You know how they say things come in threes?
I enjoy the writing rule of three: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_three_%28writing%29
Not so much in this article: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/WhosCounting/story?id=7988416&page=1
This past summer, we had our fare share of these things. The parents got strep throat (twice each), the middle and baby boys got salmonella (gross) and the oldest child got the shingles.
Don’t.even.get.me.started.
Here’s hoping 2014 will be good to us!
Both boys started preschool this past week. They have been precious about going to school.
Troy needs a little extra structure and interaction with some kids his age. Justin needs to be around peers for his speech development. So we kept Troy at our church preschool and added Justin in with him.
On the first day, Justin was so excited to go along with Troy. As we were walking him to the car, he was pumping his fists while yelling “yay! yay!”. His preschool has carline drop off which makes it SO easy to drop them off. For their first day, Brian and I both went to drop him off. As he was being walked away from our car, he was looking back at me as if to say, “uh, what are you doing to me and with whom am I leaving?” He’s done great this week (he only goes part of the week) and has been pretty worn out at naptime.
Troy, on the other hand, is in the “three” year old class although he turns four about a month after he starts school. Either way, he already has some buddies in his class and will probably do a great job at getting them in trouble with him. Typical boy I suppose. He LOVES preschool so this is a good thing for him. They are practicing the red/yellow/green light system. Basically each kid starts on the green light. If they get in trouble, they are moved to the yellow light and two (sometimes more) warnings will then put them on the red light. The kids are somewhat bribed by candy or goodies as a reward to staying on the green light.
So each day this week his teachers said he had “a great day” and had been a good boy. Wednesday, I asked him how his day had been and he told me he had a bad day. Specifically, he said he got in trouble for throwing bark at other kids. He raised his hand to a certain level above his head and said that they are big kids and were “this” tall. I asked him about this at least 4-5 times. Each time he said he was put on the red light. Then, he said his friend Walker and Brady were put on the yellow light for throwing bark at other kids. This was confusing because his teachers had specifically said he had been so good. Come to find out, after getting the details from his teachers, he never got in trouble. What gives? Why make up the story?
So we did find out that he got put in time out one day this week for jumping on a kid after his toy was taken away. Nice. Nice. So I realize I need to read books on raising boys. Just need to carve out the time and do it.
I made these little matching outfits with fabric from Dr. Seuss’ Oh The Places You Will Go! It’s so adorable! Anyway, as I was taking a picture of Try, I realized that I forgot to hem one leg of his pants. Luckily it was just that one side so it didn’t take long to fix it.
Here we go…the countdown to the big 1. Seriously, how did time go by so fast? My little “baby” is still just that, a baby…but he’s a mover and a shaker. I’ve been glad that he’s been exclusively nursed this whole time. In fact, when I’m nursing him is the only time he’s still…except for when he’s sleeping. So anyway, he’s also developed a little temper.
He doesn’t like to be changed so he’ll grunt and throw his hands up and down to let you know. And, if he gets a toy taken away from him (because he only wants age inappropriate toys), he will try to hit you. What’s up with that? It’ll be interesting to see how that develops.
On other news, he’s talking more and more. He will, on his own, point at the cat and say “Abbie”, and will also say eat, mama, dada, up, eat, uh oh, oh, all done.
The two top molars have come in already and the bottom two are almost through. He’s got some chompers for sure!
Standing proudly…he’s started cruising a bit and will push a toy around easily now.
The little brown spot on the back of his left thigh is a birth mark. It’s gradually gotten bigger as he’s grown. It was the size of a pea when he was born. It’s now about the size of a grape.
Little dude started pulling up to stand and cut his forth tooth the day he turned 10 months. He started crawling a little after he turned 9 months and has been all over the place. In the morning after getting milk, he crawls all over the house. Blaine seems to have a ton of fun keeping us on our toes. Gone are the days of him staying in one place for longer than 2 seconds. Entertainment at its finest.
The brothers have become afraid of him, like he’s some sort of monster. The creature eyes one toy, heads that way and the two older brothers lose it – like screaming as if they were little girls. Ridiculousness at its best. Again, very entertaining.
Anyway, Blaine is a fun little thing and still as sweet as he can be.
