Sunday, November 19, 2017

Holland | Seven Months

Holland turned seven months almost two weeks ago and here I am finally writing her update.  I think this is proof of how crazy life has gotten now that she's on the move!  I barely have time to eat, let alone write an update.  But here we are for memory's sake!

E A T
This was a big month for Holland as we introduced solid food!  She was ecstatic - she's been anxiously watching us and wanting in on the excitement.  We started with wheat cereal and I'm pretty sure she only ate about 3% of it - the rest came right back out.  She's gotten much better with it - after milk for six months there was an adjustment period. I also made butternut squash this month and she liked it as well.

Aaaand that's it.  I'm so embarrassed to admit she's only had these two so far.  Sweet potatoes are next on the list and then I may give fruit a try.  A lot of it is just due to (lack of) timing and the ease of breastfeeding.  It's quick, easy, and there's zero clean-up.  I have to remind myself that regardless of ease for me, I need to step up my game and get this girl eating more solids.

That being said, breastfeeding is still going really well!  I went to Charleston for several days this month so I pumped two weeks beforehand and she did great with bottles while I was gone.  I was curious if she'd take thawed milk but Michael said she didn't have any issues!  Whew!

No teeth yet but it's obvious they're close.  So much drool and she chews on everything in site.

P L A Y
Holland is definitely the epitome of a third child.  She wants to be involved in all of the action and is quite the crawler these days!  It's still an army crawl but she is SO fast and I've lost her multiple times  in our home after leaving her in one room and coming back a minute later to no Holland.  Her arms are so strong and she seems to love the challenge of keeping up with her siblings.

Her favorite toys are phone chargers and dirty shoes.  Awesome.  I can line up five baby appropriate toys and she heads straight for danger.  It's harder this time around because (with the twins) we were able to fully baby proof the house.  That's a wee bit impossible when you have two older kids also living at home.  Lots of redirection happening around here.

On her 7-month birthday she sat up from a crawl for the first time.  It was so cute to watch her figure it out - she was so surprised when she realized she'd sat up on her own.  She still loves to stand up on our legs, whether it's facing us or looking out at everyone else.

She's more consistent with waving back when you wave to her and her hand-eye coordination is impressive.  We were at Mimi & Papa's house and Jude was playing with battery-operated cars on a track.  They move incredibly fast and each time one would zoom by she'd scoop it up with her hand and then hang onto it.

She also celebrated Halloween this year by dressing up as Hei Hei from the movie Moana.  It consisted of us dressing her up, taking cute pictures with her siblings, and then leaving her home with Gaga & Poppy while the rest of us trick or treated (it was really cold that night)!  She'll come with us next year for sure!

S L E E P
Sleep is ridiculous.  There isn't much consistency - sometimes (rarely) she sleeps through the night but more often than not she wakes up once or twice.  I believe I've said, "We're going to try CIO this weekend" about six times and have yet to commit.  It's especially hard when she sleeps next door to Jude & Sloane.  CIO means she'll most likely wake up the twins who need to go to school in the morning (and get a good night's sleep).  We'll get there.

Holland typically takes two naps a day - one around 9:30a and the other around 1p.  She will occasionally take a third nap in the early evening - it all depends on the length of the previous two and her overall demeanor. She easily falls asleep in the car, which can be pretty miserable for the rest of us because that means her naps can be as short as 15 minutes.  Yuck.

Bedtime is 7:30p and I do Holland's bedtime routine while Michael is reading to the big kids.  My hope is to move her bedtime to 7p but with Michael getting home late most days I hate for him to miss out on time with her in the evenings.

Dear Holland,
What a fun month it has been with you!  You continue to meet all milestones with ease and are ahead of the game with most.  I'm equal parts proud and devastated because I realize how fast the baby days are flying.  Not to mention you are quite large for your age so you're already looking more like a toddler and less like a baby.  Stop it!  Stop it right now!

You are so sweet, Holland!  You are such a joy to be around and your huge grin is contagious.  You don't care to be left alone and now that you're on the move you really don't love sitting still.  Leisurely brunches are a thing of the past as you have no desire to sit still for a meal.

You're finishing up a box of size 3 diapers and then we'll move to 4.  You still fit into 6-12 month clothing but I'm now only buying 12-18 because you fit in those as well.  You wear size 70 or 75 in your Hanna pajamas and size 2 shoes!

Your hair hasn't grown much in the last month - it's still hard to tell if it's going to stay dark.  Your eyes are a gorgeous blue and your skin has lightened considerably.  I've also noticed a few eczema patches but nothing (yet) like Sloane.  We're watching it closely so we can make sure you stay comfortable!

Everyone says you look like your daddy, who just so happens to be your favorite person in the world. It's hard not to be jealous but it's so much fun to see your face light up when he walks into the room.  Apparently feeding you multiple times a day (and night)... basically keeping you alive... is not what wins you over - hurumph.

Holland Claire, I'm still searching for the perfect nickname for you.  Right now I call you the most ridiculous things (seriously - RIDICULOUS) and in the highest pitch voice because I can't even help myself.  I've even called you certain names and then stopped mid-sentence because it doesn't even make sense.  Your mom is very tired.

You have been the best addition to our little family.  Jude & Sloane adore you just as much as we do.  I have mixed feelings about you growing up so fast but I truly can't wait to see what you'll do next.  You are so loved, sweet girl!

