Zoe Louise | 30 months (April 30)

Oh Zoe.  I will say that we've hit a challenging couple of months.  But with those challenges comes the most bubbly personality.  Just when my patience is completely gone, you say something that is absolutely hilarious or do the cutest thing, and I seem to forget whatever you were doing that was upsetting me.  I know that the drama will only continue as you get older… :)  But you've got spunk and one heck of a personality that I love seeing shine through.

You repeat everything we say and in context.  

I'll say "actually" when you try to argue with me and you now like to say it to me.  For instance, I'll say you can't have any more bread.  You'll then say, "I actually want bread."  Yes, yes, Zoe.  I know.  

Whatever.  Oh this word!  Thankfully, it's pretty much stopped since I'm actually posting this but it was like nails on a chalkboard for a while.  You'd say whatever, laugh and then say, "We don't say whatever."  That's right…now don't say it!! :)

There were a slew of birthdays in your room at school and everyone brought in cake or cupcakes.  When we were in FL, we had cake and you kept asking, "Can I have some birthday please?"  You clearly thought all cake was birthday cake :)

We've finally hit a stride with going #1 AND #2 on the potty.  You definitely need to take your time when going #2 and I came up with the idea of using the shower curtain as a "privacy curtain" so now most of the time you'll pull the curtain around you, tell me to "give you pridadcy" and do your business.  It's ADORABLE.  Whatever works!

You love, love, love your brother and he adores you right back.  He seems to give you the biggest smiles.  There have been a few times though where you get frustrated with us and take it out on him (throwing something at him or hitting him).  Thankfully, that has only happened two or three times.  Obviously, I know this is only the beginning, but it's not really a fair fight since he can't fight back ;)

You HATE to brush your teeth.  I have to come up with a new crazy song every day it seems to get you to do it.  It's so frustrating for us since it's really something that should only take two minutes but ends up taking at least 10 because have to fight with you.  

You are getting better at eating different things.  I've introduced "dip" which daddy seems to think was a bad idea, but I say you are 2.  And most kids dip everything in ketchup so who cares if you eat a little ranch or sweet and sour sauce?  It's a sure way to get you to eat cucumbers and chicken.  You'll also eat red peppers now.  You love it so much that you know which dip is for what.  "No mommy.  That dip (ranch) is for my cucumber and that dip (sweet and sour) is for my chicken."

You love, love, love to skip and hop everywhere.  If you are skipping, you sing "Lou, lou, skip to my lou…"  You also love to sing "Row Row Row Your Boat."  Although you improvise a little…"Row row row row row, gently down the stream.  Merrily merrily merrily merrily life is but a dream…"

You also love to point things out now when we are driving.  You did this before here and there mostly point out big trucks, or buses, etc.  But now you'll tell me everything all at once.  "I see a house, a sidewalk, a sign, grass, people" and so on and so on.  You love the "honk for peace" hippies that camp out on 9 mile on Monday afternoons.  You get SO excited when you see them.  

Daniel Tiger has become your TV obsession.  You

'll also watch Curious George but Daniel Tiger is your favorite.  We've used it as bribery for going #2 :)  And it helped you to sit still while you got your stitches.  Thankfully, it's a show with great lessons so I can't complain in your choice of cartoons.

I love to give you kisses and you'll announce, "I just gave you a kiss!" if I try to sneak another.  Then I start kissing you like crazy :)

Swimming has become your thing and you are such a fish in the water.  You would have stayed in that pool 24/7 in FL if we would have let you!

One morning we were going potty and you finished your business and stood up and faced your potty and said, "Daddy stands like this!"  Omg.  Do NOT try to pee like that!  Thankfully, I explained that's how boys/daddies go potty but girls and mommies have to sit.  Now you'll stop at random places and stand there with your legs spread and tell us "Daddy stands like this to go potty!  But I sit down."  Thankfully you caught on quickly.  The last thing that I need is for you to try to pee standing.  

