Rowan is half a year old!

 

Rowie- as Miles so sweetly calls him, is getting big! We haven't found a puree he doesn't slurp right down. He loves jumping and bouncing and always wants to be around the big kids. We tried "sleep  training" and well.....haha, we're still working on it. He sleeps better than he did- but there is room for improvement. He's currently in a travel pack and play until we think he can sleep in the crib without waking Miles up. He is a chunk and he has one cutie little tooth all grown and ready! He loooooooves his momma,  which is why I'm convinced he wants to hang out with me all night. ;) Believe it or not, taking pictures is almost getting easier! 

     We are looking forward to the Holidays, of course! We've already started the magical festivities and the whole crew is just as jolly as can be.... between the arguing and chasing and throwing of toys. Miles is having a tough time not using all of his might when he plays. So many reminders to play easy, soft, gentle, nice, etc. I sure hope I can look back on this as a memory and we are all still surviving him with minimal injuries. If you've got tips, I'll take them. I'm at the point that I just keep reminding him that I want him to be safe and then hug him so he can't hurt anyone else immediately. He can climb into his crib by himself and he can climb into the crib we will be using for Rowan- which is dangerous. When he learns to climb out- we need a new game plan.

     It's a good thing Callie is quick- and man she is fast! She has discovered how to tease- offering a toy and yanking it back...its not adorable at all. She's got speed on her side though and usually gets away with it. She is a stinker with a potty mouth- luckily all she knows is poop, pee, potty and stinky.... but she also is WELL aware they are inappropriate to say. And she will just smile as she says them. She can also be super sweet, but she'll save that for later. Her independence is just through the roof! If you let her, she can probably do it herself- and correctly- but c'mon, she's two. She doesn't need to be running the world yet. 

     Lucy is my kid with some sense right now. I am sure it is the age- but 2 year olds just don't make sense. The 5 year old though- I get her. Mutual understanding on most days. She went to her first "friend" birthday party and was so darn independent of me- I wasn't even sad. I was just seriously so proud. She continues with a soccer workshop after her soccer league was over and again, she was just so great to watch. She was able to jump right in, follow directions and gave every drill her all- it was only a couple of extra practices but it was with all different kids and a couple of times, she was the only girl and it didn't bother her in the least. It was just fun to watch her being big. 

     

OCTOBER!!!

We've got stats! 

     In the craziness that is October, the kids appointments for well checks were moved from September to October. Sweet baby Rowan is getting all round and chubby- he's up to 17 lbs 8 oz. For a 5 month old, that puts him in the 65%. He's up to 26 and a quarter inches tall! He was very chatty and loud the entire visit until he fell asleep. He got two shots and only cried for 10 seconds or so. He's trying solids and has yet to pass one up. He seems to be following the Bratcher path of eating everything! He's a roly poly and gets around by digging his elbow into the rug and scooting himself around. He wants to be big but is still the baby, and won't he always be! He is a terrible sleeper- we plan to work on that over winter break. Until then, I'll be very tired.

     Lucy is FIVE. She's up to 45 lbs and 3'8"- 85 and 75 percentile. She was also very chatty, but in a Lucy way. She'll wait for a question, think about the answer and give it her best shot. Three shots, zero tears! Although she felt super puny the next few days and caught a cough that she so sweetly shared with Miles...so far. She's rocking school and crushing her goals at school and it's slightly scary that she is starting to read....She's definitely got the confidence of a ten year old! 

   Miles is now prone to tackling, especially when he's acting sweet. Like a sour patch kid.- But aren't they all! He is obsessed with Woody and Buzz and he uses his imagination beautifully as he plays with the characters. We did have an incident where Buzz scratched his chin as he was climbing up to the trampoline- and then Matt bought the soft ones- which he can also take to bed too! :) He even put the action figures in his trick or treat bag as we went through the neighborhood, because he just couldn't leave them at home- its adorable and exhausting. 

   Callie is a sassafrass if I've ever met one. She's two- but could probably talk you into giving her your car. She's smart, quick- highly sensitive- which will serve her well later, if we can survive her. She's almost sarcastic and definitely knows better than to use potty words- but she will be giggling as she asks you to sing a stinky song about poopy. She's gross. We love her, but mostly because she makes us and what she says...goes. 

