kids at various ages.

post by casey.

ike: 10 + 11 months and rockyp: 32, 33 + 34 months.

i think the last time I blogged about these boys, I put the wrong update? HERE I said I was posting Rocky at 32MO but really I didn't and SO here we are. 

HEY GUYYYYSSSSSSSS!!! Funny story...here it comes...wait for it...Remember that time I said I was gonna have all this time to blog?!. The end.;)

anyone else feel like summer flew?!?!? Didn't even break open that Target Dollar Section Lemonade Stand sign. Oops. 

PS. I've thrown all SUMMER BUCKET LISTS out the window in this house. I give anyone that makes one and then doesn't end the summer in a complete fucking panic, a virtual high-five. I've got goals and hopes and dreams for our summers but that damn list has brought more rush and force and slight annoyance than I'm willing to allow in my life!;). Buuuuuuuyyyyyeeeee.

so here we are, 1/2 way through October and...I feel great! We've hit a great stride! Those few weeks leading up to the start of the school year have me super rage-ey and hitting WAY below the belt in all those fights I'm allowing my 6YR old to manipulatively drag me into. But we're better now;).

we've been busy selling all.the.things and Jacob has come home and commented on how amazing it feels to walk in to the living room and find things missing;). The weight of all our 'things' was weighing us down far more than we realized! And honestly, I think we have FAR less than the average household but still...so so much. Minimizing has freed up space in the house AND in our heads and we're hanging onto that amazing feeling and continuing to downsize, downsize, downsize!!!

and less stuff means a lot less messes! The kids have only a few toys (still too many, in my opinion). Cleaning has been a breeze and so when I finish this blog post, the mess the kids make for me in the living room will be WAY less insane than it would have been a few weeks ago;).

okay, here are my old babies!:)

my precious baby boy is a week from his FIRST Birthday!!! I'm not even sad about it anymore. It's taken 4 kids to stop being so upset about the passing of the years. I mean...don't get me wrong, I'm still crying about it all.the.time. But today, right this minute...I'm okay.ish.

ike is pulling himself up next to things and looks to be following his older siblings in taking his time on the walking thing and I'm so down with that:). 

He's sleeping through the night. He's napping once a day. He's waving Bye. He's laughing and sometimes crying. And occasionally there's some head butting of the living room floor - soooo, it's clear he's mine;).

we stopped nursing a few weeks ago and that was both sad and natural. Like my last few babes, my body just slowed in producing and so we just gradually weaned and at times I wish we could just keep going and going and we could have had I tried to push it but 11+ months feels pretty great too. So there you have it:).

and then there's this...busy bee. Yeah...we'll stick to Busy Bee;). 

rockyp is trouble;). BUT I still find him SO freaking cute!!!! So after I get after him for coloring the tops of his feet in permanent marker while I make my bed, he comes and apologizes so cutely and of course I'm a sucker and believe him when he agrees to never do that again;).

it doesn't really seem like Rocky's been up to much?! He's less focused on learning to potty train and talking clearly and more concerned about taking a marker to my wall, shitting on my floor, spilling my coffee, dropping my computer, walking out in the rain with his socks on (and usually nothing else;), dropping a carton of eggs out of the fridge, tipping over my lamps, opening doors and not shutting them (and then me discovering this 30MIN later when I feel the cool breeze!!), calling 911, drinking straight out of my creamer, putting all my spoons under his pillow, knocking photos off the wall, ripping up Homer's homework, climbing ON the van, spraying me with the hose...while I'm reading a book...SHALL I GO ON!??!?!;).

jesus started creating Rockyp the minute he heard me, at 10years old, start saying to my parents: "I'm bored!". I see what you did there, Jesus;).

he gives me the biggest headache but honestly, I think he's created the softest part in my heart. I love this kid so damn much:).

me giving Rocky some 'direction' during our photo shoot - and in case you ever thought these were easy breezy;).

UP 16WKS in and 16MO out

DOWN 25WKS in and 25MO out (and clearly enthused about it;)

ike: 6 months and rockyp: 29 months

post by casey.

you guys, we had just about the best weekend! And it's a Monday morning and I'm still reeling from those Good Sunday Vibes:). It helps a bit that getting Homer up and ready for school was painless and 2 out of 3 kiddos are still sleeping - Theo JUST got up at 850AM! But it was such a wonderful weekend and there were so many moments that brought those happy tears to my eyes. It seems that a growing trend in my most favorite memories, involve me sitting somewhere with a baby on the boob and Jacob in the distance...plus 3 more kiddos this time:).

okay, lets get to it. 

