Growin' Like a Weed : Andrew - 4 months

Height: 26" 

Weight:  15 lbs 4 oz

Likes: Mommy, Mommy's milk, sleeping with Mommy, STANDING (while being supported), DROOLING, me tickling under his neck in his chunky rolls and he's starting to squeal/chat! He COMES ALIVE when he's naked on his changing table! haha Kicks, squeals, chatting, you name it, he's doing it! I can't believe I'm writing this, but Drew likes short car rides!!! When he's fed, changed and trapped in with his pal "Jiggy the giraffe" to play with this sweet boy is good to go! BUT don't make him ride for more than about 23.5 minutes ;) OH, wait. HE FOUND IS HANDS and by golley does he like them! Ew. The sound and saliva is um interesting.

Dislikes:  LONG rides in the carseat. haha He's also not a fan of being laid down if someone isn't sitting really close and paying attention to him.  May it be the floor with is hang down toys, or his seat/standing toy, he's good for a few minutes, then loses it.  His biggest thing now is loud voices. Not loud noises, but yelling, talking loud, scolding his sisters. hahaha

Sleeping: He's taking about 4 naps a day in the bed/crib (PRAISE) and can still snag a nap on the fly at the library/park/etc.  Still sock mittens on his hands, with a paci and white noise.  I put him down around 8 and he sleeps until 12-1, nurses, and goes back to sleep for a few more hours. Wakes, nurses, and wakes and nurses, and wakes around 7-8 ready to start the day! He's nowhere near sleeping through the night but I'm okay with that.

Eating: Nursing. On demand. All day long.  Everyone says he's chunkyyyyy! Eat, awake/play, sleep schedule. Also, he can't stand me talking/someone around if he's nursing, he gets SO distracted. 

Playing: If I'm holding him, he plays great! His preferred position is standing and looking at me. He coos and giggles and smiles a lot now especially when you "nom" or tickle his ribs! He doesn't like to be laid down unless your right by him, but every now and then he'll do really well laying under that little PVC pipe toy I made and now GRABBING/HOLDING HIS TOYS! This guy is getting so big! Ohhh and he smiles, a lot! Sweet sweet thing loves to be talked to. He can roll from tummy to back and ALMOST from back to tummy! GO DREWBS, GO!<3 all="" and="" are="" baby="" because="" borrow="" bouncy="" div="" exersaucer.="" happy="" he="" i="" is="" long="" may="" most="" nbsp="" need="" now="" of="" our="" pointless="" s="" seats="" so="" standing="" swing="" to="" wiggly="">

Big Sisters: From the moment HE wakes they want to be with him! Oh man! Just gushing over him and laying by him in bed, putting blankets on him, fighting over who gets to hold/talk to him next. Oh my heart! haha They all have a special way to hold him too. Charlotte has him facing out with her arms and legs around him in a knot and she shushes him if he fusses. Brooke holds him facing her with his legs spread around her tummy and she does such a good job loving on him. I can also have her hold him for short periods of time if I need 2 hands for something.  Tay kinda copies Brooke's hold with her own flair. haha AND Tay loves to lay near him and baby talk to him, but not look at him, she like looks off into outer space. hahahaha ohhhh bless. Sweet Lord, I love these kiddos and I can't even being to thank you for each and every one of them. I'm not worthy of these precious blessings. Strengthen me and let your joy abound in me each day as I love on their precious faces! 

Growin' Like a Weed : Andrew - 3 months

Height: 23 1/2" 

Weight:  13 lbs 10 oz

Likes: Mommy, Mommy's milk, sleeping with Mommy, STANDING (while being supported), DROOLING, me tickling under his neck in his chunky rolls and he's starting to squeal/chat! He's also very strong! He can scoot on his back with his feet and really get moving! 

Dislikes: HIS CARSEAT! Still. He's also not a fan of being laid down if someone isn't sitting really close. He is not a fan of his sisters jumping/yelling/squeezing his face/pulling his legs/manipulating his arms (are you catching on to the trend?) hahaha bless those girls! 

