Patrick by Numbers: 12

I simply cannot believe how fast the past year has gone by.  I can literally remember every minute of of the day a year ago.  How I felt my heart actually enlarge and spill over in joy when he first cried.  It amazes me how much babies change in twelve short months, and as much as I want him to stay little, I also can't wait to see what kind of boy he becomes.

*Weighs 22 lbs 5 oz (just under 50th) - 30.5 in tall (just over 50th)

*Walks like a pro and runs after his brother.  He can play a mean game of chase.

*Loves animals.  Will chase the cats and is not afraid of dogs - atleast the smaller ones he has seen up close and personal.  We still haven't let ours run him over yet, but he is very interested in them.

*Has had a mini-taste or two of real milk and wasn't impressed!  That's my boy!! ha!

*LOVES greek yogurt!! And Italian sausage.  He will gobble gobble and beg for more.

*STILL no teeth.  None.

he didn't want anything to do with the pictures at first and cried so hard

I will do anything for this sweet little boy

*Had roseola, which made us quite uneasy, but it finally disappeared after more than a week.

*His most favorite toys are trucks and he loves to make the engine sound by razzing.

*He believes that he can swim and will try to be sneaky walking around the pool to find an opening to jump in without you - he has NOT been successful so far.  He absolutely hates his floaty seat.

*Prefers to be barefoot and does not mind grass, pinestraw, mud, etc.  This is the exact opposite of his brother, though , I think Patrick is beginning to influence him on this one.

*Begins the night sleeping in his crib, then moves in to the bed with mommy.  I love it, he loves it, I don't see this changing any time soon.

*Is very distractible while nursing, but when he's REALLY hungry he can focus through anything.  Even two rambunctious boys in a small pool making BIG splashes.

*Still nursing all day and all night long.  Goes about 3 hour between during the day if he gets a good meal, but sometimes on the weekends he just snacks all day.  He can go 3 hours at night, but he usually prefers every 2.  He's gotten really efficient though, so we are rarely up more than 10 minutes at the very most, usually it's only 5.

*Loves raspberries on his belly.  His laughter makes the world a better place.

*One of his favorite activities is putting things in things.  We found the car keys in the mop bucket one day (after twenty minutes of searching).  It is helpful when we are picking up toys though - he thinks it's fun and has no idea that it's a chore!  haha!!

he refused to stay still on the floor or on his feet - it's a wonder we got this one at all!!

Watch out world - Patrick is ready and on the move!!

*Is a bit of a cling-on.  But since he loves Mommy best, I'm usually ok with it.  Breaks my heart in the morning at school though.  Sam has to practically drag me out of his room.

*Falls asleep on the highway.  Thank goodness.

*You know he's done with his meal when he starts throwing all of it on the floor.  This is fine when it's just puffs, not so fine with it's pasta covered in sauce.

*Love loves loves bread.  He is his momma's child.

*Took his first trip to the Gulf of Mexico.  He loved the sand and the ocean.  He's going to be a beach bum for sure.

*Lives for bath time.  He also thinks he's big enough to crawl over the edge by himself.  We've got to watch him for sure!

*Definitely a climber.  He can get himself into Sam's lap in the chair all by himself.

*Likes his paci, but can live and sleep without it.  Definitely not an obsession like his brother had.  we lose a lot more of them because of this though - he will toss them out without a though and before you know, we've gone from 10 pacis to frantically searching for 1.

*Has nearly outgrown most of his 12 month clothes.  He is rocking the 18 month clothes and he wears a size 4.5 shoe.  Nothing cuter than him in red Keds.  Can't wait until he's in size 5 for the brand new green ones we got him last fall though.

*Thinks it is funny to clap his hands and like to wave bye to his teachers.

*His fun personality really starts to come out in bursts when his tornado older brother isn't around trying to outshine him.

*Is starting to follow simple directions.  "Go to the room" "Pick up the paci"  "Give Mommy a kiss"  I especially like the last one :)

Loves.

Patrick by Numbers: 11

I am desperately trying to hold on to my baby.  Which I realize probably puts me in some lump of mom categories that is not at all flattering - but I can't help it.  Every time I turn around he is more of a big boy than I want to believe.  This is certainly not helped by the fact that he is toodling around everywhere.

*Who knows how much he weighs now.  I'll make an uneducated guess at 21 pounds.  This is based on nothing.  Our scale lives at my office and he hasn't been sick recently (yay!!)... so yeah.  Totally guessing here.

