Bennett 7 months plus

Bennett, where has the time gone?  I look at you every day and wish for time to stop.  You are the cherry on top for our family.  Laughter is what comes out of your sweet little mouth more than anything.  I can't imagine life without you here. 

Life just gets more busy and crazy now that you are on the move.  You started army crawling and now I vacuum more than once in a blue moon.  Everyday to be exact.  It seems you are happier moving around on your own.  Now the floor vent is not that far off attraction.  It is where you go every time you get down on your tummy to go.  Your favorite is when it is blowing cold air, but that also makes you move on to other things too. 

You are outgrowing certain baby equipment which is allowing for floor space to reappear in the living room.  The swing still stands, but you haven't been in it for over a month.  I am having a hard time putting things away since I know we will not get them back out to use in our house.  

We are on to bigger and better things with you.  This weekend you started getting up on your knees and if you are mad enough you can move your arms forward, but your knees seem to be glued in their spot.  It is funny, if you have your hands on the rug and your knees on the hardwood there is a little progress due to the slippery factor.  With this new trick you have learned another one.  Yesterday you learned how to get back up into a sitting position by yourself.  It is one of those accomplishments that I have wished for because it makes you so happy to be able to do it for your self.  Independence is freeing!  That doesn't mean I want you to grow up so fast though.

As for height and weight, you were off the charts at your 6 month visit for height and in the 65% for weight.  That means you are more on the string bean side of things, but your thighs and belly tell a different story.  You are healthy and that is all that matters.

But, we did discover that you have an allergy to milk proteins in whey and casein at he beginning of June.  I took you in for a blood test ordered by your pediatrician, Dr. M, after I showed him the red marks on your face when you drank a formula bottle (the allergic reaction to milk).  The results were better than they could have been.  You are only allergic to milk (not egg, wheat, etc) and on a scale of 0-6 you are a 2.  Dr. M thinks you will grow out of it by the time you start school, so there is hope! We will just learn a different way for the time being.  It makes me sad you won't be eating yogurt and string cheese like your sister and brother did, but I hear the soy versions are pretty good.  The good news is Trader Joe's is opening in Salt Lake soon!     

Today in Numbers

Today was not my favorite.  But one day I will miss the chaos that was today.  One day.  It might take a few years to, but I know one day I will want to come back.

Let's look at today in numbers.

Times nose blown
Mine: 67
Kids: 30

Coke's consumed
1


Times felt like crying
7, but who's counting?

Bennett's blow-out's
3...in 3 hours! Wore a blanket for a while since I didn't have a spare outfit.

Diapers changed
8, 4 poopy diapers

Whining from kids
at least 5 hours total

Screaming time from Ryan
1 hour.  Felt like 10 hours.

Times Chloe told me her stomach hurt 
3.  One of which was followed with a request for candy.

Fed baby
7 times, normally it is 5 at best.

Time spent shipping package for my mom
1 hour.  2 different stores.  2 kids under the age of 3.  Carrying 35lb baby carrier and 18 lb package at the same time.

Quiet time/Nap for mom who doesn't sleep at night
27 minutes (but who's counting). 1 hour of TV on mom's bed with 2 kids
This does NOT happen every day or every week for that matter.  Rare!

Loads of laundry
3 loads so Chloe has her dress to wear to Preschool Graduation tomorrow
none of which are folded or put away
15 more needed to be done

Times I have rubbed my eyes
93.  They are driving me crazy!

Day's I've gone without eye make-up
2 and I look weird to myself

Cookies made
1 batch.  I've eaten only 5.

List of need to get done items
endless list with nearly nothing checked off today

Smiles from Bennett
Hundreds. Priceless!

Sleeping babies held
1

Kisses from 3 darling kids
Lots, 25 of which were very sloppy baby kisses

That is all I need to say 

"OK, I can do this again tomorrow."

Welcome Bennett Graham

On December 1st, 2011 we welcomed our new little Bennett Graham to our family.  His delivery was a quick and safe one.  He has been a joy in our home and we love having him here with us for Christmas.  What a special little Christmas present!

Bennett Graham Davis

12.1.11

11:27am

9lbs 10oz

21 1/2 inches

Lots of hair

Future thumb sucker

Due to being a mom of 3 now and this computer not living on my kitchen counter this post was a bit late.

