Dear Colin,
Tonight your Mommy got serious about sleep training. Every few weeks your bed is in a new location or I am trying something new to get you to sleep more than 30 minutes at a time. While I love nothing more than cuddling you at night - your lack of sleep is impacting Mommy and Daddy in a very negative way. So, today you are 10 months 15 days and starting your first night of sleep training. I documented Conor's sleep training and so I will do the same for you to ensure that I stick to it and follow your routine.
Tonight we had dinner, you took a bath and the it was bedtime. As always, I rocked you and nursed you in your room and allowed you to fall asleep in my arms. You fell asleep nursing and after 10 minutes or so I gently placed you in your bed. You slept for 38 minutes and then proceeded to wake up every 15 minutes after that until 8:35. At 8:35 I nursed you and you have been asleep now for almost an hour. My goal is to get you to sleep until 11 or 12, nurse you again and hopefully you will be in a space to sleep longer. I am also going to start letting you cry for 2 minutes when you wake up to allow you to start trying to soothe yourself. I am not overly optimistic about this as its going to be a new skill for you and those take time but we shall see. If things don't go well then I'm ok brining you into my bed for the remainder of the night and we will simply work on the first part of the night this week and let you get better at that and then we will work on the second part of the night next week. I'm trying to be strict but fluid - but no more sleeping on the floor!!! :)
Monday, September 15, 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
two and a half!
Dear Conor,
This past Saturday we celebrated your 1/2 birthday. I can't believe you are officially 2.5 years old - such a big kid! You continue to amaze us everyday with your laughter, your kindness, your spirit, your development, and your ability to ALWAYS keep us on your toes. You are such an amazing little man.
Currently you are wearing a mix of clothing sizes. Shirts are most often 2T but your pants/shorts are anywhere from 12-18 to 2T depending on brand. You still have stubby little feet and are wearing a size 5.5W shoe. You are 33" tall and weigh 28lbs (as per the last check at the doctor's office during one of Colin's well-being checks). You are in size 4 diapers.
You always sleep through the night now. Bedtime is a breeze. We have dinner as a family, you get a bath (this is your special time with Daddy) and then he brushes your teeth, reads you a story, sings you a song, and puts you to bed. You tend to go to bed anywhere between 6:30pm and 7:30pm depending on when we had dinner and how sleepy you are. You currently sleep with a pillow and your "ella" blanket as well as a Minnie Mouse and a book. In order to sleep you need to have your music, your elephant humidifier and your dinosaur night light all turned on. You are quite the mover in your sleep and I'm never certain where in your crib you will be when I peek in on you via the monitor. You have spent one night in a toddler bed at Grandma and Grandpa's house when we went down recently but you (and we) are not ready for that BIG step just yet. You typically sleep until 7am. You have been taking "rest" time since turning two and more often than not you are falling asleep for at least an hour. This week its been more like 90 minutes, sometimes even 2 hours so I'm certain you are growing!
Your vocabulary is amazing. There is simply no other word for it. You have so many words I can't even begin to count them. You can sing songs, recite nursery rhymes and books, you remember lines to movies and apply them appropriately in your life (your famous line right now is "I can't" which is from the movie Frozen - we can't stand when you say this!). You can sing your ABCs, you recognize all the letters and you can count to 17. You can spell your name and Colin's name and little did we know - you can spell FROZEN. You are slowly learning to use proper words to describe actions and past/present tense (i.e. we went, I did, they did). Its so much fun to watch you learn. You know your colors, you know quite a few shapes, and you are able to touch and count up to 10. Some of your conorisms that are still around are:
"ella" - is your blanket or elephants
"ya ya" - now only refers to Auntie Sarah
"bedopbedop" - dinosaurs
"Talin" - Colin
"Tonor" - Conor
"poppop" - popsicle
"my sings" - my swings
"ahhh" - water/drinks
You also have a funny way of emphasizing certain words, sounds, phrases. Its hard to put them to paper but the inflection in your voice when you say thing often makes me laugh. Some of the things you say make me laugh (and others) not only because of what you say but how you say it and when. You will often blurt out "I so excited" in a high pitched voice when doing something you want to do (this makes Sharon laugh every time). When on the swings going really high you have started to say "this is Ammmazing" which is from the movie Frozen. The other night you said to Colin "don't touch my penis baby Colin, I trying to pee on the floor." Mommy couldn't help but laugh because I was so proud that you knew you were needing to pee but it was funny just the same. Another famous thing you say is "he so happy" every time you pull Colin's binkie out of his mouth. We are not certain where you got this from but its cute.
Some of your favorite things are:
(1) to be outside playing - you get so very upset when its time to come in
(2) the movie FROZEN
(3) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Show
(4) playing trains & trucks
(5) going to the mailbox
(6) going to the park/beach
(7) playing "rescue" with your tow truck and fire truck
(8) doing things "all by myself"
You continue to be a great big brother to Colin. Sometimes it challenging for you because you want so very much to play with all the toys and you don't always want to wait for his needs to be taken care of (and he's a needy guy). We have had a few moment of difficulty but Daddy and I are trying to be patient and remember that this is new for you too. Now that Colin is older and actually plays we have noticed you getting a little bit more jealous and wanting to share toys less but its something we are working on. Despite what might go on at home during playtimes you are still always so proud to introduce him over and over again to your friends and people we meet. You also are able to make him laugh like no other - he lights up when he sees you and the two of you are hilarious together. You try very hard to engage in him your play and you offer him toys or his binkie when he is upset. We have enjoyed watching you grow as Colin has grown, as your role of big brother has changed.
In another 6 months you will be three and 1/2 way through your first year of school. I know all to well that day will be here before we know it (and we will celebrate with a Mickey Mouse theme according to you) because time moves so quickly these days. Happy 1/2 birthday little man - we love you!
xoxo
Mama & Dadda
This past Saturday we celebrated your 1/2 birthday. I can't believe you are officially 2.5 years old - such a big kid! You continue to amaze us everyday with your laughter, your kindness, your spirit, your development, and your ability to ALWAYS keep us on your toes. You are such an amazing little man.
Currently you are wearing a mix of clothing sizes. Shirts are most often 2T but your pants/shorts are anywhere from 12-18 to 2T depending on brand. You still have stubby little feet and are wearing a size 5.5W shoe. You are 33" tall and weigh 28lbs (as per the last check at the doctor's office during one of Colin's well-being checks). You are in size 4 diapers.
