The Bebej Blog

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Devin -- Week 17 (2/5/14-2/11/14)

This was a week of a very fussy Devin. We get all kinds of great smiles, but he has really not liked going down for a nap. So while Kyler has been sleeping, I have just snuggled and held Devin so that he at least gets in a good amount of sleep. I know that I could be getting many more things done with my day, but I also know that there is only a limited amount of time that a baby will sleep on his Mommy. So I am soaking it all in as much as I can. Devin's bedtimes on the other hand have been going great, with him typically going down around 8:15pm and not waking up until 7:30-8:00am. Devin continues to love the wrap when we are out and about, but I have started to wear him looking outward at home. This allows him to see what his brother is doing; plus, it gives me a bit more freedom too. It seems like it's a great win for all of us.

Kyler has become a very concerned brother when Devin is upset and will often say, "Help, Mommy. Get Debin," or, "Don't cry, Debin." It is really precious to see that Kyler loves to watch and take care of his brother, and Devin continues to smile more for Kyler than probably anyone else. We enjoyed one great experience this week with both boys. The Calvin Nursing Department has a pediatric lab, in which students practice taking vital signs from kids. Both of our boys were willing participants (after being volunteered by Daddy and Mommy). Devin was melting everyone's heart with his smiles, and he loved to grab onto the stethoscopes or anything else that he could get his little hands on.

Looking so big in 6-month jammies!

We have one tall little boy!

Not sure about tummy time...

...okay, very concerned about tummy time!

One of my many snuggle/nap times. I love it!

Who wouldn't want such a snuggle buddy?

Devin -- Week 16 (1/29/14-2/4/14)

We officially have a teething baby--well, no teeth yet (of course), but plenty of drooling and puffy gums. Kyler had his first teeth at 4.5 months, so this is really not all that surprising. But I still hate seeing Devin so uncomfortable. He really does not take medicine very well, and I often end up with sticky Tylenol coming out of the corner of his mouth and into his hair. On top of teething, Devin is on a complete bottle rebellion, but Ryan has still been very diligent in trying. Even with the fussiness, the short naps, and the bottle refusal, he still just loves to see me in the morning and gives so many smiles to his brother. Kyler loves to include Devin in everything and often wants to "wake Devin" right away in the morning. Devin is now grabbing all kinds of things, but when he starts to grab his brother's things, we will have to see how much he likes him. I love my little boys, and it is so much fun to see them growing.

Someone so snuggly!

My cool dudes!

"I see you, Mommy!"

My sweet little man.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Kyler -- January 2014

After a fun couple of months with many holidays, it was nice to have a little down time and just enjoy my boys. We had record amounts of snow and cold temperatures though, which made our explorations outside a bit more difficult. I think that Kyler handled the cabin fever pretty well, much better than his mother at least. We had many play dates and visits to help fill the post holiday void, including a large celebration for Devin's baptism. In Kyler, we have a great ball of energy with a wicked smart brain and big kind heart. Here are some of the highlights from this month:

He is very good at identifying everything (e.g., "orca" for a toy killer whale, all the instruments in the Baby Einstein orchestra DVD).
He likes to go to "Jesus church," which means he knows the important reason we go.
He named one of his Little People after his friend Cohen, and it is always the same one.
He had fun baking muffins with me, often looking in the oven to see what they were doing.
He has not seemed to mind when Devin takes a nap in his crib.
He enjoyed playing with a Barbie house, calling the hot tub a "tubby."
He started to take naps much later in the day, closer to 2 pm now.
He loves to ride the carousel at the mall, often saying "up, up, down, down" while riding.
He has FINALLY started saying "Mommy" for when he needs me.
He had a lot of fun walking around grandpa's work, meeting lots of people.
He continues to love unpacking groceries, often calling them "heavy big."
He said, "I tooted!" while laughing in front of three little girls during a play date after passing gas--I guess this starts pretty young, huh?
He woke up covered in vomit after being sick at night, but did not even cry.
He tried to explain to me "no diaper" when I woke him up one morning...only to find that, yes, he was put to bed without a diaper on (oops, Daddy...).
After eating something spicy, he kept saying "biting tongue" and wanted mommy to "kiss it" while sticking it out.
He loves to have me "nuzzle" his neck after reading that word in a Dr Seuss book.
He had his nails trimmed too short, and it bled a lot!

