18 Months

Ok, we're back and our summer blogging hiatus is over.

The boys are 18 months and more fun than ever. We had our appointment this past Friday, and let me start by saying, it's so nice to have a check up with no shots for a change :)

Wilson is quickly getting passed by his brother. In fact, now when we go out people ask me if they are even a year apart...to which I respond, actually they aren't even 3 minutes apart.

Wil is now:
25.2 lbs (45th percentile)
32.5 Inches (45th percentile)
48.5 Cm Head Circumference (60th percentile)

We discussed with the Dr. at length Wil's very "strong" personality, and discontentment lately as well. It appeared he has a slight ear infection so we are treating that, and if that doesn't seem to chill him out, we are going back on the reflux meds. Hopefully something gives here, I hate feeling like my 1 year old is calling the shots and I'm having to always be the stern mommy.

Drew on the other hand is growing like a weed, and is still a pretty even keel kind of boy.

He's now:
28.2 lbs (75th percentile)
34.5 Inches (99th Percentile)
50 cm (95th percentile)

Drew's becoming more like his brother when it comes to eating, he's just getting very picky and if he doesn't want to eat it, he chucks it to the dog!

We've had a great summer. My brother came to visit for a week from Tennessee, so we had a fun filled week of Lake Michigan, Michigan's Adventure, and many days poolside at my mom's.

Dan is also now an official Law School Grad., so we are thrilled to have him back as part of our family :) The boys LOVE having their Daddy home at night to read with and wrestle with them. I like it too, because for the first time in a long time, I'm able to make plans in the evenings, or plan a date or 2 with him on the weekends.

With fall coming, our schedule usually picks up some. We are looking forward to some new play groups, bible studies and just a change of pace.

Happy Fall to all of you! We'll try to report on a more regular basis now.

Fun at the Park

Drew looking all grown up

Wil not so sure about the Big Boy Slide

Drew

Drew

Summer Fun

We are having such a great summer so far, but it's going way too fast. The boys are really enjoying Grammy's pool, and the weather has been great for it. Wilson has become quite a little fish and Drew tolerates the water for awhile but would prefer to just watch.

This summer Wil has finally begun walking, thank goodness. He's become quite the bully to his brother (although Drew doesn't seem to fight back much). He also just got his first haircut (see next post).

This week my mom's sisters are here from Washington State and New York City, so we are really enjoying all of our family time. It's just tough with little boys as busy as mine, home is truly the safest place for them :)

Drew continues to be an absolute joy and a total Momma's boy. He loves to be held but doesn't need to be, so that makes for one easy going little guy.

We are also working to phase out our morning nap, and so far we have succeeded and they are now taking a 3 hour afternoon nap...I LOVE it!!!

For the most part we have had an amazing summer, but it wouldn't be "normal" if we weren't fighting some sort of illness here. First Wil ended up with horrible allergies that ended up requiring some pretty potent eye drops to help him. A matter a week later Drew ended up with an awful bout of pneumonia, and had to get a hefty dose of antibiotics. Alas, we are healthy again and really enjoying being outside.

Wil, having some ice chips with Great Aunt Debby

Drew enjoying his lemon slice

Wil's awful allergies (this picture doesn't do it much justice)

Ready to hit the pool

Fun in the diaper box

15 Months

This past Friday the boys had their 15 month appointment, I know I say this every month, but WHERE is the time going?!?!?

The boys are both growing like crazy and are becoming more different each day. They fight like I had hoped they never would, I guess that's every mother's dream :)

Wilson is such a Momma's boy right now. He loves to snuggle, be carried all over and is now starting to develop quite the little temper. Tantrums are officially in full swing at the Blakeslee house. He still LOVES to "read" books and watch his Praise baby videos. He also began walking this past weekend, and is VERY proud of himself. He is a very independent player, and does not share well with his brother.
His 15 month stats look like this:

Weight: 24lbs. 2oz. (55th Percentile)
Height: 30.5 Inches (45th Percentile)
Head Circ.: 47 cm (50th Percentile)

Drew is still a total sweetheart (not to say Wil isn't, they are just very different). He will just stop whatever he's doing and come hug my legs or if I'm sitting down, he'll just rest his head on my lap and then give me a big wet kiss. He is starting to have a lot of trouble waking up, and is just a real grouch until he's had a chance to wake up on his own. He's also started to be a much fussier eater than he was in the past, it's really frustrating! He's still a great sleeper at night and a great napper during the day (still taking 2 decent naps most days).

