First Day of Preschool

It finally came.  The day when we sent our little babies (who aren't so little anymore) off to school.  Okay so it's twice a week and only a little over 2 hours a day but it was a very big day.  They LOVED it.  They were counting down the days until preschool.  They were thrilled to arrive and find their seats and get settled in.  I knelt down and gave them a hug and told them I'd see them later.  They didn't mind one bit and I'm not even sure they had time to miss me.  I missed them.  I ran some errands with Nolan while they were in school and despite it being a nice change of pace to only have one child to buckle and unbuckle with car seats and use one shopping cart without tantrums or one set of little legs to keep up.  I missed it.  I missed their little voice making funny comments.  I can't imagine how much they will be missed next year when it is kindergarten and not just a couple hours twice a week.

They were so proud to be going to school though.  They took to it like pros.  The bonus of having a built in buddy for school has it's benefits although we hope to separate them either in kindergarten or 1st grade so they can learn to live without the other in direct sight.

They are also doing an online preschool program through the state.  This is 20 minutes a day of reading/phonics (minimum) 5 days a week.  They can also do 15 minutes of science and math which we try to just add on unless we're in an absolute pinch to fit in 20 minutes.  I wasn't super impressed with the program at first.  I think it was still learning their skill level and tuning in on just how to teach them, plus there were a few software flaws.  But after being in it for several weeks now I am sold.  They are learning phonics and letter sounds.  Things I struggled with exactly how to teach them.  They are starting to sound out words and recognize "power" words.  I think it will be a huge benefit to put them right on track for kindergarten and going forward.  Yay for education and yay for our smart little cookies.

They wanted to blow "wishes" before heading off to school

They are such fun girls.  Love love love them!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  So full of fun memories.  We went down to Jeff's parents and went swimming at the condo they own but rent out.  The girls had their new puddle jumper floaters and they had so much fun with the independence once they realized they weren't going to sink.  I was only going to let Nolan dip his feet in but he had other plans.  He loved the pool so much and saw sister's having so much fun that after a minute or two of kicking around his wet toes he went limp noodle on me in order to sit in the water.  He loved it.  We let Jeff take him into the pool for just a minute or two and at first he loved it but the second go around he was ready to be done.  I don't think he liked the wet and mega full diaper.

After swimming we all went up the canyon to enjoy some sloppy joes and campfire roasting.  It was so nice to complete the idea and goal we had to roast something around a campfire with the girls.  They LOVED it!  There was a creek that runs by this place and they enjoyed exploring around there with their cousins.  We even managed to sing a couple campfire songs and a round of joke telling.  Nolan enjoyed this as well...he loves the outdoors like crazy.  Only thing he didn't like was not being able to get down and play in the dirt.  It was just a really good weekend and a good memory to make.

11 Month Update

Weight / Length:   30" and 21 lbs (guessing here).  He is wearing some 9 month clothes (although it's becoming a stretch) but he fits mostly into 9-12 month now.  I'm just trying to stretch the transition until the weather cools off.

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yay!).  He feeds himself most meals now.  He does put up with me spoon feeding him dinner foods that are messy but he loves to be in charge of feeding himself.

Milestones/Development:   He is walking!! He is a determined crawler, climber and walker.  He climbs anything that sits still long enough and once he started pulling up I knew he was going to walk before his birthday.  He still drops to a crawl to get somewhere faster but is eagerly figuring out how to walk as well.  He babbles and imitates sounds and tone of voice.  He loves to be in the middle of the action. 

Helmet Treatment/Torticollis:  We are still plugging away at this.  I'm frustrated with it and sick of it and I think he's getting sick of it (he doesn't want to hold still and cries when we go to put it back on).  Next appointment is September 10th so crossing our fingers again but I think it might be October or November before we get the go ahead to quit.  Grrrrrrr!  Happy to be able to help him but frustrated with how long it has taken. 

Sleep:  I started putting him in a fleece sleeper cause I thought he got cool in the middle of the night.  For three days in a row he only woke around 1:30 am and then between 6:30 and 7 am .  We'll see if this is the magic bullet.