*Is wearing 12 months clothes.

*Walks more than he one legged crawls.  Can make a U-turn, side step, and lower himself to a squat and then back up again.  He walks a little bow legged and usually has his arms in the air.  I love it.

*Wakes up every 2 hours still.  I will admit that this is partly my fault, he wakes up to nurse because of the sleep association we've developed over the past 11 months, and that's the only way he thinks he can get back to sleep.  Hopefully by the time he is one we will be halfway to waking up far less and making the transition with as few tears as possible.  Wish us luck, it starts tomorrow...

*Refuses to eat baby food.  But he doesn't want any party of most of what we eat.  He throws puffs on the floor for fun.  He LOVES bread though and baby rice cakes.

*His favorite game is "Switch the Paci".  Doesn't matter how many times he does it, but stuffing the paci into mommy/daddy/grandaddy/etc mouth is THE funniest game.  Hands down.  We play often because who doesn't want to hear his laughter?!

*Patrick loves to drive cars and trucks around the floor and makes the Vroom (BBBbbbbb razz) sound to go with it.  Cute kid.  I think he and William will get along JUST fine...

*Says Mama, Dada, and uhoh.

*Understands what no means, and it hurts his feelings nearly every time.  The best is when he cries into the floor in protest.  With real tears.

*Really wants to see what being electrocuted feels like, as evidenced by his persistence in sticking his fingers in outlets.  See above for his reaction... ha!

*Is a great snuggler.

*Finally gives open mouth kisses - I've been waiting for this one.

*Has no teeth.  Zero.  Not one.  Which is good when the open mouth kiss turns to gnawing on my chin.

*Enjoys clapping.  And when he's REALLY excited he waves his arms in the air, shakes his head side to side, and smiles so big.

*Plays coy/shy often.  I love it because he buries his head in my shoulder.  He's going to be a real flirt one day.  God help us.

Only one more month number to go.....

Loves!!

Patrick by Numbers: 10

My oh my how time flies.  I seriously can't believe that I'm already having to think about Patrick's first birthday.  But here we are and I have pinned two pins.  I've still got 60 days - easy cheesey.

*Is 100% obsessed with Puffs.  He has now tried blueberry, sweet potato, and strawberry-banana.  Does not have a distinguishable preference.

*Enjoys eating real blueberries.  Does not enjoy when just the skin is left on his tongue.

*Apparently has no need for teeth.  He is still the toothless wonder.

*Had ear tube surgery and took it like a champ.  Seriously, within a couple hours he was crawling around and playing like nothing had happened.

*Ear tubes has not produced the magical sleep that I had anticipated.  Oh well.


*Loves playing peekaboo more than any other child I know.  It is especially funny when he plays with my long skirts.

*Giggles if you touch anything to his nose.  T-Rex is a favorite.

*Everything.  Literally everything ends up in his mouth.  He cries like I ran over his puppy if I take my keys away from him.  To, you know, drive the car.... silly mommy!!

* Occasionally will stand for a second or two without any support.  Ms Tonja and I do not like where this is headed.

*His big chunky thighs are also a super ticklish spot.

*He has a sixth sense to know when the door to the back room is even the slightest bit cracked.  He's not allowed back there and he knows it, so he bolts any time he gets the inkling.



*Is starting to learn what "No" means and sometimes obeys it.
  We are going to need to put a lock on the kitty closet though...

*Still breastfeeding like a champ.  All night long.  Good thing I love that baby.

*Has a great time drinking/dribbling water out of his mouth with a sippy cup.

*Goes down for sleep best with Daddy singing.  Something about Daddy's shoulder must be magic.

*Spent the night at B&B's while we got a full night's sleep.  I only made Sam call to check on him 3 times.  I wanted to atleast 6.

*Has started driving cars around on the floor.  He is definitely William's little brother.  haha!

*Unless completely absorbed in play time, he does not want to be put down or left for any period of time.  Even to walk to another room.  Even if he can still see you.  I forgot how bad separation anxiety can be.  But he still doesn't usually cry at school.  Count blessings where we can.

*Has started razzing in full force and he loves to get belly raspberries.






*For some reason, he loves the dishwasher.  We can't do dishes with him around because there is nothing that will distract him.  We can't even move him to another room (separation anxiety... and he'll just speed demon crawl right back!)

