4 Months Old

Mr. William is 4 months old.  I took him for his appointment and my poor little guy was not happy at all.  I had to wake him up, so it made for an unpleasant visit at the doctor’s.  He had to get several shots and the doctor had to dig out some ear wax, so he screamed bloody murder this go around.  The good news is, he is healthy and we got the go ahead for solids, which I know our little chunk will enjoy.
4 months old:

• 18.4 lbs (96%tile)
• 26 inches (86%tile)
• 17.13 head circumference (82%tile)
• wears size 3 diapers and mostly 6-9 month clothes
• reaches and grabs toys
• tracks objects and people side to side
• laughs & squeals
• has rolled over a few times tummy to back
• loves to stand up
• loves his bath

William is doing really well.  We moved him into his crib at 3 months old and at first he was waking up constantly searching for his pacifier.  On night #2 of crib sleeping, we decided to go cold turkey without the pacifier and we haven’t looked back since.  He cried for about 25 minutes the first night, but now he falls asleep on his own at night paci free.  No more plugging the pacifier all night long.  It feels so liberating!  He mostly sleeps anywhere from 6-9 hour stretches, eats, and goes right back to sleep.  Bedtime is usually by 7:30 and he up for the day between 6:30-7:45.  He takes three naps (mostly in the swing…we need to nip that one soon).
We started him on some rice cereal over the weekend.  He spit most of it out, but with practice he will be trying all kinds of new foods soon.
William lights up our world.  What a sweet, happy boy!

Maddie turns 3!

Our big girl is three years old.  These few years have flown by as I always say.  But geez, how can she be three?? I took her to her well child visit and oh boy was that FUN (NOT).  She is a total nightmare to take to the doctor.  She refused to complete the vision test, they didn’t attempt the hearing test, she wouldn’t let them take her blood pressure, she wouldn’t open her mouth, and I had to hold her down for the doctor to look in her ear.  NIGHTMARE!  She better be lucky that she didn’t have shots this year.  She would have definitely scared everyone away.  I am just glad it is over for now…until next month when she has another ENT appointment.  I guess I better start lifting some heavier weights to wrangle her.

At three years old:

Weight: 38 lbs (95%tile)

Height: 39.5 inches (92%tile)

• knows all colors
• can identify most simple shapes
• can identify some letters and numbers
• loves to sing and knows many songs, but she likes to make songs up as well-she sings all the time!  Her all time favorite is “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, but she also loves Christmas songs.  I catch her singing “Jingle Bells” all the time.
• can get undressed with little help and can put pants, socks, and some shoes on unassisted
• likes to help with chores around the house-folding laundry, sweeping, and wiping the table are her favorites
• favorite toys these days are her blocks, princess castle, kitchen, all books, and her doll stroller
• loves to run around naked
• loves her rainboots
• loves to play outside

Maddie still goes to school two days a week and we already signed her up for 3K for the fall.  She loves going to school and has learned a lot.  She even knows the pledge of allegiance!

At three years old, Maddie is still not completely potty trained.  We have had a bit of a regression since William was born.  It is extremely frustrating, because she is so smart.  If I take her all day long and don’t forget she will never have accidents, but if I don’t say anything to her she will just go in her panties.  She hates to be wet, so I just don’t get it   Hoping it will fall into place soon.  She has also almost given up her nap.  I hate it!  Some days she will still fall asleep, but most days she refuses and by dinner time the meltdowns begin. 

At two years old I said she could throw a “mean tantrum”, but good grief, at three years old they are intense!  But when she is sweet, she is the sweetest thing EVER.  This too shall pass I guess.

For her birthday, we had a small family party this year at our house, but you would have thought we had fifty people bring gifts after she opened all of her presents.  She got so many toys and beautiful clothes.

On her actual birthday Gabe and I took her to Columbia to visit the Riverbanks Zoo.  We left William with Mimi so we could spend the whole day with her.  Maddie loved feeding the giraffes, watching the penguins, the monkeys that hollered, and her favorite was riding the pony!  It really was a great day for the three of us.

Our Chunky Monkey

William is a BIG BOY.  I took him in for his two month well check (a couple weeks late) and my jaw about hit the floor when I saw how much he weighs.  He gained a whooping five pounds in just six weeks. 
At two months old William:

• 15 lbs 5 oz  (95th %tile)
• 23.5 inches (45th %tile)
• 16.14 head circumference (54th %tile)
• has become much more alert during the day-can stay awake for about 2 hour stretches
• smiles at us all the time
• beginning to coo and makes lots of cute baby noises
• sleeps 4-7 hour stretches at night
• takes 3-4 naps in the day
• eats 5 oz every 3-4 hours
• wears 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers
• Loves his bath, the swing, standing up, and talking to us!
• very strong; can lift head high off floor while on stomach-has even rolled from tummy to back a couple of times!
• Overall, a very happy little boy!

Holiday Happenings!

I seriously have let the time get away from me yet again without writing anything in the blog.  Easy to do when you are busy chasing a toddler around and juggling a new baby! 

Little William is already two months old.  We have stayed quite busy like most people during the holiday season.  We took an impromptu trip to Georgetown for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time with family.  We all don’t get together that much and some were just meeting William for the first time, so it was fun! 

Gabe had several days off, so when we got home we spent a couple of days decorating our house for Christmas!  It was extremely special this year it being the first year in our house!  It was our first real tree, too since getting married!  We started simple this year by hanging wreaths on all the windows and putting garland and lights around the front door.  We are proud of our little home   Next year, hopefully we will do even more!

The month of December was a whirlwind!  Between the cookie baking, Christmas parties, holiday lights, Santa visits, and present wrapping, I am exhausted!  We spent Christmas Eve day at my mom’s.  We had a huge, delicious meal and then exchanged presents.  Then off to Christmas mass we went.  It was the first time all four of us were at church together.  We then came home and Maddie put out cookies, milk, and carrots (for the reindeer).  Then the elves went to work until close to midnight!  The older Maddie gets, the more fun it becomes!

Santa was good to both kids this year.  Maddie got a tricycle, easel, a stuffed bee that she has been eyeing for MONTHS, and a plasma car (although, I think Gabe and myself are having the most fun with it).  She was a little shy at first on Christmas morning…Santa left footprints, so that scared her a little bit.  Oooops She stood back and looked at everything for a while and she finally spotted the BEE.  She was so excited about that bee and still is!  Although, she was not a fan of Santa this year, she does keep saying “Santa is a nice man”.  Maybe next year she won’t be so scared!

Gabe had all week off from work, but it went by fast!  Back to the grind tomorrow where he works seven straight days.  I will miss having him home.  He is an amazing daddy and helps out with the kids so much.  I couldn’t do it without him!!!

Now onto 2013!  Time slow down, please.  Maddie will be three next month and William is well on his way, too.