Peyton 18 Months

Noah 18 Months

Peyton's personality is really starting to show up right about now.  This is really the time I start to enjoy so much more than those baby moments.  He's really started to understand what we ask him to do and is getting so good at playing with Noah and also by himself.  Life is good for this kid.

• Stats: Size 6 Diapers | 18mo -2T clothing
• Size: 26.8lbs
  
• New Abilities: Well the last update I talked about how he could walk.  That's so crazy to think that was just a little bit back.  It seems like he's been walking forever since he can run and climb on the couch.  He wrestles with Noah and is completely ok to go up and down the stairs on his own. Time sure does go quick.   New this month would be the total ability to move anywhere on his own, but really the mental leaps he's had are the most impressive.  He really understands so much more and is starting to communicate so much better.
• Communication:  Peyton can really express his feelings well but also is super stubborn which is becoming quite obvious.  If he doesn't get what he wants he really just throws a fit so we started doing calm down moments by putting him in the mudroom away from everyone for a couple minutes until he's ready to join the rest of the family and that's really seemed to at least change the behavior at that time. 
• Sleep: His night time sleep has settled for now.  Looks like we might be over those weird middle of the night wake ups.  He's sleeping 7:30p-7/8a with an occasional early morning wake up.  He's dropped his second nap - right around the end of the last update - so like 16ish months and is now taking a hefty nap at the same time as Noah.  Really convenient actually.   12:30ish for 2-3 hours.
• Mom Check-In: After being sick for the last two weeks I feel like I'm finally getting back to normal.  I've started to get a little more tired just doing regular everyday things but I will still say this pregnancy has been the easiest.  I don't feel like I'm going to burst at any moment and although I'm ready for baby to be here, it's not because I'm miserable.  

Peyton - Sixteen Months

Noah 16 Months

• Stats: Size 5 Diapers | 18mo -2T clothing
• Size: 24lbs
  
• New Abilities: Guys, He can walk! Finally!  And all over the place I may add.   He goes everywhere walking now and is super good at it. He falls here and there, especially in slippery areas but for the most part can do it all.  He does up and down the stairs and climbs on the step stool in the kitchen.  He moves and I love it!  And the other big thing is he's getting really good with his fork and spoon handling and mostly eats with utensils because I'm pretty sure he hates having dirty hands.  Guess that makes sense.
• Communication:  This from last month is still pretty much the same "He can say "mama" & "dada" and can do signs for "more" and "milk".  He can also shake his head for "no".  He babbles a ton and is always singing and making noises.  He can point to whatever he needs and mostly gets his message out. Personality wise, Peyton just does what he wants.  He's quite the stinker and thinks everything is funny, even when he's being naughty. He gets into everything and wants to be where ever I am.  His most favorite things to do is be in the kitchen right up next to the stove and watch and help cook.  He likes to stir things in the pan and is a pretty good helper. He's one loveable kid though.  His cuddles are amazing and will snuggle with you most of the day if he's not in his exploring mood.  He loooves his brother and can hold his own with Noah.  He even has started hitting him or pushing him out of the way.  *eye roll*  He's one tough little guy." 
• Sleep: Sleeping 7:30p-7/7:30a at night.   Two naps during the day still 1.5-2hrs, something one is a little shorter.  We will be moving him up at daycare in the next month and they take only one nap.  I don't like it since he only takes short little naps as it is and I do not need a grumpy kid.  Maybe, for whatever reason, he will surprise us and start sleeping one long nap at school since he gets a blanket, a stuffed animal and a cot...?  We can only hope.  Until then, we're sticking with the two naps as long as we can.
• Mom Check-In: I'm doing great.  Getting things done for Christmas and feeling great about it.  It's nice to be in an easy routine. Working out regularly for the last year has done wonders for me and my attitude in general and I love having that scheduled time to get away and do something for myself.  If you're in the Grand Rapids area Renew Mama is such an amazing place to work out and connect with other moms and I'm super grateful for them. 

Peyton - Fifteen Months

Noah Fifteen Months
Seriously, I feel so bad this is the first update for Peyton in forever.  I haven't even done a one year update.  What happens to parents who have five or six kids?  Do they forget things this bad too?  Oh man...   Honestly, the only reason I even checked was because we think that Peyton is transitioning to one nap and I wanted to check when Noah did that.  Then I scrolled back to Peyton and... whoops.  So here we go.  Fifteen month update for Peyton and I promise at least with these I'll get better.

