashback moment to walking around the backyard while we looked at the house before we bought it. Despite the fact that the house was completely outdated and fairly decrepit, I knew it was ours. It just felt like this was where we belonged. I remembered specifically walking in the backyard and feeling like that's where our future children should be playing and all of us out there together someday. And now, fast forward 4 years later, and here we are. Amazing. I don't take God's blessings for granted these days. Every single day I am so grateful for each of my children and my amazing husband. I really can't imagine feeling much more blessed. Maybe we'll have more kids and who knows exactly what our lives will look like in 4 more years, but for the moments I am just blessed and really, really grateful.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Landry and sleep (or lack thereof)
Landry doesn't really like sleep. I could kind of just end the post there, but I need a slight vent session and also want to pinpoint this time for future reference's sake. I wish (and I knew I would) I had more written down from the boys. I did ok with milestones and memories, but I wish I could have documented more of the nitty gritty of the daily grind with schedules, sleep habits, etc. So here's where we're at. We've been doing some form of sleep training effort for a good 2 months now. We started with gradual and then decided to rip the bandaid and go with cry it out. That's just kind of our thing evidently. We got to point around 5ish months where we were ready to go big or go home and just try to get it overwith and get her on a good night schedule. Like the boys I didn't initially mess with naps at all. I still rocked to complete sleep and that was working so I left it. We were really focused on nights.
The last 2 months are a bit of a blur, but our problems were mostly just getting her to stay asleep between feeds. At its worst (probably around 4-5 months) she would wake up every couple of hours. For awhile we were on a decent schedule of 2 feeds a night, but the first was happening around midnight, which would be right after I fell asleep. Not easy, but I was willing. But we often had to let her cry at 1 or more points before that when we weren't willing to feed. Around 5ish months we also adjusted her bedtime back to 7 and then 6:30 and then 6 mostly because her naps were still bad. She was only sleeping 30- 40 min. at a time and always had trouble going down the later the day got. We decided to kind of ride the nap thing out, hoping that as she got a little older her naps would naturally stretch. And that was the case for the most part. But the nights have still been inconsistent and rough. I'm not sure how long, but easily for multiple weeks she wakes up nearly every night between 11ish and 1ish. Every.single.night. At some point, I'm not really sure how, we got her down to one feed. I think we just decided we needed to push it back and set 2 AM as the earliest feed time. So we've let her cry until then most nights. And she does. I don't think she's ever put herself back to sleep before then.
I have racked my brain trying to figure out why. I was pretty sure she was getting enough milk during the day. It was odd to me that it was almost always the same time every night. I even called the ped office last week to make sure I wasn't missing anything and get their advice. She basically assured me that we were doing everything we could and that we just had a stubborn baby. I figured. Landry also hasn't taken to solids, which has been a separate battle. She thought that could help (although it really hadn't with the boys) and suggested I up my efforts to 2-3x a day. She also thought maybe we just cut her off cold turkey. It had crossed my mind as a last ditch effort. Perhaps the fact that she eventually gets fed makes her keep crying. So last night we tried it. She woke at 1 and wasn't totally quiet and settled until between 4 and 4:30. She had one roll over which BJ went in to get her resettled. It was tiring and rough, but I don't know what else to try. She's just been so stubborn and unrelenting. The advantage of CIO has always been that it's painful, but done quickly. Not so with this one. I feel like she's been crying at night for weeks. And she has been I'm pretty sure.
So that's where we are. Our ped has assured me that she's plenty old enough to be going through the night without a feed, and really should be. She has come a long way with bedtime though. We had to let her cry at put down and I guess I have to say that she did dramatically improve there. Now she can go down with a fuss or minute or two cry and be done. So maybe there's hope for this new extinction effort.
She's still a happy, laid back, and sweet baby during the day, despite a lot of too short naps and night crying. I'm very grateful for that. She's definitely been a little fussier as her night crying sessions have increased, but our days could be so much worse. Lord, please help us. I'm tired...
The last 2 months are a bit of a blur, but our problems were mostly just getting her to stay asleep between feeds. At its worst (probably around 4-5 months) she would wake up every couple of hours. For awhile we were on a decent schedule of 2 feeds a night, but the first was happening around midnight, which would be right after I fell asleep. Not easy, but I was willing. But we often had to let her cry at 1 or more points before that when we weren't willing to feed. Around 5ish months we also adjusted her bedtime back to 7 and then 6:30 and then 6 mostly because her naps were still bad. She was only sleeping 30- 40 min. at a time and always had trouble going down the later the day got. We decided to kind of ride the nap thing out, hoping that as she got a little older her naps would naturally stretch. And that was the case for the most part. But the nights have still been inconsistent and rough. I'm not sure how long, but easily for multiple weeks she wakes up nearly every night between 11ish and 1ish. Every.single.night. At some point, I'm not really sure how, we got her down to one feed. I think we just decided we needed to push it back and set 2 AM as the earliest feed time. So we've let her cry until then most nights. And she does. I don't think she's ever put herself back to sleep before then.