SO many milestones these last few weeks and in the upcoming weeks. Ike is 6.MONTHS.OLD and Homer will be turning 6.YEARS.OLD in a week. From day to day, I hardly have enough time to dwell on any of this but you bet I make time to REALLY let the reality of TIME and AGE and my BABIES and LIFE wash over me in the darkest of nights...lotssssss of quiet sobbing happening between the hours of 1147PM and 123AM;).

ike is 6 months old. He is in that little bubble of PERFECTION. Rocky on the other hand *side eye* - we'll get to him;).

ike is almost 19lbs and I think he'd actually be closer to 20lbs had we not lost some ground when he was in the hospital - if you missed that, there's a post HERE. He's still exclusively breastfed and doing well with that. I haven't added solids and I'm probably gonna keep being super lazy taking that approach until he's closer to 9 months:).

he's not sleeping through the night and I really have no clue how much he sleeps because I just don't keep track. He sleeps when he sleeps and it is what it is. He does take 2 pretty solid naps during the day though!:)

ike still has a cough. Still...or again!? It's all pretty much the same at this point. I think we're just gonna be working through respiratory issues until he's a bit older, unfortunately. But he's taking it all in stride and luckily, nothing more serious has come of it.

we still have a thumb sucker andddddd it's prettyyyyyyy adorable. I'll worry about whether he'll be sucking his fingers in his 1st Grade Photos when the time comes;).

he's scooting all over the place. Rolls nonstop. If I had to guess...I THINKKKKK we may have a walker at or BEFORE a year. Anything before 14 months would be a record for our babies;):).

ike is just the best. Smiles nonstop. Talking up a storm. Loves being outside. Loves being cuddled. He's wonderful and we love him so so SO much!

and thennnnnn there's Rocky.Freaking.P. I'm seriously laughing to myself just thinking about this goof ball! Oh man. Just when you think they'll have no personality at all;).

rockyP is a riot. He's also a terrible listener. Which is pretty typical of his age but we're working on it:). As you can see here, he was taking a new smile out for a spin for these photos - the squinty eye variety;). 

he prefers to actually do some walking on our walks, as opposed to riding in the stroller. Sometimes he has a choice, most of the time he doesn't...due to the above mentioned listening issue and oncoming traffic;/. 

he is a good sleeper. Still in his big boy bed on the floor but I think we're ready to get him up off the floor and into an actual bed!

Sometimes in the morning, he gets up and just looks out the window for a while. Watches the buses going to and from school and just keeps to himself for a while:).

rocky is talking up a storm and we're gaining some ground there too...we can understand about 72% of what he says now;). 

rocky keeps us on our toes and I wouldn't change a darn thing about him!:) He's so feisty and hardly ever eats. Until he does...and then he eats anything that ain't tied down;). He sings, he dances...he's a one-man-variety-show!!! 

don't be fooled, though...as much as he makes me laugh...he's got me losing my shit;).

BUT guess what...the windows are open now with this weather and so that means I've got to try and keep my 'temper' under control for all those ears out walking by;).

love my boys and as much crazy as they bring...they bring so much more fun than I could have ever imagined!:)

ike: 5 months and rockyp: 28 months

post by casey.

these little hams are a month older! The months fly by and they're changing by the second and growing and learning...less Baby every day!:(

i can't EVEN with his chubby belly and those lips and those eyes and those cheekkkkkssss:):)

my little buddy, Ike!!!!:) If you missed it, Ike spent a few days in the hospital recently - read about that HERE. Luckily, he's feeling MUCH more himself. Ike has always been the happiest, most content, smiley little guy and so it was heartbreaking to see him so sad looking in the hospital! 

ike started rolling while we were at the hospital! He pushes himself all around on the floor and now we have to make sure to strap him into all his little seats cause he'll try and scoot out of them!

ike loves talking and cuddling and getting SO many kisses from the kids! He loves to be held but he's just as content laying on the floor or bed or in his seat!

he gives THE best smiles first thing in the morning. There's NO better way to start the day!!!:)

ike did lose a pound while we were in the hospital but I suspect that he's back to his 18+lbs already! He's a hefty guy;):).

and then there's Rock. RockyP. 

rockyp is a good guy! He's probably the only of my children that can whine as much as he does and that I can still completely tolerate!!!;) But because we can't quite understand 67% of what he says...his whining has reached a new level of annoying. MAYBE if I could understand what he was saying...all that whining wouldn't be SO bothersome!??!;). 

regardless. Rocky runs. Rocky takes very. VERYYYYYYYY. VERY slow walks;). He loves his days home with Theo and baby Ike but likes to be constantly updated on where Dada and Homer are:). 

he started sleeping in a big boy bed recently! It's an Ikea mattress on the floor of his room - same one that we started Homer out on. He is doing SO well! Since day 1, he's never gotten out of bed! There have been a few rough nights where he just doesn't want to go to sleep but I don't get the feeling that has anything to do with the bed. And since Jacob and I are downstairs and he's upstairs, we keep a baby gate up to keep him from coming out of his room and that's worked perfectly so far. We'll keep that up until I'm more confident he can do the stairs all by himself!

i gotta say - cause I haven't said this enough;) - I love them. I love having them. I love keeping them. I'll take it all...the good, the bad, the insanely hard and the moments of pure bliss sprinkled in-between:). I want more. That is all:).

ike: 4 months and rockyp: 27 months

post by casey.

this huge chunk-a-baby is actually almost 5MO old! Good golly, he's basically the best:). He weighed in at about 18LBS at his 4MO appt.!

what has Ike Ewalt Smith been up to....

