Lil' E

Emerson had his 2 month check up today.  He weighs 11lbs 8oz, which is about the 15th percentile.  His height and head circumference were both at the 25th percentile.  I can't say that I'm not a little worried about his weight gain given our history with Myles.  (Myles was 10.65 lbs at his two month, and Ezzy was 12lbs 11oz). 

 Our (awesome, Cincinnati-trained) pediatrician told me not to be concerned at this point but to just make sure he eats well during the day since he's such a great night sleeper.  (7-8hrs at night!!!)  Developmentally, he's right on track with everything and even started lifting his head during tummy time!

Family Time.

Over the weekend we celebrated my nephew Cruz' first birthday and all of us "Oosting" girls and our families spent the night at my parents' house.  Good times.

love him.

cousins having a special treat - soda!

6 months apart, Ezra calls Wyatt his "best friend"

lots of lovin' from Aunt Andrea!

first cake!

sweet kisses for Mama :)

fashionista

silly Wy

  

 The 1yr old loving on the "baby" - he kept reaching for Emerson after this (see next photo)

Fruitport Old Fashioned Days

When Myles got home from school Thursday afternoon we headed over to the village of Fruitport for their annual "Old Fashioned Days". They set up a whole carnival in the park. Myles and Ezra enjoyed themselves, although we limited the number of rides/games they did because the cost added up quickly! We had planned to eat dinner there as well but decided against it when we were out of tickets and the boys were begging to do more.

  

 

(We didn't actually ride the Ferris wheel.  Maybe next year.)

 

They both said this ride was their favorite part.  $3 each to go down a slide. ;)

The Big One

Today at Oma & Opa's house Myles caught his first fish. He giggled as the fish flopped on the dock and then went straight to it and picked it up!

Our Sensory Kid.

Over the last several months we've discovered that Myles has something called "Sensory Processing Disorder".  While it's a relief to discover some answers to some of the mystery of this child (including his strange issues with food!), we've only just begun to understand how his little body works.  He is going to therapy weekly with an OT trained in sensory therapy, receiving some modifications at school, and we are doing our best to work with him at home.  To say the least, it keeps life interesting (and challenging).  Here's a short Huffington Post article giving an overview of SPD.

On the porch doing one of his twice-daily "listening therapies".  The past few weeks' CD's help him with "spatial awareness".  

Mark's solution to getting a stubborn sensory kid dressed?  Put him in a box.

TEN.

Four cities.
Three states.
Three kids BOYS.
Two grad schools and a residency.
Countless joys/challenges/hours/goodbyes/hugs/kisses/tears/smiles/laughs and memories.
One marriage journey.
Ten good years.
I love you Mark Jonathan.

He Just Keeps Getting Cuter

Emerson at 8 weeks old (Friday May 4) I do love him so.

Maybe It's All Worth It

Someone other than me usually picks Myles up from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week.  Before Emerson's birth, I was earning clinical hours for hospital chaplaincy while Myles was in school and since then Mark or my mom pick him up most days.  So, yesterday, when I came in to get him from his classroom at the end of the day I suppose he was glad to see me.  He wanted me to lift him up, so there we stood in the hallway while he wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed me over and over again.  Then he called to his classroom aide, "Mrs. Ekkel!  Mrs. Ekkel! Mrs. Ekkel!" and as she turned toward us he said "I LUUUV my Mommy!" Smooch, smooch, smooch.  

Oh, I love you too, Ever-My-Challenging Child:

First bottle

When you're a nursing mama giving baby his first bottle is kinda a big deal.  Too early they say and you'll cause "nipple confusion" (in which baby prefers the bottle) or too late and you're stuck being the only source of his nourishment for the next six months.  As much as I love my new Constant Companion, I do want the freedom to have others feed him in the times I am not available (or just simply need some relief).  So, yesterday, Mark gave it a whirl.  He only took about 2 ounces but seemed okay with it.  Yippee!

 

(We will try again soon because the bottle nipple seemed too fast for a Level 1 (I later tested a 2 of a different brand and it was much slower...) - Emerson hardly needed to suck, so I'm not sure it's a true test of whether he got the hang of it.)

Loving that Baby

 

 Although most often fairly indifferent to his existence, once in awhile Myles and Ezra stop by to give Emerson a little lovin'.

 Trying to get as much snugglin' as possible with Daddy too: