Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

Friday, October 25, 2013

18 months

Kai is officially 1 1/2 years old!  We had his doctor's appointment this past week and he tipped the scale at 26 lbs 4 oz (70th %ile) and 32 inches tall (50th %ile).  Kai had usually been around the 50th percentile for both, but he must be packing on some winter weight right now. :)


At 18 months Kai is:
-wearing size 4 diapers
-transitioning into 18-24 month or 24 month clothes (jeans and sleeves need to be rolled)
-wearing size 5 shoes
-becoming Daddy's boy more and more
-putting together 2 & 3 word sentences (I'll try to list some at the bottom)
-inseparable from his binky and blankie (aka nigh-night)
-a pro at puzzles, animal sounds, pointing things out in books, and matching shoes (see pictures)









Words & Phrases at 18 months:  (I know I won't be able to name them all)
-mama/mommy
-daddy
-Mickey
-Minnie
-Papa
-Nana
-Nene (Wendy)
-Josh
-Ella
-Ava
-Buddy (nickname for daycare friend)
-Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates)
-puppy
-cow
-duck
-bunny
-cow
-tiger
-monkey
-Scout (his puppy pal)
-circle (???)
-yellow (???)
-bubble 
-wa-wa
-milk
-juice
-ball
-ow
-num num num (for a snack)
-hi
-bye
-hotdog (sounds like dadog - from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)
-no
-binky
-blankie (usually called nigh-night)
-book
-uh oh
-stuck
-down
-up
-please
-thank you
-out (usually signaling that he is "all done")
-go
-nigh-nigh
-shoes
-drink
-hop hop
-butt
-pee pee
-poopy
-cheese (for pictures)
-There it is
-No no ________  (insert name - usually Daddy or Mommy)
-Thank you (insert name)
-Here you go Mama (sounds more like Here go Mama)

Animal Sounds:
-dog
-cat
-snake
-horse
-sheep
-cow
-monkey
-lion, tiger, bear (ROAR for all)
-duck
-pig

Identifies Body Parts:
-head
-eyes
-ears
-nose
-mouth
-teeth
-hands
-legs
-toes
-butt
-pee pee  :)



Kai will attempt any word you ask him to say, but a lot of those he won't repeat without prompting.  The only word he uses sign language for is "more" which I think he learned from story time this summer.  Kai has been a quick learner all along and I know that I am probably forgetting half of the words and things he can do/say.  It seems like every day he has learned a new word and this mama can't keep up!! 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Dear Kai...

I am writing this letter to you for a very specific reason.  As I type, you are sound asleep in the next room.  In a few short weeks, Mama will be heading back to work and you back to daycare.  I'm getting teary just typing those words.  We have had such a fun summer, haven't we?  That is the purpose of this letter -- to wrap up all of those summer memories so we can cherish them forever.

Our summer started out slow and cold but I was so happy to be home with you.  I remember that first week, trying to come up with fun adventures for us everyday.  By Wednesday, I was out of ideas! The weather was not cooperating.  We went to the mall, library, Target, and discovered toys that we had forgotten about at home.

By week two, we were into a routine.  We went to story time almost every Monday morning and made some new friends.  We set up play dates for Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and then Thursdays and Fridays we spent with the Malcolm girls.



There are so many things that I want to remember about you from this summer but I think I can do it best in pictures....

....your love of bikes.  I can just feel how much you want to keep up with the "big kids" on the street...if only you could ride a bike.


....your fearlessness.  A leech?  No problem.


....your love for these two girls.  I think you are going to grow up knowing that it is your job to protect them.


....being anywhere outside is your happy place.  Parks, pools, driveways...you name it - you love it.


....the ease at which you could make friends.



....your BLOND hair.  Yes, it is coming in and it is is blond.  You are a heartbreaker with that blond hair, dark brown eyes, and tan skin.


....saying goodbye to your almost toothless grin.  You've had two teeth since right before your birthday and in the past couple of weeks we've seen and felt at least 4 coming in at once.  You are being a champ, but I'll be sad to see your gummy smile go.



