2 months :)

I can't believe 2 months has already come and gone.  This is going way too fast!  Things are going really well with Blake.  He has become a "readable" baby.  I can typically tell if his cry means he's tired, hungry, etc., which is definitely nice to figure out.

He's a funny guy - he HATES to sit in a dirty diaper so he tells you typically right away if you haven't noticed that he went to the bathroom.  Also - he absolutely LOVES to be upright and slowly bounced up and down.  It's actually funny, he'll be fussing - and you start to hold him in a certain way, and he instantly calms...sometimes I test it and adjust him right away...then I get the most POUTY lower lip ever, so we reposition, and he calms again!  He likes to be bounced up and down when you are holding him up out in front of you, not when he is resting on your legs/against you...so you get quite the arm workout.  I'll have to take a video or get a pic of it soon.

As much as I am trying, we aren't really on a schedule quite yet, however, I am seeing progress.  He is starting to go to sleep somewhere between 7:30 & 9 most nights, soon it'll be narrowed down to 8 like his sister.  Also, he does eat pretty much every 4 hours, but has one long stretch at night (6 hours between feedings).  Typically I am still getting up with him twice a night, however there has been a few nights where it is only once. 

Like his sister was, he became a "bouncer baby" where that is where he is sleeping best (instead of his basinnett/crib).  I'm wanting to transition him to the crib and in with Addy, but I have a feeling it isn't going to happen as soon as we planned.  I was hoping for more consistency at night before bringing him in their room, and she definitely wakes up if she hears him at night, so I might wait longer than I had planned.  We'll see.  But I've also heard that kids get used to it rather quickly so maybe I should just put him in there, and in a few nights Addy will get used to it and stay sleeping...anyone have any experience with this??

I was really hoping for more consistency in his night schedule before heading back to work (or heck, I was thinking it'd be great if he was sleeping through the night!), but I'm seeing no signs of that and only have one more week off.  Bummer!

Blake started smiling right around Thanksgiving, and I've finally gotten a few good shots.  He is very choosy with sharing his smiles though!

Here are his stats for 2 months:

Length - 23 1/4 inches (77%)

Weight - 11.4 pounds (46%)

Head - 14 3/4 inches (52%)



My Handsome Man



Smiling at his daddy!

Oh my goodness daddy, that is too funny!



Sibling Love!

My Little Man!

18 Months!

Addalyn is officially 1 1/2 years old as of December 3rd --- she is quite the little girl with a huge personality!  She had to go to the dr last week to get her eyes checked (she had pink eye) and they ended up weighing her, she is 24 pounds.  I thought she would be more, she seems so much heavier since Blake's arrived :)  They didn't tell me what percentage that is for her.

Addy has a ton of words in her vocab right now.  I love it when she jabbers as if she is saying a full sentence while looking at me (or someone) and if you respond, she just keeps going.  Definitely quite the talker!

She loves Dora the Explorer right now - as well as Elmo (Sesame Street) and some shows on the Disney Channel.  She also LOOOOVES her brother.  If I had a picture for every time she went and gave him hugs and kisses, or said "hi" to him and got right in his face...they'd fill a lot of memory on our camera.  It is absolutely adorable to watch her love on her brother.  She also loves on her babies and her prized possession (her bear) the same way.  She changes diapers when I do and sometimes I'll notice her holding one of her babies or bear and rocking it like I do when Blake is crying and walking around.  She's started to put her bear to "sleep" in the swing, starts it up and turns on the music, puts a paci in his mouth, etc.  It's amazing what they pick up on.

We've had to start giving time-outs every once in a while.  Nothing major, but it has had to happen.  She actually walks right up to the wall and puts her head on it when I say the word Time Out.  Apparently when kids get in trouble at daycare, she stands next to them and "supports" them when they get their time-outs :)   If she is being "naughty" and I even mention a time-out (as a warning) she automatically walks to the wall...so I have to basically wait to use the word until she needs to go into a time-out, otherwise she automatically goes before she actually has to!  Silly girl :)

She has also started to show interest in the potty, but I don't think anything will really happen for a while.  She's asked to sit on it a couple of times and we've had success on it, but I think it is just coincidence!  My daycare was saying the average age these days is 3, so I'm not preparing myself for anything exciting in that department for some time still.

I'm really loving being home with her and watching her change and develop.  I"m so going to miss my days with her when I'm back at work --- it really is a great age to be home with.  I can't believe how big she is getting - definitely a little girl/toddler and not my baby any more - although she always will be our baby in our hearts :)
 

Trying to fit as much as she can in her stroller :)

  

Time-Out in session :)

  

Loving her Brother!

   

Cuddling with daddy & Blake after her bath

 

Potty Time! 



Addy was playing with her Memory game one day - picking up the cards and naming what was on them, so I started asking her what things were and she was really talkative...so I decided to record it (the video is below). 