Oh, Zoe.  We love you girl!  Keep making us laugh :)

I can't believe you are already 2.5 little girl.  You are so much fun, and we love you so much.  

Beckett James | Six Months

What an amazing six months we had Beckett.  I can't believe it's time to go back to work already.  I know you'll do fine.  I know that naps will probably be horrible.  I know that you'll love your teachers and make new friends.  But right now, I get to see all of your firsts.  I get to be in control and make sure you nap when you are supposed to.  I get to make you smile.  But I know from experience, it'll be ok.  We'll get into our new routine.  Weeknights will be hectic but weekends will be awesome.

Stats:  Head 17 in (43rd percentile), weight 16 lb 11 oz (31st percentile), height 26.25 in (30th percentile).  Your head and height are tracking consistently but you've bumped up in the weight (were in the 18th 3 months ago).  I attribute that to your decrease in spitting up.  And I love the little chunk you are finally getting on your thighs!

Likes:  Swaddled.  We tried to eliminate this this month, but it went horribly so we gave up and decided to try again in a few weeks.  White noise.  Mr. Monkey that Nana and Grandpa got you for Easter.  Watching Zoe's dance parties.  Paci.  Having Zoe hop like a bunny toward you.

Dislikes:  Loud noises…You scare VERY easily.  Being overtired.  Being left alone.  You like to be sitting by yourself, but you need to be able to see people.  You are content for a few minutes while I run around to get laundry done, etc.  but it doesn't last very long.  

Biggest Achievement This Month:  I think we've broken you from your early morning bottle!   I was down to only giving you 3 oz.  I was going to go down to 2 oz. one morning, but you woke at a weird time so I just gave you your paci.  You fell back asleep!  Granted, you are sleeping all the way until 7am like I'd prefer, but you at least just need your paci which is much faster then making and giving you your bottle.  Yay!

Biggest Challenge This Month:  Trying to get rid of the swaddle.  Thankfully, I called daycare and they will swaddle you there.  I tried for about a week and you were just MISERABLE.  Like screaming for 20 minutes.  I have no problem crying it out, but I can tell when you are going to calm down and when you are past the point of being ok.  And you only soothed yourself back to sleep once.  You'd sleep for 20-30 minutes max, jerk yourself awake and then scream the rest of the nap.  You were taking 1.5-2.5 hour naps consistently so I decided you probably just weren't ready yet.  We'll get there!

Sleep: Down for the night around 7:30pm.  You'd probably go to sleep earlier.  You then wake around 5am for your paci.  Then sometimes sleep until 6:45am straight or we have to give you your paci again.  We are working on it.  Your naps are at 8:45/9am, 12:30/1pm, and 4:30/5pm.  Your first two naps are anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours.  Your last nap is usually only 45 minutes unless one of your first two naps were shorter, then you'll sleep longer.

Temperament/Personality:  So easy going!  You are starting to need a little more entertainment, but you are very content for the most part.  Zoe provides all the entertainment you need on the days she is home :)  It's a little trickier on days she has school (our house is getting a little boring!).  Thankfully, the weather is FINALLY warmer so we've been taking walks and playing outside.

I told school yesterday that they just need to bring Zoe into the infant room if you are ever super fussy.  You should light right up!  Seeing you two together is just precious.  She MUST give you a hug and kiss every morning before she leaves for school.  She never forgets and gets very upset if daddy tries to get her out the door before she's said goodbye to you.  She also has to do the same every night before she goes to bed. 

Eating:  You are still taking 5.5-6 oz.  You take bottles at 7:00am, 10:30/11:15am, 2:30/3:30pm, 5/5:30pm, 7:30pm.  The exact times depend on how long your naps are.  I usually try to make sure you've slept at least 2 hours and then I'll let you go 15-30 minutes longer.