*Says Mama & Dada, and I swear I heard him say Ni-Ni - which I'm sure means NightNight.  I WAS putting on his pjs.... hmmm.... maybe?! ha!

*Will pull on my clothes if he is really hungry; also pants like a dog while I'm getting undone for him to eat - he's SOO excited and just can't wait!! lol!!

Loves.

Patrick By Numbers: 9

Patrick is becoming a big boy... or well... a big baby.  Seriously - this kid is large and in charge.  Well, he could always be chubbier (and that would make me oh so happy - LOVE chubby baby thighs) but he really is quite perfect just the way he is.  But he's growing much too fast.  9 months old already!?!  Say it isn't so!!

*Weighs 20 lbs 2 oz - 28 inches tall - Sitting happy at 50th percentile for both

*Is a regular speed demon when he sets his ind to it.  One knee on the floor, one foot on the floor and he is off.

*Can cruise around tables and move between furniture if his arms can reach.

*Is already starting to try and climb.  His first success - William's chair.  William didn't like it.

*Loves fruit.  Any and all fruit.

*Does not like turkey from  Gerber.  I can't really blame him.  I barely like real turkey.  I'm a big fan of ham myself.

*LOVES the beach.  He had no problem playing in the sand or the water at Robin Lake at Callaway.  He might be the only beach bum in our family.

*Bedtime is usually right after 7pm.  Sometimes he gets all crazy and stays up late refusing to go down, but not too often.

*Still nurses all night long.  And only commits to going to sleep for real if he's sleeping with me.  In his crib, sleep only lasts maybe an hour at best usually.  Though, he only sleeps for two hours at a time with me - so it's not a huge improvement.

*Is officially experience separation anxiety.  He has a death grip on me in the mornings at school and he cries when he sees me in another room of the house.  While I don't appreciate the crying, I do appreciate that maybe he will love me more than Daddy.  William certainly didn't the get the "Momma Boy" memo.

*Loves to hold hands and walk.  It's kinda difficult sometimes to get him to bend at the hip and sit down he loves it so much.  He's strong too!!

*Is ticklish all over.  We love to make him smile and giggle, so he gets tickled a lot.

*Loves to play "I'm going to get you" - probably because he gets tickled at the end.

*Has conversations with William.  I'm sure that they know exactly what they are talking about.  Sam and I have no clue, but it involves lots of "da ba ga" sounds.

*Sam thinks he has said "DaDa" to him.  I'm not so sure.  I think what he actually heard was Patrick saying "da   da" while Sam was in the vicinity.  Not quite the same... ha!

*Loves Puffs and he is very happy that he can now efficiently get them from table to hand to mouth now.

*He has such a personality and loves to entertain.  His funniest trick right now is shaking his head side to side and then grinning really wide.  It doesn't sound like much but it is so cute and funny.

*His eyes light up when he smiles.  No - his whole face lights up when he smiles.

Loves.

Patrick by Numbers: 8

Eight months old.  Every month it sneaks up on me.  I am in constant awe of everything he is learning and it always take me a day or two to come to terms with him hitting the milestones.  I want him to stay little, stay my baby.

*Weighs approximately 19 lbs 2 oz.

*Made our first trip to the ER this month due to an ear infection that wouldn't budge.  The antibiotic the doctor prescribed made him have crazy bad diarrhea and vomit.  Though, he might have also had the stomach bug that the rest of the house contracted later that week - so it's hard to tell.  But he got VERY dehydrated and we spent the night in the ER to get fluids and antibiotics - shots.  It was not a wonderful experience but we survived.

*Can sit up by himself unsupported and can also get himself to sitting with out help.  Of course, he started crawling before he could sit without help which just made me laugh.  I wasn't ready for him to crawl when he couldn't sit....

*Also started pulling up on furniture, mommy's legs, William's toys right around the same time as crawling.  In the span of about a week our entire lives changed.  We now have two mobile kids.  Goodness.

*Got his first big boo-boo as a result of pulling up.  He smashed his nose pretty good into our rug after pulling up on the bed.  We didn't see it - but I guess he lost his balance and hit the floor hard because his nose was all scabby and pitiful looking.

*Loves bathtime and no longer needs the baby seat to take one.  This thrills Patrick and ticks William off when he tries to take the boats.

*Eating three meals of "solid" food a day.  He particularly loves anything with pineapple mixed in.

