5 Months

At 5 months our little man is continuing to work on rolling over, although doesn't seem nearly as interested in trying as he did a month ago.  Everything he can get his hands on goes straight into his mouth - especially his socks once he works them off.  He is currently wearing size 3/6 or 6 month clothing and size 2 diapers.  (Although we are on our final sleeve of these and will be moving into size 3 in just a few days.)  David is very interested in food and has really enjoying eating about a tablespoon of food occasionally at lunch and dinner.  He enjoys playing in his exersaucer, snuggling in his sister's bed during our nap/bed time routine of 2 books and a few songs, and his currently working through his first ear infection.  

Bedtime

Carly has become quite a fan of having David in her bed during her bedtime routine.  They snuggle while I read and sing before Carly falls asleep.

Carly has been hoping for temperatures to drop low enough at night for her to be able to wear her footie fleece pajamas... well tonight was her lucky night.  (If only these temperatures would stick around.)

Little Mommy

Carly is definitely a little mom.  Everything we need to do with David, Carly is right there helping us with and then turning around and completing the same task with her four baby dolls.  Today her dolls got hungry and needed to eat some baby food.

Where's David?

Carly spent the afternoon playing "Birthday Party" and her brother was one of the guests invited to the party.  He was happily sitting in his seat when the party formed around him...  (but he wasn't the birthday boy during this play - Carly's doll "Eddie" was today's special birthday boy.)

Tired

Sending late night e-mails is HARD work!

Playing Together

ROAR

Carly attended a friend's birthday party today and had her face panted up like a tiger.  She sat very nicely while her face was painted and really was keen on me taking a picture of it before we washed her face for nap time.

Table Food

David is 4 months 1 week and 4 days old today.  While Carly was stalling to finish eating her dinner I asked Dave if he wanted to put David in the high chair since he was starting to object to being in his swing.  Once David was seated in the chair and the straps were tightened he sat there like a little boy, looking very natural.  Dave asked if we had any cereal to feed him, which we didn't.  Our plan was to not start introducing foods until after our pediatric allergists appointment next Tuesday.  I suggested just dipping a spoon in some breast milk and seeing what happened.  We ended up skipping this idea and giving him a few little tastes of applesauce.  Surprisingly enough he took the food and swallowed it without pushing a lot of it back out.

While I am not ready to admit that David is ready for solid foods, I know that he is needing a few extra calories here and there and some extra fat due to our current dairy, egg, peanut butter, and shellfish free diet.

First Day Excitement

Carly had a wonderful first day of preschool (I think).  After posting about how excited I was to hear all about her day last night, she decided to be shy and quiet about it upon returning home.

Carly woke up this morning in a fabulous mood and was excited.  She posed to have her picture taken with her brother and on our front porch prior to loading up into the car to head to school. Once we arrived and all four of us were unloaded we made our way into the building.  Then she was swept inside by the lead teacher and drop off was done.  As we walked through the door of the building she was happy to see Miss Debbie ready to greet her; however, I think was shocked at how quick she was swept into the room.  There was not a good-bye hug or kiss for anyone.

When David and I went to pick her up this afternoon she immediately asked where daddy was.  Unfortunately, he was caught up on a call so was waiting for us at home.  My response seemed to satisfy her, but I was told she'd tell me about school when daddy was with me.  Once home, she was still a closed book before heading off to lunch with Dave.

Through various conversations and an e-mail from her teacher I have pieced together that Carly's day at preschool involved singing, dancing, riding a tricycle without a helmet, play dough, snack, coloring, reading two books, and making 2 new friends.

T'was the Night Before Preschool...

... and all through the house not a toddler was stirring, not even a baby.

Both children appear to be down for the night and I am wrapping up our day in preparation for Carly's first day of preschool tomorrow.  Dave has gone in and checked on Carly a few times so far this evening since she fell asleep just before 8 and came out commenting once that he can't believe she starts preschool tomorrow.  I'm not 100% sure it has really struck me that tomorrow she will be gone from me for the morning and that this will continue for the remainder of the school year for two days a week.  Sure she's gone off to her grandparents' homes for overnight stays and I did travel out of the country last summer, but something about this is just different.  It's her first "activity" where I just drop her off.  Gymnastics, art, music, story time, etc. have been and still are "mommy and me" classes.  This doesn't change around our area until either 3 or 4 depending on the class/program.  Don't get me wrong - I am very much looking forward to this extra time with David, but at the same time it means our little girl is growing up.

I have no reservations about Carly going to preschool.  She is ready!  She is very interested in the idea of writing and scribbles on paper to make "shopping lists" or to "write" her own thank you notes.  She has a vivid imagination and is starting to play more and more with children, instead of beside children.  She is coming home from Sunday School teaching me the new songs they sang during their time and telling me about many of the other activities they did and who was present.  Carly is also VERY, VERY excited about tomorrow's big day!  Over the past 2 months we've been using her book bag as her "diaper bag," (although I don't think there is a single diaper in it - rather a change of clothes, and then a water bottle and snack when appropriate it).  As a result, the bag has just lived in the car and only travels inside when it needs to be restocked with a snack.  This afternoon Carly grabbed her book bag and told me she would need it in the morning for preschool.  She also told me this morning that she would be wearing a ponytail (using a pigtail holder rubber band) and a bow to help keep her bangs out of her face tomorrow morning.  She has told me repetitively the names of her teachers and how she's going to be so "EXCITED" tomorrow.

I would not necessarily say that I am as excited for tomorrow morning as Carly is, but I can not wait to pick her up and hear all about her big first day.  I can already hear her in my head talking a mile a minute in her loud and excited voice telling me all about each activity and the four other friends she met while having this special first day!!

We're On a Boat!!

We finally made it out as a family of FOUR on the boat today.  Carly and Dave had been out here and there throughout the summer as "Daddy - Carly" dates or with friends and family.  Dave has even gotten a few solo trips out to run the boat and just relax with friends.  After his solo trip out on Sunday I was itching to get out on the water.  So after David's morning nap and our lunch, we set out for the water.  Carly and Dave hurried off to get the boat ready, while David and I followed about 15 minutes behind them.  Unfortunately, Dave received a weather warning from 2 police officers who were docking at the neighborhood's day dock.  This warning and the darkening skies did shorten our trip - however, we did get out in the main channel and then over to see where our friends are now starting to raft up with one another.

The ride was BLISSFUL!  I had David sitting on my lap and cradled in left arm, while Carly sat on the back bench next to me with my right arm wrapped around her.  Both children were all smiles until they eventually drifted off to sleep.

Leaving the neighborhood docks

While Dave was covering the boat up, I took the kids up to our neighborhood pool.  Carly and David both splashed in the baby pool until Dave came up to join us, our family then entered the larger pool.  Carly was eager to jump into the water and swim back to the ladder - showing off for the various neighbors.  David was also very happy and relaxed floating around in his life vest, only wanting to get out of the pool when he got hungry.  Hopefully, I will be able to take advantage of our Y's indoor pool during the cooler (and/or cold) months to help maintain this enjoyment for the water.