Growing

As our family grows I am trying to find *simple* ways to make events special.  Marking the boys' height is our newest birthday tradition.  The other is brownies for breakfast.  I try for a special dinner, but Freddie really doesn't appreciate food enough yet for that to be very special to him, but maybe one day we'll have a favorite resturaunt to visit.  This year we spent some time looking at pictures from his first few weeks and I think we'll have to call that a birthday tradition as well. 

Vaccination Visit

Hans went to see Gr G today to get two vaccinations:

• Hep B (3rd dose)
• Flu shot (2nd dose)

She said he's all clear for starting on cow's milk at 9 months.  She's pretty much old school in many of her practices, which I have grown to appreciate.  She acknowledged the young(er) age at which many in my generation started on cow's milk (6 months) and thought by the 9 month mark cow's milk rather than formula (or breast milk) was fine.  I don't plan to wean him earlier than a year, but won't fret about his losing interest over nursing because the boy definitely prefers real food. 

We did a quick weigh in, with clothes, just to get a ball park idea of where he was:  18 lbs 14 oz, about 40th percentile.

And in keeping with her old school ways, she said the 9 month well visit is not really necessary unless there are concerns.  She thought his weight was solid and his milestones are right on target so we're going to hold off on visiting again until he's a year. 

Rocking Out

He's only using the mic for a cappella performance currently, and lip syncing along with his music.  And working on how to get his dance moves down with the mic in his hand.  This is going to be fun.

Good Morning

It's definitely a two pots of coffe kind of morning.

Three

35 Weeks (and 2 days)

You're eight months old! 

You now have three teeth and the top right tooth is working its way out.  Getting from one end of the apartment to the other takes less than a minute now that you've perfected the inchworm crawl. 

You're very busy and manage to follow us all around and get into everything. Standing isn't quite on your radar as you're showing no interest in pulling up.

You are in the crib now, sharing a room with Freddie.  When Freddie's home you'll nap in the travel crib in Mama and Dada's room.

I think you're looking to give up purees.  You much prefer real food and will completely melt down if I don't share what I'm eating.  And it shows on your thighs. 

I find you to be a bit more social and outgoing lately.  I consider you to be overall a bit more cautious in general than Freddie, but I am seeing more smiles and interactions with strangers.

My very favorite "accomplishment" is your clapping!  You'll mimic it when we give a "Yay!" cheer, but you're also clapping along when we put on music. 

Happy 8 months, Tummy Brother. 

Mardi Gras 2012

This is the quickie, picture post of the past 10 days, and it is half ass at that.  The longer I wait the worse it'd get so this is it.

 
I didn't take many pictures and haven't the time to give an appropriate redux with two runny nosed boys who quickly got used to LOTS of attention from Mama and Dada and every white haired yatty lady on the parade route.  

Averil, Joe, and Joseph

Vacationing with children...er, I mean TRAVELING with children was exhausting.  Drinking and parading and traveling with children was deliciously exhausting.  It just meant an abundance of coffee, fewer beers to make room for sippy cups in the cooler, and the booze sharing counter space with diapers.  Somehow Charlie managed to come close his 60 beers in 6 days pace. We're all very proud.

 Our hotel was on St. Charles Ave. along the parade route, so partaking in every single parade (except Endymion) was as easy as taking the elevator down and stepping out the front door.  Well, it was that easy for me, anyway. 

Charlie set up the ladders and the chairs to make us nice and comfy on the neutral ground for parade viewing.  

He was able to sleep through it all.

The boys were in heaven.  They had front row seats in the ladder.  Freddie pretended to play the trombone as the bands marched by.  Hans learned to clap and got his hands up to cheer for beads with the rest of us. 

Worn out!

Mama was in her yes zone...yes, you may have king cake for breakfast...yes, you can run around in the street.... yes, you can skip nap.

Even Tigey got in on the action, and didn't get lost!  Freddie got Tigey at his very first parade in 2010.

There was sister time, playing with cousins, and visiting old friends. 

We ate crawfish and shrimp and poboys, and toasted each day with an Abita.

Throw me something, Mister!

Super Heros Gotta Nurse

See ya next year, y'all.  We wouldn't dream of missing it.

It's Carnival Time

We're off to a soggy start, but our spirits haven't been dampened.  We stood out in the rain for two parades last night as both boys were totally content.  Actually, giddy may be a better description of their moods.  Both were wide eyed and dancing to the bands. Charlie and I were smiling all night.  It feels good to be home.

Lovin'

• Audubon Zoo trips
• Mowing the lawn (in February!) with Freddie pushing
• Sunshine and t-shirts (in February!)
• King Cake
• Aunts and Uncles
• Chatting with friends in person
• FaceTime with The Daddy
• Sleeping 7-7
• One toothed bites on bananas
• Purple, green, and gold
• Walks in the park

 

Be Mine

We're yours, Valentine.  Can't wait for The Daddy to join us in NOLA.

33 Weeks (and 1 day)

• Walmart shopper
• Expecting a second tooth shortly
• Master of dragging yourself from one end of the room to the other
• Heavy sleeper
• Short napper
• Rather grouchy (without daytime sleep)
• Wanting Mommy
• Peanut butter and jelly eater
• Giggler
• Big brother admirer
• Pizza lover
• Holding on to stand
• Explorer
• Snaggle tooth
• Lump of love

Flying South

It's that time of year again.  If you don't see me here, you know why. 

Laissez Bon Temps Rouler!

Forward Progress

Left him in his diaper for a bit so he could get some traction.

Won't be long now.

32 Weeks

Cranky baby, wanting your brother to come back

You are scooting.  And you're moving forward!  You are using your upper bossy to pull yourself forward but there's been some leg action in there too.  Won't be long before you're really on the move.  Freddie is going to have an absolute fit trying to keep things out of your reach.  I also wonder how he'll feel about you being right behind with each step he takes. 

I seem to have a lot of photos of you eating this week. 

It certainly makes you happy.  Freddie loves sharing his food with you, and you gladly accept.  You made quick work of the peanut butter sandwich he placed in your tiny hands earlier this week.

Pizza!

You're eating supper with us in the evening.  It takes some work getting us all to sit down together and it can be somewhat of a circus, but I love having you at the table, inserting yourself into the conversation in between bites. 

Right now my favorite moment of the day with you is when I scoop you up from the crib. You are warm and want to cuddle.  You put your one hand on each of my shoulders as though you are giving me a hug.  And there we are standing in the room, cheek to cheek for a few moments. 

Love you, Chubba Wubba Bubba.