Holiday Highlights

Time to write gets away from me these days, but we are still busy and out and about this holiday season. We've been busy this week with lots of fun stuff - and some "Camp (Winter) Mommy" activities (more on that soon). But, we've mostly enjoyed time with family and friends doing our annual/traditional activities. No time to write a lot, so let these pictures speak for me. (I also realized I never posted Thanksgiving pics, so we'll start with those!)

Mr. Quinn at his first Thanksgiving

The boys were wearing "football helmets"

Sweet Brycen

Quinn fell asleep on Aunt Mischelle

Uggy and Nami

Feeling Baby Cousin

Annual Tree Pic

With Uncle Jason & Aunt Gayle on Thanksgiving night

With Vicki on Thanksgiving night

This is what "hanging out" looks like at our house. Caden talking with Uncle Sage while Kira enjoys some nice ball tossing over the "bump"!

And Mara listening intently to Banner

Quinn trying to figure out what is going on with all these people!

Silly aunts

Nami getting around the playroom!

The youngest cousins

With Jeff & Brooke

The sibs and their kids - sorry, Trey, I know you'd rather not appear in a blog post

There you are again, Trey!

Candlelight 2013 at Old City Park

My Love all snuggled up in the cold

Sam's favorite - the blacksmith

This year we went to the Chinese lantern festival for the first time

Christmas Eve - Uncle Brock and Brycen

Emma, Banner, Drew, Bennett, and Mallory at the "kids" table

"CHEEESE!" - what he says/does when he sees me about to take a pic

Colby playing with Quinn at Zaide's Christmas morning

Playing ball with Zaide

Trying to get a good pic with Mr. Quinn

Two & a Half!! (Banner's Newsletter)

Dear Banner,
Half-way to THREE! How is that possible? I am in disbelief really. The past three months have flown by since you became a big brother. So much to tell you about all you've been up to and just how proud of you I am. So, I'll cut right to the chase:

-You got your last set of teeth at 28 months - your upper back molars. Dr. R said they would come in soon after those bottom ones did, and the brilliant dentist he is - he was right! :) We are officially DONE with teething! Now we just wait for you to lose your baby teeth and await adult teeth! Now THAT is insane. I have to say that your teething behaviors and moods were beyond tolerable. We made it through cutting 20 teeth since you were 8 months old - a long, drawn out process since getting those first two bottom teeth. But, you did it with flying colors. Some snotty noses, some days of being just moody, and some drooling or spitting. But, other than that - quite a breeze with you.  And, as I write this part of my letter, I already find myself somewhat emotional (what, ME? emotional? no way!) as I reflect on the days of your gummy grin and fast forward to now - a boy who has a full set of beautiful white teeth, who takes care of them by brushing AND flossing! We take great pride in teeth around here - so welcome to the club, Ban! You are doing a great job!

-You absolutely LOVE: your brother, your school, your teachers, the iPad, YouTube, ice cream trucks, diggers, being read to, Play Doh, hearing stories about when Mommy & Daddy were little, screaming/being loud, having everyone's attention, playing with water, digging in dirt, your family, chocolate and candy, throwing and catching (which you've gotten pretty good at this last month), giving Quinn kisses, and your pacifiers.

-You don't care for: the dark (you just started asking for a night light), getting ready for bed, eating vegetables, cleaning up when Mommy asks you to - well, when anyone asks you to!, putting your pacis away, sharing your toys

-Some of my favorite expressions from the past few months:

• "Ummm, pretty good." - your response to "How are you?" or "How was school?" or "How'd you sleep?" or "How's your dinner?"
• "Mommy, come lay with me."
• "Mommy, you're so pretty," to which I usually reply, "And you're so handsome." Then, you'll say, "Mommy's so pretty, and I so handsome."
• "I don't like that," and "I like that!"
• "Yes, I want that. I do," or "No, I don't want that. I don't."
• "Tell me one more story tonight," usually followed by which story you want to hear like, "Aunt Kindle and Mommy little girl, the cookies were yucky," or "Banner goes to the zoo with all his friends," or "Banner drives the car to see all his friends." More recently, you've been asking to hear about when Banner gave his pacis to the Paci Fairy --- perhaps you are thinking about donating yours soon?? Probably not. I'm not getting my hopes up!
•  "Excuse me, Mommy?" when you want my attention. Or...really any time you use your manners, I'm thrilled ... you say "Excuse me" after burping or when you want to get by someone who's blocking your path, you say "I'm sorry" if you hurt someone or do something less than helpful, you say, "Bless you" when someone sneezes, and usually you say "Please" and "Thank you" but have to be prompted sometimes
•  "Once upon a time..." when you tell a story
• "Leeettle, bitty baby ___" in a high-pitch squeaky voice as you make yourself smaller and use your fingers to show just a little. For example, you'll say, "Mommy, I just saw a leeettle, bitty baby bus" or just the other night you told Daddy you were going to take his head off and put it in a "leeettle bitty baby hole." No idea where this idea came from but cracked us up!
• Along those same lines, you say "BIIIIG, BIIIIG ___" in a deep, gruff voice to tell about something big - like a "BIIIIG, BIG boat in the water" or a "BIG, BIG tree"
• "Hello, Bud!" with a "Deep South" accent to mimic Rudy's nickname for Kenny on The Cosby Show. Grandma taught you this, and you now rhyme similar words with "Bud," like "mud" and "bug"
• "Juuuuust a leettle bit," when trying to talk us into something you want: "Juuuuust a leeetle bit of candy."
• "I did it all by myself, Mommy!" with such excitement and joy
• "Whoopsy!"

