Answer key! : Picture A - Preston, Picture B : Aaron, Picture C : Nathan
Wow, two of my boys had some hair anyway!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
5 Month Comparison
Time for another edition of, "do the boys look like brothers?" :)
Answer key! : Picture A - Preston, Picture B : Aaron, Picture C : Nathan
Wow, two of my boys had some hair anyway!
Answer key! : Picture A - Preston, Picture B : Aaron, Picture C : Nathan
Wow, two of my boys had some hair anyway!
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Preston is 3/4 Months Old!
Yelp! It's going to be a bit hard now to recall what some 3 month and then 4 month traits are of our little guy. Crazy times!
He hasn't been too interested in his feet, definitely more so his hands! We have started putting hands and objects into our mouth, making bubbles, drooling, etc. You can tell he has much better vision now - he can see things from a distance and he's getting better at grasping toys/objects close (a new favorite : hair! gimme all the hair!)
Still lots of smiles for brothers!
He now weighs ~ 14 pounds, 25 or so inches long, wearing 6 month clothes. Within another few weeks I'm sure it'll jump to 9 mos! Still on a reflux medicine. I glanced back and noticed that at Aaron's 4 month dr visit was when we were told he needed to wear a doc-band (to help re-shape a flat spot on his head), but I'm happy to report that Preston's head seems to be just fine. We were also told to wait until he is six months old before trying any solids, including rice or oatmeal. Just dining at mommy's restaurant, the doctor said!
This past month has been a doozy. We had our first (I think) family flu! Or Nirovirus I should say. Talk about stress! Especially seeing that it was knocking down family members one by one I totally went into panic mode for baby P. And boy, I've never had to nurse and take care of a little baby while having the flu! In fact I literally had to dislatch and put baby P on the floor quick so I could run and take care of business :( The total pits. I remember that I could barely pick him up, he felt so heavy! It's so not fun to be a mother whilst sick.
THANKFULLY, ever so thankfully, Preston was the only sole survivor of the bug - he never got it! This makes me ever so glad with myself that I have stuck out the breastfeeding, because I'm pretty sure that is what saved him - I produced antibodies to protect him from the illness.
On that note, there was something else that happened in Month 3 - Preston and I got our first breastfeeding infection. It was a thrush/yeast infection, which we both had to be treated for 4x a day with both oral and creams for two weeks. Again, it makes me glad I didn't throw in the towel then because of what happened last month. It's actually a common infection along with mastitis.
Preston does like to be on his legs and stand.
He loves it when people give his tummy kisses!
He's getting more into toys that light up and play music.
Lots of smiles and giggles!
Yes, on that note...!
Right as the dreaded virus entered our house we just began with a sleep coach for Preston. When Aaron was around the same age I had a friend at the time that was a sleep coach and helped guide us towards Aaron sleeping better/ sleeping through the night. Same deal here! Only, I also wanted to transition Preston from sleeping in our room and the swing for naps into his crib for all sleep.
He slept good in the swing, but I wanted to get rid of the relying on movement action for sleep. At night interestingly enough he would sleep fine without moving, but it varied where he slept (in the pack n play, in our arms,etc) Plus, it seemed like any of our movements and noise would wake him up.
Long story short, we just finished working with the sleep coach now for just about a month. The latest is...
--he now takes naps and nighttime sleep in his crib
--has a nap and bedtime routine
--on a schedule (eat and sleep at certain times). Our clan always seems to do better with predictability!
Also in January (but thankfully after the virus had already passed through everyone), Preston began the 4 month sleep regression a bit early! Meaning, his naps and nighttime sleep haven't been as long as before. So, I was skeptical on how sleep training would work with this going on. But, he is taking 3 naps for about an hour (give or take, less or more) each day, goes to bed around 6:30/7, stays in bed until 6:30/7 the next day. For now he is only eating twice during the night, about every four hours. We are still training him to sleep all the way to those points. Before having help I was getting up every 1-2 hours to nurse him back to sleep! :( It was just not sustainable. Even now I'm nervous to let him cry a bit more until it's time for him to eat, since Aaron is just on the other side of his wall/room.
Looking back at Nate and Aaron, by 5 months is when they both started to sleep through the night/longer durations. So I'm really, really hoping in the next month we'll start to see our guy go longer stretches or at least make it to the feeding points without having to console him.
If that could just go ahead and coincide with Josh having to leave for Japan for a few weeks next month, that'd be great! (ha) We're trying hard to be consistent.
Our sleeping coach gave us tips and schedules for down the road as well, so I'm thankful we used her and hope to see her knowledge pay off soon.
I think that pretty much sums up where we're at at Month 4!
 |
| This was a definite 3 month event, however! He hasn't rolled over onto belly yet, but can roll to his sides and from his tummy to his back. |
 |
| Always lots of cuddles with mama |
He hasn't been too interested in his feet, definitely more so his hands! We have started putting hands and objects into our mouth, making bubbles, drooling, etc. You can tell he has much better vision now - he can see things from a distance and he's getting better at grasping toys/objects close (a new favorite : hair! gimme all the hair!)
Still lots of smiles for brothers!