You always sleep through the night now. Bedtime is a breeze. We have dinner as a family, you get a bath (this is your special time with Daddy) and then he brushes your teeth, reads you a story, sings you a song, and puts you to bed. You tend to go to bed anywhere between 6:30pm and 7:30pm depending on when we had dinner and how sleepy you are. You currently sleep with a pillow and your "ella" blanket as well as a Minnie Mouse and a book. In order to sleep you need to have your music, your elephant humidifier and your dinosaur night light all turned on. You are quite the mover in your sleep and I'm never certain where in your crib you will be when I peek in on you via the monitor. You have spent one night in a toddler bed at Grandma and Grandpa's house when we went down recently but you (and we) are not ready for that BIG step just yet. You typically sleep until 7am. You have been taking "rest" time since turning two and more often than not you are falling asleep for at least an hour. This week its been more like 90 minutes, sometimes even 2 hours so I'm certain you are growing!
 |
| so sweet! |
You are still a stinker when it comes to eating! You do not like to try new things. Waffles, French Toast, Chickie, noodles, fruit, pickles, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, and popcorn are what you will eat. Mommy tries to get you to experience new foods but I simply won't force you. Instead I sneak in veggies and other things that are good for you and you take a vitamin twice a day. I will often mix ground flax seed in with your pancake mix, muffin mix, smoothies. I put chia seeds in your smoothies and pancake mixes and sometimes in your yogurt (which you still think is ice cream). I freeze veggie babyfood pouches in popsicle molds and you love eating them! Its a battle of will little guy and Mommy wins sometimes :)
You use a fork or a spoon 90% of the time and you seem to have a preference for your left hand at this time. Though you still switch during the meal so it remains to be seen which will become your predominant hand. I have recently started teaching you how to drink from a cup or water bottle. You still like to keep your entire mouth open when you drink so its a little tricky but you will get there.
Your vocabulary is amazing. There is simply no other word for it. You have so many words I can't even begin to count them. You can sing songs, recite nursery rhymes and books, you remember lines to movies and apply them appropriately in your life (your famous line right now is "I can't" which is from the movie Frozen - we can't stand when you say this!). You can sing your ABCs, you recognize all the letters and you can count to 17. You can spell your name and Colin's name and little did we know - you can spell FROZEN. You are slowly learning to use proper words to describe actions and past/present tense (i.e. we went, I did, they did). Its so much fun to watch you learn. You know your colors, you know quite a few shapes, and you are able to touch and count up to 10. Some of your conorisms that are still around are:
"ella" - is your blanket or elephants
"ya ya" - now only refers to Auntie Sarah
"bedopbedop" - dinosaurs
"Talin" - Colin
"Tonor" - Conor
"poppop" - popsicle
"my sings" - my swings
"ahhh" - water/drinks
You also have a funny way of emphasizing certain words, sounds, phrases. Its hard to put them to paper but the inflection in your voice when you say thing often makes me laugh. Some of the things you say make me laugh (and others) not only because of what you say but how you say it and when. You will often blurt out "I so excited" in a high pitched voice when doing something you want to do (this makes Sharon laugh every time). When on the swings going really high you have started to say "this is Ammmazing" which is from the movie Frozen. The other night you said to Colin "don't touch my penis baby Colin, I trying to pee on the floor." Mommy couldn't help but laugh because I was so proud that you knew you were needing to pee but it was funny just the same. Another famous thing you say is "he so happy" every time you pull Colin's binkie out of his mouth. We are not certain where you got this from but its cute.
Some of your favorite things are:
(1) to be outside playing - you get so very upset when its time to come in
(2) the movie FROZEN
(3) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Show
(4) playing trains & trucks
(5) going to the mailbox
(6) going to the park/beach
(7) playing "rescue" with your tow truck and fire truck
(8) doing things "all by myself"
You continue to be a great big brother to Colin. Sometimes it challenging for you because you want so very much to play with all the toys and you don't always want to wait for his needs to be taken care of (and he's a needy guy). We have had a few moment of difficulty but Daddy and I are trying to be patient and remember that this is new for you too. Now that Colin is older and actually plays we have noticed you getting a little bit more jealous and wanting to share toys less but its something we are working on. Despite what might go on at home during playtimes you are still always so proud to introduce him over and over again to your friends and people we meet. You also are able to make him laugh like no other - he lights up when he sees you and the two of you are hilarious together. You try very hard to engage in him your play and you offer him toys or his binkie when he is upset. We have enjoyed watching you grow as Colin has grown, as your role of big brother has changed.
In another 6 months you will be three and 1/2 way through your first year of school. I know all to well that day will be here before we know it (and we will celebrate with a Mickey Mouse theme according to you) because time moves so quickly these days. Happy 1/2 birthday little man - we love you!
xoxo
Mama & Dadda
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Mother's Day 2014
Mother's Day 2014
It seems that we have started a tradition of sorts for Mother's Day and hopefully it is one that continues for a while because its a nice alternative to a luncheon in an overcrowded restaurant (at least that's this mom's opinion!). We head over to Funtown as moms get in for free (both our boys are free currently) and therefore we only have to pay for one Dad! We also spend the day with Grandma Janet and Grandpa Dennis.
This was Conor's second year riding the rides and while Colin is still pretty little he was able to go on a few things. Mostly though, he hung out with Mommy in the carrier and took a nice long nap before taking in the sights and there was a LOT to see!
The first thing we did was the Merry-go-round. Conor has not wanted to ride the horses at the mall so we weren't sure how this would turn out. But, there was a dragon and he was very excited to ride the dragon and have me take a picture for his friend Lachlan who had celebrated his birthday with a dragon theme the day before! While Conor rode the dragon with Daddy standing close by, Colin rode a horse with me. Of course, he was safely tucked in his Kinderpack while we were on the horse.
After the Merry-go-Round, Josh and Conor went on the race track cars. Conor was allowed to drive and he seemed to have a lot of fun. It was hard to capture pictures because the driver seat was never near any of the viewing areas.
Then it as time for the Ferris Wheel. Conor had seen it while on the cars and asked if we could go. We had one person too many for the ride so Conor went with Grandma and Grandpa for his first amusement ride without his parents. Colin rode with Mommy and Daddy - this time he fell asleep in his Kinderpack. Babywearing is such a wonderful thing - it allows us to do so many amazing things while keeping Colin on his schedule and safe from harm. I'm so glad that I learned how to babywear and all its benefits early on with Conor because both he and Colin (and Josh and I too) have reaped the benefits! Conor spend a good part of his ride looking up and down for the balloon Josh and I were in. It was fun to watch his face as he realized we were above or below him.
After our ride we ventured to the other side of the park where the children's rides were. First we ate a little bit of lunch because everyone was very hungry. Conor immediately wanted to ride on the swings. He did these a few times. Its great because there are never any lines and there are so many swings that he can ride a few times in a row. I do believe they are his favorite ride at the park.
Colin had to sit most of these rides out so he enjoyed spending his time with me! We found a nice spot to sit and nurse once he woke up.
And then Conor came over after his swing ride to say hi (Daddy was waiting in line for him at the helicopters). These two little guys are my world and I hope I am the best mother to them that I can be!
Helicopters are so much fun! Conor was big enough this year to push the bar himself which enabled him to decide if he was up high in the air or down low on the ground!
Seeing Conor spend time with Grandma and Grandpa is always nice (Colin spends time with them too of course - but he's not mobile yet!). I have a picture like this from last year too and its sweet to look back and see how much he's grown in just a year. Last mother's day I was pregnant with Colin when we were at the park!
This year Conor was big enough to ride some of the rides himself. He went on two water based rides and LOVED them. The first was a small ride where the parents are always within arms reach of the boat but the canoe ride was like a lazy river. He was very good about keeping his hands in the canoe and holding the little rope they gave him. The current pushed him along and he was so excited to see us every time he rounded a corner. During these rides Colin was in the stroller watching and interacting with the family. Maybe next year we will let him ride with Conor.
It was such a busy day that the boys were very tired when they got home. Everyone went to bed very early and feel asleep hard!
