Bradley at 18 months

Bradley turned 18 months on December 29th, but his appt wasn't until the second week of January. His stats were 23.3 lbs and 33 3/4 inches in height. He wasn't as heavy as his curve suggested he should be, but he had been having cold after cold this past month. After being extremely healthy last winter, he now has something every few weeks. Even though I have been upping the hand washing and putting a humidifier in his room everyday, these germs are unstoppable. I hope this means his immunity will be that much stronger next year!
At 18 months, Brad is still a ball of sunshine when he's not very sick. His favorite toys are the Little People Noah's Ark set (from Grandma and Grandpa Herstein), fake food (especially ones where he can put them in its container and take them out), stacking blocks, and playing in his new indoor cottage. Because of Sean's recent obsession with the Ipad and watching Disney movies, Bradley is also into those things as well.
We started music class, library story time and have weekly play dates with Jen and her daughter Isabella. Bradley is also a very good sport when he has to come with me to take Sean to and from school. He is an excellent eater, although he still throws his food when he is done eating. We are working on that!
He signs lots of words and is starting to talk, although most of it sounds like babble. He will be starting "school" one day a week in three weeks.
Here he is with Isabella, "taking turns" with her chair.

Bradleys 12 month stats

At Bradley's appt, he got 3 shots, including the MMR. He was 31inches and 21lbs and 10oz. Because he is a very active boy and wants to walk everywhere, he was not content, confined in the room they put us in. If he could have his way, he would walk around smiling at everyone. Therefore after the appt, he was very upset and ready to leave. It's been two days and luckily he hasn't had any reactions to the vaccines (knock on wood).

6 months! Sean is almost 2.5!

Brad turned 1/2 year old on the 29th of December and Sean will turn 2.5 on the 5th of January. It seems silly to count Sean's age in months now so he will be "2 1/2" until he turns 3. Brad is starting to sit and has even attempted scooting forward on his tummy in preparation to crawl. At his 6 month appt he was 19lbs 1oz and 28 3/4 inches.
Brad is still a loud boy. He talks and coos loudly, but happily. If he is upset he will make it known. He also started eating solids about a month ago. We are up to two feedings a day, once at lunch and at dinner. He eats a few tablespoons at a time and really likes the green beans!


Sean went through some big boy changes. We converted his bed to a toddler bed and he nows sits in a booster at the table instead of having his own space saver high chair with tray. Both changes didn't phase him much, although he had to learn to stay in his bed during naptime. He has a tendency to move around when he sleeps, but after a few days he caught on to sleeping lengthwise and with a pillow. Here he is for his first nap.


Luckily, he didn't do this during the night or I would have moved him to his bed. Once Brad starts crawling, I think it is going to be quite crazy, yet fun in the house! I am looking forward to it :)

4 months

Brad is over 4 months now! His stats at the doc at his appt were 25 1/2 inches in height and 16 lbs in weight. He is 75th percentile in both so he is very proportionate. Brad is very vocal and loves his play place of hanging toys. He pulls on the links and they almost always break apart from his strength! He is drooling a lot and is obsessed with having something in his mouth at all times. Brad is a very good eater and I never worry if he is eating enough. He wakes up to eat only once at night, if at all. Although he has been waking up a few times at night and going back to sleep within 10 minutes. I assume that will stop as he gets older and is more adjusted to his new schedule after daylight savings time. His favorite activities besides the play place are reading Good Puppy, playing pat-a-cake, standing in his exersacuer while watching Sean play, and getting his diaper changed.

Sean turned 28 months, but I don't keep tabs on his monthly age anymore. It's too hard to remember! I just say he's 2 and when he turns 2.5 in January I'll start saying he's 2 1/2. Sean has outgrown all of his 2T clothes and is in 3T clothes. He is still very tall, but has been putting on weight really well. He is getting much better with having a baby brother and acts well beyond his 2 years. He is very easy going and never has temper tantrums. We reason with him when he doesn't see it our way and he understands and sometimes tries to compromise with us like asking for 3 books instead of 2 before bed. We will have to start potty training soon because Sean is completely ready. Mom is just not sure if she is!

