16-17 weeks!

Have you started to show yet? Definitely, starting to pop out.

Total weight gain/loss: 7lbs by my scale. I won't get weighed officially until my next appointment. 

Food cravings: Sweets! Anything chocolate and sugary.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing, luckily! I have been able to tolerate red meat this time around which is awesome. 

Miss Anything? Doing strenuous activity. I've been doing some gardening with the nice weather, and I have to really listen to my body. I overdid it last weekend and was SO sore!

Mood: I've had a few emotional outbursts this week. But sleep helps keep me more 'myself'. 

Sleep: Pretty good! Sean actually slept in this morning and it was glorious. First time sleeping in until 8am in a LONG time. 

Best moment this week: I feel baby about 3-4 times a day, usually after eating. He/she is getting strong and I'm hoping Erin gets to feel an outside kick soon!

Annoyances: I do wish I could wear maternity leggings without them falling down! My belly isn't big enough to hold up maternity leggings, but it's too big to wear my normal leggings.

Maternity clothes? Yes! Some of my maternity clothes are still too big but are more comfy than pre-pregnancy clothes.

Gender Predictions: Still thinking boy. Although a girl would be so much fun!

Looking forward to: Well, not really looking forward to it. But we are potty training Sean next weekend. I could be crazy but I have a 3 day weekend, so might as well try to get it done!

14-15 Weeks!

Welcome back to my blog!

 It's been a long time since I've posted, but I want to chronicle this pregnancy like I did Sean's. Let me know if you have any suggestions for topics to add to these posts! 

Have you started to show yet? A little bit! It's happening a lot faster this time around. 

Total weight gain/loss: I'm at 6lbs right now. Trying not to gain as much as I did with Sean. 

Food cravings: Pineapple, anything salty and brie with salami!

Anything making you queasy or sick: It varies. I haven't had aversions yet, but if something sounds really gross, I can't handle thinking about eating it. For example, someone mentioned shrimp, and I had to leave the room!

Miss Anything? Wine!

Mood: Pretty level! I'm still pretty tired, but not nearly as bad as a week or two ago. 

Sleep: As good as I can expect while juggling a full time job, a toddler and a husband, as well as a new puppy!

Best moment this week: Felt a pretty significant kick last night! Baby is starting to get stronger 😄

Annoyances: Already having back pain and sciatic nerve pain. Starting to get my stretches in so it doesn't get worse!

Maternity clothes? Embracing the full panel jean 😅. So comfy and I don't have to deal with a button. 

Movement: Mostly small flutters, but I've been feeling some stronger movement randomly. 

Gender Predictions: We both think it's another boy, since this pregnancy is so similar so far to Sean's. 

Looking forward to: St. Patty's Day this Friday! 

My baby is TWO!

So it's official, I have a TWO YEAR OLD! I'm a few days late, but life is a little hectic these days. I really want to pick the blog back up again, now that Sean is a busy little man.

My TWO YEAR OLD!

I feel like he's been two for a while, but he has started developing so much in different ways.

To start, here are his favorites:
- Color: Blue
- Toys: His VTech laptop, Melissa and Doug barn, B. Toys play phone, pretty much anything musical, and his Tigey lovie.
- Show: Daniel Tiger and Mother Goose Club
- Movie: Still yet to sit through a movie yet :D
- Animal: Kitties
- Food: Any fruit, pb&j sammies, quesadillas, eggs, Dr. Praegers veggie patties.
- Place: Outside!
- Phrase: 'No Monkeys Jumping on the BED!'

Height/Weight:  He is 28lbs 14oz (62%) and 36.25" (84%) tall - my little string bean! His head is 20 inches around (!!!) which is the 94th%.

Other growth/actions: He has all but his 2 year molars now. We are working on them on and off (some days are fine and some are full of drool and tantrums). He wears all 2T clothing and size 7 shoe! He finally has some hair, and had his first haircut a month ago. We just cut off his 'mullet' but I think we're ready for an all-over haircut now. 

Routine: He has been waking up early lately, around 5:45am. It's been tough! I blame his big boy bed being a new, weird place. I let him watch cartoons in bed while I get ready, or he usually decides he wants to go play with his toys. 