You now LOVE your cereal.  We are at twice a day now.  8am and lunch time...11:30 or 12.  We also introduced sweet potatoes.  So obvious that you are the second child as we are *breaking* the rules a little bit and feeding you real food a few days early.  You loved the sweet potatoes.  Our fingers are crossed that you'll eat something green unlike your sister :)

Randoms:  All size 6 month clothes.  Some of these are getting a little tight!  You may get to wear your FL clothes for a little bit.  Still in size 2 diapers.  Although, I have you in size 3 for nighttime since you are close to leaking out of size 2 now that you are sleeping through the night.

Milestones:  You still are really trying to roll from your back to your belly but you aren't there yet.  Still no teeth.  You chomp away on your hands but there is nothing there when I feel your gums.  I do see a little something on the bottom so I'm wondering if you have one working on poking through.

We love you so much little man!  You are the perfect addition to our crazy, hectic life :)

Letter to Beckett

Dear Beckett,

It's so hard for me to grasp that it's time for me to go back to work and you to start daycare.  It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital.  Like with your sister, things started out a little tough.  I was more prepared this time and knew things would get better, but those early months were hard.  But then you just lit up.  You went from crying all of the time unless you were being held, to being so content and one happy baby.

I feel so fortunate to get to be your mommy.  To have spent the last six months with you at home, not having to work.  Your smiles and giggles make my day.  I've been able to watch you grow from this tiny little newborn who ate, slept, pooped and cried to a six month old who is chunking up and jabbers nonstop.

Going from a family of three to four has been crazy and chaotic.  The schedule we had down pat was thrown out the window.  But I wouldn't trade what we have now for one second.  You've been the most amazing addition to this family little man.  We've figured out our new normal.  

Picking you up in the morning and having you smile, burry your head in my shoulder, and then "tell" me all about what you want to do for the day is the best start to my day.  Those snuggles mean so much to mommy.

I'm going to miss you buddy.  Weeknights will be crazy.  But I'm going to eat up every second I have until it's bedtime.  And I'll soak up every day of the weekends.  I know this time a little more of what to expect.  I know that your naps will probably be terrible at school.  You probably won't eat exactly at the times I would have fed you.  You might even be a little sad when we drop you off.  But…I know that you'll grow to love your teachers as much as we do. You'll be sad to have to say goodbye to them every time you get bigger and have to move to the next room.  You'll make new friends and eventually tell us all about who you played with and ate lunch with.  

I know you are too little to remember our time alone together.  But I hope you can sense the joy you bring to our family and how much we all love you.  

I love you buddy.  Please don't every forget that.

xoxo,
Mommy

Florida!

We had so much fun in Florida with family!  I had spent weeks looking forward to the weather and seeing everyone and of course the week went by way too fast.  The weather was amazing every single day.  It was in the 80s and sunny all but one day.  It was overcast one day with a little rain for about 15-20 minutes, but gorgeous the rest of the trip.

We spent a lot of time by the pool.  Zoe was in heaven swimming every day.  She was swimming all on her own by the end (with a life jacket).  One day she made up this funny little routine.  She'd step on this filter cover which she called a polka dot, walk over to a raft that was on the side of the pool and put her foot on the headrest, walk to the edge, jump to Uncie Nate, then swim to the edge.  She would narrate the entire thing.  She did this over and over and over.  We finally had to tell her only a few more times or else she probably would have done it for hours.  

While we were limited by naps, we still tried to squeeze in a few things outside of the house. We went to the ocean a few times, walked to the splash pad, walked to the park, got ice cream, and the adults even got to go out for drinks while Nana and Grandpa stayed home with the sleeping kids.

It really was so special to spend the week with family.  Hopefully it works out that we can all do it again another year!

Beckett James | Five Months

Stats:  Will find out next month.  Definitely growing though!

