Things to Remember-
Tyler's big gifts were a razor scooter and lincoln logs
I agonized over Grant's gifts the whole month of December because there just isn't anything he needs (because older brother!) and there isn't anything he vocally wants yet so...
We had Christmas with the Hockemeyer family the weekend before Christmas so we got in multiple celebrations and had an extended holiday. Tyler and Grant and Makenna are really good playmates and run around the house keeping themselves busy.
We traveled to Illinois for the actual Christmas holiday and that 5 hour drive seems like a piece of cake now that we've done it so many times and have it down to a fine science, stopped halfway to eat and then the boys napped the 2nd half of the drive. Kristen wasn't home for Christmas this year so we planned to FaceTime for gift opening and it worked SO great...better than we all thought it might, I think. The boys would both turn to look at the computer screen to say "thank you" after opening a present. At one point, Tyler asked if he could come to their house where they were sitting! (awwww)
Playing with all of the new toys from Christmas was a great way to spend the following week. Kevin and I got to spend a night downtown Chicago while Tyler and Grant stayed with Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Bud. It was great! (I think everyone thought so!)
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Tyler 3.5 (and 3 because...oops)
I recently realized that I rarely, if ever, blog anymore and that actually, I think it's a good way to remember what all is going on in our lives these days. So I owe Tyler a 3 year old and now 3.5 year old post since today is his half-birthday and tomorrow he will be closer to 4 than 3. WHAT!
Tyler is a rule follower- make them up before I even instate them- type child. He eases us into parenting on a daily basis. Grant, I am fond of saying, is another story. Over Christmas they shared a room for the first time at Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Buds house. The first night was smooth, I don't think they even knew they were in the same room! By the second night, Grant had wisened up. So we put them to bed, come downstairs, turn monitor on and hear silence. Successful second night! Then 10-15 minutes later out of the silence we hear Grant! Babbling out of the blue. Then nothing. Then more babbling then nothing and all is quiet for the rest of the night. Fast forward to a random moment the following day, Tyler says "mom last night I heard Grant and I opened my eyes and I realized Grant was standing up in his bed talking to me. So I said to him Grant it's bedtime good night."
So many take aways from this one brief moment, Tyler actually used the phrase "I realized" which I love AND it's just the perfect depiction of older brother, younger brother. This is 3.5 for Tyler, to a T.
He's getting more and more interested in letters, sounds, words and writing with no prompting from us. He is also getting into playing games, we got some great ones for Christmas for his age, and playing with more imagination and elaborate schemes. Also, he's recently starting to crawl up on my lap and "pretend I'm a baby". I think it means he is processing growing up and how our physical/emotional connection changes with him as he gets older. I haven't read the Love Language books for children yet, although it's on my list, but knowing what I know from the adult version one of Tyler's love languages, if not the top one, is physical touch. He is a hugger/kisser/cuddler when he wants or needs to be.
We have said often in these first 3 years that Tyler leans toward the shy/reserved side, although we try to spell those words out when he's around to avoid any kind of self-fulfilling prophecy he might pick up on. I have recently started noticing him growing out of these things in small ways- although I'm sure this is a large part of who he is overall. I've overheard him asking random children at the library "do you want to play with me?" which 6 months ago he just was not doing in any way, shape or form. I get a front row seat to his friendships- with our friends kids who we see often- and I love watching him interact with others. It's safe to say that in the last 6 months, Grant has made so many large strides in "interacting" that I think Tyler has really benefited from having a brother who's not in the baby stages anymore!
Tyler is a rule follower- make them up before I even instate them- type child. He eases us into parenting on a daily basis. Grant, I am fond of saying, is another story. Over Christmas they shared a room for the first time at Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Buds house. The first night was smooth, I don't think they even knew they were in the same room! By the second night, Grant had wisened up. So we put them to bed, come downstairs, turn monitor on and hear silence. Successful second night! Then 10-15 minutes later out of the silence we hear Grant! Babbling out of the blue. Then nothing. Then more babbling then nothing and all is quiet for the rest of the night. Fast forward to a random moment the following day, Tyler says "mom last night I heard Grant and I opened my eyes and I realized Grant was standing up in his bed talking to me. So I said to him Grant it's bedtime good night."
So many take aways from this one brief moment, Tyler actually used the phrase "I realized" which I love AND it's just the perfect depiction of older brother, younger brother. This is 3.5 for Tyler, to a T.
He's getting more and more interested in letters, sounds, words and writing with no prompting from us. He is also getting into playing games, we got some great ones for Christmas for his age, and playing with more imagination and elaborate schemes. Also, he's recently starting to crawl up on my lap and "pretend I'm a baby". I think it means he is processing growing up and how our physical/emotional connection changes with him as he gets older. I haven't read the Love Language books for children yet, although it's on my list, but knowing what I know from the adult version one of Tyler's love languages, if not the top one, is physical touch. He is a hugger/kisser/cuddler when he wants or needs to be.
We have said often in these first 3 years that Tyler leans toward the shy/reserved side, although we try to spell those words out when he's around to avoid any kind of self-fulfilling prophecy he might pick up on. I have recently started noticing him growing out of these things in small ways- although I'm sure this is a large part of who he is overall. I've overheard him asking random children at the library "do you want to play with me?" which 6 months ago he just was not doing in any way, shape or form. I get a front row seat to his friendships- with our friends kids who we see often- and I love watching him interact with others. It's safe to say that in the last 6 months, Grant has made so many large strides in "interacting" that I think Tyler has really benefited from having a brother who's not in the baby stages anymore!
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Grant- 18 months
Grant's main new skill right now is talking...multiple new words every day and trying to repeat everything (including yesterday when I asked Tyler to cooperate with me, peanut gallery Grant is saying co-pate in the background!!).
Old Tricks-
I recently realized that Grant is probably the only 18 month old in the history of the world to still be riding in the infant bucket car seat! We switched Tyler at 11 months!! But Grant is the second child, and as we've learned over the last 1.5 years, everything is different with him. I couldn't wait for Tyler to "graduate" to the bigger seat but with Grant, well he is easily contained in there so O've been in no hurry. But really, we are going to do it soon! He's not close to the max weight limit but he is actually getting close to too "tall".
Animals are still his favorite. One night we watched a youtube video of wolves howling so Tyler and Grant could learn how to howl, I need a video to do it justice but they both kick their heads back, close their eyes and let the howl fly...we love it!
New Skills-
Jumping (and sometimes even getting off the ground) and running
Giving "knuckles"
Screaming...unfortunately. A high pitched piercing screeeeeech lets you know he's not so happy with his current scenario.
Giving Tyler a run for his money! Grant has recently started fighting back when it comes to playing with the same toys. If Grant has something Tyler clearly wants, he's learned to taunt him with it then pull it back to his chest saying "mine" and sending Tyler into an emotional downward spiral. 10 seconds later, repeat. 10 seconds later, repeat. I have started trying to explain to Tyler that Grant is only continuing to do that because he knows it bothers his brother and that if he just leaves him alone, Grant will drop the toy and move onto the next thing. I sit back a lot and watch their brotherly "love" unfold AND even at the ripe young ages of 3.5 and 1.5, I find myself saying "I can't help you, work it out with your brother"!!!! Something I'm sure I heard as a child (well, except the brother part) and something I'm sure all moms and dads say often in their parenting career.
Other News
1st ear infection after Thanksgiving
Lots and lots of new teeth over the past month, handles them well but gets very noticeably red cheeks, something I do not remember happening with Tyler at all.
Diaper size 4
Sleep- Bedtime 630/7, Wake up between 6-7 (lately closer to 6, boo Grant!), Naps still sort of in between 1 and 2 naps, if we're home he can take 2 but if we're busy he gets by with 1 - usually around 2 hours
Clothes size- 18 month shirts, 12 month pants or 18 month pants when wearing a cloth diaper which I've finally started getting back into after a long hiatus (since he was a newborn! whoops)
Old Tricks-
I recently realized that Grant is probably the only 18 month old in the history of the world to still be riding in the infant bucket car seat! We switched Tyler at 11 months!! But Grant is the second child, and as we've learned over the last 1.5 years, everything is different with him. I couldn't wait for Tyler to "graduate" to the bigger seat but with Grant, well he is easily contained in there so O've been in no hurry. But really, we are going to do it soon! He's not close to the max weight limit but he is actually getting close to too "tall".
Animals are still his favorite. One night we watched a youtube video of wolves howling so Tyler and Grant could learn how to howl, I need a video to do it justice but they both kick their heads back, close their eyes and let the howl fly...we love it!
New Skills-
Jumping (and sometimes even getting off the ground) and running
Giving "knuckles"
Screaming...unfortunately. A high pitched piercing screeeeeech lets you know he's not so happy with his current scenario.
