Devin -- Week 9 (12/11/13-12/17/13)

On the day Devin turned eight weeks old, he decided to sleep through the night and has never looked back! I could not believe the first night he did not wake up from 10:15pm to almost 7:30am. Every night after that, I have just waited for the crying, but he would just keep sleeping or be calmly playing in his crib. What a great sleeper! His naps are not the best, but how could I complain, right? Devin loves to have his feet free, and whenever he seems to be getting fussy, I just free his little piggies, and that almost always gives me a great little smile. Kyler will often come to help when I change him, and this week he climbed up the changing table to kiss the top of Devin's head. I just love to see how kind Kyler is to his brother, but I do not have any illusions that this will last forever. We had our first Christmas party, where Devin enjoyed meeting new people as long as Mommy was the one holding him. He did nap a bit in the arms of others, but for the most part, he is still a very vocal Mommy's boy.

We went to the doctor's office for his two-month appointment, and I was not surprised to find out that he now weighs 14 lbs 3 oz and is 24.5 inches long. Compared to Kyler (yes, we know we shouldn't compare, but they are growing very similarly), he is about 1 lb lighter and a quarter inch taller at the same age. Of course, shots were horrible, but after a quick feeding in the office, he was fine and rode home in the car sleeping.

Brotherly love...don't mind the shadows

We might be doing a bit of business here...

...and now we just look a bit sleepy

Having fun making faces on the bed with Mommy

Such a sweet little guy

Sacked out at the Van Dyke Christmas party

Enjoying his feet free

Watching the butterflies attached to his gym

Another shadow, but what a cute face!

Tubby time!

Starting to make some waves before...

...we kick up a storm!

Devin -- Week 8 (12/4/13-12/10/13)

Devin has already been a very different kid than Kyler, and as much as they say not to compare your children, it is really hard not to. I am not saying that one is better than the other, because I love them both so much, but you do need to adjust what used to work for one when dealing with the other. Kyler used to love going for walks, but he hated the wrap, Devin has not loved walks yet, and he definitely loves to be snuggled in the wrap. We will continue to just wait and see what other things these boys differ on, but no matter what, I am excited to enjoy their unique personalities. Devin really loves to be with his Mommy. When I go to coffee break at church, I have no problem with others holding him, but he disagrees. I feel so bad that he will cry when being held by these wonderful women until he is passed back to me. I know that he is still young and that smell is so important right now, but I want him to not be afraid of others.

Devin has begun to roll to one side and will often just hang out there, sometimes falling asleep. Daddy loves to have him sleep on his chest while watching sports, while Kyler continues to bring copious amounts of toys for him to play with. He is growing really fast and is already in 6-months clothing (Kyler was the same at this stage too...again the comparisons). He has discovered the fun of kicking water at bath time. He enjoyed "decorating" cookies at his grandparents' house, but he preferred to watch from the arms of an adult. I love to hear him talk to me as he just plays on the ground--his noises are so much fun.

Playing on the ground with Mommy

What--doesn't everyone sleep like this?

Sacked out in the big chair

He is starting to really like to grab things in the gym

Love that sweet little face

Great Mommy snuggles and cuddles

Loves to look around while I carry him

One leg is ALWAYS moving

Kyler -- November 2013

So much has been happening with this little man's life that I am having a hard time just keeping up with what to put in this blog post! Of course, Kyler turned two this month and had wonderful parties with his family, but his speech and his personality have been growing by such leaps and bounds that it is hard for both Ryan and I to keep up on what is new! As I go through my notes (I keep a journal on both boys so that I can remember details when I write posts late), I have been circling so many things that I think I will just make a list of great things that Kyler has done this month.

