all things RYAN : 4 years

Four years old!  I can't believe it.  He's still the sweet, loving little boy he's always been, just a bit more, uh, feisty.  He's so smart.  So caring.  Such a great big brother.  So loved. 

Stats
35.5 pounds (30%) | 42.25 inches (90%)
That's a 3 pound and 2.5 inch gain since age 3.

~ He knows what sounds most letters make.  He knows approximately 15 sight words.  He's just starting to sound out words.  He's always been interested in letters and reading, so it's no surprise he's on the path to reading. 

~ He's more cautious than the average 4 year old.  And a bit of a worrier.  And sometimes a planner.  In fact, in the morning he likes to say to me 'Mama, do you have any plans today?"

~ He has an amazing memory.  I mean he memorized all 50 states for crying out loud. 

~ He takes being a big brother very seriously.  He likes to help them with their vocabulary by having them repeat him while he breaks down words or phrases.  It's pretty cute.  Just this morning I heard him say to Ethan, from the potty no less, "what do you need help with?  I will be there in a minute to help you." 

~ This fall he will start pre-k where he will be a 'Pup'.  His teachers will be Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Hall.

~ His gross motor skills constantly improve.  That's to be expected.  What I didn't see coming was how my once cautious kid would become so daring.  That combined with his improved physical abilities often results in my heart skipping a beat or two. 

~ He loves watching Disney's Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  And then playing pretend Jake with his brothers.

~ He's had his scooter for a year and he still loves it. 

~ He's slowly becoming more comfortable in water.  That's a post of it's own. 

~ He's perfected the art of throwing a fit. 

~ He normally takes a 2 hour nap and sleeps 10 hours at night.  And he always sleeps with 'Glowie' the glow worm. 

~ He finally likes to play in the rain.  All it took was his brothers to show him how fun it could be.  Though, he's still hesitant to play in splash parks.  Go figure. 

~ He's happy. 

~ He's loved. 

all things AUDRA: 4 months

What can I say?  She's absolutely wonderful and wonderfully gorgeous.  Full of smiles and giggles.   And, unless she's overtired, she's absolute perfection! 

 

2 month stats

10 lbs 14 oz  | 22 3/4 inches | 15 in head circ.

 

4 month stats

13 lbs 13 oz (45%) | 24.5 inches (56%) | 15 3/4 in head circ. (35%)

 

 1 month

 

2 months

 

3 months

 

 ~ She still sleeps in our room in a rock n play sleeper.  Or, when we both fall asleep breastfeeding, with me in our bed.  As for the quality of her sleep, well, I'll just say we're working on it. 

 

~ She's rolling!  Back to front.  Trouble is she's not a fan of being on her belly and she's yet to learn to roll back over.  So, rolling over is followed by screams for help.  This is a picture of the first time she rolled....ever!

~ Like all 3 of her brothers, she's a thumb sucker.  I've always loved the fact my kids passed on pacifiers and went to their thumbs.  They can always find them and they help with sleep.  In fact, the boys only suck their thumbs when in bed.  Now, Ryan at age 4 still sucks his at bedtime, so I might be less enthusiastic about this when I'm paying big bucks for 4 mouthfuls of braces!  But isn't she cute with her little thumb in there?

~ She's a serious mamas girl.  And though a bit early, separation anxiety has reared its ugly head.

 

~ Like with the boys, supply issues caused breastfeeding to be slow to get going.  But from the get go she was a great feeder.  So good, in fact, I thought supply wasn't an issue.  But weight loss told us otherwise.  A few appointments with our lactation consultant and several weight checks later we were rolling strong.  And now...well, she eating and growing like a champ.

 

~ Though they sometimes overwhelm her, she loves her brothers.  In fact, their relationship is worthy of a post of its own (coming soon).

~ She has stunning blue eyes!

 ~ She is the most loved little girl in all the world!