Year in Review

I'm stealing this idea (like most of my blog ideas) from my sister who found it on Pinterest...which I introduced her to so maybe that makes it partly my idea???

 

The Kelly Family
2011 – A Year in Review

home Columbia, SC 3.5 years	wedded bliss 7.75 years		Big year for Nick …finished residency …started 4th year Chief Resident position …passed Pediatric Board Certification exam with flying colors!
big brother 4.5 years	little brother 7 months
Awesome things that happened in 2011 #1 Bennett was born  #2 Jackson started Pre-K at St. John Neumann Catholic School #3 Jackson started to R-E-A-D  #4 We had our first family themed Halloween [with Star Wars costumes] #5 We SOLD our townhouse in Atlanta #6 Jackson played on a soccer team for the first time and scored a GOAL #7 Bennett rode on a plane for the first time
Nick’s Work Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital 3.5 years		Nour’s Work Hampstead Lighting 6 years

Bennett is 8 months old! What?!?!?

I can't believe our sweet baby boy is 8 months old.  He truly is such a joy in our lives.  Bennett is so happy all the time.  If you even just look at him, he shoots you the cutest smile showing off his two bottom teeth.  And of course with that smile comes a fountain of drool out of his mouth.  We go through 2 or 3 bibs a day and that doesn't even include the ones he wears when he's eating!  Luckily these days it's just drool.  His reflux seems to be much better.  At his 6 months appointment, Dr. Shrouds said we should keep him on the medicine but we wouldn't increase his dose with hopes that with him growing, he would have weaned himself off the small dose of medicine by the time he was 9 months old.  It seems to be working so fingers crossed that when we stop the medicine next month, he won't need to go back on it.

We aren't sure where he gets this from but Bennett LOVES to eat!  I'm kidding of course since Nick, Jackson and I all have a love for all things edible.  We've gone through most of the fruits and vegetables and in the next week or so, I'll be introducing pasta, rice and yogurt.  The last couple days, his appetite seems to have increased exponentially or maybe he's just getting better at asking for more food.  Luckily, with the extra food, he's been sleeping much better.  I'm hoping not to jinx it with this post but for the last few days, he's only woken up once in the middle of the night around 3:30am to eat and then he's back asleep until 7am.  I really hope this is the beginning of Bennett sleeping through the night...the entire night!  He is definitely a stomach sleeper.  I keep waiting for his little booty to stick up in the air but he is completely flat with his arms straight down by his sides (very odd in my opinion but must be genetic because it's just like his daddy).

He definitely mastered sitting and can get on all fours and hang out for long periods of time.  He also started pushing himself backwards but no sign of forward movement.  Bennett started this a few weeks ago so I thought crawling was coming soon but I was wrong.  And although I have all the gates ready to be installed, I (selfishly) like having a non mobile baby.  When he gets tired of being on all fours he plops down on his belly and kicks his legs.  Nick is pretty sure he's going to be a great swimmer because he has the kicks down already.

Bennett is definitely a Mama's boy right now although he doesn't have any stranger anxiety.  He can be completely content playing on the floor alone or with Jackson or Nick but if he hears my voice or sees me walk by, he starts whining.  It's super cute and makes this Mama's heart smile.  The other morning, we were rushing around getting ready for school and each time I turned my back to walk away he would start whining but as soon as I just turned to face him, he would give me the biggest smile ever!  The good news is he's totally fine with "strangers" and has a blast playing with anyone.  His favorite person to play with is Jackson and vice versa.  Jackson is constantly telling us that even though he loves us, he loves Bennett the most, gee thanks kid.  I'm definitely not complaining though, and I take advantage of Bennett being intrigued by all things Jackson.  We pick Jackson up from school around 3 and head straight home so I can finish up work.  I put Bennett in the exersaucer and pull it in Jackson's playroom and he just watches Jackson play for an hour or so.  It's the perfect way for me to get my work done and they both enjoy it.

