Eleven Months of Rowan!! And a Happy Mother's Day to All!

This wild guy is trying to walk. He's up to 6/7 steps at a time and he's hard to catch with a camera anymore! He was my only hope of someone sitting still and now...he's too wiggly. 

Eleven months came and went with the 20th of April, so we're a little late. I figured I should get an update in before we get to his first birthday party! 

We're doing a "Rookie Year" party with a baseball theme and it is adorable. 

This last kid gig is pretty sweet for him too- he's getting 3 smash cakes to destroy at various occasions. He is asking "whatzat" about a million miles a minute- so I'm slightly worried about the toddler "why" phase when he can form full sentences. He is also on his seek and destroy missions- if you need help finding the smallest piece of...well, anything- in your house, Rowan is your guy! 

This kid is the only kid to sleep in my bed with me....so we don't wake the others is what I tell myself. He is the koala-est baby hugger and hip rider that knows to go along with the big kids, he's going to have to hold on tight. Let me tell you though- the whole idea of "We have so many kids, what's one more??" is a whole big 'ol, stupid story. He is ONE more. He is a baby to care for, he is a toddler we keep alive, he has opinions and schedules all his own- he is so much more than "one more kid." 

Look, I even told myself when he was a tiny bebe that we can just throw him in the baby pack and cruise...and we did. Now a days, he has an opinion about the pack- sometimes he likes it, sometimes he throat punches me. He also knows what a snack is and will holler NACK! NACK! when he hears those big kids crunchin. So now, more than ever- he is a big deal. And when I see large families from now on, I will NEVER think-"What's one more?!?" I will remind myself that they had to sacrifice a bit of sanity to keep all those beautiful babies safe and growing! 

The rest of the gang is just as beautiful as ever. Lucy is counting down the days until she turns 6 and "gets to do everything 6 year olds get to do!" -Whatever that means. She thinks kindergarten in the fall is the BIGGEST life event ever and I just cannot hope enough that she loves it as much as she's loved Preschool and pre-k. I just need her "every day is the best day" attitude continues forever!! For Mother's Day, she organized and cleaned the outdoor toy box. She knew I would love it, haha. Then she kept going and made her bed and organized her stuffed animals and presented it to me. I love her heart so much!!

Callie was the first to yell HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to me as soon as she saw me this morning! She was also the only kid to sleep through the night last night- so there's the real gift, haha! She was also the creator of a Mother's Day song that she sang to me. She is just a little firecracker that knows how to get exactly what she wants with that sweet little grin. 

Mister Miles continues to be the hilarious kid that he is. He is still too rough with Rowan, but Rowan knows how to fight back by pulling his hair now. Miles is always into Toy Story in some capacity. He now has Toy Story shoes that complete the look. Obsessed is still an understatement. He would rather stay home than go to a playground but has the best time once we get there. An old soul. ;)

A fantastic Mother's Day included two playgrounds, Berry Twist for dinner and an ice cream cake to share! I also got my toes done and a couple new pairs of shoes to get me through the school year and excited about summer! 

 

Ten months of Rowan and our Spring Break adventure!

 Spring Break 2022 was awesome! Better than expected when traveling with four littles. 

Leading up to spring break, we had two weeks of yucky sickness at our house. We even took all four to the doctor for antibiotics for all. It was ROUGH. Everyone got better just in time to go to Clearwater. 

We had a few bumps...pun intended. Callie got car sick when we were almost to Atlanta on the way there- but only that once. Miles ended up with four staples on the side of his head- and probably fussed less than Lucy about that spot on her leg that got sun burn. ;) Rowan was generally in good spirits- we only had to stop for him once on the way home. That's really all the trouble though! 

So over 7 days we did a ton of activities and basically traded in nap time for ice cream break- who wouldn't love it?!?  The kids favorite part was playing in the sand for hours and looking for shells! Definitely the easiest activity for grown ups too! 

We attempted beach pictures and it was rough. Somehow the photographer got some pretty cute shots! 

     Rowan is happily eating all the food that everyone else gets- he's big now. :) He finally got in for his 9 month check up even though he was just a few days short of 10... He weighed 20 lbs 6.5 oz and was 28.5 inches long. (Which is just the 39 and 55th percentile) But that big ol head- 19 inches and 99 percentile! 

