Tucker - NINE Months

Tucker,

I cannot believe you are already NINE months old!! Where has this year gone by?? You are getting more and more of a silly personality and we cannot wait to see how you continue to blossom into your own little person. Sometimes when I am holding you, you will lean over and turn your head sideways, then get super close to my face and just stare. Until I acknowledge you and then you laugh. You are just so silly! One of your other favorite things to do is throw yourself backwards while in one person's arms in order to try and touch a person that is near you. And you have such a goofy little smile that it is hard to accurately describe you in words!

When it comes to your voice, a few weeks ago squawking like a little bird was your thing. Now, as of just a few days ago, growling is your thing. You are our little miniature Hulk :) You also learned how to say "please" in sign language! I have to admit though, that I haven't been very diligent on working on your sign language like I should. Hopefully this next month I can work on that.

A couple weeks ago you started scooting around the house!! You still aren't a huge fan of crawling but now that you are gaining speed you are loving being able to go around and follow your brother. We have cute videos of both of you crawling on the ground and laughing it up. You have also started trying to pull yourself up more, and standing (while hanging on to something) is your favorite thing to do! Too bad you don't have good balance still and fall if we let go. And even just tonight as I went in to check on you, you were sitting up!! Once you fall asleep, I lay you on your stomach in your crib, but tonight when you woke up and I walked in, you had pushed yourself up into a sitting position! So that means tomorrow we are going to have to lower your crib. Sleeping IS getting better with you and we have moved to about an eight hour stretch before nursing. Sometimes. You still wake up 2-3 times during that time but I am able to either pat your back or rock you back to sleep, with an occasional nursing session if your absolutely need it. But mama is loving the longer stretches!! That means more sleep for me too :)

This month has been full of guests! First GigGi, Pimpa, and Amelia came to visit for a couple days. You are in this separation anxiety phase though so you wouldn't let anyone hold you for too long unfortunately. But they just loved all over you and enjoyed spending time with you and Trenton. Unfortunately I forgot to get ANY pictures!

Then a couple days after they left, your great aunt Sherry and great grandma Norma came to stay for about a week! Since they stayed a little bit longer, you started warming up to them by the end of their stay. They too, enjoyed loving all over you and your brother. While Mommy and Daddy enjoyed all the free babysitting we got during our two weeks of family guests :) But I don't think I got any pictures of you with them either :(

My birthday was last weekend and Daddy surprised me by driving us to Iowa to visit our puppy (we will be getting a labradoodle in a few weeks when he is old enough to leave his mommy), then we kept on driving to Minneapolis!! Your daddy is so sweet and so caring. I absolutely loved my surprise. We spent some time at the Mall of America (which is pretty awesome) then we went to Ikea! That is where Daddy and I had our first date. Except in Atlanta :) So not only is Ikea the best store ever, it has sentimental value toward Daddy and I. But on the downside of such a long car ride is that you still think the car is a torture chamber. Cheerios worked for awhile, slices of bread worked for awhile, food pouches worked for awhile, I even climbed in the back seat and nursed you in your car seat for a bit. All of our tricks that we could think of only worked for so long. We eventually had to just let you cry until we either stopped or you fell asleep. It made for a LONG road trip!!! You really need to start liking the car so we could start traveling more!

We keep wondering if you are going to be just as ornery as your brother because you just love to mess with him! Especially when he is crying or already in a bad mood. That is when you find it most enjoyable to pull his hair or smack him in the face or take his cars. Or even look at him. Just to make him cry. I didn't know it started this young......! For the most part though you and Trenton are best friends and it makes my heart so so happy!