....your love of the water!  Swimming lessons came at the end of the summer but luckily you enjoyed the water long before.  Although I'm with you on the temperature....put me in cold water and I'm outta there!  You seem to have the same opinion.





  

....our play dates.  Honestly, you would play with just about anyone, but it's nice to have some friends your own age too.



....the fun we had at story time.
Story time at the Arboretum

Arboretum after story time

Last day of story time at the library
 .....your love for rides!  We took you on rides at Sturgis Falls and the Franklin County Fair this year and you loved them all!



I mean, just look at that smile.


I hope you enjoyed this summer as much as I did!  I can't wait to make more memories this winter and for summers to come.

Love always, 
Mommy


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Fifteen Months

Updated July 18 with new and forgotten (by mommy) words

This summer is just flying by and yesterday Kai reached the 15 month mark.  We had his doctor's appointment this morning which resulted in 2 shots (little did Mommy know).  Kai currently weighs 23lbs 5oz and is 31in tall.  He's gained just over one pound and grown one inch since his 12 month appointment.  He's still right around the 50th percentile for height and weight.  Kai did really well with his shots this time.  Of course he cried for about a minute afterward but we went to a play date when we were done and everyone said they couldn't believe he had just gotten shots.  Tough little boy!






At fifteen months Kai is:
-wearing size 4 diapers
-wearing 12-18month or 18month clothes
-wearing size 4 shoes
-drinking between 8-16oz of whole milk a day (somedays he won't finish a whole sippy cup throughout the day, other days we have to refill it)
-SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT - usually about 12hours
-running. everywhere.
-sitting in a convertible car seat forward facing (as of 7.2.13)
-saying lots of words (I'll list them at the bottom)
-giving hugs and kisses when asked
-taking one nap a day
-Mommy's boy
-still only showing 2 teeth, but it looks like some are coming soon on the top



Words at 15 months include:
-mama
-dada
-daddy
-Mickey
-Papa
-puppy (still sounds like puckey)
-doggie
-bubble 
-wa-wa
-ball
-ow
-num num num (for a snack)
-hi
-bye
-hotdog (sounds like dadog - from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)
-no
-binky
-blankie (sounds like binky but you can tell by what he's pointing at)
-uh oh
-stuck
-down
-up (just the /p/ sound)
-please
-thank you
-Ella (???)
-out (usually signaling that he is "all done")
-go
-nigh-nigh



Kai can also point to his nose, toes, ears, and show you his belly when asked.  When asked what sound a puppy makes he usually roars, which is what he did at most animals during our zoo visit.  He is really good at pointing to people when asked where they are as well as pictures in books when we ask.  Kai is still a lover of books, his blankie, binky, and being outside.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Summer Vacay!!

**This is a really long post, so feel free to just browse the pictures.  You'll get the idea!!***

Last Tuesday night, we loaded up the mini van and started our vacation!  With myself, Kai, Wendy, Ella, and Ava in my van and Tyson, Darren, my dad, Josh, and Marley (Josh's dog) in the Tahoe, we began our 8 hour journey north.  (My mom headed up the day before us with my cousins.)  We decided it was best to drive through the night so all the littles would sleep.  Sleep they did not.  Well, sort of.  We left Dumont just before 8:30pm and both babies were out by 9:30.  However, we made a pit stop for gas an hour later and woke up the whole car!  Dang it.  It then took Kai 2 hours to fall back sleep, putting us after midnight!!  He was waking up Ella and Ava in the process as well.  He was tired but his body just would not let him sleep!!  Anyway, after yet another stop and kiddos waking again, we finally made it to Sleepy Hollow Resort in Northome, Minnesota at 4:00am!  My mom greeted us at the door and we quickly transferred kids into their beds.