I have racked my brain trying to figure out why. I was pretty sure she was getting enough milk during the day. It was odd to me that it was almost always the same time every night. I even called the ped office last week to make sure I wasn't missing anything and get their advice. She basically assured me that we were doing everything we could and that we just had a stubborn baby. I figured. Landry also hasn't taken to solids, which has been a separate battle. She thought that could help (although it really hadn't with the boys) and suggested I up my efforts to 2-3x a day. She also thought maybe we just cut her off cold turkey. It had crossed my mind as a last ditch effort. Perhaps the fact that she eventually gets fed makes her keep crying. So last night we tried it. She woke at 1 and wasn't totally quiet and settled until between 4 and 4:30. She had one roll over which BJ went in to get her resettled. It was tiring and rough, but I don't know what else to try. She's just been so stubborn and unrelenting. The advantage of CIO has always been that it's painful, but done quickly. Not so with this one. I feel like she's been crying at night for weeks. And she has been I'm pretty sure.
So that's where we are. Our ped has assured me that she's plenty old enough to be going through the night without a feed, and really should be. She has come a long way with bedtime though. We had to let her cry at put down and I guess I have to say that she did dramatically improve there. Now she can go down with a fuss or minute or two cry and be done. So maybe there's hope for this new extinction effort.
She's still a happy, laid back, and sweet baby during the day, despite a lot of too short naps and night crying. I'm very grateful for that. She's definitely been a little fussier as her night crying sessions have increased, but our days could be so much worse. Lord, please help us. I'm tired...
I have decided...
I should have written this down closer to when it happened, but for awhile now Blaine can note an exact night where he asked Jesus into his heart while he was in bed one night. For a while now we've talked about Jesus and that he died on the cross for our sins which are the wrong things we do as humans. We've talked about the way we get into heaven is by asking him into our hearts and thanking him for dying for us. And we've talked about heaven and describing as best we can what it will be like, etc. They know God, Jesus, and Grant are there waiting for us. I've wanted to be careful about not forcing the issue, but making it their choice and timing. So there was one night where we were talking more about it after our nightly Bible story and Blaine said, "Oh yeah. I've asked Jesus into my heart." We asked him more about it and when he did it. And several times since he describes the same thing. He was in his bunk bed at night and prayed and said, "I love you, Jesus. Will you come into my heart?". Wow! I was kind of too surprised the first time he told us and wondered if it had really happened, but he's said it the same way enough times now that I really believe he had a specific moment. I know he's only 3, but I also know that he gets it as much as any 3 year old can. And I know there's something so much purer and simpler about a 3 year old's belief than an adult's. I find myself vascilating between happiness and excitement and I guess doubt. Does he really understand? But maybe I just need to have more of Blaine's faith. In fact, I'm sure I do. That kid has put me in my place so many times through quoting a scripture I taught them or reminding me of a truth. In fact, just the other night at dinner we referenced something about Jesus and Blaine interjected, "He's the one who will wipe away every tear from every eye." Praise you, Jesus! Our children are getting their word in your hearts!
One time during a bedtime Pierce chimed in after Blaine that he had too. It's the only time he's ever said it though, so we'll stay tuned. :)
One time during a bedtime Pierce chimed in after Blaine that he had too. It's the only time he's ever said it though, so we'll stay tuned. :)
More notes and memories on the boys
- More proof of Pierce's analytical mind. The other day we were shopping at Aldi and the boys got into a conversation about last Christmas. They began having a disagreement on whether or not Landry was out of my tummy then. Blaine said she hadn't been born yet, but Pierce insisted she had. I finally paid closer attention and inserted that yes, Landry had been there last year. Everyone dropped it and we moved on. Awhile after we got home though I noticed our Christmas picture taken with Santa at Bass Pro on the kitchen counter. It only took me a moment to piece together what I thought had probably happened. I incredulously asked Pierce if he had gone upstairs to get the picture, used the stool, and gotten it down from my book shelf where it had been. He said, "Yep! See? Landry was there!" I was so impressed and incredibly amused at the same time. He hadn't even said a word, just gone up to get it and set it down for anyone to see. So funny! We often wonder if he is headed for a law career...