At your nine month appointment you weighed 19.5 pounds (43rd percentile), measured 28.25 inches long (44th percentile), and your head circumference was 17.5 (32nd percentile). According to your charts you actually shrank, which doesn't make since but your doctor said not to worry about it because it is highly unlikely that you shrank. It was most likely a measurement error. You are pretty wiggly after all. One of the biggest health concerns I have had with you is your belly. I have told every doctor we have seen (you've had three so far) that I feel like you may have some GI issues but I have continuously been brushed off. But lately it has gotten even worse to where you only go to the bathroom about every 1 1/2 weeks and when you do it is extremely painful, hard as a rock, and really dark. Your pediatrician told me to start giving you Metamucil every morning so for about three days you have had it and its helped some, but I am going to have to keep increasing it I'm afraid. We also have to bring in a stool sample because I'm pretty sure there is blood :( We are starting with the Metamucil and seeing how this works before we have to go see a GI specialist though. So hopefully this will make you feel better, baby boy!
After I typed this I realized you will probably not care one bit to read about your baby poop but that's okay :) Right now it's a really struggle of yours, whether you remember it or not. Plus right now it just breaks my heart to see you in so much pain.

We took lots and lots of pictures and a couple videos this month so there are lots to view!


I love you my sweet baby

Aunt Sherry and Grandma Norma found an amazing deal at a consignment store we went to and we got a bunch of pots for $5! So of course Mommy had to do a mini photoshoot

Look at that cute little face!

Trenton wanted to join in too

Trenton's baking a cookie! Get it?? :)

Silly Cheese Face

Grandma Norma and Sherry tried to help get you and Trenton to sit still. Didn't really work...

You are starting to love the Children's Museum as well! Lots of fun stuff to play with

My friend Sarah, from college, coincidentally happened to be in the next town over so we had to go meet up for lunch. It was the first time in a long time I've seen anyone from college!

It was a bright sun shining day so I brought the mirror out for another mini photoshoot. Next time I need to try it with some clouds in the sky

Blowing spit bubbles at yourself was pretty funny :)

Who is that handsome boy??

 You love to stand up in the windowsill in the kitchen and watch the guys outside. So of course everything you do, Trenton has to join in

 Mommy and baby photoshoot at the Mall of America! You look angry but you actually had a lot of fun looking around

Mommy and Daddy on our mini road trip

I just love me some sleepy baby cuddles! I can never get enough of them

yum yum food!!

Nine months and super happy and giggly all the time!

Tucker - Eight Months

Mr. Tucker,

Daddy and I came to the realization the other day that in just four short months we will have a ONE year old and a two year old. I just cannot believe it. I don't want to believe it yet!

However, we have had a busy month! First of all, I am pretty sure you have entered the separation anxiety phase in full force. You hardly let anyone hold you and you hate to be left alone. If I walk out of eye sight, then Lord help us all! You still continue to hate the car as well. Sometimes we have discovered that John Legend's Ordinary People works. But it's never a sure thing unfortunately.

One thing we all continue to wonder is how such a tiny baby has SO much to say?? You are always shouting your proclamations to the world. Especially at 6:30 in the morning....also at Family Meeting with the guys at night. You will stay quiet throughout dinner but then the second family meeting starts, so do you. The guys have to practically shout in order to be heard over you.

We had our first trip to Okoboji last week too! This lake is the closest thing we can get to an ocean out here in Nebraska but we all had fun! Unfornately Trenton had another fever episode but we were still able to have some fun. We went as a house with four other houses and luckily another one of the family teachers we went with has a little girl who is only two weeks older than you! So we sat on the beach and let you two play most of the time. You aren't a fan of the baby pool or sitting down in the water, but you did love when you stood up and the "waves" from the boats crashed on your feet! I also took you on a Pontoon and you loved it! The first half you fell asleep but the second half you woke up and were looking around and laughing and flirting with the lifeguard who was driving us :) Since you hate the car, you pretty much ate your weight in Puffs between the ride there and the ride back. But hey! you didn't cry! I just sat in the back next to you and fed you Puffs for the four hour ride.

Speaking of food, holy moly do you eat a lot! I though Trenton ate a lot, but my goodness! You two boys are going to eat us out of house and home! You've become great at holding your own food pouch too which is fantastic for me :) Cheerios and rice cakes are other favorite snacks that you can eat yourself.

