Marshall Newsletter: Eleven Months

Nicknames: Mr., Little, Moo-me, Bubba, Mar-shall be quiet, Miggy

No teeth yet, but we can see your gums swelling with little white buds.

You cry if you get talked to too sternly.

Daddy used a serious voice with you when you were being a little reckless. You cried and screamed like the world was coming to an end. Daddy went to sit down on a chair, you stopped crying, followed him to the chair, touched his leg, looked at him, and started scream-crying again, reminding him that you would not forgive him.
You have a similar reaction when I'm trying to change your diaper and you are using all of your might to roll away. If I dare speak your name with too harsh a tone, you cry like I have beaten you with a stick. I don't know where this emotional little creature came from.

Once you started crawling, I tried to confine you to the carpeted area of the family room with cushions, the pack and play, toy baskets and pillows. I did the same thing for Remi when he started crawling. Barriers be damned! Nothing can hold you back! How many times did you climb over the pillows and bump your head on the tile trying to free yourself? I learned very quickly to not fence you in! I hope this is an indication of what kind of person you will grow up to be! Never giving up, no matter the obstacle! Your destinations with all of your freedom generally tend to be the dog cage, the kitchen table, or the lazy susan (or "lazy b!tch" as Dad calls it), but has expanded to the breakfast room windows, the laundry room and the dog dish. Lovely.

Remi has been inviting you to play trains with him in the front foyer, even though he can't stand it when you take apart his tracks. Even so, he wants you around. He tries to distract you by giving you things to play with, or just getting fed up and forcing you to the floor. He is always asking for "Bebe, Bebe, Bebe!" He hears you cry and he gasps for you. Big brother is still rough with you, but he is learning that you can be a lot of fun if treated properly. He is also starting to push you to your limits, and I'm starting to see glimpses of the future when you two will be trying to seriously beat each other up. I have caught you screeching at Remi with your toothless mouth, twisted into a snarl, attacking brother with tiny little claws. Even so, you obviously love him. You love going to Remi's preschool, I swear you have more fun than he does! You clap to the music, dance, and flirt with the teachers and other parents.

How can a little nugget be so cantankerous and yet so sweet? It is a question I ask myself almost daily. This stems from the fact that you still don't sleep through the night and barely take naps. You always end up in bed with us during the night. I swear you get up and levitate out of your crib and under our covers. When morning rolls around, I have no recollection of going to get you. Mama can't operate off of the amount of sleep you are giving her! On the flip side, you love to snuggle, be bounced and you just recently started giving kisses.

Your vocabulary is starting to blossom. You imitate tone perfectly, and you can say "Dada," "Mama" and a version of "all done." Sometimes if my back is turned, I can't tell between your jibber-jabbering or Remi's. Your favorite thing to say is most definitely "Dada," and you say it with such tenderness that it makes me want to cry.

You are a kid on the go! You are the fastest crawler I have ever seen, you are right on the verge of walking, you love toys that you can climb or push. You love to give high-fives, and you love to stick your fingers in the mouth or nose of anyone who dares to get close enough.

You are so fun, I love your square-pumpkin smile and your wicked little giggles. I love the joy you bring to our family.

I love you, Little!

Love, Mama

Marshall Newsletter: Seven Months

Nicknames: Little, Brother, Baby Marshall, Mr., Miggy, Miggedy

Dear Marshall,

Today you turn seven months old.

You have been on the go this month! You've been sitting up, rolling, twisting, turning, kicking, grabbing and even writhing. In a broader sense, you've been to the zoo twice, the children's museum, and many stores. You are a great little travel companion, very rarely do you protest sitting in your carseat on long journeys. I know the days of you in a baby carrier are coming to an end, so I'll just enjoy it while I can!

You have found true happiness in a little thing we like to call Cheerios! If I let you, you would seriously eat an entire box in one sitting. I have never seen a baby eat so fast, and then beg for more! I've got my eye on you kid.

You continue to be our delightful, snuggly boy. Every morning when I get you out of your crib you burrow into my shoulder for a little hug. Although your napping schedule isn't perfect yet, you are finding a balance that is working for all of us... most of the time. If you don't feel like sleeping, household beware! You could lift the house off of it's foundation with your protests! When I go to calm you you have kicked and screamed yourself every which way. I often find you with your head pressed against the crib or completely opposite of the way I placed you in a matter of seconds. Hell hath no fury like a baby Marshall scorned! Of course, no one will believe me when I say it, but I have to document it for my own amusement!

Marshall, you have complimented our family in more ways than we could have ever imagined. Your unique personality and kindness already shine through!

