End of April, 2012

Emmett M has been getting himself around quite nicely in the past several weeks.  Even though he's still rolling to do it, he does it with purpose.  Em knows where he wants to go, and how to get there.  His favorite place is under the Jumperoo.  He has also really likes to go under his highchair, and bang on the kitchen vents. 

This little guy sure is our ray of sunshine!!

February 14, 2012

This has been a heck of a half year.  Doesn't everyone in the world say you just gotta make it to six months?  Or something stupid like that?  I am going to do my best not to sound selfish and ungrateful, but it's been dang hard.  Emmett is soft and smooshy and cute and cuddly.  But he is cranky, difficult, fussy, and unhappy.  Doesn't eat, definitely doesn't sleep.  Screams a lot.  And now in the last month he's gone on a total milk strike.  Particularly the last 3 days.  Hasn't had more than maybe 3 ounces.  Won't breastfeed, sure won't take a bottle.  Nothing about him is consistent or predictable.  Anyway, I'm a wimp and a whiner.  But that's my excuse for being lousy about monthly updates.  I promised myself I would do one for 6 months.  Half a year.  It's kind of big deal.

At his check up, Emmett weighed in at 17 pounds 10 ounces.  I was sure he would be at least 18 pounds.  He had dropped a solid 15% in weight, so I'm chalking that up to the milk strike.  But that's still significantly more than either of his older brothers.  Em is also what the doctor called "neurologically delayed."  Sounds scary, right?  Or maybe only to a crazy anxious mom, I don't know, but all it means is that he's developing his neurological pathways a bit slower than average.  He just barely learned to roll over last week.  He doesn't push himself up when on his tummy, and he isn't really even close to sitting on his own.  But the doctor promised me there were no implications whatsoever, other than Emmett hits his milestones a bit later than most babies.  As for his social, mental, and emotional "skills," Emmett is right on track and doing fine. 

So, six months in, here are a few other highlights, favorites, and things we want to remember about our tricky Emmett M.

• I flippin love the little crease under his nose.  It's probably not something anyone else would notice, but I do.  And I love it.
• I also love his 17 dimples.  Seriously, at least that many on his fat face when he smiles.
• He has a cute little voice quiver that he does when he's talking or playing. 
• He is so so responsive to his big brothers.  Nothing warms this mama's heart more than to see them interacting with each other.
• Another thing Em does that I find simply irresistable is when I'm holding him on my hip or lap or whatever (which I am a lot) and he turns to look up at me.  It's like he's just checking in. 
• He still does this kind of weird, involutary hand pump.  It's almost like a repetitive twitch.  He does it particularly when he's eating or falling asleep.
• He is always swinging his arms up and down, and bicycling his legs.  On the floor, in the bath, in the bouncer, while being held.  Always. 
• Compared to his crazy brothers at this age, Emmett is pretty quiet and mild.
• He is so soft and squishy.  I love to smother him with kisses and nibble on him.

Although it's been a tough go, we sure wouldn't send this little Emmerooney back.  He has taught us new things, and that we still have a lot left to learn.  He is so sweet and so special, and so so sooooo so cute.  And we love him a lot! 

October 9, 2011

Oh this squishy little baby.  We love him so so much.  His tummy still hurts him, but not near as often or as bad; it's usually just for a bit before bedtime.  He has really good awake time, and will hang out quietly in the bouncer, swing, or playmat for good chunks of time.  His neck and back are getting very strong.  He holds himself up great.  He has found his fists and loves to devour them.  He drools.  He blows bubbles, and both of his older brothers think that's funny and worth pointing out every time they see it.  He coos and makes sweet noises if you're listening for it.  He has such a darling smile, and always has a big one for his daddy when he comes home.  If you're lucky, you might get to see his squinter, where his fat smiling cheeks make his eyes squint almost shut.  And ooooh those cheeks.  Mormor called them bulldog cheeks.  I could kiss and nuzzle them all day long.  There are still a few 0-3 month sized clothes he fits into, but just barely.  He slept in his own room last night.  It was time.  But still a little sad to let him go . . .  you know, clear to the other side of the hall.  He doesn't have a good nickname yet.  I'm working on it.  Sweet smooshy little Emmett M.

