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!