- Pierce also had a really tender moment the other day that melted me. Blaine had gotten a small splinter playing on the deck and had nervously come in to get it taken care of. He has a way lower pain tolerance and I know was envisioning me having to work and dig at it like I had Pierce's. I told him it was much shallower and easier and to just look away while I quickly pulled it out. He whimpered in fear, but I had it out before he knew it. We were walking back to the back door when we ran into Pierce who was coming towards us. Blaine told him we had gotten it out and it was fine. Pierce looked at us and said, "Oh ok. I guess I don't need to pray with you now!". He had been coming to pray for his brother like Blaine had for him when he'd had the bad splinter. Pierce's tender moments are a little fewer between so this was so special to see.
- Yesterday we were at the zoo and there was a little boy sitting in front of us at the sea lion show about the boys' age. He was with a little bit older woman who was seemingly exhausted with him and kept reprimanding him to sit still or be quiet, etc. I felt sorry for him so I tried to engage him a little to try and help the situation a little. The boys, always ready to make a new friend, quickly joined in. We were eating our picnic lunch at the time and Blaine offered him a grape. The boy eagerly accepted and a minute later asked for one of my chips. I gave him one and by this time Blaine was on his fruit snacks. I saw the boy eyeing them and feared what was coming. Fruit snacks are a treat and a prize in this house and I was worried the generosity and friendliness might end right there. Sure enough, the little boy asked if he could have a fruit snack. I looked at Blaine and he looked down into his pack and said, "Do you like orange flavored ones?" The little boy popped it into his mouth with a smile and my heart about burst from pride. BJ and I both praised him for being so generous and kind and it was just one of those parent victory moments where it felt like our kids were getting it. Blaine's kind and tender heart is such a gift and I pray it continues to grow.
- Pierce also had a really tender moment the other day that melted me. Blaine had gotten a small splinter playing on the deck and had nervously come in to get it taken care of. He has a way lower pain tolerance and I know was envisioning me having to work and dig at it like I had Pierce's. I told him it was much shallower and easier and to just look away while I quickly pulled it out. He whimpered in fear, but I had it out before he knew it. We were walking back to the back door when we ran into Pierce who was coming towards us. Blaine told him we had gotten it out and it was fine. Pierce looked at us and said, "Oh ok. I guess I don't need to pray with you now!". He had been coming to pray for his brother like Blaine had for him when he'd had the bad splinter. Pierce's tender moments are a little fewer between so this was so special to see.
- Yesterday we were at the zoo and there was a little boy sitting in front of us at the sea lion show about the boys' age. He was with a little bit older woman who was seemingly exhausted with him and kept reprimanding him to sit still or be quiet, etc. I felt sorry for him so I tried to engage him a little to try and help the situation a little. The boys, always ready to make a new friend, quickly joined in. We were eating our picnic lunch at the time and Blaine offered him a grape. The boy eagerly accepted and a minute later asked for one of my chips. I gave him one and by this time Blaine was on his fruit snacks. I saw the boy eyeing them and feared what was coming. Fruit snacks are a treat and a prize in this house and I was worried the generosity and friendliness might end right there. Sure enough, the little boy asked if he could have a fruit snack. I looked at Blaine and he looked down into his pack and said, "Do you like orange flavored ones?" The little boy popped it into his mouth with a smile and my heart about burst from pride. BJ and I both praised him for being so generous and kind and it was just one of those parent victory moments where it felt like our kids were getting it. Blaine's kind and tender heart is such a gift and I pray it continues to grow.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Things to Remember About Having a Baby
- It's super easy the first 2-3 weeks. Landry slept through everything. Even her loud brothers.
- 12 weeks seemed to mark a transition into tougher sleep.
- The 4 month sleep regression is very real. Landry had no schedule and didn't take longer than 30-40 minute naps for a good 6 weeks. Night wakings were more frequent. I felt nervous to sleep train at 4 months, but we began in earnest at 5 months. There really wasn't much schedule to our day. She'd eat every 3 hours pretty regularly, but the exact times were all over.
- During this sleep regression, when she wasn't napping as much during the day, was when we needed to start doing the really early bed time. Like 6:00. We were a little late to the game this time and started closer to 5 months probably, but maybe could have done it earlier. I feel like after the hit 4 months we were kind of in survival mode until she was old enough to cry it out and get on a little bit more of a schedule. Remember: A lot of these things take care of themselves with a little more age! Don't stress! Schedules and great sleeping happen closer to 6 months. It will be ok. Repeat: It will be ok!
- Graduated crying it out just doesn't work for us. Extinction or bust I guess.