This month was Father's Day! It was Daddy's first Father's Day with you! We had to work unfortunately but we did the best we could. We took our annual DAD photo, let Daddy sleep in, and let him go back into the apartment while Mommy took care of the boys for a bit. Then the weekend after we got a babysitter (an FT kid who lives next door. She's 13 and did great with you both!). Mommy surprised Daddy with a trip to the shooting range, a nice dinner, and some fun at the casino. He was so surprised :)

So let's talk crawling! You are getting so close! You are starting to lunge from a seated position, but then you end up just face-planting and crying :) But when I put you up on all fours you will stay there and rock back and forth. A couple times you have even moved your hand! The other day I was sitting in the office talking to Ali (our assistant. You love her) and you were on the floor next to the desk. Next thing I know I look down and somehow you have managed to stretch over, pull the drawer open (pretty sure you were NOT that close to it!), and pull yourself up to a stand! Ali and I were so excited! Daddy doesn't believe you did it, even with picture proof :)

All the guys in our house call you their son. They just love you so much! I'm a bit biased, but I think you are the cutest baby! :) They all say they can't wait to be dads so much but little do they know what they are really asking! Daddy and I just can't get it through their thick, stubborn, know-it-all skulls that they really need to wait to have kids, and live their life a little, and travel the world. Because being a good parent is hard work. You give up a lot of your dreams and aspirations in order for your kids to live the life you always dreamed of. It's not just about you anymore. So needless to say, NONE of these boys better become teenage parents! And you either for that matter!

Now that I'm done giving my speech, I will let you know that over the next few weeks, family will be visiting! First up is GiGi, Pimpa and Amelia! They haven't seen you since we left Atlanta when you were 10 weeks old! Then the week after that is Great Grandma Norma and Great Aunt Sherry! They haven't even met you at all yet! I know everyone is just so excited to see you and Trenton :)

I love you baby boy!


LoveAlways,

Mommy

First Okoboji trip! You loved the water and sand on your feet

 



You didn't look too thrilled to be walking around the zoo :)

 



Mommy and Baby at the lake!

 



We were at the airport waiting to pick up one of our guys and I couldn't resist snapping such a cute picture of the two of you :)

 



Lake Okoboji!

 



How can you resist a smile like that??

 



Happy Father's Day! It was Daddy's first Father's Day of being a daddy of two! (Or 10 if you look at it)

 



Yummy Yum Bananas!

 



Sometimes this is the only way to get anything done....

 



"Tickle Tickle Baby!"

 



Trenton LOVES going down the slide with you. Though you atill aren't too sure about it

 



We went to a free children's museum exhibit and your favorite exhibit was this stick area :)

 



Lookat you pulling up like a big boy! And that face....oh Lord you are adorable

 



Look at you!

 



Sad baby eight month picture :(

 



Happy baby eight month picture!

 



 

Tucker - Seven Months

Tucker,

You are such a wiggly boy! Even as I sit here and type this, you are sitting next to me trying to grab the computer and moving all around. You want to crawl so bad but every time we put you down, you want to be picked right back up. But every time someone holds you, you're all over the place! Throwing yourself backwards and sideways and reaching for everything. I'm surprised you haven't been dropped yet actually. No, take that back, this morning you were sitting on the edge of the couch and Trenton pushed the recliner down and you fell on your head. But don't worry because it was in slow motion and I still caught you by your legs :) I do think you are going through a separation anxiety phase though. If you see me leave the room then you start crying and you hardly let anyone else hold you when I'm around. Luckily you are still super smiley and love to laugh at other people when they talk to you.

I will probably regret this in a few months, but we help you "wrestle" your brother and you both think it is the funnest thing to do. He loves it when you "tackle" him to the ground :) The love you and Trenton have for each other is just the most precious thing in the world.  You are starting to pick on him though. Trenton gets so mad when you pull his hair yet you just laugh and laugh.....oh boys. Some of your favorite toys to play with are Trenton's cars too. Sometimes you guys share with each other.

