On the 23rd, Will turned 4 months old. No longer is he the baby completely unaware of his surroundings (that already seems like ages ago). He wants to interact with everyone (this kid loves people and adores one on one interaction) and everything. I've already lost count of the number of times he's batted something out of my hand (food, a cup, a package of bacon, and as of this evening, a camera). He gets this wild, passionate look in his eyes when he focuses in on something he absolutely must have. Then the lunging, reaching, and grabbing begins. Gone are the days I can hold him in my left arm and easily sip a drink with my right.
He's also begun marveling at his own hands. I've caught him holding his hand up in the air, turning it slowly from side to side, gazing at it, and surely thinking, "Wow...I love my appendages." He also just started grabbing his feet and toes. And if seeing a baby lying on his back, feet up in the air and grabbing their sweet little toes with those sweet little fingers isn't one of the cutest things in the world, then I don't know what is. (Note to self: take a picture of this and post to blog.)
On his 4 month birthday, we went to the Dr. for his well check-up. The pediatrician gave him 2 thumbs up, calling him perfect and "above average in every area" (and yes, I made sure she was also referring to his looks & personality). She announced that he was ready to begin eating solids (something I tried 2 days before the appointment, but this new food was not met with approval from Will) and informed me that at this stage, he should be sleeping 7 to 8 hours straight.
That would be, in a word, awesome. But it ain't happenin' (yet?).
Following his appointment, I decided to try two new things:
1) Begin regularly feeding him solids.
2) Move him from the Pack 'n Play beside my bed to his crib.
Let's start with #1.
"Yay, food, yay!!"
"What the heck is that? That's dinner? Boobie in a bowl? But it doesn't look like boobie..."
"Maybe if I avoid eye contact it will go away."
"Oh, Good Lord...I don't know what's in my mouth right now."
"Whatever this is, it's horrendous. Awful. This meal gets an F."
"Don't even think about bringing that spoon back over here."
The next time we tried to feed him, I was encouraged by his excitement.
Then he realized we were feeding him the same crappy meal as before. Well, almost the same. Different fruit mixed in, but apparently still crappy.
Since then, I've had a couple of "successful" feedings. Meaning, he didn't spit every bite out. Obviously, it's a work in progress, but I'm trying.
As for #2 on my list?
Crib sleeping has had its ups and downs. One night he slept 6 hours straight. Then the next night, he slept 2 hours (waking up just as I laid down in my bed to go to sleep), and then wanted to be held all night. There seems to be no middle ground. It's either a pretty good night or a horrible one.
But when he's happy in his crib? He's adorable.
(He had just accidentally rolled from his belly to his back.)
And as for his measurements? Drum roll, please. And in my best wrestling match announcer's voice...
"Weighing in at a pleasantly plump 17 pounds and 3 ounces, with a staggering height of 27 inches tall, it's Wiiiiiillllliam Jeffrey!" And the crowd goes wild.
Both his height and weight were in the 95th percentile. Hard to believe he's already 4 months old.
On the very next day, the 24th, Alex turned THREE years old! His party was to be held that upcoming Saturday, but we made sure he felt special on his big day.
We swung by Daddy's work to have lunch with him. A very nice treat for both boys, and an outing we should try to make more often.
One of Alex's favorite things to say lately is:
"When is Daddy gonna be home?"
Me: "At dinnertime."
Alex: "And when he gets home, he can play with us!"
He was thrilled to see Daddy before dinnertime.
He opened a few presents...
...and loved the Wolverine action figure and car from his big brother. And his big brother was very excited to give him the gift, since he knew Alex would love it.
And was excited to sport the new Hokies shirt & cap from Mommy & Daddy.
He also loved the Joker action figure from his little brother.
Uncle Chris was visiting from Chicago for the week, and he & Nan came over with a delicious spaghetti dinner they'd prepared. And for dessert, a delicious brownie that Mommy prepared. With a candle, of course.
A few days later in the week, Uncle Chris came by to prepare homemade icing for Alex's birthday cupcakes. (And for the record, the icing was phenomenal.) The boys love and adore their Uncle Chris, and Alex was excited when he was allowed to be Assistant Chef.