- It always takes longer than I think to lose the baby weight. I feel like 3-4 months out is sort of a low, frustrating point. I'm far enough out that I think I should be nearly back to normal, but I'm definitely not. I think this round I was probably still a good 10-15 pounds higher than PP weight and none of my pants fit. I was starting to feel a little nervous that this was the new normal. But now we're a little over 6 weeks and I'm pretty much at my PP weight. I'm not exactly where I'd like to be, but overall feel much more like myself and much thinner and trim.
- My babies just evidently don't sleep through the night on their own. We were at 2 feeds a night for quite sometime. Landry had a really hard time kicking the feed between 11-1. I gave in for a long time, but we finally started letting her cry when she began waking between 10 and 11. I knew it was too early to feed and once we started letting her cry (which took a good week or 2, stubborn little thing) then she naturally started stretching to 2 and then 3 before she'd wake to feed. That's where we are now. I'm giving it another month or so and then think about trying to drop that one. Sigh.
- A good solid schedule started a little before 6 months. She goes to bed around 6 every night. It seems like she is tired and ready at that time, no matter how her naps were that day. She eats one time around 2:30 or 3 and then sleeps until between 6:30 and 7:30. Her initial wake time seems to vary day to day. Her first nap is between 8:30 and 9 and she normally sleeps at least an hour to maybe 2. Her next nap is anywhere between 12 and 1:30. This nap is varies quite a bit in length. She usually needs a third one, but it never lasts more than 20-30 minutes if she will.
- She is a little over 6 months now and starting to fight nap put downs, like her brothers did. I'm wondering if nap training is going to be needed soon.
- 12 weeks seemed to mark a transition into tougher sleep.
- The 4 month sleep regression is very real. Landry had no schedule and didn't take longer than 30-40 minute naps for a good 6 weeks. Night wakings were more frequent. I felt nervous to sleep train at 4 months, but we began in earnest at 5 months. There really wasn't much schedule to our day. She'd eat every 3 hours pretty regularly, but the exact times were all over.
- During this sleep regression, when she wasn't napping as much during the day, was when we needed to start doing the really early bed time. Like 6:00. We were a little late to the game this time and started closer to 5 months probably, but maybe could have done it earlier. I feel like after the hit 4 months we were kind of in survival mode until she was old enough to cry it out and get on a little bit more of a schedule. Remember: A lot of these things take care of themselves with a little more age! Don't stress! Schedules and great sleeping happen closer to 6 months. It will be ok. Repeat: It will be ok!
- Graduated crying it out just doesn't work for us. Extinction or bust I guess.
- It always takes longer than I think to lose the baby weight. I feel like 3-4 months out is sort of a low, frustrating point. I'm far enough out that I think I should be nearly back to normal, but I'm definitely not. I think this round I was probably still a good 10-15 pounds higher than PP weight and none of my pants fit. I was starting to feel a little nervous that this was the new normal. But now we're a little over 6 weeks and I'm pretty much at my PP weight. I'm not exactly where I'd like to be, but overall feel much more like myself and much thinner and trim.
- My babies just evidently don't sleep through the night on their own. We were at 2 feeds a night for quite sometime. Landry had a really hard time kicking the feed between 11-1. I gave in for a long time, but we finally started letting her cry when she began waking between 10 and 11. I knew it was too early to feed and once we started letting her cry (which took a good week or 2, stubborn little thing) then she naturally started stretching to 2 and then 3 before she'd wake to feed. That's where we are now. I'm giving it another month or so and then think about trying to drop that one. Sigh.
- A good solid schedule started a little before 6 months. She goes to bed around 6 every night. It seems like she is tired and ready at that time, no matter how her naps were that day. She eats one time around 2:30 or 3 and then sleeps until between 6:30 and 7:30. Her initial wake time seems to vary day to day. Her first nap is between 8:30 and 9 and she normally sleeps at least an hour to maybe 2. Her next nap is anywhere between 12 and 1:30. This nap is varies quite a bit in length. She usually needs a third one, but it never lasts more than 20-30 minutes if she will.
- She is a little over 6 months now and starting to fight nap put downs, like her brothers did. I'm wondering if nap training is going to be needed soon.
Pierce Update April 2015
- Pierce continues to be our linear thinker and definitely has a strength for math and numbers. He recently counted to 200 by himself at dinner. He figures out patterns of numbers so quickly and often surprises me with his deduction abilities. He is so quick to catch on to most things academic and has an amazing memory.