Chloe says...

While sitting at the bar today, waiting for lunch, Chloe sang out

"My finger and my nose are buudddd-eeee's"

The good part is she had a tissue in her hand and she was prepared to use it on her finger.

Chloe: 5 years old

Here it is a full week after you turned 5 and I am just now sitting down to write about your 5th birthday.  It is amazing to look back and see how far we have both come in the last 5 years.  You have just amazed us with every new step you take and all the things in life you so quickly pick up on.  

You woke up last Monday morning and came to my side of the bed.  We were still in the effects of Day Light Savings and it seemed really early.  It was before 7, which felt like before 6 still, and you said good morning.  I pulled you under my covers and cuddled you.  What I really wanted to do was cry.  It was 5 years ago that morning that your dad and I woke up very early to be to the hospital by 6am.  I cuddled you and told you the story of the day you were born.  What an amazing day.  Going from just Mike and I to an family of 3.  We couldn't be happier with the person that was sent to us.  You have brightened everyday.  Made us realize the world is there for the taking.  When I look at things through your eyes, it is all magical.  

I sent you to your room to play while I tried to close my eyes for just a few more minutes.  You played with the new princess paper dolls you received the night before from the Heningers.  We eventually got up and ready for school.  I was so happy to spend the entire morning with you in your class.  You are so loved there.  The kids all want to sit by you or play with you.  Your teachers adore you and I love you more than you will ever know.  You passed out Hostess cupcakes as your friends left and we went to pick up Ryan who was playing at Jenni's.

We had a low key afternoon of making a birthday cake and cleaning the house for a little family party.  Nana, Papa, the Momberger's, and the Mumford's all came over to sing Happy Birthday to you and enjoy some cake and ice-cream.  They all spoiled you with too many Barbie things and Strawberry Shortcake dolls.  You have been in heaven for the last week.  You and Ali play every day when she gets here after school.  There has been some sharing issues on your part because you are sooo excited about all the new toys.  You had a night of fun with everyone here.  There was even an impromptu performance on the fireplace.  It was a happy birthday indeed!

The last year with you has been a joy.  You love school and have made some of the cutest friends in both your 3 year old and 4 year old preschool classes.  I love that I have the chance to come to school with you and see you grow.  You love to learn and come home singing songs all the time.  We love to hear you sing your heart out, which you do on a daily basis!  There is always a tune or melody coming out of your mouth.  Your rhyming isn't too bad either.  


You love to sing.  This coming Sunday you will be singing a solo in the Primary Program at Church.  I can't wait for it!  You seem to have little fear about it and I hope that it sticks!  We are always being entertained by your songs on the fireplace.  You have even taught Ryan how to do it.  He loves to run and grab his own microphone and join you on the "stage" in the living room if a song is being sung.  


You are a sweet big sister.  You love Ryan and this new baby brother of yours (whatever his name might be).  I can see a tender relationship emerging when you and Ryan play together.  There is nothing that makes your dad and I happier than to see you two play together in harmony.  He loves you and loves to be big when he plays with you.  There are days when you are at school and he asks where you are.  He misses his big buddy!  I only hope you will continue to have a strong friendship with him (and the new brother coming).


This new baby is something you are so excited about.  You love to put your arms at the top of my belly and circle them around the sides to hug your new baby brother.  You love to tell him "I love you" and talk to him.  When he kicks you think he is telling us something.  It is so sweet to see how you are with my belly and I can't wait for you to meet him in person.  You have promised to be my big helper and I know you will.

Things about you:
- You are 46 inches tall and weigh 47 lbs.  That's almost  pound per inch
- You have the most beautiful brown eyes.  Everyone comments on them!
- Your hair is almost long enough to cut and donate.  Mom is just having a hard time with cutting it off.  Dad wants it to stay.
- You are SMART!  You know all your letters, the sounds they make, upper and lower case and you can even read some.  We need to work on that because I KNOW you are ready!
- You love to sing!
- Your favorite colors are pink, purple and blue.
- You love your blanket (butterfly), lovey and pup-pup.  You still sleep with them every night.
- Play house a lot and have a whole entourage of barbies
- You are getting sneaky.
- Your attitude is getting bigger and bigger now that you are 5.
- You have your dad wrapped around your little finger, still!
- You love broccoli, cauliflower, roly-poly pancakes (Dutch pancakes), your Halloween candy, ice-cream, lolli's, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and pears.
- You don't like mac'n cheese that much and pancakes and french toast you could do without.
- You love "your" gouda cheese, Provolone.  Sorry Grandma Lia!
- You sleep all night and get up to pee on your own now.  I love that!
- You can ride a two wheeler bike.  You learned on May 12th this year. 
- You LOVE to swing.  you also love to go for walks, play outside,

