Henry almost 3

You know what they say, an apple a day...

Henry's 3 year old stats:
Height: 38.75 inches (78.5%)
Weight: 33lb (71.2%)

We're trying out some new emotions, I think. I hear "I'm mad of you" quite a bit (this usually means he simply hasn't gotten his way, like a cookie for breakfast, or gum before bed, or something similar). Though, I also get asked "Momma, are you happy now?" after I've reached my limit trying to coax him to get his boots on and get to the car so we can actually get to preschool on time. (I try to explain that I'm not mad, I'm just frustrated by his pokey-ness, or defiance, or whatever delay tactic he's employing that day). Nevertheless, he has NO idea just how happy I am when he asks me that question. For I'm truly elated that I am 10 minutes away from freedom. In the next 10 minutes I'll be leaving him at preschool! Ok, well let's not forget I still have Grant with me. But Grant doesn't require constant persuasion to complete everyday tasks.

Speaking of preschool, our first "less-than-positive" feedback arrived last week. His teacher asked me how I get him to help pick up his toys at home. Good question. Henry is not so good at this right now (he used to just follow along with me as I sang the Clean Up song. Now he flat out refuses, which is what is happening at school).  I informed her we're basically down to revoking some privileges (like any screen time). One day, however, I found this interaction quite amusing. I was reading a book, on parenting / discipline strategies no less, and trying to convince Henry that the toys were too unruly and needed to be contained. He asked me what I was doing and I responded "well, I'm reading this book, hoping to find out how to get you to put your toys away" and his response was "I know, Momma! I'll use my hands!!"  Gee, I wish I'd thought of that...

There are monsters in his room. So every night (though for a short while, we thought we'd fixed this with a certain amount of outside time, or open gyms to run off excess energy, plus an electric blanket for a warm, toasty bed which also doubles as a nightlight because the controller box lights up) he's in our room, crawling over sleepy parents to squeeze into the middle and either wiggle, cough, or press chilly toes to our backs. This seems like a very common issue, at least in our neighborhood, every parent I've consulted with children roughly 1 year older than Henry have admitted to this. very. problem. Ugh. At least we know we're not the only ones, and I take comfort in that at times...that somewhere out there, other parents are also having a party between 2 and 4 a.m. We should just get the kids together and go have an actual slumber party ourselves somewhere.

My favorite notes from the generic "After Visit Summary" printout I get to take home from the clinic are as follows:
1. An afternoon nap is usually still needed by the 3-year-old. Please, tell my 3-year-old this bit of information. Actually, refer to the above sleep description, and infer that Henry is tired during the day. So actually, I have gotten a few naps out of him recently. Occasionally even when Grant is napping. Two kids napping in the house gives me an instantly over-stimulated mind. I can hardly think of a thing to do. I'm generally frozen with excitement. I'm giddy. I prep for supper. And then my bubble is burst BIG TIME. When nap is over, Henry is SO cranky. It takes him forever to shake off the grogginess / crabbiness. Then bedtime can be a struggle. So sometimes, I wonder whether it's worth it.

2. More than half of your child's speech can be understood by others. There may be temporary episodes of stuttering during this time. Knows his name, age and sex. Given that Henry had clear speech from an early age, the recent stuttering had me taken aback. I'm so relieved that this is temporary and normal. Now, we can just work on the appropriate responses in social settings. When, for example, we're at the grocery store and a friendly stranger asks, just a first name basis is sufficient. He tends to go overboard and rattle off his full name (that's right, first, middle, and last).

3. The 3-year-old will ask more questions than a district attorney. Nothing is sacred and some questions may throw you for a loop!  We zoomed through a "why" phase a couple of months ago. But now we're really concerned with "what is [X] made of?"  A lot of this has to do with vegetables. We've emphasized that vegetables help us grow big and strong, and we need to keep eating them (read: get back to eating them). "What is this apple made of?" "What is the chair made of?" "What is my cup made of?" "What is a chicken made of?"  (That last one is a doozy.  Any suggestions? Meat?  How much anatomy do we dive into?  Bones, feathers, muscles, etc. Let's remember the follow up question is "what is [X] made of?!?")

