Leighton 5.5 {Watch Me Grow}

Today is September 3.

Leighton had her 1/2 birthday on August 15, 2014.

I feel bad I didn't get this posted but with school starting I just forgot.

I love documenting how they speak, think and live every so often. Life changes so quick.

I found this adorable video of Lo when she was 10 months and the other little girls are just mere toddlers. Now, they are all so "grown" up. 

Lo and friends {Nov 2009} from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Leighton's 5.5 video.

Lo is 5.5 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Video Questions
Favorite....
color-PINK AND PURPLE
animal-GIRAFFE AND LION
book-RAMONA BOOKS
show-FIREMAN SAM AND PAW PATROL
song-FIX MY EYES {KING AND COUNTRY}
food-MAC 'N CHEESE
snack-BLUEBERRY GRANOLA BARS
game-iPAD LEARNING GAMES
play-BABY DOLLS
friends-COLE, LANDREY, AVERY, BRODY AND BRU GIRLS
to do inside-PAINT
to do outside-RIDE SCOOTER
place to go-FREEBIRDS
lovies-JUJU, POODLE, BERRY BEAR, WHALEY, SARAH---ALL OF THEM
sport-GYMNASTICS {ON PRE TEAM NOW}
when I grow up I want to be-SCOOTER FIXER...STILL THINKING ABOUT IT.

As you grow I am starting to make predictions as to who you will become. Your personality is really taking shape and as I said in your 5 yo interview you have always possessed these qualities and interests they are just coming into bloom.

I predict that you will become a teacher of some kind in your future. You love teaching everyone different things, including your little bro school. 

{Playing School}

I also predict that you will always be an out of the box thinker, intuitive to others needs and leader. This you get from me.

You love life, you get that from your dad {as well as the teaching thing.}

Watching you grow is my greatest joy.

We love you. 

Lo 5.0 {Watch Me Grow}

Saturday marked your 5th year of life.

I can't believe the time is moving so quickly. You are growing up to be a beautiful, independent, sassy little thing. As I was traveling back through your life via my pictures, I realized while you have grown not too much has changed since day one.

You hate sleep, you have fought since the moment you took your first breathe. I remember that first night in the hospital they only way I got you to sleep was in that boppy curled up next to me. Now you just wander into our room and curl up next to me and daddy. {Although, knock on wood you haven't done that in nearly a month!} You hate napping and you fight going to sleep every.single.night. I wonder if you will ever be a sleeper?! Teenage years?!?!!?

You love playing baby dolls. Holy moly I have picture after picture of you being a little mommy. This has probably been your "go-to" play activity for as long as I can remember. You love your baby Juju and poodle to pieces. You will be a wonderful mommy someday.

Your fashion sense. You have a flair for fashion and being fashion forward. Since you were able to dress yourself around age 2ish, you have had your own ideas about clothes and what goes together. Weird since mommy can't seem to dress herself. Very seldom do I have to intervene with my veto card.

You have always loved gymnastics and dance. You currently love gymnastics more and are getting so good at it. Might have a little to do with mommy being the coach/instructor. 

You have always possessed a good sense of humor. You got jokes like daddy. 

On Friday I asked you to let in Thatcher {our puppy}. You disagreed.

M: Lo please let in your dog.

Lo: Um, pretty sure he is not my dog.

M: pretty sure he is and that you wanted him.

Lo: Pretty sure you were the one crying to get a dog, so he is yours.

M: Just let him in! 

That girl doesn't miss a beat. Very little has ever gotten by her. With a clever mind like that I am worried about the teenage years.

You are an independent learner. You have always just learned on your own. Some days I feel as if I failed you in getting ready for kindergarten; however you always blow me away with what you know and learn on your own. When you are ready you will master it. It has taken me sometime, but I have learned I don't need to push you. When you set your mind to it nothing is impossible.

Case in point--learning to ride a bike this past summer. Gymnastic skills are flowing now. Etc.

And finally you have always had quiet the attitude and bossy pants. Oh the drama you bring to this family. Again, not looking forward to the teenage years and when the hormones are in full force. But on the flip side you can be the best, kindest, sweetest, most thoughtful and caring girl I know. You can't teach thoughtfulness, you just are born with it. That is one the greatest things I love about you--the caring, thoughtful heart. Don't ever lose that quality.

You are a wonderful little girl and you will grow up to be a wonderful woman someday.

Now on to our yearly interview. This was done in 2 parts because Tucker decided it was very important to alert us that daddy was home. So you are welcome that I didn't subject you to that. :)

Pt1

Lo 5.0 pt1 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Pt2

Lo 5.0 pt2 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Montage of Photos. 

