These Days...

 Several things to catch up on whats going on these days in with the Askew crew:

Penny you are almost 3 months! These days you are smiling and cooing and we are all in love with your sweet dimples and blue eyes. You have slept thru the night 3 nights in a row from around 10:30 to 6 or so, which I am trying not to get my hopes up about but has been pretty wonderful. I was joking when I came up with your first Christmas wish for the church program and said that you wished you would sleep thru the night but our wishes might just be coming true. I am trying to soak up all these last baby days because I know they go so fast and I want to cherish the beautiful parts of the perfect weight of you rested in my arms, the slow, heavy blinks just before you drift off to sleep, the simplest things that make you smile - a familiar face, twinkly lights and the wonder that is ceiling fans. We have special time together on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the big kids are at school and these days I love getting to share that time just me and you, sometimes we run errands, we attend ladies bible class or do chores at home. My spirit has always been one that craves a certain amount of quiet space to think, process and center and I am finding these days of quiet are so recharging to me and I enjoy having my little side kick along too. 

*A Daicia Pic - love her eyes captured here. and
I am a little smitten by this hand me down winter hat I've been loving on her.

Oh Rhett, how fun life is with you these days at two and halfish. You bring so much laughter to all of us. Your favorite foods are milk, avocados, pizza and pretzels. These days you are loving the books The Giving Tree, Mama Llama Red Pajama and Goodnight Gorilla. Last night when were reading The Giving Tree you asked me how do you get in the book? You wanted to climb in and put the trunk back on the tree that the boy took away. Your imagination truly has no limits, you keep expanding your Christmas list to include crazy things like "a Giant orange Dragon, a plane to fly you over your house to Benny's house ( while we are wishing for things I wouldn't mind a direct flight either to Benny's house) a live bird and a hang glider to fly me in the sky". You often tell me of crazy things you see out the car window, "look mom a hippo!". Your favorite show is Jake and the Neverland Pirates and you are on quite a pirate kick, you often have a foam sword in hand and like to yell out "yo ho ho". You are a little bit dragon obsessed lately too,  you "draw" pictures that you tell me are dragons, you use a raspy, growly voice at times that you say is a dragon voice. You love lately to wear your hair spikey for special days and call it your dinosaur hair. You still take a good long afternoon nap and I still have you in your crib, despite all your climbing everywhere else you haven't even really tried to get out of it yet so I think we will roll with it as long as we can. You kind of have a propensity with all your exploring of getting stuck places, you got your head stuck in a chair at the zoo this fall, you got your nose and head stuck between a pew and the wall at church the other day and more than once you lodged your foot places you needed me to help you get undone. I often call Ava, Avie-baby or Ava-boo, lately when you are calling her from another room you yell Avie-baby or Ava-boo in the same cadence as I often do and it makes me smile every time. I also love everyday when we pick up Ava you say to her in that thick and deepish voice that is so you "How was your day Ava, did you you miss us?" I love the way you love your sisters and you call them "My Penny" and "My Ava".

After the ice storm we had a lot of tree clean up to do, Grandpa brought you this chain saw to help out on clean up day.
You were all business. 

Ava these days you are thriving at Kindergarten being 5 and halfish. I loved going to a few school events of yours this past week and seeing you in this setting that has kind of been a mystery to me. You have two really close friends that you have bonded with but I also noticed your whole class seems to belong to each other, I wish all your schooling would be like kindergarten in that way, where you love each other and look after each other in the way I noticed you all do right now. You are starting to read, while I have mixed feelings about the academic pace of Kindergarten these days, you are so very proud of your reading. You love art and are often working on "projects" around the house. You have made a few books that you put in Rhett's book basket and you like to read them to him. You and your dad just finished your first real novel that you have been reading together at night, Poppy and now you are on to The Mouse and the Motorcycle.You are a great big sister, you are a natural nurturer and you've mastered how to rock Penny's car seat or bouncer just the way she likes it and can gently wiggle her paci in at the same time to soothe her if I am trying to cook dinner or attend to something else. You learned about deep breathing at school and you like to coach Rhett through using his "belly breaths" when he is having a melt down. He will listen to you and often this can calm him quickly. (It's kind of funny I tried the other day to see if you wanted to try it when you were really worked up but no such luck for the same success) You and Rhett play often together these days, most of the time you have great fun together playing school, putting on shows, playing in your "hideout" but you can also have some pretty epic fights too. You are still petite and sweet. At the doctor the other day, 2 year old Rhett weighed in at only 3 less pounds than you. I asked your teacher some questions at the fall parent teacher conference about your assertiveness abilities as you are naturally inclined similar to me towards keeping the peace and introversion and she complimented  you saying"that girl can hold her own!" and I really loved that. Your Friday behavior folder pretty much has all positive marks except for some weeks you got marked for "Talking at inappropriate times" and I have to say it makes me smile that my girl that is often quiet feels so comfortable she gets marked for this and that my rule follower can can also break out of that mold too as we all need too at times. You want to loose your teeth and are so excited to be 6 these days but I am happy for you to not move on too quick. 