Perhaps Colin went to bed a little too early or maybe he just wanted some alone time with his mommy on this, his first mother's day, because he was bright eyed and bushy tailed around 11pm. So after some snuggles and some warm milk he went to bed with me.
It was such a wonderful day with my little men and my extended family. I can't wait to do it again next year! Happy Mother's Day!
xoxo
Erin
It seems that we have started a tradition of sorts for Mother's Day and hopefully it is one that continues for a while because its a nice alternative to a luncheon in an overcrowded restaurant (at least that's this mom's opinion!). We head over to Funtown as moms get in for free (both our boys are free currently) and therefore we only have to pay for one Dad! We also spend the day with Grandma Janet and Grandpa Dennis.
This was Conor's second year riding the rides and while Colin is still pretty little he was able to go on a few things. Mostly though, he hung out with Mommy in the carrier and took a nice long nap before taking in the sights and there was a LOT to see!
The first thing we did was the Merry-go-round. Conor has not wanted to ride the horses at the mall so we weren't sure how this would turn out. But, there was a dragon and he was very excited to ride the dragon and have me take a picture for his friend Lachlan who had celebrated his birthday with a dragon theme the day before! While Conor rode the dragon with Daddy standing close by, Colin rode a horse with me. Of course, he was safely tucked in his Kinderpack while we were on the horse.
 |
| First Amusement Park Ride EVER!!! 6.5 Months Old! |
Then it as time for the Ferris Wheel. Conor had seen it while on the cars and asked if we could go. We had one person too many for the ride so Conor went with Grandma and Grandpa for his first amusement ride without his parents. Colin rode with Mommy and Daddy - this time he fell asleep in his Kinderpack. Babywearing is such a wonderful thing - it allows us to do so many amazing things while keeping Colin on his schedule and safe from harm. I'm so glad that I learned how to babywear and all its benefits early on with Conor because both he and Colin (and Josh and I too) have reaped the benefits! Conor spend a good part of his ride looking up and down for the balloon Josh and I were in. It was fun to watch his face as he realized we were above or below him.
 |
| Colin experiencing life as an only child; even if just for one ride |
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| Looking for Mommy and Daddy |
After our ride we ventured to the other side of the park where the children's rides were. First we ate a little bit of lunch because everyone was very hungry. Conor immediately wanted to ride on the swings. He did these a few times. Its great because there are never any lines and there are so many swings that he can ride a few times in a row. I do believe they are his favorite ride at the park.
Colin had to sit most of these rides out so he enjoyed spending his time with me! We found a nice spot to sit and nurse once he woke up.
And then Conor came over after his swing ride to say hi (Daddy was waiting in line for him at the helicopters). These two little guys are my world and I hope I am the best mother to them that I can be!
Helicopters are so much fun! Conor was big enough this year to push the bar himself which enabled him to decide if he was up high in the air or down low on the ground!
Seeing Conor spend time with Grandma and Grandpa is always nice (Colin spends time with them too of course - but he's not mobile yet!). I have a picture like this from last year too and its sweet to look back and see how much he's grown in just a year. Last mother's day I was pregnant with Colin when we were at the park!
This year Conor was big enough to ride some of the rides himself. He went on two water based rides and LOVED them. The first was a small ride where the parents are always within arms reach of the boat but the canoe ride was like a lazy river. He was very good about keeping his hands in the canoe and holding the little rope they gave him. The current pushed him along and he was so excited to see us every time he rounded a corner. During these rides Colin was in the stroller watching and interacting with the family. Maybe next year we will let him ride with Conor.
It was such a busy day that the boys were very tired when they got home. Everyone went to bed very early and feel asleep hard!
Perhaps Colin went to bed a little too early or maybe he just wanted some alone time with his mommy on this, his first mother's day, because he was bright eyed and bushy tailed around 11pm. So after some snuggles and some warm milk he went to bed with me.
It was such a wonderful day with my little men and my extended family. I can't wait to do it again next year! Happy Mother's Day!
xoxo
Erin
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
SIX Months!
Dear Colin,
Six months have come and gone and neither Daddy nor I are sure how to feel about that. We are excited for all your BIG firsts that are to come your way with each passing day but because you are our 'baby' its hard to realize that half your first year is behind you. I say it each month but time is racing us by and my heart struggles to grasp onto every little moment with you.
With your brother I documented everything. It was almost as though someone was going to quiz me or chastise me for not taking a photo of a certain moment. With you, I am living each one, savoring it, holding onto it tightly, and in all of that I often forget or simply choose not to take the photo. When you reflect back on your baby photos do not ever think you were not loved or celebrated as much as your brother. It is simply that with him everything was new and exciting and with you I am thankful to have those movement again but sad because you are the last one I will experience them with. Hence the reason why I have chosen to live each moment with you instead of worrying about the camera. Of course, I take at least 10 pictures of you a day with my iphone so there isn't a lack of photos simply the purpose of them is different.
Now, onto your SIX month update!
SLEEP:
Mom picked the above picture on purpose. See how tired you look - its because you are a HORRIBLE sleeper! I'm serious Colin when I say that some nights you make it so hard to patiently love you and nurse/rock/dance you to sleep. You regularly wake up several times a night starting 30 minutes or so after you fall asleep. Often times you wake up every 15 minutes for an hour at a time. You are still not sleeping in your bed. Some nights you sleep in your swing, on the mattress on the floor, and you always end up in a bed with me at some point during the night because there is simply no other way to get you to sleep more than small increments of time. I know you will outgrow this behavior in time and so I continue to try to be patient despite being a very tired mommy. I can say that your naps are much better than Conors. You sleep for 30-60 minutes in the morning (though its early in the morning). If both Mommy and Daddy are home I will often simply rock you or hold you for that hour (you deserve some spoiling!). If not then you usually sleep in your swing. In the afternoon you often will sleep for 60-90 minutes and sometimes a full two hours depending on the volume and activity of the house. If I am able to get to you during a first little wake-up and put you back down with extra milk or your binkie that is when you will have marathon naps. You do not sleep well in the car (whereas Conor used to be able to sleep fovever in a moving vehicle).
Your typical day is as follows: wake up around 7am. First nap between 8-9am (sometimes 8:30-9:30). Second nap at 1:30 (wake-up environment dependant). Sleep by 7:00pm (waking in variable increments - sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes every 2-3 hours) and then at midnight or so moving into bed with mom where you sleep in at least 3 hour increments.
FOOD:
Colin you love food. Your rolly polly little features are a dead give-away that you love food. This month I have been offering you puree pouch type food at dinner (you typically take a few bites and then move onto the next thing) as well as something to hold in your hands such as an apple slice, piece of melon, cracker, etc. You still tend to push things out of your mouth with your tongue so I am not sure how much is truly getting digested but its enough to change the texture and consistency of your stools (ewwww...gross I know!). I have been offering you a mix of fruits and veggies because you always seem to want what we are all eating. Other than these little offerings of food you are still exclusively breastfed and we nurse several times a day and through the night. You take a bottle with less ease than the breast but you no longer give Daddy a super hard time and I am even able to offer you a bottle. This month your grandma and Auntie Dani were able to feed you as well when we were on the Cape visiting!
