Mason's 5 Month Stats

Mason had his 5 month check up today. Here are the stats:

Height: 29 inches (off the charts %)
Weight: 22 lbs (off the charts %)

I checked Miller's stats at this same time period and he was 3/4 of an inch SHORTER and almost a full 4 pounds LIGHTER. Everyone said Miller was a big baby. This one's a giant. He's meeting his milestones. We were given clearance to try rice cereal whenever. He certainly doesn't need it so we will probably give it a go in the near future. We need him to figure out how to roll from his tummy back to his back first.

Mason Rolled Over

Mason has had two intensive weekends of learning growing up skills. We have been working on sitting and rolling. The sitting he can do for longer periods of time but he's not very steady nor would I leave him for a millisecond due to tumbling over but at least he's getting it. He was so close to a roll this weekend that I sat for what seemed like hours with the video camera. Of course it didn't happen.

Tuesday, he rolled over at a school a couple times. Then Ryan said he rolled at home when no one was looking. Typical. This morning I was bound and determined to see it for myself. Of course, we had a moment where Ryan stepped into another room at the same time Miller and I also left. He rolled. So, I flipped him back over and waited. Finally he rolled over!

I am super excited he hit this milestone and a little sad to say my baby is growing up.  At least with him being a giant baby, it's a little easier to accept because let's face it, he's too heavy to treat like a baby. He needs to start sitting and moving on his own. Momma can't carry him or hold him forever.

Weekend With The Boys

Ryan was away camping so I had my fill of boy time. I can't complain. The munchkins were good for the most part. I enjoyed them but also love knowing that I am not a single parent. God bless those that are.

The boys were snuggling on the couch. Miller wasn't punching him, he was protecting his face from Mason's ever roaming claws.

I had a successful pick-up from daycare. Miller ate and listened well all weekend (no bribing, no yelling, no drama). We put Mason down and had some time to play a game, read a magazine, watch a short movie on his computer, etc. He even went to bed without a fuss.

This week we had told him that he needs to start going to the bathroom in the middle of the night by himself. If he made it three nights in a row without our help, he got to pickout a new small Lego set. Thursday night = all by himself. Friday = slept through the night. Saturday = all by himself. Sunday = off to get Legos. I think we have broken through. Let's see how it goes for the rest of eternity.

Saturday we slept in until almost 7. We got up, got moving, and went to Jess's to play. The kids pretended they were camping, colored, played play doh, etc. Then it was home for lunch, a nap (well, Miller slept), and then some more afternoon fun. Elaine came over for pizza and played some more board games with us. Miller went to bed pretty well again.

Sunday we got up and made muffins. We gave Annie a bath and got some play time in outside before Ryan came home.

Mason had his fair share of adventure too. He played with Caleb, practiced sitting, almost made a true unassisted roll over. He has just one shoulder in the way. He will get it soon enough. He's been troubled by the rhea this weekend and today he has not been a happy camper. Good thing daddy was back to help prevent shaken baby syndrome.

Most of my chores were completed this weekend. Miller helped clean his own room and water plants.  I am waiting for a gigantic file to down load, convert, and re-upload for work. If I believe the ever changing progress bar, it could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Yuck. I should have started this in the morning. Oh well. I have tomorrow off (taking a personal day) to get some much needed shopping done. Wish me luck. Momma needs a new wardrobe.

Rub a Dub Dub

Rub a dub dub. Two boys in the tub! Mason moved from the counter to the big bathtub this week. I don't know which kid is having more fun. We tried to capture video of them splashing each other but I was too slow. Maybe next time.

Here's a photo of Mason in a new 12month onesie. I realize I don't take nearly enough photos of him. The pants are rolled, he needs to grow in the height department.



Delayed Posting

I haven't had much of an excuse for the delays in posting but there really hasn't been much happening that's update worthy.

The work week was busy. Friday didn't come soon enough.

Saturday Miller and Ryan went to Monster Jam. I am waiting for Ryan to upload the videos. They met some kids from school, caravanned down to the arena, went in the pit to see the trucks, tailgated, and then went to the show. Front row seats I might add.

