Brooks at 2.5 years old

I feel like I could just copy and paste Collins' 2.5 year update here for his update.  So similar. 

It's not new news that our kids are little.  We were at the doctor a couple weeks ago and I'm pretty sure the scale said 26 pounds. Lots of people comment that he's grown a lot recently and since a stranger thought they were twins, I'd  say he's catching up to his sister in the height department. There aren't too many foods he turns down, so I don't know how he doesn't weigh more. Italian is his favorite, he can mow down lasagna crazy fast.  Strawberry Danimal yogurt drinks are the only milk he'll drink and he isn't much of a fan of cheese.  Complete opposite of his cheese obsessed mom and sister.  Some of his favorite foods include: mac and cheese, burgers, french fries, pears, muffins, watermelon and peas just to include a vegetable.

We think he's inherited his mom and dads allergies/asthma.  He's on a daily allergy pill and anytime he gets sick it usually ends up as bronchitis and requires some breathing treatments.  We'll get him tested when he's a little older to find out exactly what he's allergic too, my guess is just seasonal stuff and maybe animals because some breeds of dogs make his face break out.

He's potty trained!! We did the 3 day method mid February and even though he got really sick on day 2 (pink eye, ear infection, strep throat and bronchitis), we stuck with it but didn't push it too hard.  Even sick, he did awesome and only had about 8 accidents total that whole weekend.  We'd have to put a diaper on him to poop for the first couple weeks but thankfully he's learned it's not scary to do that on the potty.

He's such a lover boy.  "Mama! Hold me!" "Mama! Hug me!" are two phrases that are said many times a day.  I'm nervous for when he has to share me with the baby. He's loves his baby brother so much already and regularly hugs and kisses my belly.  He even stuffs his blanket up my shirt to share it with baby.  He gets devastated when Collins' forgets to give him a kiss before she goes to school. As sweet as he can be, he's a feisty one too.  We've had to work a lot on not pushing, hitting or stealing toys from others.  You just never know what your going to get with this boy. 

 

Just like Collins' at this age, bedtime is brutal.  They really know how to work that "go potty" phrase.  A few of his other stalling tactics are "driiiink" "socks on" "blankey by my ear," etc. We usually just have to turn off his monitor for awhile and ignore him. He naps for about 1.5 hours and sleeps from 8pm-6:45am. 

As far as sports, he starts soccer this weekend and he took gymnastics over the summer. He'd love to be in dance with sister but daddy isn't going to allow that one.  I'll give it to him, he's a pretty legit at soccer and baseball.  He refuses to hit off a tee and would rather us pitch to him.  Even though he colors with his right hand, he hits and throws with his left.  Other things that make him happy are playing outside, swimming, hide and seek, wrestling with dad, dancing, YouTube videos and other kids.  He's our social one and has no problem going up and playing with any kid. He can count to 10 pretty well.  It gets iffy around 6&7 but once you get him to 8, he can finish. 

Brooks, you are our little spitfire.  I have to take a lot of deep breaths throughout the day with you but then you make us laugh and show us so much love.  I hope that you always need my hugs and know that we love you so incredibly much.

Brooks at 18 months

He's nearly 19 months but you know what they say, better late than never! And since I haven't even bought him a baby book, I better get an update on the good ole blog.

This will not come as a surprise but little man weighed in at 21 pounds 3oz (3%) and 31 inches (21%). We just don't make large kids. I will say though, he was diagnosed with RSV at this appointment so his eating had been horrible. He weighed 22 pounds the week before when we went to doc for ear infection. You got it, RSV and ear infection all in a weeks time. Before Christmas, he had never been sick (other then a cold) since Christmas (Eve to be exact) he's had croupe, fevers and a sore throat on top of what I already mentioned. Needless to say, we are ready for warmer weather.

Despite his low weight, he can eat like a teenager. He goes through picky stages but he's a pretty great eater. Usually eating 2 helping at every meal. Breakfast foods are his love language and since Collins isn't a big breakfast eater, he gets to polish off her food too. He only likes to drink water. Juice is effy and milk is a big fat NO. We've tried every flavor under the sun and he refuses. So he gets lots of yogurt, cheese and a vitamin. Still wearing 12-18 month clothes. 