Sleeping: He's taking about 4 naps a day in the bed/crib (PRAISE) with extended sleep time if I'm holding him and moving.  Unswaddled, but legs wrapped and sock mittens on his hands, with a paci and white noise.  He gets crazy hot when he sleeps and truly likes to know I'm near. I put him down around 8 and he sleeps until 12-1, nurses, and goes back to sleep for a few more hours. Wakes, nurses, and wakes and nurses, and wakes around 7-8 ready to start the day! He's nowhere near sleeping through the night.

Eating: Nursing. On demand. All day long.  I started eating low carb and I'm pretty sure my milk is a lot fattier now! Eat, awake/play, sleep schedule. Also, he can't stand me talking/someone around if he's nursing, he gets SO distracted.

Playing: If I'm holding him, he plays great! His preferred position is on my thighs, looking at me. He coos and giggles and smiles a lot now.  He doesn't like to be laid down unless your right by him, but every now and then he'll do really well laying under that little PVC pipe toy I made and BATTING AT HIS TOYS! This guy is getting so big! Ohhh and he smiles, a lot! Sweet sweet thing loves to be talked to <3 all="" and="" are="" baby="" because="" borrow="" bouncy="" div="" exersaucer.="" happy="" he="" i="" is="" long="" may="" most="" nbsp="" need="" now="" of="" our="" pointless="" s="" seats="" so="" standing="" swing="" to="" wiggly="">

Big Sisters: I meannn they love him! Brooke changes diapers every now and then and will help unbuckle him from the carseat. She likes to talk to him and act like Drew said words (and obviously she interprets them). Tay is still the goofy flighty baby voice that oogles over him but does nothing helpful. And Charlotte loves her Andeee and asked to hold him often (though he's nearbout as big as her!) haha The girls are a mess.  A mess I say. They're growing SO FAST and getting sassier and smarter by the minute. Praying that we can help them learn and grow in grace and wisdom. You know, it's not one big thing that changes their hearts, but 1,000 little things. Thankful the Lord has given this crew to me to love on <3 div="" nbsp="">

Growin' Like a Weed : Andrew - 2 months

Height: 23" 

Weight:  12 lbs

Likes: Mommy, Mommy's milk, sleeping on or near Mommy, and being held ALL THE TIME! Smiling! YES he smiled/laughed for the first time and has an adorable dimple on his right cheek! I was holding him on my shins while laying down after dinner one night and it was adorable! He also likes it when when set him down in his swing, turn on the music (not the motion of the swing, just the music and... wait for it... DANCE FOR HIM!  hahaha so cute! He also seems to like our "Taylor's birthday swing" outside and is pretty content anytime I'm holding him.

Dislikes: HIS CARSEAT! Still. It's exhausting y'all.  Come on, bud! He also doesn't like being laid down on the floor if I'm not an arms reach away.  He still isn't consistently napping in his crib, but we're working on it. And he doesn't seem to like the girls behind him/anywhere where he can't see them. I meannn that's understandable.

Sleeping: He's taking about 4 naps a day, bonus points/extended sleep time if I'm holding him and moving.  Unswaddled, but legs wrapped and sock mittens on his hands, with a paci and white noise.  He gets crazy hot when he sleeps and truly likes to know I'm near. I put him down around 8 and he sleeps until 12-1, nurses, and goes back to sleep for a few more hours. Wakes, nurses, and wakes and nurses, and wakes around 7-8 ready to start the day!

Eating: Nursing. On demand. All day long.  He gulps a lot of air because when I let down he doesn't want to miss any of the milk. Pretty much eat, awake/play, sleep schedule. I have lost a bit of weight lately since I started running again and I feel like he's a bit hungry still. Also, he can't stand me talking/someone around if he's nursing, he gets SO distracted. He's pooping/blowing out a lot less too.

Playing: If I'm holding him, he plays great! His preferred position is on my thighs, looking at me. He coos and giggles and smiles a lot now.  He doesn't like to be laid down unless your right by him, which means he doesn't get a ton of toy/tummy time, we need to work on that!  He's CRAZY strong though! Like head/neck/body/legs, wow! If we lay him on his tummy, he rolls to his back pretty often because he raises himself up so high! Go Drew!

