Fox | 5 Year Update

I'm not sure how long I will keep up with these, since so much happens in a year and I was almost at the point where I said, I wasn't going to do it this year, but then I read the one from last year and realized how much I forgot already and that I want to keep documenting this awesome dude.

Height and Weight:
He's about 44 inches tall and weighs about 40lbs.

Health:

After he turned four last year, we had him tested for allergies again. I was really hoping that we would see some improvement, but his levels were still off the charts and they were too high to do a challenge test with him. In fact, he even acquired some new allergies as well. His biggest ones are dairy, eggs, strawberries, gelatin, amoxicillin, grass, dog hair and shell fish. 

He had a lot of colds and fevers this year, strep, maybe an ear infection? See, when it's been a year, it's too hard to remember. But overall he's been great and for that I am so grateful.

Nicknames:

Foxy, Honey, My Love, Poodle

Eating:

I don't even want to talk about it. It's a struggle. The only thing that makes me feel better about it is the fact that a lot of my friends are going through the same thing, so I'm still hoping that one day it'll get better. 

Sleeping:

Not much has changed in the last year. A lot of nights he will still call me into his room to chat, watch him drink water or to tell me that he is scared. He always wants to sleep in my bed or tries to postpone bedtime by telling me that he is hungry. He goes to bed around 7:30pm and I will let him read books in his bed. During the school year, I woke him at 7:45am, but he is often up earlier than that. 

Clothing:

5T Pants, XS Shirts and Size 9 Shoes. 

Social:

He likes to be the leader and can be very bossy at times. He tells me a lot of times that he is shy, i.e. when we are at a playground and there are other kids, he doesn't want them to see him, because he says he is shy. I don't know where that is coming from, because I wouldn't describe him as shy at all. He loves to play with his friends and makes new friends easily. 
He is kind, polite, smart, funny, silly and the best negotiator there is. He always tries to see how far he can go with something. Like when he asks me if he can have a cookie and I say yes, then he will ask me if he can have two and if I would say yes to that, he would ask for three. 
We are still working on some whining and pouting issues, but I guess that's just part of his age right now. 

Funny Phrases:

Just a few things I wrote down during the last year that I want to remember…!

July 2018

“The baby’s name shouldn’t be Finn, it should be Jax. Or Jett. Or Fireball! Do you like the name fireball Mama?”

I told him my finger hurts because I burned myself. He said: "It almost makes me cry when you hurt...almost!"

August 2018

We are playing Candyland. "I’m smoking you! Are you choking on my smoke?"

"How do I get my own TV show like Ellen? Will you miss me when I’m inside the TV?"

September 2018

I bought Fox some jewels and he said “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you so much now...more than I usually did. This is the coolest thing of all times!”

October 2018 

"I’m going to put my shirt on backwards so I have a new place for boogers!"

"Mama, I’m losing all my patience with you!" (I took too long to get ready)

"Mama, you are bothering me!" (took too long again)

November 2018

He made a wish at the Disneyland wishing fountain and wished for another baby ...and a monster.

I didn’t give him my water in the car two minutes from home. "You’re making me unhydrated!"

I said in the car "Don’t be so loud, Finn is sleeping". He said: "Don’t be such a drama queen, he’s already awake!"

December 2018

"Mama, I always want you to be fancy free. That means happy!"

“My Christmas tree is a person. I can talk to him, but only me. He told me his birthday is December 1st and his name is Jack Frosting!”

January 2019

Fox: "Finns head is so cute!"

Me: "Your head is so cute too!"

Fox: "No, my head is gorgeous!"

I was teaching Finn to say “Up please”. Fox replied: "No, you need to use a whole sentence: can I get up please?"

"Mama, I love you so much more than I’m supposed to, because you’re so cozy!"

"I want an oatmeal bath today. You know why? Healthier skin, healthier us!"

February 2019

He told me I wasn't funny. Katie asked him: "If Mama is not funny, what is she?" He replied: "A cow!"

"Mama, yesterday when I got hurt, and my favorite part of Abby Hatcher came on, I didn’t even smile because I was still thinking of my ouie".

March 2019

"Mama, you’re not my friend. You’re my best friend!"

"You’re the best Mama ever, because you make me cookies and you fill up my water and I wouldn’t even have a good life without you!"