One of our best moments these days, we were playing in the leaves at grandma's when dad returned from deer camp.

These days I've been navigating the world of 3 little and there's moments its beautiful and wonderful and truly a dream come true and moments I've been overwhelmed, frustrated and not always the mom I wanted to be. You 3 continue to be some of my greatest teachers during these season of life. Motherhood brings out many of my best parts and so many of my weakest parts, I am trying to embrace more the value of repair and the power of grace, you all teach me about forgiveness too for I find no one is quicker than littles to forgive and move on in the way you do.

Rhett: 19 month update

 Rhett turned 19 months over the weekend! More little boy is emerging daily as his baby is fading more and more. He's starting to put two words together here and there. My favorite Rhett words right now are "baff" for bath, "Maaaalk" for Milk, "Maame" for Aunt Amy, "wook" for look. His most said word is "sister". He wakes up saying "sister" and wants to see her first thing. They told me at his MDO today he had a hard day kept saying Mama and they said she'll be back soon and asked him what else they get him and he then started saying "sister". He's doing good with not touching the tree but throwing balls inadvertently has been more of the hazard. He loves to rare his arm back and then come really close to you to play catch. His favorite book he wants to read each night right now is "I love you stinky face", there is a cyclops in it and he loves when we turn that page he says enthusiastically "bear!". I don't know where the association comes from but we just go with it. He loves to fold his hands when its time to pray. I had to move the dog food up on the pantry shelf, he figured out the latch this month and I kept finding him snacking on it. Avocados are still his most favorite actual food. So excited to for Christmas with him at this age and stage.

He would stay outside all the time if I let him.

He loves bath time.

I love him in this little man sweater.

Happy 19 months brother bear! 

Rhett at 18 months

Rhett turned 18 months yesterday:

It's a word explosion time. I've lost count of how many words he says and almost daily he says a new one he hasn't said before. 

None of his canines are in but he has one molar all the way through and one partially through.

He loves pizza, avocados, pretzels and cookies

He loves to wave hi to people and has several ladies at church he will reach his arms out for every time he sees them. 

He is sweet, observant and determined. 

He naps once a day for an hour or two

Ryan's boss gave him a football recently and he loves it and throws a fit when we won't let him take it in the bath or shower.

He has learned to take a wooden puzzle and set up as a ramp on the bottom section of the coffee table in order to climb on top of it. 

We've never had an ER trip with Ava but thinking we might with him some day. He gave himself 3 different black eyes this month, all minor but all involved his climbing or running shenanigans either falling or running into things. 

His favorite book is Little Blue Truck

After a smooth run the first day, he had a rough first month adjusting to Mothers Day Out in September: Being tearful off and on during the days, not eating much of his lunch and then hardy napping. He's teachers and I worked on some things to help with nap time and after some adjustment time now daily I get reports of what a great day he had. We've even had some tear free drop offs the last few times where he will reach out for his teacher when I go. 

Happy 18 months Brother Bear! 

His "say cheese" face

Hair is getting lighter and lighter, his eyes are blue with flecks goldish yellow. 

He loves Rory...

not sure Rory loves him but she tolerates him well. 

Rhett - 16 month update.

Rhett's 16 month update

He has several new words he says regularly now: 

Baby, help, wa-wa for any kind of drink, up, yes and no to add to ma-ma, da-da, hi, bye and Rory. 

He's started making some animal noises - he has a pretty cute growl, meow and woof-woof. 

He loves any kind of pasta, still love avocados, fruit smoothies, and his newest obsession -Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips. I got on to Ryan the other day for giving him the bag to walk around the house with, turns out Ryan didn't get if for him, he went into the pantry and helped himself.  

Still trying to condense his naps to one afternoon one. Some days still has two, some days just one.

He loves to call for Rory and will yell "Rorrrry" while bending down and slapping his thighs. 

He has preferences for certain books at bed time, saying no and shaking he's head if it's not one of his preferred favorites. 

He has the best eyebrow raised surprise face.

He's in that phase of wanting to explore and be independent
but the next moment crawling in my lap when he's tired, unsure or afraid. 

It was awfully quiet in there, so I went to check...

Rhett 15 Months old & These Days with Ava

He turned 15 Months old this week.

He started walking this month! 

Says ma, mom and mama often.

Nods for yes and no. 

Loves to wave and say Hi and Bye to people, even complete strangers we pass by.

He starts repeating "woo, woo" every time he hears a dog bark. (which in this house can be often)

Has 8 teeth. 