Likes:  Swaddled.  White noise.  Bath time.  Paci.  Watching everything going on.  Laying on your back.  When you get fussy, you generally love to be left alone.  In Florida, we had put you in the bouncy because you just wanted to be left alone.  We were on our way to the splash pad I think and were getting everyone ready and I was all ready to walk out the door, and suddenly Aunt Jenny asked, "Where's Beckett?"  Oops!  At least you were safe and just talking to yourself.  

Dislikes:  Loud noises…Zoe screaming or roaring, Wally barking, etc.  You are definitely very sensitive and get scared and cry.  Being overtired at bedtime.

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Sleeping until 6:45am!  Although, it has only happened twice :)  

We also went to Florida with family.  You did AMAZING on the plane.  I was so worried, but you did great.  You cried for maybe five minutes each flight but calmed right down.  You slept  a little here and there and were content for the most part.  Getting a direct flight was key.  

Biggest Challenge This Month:  Coordinating bedtime is definitely my least favorite part of the day.  It's definitely hard with two.  Zoe has been having crazy breakdowns at bedtime and you are exhausted as well so it sometimes makes for A LOT of crying.  I'm usually completely spent once everyone is in bed by 7:40pm.  Thankfully, we still have man on man defense most nights.  There was one night that daddy was gone.  I put Zoe to bed early thinking you'd be fine…no.  You screamed through her entire bedtime story.  I suppose I should have put you to bed first.  

Secret Tricks:  Just letting you chill by yourself.  

Sleep:  It could be much worse.  You are down for the night around 7:30pm.  Most nights you might fuss for a short amount of time here and there but fall back to sleep on your own until anywhere from 4-6am.  Most times it's around 5ish that you get up to eat.  Some nights you are so upset that I need to give you your paci (crying it out does NOT work some nights).  You are then up around 7 am for the day.  

Your first nap is around 9am, the second one around 12:30-1pm, and the third around 4-4:30pm.  

You did make it until 6-6:45am a few mornings this month but not consistently.  So we are getting close, just not quite there yet.  

Temperament/Personality:  You still have a super chill personality.  You are starting to want to do more "stuff" but are still pretty content most of the time as long as you can see/hear people.  

Eating:  Still taking 6 bottles most days.  You take 3-4oz for your early morning bottle.  Then 5.5oz the rest of the day.  The days that you skipped your early morning feeding, I gave you 6oz for a couple feedings.

We also tried oatmeal cereal.  You were not a fan at all!  As Zoe put it, "It doesn't taste good" so who could blame you!

Randoms:  You are in size 2 diapers and all size 6 month clothes.  Although, your Carters long sleeve 3 month onesies STILL fit!  Those are the only three month clothes you can squeeze into, but they fit!

Your skin was so clear in Florida!  The humidity did wonders for you :)  Of course though, we are back in dry MI and your eczema is back.  Not horrible, but it's back.

Milestones:  You are getting so close to rolling from back to belly.  I'm kind of dreading this one because we'll have to get rid of the sleep sack.  And I know that you are going to sleep horribly at first.

You are also chomping on your hands nonstop which makes me wonder if you are working on some teeth.  It still seems so early though so we'll see.

Time is going by so fast little man.  I'm back to work in just one month.  I'm trying not to dwell on that and just soak up every second we have together.  I can't wait to see what this next month has in store for us!

Beckett James | Four Months

I definitely have had this written forever…but with vacation and life, I just didn't get around to posting it on time.  Now only two weeks until your 5 month post :)  Oh…the life of a second child. 

Stats:  weight...13.5 oz (18th percentile).  Head 16.25 in (40th percentile).  Height 24.5 in (32nd percentile).  Still our little peanut.  You are SLOWLY creeping up there!

Likes:  Swaddled.  White noise.  Bath time.  Watching your big sister.  You love staring at her and seeing what she's doing.  Chatting with anyone who will listen and chat back.  Watching people.  You are very content for the most part being in your bouncy, laying on the floor, etc. as long as you are in on the action and can see people.  You recently starting giggling when we give you kisses on your cheeks and belly.  I love those laughs!  Your paci which is a change for us since your sister never took to it.  Thankfully, you've gotten over really needing it at night if it falls out.