Here is Brad at 3 months and then 4 months. Every time I take a monthly picture he is at least one more "bar" in length. They grow so fast!

Bradley is One Month

Update 8/3/11 - Just came back from his appt. Bradley is 10lbs 8oz and 22 inches. He didn't cry when he was getting his shot. He did make the saddest face though. =(

Today is Brad's one month birthday! He went almost 5 hours between feedings last night- a record for him! Usually he goes 2-4 hours between feedings during the day and about 4 hours at night. Brad is a very good baby and loves to hear Sean and I talk throughout the day. He will look in our direction and I've even gotten a glimpse of his smile and coos a few times.
Likes- tummy time (for a few minutes, then it becomes a dislike), noise/busy places, his boppy lounger, and cuddling with mommy or daddy
Dislikes- being swaddled, quiet places, and sometimes pacifiers (we are working on this one!)


Happy One Month Bradley!

Sean's 2 year appt

Sean had his 2 year checkup today. He was 26lbs and 36.5 inches. If he is to double his height by adulthood, he will be 6'1. That's pretty tall, especially coming from my family! I have not given Sean any tree nuts (he is ok with peanuts) because of my nut allergy. Now that he is 2, our pediatrician said that we can go to an allergist to test him for a nut allergy. He also got a Hep A shot and shouldn't need another shot for a few years. Now that he's a toddler his favorite part was getting a sucker and book from the doctor, =)

Introducing...

Bradley Charles Herstein!



Bradley was born on June 29, 2011 at 10:10am weighting 8lbs, 5oz and measuring 20 inches. We are home from the hospital and so far he has been a very quiet baby. I know that will all change once he is more alert, but he pretty much eats, poops and falls right back asleep. No fussing or anything! Brad looks a lot like his older brother, but he is already vastly different in that he doesn't need to be held and rocked at all times. We put him down after each feeding and he dozes off. Sean was upset until one of us held him and he had to fall asleep in our arms. I hope this new character trait is a keeper!

18 month stats and baby kicks

We went in for Sean's 18 month well appt. He is 23.8 lbs and 100 percentile for height - 34.75inches. This kid is still tall and skinny. I thought he would have evened out, but I guess he is meant to be that way. Sean was vaccinated for chicken pox today as well.

In other news, I felt baby yesterday night. I had felt some flutters here and there, but yesterday, it was for a full minute. It's probably early to feel anything more than that so I was very surprised and delighted, even if it was 3 in the morning. Sean was very active and kicked all the time so it'll be interesting to compare if this little one is going to be like his big brother or not.

Recap

I realize that it is getting harder to blog on a regular basis with my crazy life as a mom. Let's see if I can recap the last month- Mona is expecting her second in April. Sometimes I can't believe how we are both married and have kids. I still remember us lying in her bed in grade school talking about boys, friends, and anything else that was on our minds. Now I have a 15 month old son! Sean continues to make me laugh and wonder where he learned some of the things he does (probably me!).

Sean will point to everything and say "this?" and I tell him what it is - that is a heater, that is a light. And he asks me over and over until he is satisfied with the answer. He says "dah" when he hears the dog bark next door, and he will always smile at me when I am not smiling, prompting me to smile back. What a charmer =) He runs to the door or says dada when Matt comes home from work and makes the SADDEST face when either of us leaves. Sean understands everything I say that Matt and I find ourselves spelling things so he doesn't react to "throw his bear in the wash" or "let's eat ice cream after he falls asleep". haha

Sean is a tall boy. He was 33 inches at his 15 month appt. He is 22lbs so he is a tall, skinny boy, just like at birth. He is a good eater so I blame his active lifestyle on his physique.

I am looking into toddler programs to give Sean some socializing in the spring when he is closer to 2. For now, he loves Gymboree and Music Together classes.

With my birthday coming up, I am not looking forward to turning 29, but I am glad I'm not 30 yet. =P

8 months

Sean is 8 months old! He has been babbling up a storm. It sounds like gibberish, but he acts like he is saying something extremely important! He can creep/crawl backwards and gets stuck when he hits a wall. And today, he was able to pick up a few Gerber puffs off his tray and put them in his mouth! We are going to add yogurt and meat to his diet this month as well.