• Stats: Size 5 Diapers | 18mo clothing
• Size: 23.9lbs (67th%) - 30.5in (23rd%) My poor little shorty
  
• New Abilities: His walking is getting better but nowhere near where Noah was at this point.   He can get around a couple of feet at a time.  Mostly best when he's barefoot and on carpet but he slips and falls a lot and trips over his feet and mostly just ends up crawling.. but at least he's trying right?  He's getting there, just taking a little (lot) longer.
• Communication:  He can say "mama" & "dada" and can do signs for "more" and "milk".  He can also shake his head for "no".  He babbles a ton and is always singing and making noises.  He can point to whatever he needs and mostly gets his message out. Personality wise, Peyton just does what he wants.  He's quite the stinker and thinks everything is funny, even when he's being naughty. He gets into everything and wants to be where ever I am.  His most favorite things to do is be in the kitchen right up next to the stove and watch and help cook.  He likes to stir things in the pan and is a pretty good helper. He's one loveable kid though.  His cuddles are amazing and will snuggle with you most of the day if he's not in his exploring mood.  He loooves his brother and can hold his own with Noah.  He even has started hitting him or pushing him out of the way.  *eye roll*  He's one tough little guy. 

• Sleep: His sleeping in probably not as consistent as it was with Noah but goes down great at 7:30pm and wakes up around 6:30-7:00am with no wake-ups at night. When he's a school he takes three short 40mins-1hr naps and when he's home he takes one really good nap and one shorter nap.   One 2ish or more hours and the other 1.5-2.  Recently though he's refused a second nap after a super long ( like three hourish) nap and he can stay up the rest of the day with only a little grumpyness.... hence the maybe he's going to one nap?  We'll see.
• Mom Check-In: I'm doing great.  It's so crazy to see the difference this kid is for my attitude and with Noah.  I feel so much more happy in general and I'm much more healthy and it just makes me more excited for life with these kids. I'm really excited for this holiday season and just being together more as a family.  There will be a lot more days off with vacations and holidays and I can't wait for everyone to be together. 

Peyton David Turns 1!

Noah's First Birthday Party

What a sweet mischievous kid that Peyton is.  I can already see trouble for me in the future.  He's so loving, gives kisses and hugs and yet you find him getting into all drawers and pulling things out everywhere in the kitchen.  He heads to the stairs the moment you take your eye off him.  Stinker.

I can honestly say he's been my easiest baby yet.  Maybe because he's the second one, or maybe because he was just an easy kid but regardless he's been a very much needed addition to the family and I can't wait to see what the next year has waiting for him.

For Peyton's party we did our usual big family get together.  We bought a tent, rented some tables and chairs and went outside.  So much easier for cleanup and plenty of room for the kids to run around.  It was a little windy but the weather held out great and wasn't too hot for August so we were happy.  I made lasagna and salad, and cake and cupcakes.  We kept it simple and just enjoyed having people around.

Unlike Noah, Peyton went all in on his cupcake and seemed just as oblivious when singing Happy Birthday.  Overall, another party success!  Thanks everyone that came out an celebrated!

Peyton - 37 Weeks

Noah 38 Weeks
I know I keep saying this but Peyton is just the happiest kid ever.  He smiles and laughs so much and it's just so cute.  I want to snuggle him up all day except he wont let me because all he ever wants to do is chase after Noah or play with his toys.  Second child, right?  Noah is definitely his favorite person right now and really just wants to be on him, or with him, or chasing after him non-stop. He's growing up so quickly and I can't believe he's going to be one this summer. I've really got to start thinking about his birthday plans...

• How old is Peyton?: 37 Weeks - 9 Months
  
• Peyton is how big?:  21 lbs | Size 3-4 diapers | 9mo clothes
• Sleep: We're still going strong on sleep and he does a great job of sleeping through the night all 12 hrs. Thank goodness for babywise.  It's seemed to work with both of our kids and I'm so grateful for it. Still on the same schedule for now.  His awake time is about 1.5hrs and could go longer at times so we're starting to stretch things out. 

Up for the day around 7:30-8a - 16T solids and 4-6oz
Nap1.25-1.5 hrs later
Nap 1: 1.5-2 hrs
Up for 1.5 ish hours 11:30a ish - 16T solids and 4ish oz
Nap 2: 1.5-2 hrs
Up for 1.5 ish hours 3:15p ish - 9oz bottle
Nap 3: 1-1.25 hrs
(sometimes a catnap 20-30mins)
Up for the rest of the day
Dinner around 6p 16T solids and finger foods
Bath time and night time stuff starts at 7
Down for the night with a bottle around 7:30p - 5-7oz

• Milestones:We have a third tooth that finally popped out.  The top ones are nowhere to be seen.  Mostly though, the kid loves to stand.  He's moving around objects while standing.  His cruising is slowly getting much better. A little longer and I have a feeling we're gonna have a walker!
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Guys, three weeks 'till an adults only trip to Mexico.  Enough said.  We need a break. Otherwise, the weather is getting great here. We're taking lots of walks outside, riding bikes, doing chalk and playing in the grass.  Not a long time left until we get the beach fun going!