CLOTHES:
These pictures were later than normal (about 1/2 way through the month) because I had to go out and buy you clothes that were the right colors. You are close to on your way out of most 9 month clothes (brand dependent of course) and have started wearing 12 months clothes. This is a bummer because most of the summer clothes we have are 9 months. Your brother was in his 12 month clothes during the winter and he wore them for a very long time so I don't have a lot to pass down to you. It seems like we might be entering that time where you are going to get mostly new clothes unless we can find some hand-me-downs! The clothes in this photo are Carter's brand and they are size 9 months.
PERSONALITY:
You are such an awesome little man! You smile and laugh all the time and I just love it! Your a little performer and you know what makes others smile and laugh. You only cry when you are tired, hungry, have a poopy diaper, or when Conor is not being as brotherly as he could be. Other than that you are a content little guy. You currently favor Mommy for your needs and comfort but you just love your Daddy. You smile so big when you see him and he probably makes you laugh the hardest with his physical comedy. You adore Conor and look for him to entertain you all the time. People always tell me how content and happy you look when we are out in the stores and they are 100% right.
DEVELOPMENT:
This has been a major month for you Colin! You have really become a "grabby little fellow" as we sometimes call you. Nothing is safe from your clutches. You will roll yourself out of a sitting position onto your tummy trying to reach something you want to investigate. Its comical but also worries us because you have taken a few diggers in your quest for items out of reach.
In this month you have become a master sitter. Nothing knocks you down (other than you own crazy antics) and its been wonderful watching you experience the world from a few inches higher. You also use your hands a lot more as you are able to sit and reach for things, roll them through your hands and fingers and touch different textures. With all this exploration your hands are starting to become stronger and aren't clutched as often though they are not 100% unclutched either. You experienced sand and salt water this past month as well as various food textures.
You also have started trying to use your legs to really support you and take little pigeon steps forward while being held. You are very stubby so it doesn't go very well but I am glad to see you trying! You still strongly dislike tummy time so that doesn't happen too often and therefore you are not a roller but time will tell how it impacts your crawling or walking.
You have also become a talker and will talk at the dinner table loudly so as to be heard over others. Its adorable and we love having you be apart of our conversations!
You love the iphone and the people that call you on it. You lunge for the phone when you see your Auntie Cate or Dani on the phone. You whine when the phone is turned so they can speak to Conor or Mommy and you get very very excited when it is turned back to you.
Your 6 month appointment went well. You are 1/2 inch shorter than Conor and 3/4lb heavier. You guys are just chunky little babies but this Mommy wouldn't have it any other way!
EXPERIENCES/FIRSTS
This month has been very busy Colin! We traveled to Cape Cod to visit Grandma and Grandpa. You went to P-town for the first time, saw drag queens, touched the Cape Cod sand, went to the boardwalk. Traveled to Auntie Cathlin's new house. Went to the Children's museum here in Maine and attended your first parade (Our May Day Parade) and went on your first amusement park rides (Funtown for Mother's Day). Its been a very busy sixth month for you!
Month seven is already proving to be very crazy and full of fun as well - can't wait to tell you all about it. Until then little man - we love you!
xoxo
Mommy
PS. Six month comparison photo
Six months have come and gone and neither Daddy nor I are sure how to feel about that. We are excited for all your BIG firsts that are to come your way with each passing day but because you are our 'baby' its hard to realize that half your first year is behind you. I say it each month but time is racing us by and my heart struggles to grasp onto every little moment with you.
With your brother I documented everything. It was almost as though someone was going to quiz me or chastise me for not taking a photo of a certain moment. With you, I am living each one, savoring it, holding onto it tightly, and in all of that I often forget or simply choose not to take the photo. When you reflect back on your baby photos do not ever think you were not loved or celebrated as much as your brother. It is simply that with him everything was new and exciting and with you I am thankful to have those movement again but sad because you are the last one I will experience them with. Hence the reason why I have chosen to live each moment with you instead of worrying about the camera. Of course, I take at least 10 pictures of you a day with my iphone so there isn't a lack of photos simply the purpose of them is different.
Now, onto your SIX month update!
Mom picked the above picture on purpose. See how tired you look - its because you are a HORRIBLE sleeper! I'm serious Colin when I say that some nights you make it so hard to patiently love you and nurse/rock/dance you to sleep. You regularly wake up several times a night starting 30 minutes or so after you fall asleep. Often times you wake up every 15 minutes for an hour at a time. You are still not sleeping in your bed. Some nights you sleep in your swing, on the mattress on the floor, and you always end up in a bed with me at some point during the night because there is simply no other way to get you to sleep more than small increments of time. I know you will outgrow this behavior in time and so I continue to try to be patient despite being a very tired mommy. I can say that your naps are much better than Conors. You sleep for 30-60 minutes in the morning (though its early in the morning). If both Mommy and Daddy are home I will often simply rock you or hold you for that hour (you deserve some spoiling!). If not then you usually sleep in your swing. In the afternoon you often will sleep for 60-90 minutes and sometimes a full two hours depending on the volume and activity of the house. If I am able to get to you during a first little wake-up and put you back down with extra milk or your binkie that is when you will have marathon naps. You do not sleep well in the car (whereas Conor used to be able to sleep fovever in a moving vehicle).
Your typical day is as follows: wake up around 7am. First nap between 8-9am (sometimes 8:30-9:30). Second nap at 1:30 (wake-up environment dependant). Sleep by 7:00pm (waking in variable increments - sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes every 2-3 hours) and then at midnight or so moving into bed with mom where you sleep in at least 3 hour increments.
FOOD:
Colin you love food. Your rolly polly little features are a dead give-away that you love food. This month I have been offering you puree pouch type food at dinner (you typically take a few bites and then move onto the next thing) as well as something to hold in your hands such as an apple slice, piece of melon, cracker, etc. You still tend to push things out of your mouth with your tongue so I am not sure how much is truly getting digested but its enough to change the texture and consistency of your stools (ewwww...gross I know!). I have been offering you a mix of fruits and veggies because you always seem to want what we are all eating. Other than these little offerings of food you are still exclusively breastfed and we nurse several times a day and through the night. You take a bottle with less ease than the breast but you no longer give Daddy a super hard time and I am even able to offer you a bottle. This month your grandma and Auntie Dani were able to feed you as well when we were on the Cape visiting!
These pictures were later than normal (about 1/2 way through the month) because I had to go out and buy you clothes that were the right colors. You are close to on your way out of most 9 month clothes (brand dependent of course) and have started wearing 12 months clothes. This is a bummer because most of the summer clothes we have are 9 months. Your brother was in his 12 month clothes during the winter and he wore them for a very long time so I don't have a lot to pass down to you. It seems like we might be entering that time where you are going to get mostly new clothes unless we can find some hand-me-downs! The clothes in this photo are Carter's brand and they are size 9 months.
PERSONALITY:
You are such an awesome little man! You smile and laugh all the time and I just love it! Your a little performer and you know what makes others smile and laugh. You only cry when you are tired, hungry, have a poopy diaper, or when Conor is not being as brotherly as he could be. Other than that you are a content little guy. You currently favor Mommy for your needs and comfort but you just love your Daddy. You smile so big when you see him and he probably makes you laugh the hardest with his physical comedy. You adore Conor and look for him to entertain you all the time. People always tell me how content and happy you look when we are out in the stores and they are 100% right.
