He appears almost lifeless except for one movement...the kid loves his pacifier.
He also normally sleeps on his tummy, so this is a very vulnerable state for him!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Declan video
This video will only be amusing to family...or those that simply love our little man without needing to be overly entertained. :)
He appears almost lifeless except for one movement...the kid loves his pacifier.
He also normally sleeps on his tummy, so this is a very vulnerable state for him!
He appears almost lifeless except for one movement...the kid loves his pacifier.
He also normally sleeps on his tummy, so this is a very vulnerable state for him!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Insta-Declan
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| my sweet sleeper |
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| Good morning! 10.28.12 |
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| snuggled up on a walk. He was pretty awake... |
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| D was wide awake at 5:30 in the morning. I drug up the "bouncy" seat from the basement with one hand with D in my other since B was out of town. It worked. :) |
Connor sweetness.
I am trying to remember and record some of the things Connor says these days, especially in reference to Declan.
I think I have mentioned it, but we are so proud of the little boy & big brother that he has become. Prior to Declan's arrival, I thought Connor would handle the change well because he has wanted a sibling for so long. With that in mind, I was also a little bit concerned about how he would handle the fact that this new sibling would require so much of my time and attention. A bit to my surprise, he has been so patient and understanding. There are many times he asks me for something or to help him with a task while I'm feeding D. I simply tell him what I'm doing and he says, "let me know when he is done...about how long?" Regardless what my response is, he takes it like a champ and waits patiently.
The other day in the car, Declan was fussing. I think he spit his pacifier out, or I was pushing him too far passed his eating time...I don't remember. Anyway, Connor leaned over in the car and said, "Don't worry 'little D', your big brother is right here. We will be home in just a few minutes." Melt.
This morning, Declan decided to be awake for a while after he ate at 7:00, so we came out into the living room, turned on the fire and I got him nestled into the "bouncy" seat (it doesn't bounce but vibrates and plays music). Around 8:00 he decided he wanted to go back to bed (at least that is what I decided after he fussed a bit and whenever I picked him up he closed his eyes). Connor woke up within 5 minutes and came out. He snuggled with me for a bit and I told him, "I know you are big now, but you will always be my 'baby'." His response: "Mom, be-nember, I'm the big brother now, now the baby." He'll understand eventually.
C is now going to Pre-K at the YMCA 3 days per week since we did not enroll him in the preschool program within the public schools (I just couldn't do 2 hours a day for 3 days a week...I would get nothing done and dragging D out in the freezing cold so often is not my idea of a good time). He went 2 days per week last year and then just dropped down to 1 day a week through the summer until 2 weeks ago. I had a conference with his teacher, Ms. Mary on Thursday. Although he hasn't been in her room for very long (only since he turned 4 and only for 2 weeks more frequently) she is pleased with his progress and said that his "sweetness" is a "breath of fresh air". Apparently she has a few "physical....aka 'violent'" boys and C distances himself and doesn't partake...proud mom. She has witnessed a noticeable increase in his interest in learning in the past few weeks and expects him to be more than ready for kindergarden next year. He will be evaluated for Kindergarden vs. D-K (developmental kindergarden) in April of 2013. It is still our decision whether to "red-shirt" him or send him since the cutoff date in Michigan is now November 1st. That magic cutoff date is moving up one month per year over the next few years until it is September 1st, I believe. It is about time they get in sync with the rest of the country (my perception...I don't really know what the whole country does). Both D-K and kindergarden are all day, every day, so I'm glad that Connor will already be used to being at "school" for an entire day. This year is the first year of all-day for both programs and apparently that has been the biggest adjustment for most kiddos in the program. The change was implemented for funding purposes.