I love you now and always, little nugget!

Love,
Mama

Marshall Newletter: Month Four

Dear Marshall,

Today you turn four months old!

Nicknames: Mister, Angry Kitten
You are a spunky little thing! You have decided many things for yourself this month. Firstly, you determined that a baby of your caliber no longer requires a pacifier unless it is of the thumb variety.
Secondly, you love to be a part of things. Whether it be sitting in your Bumbo during mealtimes, or hanging out on the couch with us when we watch TV, or even sitting in your bouncer in the bathroom while I get ready for the day, you always want to be included!
Thirdly, you love to talk and sing! You often yell yourself to sleep. It's not crying, just very loud talking. You will jibber jabber at anything with a face. You seriously talk more than Remi does.

You have abandoned need for your swing, my crutch. I have to do all the legwork to get you to sleep now. You love sprawling on the couch for naptime. I just moved you from the pack and play in the master bedroom to the crib in your room. I was worried at first, but you do great and sleep through the night pretty consistently.

You love your big brother and he loves you! Remi always kisses you goodnight and snuggles with you first thing in the morning. Remi gets worried if he thinks I'm leaving you behind when I put him in his carseat before I load you in. He often gasps when he hears you crying and I can pretty much trust him not to clobber you when he plays near you. He loves it when you get to lay in his crib. I hope you will be best buds.
You are a fatty! Wearing 9 month outfits and size 3 diapers!
We love you, nugget!
Love,
Mama

Marshall Newletter: Month Three

Nicknames: Mister, Monkey, Migiddy Marsh, Baby, Maushau,

Dear Marshall,

Today you turn three months old.

At least, That is what the calendar claims. Your body size would suggest otherwise! You are broaching NINE MONTH OLD baby outfits. You are a long fella, that is for sure. You've got a bit of girth, too!

Despite being a monster-sized baby, you are the apple of everyone's eye. Even Remi can't resist giving you about 20 kisses a day. I hope this affection lasts the rest of your lives! You have had visitors and met new people this month. You met my dad and his darling wife Christine, Gigi, Great-Grandma Mary, my cousins Morgan and Teryn. It seems like I've barely held you because someone is always aching for a baby snuggle, and you are the king of snuggling. Even your great-grandma Mary fell under your spell, even though you were crying at the time. When she picked you up, your cries turned to what we call "telling us about it," with a quasi-cry/talk.

You have hit my favorite milestone...sleeping through the night!!! The last week or so has yielded many nights where you sleep anywhere from 7-10 hours!!! Oh how I love you for this. I almost feel like a normal person again!

We've had a nasty bug come to our house for a visit this month. First Remi, then you, then Dada. It's actually the sickest I've seen any of my boys, so it was hard to witness. There was an entire day you spent crying because you couldn't breathe well enough to eat. It was heartbreaking but all is well again. While Dada was sick he had to miss a week of work, which means we got him all to ourselves for 3 whole weeks! I love any chance you have to get to spend time with him, even with everyone is miserable with the sniffles.

Other little tidbits:
-You like the car, but only if it is moving
-Giggled for the first time while I was giving you a bath today!
-You really like people that have rough voices
-You will smile at anyone that will give you the time of day.
-The only time you cry during the course of a normal day is when I'm trying to take a shower
-You goo-goo to Dada on Skype
-You are quite nearly on the same sleep schedule as Remi. I almost get some peaceful afternoons around here!
-You can sleep in like a champ! I love that you take after me!

We are continually delighted to have you in our lives! What did we do without you???

Keep us smiling!

Love,
Mama

Hello!
I found you craning your neck one night while trying to fall asleep in your swing. I hold you with my left arm, so I can't only guess that were were trying to find Mama for comfort. You were trying so hard, it took everything I had not to disturb your sleep!
We took lots of walks before it got too hot and buggy
Chubs
Three months old and ready to eat some grub!
My blanket!

Marshall Newletter: Month Two

Nicknames: Nugget, Maushau, Baby Marshall, Kid, Bebe

Dear Marshall,

Today you turn two months old!

You are growing like a little baby weed. Today the doctor told me "we'll have to watch that" about your weight...Hmmm. What am I to do? I can't very well put
you on a diet now, can I? You have graduated to size 2 diapers and you are positively bursting out of your 3 month outfits. You are the perfect chubby baby in my opinion!

You have been smiling at everyone who little talk to you, and even those who don't necessarily talk (Remi) You are very very agreeable EXCEPT when I try to take a shower. Then you scream. Other than that, you are a sweetie.

