A bit of this or that

We learned on Saturday at Callaway that William no longer despises the sand and loves to be in the water.  I forsee many day trips, now that we have a pass - thanks to my always awesome parents, up to swim and play and be lazy by the water.

I think Patrick's way of showing he really wants something is to open his mouth really wide, look intently, and lunge towards something.  He does this with a spoon full of pears, the remote, and my phone.  If I'm really lucky - he will do this towards me.  Usually it's the remote though...  How is it that kids are innately attracted to technology already?!

Three of the four Rumers caught the stomach bug this week.  It started with Sam on Saturday afternoon - carrying over into Sunday.  How he rode a bike feeling the way you feel with a stomach bug is beyond me...  I got it about 2:30am Sunday night - carrying into Monday.  William got it Tuesday morning and was vomitting all day, but seemed better on Wednesday.  We kept him home just in case.  Plus, I think there might be some kind of 24 hour rule, but that might only be for temperatures...  Anyhow.  It was perfectly yucky and we all wanted to crawl in a hole and die.  Knock on wood - it looks like Patrick escaped it.  Thank you immuno-whatevers in breastmilk.  I appreciate you.

Patrick is not a fan of vegetables.  Specifically green ones.  He has given a big two thumbs down to green beans and peas.  He sure does love fruit though.  Smart boy.  I need to go pick up some more produce to make him food.  We grabbed a handful of jarred ones, so we could have the jars... but they are going to be out soon and Sam thinks that he is a little tired of bananas and apples.  Maybe squash would be more to his vegetable liking...?

William is saying Please & Thankyou nearly every time without being prompted and I love it.  So so cute.  "Thank you Mommy"  "Thank you Daddy"  Maybe he will learn manners inbetween all the tantrumming.  haha!!!

We, as a last resort of exasperation, let Patrick cry it out on Tuesday night.  I have been fairly clear that I was not on board with CIO this time... I don't know why - just wasn't on board.  Maybe because he is such a joy during the day, that it seems extra awful to put him through that at night.  Poor William - he had me exasperated as a constant state of mind....  Anyhow.  Sam put him in the crib alone and awake.  He didn't cry immediately.  Whahuh?  Ok....  After about 5 minutes, he started whimpering a little bit, maybe a little light crying but definitely not full out wailing and then shortly thereafter, it just stopped.  Um...?  Not quite what I expected.  Who knows if this means we are off the hook *knock on some real wood* with teaching him to 'self-soothe' but we were certainly surprised.  And a little relieved.  I doubt we will do this as a matter of practice, but if he won't nurse to sleep or go to sleep with a little walking, as per our routine, then hopefully we won't be scarring him by just letting him figure out for himself in the crib.  I know.... I've gone hippie.  Feel free to giggle at me now....  Ok....that's enough ... now your laughing is hurting my feelings.  haha!!!

Did I already mention that Patrick is solidly up on his hands and knees and rocking back and forth trying to crawl?!!  It was crazy.  In a matter of days between him arching to kind of getting up - he was a master of getting up...  I'm not ready for this!! :)  He's so proud of himself though - it's adorable.  And he's starting to get a little frustrated because he wants to move forward much faster than he can by belly sliding.  He kicks up on his feet to get his knees pulled under him - I don't remember William doing it that way at all.  Though, William did the military belly crawl for months before he got up on his knees...  He was fast that way too - crazy!  I just think it's funny that he is trying to crawl but he still falls over while trying to sit by himself after several seconds most times.  Babies are funny.

No teeth yet, which, again, is totally fine with me.  He's starting to get a little hair at the back of his neck and it looks to be red... :)  I can dream!!  Two beautiful red headed boys - oh my!!

Loves.

A confession...

I'm just going to go ahead and admit it. I am exhausted.  So in honor of my saying it out loud - I am going to cut myself a break and give you peeps a post of pictures.  Enjoy!!

I will take the time to say that this particular Saturday at Callaway with my parents was one of the best, most relaxing, perfect-est day.  I had the best time and kinda wish I could bottle the feeling and spray it on me come Monday.

Loves.

Tantrums & Tricks

This week wasn't particularly busy, but the boys sure didn't get that memo.  William has been moving at a mile a minute - unless he's watching Dinosaur Train and sweet little Patrick is working on several new 'tricks'.

Monday was Patrick's six month well check.  He did super great - only cried when he realized that Dr Mansfield wasn't mommy and was towering over him.  He weighs in at 17 pounds 10 ounces and 26.5 inches tall.  I have to say, I was a little disappointed that he didn't weigh over 18.  I really wanted him to have doubled his birth weight in six months, but the doc was pleased - so we are pleased.  Win for mommy's boobs!! haha!!  He got two shots and didn't cry at all - turns out singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider really does make every thing ok (I can also get him to settle down and eat by singing that song).  He went back to work with me because I had some issues to nail down and emails to send out.  No one in my office minded.  I handed off the baby and sat at my computer.  He loved it as well - such a flirt.

William can't decide whether he is a morning boy or not.  He wakes up happy, then he throws a fit over having to have his diaper changed and pjs taken off.  He NEVER wants to change out of his pjs.  Then he usually tantrums over what I've picked out for him to wear and refuses to put his socks and shoes on  We always have to wait to do that one.  Sometimes he'll play with his train table but usually he wants to watch Chuggington or Dinosaur Train but he will say one and throw a fit when that's on because he actually wanted the other.  Same goes for Shake Milk versus Juice.  I wish I could just hide in the shower most days.

