Two

My first baby turned two a few weeks ago. All grown up. When we brought Ty home Mav seemed so much bigger right away, now that he's two he's practically an adult!

That may be extreme but he's growing so fast these days! We're talking do everything yourself, speaking mini sentences fast.



My dear sweet Mav,

Your still Momma's boy at heart and we still have plenty of snuggles but you now adore your daddy just as much. You try to be just like him including copying his body language, keeping your hat with his and "helping" him with things around the house. On the weekends mommy gets a sleep in day and daddy gets up with you. I'm usually wide awake and listening to you and your daddy, it just melts my heart.


You look just like him. You smile like mommy, with your squinty eyes and you have my forehead but that's pretty much all that's left of me these days. Sorry about that by the way.

This year has been a big one for you.


You started daycare and you love it. You ask to go there almost daily. You love to play with all the other kids and have your very first best friend Noah (not counting Nate because he's family). I'm sure part of why you are so smart is because of all the great things you do and learn there. You know your colours, can almost count to 10 (you usually skip 5 and 7) and you know some of the alphabet already. 

You became a big brother a few months ago. I never knew a 20 month old toddler could have so much pride and natural nurturing instinct like you immediately did. Sure you were jealous but you've loved your brother from the moment you met him, you share your toys and try to help him when he needs anything. You are very rarely jealous these day and have taken a very protective role when we are around other people.

During your first year you had stitches, and during your second you fractured your first bone. You collar bone to be exact. And ya I said "first" because as much as I hate the idea I'm sure it's not the last. You are such a wild man, you have no fear when it comes to doing things. You scaled a six foot ladder right to the top, you climb and jump and run everywhere. We have been seeing an allergist for your mysterious reactions you have been having. So far it is looking like you have some sort of sensitivity with no specific trigger. Hopefully whatever it is you grow out of it fast.

You are speaking fairly, you have quite a large vocabulary and use it appropriately as well as in mini sentences, but you do still have trouble expressing your emotions. You tend to be a bit emotional. There are days where you cry and whine so much that mommy wants everyone to just go back to bed. Terrible twos are in full swing. But Mommy loves you anyways.

You are stubborn and independent; loving and protective; free spirited and hot tempered. You love animals, your friends and your family fiercely. Your favourite shows include Dora, and Diego. Favourite foods are any types of fruit. You could eat berries all day.

If the last few months are any indication I think this year will be full of all sorts of new challenges, you will probably be testing mommy and daddy's wits to the breaking point but we will be sure to have lots of fun in the process.

Mommy and Daddy love you more than the world itself.
xox

 

Dear Ty: four months

Dear Ty

Four months has flown by so quickly. You are growing so fast and it is both very exciting and sad for Mommy. I want to cherish each little moment but am also excited to see you and your brother becoming closer each day. Now that you are a little bigger and more sturdy you guys have been interacting more. You obviously love your big brother very much, it was obvious from day one. I still think you must have recognized his voice from when you were in my belly. You are more interested in playing with toys now, your favourites are your two little balls that have lots of places to grip and chew. You spend most of your awake time either laying on your play mat or in your swing. both have mirrors which you love, and you also grab at the toys that hang down. This month we will be introducing you to your exersaucer for even more fun, possibly even the jolly jumper. You are still as smiley as ever and just days before you turned four months you finally laughed for the first time. Mommy was so happy to hear that wonderful sound and to actually catch it on video at the same time! You don't give out those laughs too easy though, you make mommy and daddy work for them! You make a lot of silly noises and "talk" all the time. It might be because of all the extra drool but you now blow bubbles and raspberries, I think you like the noise it makes because you often do it when you are alone. Speaking of the drool... it's like Niagara falls in that mouth of yours! Mommy may need to start putting you in bibs because of how wet your shirt gets, you have also been chewing on anything you can put in your mouth so it is looking like you have started teething. Luckily you are a happy teether, very wet but happy. You are not sleeping as well lately, I am not sure why. Nothing much has changed but we may need to be a little more strict with our bedtime routine, I think we may also wean you from your night feeds. You seem to want to sleep with mommy's boob in your mouth all night and this means mommy does not get much rest. Hopefully this is all just part of the teething and we can get back to some good quality sleep soon. Mommy needs it.

Monthly Stats

Weight~ 13lb 12oz
Length ~ 72cm

Hair/eyes ~ your hair is slowly growing back, it still has a bit of reddish hint to it when the light hits it a certain way but is mostly brown. Your eyes are becoming a lighter blue as well.

Feeding ~ you are still on breastmilk only, we have beaten the thrush and mommy is almost healed completely. It still hurts a bit to nurse but you haven't had any bottles this past month and mommy has not pumped either. You are eating on demand which most days is around every 3 hours.

Sleeping ~ you still fight going to sleep and are no longer sleeping as long, we are averaging around 4 hours at night at most. naps are still inconsistent as well. You are still sleeping in mommy and daddy's room in your wicker basket for the first half of the night and then in bed with mommy for the last couple hours before we get up.

Milestones/other ~
* you are officially in size 6 month clothing, you have a 9 month one piece jumper that fits as well.
* diapers are size 3 and we are starting to prefer pampers. They seem to have the least amount of blow outs which is difficult for mommy to accept since we hated them for your brother.
* you like playing in your swing, playmat and sitting in your bumbo. You sit in your bumbo every night while we eat dinner and eagerly watch us. I have a feeling you are going to be a very eager eater when the time comes.
* you still do not like being alone for too long and love being social with people.