*Has been sleeping like a newborn.  I am feeding him every two hours atleast.  At this point, it's just a habit.  A habit that is going to have to break soon.  I just have to get up the nerve to go through it.  It breaks my heart when he cries - it's literally blood curdling screams.  Truly awful.

*He is really one of the most content babies I've ever seen.  It amazes us every time he just sits in our lap, or the stroller, or on the floor playing by himself in the middle of a thousand toys.

*Apparently can hold his bottle and feed himself now.  I haven't witnessed it first hand, but Sam says he can do it.  That's magic to us as well.

*Babbles with the best of them.  Lots of B & D noises, though,  I swear I heard Ma Ma today.  Probably just wishful thinking though. haha!!

*He loves to be tickled.  His feet are especially ticklish, as is under his chin.  I love his laugh and how his face lights up.

*He will shake his head from side to side to get your attention and to make you laugh.  I think he'll be a ham just like his brother.  It's really one of the cutest things.

*Is starting to raise his hand to wave bye.

*I think we are approaching separation anxiety.  He gets his feelings hurt if he sees me and I don't pick him up, or if one of us sets him down to do something.  He doesn't cry when we leave him at school though, and that's a testament to his love for his teachers.

*Is wearing size 3 diapers and mostly 12 month clothes - some 6-9 still fits but barely.

*He still doesn't have any teeth - but boy does he enjoy chewing on things.  And it really hurts when he chomps down on your chin - he definitely has jaw strength.

*Still thinks his brother hung the moon.  He watches every move he makes.  Hopefully he's not taking notes on the tantrums...

*Had to go to work with me twice because I cut it too close after doctor appts to make it to my meetings and drop him off at school beforehand.  Luckily, I have a great workplace and work peeps.  He, of course, now has a length babysitter list.  He won every single one of my coworkers' hearts.  He never made a peep while being handed around and snuggled in with each of them.  Such a sweet sweet boy.

*Enjoys swinging.  Lots of smiles when we do that at the park.  I'm sure he's happy to finally have something he can do besides sit in the stroller or in mommy's lap while William plays.

*Still nursing all the time and getting breast milk at school.

*I keep forgetting to mention this but we noticed a couple months ago that the veins on the bridge of his nose (I have them too) are shaped like a heart.  I thought it was amusing that I had stared at his face every day for five months but then my sister noticed it the morning of his baptism...  But she was right - a heart.

*Loves to fly and be "thrown" in the air.  I'll lay on my back and put him on my shins and rock back and forth... Sam is a bit rougher and throws him.  I'm not a fan.  When I throw him I don't actually let go...  I don't know what I'm afraid will happen in those three inches of air but it makes me gasp every time.

*He is a happy happy boy full of joy.  We are so lucky.

Loves.

Patrick by Numbers: 7

I was totally caught off guard by little an turning 7 months old this month - time is certainly flying.

*Weighs approximately 18 lbs - maybe an ounce or two more.

*Had his first ear infection at the beginning of the month, refused to take the medicine - spit most of it out apparently, and wound up with a doozie of a double ear infection.  Never fussed once, got a fever, or acted upset about his ears.  He just started waking up ALL THE TIME at night.  Poor little guy.

Even without an ear infection - I don't think he would sleep through the night.

*Started solid food.  Well, started eating pureed food.  He loves it.  At first he wasn't sure what to do with it, but he picked up on the yumminess  quickly, and now it's nearly his favorite activity.  haha!! He especially loves anything with fruit.  Green veggies - not so much.

*Can do a pretty awesome inch worm crawl and is even starting to try and get up on his feet from his knees.  I'm not ready for my baby to be walking yet - he needs to slow down!!!

*Is fascinated by watching his brother and enjoys watching Chuggington and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with him.

*He can and will play in the pack and play all by himself for a long time.  Like thirty minutes alone sometimes. It's amazing.  William barely made it to five minutes alone at this age.  Bless my sweet darling Patrick.

*Since William is still refusing to call him anything other than "Tatrick", we are ceding the point and are giving him the nickname "Tat".  I think it's adorable.  I know I know... I am morally opposed to nicknames.  A stipulation in naming the boys was that I liked their name without it having to be shortened to something else.  I wanted their name to be what I was going to call them.  Best laid plans.  Sam doesn't like it when I call him Tat Tat though.  He says it's Tat Rumer.  I think he is already planning on sports jerseys...haha!!

