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. 

Splish Splash

Spring Training

He's got down the lingo:  I'm going to smack it out of the park. 

And he hits it (out of the park) every time.  He doesn't take coaching very well.  We'll be adding base running this week.  After that we'll need a few friends to provide lessons in taking turns, teamwork, and sportsmanship. 

37 Weeks (and 2 days)

• Five teeth!  Two on top and three on the bottom
• Creeping like an inch worm but there have been some sightings of getting up into a traditional crawl position

• Clapping away, to music, to Freddie's singing, when there's food
• No interest in standing and no signs of trying to pull yourself up

• Still pretty bald
• Thunder thighs

• You're saying lots of Mamamama
• Banana lover

• Giggler
• Grinding your teeth.  Eek!

Lovin'

Blurry iphone pic.

• Little hands (Thanks for the instructions, Lisha!)
• Phone calls from friends
• Spring
• Summer planning
• Open windows
• FaceTime
• Pushing boundaries, and keeping them firm and laughing about it later
• Daffodils sprouting along our walk, and checking on them daily
• Mardi Gras beads lingering
• Music filled mornings
• Clapping

Three Year Well Visit

At 3 years, 1 week, 3 days:

Stats:

• Weight:  27.6 lbs (12th percentile)
• Height: 35.25 inches (7th percentile)

Vaccinations:

• None

He's growing.  He's gained his 2 inches per year estimate since the last visit.  I asked about percentiles being a predictor of adult height and she said if I was worried we could see an endocrinologist or do a "bone age" study.  Not necessary, I was just curious.  Anyway, she thought growth spurts later down the road do happen and a bone age test would say if that was most likely in his future.  But, he's growing. 

Freddie LOVES going to Dr. G.  He's been looking forward to this visit all week.  He commented on the child screaming bloody murder in the next room, but didn't seem bothered.  He's crying, Mama.  His shots must hurt.  No shots for Freddie, and he seemed ok with that, I suppose since Hans didn't get any it was fair. 

Tactful Negotiations

F:  Mommy, where's my knife?

M:  I took it away from you this morning because you popped Hans with it.

F: Oh.

Pause

F:  I'm happy now.  Are you happy now?

M:  Yep, I'm happy.

F:  Can I have my knife, please?

The Lowdown on the Chow Down

I think your caloric intakes exceeds that of your big brother.  And it shows. 

Sample Menu:

• 7.00 am Nurse
• 8.00 am Breakfast: Banana cut into slices,  3 oz pureed apple, cereal bar
• 9.00 am Nurse
• 12.00 pm Lunch: Slice of American cheese, 1 kiwi, 3 oz pureed prunes
• 1.00 pm Nurse
• 3.30 pm Snack:   four peach slices and some cheerios
• 5.30 pm Supper:  3 oz sweet potato, 4 oz whole milk yogurt, broccoli bits
• 6.30 pm Nurse

What's typically is on the menu:

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (half)
• Grilled cheese sandwiches (half)
• Bananas
• Kiwi
• Sliced or shredded cheese
• Goldfish
• Graham crackers
• Peach slices
• Pasta with tomato sauce
• Pizza
• Broccoli
• Bagels with cream cheese
• Cereal bars
• English muffins and butter
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe

Thinking I'll add:

• Beans
• Steamed zucchini 
• Steamed carrots
• Scrambled eggs, you didn't like these the last time I offered

9/11 Memorial

We made a trip downtown this weekend.

We visited the 9/11 Memorial this while Gammie and Pudge were here. Two large pools fill the footprints where the towers stood.  It is a beautiful, moving tribute.

I'm thankful Charlie fielded questions about why we weren't throwing rocks in:  it's a special place to help us remember heroes.  One day we'll have more questions some without answers I'm sure.

If you visit be prepared for security screenings similar to the airport and make reservations online in advance. 

36 Weeks (and 1 Day)

Big news:  4 teeth!  But they aren't coming in as I expected.  Three bottoms and one on top. It won't be long before the other top joins the party.

You continue to be all over the house, and I do mean all over.  If I leave the room I hear you grunting and pulling yourself along to find me. You're a dust mop, but I'm thankful you're gaining some independence. 

On the move

You're no longer a helpless little newborn.  Actually, "toddler-hood" is right around the corner. 

Clap, clap your hands!

You giggle an awful lot these days and I cannot get enough of it.  I especially love when I hear you giggling with Freddie.  Best sound ever.