Busy!

Clearly we've had a lot going on. I haven't blogged and have taken very few photos. Really, there haven't been a lot of big events, just life. Will is enjoying kindergarten. We hear about new friends, different classes and what he does in after-school care. Most recently that involved learning chess from "a third-grader, no wait, maybe a sixth-grader. I don't know his name." But, Will now very much enjoys chess. Go figure. Ellie Kate is doing quite well at pre-school. I'm amazed at how her language skills seem to have boomed since Will went to kindergarten. All of  a sudden she's speaking in fuller sentences, more detail, more thought. Fascinating to watch. She has become enamored with cheerleaders after being at the KU football games. She still loves Tinkerbell and would prefer to wear a dress and accessories every day. Often when we get home from work/school, I go change out of my work clothes into comfies, Will changes out of his uniform into play clothes, and Ellie Kate changes out of her play clothes into a Cinderella gown. Patrick is 7 months old now and so loveable. He's doing a really good job with baby foods now. He has 4 teeth in and about a week or so ago decided he could sleep at night. He's still a very loud sleeper - making noises several times every night - but he's proven he can go back to sleep most of the time. J & I are busy at work, but enjoying it. We're adjusting to life with a school-aged child and the expectations that come along with that. Our color-coded calendar hanging in the kitchen is just a bit overwhelming, but I find it necessary to know who is picking up whom and where we're going at any given moment.

We are still going to the KU football games. So far, the kids have done an amazing job. Fingers crossed that that continues!

3 little Jayhawks ready for the game

Elle & Grampy

Poor Patrick!

He's taken a good nap at every game so far

Watching Big Jay

These two have fun together!

Patrick at 6 months

Sweet Patrick is a little over 6 months old now. He has 2 bottom teeth, sits very well, loves playing with [chewing on] toys, rolls all over the place to get to where ever he wants to be, and has discovered spitting. He's transitioning to formula. He did well with the first foods we gave him - rice cereal, oatmeal, sweet potatoes. Then, one day, it's like he flipped a switch. He is no longer interested in any food coming via spoon. I can't even get him to eat fruit. He will close his little lips, spit, and if by chance a bit gets in his mouth, he'll make himself gag. It's truly delightful. He's not starving so I figure we'll just offer from time to time and some day he'll want to eat. He's still waking up several times at night. I've adjusted. Sure, it would be nice to sleep all night, but I honestly don't know what that even feels like. Some night we'll get tired of it and just let him yell himself back to sleep. For now, we'll get up and soothe or feed him and put him back to bed.

At his 6 month check-up:
weighed 20 lbs 2 oz (88%)
measured 27.75 in. (88%)
big head

Happy 1/2 year, baby boy!

Kindergarten

Today was Will's 1st day of kindergarten. He was, by all accounts, absolutely ready. He was happy, confident, and excited as we went in today. J & I both took him to school, walked in and got him settled (along with virtually every other parent at the school - those poor teachers!). He immediately started working on the activities set out for him. They had a short day today - 11 a.m. dismissal. J & I picked him up. Will immediately says "It was good. I'll tell you everything we did when we get in the car." I'm sure he could tell we were anxious to hear. He then proceeded to give us nearly a moment by moment account (including bathroom breaks, what he did at recess, the birthday treat from a classmate, etc.). Tomorrow will be his first full day, so that will be more telling, but I have no reason to think he won't love it. And, he gets to take his lunch, which he is totally excited about.

I must admit that I've had some anxiety over all this. Mostly coming from my own anxiety about new places and new experiences (this seems to have heightened as I've gotten older - weird). His calmness made my anxiety subside substantially today. He was happy. I was happy. Of course, I still worry about little things - what if he can't open the containers in his lunch box? Can he unbuckle and buckle his own belt at bathroom breaks? (Answer: No, the skinny kid just pulls his shorts down, still buttoned and belt still buckled. Whatever - I guess it worked.) Until he becomes worried or anxious, I'll just enjoy his happiness and love of this new adventure. I told J last night that I did look around and think about who might be a life-long friend that he might meet for the first time today. Both J & I have friends from our kindergarten days. It's fun to think about Will starting some relationships like that.