- He still loves Thomas (probably more than Blaine), but has expanded his interests quite a bit. Both boys love legos and hot wheels cars played with in the backyard. He still loves to watch Thomas (again, definitely more than Blaine) and still rotates through different train names for himself quite frequently. I believe today he is Douglas. But now he tacks on "the leopard engine" because I recently called him a leopard after he had speckled mud all over his face. This delighted him to no end and now he's a leopard engine. Naturally.
- He has become a really great eater! He has a pretty large variety and is much more willing to try and taste new foods, especially with the promise of a "special treat", which he asks for daily...at every meal. But it is a huge motivator! He asks how many bites he has to have to earn his treat and by golly he does it! Even if it's 20 bites. He sits there and counts bite after bite (which he loves as well) and does it. Whatever works!
- He has continued to be the more daring, tougher one of the two. He is less cautious and a little more of a jump-first-think-later-type.
- Pierce still adores Landry and is constantly in her face talking to her. When he is around her or talking to her, he'll also start substituting the word "baby" in for other words. It's pretty funny. Like "Are you going to baby her now?" instead of "burp" or "Let's go babystairs." for "downstairs". You just never know!
- He has a pretty good stubborn streak through him. He doesn't take scolding super well and usually starts to fight or argue back when we correct him. These are also the instances in which he can go non-verbal on us. He'll only use monkey-like sounds and point to get his point across when he's really upset. I'm sure there's some kind of deep psychology as to why, but I've really been working on getting him to use his words when he's upset. He also has a tendency to use a super high pitched voice once he does start talking again. It can be a little grating.
- Both boys have aced their balance bikes and love riding them. I am amazed at how long the can truly balance and coast on two wheels. They absolutely love it. And it's been great to be able to go on longer walks around our neighborhood again. Pierce would play outside as long as I would let him. He has such a long focus and attention span for most activities.
- He continues to love music and still whistles with his train whistle in the car. I'm amazed at how quickly he can pick up and then remember lyrics. He's like me- a lyric listener. Our current CD on repeat is SteveSongs we got from the library. I have to admit, they're pretty good songs!
Favorite song: Don't Wake a Sleeping Lion and Fast Monkey by SteveSongs
Favorite show: Thomas and Friends
Favorite food: Peanut butter and honey sandwiches
Favorite activity: Legos
- He still loves Thomas (probably more than Blaine), but has expanded his interests quite a bit. Both boys love legos and hot wheels cars played with in the backyard. He still loves to watch Thomas (again, definitely more than Blaine) and still rotates through different train names for himself quite frequently. I believe today he is Douglas. But now he tacks on "the leopard engine" because I recently called him a leopard after he had speckled mud all over his face. This delighted him to no end and now he's a leopard engine. Naturally.
- He has become a really great eater! He has a pretty large variety and is much more willing to try and taste new foods, especially with the promise of a "special treat", which he asks for daily...at every meal. But it is a huge motivator! He asks how many bites he has to have to earn his treat and by golly he does it! Even if it's 20 bites. He sits there and counts bite after bite (which he loves as well) and does it. Whatever works!
- He has continued to be the more daring, tougher one of the two. He is less cautious and a little more of a jump-first-think-later-type.
- Pierce still adores Landry and is constantly in her face talking to her. When he is around her or talking to her, he'll also start substituting the word "baby" in for other words. It's pretty funny. Like "Are you going to baby her now?" instead of "burp" or "Let's go babystairs." for "downstairs". You just never know!
- He has a pretty good stubborn streak through him. He doesn't take scolding super well and usually starts to fight or argue back when we correct him. These are also the instances in which he can go non-verbal on us. He'll only use monkey-like sounds and point to get his point across when he's really upset. I'm sure there's some kind of deep psychology as to why, but I've really been working on getting him to use his words when he's upset. He also has a tendency to use a super high pitched voice once he does start talking again. It can be a little grating.
- Both boys have aced their balance bikes and love riding them. I am amazed at how long the can truly balance and coast on two wheels. They absolutely love it. And it's been great to be able to go on longer walks around our neighborhood again. Pierce would play outside as long as I would let him. He has such a long focus and attention span for most activities.
- He continues to love music and still whistles with his train whistle in the car. I'm amazed at how quickly he can pick up and then remember lyrics. He's like me- a lyric listener. Our current CD on repeat is SteveSongs we got from the library. I have to admit, they're pretty good songs!