He goes to daycare around 7:45am, and then I head to work. He LOVES daycare! Lots of playing, dancing and fun with friends. He takes a 2 hour nap from 12:30-2:30pm.

I go get him after work at 4:45pm. Dinner is at 5:15pm (ish) and then we play with toys or head outside after! Anything to burn that two year old energy before bed. 

Bath is at 7:35pm, and in bed at 8. We started doing a later bedtime because he has been waking so early. Also, with the big boy bed, he's been struggling with falling asleep when I do bedtime. So we wait for daddy to get home around 7:45 to do bedtime. Daddy has the bedtime magic touch.

BIG BOY BED!

Eating/Feeding: He eats three meals a day, with snacks all day as well. He is a hungry boy, and relatively great eater! He does get picky sometimes but it's not bad for a toddler. 

We stopped nursing around mid October, when I went to work away from home. It was a tough process but it was time :). He still doesn't drink other milk, but gets his calcium in other foods.

Milestones: 

His vocabulary has BLOWN UP. He says sentences, sings songs, and is quite the chatterbox! He just sang his first song about 2 months ago and  now has memorized upward of 10 songs. It is so fun to sing and act out nursery rhymes together! We are discovering that he has quite the photographic memory as well - he memorizes songs and shows like nobody's business.

He knows his ABCs, numbers up to 20, some colors, and phonetics for the letters. I think we will have an early reader!

Physically he is very active. He can kick the ball, do somersaults, throw a ball pretty well, hop down the hallway, dance and is a great player. Once figuring out he could climb out of his crib, we had to change to the toddler bed. 

He is becoming a more independent player as well. It's nice when it's warm out, because he can play outside and I can be inside keeping an eye out for him while doing housework. 

He had his first ear infection 2 weeks ago, and it made for a very fussy toddler. Lots of tantrums and misbehavior. Poor baby. After 10 days of antibiotics, he is my happy go lucky little man again. Thank goodness! 

Let this be my vow to begin blogging again. Since we don't spend all day together anymore, I won't have as much to update. But so much changes over the course of a month now! 

Xoxo,

Kelsey

14 months, welcome to toddler town!

I decided to do a Sean-themed post every 2 months, since he isn't changing his routine/eating/growth as rapidly as before. That way it doesn't seem as redundant. I do want to start checking in more about projects, and life in general, so I might throw those in here and there.

Sean is 14 months! 

He officially is toddler-sized and has toddler-sized tantrums as well. It's really been a learning experience when you have such a strong willed little person, who is happy one moment and really frustrated the next. 

Photo taking is becoming pretty interesting! The only way he would take a (still) picture is with a book or the iced coffee bottle (his new favorite toy).

Height/Weight: He hasn't been weighed since his doctor appointment about a month and a half ago. He was 26.5lbs and 31.5oz. He has definitely gotten longer and heavier since! I would guess he's grown at least a half inch, and maybe a half pound heavier. 

Other growth/actions: He has 8 teeth, and is working on all four molars. They keep getting swollen and I think they're about to break through, but then they disappear :(. So some days he's miserable and sleeps awful, and others he is the happiest little dude. 

He still wears all 18mo clothes, but they fit well now, as opposed to being just a little big. 

He wears size 5 shoes now, too.

Routine: He wakes up around 6:30am (Boo!), and we play and go on a walk. He eats breakfast and hangs out with dad to watch a little Daniel Tiger (his favorite!). We are now a 1 nap household, which he takes from 10:30-1:30. I used to fight the 1 nap, but it's been SO nice to have a solid 3 hours to get work/housework/me time in. 

Then after nap, he has lunch and we run an errand or go to the park for a little bit. Then we come home and he usually likes to have some independent play, like reading books or just making a general mess with his toys. It's really cool seeing him become his own person, and learn how to entertain himself. He does stop to come give me a hug or just get into whatever I'm doing, which is nice to still feel needed :). 

We do bedtime routine from 6:45-7:15 and then he's asleep by 7:30pm. It's funny how even now, he goes to bed at the same time he did when he was 4 months old. 

He has been waking a lot lately at night, and I attribute it to teeth. When he's having a good day, he'll only wake once, but on bad nights it can be every 2 hours. We're so tired, but I know it's not for forever. 