Enjoying a very BLUE candy cane while shopping

This kid really likes to snuggle...and be cozy!

Find the boy in the basket!

Kyler still LOVES to read

Playing with all his markers, crayons, and pencils...he can tell you what color and what they are!

His "hat" is a piece from his Play-Doh kit

Snow wheelbarrow! We felt like we needed that to move all the snow!

The mowing did not work out so well until I could clear a path

Already working on his winter driving

Looking good in a studly pose!

Gotta love the red cheeks and frog hat!

Snuggled up with lovey

He actually LIKES flashcards and takes them out himself

He has really loved his Alphie...and all the letters again

Such a sweet little boy...

...hiding...

Cheese in the tub!

You might be just a little big for that, little man!

Looking awesome with sunglasses...

...or as Kyler said,"Cool dudes!"

Devin -- Week 15 (1/22/14-1/28/14)

Devin had a bit of a rough week, but I think that he was just fighting something. He was crabby even when in the wrap while grocery shopping. We have started to notice that he is refusing to take bottles, but I keep hoping that just has to do with feeling under the weather. Nap times are becoming much more difficult, and I seem to only get him to sleep for more than half an hour when we are cuddled up together. He is growing up so fast that I have really tried to just enjoy the snuggles rather than my to-do list, and it really has been such wonderful part of my day. More on the positive side, he has been so cute with his tongue sticking out, and he is constantly looking excited and surprised when it comes out. He also has loved to turn 90 degrees in his pack-and-play, and his bedtime has gotten closer to 8:50pm. We have started having him sit in the Bumbo seat more often, and he loves to have his tummy tickled. We enjoyed visiting lots of people and showing off how cute and big he is growing. I continue to love getting to see his personality and all the things he likes and dislikes.

Sporting a bit of Cardinals gear!

What a cute little man, huh?

Chilling out under the gym

He's got that tongue out! He loves it!

Looks a little worried when Mommy sticks her tongue out though

Such a sweet boy when he is happy

Looking up at me in the gym

I think he loves me :)

I love you too, little boy!

Devin -- Week 14 (1/15/14-1/21/14)

This was a week of trying to get naps scheduled and visiting lots new places. Devin continues to love snuggling in my wrap while we go grocery shopping. What is more wonderful than a sleeping baby snuggled up to your chest while your hands are free to get things done and entertain your toddler at the same time? Devin probably also gets millions of kisses on the top of his head during this excursion. This week marked the return of coffee break, but it was bittersweet because I put Devin in nursery to be with the grandmas. I know that I will get so much more out of the lesson, but I have enjoyed our little time cuddling together as well. The grandmas were THRILLED to have a little boy to snuggle with, and Kyler was a great help in telling everyone who his brother was. Kyler loves to be near his brother, and I can only pray that this continues throughout their lives. Devin was in the pack-and-play, and Kyler wanted so desperately to be in there with him. They were so cute and Kyler actually started to hold Devin's hand. Of course, I did not get pictures, but it would have been adorable.

We had a great visit with friends out in Lansing, and both kids traveled well. Devin got to meet their daughter Ashley, who loved to watch him and even got a chance to hold him. Later in the week, we went to visit Sarah and Josie, who also wanted to hold Devin so badly. Josie loves little kids, and Devin was smiling every time she came into view. As the week went on, Devin started to be much more clingy, only wanting to sleep in my arms. As much as I wanted to get things done, I know all too well that this often stops way too soon, so I tried to just enjoy it. Unfortunately, all this cuddling is probably due to the fact that he is starting to get a little stuffy with a cold.