Verbally Challenged

Yesterday was definitely a good day for the k-fam (not to be confused with k-fed because that’s just scary).

On May 27, NINE years ago, hubby and I were married. I blogged about it before so I won’t bore you with the details from the day again but it deserves mentioning that we were high school sweeties. And today (ok yesterday), we’ve been together (not necessarily married) for 19 years. We go way back and I’m so proud of that. He’s an amazing guy – more than I can articulate since I am indeed verbally challenged. And if I had it to do over again with him, I totally would. As a husband, he’s sensitive and caring even when I’m having a rough day with hormones surging (hello motherhood and nursing now for to over two years). As a dad he’s beyond hands on and the kids (and I) adore him to no end (who doesn’t). He is beyond helpful in all areas of our family and that to me speaks volumes. We spend lots of time together as a family and never complains (thank goodness he’s not a weekend golfer). He’s just plain awesome and I’m so glad he’s my hubby!

And also yesterday on May 27 was the five month birthday of my littlest guy. FIVE MONTHS! And guess what? I’ve finally forgotten about the pain from labor/post-c-section – shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don’t tell my husband!

So today we did a little photoshoot to mark those five months. And I need to do the list. Because if I do lists, I can make easy pages like this:

Except that it won’t have 14 weeks on it since he’ll be 20, and it’ll look a little different. But I digress.

At FIVE MONTHS young, he:
*HAS A TOOTH! And holy jeepers that was a tough one. We both felt it (remember the nursing comment above) and I cried right along with him.
*Is still rolling onto his belly and still not digging it much.
*LOVES his chew toys – thank heavens for the ever so pricy Sophie Giraffe (grandma Laura are you taking notes here?).
*Still sleeps well – to bed at 7:30, to rise at 7:30 (ok…sometimes 6:30) – so he’s NOT PERFECT!
*Naps twice a day…that’ll be changing to 3 times a day with liam out of school (shhhh don’t tell him)
*Nurses 5-7 times a day.
*Babbles up a storm and blows raspberries
*Doesn’t like when anyone leaves the room (this is always a fun phase)
*Loves being worn and falls asleep almost instantly
*Still has steely blue/grey eyes…so different from my other kiddos
*Poops every 9 days – TMI? Perhaps. But it’s the truth and who he is.
*Pulls hair
Gosh….I need to end with something more pleasant.
*SMILES A LOT AND IS STINKIN’ CUTE! See?

Hey there, see my tooth?

And then I stuck him in a big cooper pot and he didn’t quite know what to make of it:

But he didn’t seem to mind. So I got him all dressed again after that shot and plopped him down for one last shot.

Here’s is what he thought about that idea:

But then he quickly came around and learned that the sooner he looks at the camera the sooner he can eat:

And so there you have it. Lots of excitement for #27, brought to you by the letter “K.”

Lots of this going on around here:

Mothering.
By the little mama herself.
By the big mama to a little guy with his first tooth.
And to a the bigger guy recovering from strep throat.
And to the biggest guy who will go into mourning if the Penguins don’t win the Stanley cup.

Not. Kidding.

“I doe a yunch if doll-doll…yem have a boof”

She loves her “doll-doll”

And yes we eat out at least twice a week….and we likes booths.

Apparently if you’re eating granola and you don’t like the almonds in it today, all you have to do is gather them in your hands, wave them in a circle and say “abra cadabra, presto chango” and they’ll disappear.

And then mom will have to vacuum.

Who knew!

Another non-milestone post but definitely overdue (heck I was doing weekly with the little miss)!

This week the wee dude started doing a couple of new things:
Raspberries are huge right now accompanied by lots of drool. He thinks they’re hilarious – I think they’re adorable!
Toes…he has toes. He can’t quite grab those toes yet but he’s trying. He knows they’re there!
Toys aren’t just for batting. IF you can grab them, and IF you can get them to your mouth they’re great to suck on!
But more often than not they’re frustrating.
Sleep…we’re back to sleeping. At least we were on Monday and Tuesday. Perhaps the regression has past.
Oh please oh please oh please be past.
Smiles and more smiles. Still smiling at everything.
If fact folks ask me if he ever cries – which he totally does when he’s hungry and tired – otherwise he smiles.
Loves being worn which makes me VERY happy. I still don’t care for strollers much.
Rolling…can still maneuver onto his belly but not reverse back yet.
Kicks and squirms his way around. He can officially wiggle off of a blanket, somehow.

Yesterday we did a mini photo shoot and he was SO GOOD! Addy was a bit upset that I wasn’t taking photos of her so we had a mini session later too (more with her on another day).

Obviously I had trouble narrowing down…but I did…there are LOTS more. I’ll share just one more.

I wanted to post this sooner but it just never happened.

My Mother’s Day was fantastic – one of the best ever. My morning started out as usual. However, when I got to the living room I was instructed to stay on the couch and either play on the computer or watch tv. Hubby took the kids into the kitchen (all three kiddos) and was up to something!

I opened up the computer and started recording some of the things that I was hearing – because it was really quite funny and just too darned nosey!

