9 Months In, 9 Months Out

Ethan's first 9 months on the outside have absolutely flown by. We had his first Thanksgiving (he liked the food) and his first Christmas (also liked the food). He got a bit overwhelmed by all the people but calmed down and had fun. As long as someone he knew was holding him!  He got a bunch of fun toys, he really loves the Fisher Price crawl around car - and so does Audrey. They like to play in it together, which is great to see. He is also a HUGE fan of the princess magiclip dolls that Audrey got. He is not allowed to touch them though when she's home, she freaks out lol.

He also started crawling, pulling to stand on everything, going up a few stairs, and cruising like a pro! He wants to walk on his own so badly but isn't quite there yet. I'm sure it will be coming soon! He's a little late on verbal stuff but he is babbling all the consonants now, so I'm sure he'll catch up. We're trying to make sure we read to him a ton so he can hear tons of words.

Ethan is also a champion eater and will try pretty much anything and then look for more! He eats 3 full meals a day plus 4-5 bottles. He can drink out of pretty much any straw cup also. He's at 2 naps a day and hopefully stays like that for a while!  He's a smiley, sweet, baby and I can't wait to see what the next months bring.

7 Months

7 months has gone so so quickly. Ethan took his first vacation! We went with Chris' family to the Outer Banks. Had a great time taking walks, going in the pool, going to the beach, and just hanging out. 

Ethan loves jumping and chewing on everything he can find! Everything! Funny how kids are so different because Audrey wasn't like that. He's eating 2 meals a day plus bottles and sleeping a lovely 12 hours (or more!) a night. The morning nap is guaranteed but an afternoon nap is less consistent. It's ok though because Audrey doesn't nap anyway so it gives us more flexibility. 

He is solidly in 12 month clothes even though I try to squish him in some 9 month stuff for one more wear :). He also has 2 bottom teeth that juuuust poked through. 

He's such a squishy happy baby- always smiling!

Audrey is 3!

Wheeeee, someone is three! 3 is actually a really fun age, even taking threenager drama into account. Her imagination is crazy and cracks me up daily. Its a whole new wonderful world where she's not running into traffic, running into the street, etc. I can take her out of the car and know she will stand right there until I'm ready for us to go into the store/house/whatever. She has her moments of course, but she does love her brother "Efan", she can't wait until he can actually talk and play with her "when he's bigger". So sweet. There's jealousy of course and sometimes she *needs* something exactly when he needs a bottle or to be changed. For the most part though, she's really adapted quite well. 2.5-3 was rough with her, but we've really turned a corner now.

Current loves are playing outside, painting, Peppa Pig, Doc McStuffins, her best friend Evie, going to the beach and boardwalk, going on the rides. Oh and ice cream and cookies, she certainly got our sweet tooth!  She's fully potty trained, nights too which is AMAZING. She had a rough summer of sleep, I think mostly because Chris was at work with lots of wake-ups, but overall she sleeps about 11 hours per night with no naps. She does still nap at school but never at home.

She starts 3 days a week of preschool this year and is so excited. She loves the structure of school. Summer camp, not so much. It was too free and too many kids for her liking. She's turning out to be sensitive, which is surprising given my personality, but I'm trying to pay attention to it and use things that hurt her feelings as teachable moments. She likes to know how things are going to be, but as long as you explain it to her ahead of time, she can handle change pretty well.

When she plays independently with her dolls and puts them to sleep or to nap or to time out, she mimics us, which is adorable. Turns out, we're doing things right!

Ethan's 5 Months

Ethan's 5 months old now and that means my favorite milestone is coming up - eating! I loved feeding Audrey and I'm excited to start feeding Ethan too. I plan on making some puree and buying some puree, whatever is easier at the time. Making them is great because you really can make a big batch in a few minutes. Given his new fascination with watching us eat, I think he's ready!

And in awesome news, he just started sleeping through the night! Woohoo, I could finally sleep - except that my almost 3 year old wakes up multiple times a nice. But that's a different sob story.  He is truly the sweetest, happiest baby. The only time he's really unhappy is when he's overtired and we don't get him for a nap soon enough.  He's into the "put everything in your mouth" stage and drooling nonstop. I don't remember this from Audrey! He is soaking his shirts constantly!

Audrey is really sweet to him (most of the time) she can't wait until he can interact and play with her and neither can I! He's loving his exersaucer and jumper too. Still not so much with being on his stomach although he CAN roll he just chooses not to. Lazy babies :)

Baby E is 4 Months

Four months went quick, as it seems to always do! Ethan is really the sweetest, happiest baby! Always smiling and laughing, especially at his big sister. Sibling love starts early evidently! And Audrey is really good with him (mostly), she gets really concerned if he cries and tries to help me either get his paci, or tells me he pooped, or tells me "Ethan needs his bottle, you get him his bottle" Its the cutest thing.  Good thing they are adorable (mostly) because being a parent is damn exhausting :P

Ethan, although not a great napper, has recently started STTN. So YAY for that!  I remember Audrey being the same way, so hopefully once we're past this wonder week(s) he'll start to take some predictable naps. He's still eating 6oz bottles, every 3 hours so approx 30 oz a day. He slowed down a little from the 36 he was taking about a month ago. I hope that means, he might stay in this size clothing a little longer!

Giant baby is in 9 month clothes. 9! His well appt is Monday so I'm curious what his official height and weight will be. I've weighed and measured him at home and came up with about 19lbs and 26.5", we'll see if I'm close.

He's really starting to interact and notice everything around him and he's loving his exersaucer. He doesn't like laying down as much anymore, he wants to be part of the action! No rolling at all yet, but that big ole butt isn't helping him much!

Almost a Threenager

She's almost 3 and we see signs of it daily, both good and bad. There's drama over everything, complete conversations, lots of "I want to do it myself", and lots of meltdowns. 

Last night she didn't want to wait for me so she went and got undressed, climbed into her bath and turned the water on! Hard to believe in 3 short years she's turned into a person. When she's being sweet and lovely we have the best conversations, she cracks me up. Love our little family <3

2 Months Old

Time is flying, Ethan is 2 months old already. I'm still home full time but that time is ending soon. We are getting into a bit of a routine now which is great. He sleeps and naps in his crib, otherwise big sister likes to wake him up!

He smiles and laughs now, you can see his dimples are adorable! I just want to squish him, he's so sweet and mellow. He isn't going any longer then 4-5 hours between feedings but I'm hoping one day soon! He goes to bed at 7 and we feed him usually twice before getting up for the day around 8-9. Now if only Audrey would sleep until then...

He's eating 6 oz bottles now and only formula. He likes ceiling fans, the piano play mat, being held, and baths. He doesn't dislike too much other then being hungry! He's awake a bit more now, and taking 2-3 naps a day as long as we are home.