At this point, I think we are leaning toward sending C to regular kindergarden next year. I feel like there are more options with this course. I personally think he is academically, socially, and physically ready for kindergarden even though he would be one of the younger kids for sure (but likely not the youngest). If he does well at the end of the year, then great...on to first grade. If not, then he could always do kindergarden again and he would be in the same place he would be if he'd done DK. With DK, the only step forward is regular kindergarden. Since C already plays with primarily older kids, it is hard to even imagine him being 2 whole years behind some of his buddies. Whatever...we'll see...he is certainly excited about the possibilities and is anxious to go to Ms. Mary's class so he can learn everything he needs to know so he can go to kindergarden next year. :)
He did get to do something for the first time this week....ride a school bus. Although Connor doesn't normally go to school on Wednesdays, the pre-K program was taking their first field trip, so he was also invited. The "Grow Up Great" planetarium was at the "downtown Y" and the kids got to take a YMCA school bus to the other location to experience the program. Since it wasn't actually C's day for school, Declan and I followed the bus in our car so it didn't throw off the numbers for the class (they have to have a certain number of adults for so many kids, etc). He had a lot of fun...probably equal amounts of fun on both the bus and in the "blue igloo". Declan was great on his 4 week birthday and didn't make a peep. :)
I think I have mentioned it, but we are so proud of the little boy & big brother that he has become. Prior to Declan's arrival, I thought Connor would handle the change well because he has wanted a sibling for so long. With that in mind, I was also a little bit concerned about how he would handle the fact that this new sibling would require so much of my time and attention. A bit to my surprise, he has been so patient and understanding. There are many times he asks me for something or to help him with a task while I'm feeding D. I simply tell him what I'm doing and he says, "let me know when he is done...about how long?" Regardless what my response is, he takes it like a champ and waits patiently.
The other day in the car, Declan was fussing. I think he spit his pacifier out, or I was pushing him too far passed his eating time...I don't remember. Anyway, Connor leaned over in the car and said, "Don't worry 'little D', your big brother is right here. We will be home in just a few minutes." Melt.
This morning, Declan decided to be awake for a while after he ate at 7:00, so we came out into the living room, turned on the fire and I got him nestled into the "bouncy" seat (it doesn't bounce but vibrates and plays music). Around 8:00 he decided he wanted to go back to bed (at least that is what I decided after he fussed a bit and whenever I picked him up he closed his eyes). Connor woke up within 5 minutes and came out. He snuggled with me for a bit and I told him, "I know you are big now, but you will always be my 'baby'." His response: "Mom, be-nember, I'm the big brother now, now the baby." He'll understand eventually.
C is now going to Pre-K at the YMCA 3 days per week since we did not enroll him in the preschool program within the public schools (I just couldn't do 2 hours a day for 3 days a week...I would get nothing done and dragging D out in the freezing cold so often is not my idea of a good time). He went 2 days per week last year and then just dropped down to 1 day a week through the summer until 2 weeks ago. I had a conference with his teacher, Ms. Mary on Thursday. Although he hasn't been in her room for very long (only since he turned 4 and only for 2 weeks more frequently) she is pleased with his progress and said that his "sweetness" is a "breath of fresh air". Apparently she has a few "physical....aka 'violent'" boys and C distances himself and doesn't partake...proud mom. She has witnessed a noticeable increase in his interest in learning in the past few weeks and expects him to be more than ready for kindergarden next year. He will be evaluated for Kindergarden vs. D-K (developmental kindergarden) in April of 2013. It is still our decision whether to "red-shirt" him or send him since the cutoff date in Michigan is now November 1st. That magic cutoff date is moving up one month per year over the next few years until it is September 1st, I believe. It is about time they get in sync with the rest of the country (my perception...I don't really know what the whole country does). Both D-K and kindergarden are all day, every day, so I'm glad that Connor will already be used to being at "school" for an entire day. This year is the first year of all-day for both programs and apparently that has been the biggest adjustment for most kiddos in the program. The change was implemented for funding purposes.
