Wes: 9 Months & 1 Week Old
Ty: 2 Years, 10 Months & 1 Week Old
Last Friday Westin made me pay again. I always try to do our grocery run in the afternoon, so Westin will get his 2 ½ - 3 hour AM nap in. I don’t know what it is lately, but on more Fridays than not lately, he has been sleeping for 1 hour in the AM. What??? Then he misses his afternoon nap because we have to go to the grocery store before sundown and he no longer falls asleep in the car there or in the store. Talk about a bummer and then cranky Wes makes an appearance in the evening, but you can’t really blame the kid when he only got a 1 hour nap all day long. On the way back from the grocery store, how could a kid fall asleep anyway? Not with Tyson singing, “Happy Birthday to Tooties” at the top of his lungs. Are we moving from our poop obsession to toots now? Not really sure that that is an improvement. Ty was in heaven on Friday evening, he went outside with Heath and “helped” him mow the lawn before sundown. There is not a better combination for Tyson. That is…being outside and being with Daddy.
Ty tickling Westin with his foot
Wes got to try a popsicle for the first time!
On Sabbath we hit the road early and headed up to Conway to church. We met Shannon & Griffin on the road and followed them up there! Finley was a bit under the weather, so Sean stayed with her at home. At one point, Shannon had tried to pass a car and had pulled out to pass, but there was a car coming – so she whipped back into our lane. Heath made a comment like, “Whoa Shannon.” From the backseat came the concern from Tyson. He said, “Shannon careful. Cars hit you. Boom boom, owie owie owie.” It was so funny! What wasn’t funny was the dog’s behavior during church. We had to bring the dogs because we were going to be gone, literally 14 hours and couldn’t leave them home for that long. We were worried about the heat, but thank goodness, it was only in the low 70’s and there was plenty of shade for us to park in. We put all 4 windows down and went into church. Our dog, Snickers is psycho. There is really no other way to put it. Her anxiety is unreal and really should be put on doggie Prozac (this actually exists, by the way). She literally barked the entire church service, despite me going out to the car to try to comfort them and check on the temperature in the car. It was cool, but Snickers was beside herself. I think it made it worse when I checked on her. After church, Heath walked downstairs and one of our church members said, “Hey, isn’t that your dog running around the parking lot?” Yes, Snickers had jumped out of the window! We left it down just a tad too much and she jumped out. She has never done that before. I was so thankful and prayed right then and there, because the church is on a super busy route and if she had ventured in the road…she would have been killed. I brought Snickers back to the car, and there was poor Reese. Peeking her head through the window, that was just small enough that she could not squeeze through. Poor Fatty McGee was left behind! She was happy to see Snickers, that is for sure. After church, we went to my parent’s house where my Mom had made lunch for us. Dad was on-call and wasn’t there and we missed him. A friend of our family was visiting, so that was good to see her. Sonia came over and it was Shannon, Griffin, Devin, Bode (Leigh was working and Mia was spending the weekend with a friend) and us. We had a nice time and Bode & Ty had fun playing together. After we ate, we headed back to the church for a memorial service. One of our church member’s daughter had passed away at age 35 from Melanoma. The service was so lovely and so heartbreaking. It just killed me to see her young kids (she had 3). As a mother, I feel for these kids so much. It is just not right that they have to grow up without her. It is so hard to understand why God allows these things to happen – but I know that He is in control. After the service, we had a reception and then we went back to my parent’s house, where we had left the dogs during the service. There is no way we could have them disrupt the entire service. We drove back home after that. The boys fell asleep almost immediately. It was a long day for everyone.
Driving to church, watching out for Shannon
Playing with the Bodester
Sunday we had a day at home, for the first time in weeks! Westin tried yogurt for the first time for breakfast. I had been putting it off for awhile, since he had his problems with dairy when he was nursing…but it has seemed to be fine! You should have seen his face when I fed it to him! I think he thought he was getting candy! Heath worked on the bathroom all day and Ty was right there with him at all times! Ty would say to Heath (non-stop), “Daddy, you doing?” (aka “what are you doing?”) Heath would respond, “Working on the bathroom.” Ty would say, “Oh” and appear to be appeased, but then would say, “Daddy, you doing?” again and again. Over and over again. Heath came SO close to finishing the bathroom. Everything was done except the side splash for the countertop. We went to Home Depot to pick it up and they were out of that specific color. Oh, how close! We did a few errands, hit up the pharmacies and then headed home. Heath found a killer deal on a John Deere kid’s wheelbarrow at Tractor Supply and it got it for the boys. It is usually $40 and it was $9.99. Ty was in love and kept calling it his “wagon!”