The kid loves to crawl all over the place. Concrete, hardwood floors, carpet, you name it….but he’d rather crawl in grass than anywhere else. We had the yard sprayed for bugs/insects (and biting creatures) but he still ends up with little bites on his legs. He doesn’t seem to mind yet.
Some determined little feet…
A little butterball, full of life and happiness. He’s cutting teeth left and right. And is SO heavy! Problem is he loves to be held. It’s lovely for a while but when you feel like your arm is going to fall off, you have to put him down. He’s not a fan of being put down.
Oh the concentration here….using that pincher grasp. He’s pretty much eating anything he’d like these days. And he pretty much likes anything.
I know I’m partial but I think he’s absolutely gorgeous with those blue eyes and wavy blonde hair.
He’s bossy, too…..we have no idea what he’s saying (except for saying Abbie and bye-bye) but he has a lot of jibber jabber going on.
And, I might as well say it…..I’m his favorite person. Love!
9 month stats:
Height: 30 inches
Weight: 27 pounds, 1 ounce
Head: 18.5 inches
Off the chart
Poor baby got salmonella poisoning from his middle brother. Wasn’t so bad but still….maybe something I’ll elaborate on later.
Well, here we go again. Sweet boy is still sitting up like a charm but is completely content with staying in one spot this month.
For Mother’s Day (this month), I took Troy and B to my cousin’s barn in Tuscaloosa. It’s actually a pretty neat/nice place with 5 bedrooms on the top, stalls on the bottom, big bays on the side, bays on the front, a concrete floor, kitchen up and downstairs, laundry room, bathrooms, etc. Enough to house my cousins, their 3 kids (2 sets of cousins), my mom, sisters and all of our kids. We had a blast! Justin and Brian stayed home because Justin was feeling sick. Turns out he had salmonella…..maybe I’ll write more about that later.
Below is one of my favorite pics of Blaine. He shared his cord blood when he was born. I kept forgetting to get his picture in the shirt so I could send it back to the hospital. The shirt just fit him (or maybe it was too tight, you be the judge). But, he was so sweet and innocent sitting up straight here. In the background is the land around the barn.
Justin has begun a true interest in Blaine. He can make him laugh which provides entertainment for all. Acting silly always makes a baby laugh, right?
He’s really started saying “mama” and I think he knows what he’s saying. Melts my heart.
Here I go trying to update Blaine. Yep, third child syndrome has set in at our house. Well, it set in a while ago I suppose. Keeping up with the blog has proven to be difficult.
So….back to Blaine. He turned 7 months at the beginning of April. What else happened in April? Blaine started sitting up confidently. And with such perfect posture! His little feet and legs would lay straight on the ground while he sat up as straight as a board.
His smiles come all the time. All.the.time.
And we started to think about moving him to his crib. This mama wasn’t ready to move the kid out of his parents room.
His eye teeth came in right after his two bottom teeth. So for a brief few weeks, he looked like a baby vampire. I’ve loved taking him with me where I go: the grocery store, a ladies night out at the local running club. You name it, he’s easy so I take him with me. He garnered so much attention at the ladies night that he ended up in the “fashion show” with one lady. Then he decided to spit up (a lot) – but at least he only got that on me and the floor. Oops.
Peek-a-boo is one of his past-times.
He went to his first big social outing (I think it was his first) to a fun event in Opelika called On the Tracks. He was, of course, the most adorable baby in attendance.
Then, on April 20th, his Memama and Grandy came in town to participate in the final rolling of the original Toomer’s Corner trees. Sure, they are (were) just a few trees. But, they were filled with pomp and circumstance, tradition and love. I specifically recall one Sunday after the Auburn/Alabama game back in 1997 or 1998 when Brian and I came to Auburn just to see the trees. It was like snow. I have the photos somewhere collecting dust. Anyway, anybody who’s been to downtown Auburn probably has some sort of memory about the trees. A few years ago, a man poisoned the trees with some pretty potent stuff and the trees have slowly declined. They were cut down on April 23rd.
Sure…I’m way behind on my little blog. Been doing other stuff…
One of the things I’ve done:
I updated all three baby books! Only had to put Troy’s 3rd birthday picture and update but had a bunch to do with Justin and Blaine’s books. Man, that feels GOOD!