He now weighs ~ 14 pounds, 25 or so inches long, wearing 6 month clothes. Within another few weeks I'm sure it'll jump to 9 mos! Still on a reflux medicine. I glanced back and noticed that at Aaron's 4 month dr visit was when we were told he needed to wear a doc-band (to help re-shape a flat spot on his head), but I'm happy to report that Preston's head seems to be just fine. We were also told to wait until he is six months old before trying any solids, including rice or oatmeal. Just dining at mommy's restaurant, the doctor said!
This past month has been a doozy. We had our first (I think) family flu! Or Nirovirus I should say. Talk about stress! Especially seeing that it was knocking down family members one by one I totally went into panic mode for baby P. And boy, I've never had to nurse and take care of a little baby while having the flu! In fact I literally had to dislatch and put baby P on the floor quick so I could run and take care of business :( The total pits. I remember that I could barely pick him up, he felt so heavy! It's so not fun to be a mother whilst sick.
THANKFULLY, ever so thankfully, Preston was the only sole survivor of the bug - he never got it! This makes me ever so glad with myself that I have stuck out the breastfeeding, because I'm pretty sure that is what saved him - I produced antibodies to protect him from the illness.
On that note, there was something else that happened in Month 3 - Preston and I got our first breastfeeding infection. It was a thrush/yeast infection, which we both had to be treated for 4x a day with both oral and creams for two weeks. Again, it makes me glad I didn't throw in the towel then because of what happened last month. It's actually a common infection along with mastitis.
 |
| He's doing way better at keeping his head up and at tummy time |
 | ||
| Just like Nathan at this age, can hold his own bottle! Aaron did not. |
Preston does like to be on his legs and stand.
He loves it when people give his tummy kisses!
He's getting more into toys that light up and play music.
Lots of smiles and giggles!
Right as the dreaded virus entered our house we just began with a sleep coach for Preston. When Aaron was around the same age I had a friend at the time that was a sleep coach and helped guide us towards Aaron sleeping better/ sleeping through the night. Same deal here! Only, I also wanted to transition Preston from sleeping in our room and the swing for naps into his crib for all sleep.
He slept good in the swing, but I wanted to get rid of the relying on movement action for sleep. At night interestingly enough he would sleep fine without moving, but it varied where he slept (in the pack n play, in our arms,etc) Plus, it seemed like any of our movements and noise would wake him up.
Long story short, we just finished working with the sleep coach now for just about a month. The latest is...
--he now takes naps and nighttime sleep in his crib
--has a nap and bedtime routine
--on a schedule (eat and sleep at certain times). Our clan always seems to do better with predictability!
Also in January (but thankfully after the virus had already passed through everyone), Preston began the 4 month sleep regression a bit early! Meaning, his naps and nighttime sleep haven't been as long as before. So, I was skeptical on how sleep training would work with this going on. But, he is taking 3 naps for about an hour (give or take, less or more) each day, goes to bed around 6:30/7, stays in bed until 6:30/7 the next day. For now he is only eating twice during the night, about every four hours. We are still training him to sleep all the way to those points. Before having help I was getting up every 1-2 hours to nurse him back to sleep! :( It was just not sustainable. Even now I'm nervous to let him cry a bit more until it's time for him to eat, since Aaron is just on the other side of his wall/room.
Looking back at Nate and Aaron, by 5 months is when they both started to sleep through the night/longer durations. So I'm really, really hoping in the next month we'll start to see our guy go longer stretches or at least make it to the feeding points without having to console him.
If that could just go ahead and coincide with Josh having to leave for Japan for a few weeks next month, that'd be great! (ha) We're trying hard to be consistent.
Our sleeping coach gave us tips and schedules for down the road as well, so I'm thankful we used her and hope to see her knowledge pay off soon.
I think that pretty much sums up where we're at at Month 4!
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Christmas and New Years
We had a nice Christmas and New Years. We decided (for the first time ever, I think) to host Josh's family for Christmas Eve, which allowed us to stay home and not travel which was great for us, even if we did have to cook and clean. We also had the festivities much earlier in the day (lunchtime versus late afternoon), which allowed for a much more relaxed and not rushed rest of the day. By late afternoon, everyone could then go their separate ways - we wanted to go to an evening service and Josh's family would need to travel to go to a later evening service, so it worked out! We just may need to repeat that again next year. It's nice to have a bigger kitchen and entry room that allows us to do that!
That night, Santa came! ;)
We got up and opened our own presents first. Thankfully, the kids actually slept in until 7am!
We went to my parents house to open gifts with the rest of my family (and have lunch) the rest of the day. We saved one present for last...
This is a book that Preston got. There was also a snow globe that had tall NY buildings and the Statue of Liberty in it, as well as a book about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We also wrapped a toy plane and an actual apple (in reference to The Big Apple)...as, we told the boys we are planning a trip to New York for Thanksgiving this upcoming year! (naturally, to see the parade) Josh and I have been talking about it since October, and sort of smiled to ourselves in November when we watched the parade together. Nothing has been officially booked yet but hopefully in the Spring we can start.
