1 Month

UPDATE

Weight: 10 lbs (38%)
Height: 22 inches (22%)
Diapers: Size 1
Clothes: NB / just started on 0-3
Eyes: Blue

I love how much this family of ours adores babies. Everyone is so good with him and I am constantly impressed with how much help they are even with Dean. I have never felt the great help older children are until now, and they aren't even that old. But it is a world of a difference. Bella wanted to learn how to change wet diapers from the start and is already a pro. I was honestly shocked. I knew she'd try but I never thought she would do it tight enough or in the right position. She does. And it is hands down the greatest kid help ever. Everyone loves holding him and Connor can hold him the longest and is the most trusted. I am not sure how long that will last but for now that is huge!

LIKES

I "pump" a little milk so Dean is a pro at the bottle and breast. TMI: I won't "pump" long probably, honestly I mainly do it to keep my nursing up and even. I say "pump" but really I use a Haaku pump that basically catches the let down on the opposite side. It has been a game changer for me.
Still loves snuggling up in the fetal position and skin to skin, if I let him. I have this nursing gown that is kind of amazing because I can modestly do skin to skin. It was actually what I used in the hospital for recovery.
He doesn't mind being changed, probably because he is still so young. Also it turns out he isn't prone to rashes like our girls have been, so yay! And we aren't brand picky for the first time so that means a lot... Walmart brand for the wallet win. 
Dean just started enjoying the bumbo.
Loves using the kick and play. The kids are ecstatic he can "play" now.
Supported sitter.
Binky lover. Crossing my fingers it sticks!
Good in the car.
Likes the stroller as long as it’s moving.
Pretty good head control.
Started using the baby wrap, Dean likes to nurse and sleep in it. So that is definitely a win. And gives me a little more flexibility.

DISLIKES

Okay with baths with Daddy. Hates baths alone.

Trying to put him down when he goes to sleep at the beginning of the night. Hates hates. But I insist.

Swing... Mamaroo. I think he isn't quite loving it but I am insistent that he will. I need hands free time that I know he is safe and the kids are getting better and better with constant reminding that they can't touch the swing or him in it. Honestly we are pretty strict so by touch I mean barely, so they never touch it a lot thank goodness.
Stroller in the stop motion, or if he's wide awake.
FAVORITES

Smiles! He smiled for the first time, right around 4 weeks we couldn't believe it but he did it too much to not be true! First smiles are the best. 

Daddy loves snuggling him to sleep and his finger grasp.

Mommy is really enjoying nursing finally. I appreciate it more than ever and he is currently doing pretty good with it. 

Swallows spit up! Kinda love it because we don’t have to deal with it! Call me terrible but I hate spit up.
His YAWNS! So big it takes his whole body to do it. And his sneezes the opposite so tiny and quick. 

Connor and Bella and Sydney all love holding him. And beg to do it often. 

Mostly we are all just starting at our Dean Bean, throughout the day.  

Meet the Teach

Meet the Teacher Night.
Bella did pretty good keeping anxiety in check as she nervously watched every single person enter the room. She had counted how many people she didn't know and how many she did. 20 she didn't know, 3 she did. Thank goodness the 3 are her good friends from last year. Life may continue and her teacher seems so fun, MRS MEAD-MAIR, so I am thinking she is in for a good year.

Connor could care less about school and his teacher he was ready to leave as we set foot in the school. But was overjoyed to learn his locker is next to his "best friend" (they have a frenemie relationship so hoping this year goes well, Con proudly does his thing and other kids are starting to get the I'm too cool to act silly bug so it tends to be a problem with friends as of late). He doesn't care too much, but I am excited for him to have a boy teacher this year. MR COLLINS.

Sydney was struck with nervous giggles the entire time. Things were so crazy and she gets a little overwhelmed in chaos with a lot of strangers (birthday parties, playgrounds, school...) I couldn't blame her there were a lot of boys and isn't used to boy crazy quite as much. A few kids started wrestling to the ground in front of her and she about jumped in my lap and said, "Let's go home, I can do prek again!" Her teacher is sure going to have an interesting class, I do not envy MRS BLYTHE. 