Drew's 15 Month Stats:
Weight: 26lbs (75th Percentile)
Height: 32.5 Inches (85th Percentile)
Head Circ.: 49.3 cm (95th Percentile)

Both boys are really struggling with allergies this year, so we've started them on Zyrtec. For some reason I'm really having a rough time with them this year too. No fun!

Wilson having a little "malt" with Mommy

Wilson - finally overcame the grass issue

Wilson- enjoying some green beans with Guinness hanging close by for any "droppings/throwings"

Drew is my new house keeper, he loves to wipe down all of the tables for me

"Putting away" his dust cloth

No Greater Gift than Motherhood

Lately, I've been really reflecting on the joys of Motherhood. While this is most definitely the most "trying" phase thus far, it is by far the most amazing. I love that the boys love to give hugs and kisses, snuggle, and even fight over me and one on one time on my lap. These boys are such a blessing, I still look at them and wonder when I will wake up from this amazing dream.

There isn't really anything "new" going on for a specific post, so I thought I'd just add a few pictures of the past few weeks.

Drew is now walking all over the place, and insists on crawling up the stairs by himself. If I should "forget" this, he will SCREAM at the top of the stairs until I carry him back down and let him do it all by himself...can you say independent and strong will?!?!? We haven't mastered going down them, because he thinks he's such a big boy, and wants to walk down the stairs. We are working on sliding on his tummy, but it's not catching on yet.

Wilson is still just crawling, but is starting to stand independently, so I don't think he will be too much longer. He didn't start crawling until 2 months after Drew, so I'm not too concerned that he's not walking. This little darling has a mind of his own, and can pout or grunt to make sure you know he's ticked off...reminds me a lot of his cousin Brianna! He loves to sit on my lap, and has recently become the "growth" on my hip, or my ankle. He ALWAYS wants to be held, and most of the time I try to remind myself that it won't be long and he won't want his mommy, but there are times when it just drives me bonkers...like when I'm trying to eat lunch :) He LOVES our dog, Guinness and loves to give her hugs and kisses and occasionally rips handfuls of her hair out and she just sits there and takes it.

We are supposed to have absolutely gorgeous weather here in Michigan for the remainder of the week, so we are soooooo looking forward to getting outside to enjoy it. Watch for pictures to come :)

Wilson is NOT a fan of the grass

Playing outside

Big boys in the rocking chair

Drew all grown up

Wilson stole Drew's binkie

Such a Big Boy Now

We've been brushing teeth twice a day (most days) now since they had their 1 year appointment. Much to my surprise (with his intense gag reflex), Wil LOVES to have his teeth brushed. He lets me do a very thorough job and then he likes to take over for a bit.

All these toys....

And what would they rather play with....DOG TOYS!!! Seriously, I think I'll take a break from buying toddler toys for a while, and just let them play in Guinness' toy box. We are still working very hard to get them to understand that the bones are hers, and that it's not wise to try to take them when she's chewing them (although, I don't think she'd do anything, she's very mild mannered).

Wilson and his dog bone

Drew and his dog bone and stuffed dog toy.

Tulips are Blooming in Holland Michigan

Tonight, I took the boys downtown to watch our neighbor and favorite babysitter "Dutch Dance". For those of you who aren't from the area, Holland Michigan is the Tulip Capitol. The first week of May its a huge production here, the tulips are absolutely stunning and this town is flooded with elderly folks...seriously! There are few times a year that I can honestly say I LOVE living here, but this truly is a great time to live here.

Anyway, tonight was a little preview of what's to come next week, with a quarter of the crowds, so the boys and I took advantage and headed downtown. I was taking a little bit of a risk knowing that it was going to be right on the heals of bedtime, but it was worth it. Wil and Drew were totally captivated by the first 1/2 hour of dancing and then the second segment, they were ready to get down and play in the dirt.

The Boys With Lindsay

There She is!

And so it begins, the older one is beating up on the younger and then looks at me like..."What"?

Tantrums are in full swing at the Blakeslee House (praying for lots and lots of patience)!

I've also struggled to get pictures of Drew walking, but he's definitely on the move. He's now taking about 20 steps, but I can say he's not really any busier than he was crawling...the boy was into everything!!!!