Sleeping Aleksi

Aleksi slept swaddled for the first four months of his life. Then we switched to Zippy, which was his nap and night companion until two days ago. So he is finally sleeping unrestricted at almost fourteen months old. 

Last few nights Aleksi has struggled with a cough. Last night I went to his room four or five times to give him snuggles and hold him upright so it would be a bit easier for him to breath and not cough. This is a new thing as he hasn't fallen asleep or wanted to cuddle when he is tired. Today for nap he actually fell asleep in my arms as I sang a Christmas song to him. While I am grateful, and feel that it is necessary, to have a independent sleeper most of the time. These are some sweet moments when we snuggle together and I know that I am bringing the much needed comfort to him.

Picture snapped before I had to wake him up for school pick up.

Failed Pajama Photo Shoot

Tonttu brought new pajamas for the kids. Rather than giving the right before Christmas, they got them to wear all month along. They aren't Christmas themed, but the kids love them. Saku is finally wearing pajamas when he sleeps.

These pictures show how hard it is to get a good picture of all three kids. I make funny faces in an attempt to get Aleksi to laugh or smile and Eerika mimics my faces...

Saku on the Piano

Saku loves playing the piano. It is an unusual morning if he doesnt walk down the stairs and go straight to the piano and play "Star Spangled Banner" . 

He can also figure out how to play songs by just playing by ear. 

We are working on convincing him that he really wants to learn to read music rather than just memorizing songs.

Saku also has an excellent music teacher this year and he has learned the songs for each military branch. 

Little Brothers are the Best

Saku and Eerika adore Aleksi. Yes there are times when they might be slightly annoyed by his little hands grabbing on things or the attention that he demands, but majority of the time, they love him. 

Eerika is always willing to try to distract him when he is sad or when her help is needed during diaper changes.  She also bugs him the most as she tries to boss him around, but overall, they are a good pair at home during the day when Saku is at school. 

Saku is not a morning person. There is a lot of groaning and moaning even at 7 am when I have to get him up. However, when Aleksi walked into his room, Saku jumped out of bed and shared his advent calendar's chocolate of the day with Aleksi and they played cars for few minute before breakfast.

Aleksi likes to go and wrestle with the older kids. 

Third Time Charm With Tooth Fairy

Saku lost his second tooth during our week in Phoenix. For two nights in a row, the tooth fairy failed to show! Saku was pretty bummed out on the second morning, and he even said "äiti, can't you just go and do it?" After his first tooth fairy visit, Saku and Eerika asked me if there really was a fairy or if it was me, I told them that the tooth fairy was someone who loved him very much.

So while we were at the movies watching The Good Dinosaur, the tooth fairy finally showed up with an orange balloon, a dollar bill and explanation how she had gone to Colorado Springs, and then to Tucson where we had been visiting the previous night and finally risked being seen and came in the middle of the day. Saku was very happy. I am not sure if he truly believes in the tooth fairy. I think he wants to believe because he wants the magic and fun associated with it. 

I am grateful for Grandma who is creative and helpful when äiti and isi fail. 

I told Saku that I had decided to give Aleksi some toys that I had initially planned to give to Saku. Saku said "I can share the toys with Aleksi since I am barely ever here". He referred to the fact that he goes to school each day.

Eerika was crafting with her friend Clara and she was asking me to cut something out. I said "this will be tricky". Eerika replied "we are challenging you".