Striking a pose for the camera.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Adoring his sister.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Our always happy baby. Yes, God has blessed us greatly with children that have a smiley demeanor.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Bumbo Seat Returns
We are working on sitting up with Andrew now and we thought we would get the Bumbo seat out again. He loves it! But only for so long, without a ton of neck strength, he usually collapses after a period of time.
Striking a pose for the camera.
Adoring his sister.
Our always happy baby. Yes, God has blessed us greatly with children that have a smiley demeanor.
Striking a pose for the camera.
Adoring his sister.
Our always happy baby. Yes, God has blessed us greatly with children that have a smiley demeanor.
Wore Out
Well, thumb-sucking is no longer a necessity. It's become more like thumb chewing/fist chewing. I am a major drooler and putting my hands in my mouth makes this an even bigger problem. My chin is frequently red and chapped despite a constant change of bibs and dabbing of the chin. Mom doesn't think the teeth are coming in, but who knows. (Ainsley's teeth came in late but she worked on them for a really long time.)
So after a hard work out with my sister in the nice weather we have been having. Mom brought me in for a nap. And boy was I ready for it. Between all that fresh air and having to hold my head up in the Baby Bjorn, I slept really soundly.
I'm sleeping in my crib now for at least one nap a day. The others seem to be spread between the car seat and sometimes my bouncy seat, but mom's getting me on track. I do really well through the night in the crib now, but afternoons and mornings are still shorter naps than mom would like. We'll both keep working on that though.
Check it out, lambie is sleeping with me again. Mom's been giving it to me to give me something to do with hands. I keep wringing them and bumping my face with them when I'm trying to fall asleep. Lambie seems to help with that a bit. Thankfully, the ears haven't found there way to my mouth yet. Who knows though, maybe that's the next thing I'm going to suck on!
So after a hard work out with my sister in the nice weather we have been having. Mom brought me in for a nap. And boy was I ready for it. Between all that fresh air and having to hold my head up in the Baby Bjorn, I slept really soundly.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
I'm sleeping in my crib now for at least one nap a day. The others seem to be spread between the car seat and sometimes my bouncy seat, but mom's getting me on track. I do really well through the night in the crib now, but afternoons and mornings are still shorter naps than mom would like. We'll both keep working on that though.
Check it out, lambie is sleeping with me again. Mom's been giving it to me to give me something to do with hands. I keep wringing them and bumping my face with them when I'm trying to fall asleep. Lambie seems to help with that a bit. Thankfully, the ears haven't found there way to my mouth yet. Who knows though, maybe that's the next thing I'm going to suck on!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thumb Sucking?
Ainsley was never a sucker of anything plastic. Andrew has changed the routine up though for our family by taking to a pacifier, a bottle, and now his thumb? Amazingly enough, he can live without both his pacifier and his thumb, soothe himself and just carry on in general. Now, the pacifier doesn't bother me that much since I can take it away, but the thumb, that's a whole other story. (Yes, I want the control when it comes to lovies and suckie things.) So after a few days of kindly removing the thumb and replacing it with a pacifier, I happened upon this seen.
Sweet, isn't it? Holding his thumb in place to escape the removal of it. I let this moment go, but I'm still going to pull the thumb when I see it. Perhaps I'm making him into a closet thumb-sucker and maybe not. Time will only tell.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Sweet, isn't it? Holding his thumb in place to escape the removal of it. I let this moment go, but I'm still going to pull the thumb when I see it. Perhaps I'm making him into a closet thumb-sucker and maybe not. Time will only tell.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Jumping Man
After months of waiting, I'm now able to do some upright activities. Mom got the jumper-r-roo out for me today to see if I was ready. At first, I wasn't quite sure what to make of this new toy.
Once I figured it out, I sure was ready! We had to add some phone books, my feet don't quite hit the ground yet, but that sure didn't stop me. I got right to bouncing and jumping.
