Crew gets a Boo Boo

Crew has always been a bit of a live wire and we've always said that it would be him that got stitches first and sure enough, we were right! Busted his lip and due to his age and the location of the laceration (on the vermillion border), no Urgent Care, our pediatrician or the ER would do the job, so we ended up at the Surgical Pavilion at NHRMC. Dr. Jaskolka with with oral and maxillofacial department in particular was assigned to his case. It was a really tough afternoon for us all thinking about the cost and ordeal of general anesthesia and the surgery. But finally at about 9pm they gave him a little bit of "baby valium" to relax him and then lured him back to the OR with the prospect of a giant balloon. I was strong all night, but lost it when they took him away. Worst part, however, was approaching the recovery room and hearing him screaming. And then not being able to console him because he was so out of it. A sad, sad sight. Happy to report that we both survived and by the next morning he was back to his happy, spunky self.

Got 4 stitches on lip and 1 below

Plus two stitches inside 

Pre-op in good spirits

Post-op after freaking out. Passed out again.

Loving his souvenir 

Washing the hospital off

Lip's a little fat, but otherwise great!

Sleep Shifts

It's been an exciting week in the O'Connor household! I've been a little slow on the typical transitions - have my hands full and was trying to save myself some stress around the holidays - but Crew has finally moved into his "big boy bed", the bottom bunk in Danny's room. Happy to report that he's doing great. Seems to enjoy the freedom, yet really doesn't even try to get out, and likes to say "my bed is comfy!" And on the Kingston front, we're officially weaned from the swaddle during naps too and he's been sleeping through the night! Hallelujah! I'd be hesitant and err on the side of "fluke", but it's been consistent for a week now. He's also back to taking good naps. Goodbye 4 month sleep regression - don't let the door hit you on the way out!

The dress rehearsal the day before

Loves lovie, paci not so much

Checking emails is boring. Ignore shoe

Flipping to belly constantly - especially during sleep 

Happy guy

Other Happenings

We're fully in the throes of the new year. Doing our best to live and work in the midst of the madness that is having 3 kids under 5! Here's some random cute pics of the last week or so.

Rocking his outfit from Gpa and Granny B

Pre-meeting blow out with (oops!) no change of clothes

Wide eyes

Practicing golf with Papa

Randomly decided we should split a milkshake. He approved!

Cuddling post 4.5 month shots

DIY sundaes post dinner at Hang Ten

January Beach Day

This past Sunday we met papa on the beach for some sunshine and lacrosse. So nice to live somewhere warm enough to let the boys play outside in January! Excuse the pics with the tent in the shot - couldn't get a good angle holding Kingston and no time to crop them!

Behold the animal cracker!

New Year. New Attitudes.

So far 2017 is the year of "attitude" and not in a good way. Danny and Crew are both growing and maturing so quickly and with those changes come moodiness. It's not especially funny right now, but I know I'll look back on this time years from now and laugh. So, I'm recollecting here...

Crew Says the Darndest Things...

• "Poopy butt school bus" - what he calls me when he's mad at me/doesn't get his way
• "I don't want to watch that. Stupid show." - what he says when you put something on T.V. that he doesn't like
• "I not eat that. Is goss." - not shy about telling me when I'm feeding him something he thinks is gross. In contrast, says, "I like it. My favorite. Yumm, yumm," when he's pleased.
• "I do if I want" - in response to me telling him to stop doing something
• Lovingly calls one of his teachers, Mrs. Whitley, "Mrs. Wee Wee"  
• Despite all the attitude, he's also become more affectionate, telling me and everyone else how much he has missed them when he doesn't seem them for a little bit, e.g. "Kingston, I miss you," with lots of kisses when he wakes up from his nap. 

Crew and Danny continue to teeter between best friend and worst enemies on a daily basis and egg each other on in a way that drives me nuts, but I'm confident they will end up best friends. Take their placement on the couch for example - always on the same cushion so they can cuddle and pick on each other whenever they want vs. occupying their own space.

Like Crew, Danny has also had major attitude problems lately. We're talking eye rolls, "I don't even care"s, sulking, temper tantrums, you name it. He's basically four going on 14. Heaven help us. Please send wine :)

Kingston at 4.5 Months

Yep, I've completely missed Kingston's 4 month birthday and he's now 4.5 months! Better late than never! Conveniently, we just went to the doctor and got his recent stats:

Height: 25 3/4 inches (70%)
Weight: 14.6 lbs (33%)
Head: 42.1 cm (36%)

Crazy that he's only 33% in weight because he looks and feels like such a beefcake. Grew almost 3 inches from his 2 month appointment, which made the nurse second guess her measurements. In terms of temperament, he continues to be the world's best baby. I literally have to pinch myself daily. And remember that he won't be this adorable baby forever...he too will grow up and probably start sassing me, but for now I'm just enjoying him so much. Sweet guy just smiles, whimpers a little when he's upset or hungry, voluntarily falls asleep in my arms at meetings, goes down for naps and at night easily, plays independently with his toys, etc.

In terms of milestones, he's just started rolling over back to belly this week and practiced it a couple times since. We did it gradually, but he's now unswaddled at night in a sleep sack. That coupled with the 4 month sleep regression has us up more in the nighttime than usual, but what are you going to do?!? Will probably hold off on unswaddling during naps for a couple more weeks. He's currently still in the co-sleeper next to my bed, but the pediatrician encouraged me to move him to the crib in his nursery to encourage him to sleep through the night. I guess at 4 months, the night wakenings are more about social interaction than calories/hunger. Makes sense, but interesting advice considering the American Academy of Pediatrics recent recommendation that babies sleep in the parent's room until 1 year old. Love you Kingston!

Can't stop. Won't stop smiling.

Flexing other facial and body muscles...

St. Nick Visits St. James

On the Thursday after Christmas we headed to St. James Plantation to see Grandma and Grandpa Ron. You would have thought St. Nick had visited again with all the loot! We had some great quality time playing games, cooking, disc golfing and, of course, opening the presents! Kingston continues to charm the pants off all his doting grandparents. Danny and Crew loved having Grandma, Grandpa, Kevin and Stef in the same condo to play with them. Fun was definitely had by all! So, so grateful to have some many family members to love us and our children. It's been a wonderful Christmas...all five of them! 

Meeting Kingston

Found his first present!

Love my fur nephew

Got that pose with present thing down

Heavy lot of Legos

Australia travel book for their trip. Ignore the TV in background!

Custom made clock by Ron - so talented!

Man crate time

Building his first model car

Tummy time

Happy boy

Playing so well together

Swinging with Grandma 

Disc golfing

Stef's lap is not big enough for both of them!

Kissing Grandma

Pretending to sleep with Grandpa

Danny wanted in on the couples shot