Sunday, November 24, 2013

8 Months Old

I'm about a week behind on this one, but here's the info I have.

Nicholas is 8 months old (and 6 days).

Eating:  He loves to feed himself.  He's had a variety of foods, baby and table.  Apples seem to be his favorite.  He likes baby food if he can eat it from the pouch himself.  He isn't all that excited about the spoon.  I am still nursing.  He takes 3 bottles with the babysitter, but as of late only wants 8-10 ounces.  That helps me keep up with the pumping at work, but it makes him a very hungry boy in the evenings and during the night, unfortunately.

Sleeping: Since he turned 7 months, sleep has been awful, like waking every 2-3 hours.  There are many factors that might have contributed from his hemangioma medicine, to reflux, to teething, to learning new skills, to the need for sleep training.  We are in the process of sleep training, which is hard right now, but we know will help in the long run.  It was necessary with Mikaela, too and improved things dramatically for her, so I stay the course, despite its challenge.  He naps 3 times during the week because he takes a short cat nap in the car on the way home.  During the weekends, it's usually just two naps.

Activities:  Nicholas can crawl on his hands and knees now, but prefers the army crawl when needing speed.  This week he learned to pull up on things and is beginning to "cruise" a little.  His Pooh Bear car still seems to be a favorite toy.

He smiles and giggles often and melts our hearts when he does.  He's interacting with Mikaela a lot so that's fun to watch.  Here are some recent photos.

Helping daddy work one morning



Tearing up the paper at the doctor's office while waiting in the room.




Outtakes:









Tuesday, November 5, 2013

4 years old

Mikaela turned 4 years old last Saturday.  Sometimes it's really hard to believe.  Other times, it's hard to remember what life was like before her.

Her stats:

37 lbs (50%)
3' 5.5 '' (90%)
15.1 BMI
Normal hearing
Vision: R: 20/25 L: 20/20

She is within all normal limits of everything in terms of linguistics, social, gross and fine motor, etc.

She is still an exceptionally picky eater.  Basically, if we let her, she'd eat nothing but mac n cheese or chicken nuggets.  We have found certain fruits she will eat and are still working on the vegetables.  She gets supplements with vitamins, etc.   She's growing and healthy, so I guess I should get too worried.  We just continue to offer choices and when she braves trying things, she gets a "treat" after dinner.  Otherwise, she just eats what she wants.  Some days that means she doesn't eat as much dinner, but at least we don't have battles and tears anymore.

Her favorite movies are Incredibles and Monsters, Inc.  She also likes to watch Team Umizoomi.

She has imaginary friends that rotate in and out, but the most popular one is "California."

She loves playing games.  Most often at home she plays a story telling game or "Spot it."  Both were a toy from Chick-fil-a.  She plays many games with Graemma at her house as well.

She is enjoying dance, and it's a way to help her be in a classroom environment, challenging in ways she hasn't been challenged before.

She loves to sing and we often hear her making up songs about various events that have transpired.

She loves dot to dot and mazes.  She'll color some, but prefers coloring/drawing on blank paper as opposed to coloring in a coloring book.

She loves wearing dresses, but isn't much for hairbows or headbands.  Her favorite color is usually pink.

She is clever and we are always entertained.  We are so blessed by all she is learning.



 




Since her birthday fell on a Saturday this year, we were able to have her party on her birthday.  We did a little mini fall carnival in my parent's backyard.  All of the kids had a ton of fun and I think the adults enjoyed it too.  I was pleased with how it turned out.  I've never been big on the whole birthday party thing, but I did enjoy doing this for her.  I know she had a great time.  
pumpkin ring toss


photo booth

bean bag toss

sandbox

decorations

food table

Pre-party birthday girl

excited 

Rebecca riding around








craft table - decorate a fall picture frame


posing with Ben

Renzo plays ring toss

picture frame making

Mr. Cory got in on the action

drawing on the driveway

all the kids 

another take

signing happy birthday

Aaron relaxing in the sun

Owen making a frame

Nicholas enjoyed watching the action on the laps of many, including Mariel.

Owen's finished project

Bean Bag Toss reinvented

opening presents




finished drawings


hopscotch


a little too much bean bag fun...