maverick: 5 months

The Mav Man is five months old. He's just the cutest and we love having him in our family. He really has a unique relationship with each of us.

(January - February)

Eats: He went through a growth spurt (maybe?) this month where he was wanting to eat a lot more often, not necessarily a lot more at a time though. We rolled with it for about a week and then things calmed down again. He currently eats five times a day (about every 4 hours), 6-7 oz each bottle. I tailor his schedule depending on nap time and bed time (tank up and sleep long).

Sleeps: He takes a nap when possible in the morning, whether that be at home or in his car seat. He doesn't like to miss out on any fun so if we are out he wants to be awake. But he will often fall asleep in his swing or in the car seat if we are driving. He is starting to sleep through the night! Not on a super consistent basis yet but getting close. He sometimes still wakes up one or two times but we give him his binky or he cries and goes back to sleep, no longer eating at night. He sleeps from about 9PM-7AM 

Plays: He is starting to play with little toys more and plays on his play mat on the ground. He likes to put everything in his mouth. He can roll over now so he does both tummy time and back time and turns himself in circles around the ground. He still loves to be sitting up. Caitlin is the best at getting him to smile and laugh and giggle. It' so cute when he does! It usually doesn't take too long to get a smile from him and he LOVES any attention he can get!

Also: His hair is still very fluffy but getting longer, and also staying light. He has beautiful sparkly blue eyes that seem like they may be getting lighter. People are split on who he looks like. A lot say he is starting to look like Nolan but a lot say Caitlin as a baby. I'm split too but I've always thought he looks more like Caitlin did. 

Firsts: rolled over for the first time January 15th front front to back. Tried rice cereal from the spoon for about a week and was not a big fan, I've just been adding it to his bottle ever since. He slept in his crib, finally made the big move this week. He is doing well but usually still prefers to nap in his swing. First time riding in a big stroller, facing out and loved it. 

niether here nor there

january instagram. welcome to 2015.

joys of motherhood: january

The start of a new year always brings lots of contemplation. I can't believe my kids will be turning 5 and 3 and both going to preschool this year. Can't believe my tiny baby will be turning ONE. I can't believe how big they are getting and how quickly stages change. Some days I want to bottle up and remember forever, other days I can't wait until bedtime. It's like they say... "the days are long but the years are short".

-Caitlin's current obsessions: my little ponies, riding her new bike, "crafting", helping with cooking, and dressing up or changes clothes as often as possible.

-Nolan's current obsessions are: Lightning McQueen and all the Disney cars, monster trucks or trucks in general, horses, sometimes superheroes, and dipping everything in Ranch. 

-I created little "job charts" for the kids to have them help out and be rewarded around the house more. They are pretty good helpers when given a job but this is a more organized way of doing jobs and seeing the benefits. The idea is when they do a job they get a sticker and if they get all their stickers they get to do something fun (specifically-- something fun with dad! My kids live for daddy dates). The job chart is set up as a weekly thing but usually it takes about a week and a half to fill it up because some days we forget to put the sticker on or we aren't home to do certain things, or they didn't do it that day, etc. Which actually works out because then it goes for a little longer and the idea is that is has to be full so they have an extra chance to go back and work on certain things they didn't do as well. Caitlin has been super on top of it and motivated. Nolan didn't understand it as well and wasn't into it... until he saw Caitlin go on her special date with dad and then he got motivated! He has been doing really well too. 

-Caitlin was made for the 80's... she asks for a side ponytail every. day. I think she likes they way it comes over her shoulder... like Elsa's braid. I try new styles on her but she always asks for a side ponytail or "two ponytails" (pig tails). Occasionally she'll do a "tinkerbell" (top knot bun) or she likes it down and curled with a head band when we have time. 

-When we were at my parents' the kids LOVED the cats and those poor kitties got the most excersize ever running from my kids. But sometimes they stuck around. Foster slept with Caitlin almost every night. One night he was in Nolan's room when we went up to go to bed and he ran out and I told Nolan maybe he would come back and say goodnight to him. I put Nolan to bed and went downstairs and after a little while Nolan came out of his room and said "Mom, He's just taking too long" 

me: Who?

N: "The kitty. He's supposed to come say goodnight to me!"

-Caitlin and I were playing "go fish" and she got her pile of cards to start with and said, "Mom, Can you curtsy the cards for me?"

