Kellan's Baby Babbling

Kellan is so vocal.  He will just start chatting away at any time.  I've been putting the boys down an hour earlier every night now that school has started (7 for Kellan and 7:45 for Aidan) and the other night Kel woke up once, hungry.  Adam was working late so after his bottle, I let him hang out in our bed for a few minutes.  He was so chatty I just had to get some of it on video.  We are playing that game around here where we act like he can say "Mama, Dada and Nana".   Everyone works really hard to get him to repeat their name. 

And there is nothing sweeter than that squinty eye smile he does when he sees himself on camera.

His First Day...

Last year I was so, SO sad at the thought of Aidan going to school.  It would bring tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  And at the start of the summer I was sad too.  Then as the weeks passed and I started to pump Aidan up for the transition, I sort of convinced myself it was going to be great as well. 

He's grown leaps and bounds since this time last year.

He's taller.

He's smarter.

He's more mature.

He isn't as shy as he was.

And the thing is, when I was telling him how it was going to be so much fun to meet new friends, have his own desk, eat lunch in a real cafeteria, learn all sorts of crazy and new things from his teacher and grow in his faith...I was telling him the truth.  There was so much comfort in that for me. 

When Adam and I went to the new parent information night last week Father Frank, our parish priest made the statement (and I'm paraphrasing) that our children are so privileged to get to attend this school.  For a lot of us it's a sacrifice we make to ensure our children get the best education and are planted well in their faith. 

And I looked over and Adam had tears in his eyes.  Because it is a sacrifice for us but it's one we make to ensure Aidan is in the best place he could possibly be, receiving a marvelous education.  That's not something to be sad about. 

There was no sadness.  Just immense pride and excitement for that boy of mine.  My chats with him about the big year approaching had worked their magic and he was fearless walking up that sidewalk for the first time.  I wanted to take it slow and soak it all in but he had other plans for us this morning.  He wanted to see the new friends and he wanted to hug his teacher and check out areas of the school he had not yet explored.  Immediately he saw his teacher and off he went! I was barely able to keep up enough to snag a kiss while he was mid stride to get in line with his class.  He didn't even say "goodbye".

So as heartbreaking as it sometimes seems to feel that our children are growing at the speed of light (times flies when you are having fun) and as painful as it is to know he will never ever be a baby again, today when I drove him to school I only cried a few tears of joy.  Five feet from my car after I had walked him to the gym on his very first day as a school age boy. 

And then I counted every minute until I was able to hear every detail of his first day.

 

And just like every other year...a montage of first days passed. 

Dear Sweet, Sweet Aidan

You were my first baby

And tomorrow you start Kindergarten.

I blinked and six years went by.

I'm broken-hearted our time together at home has come to an end but over the moon excited to watch you grow and learn and I know I'm the luckiest Mom in the world to be part of the village that gets to cheer you on this year.

I would wish you all the luck in the world on your first day but you don't need it!  

You're a great kid! 

I'm so proud of you baby boy.  

Love, Mom

8 Months Old...

Kellan on the 12th you turned 8 months old!  I've started thinking about what I want to do for your first birthday which means this year has flown by! I'm thinking about a mustache theme.  No real reason behind that.

We have not been to the Dr. in months so I have no idea what your official stats are but I would assume you've gained a few lbs and are getting taller! I think you are thinning out but there is some argument in that department from other parties.  Not that they matter. 

 

You are seriously the happiest baby.  You laugh and laugh and laugh all day long.
You are incredibly entertained by Aidan.  In the car he talks to you and you two giggle.  It's the sweetest sound to my ears. 

You are on a decent nap schedule.  You get up about 9 and then go back down for your first nap around 10:30.  You sleep for an hour or a little more and then you are up again! We play and you eat and then it's back down for your long nap of the day around 1:30-2.  You sleep until 4 usually.  Sometimes longer but I don't like to let you sleep too long because then you want to stay up later and Mommy needs her quiet time.  Aidan will educate you on "Mommy time" when you are old enough to understand.

You are finally eating some food.  I buy the packets of organic food and try to feed you but you are much happier feeding yourself.  So I let you suck them down.  Still choking on any kind of puffs or solid food which gives me a heart attack.  Just tonight after dinner I thought I would try to give you one or two strawberry puffs just to keep on 'keepin on' in the progress of trying to get you to eat more and you choked on the 5th one.  Like really choked.  I was screaming for Daddy and finally you threw up at least half of what was in your stomach from dinner.  I felt so awful you were crying but at the same time I was so happy to hear you.  It meant you were breathing!  I immediately got online and signed up for a CPR class.  It's been a few years and I'm feeling like I need to brush up my skills.  I have images of getting so desperate I chew up your food for you like a bird, Alicia Silverstone style.

But the biggest thing about the 8th month of your life...YOU.STARTED.CRAWLING.
I was thrilled and depressed all at the same time.  For weeks you tried and tried and your foot was always stuck under your bum and then (of course) one night at Nana and Grandpa's, Grandpa got on the floor and off you went.  You are in to everything.  We never had to baby proof with Aidan but that's not going to be the case with you.  Your idea of fun is sticking your finger in an outlet.  So, I'll be investing in some of those lovely covers.  It's on video!

I think everyone thinks you will walk sooner than later.  You pull yourself up on to the ottoman and coffee table and you are dying to take off with Aidan.  Once that happens there will be no one who can stop you.  You can see it in your eyes.  You want to take off with your big brother so bad!
In this photo below you two are wearing matching tie dye.  Aidan was at summer camp and every week they tie dye.  So one week he asked if he could have something of yours to take to dye as well.  He's always thinking about you!

(your hair is doing something funky in this photo making your head look so weird)

Aidan learned how to ride his bike without training wheels this summer so he and Daddy have been taking bike rides most nights.  They swore you looked like you were dying to go so we hooked a bike trailer up to Daddy's bike and you took off with them.  I could go, but I think Daddy enjoys the time with his boys. 

We are enjoying every minute with you.
We love you so much Kel!

 

Shit Southern Women Say

 

I am sure by now (unless you live under a rock) you have seen these Shit People Say videos.  

This one hits the nail on the head.  I was crying laughing.