I finally got videos to work on here again! I have to work on the quality next!
Westin wanted to help Daddy finish the bathroom too!
Wishin' & Hopin' @ Home Depot
Banished from the bathroom & forced to sit in a chair in the doorway
Look at the Show-Off, he pulled himself up and then let go with one hand!
Monday morning I woke up feeling terrible. I really don’t know what it was, but the entire day/afternoon I felt nauseated, very tired, and weak. I felt so bad that I laid down on the ground and Ty came over, looking concerned. I told him, “Ty, you are going to have to help Mama today. I don’t feel good today.” It was very cute, Ty said, “Ty take Mama to doctors.” How sweet! I told him that I didn’t think that was necessary, but it did make me nervous if I did start vomiting (which I thought I might) and got really sick, what was I going to do with the kids? My mom was in Bar Harbor and my sister is in no condition to help me (with a newborn and living 40 minutes away). I guess Heath would have to come home if it got really bad. But thank goodness it didn’t come to that. By the evening, I felt better, but I have no idea what it was. And NO, I am not pregnant. Ty had a pee accident that day for no reason at all and was very nonchalant about it. He just came over to me and said, “Ty pee pants.” So off to time-out he went. At time-out, I said, “Why are you in time out?” He said again, “Ty pee pants. But then he added, “Worry about it.” I think he left out the “don’t!” He is still just peeing his pants sometimes because he doesn’t want to stop playing. I try to watch the clock and take him about every 1 ½ hours. That seems to be his magic window – if it is much past that…then he might have already dribbled. He has been asking to pee more on his own though, so there is hope. But I am with my friend Shannon Nelson and Corey, who had written on my blog that they don’t potty-train until 3 years old. The problem is that Ty appeared so interested and ready, so what do you do? Suppress that? Poor Wes. Because he watches and idolizes Ty so much, he is going to want to start potty-training early and I’m going to want to hold off until 3 now! (= Monday afternoon the boys and I headed to Walmart for a few odds and ends. Of course we couldn’t avoid the Walmart bathroom and Ty announced he had to go when we passed it, even though he had just gone at home about 15 minutes before that. I think he likes going in there for some reason! Monday night was a big night in our house. Our downstairs bathroom is now complete! Heath had picked up the sidesplash in Lebanon so he could finish the bathroom. Heath did a fantastic job! It came out beautifully. I’m so excited it is finished!
Bedtime stories on Monday night. Should we be worried?
On Tuesday I did a full cleaning on the house. I had actually done some of it on Monday night when Heath and the kids were in bed. My most productive time! I was worried about how Wes would do with the vacuum now that he is crawling all over. Just like Ty, he loved the vacuum! Thank goodness. I was able to get lots of cleaning done because both my boys took 3 ½ hour naps on this day! I actually ended up waking both of them up at the 3 ½ hour mark to keep them on some type of schedule, so who knows how long they would have slept for! I noticed something on Tuesday with Ty. He gets the words “funny” and “fun” mixed up. For example, he will say. “I like my car. It is funny.” Or he will laugh at something I have said, and will giggle, “Mama, you fun.” It is very cute. I have tried to explain the differences, but he still almost always mixes them up! I tried Puffs for the first time with Wes and he went right to it! He was able to pick them up easily and did a great job! He loved them! On Tuesday night, I thought it was high time that I busted out a toothbrush for Wes. He does have 2 teeth for crying out loud! I think it is really true that you become much more lax with the second one. As soon as I saw any white at all in Ty’s mouth, out came the toothbrush. Poor Westy! I’m slacking! Well, Wes loved his toothbrush! He thought it was the best thing! He was so cute! It’s nice to be able to brush some teeth around here and not have it be a battle!