*Has gotten very efficient in nursing but he only likes to eat when it is quiet.  He doesn't like me to talk, can't have the tv on, and especially William must be nowhere close or Tat :) will get distracted.  He also fights the nursing cover 90% of the time.  That's fun.  I'm not particularly bothered by it and try to wear appropriate, easy to nurse clothing if I know we will  be out and about.... Sam, however, is mortified.  Oh well.  Not his boobs and it's how Patrick eats.  I make no apologies and Sam has agreed to try not to make a big deal.  I will avoid my soapbox right now - but just so you know - I have one.  Ha!

*He loves to be naked.  He lights up on the changing table.  And then subsequently tries to roll over and propel himself off of it.  Not sure he understand that one fully.  So cute though . Especially when he's munching on his feed naked.  I love it.

*He is very ticklish.  Nearly all over but especially the bottoms of his feet.  He also will laugh so hard if you razz his belly.  Nothing better for your soul than a baby laughing.

*He still has no teeth.  And I am still ok with this.  His open mouth kisses would hurt a little bit more if he had teeth and I love to be kissed by him.

*We briefly though sleep training would be a good idea.  I made it thirty minutes before I decided it wasn't.  I may be breaking every rule Sam ever thought we had and I may be creating a sleeping monster, but I just can't do anything that would make him cry and wail.  I just can't.  Every kid is different.

*I think we are at the beginnings of separation anxiety.  His feelings get hurt when you leave the room or he catches a glimpse of you.  Sam says that he will frantically turn and search for me if I am not in the room.  He does not have these feelings when it comes to being left with his teacher, and for that I am thankful.  Ms Tonja will always be his Valentine as far as I am concerned - they are absolutely wonderful people - we are so lucky.

*He is very quickly moving out of 6-9 month clothes.  Though, he's not quite big enough for everything in the 9-12 month tote.  Hopefully he will slow down soon though, specifically, settling into the overflowing box of 12-18 month clothes.  Though, I'm certainly not hoping that he grows that big any time soon.  I can't believe he is my last baby.

*He is starting to get a tiny bit of hair.  we think it is indeed going to be red.  Atleast in certain lights....

*Tat is a big time flirt.  He'll smile and show off for a pretty girl and then buy his head in my shoulder playing coy.  Then he'll repeat.  Perfectly adorable.  His personality is coming through more and more.

*I think he's learning how to wave.  Sometimes he will start to raise his hand to say Bye - doesn't move his hand or fingers - but I think he's about to understand.

*He doesn't often get a bottle at home, seriously - maybe once in the past month Sam tried to, but apparently now he can hold his bottle.  I had to work this past Sunday for a couple hours while Sam took the boys to B7B's - and Tat didn't really eat but he played with his bottle and held it himself.  Magic!!!  William never did that.  NEVER EVER.

*He sleeps completely unswaddled now.  He also doesn't necessarily nurse to sleep.  We've changed the feeding routine since he eats real food now, and we nurse before he gets solids, so he's usually ready for bed but not at all hungry when it's bedtime.  Sam walks him a little bit (with Sleepy Sheep playing rain noise instead of the heartbeat now) and down he goes.  And Sam is seriously the baby whisperer when it comes to sleep.  I end up calling him in the middle of the night because I can't get him back down at 2am - Sam sweeps in and in a matter of minutes (or maybe it just seems that way because I fall asleep) Patrick is sleeping soundly

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!!

Patrick By Numbers : 5

*Is still surviving on breast milk alone.  

*Eats every 3ish hours during the day and every 2 hours at night.  I am slowly going crazy due to lack of sleep.

*Loves to smile.  But, really, who doesn't?!

*His tummy, neck, bottoms of his feet and underarms are ticklish.  Nothing more awesome than hearing him laugh.

*He watches every move his brother makes.  Studying him intensely.

*He has become very alert in the past month.  You can tell that he is taking in the world around him and actually starting to see it all.

*He loves to be in the walker and over the past month has been able to go from just throwing himself against the back of it to make it move to using his legs to propel it.  He usually sits in it during dinner, because that’s where he’s happiest, and we looked over and he wasn’t there!  He had moved himself from the dining room to the doorway to our bedroom!

*My best guess – he weighs about 17lbs.  

*Still rocking 3-6 month clothes, though I have a feeling we will making the move upwards soon.