• He loves stickers, which is new because he used to hate how they would stick to him (but that's kind of the point, kiddo).
• He loves to help me bake or cook in the kitchen and will often pull up a chair to join me at the counter to "help" in any way that he can. 
• He is very protective over his brother, especially when other little kids are around. He will often stand between them and Devin to run interference (best brother ever).
• He has really started to love snuggling under blankets, which I have taken full advantage of when Devin is sleeping. Kyler and I will do movie time in the "big bed" with every comfy item we can find.
• As a big brother gift, Kyler was given ABC flash cards which he barely has let out of his hands. This kid really loves his letters.
• Kyler likes to "hug" by leaning in to someone and will do it to people without prompting when we leave.
• When Kyler goes to bed, he will say "Good night!" to almost EVERYTHING--shoes, books, lights, toys, basically anything he sees on the way down to his room. I guess it helps with vocabulary, right? 
• He has learned a lot of new words (including "booger" from Daddy) and loves to "argue" with opposites. When I tell him it is too cold to go outside, he likes to say, "Too hot, Mommy," which leads to us going back and forth with "hot/cold," leading to many giggles. 
• He continues to love grocery shopping and putting items away, but now he likes to name everything when they go in the cart and when we put them away. 
• At his 2 year doctors appointment, he was 36.5 inches tall and 29 lbs 2oz! 
• He often comments when Devin cries that, "Baby sad," and wants me to get Devin or will go to Devin himself.
• He loves broccoli (most days)
• He also loves milkshakes, and when we drive, he will start asking for one almost immediately. 
• We had family pictures, and he loved to pose for Rebecca.
• He has his own snow shovel that he loves to use outside with Daddy. 

He is such a great little boy, and it has been so much fun to see him grow as a great brother. We continue to hope and pray that they become the best of friends. 

Snuggling with Mommy in the big bed

Bear wrestling with Chase during Kyler's birthday party

Chase and Parker were great wrestling buddies!

Four of the six grandkids with Grammy and Papa

Licking the car from the cake

Kyler loves cake...

...so why use your hands?

Enjoying the Plasma car...this could be trouble outside this spring

He loved his slide

Blowing out the "hot" candle

More cake :)

Happy cousins

Adorable picture from Rebecca Alberda

Kyler posed himself for this picture...

...and this one--what a ham!

Love these guys!

Candid picture of Kyler helping at the computer

On Fridays, we change the sheets, which means lots of mattress jumping!

My wonderful boys!

We start 'em young with snow shoveling

Testing the snow...must taste good

Working on his shoveling form

This kid loves to organize... OCD? Or just the best helper ever!

Sharing toy cars with Uncle Dwayne at Thanksgiving

What a cutie--drool and all!

Pointing out the "moose" decoration he helped put up

What a cute smile!

I think he looks like his Daddy here

Devin -- Week 7 (11/27/13-12/3/13)

Devin being the second kid has some pluses and minuses. We, as parents, have learned a lot from Kyler and now seem much more at ease with Devin. When giving him baths, I have been much more diligent with putting water on his face so that he does not become as scared as Kyler does when getting his hair washed. Though the second child has many fewer new items, we did go and look at some double strollers, something that will help immensely when trying to take both kids anywhere. With Kyler I found that when he was fussy, I would hold him, or when we went places, he would just stay in his car seat. I am not always able to do these things for Devin, so I find that I have been wearing him in a wrap a lot more to keep him calm and to have my hands free for Kyler or anything else that I need to do.

For Devin, we have broken out the Bumbo seat a lot sooner. We have also cherished the napping on our chests so much more because we now know how short-lived that phase is. When we put up the Christmas tree, Devin seemed much less excited about the Christmas lights than Kyler did. I try hard not to compare the boys, but it is so difficult not to when you are trying to figure out if what you are doing as a parent is working. Kyler did not sleep through the night consistently for quite a while, but did have longer sleeping times. Thankfully, Devin gave us a good long night this week, which we were very grateful for. Speaking of grateful, Devin had a lot of fun at Thanksgiving, getting snuggled and loved on by so many wonderful family members. What a blessed addition he has become!

Playing under his gym

The boys -- all a little sleepy after a busy day

Sleeping on Aunt Sharon...with his mouth open like his Daddy

Looking around while getting an outfit change...one of many on Thanksgiving Day

One of my favorite pictures of this sweet little boy

So cute, even if he does look like a little grumpy old man