    Halloween was awesome as were all the activities leading up to it! I'm finding that our schedule is full but only before dinner. When it's time to eat dinner, we mostly check out and go back to our schedule of eat, bathe, bed. So we stay busy, but we also stay on schedule. October was amazing, so we know whats going to be great for the Holiday season! 

Oh My Goodness. Could they beeeeee any cuter?

 Here they go! Getting big! 

Lucy is FIVE!!!! Such a celebration and such a big day for her! As sweet and innocent as five is, she is so aware of everything now. She is such a little, big kid. It's seriously the coolest how she can understand in depth conversations and then still act like a total goofball with no judgement! With five also comes the sass... but we will squash that every chance we get. 

Rowan, oh, Rowan. He's trying to sit up now.... which means he's trying to grow out of being my baby and that is unacceptable. He's four month old and has an adorable and agreeable personality. He's the loudest of the whole crew and he's sleeping habits are well..... not my favorite part about him- but he's awesome. 

So Miles is Buzz Lightyear and Woody obsessed and it's the sweetest thing you ever did see. He throws them across the room and then hugs them and asks if they're okay...super fun. He is super lovey and super huggy- who could ask for anything more. 

And Callie- that firecracker kid. She's busy, she's trouble and she's just clever enough to get out it. She's potty training- not because I want her to but because she wants to. She also thinks she's five even when she tells you she's two. She's got a lot to say- always. 

Now we've made it to FALL!!!! It's October!!!! The next few months will fly by and I totally expect them to! We will make all kinds of plans, we will do so many activities!! Get ready to see all the cliche photos like kids color coordinating in pumpkin patches and all the sort! I will record as many moments as possible. I love this time of year and these babies make it even more magical! 

THANK YOU!

Shouting THANK YOU to my friends that are seeing me and lending a helping...meal. 

A huge shout out to my Whitney who loaded my doordash account so that I didn't have to cook when I simply couldn't. I was able to keep the kids fed and to eat after my surgery took me out for a few days. You are an angel. 

Tonight we were provided dinner by Meg. It was delicious and oh so needed though I didn't know we needed it so. I guess I didn't realize the weight of deciding, planning, making, serving and living my life during dinner time. It was carefree and effortless to warm up the meal and I was able to sit with the kids and enjoy it!!! 

Turns out, the beginning of the school year plus a pandemic, plus a new baby (can you believe he's three months old?) plus a gallbladder removal equals a bit much? I just rolled with it and kept on keepin' on but my goodness- it was such a relief to have help. I didn't ask for it and I think that made it 100% just stress-free- they saw me and poof! Like magic. These magical friends of mine...swoon....

If you've held my baby, or caught a falling toddler (Or climbed the jungle gym to rescue an over confident Miles-AMANDA), you are appreciated. If you are giving me grace because my mental capacity has somehow diminished, thank you. If you covered my class when I covered myself in breastmilk after trying that cordless pump (which I totally have the hang of now!), I owe ya! To the parent that sent homemade brownies in for me, I love you.  I appreciate all the 'wish wells' and happy thoughts being sent my way. Life is wild and I need help sometimes. <3

Now, the big guy! I won't have stats until next month- but he's just no longer a newborn! He reacts to people and voices. He giggles and he fusses like he's got an opinion or something. He can swivel that head around as fast as my big kids can talk. For being so little, he's getting too big. He is a smiley little booger who loves his crew. He enjoys the outdoors, no matter how hot it gets! His sleep pattern could use some improvement, but I also can't complain too much....He's the sweetest Bratcher for now and we will reevaluate that when he learns to talk. 

We continue to defend him against Miles and all that um...love... Callie has gotten confident with sitting with him and Lucy knows exactly how to talk to make him grin. He is loved. Also, he pukes on Matt pretty consistently...not sure what that's about. ;) 

 Lucy is about to be FIVE if anyone wants to hear about, she will be glad to tell you all about her rainbow unicorn birthday party plans. She is being oh-so-helpful at her school four days a week. She amazes me with her counting and spelling and her pure joy at outsmarting her Daddy with camel facts. Which shows me she can be a good listener! 