Teeth:  He still just has his two bottom teeth in.  I think his top ones are shifting around but we still haven't seen them trying to pop yet.  I kind of hope they'll wait until after his birthday and weaning is done. 

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  We are hoping to go camping overnight but we'll see.  We tried to do a weenie roast and smores up the mountain and that failed.  He loves to crawl around outside with his sisters and he loves the swing in the back yard.

Challenges:  Sleep and Helmet.  Enough said.

Likes/Dislikes:  He likes almost anything I give him.  He loves to eat what we are having for dinner and everyone loves chicken pot pie (including Nolan).  He does well with meat and almost all textures.  He does okay with bananas now if they are cut up.  He LOVES to go outside.  He climbs everything and is so curious and eager to see and try new things.  He is going to be a different type of child than his sisters to keep up with.

Looking Forward to:  Being done with his helmet.  Him sleeping better.   Final preparation for Nolan's 1st Birthday. 

11 months old

He now squints whenever I take a picture with the flash and he knows it's coming HAHA

Making mischief in his sisters' room...caught ya!

10 Month Update

Weight / Length:   30" and 20 lbs (guessing here).  He is wearing 9 month clothes but would probably fit 9-12 month I'm just trying to stretch the transition until the weather cools off.

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yay!).  He can feed himself finger foods and insists on it most of the time.  He eats what we are eating pretty much for dinner.  No more purees.  He does get oatmeal for breakfast still.  I still buy some pouches of baby food for on-the-go but that's it.

Milestones/Development:   He crawls off of his tummy 75% of the time (usually opting for the belly crawl and hard floors).  He pulls up on everything and is cruising furniture with speed.  He stood on his own for a few second a couple days ago;  Jeff stood him up and I don't think he realized it.   He babbles a lot and you can here it sounding more and more like sounds and English.  You can also here his sister squeals and shrieks of tone of voice in it.  He screeches and really goes to town when he's around them.  He loves his sisters.

Helmet Treatment/Torticollis:  As of his 2 month (9 week) checkup with the helmet he had gone from 11-13 mm to 5-6 mm difference.  So at least half-way there.  They consider 3 mm of less to be normal range.  I really hope we are there by his next appointment (Aug 13th).  He seems to have a slow growing skull though so I'm not sure and we would like it to be below 3 if possible just due to worries about regressing once helmet is over. 

Sleep:  He sleeps pretty bad still.  We've started trying to mildly train him more and not respond so quickly to him.  Sometimes he will go back to sleep and sometimes it doesn't work.  He is up 1 or 2 times on good nights.  He usually goes to bed around 7:30-8 pm and wakes up around 7:30 am.  We have been having the girls "fake" going to bed so that he won't think he's the only one being sent to bed.  It seems to work and the girls think it is funny to play a trick on him.  He takes two naps a day.  Still hoping that this will improve once he's done with the helmet.

Teeth:  He has his two bottom teeth in.  I think his top ones are shifting around but we haven't seen them trying to pop yet.  I kind of hope they'll wait until after his birthday and weaning is done. 

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  We went to the fireworks on the 4th of July.  We were a little worried he wouldn't make it without a melt-down but he did pretty good until mid-fireworks.  At that point he fussed for a minute and then promptly fell asleep.  He enjoyed the fireworks and it was so fun to watch his face and expression of awe when the first ones went off.

Challenges:  Sleep.  Enough said.

Likes/Dislikes:  He likes almost anything I give him.  He loves to eat what we are having for dinner and everyone loves chicken pot pie (including Nolan).  He does well with meat and almost all textures.  He does okay with bananas now if they are cut up.  He didn't like Ritz crackers.  He LOVES to go outside.  If you let the dog out and don't take him out for a few minutes he cries when you shut the door.  He doesn't like to play Superman with Dad yet...he gets all nervous, cries and clings to Jeff when he lifts him in the air.  Jeff likes it so he can get some good cuddles but doesn't abuse the cuddle power too much.  He doesn't mind playing it with Mom as I only bounce him and never officially let go of him or lift him high.