Lowered his crib to the last notch.

Still on two naps but might be getting ready to drop the morning one.

Sleeping all night most nights.

Loves to cuddle and will pat our backs when we are holding him.

Favorite foods are still avocado, mac and cheese and milk.

Likes to take a crayon or marker and hold in his hand to scribble on paper. 

Loves to be outside or in water.

Enjoys playing with a ball.

These Days Ava you are loving doing art projects. 

You have an art bin that you love to get down to paint, cut and glue creations. You love to make creations to give to people. 

We pass your preschool often as it's near our house and you get pretty upset at times asking me "why must school have a summer break!" and are so eager to return in the fall. One day recently you asked if your buddy Izzy could go to your school and I told you she will probably go to school on her side of town. Then you contemplated the idea of going to school where she does but you decided you weren't use to those teachers and would miss your school too much.

 It has been interesting watching you navigate social settings and relationships - as the apple doesn't fall far from my tree in that department.  I find you are very thoughtful in your interactions, prefer familiar settings, close relationships within smaller circles and at times need to recharge in low energy settings. 

We went to a church gathering this week at someone house. You made friends with one of the adult ladies there and you came to me excitedly to tell me that I will be so proud that you "got use to her". That's your introvert lingo for making friends. Yesterday we were at a restaurant meeting a friend of mine for lunch. You were going to go play in the play area and asked if any of your friends would be there. I told you no so you proceeded to tell me a well thought out plan you had for maybe finding another little girl that was playing alone that maybe you could "get use to" and maybe you could play with other little girls but told me now more than 3 I think. 

My prayer is you will embrace who God made you to be, you already make a very loyal and loving friend to others as you love so deeply and with such kindness. I pray many will be blessed by knowing and receiving the love you have to give. 

Rhett's Room (13 & 14 month update)

Besides keeping out of town family and friends up to date on our happenings, 

this blog serves mostly as a memory book for this family. I been making it's pages into physical print books so we can keep a record of this season of family life. 

I did a little photo shoot of Rhett in his room the other week in an effort to remember his sweet nursery and capture so many familiar sites that I get to see daily of him right now that I wanted to tuck away for safe keeping:

"Reading" books.
Hair getting lighter in the summer sun.
His baby is fading and glimpses of a little boy are emerging. 

Grandma helped me make the banner.
The sign above the dresser says "snakes, snails and puppy dog tails".
The ceramic soccer ball and glove were from Ryan's room growing up.
His basket of books by his rocking chair has a collection of books I read to Ava too.
I love a good basket of books, I think I have one in every kid space we have in the house. 

I crafted the two canvases.
The dog one is Rory's profile. I just can't help but think of puppy dogs when I think of little boys-
so lots of dogs to go with his yellow and grey. The little owl was very first thing I bought for his room soon after finding out we were having a boy.
 I associate that owl with the growing excitement of thinking about being a mom of a little boy and the growing anticipation of meeting him, pretty sure I will be keeping it long after he's done playing with it. 

That little four tooth grin that will be changing to a six tooth grin any day now. 

Hes been loving his rocking horse that his Uncle Matt made him.
The furniture was his sister's, the rocking chair also a family hand-me-down.
I love that the vast majority of his room was gifted or hand-me-down - It all carries special meanings and memories to go along side the new ones.  

Milestone update for month 13 & 14

He is cruising, crawling, climbing but not walking just yet. 

He says "ha" and "Ba" while waving for Hi and Bye. 

He also says "uh-o" regularly when something falls or he drops it. 

He loves to play in the shower or bath and may would stay in there all day if we let him. 

He started pointing and grunting to try to show us what he wants. 

He may turn into an Avocado he eats them so much.

He stopped nursing a few weeks ago and now sleeps all night most nights. 

He and Ava play more together with reciprocal play instead of just parallel play. 

Favorite game so far that they both seem to love is to take turns putting each other in the play oven and waving bye-bye.  

10 months old...

10 months old! 

He's now been in the world longer than I carried him and he's rapidly changing and doing fun things every time I turn around. 

There are certain moments that you see your child in a different light, at a new stage and it just hits you where you are now instead of where you have been. Rhett sitting perfectly still and engaged in story time at the Library, there he was, my little almost toddler, he was looking and acting so big, then I realized because he is this big now.  This time last year I was pregnant with him now he is sitting up big and tall next to his sister for story time what a difference a year makes, what gift it is to watch them grow. As we approach the one year milestone its exciting and also hard to believe this first precious year is coming to a close. 

I have a similar picture of Ava in our laundry basket at this age, I will have to find it and post them side by side for comparison.

The first time I saw him pull up to a standing position was this day with the baskets! He has also mastered the army crawl the rate of speed he can shimmy to what he wants is impressive. This guy is on the go, his favorite place to go is down the hall to see what's going in sister's room. Those eye lashes and checks are my favorite features, love this picture for capturing that so well. 

