Happy 3rd Birthday Zachy

Well this post is a few weeks over due....what's new?

I am sure as most of you know, Zachy and Paul share a birthday (September 22nd), so, a big happy 30th birthday to Paul too!  But this post is not about/for you honey, sorry. 

We spent the boys birthday weekend down in Texas with my family.  My dad's parents (Papa Wilbur and Grandma Frances) flew out for the weekend as well.  The main reason that we went down there that weekend was for the wedding of my sorority sister to Paul's roommate from college.  They are the 3rd couple from the college house (Uncle Ryan and Aunt Lissa being the second).  Anyways, it was such a great weekend!  Paul and I got 2 whole nights away from the kiddos while they stayed with Nonna and Papa and we celebrated in wedding festivities!

Now, onto birthday fun, and just a general Zachary update.

I am writing this post on September 30th, which also happens to be Zachary's first day of preschool.  His Part C services through the Cherry Creek School District stopped on his 3rd birthday, so now, he moves onto Part B, which is done in the preschool class room.  He will be going to school 4 days a week (Monday-Thursday) from 12:30-3:15, and will have a total of 3 hours of therapy during that time.  Some of his "therapy" time may be done in the classroom, or as a small group with other kids needing services, and some may be one on one.  I am sure I will provide y'all with an update as he gets more into a routine, and I know more of what is going on.

A little mom vent for a second.  He has been doing SOOOOOOO AMAZING ever since he got his tubes put in in January.  I honestly don't know if preschool is really the best place for him right now.  I have my doubts and concerns, but in the end Paul and I decided to give it a try for a few months and see how he does.  I just think that he can get the same attention and services here at home with Paul and I.  I just don't see preschool adding anything that he does not already get here.  I could go on and on about this, but I won't bore you with my concerns.

Here is his interview that we did.  Some of the questions he had trouble answering, and some I am not sure he knew exactly what they meant. My favorite was when I asked him where he liked to go and he immediately jumped up and down and yelled "Walmart" it was hilarious.  And as you can see, all of his answers were 1 word...but I knew/know what he means when he says things.  He also has his own way of pronouncing some words, so I tired to document that...I am a horrible speller as it is, so trying to correctly spell a word incorrectly was a bit of a challenge.  I hope I can remember how cute his "words" were in a few years.  Because he is seriously so cute and innocent when he talks.  I just love it.  I really just love my kids - haha - I think everything they do is "seriously, so cute".  

Big man is really doing amazing with his speech.  He will try to repeat words you ask him to say.  obviously still having a bit of trouble with the longer words and some of the ending sounds.  But he tries.  He also uses 2-3 word sentences to ask for things.  He tries to tell stories, and explain things but only uses key words.  For example if he wants to tell us that he wants a drink, it usually comes out something along the lines of "baba boppy".  Or you might hear "up....seat....buckle" when he is getting himself into the car.

As if starting preschool today is not enough, he starts swim class on Tuesday too - I will write more about that in a few weeks hopefully!

He loves his baby Chase, and big brother Braden.  He still calls him "Ben" sometimes, but it is starting to turn into "Ben-an" now.  I love the bond and relationship all 3 boys have.  Of course Braden is a bully to Zachy sometimes, but Zach is a tough little guy.  Every once in a while he will "flop" when Braden barely touches him.  It's so sad when he gets his pathetic little brother cry going.  Very cute and amusing though. 

Well Mongo, we love you to pieces!  Good luck on your first day of school and I cannot wait to update everyone more as you progress!  MUAH

5 MONTHS

Holy heck - where did this month go, seriously? Seriously?  It's September already!  I feel like I just got settled from our last trip and we have another one coming up right around the corner. 

Anyways, let's do a quick check on Mr Man to see how he is doing these days...

Measurements - whoops, I forgot to check on those...check back next month ;-)

Feeding:  LOVES TO EAT. We got the okay his 4 month doctors appointment to start some solids.  And boy oh boy does this kid love to eat.  He has a bowl at breakfast and dinner.  He has had oatmeal some, spinach, zucchini, but of course he loves his fruits; apples, peaches, bananas and avocados.  Still drinking the boobie here and there throughout the day.  And every once in a while you surprise me and wake up in the middle of the night (3am ish) for a quick little snack.  Other than that you sleep from about 8-6, eat, then back down until 8/9ish.  You also love to sit in your highchair while the rest of the family eats dinner. 

Getting ready to eat for the 1st time!

I think he likes it...