At this point, I think we are leaning toward sending C to regular kindergarden next year. I feel like there are more options with this course. I personally think he is academically, socially, and physically ready for kindergarden even though he would be one of the younger kids for sure (but likely not the youngest). If he does well at the end of the year, then great...on to first grade. If not, then he could always do kindergarden again and he would be in the same place he would be if he'd done DK. With DK, the only step forward is regular kindergarden. Since C already plays with primarily older kids, it is hard to even imagine him being 2 whole years behind some of his buddies. Whatever...we'll see...he is certainly excited about the possibilities and is anxious to go to Ms. Mary's class so he can learn everything he needs to know so he can go to kindergarden next year. :)
He did get to do something for the first time this week....ride a school bus. Although Connor doesn't normally go to school on Wednesdays, the pre-K program was taking their first field trip, so he was also invited. The "Grow Up Great" planetarium was at the "downtown Y" and the kids got to take a YMCA school bus to the other location to experience the program. Since it wasn't actually C's day for school, Declan and I followed the bus in our car so it didn't throw off the numbers for the class (they have to have a certain number of adults for so many kids, etc). He had a lot of fun...probably equal amounts of fun on both the bus and in the "blue igloo". Declan was great on his 4 week birthday and didn't make a peep. :)
Friday, October 26, 2012
Pictures...lots
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| first brother bath 10.16.12 |
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| love his dimples...the left one is DEEP! |
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| Connor loves to help bathe him. Now they always take a bath together! |
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| Declan at 10:30 in the Ergo (front-pack) with me trying to get him to sleep...he looks tired, doesn't he?! |
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| Excited for Halloween. This was the fall party preview. 10.21.12 :) |
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| Playing in the leaves with Lucy Zagar. 10.22.12 |
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| lots of attempts at getting "our" 4 week picture. I love this little tush! |
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| I should have used this one in the progression series...forgot about it |
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| Brothers. Yesterday was the last day of our Indian Summer. 10.25.12 |
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| These are the mums in our side yard. |
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| he is chunking up! |
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| love that little face and those big brother toes! |
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| I pretty much just love this picture...Connor's head included! |
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| My happy, big, little man! 10.25.12 |
"Progression" COMPLETE
I should have taken the photo on Wednesday, but I was a day late. I didn't think about how challenging it would be to take the photo myself while holding a very awake Declan.
I am so happy to be his mommy and also so happy not to be pregnant any more!!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Batman & Robin
This is most definitely my favorite super hero duo!!Photo taken prior to the neighborhood fall party on 10.20.12
Saturday, October 13, 2012
TEST — Video
Fyi, you can't view any videos using Google Chrome as your web
browser... After a LONG time trouble shooting last night and being so
mad that ALL of the videos weren't working, I figured out they do work
using Firefox. So, if they don't work for you, try a different browser.
Anyone know how to download a video from a blog or facebook? Connor's roll-over video is one that we lost when my computer crashed in 2009, but it is on here and on facebook... I would love to have the original file again but I'm not sure if that is possible. I can't figure out where the videos are stored in blogger.
Anyone know how to download a video from a blog or facebook? Connor's roll-over video is one that we lost when my computer crashed in 2009, but it is on here and on facebook... I would love to have the original file again but I'm not sure if that is possible. I can't figure out where the videos are stored in blogger.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The Boys' Stats
My wonderful mother started her journey south yesterday around noon. The boys had their first double doctor's appointment at 2:00. Although Declan decided to wake up every 2 hours the night before, he miraculously went from 10:15 until well after we got home from the doctor (around 3:30) to need to eat. (I tried to feed him before the appointment, but he just wasn't into it.) I am so thankful for our roll-with-the-punches kid!Declan went first and weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds. This may not sound like much, but he was back up to his birth weight (7 lbs. 3 oz.) a week ago and put on 13 ounces in exactly 7 days! I know he is still a newborn, but he grows and changes every single day! He also gained 3/4" of length since he was born...now at 20.75". I realize that this is pretty variable because they could have a bent knee, etc., but just going off what is on paper. The line on his growth chart is basically straight up.