A new favorite sleeping position, buns in the air! 

I love when he just wakes up from his nap, usually some wild bed head going on and for the first little bit he just wants to snuggle, with his head draped on my shoulder, he's quiet and still as he gets his bearings and those are some our favorite moments together right now. 

Introducing solids has been quite the up and down, start and stop journey. This week I came across a new way he would take some solid food, by slurping up these puree packets.


Naps are down to two most days. Still nursing about the same amount but can stretch out a little longer when needed. Getting up 1-2x a night.

Exciting to think all the fun milestones just around the bend but also so glad to soak up the space we are in now.
Happy 10 months sweet boy!

8 Months!!

Rhett turned 8 months yesterday. So many fun developments this month has brought!

 

 

Nicknames: Rhett-Rhett, Bub, Bubs, Bubby, Rhetty-Betty

 

Play: He claps and will mimic us clapping, he loves to growl, and gets excited if we will growl back and forth with him. He pats our back when holding him. Loves to chew on his feet and laughs when I try to pull them out of his mouth when changing his diaper.

 

 

Eating: Finally has started enjoying eating some pureed foods,  things with apples or bananas seem to be his favorites, eats twice a day and nurses every 3 hours or so.

Sleeping: Favorite positions, rolls to his right side or puts both hands behind his head like he's doing a sit up. He is napping 3 times a day. Sleeps some nights all the way through but most nights up once or twice.

7 months!

This boy turned 7 months during Thanksgiving week! As I reflect on this month,  it is such an a crazy thought that I didn't yet know this sweet face this time last year. In fact a year ago I was just starting to wrap my mind around the idea of  having a boy. To love someone this much, that I only met a short time ago, is so surreal in the best possible way.

 

He has mastered sitting up on his own which makes bath times easier on all of us as he has moved into the big bath for bath time. In 7 months he has slept through the night 3 times. He naps well during the day still taking 3 naps usually but nights this month have been pretty regressive with multiple wakings throughout the night.

 

He is starting to let me feed him by spoon some and is nursing about every 3 hours. While I know he can't yet purposely say "ma-ma" its one of the sounds he makes often and it's fun to pretend he knows what he's talking about.

 

Can't wait to celebrate his first Christmas with him!

6 months!

Rhett turned six months old recently and went to his six month well baby visit. He dropped into the 30 something percentile on weight, weighing in at 16 lbs and 8 oz. He has some bowing to his legs that often works itself out over time so just keeping an eye on it but overall doing great.

 

 

Eating: He is still nursing every 3 hours or so. He has tried some cereal, bananas, sweet potatoes and applesauce this month. He didn't seem to love any of it and was kind of interested but not that into it just yet.

 

 

Sleeping: He moved to his own room in his crib. He's slept through the night multiple times, two nights even in a row but other nights still waking 1-3x to eat or get a paci and go back to sleep. He is taking 3 naps a day. We read a few books, rock and then lays down in his bed, he will usually now roll to his right side and drift off or his other favorite position is both hands above his head. He sometimes takes his paci out but cant figure out consistently how to get it back in. He goes to bed between 8 and 9 and then is up around 7:20 in the morning.

 

 Milestones: He has mastered rolling and now often finds his feet and puts them in his mouth. He loves to babble and of course still growls as his other favorite form of communication. I love when he will put both hands on the sides of my face and will pull himself in to squish his forehead to my face and then will smile with such delight.

 

Happy half birthday my dear boy. We love you so much and can't picture our family without you!

5 months!

 

Yesterday Rhett turned 5 months. When I think about next month being the half way point of this first precious year it is absolutely astounding to think about.

 

Sleeping: He is still in the bassinet in our room, its hard to make the shift to him in his crib, climbing stairs for middle of the night wakenings just seems brutal but he won't fit but a little time longer where he is currently. He is going to bed around 9:00 getting 1-2 times and eats and then wakes for the day around 7:30 (all though a few days last week he decided 6:40 was a good time to wake up, I tried to tell him, it is not.)  



 

Eating: He eats every 3-4 hours, still just nursing, might start on some cereal this month, might wait till next month and just start with regular puree's, haven't decided for sure. He is around 16lbs, wearing 6-9 month clothes.  

 

 

 

Playing: He purposefully reaches for things and brings them to his mouth. He is starting to like sitting in his exersaucer to play and put weight on his legs. He loves bath time and sitting in my lap when I read Ava her library books. He also loves stroller rides to our neighborhood playground.

 

I told Ryan this month that I think he is, young or old, the happiest person I know. Those baby blues and sweet expressions regularly make my heart ache in the best possible way. Being a mom of a boy is a whole new way to fall in love.

 

Happy 5 month sweet boy!