April Monthly Update

WAAAAAAAYYYYYY overdue for this, but here we are........

 April had a lot going on. I tried to do individual posts about some of the other events and here is the remainder.

Griffin
 My wild child has really had some ups and downs lately. He had a couple weeks of almost daily bad behavior at daycare. We had really good days mixed in. Many factors may have contributed, but he seems to have settled back into the helpful, mother hen of a brother that he normally is. I love watching him grow up. It's an exciting adventure.

For May, I promise to interview him and get some of his likes/dislikes recorded.

Cooper

Little brother is working on his personality all the time. He knows what he wants and he doesn't appreciate anyone taking it away. Lately, I hear a lot of "me me my me my my" and I know instantly that Griffin has grabbed something from his hands. He also has started pointing A LOT. You must pick him up and then follow his little finger as he shows you which direction to walk. It could be to the kitchen, to a particular cabinet at 4am for a candy (he has such a sweet tooth) or it could be to the door to go outside. You never know. What we do realize now is how hard this stage is where they start being demanding but can't verbalize yet.

  Someone didn't feel like wearing the sticker.

Griffin and Cooper both had appointments with a Pediatric dentist in Springfield. It was confirmed that Griffin has not 2 BUT 3 cavities. Boo! They also suggested that we use anesthesia to take care of all of them. We feel that is the safest way to do the procedure, but all of this was just days after bad news of about little girl in Texas. We have time to prepare before his mid-June appointment!

Side note: Dentists are really cool these days. They had Ipads mounted in the waiting room, TVs on the ceiling, toys, prizes, and a million other perks. Both boys really enjoyed going. 

The annual daycare benefit dinner took place in April. Cooper was able to participate this year. I figured he would see us and cry to leave the stage. Surprisingly, he smiled and waved while he yelled "Da Da" at the top of his lungs, which warmed our hearts. Griffin loves the spotlight but he didn't do anything too crazy this year.....a relief!

 

Random fun through the month:

And on the last day of the month......Momma treated herself to a long run, a pedicure, and the best mall Chinese food around. Total bliss.

December Monthly Update

The holidays are behind us. I'm kind of glad. Last year was a lot of craziness and stress, sadness. 

We are confident 2016 is going to be a great year. I'm ready to get it started. 

But first, a December recap. 

Griffin had a MAJOR upgrade, in that Santa brought what he asked for......a big bed! His room could no longer hold his glider chair that we've used since his birth. Since Cooper's had broke at the base, we switched them out. I couldn't decide whether to take Griffin's pictures on his new bed, or in his original chair (now in Cooper's room). Neither felt exactly right, so I did both. We'll get it figured out in January. 

Griffin enjoyed Christmas and all of the events/fun. He told me last night that he would like to start making a Christmas list for next year. The weather has been mild but colder, and that has led to us being in the house a lot. He has plenty of toys to play with and things to do. He has really taken to drawing/coloring lately. One night this week, he randomly brought me from his room, this piece of art:

"It's you Momma! I gave you 3 legs, and 3 shoes!" He was pumped, and I was super impressed.

Following that, was our whole family. Drew is below me, Griffin is next as an "octopus", and Cooper is last with the 2 long legs.

 
 Griffin also visited the dentist in December and found that he has 2 cavities. Bummer. He does pretty good on brushing his teeth, so I hope hasn't inherited his mother's terrible tooth enamel. He thinks he can brush them away. I'll let him think that until the day comes when we go to the pediatric dentist in Springfield.  

Cooper baby is still as sweet as can be at 16 months old. Aunt Shiloh decided at Christmas that Griffin was our diamond in the rough, and that with 18 years of pressure, he's going to be great. But Cooper........he's already a gem! Disclaimer: I know that she loves both of my children equally.

He is running around full speed now. He likes to stand waiting, with a smile on his face while you say, "Ready, Set, GO!" for him to take off like a bullet. He also loves for his brother to drive him around on the battery powered four-wheeler he got for Christmas. He can drive it, but just straight, in short bursts. 
 
He has become pretty vocal. He says uh oh, ball, look, Duke, and shakes his head yes/no. There may be a few more words here and there, but those are regulars. 

We also are on new ground watching real brother interaction. Griffin will make a masterpiece lego creation, and little Godzilla will come running in to destroy it. We are trying to teach Griffin to share and have patience, but at the same time, Cooper knows he is being ornery and I get Griffin's frustration. 

Cooper had a check up with the Pediatrician and got 2 more shots. He did really well, but he is terrified of the doctor's office and pretty much cries as soon as anyone enters the room. 

Height: 31.5" - 44th percentile
Weight: 20lbs 6oz - 2nd percentile
Head: 48 cm - 65th percentile

Christmas posts coming soon!