Giving Tyler a run for his money! Grant has recently started fighting back when it comes to playing with the same toys. If Grant has something Tyler clearly wants, he's learned to taunt him with it then pull it back to his chest saying "mine" and sending Tyler into an emotional downward spiral. 10 seconds later, repeat. 10 seconds later, repeat. I have started trying to explain to Tyler that Grant is only continuing to do that because he knows it bothers his brother and that if he just leaves him alone, Grant will drop the toy and move onto the next thing. I sit back a lot and watch their brotherly "love" unfold AND even at the ripe young ages of 3.5 and 1.5, I find myself saying "I can't help you, work it out with your brother"!!!! Something I'm sure I heard as a child (well, except the brother part) and something I'm sure all moms and dads say often in their parenting career.
Other News
1st ear infection after Thanksgiving
Lots and lots of new teeth over the past month, handles them well but gets very noticeably red cheeks, something I do not remember happening with Tyler at all.
Diaper size 4
Sleep- Bedtime 630/7, Wake up between 6-7 (lately closer to 6, boo Grant!), Naps still sort of in between 1 and 2 naps, if we're home he can take 2 but if we're busy he gets by with 1 - usually around 2 hours
Clothes size- 18 month shirts, 12 month pants or 18 month pants when wearing a cloth diaper which I've finally started getting back into after a long hiatus (since he was a newborn! whoops)
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Grant- 16 Months
(originally written December 2nd)
These days Grant learns new words and does new things every day. It's hard to keep track of everything but here are some highlights.
Old favorites...we learned early on that Grant loves animals. One of his first words was dog and he gets SO excited about any animal or bird that's around. He says duck, dog, eep (sheep), seeee (geese)
Climbing...couches, chairs, and stairs are no match for Grant. He basically goes wherever he wants now and I have a lot more confidence in his abilities. He has recently started trying to walk down the stairs too, which is a little unnerving but he hasn't fallen and I don't think it's possible/fair to try and stop him from doing it.
New skills...he's just become interested in what happens on the kitchen counter so this past month we've started letting him stand up on a kitchen chair to watch like Tyler does.
Jumping...he can sort of get off the ground already! He's been trying for months so that's not much of a surprise except that Tyler didn't jump until he was 2 I think.
Haircut! Grant had his first haircut this month. He did great and he looks so cute (and old) with short hair.
Basic stats...
Weight- (I don't know) but he's still riding in style in the baby bucket car seat at 16mo. Tyler moved out of it at 11mo but Grant's just so much smaller he still fits comfortably and is safer anyway. I keep thinking we should switch him, and I'm sure we will soon, but I'm not in a rush either!
Height- (I don't know) but he needs longer pants these days even though his waist is still tiny.
Clothes- 9/12 month pants but sometimes 18 month,, 18 month shirts
Diaper- size 3 or 4 overnight
Sleeping- 7pm bedtime, 7am wake up (or whenever Tyler does) with only 1 2-hour nap most days
These days Grant learns new words and does new things every day. It's hard to keep track of everything but here are some highlights.
Old favorites...we learned early on that Grant loves animals. One of his first words was dog and he gets SO excited about any animal or bird that's around. He says duck, dog, eep (sheep), seeee (geese)
Climbing...couches, chairs, and stairs are no match for Grant. He basically goes wherever he wants now and I have a lot more confidence in his abilities. He has recently started trying to walk down the stairs too, which is a little unnerving but he hasn't fallen and I don't think it's possible/fair to try and stop him from doing it.
New skills...he's just become interested in what happens on the kitchen counter so this past month we've started letting him stand up on a kitchen chair to watch like Tyler does.
Jumping...he can sort of get off the ground already! He's been trying for months so that's not much of a surprise except that Tyler didn't jump until he was 2 I think.
Haircut! Grant had his first haircut this month. He did great and he looks so cute (and old) with short hair.
Basic stats...
Weight- (I don't know) but he's still riding in style in the baby bucket car seat at 16mo. Tyler moved out of it at 11mo but Grant's just so much smaller he still fits comfortably and is safer anyway. I keep thinking we should switch him, and I'm sure we will soon, but I'm not in a rush either!
Height- (I don't know) but he needs longer pants these days even though his waist is still tiny.
Clothes- 9/12 month pants but sometimes 18 month,, 18 month shirts
Diaper- size 3 or 4 overnight
Sleeping- 7pm bedtime, 7am wake up (or whenever Tyler does) with only 1 2-hour nap most days
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