Sean has so much energy! He wants to play from dawn to dusk. I used to have him lie in bed with me in the mornings after Matt went to work, but now, he rolls and rolls until his face is right in front of mine, begging me to pick him up and play with him! I can never resist the demands of this adorable boy. He has me wrapped around his little finger!

The weather has been turning from winter to spring (finally!). Sean loves going outside and getting fresh air. It's a nice change! When it hits 50, we are heading to the zoo!

Stats

Weight: 18lbs 3oz
Height: No clue, will have to wait for his 9 month checkup
Teeth: None yet!!!
Favorite activity: Stacking cups and banging pots/bowls with a wooden spoon!

4 months!

Sean had his 4 month birthday last week. At his 4 month appt he was 14lb, 14oz (50%), and 25 3/4 inches long(80%). He loves to grab everything and put it in his mouth! My hair is in a ponytail at all times! He also loves playing bouncy with Matt and This Little Piggy with me. His sense of humor is developing and he will laugh at the funniest things; the best is when he looks at me then turns away and then looks at me and laughs to see me still there. It's his own version of peek-a-boo!

Although we don't use his bassinet very much anymore, he loves lying in it and watching the mobile at least once a day. Now that he's almost hit its max weight (15lbs), we will have to pack it up and store it in the basement. That bassinet always reminds me of him as a newborn and it is so sad to know he will never be that small again!

But I do love that he now responds to my endless hugs and kisses with huge smiles and laughs. THAT has been the best thing about motherhood so far.

2 months!

We went up to the Herstein condo over Labor Day weekend. Sean celebrated his two month birthday by sleeping in the car on the way up. It was nice to get out of the house and relax. Matt and I were able to golf for a little bit and draft our fantasy football teams.

Sean also went to his first restaurant! No ordinary restaurant would do so we went to the Duck Blind in the Otsego Lodge with Matt's family. What refined taste he has!
Here is Sean watching his first Michigan football game:


Sean just had his 2 month appt. I am glad the shots are over; I was dreading them. Luckily Sean had no idea and just cried a few seconds after each one. He fed right afterward and all was forgotten! He is 11lbs 12oz (50th percentile) and 24 1/4 inches (90th percentile). Long and skinny just like at birth!

Two Weeks

Sean is now two weeks! He is supposed to go back up to his birthweight by this age, which was 7 pounds even. At his pediatrician appt yesterday, he weighed in at 7lbs 6oz! He made his parents proud! I was a little worried about the weight because he's been spitting up often, but I guess it's just part of being a newborn.

I have lost 13 pounds since Sean's birthday. Besides labor/delivery, I feel breastfeeding has helped me shed the weight faster. I do still have about 20 more pounds to go, but I think it's going to take several months since I can't start working out until mid-August.

Sean recognizes me now! He'll look at me when Matt is holding him. Here is Sean and Matt. Sean loves listening to Matt's voice; he was like this in utero as well.



Sean's first time in his crib. He still sleeps in the bassinet or pack and play. He looks so small in here!

Announcing Sean Matthew Herstein

Announcing Sean Matthew Herstein! Born July 5th at 11:23pm, 7lbs even, 21 ¾ inches. Matt and I are so in love with our new baby. He is the most beautiful thing in the world. It is crazy to think that we are parents, very surreal.

We are still in the hospital but expect to get discharged soon. Pictures to follow!

9 months!

I have about a month to go, now that I'm entering my 9th month. I will have to remember to get Matt to take one last picture of me in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for that because I am as big as I'm going to get.

Baby is still head down and is measuring perfectly. He is adding a half pound to his weight every week!

36 Week Stats:
Pounds Gained- 30 (My Dr said I should only gain a few more pounds, phew!)
Belly Button- Still an Innie, probably will remain that way
How I'm feeling- Heavy, uncomfortable, and anxious, but still remarkably fine.

Matt installed our car seats and we are getting them inspected this weekend. I am allowing myself a Starbucks Iced Mocha every week. I feel I deserve it!