A Month Old Already!?

For those that know us, we take pictures of our babies every Sunday (on the same homemade blanket - Michael's is from his Grandma) until they get too mobile to manage. So here is Michael's most recent "Sunday Picture."

Our little dude is a whole month old already... so he had a doctor visit this week. The measurements are - 10lbs 11oz (on a completely empty stomach) which puts him around the 75% and 23 inches which is around the 95%. I knew he was a long one, but I think this measurement was a little bit generous. All around, Michael is a healthy growing boy.

We saw a new doctor, who I think I'll really like... the pediatrician we've been seeing for the boys is going to be a little too pushy about vaccines. We are planning to vaccinate much more slowly and skip at least a few this time around.

Last, but not least the fun tidbits from the past week or so... last Sunday Michael smiled at me :) His smile reminds me of Scott, but I can see both boys in him. Here's the closest to a smile that I've managed to catch on camera. He's also rolled over (tummy to back) several times this past week... totally by accident, he gets a bit upset when he does it.

Oh, and I should add that we have 2 new photographers in the family... so if you frequent our winkflash site, don't be surprised by the less than perfect camera angles! With his new skills, Blaise has also decided that he doesn't want his picture taken, so many of the recent pictures of Blaise feature his hand, rather than his face.

Big Boys and Their Toys

I haven't uploaded any videos in a while, so here are a few of Scott and Blaise taken right after Michael was born. Their Papa thought it was a good idea to give them each an official size sports ball. Scott got a baseball, which we ocassionally roll in the front yard to practice fielding grounders (he doesn't have a glove yet, so we don't actually throw the hardball- not that I'd trust his throwing ability with a hardball just yet anyway.) Blaise got a basketball. As you can see he loves to dribble and actually does quite well considering the ball is HUGE for him. Scott also has to practice dribbling. Not a problem, if you know me at all, you know I have a plethora of sports equipment, so finding another basketball was not an issue :)

This is how we entertained the big boys one of the first mornings that Cullen went back to work. Michael was actually on the floor in his bouncer seat observing the process. They actually both took turns making noodles out of playdoh, including sharing the toys pleasantly! I've always been impressed with Blaise's attention span for things like this- he enjoys playing with play-doh or even coloring sometimes for longer than Scott and for much longer than he will sit and watch a movie.

Three and a Half!

Scott's officially 3 1/2... where does the time go? He is doing well. I am trying to figure out what to do with him this year in the way of "school." I know we don't want to mess with a detailed academic pre-school curriculum... probably won't mess with anything detailed until K. But since we have no intention of sending him off to pre-school, but do intend to homeschool when he hits school-age, I'm tossing around different ideas for home-pre-school this year. So, any of you homeschooling friends want to share your pre-school experiences? I think it's funny when people ask what we're going to do if we don't send him to pre-school, and how we know what consitutes "school." I don't really know how to answer those questions... but thinking back to my own pre-school experience in Mrs. Woolsey's basement, I remember playing on the monkey bars, building with blocks, playing with play-doh, and there was one day when I guess we were making something to eat and we got to peel carrots (random I know.) All those things he already does at home anyway... so I guess mostly home-pre-school is mostly just living life and being more aware of what exactly we do everyday?

Back to Scott... Scott still loves to be read to, and is still too much of a perfectionist to do much in the way of attempting to write or draw. I did convince him today that he could draw a face... and he has progressed to writing the t's in his name by himself. His vocabulary grows constantly... be careful what you say around him, he will use your phrases- usually in proper context, within a week or so. I've started being more aware of what we read in library books. He likes to show-off when he's around the grandparents in particular and talks like he's a very important grown-up, very matter of fact, complete with gestures and everything.

Physically, he's still a strong, rough little boy. Loves to play outside, loves to play sports (baseball, football, soccer, and now basketball), jumps on everything, runs constantly, and now picks up and "tackles" Blaise. There's no doubt they are both boys :) He's still fairly tall and skinny- we are thinking he's had a bit of a growth spurt this summer. His feet have grown practically right out of his sandals and he seems taller- we'll see here in a few weeks when we start trying on his long pants :)

Michael Does NOT Like It When...

Michael doesn't like it when I have to correct his big brothers. Or when they are particularly loud right beside him. I'm with him, those are also not my favorite moments. His reaction is actually quite similar to the way Scott responded the first time he sat with Cullen at a Clemson game and Cullen got loud about the game :)

In other news, he is sleeping well at night, seems to be gaining weight, getting used to our weekday routine... and has broken out with baby acne already. It's not as bad as it was with Blaise just a few little spots on his temples and center of his forehead.

Scott still loves him and asks to have tummy time with him everyday, kisses him constantly (especially while he's nursing), and if Michael fusses Scott tells me that he needs to drink milk :)Blaise also loves him... he checks on him if he cries, shares stuffed toys with him, and tries to give him all of his toys. More on the big brothers another day... I have a few good new videos, whenever I manage to have time and remember to upload them.

Can you say "Expensive!"

It has become quite obvious that it is going to be very expensive to feed all these boys... very soon. Today after he ate his pb&j, peas & corn, and cheese, Scott ate 2 pieces of watermelon and half a peach... then within an hour (as is his custom) he was asking for a snack. Blaise is not far behind (I think he had 3 plates of poppyseed chicken, when our friends were here last Thursday) and from the looks of things Michael shouldn't have a hard time keeping up either.

Growing Boy!

Yesterday we went to the Baby Weight Check at the local hospital... we left the hospital at 8lbs 8oz and a week later he's already up to 9lbs 3 oz (on a relatively empty stomach.) Yep, the early indication is that he's going to gain more like Scott than Blaise. Obviously, he's eating well :) Sleeping quite well too, with only 2 or 3 night-time feedings, which he's good about going back to sleep after. In other news, he's recovering fast from being born and has already lost his cord stump.