Dennis the Menace

AKA Andrew has become a full fledged toddler. If it was just him I think I would be just as exhausted at the end of the day as I am with a 18 mo and 6 wo. He has so much energy it is unreal!

Normally he goes to a home daycare during the day even though I am at home on maternity leave. Ryan and Drew are home this week because of spring break. Which looses it's magic when your already home.

I feel Andrew has grown so much the last few months. He is talking so much and becoming more of a dare devil than Ryan or I ever were. Today, he accidentally rolled right off the couch and thought it was the coolest thing. He proceeded to repeat several times. Some words he is saying: up, doggy, stop it, ouchy, so sweet, good job, and the cutest one right now: ok. He says it after any question you ask him with such certainty. Im sure there are many more he us meaning to say, his yapping all day long with all sorts of vowel and consonant sound combinations.

He is getting better at eating, including veggies. There was probably about 6 months where he refused to touch a veggie. We are working on using a spoon and fork. The other night he sat in his booster seat and pretend eat applesauce with his spoon probably for 20 minutes. The next night he demanded that he actually do it himself. He may of actually got a third of the container in his mouth. That was a bath night.

He loves being outside. His best friend is Sophie and I think the feelings are mutual for the most part. She is so great around him. He literally lays right on top her and just 15 minutes ago I was prying his fingers from her poor ear and nose. I keep a close eye on them because one day her patience may run out! They chase each other outside and in. He is learning how to play fetch with her.

His will to do what he wants is strong. He has started trying to boss us around! When he does something bad and we try and discipline him he starts his check list of bad things and sees what kind of reaction he can get out of us. We have started time out. I think he is too young to understand the concept and to get him to stay in the time out spot. He was pushing us hard tonight. I was ready to start spanking! Sometimes I watch Supernanny and think I am going to end up in this show! If you have any suggestions on disciplining a toddler please feel free to comment.

With this growing personality the more love and affection he shows us. His "hugs and kisses" is when he rests his head on you. It's so sweet. He does it to Sophie and Diego. He tries to do it with Ethan but usually pairs it with this claw swipe grasp towards the face.

I love watching him grow and learn about the world around him.

A not so wordless Wednesday!

First hair cut



8 weeks later....






Already time for another hair cut!

two questions

Why does this blog app warp my pictures....?



I wonder how Drew will respond to Santa this year!

A little bit Scrooge and pee!

Tis the season! We put our Christmas tree up today. Which is probably the earliest I have ever put a tree up. This is also my first holiday with a fake tree. I'm a big fan giving each holiday their personal space. October for Halloween, November for Thanksgiving, and December for Christmas. There are always a few who have lights up by Thanksgiving. But this year I feel like the entire world is starting Christmas too early. We may get our lights up by next weekend though I wouldn't be surprised if we waited another two weeks.

We put the tree up and couple other knick-knacks. I still have two more bins in the garage full of decorations. I decided that whenever it is time to pack away the decor I will be a nine month pregnant person already freaking out about having everything prepared for Ethan. I would like to keep things as simple as possible.

I wonder what Santa will bring little Andrew. He has been a good boy this year, except for peeing all over his bed. I will fill you in about that in a second. Santa let me know already about some Mega Lego Blocks. What are things one year olds like to play with????

Now the pee story. Andrew must know how much his Daddy despises urine, which any normal person does, it's just funnier to watch Daddy when he is disgusted! On the day Andrew was born, still lying on the warming table, he had a giant pee fountain. Landing all over Dad's socks, which I guess he was wearing without shoes in the hospital room. The details are blurry, I was pretty doped up on narcotics due to a 10 pound baby and the damage that can do to you! Anyways, Daddy promptly threw those socks away and continued to wear a
shirt that had splatters of blood..... 15 months later.… Drewster can be a wiggle worm and it's easier for Daddy to undress him while
He is still in the crib. After the wrestling match ends Dad turns and goes to discard the dirty diaper and pjs. He turns around to find Andrew standing watching himself pee all over the bed! Now, I wish I was there to witness this but I was busy brushing my teeth. I heard a faint yelling. I turned the faucet off and heard "HELP ME" on the baby monitor. Hehe.

Has it really been 4 months?

Yes it has. I have found an app to blog from my iPhone. Maybe this means I will blog more? Most likely not. I'm lazy and if you know me "irl" then you know that already.

4 month recap:
August- back to work and Drew turned 1
September- worked
October- worked
November- worked and celebrated Thanksgiving! Today is also my birthday. I feel old or maybe that is the 8 months preggo thing.

This pregnancy is going fast and smooth. I hope the next two months slow down a little. The closer to my due date I get I realize how young and dependent Andrew is on mommy and daddy. I have yet to do one thing for Ethan's nursery. Can I handle a new born and 17 months old? I guess there is one way to find out. The doubts of a second time mommy have been hitting me hard. I don't think I am prepared for this. About.to.panic!
Any advice out there?

I will leave you a picture of andrew at 3 months and then again at 15 months. I can't believe how much he has grown and developed into his own person. God is great and I thank him daily on the good days and on the rough days.

Maybe Tonight is the Night!

