september happenings: week four

I started the week by doing some embroidery for a friend.  Her kiddos are so sweet and she always dresses them adorably! 

Noel has been becoming SO active lately.  He's rolling and scooting and getting into all kinds of mischief.  Today I found him after he completely flipped the play mat.  I guess this toy is a thing of the past now - no more little baby just laying still to bat at his toys.

The weather was been aces again this week, so we've been outside a lot.  I've been dragging the scooter with me when we go to pick up A, so he can ride it home and he loves that.  Hadley really wants to ride hers - about a block.

Snug as an owl with his mama.

Noel made a new friend!  And, oh yeah, he can sit independently now!  Huge and exciting milestone met!!

Babies in blue jeans make me smile too.  :-)

Hi, Gus Gus!

Hadley didn't take a nap on Thursday so when she told me she was tired around 5:00 I wasn't too surprised.  I was pretty surprised, however, when I took a break from making dinner and found her in bed.  She turned on her sound machine and tucked herself in, sound asleep.  Um, sorry hon but we can't take 5:00 naps!  About an hour later while we were eating dinner she spiked a fever.  I should have known.  Poor thing was sick all night but woke up fever free the next morning.  How do kids do that??

Look who can sit up in the tub now too?  He thinks he's pretty hot stuff.

You be you, Noel.  We sure love you - hair or no!

september happenings: week three

Just a few days in and this guy told me that I didn't need to walk him inside anymore.  He waved to us and off he went.  

A good friend of ours had a baby over the summer and I'm finally getting a couple of onesies out to congratulate them!  I love using HTV on little onesies - it's so much less bulk than embroidery can be.

I decided that Hadley needed some official gymnastics wear if she's going to be taking classes.  Let's face it, some things are just too adorable to pass up the opportunity to get!  And, of course, mama had to put a monogram on it.  :-)

If you can't find Noel, check my front.  99% of the time you'll win.

My chalkboard has been in spring mode allll summer so it was time for a change!  I like that this one will take me all the way through fall.  

Speaking of fall - baby hat season is back!  Yay!!  This little owl hat was Asher's and I love that I can bring it back out for N.

Mr. Cool can rock the pom hat too.  He's confident.

Asher and Hadley have recently discovered Babybel cheese and love to call them "circle cheese" - as opposed to a cheese stick, I guess?  We were in Wegmans and Hadley suddenly exclaimed,

Mommy, look at this HUUUUGE circle cheese!  It must be for a giant!

Yep, honey.  Sure is.  :-)

Ladies, look out.  This guy has a smoulder that he isn't afraid to use.  Ahhh!!!

And if that doesn't work, he'll impress you with his strength.  I mean, that form.  That smirk.  haha - love him!

We're enjoying the Indian summer by playing outside every day after school.  Noel loves to swing so that's a win for everybody.

Drew and I treated ourselves to a date at home after the kiddos were in bed.  Fancy meats, cheese plate, fruit and Rose will do just fine.

september happenings - week two

Asher's first few days of school went so well last week!  When I picked him up on the first day I brought him a cookie and that sealed the deal on it being a great day!  How big and handsome is my 1st grader?!

The first day of school Drew's parents were able to come over and stay with Hadley and Noel while I walked over to get Asher by myself.  The second day we rolled like this.  They both did great, except that Noel had enough of the stroller by the time we got there.  On the way back I had to carry him in one arm and push the stroller with the other.  Needless to say I was a hot mess by the time we got home.  For the foreseeable future it's the Lillebaby carrier only for that guy! 

On Sunday I found myself in the backyard dying kids' clothes for a Halloween costume in my giant cauldron just like an honest-to-goodness witch.  A good witch, of course.  :-)  I wasn't risking getting that dye on any of my countertops.

Asher had been fooling with his top wiggly tooth for a week or more and started saying that it hurt him, so after some convincing he let me pull it out.  NOT MY FAVORITE JOB.  Bleh.  But now it's out and he was SO excited!! 

(thanks, Hadley.  you're a sweetie)

3 teeth down and the Tooth Fairy is on deck for tonight.

Our beloved Steelers were finally on the local channels here so 2 big kids got to stay up later than usual to see the game start.  I remember when Asher got that jersey as a newborn and now it fits.  Wahh!!

noel august {seven months}

Noel August, you are SEVEN months old!

Noel, you're growing and changing every day - it's hard to keep up with you!  Most of the time you are smiling at everyone, but once in awhile you're serious and taking in the world.  I think you're handsome either way.  :-)

You get carted all over the country - pretty much every day.  The bigs are on the go constantly, so you don't have much choice but to come along.  Luckily you are very go-with-the-flow and make it easy on mommy!  