9 month Grant

Grant at 9 months. He'll greet you with a "smile" -- wrinkled nose, teeth showing, and head cocked back, making a snorting sound.

He's the scientist right now. Testing gravity's pull on every object. Food thrown from high chair, toys down the stairs, binkie over the side of the crib. Pick it up. Repeat. He is also a collector. I found a little box Grant was playing with, which contained a rattle, pig figurine, small book, and a matchbox car in it. He likes to see what fits, and what doesn't, and how it sounds when shaken. He trys out many items from the flotsam and jetsam our house holds.

Last Monday we stayed at Henry's preschool for snack day. While I was trying to actually be a helper (getting snow gear on for outdoor playtime) Grant decided he could finally get a little time to explore on his own. I turned around from the line of kids to find that Grant had taste-tested the big, globby paintbrush at the easel. A bright blue line led from his ear to his mouth (only a seasoned parent at this point can boast that the first thought in my head was where is my camera! rather than I hope that paint is non-toxic...) Our days of "helping" at preschool are soon to be limited, I'm afraid. Won't be long and I'll have to drag Grant away from drop off kicking and screaming, I'm sure.

Here are his 9 month stats from the doctor's visit:
Height: 29 inches (79.8%)
Weight: 22 lbs (76.6%)

The weigh in

Grant's four month appointment this week allowed us to weigh our heavy weight champ.
Weight: 19lbs. 2oz. (96%)
Height: 27in. (94%)
Head circumference: 44cm (83%)

Aside from the shared family cold this week, we have a VERY healthy boy on our hands, who has had a VERY healthy appetite.  Breastmilk is some amazing stuff!

3 months

I blinked my eyes and 3 months went by.

Everyday I've stared at my little baby (who, let's face it, isn't so little, but it's a relative thing). Pun intended.

I've spent three months studying the newest member of our family. I'm amazed by how similar, yet different he looks, compared to Henry. (I know. I want to try not to compare Grant to Henry all the time, but it's hard!) His hair is a little darker and there's more of it. His hairline is different (cowlick, courtesy of George), yet he lacks George's prominent eyebrows - which Henry carries and forms into various funny faces, serious frowns, or my favorite, surprise eyebrows. There are so many things I either forgot from the first time around, or was too worried I was "doing everything right" as a first time parent to really notice about a newborn.

For instance, Grant, even from the earliest days at the hospital, would laugh in his sleep. Not just the little cute smiles of content. Full out laughing. Knowing that this skill takes time to develop, it was strange, yet delightful to hear this. And Grant seems intent on winning strongest baby contest and beating Henry on milestones. At 2 months, he rolled over. I wouldn't just say that if it happened on an uneven surface once or twice. It happened three or four times. On the floor. Crazy stuff. Mark my words, we'll have a walker by 9 months. Honest. But I'm not rushing him.

The second child is a baby to enjoy. The pressure is off.  We've already proven that we can grow a child past a birthday. The confidence gained makes for a more relaxed parent, and in turn, a more relaxed baby. Now as insight to Grant's personality, know that Henry is a fairly easy-going kid, and he was a good baby. Grant is even more laid back. If that's possible.

Though I don't want to jinx myself. I say these things, yet in the next instant remember that yesterday at the YMCA I was paged overhead to pick up my charming three month old who was screaming at the top of his lungs. He is Mommy's boy. The moment he heard my voice and knew I was holding him, he was quiet. On my way out, I realize that his diaper is soaked, so I try to dart back in to change him before loading him in the carseat. All is going well with Grant. Henry was uncharacteristically good at drop off and pick up, but has suddenly lost patience and wants me to carry him. Given that I have the infant car seat (with Grant inside) and a diaper bag in tow, I try to encourage him to get to the car under his own power. Good feeling from 1 hour away from my boys drains from my body. My shoulder blades once again become earrings, my ears start ringing, and I can feel my cheeks flush as I try to encourage, then coerce, then end up dragging my two year old, who has grabbed onto my leg screaming and crying, past the lobby full of people into the parking lot and car and car seat. A separate workout unto itself. Parent confidence suffers a setback.

