Houston, we have a tooth

I thought this day would never come, or rather - I had hoped. (If you're wondering why I am simultaneously excited and chagrined by this development, it's simply because I have a sensitive "chestal" region, and frankly...I'm scared.)

Annika's first little tooth has broken through the skin. It still has a few millimeters to grow, but the stub is definitely there. This image is proof! OK, hardly decipherable proof, but you'll have to trust us.

We'd like to thank good genetics, hearty breastmilk and of course, the Academy, for this tiny tooth. May she grow many more! And may we never have to go to an orthodontist!

So...where have we been?

I was glancing at the last year of archives on this, and seen I only really update when there's a big event. Christmas, Halloween, first lost tooth, etc. I realize that's sort of the point of this blog, but I know you're all anxious to hear about our everyday lives, right? I mean, they're soooo fascinating.

Chris and I are busy at work. I went on a business trip to NYC last week which was pleasantly without travel complications. May the travel gods be with me throughout 2012! I'm also getting in the groove at my new place of employment, and really enjoy the people there. I love the flexibility and the quality of work. However, my "commute" (I put that in quotes for my dad since his is nearly 2 hours, and mine isn't even close) has tripled (from 7 to 21 minutes) but I'd say that's the most negative thing. I guess I'll take it!

Annika loves first grade, loves her teacher, loves her friends…she's a happy kid. Her first report card this year was extremely impressive – scoring above average in almost all subjects (they don't use letter grades yet, I'll spare you the complicated details) and is picking up reading very fast. I see her reading signs and listening to me & Chris when we spell stuff to avoid their prying ears…time is ticking away on that luxury. She also has a little boy crush at school which is advanced, but I am reminded of chasing boys around when I was in Kindergarten…so I can't really be too worried.

Declan started preschool at the beginning of the year and the adjustment was rough at first. He has always had issues with "transitions" - I.e. Taking him to his grandparents every morning ("No! I don't want to go! I want to stay!") and then being picked up in the evenings ("I want to stay here! I don't want to go home!"). He's also always had issues – since he was a newborn – with people leaving him. When one of us would leave a room, he would start crying and the person would return…and he's be better. He is always taking a mental picture of everyone in his space so he can account for their whereabouts. So, to 1) transition him to a preschool that is new and 2) to leave him there without a person he knows, well…it was rough. He cried for the first week every time we dropped him off, but in the last 2 weeks he's been more excited to go and says that he "likes to play there." Last week, he told us he was bit by a little boy, and then ythis week he came home with a mark and a band-aid! Apparently, this kid is a known biter and after confirming that Declan was not the aggressor ("Declan? Oh no, he's really good – he would never start a fight") we had to tell the school to keep an extra careful watch and we'd have to pull him out if it happened again…which is a bummer because we love the school, love the teachers and Annika went there – we have a lovely history with this place. Is it normal to keep a "known" biter at a preschool? How many strikes until he's out?

So in case you made it this far you can see that our lives are pretty boring and pretty full. Just the way I like it.

Oh and ...GO GIANTS!

How to Lose a Tooth: Told in Pictures

Just Dex

Declan turned 6 months old this week. OMG! LOL! ROTFL!

One of our favorite - and time honored - past times is to compare Annika to Declan at 6 months. He is just so different. Much of that I'm sure can be attributed to the fact that he's a boy, but also that he's...Declan. Someone recently said to me "It's funny how you expect your new baby to act like the first baby...but then you realize he's not just a baby, he's a person." Maybe not so eye-opening for some people, but it was for me!

Declan cut his first tooth this week after warning us about it for 3 months. I swear he's been showing signs since August, but we finally have proof! I would post a picture, but he is a master at covering it with his tongue every time. But it's there...and believe me, I know...I'll spare you the details.

Declan loved trick or treating with his sister until he got tired and fell asleep. But turned out the warm, puffy costume that irritated her so much during her first Halloween was super comfy for my boy who I don't think moved an inch the entire 2-hour odyssey. This is essentially what he looked like from the moment we put on his costume:



This kid looooves to eat. All the time. Whatever you put in his face. So far, he's eaten oatmeal, apples, bananas, carrots and tomatoes. He will eat it all though if he's not a fan he'll shake his head from side to side while tasting it. Then he'll open his mouth again for more. He has one "super feeding" a day, which consists of 5 ounces of either formula or breast milk and a two ounce serving of whatever solid we have available. And he hasn't dropped any other feedings. Hungry! Oh, but he's not even that big any more...he's now only 70th percentile in weight, 40th in height and 90th in head (we knew that one would eventually come to pass). I don't know where he's packing the food! I guess you can sort of see where he packs it in this picture - pay close attention to the legs:



Declan is working on his babbling. He doesn't have too many identifiable consonants yet, but occasionally we'll get a "ba ba ba" or a "mamama" (which I hope turns into his first word, wink wink). Usually he gives us some grunting and high pitched screams that aren't really anger, just an indication he's asking for something. He also has learned to stick out his arms if he wants someone to take him. I love it!

And we love him.