So we're doing well, growing these crazy kids and somehow staying sane! Thanks again to all the wonderful people in my world!!!! 

"You must be so organized!" Rowan- 2 months

      

     It was only Rowans third week or so... we were visiting Polly's Freeze with all four kids and Matt was in line ordering or picking up food and I was at the table with the kids while they were searching for cicadas and wandering around table to table. The tables we were at were kind of close to the road and in a super sunny spot, so I decided we needed a table in the grass. I corralled the kids, held as many hands as possible and we walked together across the parking lot to the table in the grass far away from the road. As we were slowly making our way through, a grandmotherly lady leaned out of her parked car and said, "You must be so organized!" with a genuine smile on her face and proceeded to tell me how darling my children were. Those words and that interaction will stick with me forever. 

    I was ready to hear, "Your hands sure are full!" or "You guys stay busy!" or the weirdest one that I have heard several times since we've become a family of 6..."Are they all yours?"  It's fun to look at people when we are strolling through somewhere and our parade just keeps coming. Four doesn't seem like so many now, but at first... and well, depending on the setting... :) 

   I keep going back to that interaction when I hit a rut or start to doubt myself because you know what? I AM so organized! My life is pretty neat and tidy. My  schedule, also neat and tidy. Always? Well, no. Lately I've had to add in more doctors appointments than I'd like. 

     It started out as an emergency room visit with chest pain, back pain and overwhelming pressure in my core. The pain eventually subsided, and the chest x-ray along with blood tests were normal. A week later, it happened again and I waited it out. Another week, another episode, another trip to the ER but we waited for the pain to fade in the parking lot. My doctor saw me when I wasn't experiencing a flare up- and ordered an ultrasound of my gall bladder. As I waited for the ultrasound, I was experiencing a flare up- cried during the ultrasound and everything. The ultrasound showed multiple gall stones. Who knew a gall bladder would cause enough pain to make me think I was dying... if you've experienced it, just know, recovering from a c-section is easier. So I had an appointment with the surgeons office to discuss options for surgery because at this point, I want it out! I am watching what I eat, as the things that likely caused the flare ups are pizza, fried things, chips & queso (heart breaking, right?) so now I'm eating lots of caesar chicken salad wraps. I'm hoping we can get it out without too much time off school and I can still help take care of the four crazies. The plan is to have surgery Weds Aug 11 and get back to school the next Monday- so send all those well wishes!

  Ah, yes, back to school. Back to schedules! We have made the most of our summer break, on our own time though. We are all in for a shift when we get back to business next week. Even sweet Rowan won't know what's happening when he's using a bottle- which Gran says he's taking like a champ. He ate through a small freezer stash when they stayed at Gran's this week. 

There is some refreshment in schedules though, knowing what to expect and what needs to be ready by when. I ~super~ enjoy teaching, being a teacher and all things school! Going back to school is fun for me and I'm glad we got to have a pretty normal first day of school this year! Last year was weird with pushing the schedule back and then having so many restrictions and the year before I was out with Miles and Callie so I didn't have a first day! And a lovely first day it was! 

So big stuff, Mr. Rowan, is now two months and some change. He is also learning that I love schedues- not that he cares, but at least he knows, haha. He is sleeping longer at night... I think... As soon as I think I'll get more sleep we throw in breathing treatments in the middle of the night for Miles or Callie's getting out of her big girl bed to play with toys or Lucy's having a bad dream so she neeeeeds to sleep in momma's bed. Sleep is my favorite though, so I will continue to fight the good fight. I am really looking forward to that anesthesia nap next Wednesday. 

 So Rowan is up to 12 lbs 2.5 oz and 23.5 inches long.He's chatty, he's smiley, he's an all around good guy. He's lost his newborn hair but he's already getting more. He still loves a good swaddle and cuddles like it's his job- which it is, right? He likes to be heard- which can be tough some days with our noise. He's a quiet sleeper and really does go right back to sleep after he eats at night. I try not to blame him for my bum gall bladder- but his pregnancy was not fun and it seems to continue with the gross times. I'm a little worried about pumping and supplying milk when it comes time to surgery, but I am working really hard on providing now that I'm at school, so maybe it'll be fine.