So, my point being, attachment parenting going well. Henry is attached. (ha, ha) And Grant is attached. The whole time George holds him in the evening, Grant has an eagle eye on me as I continue to put supper on the table, eat, and then clean up afterwards. The. Whole. Time. He knows what he likes. Milk. I mean Mommy. At this stage, one in the same.

I neglected to put up Grant's stats from his 2 month appointment. Better late than never: Here they are from his July 12th appointment:
Weight: 15 lbs 14 oz. for the 95%
Height: 24.5 inches for the 90%
Head circumference 42 cm for the 90%


He is a big strong boy. Ok, last time. Compared to Henry, Grant weighed 1 lbs heavier and was an inch shorter at 2 months. I like to joke that I have "Hank and Tank."  But things can change. One of my sisters was quite chunky as a baby, but always very thin after that. So you never know. You just try to keep up.

Grant weighs in

One month visit stats:

Weight 12 lbs. 9 oz. (he's averaging 1 lbs per week!) 100 percentile
Height: 23 1/2 inches, 95%
Head: 39 1/2 cm, 80%

This boy is growing like a weed!!

He's a good baby overall, he eats, sleeps, makes dirty diapers, and doesn't give mommy too much trouble throughout the day.  Unfortunately, we're in the middle of some VERY cranky times in the evening. I say borderline colic, but I know it's probably not nearly as severe as true colic. Ugh. Kudos to all parents who've had colicky babies and managed to maintain some level of sanity! Having a cranky baby is hard work.

18 Months

18 Months. I like the sound of that.

It seems like such a good age to be. It's "I'm old enough to grab the world by the tail and start making sense of it," but not so old as to be truly responsible for anything, or have great expectations for behavior. For example, completing a request is still simply a bonus, and sometimes a complete surprise. "George, get this, I asked Henry to go get a new diaper so I could change him, and HE DID!"

Henry sometimes exudes a strange confidence for his tender age.

At his doctor's appointment, he marched down the hallway after the nurse called his name. Swinging his arms as he walked, he looked like he'd done this a thousand times and was ready for anything. His expression didn't change to a heart wrenching sad face until the door swung closed behind him in the exam room. I believe that's when he recalled the experience of being poked and prodded during his prior visits.

Occasionally, when I answer questions about his milestones, I feel like the staff believes I'm overestimating Henry's ability. Like they're thinking "Yes, every parent thinks their child is the best and brightest." And naturally, Henry takes on a shyness in the new surroundings which leads him to develop jelly legs, when I've told them he's already walking. Or he remains mute when I admit that he's mastered many new words recently, casting a shadow of doubt upon his true ability. This time, however, when the doctor was trying to edge the tongue depressor into Henry's mouth he pushed it away and clearly cried out "acky!" So the doctor learned first hand, that indeed, Henry is already using his words.

Speaking of "acky" here are a few other items that deserve the title, according to Henry:

- sidewalk chalk

- sticks

- macaroni salad

- tiny particles found on the floor (he'll even take them to the trash can when coaxed!)

To my relief, some of these items are entering his mouth less frequently. After a mere 18 months of training!

12 Month Milestones

I took Henry to the doctor this week for his 12 month well child visit (I find that title a little ironic, since Mr. H has had a runny nose for about a month now). The doctor was impressed not only with his walking ability, but when he left the room Henry waved bye-bye and gave him a high five. The doctor replied, "not only might he be an athlete, but a student athlete!"

Anyway, here are his latest stats.

• Height: 31 inches (84%)
  
• Weight: 23 lbs 14 oz. (66%)
  
• Head circumference: 47.3 cm (76%)

As you can see, there was a little dip in his weight. This is not surprising given the fact that Henry is in constant motion when he's awake. Even with his little drive-by meals at times, it's hard to imagine he is taking in more calories than he expends!

Henry has finally figured out how to rock back and forth on this "rock, roll n' ride"

His first taste of a strawberry - yum!

Happy 9 Months!