Big Sisters: Brooke has truly stepped up. When I'm busy and he's crying, she's there. She'll sit there and talk to him, interpret his speaking for me, and even try to hold him to calm him (which never works but it's adorable)!  Taylor is great at being with him too! He really seems to smile when she's around (doesn't everyone though!) And Charlotte, haha ohhh Charlotte! She always wants to hold him, but doesn't know how to do it and he doesn't care for it, but we try. Tay calls him "Undeh" strange, haha but cute. Brooke mainly calls him Drew and Charlotte calls him Baby Drew. We are doing a letter a week and it has been a lot of fun and the normalcy is really getting real.  We're getting into a good routine/all working together and it's nice. Our big thing now is "first time obedience" that our Pastor told us that he did with our kids. SO when you ask them to do something, they look you in the eye and respond "Yes, Mommy" and then do the action. It's about a relationship, acknowledging you and respecting you, not just obedience. There's hope. These little ones are so wonderful, but as parents it's our job to raise them in the ways of the Lord. It's a delight to do so each day!

Growin' Like a Weed : Andrew - 1 month

Height: 22" 

Weight: 9lbs 9oz 

Likes: Mommy, Mommy's milk, sleeping, and being held ALL THE TIME! I seriously can't set him down for more than 2 minutes, if I do... he screams. HURLA HURLA HURLA (the sound of his cry and boy oh boy is it loud)! He also likes to pass gas a lot aaaaand nurse all the time. Bath time has been OK too, BUT we've only bathed him twice! hahaha He kind of likes his paci, and he's a big fan of making me completely unproductive and zero fun because I have to do everything with him strapped on to me all day. Ohhhh buddy. You better be glad I have a peace from the Lord that you're the last kiddo because I'm breathing you in deep and soaking up all of the love my love.

Dislikes: HIS CARSEAT! Lord have mercy! Short car rides around town are HELLACIOUS! HURLA HURLA HURLA eyes wide open, sweat covering his head and back, arms and legs spread wide in sheer panic. OHHHH sweet Jesus please help Drew to cope with the car. And. AND. He was gifted a Pipa Nuna (yeah like a $270 carseat) soo we can't blame it on our el cheapo one the girls used. He's also not fond of being naked, getting his diaper or clothes changed.  I think I can change him in 3 seconds flat. I'm getting pretty good at it because MAN OH MAN he's loud! And did I mention he didn't like NOT being held. Eh. Yeah. I think that sounds familiar. Swing... nope.  Carseat... nope.  Stroller... nope.

Sleeping: Dude rests perfectly if he's on me (or really anyone) who is alive and moving. haha bonus points if you pat his tushy! He truly only takes long naps this way.  If you set him down, he wakes up.  Sure, we've had a few fluke days were he napped in the bed or swing, but they have not been consistent.  He sleeps in a twin bed in the nursery, right beside me and some pillows, unswaddled on his back/side with old used socks on his hands yeah yeah yeah, I know, TERRIBLE sleeping conditions, but it works for us!  He wakes every ehhh 2-3 hours a night to nurse, then falls right back to sleep. I put him down for the night around 10 he starts the day around 8. All in all I can't complain.

Eating: Nursing. On demand. All day long.  He gulps a lot of air because when I let down he doesn't want to miss any of the milk, hahahahaha then he burps, often while still on my boob and carries on. Or he falls asleep. Or he poops. Oh does he ever poop! Lots of poop. Brooke used to call him SQUIRT because of the intense sound it made when he was pooping! haha ohh Drew be doo! And he pees, a lot. SOAKS through diapers like I've never seen before! But thankfully I haven't gotten sprayed yet! 