Connor-man has his 4 year old well-child checkup. He is a square....43 lbs. and 43" tall. Little man was great during his appointment even after he found out he would be getting 5...yes, 5 shots. Now during and after the shots was a bit of a different story, but I certainly couldn't blame the kid...he was a human pincushion.. :( We got hot fudge sundaes from McDonalds to help make him feel a little better, but he did limp for a good hour. :(
I am writing this on Thursday morning and Connor has school today. I'm going to Kate's for Declan's little photo shoot at 9:30 and then I have quite a few projects that need to be printed and shipped today. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it when Declan starts being awake a lot more. I guess only time will tell... Last night he decided to be awake from about 10:15 until midnight. He ate right before bed and then woke up again at 1:00, but I was able to just soothe him back to sleep. He woke up to eat at 3:00 and then again at 7:00, but didn't eat much then. The kid is a champ about being awake in his bed and not crying (I'm watching him on the monitor doing this right now.) Time for a shower and coffee before we get this day started.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Projectile Poop...
So, I am pre-dating this post to when the event actually happened, even though I'm not documenting it until 10.13.12.
It was Monday morning. Brian had already left for work for the day, my dad was getting ready to leave to drive to Cincinnati and my mom was still downstairs.
Declan woke up, and it wasn't long before Connor retrieved his stool from his bathroom to "help" change his diaper. I can't even express how proud we are of our "big" guy for how he has dealt with the transition from being an only child to being a big brother. He has not shown any jealousy (so far) and absolutely adores his little brother. His first question when he wakes up is "Where is Declan?" and lets us know right away if he thinks he needs something, etc. He is great at fetching me things that I may need and only wants to run errands with me if Declan is going too. :)
Anyway, he wanted to help. He pulls the little singing monkey that hangs above the changing pad to help entertain Declan. When he appeared this time, I was about 1/2 finished changing him. I heard a little toot and thought it was just gas. When I turned on the lamp near the changing pad, I found a very small puddle of breastmilk poo...yellow and seedy (sorry if that is TMI). I didn't want him to lay in it (since I'd already taken his diaper off). As I was lifting his legs to scoot him up, it happened....rocket-fire, projectile poo shot all the way off the changing pad (it happened to happen at the exact moment I'd lifted his legs) and directly onto his big brother's new Batman jammies. I looked at Connor immediately. Yes, covered in poo. He looked back at me with a terrified look in his eyes and then let out a scream/cry. He stood on the stool, frozen in place, yet crying a pathetic, scared cry. It took everything in me not to burst into laughter, but I knew that wouldn't go over so well with him. I needed help.
Although you'd think at less than 2 weeks, you could leave a newborn on a changing pad for a few seconds, I've seen Declan kick so hard he almost rolls over. He was also still undiapered, so I didn't want it to happen again. But I couldn't exactly help Connor much. I grabbed some wipes and wiped off what I could while (though laughter) called for my mom and my dad. My mom said she heard Connor crying and then heard me call for her. She thought he'd thrown up...it was that kind of cry. By the time she got there (and my dad too) I had to explain (with as little smiling as possible) what had just happened. Connor thought his jammies were ruined. We all promised that they would be washed and just like new. Once we got him stripped down and Declan clean and changed I knew this was something that needed to be documented....blog worthy for sure.
My mom said that through 3 children of her own and 4 grandsons (Declan is #5) this was the first time she witnessed (the aftermath at least) of projectile poop. I was pretty impressed with the power of it all.
A few minutes later, Connor climbed back up and said (most seriously), "Declan, you need to say 'Sorry'." Of course I explained that it was an accident and not something he meant to do. Connor then told him it was okay....he now moves his stool to the other side when I change him...it is safer at his head!
It was Monday morning. Brian had already left for work for the day, my dad was getting ready to leave to drive to Cincinnati and my mom was still downstairs.