Henry visited Dr. Smith today to celebrate his 9 month birthday. We would have gone without shots, except that he received the flu vaccine. Bummer.

Per usual, the comments were all about how he is growing and developing normally. We're so happy to report that Henry is a very healthy boy.

Height: 29.75 inches (91%)
Weight: 22 lbs 7 oz. (79%)
Head circumference: 46.5 cm (83%)

Here is Henry with his most recent stretch tactics.

8 Months, already!

Time to catch up on a few pictures of Henry. Here's a picture I took on the day he turned 8 months old. As you can see, he is always very busy exploring his surroundings. He pulls himself up against anything that might hold still for two seconds - long enough for him to get his feet under him!

This picture of Henry in the mirror makes me laugh. First of all, this mirror is just the right height for him. Second, I love watching him learn about ordinary things. Long ago he's been interested in his reflection, smiling at himself and touching the glass. This time, I added his hat halfway through his experience, which was enough of a disguise to throw him off for a minute. The kiss, however, was a complete surprise to me, and I think to him. Not the soft skin he was expecting! This fall season flew by as we were busy with the move, but we took a few moments to enjoy the beautiful color on the trees. Our new house has great windows for viewing, and the colors inside our home also reflect nature's seasons. Unfortunately, the leave are now gone, but I'm sure it won't be long before the brown has a beautiful coat of white!

"6 Month" Stats

Henry is officially 7 months old today! We had his 6 month doctor's appointment on Thursday. (His 9 month appointment will be right on time!) He remains a very healthy kid. Here are his latest stats:

• Weight: 20 lbs 14oz (86%)
  
• Length: 29 inches (96%)
  
• Head: 45 cm (78%)
  

We are still happy about his growth curve, though he seems to be plateauing just slightly (can you believe that?!?). He endured the shots as usual, mad as can be when they're sticking him, but he quickly calms down with some momma cuddle time.

The only other thing that I noticed during the doctor's exam was that it appears he has one of his canine teeth cutting next -- guess what that means Henry will be for Halloween!?! The cutest little vampire ever!

He has been terrible as far as sleeping lately. That means with George gone most of the time (only 1 week left on this nasty OB rotation!) I'm struggling for energy most days. My only hope is that we have 10 days until we close on the house, then perhaps we'll start a better sleep training plan. Either that, or I'll just sleep when I'm dead and "keep on keepin' on" as one tired momma.

"4 month Appt"

Henry had his 4 month doctor's appointment today, though he is 5 1/2 months old. There was a slight delay due to moving, changing insurance, and scheduling an appointment with a new doctor. Don't worry, we'll be back on track soon enough.

Here are his new stats:

• Weight: 19 lbs 12 oz. (90%)

• Height: 28 1/2 inches (98%)

• Head Circumference: 45 cm (88%)

The doctor was impressed with his ability to sit up by himself and predicts he may have some athleticism with such advanced motor skills. He also thinks he will take after his mother in the height department. I wonder what gave him that idea?

Henry endured the shots quite well. He settled down shortly after he told us how displeased he was, then fell asleep in the car on the way home and took a nice 2 hour nap for us!

Two Month Well Visit

Henry is two months old! We went to his doctor's appointment on Monday and weighed in at 14 lbs. 11 oz. He is 25 inches in length, which places him in the 97th percentile on the growth curve. He was such a good boy for his exam, cooing at the doctor, and endured the shots as well as can be expected. I haven't seen his head turn that red in quite some time -- I don't know that I could work in a pediatric clinic with all that noise all day long!

As a result of the shots, he was a little cranky Monday night, but he is now back to his charming self. As a matter of fact, he slept for 6 hours in a row last night. If these keep up in frequency, it won't be long before Momma catches 6 hours in a row for herself...

One month

I can't believe Henry is one month old today! Here's a picture in a cute little pooh overall outfit. Its a little chilly for the short sleeves, so I have kept him wrapped in the blanket most of the time. But if he doesn't wear it now, I think he'll soon be too big for it!

As you can see, he's finally getting used to sleeping without being held, which is a huge help for getting other things done around the apartment!