Playing: He has been set down a time or two on the floor and the girls flock over to him. Tay likes to dance in front of him while he's in his swing and it makes us all chuckle. He hasn't started cooing or anything fun yet BUT he is a hoss! This guy is SO strong BUT he's also REALLY awkward to hold. He can't just relax when he's awake and held. He's either arching his head back or trying to stand/crawl up you. Really, it's odd. He lays down and looks around every now and then and he seems to tolerate tummy time just fine. 

Big Sisters: Are about to kill me.  Y'all 3 kids was a lot, but we got into a great rhythm and were really thriving... then along came Andrew and the combination of newborn phase (which I'm not a fan of having something be COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON ME) came along and the girls went crazy.  FOUR KIDS ALL DAY LONG WITHOUT PRESCHOOL/SCHOOL is a challenge. I feel like I'm constantly nagging them to be quite, clean up, don't destroy this, don't talk to your sister like that, and on and on and on. Oh. And on top of that, Brooke was diagnosed with refractive amblyiopia (aka a lazy eye) so now she has to have glasses and 2-3 hours of patch time. My stress level is at an all time high. PLEASE JOIN IN PRAYING FOR MY SANITY AND THE HOPES THAT WE CAN GET INTO A ROUTINE AND I CAN FIND SOME SORT OF PEACE AND BALANCE. My word for the year is EMBRACE and I'm really, really trying to figure out how I can't give all of the struggles and overwhelming pressures of the day over to the Lord and restore a bit more joy and normalcy to life.

ALL THAT BEING SAID... we love our sweet boy! We couldn't picture life with him, now we couldn't imagine life without him! To God be the glory! <3 be="" glory="" god="" nbsp="" p="" the="">

I inadvertently made Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls, and I'm SO glad I did!

Cinnamon Copy Cat Cinnamon Rolls

Whole Wheat pizza dough from HT

Salted butter Softened

Brown Sugar

Cinnamon

Salt

Pre Heat oven to 375

Grease a glass pie pan

Roll out dough into a rectangle (ehhh about 6-8" wide for minis) and as long as you'd like.  Make sure it's relatively thin.

Spread softened butter alllllll over the rectangle.

Then lay brown sugar on the butter.

Next, generously sprinkle cinnamon on top of that.

Annnnnd a dash of salt, because all sweets are better with salt.

Roll tightly and seal the edge by pinching shut.

Get some dental floss and cut the mini rolls by wrapping the floss around the roll, fold and pull together method.

Lay rolls swirl side up in pan.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, be sure not to over cook them.

Now, use pre-made icing (we used some from Wal-Marts bakery department, the same kind they use on their cakes). Generously dollop on each little morsel and enjoy! 

Growin' like a Weed: Charlotte - 12 months

Height: 29" 

Weight: 21 lbs

Likes: Mommy, Mommy's milk, and being held by me! Charlotte's happy place is still in my arms/on my hip, still, but is finding a bit more freedom and independence.  She's official walking. Okay, no walking is not her primary mode of transportation but she can take a few steps, stop, and take a few more. She is still into dumping toys and making a mess (board books, the kitchen set, magnets on the fridge) but it keeps her entertained and off me while I fix dinner, so we go with it! Annnnd water! ANYTIME she sees water... she's in it! 

Dislikes: If someone other than Mommy picks her up, haha or if I move away from her sayyy 5 feet to grab something.  She also gets pretty darn ticked when you take something away from her that she's not suppose to be chewing on (shoe, small toy, toothbrush, toys Brooke and Taylor leave on the floor, mulch, sand, etc.). She still hates her carseat. AND we found out she doesn't like medicine. I gave, scratch that ATTEMPTED TO GIVE her some ibuprofen after her 4 shots at her well check up and she screamed the whole time.

Sleeping: Two naps a day still.  2-3-4 schedule.  Wakes around 7ish naps 2 hours after she wakes up (normally an hour to 1.5 then is awake for 3 hours takes a 2 hour nap that normally coincides with Taylor's (PRAISE THE LORD). Once she wakes, it's 4 hours until bedtime! I'm going to say she sleeps through the night. Yes, there are a few fluke nights every now and then, but pretty much she sleeps from 7:30-7:30. Thank. You. Lord. AND I'm back in my room sleeping with my husband, BUT  I still stay up until AT LEAST midnight getting work/housework/miscellaneous things done that I can't do during the day with the girls. 