Looking Forward to:  Being done with his helmet.  Him sleeping better.  We are taking Nolan and the girls on their first camping trip next weekend.  We are definitely going more so for the girls as I'm sure Nolan will be a challenge but hopefully they will all enjoy it.  It's only one night as I don't dare to brave more than that.  It's exciting to watch Nolan get closer to standing and eventually walking.   We are also preparing for Nolan's 1st Birthday now. 

We had a rainy/cool day so I broke up some fall clothes...looking like a little boy more and more everyday

He refuses to sit still for very long anymore

9 Month Update

Weight / Length:   (appointment on the 6th)

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yeah!).  He can feed himself finger foods a little bit and he loves to.  He also fusses to taste what you are eating, even if you have something prepared for him specifically.  He gets more and more of what we are eating.  So much so that I basically haven't made baby food in a while.  I do buy some jars and pouches of food now/still for on-the-go and introducing flavors.

Milestones/Development:   He is getting really quick at army crawling.  He gets his tummy off the floor but doesn't like to crawl this way.  He pulls himself up on anything and everything since 8.5 months (couch, toys, legs, chairs, etc).  He is getting more and more steady with this every day.  He is understanding more on tone and response.  He babbles a lot and you can hear different sounds coming out.  He says "da-da" and "ma-ma" (I think intentionally but not sure).

Helmet Treatment/Torticollis:  At his first official follow up on the helmet he had only gained 1.5 cm in head circumference.  So they didn't measure his flat spot.  He looks better to us but maybe it's not measurable.  Hoping for a big growth spurt so we can be done with it.  He has mild eczema on his forehead from it occasionally and also dry skin spots on his scalp.  We are trying various treatments for his scalp but no magic bullet yet. 

Sleep:  He sleeps pretty bad still but improving a little.  He usually goes to bed around 7:30-8 pm and sleeps until 10:30 pm.  He fusses and sometimes goes back to sleep and sometimes doesn't.  Then he is awake around 12:30 am or so.  But he has improved to sleep from 12:30 am to 5:30-6 am.  He takes two naps a day.  The early morning is throwing him off more than his previous 7 am mornings.  Hoping like crazy that he will sleep better when the helmet is off and done with.

Teeth:  He has his two bottom teeth in.  I forgot what a trial teething can be.  Add in a new helmet and teething is a pain in the ass (or mouth) haha  I am so sleep deprived. 

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  We've been to the splash pad and playing in the backyard pool.  He enjoyed the backyard pool but wasn't a huge fan of the splash pad.  He loves to watch things going on.  I came home from church last week (he took a nap with Daddy this week) and he eagerly crawled across the floor to get to me and when I picked him up he leaned in and slobbered on/kissed my cheek and then laid his head on my shoulder.  I loved it.

Challenges:  Teething and his helmet.  Balance.  He wants to pull up and be good but he still falls on his butt and hits his head sometimes which makes for a sad Nolan.  I'm sure it would be worse if the helmet wasn't there to protect his head.

Likes/Dislikes:  He loves eating what we're eating.  He hasn't found a food he doesn't like/love (maybe bananas we haven't tried those again for a few weeks).  He is getting bigger into cuddles.  I love it.  He lays his head on your should and squeezes just a little.  I ask for kisses and he gives me hugs.

Looking Forward to:  Being done with his helmet.  Him sleeping better.  Oh please let this be the month that we get out of the stupid helmet.  And puh-lease let that be the main reason he sleeps like crap.

Funny 4 Year Olds (ongoing post)

Oh goodness... I think I just need to keep a running blog post of the funny things they say and come up with lately.

Seren was shirtless with her favorite necklace on a week or so ago.  She looked like Jim Morrison in the iconic picture and Jeff and I were talking about it.  She heard and understood that we thought she looked like him and quickly said, "I'm not a boy!  I don't have a penis."