Will's teacher seems great. She enjoys teaching kindergarten - how can she not be great? We went to school supply drop off last week and Will got to meet her then. He put his supplies away, checked out his locker and the classroom. We paid fees, signed up for who knows what, and then were on our way. W was telling J about it when we got home and J asked how many kids were in his class. "Well, there were 3 groups of 6 desks and 1 group of 5." He was right. I saw the class list and knew there were 23 kids. Will's mathematical little mind noticed the groupings of desks. We hadn't discussed this while we were there and I wouldn't have come up with that at all after spending the exact same amount of time in there. His little brain is so fascinating to me.

The obligatory 1st day photos follow. He was a good sport about taking so many pictures. I also asked him a couple questions that I'll hopefully remember to ask at the start of each school year.

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
W: A football player. For Kansas. [hey! he might be good enough :)] But I'm not sure after that. Maybe I'll play for the Chiefs. [He's a homer, no doubt.]

Me: What do you hope to learn this year?
W: How to read super long chapter books. [Hmm...this doesn't seem like something on the kindergarten docket....but who knows, maybe it will happen!]

Notice little sister in the background. She desperately wants to go to kindergarten, too!

"silly pose"

Yay! They're all looking at the camera! P promptly began tumbling down the stairs after this photo. Luckily J was within arms reach and caught him.

Walking into school

Lockers for kindergarteners - this kills me!

At his desk

Listening carefully to Mrs. Tripp

Patrick at 4 months

Our happy little guy is 4 months old! He's getting so big -- sturdy, I say :) At his 4 month check-up:
17 lbs 6 oz (88%)
26.2 in. (86%)
head circumference (92%)
I told you...sturdy. He's happy and healthy. He has not maintained his good sleeping from the 3 month check point, so hopefully we'll get back on that schedule soon. He's eating about every 3 hours at night right now. We can stretch it out during the day, so hopefully he'll start to do so at night too. He has really good head control, is starting to grab and chew on toys (see below) and has fully mastered rolling from his back to his tummy. His eyes are still blue...I keep waiting for them to change, but no sign yet.

I love his little tongue in this picture.

We tried rice cereal for the first time this past weekend. He did remarkably well. Definitely knew what to do with it and kept some in his mouth. I call that a victory.

Really, Mom? What is this stuff?

Hmm...ok...not half bad...

Let me have that spoon!

Ahhh....full belly!

What's that? I get this again sometime?

Hooray!

Patrick's baptism

We had Patrick's baptism a couple weeks ago. It was a great time with family. He did an amazing job! All three babies getting baptized then were great. Not a single one cried! A lot of our family was able to join us and we were very thankful to have everyone there. Mass was on Saturday evening, followed by the baptism and then a little dinner get-together at our house. Unfortunately, my camera battery died after the ceremony, so I didn't get any pictures of the party afterward.

Several of our family members -- many others were taking photos for us.

Getting baptized! Patrick smiled around his pacifier :)

Patrick with Dad, Mom, Godmother Aunt Casie and Father Riley

Patrick - 3 months

No official stats, just a quick update. Since Patrick is nearing 4 months, I figured I should post his 3 month picture.

Still such a happy, happy boy. He started day care about a week before he turned 3 months and has been doing great. He smiles and coos and reacts so much more now. His hair is growing in on top and he has the bald strip across the back. He rolls to his side constantly! He can very nearly get to his tummy -- if only that  arm wasn't in the way! He is still eating great. He's sleeping reasonably well. We're getting a 5-6 hour stretch most nights. About once a week he throws in a rotten night, but overall he does well. He is eating 5-5.5 oz. every 3-4 hours during the day. He's definitely a growing boy! Oh - and his eyes are still blue! We'll see how long that lasts.

Is there anything cuter than a sleeping baby?

The boys

Patrick - 2 months

such a happy guy!

Patrick is 2 months old and so big!
Wt: 13 lbs. 11.7 oz (87%)
Ht: 23.7 in (75%)
HC: ? (81%)
He's a healthy, big boy! He did great with his 2 mo. vaccinations. Was a little fussier than usual for about a day, but then was back to himself.
He's much more responsive - smiles and coos when we talk to him. It's the best! He had his first trips to Topeka and Lawrence this month and did really well with both. We've gotten into a pretty good feeding routine. I'm finally feeling better, so that helps. He's spreading the feedings out a bit and has even given us 5 hour stretches at night on a couple occasions - yippee! He's lost a lot of his hair up front and it has grown back in with new fuzz. His eyes are still blue...we'll see how long that lasts. He's wearing mostly 3-6 month clothes now - thank goodness for hand-me-downs! We are loving our time together!

