Brotherly Love

I touched on it a bit in Kieran's five month post, but I have to say a little more about my two boys. So far Reed has been such a great brother to Kieran. He genuinely likes him and is always concerned about him.  Reed is great about sharing his toys with K, getting him a pacifier or cuddly guy when he is fussy, and always includes him when talking about our family or an outing we are planning.

For his part Kieran adores Reed. His eyes are constantly trained on him and he will sit contently watching Reed do pretty much anything. Now K is reaching out for Reed often and you can see the pure joy on his face when he's actually able to make contact and give Reed his own special kind of hug.

The other night when I was taking pictures of Kieran for his five month post Reed plopped down on the blanket and Kieran was immediately enthralled. He couldn't keep his hands off of R and Reed was giggling and playing along so well. I really hope that their two year age gap starts to "disappear" a bit and that they became great friends and play mates in no time.

I've been okay about taking videos of the kids lately, but obviously not good about posting them on the blog. Videos are almost exclusively on our iPhones these days, so they aren't of the highest quality, but they capture the moment and it just isn't realistic to lug around a separate camera for our day to day escapades. A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast and Reed took it upon himself to teach Kieran how to play patty cake. I love this video and have watched it over and over so I have to share.

April Shower Brings May . . . Baby!!!

This past Saturday Nonna and I had the honor of hosting a baby shower for Aunt C. Chelsea is the life of every party, so kind, generous, caring, and so so so much fun. We really wanted to make sure her shower was a reflection of all of those things. The decorations were all in bright colors, we played lots of games, ate nachos, had fun drinks, and a lot of her close family and friends were able to shower her and Meatball (Reed's nickname for the baby) with the love they so deserve.

 

 

I tried to say something when I welcomed everyone to the shower, but got teary eyed just looking at C. Since Reed's birth I have had the privilege of watching Drew and Chelsea interact with our children. The time that they spend with them, their excitement over the kids' milestones and funny moments, and the love that they show them is nothing short of amazing. Reed and Kieran are so lucky to have them as a big part of their lives and this little baby they are about to bring into the world has hit the parent jackpot for sure!!! I also am, over the moon, excited that we are going to have cousins that live nearby and are so close in age. I grew up with my cousins (Auntie M and Hunky Greg) living on the neighboring ranch and we have so many great memories and are all much more like siblings. I really hope the McClarty and Ketelsen babes can have a similar experience!!!

Andrea, Baby Cambria, Sally, and Alli

Michelle, Shannon, and Clara

The Family - Kim, Jessica, C, Auntie P, Margie, Lynette, and Tammi

Auntie M, Beth, Denae, Lindsay, Emily, and Kathi

Kim and Nonna (college roommates)

Eden and Laura

Auntie M and Ashley

Shannon and Tricia playing the guess the dirty diaper game

Grandma, Lisa, and Sally

Kieran has been on the shower circuit lately, this is his fourth baby shower we've attended together and I plan on taking him to one next weekend as well. He is so mellow and is usually happy sitting in my lap or being rocked to sleep if it's nap time. He got extra dressed up for C's shower and looked adorable in his bow tie. I do have to say he lost his cool a couple of times, but I think I just asked way too much of him since it was such a long day with the setup, take down, and all of the extras that come with hosting a party.

Kieran, Aunt Di Di, and Gran

Five Months

I'm not quite sure where the last month has gone, but low and behold our baby is five months old. This Little Man is developing quite the personality. He is still "Mr. Goes with the Flow" but if you catch him at the right time he can be quite the giggle box or screecher. Kieran definitely has grown attached to his family. If I'm holding him in a large group he sometimes will suddenly start crying, usually if I just flip him towards me for a minute he calms down - kind of like "where did Mom go? Oh there she is!" He also adores his Big Brother. He is constantly trying to reach out for him and especially likes trying to touch Reed's face and will usually end up in uncontrolled laughter when Reed plays peek-a-boo with him.

In the last month he has learned to roll over and is an expert going from his back to his tummy. He now loves tummy time and will play by himself for twenty minute stretches if the right toy is put in front of him. Kieran is also a bit of a cuddler and loves nuzzles, kisses, and hugs.

