Knox- 19 months

I think this has traditionally been an 18 month post, but Lana had a 19 month and Knox is pushing 20 months right now so I need to get it written.

Knox is tons of fun and tons of busy busy busy. It seems his favorite hobby is to dump something (like cereal, chips, or something small) and then swim in it swinging his arms and legs around. 

He still doesn't have many words. He has the standard mom, dad, ball, snack, night-night, shoes and a few others. But he gets along just fine with grunts, points, and screams. (oh dear)

Knox really likes: his fox lovie, sucking his thumb, eating, dancing and listening to music (Grandma Wichert gave us a Beethoven book he carries around often), Little Blue Truck, he loves playing with his siblings, climbing, grabbing the remote, bringing out his baby monitor and sound machine after a nap, and being outside.  

The other night we were at out friends the Heizelman's house and Denise had a music stand by the piano. Knox walked up to the stand and started singing his own song. It was the sweetest. I supposed it proves how much our littles are watching us. 

Height- 31.5" (40th percentile)

Weight- 26.2 lb (55th percentile)

Lana is 3

professional photos from the amazing, Sara McMillian Photography

Lana Mae is 3! How do I even sum up this little girl? She can often present shy and reserved, but it doesn't take long for her to be the life of the party. She has the whole family laughing pretty easily- and if she knows she's funny, she is all about it- and if she's funny and she doesn't realize, then she doesn't want people to laugh. Chores are always "so much work". She loves pink, and dancing, "prinkles" and "parkles" (sprinkles and sparkles) but can also be found with dirty knees and face from playing outside and helping dad. She really is so much fun. 

She still adores her "elephant blanket" and rubs the corners of it on her face and between her fingers when she's sleepy or upset. She is a good little cheerleader for her older siblings and cheers "go Eli, go Eli, go go go". I'd say she also has taken to art in the last year and especially if she can join in with Micah and Haddie. 

I love watching Lana play with her siblings. It will be interesting when Haddie goes to kindergarten this fall, because they have really hit it off this year with playing. When we went to the school for Haddie's move-up day, Lana cried and cried. She desperately just wants to be where the action is. Eli is the most patient with her and loves if when she asks him to read her her rest time story. She also can be a stinker and not let him. She's really good at playing pretend and I am designated Grandma when she is playing house. :) She is sweet with Knox, until she isn't. Again, the fall will be an adjustment with big sister at school.

As part of our bedtimes routine, we typically have the girls choose a song to sing. Lana usually chooses "Jesus Loves Me". The other night, she said to me, "Mom, you know why I choose Jesus Loves Me? Because Jesus ACTUALLY loves me." You're so right, baby girl. He ACTUALLY does. May you grow in this knowledge and rest in its truth.

Stats

Height- 3'2" 75th percentile

Weight- 34.4# 80th percentile

After Lana's party with the Wicherts, she wanted to take all of this stuff with her to church. Dad told her she could choose one thing. She settled on the pink shovel.

Knox is 1

 Knox is 1! He turned 1 two months ago, so I will write down his info from that age- he is officially taking several steps at a time at 14 months, though. :) Also, all the obvious professional photos are taken by my friend, Sara McMillian Photography, she's amazing!

Knoxer, Knoxie, Buster and when-hes-looking-extra-sweet Shugie Shugie. :) He is such a sweet boy and adored by all of us. His loves include: his Fox lovie, food, screaming for food, napping, snacks, his siblings (but not really in his face), and did I mention eating? Currently, he likes to stick his tongue out- maybe he's working on some more teeth? 

He's cruising furniture and does pretty good with stairs. He gets mad when we shut the baby gate at the top of the stairs. He crawls really fast now. Other than mom and dad, I don't think we have any words to report. We should probably stop repeating his sounds back to him like a baby. Haha. 

For being a quarantine baby, he travels quite well. It probably helps that he has a sibling close by, but he likes to look at books and play with little toys too. He's still a mama's boy, but loves his daddy too and once he's settled does pretty good in the nursery at church. He also likes to be outside and likes to pet KitKat.

We love you so much, Knox Joshua! 

Stats

Height- 29" 45th percentile

Weight- 22.5lb 60th percentile 

Anyone who holds Knox comments on how heavy he is. I guess I don't want to know what it's like to carry a 100th percentile baby. :) 

Eli, Micah, Haddie, and Lana at 1 year 

Micah is 7

This update is 2 months post-7th-birthday, but better late than never, right? 

Micah's loves haven't really changed since last year. He still really enjoys drawing, coloring, Lego creating, and playing pretend. Soccer has become the front-runner in favorite sports but basement football is definitely a close second. He loves to juke his big brother and come up with a play with his dad. He played rec league soccer and basketball and is currently in baseball. 

He had a great year in first grade. It seems it went so fast as a whole, but the last month seemed to drag on I think because we didn't do that last month last year. I have to push him a little to practice reading, but he really is gaining all the skills he needs. He also remembers ALL the phonics rules that mom doesn't know. It's funny when he asks me questions about them and I have to tell him I don't know. He keeps track of all his classmates and gives pretty detailed reports of his day at school.

He and Eli share a room and it's my favorite when they are on the same bunk and Eli is reading to him or Micah is asking questions about whatever Eli is looking at. They continue to be a great balance to each other. It makes my mommy heart happy. 

As I write this, Micah is building a fort downstairs for his sisters while listening to The Greatest Showman soundtrack. He does his best to be patient, but I just heard him say "ok, everyone out". We really see God molding his little heart to be obedient to His will and extend forgiveness to others and to himself when we mess up. Love being such a close observer to this. No doubt, God will use Micah to do great things.

Stats:

Height- 3'11" (40th percentile)

Weight- 49.8# (50th percentile)

 

Knox- 11 months

 

Knox is 11 months! This past month has blown right past us and soon we'll have a one year old. Knox has continued to grow and develop his personality. He loves to get into mischief which includes pulling all of mom's books and papers and music off of any shelf he can reach and pulling out all the recycling out from under the sink. He's also added his tongue to his smiles this month and as you can see below. Let's just say he makes us all smile and brings much joy to our whole family.

Knox seems to love meal time best and if it's 11:00 or 5:00 you can about guarantee he'll let you know he wants to eat. He still nurses at morning and night and sleeps until about 9:00 after he nurses. He loves veggie straws and milk. He's also crawling most of the time on his hands and knees now. He also cruises and will occasionally let go of the couch to stand a bit. 

This past month, we got to go watch the Sabetha Lady Jays play in the state championship. It was only Knox's 4th basketball game (he got to go to a few of his brother's rec games). He took a nice nap in the ring sling in spite of his mom's yelling for the Lady Jays. We've also seen a lot more of Grandma and Grandpa Wertenberger since covid vaccinations, and we're all pretty big fans of that. 

Some other favorites seem to be his fox lovie, riding in the stroller (which he did for the first time at the zoo with Wichert family), crawling in the grass (which was probably a first too since we only had mud last year), playing piano, pulling hair (yikes), and being cute. :) We love you, you little buster. 

Eli, Micah, Haddie, and Lana at 11 months.