Food Coma

Sleep: We just touched on that a bit above.  As for naps, you take about 2 good naps during the day.  Once after breakfast and a little play time, so you're usually down by around 10:30ish, up a few hours later....play, eat, hangout, eat some more, then back down until you wake up for the evening around 4/5ish.  If we are out running errands you love to be awake and will take short naps in the car.  We have been staying home during the day a lot, so you seem to be on somewhat of your own schedule.  Weekends can be a mess sometimes.  Like last weekend you didn't nap for 2 days straight.  You don't really fuss if you are tired.  Unless it's bed time.  By the end of the day, you are done, and just want to be laid down.  We are having a slight problem some nights though because you love to sleep on your belly, but still have not 100% mastered rolling from your back to your belly. 

Brother wanted to join you after nap time

Play Time: You are starting to enjoy toys (other than your feet).  You have a couple monkey toys you love to chew on, and a cute little baseball toy we take places with us.  But you could just live with finger to chew on (your or mine, either work for you).  Obviously still loving tummy time.  You roll from your tummy to back like a rock star, and are developing muscles to stop half way, roll back, scootch, rock side to side, etc.  But you have not quite fully gotten from your back to belly, that dang arm just gets in the way.  Brother still love playing with you.  I wish they would leave you alone sometimes, but they love it, and you love it, so we just go with it. 

"You mean to tell me I can hold my feet IN the mamaroo??? Life Changing"

Teething: You have your 2 bottom teeth little guy, and you chew everything in sight.  If you can grab it, it goes right into your mouth.  Your brother are good about keeping their toys out of your space, but once you start moving around we will have to be more careful about picking up their toys.  They both love to bring you your own toys to chew on while they play right next to you on the floor. 

Adventures:  You had your first official modeling gig this month! Tanja, our amazingly talented photographer, does all the product shoots for Boppy (our most favorite baby product there is), and asked you to come in to try and get a shot for a new product that is going to be launched next year.  So one morning before daddy went to work, you and I headed downtown to her studio.  It literally took her 30 seconds to get the shot she needed, you're just a super star....that or insanely cute and happy all the time.  These pictures were taken the night before while we were "practicing".  It's all very hush hush on the new product, so we won't be able to see the photos until sometime next year WAHH!

You love to eat people's faces - yes, their face.  If someone is holding you, you like to grab on tight and go for the kill.  You're a chatter box.  Love to talk and squak and join in on our conversations and chat with other people.  I swear you say "hi" too. 

Anyways, it was a fun month, I really do love this age!  You're starting to get so fun, show your personality, and look like your own little person.  I just love you so much sweet bug - and so does everyone else in this world!  You truly are an amazing little miracle man!

Now, for more photos.....

Rockies game

Brother couldn't quite make it to his bed

Weekend morning story time

People say you look like me...I don't see it?

Brothers working on school

Family movie night in bed

You're a wiggling, scootching machine

5 month laundry photo

rub a dub dub, 3 brothers in the tub

Another family movie night

first french fry at 5 Guys

Still loving your Roo

Boys night, game night

3D TV at costco

nananananananana BATMAN

Goof Balls

Big Brother Braden cracks you up

Morning iPad time

YOU LOVE YOUR FEET, It's so cute!

You want to sit up really bad, just not quite there yet

...and still so animated

As if the 1st post didn't contain enough photos....

Since the first post about our California Adventure was not enough photos and text for y'all (joking) Here is a copy of the photo book I made for us. Enjoy!!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

Happy 5th Birthday Braden

What the Heck!? I have a 5 year old!???? Say it isn't so! Man am I getting old!

Enough about me, lets talk about my main man....Braden, Bean, Bubba, Brother, B-Man, Ben

I don't even know what to say about this man.  He sure keeps us on our toes.  He loves his little brothers so much.  He is the most active child you will ever meet.  His "Terrible Twos" are finally on the down hill side of things.  The melt downs still appear, but only every once in a while.  He is such a big helper around the house with his "chores" (helping set the table, taking his dishes to the kitchen, helping put away laundry, helping to get things from the other rooms for his brothers, making his bed, etc.)

He loves playing all things sports.  Anything with a stick or ball, and he is in.  Nonna and Papa just bought him a bike for his birthday, and he learned how to ride it in all of 10 minutes.  Side note: Every child needs a balance bike! 