 

Monthly Statistics

Weight: 14 lbs 12 oz

Height: 27 inches

Clothing Size: Clothes and pajamas are now size 3-6 month or 6 month. A lot of these are getting too short, but have a ton of room on the sides. I think I'll be moving him to 9 month outfits soon, but they'll have to be one pieces because otherwise pants would probably just fall off of him.

Kieran likes: His play mat, his car seat, tummy time, sensory books, teething rings, taking baths, Mam pacifiers, bouncing/jumping, being tossed in the air, playing patty cake, watching Reed do anything, bedtime books, being held by Mom, and his lovey (Max).

Kieran dislikes: Having his clothes changed/taken off, losing his pacifier in bed, being distracted while nursing, and being overtired.

 

Nicknames: Kier, K, K Dawg, K-Pup, K-Man, Kierito, Baby Bear, Smalls, Lovebug, and Sneezy.

How Kieran is sleeping:  He's been going to bed around 7:30pm and sleeps until around 12:00/1:00am, has a diaper change and feeding and goes straight back to sleep. He is back up between 4:00 and 5:30 am for another diaper change and feeding. Unfortunately for the last few days I haven't had much luck getting him back to sleep after this, especially if it's closer to 5:30am. If we are lucky he will doze/toss and turn until 6:30am when he's up for good. He's been going about 2 hours between naps landing at about 3 total for the day ranging anywhere from 30 minutes to 2+ hours with at least one usually being over 1.5 hours. He sleeps best on his left side, but often ends up on his tummy, or occasionally will just stay on his back. Kieran sleeps with a pacifier and a lovey, he's zipped into a sleep sack and we have a sound machine playing in his room.

Favorite Moment: Kieran has started to reach out and try to grab different parts of our faces and will even hold onto you on both sides and pull you towards him. I'm just waiting for him to try to plant a kiss! By just the look in his eyes you can see how much he loves each of us and how excited he is to be able to bring you closer to him. It is just so adorable!

Milestones:

03/10/14 Rolls over for the first time (back to front)
03/14/14 First time in the stroller
03/14/14 Kieran's first trip to the zoo
03/16/14 K takes notice of his feet and finds a new favorite thing to play with
03/17/14 Rolls over from front to back for the first time (only to be repeated one other time so far)
03/28/14 Kieran starts reaching out for Loved One's faces

 

Favorite Photo Shoot Outtake:

Reed Says . . . March 2014 Edition

Since I just did a 2.5 year post for Reed I don't think I need to spend much more time talking about him. I will say that even though he is very well spoken for his age he does have some words he just can't seem to get right - nulk (milk), vit-ta-tim (vitamin), cumcuber (cucumber), pusghetti (spaghetti) - no one is perfect right? Enjoy this month's Reed-isms and some extra pictures from his 2.5 "photo shoot."

After a particularly hard leg workout Jon volunteered to change Reed's diaper. He was bent over on the floor (he no longer has a changing table in his room) and Reed could tell he was in a bit of pain. I walked by the open door and Reed shouted "Mom, Dad's having a hard time. Can you help Dad?"

So the Kiddo knows what the sound of me closing the clasp on my nursing bras sounds like and usually will run into K's room and ask if I'm all done when he hears it. One day he came running in and said "are you putting your boobs together so Kieran can eat another day?"

One day Kieran was in the jumperoo  (which is jungle themed) and I could hear Reed fiddling with him. I walked into the living room to ask what he was doing and at the same time notice Reed had put his hands under K's armpits and was pulling up. He told me he was "just helping Kieran out of the jungle."

We were at Nonna and Pepe's house for dinner one night and Nonna was telling us a hilarious story about a runaway horse running through their backyard that morning. As she was telling the story Reed turned to Pepe and asked "did he try to eat your lettuce?"

I could tell The Monkey had done a #2 one day so I asked him if he had done a poop. His reply was "no, but there's something lumpy in my butt!"

The other day Reed told me he was hungry so I asked if he would like some strawberries or maybe a sauce for a snack. He responded that "there are some more choices I have in mind."

He has actually done this on a couple of different occasions, but the first time it was at the dinner table with his fork. He accidentally dropped it and when it hit the floor he exclaimed "fork on the loose."

Out of nowhere one day Reed said "we should go to the zoo." I asked "where did that come from?" He replied, "my tongue."