Can I get mommy her basket?
I had the best hiding place.
Can I put my finger in there?
Yum, chocolate!
Me too! Me too!
Audrey B is a her.
What’s that?
Yuck!
I love strawberries!
Where did you get these strawberries?
That’s pretty good!
Where is that song coming from daddy?
Can I pick out the cups and bowls?
Addy do you want to help? Noooooooooooo.
Can I help?
I see bubbles starting to come on.
What are those things daddy?
What did they used to be?
Can I open this?
Can I have this?
Can I have the strawberry whipped cream?
Can I please get my bag now?
Put one line down the center.
Can I lick the spoon?
Can I have this last strawberry?
Wipe your hands.
You guys talk to Finn…I’ll be right back.
Ok each one gets to fold
Add more strawberries
Is it chocolate time?

Mommy come in!

And while parts of my was dying to know what my morning surprise was (obviously breakfast of some sort), the other part didn’t want to get off of the couch because I loved hearing the conversation flowing out of the kitchen!

But what was waiting for me was beyond yummy (and impressive):

Homemade crepes with homemade whipped cream, strawberries and chocolate shavings! This my friends is my ideal breakfast. It was like having dessert for a meal which is PERFECT in my book. I’m not a breakfast person unless it’s cereal, muffin or meal bar related. I don’t do pancakes, waffles, eggs or any of the old standards very well. And hubby knew that. Yum-o.

And I got this from my boy:

They were busy at school. Inside of my flower basket bag was a homemade card (that I’d add if my scanner worked) and a flower pot with a photo of him. LOVED IT!!! And he loved giving it – that’s even better than the gift.

Hubby also got me an awesome gift that I’ll share once it arrives (I got to choose)!

So my day was a happy one. My guy is incredible, as are our three little ones.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and while kids all over the world take a few extra minutes to celebrate their moms, I can’t help but think that I am the lucky one.

Six years ago I met the most amazing little boy who was four pounds and no bigger than a twenty dollar bill. He loved to be cuddled on his belly, took forever to eat and was quite opinionated. Once he learned how to smile he never stopped and developed the ever popular “snoopy laugh” that is still there today. He’s sensitive and emotional, loves to sing and talk and has the worlds biggest heart. I love him to death.

And you know that big heart? It applies to his brother and sister. He’s the worlds best helper and adores them to bits – not a touch of jealously (how did that even happen)!

I’m one lucky mommy and without him, wouldn’t have this day to celebrate.

Then two years ago I met the sweetest little girl. She rarely cried, loved when I’d sing to her and was incredibly mellow. She was observant and would mimic the world around her – a clever little one. Very independent and opinionated, she also has a very big heart and couldn’t be more adorable.

I’m one lucky mommy and without her, wouldn’t have this day to celebrate.

And this little dude I’ve know for all of four months but it feels like forever. He’s such a happy little guy…SO HAPPY. He loves to be cuddled close and/or moving. He wakes up beside me every morning with a HUGE smile on his face and starts babbling away. Just thinking about him makes me smile.

I’m one lucky mommy and without him, wouldn’t have this day to celebrate.

I am definitely the lucky one.

Remember that 4 month sleep regression I mentioned in the last post?

Still going on. Well – at least for nap times. I should be thankful that he’s not trying to party during the night and we’re still getting some good sleep. But the daytime? Tricky, tricky stuff.

But babies change all of the time and this is a phase.

It’s a phase.

It is a phase…right?

I know it’s a phase and will pass eventually.

In the meantime I’ve been doing what I can. A little scrap time here and there, some photography, some editing….housework (blech). But the other night I went for a walk with my boy – my oldest boy – just the two of us. It was heaven. And I was reminded once again at how fast he’s growing. Our conversation was sweet. He’s such an amazing boy and so eager to please. I love him to bits.

We took a couple of photos (surprise).

Not much arm twisting to get this shot:

Or this one:

They’re so him. We need to take walks more often just the two of us.

16 weeks! And this is what we’re all about:
15.5 pounds of pure chub. 70th percentile for weight.
Eats like a champ…still makes mama proud.
Average height…can’t quite remember the number.
35-40th percentile for head. My kids have smaller heads.
Lots of smiles, laughter and happiness.
He’s one jolly guy!
Still loves the hands.
Starting to grab for toys but completely frustrated that they don’t do what he wants them to do.
Roll onto his sides and belly. He did a nice face plant into the carpet today while rolling over and surprised himself I think!
Until three days ago would nap beautifully during the day in a somewhat predictable pattern.
FOUR MONTH SLEEP REGRESSION…killing me.
Until three days ago would sleep peacefully at night around 7pm, even AFTER mama left the room.
FOUR MONTH SLEEP REGRESSION…still killing me.
Starting to pull hair, not mine. Addy and Liam and learning to hug him more carefully.
Is a little chatterbox and thinks it’s hilarious. Mama loves it too.
Still loves the car, swing or walking around being held…movement is key.
Looks like a boy version of Addy…or so I’m told…by EVERYBODY. I don’t mind that though since Addy’s pretty cute.
TOTALLY NOT BIASED!
And totally loves that he can go outside now and get some fresh air – see?

OK so maybe that last one is a little more about me but I do think that he liked the fresh air.

More later!