We can't decide what color your eyes are.  Most of the time they are a dark blue, but have hazel centers.  They are completely unique to you, Noel.  

You loooove food!  So far you've tried sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, apples, pears, oatmeal, peaches, green beans and peas.  The only thing you didn't love was peaches.  I gussied them up with some cinnamon and breast milk and you ate them all down.  Your doctor said that you can eat 3x a day, but I feel like that's too much food and not enough milk, so we have been doing 2 meals a day.  You have tried a few Puffs, but don't eat too many finger foods just yet.  I'm hoping that you will remain my not-picky boy!

Noel, you're still nursing about 5x a day (6:30am, 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm) and once during the night a couple nights a week.  The other nights you sleep straight through from 7pm-7am.  Those are my favorite.  ;-)

At night, you are a great sleeper!  Around 6:30 we go upstairs for your bath, then you nurse and go right to sleep on your own.  Noel, you love your paci at sleeping times and get SO excited when I hand it to you.  

Unfortunately, naps are a different story.  You're a pretty inconsistent napper and you get SO cranky by the end of the day when naps haven't gone well.  Asher and Hadley's schedule makes it really (really) hard to keep you on a set schedule and get you down for naps when you need them.  I feel bad about that, but at this stage we're all just doing the best that we can.  

For the most part you take 3 naps a day - usually around 9, 12, and 4.  You have started sleeping longer at your morning nap and I'm hoping that the afternoon will follow suit soon.

Noel, you are so active!  You easily roll both directions and spin in circles when your laying on your back.  I never know where you'll be in your crib when I come in to get you.  You've also started pushing up with your arms and have gone up on hand and knees once or twice.  It seems like you desperately want to get on the move, but please wait.  We aren't baby proofed at all! 

Any day now you'll be able to sit up on your own.  We keep practicing and you're so close to finding the balance you need to stay upright.  I think sitting up will open a whole new vista of playing for you that you'll love!

When we are out you draw people in immediately.  It's hard for us to get through the store because everyone - young, old, male, female - they stop to say hi and you reward them with a smile, so they stay to chat for awhile.  You are compelling and sweet, Noel.  Everyone loves you!

At 7 months, Noel...

* weighs 16.6 pounds

* has 2 teeth

* mostly sleeps through the night - woot!

* doesn't nap well, but we're hopeful for the future :-)

* wears size 9 months and 6-9 months

* wears size 3 diapers

* loves to eat + still nurses 5x a day

* thinks Asher and Hadley are the best!  Anytime they play with you your eyes light up and you laugh and laugh

* has discovered how to splash in the bath

Noel August, you are the sweetest baby bear!  We love seeing you grow and change with each passing month.  At 7 months you respond to us, know us, and love us!  Oh Gus, you bring such joy to our family - we're so glad you're ours.

hadley's pre-k 3

Today was Hadley's first day of preschool in the Almost 4s class!  After a lot of back and forth we decided that this class would be the best fit for her.  It has a goofy schedule and meets 2 mornings and 1 afternoon a week, but I know we'll figure it out.  All of the children in this class will be 4 by January, so she's with kids who are really close to her developmentally.

I really dislike how much OLDER she looks than this same day last year.  How can 1 year makes such a huge difference?!

We went on Monday to meet the teacher and see the classroom.  Hadley made herself right at home, of course.  This girl loves school and is thrilled to be back!  

There are a few kids from last year's class in our class again.  Hadley remembered them all and keeps talking about her friends by name.  I love that she's old enough now to have friends - they are all so cute together!

We're excited to see all that Hadley learns and does this year.  She keeps all of us (including her teachers - bless their hearts) on our toes, so it will be fun to see how this year goes.  ha!  

first day of first grade - 2016

Last Thursday Asher had his first day of First Grade!

We officially have an elementary school student and I can't believe it.  It does NOT seem like 7 years ago that I was pregnant with this little bean.  Time really does fly.

How was the start of Kindergarten a whole year ago already?  I'm pretty sure I just took this photo last week.  It's no wonder this boy needs all new pants - look how much our door is shrinking!

At dinner the day before school started we spent some time talking to Asher about our family verse for the year.  

Let your light shine before men, 

that they may see your good deeds and 

praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Our prayer for Asher this year is that he will be a good friend, a good listener, and respect his teacher and classmates.  We pray that his little light will be a beacon to those who are lonely.  We also pray that he'll be surrounded by good influences and have lots of fun!  

Get ready first grade, here he comes!