Bennett loves his bunny blankie.  I don't know how soothing it is but he loves playing with it and most of all chewing on it!  Blankie in Arabic is batania so we've named his bunny-nia since it's a bunny.  And now Jackson wants to call his buddy-nia since he named his Buddy a long time ago since he couldn't say blankie.  A couple months ago we thought we'd have another thumb sucker but he stopped last month and hasn't started back up again.  We'll see if that changes.  Here are his pics...I love the look on his face in the first one, my little stinker!

* We had to go to the doctor on the 20th so his 8 month weight is 17 lbs 12 oz! *

Tis the Season

My FAVORITE season!  I love everything about this time of year...even the post Christmas organizing :)  We moved to Columbia three and a half years ago and each year we've been lucky enough to be able to go to Atlanta to spend Christmas with our extended families.  This year, our travel plans were the same but we decided to celebrate Christmas in two parts to reduce the amount of gifts we had to take with us only to turn around and bring them right back.  At first we weren't sure if it was a good idea especially because Santa only brings the boys one gift each but they were just as excited on Christmas morning as every other year. 

We started our celebration in Columbia the week before Christmas.  I made a pumpkin french toast casserole for breakfast and we told the boys (well Jackson really) that we were going to have a mini Christmas celebration the night before so he was so excited we he woke up, just like he usually is on Christmas morning.  Of course, we had to wait for Bennett and Nick to wake up but he was very patient and we had some sweet Mommy and Jackson time while we waited.  Once everyone was up, we gave the boys their presents and Jackson gave us our presents.  At his school, they have a Christmas Corner where each child gets to shop for presents for his family.  I couldn't wait to see what he got for us and he was very thoughtful.  He gave Nick a box of yummy chocolates and told him he got him milk chocolate because he knows that Mommy likes white chocolate but Daddy doesn't.  And he gave me a travel coffee mug which was perfect because I had JUST told Nick he could put one in my stocking.  Jackson said he noticed I always use Nick's travel mug now on my way to take him to school every morning.  The mug had the letter N all over it and when I asked him why the letter N, he said "N as in Nancy!"  I started laughing and he said that's what he hears me say on the phone and he was so right.  Whenever I give our my work email, I say "nkelly, n as in Nancy, k-e-l-l-y."  I never realized he was paying such close attention all these years.  And then to add to the humor, Jackson said, "N is also for Nebraska football!"  Silly kid!

A few days later we were off to Atlanta to celebrate with what I refer to as the tour of Atlanta.  I'm pretty sure we put more miles on my car those two days than we do on the drive to Atlanta from Columbia.  And although it is exhausting, we are so grateful to have family close enough to see for the holidays.  Thursday we spent the afternoon and evening celebrating Mark's 60th birthday with dinner at Bambinelli's and then a family bowling competition won by the birthday boy, Linda, Nick and Jackson (slightly unfair because they used bumpers for Jackson).  Friday put an end to the constant "When is Emerson coming to play?" and "Will I see Emerson today?" questions.  All of the Grassos came over to my parents house for a perfect morning.  The mini cousins napped while the older two played everything and everywhere imaginable!  We had a quiet afternoon and then were treated to a night out celebrating Nick's board certification with Tamara and Brian at Empire State South.  If you haven't been there, it's definitely a must try in Atlanta. 

Saturday brought the official start of the "tour" with lunch at Grandma and Grandpa Kelly's house.  After spending some time with the Kelly side we were off to the children's mass at Holy Cross with a longer than normal car ride to allow Bennett to take a nap before church.  As soon as mass was over, we hurried back to my parents house, finished up the dinner prep, took a few pictures and opened presents before the minis needed to go to bed.  Once they were fast asleep, we enjoyed another delicious meal and good company and had a relatively early end to the night around 11. 

Jackson woke us up around 7am the next morning and told us he had already snuck downstairs and saw the presents under the tree.  He told me, "He turned on the light and then realized he was doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing so he turned it back off and came upstairs to get me."  I was a little disappointed that I missed the first reaction of him coming down to see the gifts but he was still super excited when we all went down and he actually saw what Santa had left and noticed the stockings too.  We enjoyed some quiet time playing with the new toys before going to our annual Salman brunch at the Ritz followed by going to Nick's parents house to spend time with them and open presents and then off to Mema's for the evening celebration with the Buechner's.  It was a very fun 5 days spent in Atlanta and I'm sure we'll need at least that many to recover and get back on schedule before school starts next week.

We hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year and all the best in 2012!

Bennett is seven months old!

Bennett has changed so much this last month.  He started eating solids and quickly went from soupy cereal once a day to eating 2-3 times a day!  He still gets cereal or oatmeal once a day but now he also gets some vegetables and we just started fruits too.  He seems to enjoy eating and so far (with a little mommy persuasion), hasn't refused any of the foods I've introduced.  When Jackson was a baby, I tried to make my own baby food but I didn't plan ahead (shocking for me I know) and quickly ran out of time to cook the food before he was ready to eat it so it only lasted a couple weeks and then we went the store bought way.  I knew I wanted to try to make Bennett's food so this time I invested in the Beaba babycook and so far I love it!  It's so easy to use and makes anything in less than fifteen minutes.  I'm trying to stay ahead of schedule this time and already have a good stash in my freezer.

Okay back to Bennett...he also started sitting up this month.  It's so cute to see him sitting like a little man and very convenient because now I have one more "activity" I can add to the rotation of things for him to do while I work.  We pulled out Jackson's music table and took off the legs so it just sits flat on the ground and Bennett can sit next to it and hit all the buttons. 

Unfortunately, this last month his sleeping habits that we thought were getting better have gone back to waking up a few times a night.  Since he's not being swaddled anymore, he pretty much rolls over onto his stomach as soon as I lay him down.  The problem is he doesn't seem to like it that way, especially if he wakes up in the middle of the night.  He has been sleeping on his stomach the last week so maybe he's finally getting used to it.  Depending on the time he wakes up, we may leave him until he falls asleep but if it's in the middle of the night and been awhile since his last feeding, I will go in, feed him and put him back down.  Luckily he goes right back to sleep.  I don't mind the quick feedings because he's still on the small side on the growth chart. 

He started sucking his thumb pretty regularly before naps and bedtime but then abruptly stopped so I'm not sure if we'll have another thumb sucker on our hands.  Bennett also got his FIRST TOOTH!  One morning I randomly decided to feel around his gums and there it was...tiny but already broken through!  Now that he's teething, everything he can get his hands on goes in his mouth as you can see by the picture below :) 

 

Bennett is six months old! What?!?!?

Where has the time gone?  I can't believe little Benny Bear is already six months old.  He is an absolute joy.  Bennett is such a good baby.  He rarely fusses and most of the time when he is fussy, he's either tired or hungry.  During the day, he plays right next to me while I work and if he starts fussing, all I have to do is look over at him and he gives me the biggest, sweetest smile. 

Bennett has almost mastered sitting up on his own.  He can sit for a minute or so before toppling over.  He hasn't flipped over from his back to his stomach since the first time he did it so I'm pretty sure that was a fluke.  His sleeping patterns have been the same for the last couple of months, he takes AMAZING naps and sleeps from 7pm to 7am waking up a few times for a quick "snack" before going right back to sleep.  This week we finally unswaddled him.  I've tried a couple times in the past but he didn't seem ready.  This time, he did great!  Being unswaddled hasn't really phased him at night but for some reason, he hasn't adjusted to it during naptime.  I really hope this doesn't mean an end to his 2+ hour naps.

This was also a big week for Bennett because he ate food for the first time.  Of course by food, I mean extremely soupy rice cereal.  The first two days, he didn't seem to enjoy it at all.  The looks he was giving us couldn't have been more clear, short of gagging.  But then on the third day, he really enjoyed it and actually swallowed most of it :)  Next week, I'll introduce a vegetable, go through all of those and then we'll do fruits.  Jackson can't wait, he watches him eat every night and asks when he can feed Bennett.  He also asked if Bennett is going to be messy like Emerson, ha!

