Passover 2013

Passover 2013: Gil's first Passover

We had a very low key Seder at our house just the four of us. It was the first time I've cooked an entire Seder myself and while it was exhausting, it was really fun and we all enjoyed it (more on that here at Kveller.com)

Jeremy helped make the matzoh ball soup ahead of time so that was a huge help. I cooked all day in between kid wrangling and naps. Jeremy was able to get home right at dinner time so that we could start the Seder.

We used the Afikomen bag that I sewed last year. Jeremy hid the Afikomen in a place that was pretty easy for Owen to find and when he did he was so proud of himself. He won a Passover puzzle which he got to work on right away.

Gillen enjoyed a few sips of wine and matzoh ball soup and was an angel the entire time. He also wore the bib that Owen wore at his very first Seder so that about made my heart melt.

Here are a few pictures we snapped - as you can see, I'm happy... and exhausted.

Hippie babies

We got out Owen's old Amber teething necklace for Gillen. Owen didn't remember that it used to be his but he was quite upset that Gil had a necklace and he did not. So I found one second hand for Owen to have and now each morning Owen insits on wearing matching necklaces.

I don't know if it actually helps with teething and it's hard to tell because Gil is so laid back but regardless, it's pretty adorable.

Pancakes before Passover

This morning we headed over to the JCC to enjoy a yummy breakfast of Pancakes before Passover. There was a magic show for the kids and a matzah house building project. Jeremy and Owen had fun constructing their little house and Owen ate his weight in pancakes!

Gillen was along for the ride and per usual flashed everyone his adorable smiles.

Nana and Papa visit!

Nana and Papa were nearby on business so they stopped over for a few nights to soak in these boys.

Our family friend Lynette, who painted our ketuba, knit this adorable sweater for Gillen. He has some room to grow in it and I hope he can wear it again in the fall. The colors are stunning! (of note, nothing Gillen is wearing matching because he outgrows clothing faster than I can either buy it or get it out of storage. Sigh. Second child.)

 Focus on GIL: Who ARE these crazy people?!

Gillen Azar: Six month photo shoot

Matching shirts. YUP.

Like a boss.

Piggy Popper

Owen got a really fun Piggy Popper for his birthday. We have had a blast playing with it, we even have a song we made up about it. Gillen thinks it's hysterical.

This baby seriously is like this all day every day - it's THE BEST.

A Family First: BOWLING

These pictures speak for themselves, we had a wonderful time bowling. There was a ramp for Owen to use and even though the six pound ball was a little heavy for him, he still did great and managed to play two full games. Daddy was a bit of a show off and even fell down the lane trying to hit 20 mph with his roll (so glad I got a picture of that with my phone, see middle collage). Owen quickly adopted some fancy bowling moves and was all for congratulating each other on a job well done. Gillen was along for the ride and was happy to be held in between frames, he even had a snack at the bowling alley! We were a little unsure of how this morning would go, but we had such a great time and can't wait for a rainy day when we can go back. 

Doctor Visit: Owen 3 years & Gillen 6 months

The boys went together for well visits again with me flying solo. Thankfully it was a very uneventful visit and both boys checked out great.  This time Owen picked for Gil to go first and was very supportive when Gillen cried on the scale, "It's okay Gil, they just need to know how big you are!"

OWEN

Weight: 28 lbs - 14th percentile

Length: 38 inches - 64th percentile

 Owen is growing beautifully and is turning out to have his Daddy's long lanky body (2T pants/3T shirts/9.5 shoes). He just looks like a swimmer in this first picture (guess we'd better get him to some swim lessons ;)) He was happy to have his blood pressure taken and he tells every nurse, "My Daddy is a doctor, he takes blood pressure." It makes me laugh every time, I'm not even sure Jeremy know how to use a bp cuff. And O was pretty freaked about getting his height measured - evidenced by his WTH? face in the third picture.

Totally done with potty learning and wears a pull up for nap and night time. Sometimes when we leave the house, but very rarely.

He was running, jumping, skipping and TALKING TALKING TALKING. Dr. Springer assessed that his verbal skills are at a "high 4 year old" level right now and that might explain why we're having some disconnect with him. She said while he is advanced verbally there is no advanced emotional development so sometimes what comes out of his mouth makes us think he has more emotional capabilities than he actually does. This is probably true, and she told us to keep our expectations of him closer to a "newly three" level, despite his advanced negotiating and protests.

Other than some random bloody noses, Owen is healthy and happy at three. We are so proud.

GILLEN

Weight: 18.5 lbs - 64th percentile

Length: 27 inches - 63th percentile
Head: 44

Gil was a trooper for his visit. He didn't like laying on the scale (what baby does?) but other than that he was all smiles. What was really amazing to me is that Gillen's height is exactly what Owen's was at six months and he's about a pound heavier. They are built so differently and I think Owen being so small for so long kept me from seeing how chubby he actually got. We'll see how it pans out as Gil continues to grow. (I'm also not sure they are measuring Gillen on the breastfed baby charts, I need to check that.)