Meeting Santa

Last week we took the kids to the mall to meet Santa.  When we got there, Santa was eating dinner, so we had a few minutes to wait.

While we were waiting - Addy snuck  into Santa's little area.  Do you think that she got some points on the naughty list for that?



It was fun to be there right when he arrived...he started shaking his sleigh bells and such and then let out a very loud "Ho Ho Ho" - I think I may have been more amused than Addy!



Watching Santa



We weren't sure how'd she do...and we were fully prepared to take a family picture with Santa to get a good one.  She checked him out from afar at first, and waved to him and said "hi"



But she warmed up and sat next to him.  Kept checking him out...I think this picture is cute when they are both checking each other out.  Blake just enjoyed being held...he was a content little Man!

She did awesome meeting Santa.  We have plans to see Santa again next weekend...it is our family Christmas with my mom/dad/sisters, etc.  We'll start the day out by seeing Santa with my family - and then head back to my parents from there.  Good times ahead!

Oh My!

So the other day, we were getting ready for bath time.  As usual, we were trying to multi-task...going in and out of the bathroom while the tub was filling.  I was out in the living room and I heard Aaron say "Oh My, Addy" as soon as he walked into the bathroom.  Then he told me to come look.

I fully expected to see a tub full of too many bubbles that was heaping over the sides of the tub, or something like that.  But instead, this is what I came upon:

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My little girl - playing in the tub already...WITH HER CLOTHES ON!

Look at the innocent face.  I tell you ladies and gentlemen, she's not as innocent as she looks!

Time to take the clothes off and take a REAL bath!

Sooo, multi-tasking when it comes to bath time might have to stop.  Or at least, if we leave the bathroom, we have to shut the door behind us. I have no idea how she got in without even getting her top half wet.  I tried to have her climb in on her own the next bath night to see how she did it...didn't seem like it would've ended up as well if I let her continue!  Thank goodness she didn't fall face first into the water or something.  There is a guardian angel out there for her, that's for sure!

Say Cheese!

One Month!

Blake turned 1 month old last week --- that is crazy!  This is going way to fast...I'm not sure that I like that!

He is doing really well - he is starting to be awake more and he shot us his first smile last week.  I haven't captured a good one yet, as his smiles are still few and far between...but I'll get some soon :)

He pretty much eats every 4 hours - night and day.  However, he has given us some longer stretches where he's gone 6 hours without eating...I'm hoping we start to get longer stretches of sleep at night consistently soon, but at the same time I know that he's still just a little guy!

He isn't too fond of bath time.  He cries most days that we do baths - but I think it is because neither Aaron nor I have figured out the right temperature for him.  When we've had his baths a little warmer, he is content, but I'm not quite confident in the temperature and I worry that I'll burn him, so his bath usually ends up being on the cold side - which makes him not happy.

He is SUPER content after his bath though, all that screaming during really relaxes him after he's cuddled in his towel and blanket :)

Enjoy the pics! 



Blake in his "big boy" outfit at Thanksgiving - cords and a sweater!  I love dressing him in outfits I could see Aaron wearing, LOL!



Siblings saying good morning!



And of course....his 1 month bear picture!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

Love, our Lil' Pumpkin

Stats

I realize I never mentioned what Blake's stats were at his birth and then again at his first check up.  He never lost weight in the hospital or at home...he's been holding strong and growing.  :)

Birth:
Weight - 7 pounds, 15 ounces: 55%
Length - 20 inches: 65%
Head - 13.8 inches: 34%

Check Up on 11/5:
Weight - 8 pounds, 9 ounces: 49%
Length - 20.6 inches: 50%
Head - 14 1/2 inches: 46%

I love him!!!

Chatty Addy!

I thought I'd do a little update on our Addy.  She has definitely been dealing with a lot of changes these past few months, and I am so proud of how she's dealt with them all!

We started a new daycare in September, about a month before Blake arrived.  Addalyn had a few rough days at the beginning, which is to be expected since she was in an unfamiliar environment with no one she knew around...but she has transitioned really well.  For example, this week when I drop her off, she has climbed up the stairs and turned the corner for the playroom before I even have a chance to say bye and get a kiss from her.  At least I know she's happy!  And, there are 2 girls that are only a few months older than Addy there, so she has playmates :)

She has inherited the nickname Chatty Addy at daycare - and it really does fit her well.  She is quite the talker, always saying something new, and singing new songs.  She has a wide range of vocabulary for 17 months, and picks up on things really quickly.  The other day I sang to her the "Wheels on the Bus" song and, after I sang it once, she was chiming right in and now she sings her version of it all the time.  I have a video that I will try and post sometime!

And then of course, there is Addy's new little brother that she has had to adjust to.  For the most part, she's wonderful with the changes in her house - however, we do have our moments...particularly when it is just one parent (usually me) and the 2 of them.  She sometimes doesn't want to share the attention and acts out.  But, she is only 17 months old, so what can you expect.  Sometimes you wonder if it is her age or the fact that she has a new little bro in her territory - and well it is probably both.

