Sunday, June 30, 2013

9 Month Check In

I just realized I haven't posted in a few weeks ~ we've been growing so quickly I've lost track of time!
October 18, 2012 - 18 days old!

Today we are 9m!  It is crazy to think how fast this time has gone!!!  

Although we're still on the smaller size (14-18lbs) the trio continues to amaze us!  Brief update from a proud momma: 

Here are the 8m-11m  developmental milestones & who is meeting them:
*Lunges forward - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie
*Jabbers or combines syllables - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie
*Drags objects towards self - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie
*Sit without support - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie
*Starts to experience stranger anxiety - Owen
*Crawls - Lucas, Mackenzie
*Bangs objects together - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie  
*Says "mama" & "dada"
*Stands while holding onto something - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie

*Pulls self up - Lucas, Mackenzie
*Cruises - Mackenzie
*Climbs - Mackenzie 
*Uses pincer grasp - Lucas, Mackenzie 
*Plays peek-a-boo - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie
*Stoops from standing position - Mackenzie
*Puts objects into a container
*Waves hello/goodbye
*Claps


Little Mack continues to surpass her brothers and keep me on my toes!  I can't wait for a 12m update at the end of summer!
We're 9m!!
xo, Bridget

Sunday, June 9, 2013

$1 Savings

Early on my parents taught me the value of a dollar.  Andy & I hope to pass on this value to our little munchkins so we're starting super early!

How do you save for your kids and still stay on a budget?  
Our parents both paid for our college education - a gift that allowed us to start our adult lives debt free - a gift we hope we can pass to our munchkins, too.  While saving for a house, saving for vacations & paying regular bills all on one income this will take some serious creativity!  
Although the kids do not yet understand the concept of money we are beginning this now - it's only a matter of time before they catch on! :)  

Every time we go somewhere the munchkins can earn $1 - it's within our budget, easy & will eventually teach them responsibility!  Can they make it through a 20 minute Target run without screaming/biting/having to be carried?  If so they get $1 in their piggy banks!  Can they walk to Starbucks nicely?  Do we survive the 1 hour car ride to Sheboygan?  From just these past few weeks it is clear the boys will have WAY more money than Mackenzie!!!!

The long term plan?
Half stays in their piggy banks for them, half goes into their savings accounts.  Once they have a certain amount we will transfer the money to CDs and then transfer to their 529 accounts.  It's not a lot but a start!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

8 Month Check In

This time last year I was just 13 weeks pregnant - it is crazy how quickly the time goes!


Mackenzie at 13 weeks

It is hard to believe these little peanuts are already 8 months old!  Just a few weeks ago Birth-3 came to re-evaluate the group and see how everyone is progressing.  This visit was much different than their initial eval (which was at 3m corrected age).  This time we blew their socks off!!!

I think we've earned some bragging rights!
Since they were preemies the doctors and specialists all follow their corrected age (which is 2m behind) when checking for size, development, etc.  I have never been a fan of the corrected age - I know they'll be small but I want them to be as close as possible to their real age for everything else.  

Birth-3 was evaluating at the 6m age & looking for rolling in both directions, turning towards sounds, putting objects to mouth, transferring toys from hand to hand, recognizes name and plays with feet.  The kids far surpassed these goals!  Everyone is successful in their own areas - Owen is best at sitting without support, Lucas can roll anywhere & Mackenzie is crawling and across the board they are closer to their real than adjusted age!  WHEW, sigh of relief!  
Here are the 7-8m developmental milestones & who is meeting them:
*Lunges forward - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie
*Jabbers or combines syllables - Lucas
*Drags objects towards self - Owen, Lucas, Mackenzie
*Sit without support - Owen, Mackenzie
*Starts to experience stranger anxiety - Owen
*Crawls - Mackenzie
*Bangs objects together - Mackenzie 

Coming Soon:
*Says "mama" & "dada"
*Stands while holding onto something
*Waves hello/goodbye
*Claps

I am SO happy with their continued progress!  I will admit, though, it is sad how quickly they are changing!!!  I was not prepared for crawling or teeth (everyone has 2 bottom teeth) this soon!!!  I miss my teeny tiny snugglers (hello baby fever!) 
BIG kids! :)