You have fallen into a very nice routine with structured naps, going to bed at 8pm, feedings are pretty predictable. You LOVE to snuggle while trying to take a nap, and you tightly grip the shirt of whoever is holding you. I spoil you a bit too much and let you lay with me in the early morning hours. My little cuddle-bug

Other tidbits:
You love your blue heart binki, you love your swing, you are learning to sleep flat on your back instead of in your papasan, you love to "swim in the bubbles," your feet and tummy are a bit ticklish, you are a very fast eater, you spit up a lot, you have adorable chubby thighs, sometimes when you scream you turn purple, your fingernails grow faster than I can keep up with, you are pretty intense when you bang your head into someone's chest or when you kick your foot into something too hard, you love to stare at the sky or ceiling fan with your beautiful blue eyes and you are starting to recognize the difference in people voices. You actually like tummy time and sitting at the the computer while Mama or Dada "internets" (verb)

Your little personality is blossoming and I can't wait to see what happens next month.

I love you, nugget!

Love, Mama

The boy is official

Remi is officially a kid. Now when people ask how old he is, I can actually say 1 1/2! Aging him by months is a thing of the past. It is a very weird habit to break. The only people who do the age by months thing are other toddler parents at the park.

He's watching 30 minutes straight of Elmo without causing trouble, he's trying really hard to be soft to the dogs, he goes to bed without much trouble, he says "AH" when I brush his teeth, he loves playing outside, he has a magnetic attraction to water, he holds hands on command, and he loves to play hide and seek.

I love that kid.

Newsletter: Month 13

Dear Remi,

Today you turn 13 months old.

You've been all over town. You visited the Johnson Space Center (where you fell asleep,) the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (where you fell asleep,) the Bluebell ice cream factory (you fell asleep to and from,)
and Galveston (twice...and guess what? You fell asleep!) Grandma Sano came for a week-long visit and Uncle Roger made a brief stop in Houston, too.
Grandma gave you your first haircut:
And you took your first train ride. Well, tram ride:
You had your first bite of ice cream:
You had your first wagon ride:
And had your first glimpse of a tarantula!
First roll around in the woodchips at the park:
After a month of many firsts, you also are going through your first sickness. You won't eat, you barely drink, and you have gone through about 20 diapers today. Somehow, you still manage a sweet smile here and there. Get well soon!
Love you to bits!!!
Love,
Mama

Newsletter: Month Nine

Nicknames: Ralph Waldo Remmerson, Remi-toe, Baby So-so,
New Foods: corn, cauliflower, Cheerios, frozen peas
Visitors: Aunt Katie

Dear Remington,

Today you turn nine months old.

You are currently going through your first cold. It seems to be just the sniffles, but man, has it made you ornery! Not a whole lot of sleep going on around here. The other night was the worst night you have had since you were born. I don't think you have ever needed so much soothing and snuggling.
Besides that, you have had another wonderful month. Much to Daddy's dismay, you tried Cheerios in Sam's Club the other day. At first he insisted that I bite them in half and stop the cart whenever I fed you one. He is so careful with his little boy! Those Cheerios have changed your life! You have a few before every meal, to keep you distracted while I prep your food. Sometimes we eat them together for breakfast. You are becoming very skilled with your finger control and can clear a tray of Cheerios in seconds flat. The dogs benefit from your scraps as you always lose a few when I lift you our of your highchair. Stranger danger was in full force this month! We spent Thanksgiving at John and Vicki's house and you whimpered endlessly when anyone wanted to hold you. As part of this you have started to scream with your mouth closed. I've never seen another baby do this, it sounds like you are under a pile of blankets. Sometimes we worry that you will pass out if it keeps up for too long. But on the bright side, it helps keep me from going deaf, so thank you! Another plus is that you have figured out how to reach for us, one of the best feelings in the world.
You are still not technically crawling but you are the pivoting champion! You can also go from sitting to tummy. You can also roll, but almost never choose to. You scoot backwards and pivot to get around. It is quite efficient in a manner of speaking. You are also experimenting with pulling yourself to your feet. With spending so much time on the floor you need something to occupy your mind, so we usually turn on Baby Einstein or Sesame Street. You are so good and can sit there for an hour or more, playing with toys and watching your shows.