DEVELOPMENT:
This has been a major month for you Colin! You have really become a "grabby little fellow" as we sometimes call you. Nothing is safe from your clutches. You will roll yourself out of a sitting position onto your tummy trying to reach something you want to investigate. Its comical but also worries us because you have taken a few diggers in your quest for items out of reach.
In this month you have become a master sitter. Nothing knocks you down (other than you own crazy antics) and its been wonderful watching you experience the world from a few inches higher. You also use your hands a lot more as you are able to sit and reach for things, roll them through your hands and fingers and touch different textures. With all this exploration your hands are starting to become stronger and aren't clutched as often though they are not 100% unclutched either. You experienced sand and salt water this past month as well as various food textures.
You also have started trying to use your legs to really support you and take little pigeon steps forward while being held. You are very stubby so it doesn't go very well but I am glad to see you trying! You still strongly dislike tummy time so that doesn't happen too often and therefore you are not a roller but time will tell how it impacts your crawling or walking.
You have also become a talker and will talk at the dinner table loudly so as to be heard over others. Its adorable and we love having you be apart of our conversations!
You love the iphone and the people that call you on it. You lunge for the phone when you see your Auntie Cate or Dani on the phone. You whine when the phone is turned so they can speak to Conor or Mommy and you get very very excited when it is turned back to you.
Your 6 month appointment went well. You are 1/2 inch shorter than Conor and 3/4lb heavier. You guys are just chunky little babies but this Mommy wouldn't have it any other way!
EXPERIENCES/FIRSTS
This month has been very busy Colin! We traveled to Cape Cod to visit Grandma and Grandpa. You went to P-town for the first time, saw drag queens, touched the Cape Cod sand, went to the boardwalk. Traveled to Auntie Cathlin's new house. Went to the Children's museum here in Maine and attended your first parade (Our May Day Parade) and went on your first amusement park rides (Funtown for Mother's Day). Its been a very busy sixth month for you!
Month seven is already proving to be very crazy and full of fun as well - can't wait to tell you all about it. Until then little man - we love you!
xoxo
Mommy
PS. Six month comparison photo
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Rock a Bye Baby
Dear Colin,
Today I called a dear friend for advice on helping to parent you to sleep because this Mommy has been struggling. You are a wonderful little guy (though a bit moody at times) but you have a terrible time sleeping. You are unable to sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time for naps unless Mommy is holding you and nurses you back down. If you hear any noise or see a smidge of daylight before I am able to get to you your eyes pop open and all hope of a return to your nap is gone. At night you often start the night out with a quick 30 minute siesta which earns you a binkie at wakening and then you might sleep for an hour at a time. But, the last week you have been waking every 30 minutes. Its quite difficult for Mommy to get anything done with this going on so I called in the reinforcements.
Tonight you are on your mattress on the floor. You are swaddled with a blanket (made by Grandma Mary) over you and a warm fleece blanket under you. I am breaking a million baby sleep safety rules but that's what a Mom must do to get her baby some much needed rest. You simply won't grow big and strong, smart and confident if you get no sleep. So, as I sit here and type this one eye is on my phone watching you sleep (for your own sleep and my own sense of safety). I don't expect you to sleep all night (in fact, you have already woken once) and it is likely you will end up in my bed at some point tonight but that's ok......we are taking baby steps.
The goal is to get another mattress and put that in Mommy's room and that way you stay on a mattress (and out of Mommy's bed so Daddy can come back and sleep in the room) but you will still be close and perhaps that will help you sleep better. If I had another crib I would sidecar it to my bed but I don't have that so a mattress will have to do (you are too big for the co-sleeper).
I hope that this works for you Colin because I really want you to get some good sleep at night! WE will work through this together love-bug!
xoxo
Mommy
Today I called a dear friend for advice on helping to parent you to sleep because this Mommy has been struggling. You are a wonderful little guy (though a bit moody at times) but you have a terrible time sleeping. You are unable to sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time for naps unless Mommy is holding you and nurses you back down. If you hear any noise or see a smidge of daylight before I am able to get to you your eyes pop open and all hope of a return to your nap is gone. At night you often start the night out with a quick 30 minute siesta which earns you a binkie at wakening and then you might sleep for an hour at a time. But, the last week you have been waking every 30 minutes. Its quite difficult for Mommy to get anything done with this going on so I called in the reinforcements.
Tonight you are on your mattress on the floor. You are swaddled with a blanket (made by Grandma Mary) over you and a warm fleece blanket under you. I am breaking a million baby sleep safety rules but that's what a Mom must do to get her baby some much needed rest. You simply won't grow big and strong, smart and confident if you get no sleep. So, as I sit here and type this one eye is on my phone watching you sleep (for your own sleep and my own sense of safety). I don't expect you to sleep all night (in fact, you have already woken once) and it is likely you will end up in my bed at some point tonight but that's ok......we are taking baby steps.
The goal is to get another mattress and put that in Mommy's room and that way you stay on a mattress (and out of Mommy's bed so Daddy can come back and sleep in the room) but you will still be close and perhaps that will help you sleep better. If I had another crib I would sidecar it to my bed but I don't have that so a mattress will have to do (you are too big for the co-sleeper).
I hope that this works for you Colin because I really want you to get some good sleep at night! WE will work through this together love-bug!
xoxo
Mommy
Thursday, May 1, 2014
FIVE Months!
Dear Colin,
You are 5 months old and time is flying by! I can't believe that you have been apart of our family for only 5 months because it feels like forever. You give us smiles from the moment you wake up to the second you fall asleep. You are a social little thing and we just love you to pieces! Your 5 month photos were taken towards the end of your 5th month because the weather just wouldn't cooperate with us. But, we did them and you were super fun to photograph because you have really become interested in the stickers! We didn't get a chance to do a photo in your onesie because (gasp!) it doesn't fit!!!
SLEEP
I love you to pieces little man but you have become a terrible sleeper! You still only will nap for about 45 minutes at a time and we are lucky if you will nap twice a day. Often I try to find a reason to wrap you up on my back so that you will get your second sleep. You won't even sleep more than 45 minutes to an hour in the car (I'm sure some of that has to do with your brother talking non-stop so that when you stir you are immediately stimulated!). At night you go to sleep around 7pm and you sleep for about 1.5 hours and then you wake up every 30-45 minutes until you are in bed with me at which time you will then sleep for a few hours. You are clearly a high needs baby when it comes to sleep. You need to be very warm, be near a person, and have some pressure on you (arm or blanket). As you are too little to sleep with anything in your bed this means you are with me at night still. I have resorted to swaddling you a few times to help you sleep better but we can't go back to that being a regular thing because you are a little too big for the swaddle! You are also very hard to get back to sleep when you wake up. Often times I can be found standing over your crib with one hand on your chest and the other tucked next to your cheek until your breathing becomes deep and shallow again. Other times nothing comforts you and you have to be nursed back to sleep. You are a challenge little man but we love you!
FOOD
Still 100% from mommy. You show an intense interest in food and so we will probably start letting you hold chunks of food and also offer you some puree this month. Technically the recommendation is to hold off until at least 6 months so I will try but your as big as some 8 month old babies in both size and development so we'll see how long we can hold out! You do have sips of water occasionally and you love that!