I enjoying bouncing most first thing in the morning. I love the lights and the sounds. They give me great big smiles. My sister, also likes to assist in the jumping part. If the lights are gone for too long and I get frustrated, my sister makes those come on too. I can tell already that she is going to be able to teach me a lot of neat things.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Once I figured it out, I sure was ready! We had to add some phone books, my feet don't quite hit the ground yet, but that sure didn't stop me. I got right to bouncing and jumping.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
I enjoying bouncing most first thing in the morning. I love the lights and the sounds. They give me great big smiles. My sister, also likes to assist in the jumping part. If the lights are gone for too long and I get frustrated, my sister makes those come on too. I can tell already that she is going to be able to teach me a lot of neat things.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Bike Riding
Spring is here and garage sale season is in swing. This makes mom very happy. She loves to go on the hunt and is always in a good mood after a couple good scores. I'm starting to catch the fever too! Check out my latest find.
The bike needed a bit of help, some air in the tires, a good washing, and a crank arm rethreaded. Good thing we have a friend who owns a bicycle shop; we knew right where to take it. It was also a good thing he could fix it or mom would have gotten more than she bargained for. So if you're in the Kansas City area and need a good bike shop, I recommend Midwest Cyclery on Broadway Street in Westport.
So with my ice skating helmet now being used as originally intended. I got on the bike, and to mom's surprise, off I went!
I ride my Radio Flyer now each day in circles around our court. I'm practicing for the bike ride to the ice cream store this summer. Mom keeps telling me I need to ramp up my endurance. The bike ride to the ice cream store is about 2 miles one-way! I think dad might have to get the car after we eat the ice cream!
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
The bike needed a bit of help, some air in the tires, a good washing, and a crank arm rethreaded. Good thing we have a friend who owns a bicycle shop; we knew right where to take it. It was also a good thing he could fix it or mom would have gotten more than she bargained for. So if you're in the Kansas City area and need a good bike shop, I recommend Midwest Cyclery on Broadway Street in Westport.
So with my ice skating helmet now being used as originally intended. I got on the bike, and to mom's surprise, off I went!
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
I ride my Radio Flyer now each day in circles around our court. I'm practicing for the bike ride to the ice cream store this summer. Mom keeps telling me I need to ramp up my endurance. The bike ride to the ice cream store is about 2 miles one-way! I think dad might have to get the car after we eat the ice cream!
Monday, April 06, 2009
Bath Time Fun
Every night we go through a routine. (This is probably not surprising to any of you who are diligent followers of our blog or close friends of ours.) So, each night Ainsley takes a bath, we get our pajamas on, we dry hair, we read stories and drink milk, we brush our teeth, we sing songs, and then we pray. Yes, that's a lot for a bath time routine. And of course, a three year old does not skip any steps.
Fast forward...we now have two kids and its a Monday night. Why is this important, well Matthew works late on Monday nights and it's one of those nights were both kids take a bath. This was never a big deal to me or to Ainsley until tonight...
Ainsley: "Mom, I have an idea. How about Andrew and I both take a bath."
Mom: "Yes, Ainsley. Mom will give Andrew his bath and then give you yours."
Ainsley: "No, mom. How about we take a bath together."
Matthew and I had talked about this; but, we had never come to a conclusion. So, since I thought well, I can save water, possibly time, and they are both still young, why not give it a try. (Before you even read on, I was spared any of those questions. You know the ones I am talking about.)
So, into the bath tub we go. (Andrew wearing a wash cloth as q pseudo bathing suit.) Ainsley was strictly lectured on bath tub etiquette while co-bathing. No splashing, mermaid-playing, and no bubbles. All agreed to without a problem.
Ainsley: "Mom, I have an idea. How about I wash Andrew and you wash me."
Mom: "No, mom will wash you both."
Ainsley: "How about I do his hair, mom."
Mom: "No, how about you pour water on his feet." (This was agreed to, though the pouring of water did make it up to the stomach. Andrew was a good sport about it.)
So, with Andrew bathed, I got him out and ready for night-time while Ainsley played. According to her "making pancakes". So how a soaked pink bath tub towel (that I told her not to touch) ends up in the tub and becomes a pancake, I will never know. Needless to say my fail proof plan went awry here. So, I now have a newly cleaned floor and some extra bath towels to wash tonight.
With Ainsley out of the tub, Andrew playing in his crib we proceed with our routine. Ainsley is chattering away about her new matching toothpaste and tooth brush. We return to her room where she asks where is dad. I let her know he is at work and will be home after she goes to bed. She lets me know the following:
"His first name is dad."
"His second name is Matthew."
