Staying positive

So I am trying to take some advise from an encouraging voice and celebrate these milestones of my kids and not let them get me down. Andrew is growing up too fast and the thought of being done having kids makes each new step he takes both happy and sad.
At seven months Andrew is sleeping consistently through the night. What finally did it? A couple of nights I was gone and James gave him a bottle to bed (full 8oz.). That was it. He probably just fell asleep too early while nursing and didn't get that much milk. Now a decision I could have made and did contemplate was still nursing him to bed and waking up two times each night. This choice meant being done with nursing because he is given bottles during the day. It was VERY hard to give up. There were some difficulties along the way (pooping while he ate, being easily distracted) but we made it through. He was a great eater from day one. I really miss it. I am thankful though that I was able to nurse for seven months.
I am continuing to pump during the day and feed him bottles with Adeline running around. It works best for everyone. Andrew is happy because he is still getting his food (doesn't matter to him), Adeline is happy because she doesn't have to be quiet, and Mommy is happy because she has two happy kids.
So, I am sad to no longer be nursing but happy to be sleeping through the night. Happy that I have two healthy kids. Happy that I can still pump (thank you Lindsey and Angela). Happy that everyone else is happy.

Reason why there haven't been any posts this week

Andrew is all over,(just a push away from crawling) and still manages to get to where he needs to go. Sometimes where he wants to go is to his sisters toys (who is not always friendly). I feel like I have to keep constant watch over things encouraging both kids. (one to crawl and one to share) I just did a complete clean up of the house moving anything that is too small. We're getting ready.

This video is of Andrew sitting up from his belly. He is growing up too fast. I can't believe it has already been seven months. I am trying to talk James into having another kid,(like four years from now) because I don't think I am ready to stop. I just wish it didn't cost a lot of money. (anyone have an extra 10k?)

Andrew swinging/Adeline pushing

(sorry the video quality isn't the best it was taken from my phone)

Annual Kingsbury Labor Day Gathering

Playing BEANO
Prizes

A ride in Todd's 1909 car

Addy playing with Claire

Grandpa's lap

I think a friendhip is starting,

slowly but surely. They even take baths together now and love to splash. It is so cute to watch Andrew smile and laugh with his sister.

Late shot....

....from Andrew's six month appointment. Still a big boy.

Poor Princess

James and I bought this castle when we were pregnant with Adeline. When she was about a year and a half we got it out for her to play with. I think it has been one of our best purchases. But now unfortunately there is only one original princess Belle remaining. Snow White is broken in half, Sleeping Beauty is missing her top half, Jasmine was eaten by a dog (Roxy), and Cinderella's head won't stay attached. We also lost Prince Charming somewhere in the house and Prince Phillip in Meijer. I was hoping this would be a toy Adeline could pass down to her daughter but I don't think it would be very much fun. (we might buy another one and leave it unopened to give to Adeline later (much later))

A very sad day

Andrew is too big for his seat. I don't think we will ever get to use this seat again. I am sad :-(

Playing with toys

He really likes the wipes box
this double cowlick is going to be fun :-)

He loves to pull all of his toys out and play. I was starting to put some of them away and each time I would put one into the box Andrew would pull the box down and get that toy out. This went on for a couple of minutes. It was really fun.

Thank you Aunt Bethany

The kids received a special package today from their Aunt Bethany. Adeline got a lot of stickers and Andrew got a fun blanket. During picture time Andrew was more into the stickers, probably because they are Star Wars (he was in my belly during Halloween) :-)

Thank you Aunt Bethany!

Play date

My girlfriend Carrie and I had been meaning to get together with our kids for awhile. It finally worked out this week and our friend Melissa was also able to come. Carrie has two kids, Issiah 5 and Eli 5 months. Melissa has a little guy Aden 3 months. So each of the boys are close to exactly 2 months apart. I didn't think that there could be a baby bigger than Andrew but at 5 months Eli weighs almost as much as Andrew does now. Andrew is more solid and Eli is just a chubby bubby :-) It was a nice time and Adeline played really well.

Adeline and Issiah
Eli and Andrew

Aden, Eli and Andrew

Aden, Eli, Andrew, Adeline and Issiah

Big boy bath!

Mommy finally feels comfortable with Andrew being in the bath all by himself. I am sure he was ready much earlier but I was pretty nervous. Soon I will be able to give the kids a bath together. That is only if Mermaid Adeline is willing to share her tub :-)