Some of his vocabulary includes oh no, no no no (think he hears no very often?), sish (sis), amba (amber), mamy (Amy), tuck (truck) etc. I'm horrible at writing down words he's said but needless to say, he does a decent job repeating any word you ask him too. Only if he wants to though. He could care less about learning his body parts.  He probably knows them but he's sort of a punk. He for sure knows where his belly button is and want's to see everybody's after he shows his.

He loves balls and throws a fit every time we come in from playing outside. We just got our yard fenced so he may spend 99% of Spring and Summer out there. I'll toss him food and water every now and then. He is becoming quite independent and wants to help with meal prep, cleaning, laundry, etc. Kind of nice, kind of annoying. Speaking of nice, he is not always that. He knows how to push buttons and can really get on his sisters' nerves. He is for sure a mam's boy and pretty much wants to be attached to me 80% of the day.  We recently went to an indoor pool and he was hesitant at first but warmed right up.  I think he's going to be a fish like his sister this summer. He likes blues clues, dancing and trying to do everything Collins does.  He dislikes me leaving, the 4:30-5:30pm hour and his sister always being in his face. 

 

Sleeping is his strong point. He sleeps from about 7:30pm-7:30am and takes a 2-3 hour nap.  We haven't braved taking the binky away yet but we try to only give it to him when he's sleeping.  He also loves to cuddle a blanket when he sleeps and prefers his crib. I kind of dread going out of town cause he doesn't always sleep good in a pack n play. 

Brooks, you run wild all day and wear your mommy out.  But at the end of the day, when your fast asleep in your crib, I miss your little guts.  Love you so so much. 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooks at 14 months

At 14 months, Brooks is a boy through and through.  He is wild! Into everything, thinks the word no is hilarious, runs faster if I'm coming for him, hates sitting still, has a sixth sense for open toilets that he can get his hands into and eats as much as a teenager. 

 

 

Became a full time walker about a week after his first birthday and hasn't slowed down since.

 

For the most part he sleeps 12+ hours at night but we also have sleepless nights here and there too.  When he has a good nights sleep, he only takes 1 nap but occasionally has a morning nap or a car cat nap.

 

 

He does a really good job mimicking animal sounds, says mama, dada, hi, I think he was saying Elsie (eh see) today and maybe a couple other words that I can't recall. 

 

Likes: being outside (like obsessed), riding in his wagon, baths, clapping and people clapping for him if he does something good, food, mommy, reading books (like actually sits still and listens) and balls.

 

 

Dislikes: anyone being outside without him, when mommy leaves (sometimes), his sister smothering him and not getting his way.

 

He's definitely harder toddler then Collins was but he can be the sweetest thing too.  He's always trying to get a laugh out of people and has a fake laugh that you can't help but not laugh at. His smile melts me to a puddle and I truly can't imagine life without him.

 

 

 

 

 

Brooks, your crazy but I love you just the way you are. xoxo

 

Brooks at one year!

Happy birthday my sweet and adorable baby boy (a week and a half late).  You are always on the go, fighting with your sister or getting into things you shouldn't.  So, when you sleep, I usually just want to enjoy the stillness. We had a Mexican themed fiesta for your first birthday and I think it turned out super adorable (more on that later. Maybe).  I can't believe a year has already went by! Here's what your up to at a year

 

 

 Birthday breakfast.  Sissy sang to him all day

Stats| 19lbs 11oz (7%), 29in (25%). He may be a year but he definitely doesn't look it. He's just a little guy.  He's still fitting into 9-12 month clothes and we've started to collect some size 4 shoes. They're a little big but since your not walking, they work. No new teeth this month so still has a total of 8. They've been swollen lately and pediatrician thought some were on the way. 