Mister Miles is the one with a story to tell about vacation and coming back with hardware in his head. It's a really short story though. I was giving Rowan a bath, the big kids were running in the house and he hit his head on the corner of the baseboard when he fell down. There was an urgent care specifically for kids just around the corner but they sent us to the ER because the doctor there could tell he needed staples. The ER was about 4 minutes away so- easy peasy. We were the only ones in the waiting room and Miles was pretty social with the staff. They adored him and told repeatedly how wonderful he was. He didn't cry at all and didn't even get numbed for it. He was awarded many prizes- a blow up sword, paddle ball, medical gloves, pretend mustaches, and a couple other junk toys. 

Today, he got those staples out! He probably fussed more today- but forgot all about it after a couple M and Ms. 

He's a tough cookie and a total clown. He thinks he's hilarious and if you can understand him through the giggles, he's super entertaining. 

After Callie got car sick- it was smooth sailing for her! She makes it impossible to nap on vacation but is pretty agreeable about everything else. Just kidding, she was awful for our beach pictures because she didn't "want tooooooo!!" 

She is super into sweets and the candy museum was absolutely up her alley! She was a sweet girl for a lot of the time. She also acted like she was five and that wears me out. Hehe!

Lucy was a champ. She's a veteran traveler- she was pumped about getting some ipad time and she helped chill Miles out in the back row when things got whiney. She was able to be the big sis and boss the littles around but also got the chance to just be five. She's so responsible- I forget that not all 5 year olds are! We took her reading folder from school and she was able to practice her poems. She even shared them with the littles. So much sweetness. She's also always ready for a photo op- and that makes me laugh. 

Now that we're back to reality, we are waking up early and going to bed early too. Lucy asked me why we went to bed when it's still light outside and wake up when it's dark. So, I have the same question. :) 

We are gearing up and getting ready for Rowan's first birthday and we are all excited to celebrate that crazy baby! 

AHHHHH!!! We're out of babies!!

 What the what!?! 

I seriously lost track of time and FAILED to blog since November 29. I mean, Rowan is basically an adult now and the kids are looking into nursing homes for us. 

Here are my list of excuses- Christmas, New Year, Snow Days, Basketball coaching, and LIFE. 

So three months of these kids growing up, getting big and becoming so ridiculously independent. I love it all and it's just flying by even though I am still up several times a night. It's pretty cool how your body just accepts the lack of sleep as normal. ;) 

So this boss baby- he's slept through the night a total of 4 times in his life....but look how cute he is! He is talking his little head off, having gibberish conversations with anyone who will listen. And let it be on record that he says Momma! He also says hi, and bye bye, he's very chatty...and loud! He is big stuff but we haven't been to his 9 month well check yet because doctors visits are tough to schedule right now for our peds office. He is obviously very well fed, very big stuff and very happy. He's just not a baby anymore!

The wildest one- most days- is this Mister Miles. He continues to be Toy Story obsessed. He is also momma obsessed so my arms are getting an awesome weight lifting work out, daily. He is busy being Buzz Lightyear as he leaps off anything he can climb on. He is very logical in the morning and it somehow wears off by mid afternoon. He is so smart though, he is able to recall crazy quotes and facts that he' learned. His coloring skills are on point for a two year old. As long as his shoes feel "right" and he's wearing a Buzz Lightyear shirt of some kind- he's quite the gentleman. 

She used to be the wild one and now she's quietly making plans to make sure she's in charge. She's got big ideas and a thousand questions for you. She sings along to the Encanto soundtrack, and makes adorable comments about "hula loops" and how "prettyful" the lights are. She knows how to listen but is selectively going to follow directions. She's still a firecracker but now has an extensive vocabulary. She also pretends she can read and it's not half bad. 

Lucy is reading! It's the coolest thing to see in your own kid after working on teaching reading to other kids for 11 years. Lafayette Academy has just been wonderful, as have my parents as they practice sight words and handwriting and letter recognition while I am at school. We read and have a blue million books here, but Lucy- that girl is doing the work! She started getting sight words this year from school to practice and just started to put together that those letters are making sounds and she would love to have all the information those letters are spelling out. I used to joke with her that she needs to quite learning how to spell words because I won't be able to spell things I didn't want her to know about- that really fueled her motivation. She sat with me today and read through a dozen A level books. They are repetitive and use sight words in simple stories- but wow- it is so cool to watch her. 

She's also giving her best in the world of basketball! She is definitely the smallest on her team and probably the most unexperienced... but she loves it and was adamant that her coach "needed" her to be at the games. :) 

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!