Favorite song: Don't Wake a Sleeping Lion and Fast Monkey by SteveSongs
Favorite show: Thomas and Friends
Favorite food: Peanut butter and honey sandwiches
Favorite activity: Legos
Blaine Update April 2015
- Blaine continues to be our sensitive, empathetic, kind-hearted boy. He is in tune with other feelings and does not like to see others hurting. Recently Pierce had a pretty deep splinter that I was working on. I was having to use a needle to try to get it out and it was starting to hurt Pierce. Pierce was being super brave, but started wincing and pulling his hand back as I continued to work. Blaine looked up with big eyes while standing next to Pierce and said, "Stop, Mommy! Stop! You're hurting him!". I tried to explain that I was just trying to get to the splinter and it was all Blaine could do to not stop me himself I think. I told him he could hold Pierce's hand and he did while Pierce squeezed. Then he had the idea to pray for Pierce, so he stopped right there and prayed that Pierce would be ok. I about melted right there.
- I am continually blown away by his faith at such a young age. The other night he refused neosporin for a pretty red sore on his hand because he told me very simply and matter of factly that God would heal him. It was hard to argue with that, but I quickly tried to explain the balance of meds and God's power, but felt very humbled at this faith. I need more of it!
- Blaine is probably still the friendlier of the two. They both love meeting new kids and are curious about kids their age we see in a store, but Blaine is always the first to give a friendly "Hiyah!" to anyone and everyone we see. (That's been his new greeting and I love it!)
- He is still very active and has a shorter attention span. He often just has to be moving or running around.
- He's become the more stubborn eater and if he doesn't feel like eating something, no special treat or promise can change his mind. He doesn't make a big deal out of it though. He has added more fruit to his rotation which is good.
- He and Landry have bonded more and he loves helping feed her or giver her a drink in her high chair. He'll often say, "Ohhhh ,isn't she cute?". And she has started giggling equally at him. :)
- Blaine overall is so fun loving and very happy-go-lucky. For the most part he's in a good mood, but when he does get in a funk it's pretty serious. He has the best scowl I know and gets himself so deep he has trouble snapping out of it. He's told us before that he'll start talking nicer, but still has to "keep his mean eyebrows".
According to Blaine...
Favorite show: The SteveSongs Concert DVD
Favorite song: Don't Wake a Sleeping Lion by SteveSongs
Favorite food: Carrots (initial response, also a lie). I'd say more like PB and honey sandwiches
Favorite activity: Play legos
- I am continually blown away by his faith at such a young age. The other night he refused neosporin for a pretty red sore on his hand because he told me very simply and matter of factly that God would heal him. It was hard to argue with that, but I quickly tried to explain the balance of meds and God's power, but felt very humbled at this faith. I need more of it!
- Blaine is probably still the friendlier of the two. They both love meeting new kids and are curious about kids their age we see in a store, but Blaine is always the first to give a friendly "Hiyah!" to anyone and everyone we see. (That's been his new greeting and I love it!)
- He is still very active and has a shorter attention span. He often just has to be moving or running around.
- He's become the more stubborn eater and if he doesn't feel like eating something, no special treat or promise can change his mind. He doesn't make a big deal out of it though. He has added more fruit to his rotation which is good.
- He and Landry have bonded more and he loves helping feed her or giver her a drink in her high chair. He'll often say, "Ohhhh ,isn't she cute?". And she has started giggling equally at him. :)
- Blaine overall is so fun loving and very happy-go-lucky. For the most part he's in a good mood, but when he does get in a funk it's pretty serious. He has the best scowl I know and gets himself so deep he has trouble snapping out of it. He's told us before that he'll start talking nicer, but still has to "keep his mean eyebrows".
According to Blaine...
Favorite show: The SteveSongs Concert DVD
Favorite song: Don't Wake a Sleeping Lion by SteveSongs
Favorite food: Carrots (initial response, also a lie). I'd say more like PB and honey sandwiches
Favorite activity: Play legos
Friday, February 6, 2015
Christmas 2014
Well... (said in my best Blaine voice) I'll do my best to remember some details about our first Christmas season as a family of 5.
I was really impressed and excited about how into the nativity story they were this year. They absolutely loved our "family advent devos". We tried to do as many nights as we could. On Sunday evenings we'd read a portion of the Christmas story and then they would get to pick out the corresponding characters from their nativity set and set them up. They loved that! The other nights we'd read from a devotional I'd found. Their favorite part was still blowing out the candles though. But I was so happy to see them really responding to the story, learning the people, and being able to state it as the true meaning of Christmas. They did this mommy proud!
Some other fun Christmas activities: movie nights in jammies with popcorn and "warm" cocoa, decorating Christmas cookies with Nana, and evening Christmas light tours. Some of the tours were more successful than others. We saved Christmas in the Park as the grand finale. We planned ahead with an early dinner on a Sunday night and then loaded up for the 30 minute drive. We were trying to recreate last year when there was hardly a line and we got to loop through twice. Not so this year. We must have hit too close to Christmas because by the time we got there the line was insane! No go this year sadly.
