"Lank You!" Kendall conversations part 2

I could write a "Kendall conversations" post every. single. day. I love the way her brain works and makes connections. I love the way she mispronounces words, because I know she'll grow out of them soon. She is SOOOO funny and we probably let her get away with way too much because we just crack up at the things she says---it's nearly impossible to keep a straight face while disciplining  her. Right now she is in a phase of making up new words. She says them with conviction and sometimes we wonder if she is swearing in her own secret language.  "PLAT" is one of them so is "SHOT", and she also said "Dan it!" when she dropped something (remember not too long ago she was saying "Bamn it"? I guess it hasn't gone away yet). When she is supposed to apologize for something she'll sweetly come to you and instead of saying sorry she says "I forgive you" and we say back "I forgive you, too." And thank you is actually pronounced "Lank you". She does "Lexerglyes" which basically is her spazzing out on the floor. She makes "Patter-ins" instead of patterns. And loves to eat "Wolly pops". The best one though is when she yells "GROU HUG!" and we all gather in close for a family hug.

Lately we've been having all sorts of theological conversations with Christmas approaching. She has 1000 questions a day about Jesus alone. But that's okay because she can ask Him soon enough, as she is planning a trip to visit Jesus at His "manger house"
in Bethlehem. She is very confused by the fact that we talk about Jesus being a baby. The "Angel of the Lord" means she was his mom and He lived in her tummy, not Mary's. And the best one was "Mommy, Jesus doesn't live in my heart anymore" "Oh, really?" "Yeah, he lives in the manger now so he can't be in my heart."

This fall...

Has been as wild as Kendall's bed head!

We put our house on the market

Which has impacted everything. And it means we've had to work very hard at keeping it clean and "show ready" at all times. Sometimes that feels like a full time job! But we hope it'll be over very soon :)

Despite the big job of selling our house, this fall has been GLORIOUS! 

Here Kendall is sun bathing in the slider.

We made a trip up to Greenbluff. Kyler loved every second of it.

We went to cheer Ella on at all city cross country

Look, more amazing sunshine!

We watched Keith's soccer girls a few times

Keith and Kendall carved our pumpkin---she picked the most complicated design from the pack I got, and then baled on Keith in order to help me roast the seeds. Good thing her Daddy loves her!

Kyler had his first Halloween. He decided to go as a pumpkin this year.

This is our traditional Johnson/Ross costume picture that started when Avy and Kendall were just a few months old. Krista and I dressed up this year as Moms.

The usual trick-or-treating crew up at the Strate's.

Oh my word! Could our days be any more beautiful??? (it did snow like 2 days after this picture was taken!)

We took many many walks around the neighborhood. It's one of Kendall's favorite activities. 

We took Kendall on a mommy and daddy date to her first Disney on Ice. She was awestruck! So was Keith.

I have to admit I was totally into it. I came home and busted out my VHS of The Little Mermaid!

Gotta keep these kids clean! Someone is constantly covered in curdled spit up. And someone else is getting more active with dance and daycare. This was the first time Kyler sat up for his bath and he was in heaven splashing around and playing with Kendall. 

Hey, check out that sunshine! I could be changing my favorite season to fall.

6 months and mobile

Weight: 15lbs 7oz - 15%

Height: 26.5 in - 50%

Head: 17in - 50%

3-9 mo. clothes

blue eyes

Kyler is officially 6 months (almost 2 weeks ago now!) and I believe I stated somewhere that 6 months is my favorite age because they are immobile. I lied. Although Kyler can't crawl yet, he most certainly can travel wherever he darn wants to! He uses the scoot and roll method.

He arches his back like this and pushes his legs to scoot. ALL. THE. TIME. He's scooting the hair off the back of his head!

He also can sit and maintain stability for quite a while, and even reaches for things and stays sitting. When he tips over he usually rolls right to his tummy to grab the toy he's dropped and then to his back to start scooting. We brought out the exersaucer for him (and me, so that I can leave the room for a minute without worrying about where Kyler might end up).

His first of many tea parties

 He's becoming very independent in other ways, too. Like holding his own bottles! He takes one formula bottle a day while I'm at work in the mornings. He occasionally likes a few ounces of formula after I've nursed him in the evenings. I think I have a low milk supply at that time. He sometimes hits me or scratches at me to get more milk out---I wish I could make it magically appear :( This kid loves to eat!  He's also eating rice cereal 1 or 2 times a day and we've introduced avocado, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. Tomorrow we're going to try bananas!

By this age Kendall (and many baby friends of ours) had dropped her 10pm feeding---but not Kyler! He still eats every 3 or so hours. He'll then "dream feed" and stretch from 10:30ish pm to 4ish am and stay asleep. So from 8pm-7am he is technically sleeping, with one short wake up just to say "hi," but not to eat. Lately though we've had a few legit full nights of sleep again...knock on wood, we are on our way to normal again! He can be quickly soothed back to sleep. Keith is better at helping him go back to sleep than I am (when I get him I think he smells the milk and then really does want to eat!). Although he's turned out to not be a great sleeper at night (from 2 months to almost 4 months he was sleeping through the night, which was a total tease)  he is a champion napper. He is totally a stomach sleeper. I'm trying to get over the stress this causes me. He totally stopped the swaddle cold turkey and now is in sleep sacks, which Kendall never used. We know he's tired when he starts making a sucking sound for his binky and rubs his eyes. I love that at 6 months now we are starting to know his signs and sounds that have meaning. Sometime during the 5th month we moved him into his own room which was really just the office. Not that we are selling the house we decided to make it more like a baby room and less like the office. So he now gets a real crib! and one baby wall decoration.  :) SOrry, buddy. I promise you'll get a super cool room in our next house.

Despite his new found independence he continues to be a snuggler. He has always burrowed his face into me and still does. I love it. He also gives hugs, kisses, and little tickles. And he is just the happiest, easy going, most tolerant little guy! His whole face lights up when just about anyone talks to him or smiles. But you should see how happy he gets when he sees Kendall! Oh my goodness! Watching their sweet little relationship grow is THE BEST EVER!!!

I just had to capture the leg rolls

just in case anyone had any impressions that he is perfect. he certainly knows how to wail!  Even when happy he likes to scream and squeal and explore the different sounds he is able to make.

Kyler we love you so much! You make us smile and laugh and really enjoy each moment. Thanks for being such an great baby :) We are so thankful to be your Mommy and Daddy!

I can't believe that we are half way to his first birthday---it's going incredibly fast, even faster than I remember it going with Kendall. But when I read back at her 6th month I realize how similar they are/were at this age. I know it's not fair to compare, but it is fun to note...so here is a glimpse back at Kendall at 6 months old :)

http://keithandmeghan.blogspot.com/2011/01/half-of-year.html

nom nom nom: 5 months

smiling gray/blue eyes. one drop of glistening drool always hanging on the edge of his chin. teething is near. everything, EVERYTHING, makes a visit to his mouth. he's exploring his world. first taste of rice cereal. loved every bite as it went in, and came back out again.  he'll happily go to anyone and hardly has a complaint. excitedly grabs onto toys and feels pride for his success. sleeps from 7:30pm-7am with a few wake-ups for the binky or a snuggle, and a 4am feeding. naps randomly. 5 months is awesome. so sweet, smiley, interactive, yet immobile. he flirts with me with his little baby sense of humor. adores Kendall. yelps with delight when Daddy comes home. WE LOVE THIS BOY.

their new favorite game

after school snuggles

Kyler and Mommy time, during Kendall's nap.