"The next name is Matthew Dale Rankin."
"Andrew's name is Andrew Tyndale Rankin. Brother."
Checking on Andrew. This must have been more excitement then I realized for him. He's out (only for 15 minutes though, he wants in on the stories.) And yes, that's a lambie like Ainsley's there with him. He likes touching it but there have been no plays for sucking on the ear. The pacifier still works just fine.
She's in bed. We give kisses and hugs. Andrew too. It's 8:30 both kids are down. Was the routine shorter. No. Was it less painful, not really. It still took an hour and a half for both, but tonight brought a few more laughs for me.
Fast forward...we now have two kids and its a Monday night. Why is this important, well Matthew works late on Monday nights and it's one of those nights were both kids take a bath. This was never a big deal to me or to Ainsley until tonight...
Ainsley: "Mom, I have an idea. How about Andrew and I both take a bath."
Mom: "Yes, Ainsley. Mom will give Andrew his bath and then give you yours."
Ainsley: "No, mom. How about we take a bath together."
Matthew and I had talked about this; but, we had never come to a conclusion. So, since I thought well, I can save water, possibly time, and they are both still young, why not give it a try. (Before you even read on, I was spared any of those questions. You know the ones I am talking about.)
So, into the bath tub we go. (Andrew wearing a wash cloth as q pseudo bathing suit.) Ainsley was strictly lectured on bath tub etiquette while co-bathing. No splashing, mermaid-playing, and no bubbles. All agreed to without a problem.
 |
| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
Ainsley: "Mom, I have an idea. How about I wash Andrew and you wash me."
Mom: "No, mom will wash you both."
Ainsley: "How about I do his hair, mom."
Mom: "No, how about you pour water on his feet." (This was agreed to, though the pouring of water did make it up to the stomach. Andrew was a good sport about it.)
So, with Andrew bathed, I got him out and ready for night-time while Ainsley played. According to her "making pancakes". So how a soaked pink bath tub towel (that I told her not to touch) ends up in the tub and becomes a pancake, I will never know. Needless to say my fail proof plan went awry here. So, I now have a newly cleaned floor and some extra bath towels to wash tonight.
With Ainsley out of the tub, Andrew playing in his crib we proceed with our routine. Ainsley is chattering away about her new matching toothpaste and tooth brush. We return to her room where she asks where is dad. I let her know he is at work and will be home after she goes to bed. She lets me know the following:
"His first name is dad."
"His second name is Matthew."
"The next name is Matthew Dale Rankin."
"Andrew's name is Andrew Tyndale Rankin. Brother."
Checking on Andrew. This must have been more excitement then I realized for him. He's out (only for 15 minutes though, he wants in on the stories.) And yes, that's a lambie like Ainsley's there with him. He likes touching it but there have been no plays for sucking on the ear. The pacifier still works just fine.
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| From Andrew Tyndale Rankin |
She's in bed. We give kisses and hugs. Andrew too. It's 8:30 both kids are down. Was the routine shorter. No. Was it less painful, not really. It still took an hour and a half for both, but tonight brought a few more laughs for me.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Easter Egg-stravaganza
Dad was away this Saturday and mom, Andrew, and I went to an Easter Egg-stravaganza event at a park. Mom, thought this could be a lt of fun for us, they had a petting zoo, face painting, egg hunt, and of course the fun playground equipment. When we arrived, each thing had lines of people. (Mom did not take into account massive amounts of people when planning this outing. Lots of free candy, of course there would be lots of people.)
The petting zoo was my favorite. I petted a goat, chickens, baby pig, and a baby goat. I also got to see a baby rabbit, duckling, and chick. Then we walked by face painting and the line for the easter bunny pictures. We did get to see the Wizard of Oz characters that they had there. Their costumes were amazing! I especially liked the ruby slippers. But, I also really liked the lion and tin man. Look at how great these costumes are!
So, with all of the lines we made our way over to get our place for the egg hunt. We were front and center for our section. It wasn't much of a hunt, the candy eggs, and footballs were scattered on the ground. Parents weren't suppose to assist, but they all did and mom came with me to avoid getting trampled. What seemed like thousands of eggs and candy were picked in seconds. I came away with one egg and a handful of candy.
These eggs were not full of candy. I was hoping though!
