Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Hutch Marshall - 6 months








A whole half a year?! Seriously?!? I already have a hard time remembering what life was like without this sweet little guy. 

I thought Addie was the busiest baby ever. Till I met Hutch. He NEVER stops moving. There personalities are so strangely similar. He loves to talk, all the time, especially at 4 in the morning. I like to say he's defending his dissertation. He flings himself about to be sure he's seeing whatever is going on that might be interesting. On our recent beach vacation, he loved to watch the planes and helicopters fly over the ocean. He also turned toward the construction noises going on in our neighborhood. And four wheelers or tractors on the beach. I guess this stuff is born in baby boys??? 

He loves to laugh. And his belly laugh is amazing. Addie is the one who gets him laughing like no one else. He also loves to smile. And he will smile at anyone. But he is especially crazy about pretty girls. Seriously. I feel like I'm already apologizing for him ... sorry my baby is staring and grinning at you. He thinks you're cute. 

The sleeping is, sometimes, better. We thought the ear tubes would make a huge difference. They did, for his ears, but not so much for his sleep. The reflux has gotten worse and we've recently switched meds, again, and saw a GI at Children's Hospital. We are hopeful that the combo of finally getting over ear infections/off antibiotics, new reflux/colic meds and introducing solid foods is making a difference in the world of sleep. He's also (GASP!!) sleeping on his tummy, which seems to help. A good night is one in which we only have to get up with him a handful of times, plug him with the paci and he goes pretty quickly back to sleep. He's taking 3-4 naps per day, for about 30-45 minutes at a time. Still nursing seven to eight times a day.

Weight:  Somewhere between 17 and 18 pounds
Length: 25.5 inches

New things:
  • Sitting up! He definitely has gained his balance. Still falls over occasionally, but is doing great. 
  • Sleeping ... wait for it ... in his BED! We're trying to quit the swing, and I think we're getting close. He still sleeps on us some of the time ... well, at some point every day. When we were at the beach we, clearly, did not have a swing. We did, thankfully, have a king bed, so he slept with us some each night and in his bed some each night. Since we've been home, he's stayed in his bed each night. Hooray!
  • Eating food! We were really gun shy about this since we had such a difficult time with Addie. We started her at 4 1/2 months in the hopes it would curb her reflux, but it backfired. So, we intentionally waited longer with him and skipped cereal to go straight to veggies. He's had a hard time adjusting - lots of crying. But I think after a few weeks he's finally getting the hang of it. So far, he's had green beans, peas, pears and prunes. Yummo.
  • Smiling at pretty girls, as noted above. He LOVES "meeting" people.
  • Sometimes resting his sweet little head on my shoulder when he's extra sleepy. My busy guy usually isn't down for cuddles, unless he's asleep.
  • A pretty head! I think he's finally getting over his cradle cap as his self-inflicted wounds have been few and far between. 
  • Going to the beach. He wasn't particularly impressed. Cried when I put his toes in the water. But he fell asleep nearly every time we sat near the ocean. Sounds quite a lot like his white noise machine.
  • Going swimming. He cried the first time I put him in Grammie and Pawpaw's pool. But he really loved the pool at our resort, so maybe he'll like "swimming" soon.
Likes: 
  • Mia and Izzy are high on his list. 
  • His sister is way up there, too. He loves when she sings to him, makes goofy noises and faces, dances for him ... really, anything she does is amazing to him. He loves to laugh at her. 
  • His momma. He's definitely developed a very clear preference for me. And he loves to make it known. Loudly.
  • Chewing on his hands. His toes. Our hands. Our faces. 
  • Giving "kisses," which is more like licking our faces. Likely in hopes of chewing on us.
  • Bath time. 
  • Knowing/seeing what's going on around him. All strange and/or loud noises need to be inspected immediately.
  • His lovies. And his blankie.
  • The library. He has started really paying attention and enjoying the class I take Addie to each week at the library. 
  • Other kids and babies. I don't remember Addie being this interested this young, but perhaps because he has her to look at, he's naturally drawn to other children, too. 
  • Pretty girls. I don't care whether he grows up to like girls or boys, but as of this moment, he's a ladies man for sure. 
  • Being outside. 
    Dislikes:
    • Bottles are still usually a no-go.
    • Being alone. Especially, being without momma. Particularly if he can see me and I'm not holding him. 

    Addison Mae - 34 months

     




    Two months till she's three. She had her official last day of Starbright ... and I might have cried. In my defense, both of her teachers did, too. She'll be on the preschool side of the children's area this summer and will start Warm World this fall. I'm so excited for all that means, but I'm pretty pitiful about it, too. She is so smart and constantly surprises me with the words she says or questions she asks. She is absolutely in love with her brother and tells me often that he's her best friend. While my mom and I had them at the doctor together recently, she about knocked my mom out to try to climb up to "save" her crying brother while he was getting his ears checked. She may look tiny but she is STRONG. And determined. Speaking of doctors, we're going on round two of ear infections since she lost one tube. I tried to interest the doctors in a two-fer tube placement session, but H's was serious enough we had to move really quickly. Otherwise, I'm SURE they would have taken me up on it. 

    She LOVES to meet new people ... on an airplane, at the airport, on the beach, at the library, walking in to church. Wherever. And she has the sweetest little social skills. And the very best manners (when she wants to, mind you). Jordan and I are both fairly outgoing, but we've got nothing on this girl. She's forever telling me, "Mommy, I made a new friend!"

    She was a superstar at her gymnastics recital, aka M&M party. She has learned so much and loves to show off. She also loved to boss all her friends in her class (imagine). She LOVED going to the beach with her family for a whole week. She was ecstatic to spend that much time with her daddy and pawpaw, especially, and kept reminding them that they didn't have to go to work. She squealed with delight when she saw the ocean and much preferred swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand to the pool. My brave girl loved riding the waves on a raft, too.

    She may be a big girl, but she still says "Mommy, hold me" a lot, cries for me in the night when she's scared (or needs a drink, needs a blanket, needs a blanket removed, needs the fan on, needs the fan off, needs her humidifier ... etc) and needs my help for a lot of things. Thank goodness. Being a mom is hard, and my patience is often worn completely thin, or disappeared altogether ... but in my few moments of sanity, I realize how very precious it is to have two little people who depend on me so completely and love me so fully. I am so grateful to be their momma.

    Weight: 29 pounds
    Length: 36 inches

     New things:
    • When helping give her brother a bath, asking why his parts are different than hers. I am honestly surprised it took five months for this to happen.  
    • Going to the bathroom "by herself." Which means she removes her pants and underwear and leaves them approximately 12 miles from the bathroom, climbs up on the potty and then yells, "Moooommmmmmyyyyyyyyyyy."
    • Practicing "school work" with her new preschool books. Homegirl is pretty awesome at number and letter recognition. She can draw both As and Hs, but in general holding and manipulating a pencil is a different story ... we're working on it. And I'm reminding myself that she's not quite 3. (Someone remind me I should never homeschool ... I do NOT have the patience for it.)
    • Saying lots of funny things.
      • When she says "I want to go with you" it sounds like "wish you." Makes my heart melt a little every time.
      • On our beach vacation, we all started a 30 day ab challenge (perhaps to offset all the good food we were eating). She participated, of course, and calls it the "Firty Day Allange." So funny.
      • Still says "I mam" instead of "I am." I hope she never gets it right.
      • "That's cool"

    Likes:
    • Picnics. Which she doesn't realize usually happen outdoors. Ours are just on a blanket on the living room floor.
    • Her (now two) inhalers. Weirdo. Just glad she's happy about them instead of fighting them.
    • Coming to the finish line of two races I was running in to cheer for me. She does NOT care for the part where I won't stop and hold her ... you know, because I'm trying to finish. She has commandeered the medals from all my recent races.
    • Martin Nature Park. To her, the tiny building with three specimens in it is pretty much the same as the Zoo (which she also loves). She loves feeding the giant turtles and catfish, too.
    • Cooking with me. Especially if we're making chocolate chip banana bread or any type of cookie. When she helps me with onions, she always asks, "Will they make me blink, mommy?"
    • Gymnastics. She loved her class, teacher, classmates. And was entirely obsessed about her "recital" at which they received M&Ms and a giant trophy. She proudly and seriously stepped right up on the podium, very first of the whole day, to receive hers. 
    • Getting her face painted.
    • Sidewalk chalking.
    • Helping plant flowers. And watering abundantly, always including her own body.
    • Giving Izzy her medicine.
    • Swimming. And the beach. She keeps asking when we get to go back. 
    • Balloons. 
    Dislikes:
    • Getting her ears checked. Or bubby getting his ears checked.
    • Being away from her momma.
    • Being told to do something she doesn't want to do. Or not to do something she does want to do
    • Being told she needs help/can't do something on her own.

    Wednesday, May 14, 2014

    Hutch Marshall - 5 months






    This guy. He is pretty much amazing. His classic wide-eyed look really just means he's totally taking in the world around him. He's so observant and is definitely of the opinion that he needs to see and know what is going on around him at all times. (Sound familiar????) He is wild about his sister. No one can calm him down like she can. He's been laughing some, but he recently laughed for the first time at her, when she was playing peekaboo with him. Melt. He's also crazy about his daddy and strains to see him when he comes home from work. 

    He's still moving ... all the time ... even in his sleep. He still loves to smile at just about anyone. Although he's definitely got a preference for his momma and has decided he doesn't really want me to be out of his sight.

    Two more ear infections this month. The very first one didn't respond to meds, the second we treated with injections, which didn't seem to work, and the third was capped off with a visit to the ENT and tubes the same day. And he's had his first visit to Kids 1st after hours clinic. Someone is following in his sister's footsteps. 

    Weight:  17 pounds, 3 ounces
    Length: 24 inches

    New things:
    • Sort of sitting up. With a lot of assistance. He can stay upright for a few seconds on his own. And he totally loves the new vantage point and gets cranky on his back now.
    • Grabbing our faces to inspect our lips, nostrils, hair, etc. His sister doesn't quite understand this and his inspections of her usually end in her crying and saying "He's hitting me mommy!!! Time out!"
    • Being more interested in his toys and reaching/grabbing for them. Transferring things from hand to hand.
    • Discovering his feet. And rocking the happy baby pose.
    • Rolling onto his back to his tummy a few times. 
    • "Talking" all the time. Especially when he's in his car seat. He loves to "talk" to an actual person, but just jabbering to himself works, too. He's loud. :)
    • Laughing more. Sweet, sweet little sound. I am often completely ridiculous and/or injure myself in the process of hearing that baby giggle.
    Likes: 
    • The cat. He loves to grab her fur, her ears, her whiskers. And chew on her if he can get her close enough. 
    • The dog. He's finally able to really see her. He smiles and opens his mouth when she licks him.
    • His stationery jumper. The first time we put him in it and he was able to push some buttons to make music, I swear his head almost exploded. Big eyes for sure.
    • "Standing up," with help of course. He prefers this position above all others. Perhaps it's because it feels best on his poor little tummy, but I also think it's an indicator that he's pretty much ready to start running now.
    • The swing. It's pretty much number one in his life, still.
    • Being swaddled. He'll be both swaddled and in his swing for sleeping till he's 23.
    • Sophie the giraffe has made a comeback. He's in love.
    • Bath time. In his little tub, in the big tub with his sister. I'm pretty sure there are warning labels all over his little tub that warn against this, but whatever.
    • His sister. When he's fussy, she's often the only thing that can make him happy. He'll pause in his fussing/crying to smile/laugh at her, and then resume fussing.
    • His toes. They haven't made it into his mouth yet. It's coming.
    • His hands. He LOVES to chew on them and has been sucking his thumb some.
    • He still loves to look tough with his self-inflicted head wounds. The cradle cap looks better, but he insists on making himself look like he's starring in a slasher film. I am SO over random people asking me what the heck happened to him. I let him play with razor blades, OK?
      Dislikes:
      • Being alone. He prefers to be held. Or entertained. 
      • Sleeping. Unless he's sleeping on me.
      • Sitting in his high chair. We're trying to include him in dinnertime, without always holding him, and he's not having it. Perhaps when he actually starts eating dinner he'll like it better.

      Monday, April 14, 2014

      Addison Mae - 32 months







      This girl of mine is such a little person. With a BIG personality. And lots to say. As much as she can drive me up the walls, I love her more fiercely than I ever knew I was capable of. She is such a light in our lives whose sense of humor and sweet heart constantly surprise me. She's also a bit of a nutcase, which she comes by quite naturally. She loved her bubby's baptism this past month and was not interested in being held when we went up on the big stage for it. She was seriously eyeing the holy water during the prayer and kept brushing her daddy's hand off her shoulder when he tried to confine her. Miss Independent. She has loved getting ready for Easter with our Lent candles, Easter activities and crafts. She loves to talk about Jesus "coming out of the rock."

      Weight: ~29 pounds
      Length: ~32 inches

       New things:
      • Continuing to say "why." About everything. All. The. Time.
      • Saying lots of funny things.
        • When her ped thought she had bronchitis, we, of course, taught her to say, "Bronchitis - ain't nobody got time for that."
        • Telling her teachers at church "Mommy yelled and banged the table this morning." She's already telling on me. Thankfully her sweet teachers responded with, "Well, what did you do that caused mommy to yell and bang the table?" Mother of the year right here.
        • When I told her "Stop bossing Daddy. You are not in charge of him" she responded with, "Because you are?" You got it.
        • When we made resurrection rolls (marshmallows wrapped in crescent rolls ... with the idea being the marshmallow is supposed to dissolve when baked, representing the empty tomb), our marshmallows leaked out all over the plan. Not exactly what we were going for. But she was delighted: "Look Mommy! Jesus comed out of the rock!!"
        • When coloring and cutting out pictures depicting the various events during Lent, holding the cup of wine representing the Last Supper, pretending to drink it and saying, "Yummy. I am drinking wine."
      • An obsession with wearing nightgowns to bed
      • Getting to "drive" a fire truck ... really just sit in it, but she was convinced she was driving
      • Growling, literally, when she gets really mad about something. Usually accompanied by flinging arms or a flopping body. No drama here.
      • Being diagnosed with asthma. Boo. Bring on the twice-daily inhaler and oral steroids.
      • Losing one ear tube. And immediately getting an ear infection. I had forgotten how much ear infections suck. Between her and her brother, I now remember very clearly.

      Likes:
      • Her bubby. She wants to be with him pretty much all the time. When I suggest we do something just the two of us, she usually wants to know if he can come too.
      • Speaking of her bubby, making him laugh, which she's pretty great at
      • Praying. She loves to tell Jesus what she's thankful for and pray for our friends and family. Be still my heart.
      • Being outside. Thank goodness for the (mostly) nicer weather. She loves to play in our front yard or with the neighbor kiddos or go to the park.
      • Going to Pawpaw's work.
      • Having her face painted. This was a new activity that she was rather unsure about, but immediately afterward she said, "Let's do that again." She was a little devastated when it had to be washed off.
      • Granola. I know, random. She made some with me and now is almost as obsessed as I am.
      • Crafting and cooking remain near and dear to her heart.
      • Playing with play dough
      • Reading books - and I mean her pretending to read. Although she's heard her Curious George book enough that it actually appears she's really reading it. Kinda amazing.
      • Her new inhaler. I know, weirdo. But I'm glad she thinks it's fun rather than dreads it.
      • Lighting our Lent candles. Though she usually calls them the Advent candles, she's been quick to remind us on Sundays that we "need to do the candles." She also amazingly can remember all the candles specific names.
      • Starting gymnastics again. Her favorite parts are the "zip" (zip line, which she can now do all by herself) and jumping. Though there are three trampolines, she prefers the one where she can wear a belt, operated by her teacher, that helps her do flips. Daddy's girl.
      • Easter eggs. The plastic variety. She loves to hide them for us or ask us to hide them for her. 
      Dislikes:
      • Not getting her way.
      • Being told to go to time out, or told that if she does xxx one more time she'll have to go to time out. She responds with, "But I don't want to."

      Hutch Marshall - 4 months








      The changes in this sweet boy over the last month have been dramatic. He's no longer a newborn, definitely a baby who's very interested in interacting with the world around him. His sweet nature means he loves to smile at and "talk" to pretty much anyone. While his sister and I remain near and dear to his heart, he has really developed an eye (and ear) for his daddy. He just lights up for him and strains to find him in the room when he hears his voice. He's also very interested in his cat, who seems to be much easier for him to see than his big dog. I do love that he seems to save his biggest, brightest smiles for his momma and that when he's really upset he calms more readily for me. There is just nothing better than being a mom!

      Personality wise, I think he's definitely more chill than his sister, but he can certainly bring out the high-maintenance drama if needed. If possible, I think he's even busier than she was at this age. He's ALWAYS moving and he's so strong. His first (double) ear infection means his colic/reflux have been on high as the meds really exacerbate everything. That also has meant not a lot of sleep. For anyone.

      Aside from watching him delight in the world around him, the highlight of our month was his baptism. Though he was fast asleep in my arms when it started, that water on his little head brought him wide awake and his little eyes were like saucers. But no tears. We had a great time during the service and afterward at a brunch at Grammie and Pawpaw's house with lots of family and friends. Baptisms always make me weepy (even if I don't know the children!). I genuinely believe having our babies baptized is one of the single most important decisions we'll ever make for them, and I hope we can raise them in such a way to choose Jesus as their Savior for themselves as they grow older.

      Weight: 14 pounds, 15 ounces
      Length: 24 inches

      New things:
      • Rolling! From his tummy to his back. And looking totally confused, then totally proud of himself when he does. Also rolling onto his side occasionally. 
      • Discovering his hands. And shoving them in his mouth as hard as he can. He seriously looks like he's trying to chew them off. He's eyed his toes a few times as well.
      • Discovering his ... ahem ... boy parts. I was totally unprepared for this to happen so soon.
      • Discovering his tongue. Sticking it out, blowing raspberries and drooling a whole, whole, whole lot.
      • Ear infections. Here we go again. Baby boy had a double ear infection over spring break, followed by a round of antibiotics that cleared up one ear but not the other, followed by a second round of antibiotics that finally kicked it. Is it too early to ask for tubes????
      • I'm going to go ahead and say laughing. It's not a belly laugh but definitely a little chuckle. Sweetest sound in all the world.
      Likes:
      • He still loves the swing. It's like a drug. We're trying slowly to wean him off of it. 
      • His ocean play mat. And the blue octopus is still a favorite.
      • He's starting to light up for his lovies - especially a brightly colored monkey. He loves to hug it on his bare tummy. 
      • Books. That sweet boy gets so animated when we read to him he practically jumps off my lap.
      • Being naked is still a favorite. He starts to grin immediately when we take his clothes off.
      • Bath time. And splashing so much that his mom and the bathroom are soaked by the time we're done. 
      • "Talking." His favorite place to be in in someone's lap, or next to his sister, where he has the devoted attention of his holder. He loves when I sing to him or make goofy noises. 
      • Seeing his sister first thing in the morning. His big smile for her is like he's saying, "Man, I missed you during the night!"
      • He still loves to eat, but he's started pausing in the middle of nursing to look up at me and smile and talk. I remember that being one of my very favorite things about nursing Addie, too.
        Dislikes:
        • Taking a bottle is still a struggle. Somehow Jordan can get him to eat, but he's the only one with the magic touch.
        • His ears. Poor little guy. Even though we know his ears are clear, he's still messing with them like he remembers that they used to hurt.
        • His tummy.

        Saturday, March 15, 2014

        Addison Mae - 31 months



        She's a big girl. Who's wearing big girl panties. And constantly making me laugh. And exasperating me. Her brother's babyhood has really made me realize how grown up she is. She loves to talk about when she'll be three and tell anyone who will listen what she'll get to do when she's three (which includes going to preschool, play soccer and take dance).

        Weight: ~28.5 pounds
        Length: ~32 inches

         New things:
        • Big girl panties. And NO accidents in them at all. She's pretty amazing.
        • Enrolling for preschool in the fall. I am kinda a mess. So excited that she's going to Warm World (or Warm Warm, as she calls it), which her momma is a proud grad of, but I cannot believe she is old enough to start preschool. I have also realized her first day of preschool will be her brother's first day of mother's day out ... someone please have wine and Kleenex on hand for me after drop off that day...
        • Her teachers at school are amazed that they can have full, relevant conversations with her. She recently told them all about our upcoming trip to Ponca City, who was going with us, who would be there, that my mom had been to the doctor, my mom's doctor's name, etc. She also gave me a full report about her teacher's son, who's had a stomach bug. The talking is seriously insane.
        • Using the word "certainly." "I certainly love you, Mommy. And I love to say certainly."
        • Asking why. All the time. About everything. And driving me crazy.
        • Peeing in a cup at the doctor's office. Which was highly thrilling for her. She was super disappointed that she only got to do it once.
        • Holding imaginary classes at home, where of course she is the teacher. She likes to teach Gymboree and music classes, just like she has at school. It's not always required that we participate, but she lets us know if we need to. Sometimes we get to be her friends and sometimes we are other teachers. She sings the songs, in order, gives instructions, sends people to time out, brings out Gymbo the clown, gives out stamps for those who are cooperating, gets everyone ready for naptime ... it's SO hilarious.
        • An OBSESSION with the Curious George book she received from her cousins. It has six or eight stories in it and we literally read it before every nap and bedtime. "Mommy, I want Curious George. I will pick out the story."
        • A super fun trip to Ponca City to visit my aunt and uncle, cousin and her girls. We've been to Ponca lots of times before, but Addie totally held her own with the big girls and was entirely comfortable with everyone this time.