"I'm not really sure what to do with this thing!"
Grabbed it...
Success!
1st toothbrushing!
On Wednesday I worked. I always warn Ty that I am going to work because I leave during his nap. I told him that Grammy was coming to baby-sit him and I usually use Grammy (or Noni, whoever is babysitting) as an excuse for him to go right down for his nap. I say, “You want to go right to sleep and then when you wake up, Grammy (or Noni) will be here!” For some reason, this line of reasoning did not work on this day. Tyson turned into a hyper, crazy animal. I left him up in his crib and tried to have his sleep, but after 1 ½ hours…I gave up! He wasn’t crying - just tossing and turning, or whining a bit, or playing. Grammy got here and, oh my word, Tyson was super hyper! He very excitedly told her that he would not sleep! It was so cute. Westin is officially having problems finishing his bottles again. He had done this for awhile, but had been back on track. He usually takes 6 ounces every feeding, but lately he will have 3 or 4 ounces and it takes forever to try to get the last bit in. I know it is because he is so active and does not want to sit still to take the bottle, but it is so frustrating! When I was home the next day, Ty proudly showed me his new boo-boo. He had been playing outside with Grammy on his bike and had wiped out, scraping his right elbow. The kid is constantly getting scraped up, there is just no way around it.
Playing around before I left for work - Ty has barricaded Wes with toys - to keep him from the iPad
Playing together now while I loaded the dishwasher
Thursday was a busy day and I was dragging in the AM, after working and getting my 3 hours of sleep. We had Westin’s 9 month appointment in the afternoon. As we were driving to Concord, Ty asked to have his window down. He has been doing this lately, always wanting his window down while we drive. I really didn’t feel like having all the wind blowing everywhere and the noise while we went on the highway, so I developed a new rule. “No windows down on the highway” – since Ty can not have it down slightly, it will be all the way down. I told him my reasons and then I added, “A bird could fly into our car.” Ty did not think that was possible, but it happened to Leigh before! Then we started the game, “let’s come up with every type of animal that could get into the car.” That took us all the way to Concord! Ty said something so funny (or would I say, “fun”?) while we were in the waiting room. They have these wooden tables that have wooden toys on them…so Ty had adjusted them in such a way that he had boxed himself into this area….
Ty: “Mama, Ty can’t get out!”
Me: “Oh no! What if we have to leave? Will Mama leave you?”
Ty: “No!”
Me: “You are right. Mama would never leave you.”
Ty: “Dr. Cramer would come get Ty.”
Dr. Cramer is our pediatrician and Ty just loves her! I had to share that story with her and she loved it! What I loved were Westin’s stats. He is back on the growth chart! Of course his weight will sound like nothing, but if you would have seen his chart and have seen the dip he had done – it looks great now! That is what a little formula will do for you! She thinks he is doing fantastic and has hit every milestone that he has needed to so far! I’m so proud of my boy!
Westin 9 Months:
Weight = 16 lbs 2 oz (4th percentile)
Height = 28 inches (40th percentile)
Head = 18 inches (40th percentile)
Westin Dean is growing up!
After the appointment, we sat on a bench outside the hospital for awhile and watched the massive crane working on the parking garage across the street. It was very impressive and Ty was in awe. I have never been that close to one before! After that, we met Heath, Shannon & Sean & kids at this property (land) that we wanted to look at. We have been looking for a big parcel of land that we could buy together and subdivide. Heath, Sean & the older kids walked the property (for about an hour) while Shannon & I and the younger boys hung in the car. 3 out of 4 of us love the land (it has a 7 acre pond) and the 4th person is a bit unsure about it. I won’t get into who the 4th person is. So, not sure what will come of it, but I think it is a pretty amazing piece of land. After that, all of us went out to eat in New London. We had a nice time, but the kids were a bit rambunctious again. When Ty & Finley get together, watch out! Westin had puffs for the first time in a restaurant and he ate a ton! It definitely kept him occupied!
Hard at work in the pediatrician's waiting room
Ty excited to watch the crane
Arrived to look at the property
Have a great week & Labor Day weekend!
RANDOM PICS
Ty making his book mosiac all over his room