I went a little crazy with the pictures.  Then I couldn't bear to edit any out.

Two months stats: 12 lbs 15 oz (62%) and 23 inches (75%)

Samuel 2 months, Owen 2 months, Emmett 2 months.

I love how he walks, runs, hops, jumps, skips, and skedaddles.  He has a darling wiggle and a bounce that I am wild about.

I love how he looks for me to say, “Hi, Ma!” and says it over and over until I say “Hi, O!”

I love his “Cheeeese!” face.

I love how he points at the toilet or his dirty diaper and says, “Poooooooo.”

I love his obsession with pencils and marbles (“bah-balls”).

I love how he says “No” in his cute little voice.  It sounds like “NA-oh!”

I love when he says “No” to answer me, or when Sam is trying to take something from him, or when he takes something from Sam and books it shouting “Naaaaaaaaaaa-OH!”

I love that he still does this, and we still laugh.

I love that he loves his big brother so so much and wants to do everything he does.

I also love that he lets his big brother know when he’s had it.  And I love that he is starting to fight back and even instigate.

I love how each and every time I am telling Sam to go to time out, yelling at Sam to go to time out, threatening Sam to get his butt on time out, counting down till I send Sam to his room because he still hasn’t gone to time out, Owen quietly walks over to the time out spot, sits himself down, and folds his hands.

They are new enough that I love when he throws a little tantrum.  He tries so hard to be nasty, but he’s too dang cute.

I love that he is finally starting to line things up.

I love all the things he says!  He has a slew of basics, like more, milk, drink, food, eat, book, sit, bath, train, up, down, out, all done, mine, and a ton more.  And he has a few not-so-basics.  Like dragon.  He is also saying “I” and putting words together.  ”I pooooooo.”  “I jumped!”  He loves to throw his arms up in the air triumphantly and shout “Good job!” or “I did it!”  He bangs on the back door and says “Socks, shoes, hat, GO!”

I love that after reading a book and turning off the light, O starts humming while he drinks his milk if I’m not singing yet.

I love how sweet and tender-hearted and happy and loveable and cutie cute cute this little guy of ours is.

I love each and every moment with this babe of mine who grew up a whole year and a half when I wasn’t looking.

{professional photos by Laurel Horchem Photography}

I have been dying to do this post for the last two months!  I probably should have just kept doing monthly posts after O turned one because a lot seems to have been going on since then.  Owen has been popping out something new almost every day.  This age is so much fun, with so much learning and growing!  So here is what’s been going on with our Bubba J these last 3 months . . .

• Blows kisses and says “Mmmm-AH.”
• Does sounds for dog, dinosaur, car, truck, train, lion, tiger, gorilla, fish, cow, horse, sheep, monkey, camel, turkey, fish, duck, cat.
• Has words for Dad, Mom, dog, amen, hello, more, throw, go, nose, that.
• Says “WOAH!” all the time.
• Climbed onto the playground, looked through the bars, and said “Hey Mama!” 
• Points to his nose, eyes, ears, head.

• When asked where his belly button is, he lifts up his shirt, points to his tummy, and blows a raspberry.
• Walks backwards and thinks it’s funny when he backs into something {like his mommy in the kitchen making dinner}, kicks a ball like a pro, has a super strong lefty throw, tries to jump, and climbs up or onto an.y.thing!

• Dances like crazy.  Arms swinging, feet stomping, head bobbing, bum shaking.
• Loves to read {and I love when he backs his bum into my lap with a book}.
• Loves animals, crayons and markers and pencils, and playing with the credit cards in my wallet.  {He likes to look at my Costco and Sams Club cards and laugh when he sees my pictures.}
• Throws clothes down the stairs into the basement, pushes his cup into the sink when it’s empty, puts anything paper into the garbage {and the zebra striped ball that goes with his ball popper; only the zebra striped one and I don’t have a clue why}, and walks his dirty diapers to the bathroom.
• Absolutely adores his big brother and thinks he’s so funny.  {I can’t even begin to explain how much I love watching them chase each other through the downstairs, screaming and laughing the whole time.}

• Totally understands what I say, listens, and obeys. 
• Tries to get into the driver’s seat every time we get in the car.

