40 Weeks

 9 months old.  Where has the time gone?  You're in for some big changes in the next 12 weeks.  You'll most likely be walking, have a word or two, drink only from a cup, and get a few more teeth.  Won't be long before I have two big boys.

Hanging out at the playground

You're down to three nursings a day:  morning, noon, and night.  You're drinking a few ounces of cold milk from a cup here and there.  If you get fussy, usually a cup with some milk cures it.

You're fitting into clothes Freddie wore last summer.  Size 12-18 months fits perfectly but you're also getting into a few 18-24 month tops.  Yep, a big boy.

Watching the polar bear at the zoo

We've been getting out a lot, and you go along for the ride in the stroller.  You're pretty patient and usually don't fuss to get out. 

You're practicing standing more.  You can last for quite a while on your own.

Your attention span is growing and you're enjoying listening to books.  Usually.  If Freddie's around you'd rather grab him and instigate some foolishness.  That's what brothers do, I suppose.

We love you, Hans. 

Freddie

 
Each of these is probably deserving of a post, but if I don't get it down, it won't happen.  And I'm struggling to remember what he was like just last week.

• When I tuck Freddie into bed I always ask him what his favorite part of the day was.  It's a nice way for us to think about all we did during the day together or to hear about some of the things he did at school.  This week Freddie asked for the first time, "What was your favorite part of the day, Mama?"  The kid is a master at keeping the conversation going especially in the interest of delaying bed time but in this instance I think he was genuinely interested in my day.  
• He's noticing and asking about homeless people.  We see men sleeping in the subway with all of their belongings, and they often address the entire subway car in their pleas for money or food.  Freddie's asked to share his crackers or to give money.  I still have a hard time walking by someone (or some animal) suffering without at least acknowledging them with a smile or some change, and I suppose I'm grooming Freddie to do the same.  One day we'll tackle reasons why homelessness exists, but for now I love seeing his open heart.
• The kid's developing a sense of humor.  He'll say or do something silly but let everyone know "That was just a joke."  He'll also let me know it was "just a joke" if I get a serious look on my face if he's acting out of line.
• He's good at saying "excuse me" when interrupting or getting passed someone, as well as if he burps or poots.  Sometimes the "excuse me" is followed by "That was just my stomach."
• After our most recent flight he stepped off the plane and said he wanted to be a pilot.  That was the first time he's ever talked about being grown up.  Since then he's talked quite a bit about being a scientist but what he plans on studying changes daily...dinosaurs, volcanoes, planets, wolverines.
• He does now talk about being "big like dad."  He talks about getting tall and was very excited to be moving up into size 3 jeans this week.  It was nice to finally see him in some pants that covered his ankles although the waist needs to be cinched pretty tightly.  He wants a belt "like dad."  His shorts this summer are size 2.
• School is a place for him to be his own person.  I asked if Hans could come to his school, and he flatly said, "No.  Hans can go to his own school."  I even explained he'd be in the classroom with the babies, but that didn't change his feelings about it at all.  I'm glad he feels that way.  I'm thankful he has his own place and can learn and grow independent of us.  I don't need to be a part of everything and neither does Hans I suppose. 
• He knows almost all of his letters.  He points to them everywhere..."There's a D, Mom."  Sometimes he picks them out in books, or in signs, or in the cracks of the sidewalk.  He said the zig zags on the carpets in the elevators were Ms and then decided they were Ws.  He's also talking about the sounds the letters make and asking as well.  He knows the letters in his name and he can spell the F-R-E-D-D part, but forgets the I-E. He's aware of numbers but hasn't shown quite the interest in numbers. 
• His imagination is in full force.  We get lots of home cooked meals from his kitchen, he marches around the house pretending to be smashing cymbals together, he accepts phone calls to make plans with Dora to play outside, his legos become houses with beds and gardens, he jumps over pits of alligators...it is nonstop.  
• His drawings are now representations, although they still don't quite look like much to me.  Lately he's drawing a zoo, or museum, or playground.  He'll draw circles and squares.  He'll also draw things that he says are people but they don't really look much like people yet aside for the two dots which he says are eyes.
• He sings constantly and is learning so many new songs at school.  I love hearing him sing Puff the Magic Dragon.
• He knows his first and last name.  He knows Mama and Dada's names as well as Papi's name.  He knows his apartment number and the building number. He know his birthday.  He knows he lives in New York next to the East River, Papi lives in New Orleans next to the Mississippi River, Ian lives in Kemah, TX, and Gammie and Pudge live in Colorado.  He also says his "other skis" are in Vail and his fishing pole is at Pelican Lake.
• He can completely dress and undress himself, including shoes and coat.  He gets his shoes on the correct feet about 85% of the time.  We're working on buttons.  
• After learning about orphaned animals being taken to preserves to grow up with the help of scientists and caretakers, he asked while watching a film about sea turtles where the freshly hatched sea turtles' mother was as they made their way from the beach to the ocean.  I explained that not all animals need their mothers when they are born.  He looked at me and said, "You're going to die one day, Mama.  And I'm going to be sad."  Yes, baby boy, you're right, but that's a far way away.  We've got lots of living left to do together. 

Kiss

Hans is imitating all sorts of sounds these days, but my favorite is when he looks around the room, makes eye contact, and gives a kiss.

