Behavior Stuff

Recently we have really been working on behavior for the boys.  They are typical 5 year-olds who don't want to pick up their toys or always follow the rules.  I got a few really good ideas from Ryder's behavior therapist as well as other parents online.

Last weekend we started a new behavior/chore chart for the boys.  We came up with rewards they could earn and what behaviors we would be working on for the week.  Each evening before bed we would all sit down and decide who got what stars for the day.  Tonight after getting their stars we talked about what rewards they had earned.  Ryder got 23 stars so he will get a piece of candy tomorrow and Zak got 30 stars so he will get a $1store toy tomorrow.

Tonight I started the Ransom Toy Box with them as well.  Anytime we take a toy away from them it will go in this box.  If they want the toy back they have to pick a chore out of the envelope to do before getting a toy back.  The toys can be taken away for various reason that the boys have been told about such as not putting them away, not using the toy properly, or playing with it after bedtime.

3 Months Old

Tyler is now 3 months old!  He is growing up way too fast for me.  It is crazy to think that Zak & Ryder will be 5 in just 10 days.  I am trying to enjoy every second of their childhood since it goes by so fast.  Tyler is now 12lb 8oz (34%) and 25 inches long (71%).  He is wearing 6 month and 9 month clothing already.  I find it funny and baffling to see him in outfits that Zak & Ryder wore when they were 10-12 months old and Tyler is only 3 months old.  LOL!  As for development, Tyler is doing great!  I honestly can't remember what the average age for milestones are because the boys had such a different schedule due to being preemies.  So I got a book from a consignment sale that talks about the average age for various skills.  So far Tyler is doing great.  Some of the things he is doing include:

laughing out loud
smiling
following objects from side to side
push ups (he lifts his head and chest when laying on stomach)
roll over from tummy to back
making all kinds of vocalizations

He is working on head control now.  He will hold his head upright for a while, but then gets tired.  He is now eating 6oz every 4-5 hours during the day and has been sleeping about 10 hours overnight.  There are nights that he does get up around 2am to eat, but then goes back to sleep.

Comparison from 4 days old and 3 months old

Picture Time

I just wanted to post some pictures from the last week or so.  I am slacking on posting unless we have an appointment of something big to report so I am going to try and make random picture posts to keep everyone up to date with the 3 boys.

Tyler is almost too big for the baby tub

Tyler hanging out with Ryder

1st time in the Bumbo

Tyler laying with Ryder while he recovers from surgery

Hanging out with Zak

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July this year.  As always, we packed up and spent the day in Annapolis with family.  It was so hot this year so we spent some time inside for a while before heading out into the heat for the day.  Zak & Ryder love playing with Joey, Jamison, Hallie, and Nathan when ever they get the chance to.  The kids set up their lemonade stand and had fun with that.  We went to the parade at 6:30pm, had a cook out for dinner, and then watched the fireworks at 9:15pm.  Tyler did so good also.  He loved getting attention from everyone and only got fussy around his normal 8:30pm time because he was ready to go to sleep.  We didn't get home until after midnight, but luckily the boys slept until almost 8am the next day.