Dislikes:  While you love watching your sister, you HATE when she screams or yells unexpectedly.  It really scares you and you then give us your scared cry.  So sad.  We are really working on Zoe being a little quieter so that she doesn't scare you so often.  I know she's not doing it on purpose.  She's just very "passionate" as day care puts it.  Getting ready after bath time.  

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Sleeping until 6!  Although, we can thank the time change for that one :)

Biggest Challenge This Month:  Getting you through your random nighttime wake ups.  I knew you didn't need to eat so it was just a matter of letting you cry.  Thankfully, it only took a few nights and you now are fine.  Sometimes you'll wake up very briefly, but you only cry for a minute or two and then are right back to sleep.

Secret Tricks:  As long as you can see us, you are generally ok.  There is really no need for "tricks" anymore as you are extremely content now.  Such a change from a few months ago.  And a welcome one at that :)

Sleep:  Not much change here from our last post.  You are now in your own room though which I suppose is a big achievement!  

You are down at about 7:30-7:45pm without really any fuss.  You'd probably go to sleep earlier, but I want to make sure we get in that one last bottle.  You then eat again around 5:30 or 6 am (thanks to the time change).  You still sometimes are a little fussy anywhere from 2 or 3am, but I do let you fuss a little to see if you are hungry or if you'll fall back to sleep.  So far you always fall back to sleep after a few minutes.  

You go back down after your early morning feeding and are up around 7:30 am.  We no longer put you in the rock n play which seems to have caused a little earlier wake up, but I'm ok with that.  Recently, you've decided to poop sometime after the early morning feeding which I'm assuming is causing your wake up. 

I was a little worried about the time change, but we are right back on schedule.  Zoe always got through them easily, but I know how different two kids can be.  Thankfully, you are one in the same here.  

Maybe month 5 will be our "sleep through the night" month?  I know you'll get there.  And you really are making it a long stretch.  I'd really just like you up around 7am so you really have just an hour or two more to make it.  Moving you to your own room has really helped me sleep too.  It's much easier for me to fall back to sleep now after you fuss.

Temperament/Personality:  So so so happy!  You are smiling and laughing all of the time now.  You are pretty chill as well and don't really need to "do" much just yet.  I feel like we had to do a lot of activity switching with your sister, but you seem to be ok just doing whatever for the most part.  So much so that I have to remember to try and do tummy time, get out toys and switch things up for you just for developmental reasons.

It's just amazing to me how different you are from just a month or two ago.  I was telling a friend how bad it was at Christmas and he mentioned that he hadn't heard a peep from you all day.  Which was so true.  As long as you nap when you are supposed to and eat when you are supposed to, you are one happy little guy.  Sleep training is one of the top things I dread, but working on getting you on a dependable schedule I know has really helped.

Eating:  Still taking 6 bottles.  The early morning bottle is now down to 3 oz.  You weren't  all that hungry at your next feeding so I'm working on reducing that one.  The rest of the day you take about 5.5 oz.  

Randoms:  Size 2 diapers as of a few days ago.  We ran out of size 1's and knew you wouldn't fit in them much longer anyhow.  You still fit in some of your 3 month clothes (barely).  I have a feeling they will all be put away this next month though.

Your cradle cap has gotten a little better and your eczema is MUCH better.  The aquaphor worked great!

Milestones:  Sleeping better and in your own room!  Waking up talking rather than crying.  You LOVE to talk!  And you actually talk back when we are talking to you.  ADORABLE.

I can't believe we only have two months left together at home.  I really am so thankful to have so much time home with you.  Without the six months, we wouldn't get to spend all of your happy days together.  Your smiles and giggles are infectious.  I love you so so much little man!