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.

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.