We are continuing to survive as a family of four, though the fatigue is still a significant factor playing in our household these days. I realize this is the stage we are in, and shouldn't expect anything else, but that somehow knowing it doesn't make it any less tiring! That being said, Noah's nights were getting worse and worse, taking up to 2 hours to get him back to sleep every time he woke up, that in an act of desperation, we started sleep training about a week earlier than we had planned. Thankfully, unlike his brother, he took to it quite well. We certainly aren't yet at the point of considering him a good napper in the daytime, but his nights have been fabulous. It only took the first night of him crying for a good amount of time for him to go to sleep on his own, quietly. Now, that is the norm - a wonderful blessing for us at night! He has found his hands, so he sucks on his fists quite a bit while soothing, but we are totally ok with that! Thank you Lord! We are a much happier family for it. I know lots of parents and families disagree with this method, but this is the choice we have made, and we can be there for each other more now because of it.
A little thing only an obsessive Mommy would notice or care about - he seems to be real finicky about his feet - he doesn't like them to touch anything, including pajama bottoms. We had to give up the sleep swaddlers because it seemed he kept fighting to get his feet free (things you can learn from watching the video monitor!), so we went to the sleep gowns, which he almost always kicks so much that they end up at his waist as you can see. He's quite the little kicker - once moving himself all the way up and to the side of the crib, requiring some repositioning! All from kicking those legs!
So, with that out of the way, Noah is beginning to smile! We absolutely love it! But who wouldn't! It's just absolutely adorable to see his gummy little smile! Most of the time it seems to be quite random still, but he's starting to notice the difference when there's a face in front of him...he already locks in on Drew quite a bit! He also smiles lots while he's nursing - truly a sweet moment for Mommy, making all the other frustrating moments slip away! He is starting to follow us as we move about the room, so that's exciting to see. His head control is getting better, able to keep it in neutral for a bit when held up in sitting, though he's still quite fierce with it at times, throwing it around, often ending with a crash against our chest or collar bone, leading to some sad cries!
He is definitely growing, as this month we are officially in 0-3 month clothes, in size 1 diapers (after too many blowouts in newborn!), and had to move the car seat strap up a notch! He measured 24.5 in (90%) and 10 lb. 15 oz. (25%) at his 2 month appointment - he's long & skinny, just like his brother, just like we like 'em!
Drew, well, did we mention he's 2! He is such a mess, literally & figuratively, sometimes, but at the same time, he's absolutely a blast to be with. I guess it all depends on the moods we are all in! He certainly knows what he wants, and he always wants it about 2 seconds ago! I have to admit, we aren't model parents for teaching your children patience, because Drew doesn't have any! And ironically, I have found I have very little patience for his lack of patience - hmm, this could be a problem! He insists on all sorts of things these days, like drinking from a cup without a lid - great, until he dumps it off the side of the table to see the kind of mess he can make! He also loves to dunk his food in his cups, grossing us out quite a bit, but inevitably, leading to a huge mess again - can you tell how much fun meal time is at our house! He has also started to show us his chewed food at times - ah, being a boy can be so much fun!
But this new - found independence has it's perks too...he's more helpful around the house when possible. Though it takes a bit more time, he loves to help with sweeping, laundry, bringing things to us, helping getting himself dressed, etc. - as long as it is what he wants to do. If not, well, then we've got a kid who "run away Mommy" or a full blown tantrum on your hands! So, we are trying our best to include him on things, a new & fun challenge for us!
But the fun we have can be endless too! It is a blast as his ability to play with more 'advanced' toys can be. Every day Drew plays with his trains - oh how he loves trains! But he also loves his floor puzzles - something his Daddy introduced and we now do on a daily basis, and without being completely obnoxious - he's incredibly good at! He has started 'reading' books to us and Noah, which is just wonderful. At bedtime, he waits til we read the book and get to the last page, then inches closer & closer to snatch it away right as we finish so that he can 1) read it to us and 2) stall going to bed that much longer, because it's so hard to tell your kid he has to stop reading! He also still loves music, often running for an instrument of some sort when he hears it play.
He is quite the little ham, clapping for himself when he's accomplished something, or come running for us to give him High Fives! At dinner time, we'll use the old bribe trick of 'eat a piece of meat and you'll get another french fry' - often he'll eat the meat and then clap for himself, and then put out his hand for the fry...we're creating a monster!
In case anyone was wondering, Drew is all boy, with little fear. He will join in with the bigger boys at church without hesitation. He will jump off of or over just about anything. He will climb up and over anything within his grasp. He is getting louder and louder - waking up from naps sometimes as a dinosaur, roaring and screaming as loud as he can. And as he becomes more and more boy, is beginning to rely on Daddy more and more...something that was inevitable at some point, and probably hastened by Noah's arrival, and so necessary, but difficult for Mommy at times.
And one more note about our Drew - he's becoming more and more vocal and aware. Many people have commented recently on how well he talks for a 2 year old boy. He's recently become more aware of the 'sounds of the house', announcing for us "Dinner ready!" when the oven beeps, or "Who's heeere?!" when he hears the beeps for when a door opens. It's just amazing what they learn by just being - I think those are the things that amaze me the most sometimes - when he shows me something that he's learned that I did not intentionally teach!
Our boys are a blast, and they are keeping us happy, and busy, and tired, and blessed...we wouldn't have it any other way!