        Likes:
        • All crafts. We recently made little bird feeders out of blueberries and Cheerios. Mostly she ate the decorations, but she loved it. Loves to paint, use markers, play with chalk ...
        • Cooking with me or her Grammie. Especially baking cookies.
        • Parties. Especially the birthday variety.
        • Cheese.
        • Going with her Daddy to get take out. Or even better going out to eat with us. Saturn Grill (aka the "pizza place") is her fave
        • Playing outside. Thank goodness for some nice weather recently.
        • Watching basketball.
        • Knowing exactly what's on her schedule for the day. And the next day. Upon waking up, she always asks, "Where we going today, Mommy?"
        • Cupcakes.
        • Watching movies, especially Toy Story, Shrek and Monster's Inc.
        • Picking out diapers for her brother.
        • Helping with her brother's tummy time.
        • When her brother wears gloves.
        • Her BFF Stella.
        • She still loves going to the library on Tuesday mornings. Loves her class, especially when they sing songs or there is a craft involved, and she loves to pick out books. Clifford, Biscuit and Curious George are favorites right now.
        • Playing kitchen.
        Dislikes:
        • Being told to go to time out. "But I don't want to go, Mommy."

        Hutch Marshall - 3 months










        This sweet baby boy is getting so big! And SO busy. He pretty much never quits moving, even in his sleep, evidenced by his constant Houdini-ing out of his swaddle. I was a little surprised at his 2 month check up (closer to 3 months) that he is now only in the 50th percentile of weight. Even our ped picked him up and said, "Wow, he is stout."


        He loves bath time, his sister, his Taggie puppy and his blue octopus (if you remember, this was a  staple for his sister, too.) He is so interactive with anyone and everyone. He loves to smile and "talk." He really loves to have intent conversations with the octopus. Or that really cute baby he sees in the mirror.


        Sleeping is getting better. He's just waking once per night to eat, though usually he requires several paci-replacements during the night. His crazy mom has insisted he have a bedtime and more of a schedule ... he happens to be exactly like his sister, which means he doesn't really adhere to a schedule ... so basically we're just following his napping and eating cues and calling it a schedule.
        The colic/reflux is nonexistent some days ... and kinda rough others. He's still nowhere near as intense as his sister was, so we're counting our blessings there. I can definitely tell that it's worse on days when he's overtired or overstimulated.

        Weight: 13 pounds, 7 ounces
        Length: 24 inches

        New things:
        • Oh the talking! He loves to sit in our laps and have a full conversation with us. Or with his Taggie puppy. Or blue octopus. Or especially his sister.
        • Awesome head control
        • Holding himself all the way up on his forearms.
        • One roll over (tummy to back). I think it was accidental. And likely mom-induced
        • More intently batting at toys
        • Houdini-ing out of his swaddle
        • An 8 pm bedtime, which is magical for his parents. Both babies in bed by 8:30. Dreamfeed at 10 pm and usually sleeping until 4 or 5 for his next feeding. Usually going back to sleep (typically in his swing, mind you) till 8.
        • More of a "routine," which usually includes 4-5 naps and 7-9 feedings per day.
        • Sleeping more in his crib rather than the swing. A few nights he's gone all night in the crib, and we've been successfully attempting most naps in the crib.
        • Just starting to notice his dog and cat. Who both love him, by the way.

          Likes:
          • His swing. He might be sleeping in it till he's 12.
          • His ocean play mat.
          • Tummy time. Less crying now that he can really hold himself up. His wiggly little self will be rolling over in no time.
          • Bath time.
          • Any books with pictures of babies or animals. He gets SO animated - talking, kicking and swinging those arms.
          • Being held. Being rocked. I'm constantly reminding myself to enjoy this part because someday my 12 and 14 year old children probably won't let me do this anymore
          • His sister. He looks at her like she hung the moon. And usually the feeling is mutual.
          • Being naked. The nightly naked kicking routine is in full effect. Just like his sister, when he's particularly upset in the evenings, pulling off his clothes and putting him on a soft blanket usually does the trick.
          • His super soft, snuggly swaddle. When he's getting sleepy during the day, I'll put him in it for a nap and he starts grinning immediately. And then passes out.
          • Kicking. And flinging his arms. He is STRONG.
          • Eating remains near and dear to his heart.
            Dislikes:
            • Being confined. This boy likes to MOVE. Though he loves being held and being swaddled, I can totally tell when he's trying to say, "put me DOWN! I need to wiggle."
            • His tummy.
            • Taking a bottle. A la his sister.
            • His itchy head. Cradle cap is improving. After literally trying every remedy under the sun, our dr recommended a tar-based shampoo that's helping.