John update

John is almost 7 and sometimes it seems he is going on 13, sometimes it seems he is reverting back to 3 years old. He keeps us guessing! 

He generally loves school, but this year we have had a few hiccups. He loves math and science, but not so much reading. He still loves art and music. He was having a problem with a "friend" in class being a bit too rough physically, and it seems that he does not love his teacher. However, I think she might just be a little more firm than his kindergarten teacher and I think 1st grade is generally just a bit more structured and preparatory for 2nd grade (where the actual grades and testing start). I think it is just an adjustment year for us all. 

He has been playing baseball the last couple of seasons, this past one was machine pitch. He did really well at it and he really enjoyed it. I can see that being the sport of choice for a while. However, this winter he is trying basketball. We have had 2 practices and he has loved both. Although he has said he does not want to play in games because that is when people steal the ball. A few weeks ago he told me that he does not like competitions. And, he is right, he doesn't. I think it really wears on him when he is not as good at something as he wants to be. Instead of that being motivation to practice and get better, he gets frustrated and shuts down. Something we need to work on, because he is not going to be good at everything in life. It is a tough lesson to learn for all of us. 

He is a great big brother, he really is awesome with Grayson all the time. When he wants to be awesome with Matthew he is. Matthew looks up to him so much. John can be so patient and helpful with both of them. My heart smiles when they share sweet moments. 

John completely lashes out when something is going on with him. We try our hardest to remember that and give him the attention that he needs when he starts acting up, but sometimes it is hard to take that breathe when he is in the middle of it. It takes a few days sometimes to get to the root of the problem, but I think we have become pretty good investigators and can pretty much guess what it is. Helping him to learn to cope with those issues and emotions is hard, but we keep trying. 

This is too much information, but it is a major part of what we are dealing with right now. He  has a hard time going to the bathroom when he needs to. As such, we had an x-ray done of his abdomen. He is literally full of poop. The only thing containing it is his bones. So we have been on miralax once a day for awhile and it helps him to go everyday, but it is not cleaning him out completely. Over Christmas break we are going to take a few days and do a major dosage and clean him out. In theory it should give him enough room for his bladder and his stomach. Then after a month of staying clean his little muscles in that area should be stronger and be able to help him stop having accidents. We shall see….

He lost his first tooth over Thanksgiving break! He thinks he is working on a 2nd one now. He still likes some cartoons, but he is growing out of the 'jr." channels. He won't hold my hand unless I beg. He still gives me kisses at drop off. Cuddling is almost a thing of the past unless he is upset or extremely tired. Still have trouble finding clothes that fit him just right with his long skinny body. He will eat pretty much anything we ask him too. He talks about God and asks questions about God, but we have gotten out of the habit of praying every day and night. He loves to be outside. He is growing up way too fast! 

Matthew update

Oh Matthew! He is a hoot and a half. I love this age. Almost 4, but acts like he is 7 like John. Some of the things that come out of his mouth are hysterical.

He is a pretty picky eater and will firmly explain before any meal that he will NOT eat chicken. As you can imagine, this is beyond frustrating. I vaguely remember John being this way too and now he will eat pretty much anything, even if he does not like it. So I am holding out hope that chicken will enter his system once again. He will however NEVER turn down a snack. The boy might turn into an applesauce squeeze pouch. He and John have two very different bodies, Matthew is larger than John, but not in a fat way or anything, just a thicker build.

He has two wondering eyes :(. The left eye is much worse than the right. After being diagnosed with it, we are too watch it and if it starts to happen once or twice a day, we should consider surgery. I think we are too that point, so we want to get a 2nd opinion and get all of the facts. We will probably discuss for over the summer.

He enjoys school much more so than John did at this age. I hardly ever hear the words "I don't want to go to school". He can write a few letters of his name, and recognize a few letters in the alphabet. I am not sure if he is behind for his age or if John was ahead, but I feel like John had a better grasp on writing/drawing by now. No big deal though, I think it must be the 2nd kid syndrome, but I know he will get it one day and I am not concerned about it.

On the other hand, he can probably dribble a basketball and kick a soccer ball at the same level that John is now at 6.5. However, we have not really gotten him in any sports yet. The selfish part of me is keeping him out as long as possible because I can only imagine the scheduling and the full calendar. With Carl out of town as much as he is and the new baby, I am not sure I can pull it off before next Fall. But Matthew has not asked to play anything at all, he is happy going to John's stuff and playing with the other siblings.

He does NOT like getting in trouble. He truly is sad when he is called out on doing something wrong. I think a lot of his good behavior is internal motivation because we have not really had to invoke any real consequences. Although I think that is possibly also a reflection of our parenting experience.

The vast majority of his friends are John's friends or older siblings. Which is why he knows all the words to songs by Taylor Swift and Maroon Five. He loves music and loves to dance, it will no doubt bring a smile to anyones face to see that boy when he is in serious dance mode.

He gives THE BEST hugs and begs to cuddle with you. He still announces when he needs to poop, to anyone in ear shot, no filter there. He does not really like to sit down and listen to a book, but can sit forever on the iPad or watching a TV show (probably need to work on that). He loves on Grayson all the time. He adores John and looks up to him in a lot of ways, but points out when he is making bad choices too. He goes to John for answers as much as he comes to me. His favorite things to do are playing outside, watching John play wii, make forts on the couch with pillows and blankets, play lasers with flashlights, eat snacks, bake with me (to lick the spoon), paint and wrestle with Daddy.

Grayson update

In the mix of life and three kids, time seems to fly and free time is few and far between. In an effort to catch up a bit so that I can reminisce years from now, I am going to do an "update" on each kid this week and HOPE to do a "week in the life" series next week.

Grayson is almost 4 months old and it is flying by even faster than the other two. I love our family of five and I think everyone should do it! :) He adds a whole new level of fun and light to our lives.

He is a chunky monkey! I think he is quite a bit bigger than his brothers at this age, but I will confirm that at next weeks appointment. He has rolls and crevices everywhere!

He is not the best sleeper, but not the worse either. Matthew apparently was sleeping a full 10 or so hours at night by 3 months ( I did not have this written down for John). Grayson still gets up once or twice a night. I am going to work on making it only once a night this week while Carl is out of town.

We have had a successful nursing career so far. He has a bit of an attached tongue, so it hurt longer (probably a month) than the other two because his latch pops off several times during each feeding. I would love to make it to May with him, but there is a part of me that is ready to be done. I know I will be super sad the day it happens though, so I am holding out.

He rolled over to his tummy for the first time over Thanksgiving, which seems really early to me. He can not make it back over so he gets pretty frustrated after a few minutes. It has caused more fussing at night too, but when he does sleep on his belly, he sleeps good.

He laughs pretty easily; he likes to be alone and kick around on the floor a lot; he loves to hear and see his brother play; he likes to face outward; he has a clogged tear duct that is pretty goopy right now; he seems to have one dimple; he typically is fine with the car seat; he enjoys our walks to and from school; he seems to really like things that light up and/or have music; he wears 6 month clothes right now, but really is busting at those seams; I think he had a slight allergy to cows milk (when I drank it), but has pretty much grown out of it; he does not like to really sit and be held, he would much rather you walk; he is a great little errand runner.

Oh, and he laughs when he is naked. :)

Here is a picture of all three boys at 4 months (John, Matthew, Grayson).