Andrew-16.5 months

The Drew-man is our little man! He is a bundle of fun and a terror all at the same time! Usually while he is causing havoc and turning over the just picked up box of toys, he is smiling and laughing as if this is the best day of his life; and before you can catch him he is on to the next thing to destroy.
At such a young age he knows how to joke around when we ask him things and usually is ready to wrestle anytime he sees the opportunity (if someone is on the floor).
He has a growing vocabulary, but these are things he has mastered to say:
Mama, Dada, Nana, Papa, Oh Man, uh oh, yes, NO, juice, futbol (word for any sport but especially hockey).
He devours anything that you offer him and takes after the other 2 in this house when it comes to loving things to drink. He never wants to be left out of the action, in his mind, if they going - I am going! He loves his daddy, but for the first time I think he favors his mom more. :)

I took Andrew to the Dr. a couple days ago to follow up on his continual constipation issue and his lack of gaining weight. He is still only 18.8 pounds at 16.5 months old. I think that's what he weighted at his 9 month checkup. The doctor ran some tests which required me and 2 other nurses holding him down while 1 nurse tried to find a vein in his little arm to extract blood from. It was not fun to say the least especially since it took a couple of tries. There is a very good chance, that there are no issues, he just might be a small kid. But at the same time, my heart aches to think that anything else might be going on in his little body. Once I know something, I will let you all know.

As for Andrew, we all look forward to him waking up in the morning, because he is so joyful and playful. There are mornings when Isabelle just can't handle waiting and she wakes him up. I love the way he loves life with his joyful attitude and loves me with his sweet hugs and kisses!

**I got a message from the Dr. that all the results came back "normal", so I guess he is just small! Praise Jesus!**

New view

I ran some errands today while my parents took Izzy out for an early birthday breakfast. I thought is was about time to put Andrew in a big car seat. He was so excited and loved looking around. I'm not sure if he is 20lbs yet (going to the Dr. soon) but come on he's 15 months old!

Cheese Head

I guess you don't need to live in Wisconsin to be a cheese head!

A boy after nana's own heart

Recently Andrew has discovered independence! It's usually a bad thing because it entails lots of whining, fussing and frustration from both of us. This however is the blessing of the independence- he wants to do everything everyone else does. It's as if he needs to prove to us that he is a big boy and able to do things. I won't complain- I could their 6 extra hands to keep things clean. ***My apologies for the bad lighting

Happy Halloween

More to come...

No rub a dub dub

Andrew HATES the bath, in fact, he hates any activity that includes getting wet. This is much like his father, I didn't know that this could be inherited? So, this evening after dinner, the kids were covered with sauce. I figured the easiest way to clean them completely was to bathe them. Brenton and I know that it will be a short, but loud process to bathe Andrew so we are prepared with soap, water and towels readily available. The instant he knows he is going into the bath, he SCREAMS. If the windows were open, it would sound as if we were torturing him. Tonight, was no different except for surprise he had for me when I put him in. He was screaming, like usual, but this time just as I put his bottom in the tub, he pooped! With great surprise, I screamed for Brenton to come up and help me. After all the chaos and commotion, I cleaned out the tub. But because the Lord has instilled me stubbornness, I was not going to let him off the hook, so I put him back in, and finished out the bath. I don't to be the mom of the "smelly kid" at school someday. I can clearly remember who the smelly kids were in my classes, I surely don't want Andrew to be that kid!
I don't get it! My other kids LOVE water and would stay in the bath or pool all day if I would let them. We didn't do anything different with him, but he hates it. Does anyone else have this problem, or any suggestions?

How Long Should the Kids Cry?

How long should you let your kid cry after you have put them to bed?

When Isabelle was young she once cried for 3 hours before Stephanie broke down and took her out. Tonight Andrew went almost forty minutes. I feel so bad listening to him wail but I don't want him to think screaming is a ticket to late night play time.

How do you all do it? What has been your experience?

A Moose, A Bear, and A Monkey...oh my!

It all started when my dad started calling Jacob the moose after he was born. Ever since, it seems that all kids get a nick name related to an animal. Izzy, is the bear, and now Andrew is the monkey. He actually really likes the name. When we call him the monkey he bounces up and down, giggles, and makes a monkey sound- it's adorable. Plus, he climbs up everything, and jumps off things, just like a monkey. Plus, I know everyone is thinking it, he has ears like a monkey! I am not sure where my kids get this "no fear" kind of attitude about life.

Happy Birthday!!!!