He loves going to OMB (old man baseball) with Daddy on Sunday's and sitting in the dugout and being the bat boy.  He is also becoming a much better eater and will try new foods.  He will give us the thumbs up or down verdict.  As long as he at least tries new food Paul and I are happy.  He is so strong, like unreal strong.  He also has more energy than a 1,000 gallon jug of energy drinks (I am going to assume that's a lot of energy).  He is always moving, always, he never sits still, and I having a hard time keeping him entertained. 

What else, I did a cute little "Birthday Interview" with him....

The doctor says he is growing well.  Not too much is concerning medically or developmentally with him, so I didn't really have questions.  He was measuring 43" (55%ile) and 39.4 pounds (48%ile).  He passed his hearing test with flying colors - it was pretty funny, when he would say "beep" he kept trying to match the octave of the beep he heard.  Vision was 20/30.  He drew all the shapes the doctor asked and wrote his name.  She was very impressed with his fine motor skills.  We also talked a little about how we work on "school" at home.  He got 3 shots.  I thought he was going to do really well with them...sadly that was not the case.  The nurse stuck the first needle in and he kicked her right in the stomach (whoops).  After that first scare he just cried really hard, but calmed down when he realized that they didn't really hurt.  The doctor also mentioned that this year it is important to start working on safety learning.  Learning things like our phone number, address, bike safety, fire safety etc.  We have obviously been working on these things as an ongoing learning process, but we will really start to focus on these.  I wonder what educational programs the Frisco Fire Station will be putting on in September.  She also went over a developmental check list and B-Man meets or way exceeded all of them - wetting the bed at night, dressing and undressing, recalling stories, know at least 4 colors, count objects up to 10, balancing on one foot, hopping on one foot, etc.  I just have super star kiddos, what can I say - they take after their mom ;-)

Have I mentioned how much this little man loves his baby brothers!?  It's so cute.  He just wants to be and play with them all the time.  He's not really a "Mama's boy" (non of my kids are, sad, I know), but he does love him some mama time when daddy is not around.  He is all boy, ALL BOY.  He is seriously so smart too.  He will tell us stories and ask if "if we remember the time..." and some of the things he says are mind blowing.  It's insane how much he remembers.

As for schooling - we have slowed down a bit since he is not starting school until NEXT year.  But he can say and write all his letter (upper and lower case), and knows the respective sounds.  He is getting better with numbers.  He can count to 20, knows multiples of 10s, and can do worksheets with numbers up to 100 (probably greater....he knows numbers when they are written down, we are still working on sequencing).  We will buckle down on our homeschooling this year for sure.

This kid is so funny.  Some of the things that come out of his mouth are hilarious.  I keep a daily journal (which I have to go back and update every couple weeks, naturally) and try to take notes of funnies in my phone, but with 3 boys, I am just trying to live in the moment these days.  I really want to remember everything, and document everything to share with y'all, but sometimes it is just not possible.

He is so cute when talking/facetime-ing with family.  He is still all boy and 5, so often times he thinks it's funny to play hide and seek while someone is on facetime, but when he sits and has a conversation with people, it melts my heart.  It is also so adorable when he 'signs off' and says his "I love yous".  I just love this lil man so much.

Again, I cannot believe he is 5.  I am sure every mom flashes back to the day her kids were born on their birthdays.  That is what it is after all, a celebration of their birth....hey, why don't I get presents then!?!?  Moving along, I remember that day like it was yesterday.  One of the top 3 best days of my life.  If not the best, because it was with the birth of this little man that our family was born.  Without him, we would not be where we are today.

And I'll leave you with a trip down memory lane for your viewing enjoyment ;-)

We're off to have a baby!!!! Ahhh!!!!!

First Photo....Chase looks just like him!

Family - Braden, Nonna, Papa, Aunt Mo-gan, Bryce, and myself

One of my favorite "first" pictures of B

Such a smiley baby too!

Birth Announcement Photo

B and Daddy

Geeze - Look at how young we look

First Rockies Game

Power to the people

Happy Birthday Bean-o!  We love you so freaking much!  Thank you for making me the happiest mama in the world for the last 5 years, and here's to many, many, many more to come!!!! Now give me some smackers ;-)! MUAH!

4 Months Already!?!?!

The day we drove back to Colorado from our vacation, Little celebrated his 4 months birthday!  Can you believe it, I can't!

