Henry 1-2 months

After we figured out that Henry had a milk protein allergy and reflux, life has been much better for all of us. Henry was able to rest peacefully. It's no fun seeing a baby in pain.

Not sure what Shelby thought when Henry arrived…another playmate or less attention for her...

Henry is LOUD. Or passionate. Or both! As I reflected on the first few weeks and months, I realized that Henry is an all or nothing kind of guy. For example, he was not interested in coming early like the other two did.  But when he was ready (the day I went to be induced), he came flying out (his delivery was quick!). And when he gets upset, it's blood curdling shrills. When he is happy, there are big smiles and the sweetest "coos". 

He is not on as good of a sleep schedule as the other two were (because there are two others running around and needing to be picked up from school). He is learning to go with the flow and it is not horrible by any means. A funny thing he does sometimes is sleep with his eyes open. This was passed down from his Nonnie. 

He dropped the late night feedings right on schedule but still wakes through out the night. Whoever invents the contraption to re-insert the paci in the middle of the night will be a rich man! 

He is our largest baby yet! At 4 weeks, he was 20.5in (40th%tile), 8lb 6oz (37th%tile). Eight weeks he was 23in (82%tile), 10lb 8oz (52%tile). I don't think the others were ever over the 50th% during the first year. He is a good eater and got his first bottle when he was 2 months old.

 By three months, he is transitioning into 3-6 month clothes already! He is wearing a size 3 diaper.

 He has been to the pool a little this summer. He enjoys the pool MUCH more than taking a bath. Bath time is pretty much torture to him. The screams are terrifying. Poor guy.

 His super hero pose. Aubrey likes to imitate this one.

 Talking already! I don't know what we are going to do with three talkers. The volume in our house has gone up several significantly in the last few months!

Love these big smiles from him.

He is getting better at working out tummy time. He only enjoys it if brother and sister are around to entertain him. 

 Speaking of brother and sister. They LOVE Henry SO much. I love to hear them talk to him. Aubrey often comes up to him and says, "hey Henny! Whatcha doin?"

 Fire helmets all around!

This guy is the biggest flirt! It never fails. When he spits up ALL over me (which has been happening often lately), I can't get mad because this is usually the face that follows along with sweet talking!  

Kate 20 months

When Kate turned a year, I was wondering if she talked enough or said enough words to be developmentally where she was supposed to be. A few months go by... Now, I believe she must have been listening really well because she talks SO much. It's so fun to hear her talk and say "yes" or "yea", "Awbe", "Hinwey", "Shelb", "passee". She talks in sentences and our favorite is "Shelllby (or whoever she is looking for), where arrre youuu?!" Even though she has many words, we do not know what she is saying most of the time!

Singing, dancing, and reading are still some of her favorite things to do. Most books are referred to as "Bible" these days. I have a hard time picking up on what songs she is singing. I often turn on music during the day for singing and dancing. Sometimes I've used my phone while I am nursing Henry and locking Kate in the room with me. She loves to pick up my phone and dance around the room with it.

Kate is our good eater. She has been eating very well. I'm quite impressed with her no fear attitude. She tries anything we put in front of her. She loves fruit, yogurt and honey, chips and "hmass. Kate is still quite messy when she eats and often needs a change of clothes and a bath after each meal (we don't bathe her after every meal but she definitely could use one).

Speaking of messy. It doesn't matter where we are. If there is dirt or food or liquid, Kate will have it ALL over her. Or in her mouth. Since Kate is STILL teething, she has been putting things in her mouth  quite often. We have to keep our eye on this girl. She is in to ev-er-y-thing. She loves to take her little cups from her play kitchen and fill them up in the bathtub. Then, she will walk around the house drinking her water while sloshing it all over the ground.

Kate has enjoyed Mother's Day Out. This summer her and Aubrey were there together and she has LOVED that. Even though they are in different classes. She knows he is in his classroom and runs to get him when I pick them up. They have become good friends the last few months. Aubrey has been sharing his toys with her and loves to make her laugh. Of course, Kate thinks anything Aubrey does is hilarious. Watching them play together and laugh together makes my heart want to burst with love and joy!

Kate still prefers his toys over dolls and most of her girl toys.
However, the girl LOVES accessories (bow, shoes, etc) and getting dressed. She has developed an opinion on what shoes she wears and can almost dress herself. You can call her Ms. Independent.

Her attention and care for Henry have been so neat to watch. The first thing she does when she wakes up, after she asks for Daddy, is ask where Henry is. She has not quite learned what gentle means as she shoves his paci in his face.

Kate keeps us laughing, singing, and dancing.  

Aubrey's 4th Birthday!

Holidays are becoming more fun as Aubrey has a better understanding about what it means to celebrate! We celebrated his birthday by decorating his doorway with streamers and balloons. He gets up before us so he came in our room saying, "Mom, there was a bunch of stuff outside my door. I just crawled underneath it." Haha. I had to remind him it was his birthday and it was all to celebrate him!

 Of course we had pancakes for breakfast with sprinkles and candles!

We were looking forward to celebrating his birthday at school this year. For his birthday, Aubrey was the line leader for the day and got to be recognized on stage during chapel. (Side story: Seth took Aubrey and Kate to school early and I was going to meet them for chapel. Well, birthday boy put my keys in his school bag and took them with him so I did not have any keys to get to school! I missed the birthday celebration! Oh well. Dad did good documenting the celebration! )

After chapel, the class had a small celebration for Aubrey. We brought cake balls (as requested by Aubrey) for snack. I heard the kids really enjoyed them.

I like that you can see Aubrey's two buddies in this picture-Mac to the right and Landon to the left.

For his party, we celebrated at Jill's Gymnastics. It was a blast!

 I asked Aubrey what kind of party he wanted and he said, "a superhero Spiderman party!" Perfect! So, the kids practiced their superhero moves at the gym!

 Even the little ones enjoyed running and bouncing around.

The foam pit was a favorite...

 especially with Mr. Jared tossing people around!

Even the adults had fun!

A semi-group shot of the kiddos

 After all the "superhero practice", the kids enjoyed pizza, fruit cups, iccees, and cake!

One of his big gifts this year was a big boy bike!

 What a fun time we had celebrating Aubrey! Hard to believe he is four!! He is such a fun kid who enjoys school, BSF, superheros, all things fire fighting, talking, making people laugh, swimming, going to the library/reading, building forts, cuddling and golfing. He is a rule or routine follower, an excellent big brother, and is often described as "all boy".