Her locker made up for it though. Pretty awesome!

All in all everyone was happy to know who their teacher was and where their classroom was and hopefully the first day will be a little less scary. 

Date the Kids

Shea started doing dates with the kids this year, and since Dean was born and Mom has been on baby duty 24/7 he thought it was time for some Mommy dates. I decided to do it befor school started this year. It was fun to hear about their excitement and help calm their fears. I took the chance to pick out their new school outfits as part of their dates and we all had a blast. Especially Con who roped me into a stop by the gaming console in target. I can't believe these babies are getting so big. Makes me miss their infant stages and yet I can't wait to see what this new year holds. I can't believe summer is over and these crazies are going to be back in school. Of course they are all excited to meet teachers and see friends and dreading homework. 

And everyone is ready to show off their new oufits!

A BLESSING AND A VISIT

Dean was the first baby to have his blessing at the church instead of our home, per Daddy's request. It laid on a bit more pressure for Daddy but he loved getting to show our new arrival off to the family and friends we have near and far. He also did a beautiful blessing for our sweet little man. Dean was a little fidgety but made it through the whole thing, I was only half awake considering the night before had been a rough one... if you can't tell from the pictures. We are thrilled to be a family of seven. We have boy bookends, as everyone comments to us. 

Now for a proper look at our handsome Dean dressed for the big day. 

Not loving the pictures though...

Daddy helped a lot

But eventually he had enough.

....................................................................................................................

And while baby was blessed we had Stanger visitors to keep us busy and to give Dean even more well deserved attention. Grandpa and Grandma Stanger and Uncle Jared and Aunt Lindsay stayed with us which gave the kids some much needed cousin time. Big thanks to Uncle Jared for rescueing us when Dean decided to make his arrival and my family was out of town (at my sisters graduation!).

SWIM 2019

This year for swim lessons we did a couple weeks at the start of July and another couple the start of August.
Connor did Level 2 and then 3 (There was no option for him to do 3 both times and it work with all the schedules. So he did level 2 just for fun.) Connor complained about being with Bella but loved it too constantly doing stuff with her and showing off to her and helping her.

Bella did Level 2 and then 3, she was nervous and frustrated by level 3 but loved being with Connor.

Sydney did Level 1 both sessions, she was a little nervous.

Piper did Preschool in the August Session and LOVED EVERY SECOND!

The first session was great for me to have one more thing to do to keep busy as we were baby waiting, usually we did swim and then played at the park and had lunch packed so they could eat and play. When we got home everyone was zonked and I was able to throw a movie on and nap.

The second session was great for the kids to get out of the house and have time to not only swim everyday but play at the park or go on a walk or feed ducks afterwards. The second week of session two I felt up to coming along and promised the kids I'd watch so they loved "diving" for Mom and Dad.

Shea loved the time to run between lessons,
even if he looked like he was in a 90's workout video.

NEWBORN NAPPING

BENCH SWING ALL TIME FAVORITE

Digging with friends, they also discovered
how to make mud with their water bottles...

Funny story: Connor FINALLY learned how to independently
swing. A random boy was like "do this" and he just did it.
Nevermind that I have only been trying to teach him for
the past few ... years. Oh well it clicked!

This year was a bit different; marginally more expensive, a couple less days, and they got rid of fun day which was the real bummer. But we made it up to the kids later. I will also say I was sad to see that most of their long time loved teachers were gone and the new teachers seemed new and low energy, I didn't think the kids got quite as much out of it. All in all it was still a lot of fun; I can't say my kids will be expert swimmers but Con can officially keep himself above water and "swim" the length of the pool so I guess he is learning something. I actually heard recently that they learn to not drown in swim lessons and swim teams is where they learn to be strong swimmers. So I may keep that in mind for the future as they graduate from elementary.