CLOTHES
You are growing like a weed! You are solidly in 6 month clothing and can wear some 6-9 or 6-12 things easily. I believe you are longer than Conor was at this age so jammies are a bit of a problem as your length and fat little feet make it hard to ensure your toes aren't pushing against the seams of footie jammies and that the elastics at the ankles aren't digging into you. We have borrowed some jammies from friends as the weather is still quite cold for this time of year and we don't have any warm jammies in your current size. You love to wear hats and I have them on your often. The colors pink and navy really compliment your complexion while yellow and some greens tend to wash you out. Socks are a waste of time because of your fat little feet so more often than not you wear your fleece booties from Zutano. BEST booties ever made - its almost time to order you a cotton pair for summer!
PERSONALITY
Oh Boy Colin! You are the happiest baby I have honestly ever met. You never cry unless you are overtired or hungry (or you have had enough of Conor's play). You smile from sun up to sun down and your smiles take over your entire body! You love the sight of Daddy or Conor and light up the moment they come into the room. You crave touch and laugh and giggle when Conor includes you in his play. You do not like to be left in a room alone but will tolerate it for short periods of time. You have started 'talking' and your favorite time to talk is when you are on FaceTime with family or at the dinner table. You just want to be included in the conversations.
DEVELOPMENTS
This month you have started sitting unassisted if propped into a sitting position. You tend to lean forward but can be found sitting straight up at times to look around the room. Sometimes this action results in your falling over or backwards but most of the time you are able to steady yourself and avoid tipping. I would not say you are a great sitter and you are never left alone when sitting. You also have gained some control over your hands and are using them to pick up things. Your hands are clumsy but you work very hard at getting the items you are after into your mouth. Speaking of your mouth - you have taken to chewing on your binky whenever you get a chance and you also chew on some of your toys. Because of that we have kept your teething necklace on 100% of the time now. It never leaves your neck except for bathtime (if I remember).
You are 5 months old and time is flying by! I can't believe that you have been apart of our family for only 5 months because it feels like forever. You give us smiles from the moment you wake up to the second you fall asleep. You are a social little thing and we just love you to pieces! Your 5 month photos were taken towards the end of your 5th month because the weather just wouldn't cooperate with us. But, we did them and you were super fun to photograph because you have really become interested in the stickers! We didn't get a chance to do a photo in your onesie because (gasp!) it doesn't fit!!!
SLEEP
I love you to pieces little man but you have become a terrible sleeper! You still only will nap for about 45 minutes at a time and we are lucky if you will nap twice a day. Often I try to find a reason to wrap you up on my back so that you will get your second sleep. You won't even sleep more than 45 minutes to an hour in the car (I'm sure some of that has to do with your brother talking non-stop so that when you stir you are immediately stimulated!). At night you go to sleep around 7pm and you sleep for about 1.5 hours and then you wake up every 30-45 minutes until you are in bed with me at which time you will then sleep for a few hours. You are clearly a high needs baby when it comes to sleep. You need to be very warm, be near a person, and have some pressure on you (arm or blanket). As you are too little to sleep with anything in your bed this means you are with me at night still. I have resorted to swaddling you a few times to help you sleep better but we can't go back to that being a regular thing because you are a little too big for the swaddle! You are also very hard to get back to sleep when you wake up. Often times I can be found standing over your crib with one hand on your chest and the other tucked next to your cheek until your breathing becomes deep and shallow again. Other times nothing comforts you and you have to be nursed back to sleep. You are a challenge little man but we love you!
FOOD
Still 100% from mommy. You show an intense interest in food and so we will probably start letting you hold chunks of food and also offer you some puree this month. Technically the recommendation is to hold off until at least 6 months so I will try but your as big as some 8 month old babies in both size and development so we'll see how long we can hold out! You do have sips of water occasionally and you love that!
CLOTHES
You are growing like a weed! You are solidly in 6 month clothing and can wear some 6-9 or 6-12 things easily. I believe you are longer than Conor was at this age so jammies are a bit of a problem as your length and fat little feet make it hard to ensure your toes aren't pushing against the seams of footie jammies and that the elastics at the ankles aren't digging into you. We have borrowed some jammies from friends as the weather is still quite cold for this time of year and we don't have any warm jammies in your current size. You love to wear hats and I have them on your often. The colors pink and navy really compliment your complexion while yellow and some greens tend to wash you out. Socks are a waste of time because of your fat little feet so more often than not you wear your fleece booties from Zutano. BEST booties ever made - its almost time to order you a cotton pair for summer!
PERSONALITY
Oh Boy Colin! You are the happiest baby I have honestly ever met. You never cry unless you are overtired or hungry (or you have had enough of Conor's play). You smile from sun up to sun down and your smiles take over your entire body! You love the sight of Daddy or Conor and light up the moment they come into the room. You crave touch and laugh and giggle when Conor includes you in his play. You do not like to be left in a room alone but will tolerate it for short periods of time. You have started 'talking' and your favorite time to talk is when you are on FaceTime with family or at the dinner table. You just want to be included in the conversations.
DEVELOPMENTS
This month you have started sitting unassisted if propped into a sitting position. You tend to lean forward but can be found sitting straight up at times to look around the room. Sometimes this action results in your falling over or backwards but most of the time you are able to steady yourself and avoid tipping. I would not say you are a great sitter and you are never left alone when sitting. You also have gained some control over your hands and are using them to pick up things. Your hands are clumsy but you work very hard at getting the items you are after into your mouth. Speaking of your mouth - you have taken to chewing on your binky whenever you get a chance and you also chew on some of your toys. Because of that we have kept your teething necklace on 100% of the time now. It never leaves your neck except for bathtime (if I remember).
EXPERIENCES/FIRSTS
You participated in your first St. Patricks Day AND your first Mommy/Colin road trip! We went to see Ana and Auntie Cate/Uncle Jarrod at their apartment. You did so well on this trip considering we were gone for over 8 hours. You also got to spend some quality time with friends and family which is always hard when your brother is around because he's talkative and mobile and your still a baby!
This month you also developed croup. This was a horrible experience and one that I certainly don't want to repeat. We had to give you nebulizer treatments (a first in this house) to help your oxygen saturation and you hated them after a while. It took a week or so but you came around and started to improve. Croup is pretty awful (Conor had it too) but in a baby like you it was horrible! We spent a lot of time outside that week despite the freezing cold temperatures because you both did much better in the cold air.
Grandma and Grandpa also came to visit and they brought Auntie Sarah. We all went out to lunch. You had a great time being part of the luncheon and you loved visiting with your family!
You also rode in the shopping cart at the grocery store for the first time this month but only for a few minutes because you slump forward too much still ;)
I can't wait to see what month #6 brings us - you are growing so fast and changing every day! We love you!
xoxo
Mommy
PS. 5 month comparison photo (Conor on top; Colin below)
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Growing Up....
Dear Conor,
You are growing up! You just turned 2.25 years old and I can't believe all that you can do. Your vocabulary and love for learning is amazing...here is where you are at:
* can sing ABCs and can identify individual letters out of order
* can count to fourteen independently and recognize numbers out of order 1-10
* Can sing "Ring-a-round the Rosie" "Twinkle Twinkle" "Rock-a-bye Baby" "ABC"
* You know your colors and have started learning which primary colors make secondary colors.
* You can spell your name, Daddy (Dadddy), and can recognize Mommy, Colin & Hunter when spelt for you.
