We wish you a healthy Christmas

We are happy this Christmas that things seem to be getting better for those members of our family who have been having some physical trials lately.

Last week Papa got both knees replaced.

Andrew loved the perfect-sized ice chips at the hospital. And the treats Nona had in her purse.

Papa is doing much better every day, with the right exercises and such great care from Nona. She's such an example to me of patience and concern.

We always have Aunt Sarah (JB's little sister) in our hearts -- because of her heart. On Tuesday she underwent surgery and got a pacemaker (read about it here). Max kept calling it a peacemaker. We hope this means the start of a new, healthier chapter in her life!

We also have been praying for Uncle Seth (my little brother), now home from his mission, because his back has not been feeling well ever since he had a bike accident in Indiana. He kept serving through the pain. Now he's trying to figure out what to do next with his life!

And then Uncle Bart (JB's little brother) got hurt playing basketball (read about that here). It's no fun to see him in pain, either.

Thankfully all of My Three Sons haven't needed any stitches or casts or things like that, even though they sure wrestle and jump and fall like they want to go to the ER. We do have some stubbed toes, sniffles, coughs and the rest going on this winter. But we can get through those.

Soooo big!

Andrew-chunker-Drewbers-baby-boy is now one year old!

I gave him his first present Sunday morning. It's his own snack bowl, so he won't steal the other babies' snacks at church.

We had cake and presents after Sunday dinner at Nona and Papa's house. Those helpful older brothers assisted in blowing out the candle and opening his presents.

A first birthday wouldn't be complete without losing those clothes and smashing a piece of cake.

On Monday he had his 12-month checkup. He's 30.25 inches long, which is the 67th percentile (but he wiggled during the measurement) and he's 21 1/2 pounds, which is only the 27th percentile! He has dropped in percentile again, so the Dr recommended we try to plump him up. Whole milk, cheeses, nut butters, etc. We have immediately started working on that.

Now that he's a year old, I can start to wean him. But this baby more than my others is very attached to nursing. It's going to be a challenge! We may just keep going for a while....

Andrew is just such a joy, despite his lingering stubbornness to go to sleep on his own consistently. He claps, points, says mama, dadda, and "more." He loves to be read to, and to share whatever you are eating. He is great with that pincer grasp at putting anything in his mouth. He stands by himself, and he took two steps on his own Saturday night and again tonight! But each time I squeal, or the boys yell "LOOOOKKK!!!" and it scares him and he sits down.

Don't grow up too fast, baby.

Santa!

My radio station sponsored a night at Zoo Lights last night. We bundled up, oohed and aahed over the lights, saw two of Santa's reindeer, and saw the big guy himself!



I took the baby back, and Santa visited with Max and Ben for a while.



Can't wait until Christmas.

Perchance to dream

We've been trying to have Andrew put himself to sleep for 13 days now. He's slloowwwly getting better at night, both in putting himself to sleep and in not waking up in the middle of the night. Some times are better than others. For example, after letting him fuss for a bit the other day I heard him get quiet. I snuck in and saw this:

Melt your heart, that does.

I'm convinced he's napping less. He squawks and squeals in his crib and finally catnaps for 15-20 minutes, then he's refreshed for another round of "Get me outta here!" I wonder if he's the type of baby that doesn't need a morning nap any more?

I miss how we could just tuck Benny in bed with his night-night (blanket) and binkie and he'd sleep for hours. This baby thinks I'm his binkie and my hair is his night-night.

Look who is 4!

Four years ago this sweet, precocious, maddening, darling, smiley little boy came to our family. How glad we are for our Benny-boy.

We had a party on Sunday to celebrate. I'm always happy with the size of my house...until we entertain. In the picture below, there are seven more people not even in view.

Benny loved getting new Cars things, Legos, and flashlights.

He requested an airplane cake. I tried being just like Cake Boss. Max and Ben were very impressed!


JB did point out that I can also make a whale, just in case that's ever wanted!

Brothers!

JB's brother Jeff was here for the whole week of Thanksgiving, and we had so much fun with him and loved meeting his girlfriend, Melissa.

Look how handsome these two brothers are.



Jeff had presents for the boys -- new shoes that I swear make them run faster and jump higher and look cooler at school. And he brought this awesome outfit for our baby and he took perhaps my favorite picture of the Drewster-boy:



Isn't that just hilarious?


Benny loves Jeff:


Benny loves to poke the baby, as evidenced by this picture taken by Jeff:


It just cracks me up that he captured the moment that shows what goes on in our house everyday.

We had great food while they were here visiting. Ham last Sunday, fantastic Thanksgiving dinner with my mother-in-law's roasted turkey (as soon as it comes out of the oven I stand by it and sneak pieces when she's not looking), JB's smoked turkey that makes my mouth water, and all the delicious sides like grilled corn. JB also smoked a salmon for Saturday lunch that I still dream about.

Now who can visit over Christmas and help us have good eats and good company again?

Round 3

Ooohh I want to run home and smush those cheeks with kisses. JB just sent me this picture of our baby this morning. His message said, "He still loves us!"

You see, last night we started our third attempt at sleep-training. Not only are we trying to get Andrew to learn to fall asleep on his own (without me nursing him or without JB holding him and patting his bum (which Andrew loves. (And so do I, tee hee))). But we are also trying to get him to be OK sleeping in his crib.

He has not only been ending up in our bed in the middle of the night, but lately, he's starting in there, too. It's just easier when you are soooo tired. But, despite how cute he is to cuddle, he's crowding us out! And we are not getting much sleep. He ends up making the middle part of a capital H between us, kicking, rolling, and snoring when he has a cold.

So, we are trying again and it's hard. He just stands there and sobs and sobs. We go in every 5-7 minutes and pat him and reassure him and lay him down, then he pops up again. He drifts off to sleep holding on to the edge of the crib.

Last night he woke up at 1 AM and at 4 AM right before I had to leave. I went to the room and nursed him in the rocking chair each time (I can't help it. What if he's hungry? Though at 11 months old, he's probably not). Then he slept in until 6:45, which was great for JB.

So, I think if we can stick to it this time, with a routine, and with consistency, we may be able to do it!

(I pledge not to be a softie this time. It's for the best, right?)