Eating/Feeding: Sean still doesn't love breakfast, but I've found ways to get him to eat when he's not interested. He will refuse everything on his tray, but will eat it when he's down and walking around. So I've been making muffins and granola bars, with fruits and hidden veggies, so he can stop and eat, then go play some more. Lunch is usually a mix of things (half a sandwich or quesadilla, fruit and some veggies). Dinner is usually a veggie patty (still not a fan of meat, other than bacon!), pasta (which he LOVES), cheese and lots of fruit. Overall, his favorite food is blueberries and strawberries. But all fruit gets eaten one way or another, haha.

He still nurses when he wakes up, before his nap, after lunch, and before bed. I do nurse him at night too, which I'm trying to wean him of, but that's been really difficult with the multiple wake ups. At least it's keeping my supply up, which is probably the only bright side to the middle of the night feedings.

Milestones: 

He is different every day! But some major changes lately are:

Lots of talking. He says so many words now! He says momma, daddy, kitty, NO, shoes, ball, milk (malllkkk), meow, moo, oo oo ahh ahh (monkey), more (mo!), and maybe some others I'm forgetting. When he's not saying actual words, he has conversations in his own little language. 

Becoming more independent. He will go into his room and play on his own. It's really sweet, and he seems to enjoy the time alone.

While becoming more independent, he's also started becoming more affectionate. He loves giving hugs and kisses, and will stop and sit on the couch for a few minutes. He wouldn't do that unless he had a snack or show to watch before. But I think he does crave the cuddles and Erin and I love it too :).

Starting to associate more animals to their noises. He will sometimes do it, and then never again. I think he's just learning so much that he doesn't have time to refine it. It's still so exciting when it happens!

I'm sure I'm missing things, but those are the highlights!

Xo, Kelsey

O N E!

Sean,

Mommy and daddy are so so so very lucky to have you. We kept you alive for your first year, and we think we did a pretty good job. We are so excited to see how you grow, and what kind of person you turn into. So far we are overjoyed with you and love every (tired) moment we spend with you! 

Happy Birthday to our sweet, beautiful boy!

Love, 

Mom and Dad 

I am feeling so very happy and sad at once today. I have so many memories that rush back (this exact moment last year I was doing this), and trying to stay present in my baby's first birthday. 

Height/Weight: He was weighed at our mommies group and came in at 25lbs 3oz! My big boy. I'm not sure of his height (doctor appointment isn't until next month) but he's so tall!

Other growth/actions: We have SIX teeth now. All within 4 weeks, he decided to grow his bottom two and top 4 teeth. We've gotten a break, which has been so nice. 

Routine: Our routine got a little out of whack with daylight savings time and traveling to Napa. When we got back from our trip, we did a sleep training 'lite' and he went back to being a pretty great sleeper. 

He wakes around 6:45-7am, goes down for a nap around 9am and sleeps for about 1.5 hours. Then second nap is around 1:30-2pm and then sleeps for 45mins-1hour. Then bedtime routine starts at 6:45pm and he's asleep by 7:15pm. It makes such a difference to have a routine set. When we skip a nap or go a little too late, it can make for a rough day or night!

He wakes anywhere from 2-4 times a night, but sometimes gives us the rare one wake up. We have yet to have a full night of sleep, but I am hoping it is coming soon!

Eating/Feeding: Sean still hates breakfast, but loves lunch and dinner. Snacks are always welcome, too!

He is nursing when he wakes up, before his first nap, before his second nap, around 4pm and then before bed. Depending on how much he wakes up at night, I don't nurse him more often than every 3 hours.

Milestones: 

This month, Sean has decided to start walking, saying more consonants, sleeping better and becoming a toddler. He loves to throw tantrums if he doesn't get his way (fun!), throw food, hates having his diaper changed, and gives kisses. He is such a funny little person.

He has also became pretty independent. Sometimes he'll go back into his room and I'll follow him in a minute. He's back there looking through all of his books and pensively looking at each of them. I am in awe of his wonderful nature. 

To cap off this emotional post, here is a monthly collage of Sean Patrick!

Here's to another year!!!

Xo, Kelsey

11 months - almost 1 year!

Sean Patrick is ELEVEN months! Just one more month until he is a year old. Where does the time go? My little baby is becoming a boy. It took about 20 tries to get a picture this month. He's a wiggly little guy!