We also visited Rudy the Train at Union Station. I feel like we went about the same time as last year, but it must be getting more popular because the line was once again pretty ridiculous. And the frustrating thing was that we had reservation tickets that were supposed to make it faster. It felt a little rushed this year, but it's still a fun family tradition.
We also did a visit to Santa at Bass Pro. The boys were kind of neutral about it overall and as I thought about it I decided I was fine with this. It further proved that Santa hadn't become too important of a figure at our house. They were excited for him to bring presents of course, but that's about it. Pierce was very friendly to him, but Blaine was not going to stand alone with him for a picture. So another family photo it was this year.
Christmas Eve we did our tradition of church and then lasagna at Nana and Papa's with the Rice side. The boys loved opening their gifts and then we headed home for bedtime. It didn't feel quite as Christmas-y or normal this year. I had to go up and feed Landry while the boys did cookies for Santa, but I made it down for the end and a quick advent devo.
The next morning things got even more "off". Blaine woke up acting really sick. At one point I looked out my room and saw him just laying in the hallway. I knew that was not good and immediately began trying to figure out what we were in for. Stomach flu, influenza, etc.? I knew it was more than an average cold. Unfortunately that sort of overshadowed the whole morning for me. We all came down to do stockings and Blaine very reluctantly went through his. It was really disappointing for me as I'd spend so much time thinking of and picking out gifts I knew they would love. And then Blaine, my most enthusiastic one, could barely sit up and care. We went to eat breakfast and before long he was throwing up on his egg at the table. Poor baby! That was it. I figured we were done for. He perked up a little after that, but I was so paranoid and distracted about making sure he was ok and worrying about the rest of us and Landry. (Truth be told, I've been extra paranoid about illness this year. I always go a little psychotic about winter illness, but this year as been exceptional.) I didn't know if we'd be able to go to my mom's for the family celebration or anything. We decided to play it by ear and get through our presents. As a result, every photo of Blaine opening presents has the bright red barf bowl next to him and there are really no pictures of Landry "opening" anything. I feel like I really screwed the pooch on her first Christmas, I know she doesn't care or know this year and I'm hoping in subsequent years she'll understand!
Anyway Blaine was a little warm and more tired the rest of the day, but other than that was fine. Thank goodness! It was a good day overall, albeit slightly weird and off, but I suppose that's how some years go.
I was really impressed and excited about how into the nativity story they were this year. They absolutely loved our "family advent devos". We tried to do as many nights as we could. On Sunday evenings we'd read a portion of the Christmas story and then they would get to pick out the corresponding characters from their nativity set and set them up. They loved that! The other nights we'd read from a devotional I'd found. Their favorite part was still blowing out the candles though. But I was so happy to see them really responding to the story, learning the people, and being able to state it as the true meaning of Christmas. They did this mommy proud!
Some other fun Christmas activities: movie nights in jammies with popcorn and "warm" cocoa, decorating Christmas cookies with Nana, and evening Christmas light tours. Some of the tours were more successful than others. We saved Christmas in the Park as the grand finale. We planned ahead with an early dinner on a Sunday night and then loaded up for the 30 minute drive. We were trying to recreate last year when there was hardly a line and we got to loop through twice. Not so this year. We must have hit too close to Christmas because by the time we got there the line was insane! No go this year sadly.
We also visited Rudy the Train at Union Station. I feel like we went about the same time as last year, but it must be getting more popular because the line was once again pretty ridiculous. And the frustrating thing was that we had reservation tickets that were supposed to make it faster. It felt a little rushed this year, but it's still a fun family tradition.
We also did a visit to Santa at Bass Pro. The boys were kind of neutral about it overall and as I thought about it I decided I was fine with this. It further proved that Santa hadn't become too important of a figure at our house. They were excited for him to bring presents of course, but that's about it. Pierce was very friendly to him, but Blaine was not going to stand alone with him for a picture. So another family photo it was this year.
Christmas Eve we did our tradition of church and then lasagna at Nana and Papa's with the Rice side. The boys loved opening their gifts and then we headed home for bedtime. It didn't feel quite as Christmas-y or normal this year. I had to go up and feed Landry while the boys did cookies for Santa, but I made it down for the end and a quick advent devo.
