Bragging on my babies!

This has been a very busy few weeks for us, in large part because my children just keep giving me things to cry proud tears over.  I might be a bit biased but they really are amazing little people!

Kiddo
We took kiddo to a ATA competition about 6 weeks ago were she got first in combat sparring.  I looked like a crazy woman whooping and cheering for her.  Recently I checked the standings and it appears that she is going to get another state title this year.  This one will be for... combat sparring.

Two weeks ago the boys and I spent the day traveling to Kiddo's National Junior Honor Society induction!  Go Kiddo!  More proud tears!

Last week Hubby took the day off of work and we all drove out for Kiddo's choir concert where she had her first ever solo!  She did really well!  :)  The tears of pride just keep flowing!

Boogie
Boogie has been dancing for 3 years now.  He loves dancing and I often hear that dancing is his life, so it should come as no surprise that his proud points have mostly revolves around dance.

The day that his dance studio moved was picture day and I couldn't help but melt at how cute he looked.  I am really looking forward to seeing just how adorable the pictures are!

The next week was his dance recital.  I think that I can safely say that he hit the nail on the head with both his dances.  He was adorable and radiated happiness being on that stage!  Then during curtain call he won an award from the studio for being the most dedicated dancer.  And he definitely is a dedicated dancer!  So proud of him!

In the midst of all that we found out that he has been invited to join the competition team for next year.  It will be the first year of competition team and it is invitation only so it is so very exciting!  I'll love getting to have more opportunities to watch him radiate on stage!

Willkins
My little Willkins has had a few milestones of his own. 

Will started taking a few steps here and there a few months ago but in the last month he went from a few steps to walking all over the place.  That baby can really move out.  He walks sideways, backwards and can pivot around.  He can walk then bend over and pick something up and take off again.  He really pulled my heartstrings when I watched him learn how to walk with shoes on.  He's just soooo cute!

Will has also started really conveying what he wants.  He talks some and he also makes up his own little signs.  It can be a funny game of charades but it is also wonderful to have a child who works to make you understand what he means instead of just yelling at his mommy!

The in utero hero
The latest/upcoming addition to the family is doing what babies do best- growing! 

There is a strong little heartbeat.  At my last appointment the nurse practitioner found the heartbeat immediately but couldn't keep up with the baby because it was swimming like Micheal Phelps.  Hubby was listening to the heartbeat the other day and the baby moved.  He tried to track it... the baby went from far left to far right like shabow! 

I am utterly exhausted all the time which I choose to believe is the baby using my energy up to help grow.  If that is all right this baby is growing faster than a race car drives!

Finally, about four nights ago I couldn't sleep.  I couldn't sleep because this new little baby was tickling my belly for hours!  It was amazing!  Go baby!

After the wean

I have, over the past year, loosely chronicled my first time being a breastfeeding mom.  And I told you a while ago that the doctor had instructed me to wean Will.  Honestly, I thought my breastfeeding posts would end then.  I was wrong, at least partly.

On Will's birthday he nursed for the last time.  We had been gradually tapered down but I knew going from one to none would be a lot harder for us both than any of the other tapers.  For his last feeding I turned off all distractions and just focused on him, on that last time of getting to provide for him what no one else could.  It made me cry and somehow he seemed to understand because he drank for a long time that night.  When he was done I convinced myself that in a week or two he would forget what he was missing.

I mean, he's a baby.  Babies don't have long memories, right?  So far I have been wrong.  The other day Will was brought to me right after my shower.  I hadn't yet gotten dressed but he was upset so I began to snuggle him.  He calmed down, smiled at me and then began to slowly lean toward me like he wanted a hug.  It was no hug that he was reaching for!  He tried to latch on!  Silly baby! 

Last night Hubby had a horrible headache.  Now, he has been responsible for taking care of Will at night for a few reasons.  The first reason is that when we were weaning we needed him to be a buffer between Will and the milk.  He would work to get Will back to sleep without milk.  The second reason is that I am pregnant and, quite frankly, completely exhausted ALL THE TIME!  The third being that it is already uncomfortable for me to put Will to bed.  My baby belly makes my arms to short to reach his mattress!But, as I said, Hubby had a headache last night. 

I decided I would take Will for the night and allow Hubby to get in some really good rest.  He desperately needed a full night's sleep.  Oh my- Will has not forgotten those night time feedings.  As I tried to cuddle him to sleep Will just kept trying to rip my nightgown off.  He hit me in the face when he couldn't gain access to his favorite feeding trough.  Finally he latched on to the soft skin on the inside of my elbow and went to sleep.  All I could think was oh my!  When he awoke after some rest he did the exact same sequence again.

I just keep wondering when he will stop wanting to nurse.  I really didn't expect him to still crave it after weeks of it being gone.  Perhaps I am the silly one and that is completely common.  I don't know.  But as much as it saddens me to not be able to provide that for him I also revel in the thought that he really loved being a breastfed baby.  OK, so maybe I am definitely a silly mommy!