Patrick - 1 month

At one month:
Patrick weighs 11 lbs. 4.5 oz (80%) and is 22 in. (64%).
He eats about every 3 hours, including overnight, but usually goes back to sleep easily.
Loves to lay on the changing table and look around.
Does great with tummy time.
Likes to be held facing out, no shoulder time for this one.
Is wearing lots of his 3 mo. clothes already.
Still reminds us of an old man - will be interested to see if his personality matches.
We love you, little man!

And all of a sudden she grew up

I traveled to a conference last week and Ellie Kate started preschool (at the school Will goes to) while I was gone. We were really nervous about this, but it really seemed like the best time. She is the youngest there right now, and was not particularly interested in potty training (a requirement to be at the school). But we love the environment and knew she'd enjoy being with the other kids. She did GREAT the first day - only one accident and even stayed dry through nap time. She had a couple emotional drop offs later in the week, but otherwise, has been wonderful. Literally, I was gone for 3 days, came back and she was potty trained and going to school. She was the one talking the whole way back from the airport, not Will. This was quite a change! We've made it through nearly 2 full weeks of school and she is doing better than we could have hoped. Thankfully, the transition hasn't been too tough for Will either.

potty training in the 21st century

Big girl

Ellie Kate has been hitting several milestones lately. This past weekend her "big girl bed" arrived. She LOVES it! Will does, too, actually. He plays in there with her all the time and has asked if he can sleep in that bed with her. We have not really put her "new room" (same room - different furnishings) together. We still need to paint, move some things out, other things in. So, there are no room pictures yet, but these are some cute ones of the kids getting ready for bed tonight. Will came in so he could hear the books I was reading to Elle.

  

Will wanted to pretend they were going to sleep. This is how Ellie Kate goes to sleep. You tell her to close her eyes and go to sleep and she squints her eyes closed as hard as she can. It's so cute!

Saturday Will asked to have his toenails painted, and of course Elle insisted she needed to have hers done too. Mine and Will's are blue. "Ellie Kate no blue." (with hand shaking as if to stay stop it!) "Ellie Kate wants red toes." Something about red toenails that make a little girl seem so grown up. The toes and the big girl bed all in one day were almost more than this mommy could handle.

Tonight before bed, we hit another milestone -- potty in the potty chair! Of course, this was after she peed a bit on the carpet, but I'll take what I can get, I guess. We haven't really started potty training, per se. We'll see if this sparks her interest. Will and I made a very big deal about it tonight. "Mommy, I am so proud of Ellie Kate." Will said. "Next time I want her to go poop." I can already tell he's gonna be a really big help in this process. :)

Ellie's first haircut!

This is really not a great picture, but you can see that I was able to get EK's hair back into a ponytail this weekend. Won't be doing that again anytime soon! She had her first haircut tonight - she did a great job!

BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

The long baby layer is gone!

No pics - just updates

It's been awhile since I've updated on milestones and highlights. So, here it goes.
Will is great. He is learning more every day. We're reading Charlotte's Web chapter by chapter before bed each night. I'm not sure how much he's getting, but it's fun. Tonight as a I finished, he said, "Now, Mom, when you see a circle you stop. And when you see one of these [pointed to a comma], you pause for a just a moment." I swear I did not learn punctuation as a 4-year-old! He's delightful and happy most of the time. He wants to be outgrowing his nap, but we aren't so sure that's a good idea

Eleanor is growing up so fast! Her vocabulary has been booming the last couple months. She says so many things including many multi-word phrases. She has perfected the teenage "mooo-ooom"whine. All her teeth (minus the 2 year molars) are in, she's 26 lbs. 11 oz as of a couple weeks ago. We're working on keeping the pacifier and blankie bed only. (For what it's worth - I'd take a thumb-sucker over a binky-kid any day!!)
Ellie Kate is playful and daring - often trying to climb into her own high chair. Pretty much anything her big brother can do, she can do, too. She loves bath time. Watching the two of them splash at each other is a blast! I tend to get very wet, but it's so fun to watch them be so happy and have fun together. Elle loves babies. I don't know if this is intrinsic or what. I've purposely tried not to totally genderize my kids' toys. They both play with all kinds of things. And we are definitely not into princesses yet. But, I tell ya, that girl LOVES babies! She loves her baby friend and day care. She always has to give her hugs and kisses and say goodbye before we leave. She loves looking at babies' pictures in magazines or books. She's not huge into dolls, but occasionally she plays with them. Will be interesting to see how that plays out. Will was always so much more interested in adults and people older than him. (As evidenced by his imaginary friend whose age varies, but is always older. I learned his "big name" tonight: Jason William Best. I thought that was cute.