Meanwhile, Mason and I had made a much needed trip to Target. Then we came home and played "make the fussy baby happy." We skyped with Auntie Em and displayed our new ability to sit unassisted. It wasn't for long but Emily witnessed the 30+ seconds. Then eventually crabby pants went down for the night and I enjoyed some tv catching up time. It was so quiet in the house!

Today, Ryan hung a new light in our entry way. I have hated the 1980's light since the day we moved in but hadn't really found one I liked and had other things I wanted to fix/replace first.

Hopefully I can convince Ryan to hang two more curtain rods in the guest room today. Slowly the little things are coming along in the house. I just wish I had the time to find all the things I wanted and have a hubby free to get them all done without kid interruptions. We might have to take some weekdays off to accomplish that.

Independence

There are days when I love how independent Miller has become. He can get dressed, brush his teeth, entertain himself, etc. I have to laugh though because with the independence also comes frustration when he really should have help but doesn't want it.

He's been potty trained for quite a while now but struggles with getting a clean bum when he poops. So about a week ago I reminded him to "wad" the paper in a ball and keep wiping until it's clean. He showed me how he does it the next time he went the bathroom and I praised him. He's doing pretty well except for when the messy ones occur.

Sunday, I was in the shower and he was napping. Ryan was outside and Mason was also napping. I get out of the shower and make my way to our bathroom (yep, haven't showered in there since I passed out while pregnant). I notice the closet door is open and the toilet lid is open. I hear some noise in Miller's room so I assume he came in and went the bathroom. I look in the toilet before I go hunt him down to make sure he didn't need any help.

What did I find? Approximately half a roll of toilet paper in the bowl covering his poop (he's not the best at remembering to flush). I also notice a brand new roll of tp on the holder. I figure Ryan had to have helped him get that out of the closet and on the roll (ours slide on, not the springy type). I head down to his room and ask him about his bathroom experience.

He told me about how he went by himself. He used a lot of paper to make sure it was clean and then replaced the roll. But then he started to hammer on about something falling and I thought he meant in the toilet so we go investigate. Nope, it was a bottle of hair product he knocked out of the closet when getting the tp but put it back up there. I was proud of him for trying to hard to do it himself but also a little ticked about the half roll of tp in the toilet. I didn't let on about that but found Ryan to check it out. I was concerned a flush would clog. Guess I was wrong. The first thing Ryan did was flush it as I am yelling about "noooo....what if it clogs."

BTW, even with all that tp, he didn't get himself clean. I had to do a little cleanup. Ryan always ask him if he's on the cheek or in the crack. I think we need better directions since obviously this isn't getting through.

At moments like that, I think the independence is a pain but then I change a messy diaper from Mason and remind myself independence is good.

Finally Friday

This has been a long week and I am glad it is finally Friday. I skimped on two work outs but I still got them all in. Thursday I only did arms and not legs and today, I knocked my resistance down by 2 levels on the bike. I feel a little guilty but I also know that if I push myself too hard, I will just give up. This was like a compromise. I still was active but just not as active as the other days during the week.

I think part of the slacking is due to getting bored. Time to find some new exercises. If anyone has any good "short" videos they want to recommend or lend, I am game. I have a solid half hour each day and on some could bump it up to 45 minutes.  I also know that this week I changed up the order and had 3 days of cardio and only 2 of weights so far. (I am hoping to toss in one more on Saturday.)

One thing I am wondering about is why am I not sleeping better? I have cut back on drinking, been eating better, and get my exercise in in the morning rather than at night. All of those things should point to the best sleep of my life. Instead I find myself tossing and turning, waking up multiple times, and getting up feeling like I haven't slept. I think we need to flip our mattress and maybe it's time for a new pillow.

The good news is this week of work is almost over. I hope to rock out a few things this morning and then spend my afternoon in meetings. I am looking forward to the weekend. Time with the girls and hopefully something fun other than chores at home with the boys.