 

 

The only way to keep him still for a pic, turn camera around.  Not cocky at all

 

Eating| We've dropped all but the bedtime bottle and until he'll drink whole milk or we run out of formula, he'll  get that 6oz bottle. He despises whole or soy milk. Wether it's warm or cold. Our pediatrician gave us some recommendations that we are going to try. He doesn't even like Collins' chocolate milk. Must take after his mom and dad, we hate milk. Eating 3 meals and 2 snacks. He eats so so much. At least 2 helpings at every meal. 

Sleeping| 12+ hours every night. Occasionally  he'll wake up between 5-6am so I'll give him a bottle and he'll sleep till 8-9am!! 7:15pm-7:30am is the usual though. We skip a morning nap if he sleeps late so he has anywhere from 1-2 naps ranging from 1-3 hours. When people ask if we are ready for another baby I say heck no! We are finally getting some good sleep in this house! 

Playing| The fighting!! Already!! Brooks knows just what to do to make his sister mad and boy does she scream and get bad. I'm always telling them to share and be nice. We have a lot of girl toys but if there's a ball in sight, he's gonna get it. He'll drive his trucks around and make car sounds which is about the cutest things ever. He loves playing with things he shouldn't- cupboards, toilet water, dog food (I've lost count of how many times I've pulled dog food out of his mouth),  and anything sister has. We were facetiming Derek and he asked Brooks to blow him a kiss and he did it! I had no idea he could do it. 

 

 

Health|  Healthy as can be. They did an eye screen at his appt and he passed with flying colors. I held off on the blood draw since he got 4 shots but we'll get his levels checked next week (required at 1 year).

Likes| His mama's constant attention, dancing, food, climbing stairs, climbing the fireplace, climbing, climbing and climbing.  He's enjoying having the freedom to crawl around at the park and go down the slides. I'm pretty sure we've been to our neighborhood park every day this week and he loves crawling through a tunnel on the play system. He's been an awesome house hunter this past month. We've spent lots of time in the car, driving around neighborhoods  and inside random houses and he's been great. 

 

 

Dislikes| diaper changes, walking by the park and not getting to play, waiting on food, being told no, his sister not sharing and when mama leaves. We've had our first taste of seperation anxiety this month. It's only happened a couple times but it breaks my heart to leave to the sound of him crying.

Words| mama and dada for a couple months now, woah, hi and I think he says sis.

Other then your "witching hour" which is about 4pm to dinner time at 5:45pm, your a happy dude. You can be clingy but I try to remind myself that it won't be long before your running around and not needing me. You'll go to anyone and you have the cutest wave ever.  You've taken 7 steps so I think you'll get this walking thing down this month.  I'm  so thankful that your mine and love you to pieces. 

 

11/21/2015: Birthday shenanigans.  You played with the balloons for several days

Brooks at 11 months

It's happening, my baby is turning into a toddler.  And he can throw a fit to prove it.  Luckily he's super cute and has a grin that can get him out of any trouble he may cause. 

Stats| 20 pounds according to our scale and since he doesn't go to the doctor this month, I haven't the slightest clue how tall he is.  He doesn't stay still long enough for me to figure that one out.  Wearing 9-12 month clothes and size 4 diaper. I finally bought the kid some shoes and although I bought him a 2, they don't seem like they'll fit much longer.  And since he kicks them off and isn't walking yet, I'm in no hurry to buy more. 

 

This is Collins' photography skills

 

Eating| 4 bottles of 3-8 oz.  His first and last bottles he drinks great and the other 2 are more like snacks.  He eats 3 meals and a snack and will pretty much eat anything you hand him. He's a messy eater and pulls off his bibs so an automatic vacuum is on my wish list.  Still sporting 8 chompers

 

 

Sleeping| 7pm to 7:30 am.  Sometimes he'll drink a bottle around 6am and then sleep till 9am!! I really love him for that.  Depending on when he wakes up, he takes 1-2 naps.  If he has a morning nap it's about an hour and then the afternoon one is 1.5-2.  If he has 1 nap, its about 2-3 hours.  No complaints in the sleeping department. 

Playing| Finally crawling on his knees consistently, pulls up on anything and everything, stands for several seconds and has taken a step! He has really taken a liking to balls and has a decent through.  He wants whatever sister is playing with which results in a brawl.  I didn't expect the sibling fighting to start already!  He can quickly make it up a flight of stairs but hasn't mastered going down them.