It was an interesting morning. I had a lot of fun but mom was skeptical. We probably won't do this egg hunt again. We'll be heading to Joplin for Easter with Nana and Granddad. I'm guessing that the easter egg dying and hunt if we have one will be a little more low key.
The petting zoo was my favorite. I petted a goat, chickens, baby pig, and a baby goat. I also got to see a baby rabbit, duckling, and chick. Then we walked by face painting and the line for the easter bunny pictures. We did get to see the Wizard of Oz characters that they had there. Their costumes were amazing! I especially liked the ruby slippers. But, I also really liked the lion and tin man. Look at how great these costumes are!
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| From The Rankin Family |
So, with all of the lines we made our way over to get our place for the egg hunt. We were front and center for our section. It wasn't much of a hunt, the candy eggs, and footballs were scattered on the ground. Parents weren't suppose to assist, but they all did and mom came with me to avoid getting trampled. What seemed like thousands of eggs and candy were picked in seconds. I came away with one egg and a handful of candy.
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| From The Rankin Family |
These eggs were not full of candy. I was hoping though!
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| From The Rankin Family |
It was an interesting morning. I had a lot of fun but mom was skeptical. We probably won't do this egg hunt again. We'll be heading to Joplin for Easter with Nana and Granddad. I'm guessing that the easter egg dying and hunt if we have one will be a little more low key.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Well Checks
Ainsley and Andrew had their well-checks today. Here is a snapshot of where our two kids are at now:
Ainsley:
Height: 38 inches (3' 2") that puts me in the 61 percentile
Weight: 27.6 lbs. I still haven't hit 30 lbs. but I am now in the 11 percentile. The Dr. was impressed!
Development - Definitely ahead of the curve. He said mom has her hands full. He was especially impressed with my balance, imagination, memorization, and vocabulary.
Andrew:
Height:22.5 inches that puts me in the 12th percentile.
Weight: 11 lbs 9.5 oz. that puts me in the 25th percentile.
My noggin is right on target with the others falling in the 18th percentile.
So overall, I'm a pretty proportional little man.
Development: Already hitting the 6 month milestone of standing while holding on to mom! (The Dr.'s eyes were pretty wide when he looked over and saw this feat of strength!) Otherwise I'm right on target with cooing, smiling, almost rolling over, and neck strength. I am getting more tummy time though and sleeping on my tummy at naps to help keep my head round.
Andrew also had his first vaccine today. Ainsley told him to be brave and that it would only hurt for a minute. EIther the nurse was amazing or Andrew took his sisters words to heart because he didn't even make a peep! The remainder of the day went smoothly with lots of napping and a very low-grade fever. Perhaps this is one of the benefits of only getting one shot per visit.
**Mom is going with an alternative schedule produced by Dr. Sears and tweaked by her. If you're interested in reading more about it, you can go to www.TheVaccineBook.com.
Ainsley:
Height: 38 inches (3' 2") that puts me in the 61 percentile
Weight: 27.6 lbs. I still haven't hit 30 lbs. but I am now in the 11 percentile. The Dr. was impressed!
Development - Definitely ahead of the curve. He said mom has her hands full. He was especially impressed with my balance, imagination, memorization, and vocabulary.
Andrew:
Height:22.5 inches that puts me in the 12th percentile.
Weight: 11 lbs 9.5 oz. that puts me in the 25th percentile.
My noggin is right on target with the others falling in the 18th percentile.
So overall, I'm a pretty proportional little man.
Development: Already hitting the 6 month milestone of standing while holding on to mom! (The Dr.'s eyes were pretty wide when he looked over and saw this feat of strength!) Otherwise I'm right on target with cooing, smiling, almost rolling over, and neck strength. I am getting more tummy time though and sleeping on my tummy at naps to help keep my head round.
Andrew also had his first vaccine today. Ainsley told him to be brave and that it would only hurt for a minute. EIther the nurse was amazing or Andrew took his sisters words to heart because he didn't even make a peep! The remainder of the day went smoothly with lots of napping and a very low-grade fever. Perhaps this is one of the benefits of only getting one shot per visit.
**Mom is going with an alternative schedule produced by Dr. Sears and tweaked by her. If you're interested in reading more about it, you can go to www.TheVaccineBook.com.
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