Monday, July 30, 2012

Book Recommendation

If you are female and haven't read this book, I highly recommend it.  Even if you do not want to use it as your choice of birth control or are not trying to get pregnant, it is still a fascinating read.  It describes how your body works and some very interesting details you may not have known, since we are really taught about this subject.

I have had this book on my to read list for a while and finally got around to it.  I wish I had read it earlier in my life, since it is very informative.  I finally read it since I have recently decided against hormonal birth control.  No, I am not trying to get pregnant, but if that happens so be it.  I really want this method to work so I don't have to depend on a drug and instead can depend on my body.

I am really trying to get back to the basics and live a simpler life.  I want to be able to not depend on things that I can deal with myself.  This also includes making foods from scratch and getting rid of unnecessary items, like a TV or bed frame.

*side note: I decided I prefer my mattress on the floor after Leland started crawling and was still co-sleeping with us, so we sold our bed frame.  I am looking forward to not having to move that ever again.*

Please go read this book, it is truly fascinating. 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Sign Explosion

Leland had a signing vocab explosion this week.  After many months of signing (we started around 6 months) and him slowly learning a few (he began doing them around 12 months I believe), he is now doing them like a champ.  All that hard work and determination has paid off.  Here are all the new signs he did this week.
Monday- Please
Tuesday- Monkey and More
Wednesday-Flower and Duck
Friday- Penguin and Baby
Saturday-Eat

This puts the number of signs he knows to 20!  Apparently Momma needs to keep learning signs.  Even though he isn't talking ( he often says Mama and other sounds that sound like words but are not necessarily consistent) he is able to communicate what he wants often.  It is very helpful.  Glad I decided to do this, since apparently he isn't a talker. 

He understands almost everything I say to him or ask him to do, it is impressive.  I know I have said it before but watching someone grow is amazing.  It is no wonder parents think their children are brilliant. He is back to giving high fives, he gives hugs and kisses.  He is just a big sweetie. 

Leland has his 15 month check up on Friday. 
He weighs 22 lbs,
He is 30 inches long,
and as usual has a very large head.  He is being consistent with staying on the small side for weight and height with a large head for his size.  This is why he wasn't able to hold up his head properly until very close to 6 months. 

He is just too fun. 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

Sleep adjustments

We are going through an adjustment period again.  It seems that every so often Leland wants to change his sleep schedule which is fine, I just want to figure out what he is wanting versus what he needs/I want.

For a while he was only waking up once a night, and I got really use to that.  We are back to 2-4 wakings a night and my sleep is suffering from it.  Which makes me very irritable. 
'But I am so cute'
 This week he kept waking up early, like around 6 and wandering around the house.  Then he would be tired and cranky too early and I would be tired and cranky all day.  Over the weekend when he did this we decided to plop him back in his crib.  He didn't get upset and actually fell back to sleep until 7.  I guess this will be part of the new routine.  I am okay with it since we all get a bit more sleep this way. I would just like to have a bit of a routine. 

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Weekly Photos

 This week we played dress up.  I don't think Leland would make a very cute girl though. 

 We went to the Berry Patch Farms in Brighton.  Leland was in his element of course. 

 We were able to pick some strawberries and black raspberries.  And when I say we, I mean me. 
 I also brought the girls to my house one day to help with weeding, just kidding.  That lasted like five seconds and they were back in the baby pool in no time. 

I don't really have much to say, just wanted to share a few photos from the week. 

Friday, July 13, 2012

Children's Museum

Last week we visited the Children's Museum.  Everyone enjoyed themselves of course.  It is a great place to spend a few hours.  There are so many things to do there.  


(my favorite of the day)
Climbing like a big kid
Causing trouble in the dairy aisle- I need yogurt!!
Trying to help Lucy with the shopping cart.
Move out of the way Ella!
Hugs for the bears.

Omg, this kid is becoming so sweet.  He gives hugs all the time, and is now starting to give kisses.  I woke up the other morning with him clapping his hands in my face and then proceeded to give me a high five.  Cutest thing ever.  I think asked if we could change his diaper, so he went into his room and laid on the floor.  Time for potty training?