The next morning things got even more "off". Blaine woke up acting really sick. At one point I looked out my room and saw him just laying in the hallway. I knew that was not good and immediately began trying to figure out what we were in for. Stomach flu, influenza, etc.? I knew it was more than an average cold. Unfortunately that sort of overshadowed the whole morning for me. We all came down to do stockings and Blaine very reluctantly went through his. It was really disappointing for me as I'd spend so much time thinking of and picking out gifts I knew they would love. And then Blaine, my most enthusiastic one, could barely sit up and care. We went to eat breakfast and before long he was throwing up on his egg at the table. Poor baby! That was it. I figured we were done for. He perked up a little after that, but I was so paranoid and distracted about making sure he was ok and worrying about the rest of us and Landry. (Truth be told, I've been extra paranoid about illness this year. I always go a little psychotic about winter illness, but this year as been exceptional.) I didn't know if we'd be able to go to my mom's for the family celebration or anything. We decided to play it by ear and get through our presents. As a result, every photo of Blaine opening presents has the bright red barf bowl next to him and there are really no pictures of Landry "opening" anything. I feel like I really screwed the pooch on her first Christmas, I know she doesn't care or know this year and I'm hoping in subsequent years she'll understand!
Anyway Blaine was a little warm and more tired the rest of the day, but other than that was fine. Thank goodness! It was a good day overall, albeit slightly weird and off, but I suppose that's how some years go.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Boys Update January 2015
-Both boys are such great big brothers. I was pretty certain they would have an easy adjustment because they were so well prepared, but they have exceeded by expectations. They are so loving with Landry. The first weeks they constantly wanted to know if she was awake or asleep, were her eyes opened or closed. They occasionally asked to hold her and still do. Pierce has actually been the more doting one which surprised us. I would have guessed he might have the harder adjustment of the two, but he adores her. They both helped me burp her at the beginning by saying, "buhpy, buhpy, buhpy" in a cute high voice. Sometimes it actually helped! This period of time has been another where I'm so grateful for twins. It's been wonderful that they have each other to play with and keep a big part of their lives stable. They still just go off to play together and I'm able to feed Landry in peace or do what I need to. They've done so great!
- They're still very in to the show Paw Patrol. They really don't watch it a whole lot anymore, but they have each held on to their puppy alias for 3 months now. Blaine is Rubble and Pierce is Rocky, and as a result, they prefer anything yellow and green respectively. I find myself purposely finding the yellow/green plates, cups, silverware at each meal. Pierce often takes it a step further and often goes into non verbal puppy talk. What may have been cute at first gets a old after awhile when he refuses to talk, but only to puppy whine and point. We've noticed he almost always goes into the mode when being punished or reprimanded.
- Different lovies still come to bed with them each night, but they rotate through what that might be. Blaine will usually have 3-5 lovies, but Pierce usually only has one and tucks it under his pillow every night. So cute!
- Pierce has really taken to singing lately. He went though his train whistle in the car phase which was really cute and then took more to singing. Their Christmas song of choice this year (they always have one I'm finding. Last year it was Jingle Bells) was Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He learned all the words over time and quietly sang in the backseat. If we tried to watch him though, he would hold his Thomas magazine up really quickly and shyly hide behind it. Now he is becoming more of a performer. Lately he has requested we sing the Doxology at each prayer and boldly sings nearly every word. I could listen to him sing it all day.
- Blaine is my kitchen helper. He is constantly asking to help me cook or load the dishwasher and I try to be good about stopping and including him when I can. I love that he enjoys it so much and he really is good!
- One of their favorite past times is still rough housing with Daddy in the basement. They've created a game called "Get the Bear" as part of it. Basically BJ is the bear and they get him. :)
- I would say we've made some good eating progress in the last few months. Both boys are better at trying dinners and seem to like the bites they try for the most part, but I'll be darned if they'll eat more than the one taste. Baby steps, baby steps. They both each raw carrots now (Pierce quite happily, Blaine more reluctantly) and that is a big victory for sure! Somewhere over the course of desperate bribery though they have come to expect a "fpecial teet" at any and every meal. Going to Nana's house frequently doesn't help either!
- Pierce has had a couple of willful battles the last few weeks. He doesn't handle reprimading super well and it can often send him in a downward spiral. There was one day recently where we were really battling. I had to lock him in his room for time out and I was having to take away his toys for continued disobedience. Blaine watched on very concerned and clearly hurting for his brother. At one point he suggested I take away Stephen the train instead of Bill, Pierce's favorite. Later towards the end of our battle when I was talking to Pierce, Blaine came walking in and brightly said, "Mommy I prayed that Pierce wouldn't say no anymore." Tears filled my eyes as, once again, this sweet boy spoke straight to my heart. God has used him more than once to remind me of some spiritual truths.
- Overall they are such great boys. We are constantly impressed and humbled by their loving natures, sensitivity, obedience, and sweet natures.
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