*No matter where he is put down on the bed, he will manage to scoot himself (swaddled!) to sleep RIGHT next to me.  No wonder my back is killing me – I am sleeping within six inches.  I am not six inches thin!! Haha!!

*I'm not sure for how long, but he decided that he could roll over sometime in the past month.  He just only wanted to pull out his tricks at school and not at home.  I will pretend that my feelings aren't hurt.  I did see him roll over tonight with my own eyes...it took a lot of prodding though.  And, there is no clapping before he's all the way over or he will get distracted and stop the motion.

*Actively plays with his toys.  Usually, they just end up in his mouth, but he grabs for them and handles them and it’s so much fun to watch.  He especially likes the crinkly elephant.

*No teeth but if the amount of drool and wetness is any indication he is very much teething.

*Enjoys bathtime.  Even more when it coincides with William’s bathtime.


*Has discovered his thumbs and enjoys sucking on them.  Alert the media - we have a thumb sucker.  It's kinda helpful when we can't find any of the eight pacis we own...

*Is still our super chill sweet baby.  Very relaxed and happy to be held by anyone.  He’s perfectly content just to sit with you.

*Watches cartoons with William and I swear he’s actually watching.  Not sure which is his favorite yet.

*Gives open mouth kisses.  Or maybe he’s just trying to gnaw on my face.  I like kisses better.


*He has found his feet and is kinda obsessed with grabbing them and trying to put his toes in his mouth.  


*We have discovered that he spits up significantly more when he is congested.  Unfortunately for our water bill, he is pretty much always congested.

Loves.

Patrick by Numbers : 4

4 months already!  Our little pumpkin is growing and learning just like he should.  Here are the highlights:

*Weighs 15 lbs 10 oz (just over 50th) and is 26 inches (75th) tall.  That is a 3” gain in two short months.  He gained two pounds in one month – way to go me!! (and him for being a good eater!!)

*Is exclusively breastfed still.  And lucky for both of us, my milk supply doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

*He has halfway laughed.  Really more of a shortlived giggle.  Absolutely adorable and he does it for Daddy more often than for me, and usually when you tickle his neck.

*Loves to have his clothes taken off.

*Is still an absolute snuggle bunny.  He is usually very content to be held and snuggle however and whenever.  

*Totally chill and doesn’t put out a whole lot of demands.  He does have his fussier days, but for the most part, he is totally happy all the time.

*Wakes up two to three times prior to 6am to eat.  We much prefer him to wake up at 3am and 5:45am – but we know that if wakes up first at 11-12pm we are in for a not fun night.

*We upped his bottles to 4.5 ounces (from 4) at daycare.  Ms. Tonja said he was still hungry.  Luckily, that is still well within what I am able to pump daily.

*His favorite thing to do is roll his “r”.  GuRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…..  He does it constantly.

*Has learned to happily tolerate tummy time for up to 20 minutes sometimes.  He is getting really strong and is close to figuring out how to roll over.  If only he would listen to our advice and tuck his arm…

*He is enthralled by anything William does – he watches him every time W gets close.  They also enjoy watching the same cartoons and movies….though – William does choose those.

*Can hold on and play with toys now.  He enjoys rattles, rings, and ‘open’ balls.  Basically anything his little fingers can grab.

*Teething has officially begun.  Everyone's fingers end up in his mouth and the drool is out of control.  Atleast he's not unhappy about it....and we keep large tubes of aquaphor on hand.

*Has a sensitivity to garlic.  He HATES it when I eat it.  This is unfortunate.  For me.

*Still loves being in the Moby wrap.  He usually falls asleep in it.  

*Will take decent sized naps in his carseat, which I find amazing.

*Continues to spit up every time he eats.  Without fail.  I don’t know why I seriously just don’t sew shirts for me out of burp cloths.  We are single handedly keeping Tide in business at this point.  Our water bill proves that point as well….

*He goes to bed between 7:30-8:00 every night.  William’s bedtime routine has become part of his and he doesn’t expect to eat or go to bed until we’ve put William down.  

*He has the absolute most joyful smile.

Patrick by Numbers: 3

*Weighs approximately 13 pounds 10 ounces, I’m sure he’s taller but I have no idea how much.

*Solidly in 3-6 month clothes.

*Obsessed with sucking on his hands.  I’m fairly certain he’s close to being able to get his whole hand in there.

*Stopped sleeping through the night as soon as he got used to being at daycare.  We are back to getting up 2-3 times a night.  Yay for us.