I caught Reed picking his nose and then putting his finger into his mouth. I told him that was a bad habit and he told me that "it's okay because I'm eating a white bugger, Darth Vader eats green buggers."

The other day in the car Reed exclaimed "I'm paintin' the window." Intrigued I turned and found him spitting on his finger and then using that to smear onto the window.

Last week I heard Jon start to laugh out loud, then get a little stern, then laugh again while giving Reed a bath. I asked if everything was okay and he said I needed to come into the bathroom. Worried, I rushed in to find Jon holding a measuring cup that Reed had apparently peed into then handed to Jon saying "Dad I made a smoothie for you."

Reed, the 2.5 Model

In the last few weeks I have had to pause when people ask me how old Reed is. My standard response has been 2 years old or he'll be two and a half in March, well yesterday was the day and he is now officially 2.5 years old!!! We are definitely in a bit of a "terrible two" phase right now. He is moody and a bit unpredictable. We are having to discipline him more often, watch what we say in front of him much more carefully, and he gets frustrated when simple things don't work the way he would like them to.

All that being said there are also a lot of good moments and they are so, so good. He continues to impress us with his communication skills and he has a pretty great sense of humor. He handles taking all of his medications really well, is starting to understand his food and dog allergies and speak up for himself in certain situations, and while he doesn't do well with spontaneity if we tell him the "plan" ahead of time he rolls with the punches pretty well.  He loves talking about our day. In the morning during breakfast I tell him what we have planned for the day and at dinner we go around the table and ask each other how our days were, favorite parts of the day, and things we didn't like about our day.

Reed is also a great Big Brother. He loves on Kieran so much, brings him a pacifier or "cuddly guys" when he is fussy, and often asks to hold his Little Brother. He does get a bit jealous when I nurse K and also when he is due for a nap himself his tolerance of me spending time with the baby lowers. But overall he's a superstar Brother and I hope his feelings about Kieran stay the same and they can be the best of buds.

 

I think he's been going through a bit of a growth spurt lately, he is just really clumsy and has been falling over and running into things non stop. He is also gaining more and more independence. He now can open all cupboards and drawers and gets his own snacks and milk out a lot of the time. Reed is very caring and sweet. He will come up to me out of nowhere and give me a big hug, tell me he loves me, or say thank you for cooking him a meal.

 

Interesting Facts

Weight: 30 lbs

Height: 36.75 inches

Clothing Size:  2T for basically everything, he does have a few 3T tops he fits into

Shoe Size: 7, but I just ordered him some 7.5 size shoes because everything is getting a bit tight

 

Reed likes: Playing dress up with hats, shoes, bow ties, and sunglasses, stuffed animals (Pup and Soft Sheep are still the go to sleeping companions), playing with, balls, reading books, anything related to farming or cowboys, playing outside, puzzles, after bath TV time with Dad, his Grandma and Nonna, cooking with Mom, taking showers with Dad, anything that has to do with water, playing with his Star Wars guys, and working on craft projects.

 

Reed dislikes: When anything breaks into pieces (including food), being "itchy," being disciplined (usually this means a toy is taken away), and going to the bathroom in the toilet.

 

Nicknames: Reedster, Reedcito, Buddy, Monkey, Reed-man, Kooky Monster, Dingle Berry Jones, Wheezy, Darlin', and Honey Bear.

Food: His favorites remain the same - pasta, rice, all kinds of meat and fish, and pretty much every fruit imaginable. He also loves when we get pizza. He is picky about vegetables, but I continue to put them on his plate. He loves smoothies and sauces even when he knows there are vegetable mixed in.

Communication: Amazing! Not only does he now put multiple sentences together, he uses tenses and pronouns correctly. He also has started to sing lines from songs we listen to a lot.

How Reed is sleeping:  He goes to bed around 8:00pm and has been making it to around 6:30am most mornings. We are still using the toddler night light, but the pacifier and sound machines are things of the past. He sleeps in a twin size bed elevated off of the floor. He goes down for his nap between noon and 1:00pm and usually sleeps for abut two hours.

 

Milestones over the last six months:

He finally got his two year molars and now has 20 teeth

Reed moved into a twin size bed

Reedcito became a Big Brother
Reed can now jump

He drinks out of cups without lids or straws sometimes

Reed-man went to the snow for the first time