-Some of my LEAST favorite expressions:

• You've begun calling us "Mom" and "Dad." I think you think it's cute - and it can be. Exactly one year ago, you started calling me "Mommy" instead of "Mama." And I miss "Mama!" I'm not ready to give up "Mommy," either! Sometimes you call me "Amber" and Daddy "Sam" but that's still pretty rare (and hilarious when it happens!), but it's definitely not something I want you doing regularly. Bring back "Mommy!" 
• "Go away!"
• "Stop talking!"  or "NO, stop talking!" - you heard your friend tell his mommy this at a play date months ago, and you picked up on it. . . although, when he said it, he said it much nicer, like, "Mommy, please stop talking," because his mommy and I were chatting too loudly for you, E, and C to hear the video you were watching during lunch. Now, you shout it - and snap it -  to not only Daddy and me, but to anyone. I don't like when you say this - and it's so rude. I hope you grow out of it soon. Lately, you're a little better about saying "Excuse me" instead.

-Some things we've done these past few months: Big Orange Pumpkin Farm with Daddy, the Arboretum to see the pumpkins, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Quinn's naming, Nami's naming, Marin's birthday party, school fall festival, the balloon festival, Grandparent's Day at school, donated to the Angel Tree, celebrated Papa's birthday, Halloween, saw ICE! exhibit, lots of play dates, went to Jump Mania again, had a special date with Mommy at Indoor Safari Park, Race for the Cure, and endured 5 straight days at home when an ice storm hit our city (we're actually still going through it, and you are entertaining yourself with all your many toys, making "snores" in the fireplace, drinking lots of hot chocolate with "farshfellows," and playing little bits at a time in the ice)

-One day at school last month, I got a call from Ms. Sheryl (school director). She told me everything was fine but that during your time in the kitchen cooking with Ms. Betty and Ms. Jennifer, you decided to drink about 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. They had never had a child do that, so they wanted me to call Dr. B and ask him what to do. Dr. B's office directed me to Poison Control, so I made my first (and hopefully last!) call to them. They said it should be fine but that since there is some alcohol in it, you should drink and then eat something sweet to make sure it didn't mess with your blood sugar. I called Ms. Sheryl back, and she followed my directions - happy to give you a chocolate kiss like she does EVERY.SINGLE.DAY before you leave school (something Mommy will only continue to allow this year... you called her Ms. Chocolate for the first couple months of school).  She then told me this was a first for them - and I said it was obviously a first for me and that you probably drank it because it's called vanilla - your favorite ice cream. She said, "If this is the worst, Amber, then we are in great shape!" :)

-Speaking of school, Daddy and I met with your teachers just last week to hear all about how you are doing. The very first thing Ms. Betty said to us is: "Your biggest problem with Banner is that he is just too cute. He's going to get away with a lot because he is just so adorable." (I happen to agree, but I hold you to a high standard and don't let those dimples, blue eyes, and beautiful face get to me!) She and Ms. Jennifer don't have any concerns. Anything that challenges you (waiting your turn, sharing, sitting for extended periods of time in circle time) is age-appropriate and will come with time and practice. But, you participate, are confident, separate easily from us (and Aunt Kira who teaches there), listen well at school, are nice and kind to the others, and "have a fan club wherever" you go! We are really thrilled with all the progress you've made this year, and we can't wait to see what's in store for next semester as you get closer to your friends, engage in more interactive play, and learn more from your teachers.

-Your knowledge of Judaism is greatly increasing - thanks to your school. You love Shabbat, challah, lighting the menorah, singing the dreidel song, and saying some of the prayers. 