Pay close attention.  Not the best video.  Hoping to do better.

The petting zoo makes me happy, Mama.

Lovin'

• Coke floats 
• Hans' expression when a teeny piece of Reese's egg is placed on his tongue
• Look at this poochie little belly, said by Charlie to Hans
• Look at this poochie little belly, repeated by Freddie to Charlie
• Museum memberships
• Little boys watching big boys at the baseball diamond
• Cherry blossoms in Central Park
• Shorts and sneakers
• Dirty fingerprints on the bathroom sink
• Tikki Tiki Tembo

The scientist at work

The caterpillars have arrived.  Freddie's observing and has the butterfly habitat all set up and ready to go.

39 Weeks

My favorite new trick of yours is waving.  It melts my heart to see you wave to your Dada when he rides up from work.  You're waving to folks on the elevator too.  

You are still not crawling but pull yourself with great efficiency.  The only place you're interested in standing is in the window.  You're pretty steady and we've been practicing.

6 teeth now, 4 on the bottom and two on top.  Everything goes to the mouth for chewing and you're not happy when things get taken away.  If I leave you for a minute you often pull yourself over to the table to gnaw no the chairs.  You'll also grab with on to my toe with your teeth if I stand too close.

You love music and bouncing around.  You'll clang anything together to get a sound, and are especially fond of clapping the dominoes together.  You've also figure out how to get some sound out of the "flute" and the kazoo.

 

You've mastered the pincher grasp and will pick up the teeniest things from the floor with those two little fingers and place them in your mouth.  You have been reaching for the spoon to feed yourself as well.  You'll get it in your mouth, but I'm not sure how satisfying the bite is since most of it spills to your belly. 

And that brother of yours is still, by far, your very favorite person.

Lovin'

• A table for two
• Playmates
• Easter bunny creeping around
• 8 hour sleeps stretches for Mama
• Fruit salad
• Pre pregnancy weight (Where's the pre pregnancy waistline?)
• Playground visits
• The big boy bike
• Pancake suppers
• Summer clothes in the drawers
• Sand lingering in my shoes
• Reading maps together
• Finding letters in sidewalk cracks and brick patterns

Splits

Hans positions his legs in split and then pulls forward to get to moving.  Oh, to be so flexible! 

Morning in the sand

The weather has been warming, the sun has been shining, and I am officially calling it Spring in NYC.  I've made a pledge to be outdoors with my boys as much as possible.  It's good for them.  It's good for me.  Everyone smiles more and sleeps better.  Since we've also decided to keep our car, despite the monthly parking costs, we're also pledging to drive more and get out of the city as often as possible.

We had planned on some "maple sugaring" but decided to table that until next weekend (or next year?) and explore the beaches of Long Island.  After a week of sunshine, we were disappointed to wake up to grey skies on Sunday, but decided to proceed with our plans to scope out the beach.  Dunkin Donuts got us off to a great start, and Freddie was able to christen his brand new car seat with frosting and sprinkles. 

Treasures!

After an hour drive we were at Jones Beach.  It's on one of the barrier islands surrounding Long Island.  It's accessible by train and bus and sees millions of tourists each summer.  I'm talking like 6 million visitors.  Beach weather is only from May through August around here, and the beach is only 6ish miles long.  I'm sure you can imagine the scene it'll be in the middle of the summer.

Sunday was cool and windy, and although not crowded, there were still several folks out walking, digging, and flying kites.  Freddie could not wait to get into the sand.

He didn't last long without his shoes though.  It was pretty chilly. 

We saved our picnic lunch for the car and drove around the barrier islands in search of beaches that might have fewer visitors. Hopefully, we may have found a few leads and will try our luck in the coming weeks as the weather continues to warm.

For St. Patrick's Day

M:  Let's make the cake green for St. Patrick's Day.

F:  Yeah!  St. Patrick is going to be so excited.

38 Weeks (and 1 day)

You're finally started showing an interest in pulling up.  You're reaching for more things above you and I see some climbing on the horizon. 

You're pretty sturdy when I stand you up but the only place you like to stand for any length of time is in the window. 

Excuse me.  Can you move over, please?

This runny nose and cough is hanging around for some time.  It's been since Mardi Gras and just won't clear. 

You are fighting having your nose wiped.  And your diaper changed. And things taken from your hands. And moved to a new spot.  Get the picture?  You're becoming a pro at protesting and getting your point across.

Irritated because I wiped your nose

You enjoy "chatting" with us.  I love watching you process the sounds we make and attempt to call back with the same sound. 

Freddie provides endless entertainment and you do your best to keep up.  He's not happy that you're into all of his things, but I know (hope!) the two of you will figure it out. 

Pb&j!

 
We love you, Hansie Monster.

Leader of the pack

Look what I saw out the {dirty} kitchen window this morning...

Freddie and his class returning from a walk outside

I am sure he'll have lots to say about being the line leader on their walk today. 

He has been into using his pockets lately.  That makes me smile.

His daily sheets have been noting his "enthusiasm" during activities.  Charlie asked if this was a veiled way of saying he was wild.  I'm afraid so, but I think we can channel that "enthusiasm" into productivity and zest for life.