4 Year Old Preschool for Chloe

Chloe.  I just ran outside to snap this picture of you with your summer bleached hair and big beautiful brown eyes.  It is important to me because it tomorrow you embark on your new preschool year.  As you sit there and swing, eating your first ever Fun Dip, I am sitting here at the computer crying big crocodile tears. The sadness from missing you is already starting and I have until Wednesday morning for it all to happen for real.I could blame it on this pregnancy but I think it is my true and honest feelings about how fast you have grown up.  I feel as though my time is up and I have to let you go so soon.  

Now you are sitting on my lap eating the pepperoni I picked off my pizza from lunch.  Ryan and I are going to be lost for a few days while you are at school.  You, on the other hand won't notice a thing.  You will be skipping around class instead of skipping down our hallway.  You will be singing endless songs to your friends instead of us.  Playing games, pretending, learning, smiling, growing and I am going to be missing it.  This part of being a mom is the hardest! 

Four days a week.  Three hours a day.  How did I ever think this would be a good thing?!?  But, you are so ready.  You have that late birthday that cut you off from kindergarten this year.  You would have been ready this year, but selfishly I am so happy you don't go.  It means one more year with you as my sidekick.  My best helper.   My best little friend.
 
So my little Chloe Jane, go and have an incredible year.  Love your new teachers.  Love your new friends.  I will be so happy to see you everyday you come home.  We will still have our Fridays to pretend life is as it is now.  Please let this year go slowly by so Kindergarten won't come as fast as I know it will.  And then there is 1st grade...I am dreading that even more!  Tomorrow I promise to have big smiles for you, but my heart might be crying inside.  

I love you, pickle!  Have a fantastic year!

Extra, Extra, Read All About It..Soon.

A new laptop is coming!  A new laptop is coming!  So for the three readers of this blog more updates, posts, pictures and such will be appearing more and more.  It is too hard to work with this old dinosaur of a laptop.

Stay tuned...

Ryan: 2 year appointment

I just want to get this down before I forget how fast you are growing, little boy.  I had a few questions for the doctor yesterday and he patiently answered all of them for me.  But the biggest question I had was how are you measuring up.  Not that it matters but I always love seeing how you are growing up and as it turns out you are growing like a weed.  Not surprisingly you are off the charts for height!  You are 37.5 inches tall and it was 100+% but they just left it at 100%.  Your weight is on the low side at 27.6 lbs and measuring in at 40%.  We are going to keep you on the whole milk and add butter to your bread and vegetables to add some calories.  As your uncle Jared commented, you are like a "cotton ball."  Those cheeks make people think there is some weight to you, but you are just my string bean!  You have a average head circumference (which was nice when you were born) at 55%.  Just a little normal noggin.  


Other things we talked about are the bumps on your left ring finger.  Turns out they are warts.  Nothing to be worried about, but the doctor gave us some ideas of what we could try to get rid of them.  The most extreme measure would be to take you to a dermatologist and have them burn them off with beetle juice.  We did that with Chloe for another reason and there is NO WAY we will do it again!  So we might try duct tape.

The funny part, not really, was when you got your one shot.  The nurse gave it to you and you had a delayed reaction to the pain.  I think you would have been just fine but she put a band-aid on your thigh and that made you cry the most.  When we were checking out you finally convinced me to remove the band-aid and within a minute you had quieted down. You have a love hate relationship with band-aid's.  You always want one when you get any kind of owie, even in your mouth.  But if we were to actually put one on you, it would create a huge meltdown!  My theory is that you think they help you feel better when you get hurt, but you also understand that the adhesive hurts when you remove a band-aid. 


Pretty much you are a normal little boy growing like crazy with 2 year old issues.  I am grateful you are healthy and happy.  I sure do love you little guy!