Peyton - 31 Weeks

Noah 30 Weeks

Here we are four weeks later for an update.  Geez time flies.  Soon enough it'll be summer, Peyton will be walking, and we'll be enjoying the beach and walks in the neighborhood.
I looked at Noahs 30 week update; I love to see how the two boys compare at the same age.  Noah was bigger but Peyton is way more mobile.  He can crawl! He rolls and has been rolling for a long time now.  He's impossible to change a diaper without holding him down and without a fear of him escaping.  Noah was just not like that.  Maybe because he was so big he didn't move.  It's so funny how Peyton is constantly trying to get away.  Mostly to chase a toy, or a brother or any other interesting object in the house.
But really, Peyton is such a good baby. We couln't have asked for an easier kid.  Maybe he'll give us the hard time when he's a teenager?

• How old is Peyton?: 31 Weeks - 7 Months
  
• Peyton is how big?:  20 lbs | Size 3-4 diapers | 9mo clothes
• Sleep: We're still going strong on sleep and he does a great job of sleeping through the night all 12 hrs. Thank goodness for babywise.  It's seemed to work with both of our kids and I'm so grateful for it. Still on the same schedule for now.  He's lengthening his awake time about 15mins more but otherwise the same.

 Up for the day around 7:30-8a
 Nap1.25-1.5 hrs later
 Nap 1: 1.5-2 hrs
 Up for 1.5 ish hours
 Nap 2: 1.5-2 hrs
 Up for 1.5 ish hours
 Nap 3: 1-1.5 hrs
(sometimes a catnap 20-30mins)
 Up until about 7p
 Down for the night around 7:15-7:30p

• Milestones: Well the biggest milestone this month was his two bottom front teeth coming in!  What a little cutie.  I love to see babies with random teeth.  He's been teething for a while now and I'm just glad they popped out because you could tell it was really affecting his mood.  A little more grumpy and short.  A little whiny and very cuddly which I'll take... although he was never quite satisfied. He seems to be back to normal now that they're out.  Otherwise his crawling is getting much better.  He can get from one side of a room to another in a matter of seconds but not quite fast enough that I worry about him disappearing to another room. We really have to start thinking about that baby gate.... I hate baby gates.
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: We'll, we've got about six more weeks in the school year.  Then it's summer. Summer schedule, summer life.  Time off, vacations planned.  What's not to be excited for.  We've got Mexico booked for May, Florida in July and all sorts of birthdays and other activities in between.  It's looking like a fun filled summer and I can't wait.

Brothers

Gosh it's so crazy to see both of my kids loving on each other so much.  Peytons face lights up when Noah is around and I'm pretty sure he's perfectly content watching Noah run around the living room.  It's such entertainment for him.  Noah of course is such a little mother and wants to help with everything as long as Peyton doesn't touch him with his slobbery hands.  Noah reads him books and helps him get unstuck in the walker.  Picks up his toys when he drops them.  It's the best.  I keep saying now for sure we need to have a girl.  I mean, who wouldn't want two big brothers? ...and then part of me says another boy wouldn't be so bad as long as they all love each other as much as these two do, right?

Life with the Boys

We're finally getting to the point where Noah is slightly more interested to "play" with Peyton.  He'll give him kisses and hugs, give him a toy back when he drops it and pushes him around in the walker when he gets stuck.   That's the best.  I love seeing Noah playing with Peyton and being such a good big brother.  Peyton is also in love with Noah.  He smiles so much when he sees him and I'm pretty sure Noah is his favorite person. Even if Noah does occasionally hide from Peyton.
We've gotten in a good routine around the house.  We're finally over most of the sicknesses, everyone is sleeping at night and has a good schedule during the day and things are running smoothly most of the time. I'm already looking forward to summer.  I can't wait 'till Peyton starts walking, the weather gets warmer and we can run around in the grass, go on walks and play on the beach. For now, I'll take all the cuddles inside while we sit by the fireplace and I'll sit back while the boys play together.   Life is good.

Peyton - 23 Weeks Old

Noah 24 Weeks

Poor Peyton just wont even match up to the same amount of updates I did with Noah.  I guess that's normal for kid number two, right? Time is passing much more quickly this time around.  I don't know if we're just handling it better since we know what we're doing or if it's just busier around here. Either way, it seems like it was just yesterday that we were getting up in the middle of the night, or at home on maternity leave... but here we are, and he's so old.

