Alike or different?

On my drive home tonight I was thinking about what Ivan was like when he was Aubree's age, 19 months. I specifically remember when he was 19 months old he could say and understand 66 words. I totally expected my second child to be the total opposite of the first, since that's the way it usually seems to work out.

Since I'm not good at keeping up memory books or scrap books lately, I thought I'd record it here.

How they're alike: Both are very independent and strong minded. Ivan said 66 words at 19 months, Aubree is also a very good talker, but I don't have time to catch all the words she says like I could Ivan. I know she can count to 10, sing about 5 songs from memory, knows all the names of the kids in her class, and does just about anything I ask her to like she knows what I'm saying. So I say she's on track with Ivan. They both are blond, with blue eyes. They both love to be outside. Both are very sensitive and get their feelings hurt easily. Both are friendly to other kids, neither one of them ever bit at daycare. Both are big climbers, AKA monkeys!

How they're different: Ivan would eat ANYTHING, especially meat. He's a big meat eater. The only meat Aubree will touch is hamburger (sometimes) and chicken nuggets. She is very picky. Ivan didn't walk till he was 1 year, Aubree walked at about 10 months. Aubree took a passie from day 1, Ivan never did. Aubree is attached to a blankie, Ivan never was. Ivan was a chunky baby, Aubree is tiny. Ivan was not a whiner, Aubree whines and screams all the time! Ivan would cuddle and rock for hours on end, but very rarely does Aubree sit still enough to be rocked. I rocked Ivan to sleep before bed and sometimes I still do. Aubree likes to go to bed awake and she puts herself to sleep, for nap and bedtime. Aubree is a daddy's girl, Ivan was a momma's boy. Aubree laughs and giggles alot, it's easy to make her laugh. I used to try and make Ivan laugh and couldn't. Every morning when Ivan woke up he would cry, no matter what. Aubree wakes up quitely, she could be in her bedroom awake for an hour and you'd never know it. Aubree is Ms. Congenatlity (like her daddy), Ivan is more reserved. Aubree has never had an ear infection, Ivan had them constantly until he was 4 years old.

So maybe they're not as alike as I thought they were... Developmentally they are on pretty much the same track, but personality wise they are pretty different...

My new weight loss inspiration!

Well this morning, I had left a pair of pants in the kids bathroom. Ivan had gotten out of the tub and I guess he thought they were for him to wear. He came out of the bathroom like this, saying "momma, I need smaller pants"...

WOW, they swallowed him. Looked like one of those Jared commercials! This is my new weight loss inspiration!

Other pics from this weekend....

Snowman Birthday!

Ivan's birthday party was yesterday, and it turned out very well for him. All of his new friends from school he invited showed up, except for 2. We had quite a crowd. We had lunch, played Pin the Tail on the Donkey... (note to self, next time make a larger donkey.) Everyone of the kids just about hit the tail except Ivan, he was being a gracious host. He, he. They ran and played, then had cake and ice cream. Ivan wanted to have a slumber party for his birthday, so his cousins, Riley and Maddie stayed over. We setup a tent by the fireplace in the living room and they camped out. The scary stories got to Maddie so I moved her to Ivan's room about an hour into it. Ivan and Riley woke us up about 3 am, chattering. Joey got up to check on them, they were coloring. Needless to say they didn't get much sleep!

My Baby is Five

Well, Ivan turns 5 years old today, and reality has set in that my first baby, is not a baby anymore. Kindergarten registration is in a couple of weeks, and that's the reality. He'll only be a pre-schooler for a few more month. I'm so proud of the intelligent, caring, and loving big bubba he has become. Happy Birthday Ivan!

New Years Resolution

Okay, Let's try this again! New Years Resolution is to update this at least once a month. It's a nice way for me to look back and remember all the small things that I might otherwise forget. Also good to keep up with family and friends.

So a little trackback.... We are FINALLY in our house, it only took 6 months to build but when you are crammed in like sardines with screaming kids and nothing that belongs to you but the clothes on your back, it seems like years. We love it, but it can't be completely enjoyed because of the work that's still to be done. So you can never quite relax because when you walk into the kitchen you realize the rock mantle and venthood aren't up, or into the half bath and realize there's no sink, etc. Ahhhh, one day.

Christmas was spent in the new house, we had the family dinner and present opening here and I thought it worked out great! I've missed Christmas with family the pass few years so it was nice to have the kids be apart of that.

Santa brought Ivan a Step 2 art desk and art supplies and a building set. Aubree got a pretend kitchen. Ivan was so excited on Christmas morning he came in our bedroom and could hardly speak, and his eyes were as big as half dollars. I wonder how many more years will I get to see that excitement?

Anyway, here are a few pics from the holidays.