• Starting to throw some awfully dramatic tantrums.
• Gets really sad when you tell him no in a stern voice.
• Shakes his head and says “Nuh nuh nuh nuh” when he’s doing something naughty.
• Does a big head bob for Yes.
• Thinks he’s one of the big kids.

Some other things we absolutely adore about Owen right now . . .

• He has the sweetest smile.  Strangers always comment on his smile.  He gives it out pretty freely.  It’ll melt you.
• Every time I put him to bed I lay him down on his back.  He watches me leave, and as I close the door he rolls onto his tummy with a fuzzy blanket under each arm and his chunky bum in the air.
• He is such a finicky eater.  If someone else is eating something, and he’s not in his high chair, he wants in big time.  If he’s in his high chair, he will eat most anything you hand to him on his own fork.  He will come to me all day long asking for snacks.  But he only swallows about 50% of his food.  The rest is stored in his cheeks and later spit out.

• I was in the kitchen and out of nowhere Owen came charging at me with an unsharpened pencil {Samuel’s “sword” of choice} high in the air yelling, “YAAAAAAAAAH!!!”
• I am crazy about his walk.  I used to call him an Oompa Loompa because he walked around with his chin tucked and his belly out with arms that barely moved.  Now that he gets going pretty fast, he’s got an animated little strut with elbows out and arms pumping, hips and bum wiggling side to side.  I can’t really explain it.  It’s just plain cute.
• He is super aware of what’s going on in his diaper.  Every time he toots or poops he raises his eyebrows, grabs his diaper, and says “OOH!”

• When he gets hurt, he touches where his owie is then says “Ow” and looks at me with the saddest face while I give him a pep talk and he decides whether he’s ok or not.  Sometimes he smiles and goes on his way, but sometimes his big blue eyes tear up and he comes running for some mommy love.
• And he loves his mommy.  He likes to snuggle on my shoulder when he’s sad, or cuddle up when he’s tired.  He will venture out to play or discover, but he always always checks back in after a few minutes, gives me a hug or kiss, then goes back to what he was doing.  He cries every time I leave his sight without his consent.  {After being told by my almost 4 year old to not get out of the car when I dropped him off for his first day of school, it’s a good feeling.}
• He does this a lot.  And we laugh.

Fifteen months ago, we didn’t think there was anyone cuter funnier or smarter than Samuel.  But Owen has shown us how easy it is to fall in love with another little guy and has kept us just as smitten and enamored as before.  This time right now is so enjoyable and we just love this little shmunkin to pieces.  O is so unbelievabley kissable, hugable, smooshable, loveable and 1000 other delightful things.  We are wild about this little Bubs and love him oh so very much. 

It’s crazy to think how much my sweet Baby Owen has changed in one year.  When O was 11 months and 1 day old he was just starting to take deliberate steps.  Now walking is old news.  He is always carrying something around with him (from a wiffle golf ball to a metal spaghetti strainer), running, or dribbling a soccer ball.  He is also learning where things go and what things do.  He books it for the door when he hears a knock.  He tries desperately to put shoes on.  He found an oven mitt with his toys, walked it into the kitchen, and started hitting the oven with it.  Owen likes to climb on the sofa, and has figured out how to get himself off.  Usually he turns around, and slowly puts his feet down.  But every once in awhile, he slides down head first.  Owen also thinks it’s so funny to come into Sam’s room, close the door behind him, and start clapping with a beaming grin like he’s just done the smartest thing ever.  When we pull him out of the bath he always starts straining to look in the mirror, and then laughs and points when he finally gets to see himself.  Owen folds his arms.  We haven’t taught him that.  He just totally caught on, and doesn’t even need to see us do it now, we just say “Time for prayer” and he folds his darling little arms.            

It’s also fun to think how many things about my O-Bubs haven’t changed at all since the day he was born one year ago.  Owen is still so mellow and mild.  He is calm and cautious.  He is a good sport and puts up with a lot.  But when he is done, he certainly let’s you know.  He still loves his mommy so much, but is also a huge huge fan of both his daddy and his big brother.  He has the world’s cutest chunky bum and meaty thighs and big fat feet.  He still loves to be held and give snuggles.  He is such a sweet boy with a very tender heart.  He has fit so perfectly into our little family, and we love our Little O Man so very much.