I'm loving this picture right now.  I even have it as my wallpaper on my computer at work.  I love looking at that little smile every morning.  We're in full Valentines Days mode at our house thanks to Noah and his love for our colored Hue lights.  We've decorated the main floor up and down and I even bought matching outfits for the boys.  I do love me some Valentines Day. Anyway, back to Peyton:

• How old is Peyton?: 23 Weeks
  
• Peyton is how big?:  17.5 lbs | Size 3 diapers | 6-9mo clothes
• Sleep: ...and we're still swaddling.  Both arms out.  I really feel like we could do without but I'm to chicken to do it in the middle of the night thinking it might ruin the nice sleep we get.  We'll get there, right?  Otherwise the schedule is still the same for the day and runs smoothly most of the time.  He definitely naps much longer than Noah did and therefore less naps.... which really works out great.

 Up for the day between 7-8
 Nap an hour later
 Nap 1: 1.5-2 hrs
 Up for 1.25 ish hours
 Nap 2: 1.5-2 hrs
 Up for 1.25 ish hours
 Nap 3: 1-1.5 hrs
 Up until about 7p
 Down for the night around 7-7:30p

• Milestones: We continue to add solid foods.  He's pretty good at eating mostly everything, or eventually after a couple times gives in.  We've transitioned from sitting in the walker to actually moving around the house and it's probably my most favorite accomplishment so far.  It's just so fun having him move around and you can tell he's just happy to not be on the floor.   But really, he needs to stop puking on the tray 'cause I'm sick of cleaning it up.  Baby puke is the worst.
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Non baby related I'm super excited to fly into California this weekend for my sisters Bachelorette party.  We've got a lot of fun things planned not to mention a road trip to Arizona and lots of fun Bachelorette activities. Oh, and kid free.  Not to mention non frozen weather which is always a plus.  

Peyton - 12 Weeks Old

Noah 12 Week Update

Man, it's been five weeks since a Peyton update?  If that doesn't scream second child, I don't know what does.  Peyton is growing up so fast and getting so strong.  He smiles and talks all the time and really is just a happy baby.  We can't complain with how easy he's been.

• How old is Peyton?: 12 Weeks
  
• Peyton is how big?:  Just over 14lbs | Size 2 diapers | Just moved to 3-6mo clothes
• Sleep: So sleep has been super weird the last five weeks.  We went from amazing 9ish hours of sleep at night to waking up random.  Partly because he's managed to get out of the swaddle and apparently can't handle sleeping without it. He's still going down at 7 and sleeping 7-9 hours most of the time and then getting up around 7-8 so not too bad but you just never know when he's going to get out of the swaddle and then we have to wake up anyway to re-swaddle him. I can't wait till the swaddle phase is over.  During the day he takes good naps and we eat about every three hoursish.  His longest awake time is at night from about 5:15-7 and then he's back down for the day. 
• Milestones: Nothing super new.  He has rolled over both ways but only twice from back to belly.  He can sit in the bumbo on his own and I may have even let him try some apple sauce which he likes.  I can't wait to introduce solids.
• Best Moment of the Week:  We've been so busy, but honestly one of the great things about Peyton is how he just adapts to whatever is going on.  He's such an easy-going baby.
• What I’m excited about/looking forward to: October is almost over! ...which means Jeff will be home more often, things will slow down and we'll all get to spend some good family time together; that is if GV football team doesn't go to playoffs. *eye-roll*  Otherwise, there's Thanksgiving and Christmas which I'm super excited for.  Lots of time off and lots of family!

Our First Trip to the ER

It's been quite the couple of days.  On Thursday I was getting ready to go to my barre class; I had Peyton fed and ready to go, we were all packed, and I got a call from school that Noah had bumped his head and  had to pick him up because he probably needed stitches.  Of course I didn't think it would be that bad but we stopped by school and sure enough it granted a trip to the emergency room.  I packed up both boys and spent a nice two house visit at the ER.  Luckily everything went great, the hospital staff was amazing and Noah was super brave after getting his four stitches.

Jeff worked all weekend so the boys and I kept busy with Target trips, a visit from Papa Bill and Aunt Jenny, lots of help from Noah with baking and cooking, and lots of post nap snuggles with the kids. Our week ahead is just a busy with both Jeff and I working lots.  Noah has his Fall Harvest Festival in which he'll be singing some songs with his class.  I'm super excited to watch him and he's super excited to be able to show me how good he sings.  We've been practicing around the house for the last two weeks singing the same songs over and over and he's ready to go!

Peyton keeps getting bigger and bigger every day too.  It's so much more fun this time around.  Maybe Noah hanging out and me going back to work early has made a difference but I'm really enjoying being with Peyton so much more while he's this little.  He talks and smiles and is such a happy baby.  I don't even remember what life without him was like. So here's to another busy weekend.  Hope that we all make it all in one piece and no more injuries would be great.