(One day old - One year old)

Happy Birthday Andrew... today you are 1! I can't believe how fast the year has gone. You have brought great joy and an extra amount of laughter into our home. You love cuddling with mom, wrestling with dad, and being included in all the activities that your brother and sister do. You have such a quiet spirit that is filled with love. You are easy going and ready for whatever is on the agenda. I love the way you say mama, dada, and wave and say ba-bye to anyone you know or don't know. You are very ticklish, and love doing head dives into anyone laying on the floor. It's amazing to see you walk around the house with a hockey stick in your hand and chase the ball around to hit it (this gives your daddy great joy!). I know that I if I am having a rough day, I can pick you up and get some great hugs and kisses that will refresh me for the rest of the day. We love you so much! We pray for you daily, and we can't wait to see the journey the Lord takes you on. You are true gift from God. Happy Birthday Drew-man!

Slap happy

My face hurts...Andrew is slap happy. It's a new thing for him to slap me in the face when I am holding him. I have probably redirected him 25 times today. I am trying to show him how to be gentle with his hands. I have a feeling this is going to be a long hard journey, especially since his brother and sister tend to not be the most gentle. He slaps and then gives me a huge smile like I should praise him. I don't understand why the firm voice and squeezing of the hand and stern look don't work, he just continues to think it's funny. Any advice?

In his dust

Andrew's been walking for about 3 weeks. He's good now and is almost able to keep up with the other 2 kids...I am in so much trouble very soon. Here is a small clip of what my little man can do!

Snuggles the bear

What is it about kids and clean folded laundry? I swear they have a radar that tells them when it's time to fold laundry. All my kids see to jump in the pile when it's right out of the dryer, and then once it's folded, they become creative beings that come up with new ways to destroy all the hard work I have done. Andrew really loves the laundry. I should stop getting him toys and just fill a basket full of folded clothes and let him pull each item out, it would keep him entertained for hours!

Best buddies

A couple weeks ago, we got to hang out with Andrew's buddy, Aiden. They are one week apart and the cutest two little boys ever! They were enjoying some yummy wagon wheels together on a lovely sunny day.

ER

I took Andrew to the ER last night at 10pm. He had hives all over his body including his head and face. I was nervous especially since he had just recently gotten a penasillan shot. I am glad I went in, because he was having an allergic reaction to the medicine. They gave him a shot of Benadryl and now has to have some every 6 hours until the hives stop popping up. He is my first baby that has a known allergy to medicine. I pray this is not a sign of other allergies he may have to food or other things. He's doing much better today, he's such a trooper. I knew inside me that he was probably fine, but it was still scary to be in the ER with my baby. I'm so glad it was something that wasn't serious that he could come home. I was thinking I didn't know what I would do if he had to stay in the hospital. I really hope none of them ever have to be admitted for something.

7 months

Two days ago Andrew turned 7 months. I can not believe how fast time is going by, but espeically how fast Andrew is learning to move and stand. He has now mastered pulling himself up. Andrew is still a very happy baby that goes with the flow of life. He likes to play by himself, or wrestle with his dad and brother and sister. His new found love is food of any sort, and singing and clapping to "Patty-Cake". He recently got his first 2 teeth on the bottom. I don't remember what life was like without him, and I am so glad he is a part of our family.

Rub a dub dub three kids in the tub

Andrew's first experience in the big bath with the big kids. He was not a fan at first, but the kids did a great job of distracting him to make him laugh.

6 months!

Andrew is 6 months as of yesterday! I can't believe how fast time goes by. He is moving around, sitting, and eat food. He loves his brother and sister, reading books, laughing, and cuddling. He is so sweet!

Rock a Bye Baby No more

Andrew has gotten to a place where he depends on someone holding him til he falls asleep. So today the journey begins, he is crying in his crib for the first time, to fall asleep. I hate doing this to my kids, I hate hearing the piercing screams come from the room. I hate going in the room to reassure him he is ok and that it's time to go to sleep. But, I have so much on my list to do, I can't sit and hold/rock him for 10-15 min til he falls asleep. I put him in at 8:55am, it's now 9:16 and he just stopped crying. YEAH that is the shortest with any of the kids. The first time Jake cried it out it was over an hour. Isabelle, she's a whole other story. She cried 3 hours and never went to sleep- I don't think she ever cried herself to sleep- that's the will of her!

So, hopefully I can stick to it. I love cuddling with Andrew, he is so sweet!

Cutting teeth is no fun!

Andrew is working on his first 2 teeth on the bottom. He is not having a good time doing it! He's been more irritable and clingy. I would love it so much if I didn't have to tend to the other 2 but...no-I love it anyway. Although my house is not getting any cleaner! Hopefully they will come through soon I feel so bad for the little man.

Ready to GO!

Andrew has been ready to get moving for a couple weeks now. He has managed to learn that he can roll his way around the room. Now, in the past couple days he has gotten into the crawling position and taken a few small and short strides. He gets rocking then screams in frustration and finally collapses on his belly. But he is not a quitter, he continues to try until he makes some progress across the room. I can't believe he is already mobile. He can't sit up yet, but he is ready to run with the other two.