There really aren't issues to discuss with Gil because he is so easy going. We discussed sleep a little but the fact that our apartment only has two bedrooms, it's either he wake me, or he wake me AND OWEN. We're not ready to go there quite yet so he'll stay with us. 

Milk allergy. Dr. Springer didn't want to do any additional allergy tests at this time because the treatment would be the same. No milk protein for me. And since that is what I am already doing, she said just to be careful as we start to introduce foods and watch him closely for reactions. Also no introduction of any type of dairy until after one year, and then start slowly through my diet and see if the allergy persists.

This visit Gillen had to have six injections and an oral vaccine. My bravery flying solo was truly tested and one of the nurses took Owen for a walk in the hallway to pick a sucker so that he wouldn't be upset by Gillen's shots. There is a nation wide shortage of combination vaccines such as MMR, so the components needed to be given individually. He was also vaccinated for flu,Hep B & rotavirus. It absolutely broke my heart for his chubby legs to get that many sticks, but I knew my favorite vaccine guy was working so I trusted he would go fast. Three in one thigh, three in the other. Gil cried out as the third shot went in and by the time scooped him up, he was all smiles again. The tech actually said, "Did he seriously just stop crying?"

Such a brave boy -- and brave Mama!

As Dr. Springer left the room she told me my boys are beautiful and I'm doing a wonderful job with them. That is always so nice to hear.

Music Together

I signed up for Music Together classes after deciding not to send Owen to preschool in January. Gil is free and I was so happy to be able to bring him along. Little did I know that he would absolutely LOVE the class. Possibly even more than his brother - but both boys are smitten with it. Photography is not allowed and I actually got in trouble for snapping this picture with my phone, but he was such a big boy hitting the drum all by himself and laughing at his brother.

My Mama heart melted into one thousand pieces.

Gillen Azar: SIX MONTHS

Dearest Gillen,

First I have to wholeheartedly apologize for my first slight to the second born child as you will find no five month letter. I think it was a blur and I could partially blame you for my lack of sleep because you are still up every two hours (if not more). I think your four month growth spurt blended seamlessly into your first tooth at 5.5 months making sleep hard to come by. So you have one little bottom tooth that you've bitten me with twice. Ouch.

(In addition, you will find no pictures of you posing with a sticker on your chest which denotes how old you are. I blame this on lack of light in our apartment, and again, I'm tired.)

You sleep swaddled in the cosleeper next to my bed, but prefer to be IN my bed. We also have the swing in our room and you go in there around 530am when I'm totally delusional and just need some rest. I had every intention of putting you in with your brother, but he still very much adores his crib and I'm not about to have two children up every two hours. So you'll stay in with us, I like having you there even if it means I get less sleep.

You have inherited my booty, sweet boy. You have the chubbiest butt I've ever seen. We have you in size 4 diapers during the day and you wear your brother's size 5 diapers over night. You are wearing nine month clothes but quickly outgrowing those. I can't wait for warmer weather when I can have you in a onesie all day and let your chubby legs and feet air out!

We confirmed this month that you are allergic to cows milk protein. After months of you being gassy and uncomfortable with some questionable poop, I ruled out all other problems and then saw blood in your diaper. Tell tale milk allergy, so I eliminated dairy from my diet and it's all better now. Most babies outgrow this sensitivity by a year or so we'll keep you (and me) away from dairy products and hope you outgrow it sooner rather than later.

One day this month you were sitting at the table gagging yourself with a spoon, you like this game.When I was ready to put you down for nap,I tried to nurse you and you were gagging. I looked in your mouth and saw nothing, so I figured you overstimulated yourself with the spoon. You didn't sleep long and cried to nurse again. Each time I attempted to nurse you, more gagging. It had been almost four hours so I knew you were hungry. I swept my finger around inside of your mouth again only to find A SOCCER BALL STICKER. You must have been moving it around in your mouth all morning and your gag reflex was keeping you from choking or swallowing it. I have no idea how you got the sticker, there are stickers all over the house so it's no wonder. To say I felt horrible was an understatement and the fact that you are my second child was never so apparent.

Owen wants to share everything with you, and asks me every morning when you will be big enough to play with him. I try to be vigilant about what he's giving you (or how hard he's kissing you or laying on you while you try to do a baby push up with him on your back. Sigh.) But it is impossible for me to keep you as safe as I kept him. I would have to throw away all of his toys and stickers and make him play with baby teethers all day long. I can only hope and pray that I can keep an eye on it and find these things before something bad happens.

And through it all, you just giggle. Whenever I think about you, my heart lights up. The word that defines your very existence is JOY. You've brought so much of it into this house, our souls sing when you are around us.

I'll be more vigilant - just keep laughing, my sweet son. Just keep laughing for me. Oh and remember, the love of a child is greater than cheese, and one day I hope you'll appreciate my sacrifices, even if there isn't a five month letter.

Always,
Mama