Faith 15 Months Old

Faith is back to sleeping through the night again! When we moved back home from Nanny's I let her cry it out for a couple of nights. Now I don't hear a peep from her until 7 ish. It is great. I feel so much more rested.

I'm trying to cut down her nursing. She is typically still nursing 4 times a day - once when she wakes up, before each of her two naps, and again before bed. She asks for milk frequently throughout the day, but I don't give it to her. For the past few days, I have cut out her feeding prior to her first nap. So far she is not putting up too big a fight over this. I'd like to cut her back to just morning and night within the next month, and then gradually wean her completely. The only problem is that she won't drink milk from a bottle or sippy cup. I've tried breast milk, cow milk, soy milk with vanilla flavoring, and formula. At least she eats plenty of yogurt and cheese. She also gets milk in her cereal and oatmeal.

Faith is getting more and more attached to her binky and lovey. She likes one lovey in particular, a pink one with a bear's head, but any lovey will do. She gets upset when I make her leave them in her bed. I'm trying to only allow her to have the binky when she is in bed or in the car. I want to try and avoid her having it in all the time, especially when she really starts talking.

Faith has added to her vocabulary. She now signs hurt, pats the ground when she wants you to come and play with her, and said "shh" for shoes. She understand everything you say to her, and can follow directions when she decides to cooperate.

We started Music Together class again. Faith is really enjoying it. She participates a little more at this age than Bryce did. He was more into observing, while she rocks back and forth to the beat and does some of the hand gestures.

Another bottom tooth came through earlier this month. Now she just has one more bottom tooth and two top teeth that need to come in. Then no more teething until her 2-year old molars.

At her 15 month check Faith weighed 20 lbs 0 oz, fully clothed, including shoes. This puts her in about the 15% for weight. She was 30.25 inches tall, which is in about the 50%. Her head circumference was in about the 25%.

Christmas

We divided Christmas a little different this year. The weekend before Christmas we went to Grammy and Gramps' house to celebrate with them. It was wonderful being able to spend some quality time with them and Hannah without having to worry about rushing off to go someplace else. The kids had a great time.

Christmas Eve the Garcia's, Tom and Julie all came to my mom's house for the afternoon. We had appetizers and opened presents first. The boys each got bikes. Mason got a bike meant to teach balance. It doesn't have pedals. Bryce got a big-boy bike with training wheels. Faith got money to go towards lessons. Nathan and I were given a couple's massage at Silverado Country Club - this will be very nice. After presents, we quickly got dinner on the table - delicious black bean soup that Tom and Juli brought, a salad and french and corn bread. Yummy. Unfortunately dinner was a little rushed because we didn't want to be late for church. Tom and Julie went with us which was great. After church we came back to my mom's and had dessert.

Christmas morning waking up at my mom's was great. It was so nice not to have to pile in the car and go anywhere. The kids were able to stay in their pj's and not feel rushed. The kids opened up their stockings first. Next they got to see what Santa brought them. Next we had a wonderful breakfast and then opened gifts. Bryce wasted no time opening his gifts. He was very into it. Faith took her sweet time. After everyone was finished, she still had several left to open. She opened them throughout the rest of the day. The rest of the morning was spent relaxing and playing with new toys.

I think by nap time, the kids were tuckered out. Bryce took some of his favorite new Toy Story characters to sleep with him.

That afternoon we played with more new toys and helped get dinner ready. We had a wonderful Christmas dinner.

Once again Bryce and Faith received more gifts than any two kids need. Among Bryce's favorites were his bike, Toy Story Characters (the big ones and the little figurines), Buzz Lightyear wings, and his Little Mermaid doll. Faith loved her baby, music set, necklaces, cd player, and books the most.

This Christmas was tough not having Pawka. He was missed a hundred times throughout the day and during the entire Christmas season. Not having him there really makes you value the time you do get to spend with family and to cherish every moment.

Bryce 3 Years 6 Months Old

It is hard to believe that he is now closer to being 4 than 3. That seems so big to me. He is starting to get a pudginess back to his face, which helps him not to look too grown up, but everything else about him seems to be heading towards being a big boy. Sometimes he likes to be a big boy and is happy to get dressed, go potty, put his shoes and socks on, clean up after himself when he gets down from the table, feed himself, etc. Other times he tells us he can't do things and whines until we help him. I think he mostly wants help when he feels like he needs extra attention or when Faith is doing something that requires my attention.

Bryce has been so sweet lately. He has been listening, following directions, and being such a joy to be around. When he starts to have a behavioral issue he quickly changes his attitude. He has had very few time-outs and has been so fun to be around. I love it. He has also been extremely sweet to Nanny, giving her loves and cuddles.

Bryce got all the Toy Story characters for Christmas and is even more hooked than before. I thought he would like the larger sized figures best, but he tends to play with his little figurine set the most. His favorites are Buzz, Woody, Zurg, and "Small Little Bo Peep" as he calls her. He often plays with this set and his Peter Pan set at the same time. Tinker Bell and Buzz have races to see who can fly faster.

We have a new rule with dinner. If I make something new, or something I don't think he likes, he has to have 5 bites and then I'll give him something else like mac n cheese, chicken nuggets (which he just started to eat) or a sandwich. I don't want food to become a major battle ground, but I also think he should try new things. So far it seems to be working okay. We often have to feed him his 5 bites because he will tell us he can't do it. Funny how he has no problem eating the stuff he likes on his own.

Naps are still hit and miss. I'd say he naps about 3 days a week. This just makes planning so tough. He is getting better about staying in his room for quiet time if he doesn't fall asleep.