Asher James: 2 Years Old

 

Stats: Asher is basically the size of a 3 year old, at 2 lol!!! He and Chase weigh exactly the same 29.25lbs (65th percentile) but he is slightly shorter than Chase, measuring35.5 inches tall (75th percentile). He still wears a few 2t things but is mostly in 3t.

Sleep: I can't complain here as he goes down for a solid 12 hours at night. If he hasn't taken a nap that day (which he is slowly outgrowing) he will sleep close to 14 hours at night. He will sometimes take a little longer to fall asleep than Chase and can be heard on the monitor singing Happy Birthday or yelling at Chase to wake up lol.

Social: Chase's friends have become Asher's friends too and he loves getting together with them. He and Isabelle made quite the pair while we were on vacation with them. He is certainly more out going than Chase was at this age and has no problem going up to the older kids and joining in on whatever they are doing. Asher also happily goes into Sunday school at church now.

Diet: This is easily the most difficult area with Asher. If he is teething in any small way or isn't feeling 100% then he doesn't want to see food, let alone eat it. On days he does feel like eating, he doesn't stop. He is a little pickier than Chase but still eats more variety than most kids his age. His favorite foods are, yogurt, avocado on toast, carrots, broccoli, spaghetti, Chinese food, any kind of fruit and chocolate milk. He loves to go to Chick Fil A and Red Robin.

Skills/Milestones: It's crazy how much they learn between 18 months and 2 years. He was speaking in full sentences before he turned 2, which makes our life so much easier and the conversations he and Chase have are simply the best! He can run and jump with the best of them. Over the summer he learned to swim on his own (with a floaty of course), he just has new fear and always wants to be keeping up with whatever Chase is doing. He loves to color, can count to 14 and is starting to learn his letters.  

Favorites: Mummy, Daddy, Chase, grandparents trains, throwing and kicking a ball, dance parties, legos, animals, Lightening McQueen, Paw Patrol, accessories of any kind (sunglasses, hats, scarves)

I cannot imagine our lives without our spunky, loveable and light up a room, Asher. He can be a handful sometimes and certainly knows how to test our patience but is also the biggest lovebug around and is a sweetheart. He loves music and sports and to be moving all of the time. He is curious about everything around him and we are seeing each day that he is equally as smart as Chase. Speaking of Chase, he adores his big brother and wants to be just like him. I have no doubt he is going to be excellent with Hayley and loving on her all of the time. I could never express how much fun and love he has brought into this family and is truly one of a kind!

Chase Patrick: Four Years Old

 

Stats: He is our little peanut coming in at 29.25lbs (3rd percentile) and 39 inches tall (24th percentile)

Sleep: I am so, so thankful Chase loves his sleep! He sleeps an average of 12 to 13 hours a night and will sleep in if he's gone to bed late the night before! He is also a deep sleeper which is handy seeing Asher likes to sing and yell when Chase falls asleep before him.

Social: It has been so great to see Chase become more confident in himself and have the courage to talk to other kids on the playground, etc. He speaks up more in class and soccer practice. He's also gotten better at standing up for himself if another child is trying to take a toy or not being nice to him. We still get together with friends on a weekly basis and Chase also did swim lessons and joined the soccer team.

Diet: He's such an easy kid when it comes to food. He will eat just about anything and cleans his plate for every meal. His favorite food is yogurt, meatballs, Chinese chicken and broccoli, any fruit, carrots and buttered spaghetti. He tried calamari and loves it! We have eaten out a ton with me being pregnant and so his favorite restaurants have become Chilis, Red Robin and Chick Fil A.

Skills/Milestones: We lived at the pool this summer and he is now confident enough to go in the pool own his own, swim like a fish and jump into the pool! He can count to 20, his writing has improved incredibly (and he loves to practice). He joined the town soccer team this fall and has learnt how to trap a ball, dribble, pass, and shoot at the goal. He has also taken a love to coloring over the summer and has become an expert at coloring in the lines and drawing his own pictures. Jellyfish, minions and spiders are his favorites to draw.

Favorites: Mummy, Daddy, Asher, grandparents, Lightening McQueen, Thomas, trains in general, airplanes, playing with playdoh, running around, dance parties, singing, building things with Legos, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, playing soccer, swimming and anything related to space.

 3.5 to 4 years old has been such a sweet spot. While he still has the occasional tantrum he has grown out of them (I'm hoping it stays that way) and the talking back seems to have disappeared. I just love our little boy so much it hurts. He is sweet, thoughtful, doesn't do anything hastily, and tells me numerous times a day that he loves me. I love that he crawls into our bed in the morning for snuggles still. Having one on one conversations with him is simply the best, he is incredibly smart for his age and is at the stage of wanting to know everything...why the sun goes up and down, how does Santa get down the chimney, how do the plants grow, how is Hayley going to get out of my belly etc. I love his desire to learn and to know more. He is an incredible big brother to Asher, always willing to help him out and show him how to do things. They have the best time together! My heart bursts when I think how protective he is going to be over Hayley. He can . not . wait for her to arrive and snuggle her. I am so unbelievably proud of him!