I mean really...guys I can hardly stand it. My baby is five.

{Newborn}

 {5 months}

 {one year}

{15 months and going to be a BIG SISTER!!}

 {18Months}

{one of her last days as an only child!!}

 {2 years}

 {2.5}

 {3 years}

{4 years}

{4.5 years}

FIVE!!

Happy 5th Birthday Baby Girl!!

We love you with the Fiercest love!

Stats:

Ht: 3f 4.5in

Wt: 31#

Shoe: 9-10

Clothes 4T/5T tops (moving over to Target girl section!) 4t pants

MW 3.0 {Watch Me Grow}

Oh Micah puppy you are 3.

Three is a very hard age for me. Shoot this whole year is already a hard year.
You are turning 3 and Lo is turning 5 in a month!
When you turn 3 it means you are halfway done being home with mommy full-time. In a blink, just like your sister, you will be 5 and off to kindergarten and we enter a new chapter.

Honestly, I had to stop and double check my math that you were in fact going to be 3! I keep looking at the invitation thinking there is a type-o. Sort of a surreal moment. You were/are the baby and now no more. I really kind of miss those baby days. {I can't NOT believe I, Michele, just utter those words, but it is true--I miss them.}

But I love these days. Watching you become such a little man and your personality blossom in a BIG way.
For starters, and I really don't say this to hurt your feelings, because it hurts people's feelings when people say this---don't ask me how I know-- but you are super super loud. As in 2 volumes. OFF or FULL BLAST. I love you, I do, but man this is something I never understood my parents saying to me until now. SHHHHH!

You talk. ALL.THE.TIME. Both of you do. There isn't a moment of dead silence unless you are both asleep. You have so many stories you want to tell and you get so caught up in them you start stuttering. I think it is so cute when your brain is racing and you mouth can't keep up. Bless you heart when sissy is around you can't get a word in edge wise, so to compensate you talk fast!

Oh and your little voice. Precious.


MW 3.0 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

At some point I will write out his answers. He is intense and you can see how with his sister around he gets overwhelmed and can't talk and I look ridiculous trying to speak for him. HA! Enjoy.

You also have 2 speeds. Asleep or running--fast. You are just full of energy. You love life. Not the people in it so much. You are an introvert like mommy. People don't understand this, but people and socializing suck the life blood from us. It is exhausting to socialize. Whenever we get home from being at the gym for 2+ hours {due to mommy working} you are beat. The first thing you want is to crawl into bed with your paci and blankie and just chilax. Totally get it buddy. I am right there with ya!

Yes, we still have our paci at age 3. I have said it before and I will say it again. I feel no guilt about this at.all. none. You are "weaned" down to just naps and bedtime. And most nights when I check on you you don't even have it in your mouth. I think at this point it is just a soother and helps you "unwind." Fine by me, we all have our vices. :)

You are the best sleeping kid I have. You put yourself to bed when you are tired. You go to bed with zero to very minimal fuss. You sleep all night {8p-730a}. In your OWN bed. You are my snuggler and lovie bear.

You can melt this momma's heart in an instant. You say the sweetest things to me which make you my favorite---son.

This is all I can re-call at this moment. The video covers the rest of the pertinent memories.

Birthday Montage.

{newborn} Where has the time gone. GAH! My baby boy. The little boy I never knew I ALWAYS wanted. I love you so much. Just yesterday as I was putting you to bed I was thinking about all the things as parents we do, change and sacrifice for our kids. Things people without kids just don't understand or would "never" do. But it really is like having your heart walking around outside of your chest. You will do anything, ANYTHING to protect it and keep it safe.

I look at you and think about how I didn't want a boy, why did I ever think that?! The joy, laughter and energy you have brought into our lives is unparalleled to that of your sister's. You both bring this special ying and yang to our lives. I just can't imagine a moment with out you---you hoot bear. :)

{6 months}

{10ish months}

{12 months}

{14ish months}

This face. Is my favorite. You still do this when you are excited and happy. Love it.

{1.5 year}

{2 years}

{2.5 years}

Stats:

wt: 28-30ish #

ht: 3ft 2in. {taller than Lo at 3.5--nuts}

clothes: 3T tops/3T pants with cinched up tight waist with a belt. 

shoes: 9 {same size as Lo! again nuts.}

you still need a diaper at night and naps--4T huggie slip-ons.

Happy 3rd Birthday Micah Bear!!! 

We love you SOOOOO much!!!