 

 

Health| Clean bill of health this month.  It's only a matter of time before he gets sick from the crawling he did at numerous airports.  It had this germaphob mom cringing.  We've been rolling oils on his feet to boost that immune system and no sickies yet!

Likes| He experienced the ocean for the first time and loved the beach.  He'd crawl around on the sand and splash when the tide would come up to him.  The hideous car carts at the grocery store, screaming, when sister shares suckers with him and charming other people.

 

 

Dislikes| Sleeping on airplanes

 

Your funny, active, happy, curious, loveable, loud and so so adorable.  I get weepy thinking about you turning 1, it can't possibly be that time already! I love you so much sweet boy, don't ever forget it. 

 

These pictures were almost impossible.  Between a very active baby and a sister jumping in the crib I trapped her in, I'm glad I only have 1 month left. 

Brooks at 10 months

I've lost count of how many times people have made the comment that he's almost one! Or he's so big!  Although I'm very aware of these things, I refuse to believe them. 

Stats| I think around 19lbs 8oz and I have no idea how tall he is.  Wearing 6-9 month clothes and size 4 diaper.  He's looking older and older although he's still petite. 

Eating| 3 meals that usually consist of whatever we are eating, 1 snack and 4-5 bottles a day.  He's always been a snacker and even now, he'll only drink about 4 of the 6oz we make him. He can polish off 8oz before bed though. He had his first french fry this month and he refused to eat anything but french fries after he had one.  We were out to eat so I just let him have a healthy french fry lunch so he wouldn't scream. I'd say his 3 favorite foods are strawberries, lunch meat and noodles.  With the exception of honey, I think he's tried just about every food. 

Sleeping| He slept through the night for the first time ever right after he turned 9 months (May 25) and then continued it for almost a week before a tooth started popping through and that sleeping went through the window. I felt bad for him so I caved for about a week but we did one night of crying it out and now he's back to sleeping from about 7pm-7am. 

Play| Army crawling and started to crawl up on his knees.  Pulled to a stand on May 26 and attempted to climb the stairs on June 21.  He always wants to be standing and can stand for about 15 sec by himself.  He let's go of things and tries to take off walking but his upper body goes quicker then his feet which doesn't work out so well for him.  As much as I don't want him to walk, I want him to walk so he'll stop being so clingy! If I am anywhere in sight, he'll crawl to me or scream at me until I pick him up.  He just wants me to stand him so he can have a better view. He finally says mama and I swear he's trying to say bye.

Health| He's had a runny nose for about 2 weeks and I took him 2 weeks ago to the doctor thinking he had an ear infection but they looked great.  He pulls on his ears a lot when he's teething but I wanted to be safe before we went to the lake for the weekend.  I believe he was 19lbs 4oz at that appointment so I took a guess on his current weight. 

Likes| Water! We already knew he loved the bath but the rain finally stopped and we got to take him swimming and loves it.  Sits there splashing or floats around in his floatie.  Mexico next month will be fun.  He finally got the chance to sit in the seat of a shopping cart and he enjoys the view.  Collins either has to sit in the basket part or we get the hideous car carts at the grocery store that they both can sit in.  Boy does he like driving those! He likes swinging, being outside, giving open mouth kisses and riding on daddy's shoulders. 

Dislikes| Being confined in things like his jumper, going inside or having things taken away from him.  I swear our neighbors probably think he's abused from the high pitched scream he lets out when we bring him inside.  I sometimes think he can throw a bigger fit then Collins does.

Your at such a fun and exhausting age.  Stairs with no gate? Crawling straight for them.  Wires? Straight into the mouth.  Silly sounds and faces? The best laughs.  We love you so so much, buddy.

Brooks at 9 months

My baby boy is 9 months. As close as he is to becoming a toddler, it feels he's been in this baby stage for awhile.  I think I'm being paid back for being robbed of infanthood with Collins.  She was full on walking by now and Brooks wants nothing to do with even crawling.  I love it. 