*We have upped his bottles at daycare to 4 oz.  We send four, but he usually only eats 3.

*He will be embarrassed about this one day, but he can toot with the best of them.  I’m just glad all the gas isn’t making his tummy hurt.  That would be worse than the smelliest of toots.

*He doesn’t enjoy tummy time but he is really trying to roll over.  I suppose he’s motivated.

*He is still a wonderful baby.  Perfectly happy most of the time.  Loves to be held and loves to smile.

*He is starting coo A LOT.  Quite possibly the most adorable thing ever.  Of course he stops as soon as we break 

out the video camera, so I will just have to really focus on remembering.

*He spent his first night away from home on December 2nd.  I was totally against it but then gave in because a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep sounded beautiful.  He did great, though he was mad he didn’t get any boobage.  

*He has rekindled his love for the swing after we turned it to swing front to back instead of side to side.

*He is VERY alert and loves to observe everything.  I swear we have caught him watching Cars with William.  He does have a great seat in the swing.

*Has had a stuffy nose and congestion for about a month now, but we do everything we can (saline, humidifier, aspirator when necessary) and nothing gives.  The doctor won’t do anything until it turns into an ear infection.  I don’t understand; I just hope it magically goes away one day.

*Travels in the car well but inconsistent.  He did GREAT on the way up to Cleveland, but then cried for 2 hours straight on the way back.  His feelings were obviously hurt about something….

*He loves to be in the Moby wrap.  He falls asleep in it 9 out of 10 times.  I don’t mind.  It’s nice to have him all snuggly on me, and it sure does make grocery shopping easier.

*Is no longer taking baby Zantac.  He stopped spitting up as often and as much, generally, and he’s definitely not unhappy about it anymore.  Plus, he hated taking it, I don’t think it was very tasty.  Though he is still pretty good at creating a bunch of laundry for me and him… ha!

*Loves to be tickled.  Especially his cheeks.  We get the best smiles ever doing that.  Love him.

Patrick By Numbers : 2

* Our littlest man turned two months old this week and he celebrated by deciding to sleep through the night.  Atleast on  the week days - daycare is rough stuff and apparently really wears him out.  We aren't complaining.

* He weighed 12lbs 5 ounces and is 23 inches tall.  75th percentile for both.  Chunkers.

* He thinks Daddy saying "guh" is funny and loves to have his cheeks tickled.

* He holds his head up really well when behing held, but hates tummy time, so I'm not sure how he got so good at it.  Guess he got tired of looking at the shoulder seam on my shirt.

* Rocked it pretending to be a football for Halloween... yes, I know, I STILL haven't done a Halloween post.

* He is way more alert more of the time now.  It's fun to watch him look and pay attention to things.  And he has such pretty blue eyes - we are all enjoying seeing more of them.

*  Still on baby Zantac for his reflux.  It usually doesn't bother him to much, thank goodness, but when it does - he lets out the most pitiful "i hurt" cry and it breaks both our hearts.

* He is still the chillest most relaxed baby of all time.  He's happy doing most anything, including watching mommy fold his clothes on the floor.

* He definitely has started cooing but gets camera shy and stops as soon as the red light on the video camera goes on.  Sweet sweet noises.

* I think we might have this whole nursing thing down.  We've had to do it in some fairly questionable circumstances and he has been un-phased for the most part.  Shoot - I guess he's just hungry and you don't want to get in the way of a hungry baby! ha!

* He is still in size 1 diapers - though occasionally we think they are getting small, but the twos still seem SO big.  No biggie, Target doesn't sell size 1 in value sized boxes, so we will have to buy more soon enough and there won't be any going to waste if he decides to change on us suddenly.

* Until he started daycare on the first, his schedule was eat, play, nap at about a two - three hour rotation.  And he always woke up between 5:30 & 5:45 every morning.  We could set our clock to it almost.

* He is almost totally out of 0-3 month clothes but not quite big enough for all his 3-6 month wardrobe.  I'm not a huge fan of this in between stage but I'm happy to be able to start to rotate some new outfits.  I get bored with baby clothes quickly, which is no good when I can't just go buy new cute pieces.  He makes everything look good though, so I shouldn't whine too much.  Atleast he's staying in the right season so far - I'm terrified he's going to get too big for the clothes we have and we'll HAVE to buy him new ones....  He is a chunk...

Loves.