Thursday, May 31, 2018

May 2018

Houston happened. Graduation happened. Florida happened. Here's what happened in between. (And yes, it seems this is a very Spencer-heavy post. At least blog-stalkers can't criticize me for ignoring the third kid.)

By the end of the month, big man was 15-months-old and ready for his weigh in. He is remaining entirely consistently petite, measuring 29.5 in. (5th% up from 2nd!) and weighing 19lb 9.5 oz (8th%). Spencer spent the first half of his 15th month refusing to sign, insisting on using his 2 consonants to communicate all needs, and then FINALLY, we got signs of language! As in, he FINALLY started signing! "More" and "please" entered our signing vocabulary this month.

"more"
(Imagine video of him beautifully signing here.
We do not have said video. He really doesn't
like to sign as much as he'd rather shriek to get
what he wants. But it's there, we promise!)

Spencer began showing interest in the Magna Doodle he got for his birthday. Each time, he takes it down and crawls on top of it. Sometimes he even draws with it, but usually, it's a really funny chair.

In more fine motor growth, he can open markers, which - when supervised - can be a good thing.

When ignored, it goes differently.

In gross motor achievements this month, Spencer discovered his love for going down slides and his ability to do so independently. Does that mean he can go down stairs himself? Yes. Does that mean he wants to? No.
yes to slide
no to stairs
ALWAYS to being center of attention


Catching water is quite the challenge apparently.

At 14 months, I decided his inconsistent morning naps meant that he could survive the morning awake, Mommy could return to gym classes, and we could resume a new-normal morning of activities...Spencer wasn't so sure.
He just couldn't make it some mornings.

Evidently, my children are used to me taking flashless pictures on my phone. When I was playing with the settings on the "real" camera, it turns out the flash was quite entertaining.

Gabi begs to keep seeds from red peppers, apples, etc that we cut open so she can grow her own bushes and trees. This month, we obliged, and she's very hopeful for her red pepper bush she's expecting to sprout behind the backyard shed.

My girl and her love of "Take pictures of me," this month in bed:

Note to self: Don't leave 3 children alone brushing teeth and assume they'll stay in the bathroom...and clothed.

I seriously never know what will happen when I walk away from my children.

(I noticed it got a little too quiet downstairs.)

What was once 4 babies has now grown into a group of 9 cuties, some babies and some almost kindergartners. It's been fun growing up together!

For your smiling pleasure:
What's a kid to do while big bro and sis are in class?
(copyright @therealgabicohen)

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Pre-K Graduation

(Even though she will continue at her preschool until Kindergarten is ready for her in August...) It was time to celebrate the fun, learning, and work Gabi has completed at her time at Nicholson Early Childhood Education Center. Pre-K graduation arrived, and with a ceremony, cake, and ice cream, my baby girl is ready for the big world!

The class chose this song to sing.


adoring fans in the audience

receiving her diploma from Ms. Monica

Sweet treats at the end of a sweet celebration:

(Daddy finds a way to entertain himself.)

Gabi smiles with her 2 school besties that have been in class with her since she started.

with Julia

with Shreya

We're all very proud of this big girl and can't believe she's ready to conquer elementary school! I'm not crying; you're crying.

Proud parents:

Monday, May 14, 2018

This is 11 (and Everything Else Houston)

As expected, we packed up the car with lots of clothes, babies, and challah dough and drove to Houston to celebrate Mira's birthday. What's unexpected is that Daddy joined us this time! As expected, we started celebrating with fro yo!


After fro yo, my children were restlessly ready for the next activity while others were not, so we went next door to explore the pet store. Inside was a customer with the world's tiniest and cutest puppy!

On Saturday morning, we wake up with happy, playful cousins. I love how much the cousins love spending time together and being with each other, and I will continue making these trips a priority for this reason.

Boys' time and girls' time:

crazies under Aunt Sandi's bed

baking rainbow cupcakes for the party

On Saturday afternoon, Gabi, Jacob, Jon, and Nana went to a 'Touch-a-Truck' event and tried to enjoy the opportunity despite the hot hot hot weather.



Fun times kept coming when Gabi and I treated the birthday girl to Duck Donuts, Mira's new favorite sweet spot where you get to select your own toppings and icings on your unique donut.


special girls' time

At long last, it was time for THE (cousins) birthday party at a splash park. Happy Birthday, 11-year-old Mira!!! (Apparently, there was an unspoken orange memo that got passed around to the boys.)



Daddy had a little too much fun with the 'slo mo' feature on his phone camera:

The whole young Texan gang:

7/9 ain't bad! (missing Boston!)

What got ALL those cuties smiling all at the same time, you ask? A bribe for cupcakes of course...

Aunt Sandi scored some Astros tickets for the game that night, and Aunt Debbie and Uncle Craig were selected as the honored adults to accompany Mira and Jacob!

After we got some well-needed rest, the crowd wakes up to one last morning together.

#blueclock

#yellowclock


#blueclock

#yellowclock

Mira prepared a special Mother's Day ice cream sundae bar. Joey was told to find a good spot to eat his ice cream. So he did. And others followed suit.



All (awake) cousins were quarantined to Jacob's room to avoid the broken glass in the living room. So this happened:

Baby time!

Despite months of modeling and guided
practice, Nana gets credit for successfully getting
Spencer to sign "more" for the very first time.

special Nana-baby time



I don't think babies are supposed to be this interested in each other.
They may be the same size, but Spencer still has some tricks
(and months) on Shayna.






(gotta love the "portrait" setting on Aunt Sandi's new phone)

This is 11. So glad we came to celebrate with you, Mira. Happy birthday, big girl!

when a lens of the sunglasses falls off and you still don't care