 

Stats| 18lbs 3oz (10%), 27 1/4 in tall (10.25%) and 17.5 in head (25-50%).  Poor kid is a shrimp. I'm hoping he hits a big growth spurt so he's not a shorty going into school.  He's all over in the clothes department.  3-6 month shorts, 6-9 month pants and 9-12 months for one pieces and shirts.  We just bought a box of size 4 diapers which is crazy cause that's the same size Collins wears at bedtime but they are proving to be too big on him.  I was sick of poop going up his back and staining his clothes and his pajamas being wet in the morning because I hate changing him in the middle of the night, but they look a bit ridiculous on his tiny body.

 

easier to keep him still outside

Eating| We dropped his last nursing session recently so he's completely on formula and table foods. Bittersweet. He has four, 6oz bottles throughout the day and one in the middle of the night. I don't think there's been a food he's turned down. He basically eats whatever Collins is eating.  I've given up on baby food, he would rather shove food in his mouth by the fist full.  Almost every meal requires an outfit change. 

Sleeping| Goes to bed between 7-7:30pm and wakes around 7am with one middle of the night feeding. When we are home for morning nap, it's usually about an hour and then he takes a 2 hour afternoon nap. We haven't had to lower his mattress yet but he has recently learned to pull down his crib bumper to peek out. It's the first thing he does when he wakes up, pulls it down and just waits for us to walk into his room.  I love being greeted by his grinning face peeking out of his crib.

 

raise your hand if you think moms the best

 

Play| Rolling around like crazy.  He can get around so quick by barrel rolling.  Getting up on all 4's but not getting anywhere yet.  He can pull to his knees and prefers to be standing. At all times.  I don't know how I don't have buff arms from the amount I hold him and how acrobatic he is.  He loves putting blankets over his face and playing peekaboo, using his feet to play with toys and playing wherever sister is. He's a big mama's boy so he felt bad for Derek and learned how to say "dada" first.  Collins and Derek are trying their best to get him to say "sissy" next over "mama." Jerks.

Health| He could use a couple more pounds which is crazy to me because he's a bottomless pit and has rolls to show it.  Our pediatrician wasn't concerned just wants us to try and get him to drink more ounces and maybe add a snack in. He's popping teething like crazy.  4.5 on the top and 2 on the bottom with 2 more starting to come up.  We've lost 2 amber teething bracelets that I put on his ankle so I think I'll have to cave and let him wear a necklace.  I swear by these beads cause he was cranky for a couple days when we were without them.

Likes| You should see his rapid leg kicking when he's heading into the bath.  He also enjoys walking when you hold his hands, walks, and although it seems repetitive, he absolutely adores his sister.  Always looking around for her and laughing at everything she does.  Derek ran an errand with Collins and it was just me and Brooks at home, he was like a lost puppy.  He wouldn't stop looking around for her and was being so still and weird.  It was like he was just waiting for her to pop up and scare him like she likes to do.  It was sad how lost he was without her around. Diaper changes are impossible when he's either trying to eat his toes or rip his diaper off.  He can't be without a shirt or he unfastens his diaper.  Pretty sure he is too young to be doing that. 

 

Dislikes| Being startled, being spoon fed, me being close by and not holding him and working on crawling.

Brooks, you have a contagious smile and blue eyes that don't go unnoticed.  I'm so in love with you and so thankful you made us a family of 4.  Can we please work on saying "mama" though?

Brooks at 8 months

His first birthday has crossed my mind and that's just not ok!  I don't want him to grow up!!

 

 

 

Stats| I'm far to lazy to find that all out so I'm gonna say he's gained a couple ounces since we were at the doctor last month and guess he's around 16lbs 15oz.  They didn't measure him last month since it was just a weight check and flu shot so I won't even attempt to guess on that one.  He is mainly in 6-9 month clothing and a 3 in diapers. 

