Food is the Enemy

Have I mentioned before that feeding my children is a nightmare? Seriously, it is such a pain. I never thought eating/feeding would be such a challenge. Both Kyler and Damon have been underweight pretty much since the day they were born, but Damon has hit a new level. At his 6 month checkup, he was in the 20th percentile for weight. So we have tripled the amount of food we were feeding him. Well, I took him in because he had nasty fluid draining out of his ear and was relieved to see that he had gained some weight. When I pointed it out to the doctor, she said, "Lets take a look." She entered the weight on the growth chart and said he had gained some weight, but now he is in the 17th percentile. WHAT? Are you serious? What else can I do? I promise I do feed my child. Here is the proof. This is what I feed Damon in one day:

He eats 6 jars of baby food, 2 feedings with cereal, 4 bottles and a few snacks. He is 6 months old, and I feed him every 2 hours. Only so much food can fit in his little tummy. He should be so fat he shouldn't be able to move!

After the most recent appointment, I now have to add more formula to his bottle. Usually you add one scoop of formula per 2oz of water but now he takes 4oz bottles with 3 scoops instead of 2. He won't drink 6oz because it's too much fluid, so we have to thicken up what he can handle. Ridiculous!! If this doesn't work, I am going to ask the doctor to check for hyperthyroidism or a tapeworm!

Anyone who knows Kyler, knows he has his own eating issues. He will eat ANYTHING, that has sugar and pretty much nothing else. Breakfast foods are great for him, especially foods with syrup. We just have to add peanut butter for a little protein. Lunch and dinner are a battle everyday. However, he usually eats pretty well if we bribe him with a treat! He has a lot of fun helping me make anything with beaters. I didn't even have to teach him how to lick them, it was instinctive! Yesterday, I tried to trick him because I used to beaters to make mashed potatoes. I gave him the beater; he licked it, and then tried to spit out the potatoes. I need to started cooking waffles and pancakes with hidden vegetables.

He loves to sit on the counter and 'help'

One day maybe my whole day will not be consumed with feeding/coercing my children. Also hopefully, we can all enjoy dinner together as a family eating the same thing. 3 separate dinners is out of control!

First Haircut

We have known for a while that Damon has needed a haircut, but it is so hard to cut those cute long locks! (Plus the back of his head had super thin hair because he rubbed it all off, and I was afraid he would look bald if we cut his hair) I didn't want a bald baby. Well, we finally let Papa get the scissors going. And we no longer recognize our own baby! What do you think?

Crazy hair before the cutting began

Peek-a-boo
He was loving having so much attention

He tried to watch everything that Papa was doing

Then he started to get nervous and would not stay still. He moved so much! I'm surprised he didn't cut.

It's getting shorter...

Doesn't he look so different?
I had one little boy from church ask me if I got a new baby! It was pretty funny.

Just to prove that he still has hair, Kenney took a picture of the top of his head. We knew the hair growing in was lighter than the hair he was born with, but we didn't expect it to be this light. He's almost a blond!

That cute little smile didn't change, thank goodness.

Growing, Growing, Growing

I am always amazed at how fast kids grow, especially mine! I look at Kenney sometimes and still can't believe we have two kids. Damon is now 6 months and it's crazy!! He is getting so big and so much happier. His big smile can brighten anyone's day. At his 6 month checkup I found out he needs to eat twice as much. For some reason our kids have ridiculous metabolisms. He eats all the time now. And here I thought he was my chunky baby!

Look who's sitting up!!
He's pretty good for the most part but he still falls over after a few minutes.

Ever since it snowed Kyler has wanted to wear his snow boot everyday!

It's never enough to have just one ball. If you look close you can see his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth. He does this when he starts thinking hard.

Oh yeah the ball is in the air, thanks to a good camera.

Not everyone get's a personalized candy bar for Valentine's Day, but if Dude happens to be part of your name you can! Kyler got this in his package from Grandma and Grandpa Hill

This is also part of Damon being happy. He spits in our face!! So lovely. He does this all the time now. We are lucky enough to have him do it while he eats too, so we get sprayed with food. I tell him 'no' and he just smiles at me. It's really annoying because I can't get mad at him! He's just too darn cute! Sorry about the horrible filming; I was holding Kyler.

Winter, Finally

Apparently February is the month for winter here in Texas. We got quite a bit of snow yesterday, and Kyler was beyond excited! He kept yelling, "No! No! No!" aka "Snow! Snow! Snow!" We knew he would have more fun at Nana and Papa's house so we took him out there to play. He screamed the whole time we were in the car because he wanted to be playing in the snow so bad. He had so much fun once he got out there. The snow was too dry to make snowballs but Kyler didn't care.

Kyler and Daddy playing in the snow

Trying to make snowballs without success

The snow was coming down pretty good!

Proud of himself for sitting up in the Bumbo

I LOVE those eyelashes

Damon absolutely loves to look at himself in the mirror. It is amazing how fast he sees himself and smiles. His little smile is so contagious! Kyler was pretty funny too. He watches what we do way too carefully.

Random Fun

Our lives are always going going going. I wish I could document more of what happens at home, but I am trying as hard as I can just to keep up! These boys bring a lot of work to our home but a TON of happiness too! Here are a few things that have been going on at our house.

For a couple days, Damon kept sticking his tongue out all day long. Then he was sucking on his bottom lip. Well a few fussy days later, two teeth all of a sudden appeared! Yeah I had no idea he was cutting teeth until they were already through his gums. Then I remembered him playing with his tongue, sucking on his lip and being fussy. Duh! I guess I didn't expect it so soon. Kyler was much slower in this department!

This picture describes exactly how Kyler feels when people touch him. He freezes and gets this look on his face. He doesn't know what to do and becomes completely uncomfortable. It's pretty funny. This is his cousin Tyce being super sweet and Kyler being Kyler!

One day we had some cousins come play and Damon loved it. There were 4 more boys running and playing for Damon to watch. Afton was so cute and came to play with Damon so he wouldn't be left out.

We have been pretty sick throughout the month of January. Poor Kyler has been throwing up and had matted eyes all month long. This also means that he is far more clingy that usual. Damon has pretty much caught everything Kyler has had, so he likes to be held also. Therefore, I have been in high demand. This is me trying to eat dinner one night. I was completely frustrated and Kenney thought it was comical. Of course neither of the boys wanted Daddy! I have always wanted cuddly boys, but it would be nice if they were happy and I could eat.

We have found Kyler like this a few times since he moved out of the crib. I think this particular time he fell out of the bed and was too tired to get back in bed during his nap. Last night I went to check on him before I went to bed, and he was on the floor again! Silly boy.

Kenney thought Damon looked so funny wearing this hat on Sunday, but I thought he looked adorable! I love that smile!