I've realized recently that our monthly check ups no longer get to revolve around weight... As our lil ones have turned into very fast crawlers, and wobbly walkers, their weight gain hasn't kept up. I attribute this to all the extra exercise, because they sure are eating a ton!!!
In reference to eating... we transitioned to a little table, so that they all sit down together (and sometimes with me) to have dinner and snacks. It definitely makes for a trickier clean up process, but they love it. Initially, it took Catherine awhile to figure out how to get off the chair. She was plenty vocal about needing help, and we kept trying to convince her that since she has the longest legs, she should be able just scoot her way off. She eventually got it and has mastered going up and coming down. For all future moms out there, a small recommendation... get a table with a flat top, not one with a lip. I chose poorly on the first go round, but another trip to ikea has rectified the problem. We've been practicing utensils, which they all love, and are not very successful... But it makes for funny attempts!
The other place they love to sit is in their "new ride", the radio flyer deluxe... 3 seats, seat belts and cup holders for kids and adults. It is, however, not the best place to fall asleep.
Enjoying a ride...
Sleep won, but the battle was hard fought.
Mac still remains a super smiley lil' man, but is getting stronger at exerting his independence. He's not quite the pushover or crier that he used to be as the girls snatch his toys. He's been making use of his new biting, hair pulling, and smacking skills when needed. He's a wobbly walker, but constantly tries. With a quick cue of "up" with arms in the air, he stands without assistance and will start off walking until something knocks him down. He LOVES to play in the tent, and in the play house... and a game of "where's Mac?" immediately brings his smile back. His most ticklish spot is the back of his thigh. He's a little rougher than the girls... when he's in your lap and excited, he has a tendency to try and smack at your face :) When he falls or hurt himself, he gives a little shout for attention, and then does it again in slow motion as if telling us "look what happened to me!". We've filled up a baby pool in the front yard a few times, and Mac definitely loves it the most. He cries to be taken out, and a similar response happens if we try and take a "quick" bath.
He loves to dance to music, with a belly bounce or both index fingers up in the air. As he wanders around the house, he finds a small object that he immediately claims. This week it has been a bubble wand. He then takes it and attempts to figure out all the ways it works with his other toys. Does this stick fit inside? will it go into this cup?
He definitely has the strongest ears of the bunch. A squeak of the refrigerator door, one of his favorite places to play, and he crawls over FAST from anywhere around. Other noises of note... the turning on of the faucet for tub time, the linen closet door, and the alarm chime to signal someone coming into the house. Oh, and a verbal question of "Ready to Eat?"
He's doing his best at imitation of some familiar sounds. His favorite is "baa baa baa". But as Paisley has started to attempt an "uh oh", he will imitate with a gutteral "oh". Other fun imitation this week, stomping his feet when we sing, playing with his lips to make the "blubber blubber" noise. He's also enjoying "feeding" others... offering dad a drink from his sippy cup, and a baby doll if asked. He can sometimes show you where his head and belly are if asked... He continues to be the greeter when friends arrive, extending his arm in a gesture of peace.
His hair is attempting to grow, although mostly just a patch in the back and one on top. His lil "duck tail" even has some curl.
He has 8 teeth and is wearing mostly 12 month clothes, although some of the smaller 18 month clothes also fit. He is a little over 20 pounds.
Watermelon baby
Filling up his pool
Happiness is the creak of the refrigerator door.
The one on the top shelf please!!!
Snoozing in the big bed.
Paisley, our lil tiny but mighty, walks the most of the three :) It's still odd to see someone so tiny toddling around. She's also the quickest to try coordinated motor skills, she literally got a foothold in one of the tubs whirlpool gets and was trying to rock climb her way out.... She tests the most at the table, standing and balancing on her chair over and over again to repetitively be told to sit down. Every time she stands, she's wonderful at staring directly at me, and giving me a full smile. Lil imp.
She is wandering all over babbling with a "digga digga digga" and holding onto whatever she has found. She has a fond place in her heart for small pieces of paper, cards from mommy's wallet, and lil people. She is very curious about other children, but also seems to be the most reserved in their presence. Her most favorite phrase of the day is "uh uh", a Paisley short hand for "uh oh". Most of the time, this is reference to an accidental drop or fall of an object, but she occasionally loves to do it on purpose. :) She loves the "A, B, C" magnet letters for the fridge and is the only that has figured out how to make them stick. She continues to be gatherer, trying to walk around the house with her hands full of her group of objects (letters, cards, papers).
She loves to be held and carried around, and walks up to you and raises both arms and wiggles her hands to say "up, up". This wiggly hand is also used for a "give me, give me" if she sets her eyes on something. She's the current "waver" of the group... giving a wave whenever she hears "bye bye" and occasionally for a hello. She tends to follow the other two when they are together, and then joins in. She's also very content to explore on her own at times. She loves a cuddle, and dad can hold her in his arms and say "Paisley cuddles" and she leans into his chest.
Her big brother Zachary and her love to play rough, while he throws her around and she giggles wildly. Now, if only he'd change a few more of her diapers...
She now loves her "bear" and gives it a cuddle as she sleeps. And sleep has gotten better.... most nights, I am waking her for a 9:30 bottle and then she goes until the next morning :) This got a little wonky here and there, but we've been steadily working on it... The extra hours of sleep have been amazing. And I've truly started to realize how when we have a rough night, that I am functional, but not excellent. I hope everyone I've talked to in the last year and a half acknowledges that one!
She has 10 teeth, and 9 month clothes for her the best... Although she still can pull off some of the 6 months... She is a little over 16 pounds.
Letter magnets
Making a break for it
Fancy new diaper hat
"Ummm, am I gonna get in trouble for this? Who left the Kleenex out?"
Catherine has a desire to experience the most out of every situation. She's the most independent out of the house. When she's sees kids or toys that she is interested in, she will easily leave the home base of mom, dad, or Cris and go exploring. It's such a funny visual to picture her tiny self crawling across the wide open space to join some big kids with the ball.
She's has 2 very cuddly weeks with mommy. Wanting to be around me most of the time, and sit in my lap to eat, and sit in my lap to play, and cry if I leave the room... She continues to love her monkey, which helps console her. But the best is when you tell her you can see it and she gets so excited to travel across the room to get it.
About once a week, she will have a very good nap and then throw herself a little party for an hour or so after bedtime. While I probably shouldn't reinforce it, the one on one time and her not being the best sleeper is rare enough, that I enjoy it a little.
She's the best eater, enjoys her broccoli and asparagus. And anything that is on my plate. Her fork skills are the best of the three.
She loves to take turns with mommy, whether it's cuddling the baby doll or taking bites. She really prefers that we do it together. She's the problem solver of the group, figuring out how to climb on chairs, move objects around, and surprise mommy by being higher than she should!
She covers her face with her hands when playing peek a boo, and continues to have long delicate movements with those long fingers.
She has a great social memory, and recognizes the familiar and unfamiliar faces that grace our household.
Yogurt all by myself
Playing kitchen with Mac
Waitress in training
Climbing like a monkey, with her monkey
They all 3 are working hard at figuring out puzzles and the shape sorters. A favorite toy of late has been a stack of red solo cups... A few phrases that everyone responds to "oooh, relaxing" and they will lay down and look so chill... "Up/down". And "help" will stop them from shouting..
They all like mouth games... And recently if I say "blech, yucky" they will try and spit out whatever in their mouths.
Before packing peanuts...
And after...
Pool time
Baby bottoms.
Take care,
Julie
No comments:
Post a Comment