Nathan has been saying for awhile how he would like to see the Statue of Liberty. I knew I wanted to take the boys to NY sometime, and it's been on my bucket list to see the Thanksgiving Parade in person sometime. So excited. Still a ways away, but we knew the boys would be happy to have a trip to look forward to at least.
The boys spent a good portion of Winter Break playing with all their new things.
We decided to keep New Years Eve low key and made fondue at home. Josh and I attempted to stay up until midnight but unfortunately sleep got the better of us.
So we had a great Christmas and New Year....January perhaps not so much so far! More on that in Preston's 3/4 month update!
That night, Santa came! ;)
We got up and opened our own presents first. Thankfully, the kids actually slept in until 7am!
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| In his new chair for reading |
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| Looking at a book |
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| Lots of Legos! |
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| Lego chess |
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| Inheriting brother's bike |
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| Working on balance on the new bike |
We went to my parents house to open gifts with the rest of my family (and have lunch) the rest of the day. We saved one present for last...
This is a book that Preston got. There was also a snow globe that had tall NY buildings and the Statue of Liberty in it, as well as a book about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We also wrapped a toy plane and an actual apple (in reference to The Big Apple)...as, we told the boys we are planning a trip to New York for Thanksgiving this upcoming year! (naturally, to see the parade) Josh and I have been talking about it since October, and sort of smiled to ourselves in November when we watched the parade together. Nothing has been officially booked yet but hopefully in the Spring we can start.
Nathan has been saying for awhile how he would like to see the Statue of Liberty. I knew I wanted to take the boys to NY sometime, and it's been on my bucket list to see the Thanksgiving Parade in person sometime. So excited. Still a ways away, but we knew the boys would be happy to have a trip to look forward to at least.
The boys spent a good portion of Winter Break playing with all their new things.
We decided to keep New Years Eve low key and made fondue at home. Josh and I attempted to stay up until midnight but unfortunately sleep got the better of us.
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| Mister New Year! |
 |
| Fondue table |
So we had a great Christmas and New Year....January perhaps not so much so far! More on that in Preston's 3/4 month update!
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Holiday Happenings
December is notoriously busy for other events and fun things!
Nathan's Cub Scout group participated in our city's lighting of our tumbleweed tree. Prior to the lighting the scouts participated in a light parade - the boys made cardboard cards with lights. Daddy, Nate and Aaron had nice evening - while I stayed home with P and decided not to brave hours of the cold.
So the next night we dined out in the area of the tree, so that we could see it lit altogether.
Nathan was asked to participate in our church's holiday play - he acted out a part of one of the shepherd's. We were pleasantly surprised he agreed to partake, as I thought he had stage fright a bit. He did great!
Nathan's Cub Scout pack also visited a local nursing home to sing Christmas carols. It's fun to see how much the residents enjoy it!
Another visit with Santa - this time at an eatery literally a minute from our new home. Donations of meals went to a children's charity and they also let the kids decorate cookies!
Long story short, because the new Star Wars movie has the word "rogue" in it, Josh's car company took full advantage of advertising their SUV (Rogue) with it. One night, they rented out theaters for their employees to see the new movie. Because of it being late in the evening, Josh and Nathan just went to see it. They got free vouchers for popcorn, drinks, etc...total blast for them!
Eddie the Elf made his return. The last few years I've sort of been trying not to bring him out, but naturally the boys' friends talk about theirs and our boys wonder why Eddie hasn't arrived at our house yet : / So, some pictures of Eddie's nights! For the most part I'm pretty proud, Eddie moved around each night!
Moving on to the holidays themselves!
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| Beginning an Advent activity calendar |
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| It ain't the holidays without a visit to Zoo Lights with my fam! |
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| P's first visit ! He loves lights. |
Nathan's Cub Scout group participated in our city's lighting of our tumbleweed tree. Prior to the lighting the scouts participated in a light parade - the boys made cardboard cards with lights. Daddy, Nate and Aaron had nice evening - while I stayed home with P and decided not to brave hours of the cold.
So the next night we dined out in the area of the tree, so that we could see it lit altogether.
Nathan was asked to participate in our church's holiday play - he acted out a part of one of the shepherd's. We were pleasantly surprised he agreed to partake, as I thought he had stage fright a bit. He did great!
 |
| Third from right - navy bath robe and beige top |
Nathan's Cub Scout pack also visited a local nursing home to sing Christmas carols. It's fun to see how much the residents enjoy it!
Another visit with Santa - this time at an eatery literally a minute from our new home. Donations of meals went to a children's charity and they also let the kids decorate cookies!
 |
| Next year a certain someone may not be a fan of Santa... |
Eddie the Elf made his return. The last few years I've sort of been trying not to bring him out, but naturally the boys' friends talk about theirs and our boys wonder why Eddie hasn't arrived at our house yet : / So, some pictures of Eddie's nights! For the most part I'm pretty proud, Eddie moved around each night!
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| The boys super enjoyed his first night's events...using the Elf porta potty! There's even some chocolate bars under his bum for you know what. |
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| It wouldn't be Christmas without letters to the boys about having better behavior! |
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| Breakfast |
Moving on to the holidays themselves!
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