Height/Weight: I haven't had him weighed for a while, but I would guess he's close to 25lbs now. He had a growth spurt over the last month and is very long now too. 

Other growth/actions: He is in 18mo clothes now, and I'm trying to get the last few weeks of winter to wear out of the 12mo things. 18mo pants are a little too long, but a small cuff is all we need while he's starting to get moving. He has 4 teeth now (2 bottom and 2 top), and is working on two more on top. The top ones have been the hardest for sure. Hopefully the top two coming in will be fast...he's miserable! 

Routine: Up at 7am, first nap at 9 or 9:30am. He takes a 1.5 hour nap here, and then is up until 1:30pm. He then takes another 1.5 hour nap, and is up until 7:30pm. Because of daylight savings time and teething, this schedule has been a little wacky, but this is the general timeline of our day. He normally wakes at 3:30am and then for the day at 7, but the last few days he's been up every 2 hours. Mommy needs some sleep!

Eating/Feeding: We are starting to get into the rhythm of nursing every 3 hours, and I am increasing his solids at every meal. I also do a snack here and there. Again, with teething, this has been a little messy, because he doesn't always want to eat. But we try to offer him a variety of foods to get some 'real' foods eaten. He really loves puree pouches, which was not part of our plan, but I've learned to be more flexible. He will suck down a pouch but refuse all other foods, so I'll take it!

Milestones: SO MUCH!

He is starting to get brave and let go/stand unassisted for a few seconds. He uses all furniture to cruise around, and goes from one piece of furniture to another while letting go for a moment. 

He says 'mama' and will repeat you if you say a simple word to him. We SWEAR he said 'bye grandma' when we hung up with Emily a couple of days ago! But of course he only said it once :)

He is becoming quite a little toddler, and that is complete with tantrums (on a small scale). 

Stacking is a new skill, and he is so proud of himself if he can stack something and then knock it down!

He waves 'bye bye' and is starting to give people kisses when asked.

He can also pet the cat 'gentle' when reminded!

I don't get snuggles anymore, unless we are nursing. He has too much to do and too much to see!

Every day is a new discovery! We are so blessed to have such an amazing little man letting us see him change every day. 

I am in denial that in a month he will be a year old. It CANT be! It was just yesterday that he was swimming inside of me and I was so ready to become a mommy. It's truly the best job ever!

10 months - My big boy!

If you were to see Sean right now in person, you would be able to tell that something major has changed in his face. He's becoming a toddler! *cries uncontrollably*

He's such a big boy. Every day he learns something new; it's like a light switch went off in his head, and his world is huge! 

Height/Weight: At his 9 month appointment on 2/4, he weighed in at 23lbs and 15oz. He is a whopping 29.5 inches. Such a big guy! These are the same stats as a few weeks ago, so I think he's starting to plateau. It's to be expected, as he's becoming so much more mobile. 

Other growth/actions: He is starting to lean out, so his delicious leg rolls are going away :(. But, he is getting so much stronger. He is still in 12 month clothes, but some of his 18 month pants fit better. 

I am happy to finally announce that he has TWO teeth now! This is as of two weeks ago, and finished cutting the second tooth a couple of days ago. Let's hope for a break for a few weeks so we can all catch up on some sleep!

Routine: Up at 7:30am and down at 7pm, with two naps during the day. His naps are at 9am and 1pm (ish) and the lengths range from 30-90 minutes. Now that he's having a break between teething, he's sleeping a lot better. The last two nights he's gotten a 6 hour stretch, which has been amazing! Keep it up little dude.

Eating/Feeding: He is nursing every 2.5-3 hours now, which is a welcomed change. I have been offering more snacks between the three meals I offer a day. He still isn't eating a lot at meals, but sometimes he surprises us and eats quite a bit. We started offering more purees, and he loves them. So we had to swallow our pride and accept that he isn't a big table foods baby yet. He LOVES puffs and mum-mums, and homemade yogurt drops. 

Milestones: Another big month!

He started pulling up on things and now 'cruises' all around the couches and the kitchen cabinets.

Now, if we do simple commands like 'dance' and 'clap', he does it! It's amazing! He is so funny and his outgoing and fun personality is blooming more and more each day.