Brady-4 /Brynn 21 Months

Brady recently had a birthday and is so excited to be 4. He got a Leapfrog LeapPad from Mom and Dad and loves it! He sneaks away with it every time I'm not looking and starts playing. He was sick on his actual birthday and didn't get to celebrate with his friends at school. Then on his party day we had some horrid weather preventing his cousins and buddies from coming. He handled all the disappointments well and we still managed to have fun celebrating. I got very few pictures of his party and what I did take was mostly crap, but here you go....

Brynn is now 21 months and acting very much like a toddler. She has a hoarding problem that continually makes me laugh. If I tell her to go put her shoes on, she first has to gather her things...Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Blankie #1, Blankie #2, and Baby. Her vocabulary is growing every day. She calls Brady "Bady". She loves to play I'm gonna get you. She likes going to school and especially loves circle time. She can identify most of her body parts, and lots of animal noises. She is starting to show her independent side. She gets really excited when asked to do simple tasks like putting things in the garbage or laundry hamper.

I hope to find more time for blogging in the future, but as things sit right now there just isn't enough time in the day. I am carrying so much guilt right now for the things I haven't done...had lunch with friends, updated baby books, exercised. How does one find balance? I need that right now.

Serious update needed, but for now just this.

Sometimes Brynn looks like this....

 or this happy sweet child, but lately she has looked a lot like THIS

I am trying desperately to get through these tough months with my sanity still intact.

Preschool

Brady started 3 day preschool this week. Drop off the 1st day was rough...a nightmare, really. He had expressed some nervousness about not having any friends, but I thought he would get over it quickly. We arrived with him clinging to my leg. We put his name tag on and hung up his backpack. It was time to find a carpet square and work on puzzles until all the kids arrived. He freaked-threw himself on the floor and begged for me to stay. After realizing I wasn't helping I left feeling awful, shed a few tears and put faith in his new teacher to handle him. Both Dad and I were waiting at pickup to make sure he was ok. Thankfully he came around and has adjusted-day 2 was a little better, and day 3 was great.

He still insists upon bringing a stuffed animal with him to school. I'm not really sure what this is about.  He has never had a "lovie" or "blanket", but I was sure glad he had it those first 2 days.

On a side note, I need to buy him pants without a button and zipper because stupid two handed Mom didn't realize that would be difficult for him. Poor kid walked around with his pants unbuttoned at school because he was too shy to ask anyone to help him after he went potty.

Family Vacation

 

A vacation was desperately needed around here and we were so thankful to have some friends who wanted to go with us! The kids had a blast swimming and playing at the beach.  Our kids even shared a bedroom and slept well. It was relaxing and easy-can't wait to do it again next year!

16 Months

 Brynn has really hit the toddler stage now. She is into everything, climbing (and falling) constantly, and throwing epic tantrums. She can finally go down stairs.  She has become very attached to her blanket and paci. Whenever she needs comfort she marches to her room and grabs her blanket. Then screams until someone gets her a paci from the top of her dresser. Limiting usage has become next to impossible because she is the most sensitive little girl ever.

Words have been coming slowly-she now says Up, Owie, and thank you. She loves songs and will do the hand motions for most of them. Itsy Bitsy Spider is her favorite and it's about the only thing that keeps her still for a diaper change. She can point to 5 body parts. She loves to show off her belly button.

 

 She is starting to love all things girly-Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty and her tiara. She loves trying on shoes and wearing pretty necklaces.

 Sibling squabbles have been at an all time high. My children are incapable of playing together. I am thankful school has started so they can get a little break from each other. Brynn is doing a toddler class with Mom that separates. I am anticipating the separation to be difficult for her. She is also doing an evening class with Dad so they can spend some time alone together.

3.5

I am so far behind on this blog I don't even know where to begin....

Brynn-Our little honey is in a very cute stage right now. Talking isn't happening a lot yet, only "num, num", "Da Da", and something that sounds like "Hey you". She sleep amazingly well still taking 2 naps per day. She has grown a ton since her 12 month checkup. We put her on the scale yesterday and she has gained close to 5 lbs. in 3 months. She waves, blows kisses, and high fives. She loves to hug her dolls. She has been working on a lot of teeth the last few weeks making her slightly intolerable at times. She is a little ankle biter at dinner time making it impossible for me to make anything that requires more than 5 minutes of prep.

Brady is 3 1/2 today. We are working very hard at potty training and I can confidently say we are at a stage where I can't see us going backwards again. He is dressing himself. He has really turned into a big boy. He loves to ask me what is happening next. Every night before he goes to sleep he has to have the rundown for the next day. He is still being incredibly picky about eating, many nights lately he has passed on just about everything offered to him. He loves to swing outside, read books, and wrestle with  Dad.

The kids have been keeping us very busy lately...the sink is full, laundry piling up, and adult time has been at an all time low. We are looking forward to a little vacation later this summer-our 1st family trip since the addition of Brynn!