I will say it again- I love this age.  I look back at his baby pictures and it seems like a completely different person.  I am glad to say I don't miss his newborn days, they were wonderful and I loved them.  But I love, love, love this little person I have now.   

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Who does he look like?


 Who does he look like?

Mommy confession: I am tired of this question.

I don't know but to me he looks like Leland and acts like Leland.  He is his own person.  As a newborn I get it, he was this new being that no one really knew, including me.  But as he gets older it is becoming harder to distinguish where he gets his good looks from because guess what Jeff and I look alike.  We have been mistaken for brother and sister before, when we were still in high school and traveling.  We both are Germans have fair skin, blue eyes and light brown (used to be blond) hair, meaning our child is the same and it is hard to tell you where his blond hair came from when both sides of the family have it.


And he has his own personality now.  Maybe he gets some traits from me or Jeff (all the annoying ones are from Jeff of course), but does it really matter?  When is it normal to consider a toddler their own person and stop comparing them to everyone else?


What questions are you tired of people asking about your kid?

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Chocolate Chip Monster!



He knows when I am getting them out of the fridge, even if I don't say anything.  I gave him a bowl and he took it to the coffee table and ate them one by one. 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

July 4th

 This year for the 4th we didn't do much, similar to last year.  There is a parade in our area but it occurs during nap time, so we passed.  I was tempted to buy some fireworks, but passed on that too.  Instead in the morning we decided to hit up some fountains.  Leland of course loved it since there was water involved and a bike ride involved. 


 His patriotic outfit. 
 It is amazing to watch how small things are everything to a kid. 
 Momma did you see that water. 
Climbing up the fountain like the big kids. 

There was also some grilling involved and beer.  

Hopefully we can start shooting off fireworks in the coming years along with attending a parade.  I am a sucker for a parade. 

Joining up with Melissa from Growing up Geeky today with Toddle Along Tuesday.  Go link up and what you did on the 4th!


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Garden update v.3

The garden is still thriving.

We now have some squash blossoms!  I can't wait to start getting zuchinni.
We also have broccoli coming.
And tomatoes!
We also have diapers drying in the back.  Best thing about warm weather.
The past two days it has actually been raining, the garden is loving it.  Hopefully it means we will get some produce quicker!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Table

At the girls house they have kid sized tables and chairs.  Leland is so obsessed with them, so I decided to get him his own set for home.  I may decide to paint it to match the dining room table.  Yeah we are in the process of painting our dining room table, finished photos to come. 
 I think it is safe to say he loves it.  He loves pushing it around the house and climbing on them.  If his food is on the non-messy side I let him eat at the table.  Do you see he has a new sippy cup?  He is all about the straws now, one day he just knew how to use it.  Crazy stuff.  He has already used the chair to climb onto the recliner.  He is too quick.  
I may have also gotten him a new toy, he really enjoys that too.

I just can't believe that this little boy is big enough for his own table... I feel like I get use to one accomplishment/milestone of his and he is already on the next.  Slow down Leland, slow down.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Leland and the strollers

 Leland is very into Lucy's stroller lately.  If you follow my on Instagram (meganstilley) then you have seen he also likes to dress up as Snow White.  (or maybe Momma just likes playing dress up.)
 Lucy and him often fight over it, expect when I can get them to coordinate their wants, as seen above. 
Leland also likes having a stroller companion on our outings.  Lucy has yet to decide if she likes it, I often hear "Leland touched me" or "Leland stop it". 

Leland loves all thing girly, it is fun to watch him play with all their toys and see what he prefers to play with.  He has also started to have a thing for older girls...

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Nature and Science Museum

Last week we went to the Denver Nature and Science Museum.  The kids had a blast.  Ella was very upset when we had to go home for lunch, so I am sure we will be heading there again before the summer is over.  Three kids may be totally doable, it is also completely exhausting.  Keeping them all within my sight is challenging and causes me to need a nice break aka nap time in the afternoon. 
 Dressing up
 Playing with moon rocks
 Future space controllers
 Ella is soo tall!

 Making music
My favorite photo from the day.