Declan woke up, and it wasn't long before Connor retrieved his stool from his bathroom to "help" change his diaper. I can't even express how proud we are of our "big" guy for how he has dealt with the transition from being an only child to being a big brother. He has not shown any jealousy (so far) and absolutely adores his little brother. His first question when he wakes up is "Where is Declan?" and lets us know right away if he thinks he needs something, etc. He is great at fetching me things that I may need and only wants to run errands with me if Declan is going too. :)
Anyway, he wanted to help. He pulls the little singing monkey that hangs above the changing pad to help entertain Declan. When he appeared this time, I was about 1/2 finished changing him. I heard a little toot and thought it was just gas. When I turned on the lamp near the changing pad, I found a very small puddle of breastmilk poo...yellow and seedy (sorry if that is TMI). I didn't want him to lay in it (since I'd already taken his diaper off). As I was lifting his legs to scoot him up, it happened....rocket-fire, projectile poo shot all the way off the changing pad (it happened to happen at the exact moment I'd lifted his legs) and directly onto his big brother's new Batman jammies. I looked at Connor immediately. Yes, covered in poo. He looked back at me with a terrified look in his eyes and then let out a scream/cry. He stood on the stool, frozen in place, yet crying a pathetic, scared cry. It took everything in me not to burst into laughter, but I knew that wouldn't go over so well with him. I needed help.
Although you'd think at less than 2 weeks, you could leave a newborn on a changing pad for a few seconds, I've seen Declan kick so hard he almost rolls over. He was also still undiapered, so I didn't want it to happen again. But I couldn't exactly help Connor much. I grabbed some wipes and wiped off what I could while (though laughter) called for my mom and my dad. My mom said she heard Connor crying and then heard me call for her. She thought he'd thrown up...it was that kind of cry. By the time she got there (and my dad too) I had to explain (with as little smiling as possible) what had just happened. Connor thought his jammies were ruined. We all promised that they would be washed and just like new. Once we got him stripped down and Declan clean and changed I knew this was something that needed to be documented....blog worthy for sure.
My mom said that through 3 children of her own and 4 grandsons (Declan is #5) this was the first time she witnessed (the aftermath at least) of projectile poop. I was pretty impressed with the power of it all.
A few minutes later, Connor climbed back up and said (most seriously), "Declan, you need to say 'Sorry'." Of course I explained that it was an accident and not something he meant to do. Connor then told him it was okay....he now moves his stool to the other side when I change him...it is safer at his head!
11 Days Old.
A few pictures my talented neighbor took yesterday. He refused to go into his milk-coma state that he is typically in about 21 hours a day. We are going to try again on Thursday for some sleepy pictures. :)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
38 Weeks, 6 Days — Bump Progression
How can it already be October 7th??
I've only had 2 kids for 11 days, I've had extra help (Nana, Monte-D, Gramma & Chief (last weekend), and Jill & Chris (this weekend). How am I going to make it when everyone goes home?!
I will do my best to keep up blog posts, even though they have been lacking in the past few months anyway...
Here is the last pregnancy progression picture. I didn't quite make it to 39 weeks...38 weeks, 6 days and he was ready to be born!
I will post another, like I did with Connor when he was 4 weeks old. Let's see how much weight I can lose in these first 4 weeks. So far I am down to 153... I'm hoping to get to 130...a little less than before I got pregnant. We shall see.
I've only had 2 kids for 11 days, I've had extra help (Nana, Monte-D, Gramma & Chief (last weekend), and Jill & Chris (this weekend). How am I going to make it when everyone goes home?!
I will do my best to keep up blog posts, even though they have been lacking in the past few months anyway...
Here is the last pregnancy progression picture. I didn't quite make it to 39 weeks...38 weeks, 6 days and he was ready to be born!
I will post another, like I did with Connor when he was 4 weeks old. Let's see how much weight I can lose in these first 4 weeks. So far I am down to 153... I'm hoping to get to 130...a little less than before I got pregnant. We shall see.
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