We drive by an apartment complex every day and they have different colored balloons out front depending on the holidays. They had just changed them to green and Fox asked what holiday is coming up. I said St. Patrick’s Day and he asked “Is that for all the people who know Grandpa Patrick?”

He calls In n Out "the french fry store"

April 2019

We see a guy smoking in his car next to us at a red light. Fox said: "Is that guy cigaretting? He’s a sick man."

May 2019

Every night, he tries to come out for more food as a stalling tactic, but I always tell him dinner time is over and he should've eaten more at dinner. 

"How would you feel like if you’re hungry at night and you couldn’t eat? Because that’s how you treat me every night!"

Fox: "I will be the leader of Jake, Wyatt and Wesley."

Me: "What does a leader do?"

Fox: "Keeps them save".

Me: "Okay, you can be the leader then".

Fox: "They also have to do what I say, but it’s not going to be that bad".

Likes:

Being the center of attention, watching TV or playing iPad, playing with Grandpa, bossing me around, Legos and Duplos, sleeping in Hotel Rooms, Disneyland & Legoland, going to school, being silly, Snacks, playing with friends, Uptown Jungle (Play Place), swimming, imaginative play, playing with Aunt Ashlie, Ketchup, In N Out French Fries, making people laugh, buying toys, fake diamonds and other play jewelry, anything that is gold, treasure chests, magna tiles, building forts, making obstacle courses, his baby brother, sleeping in my bed, reading books

Dislikes:

Trying new foods, when he gets water in his eyes, not being in charge, bedtime, helping with chores or cleaning up toys, when he doesn't get what he wants, going to the doctor

Finn | 44 weeks

Finn is 44 weeks old!

And this was Fox at the same age!

Into the Woods we go...

For months my friends have tried to convince me to go camping with them. I was intimidated by the thought to say the least. I haven't been camping in about 20 years and definitely never been camping with children as a single mom. But they all assured me that they would help me and that it would be fun, so I took the plunge.

Preparations for the trip seemed to take a full week. I went to four different people to borrow camping gear, we had to get food, a cooler, pack our entire household and think about every single detail. 

When we finally pulled out of our driveway, the car was packed to the brim...and I have a pretty big SUV. 

We went about two hours away, to a city named Cornville in Arizona. We left at Finn's nap time and he slept all the way there...Hallelujah! 

Being the punctual German that I am, we were the first ones there, with no clue on how to set up camp.

I set up a play area for the boys while we waited for our friends.

We borrowed this tent from one of my friends and it was teeny tiny. I had planned to have Finn in the pack n play, because she had said that it would fit in the tent, but she didn't mention that after the pack n play, nothing else would be able to fit...haha. We only had this one air mattress and I put Finn on a little pack n play mattress next to it and we had to leave all of our clothes in the car, but this guy right here was so excited for his first night in a tent.

After we set up camp, we explored the camp ground and the kids had fun running around and playing on the playground.

Finn loved Corinne's puppy, he always smiled and giggled whenever he saw her, it was so sweet.

I think she loved him too.

Our camp site was right next to a creek and the boys were ready to dive in.

I didn't get the memo that basically every toy you bring to camping would be ruined afterwards and they are all still sitting in my garage waiting to be cleaned, but it was well worth it to bring them, because it kept all the kids busy.

Fox was especially excited that his bestie Jake was camping with us.

The creek wasn't very deep and the boys had so much fun in it.

Fox called this area "the current" and he absolutely LOVED it. I could hear the excitement in his voice, it was like the adventure of a lifetime for him to get through it.

Funny side story: One of the dads was in the creek with them to supervise. Fox had never met him and didn't know his name, so he kept calling him "dad". 

Another adventure

The boys were freezing after they got out, even though it was a hot day, but the creek was super cold. They played in the mud while the adults started dinner. In this picture they found a huge rock that was underneath the sand and they tried to get it out, pretending it was a dinosaur bone. They worked on this for hours and I loved seeing their imagination.

He's just always happy to be along for the ride.

The moment Fox had been waiting for all day (or maybe week): S'mores!