* You know your address ("I wive on gawwison oaks") thought its not very clear
* You know what the traffic light colors are and what the colors mean
* You have started "reading" books.....you are able to recite them after hearing them or even before
* You know all visible body parts and are starting to understand differences between girls and boys
* You love to play learning games - we have started matching same items and you often bring me two things and ask "same?" and get excited when I see they are the same.
* You can put a button through a button hole on a felt board
* You have started learning the names of our individual fingers
* You have started identifying the sex of a person when you speak. "I see HIM" when looking at a male and "I love HER" when talking about a female.
Conorisms:
* Baby Do-Ro has been replaced with Talwin
* Bibits (Mickey) has been replaced with Mickey Mouse
* Bedopedoop is still what you call your dinosaurs but you are now able to say dinosaur when you want to
* ahhhh......is still what you use for the word drink (though you can say water, milk, juice)
* wawa - water
* tames - games
* Hear dat - "do you hear that?" usually said when you hear an airplane or Colin crying
* I need it - a recent development (one we don't like)
Potty Training
You are a funny little character. You know when you have gone to the bathroom and instead of saying you did you walk up to Daddy or I and say "no pee" or "no poop" and we instantly know you need to be changed! You have used the potty several times and sometimes after several hours your diaper is dry but at other times it will be heavily soaked within an hour so its clear you are not quite ready yet!
BIG brother
You continue to be an amazing big brother. You are the best diaper changing partner there is. Always ready to grab a diaper, wipes, and the "butt stick" for Mommy or Daddy. You often try to share your toys with Colin and your ears are always ready to pick up his cry (sometimes before we do). You love to point him out to people ("dat Talwin" is what you say) and you always involve him in your play in some way, shape or form. Sometimes you have to be reminded that he is a baby and that you have to be gentle with him and approach him slowly but overall you are great with him. You always have to kiss him goodnight and you have recently started saying "I love you Talwin" when you go to bed (or I love him). He is very lucky to have you Conor!
BIG CHANGES
We have signed you up for preschool! You start this September and we are very excited and nervous. Its just a few hours a few days a week but we know you are ready to spread your wings just a bit!
You are growing up! You just turned 2.25 years old and I can't believe all that you can do. Your vocabulary and love for learning is amazing...here is where you are at:
* can sing ABCs and can identify individual letters out of order
* can count to fourteen independently and recognize numbers out of order 1-10
* Can sing "Ring-a-round the Rosie" "Twinkle Twinkle" "Rock-a-bye Baby" "ABC"
* You know your colors and have started learning which primary colors make secondary colors.
* You can spell your name, Daddy (Dadddy), and can recognize Mommy, Colin & Hunter when spelt for you.
* You know your address ("I wive on gawwison oaks") thought its not very clear
* You know what the traffic light colors are and what the colors mean
* You have started "reading" books.....you are able to recite them after hearing them or even before
* You know all visible body parts and are starting to understand differences between girls and boys
* You love to play learning games - we have started matching same items and you often bring me two things and ask "same?" and get excited when I see they are the same.
* You can put a button through a button hole on a felt board
* You have started learning the names of our individual fingers
* You have started identifying the sex of a person when you speak. "I see HIM" when looking at a male and "I love HER" when talking about a female.
Conorisms:
* Baby Do-Ro has been replaced with Talwin
* Bibits (Mickey) has been replaced with Mickey Mouse
* Bedopedoop is still what you call your dinosaurs but you are now able to say dinosaur when you want to
* ahhhh......is still what you use for the word drink (though you can say water, milk, juice)
* wawa - water
* tames - games
* Hear dat - "do you hear that?" usually said when you hear an airplane or Colin crying
* I need it - a recent development (one we don't like)
Potty Training
You are a funny little character. You know when you have gone to the bathroom and instead of saying you did you walk up to Daddy or I and say "no pee" or "no poop" and we instantly know you need to be changed! You have used the potty several times and sometimes after several hours your diaper is dry but at other times it will be heavily soaked within an hour so its clear you are not quite ready yet!
BIG brother
You continue to be an amazing big brother. You are the best diaper changing partner there is. Always ready to grab a diaper, wipes, and the "butt stick" for Mommy or Daddy. You often try to share your toys with Colin and your ears are always ready to pick up his cry (sometimes before we do). You love to point him out to people ("dat Talwin" is what you say) and you always involve him in your play in some way, shape or form. Sometimes you have to be reminded that he is a baby and that you have to be gentle with him and approach him slowly but overall you are great with him. You always have to kiss him goodnight and you have recently started saying "I love you Talwin" when you go to bed (or I love him). He is very lucky to have you Conor!
BIG CHANGES
We have signed you up for preschool! You start this September and we are very excited and nervous. Its just a few hours a few days a week but we know you are ready to spread your wings just a bit!
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
FOUR MONTHS!
Dear Colin,
You are now 4 months old. I had a very hard time figuring out when to take your picture because this year there were only 28 days in February and since you were born on the 31st it didn't seem right to do it earlier so I waited until March started and we had a day with some sun in the morning to get good pictures.
Of course, I also did photos in an outfit that your brother wore for his 4 month photos. The shirt must have been discarded because I couldn't find it so I found something similar for you to wear.
And this Colin, is what it looks like when you don't want to get dressed or get your diaper change, or are cold, or mad that you are being put down so I can tend to your brother, Hunter or some other matter. I still love you but no more ugly face!
SLEEP:
I have started having you sleep in your bedroom at night and you seem to be doing ok with this but you still wake up every 2-3 hours (sometimes less). You are still swaddled but if I unswaddle you then you are awake even more. I have a week off of work coming up so I might start unswaddling you then since I won't be so busy and we don't get a lot of sleep it will be ok. You go to sleep around 7pm. Are up at least once before 9 (if not twice), then up again around 11pm. Last month I used to then bring you into my room but now I leave you in your room until your 1:30am wake-up. Once in bed with me you tend to wake at 3 or 4, 6am and then if I am able to get you back down at 6am you are awake for the day at 7am. Napping is hit or miss. Sometimes you will nap at home up in your room if I am able to swaddle you and set you down almost asleep. Sometimes I will nurse you to sleep and bring you upstairs to your swing to sleep. During these times you will sleep for about an hour. If you and I are home alone and I am wearing you - you will sleep for an hour or a little bit more. You are not a great car sleeper but sometimes you will nap in the car too. Overall, I would say you are getting 2-3 hours of sleep during the day when Mommy is home.
FOOD:
You are still a piglet and you are eating every 2-3 hours during the day and night. You are on strictly breastmilk for now but you love to sit on the table at dinner and breakfast and be apart of the meal (unless you are napping). Only two more months before I let you have food in your little hands!
CLOTHES:
You are currently in 6 month clothes from major "name brand" retailers and size 6-9month in most others "store brands or specially made for box stores". It appears that despite seemingly to be growing at the same rate as your brother we will be buying you a lot of clothes because the seasons just aren't lining up correctly. It seems the 1.5 months difference in birthdates is making a HUGE difference in clothing.
PERSONALITY:
You are such a happy baby when you are happy. You smile from the tips of your very toes. Your whole body is used to make the smile and it is infectious. You smile at old people, young people, babies, toddlers, your Daddy, Me - just about anyone (but it doesn't make it any less special). You are hysterical with Conor. He can make you laugh at the drop of a hat and he loves to do it. You have an adorable belly laugh and its fun to see you enjoy life so much.