Ike has to be buckled into all his little seats cause he's pushing out of things and trying to roll on his side! He is all smiles, especially first thing in the morning! He LOVES to talk - no clue where he got that from;). He's still exclusively nursing and that's going well - minus the few coughs he's had:(. BUT he's such a good boy and gives me 6+HR stretches of sleep most nights!!! 

the kids love to be IN HIS FACE. AT ALL TIMES. Arg. But they have been the best helpers and sure do love their Baby Ike:). I, legit, can't get enough of him!!!

and then there's THIS mess;). RockyP. RockyP. Rocky.PPPPPPP....this kid. He's ridiculous and somewhat emotional but I've got a soft spot for him. He can be crying/clinging to my leg and I just can't help but think he's the most adorable;)!

rockyP sleeps great. Him and Theo have been having a great time at home together while big brother, Homer, is at school! He loves to sit by himself and 'read':). He HATES being cold. He loves jumping on the bed:).

rocky is definitely putting together understandable sentences lately. He's been taking his time making sense but now we can determine what he wants/is demanding/needs abouttttt 46% of the time;).

i was babysitting a bunch of different kiddos over the last few weeks and now that it's back to JUST;) myself, Ike, Rocky and Theo at home most days...it feels very quiet around the house! And now that I've been doing my Social Media Break/my phone actually busted...it's been damn near silent at the house for almost 48HRS. And I'm not sure whether I'm just being lazy or I'm too tired to care or I'm just all in on this 'break'...but I really don't feel the rush to get my phone fixed or replaced and so we're just kinda sitting here, determining which neighbor's house would be best to run to in the unlikely case that we need to dial 911;).

rocky peyton: 25 and 26 months.

post by casey.

the above Gif and THIS full link...I'm dying laughing cause it was my life this morning...trying to have a thought while the kids used anything they had in their hands as tiny little hammers against the top of the table. GAHHHHHHH!!!!!;).

"...would you please, for the love of god and your own body...hold the hammering!!!"

we're playing catch-up around here! We've had a little stomach bug run through the house and luckily,  it was quick and really, I'd take a few hours of puking kids over a month of flu/cold symptoms - UPDATE, this post was drafted a few weeks ago: Homer is home with a fever today:(!!

so on with it! Rocky Peyton! Wellllllllllll...hmmmmm....where do I begin;). Rocky, Rocky, Rocky.

rocky's become a huge pain in the ass. There. I said it;). LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE him with allllllllll my beattinggggggg heart. But STOP CRYING!!! STOP WHINING!!!! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!?!?!?!?! 

He's working through some things;). Not sure whether he prefers to be up or down or somewhere in the middle - like me on all fours while he eats his breakfast off my back kinda thing;)?. There are a lot of emotionssssss and we're just along for the bipolar ride;). We're just trying to keep our cool and manage the fits and learn to walk away:). Hopefully, soon-ish, he'll learn to speak in full/understandable sentences and then MAYBE we can all get on the same page!.

OH, sureeeeeee....BLAHHHHH BLAHHHHH WAHHHHHH means I want more milk. Gotcha. How stupid of me. MY BAD.;)

"you bore me" - RockyP on life

 

but Rocky is talking more and more and more clearly, every day:). He still sleeps through the night and there is a little difficulty with nap times - he doesn't really seem to want to nap but I'll be DAMNED if that's coming to an end already!!!;). We're questioning if he's ready for a Big-Boy bed!:( Currently, him and Theo are sharing a room and Homer has moved into his own room. That's all working okay but wondering about putting him in his own room. Once he's in a big bed, we're downstairs and all the kids are upstairs, we think we'll have to put a child safety lock on his door to keep him from trying the stairs when we're not awake or able to keep an eye on him. I'll keep you posted!
UPDATE: we've since moved Theo out of that room and so now all 3 kids have their own room but Rocky is still in a crib:).

rocky is so much fun and full of smiles and very confusing stories that involve a lot of hand motions;). He'll tolerate a sled ride. Doesn't like the cold. Still loves hugs and cuddles and giving out wet kisses! He smells like a puppy - I swear I bath him;). He doesn't play well with others - sometimes;). He actually prefers his cloth diapers over the disposable - which helps keep me on task of using cloth!. 

i'm watching him play now. On the living room floor. The sun is pouring in on a cold January day. He's happy and smiling and it's everything I want in life:).