Kai (our alarm clock) woke us up at 8:00am Wednesday morning.  So after 4 hours of sleep, we ate a pancake breakfast by the late and got ready to spend the day in the water!  (Side note: Sleepy Hollow Resort is owned by my aunt and uncle)  Kai "swam" in the lake for the first time but would only let mommy hold him!  He didn't really know what to think.  The water was a little chilly when we first got in but is really the perfect temperature once you've taken the plunge and gotten all the way in.  He cruised around in a floaty until lunch and nap time.  While Kai and Ella slept, we jumped on the trampoline, tried out the water bike, paddle boats, and kayaks.  They had so many funs things to do at their resort!  After a day in the water, we ate a big supper, went fishing, and struggled to get kids to sleep.  They didn't want the day to end!

Lake-side breakfast                                                                                    Papa's babies!



Don't let these sweet faces fool you!! They are partners in crime!

Biker boy!
                                        Love these three!!                                                                                    Nana's boy!


On Thursday (Happy 4th of July!!) we woke up a little later, ate brunch, dressed in patriotic colors, and took Kai on his first boat ride!!  He didn't love the life jacket but I was prepared with snacks!  About 10 minutes into the ride, he fell asleep on Nana's lap.  Just before reaching the dock, we slipped his life jacket off and Nana carried him inside to sleep.  This time while Kai napped, the girls went tubing!  We ate an early supper this night so we could all go out fishing (guys on one boat, girls and kids on the other).  This time, Kai wore a different life jacket and REALLY hated it!!  When we got to a fishing spot and stopped, enough was enough and I just took the jacket off.  I didn't do any fishing because I decided not to get a license, but it was exciting enough to watch!  The girls were definitely catching more fish than the guys.  While all of this action was going on, Kai was content playing with the leeches that were being used for bait.  I know...total boy right?!  We ended the night in the Rec Room playing games after the mosquitos were too bad during our campfire.




                                                      First boat ride!




                                                                                          Ava loves her Joshie!
                                   


Leeches!

Friday was another beautiful day!  Ava didn't want to go swimming and Ella hadn't really loved the lake water, so Mari (my aunt) set up a baby pool that we filled with half hot water and half lake water.  It was the perfect temperature!  The guys were out trying to fish again.  When they got back, we handed off the kids and the girls loaded up the pontoon with drinks and books and went out on the lake.  We found a spot out of the wind, tied up our floaties to the the boat and each other, and laid out.  After realizing we were all probably burnt, we called it a day after about 3 hours!  We spent another night in the Rec Room after supper.

Attempting some cousin pictures.....

....now we've lost Ava...

Snack time in the jammies

On Saturday, we woke up to colder weather and off & on rain.  This was our last day at Sleepy Hollow so we ended up doing a lot of reading, napping, and packing anyway.  A perfect day to catch up on sleep!  We had decided to try driving at night again, so after an early supper, we loaded up the two vehicles and trailer and headed for Minneapolis.  We weren't feeling brave enough to try the 8 hour drive again.  We arrived at our hotel around 11:30pm and Kai was WOUND up!!  As soon as we got in our room, he started running around and checking out everything!  When I was trying to get him to go to sleep, he kept laughing nonstop.  Silly boy.  It took about an hour to get him settled down and to sleep.

Oh look!! Tyson was on vacation with us!

Family pic!
Sunday morning came bright and early but we were excited to take the kids to the Como Zoo.  It's a zoo in St. Paul that is free will donation (they recommend $3/adult & $2/kid).  It took us just under 2 hours to get through it all.  Tyson and I agree that this zoo is the perfect size for Kai right now and probably even next summer.  He loved all of the animals, although most he called puppies or roared at them.  Attached to the zoo is an amusement park that we might have to try out next summer.  It would be a perfect weekend getaway!  We stopped for a quick lunch after leaving the zoo and then headed back home, arriving in Cedar Falls at about 6:00pm.

Fishies!!

My favorite guys!



Burton family of 4?


An attempt at Nana & Papa w/ grandkids picture....

Waving at the tiger!

Standing right next to the lion

Mommy & Kai....the best picture we could get


Love this loud little girl! :)

Nana & Kai with his souvenir monkey


Even though Kai didn't sleep great or really want anything to do with anyone but mommy, we still had a GREAT time!!  He is at a perfect age for fun getaways like this and it doesn't take much to keep him entertained!