It’s been a good solid month of official teething.  Not just inexplicable crankiness where everyone tries to tell me he must be teething and I try to tell them No, I actually know my baby better than you, and he’s just being an ornery little pooper.  But the real kind.  Four big fat red swollen bumps that are white at the top because the teeth are so stinkin close to coming through. . . for a moooooonth.  A few days ago I was looking at the two tops and two bottoms and saw two eye teeth also wanting to come through.  Six big fat red swollen bumps white at the top.  But still no actual teeth.

After bath tonight I finally finally finally spotted a breakthrough.  The teeny tiniest tip of baby tooth showing itself on O’s top front left.  Now only five more to go.  For now.  Mercy.

So much for my little baby.  This last month Owen has just taken off.  In the last month, O has learned a bunch of new tricks.  My little baby just might be growing up after all.  So here are some things Bubba J can do now . . .

Point at everything that catches his attention, lights being one of his favorites.

Clap clap clap.

Try to brush his hair and put a hat on his head.

Say “Uh oh,” “Dadoo,” (Daddy) ”Naaama” (Mom) “Dohwg” (Dog) and “Ah-DOH?” as he puts a phone to his ear. 

Bring me a book he wants to read or a toy when he wants me to play with him.

Dance.  He loves Imagination Movers.

Get into trouble with his Brother.  Owen would knock this picture down, then Sam would put it back up.  It lasted for several minutes, both laughing their little heads off the whole time.

Push anything and everything around the house, although the naughty stool is certainly his favorite choice.

Shake his head No.  Then I nod Yes.  And he shakes No.  I nod Yes.  He shakes No.  Lots of giggles.  It’s one of our favorite games.

Stand up without holding onto anything.

Sit on a step.  I find him on the landing often, just standing up and sitting back down.  He loves finding ledges outside to sit on, too.

Take one or two steps as he falls.  Clearly nothing intentional, but he just might be getting there.

My favorite thing about all of Bub’s new tricks is how proud of himself he is each and every time!  But some things that haven’t changed this last month are this babe’s even temperament and mild manner, his complete adoration for Big Brother Sam, his sweet friendly (still toothless!) smile that he shares with anyone, and his super turbo speed crawl. 

It’s funny, every time Owen hits another month I still think he’s just a little baby, and maybe next month I will feel like he’s old.  Getting dangerously close to one year, I still can’t think of Owen as anything else that my itty bitty baby.  When Samuel was O’s age, I thought he was so big and grown up.  I couldn’t believe how fast that year went by.  It’s really weird how perspective can change like that.   

Owen keeps getting faster and faster.  He is booking it to the door the moment it opens and halfway up the stairs before I even notice he’s gone.  He is a cruising maniac, moving from one thing to another even if he has to let go for a second, bending down and picking up things while holding on with just one hand, and standing for a quick moment before he carefully sits himself back down.  He does this ridiculously cute thing where he uses his heels and spins himself around in circles on his chunky little bum.  He loves being outside and has no inhibitions towards grass, cement, mulch, sand, or water.  He is wild about his big brother, thinks his daddy is so funny, but is definitely a major Mama’s boy.  He is a chatterbox.  One of his favorite games is to yell “AAAH” then we yell “AAAH” back and forth over and over.  The other favorite is to bounce himself while swinging his arms up and down and saying, “Uhuhuhuh.”  He is also very serious, cautious, mild, and mellow.  He hates being tossed in the air but loves being held so he can pinch your neck, pull your hair, and smack your chest.  But the best part about 10 months . . . Owen is finally finally finally sleeping through the night.

Speed crawling, standing up, thinking very seriously about cruising, desperately wanting to climb the stairs, attached attached attached to his mommy who still goes in at least 2 times a night to feed him and get him back to sleep, starting to do things very deliberately and with a purpose (like trying to put a toy in the cubby by the TV so he can climb in after it), knows his name, recognizes and has favorite toys (BALLS and anything that his big brother left unattended for even a moment) and favorite books (Nina Laden), loving everything new, except grass.

9 months old.