-You are fully conversational at this point (well, much earlier than now, but needed to mention it). You are so verbal - loving to know what things are called, learning words I've never really taught you just by catching on so quickly. You love to sing songs ("Tomorrow," "Old McDonald," "Our school time is over...," "If You're Happy..." "Twinkle," and "ABCs" just to name the ones we hear you singing most often).

-You're beginning to really challenge us as parents as we figure out how to explain things to you. You asked where Bubbie was when she didn't come to Grandparents Day and on other occasions, and you've told Daddy you want to talk to her, you've told me you want a Christmas tree, you have seen Santa a few times and asked who he is, you wanted to know more about our Angel Tree Angel, and you are starting to wonder where Avery is when not with Jed & Cherie or why Caden & Mara have a different mommy than Brycen & Nami... and I love that you are so insightful, but it's just hard to find the right words when you are such a little boy. I know this is only just the beginning... so I'm buckled up and holding on tight for this parenting ride - just hoping I can handle these issues appropriately and don't screw up too much!

We're working on: learning left, right, and straight; using fingers to show numbers - you can do "one" and "five" easily, and "two" is coming along; using the potty (you've been going pee-pee in the toilet a few times a day now); jumping; writing/copying drawings; more letter recognition

Banner Boone, you are MY little star. You twinkle and light up everything and everyone around you. You definitely have your days where you can't make up your mind on what you want or don't want, days when you are in a foul mood and won't listen to much of what I request. But, mostly, you are such a joyful child. You are so curious, so exploratory, and so inquisitive. You are funny, kind, and insanely smart. Your connections never cease to amaze us. Your "early language acquisition" (or so a former colleague of mine calls it) is impressive and so fun to continue to hear unfold each day. Sometimes, (yes, even at 2 and a half) I still tear up as I tuck you in at night. Once, you even caught me, "Mommy, you are crying." I told you it's because I'm just so happy. You do make me SO incredibly happy. Our days can be hectic and long - but this precious time with you is still whizzing by! I just want to savor all of our time together - all the silly giggles and the interesting things you say and the beautiful smiles and faces you make! Lately, you've been waking up in the middle of the night and crawling into our bed. You'll sleep between Daddy and me, and sometimes you reach for my hand. I hate that you're up in the middle of the night and setting up camp in our bed - but I love your tender hand in mine and the feel of your cuddle. Oh, I just can't tell you how in love with you I am.

Just keep being you, my love. You are my heart.

Happy Half-Birthday, Sweet Angel Baby!
Love,
Mommy

3-Month Newsletter: Quinn

Dear Quinn,
The "fourth trimester" is over, which can only mean one thing: Mommy's hair is shedding all over the place You are no longer my "newborn!" I'm so incredibly overwhelmed with how very fast these past three months have flown, and now you are not technically a newborn - you're an "infant." My big 3-month-old infant!! And, the days of looking like a frail newborn are way behind us. You are plumping up - getting rolls on your legs and a more solid body. You are still my little cuddlebug and I love, love, love holding you - especially as you are falling asleep and you just seem to melt into my embrace. I want to bottle this memory up and remember how your body feels so little and so cuddly against mine - your sweet nose breathing near my neck, your arms draped down, your soft, baby hair tickling my cheek. But, enough of me getting sappy - that's for later in this post. Let's find out more about YOU!

So, here's what you've been up to the past few weeks:

• You're doing better with your head control. Still a little floppy, though. I should be doing more tummy time with you, but you sleep on your belly (shame on us!), so you think it's nap time when we put you on your tummy. I've been working with you on rolling over - trying to show you what that sensation feels like. I'm hoping you'll want to start doing this soon!
• You nap 3-4 times a day. Usually at least one of these naps will be 1.5-2 hours long. Otherwise, naps are about 45 minutes long - but lately getting longer! :)
• You eat about 6 bottles a day - each between 4-6 ounces. We just moved you to level 2 nipples because you were taking about 30 minutes to finish 4-5 ounces. Now you're back to your typical (original) 20 minutes or so. You eat around 5:00am, 8:00am, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 4:30pm, and 7:15pm. Daddy and I will be weaning you off that 5am feeding soon (dropping ounces).
• I love your night routine. We start at 6:30-6:45. You get a bath every night, followed by lotion/massage, PJs, bottle, swaddle on lower half only, and a little bit of rocking before I put you in your crib mostly asleep but not totally. This is my favorite time of our day together - except for when you wake up first thing in the morning with lots of smiles for us!
• Car rides are getting easier. You hate red lights or stopping for any reason, but once we move, you usually resettle.
• You like to be sung to.
• You love your bouncer, like the Nap Nanny, and are enjoying the swing more these days.
• You love touch. You light up when we stroke or kiss your cheeks or neck.
• You're ticklish!
• You are squealing and laughing! Sometimes you even scare yourself!
• You love your big brother. You tolerate his screaming, his incessant kisses (we ALL love this!), his barging in on your nap time, and having him shove a paci in your mouth whenever he pleases. He's really only made you cry one time so far (when he hit you on the head several weeks ago). 
• You're cooing and "talking" a whole lot!
• You rub your eyes when you're tired.
• Speaking of eyes - your clogged tear duct must be cleared up because I never see it tearing and gunky like it was your first couple months. You still tear when you cry, and I've never seen a baby tear like you do at this young age, but it doesn't seem to cause a problem at all.
• You're bearing some weight on your legs.
• You look so much like Daddy - and even more so like Bubbie, in my opinion. Then, there are times I see my mom and dad - each - as babies. Your hair is still dark, your eyes still very blue.
• You prefer Mommy right now. This could change any minute, but the past few weeks you definitely want me to bathe you, console you, put you to sleep. 
• We're on size 2 diapers (but I imagine size 3 isn't far away!), level 2 nipples (as I said above), mostly 3 month clothes (but 3-6 month sizes aren't far away, I kind of prefer them now anyway).
• You smile when we do - and you look at us with such happiness and love!

This month, you had your first Hanukkah and first Thanksgiving. We donated to your first Angel Tree Angel.  We also had your naming this month. And, you weathered your first ice storm. We kept you inside the whole time, but you got to peek out the window every now and then at all the white ice draping the neighborhood. I'm betting this fourth month will be a lot of fun - you're staying awake a bit longer, you're more alert, and your head control is getting much better - so I expect to see some attempts at rolling, some grasping and more swatting, and a better daytime routine.

A quarter of a year already behind you, big boy! You were a fantastic "newborn!" I'll miss those days, but I am so looking forward to your "infancy," Quinn! I love you so much, and I'm beyond grateful for you and your precious life! I actually had an awful nightmare a few days ago. . . so horrible I can't even write about it, and I've only mentioned it to Daddy. As I told him what happened, I cried... wept... unable to even keep talking at one point. I can still vividly see what happened in this nightmare, and I can still feel the loss I was feeling - gut-wrenching, heart-squeezing, utter sadness. I woke up, went to hug you so tightly and just cradled you as I cried. I am so fortunate to have you in my life. And, I think you have started feeling the same way about us this month. Sometimes I look at you and just feel you loving me - and I say, "I love you, too!" You are a little love, a giver, my snuggle bug. Oh, I can't wait to know you even more! I love, love, love you, Quinn!

Happy 3 Months, Cuddle Bug!
Love,
Mommy

Life with Two

A few months after my best friend had her second baby, Sam and I visited her in Houston to meet our newest "nephew." We had to meet this little guy, see how his big sister was doing in that role, and find out what life with two kids was like. At the time, Sam and I did not have children. We had only been married for about 6 months, so Banner and Quinn were "just a glimmer in our eyes." But, I asked my friend if it was more difficult to have one child or two. She told me that going from no kids to one was definitely more challenging than going from one child to two.

To say I was shocked is an understatement. I thought for sure she would tell me that two kids was harder because, well, who can't handle just one kid?? Especially her. This is a woman who has been around kids her whole life - just like me - babysitting, getting hired (on the same day as me!) as a preschool camp counselor for numerous summers in a row, working in preschools throughout college, and teaching before having kids. So, how could a woman with a lot of kid experience think having just one kid was harder than having two? I just didn't get it.

Now ... I do. She was right. Having a life free from raising a child is a totally different lifestyle. You can do your own thing, have your own time and schedule, do whatever pleases you at most any moment throughout the day. Once you have a child, your whole world changes. After the transition of adding a child to the mix, you are never the same. You are now responsible for someone else's life and well-being 24/7. That is not easy. I knew it wouldn't be - but THIS hard - could never have imagined. Sometimes I look back at my pre-parenthood days, and I wonder just what did I think would be so hard if I didn't recognize HOW hard. What's weird, to me, is that everyone told me I wouldn't remember life without children once I had them. You know what? I totally do!! What I don't remember is what I thought would be hard - and whatever I thought, I was off . . . WAY off. I couldn't have known how life-altering it is until I actually had a child of my own.