Peekaboo has become a fun game to play. At least you don't hold your breath like Trenton. Whenever anyone touches your head, your face just beams and a huge smile comes across your face. We already know we are going to be in trouble when your older because of your hair and your eyes, but as your mom I just love looking into your deep, soulful, dark eyes and seeing the world as a perfect and loving place. You have so much joy in your sweet little eyes.

One of my favorite things that you've started doing is giant monster hugs and kisses. Especially when you are just waking up and not fully awake yet. When I pick you up from your crib, you wrap your little arms around my neck and give me a big giant kiss, then lay your head back down on my shoulder. It definitely makes up for the fact that you still wake up approximately 23544563 times during the night :) (That's a bit of an exaggeration of course.  You wake up probably 5-6 times still and nurse maybe 3 of those times. Still a lot though and feels like 23544563 times some nights!)

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to me considering my sisters and I all had different hair colors and textures, but your hair is so much more fine and wavy than Trenton's whose hair is lighter, super curly, and thick. I have no idea how to tame your hair now since Trenton's conditioner doesn't really do much with your crazy hair.

At home all of the guys love you so much and you think they are pretty cool too. You're always smiling and laughing at them and I let some of them hold you :) It's pretty neat to think that you are going to grow up with nine older brothers! Let's just hope we can continue to raise you and Trenton right so you don't pick up on any of these guys' bad behavior!

Also, we have one convertible car seat for you in the van since we drive that more, but in our personal car we still have the bucket seat; which you hate. Well, you still hate the car in general most days, but you cry far less in the convertible seat. Anyways, I checked the measurements limits for the bucket seat and you only have about an inch left before you're too tall! You are 27 1/2 inches tall and about 17lbs right now. So pretty much within the next month we will need to buy you a new seat....pretty soon you are going to be as tall as your brother!

I still haven't been able to figure out what kind of personality you will have, but I love to see how much you change and grow and develop every single day. You will do great things in this life, I know it. You will change the world, my sweet boy. Just wait and see.

 Brother Love :) Trenton loves holding your hands

 Bath time! Luckily you like water being poured on your head. It makes washing your hair SO much easier! You especially love bath time with your brother. I think mostly so you can steal his toys :)

 We've got two hungry hungry hippos in our family! You can demolish a food pouch in about 5 minutes. Plus you continue to think you are all big and insist on holding your own pouch to eat

 Even though this picture doesn't say it, you love sitting outside and playing with the grass. Inside, we can't get you to sit and play by yourself for longer than 5 minutes, but outside you will sit for a long time! (The face I caught with the camera just makes me laugh)

 Trenton has a bad habit of taking a few bites of his apple then leaving them so we started giving them to you to gnaw on. Sometimes I think you are able to get some of the juice. Apples are one of your favorite chew toys :)

 I hope you both continue to share well and play together. This just makes my heart happy

 My first Mother's Day as a mommy of two of the most perfect little boys in the world!

(Silly brother didn't want to sit still for a picture)

 This silly, straight-faced smile. This is what Daddy and I love. You are so goofy and so loveable

 Here is you being a big boy and feeding yourself

 For Mother's Day we went to the Children's Museum. You both loved it! Then since Trenton was going non-stop and it was nap time for you, this was the best picture I could get all day with my babies :)

 Lots of construction is going on around campus so naturally Trenton wanted a picture next to a tractor. And look at you sitting in the bike like you are a toddler! Slow down, Mr. Tucker, you are only 7 months old!

 My smiley baby

 Your first pool time! You really enjoyed splashing your hands into the pool. Until Trenton accidentally dragged the hose over you. Then you were done with the water for the day.

 I cannot believe you are seven months old. You are growing up too fast!

 Every time we do your monthly photos, Brother always needs one with you as well

 And this month Daddy decided to jump in as well!