Clothes: 3-6 Months
Shoes: What shoes?
Diapers: Size 2...although it's about time to go up to 3's, I just want to use up all the diapers we have first.  You're wearing your Rump-A-Rooz around the house mostly, and those are on the small setting.
Weight: 16 pounds 3.6 ounces - 80%ile

Head: 42.9cm - 70%ile
Height: 25inches - 50%ile

Sleep - You sleep like a little champ.  We just switched you into a big boy crib in your brothers room 2 nights ago, and it has been great.  You were definitely too big for your cradle, you hated it and felt so cramped.  You still love to be swaddled and wrapped up crazy tight when you sleep though.  You sleep from about 8/9ish-6ish, eat, and then back down until 8:30ish.  Naps are still whenever and where ever you feel like sleeping.

Eat - Eating and growing like a weed, Little!  Dr gave us the okay this morning to start introducing solids (cereal) to get you used to eating from a spoon.  Although, unlike your brothers I'm not sure if you're ready/need to start yet.  You get full from breastfeeding and are not eating a zillion times a day like they were.  I feel like you're doing good.  Maybe in the mornings you could use a couple bits of food.  We will pick up a box and see how things goes.  That reminds me, I need to buy more baby spoons when we get the cereal too.  Oh man! You're feeding about 5-6ish times a day now...I'm not really sure.  I feed you when you're hungry and you eat until you're full.  I am horrible at keeping track. 

The last few weeks have been filled with firsts.  First vacation, first tooth (sorta - turns out it may just be a bone spur off one your molars, but I think it still counts - bone cut through the skin...), first night in a big boy bed in the same room brothers (even though this was technically on the 30th of July, we will consider it a 4 month milestone).  Oh, you've also found your feet.  You love to fold up and grab them.  You're not rolling over just yet.  You just love being on your tummy, and if you get tired you lay your head down and fall asleep.  And now that you've found your feet (and you love to chew on them since you're officially "teething" now) you don't mind being on your back.  Plus, lets be honest, it's only about 2.5 seconds before one of your brothers come over and play with you or pick you up, so there is not much time to practice this whole rolling over business.  You are starting to scootch around in circles though while you are on your belly kicking around.  You're also a little chatter.  I think I've mentioned this before - you love to chat and coo with your brothers and Daddy and I.  You are seriously just so happy all the time, and have the worlds most contagious smile and giggle.  Oh that giggle.  It's too precious!  I get so wrapped up in the moment I forget to take a little video of it to share, but I will try and do that ASAP before it's to late ;-)

As always I have such high hopes for these posts, but simply don't have enough time (or energy) to write a whole bunch.  Pictures are worth 1,000 words right.  I just want to remember all these memories.  Because, if you cannot tell by the title of this post, I cannot believe how quickly time is flying these days.  I blinked and Braden is turning 5 in a week!!! Yes, I have an almost 5 year old (post to come on all this, but holy heck!).  If you want more writing, go read the California Vacation post, that only took me 2 days to put together, sheesh!  I don't know how some of these blogging moms post things daily!  Anyways...I'm getting off topic.

Enjoy the photos as always!  You can click on them to see full size images too ;-)

While Mom's away, the boys will play

We took the boys to the Wing Over the Rockies Museum - The pictures are not that great (I still need a new camera *hint*hint*) but the boys had a great time! 

 

Craft Time

Chase's foot print

They love each other

Morning cuddles with biggest brother

Catching a few ZzZZz's at the pool

So happy all the time

My 4 boys

Sillys

I just love these goofs

This has nothing to do with the boys, but it's too awesome not to share:  When our friends went on their honeymoon (back in 2011) they brought us the flowers from their wedding to enjoy for the week.  I had these big intentions of drying the flowers and making something to give them when they returned...well fast forward 2 years, and the flowers were still being pressed above my kitchen cabinets, so the sister-in-law and I got our craft on one afternoon and made them a 2 year wedding anniversary present with flowers from their wedding, and I think it turned out amazing :)

Zachary wanted pictures with Chase

Cheesing

The mommies got the night off!

There were lots of "glow parties" this month

This just made me laugh!

Big Boy car seat

We switched around baby clothes and I came across these

He can fall asleep anywhere

I like big butts and I cannot lie

Rub a dub dub - 3 brothers in the tub

Holding his own Baba

Never a doubt - 3 cribs in 1 room

All 3 slept great the first night!

4 month laundry basket photo

Trying to be a photographer with my crappy phone camera ;-(

Of course brothers wanted to join

4 Months

His smile is so contagious

Turns out it may just be a bone spur....the front one is going to come through any day now though!

I took all 3 to Costco myself without the carrier car seat for the 1st time

He needed a nappy

My blogging buddy

This face!

He cracks me up!

I share way too many pictures, I am sorry.... :-/