Chris is such a good uncle.
Being the active little guy that he is, Alex is very into sports. Lately, baseball has been the sport of choice. We've spent many of our evenings this summer out in the cul-de-sac playing it. And so, when it came time to choose a theme for his party, he decided on a baseball party.
So, to go along with the baseball cupcakes, I attempted a baseball diamond cake. (Seriously, I just need to start buying the cakes instead of trying to decorate them myself.)
A few scenes from the party:
Jeff grilling up brats & hot dogs for dinner.
Alex trying on the new baseball helmet from Daniel & Lainey. C-U-T-E.
After playing, opening gifts, and eating dinner, it was birthday cake (and cupcakes & ice cream) time!
And after that? Baseball, of course!
A couple of spectators:
(No, Will wasn't heckling the players. He just likes to stick his tongue out when he grins.)
And my nephew, Camden, knows that a baseball game is the perfect opportunity to eat junk from the concession stands. Or, more birthday cupcake.
Alex had been asking since (at least) July, "When is it gonna be my birthday party?" And when I'd answer, he'd respond with, "I'm gonna have a baseball party! And a chocolate birthday cake!"
And all the anticipation was worth it. He had a blast. And I can't believe he's 3 years old (and starting preschool next week!! But that's for another post.). As he explained to me today, "I three, so I big now."
As if having your baby turn 4 months old and your little boy turn 3 isn't enough excitement (and stress and planning and emotional upheaval) for one week, one last event rocked my world.
Jacob started Kindergarten.
Almost a week into it now, and it still feels a bit surreal. I knew this day was coming. I knew when he graduated from preschool in May, and I watched him happily accept the diploma from his preschool teachers, that I only had one short summer before I had to watch my little (big) boy walk through the doors of an enormous school, down long hallways, and into a classroom without me all day long five days a week. I cried during his preschool graduation ceremony because I remembered how far he'd come and I knew what was coming next.
Jeff went to work late on Jacob's first day so we could walk him to school as a family.
Jacob's cousin/best friend/neighbor, Daniel, was also starting Kindergarten. Clearly (and thankfully) I was the only one experiencing first day of school nerves and tears.
Walking up to those big doors.
And when we reached the door of his classroom, his teacher was standing in the doorway. He greeted her with a smile, and when she asked, "Are you excited about Kindergarten?", he replied without hesitation, "Yes!"
The teacher's aide showed him to his table, where he promptly sat down (not even bothering to look back and see where Mommy and Daddy were) and began drawing a cat.
He was quite pleased to have a #2 pencil at his table. For some reason, these writing utensils are very exciting to him.
He had no problems saying bye to us. I'm so grateful for that because if he had been one of those children crying and clinging to my legs, I wouldn't have been able to handle it. I gave him a hug, said, "I love you", and told him he was going to have a great day. And that was that.
It was so hard to walk out the door and leave him. And that's when it all hit me and the tears threatened to come. But since I was in a public place, surrounded by people, I was able to pull myself together. And once home, I kept a close eye on the clock all day until it was time to leave to pick Jacob up.
I loved the look on his face when he saw me waiting for him.
The first thing he had to say? "I loved-ed Kindergarten!"
It's not too far of a walk, but in the heat, it sure can feel like it.
Ahh, much better. Thumbs up for a good day and a topless walk home.
Almost a week later, and he's still loving school. And I'm loving that he's loving it.
What a week it was. I'm so proud of and in love with all three of my handsome little men.
Is it too much to ask for them to grow up a little more slowly?
2 comments:
Loved this post. When Alex spent the afternoon with us Tuesday he said "I don't know when my Daddy is going to be home from work." You are very blessed to have 3 beautiful boys and your husband's not so bad either.
Finally! I've waited a week for this post. ;) I can't believe how big all 3 of them are getting either (and not just because they're all in the 90-something percentile). They're just growing up so fast. Love all 3 of them very much and Camden adores his cousins too (or, he likes telling them "no" and biting their faces anyway). :)
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