Love - Mama



































Sunday, November 5, 2017

Jude & Sloane | 5 Years

Jude and Sloane are F I V E !  It's been an amazing year and (as all moms say) flew by.  I'm not sure if it's due to their baby sister's arrival or just because life with them gets easier by the day but, my goodness, it went quickly.

I've loved watching them in their new roles as big brother and sister.  I was a little afraid they'd completely ignore Holland or one of them would develop a bond with her and leave the other behind.  Fortunately, they still seem to be thick as thieves with one another (until they get tired of each other, which happens at least once a day) and also welcomed Holland into their inner circle.

We had their well check last week and have two perfectly healthy kiddos who are meeting all of their marks and thriving.

Jude
Height: 43 1/2"
Weight: 42 lbs 4 oz
Clothes: 5/6T
Shoes: 11

Sloane
Height: 44 1/2"
Weight: 38 lbs 8 oz
Clothes: 5/6T
Shoes: 11

Jude Sullivan

Jude has grown so much this year.  Not in height - his doctor says he's due for a growth spurt any day now - but in every other way.  He's having fun in school and receives positive reports most days.  He still has more energy than most 5-year-olds but does a good job channeling that energy when necessary.

Jude has gotten much better at rolling with the punches.  J&S have a lot of activities and no two days are alike.  A year ago this would've frustrated him to no end.  Currently he voices his disdain but can move on and deal with it effectively.  I try to give him plenty of warning before we do anything new but even that's no longer absolutely necessary.

Jude adores his sisters and loves giving hugs and kisses.  Most of my girlfriends have little girls so there are plenty of playdates where he is the only boy in a sea of ladies.  He must realize how lucky he is because it doesn't bother him one bit!

He's playing soccer this year and grins the entire time he's on the field.  I was a little nervous about him playing because there is so much going on during the games but he does a great job focusing on the ball.  I always say he has grit on the field because he's not afraid to really get in there and steal the ball away from the other team... and sometimes his own teammate.  Unfortunately, this means he's knocked down a kid or two so we have some work to do there.  He also loves gymnastics and his strength/balance are exceptional.  His lack of fear really helps him with the bars and balance beam - he'll run across the beam while most of his teammates are (rightfully so) far more cautious.

Jude is still quite blonde and is average for both height and weight.  Who knew our chunky monkey would slim down so much?!  He is hilarious whether he means to be or not.  He still wins people over with his smile and sweet nature.  He'll hug a stranger or will initiate a high five with the person behind us in line at Target.

Right now his favorite things are dominoes (he loves lining them up and then watching the chain reaction), the moon and all of its phases, weather in general, and going to the park.  He also loves giant numbers ("Mom, what is 5 7 5 7 5 7?") and listening to music in the car.  His favorite color is red and he wants to be a soccer player like daddy when he grows up.  He still loves to snuggle and gives the best kisses.

Jude is such a gift.  He is complex, exhausting, and challenges me in ways I never thought possible.  Fortunately, I love a good challenge and he makes every single day better.



Sloane Elisabeth

Sloane is five going on 16.  She's turned into quite the rule follower (sneaky used to be her middle name) and is so responsible.  Not going to lie, there have been several days I've wondered if I could make a quick run to Target and leave her in charge of the kids at home.  And then I have to remind myself she is FIVE and that could get me arrested (though I honestly trust her more than most teenagers).

Sloane is a great friend.  She's thoughtful, sincere, and wants to be involved in everything.  The absolute worst thing that could happen to her is to be left alone.  School?  Her favorite.  Soccer?  Her favorite.  Gymnastics & Ballet?  Her favorite.  She absolutely loves life.

She's a bit of a robot in that she only requires (what feels like) 72 minutes of sleep each night.  This girl is an early bird.  She reminds me so much of her Gaga - once she opens her eyes she goes full force throughout the day until it's bedtime... and then she crashes.

Unfortunately, Sloane has had a lot of nightmares lately.  They range from natural disasters to people hurting Holland to monsters.  I'm afraid she gets this active imagination from me, which is so sad.  The doctor mentioned giving her some melatonin before bed so we're going to give that a shot and see if it'll help her sleep better at night.

Her asthma/allergies seem to be slowing down a bit, thank the Lord.  In the past we'd already used the nebulizer multiple times by November and - knock on wood - we haven't had to use it yet.  She isn't able to run as long or as hard as her soccer teammates but she still manages to keep up.

Sloane adores Holland.  She loves taking care of her and is such a big help around the house.  She genuinely enjoys chores and "jobs," which I know will not always be the case so I'm always up for giving her something to do.

Sloane is all girl and loves everything pink & purple.  She wanted a makeup vanity for her birthday and constantly wants to paint her nails.  When she's not playing soccer she's on the sidelines teaching her teammates how to do cartwheels and handstands.  She also loves to practice the splits or ballet positions.  Sloane wants to be a teacher or a doctor when she grows up.

I love this girl's charisma and her kind heart.  I love that she sticks up for herself and her friends.  I love her inquisitive nature.  I love that when I think of who I want to be when I grow up, she's the first person who comes to mind.



Happy FIVE years, Jude & Sloane.  Here's to many, many more!








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