All of these deserve their own posts, but alas life with two kids leaves little time for blogging. Here's what we've been up to:
-Stephen was going to stay at home with the kids this fall, but got a promotion and returned two weeks ago. It's a great opportunity and he is enjoying a new challenge.
-We took Chase out of his daycare two weeks ago (coinciding with the new job start) so I was home with both boys last week. It was definitely physically challenging (especially since Brice is not sleeping very well) and I was exhausted by the end of the day, but we had so much fun! I would love to stay with my boys full time...
-Sadly, I return to work next Wednesday. To say I'm absolutely dreading it would be a severe understatement.
-As a result of the new job, we had to find a new nanny. She started this week- so far, so good. She is sweet and very calm.
-Chase starts preschool next Tuesday! It's a very warm, nurturing school and we loved his teacher when we met with her back in July. I had Back to School night tonight. I cannot believe our guy is old enough for school!
-Speaking of growing little boys, at last week's doctor's appointment Brice was 13lbs 2oz and 25 inches long. The doctor and lactation consultant both said he is definitely growing, but they were both stumped as to why he doesn't sleep more than 5 hours (and no more than 3 hours after that). On the doctor's recommendation we started some solids (avocado and then rice cereal) and formula before bed. He's not sleeping any better...
Here are some pics of the boys to hold you over...
I'll be enjoying the last few days with the boys before I return to work, but look for more posts later next week!
Our little guy is growing up SO fast! I can't believe he's already 3 months old...and he's acting like he is even older! He is laid back and super sweet.
At 3 months, Brice is:
-Still such a happy boy. It seems like he is constantly smiling or cooing. He smiles when we get him out of his crib. He smiles when we talk to him. He smiles at Chase and Mueller. He smiles at his toys. While we were away, he got to smile at a lot of family and friends. Brice even smiles at strangers.
-Paying lots of attention to his brother and dog. The blur that is Chase is now so interesting for Brice to watch. He follows Chase and Mueller around the room and gives him the biggest smiles.
-On the move. Brice is trying to sit up. Seriously. He leans forward when he is propped up against a pillow or in his chair. He thinks he is such a big kid. Brice also rolls onto his side and onto his stomach. He even rolls over when he is swaddled in his crib. A few times we've heard him SCREAMING on the monitor only to discover that he's rolled over while swaddled and is stuck.
-Sitting up in his bumbo. Not for very long, of course, but he does love the view of his feet.
-"Chatting" it up all the time. We talk. He talks to his toys. "Gooooo....boooo....ahgoo" Now that he can see Mueller, he talks to him too.
(as a bonus, this video includes Chase singing)
-Loving his playmat! He chats with his toys, grabs at them, and moves himself all around. His favorite toy is Hula Monkey, who he loves talking to. Sometimes it sounds like he is getting mad that she doesn't respond! He kicks his feet and moves his arms all around.
-Loving the bath. He splashes away.
-Starting to put his hands in his mouth and drooling all over the place. I'd say we're expecting teeth, but Chase did the same thing at 3 months and we didn't see a tooth for another 5 months!
-Still grazing- He's still nursing often. It's usually 3 hours between when he wakes up and his first meal, then every one or two hours for the rest of the daty. Brice nurses for 5-10 minutes at a time. At bedtime he takes a bottle and has anywhere from 1 1/2 to 4 1/2oz. The amount he drinks is directly proportional to how much he sleeps...
-Napping every 1-2 hours. He's never awake for more than 2 hours without napping. The good news is that Brice can generally fall asleep for a nap on his own if we swaddle him, give him a binky, and put on some background noise. Recently, he's even been staying asleep when the binky falls out.
-Still not sleeping at night. Brice sleeps from about 8:30-1 or 2am (depending on how much he eats before bed) then usually wakes up around 4am and again at 5:30am. Then he wakes up again around 6:30 or 7 before getting up for the day at 8am.
Needless to say, the grazing and not sleeping have got me worried (and TIRED) that he's not getting enough food during the day. We're going to the doctor this week to make sure he is gaining enough weight (I'm pretty confident that he is) and to talk about ways to improve his sleep.
-Just about moving into 3-6 month clothes. He's just too long for his 0-3 clothes.
-Sleeping in the crib in his own room for all naps and at night. Although sometimes we put him in the co-sleeper in our room if he's been up a lot.
We really cannot get over how fast the time is passing and how quickly Brice is growing up. Despite our challenges with sleep, we are so happy and proud of our little guy.
Once again this year, the Zayac cousin(s) came to visit. Last year it was just Chase and Addy; this year there were five little cousins on the beach!
It was a hot one so the babies hung out in their respective tents...
...while the Daddies took the "big" kids in the ocean...
(wearing rival team hats- not shown here)
After getting the kiddos (and all their gear) off the beach, the babies proceeded to sleep in the house. Literally half of the living room was taken up by May 17 cousins.
After nap time, Chase and Addy went swimming in the kiddie pool on the deck (just like last year!)
Then it was time to feed the duckies!
We then attempted the ambitious feat of photographing all 5 kids together. It was quite an undertaking (to be documented at a later time through a series of hilarious photos), but we managed this one where Chase and Addy are looking and you can mostly see the little guys.
Chase and Addy really love spending time together and they are so cute playing together. After all this time with babies, they decided to take over...
It was such a fun day- these pictures don't do it justice. We can't wait to spend more beach time with Joe, Meg, Addy, JW, and Liam in the years to come!
By far, Chase's favorite part of our shore trip was the boardwalk! We bought 60 tickets for the rides, but weren't sure how Chase would feel about the rides (despite us talking it up to him for weeks beforehand). Luckily we also put him in his (tall) Thomas sneakers and a hat that ensured he met the 36" minimum for many of the rides.
Chase hesitated only for a moment- then it was non-stop rides.
First up was the firetrucks (ne-naws)!
Then Daddy and Chase rode on the trucks (Chase insisted).
Daddy was thrilled...!
Then it was the alligator...
...and the boat...
(Chase and Daddy in front of the bumper cars, one of the few rides that he didn't go on)
...and the helicopter, which he flew up high in the sky scaring Mommy...
...and the motorcycle...
...and then back on the fire truck...
(while Daddy and Brice watched)
...then it was time for the fish...
...before we finally got some ice cream!
Throughout the night there were also two rides on the choo-choo with Daddy and Grampy and Daddy, respectively, and a ride on the crazy bus with Mommy.
We had 2 tickets left so we took one last ride on the choo-choo. Chase insisted that Mommy come and bring "Bricey" for his first choo-choo ride!
Chase is still talking about the boardwalk- it was definitely a trip to remember!
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