Eating: Nurses when she wakes.  Morning, after first nap, after 2nd nap and at bedtime (but she doesn't nurse to sleep).  I've had a few folks ask me when we're going to stop nursing. I'm not sure. I just follow my kids lead. B and T both stopped, abruptly around 13 months.  She loves food now and pretty much eats whatever I put on her plate.  She seems to really like meat/chicken, scrambled eggs, veggie straws, and anything I put in front of her. Charlotte also now has 5 teeth! She also stinks at drinking water through a straw or sippy cup.  Grrrrr don't take a big mouthful and proceed to empty the contents of your mouth on your chest child!

Playing: Charlotte loves dumping toys and putting everything in her mouth. She's becoming a lot more vocal and enjoys "talking" while looking at board books. Slides, yes, outdoor slides.  The fridge magnets are always on the floor, as is the "dishwasher contents" from the kitchen set.  Charlottttte! Our sandbox is a favorite spot for her. She is curious about animals, but not a big fan of them.  Charlotte likes to crawl under the dining room table and play while we finish dinner. Silly little lady!

Big Sisters:  Nicknames were a bit slim this past month.  Brooke - Shawlet is how Brooke pronounces her name.  She also calls her Baby Love Love.  Taylor - Challie is how she pronounces her name.  She likes to call her Doh Doh (which I don't approve of). Brooke is getting confident in her mother, I mean sistering abilities. She can now pick up Charlotte and take her out of her crib. She can also buckle and unbuckle herself and her sisters.  Chick is on a roll!  It's fun seeing her learn and grow and frustrating at times.  It's crazy to me how just yesterday she couldn't put on her own pants and now she gets herself AND Taylor dressed and ready to go for the day.  Yes, she tells Tay exactly what to wear and forces her way and manipulates her sister, but she's learning! hahaha Taylor.  Y'all. She's a mess. Like talking up a storm. Saying the sassiest things in the most innocent way, and attempting to give us looks. Bahahaha she's a riot.  Little stinker pushes Charlotte down, takes her toys, withholds her favorite toys from Charlotte, fusses if Brooke BREATHES ON HER TOO HARD.  Oh Lord help me.  Lord help me.  So there it is.  12 months. One year with 3 kids.  I'd like to say it was easy. I'd like to say it was hard. haha but truth be told... I live one day at a time and do my best to soak up each moment. To be at peace with where God has me and what He gives me each day and to live in that power.  Dear Lord, you are good. You knew each and everyday before it happened and you have us in the palm of your hand. Father, we love and trust you with each of our days.  Thy will be done! 

Growin' Like a Weed: Charlotte - 11 months

Height: 27" 

Weight: 20 lbs

Likes: Mommy, Mommy's milk, and being held by me! Charlotte's happy place is still in my arms/on my hip, still, but is finding a bit more freedom and independence.  She can stand for a good 30 seconds without holding on to anything!  I just keep waiting for her to try to move her feet! She is also into dumping toys and making a mess (board books, the kitchen set, magnets on the fridge) but it keeps her entertained and off me while I fix dinner, so we go with it!  She also seems to enjoy music when we have it on (but not really that much when she's strapped into the carseat, haha too bad it's not a good distraction!) Annnnd water! ANYTIME she sees water... she's in it!

Dislikes: If someone other than Mommy picks her up, haha or if I move away from her sayyy 5 feet to grab something.  She also gets pretty darn ticked when you take something away from her that she's not suppose to be chewing on (shoe, small toy, toothbrush, toys Brooke and Taylor leave on the floor, mulch, sand, etc.). Car rides, strollers, and shopping carts pail in comparison to my arms and HEAVEN FORBID I stand up to put away something when we're playing. Still not a fan of her car seat and she really gets ticked when I make her sit down to put on her seatbelt, haha chill pill little missy!

