The month just flies by...

Another month flew by and there was lots of craziness even outside our family of 5, but thankful that God cared for and brought healing to our family members and has kept us safe.

Kate started solid foods this month! She picked it up very fast - she was ready! Within a few days, she wasn't really spitting it out much anymore and gobbling it all up! The hardest part was getting her to be comfortable in her high chair - our little princess, she had to be JUST RIGHT! We quickly moved to 2 meals a day, she just likes it so much! She likes applesauce and pears, still is a little taken back by the taste of avocado it seems, but she's moving right along with it all!

At the beginning of the month, Kate was really a bit more fussy going to bed at night, and taking more time at night to nurse as well, so that was a rough patch for both Kate and Mommy. She is taking 3 naps a day now, and the last half of the month was a bit rough in getting more than one good nap a day...still working on that unfortunately...she was doing really pretty well and then all of a sudden, that stopped...hoping it resolves quickly! She still seems to do best when she sleeps on her side, but ends up on her tummy most of the time, shich is fine, until she wakes up and wants to get on her back...that still seems to be a struggle for her, though we know she knows how...oh well! She is taking 3 naps a day, but days that she fights that 3rd late PM nap and ends up not sleeping, making for a long evening, but again, she amazes us with how content she can be even when we know she's tired!

She loves to play with her tongue - twisting and gumming it quite a bit. She gives us all the giggles when she makes bubbles/spitting sounds with her tongue...she's even mimic you back and forth lots of times - a fun game for us all! - the boys love that they get to 'spit' as a game, since we usually try to limit that activity - but it's so much fun with a baby - and so much cuter! She is rolling around more and more this month and continues to love being outside! She likes being tickled, and is getting a little better at playing/grabbing/mouthing toys now as well. We've also noticed (actually the neighbors caring for her pointed this one out), that when she's happy and playing, her right leg is moving and kicking lots...so funny! Toward the end of the month, we started working on her sitting, surrounding her with pillows and such, and she does alright with it, but still likes to throw herself back!

She really likes it when Daddy raises his hand above her, wiggles his fingers and plays "Here comes the spider!" She's even started to anticipate what is going to happen and starts laughing even before he starts to tickle her! Such a smart girl! She still gets giggly when you get up and close with her, and sometimes even just has a contented sigh...just warms my heart! She is starting to find her feet - thanks to lots of diaper changes and really likes tugging on them! She is fascinated by lights and candles, as are most babies, but it's very evident right now - she just locks onto the bright lights!

A sweet Mommy moment/memory...this month I've noticed Kate gets real excited when she knows she is about to nurse...she smiles and giggles and it's just the sweetest thing. It makes me think it's not just about getting fed, but something she enjoys as well, and I'm just so happy I get to be her Mommy, share that time with her and that God blessed us with all 3 that I have been able to nurse them all! Just love it!

A few special events this month...we got a rare, and wonderful visit, from our Aunts Ruth and Gloria from Miami! It was such a treat to see them again and we felt very loved that they made time for us in their very busy, short stay in Texas! We had a visit from Nana as well, and that's always a highlight for all of us! It was a beautiful weekend when Nana was here, so the kids were outside tons, which they all loved that! Mommy and Daddy even went on a date...to Sprouts! We were just so happy to be away from the kids and just the two of us, it didn't really matter what we were doing! We had a few ice/snow days the week of the month and we all enjoyed that. Kate loved watching the snow fall and the boys of course had a blast playing!

When we were playing in the snow and went sledding it was pretty fun as expected. The first day it melted really quickly and the boys were playing outside and fell into a big muddy patch and they were quickly over playing in it! Funny! We built a few snowmen and went sledding on the golf course again. Drew loved being on the sled with Mommy. Noah went on the sled once, and I asked if it was fun..."It was horrible!" All he wanted to do was run around in it on his own or try and slide on his bottom. He so funny about that, he just doesn't like to 'ride' on things! But we had a good time regardless!

Noah still loves to get right in Kate's face and make her laugh. He loves to make silly faces and noises for her. Drew loves to be around her too, and almost always brings her the GlowWorm toy for her. It's funny to watch all 3 cram under her play mat sometimes...she loves being under there grabbing at toys, and the boys will just join her there! So sweet!

Noah has had a bit of a rough month. He's in and out of bed at bedtime, over and over again, it is certainly at a peak and it is wearing us out! He's crying lots about going to school, just really not wanting to go and is just in tears about having to go. It just breaks my heart. I think it's more than just wanting to stay home, something has switched in his head that it's not a place he wants to be...it's such a struggle right now, and a super sad way to start our day. :( There's a chance it's linked to nap time since they have to sleep there and he's having more frequent bad dreams, and has had one or two at school as well. I have started calling him at school before nap time to try and help, and it seemed to for a bit, but then not really, it still ended with "I'm going to cry" or "I want you to protect me from crying" - breaks my heart! I wish we could figure it out!

On the other hand, he's still Noah and having fun with puzzles, superheroes, reading books, playing Break the Ice (loves smashing all the blocks!), cars, bubbles outside, swinging, and just being outside in general. He does a good job joining in with imaginative play with Drew quite a bit as well. And we've enjoyed random indoor snowball fights - such a fun time always! Even had one with Aunts Gloria and Ruth when they came!

Noah has started doing some simple math lately, but usually when it involves the number 7. I mentioned last time his favorite number is 7. So at snack and meal time, he usually asks for seven of whatever we are offering. If we give him something other than 7, he quickly tells us how many more he wants or needs to give away. What a goof!

Drew continues to love playing with Legos and such. This month he seemed to be more and more concerned about his legos and toys being left 'just so' and no one messing with them. Which is quite the struggle with Noah around. He does work hard to put his things together, so I get how that can be frustrating. But also, trying to get him to realize that he and Noah, though so much that they do is similar, at this level, they play and grasp things very differently. So, that's something we are all working through.

He enjoys his school and friends, and enjoys the different theme days or special activities they get to have. They also have lots of of half days it seems, and has had a few that he then spends the afternoon just Drew and Daddy. They both enjoy that I think, and I love that they have those times together. They have so much of the same interests, so it's very easy for them to be together. Love it!

He has also enjoyed being outside more, and loves playing with the bubble toys and just running around in general. We like it too since neither boy really has an inside voice and so outside, it just makes us less crazy! And they just run out their energy, in part at least!