 

Eating| He is becoming quite the eater.  He literally screams, lunges and grabs for food that he sees.  I try and still do baby food 2-3 times a day but he also gets pieces of whatever Collins is eating.  I've lost track of all the food he has tried but some favorites include ground beef, avocado and cheese.  Yep, he's had his fair share of mac and cheese and I get it on his high chair fast enough. My kind of kid.  I'd say he's 50/50 on breast milk and formula.  I only nurse him 2-3 times in the day/night and the rest is formula or breast milk I've got stored up.  Usually I can only get him to take 3oz from a bottle except for his bedtime bottle and that one he'll do about 6oz.  I try and push more milk in him throughout the day but he pushes it away.  He's just way too distracted to eat and that's the main reason I started weaning him.  It became so stressful to try and keep Collins out of his room while I tried to feed him where it was quiet.  I sometimes feel guilty for weaning already since Collins never had formula but milk is milk and we gotta do what works for us. 

 

 

 

Sleeping| Because of the small milk intake throughout the day, he is stilllllll waking 1-2 times at night. The beginning of the month he was waking every 3 hours and is was brutal.  Some teeth popped through and the sleeping got better. He naps for an hour at 9am and takes a 2 hour nap at 1pm.  He gets fussy around 5 and will occasionally take a cat nap but we try to just keep him up until bedtime at 7pm. He's up for the day around 7am.  Now if I could just get him to do that 7pm-7am without waking up. Eventually, right?

 

Playing| He rolls all over the place and tries so hard to move.  He doesn't get on his knees but he thinks that if he kicks his feet fast enough, he'll go somewhere.  I walked into Collins room the other day to find him up on his knees holding on to her toy box.  I wouldn't be surprised if he skips crawling all together and just takes off walking. He's getting harder to hold because he thinks he can just get down and go.  I try my best to hold him as much as possible so he'll never learn to crawl or walk. Kidding! We got rid of the baby bath and now he sits and plays in the tub with big sis.  They can really get to splashing and having fun.

 

 

 

Health| No doctor visits this month.  He's working on a number of teeth though.  The ones on the side of his front teeth are pretty much through and his top 2 are coming as well.  Yep, the side ones are coming before the middle two.  So weird.  Needless to say, he's having some discomfort so I try to cut him some slack in the middle of the night. 

 

 

 

Likes| waving, splashing in the tub, going after sisters toys, watching the dog, eating table food and trying to talk.  I swear I've heard mama, dada and hi but not consistent enough to officially say he's talking.  Of course I'm always pushing him to say mama but as soon as I tell him to say mama, Collins goes "Brooks, say sissy." Poor baby is confused as crap on what he should be saying. 

 

waving

 

 

Dislikes| New people when he's tired or just woke up, not being fed quick enough.

 

A few other things I want to document is that he had his first sleepover! Derek and I had a murder mystery party to attend so auntie Amber is a godsend and offered to keep them both over night.  Brooks wasn't the best sleeper for her but he charmed her up and she's even offered to do it again.  I wish I could say I got a good nights sleep but I was missing my babies and had them picked up at 9am :) He will put his arms up or lunge towards you to be held, moves his body when you tell him to dance, waves and shakes his head no and looks around the room when you ask him where sissy or Collins is. 

 

This is him to a T.  Smiling and ankles crossed

 

 

My heart could burst with the amount of love I have for this boy.  Just look at him and you get a smile that will swoop you off your feet. He's got the best laugh, chubbiest cheeks and kissable face.  I love you, Brooksie bear.  More then you'll ever know. 

 

 

 

Collins at 8 months

Lifestyle pics by auntie

When auntie Amy says "lets go take your pictures," you go get your pics taken.  That's the great thing about lifestyle pics. No fancy outfits, no props and trying to pose a wild 2 year old or a 6 month old that just wants to play with his feet.  Just my babies, in our home, doing what they love to do. 

Let's start with Mr. Brooks.  Clearly he's "not quite on the growth chart.". Baby rolls make me weak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collins was in heaven getting to jump on her bed. I can't get her to take pics but she always turns it on for auntie

 

 

 

Let's be real, these 2 had a lot to do with the smiles coming from my kids. They love their cousins big time. Swoon.

 

 

As always, thank you sister for capturing our family.  I don't feel as bad only capturing pics through my phone because I can always count on you to get the best of pics.