Watching the train...

One very big boy loves watching the train go by in front of our house. When we started building out the attic and Matt said he wanted to build a bench seat at the window, this is exactly what we were picturing.

And don't worry little brother, with as fast as you are growing you'll be up there with big brother before you know it.

Cranky Boy.

Cranky Boy. Crabby pickle. Hey you. You earn a lot of nicknames when you are the crankiest baby of your siblings as newborns (that, or we just forgot how much babies cry).

We even took Gunnar to the pediatrician to make sure his crying wasn't something more serious- but really, it's just normal newborn behavior. You cry when you're sleepy. You cry when you're not held. You cry when there's anything whatsoever in your diaper. You cry when you're hungry (every 2 hours). So I guess it just feels like you cry all day.

But to be fair, when he's not crying he's the absolute sweetest thing, bright eyed and alert! Watching his siblings, watching the world, loving to be outside. Snoring so softly.

Sweet milky sleep after nursing so long and a tiny hand holding mine. We love him so.

Snuggled up to Mommy and finally happy- I think this will be a baby-wearing summer! Thank God for the peanut shell!

Finn at Almost 2

Since I've been such a terrible Mommy about kiddo updates, I thought I'd get a few things written down about Finn at this age, quick before he turns 2! That doesn't even seem possible yet. Where did my little nugget baby man go? I just can't believe now HE is about to be the big brother. Crazy.

He's at the fun stage where he's been mostly non-verbal in his communication (more noises and gestures) but really truly understands the large majority of what we say to him and directions we give him- suddenly, new vocabulary is popping up all over the place.

cookie (he asks for them all day long)
crackie/cracker
that one!
ball
nigh night
shoesh
truck
car
thank you (dee doo)
please (which sounds more like 'boise')
yesh

Even that list just makes me laugh because they're all such boy words. His first sentence: "Want that cracker!" Spoken clear as day and hilarious. Other simple sentences:

"Want that one!"
"I poop."
"'Mere Loola!" (calling the dog, and he tries to snap his fingers!)

Sometimes he will babble a whole paragraph, but one or two words will randomly be recognizable enough to get what he is saying!

His favorite way to wake up is happy growling. He's a good sleeper, super easy to put to bed- just a kiss, his stuffed puppy and a big hug and he's ready to go to bed. No rocking and singing for this manly little man.

Favorite games right now are pushing/pulling anything. Trucks with a ball in them, our wagon outside, the toy shopping cart and stroller, even an empty rolling suitcase. Balls, dogs, and food are his favorite things. He LOVES watching the trains go by right across the street from our new house. He'll come running as soon as he hears the train whistle coming and will sit on the couch to see it out the big living room window.

Like his sister at this age, he loves having a pacifier. We try to keep it only in the crib for sleeping times and sometimes the car on longer trips, but if we let him, he'll hang onto it all day. We have a special basket we keep them in to teach him that they are only for "night night" and he cries so hard when we take it away in the morning to put it in the basket (especially if it is Sister who does the taking away).

He still stomps around like a tiny gorilla and it's so fun to see the differences between him and Kenna- he runs fast and hard with little tiny fists pumping, she runs on her tip toes like a ballerina fairy. Her run is barely audible like a little ninja, and his stomps can be heard across the house. He growls and grunts while playing, she sings and plays picnic with her dolls.

He is the pickiest eater ever. We get really excited when he actually eats a decent amount of what we're eating- otherwise he'd live on milk, bananas, chicken nuggets, and cookies. He doesn't like chocolate milk so far (neitherdid Kenna at first) and seems to be bothered by the coldness of ice cream). Because he's so picky, most of his food ends up getting played with and makes for messy meals. This is why bath time is after  dinner and before bed!

Speaking of baths, he loves them and will pull open the shower curtain asking "baf?" at random times during the day. He loves to splash around with big sister and play with the water coming out of the faucet.

A big stinker, but quick to say sorry and give big kisses of apology. Quick to forgive. Learning to obey.

Still comes to us in need of kisses for his owies, fixing something that broke, or to wipe his boogies (which he will hand to us on a tiny extended finger). He is just ALL boy.