Happy boy and happy Mama

Jake's marshmallow caught on fire

The first night it was just our little group of 4 families. We were a total of 8 families, but the campground didn't allow us to book next to each other, so we had two groups of 4 families, which was kind of annoying. 

Finn passed out and took a little nap outside.

The first night was rough. Fox and I had to share the air mattress, but it was super high, so he kept rolling off, which would startle him and then he would cry, which then would wake up Finn. It was freezing and I had no room, but we survived and how cute are these sweet boys?

Bringing a high chair to camping was the best idea I had. It helped so much to have another safe (and clean) area to put Finn down in and helped with his meals.

I was definitely part of a pro camper group. They whipped up some amazing meals and even had a full camping kitchen. I was so grateful for them letting me tag along, even though I had nothing to offer in the camping department. I told myself I would be in charge of capturing the memories, so I took a million pictures as you can tell!

And they all took turns helping me with the boys and were happy to do it.

This was the only way he would nap during that weekend, but I didn't mind.

The boys couldn't wait to get back in the creek. Fox freaked out for a little bit, because he saw crawdads in the water and there were a lot of them. I would've freaked too. He recovered after about an hour and was ready to go back in and play with his friends.

I can still hear the giggles when I look at these pictures.

I think Finn really liked being outdoors, he never whined or cried once, he was just so happy.

The campground also had a pool, so the boys went swimming one afternoon.

My friend Tilly offered to get Finn to sleep in the baby carrier, so I could go in the creek with Fox and I was so grateful. Not because I was dying to get into that muddy creek, but because I hate having to always say no because of Finn to Fox, and wanted to do something fun with him.

We had a great time and I so enjoyed spending some quality time with just him.

Some of the crawdads the boys captured. The dads actually cooked them up and ate them that night...yuck!

All of the kids were obsessed with Finn, especially this little guy here.

We were lucky that the little convenience store had a popsicle that was safe for Fox to eat.

I have never seen him dirtier!

All of the kids played so hard, they were all tired early. One night Fox asked me to go to bed at 6pm.

It was so special to me to see all of the kids play together in the dirt. They were all so content and happy.

The whole group! I love these people so much!

One of the moms started a game of "Duck, Duck, Goose" and the kids loved it. Their "circle" needed some improving though...haha.

And again...favorite part of the day!

Look at that dirty face!

Christmas Jammies in June? Why not...

I love this family so much! Stephen came up to me one night and told me that he thinks I'm so brave for coming here by myself and that I'm rocking it, I thought that was so sweet. And Tiffany is one of the funniest people I know and I love her dearly.

Day 3...back in the creek of course!

I was so surprised how content Finn was in the baby carrier. He spent so much time in there while the big kids were in the creek or we were walking places and he never complained. He was just so chill and loved to be snuggled.

They were all looking at crawdads again.

On the last day we found this rope swing and the kids had such a blast (the dads too). It just warmed my heart to see other parents take care of my kids and make sure they had a good time. From carrying 40lb Fox around the creek because he was scared, watching over him, catching him over and over again on the rope swing to organizing a scavenger hunt, group games, and treasure hunts.

The kids wanted the moms to do the rope swing too. Tilly didn't want to and all the kids started chanting "Do it, do it, do it", so she couldn't say no. They were so funny.

Kristy organized a painting party with fly swatters. 

This guy may or may not have eaten a stick while I took this picture.

Even he got dirty.

Fox really wanted to go fishing. They were no fish in the creek (as far as we could tell), but they wanted to try anyway.

Again, one of my friends to the rescue to show Fox how it was done.

He was very happy, even though we didn't catch anything.

This weekend fueled my soul. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. Sure, it was a ton of work, but we made so many amazing memories that will last a lifetime. This must have been one of the top five occasions of Fox's life where I have never seen him happier. 

We had amazing company and I will be forever grateful for them, from convincing me to come to making us meals and playing with my kids and all of their encouraging words.

My emotions are pretty much up and down lately, but this camping trip was just what I needed. And I know I wouldn't have gone if I was still with Katie. And I'm so glad I did and that my boys (and Fox in particular) got to experience this. 

When we got home, we were so dirty. I don't think I've ever been this dirty in my life and taking a shower and sleeping in my own comfy bed felt amazing. But we can't wait for our next camping trip and we even bought our own (bigger) tent already!