Your not all smiles though Mister. You are also very demanding! You do not like to be put down. You require entertainment (you are not self-soothing just yet and you still get overstimulated too easily) from Daddy Conor or I unless its really short bursts of time.
DEVELOPMENT:
You are such a strong little boy! You have been able to stand since shortly after birth but now you have some core strength and can sit (though you are bent at the waist quite a bit). You are able to use those muscles to pull yourself into a standing position when holding my hands. You hold your head up really high when on your tummy and you are starting to do so when sitting. You do not love reclining anymore and are always trying to pull yourself into a sitting position if leaned against a pillow or blanket while on your back. You are able to hold toys now and guide them into your mouth fairly nicely (though you do get very upset when you can't figure out how to let go of said toy)! You also reach for things if they are placed just outside your reach span.
You track people as they walk about a room and you turn your head when your name is called. You also recognize voices and faces and produce smiles without prompting for certain people (Conor being #1).
EXPERIENCES:
This past month you enjoyed your first true fun in the snow. It was finally warm enough to play outside in the snow. You watched the neighborhood kids sled and it was fun seeing Conor try to keep up with them. You went for a ride in the sled and sat up on the big snowpile with Mommy and Conor (2.20.14).
We also went to a play place in Dover NH with Auntie Ana and this was your first time there. You had a lot of fun watching the kids play but you were a bit too little for everything there so its a good thing you were content just to watch! We also went out to lunch at a restaurant. You did okay but it had been a long day and you were tired by the end of it (so were the boys!).
First Holidays: Valentine's Day and you attended your first Valentine's Day Party Playdate a few days later at Carter's house. There you hung out with the Mommies and played with your friend Link.
GODPARENTS:
In the last month we also asked two very special people to be your Godparents. Who? We asked Chris and Auntie Cathlin. They are also Conor's godparents but they are very special people in our lives and we felt they were the perfect choice the first time and therefore when it came time to pick again it only made sense that you deserved the best as well! We were elated when they each said "YES" again. Now, to make plans!
Colin, you are a wonderful little baby and I can't wait to keep watching you grow. Until next month little man.
xoxo
Mommy
PS. 4 month comparison photo - Conor Above and Colin Below.
You are now 4 months old. I had a very hard time figuring out when to take your picture because this year there were only 28 days in February and since you were born on the 31st it didn't seem right to do it earlier so I waited until March started and we had a day with some sun in the morning to get good pictures.
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| Onesies were made by our friend Sharon! |
Of course, I also did photos in an outfit that your brother wore for his 4 month photos. The shirt must have been discarded because I couldn't find it so I found something similar for you to wear.
And this Colin, is what it looks like when you don't want to get dressed or get your diaper change, or are cold, or mad that you are being put down so I can tend to your brother, Hunter or some other matter. I still love you but no more ugly face!
SLEEP:
I have started having you sleep in your bedroom at night and you seem to be doing ok with this but you still wake up every 2-3 hours (sometimes less). You are still swaddled but if I unswaddle you then you are awake even more. I have a week off of work coming up so I might start unswaddling you then since I won't be so busy and we don't get a lot of sleep it will be ok. You go to sleep around 7pm. Are up at least once before 9 (if not twice), then up again around 11pm. Last month I used to then bring you into my room but now I leave you in your room until your 1:30am wake-up. Once in bed with me you tend to wake at 3 or 4, 6am and then if I am able to get you back down at 6am you are awake for the day at 7am. Napping is hit or miss. Sometimes you will nap at home up in your room if I am able to swaddle you and set you down almost asleep. Sometimes I will nurse you to sleep and bring you upstairs to your swing to sleep. During these times you will sleep for about an hour. If you and I are home alone and I am wearing you - you will sleep for an hour or a little bit more. You are not a great car sleeper but sometimes you will nap in the car too. Overall, I would say you are getting 2-3 hours of sleep during the day when Mommy is home.
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| Sleeping in Mommy's bed - 2.20.2014 |
You are still a piglet and you are eating every 2-3 hours during the day and night. You are on strictly breastmilk for now but you love to sit on the table at dinner and breakfast and be apart of the meal (unless you are napping). Only two more months before I let you have food in your little hands!
CLOTHES:
You are currently in 6 month clothes from major "name brand" retailers and size 6-9month in most others "store brands or specially made for box stores". It appears that despite seemingly to be growing at the same rate as your brother we will be buying you a lot of clothes because the seasons just aren't lining up correctly. It seems the 1.5 months difference in birthdates is making a HUGE difference in clothing.
PERSONALITY:
You are such a happy baby when you are happy. You smile from the tips of your very toes. Your whole body is used to make the smile and it is infectious. You smile at old people, young people, babies, toddlers, your Daddy, Me - just about anyone (but it doesn't make it any less special). You are hysterical with Conor. He can make you laugh at the drop of a hat and he loves to do it. You have an adorable belly laugh and its fun to see you enjoy life so much.
Your not all smiles though Mister. You are also very demanding! You do not like to be put down. You require entertainment (you are not self-soothing just yet and you still get overstimulated too easily) from Daddy Conor or I unless its really short bursts of time.
DEVELOPMENT:
You are such a strong little boy! You have been able to stand since shortly after birth but now you have some core strength and can sit (though you are bent at the waist quite a bit). You are able to use those muscles to pull yourself into a standing position when holding my hands. You hold your head up really high when on your tummy and you are starting to do so when sitting. You do not love reclining anymore and are always trying to pull yourself into a sitting position if leaned against a pillow or blanket while on your back. You are able to hold toys now and guide them into your mouth fairly nicely (though you do get very upset when you can't figure out how to let go of said toy)! You also reach for things if they are placed just outside your reach span.
You track people as they walk about a room and you turn your head when your name is called. You also recognize voices and faces and produce smiles without prompting for certain people (Conor being #1).
EXPERIENCES:
This past month you enjoyed your first true fun in the snow. It was finally warm enough to play outside in the snow. You watched the neighborhood kids sled and it was fun seeing Conor try to keep up with them. You went for a ride in the sled and sat up on the big snowpile with Mommy and Conor (2.20.14).
We also went to a play place in Dover NH with Auntie Ana and this was your first time there. You had a lot of fun watching the kids play but you were a bit too little for everything there so its a good thing you were content just to watch! We also went out to lunch at a restaurant. You did okay but it had been a long day and you were tired by the end of it (so were the boys!).
First Holidays: Valentine's Day and you attended your first Valentine's Day Party Playdate a few days later at Carter's house. There you hung out with the Mommies and played with your friend Link.
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| Such a size difference in boys born 2 weeks or so apart! |
In the last month we also asked two very special people to be your Godparents. Who? We asked Chris and Auntie Cathlin. They are also Conor's godparents but they are very special people in our lives and we felt they were the perfect choice the first time and therefore when it came time to pick again it only made sense that you deserved the best as well! We were elated when they each said "YES" again. Now, to make plans!
Colin, you are a wonderful little baby and I can't wait to keep watching you grow. Until next month little man.
xoxo
Mommy
PS. 4 month comparison photo - Conor Above and Colin Below.
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