Leighton 4.5

Ah, my baby girl is 4.5 today.
What bothers me the most about this milestone is today is the first day of school. AND the first day of her last year at home with me. This may be sadder than her actual first day of kindergarten next year?!?!?! However, she is currently refusing, adamantly against going to kindergarten next year. Micah on the other is begging to go. Wonder if his tune will change in 2 years?!

Yesterday Chad and I ran up to the school for Chad to finish up last minute class prep and she was just sitting there on the curb, all grown up. In that moment my mind flashed back to when she was just a few days old and we carried her all bundled up in her car seat to meet Chad's co-workers. That seemed just like yesterday. You are my sweet, tender-hearted little girl. I love you so much and am proud of the little girl you are turning into!

Here is our 4.5 year old interview. Enjoy.
{note I didn't want to be in this video and she struggled looking at the camera rather than me : }

Lo 4.5 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

MW version 2.5

Today Micah bear you are 2.5! Holy smokes. You are so full of life and personality it is crazy ridiculous.
I just love you so much. You are most definitely the little boy I never knew I always wanted.
I didn't want a boy, I wanted a girl, a sister for Lo, THAT was the desire of my heart. But God in His infinite, perfect wisdom, knew that another little girl wasn't going to give me the true desire of my heart, but you would. Praise God for your little soul. It is beyond measure.

2.5 years.

6 months

I tried to do a 2.5 year old video, but you were less than cooperative. So it is in 2 parts and just captures his feisty personality. He was also being weird and making up random words that I couldn't understand and everyone can always understand him...

Pt 1.

MW 2.5 pt 1 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Pt 2.

MW 2.5 pt 2 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

A few tidbits I don't want to forget over the last 6 months.
1. You have had this huge language explosion. You have always been an early talker, but now we have more interactive communication along with all the words in the English language you learned by age 2. It's crazy. Leighton just was starting to speak by this point on a regular basis and you are able to give speeches. Nuts. Where that came from I may never know.

2. Favorite new words/pharses you say:
*Look mommy, a Blue Robin! {aka Blue Jay}
*Let me TALK!
*You struggle with "D-r" T-r" and so on type words. So for instance Drew=Frew, Truck=Fruck {that makes me laugh!} Drink=Frink
*Good morning Yesica {Jessica--my middle name}; no idea why that started but it was hilarious when I would go in to wake you up.
* You say "WHAAAAAT?!" all.the.time.
* what's your name? Micah Wyatt Leeth-ler

18 months

3. Speaking of sleep. AWESOME!!!!! Seriously, you are the best sleeping child I have. {Yes, I only have 2 but still he's the best!}
We recently as in {just yesterday} moved you to a big boy twin bed. You sleep fine. You STAY PUT! {hear that?! That is the Hallelujah Chorus playing} I hesitated moving you because I didn't need two kids up and in my bed at 630a! But you don't even attempt to get out, you just wait and play quietly!! until someone comes in to get you. Praise Jesus!!! May this continue.
You sleep from 8/9p- 645/730a.  Nap 1-330/4p.

showing little brother the big bed ropes.

cashed out for the first time in his new bed. #easypeasylemonsqueezy

4. Of course potty trained, but now you have moved on to just plain doing it all yourself. You stop,  you run to the bathroom and come back. Only reason I even know you went is because you can't re-dress yourself. HA! {Still night-time wets}

This is how he brushes his teeth. 

5. You eat like a snake. Shoves the entire sandwich in and then attempts to swallow. Drives me nuts. Who taught you manners buddy?! Daddy?! Oh, well that explains it, since that is how daddy eats. ;)

This is his attempt at "ganster" face...

Which is good since apparently this is his new style

6. You still love the Because He Lives song and immediately lay down and get quiet. We have to sing Jingle Bell Rock and Jingle Bell regular before be every night. Don't ask.

7. Yes, still on the paci. That is our last "big boy" transition. He may be 4 before I am ready to pull it. HA! No seriously...I don't mind it other than when he talks with it in. That irritates me because I don't want speech therapy sessions later because of it. We will see what year 3 brings. ;)

8. Stats: wt. is around 25ish # {mommy guesstimate}
ht. 2ft 11in {as a side note, this is the same ht Lo was LAST year at 3.5!!! Holy cow. I am SOOOOO Glad you are going to be tall. I could careless if Lo is short, but it is hard on boys to be the short one.}
Clothes 18m pants, 18m-2T shirts
Shoe: 7-8
Undies: 2T/3T; Huggies slip on size 3
Teeth: all in.

There are no words for the crazy you come up with...

Happy 2.5 Birthday my little cow poke.