We recorded the girls while telling them we were going to fly to visit my parents in Florida.  Kendall's first question was, "But how will we fly...we don't have any pixie dust?"  (they were pretty big in Jake and The Neverland Pirates at the time)  - April 2015

Talking about school in the car.  Kendall says that Kindergarten starts similar to her name and talks about the K and the "Ken" sound starting them both.  "It's like 'Kendall-garten."  She laughs.  Not to be outdone Seren says "What if they called it Seren-garten?"  I had a laugh at that one.  They are excited for school even though it's two years away.  - July 2015

After going to Wendy's for lunch, Seren says, "They work really hard to make yummy nuggets. They are better than you make."  I laugh, "Yep they are pretty good."  Kendall says something to stick up for my cooking so Seren says, "You make lots of other good things though.  I'm soooooo proud of you."  - July 2015

Grocery shopping with the girls.  Kendall spots a Green Giant can of green beans.  "Oh no.  Mom look it's the hulk."  I have a good laugh, "No that's the Jolly Green Giant"... she laughs back like I'm the crazy one, "No.  That's the hulk"  It took a few minutes to convince them both at this point.  "Why would they put a giant on their food?"  Gee I don't know why would they put the Incredible Hulk on it (I didn't say this of course). - Aug 25, 2015

While running errands the cashier asked Kendall where she got her red hair from since it obviously wasn't from mom.  I told him that Daddy had some red hair in his family.  So the cashier asked if she got her red hair from Dad and she laughed.  "No!  I growed it myself."  Too cute and literal.  - Aug 27, 2015

...more to come I'm sure

8 Month Update

Weight / Length:  17 lbs 12 oz and 28 inches.  I'm assuming close to the same since this was only 2 weeks ago.

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yeah!).  He can feed himself finger foods a little bit and he likes too.  He also fusses to taste what you are eating, even if you have something prepared for him specifically.  He does get more bits of table food and hopefully this isn't a bad thing.  I know we aren't the best (but hopefully not the worst) eaters in the world.

Milestones/Development:   He is pretty quick at army crawling and crawls all over the house and follows his sisters around and anyone else.  He still gets mad/upset when mom leaves the room though.  He sits on his own really well and I think only falls over intentionally.  He likes to stand and bounce on his legs.  He isn't able to pull up yet but is beginning to learn to hold onto couches and legs to stay standing.  Not very well yet but learning.  He is understanding more on tone and response.  He will blow raspberries with a mouth full of food and when I say "No, Nolan don't do that" he usually smiles or laughs.  He gets upset if you use a hard tone or startle him.  

Physical Therapy/Torticollis:  We graduated!  May 22nd was out last appointment.  He is not showing regression while wearing his helmet.  We were given approval to stop doing stretches (we haven't really been consistent in a month anyway haha) and just continue with strengthening movements.  If he does regress we return to stretches and if it doesn't resolve withing 10 days or we're concerned then contact them.  

Sleep:  Helmet affected his sleep and now teething is affecting his sleep.  Just about the time he was adjusting to the helmet a tooth started coming up and sleep went down the drain again (waking up every two hours).  We tried orajel and preemptive advil to no avail.  Luckily he would just nurse for a short while for comfort and back to sleep he went.  He's improving again now that it popped through.  His helmet and the heat/sweating is causing eczema on his scalp.  I gave in and slathered Aquafor through his hair last night and put his helmet over it.  Best sleep he's had in a couple months (only woke up once).

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  We've done parks and sprinklers since being home from Florida but nothing exciting.  He likes watching the girls at the park but he gets frustrated on the blanket with me or even sometimes being carried around to watch.  You can just tell he's going to be racing to join them soon and raring to go.

Challenges:  Teething and his helmet.  Hopefully we will be clearing these very soon.

Likes/Dislikes:  He likes to feed himself when he can grab it and fusses when you do it for him.  He likes to be on the floor but also fusses to be picked up rather quickly at times.  He likes to be in the middle of the action and get on his sister's nerves a bit.  They love him but get frustrated when he wants to do puzzles or blocks with them.

Looking Forward to:  Being done with his helmet.  It wasn't so bad before but now with the sweating and skin issues on his scalp it isn't much fun anymore.  It is helping his head shape quite a bit though and looking forward to the follow up next Thursday (11th) to see how much he's improved and maybe a hopeful timeline of what's remaining.