Usually the car ride is pretty uneventful.  He likes to look for school buses and garbage trucks - which there are plenty of both in the mornings thank goodness.  But as soon as we get out of the car he's upset because he has to leave his juice and every toy but Hilbert.  He wants Daddy to carry him.  He wants to swipe the badge and go beep beep.  He wants a sticker.  He doesn't want anyone to talk to him and shouts NO! when they say hello.  On especially wonderful mornings, he throws himself down on the floor and hollers and cries.  It's awesome.  Our plan of attack on these tantrums has been to ignore and walk away.  This is no longer working.  Sam had to put him in the corner at daycare to get him to pay attention and calm down.  Goodness.

Patrick has been introduced into the tasty world of food this week.  I was planning on doing Baby Led Weaning, but he's not really swallowing anything and it's ending up everywhere, and after trying it for two days - I don't think I'm going to do it hardcore.  Maybe more so on the weekends, but not at dinner.  So far he has had sweet potatoes and apples.  And as far as I can tell, he likes them.  I don't think he's eating them, but the taste of it all makes him happy.  He especially loves the spoon and takes it out of my hands every time.  Which means I end up covered in sweet potato - but oh well.  I have to strip him down in his seat and carry him to the bath every single night.

He loves bath time.  The first night I had to strip him like that, Sam was at the movies with his Dad, so I had to do it by myself.  His bath seat was folded up and in the armoire, so I just ran about 1.5 inches of water and laid him on his back.  He loved it!!  Was splashing his feet and moving his tush to make big splashes - it was so much fun to watch.  And, honestly, it was a lot easier to get him clean!  We might have to make a routine out of it...

Patrick definitely has eczema though poor baby.  And a lot worse than William did.  It's all over his back, elbows, and a little on his front.  The hydrocortisone is helping a good bit but we've only had that for two days I think, so it's not completely cleared up.  He doesn't seem to be bothered by it though - so that's good.

OMG!! How did I forget to mention this?!  So - you know how he's been waking up every hour - every two hours for the past week/week.five?  Yeah - he had an ear infection....  Kid didn't think to tell us about it.  Dr Mansfield found it at his well-check and gave us a prescription for amoxycillin.  (which produces awesome diaper rash...goodness)  He hasn't been fussy or crying or anything though!  Just waking up more often than I would like.  I just figured he was hungry.... haha.  Of course he would get one after we took him to the doctor no less than 5 times because we were sure that his snotty nose/cough was turning into an ear infection.  And wouldn't you know - his snottiness was actually not that bad recently.  Oh well.  Atleast he didn't seem to notice THAT either!!

Patrick has decided to start working on crawling.  He is practicing getting up on his knees and sometimes he even makes it.  So exciting!!  And not really exciting at the same time.... two mobile children - oh my! haha!!  He can propel himself backwards while on his tummy though - that's funny to watch.  I guess his arms are stronger than his legs right now.   He still needs help sitting most of the time, but he's getting better at that as well.  So hard to think that in another 6 months he won't be a baby anymore.  I look at William and can hardly believe that two years ago he was Patrick's size.  Sweet sweet boys.

Loves.

Patrick by Numbers: 6

A Very Merry Half Birthday to Patrick!!  

*Weighs approximately 18 lbs.  We have a doctor appointment on the 5^th and I will update after that.

*Has discovered that he can speak and speak loudly.

*Loves his jumperoo now that his feet touch the ground.  Some days I am fairly certain that he would stay in it all day long without complaint.

*Is becoming a master walker manipulator.  He can direct it where he wants most of the time, which is saying something – because there are always plenty of obstacles in his way.

*Loves bathtime.  Especially when William is joining him.

*Thinks being naked, in general, is the greatest thing ever.  He immediately lights up and starts “bouncing around.”

*Refuses to sleep through the night.  Refuses to sleep  4 hours in a row.  Or really, even three hours in a row.  A treat is a full two hours before I have to feed him again.  And four days this week, he was up every hour.  I am tired.  He is not.

*Very clearly made his teacher, Ms. Tonjia, his Valentine.  He loves her so much.

*Enjoys razzing occasionally, but it’s a lot more focused than William’s razz was.  And he doesn’t do it constantly either.  More of like a passing fancy.  He’s really cute when he does it though because he is so specific.

*He has discovered hair and pulling.  He only likes to do it though if there is tension – grab higher than he does and it’s no longer fun and he will release.  Thank goodness.

*Wakes up incredibly happy in the mornings.  I am starting to look forward to the time from 5:30-6:00am.  

*Goes to bed around 7:30/8:00 pm.  He sleeps best when Daddy does the swaddling.   He starts in the crib and then when he wakes up at 11:30, he comes to bed with me.

*Exclusively breastfed.  

*He now sometimes gets his feelings hurt if you leave the room or don’t pay enough attention to him when he wants it.

*Fascinated by everything William does.  Hopefully William won’t teach him any bad habits.

*In 6-9 month clothes and oh so adorable.

*About to move up to size 3 diapers when we run out of the 2s.  Mostly because a friend of ours got us a crazy good deal on 300+ size threes… I’ll take it.  He is a little chubby though – so it works.

*He finds his feet fascinating and his toes especially tasty.  

*He has no teeth but goes through spurts of serious droolyness and an obsession with teething toys –but he’s not really upset about anything – so who knows if he will ever have teeth.

*Loves to be tickled.  Under his chin always makes him smile and laugh.  I love it.  He also thinks it is funny to be 'munched' on and kissed all over.  I love it.

 Loves!!