Enough for tonight. Just wanted to try to provide a little snapshot so I could remember later on.

Elle at 18 months

Eleanor had her 18 month check up on Tuesday. She is happy and healthy as ever. She did a much better job at the doctor this time, still got antsy while we waited, but wasn't screaming the whole time.
Here's are her stats:
24 lbs. 12.7 oz. (55%)
31.25 in. tall (36%)
19.2 in. head circ. (94%)
She is very mobile - walking, climbing, running, etc. Says many words and is putting some together now ("here go" for "here you go" when she hands us something). She has 11 teeth - working on that last molar. She would much prefer to snack than eat full meals. She is not a huge meat eater (except on pizza). She enjoys every kind of fruit I've tried, crackers, many vegetables, tortillas, chicken, yogurt, and virtually any other carb she can get her hands on. She waves hi and bye, blows kisses, signs more, please, thank you, and drink very regularly. She is very interested in babies - both real and in books or magazines. She enjoys "reading" her books, especially interactive ones she can touch or lift flaps on. She's working on animal noises and body parts and doing pretty well. She's a great sleeper most of the time and has maintained her fairly laid back attitude. What a fun and loveable little girl!

Firsts

Will had a home day with Daddy last Monday. They had a great day together - out for breakfast, Fritz's for lunch, and Will's first movie at the theater instead of naps. They saw Toy Story 3. J said Will did awesome - sat on the edge of his seat and was quiet the whole time (can you imagine?!). He insisted on staying until the very last credit rolled. He loved it and was so excited to tell me about it when I got home.

Will also had his first show & tell last week. We looked all over for just the right toy and guess what he chose....a calculator. Poor kid. He really didn't stand a chance with us as parents.

Had a fun family weekend last weekend when J's sister was in town. Unfortunately, I don't think I took a single picture. But, the kids were good and we had a fun time. Family picutres were good - I was sure Elle was going to meltdown. Thankfully she did not. No smiles, but no fits. Guess I'll take what I can get. She has her 18 mo check up today so I'll post stats later.

3-day weekend and Elle at 14 months

After a very busy couple of weeks at work, we enjoyed a 3-day weekend. We had a wedding on Saturday, then enjoyed a picnic, the playground, and other "home fun" on Sunday & Monday.






Will & Eleanor have been playing together more recently and it's very cute. Will gets very excited about all of Ellie's new accomplishments and takes joy in little things like giving her another snack. (Of course, like us, he makes her sign "more please" before she can have it. Tonight when she did it, Will said "Good job, baby girl!" So cute!) Although, he is not fond of all things his sister does. She was motor-boating in the car last night and spitting everywhere, including in Will's eye apparently. "Oh, Ellie Kate! She spitted in my eye. Now my eye is very dirty!"


And I do think they are starting to look more alike as Ellie is getting older.

Elle turned 14 months last week. She's not walking yet, but she's thinking about it. All weekend long she practiced going from a sitting position to standing up all by herself. Over and over again she did this, falling down most of the time, but she never got discouraged. She's balancing much better when she's standing, so I think she'll try steps relatively soon. She (finally!) cut her 7th tooth this weekend. It seems like we've been working on that one forever! She's been very grumpy the last several days, and I'm sure that was why. She is adding a few words, though I don't think she's as verbal as Will was (really, what kid is?!). She's saying dada, mama (on occasion), shoes, socks, this (for things she wants), and has repeated some other things after we say them. She's very good at shaking her head no and she knows where her nose is (and sometimes where her mouth is). She signs more, please, milk and all done. She's working on signing thank you, but it usually turns into blowing kisses. She loves blowing kisses!


She waves bye-bye and is pulling up and cruising all the time. She's a very fast crawler - lowering her head to be more aerodynamic, but then runs into things because she can't see where she's going! She loves to climb - the stairs, on furniture, anything...much more daring than Will was!


I'm so glad it's finally gotten to be summer so Elle can wear her cute summer clothes! Will loves this weather, although he thinks we need to go to the pool every night. And he keeps asking about when we'll get a swing and slide in our backyard. We better get to working on that...