She absolutely LOVES her brother, askes where "baby" is all the time, says "hi" to him and always wants to touch him.  We are still working on gentle touches...I think Blake will be a tough little guy rather quickly with Addy around!  LOL

She has those moments where you are upset that she has acted out, or that she is in a "mood" where everything is 20 times more dramatic than it needs to be --- but then she looks at you with those BIG blue eyes of hers, gives you her smile or giggle, and talks to you with her innocent little voice - and you can't help but just turn to mush and want to pick her up and just smother her with kisses! 

She's getting big way too quickly, and it makes me sad and fills me with pride and excitement of the new things she is learning all at the same time. 

People, when it comes to fashion, it is all about accessories - and I TOTALLY know how to accessorize!  I mean, my 2 necklaces that I picked out go perfectly with my outfit...right? 

At least someone is getting use out of the baby bouncer...even if it isn't Blake!  He gets to use it when I'm sleeping or at Julie's :)

The face I make when my baby brother is crying!

How can you not smile when you see this cheesy grin??!!  (oh yeah, and her hair is long enough to put up now, barely - but YEAH to that!)

Playing in the sink is sooo fun, and it is even more fun when I get to dig through mom's make up bag.

Life at Home

We have been doing good here at home since Blake has been born.  He is starting to stay awake for longer periods of time...but don't get me wrong - this kid still LOVES to sleep :)  I've been able to capture a few pictures of him with his eyes open, which is always fun and different.  As much as I love love love looking at them and taking pictures of them when they sleep - I end up going through my camera and thinking "how many sleeping baby pics do I really need?" LOL! 

Blake has been doing pretty good at night - I'm a little nervous he's going to end up having his days and nights mixed up a bit when he does end up being awake even more, because he seems to take longer day naps than overnight at this point - but I still am not having to be up TOO much, so I guess I can't complain quite yet.

He typically takes a bottle around 10 or 11 at night - most nights Aaron is still awake so he gives him that bottle.  Then he's been feeding about every 4 hours, so I get up around 2 in the morning or so, and then at 6ish, which is also not long before Addy gets up and Aaron's alarm goes off, so I'd be up soon anyway.

However, he sometimes does wake up in between feedings at night -- those nights can get tiring.  It doesn't seem to take much to get him back to sleep, but it still makes it hard when you are sleeping for an hour or so at a time, up for some time, then back to bed! 

Like Addalyn, Blake is taking a pacifier, however he doesn't want it as often as Addy.  I'm thinking he might outgrow it sooner than she did...although having said that I might have just jinxed myself!

Below are pics of Blake Awake!

I love it when Blake is awake and I am holding him...the way he looks at me melts my heart :) 

When Blake is sleeping, he does look a LOT like Addy did when she was this little - however the shape of his face and eyes are completely different than Addy's and when he is awake, it is much more apparent!  I think he'll have my blue eyes...but just like with Addy, 95% of the people say that he is looks like his daddy.  I guess I should probably say 100%, because I haven't really been told he looks like me at all...

Apparently I make wonderful homes for my babies for 9 months...but those Anderson traits are just too dominant!  (although we are starting to see more of me in Addy as she grows... :)


Thanks to my friend Angie for this adorable hat for Blake!  The outfit he had on the day we opened our gift just happened to match it perfectly!



Halloween 2010

We had a really fun Halloween!  We started out the festivities with my parents and then my sister Angela joined us with her hubby and kids.  We went down to the schools in my hometown.  They had an event going on where if you donated a canned good, you could trick-or-treat for free.  They had games to play, prizes, trick-or-treating in some classrooms and face painting :)

Below are pics of my little pumpkins @ grandma and grandpa Tarara's

Getting ready to go to the school with her cousins - Ella, the ladybug; Addy, the butterfly; and Hunter, the Lion

She surprisingly kept her hat on for the most part, and wanted to carry her pumpkin the whole time!

Trick-or-Treating.  They had covered the classroom doors with decorated paper, and had just a little hole where you would get your candy from :)

 After that, we headed home for naps and an early supper and we took Addy (and Blake...but he slept the entire time!) out trick-or-treating to a few houses on our block.  We got back before the major rush so we could hand out candy at our house.  Addy enjoyed helping her daddy hand out the goods!

Addy and Daddy leaving our house & crossing the street to officially trick-or-treat for the first time :)

Waiting for the door to open...she's even cute from behind :)

At home...sitting and waiting on the steps for some trick-or-treaters so she can help daddy hand out candy.

Halloween = Success!  A tummy full of whoppers and other tasty candy, and a pumpkin full of goodies for her as well as mommy and daddy, he he :)

Meet the Anderson's!



Daddy - Aaron

 



Mommy - Marissa

 



Big Sis - Addy

 



Little Bro - Blake