Lately you have been testing your vocals. Your favorite noise to make has been a guttural growl. Where you learned it I'll never know. Another favorite noise is a gurgley noise that sounds like a dentist's suction tool. You have also taken to saying 'goo-goo.' It is so classic and Daddy didn't believe that you learned that on your own.
You have become so curious this month. The look on your face when you discovered my ear was priceless. The expression read, "Huh! What a novelty! How long have you had that!" You also love to grab Daddy's nose and scratch as hard as possible. This month your senses seem to be really sharpening. You are drawn like a moth to a flame every time you hear a commercial geared towards kids. I guess those marketing guys know what they are doing! You respond pretty well to the sound of you name.

You have gotten very serious this month. You don't kick with excitement when I come to get you out of bed and it seems you reserve laughter for the truly funny. You don't laugh the second you see Daddy anymore either. Even with your new found seriousness, you still have a great admirer in Niles. He loves to sit practically on top of you every time you are on the floor. He and Baxter give you cold wet puppy kisses whenever they can. You like to lean over your highchair and exersaucer to get a better look at them whenever they play.


Something excited happened today! It snowed in Houston for the first time in years. It is the first snow you have ever seen. You seemed to be in a trance looking at it. I think you enjoyed being bundled up head to toe. The snow makes everything quiet and beautiful. We probably got over an inch of the stuff.

Your stats from today's doctor appointment:
Weight: 21 lbs 8 oz
Height: 29"
Head Circ: 18 1/2"
Shot up from 50% to 75% in height over the last three months.
No teeth yet!

You are our growing boy and we love you!

Love,
Mama

Newsletter: Month Eight

8 months old!
New tricks: Johnny Jump Up! Slapping legs, splashing in the tub, reaching for Mama, locking hands together, trying to play peek-a-boo, scooting backwards, grabbing Mama's hair and Daddy's chest hair on purpose, bouncing
New foods: avocado, butternut squash, biter biscuits, sweet potato puffs, pears,
New nicknames: Mister, Remmers, Remerson
Physical developments: No teeth yet, learning to chew, trying to understand the whole hand-to-mouth thing with food
Events to remember: The US elected it's first black president, Barack Obama

Dear Remington,

Today you turn eight months old!

This month has flown by.
This month We have been playing hotel for the last three weeks, so you have seen strangers coming and going. You almost always had a smile for them. You are still sweet as can be but becoming more particular about the way things go in your world. You are letting your voice be heard about everything, whether it be whining when you don't want to lay on your back, crying when we take away a toy, or screaming when you are not quite ready to go to bed.
Trying to figure out the subtle nuances of the binki:
Your sleeping schedule has been disrupted by all the commotion in our lives, and you have been waking up frequently in the middle of the night. Sometimes it is because you are hungry or cold, but I think it is mostly because you want to snuggle.
You are quite the snuggler. You need hugs when you get hurt and you like to cozy up after a long nap. This month was the first time you hurt yourself. Once when you dropped a toy phone on your face and again when you got your fingers stuck in a shopping cart. It was so sad and sweet at the same time. Your cry was so genuine and you really needed an extra snuggle.
Lots of new experiences have been so fun. You got a new swing that we hung from the patio. It is relaxing for both of us. You swing while I read or take in some sun. You have started to use your new big boy car seat since learning how to sit in a shopping cart and high chair. It is quite plush and you seem very comfy, but I do miss being able to cart you around in your carrier! Another fun thing for us has been reading a book called Five Noisy Ducks. It 'quacks' when you push a button and sometimes I have to restrain you so I can read without having to scream over quacking. You love all books and pat the pages while Daddy or I read to you.
This month you have shown us your fears. You are starting to experience more stranger danger, but you will smile at them if Mama or Daddy are holding you. Apparently. you are also afraid of large dogs. I have never had you clutching to me the way you did when you met our friend's 2 100lb dogs.
This month has been one of travel. Daddy took us on a business trip to Port O'Connor. It was nearly a four hour drive. You did pretty good. We had to stop at the two hour mark to feed you and change you, but for the most part you were very pleasant. The only time you really cried was when the sun got in your eyes. When we arrived at our destination, you enjoyed playing on the bed at the hotel, taking walks along the pier, and sitting in a highchair in restaurants.
We enjoyed your first Halloween this month. You were the requisite pumpkin. I dressed you up and took you up and down the street with a friend. You were so proud to hold your tin pumpkin pail and shook it so much that your candy would fall out on the street. Trick or treating seems silly at your age, but the little old ladies on our street just loved you and gave you lots of candy that I quickly ate on your behalf.