Only took a trip down to the beach to get it done. It’s amazing what a few hours being forced to be in one place will allow me to do!
The night before the Seaside Half Marathon in Seaside, FL. Ran my best time yet at 1:56:22. Not bad for 6 months post baby and training 16 weeks…
Justin and two of his friends, all born within 6 weeks of each other, had a little birthday party. Since I was in charge of games for the kids, Google was my buddy while getting ready for the party. I got paper sacks, cut a hole for the head and arms, cut some “fringe” at the bottom and cut out some shapes from my Silhouette Cameo. Added some stickers to the pile and each child made their own cowboy/girl vest. Isn’t it adorable?! Justin wore his ALL DAY because he loved it so much.
We had a trial with work this week. Took this with my iPhone because it made me laugh. There are signs before you walk in the building saying “no hats”. Maybe some people can’t read. I dunno. What is funny is that this is in Lee County yet there aren’t any “Auburn” hats…there are two from the “other” school. Haha.
So, as you can tell, I’ve done a pretty bad job at keeping up with posting my photo a week. I’m going to try and make it up over the next few posts. Here we go…
Sweet Blaine is a half a year old! What happened to the time? I’m afraid I’ll be asking myself this forever. Anyway…
He’s the sweetest thing ever! He’s so, so close to sitting up, has four teeth now and is (occasionally) rolling over.
At exactly 6 months, he rolled from his belly to his back. At 6 1/2 months he rolled from his back to his belly.
This child LOVES life! Make sure he’s fed and he’s good to go. He loves his brothers and watches them intently. Once he’s mobile, we’d better watch out. His giggle is contagious.
His rolls (who has knee rolls?) are scrumptious!
Almost there…
23 pounds, 9 ounces
28.4 inches
17.7 head
99%+
Words cannot describe how I feel about this sweet little boy turning two. He is our little miracle…in so many ways. Justin has stretched our faith, made us question our lives and parenting skills and brought us so much joy!
He’s talking more and more although there is a lot we don’t understand. There is a bunch of gibberish! He loves copying his brother – in what.ever.he.can. He’s funny and really likes to make people laugh. If someone is laughing, he will start laughing just for the heck of it. We are beginning to see a silly side to Justin which is so much fun. He has the sweetest smile but it’s SO hard to catch on the camera.
His favorite toys are his Scout (Leap Frog puppy) and his Buzz and Woody dolls from Toy Story. His favorite movie is Nemo (we think) or the shapes and sizes Leap Frog video (with Scout). Favorite food is plain Greek yogurt, fish sticks, pouches (any kind) , cheerios, raisins and my homemade shakes (chalked full with kale).
On his actual birthday, Brian had to go out of town for work. So he stuck around long enough to take Justin (and me) to breakfast. Of all places, we chose iHop. Couldn’t have picked a better place for him. He ate all of his silver dollar size pancakes, bacon and some eggs. We passed (on his behalf) when they offered him cherry pie (or something like that) for his b’day meal. Syrup was enough sugar for the morning.
He LOVES outside. Waves and says “bye” or “bye bye” to every single car passing our corner. The gator is a favorite. He can hit off of a tee and likes to kick balls. Justin is content playing by himself but doesn’t like to be alone in a room. He’d rather be playing next to Troy than in another room alone. He’s becoming increasingly interested in Blaine and has recently started calling him “bebe”.
28 pounds
33.7 inches
25-50%
Size 5 1/2 shoe
That evening, I took the three boys to dinner at Venditori’s, our local Italian restaurant. It’s a staple for a free birthday meal on that special day. Of course they didn’t check his ID but if you’re an adult, they take your ID and verify your birthday is that exact day. I know this post isn’t about me but, seriously…I took 3 kids on my own to a restaurant. The youngest was 6 months and the oldest: 3 1/2. Yep, I love Justin THAT much!
Happy (belated) Valentine’s Day!
The boys LOVE their baby brother! I think the feeling is mutual
Troy helped make valentines for his preschool friends. It says “So glad we’re in the same school” and we put Swedish fish inside the bags, tying them with red and white braided ribbon. So cute! Troy was so happy to count out three fish and put in each bag.
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