He went to the doctor for his six month well visit, vaccines and flu shot.  Bennett was such a trooper!  He was more upset that he had to lie down, as soon as he could sit/stand up, he gave the nurse the biggest smile.  He weighed in at 14 pounds 6 ounces which is about the 16th percentile.  I have a feeling I'm not going to have another chunky monkey but that's okay.  It has given me an excuse to shop for a few clothes for him since he barely fits into Jackson's old clothes.  Bennett behaved very well for the doctor and even "showed" Dr. Shrouds how he shakes his head no.  He isn't really saying no obviously but it's hilarious.  You can ask Bennett a question and for some reason, he shakes his head back and forth as if to say no.  And if you nod and say yes, he will keep shaking his head, it's adorable!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for everyday.  Today I'm thankful for my family, near and far, especially my three boys.  And I'm grateful that the children in Columbia are healthy and stayed out of the hospital because that meant Nick didn't have to go in to the hospital at all today!

At school they have a big heart for Thanksgiving and each child had to write what they were thankful for this year.  Jackson told me he wrote Bennett.  Hearing that makes my heart smile :)

We wish you all a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Jackson's First Report Card and Parent/Teacher Conference

*Disclaimer: This blog is for my memories and I want to remember everything GREAT Jackson's first teacher had to say, do not read if you're looking for an unbiased, modest post about my son.

A couple weeks ago, I had my first conference with Jackson's teacher.  Unfortunately, Nick had an interview so he couldn't join me but I filled him in on all the details and was even able to "blame" him for Jackson's stubbornness since he wasn't there to defend himself :)  All in all, the conference went very well.  I wasn't too surprised because I can see at home how Jackson is developing academically and socially.  At the same time, a couple of weeks before the conference, his teacher called me out of the blue to tell me that Jackson is such a joy to have in her class and he impresses her daily.  I thought it was very sweet but was also wondering why she called instead of just telling me a mere ten days later at his conference.  While I was telling a friend of mine who is a teacher, she told me teachers are told to tell parents something nice before conferences where they will be getting bad news.  So I was a little timid but luckily Mrs. K. was really just calling to tell me how much she enjoyed Jackson.

Mrs. K. gave me a report card that had a list including everything from knowing colors to reading and the children were rated from 1 - 3 with 3 being the best.  Jackson only received one 1 and that was for not saying his months.  Apparently every morning they dance the "Macarena" while singing the months and Jackson doesn't like it so he refuses to participate (see stubbornness note above, clearly inherited from his father).  Jackson has known his months for about a year but just didn't like the dance, Mrs. K. wasn't too worried because he had recited the months to her but she had to write that on his report card. 

Other than that, she went over details of what they do daily and weekly and how they are learning their letters, sounds, etc.  We get a lot of worksheets sent home every day and some of them are stamped with DI, which stands for differentiated instruction.  SJN makes sure each child is taught according to their skill level.  Get ready for my modesty...Mrs. K. told me Jackson is almost READING!  They change the activities they do for him by covering up the picture and making him sound out the words instead of just showing him the picture and asking him what it is. 

Jackson is also very good at his numbers.  He can already count to 100.  I have no idea if that's normal but I know they haven't gotten to 100 in his class yet so I'm excited.  And Mrs. K. sent home a note last week that said, "Guess who's adding?  I'm so proud of him!"  I guess it pays to have all those mathematicians in the family ;) 

He does need to work on his writing.  He knows his letters and numbers but chooses to write in all capital letters unless specifically asked to write lowercase letters.  He also writes some letters and words small and others very large so we're supposed to work on sizing and spacing of his letters at home.  He also needs to work self control...very shocking for a 4 year old, haha!  Mrs. K. said he tends to talk out of turn or blurt out answers instead of waiting to be called on.  Other than that, she said socially he was great, no conflicts with his classmates, not overly emotional, and listens extremely well.  When I heard that last part, my face couldn't hide my surprise because she immediately asked if he wasn't a good listener at home.  I will never understand why children behave differently and usually better for others.  Needless to say, I left my first parent teacher conference one proud Mommy!