(not a pic of Drew)

I do believe that these two front teeth (at the same time) are making their way through Andrew's gums as I type. I noticed a little white just beneath the surface almost three weeks ago! I had heard that it takes three days for the tooth the break through.... still waiting. However, he has been on the grumpy side lately.

Tonight he got real grumpy about 30 minutes before his 3 b's (bath/bottle/bed). It was Ryan's turn for bath night and poor baby was screaming just about the whole time. Which is very unusual because for those who have met Drew know that he is pretty calm baby and enjoys just about anything. With no extra play time in the tub , Ryan got him in his PJ's while still screaming. By this time I was definitely thinking teeth. Searching for the Tylenol or Motrin everywhere, I really wish I would put these things back in the same spot every time. Then I got to thinking about the huge Recall. Great, we are going to suffer all night. But no, I bought the off brand. Thank you, Lord. Gave him some feel good meds and a bottle.

The last time he had this piercing scream is when I tried to cut his nails as a newborn and accidentally took a itty bitty tip of his finger off. Well it may of been me crying, can't recall the details of those early weeks. It all blends together.

He is now in bed almost an hour early awake and NOT screaming. Just a second ago I could hear him dragging his pacifier along the side of the crib. I guess when you are in pain a little alone time is needed.

Hopefully these teeth will bust through tonight! I know the little man is eager to eat finger foods. He is downing yogurt melts and cheerios. He had some whole peas on Sunday and was laughing the whole time. Daycare says she sees signs that he wants to feed himself and pretty soon she thinks he will completely refuse to be spoon fed. We will see.

I am so excited to spend the summer with him. Though, I did apply to teach summer school this year. It is half day, four days a week, for 4 or 5 weeks. The extra income is always needed, especially when you have to pay for day care even if you don't need it. Got to save the spot. UGH. I believe there is about 25 % chance that I get the job. We will see.

Wordless Wednesday Copier

One Day Old

Andrew will be 8 Months this Monday.






Oh my goodness my heart may burst with love!

Updates

So my good friend Jamie has informed me that I need to post. I guess it has been awhile. For some reason I always think of a great post while driving. I get home and see a smiling roly poly and completely forget about it.

Updates:

SCHOOL
2 Months till summer. I cannot wait. This point in the school year is the MOST stressful part of the job. So much pressure with TAKS tests. I have been thinking about applying for a transfer to teach middle school but I am unsure. I participated in my districts LA textbook selection for next years adoption and would like to use it. I also love my school but a little ready for something different. I have done the same thing for four years now and would like to gain experiences with other age groups. I am still contemplating. I would also like to begin my masters eventually. I would like to be a school librarian when I grow up.


DREW
Andrew is now 7 months old. I can't believe how fast he is growing up.
6 Month Well Baby Check
Weight- 20 lbs 12 oz (75-90th percentile)
Height- 27.5 inches (75th percentile)
Head Circumference- 17.5 inches (50-75th percentile)

Milestones:

He is running, reading novels, and playing the piano. Just kidding. Milestones kind of stress me out. I was reading this website, Baby Center, about how a 7 month old should start sorting out their toys. Needless to say, but we aren't quite there yet.

He is Rolling is all sorts of directions, back to tummy and tummy to back. I think crawling will be delayed because rolling is working quite well for him. The cable box is usually his first destination. Pretty little lights on the face of it.

He is sitting. Though he does not see much need for it. He get bored after a few minutes and FLINGS himself to the ground. One day Mama will not be behind him and he will bump his little head.

Loves to babble when we are at home. He says dadadadadada and lots of other incoherent things.

Loves loves loves a certain few toys. Leo the Lion and a couple of noisy toys. He enjoys sitting in his swing and relaxing. Jumping in the bouncy and screaming. Sitting on the back porch with Daddy enjoying the pleasant afternoons.

We went and took some blue bonnet pictures today and can't wait to see them.

Books I have recently read and not in any particular order.












Currently Reading:




Next on my nightstand:


On my wish list:


Or any other of the books by Michelle Moran

Christmas and New Years

We had a great Christmas this year and had a great time visiting with friends and family. The first part of Christmas vacation was spent shopping and preparing. Christmas Eve we went to church and saw a few snow flakes! That evening we were at my Dad's with our traditional stocking stuffer party. Christmas day we got to open presents with Andrew... of course he had no clue about all the excitement. For lunch we went to Kim's, my step-mom's sister. We had a fabulous turkey dinner. For Dinner we went to my Mom's house and had a fantastic roast "beast" dinner. On the 26th, Ryan's side from Brenham and Houston came for the day and had a great time catching up and opening gifts. New Years Eve we went to our friends Mark and Jenna's new house they just built and had a great evening.

Andrew is 4 months and 2 weeks now. He had grown so much and is so strong. He loves to talk, babble, and scream. His four month check up is next wednesday.

I have such a mommy brain right now I can't post anything thoughtful or interesting!

This Boy has grown.

2 months 2 weeks old

Height 24.3 inches 85th Percentile
weight 14.34 pounds 90th Percentile
Head 16.1 in 87th Percentile