His kisses and snuggles are few and far between, making them even more precious to his Momma's heart. When we do get them, usually when he's extra tired, they are extra sweet.

This little big man is a sweet and mischievous mess in every sense of the words. He just might have the sweetest baby cheeks on earth and we love him so much!

Togetherness.

It's been such an amazing thing to see Kenna and Finn's sibling interaction over the past almost two years. They've gone from Kenna barely being older than a baby herself and fascinated by this live baby doll we had living with us, to two small things that seemed like they were the same age, to definitely a big sister/little brother relationship. The biggest thing they have conflict over is toys- Kenna is a classic oldest child and likes to play with her toys exactly in her very specific way, and doesn't want them touched while she's hard at work playing. Finn is of course, a classic little brother and delights in the crazy noises his sister makes when he purposefully messes things up.

This is usually how it goes: Kenna is playing with a toy. Finn takes away part of the toy. Kenna flips out and yells. Finn laughs and runs away with the toy.

But for all the times they don't get along, there are just enough times that they do sit and play nicely together to keep Mommy sane. And it makes it extra special to see them sitting and watching a movie together- they almost always choose to sit right next to each other even when there are plenty of other seats (especially if there's a snack to be shared!). It's just extra sweet.

This morning Kenna invited Finn to sit on the chair with her while they ate breakfast. It's funny because the way they are leaning it looks like neither of them are sitting on it. And yes, they are eating goldfish for breakfast- it was easier than an argument.

Dazed and confused right after a nap (we wake up slow in this family!):

They like to play "laptop" like Mommy and Daddy:

 Pretty much, we do everything together!

Even though breaking up arguments all day can be emotionally exhausting, there is a lot of sweet togetherness going on. Kenna goes in Finn's room every morning to check on him, and if he wakes up first from a nap he will wander the house asking for sister- that's if we can keep him from going in her room to wake her up. Their favorite game is jumping on Kenna's bed together at night before bedtime.

I can't wait to see what adding a third into the mix will look like!

Photo A Day- August 15

Kenna's done a great job of learning her shapes. This is one of those little sorting toys where each shape fits in its little slot. I came around the corner to find her and Finn sitting together like this, and she was showing him "how the shapes fit." Super cute for big sister to be teaching little brother stuff like this already!

Photo A Day- August 14

Absolutely nothing can be done to convince Finn that he's not a big kid like his sister. Recently we've found him sitting in the little chairs of the craft table I painted for Kenna when she was about his age. They have been painted and repainted because they are used on a daily basis! Right now, they are just Finn's size, and I think he's so cute!

Finn at 15 Months!

My precious boy! You are so strong. Not just physically, but with a strength of character we see already. You are determined and brave, happy and logical. You love to explore, and to terrorize your sister. You are always getting into things, but also quick to come and show us your discoveries.

You just started walking about a month ago, and already trying to run... usually away from us when you know you have gotten a hold of something we might try to take away from you. With a sassy grin, you turn and run. You have also discovered the power of saying "no, mama" and "no, dada" or will answer a question with a simple "yeah."

 You're super ticklish and have the sweetest little fat thighs and chin rolls that especially get you giggling. I can't imagine anyone being able to keep from laughing when hearing that great belly chuckle of yours. You occasionally like to make super loud noises. You have known how to "vroom" your cars for months now and no one had to teach you how. 

You take your job as little brother very seriously. If there is a door open, you feel it is your job to close it. You are always exploring and logically testing out the things you see us doing... brushing your hair with a hairbrush, plugging things in and putting things where they're supposed to go. If something has a button, no matter what it is, you will push it just to see what happens.

 You're a pickier eater and a lighter sleeper than your sister. Though you prefer not to be snuggled much at bedtime, you are generous with your tight-around-the-neck hugs and big open-mouthed "muwah" kisses on our cheeks. You like to have everyone's attention and hate it when your sister takes a toy away from you!

You just could not be any sweeter. We love you monkey man, monkey moo, buddy, and little mister sir.