Sleeping: Two naps a day.  2-3-4 schedule.  Wakes around 7ish naps 2 hours after she wakes up (normally an hour to 1.5 then is awake for 3 hours takes a 2 hour nap that normally coincides with Taylor's (PRAISE THE LORD). Once she wakes, it's 4 hours until bedtime! Sooo she slept through the night 3 nights... and now wakes up again! I'm really not complaining.  It's not a big deal.  I sleep on the couch until she wakes up. Or okay, scratch that, I stay up cleaning, working, on facebook, exercising, folding laundry, writing this blog post, until she takes or until I simply can't bear standing any longer, THEN I rest on the couch until she fusses. Then I scoop her up, nurse her and sleep on the comfiest bed in the house! haha UNTIL SHE WAKES ME AGAIN! hahaha

Eating: Still nursing every 2-3 hours when awake and once at night.  I'm still "Momma Birding" foods and giving her fruits/veggies/table food. She loves food now and pretty much eats whatever I put on her plate.  She seems to really like meat/chicken, and she can hoover bits to pb&j and baked apple oatmeal!  ANNNND my smoothies.  She LOVES my single serve cup and massive straw. Child will seriously drink half of it!  Charlotte also now has 4 teeth! The top two have a decent gap, it's adorable! She hasn't really "bit" me yet while nursing, just kind of test nibble and I laid down the law. haha Thank you Lord that we don't have a biter so far! She also stinks at drinking water through a straw or sippy cup.  99% of the contents end up on her or she chokes on the liquid. 

Playing: Charlotte loves dumping toys and putting everything in her mouth. She's becoming a lot more vocal and enjoys "talking" while looking at board books. Slides, yes, outdoor slides.  The fridge magnets are always on the floor, as is the "dishwasher contents" from the kitchen set.  Charlottttte! Sand is also a favoriting ine, haha but she HATES slime and cries when you try to have her touch it.  She's starting to crawl and "wrestle" Daddy and the big girls more! It's cute to see her play with them!  Chunka is only 7lbs away from Taylor and she's pretty good and lay into her! haha Watch out T!

Big Sisters:  Taylor. Taylor, Taylor, Taylor is now Brooke's right hand man of the nicknames (along with saying NO to me, a lot and talking in a baby voice).  Without further ado... Mink Minks, Ammie Georgo, Shawlet, DohDoh, DoDoo, brief butt, Miss Miss Lady Britches .  I'm sure I'm leaving some out but, there ya go! hahaha! This poor child probably has NO CLUE WHAT HER ACTUAL NAME IS! haha Brooke is amazing, most days.  She can be so sweet, helpful, compassionate, and inquisitive.  Other days... Lord help meeeeeeee.  Squealing and taunting Taylor, annoying Charlotte and not listening to a thing I say and fussing/whining a lot.  But gracious, I love her! She's learning a lot and growing like crazy.  I put a lot of pressure on her. I need to stop.  I do it without really noticing, so a lot of times, I try try try to get on her level and let her wings open, and soar.  She has a BEAUTIFUL mind and a crazy vivid imagination!  Taylor.  Y'all. She may be cute, but chick is wearing me thin!  The NO Mommy's and the whining and fussing and getting super emotional for no good reason.  And the, feed me, and let me take 45 minutes to eat two bites of food. But I can't even tellllll you about her bond with Charlotte. She. loves. her sister.  Taylor wants to be near Charlotte, always! I mean B and T play, but Charlotte and T are tight.  Speaking of T.  She's fearless in new situations and makes friends with ease. Brooke is reserved and would rather just play with herself. I'm really having baby fever. But I can't fathom 4.  I feel soooooooooooooooooo bewildered now how I'm going to have enough to give to these 3.  Not stuff, but wisdom, and patience.  You know, the one on one attention, the teenage years and the individual attention to let them know that I know them, and I want to help them flourish. Every time I look into their eyes, I'm amazed.  Charles is never included in this, haha sorry love.  But you're amazing too shug.  Thanks for being all in and loving our sweet little ladies! Congrats on losing 30 lbs in 3 months too!