So, she was right. Having zero children and then having a child in your life - it's a life-changing thing. And, ever since Quinn was born, people have been asking me what it's like with two. Obviously, everyone's opinion may differ from mine, and those with more than two (or with twins or triplets) may have a totally different perspective, but MY answer is this: it's so much easier going from one child to two children than from none to one - just like my best friend said. However, I would only agree with that emotionally and mentally. You know what to expect, your life has already been drastically altered. You wake up early, you don't go out as much or stay out as late, you're limited on alone time, you already know how to multitask like nobody's business, and you know so many little tricks from your previous experience.

But, physically, it's harder. When Quinn is crying to be put down for a nap and Banner is in the middle of lunch, I just can't be in two places at once. Quinn needs me in his room in the glider, Banner needs me next to him while he's eating. Or, when Quinn is taking FOREVER to go to sleep for the night, and I need to get Banner's bath started (when Sam won't be home until late), then I get frustrated on knowing who to attend to. I don't want Banner's schedule thrown off while Quinn is screaming. Or, when I'm just about to tiptoe out of Quinn's room after he finally falls asleep and in Banner runs yelling and shouting with loud toys. . . and now Quinn's awake again. Perhaps the hardest learning curve has been that Quinn needs to eat right at or near the time I need to take Banner to school (or pick him up). It's just a little more of a juggling act to wrangle, quiet, appease, and settle both of them at the same time. There's more planning and thought that goes into balancing life with two.

Of course, the closer in age your kids are, the less likely you are to be able to leave them unattended while in the same room together. I absolutely cannot turn my back while Banner is in the same room as Quinn... lest I find him trying to feed Quinn his Hot Wheels or pick him up. If I'm washing dishes or making dinner, I make sure to have Quinn right next to me (if not ON me). And, as long as both boys are awake, at least one of them will be joining me in the restroom when I need to go. :) As amazing as Banner is with Quinn (loving and accepting and playful), I just can't trust that he won't unknowingly hurt his little brother. I've seen him try to feed him lots of things, try to sit in the bouncer with him, or even hold his hand in a not-so-gentle way as he says, "Mommy, look! I being gentle!" And when they are NOT in the same room, it's probably because one (or both, please!) is sleeping, and the goal is to keep one from waking the other. (God bless those of you who have kids sharing a room!)

And, there are guilty feelings -which I knew to expect (and yes, I DO remember my mother telling me about this part! Hi, Mom!), but I didn't know how it would manifest itself. Letting Quinn cry for a bit while I spend some time with Banner. Or, snapping at Banner for barging in to Quinn's room to ask me a question about a puzzle just as Quinn is falling asleep. Or, planning activities during winter break when Banner needs OUT of the house yet Quinn needs to stay IN the house. I'm learning, and I'm working it all out - but some of the difficulty is just thinking through my day and how best to avoid some of these situations to avoid hurting Banner's feelings, frustrating Quinn, and/or contributing to my guilt.

So, there's less sleep and less "me" time now, it's financially a little more taxing, and there's more to keep track of (have they both pooped today, or when did they each last eat?). But, all-in-all, I agree that 0 to 1 is way harder. This transition to two has been mostly seamless and easy. I'm lucky that Quinn is a pretty easy baby. Some people tell me that they don't really think Quinn is easier, but rather that I am just more confident, more laid back, and more knowledgeable. While all of this is true - and I have a better sense of where we are headed and how "this too shall pass" (and usually pass all too quickly!), I really do believe that credit is due to Quinn. Not all parents have an easy second child. In fact, I can name several of my friends who would tell you that their second babies were way harder than their first. So, I AM lucky that Quinn is so easy.

I find that time is flying even faster this time around. I cannot believe that Quinn is 3 months old this week. 13 weeks. Where has that gone? I remember feeling like we'd never make it to 6 weeks with Banner when the quiet baby I brought home from the hospital suddenly woke up at 2 weeks and didn't stop crying for weeks if not months. I think Banner's current schedule helps me feel like the days are flying by - there's a set routine already in place that Quinn just naturally falls into. The days fly - they do not drag. I feel like there's never enough time to give each boy as much attention as I want. But, we are still having so much fun, and by the end of each day - I'm exhausted, I'm ready to have some time to myself (and with Sam), but I'm SO, SO in love with my boys and with this life with two kids. Sometimes I miss the days with just Banner, just having that precious undivided time with him, but watching him with his little brother, watching Quinn's eyes light up when he sees me, hearing those little giggles, watching him learn something new, hearing Banner ask me to tell him a story about "Banner and Quinn," and awaiting a brotherly friendship to develop - it's all so exciting. So far, I'm kinda diggin' this life with two!