-Caitlin says she wants to be a chef when she grows up. We were asking her what kind of restaurant she would have and she said she'll serve French fry salad. Paul asked "Can I be your assistant chef?" and she said, "No Dad you can be the waiter?"

-Nolan likes me to rub his back when he's falling asleep but he asks me to do it by saying, "Can you feel my back?"

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-the biggest thing to happen this past month and in my life currently is: Nolan is potty trained!! What a joy to only have one in diapers again. Nolan was interested in the potty before Christmas but I didn't know if it would stick so I didn't push it. After he had gone both #1 and #2 in the potty multiple times I decided I better commit. He started asking to go on the toilet even when he was wearing his diaper so i gave him lots of chances to do so and I told him if he kept his diaper dry for a whole day then he could wear big boy undies. the next day he woke up and wanted the undies! So we tried it. At first the undies only lasted about half a day and then he would wet through and we'd go back to diapers but eventually he was able to wear them longer. It took about a week total. The hardest part for him was recognizing when it was coming. If I could stop him and make him take regular potty breaks there were no accidents. He since has had a few accidents when we are in new places (i've learned to keep a spare change of pants and undies in my bag) but otherwise he's great! Still getting used to helping a boy and the occasional messes and mis-aims that come with that but I am so proud of Nolan. He basically just decided that's what he was going to do and figured out how to do it!

-Paul's biggest (literally) new thing is his new truck! The old Titan had a great life but was wearing down so Paul had been looking into other cars for a long time. He decided on a truck and we thought maybe we could take advantage of some end of the year deals. I basically dared him to go buy one, knowing he is such a researcher and would want to take his time I told him he could never actually pull the trigger. And that's just the motivation he needed! He got a beautiful new F150 truck and put lots of extras into it and we love it!
-Jan 2-3: Paul and I got a getaway to the Stein Lodge in Park City as part of a work retreat. We got to ski all day then have a nice dinner and then stay the night and do some shopping the next day. It was a blast. It was my first time up skiing for the season and I tried some new skis and LOVED them! I felt great and I always have such a great time skiing with Paul. The retreat was for all of his senior directors and they are such a great group. Paul is luck to have such a great team to work with and actually enjoy the people around him!

-Jan 7th: went to the Dino museum with Chelsea and Zoey. My kids were running around like they owned the place but luckily they slowed down a little once Zozo got there because then Nolan had to hold her hand everywhere they went. Nolan loves Zoey.
-Jan 8th: I love it when regular days can be really fun, when you start out with no plan and then things go well. I love having my kids at these ages because we aren't tied to a strict schedule and we have the freedom to do whatever we want with our day (before naptime.. that's kind of a must). So on this day we went to xtend barre where I got there on time with all three kids in tow and they all did well in the child care while I got to work out. Major win for mom. Then I got myself a delicious fresh squeezed juice from Mend and took it to the Provo Rec Center where the kids played in the gigantic indoor play place, Maverick napped, and I sipped my juice and watched the kids play. It was a win/win for everyone.

-Jan 9th: we had a fun night blowing as a family with Packs and Meads.

-Jan 10: We took Caitlin and Nolan to go skiing with papa. This was Caitlin's first time for the season and Nolan's first time ever (besides when he came in the backpack). They did great! We kept things fun and short and just did a few runs, went to the bunny hill and then back to the car. It probably took more time to get everyone packed and loaded and equipment rented than we were actually there but the important thing was that the kids had a great time and want to go back. Skiing with a little one between your legs is definitely a workout! Squats the whole way down.

-Jan 24: Christine celebrated her birthday (on the 22nd) and on the 25th we had a fun date night to dinner and a movie.

-Jan 28: Paul and I got to go to the Jazz vs. Clippers game with the Deelstras. It was a lot of fun, we sat on the 4th row right behind the team and it's always so alarming to be so close to such huge people! Unfortunately the Jazz lost, because I was there, because they always lose when I'm there. But it was a fun game, and a close one. 

-whole 30: Paul and I did the whole 30 eating program this month. It was the longest I've ever gone without sugar, soda, and grains/most carbs along with a few other things and I was very proud of myself. I had good results and came away actually really liking the diet. I will maintain a lot of things but I'm ready to reintroduce cheese and a few sweets!