We also took you to vote this month. Well, you didn't vote, but we did. You were so cute in your 'Vote Now' T-shirt:
Daddy has been enjoying getting to see you every night instead of every two weeks. You always have a big goofy grin for him, and he makes you laugh like no one else can. He has been great in trying to help you learn how to crawl forward, but at this point scooting backwards seems to suit you. You love to play 'Tick Tock Baby Clock' with Daddy. He also lets you 'boing' (bounce) on his lap. You love it when he hangs you upside by the ankles. Your greatest joy seems to come from slapping his face. I think you like the sound of a slap.

Remington, you are getting the independent bug and I look forward to you being on the move. I love to see the look on your face when you are proud. You have a lot to be proud of! You are becoming so curious and your little face is so inquisitive. I love to teach you new things. You are growing at the speed of light and we are loving every minute of it. "Stay golden, Ponyboy!"
Love,
Mama

Newsletter: Month Seven

Puppy Kisses
Sweet NothingsNicknames: Lil' Rem, Fusser
New Moves: Wiggling ALL the time, completely pushing up on hands, pivoting in a circle while on back or tummy, wildly waving toys, sitting up!
New foods: cantelope, corn, green beans with rice, multi-grain cereal, papaya, pear blueberry oat, prunes, spinach, strawberries, zucchini

Dear Remington,

Today you turn 7 months old! What a month it has been! The month started with a strong category 2 hurricane named Ike. The night of the storm, we stayed at the Piper's house. When I got you ready for bed that night, it was the first time you had been in long sleeves and footsie jammies. You moved your arms around in slow motion and gave me a smile that seemed to say, "How novel!" I put you to bed as usual, only I set up your pack and play in the bathroom so you wouldn't be around windows. I stayed up until midnight listening to the approaching storm. When it really got going around 2AM, I woke up with a start and took my pillow and blanket into the bathroom and sat on the vanity and listened to you sleep over the howling wind. I could have sworn that the roof was going to blow off and that all the windows were going to break. It was absolutely terrifying. I'm so glad you slept through the entire event! The storm was so bad that it completely destroyed Daddy's base on Galveston.
You loved the attention you received while at the Piper's and you had a coy little smile for anyone that would look at you. I call it the square pumpkin smile because the shape reminds me of the kid's meals at Arctic Circle. At the Piper's, you were a bit fussier than usual. Vicki had been propping you in a chair with a pillow and she suggested having you sit up on the floor. On your first try you sat for a full minute without tipping. It was like through all your fussiness, you were trying to tell us you were ready for something new. After you started sitting, your mood improved dramatically! You've been sitting quite well since, and you only "kerplop" (tip over) every so often.
We took the pups and visited Daddy for 5 days in Louisiana while waiting for the power to be restored at our house. You enjoyed the many walks around the hotel, continental breakfasts, and sitting in a highchair for the first time! It seems you grew up in just a few minutes:
In your many highchair adventures, you have tried prepared sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, baba ganoush and hummus. You didn't like any of it! You prefer your fresh fruits and vegetables. You'll tolerate some jarred foods, but you HATE jarred peaches! Today you tried freshly creamed and strained spinach. You acted like it was the most delicious thing you've ever tasted! I discovered you love love LOVE "You are my Sunshine." I sing it to you when you are fussy in the car. Once I had to sing it for 45 minutes straight because every time I stopped you would cry.
I love a mohawkWhenever we go to your room to get you out of your crib, the first thing we see is tiny hands grabbing tiny feet. You like to try to suck on your toes when no one is around. When we peek over the edge of the crib, you always have a little smile and you start kicking with excitement. Part of our routine is to sit you up and let you push the button to your music box. The look on your face is pure pride. We make a big deal about it and you squeal with delight.
After a swimLuckily, we've been able to see Daddy more than usual this month. You two adore each other. You laugh and flail your arms wildly whenever he walks into the room. Trying to feed you while he is around is a joke. You would rather stare at him and wait for him to glance over at you than eat.
You have become more attentive this month. You have just realized that I have hair, and that hair is oh-so-tempting. Your sweaty hands shoot for it whenever possible, and I often get locked in your "baby death grip" If you can't grab my hair, you'll cradle my face and try to suck on my cheek. One morning while snuggling in bed with us, you rolled over and woke Daddy up by sucking on his nose.
You have had horrible troubles with your tummy this month. I won't elaborate but it involved a LOT of these:
PrunesYou continue to be a wonderful and joyful addition to our family. Your presence lights up the room. After we put you to bed, Daddy and I sit around and laugh about how fun you are. It is bittersweet that you will be crawling and more independent soon. I have loved every minute of being able to hold you, but I know you are ready for bigger and better things. Just promise when you start walking, you'll still come around for a snuggle.
Love,
Mama