Dear Ty: Three months

*I thought I forgot to write this post but it turns out I just forgot to post it.. oops blame it on mommy brain ;)

Dear Ty

You have started to "speak up" a bit for yourself this past month, and I'm not refering to the adorable baby coos you make all the time. You are still very relaxed and easy going but you also are making it known when you want something. Usually it's that you want to eat (you eat a lot!) but also when you're tired, or you don't want to be in your swing or playmat. Sometimes you just want someone to pay attention to you don't seem to like it if you think you are alone and would rather be in the middle of the commotion. You are probably one of the happiest babies ever. It's one of the most common comments people give when they see you. You are always smiling. You also giggle (sounds more like a grunt) when something is really funny. Mostly you just laugh silently with a gigantic smile. You love your play mat and we play there a few times a day, the mirror is your favourite part still but now you also will reach and grab at the toys that dangle down. You are still sleeping well most nights and mommy is very thankful, now if we could just get you to stop fighting sleep than we would be so happy. The minute you realize it's time for bed your eyes pop open wide and you start to fuss, mommy has started letting you have one arm out of the swaddle to see if you prefer that, so far I'm not sure. 

Monthly Stats: 

Weights - didn't measure*

Length -  didn't measure*

Hair/Eyes - Your hair is starting to look brownish red and eyes are still a dark blue but now easier to see the blue in photographs 

Feeding - breastfeeding is still painful for mommy but we are getting by, we are still averaging every 3 hours. I'm pumping less because there just is not time, it takes a long time to pump such a tiny bottle. 

Sleeping - You fight going to sleep but once down you still are sleeping very well, usually only waking once a night and than again around 5-6am which is when daddy gets up for work so I'm sure he's waking you accidentally. You are almost too big for your Moses basket and will have to move into your own room soon. Naps are a bit of a challenge, the only place you will sleep for a lengthy time is in your car seat.

Milestones/Other - 

* you have move up to size 3 diapers, no preference for brands yet they all seem to work. 

* you are on the verge of fitting into your 6 month pants and outfits 

* fave toys are your playmat, swing, and little rubber ball.
* your neck is getting stronger and you are supporting yourself much better.
* giggles/grunts

Dear Ty: Two months

Dear Ty

Another month has flown by and you have grown so much! You feel much more solid now and your neck is getting strong. You still resist tummy time by burrowing your face into the floor but you hold your head up pretty well when you are held. You still sleep a lot but are spending more time awake and interacting with us. There is no denying you love your big brother and enjoy just being near him. You smile and coo when he is near I'm sure it's only a matter of time before your laughing at his craziness. You seem to be becoming more comfortable with your daddy as well, you will now allow him to soothe you and put you to sleep. It makes your dad very happy when you aren't screaming in his arms. You have been sporadically sleeping 7-8 hour stretches, the first few times happened after you turned one month and again recently. Mommy can hardly believe her luck when she wakes after one of those nights feeling much more rested. Thank you. 

You are still a big eater and are taking bottles every few nights. I would like to get you on bottles every night but you eat so much mommy hasn't been able to pump much. I feel like time is just flying by and I can't wait to see how much you change and grow this month. <3 

Monthly Stats: 

Weight ~ 11lb 12oz

Length ~ 63 cm

Hair/Eyes ~ Your hair thinned out but is already starting to grow back. It's not as dark as it was but still brown. Your eyes are starting to lighten, but still mostly dark blue

Feeding ~ You are doing very well with your bottles, I'm still not pumping enough for nightly bottles but slowly getting there.  You are breastfeeding on demand which is about every 3 hours or so and lasting approx 20-40 minutes

Sleeping ~ You sleep! I still can't believe it but you are sleeping 7-8 hour stretches multiple times a week. This past week I have noticed you seem to be having a nice long nap (3-4 hours) mid day. 

Milestones/Other ~ 

* You rolled front to back again! This time on video! 

* You love to sit in your swing and state up at the mirror on the mobile, you are not that interested in other toys yet so mommy lets you sit there as long as you like. 

* You are very gassy, you cry out in pain sometimes. I think you still have reflux as well.

* You're fitting into 6m size sleepers already but everything else is still 3m size

Dear Ty: One Month

Posting this late as I'm prepping the two month post*opps! 

My dear sweet Ty how can you possibly be one month already? This month has gone so quickly yet it feels like you have been a part of our family forever. Your calm even natured personality fits in perfectly around here and gives us a balance we needed. I think we will see that balance even more in the coming months when you are no longer a newborn, right now naturally you need a lot of mommies time. We spend our days in a cycle of eating and sleeping, and you are starting to have more awake periods in between. You rarely cry, usually it is because you are hungry and boy do you let us know! I am in no rush to have you grow up but at the same time I can't wait for you to be able to play with your brother. He really loves you and brings you his toys and books all the time. I am pretty sure you love him already too, you seem very interested in watching him when he is around. I hope for you guys to be the best of friends ❤️

Stats: 

Weight ~ 9lbs 8z 

Length ~ 55cm 

Eyes and hair ~ both are dark, dark blue eyes and dark brown hair. Your hair is thinning but you still have lots

Feeding ~ Exclusively breastfeeding on demand which seems to be every 2 hours on average. There have been a few 4 hour stretches 

Sleeping ~ You sleep much better than your brother even getting a few 4-5 hour stretches in at night. 

 Milestones/Other ~ 

* I'm sure you have reflux, you don't puke like your brother but you gag on nothing. A lot. 

* You rolled belly to back once at 3 weeks I'm pretty sure that was a fluke

* you smile a lot but it's usually followed by some sort of gassy sound ;) 

Sitting like a champ

Well I think I can officially say MV can sit up unassisted!

For the past few weeks we've been practicing and he has been doing this half sit half lean forward thing but then all of a sudden last week he started to sit upright!

He's fairly steady most of the time, he will occasionally throw his body backwards so we have to keep pillows behind him (there have been a number of head bonks ... Opps)

Now that he's sitting he seems much more content playing independently which is a huge bonus for me!