Milestones

We had Jake's 4 month Dr. Appt yesterday and here are the stats:

17 pounds 1 oz (90th percentile)

25 3/4 inches (75-90th percentile)

His head is just average.  :)

(Kylie was 14.5 pounds and 24 inches at her 4 month appointment).

On Tuesday Jake rolled over from his tummy to his back.  I missed it, but Jeff caught the end of it.  Jake looked pretty surprised and hasn't repeated the maneuver since.  He's probably waiting until mommy leaves him somewhere dangerous so he can really make an impact!

Here is Kylie doing the tea-pot song with Jake, notice the handle & spout -- and the scared look on his face!

Here is Jake with Bella - they are 10 weeks apart.  

Here is Jake next to Kate - she is 5 MONTHS older than him and they weigh the exact same amount!

He's making a move on her..... tsk-tsk!!

Kylie-bear was at Cheerleading Camp at the Little Gym this week.  She has been having a blast with Ainslee, Sophie, Kiki and her friend Trinity from school.

That's it for now.  We have the CCFA Take Steps Walk this weekend.  Grandpa is here and Nana is coming too.  Our fundraising efforts have already reached $6,200!!!!   I'll post some pictures of that next week.

Life's a Beach

Heading into this weekend (Memorial Day) was stressful.  Kylie got sick with Strep and Fifth Disease (we think) and kids from her school had HFMD as well.   Uncle Scott scored with a FREE beach house in Destin for the weekend - so we braved the drive with Kylie and Jake (and the rain) and made our way to the panhandle on Friday.  We woke up to torrential rain on Saturday morning and actually contemplated driving home.  The thought of being stuck in a house with a 3 year old and 4 month old for 2 more days of rain was unbearable.  BUT (there's always a BUT right???)  - the skies cleared and we had a wonderful time.

The K-Bear ready for the long drive....

This picture was taken by Daddy (good job!) on one of their 6am walks on the beach.  Yes, I said 6am.  Destin is on Central Time.  Kylie and Jake stayed on Eastern Time.  So, Jeff would take Kylie out for a walk and I would nurse Jake - trying to let the others sleep for a little while longer.....  That is our beach house in the background.

A James Gang photo

Jake had mixed emotions about the beach.  The first day was REALLY windy - which he didn't seem to enjoy so he went to sleep (darn).  I have several pictures of him sleeping in the stroller but decided this one was more blog-worthy!

Kylie WOULD NOT go in the water - but loved playing in the sand.

Yes people, that is my 4 month old STANDING between Daddy's legs.  He thinks he's a big boy now!

Another family photo...  

I had to include this picture of Jake with Uncle Scott & Aunt Deidra.  They had matching outfits on!

It wasn't until after I convinced everyone to pose for THREE group shots that I figured out how to turn on my force-flash.  Yes, I admit, the point & shoot camera gets the best of me sometimes.  I didn't even take the BIG camera out of my bag for the entire trip.  Hey - even the photographer deserves a vacation right?  Anyway, the picture is a little dark - but at least we are all in it!  

We had such a wonderful time.  Although, I will admit, Jeff and I found ourselves daydreaming about a time when we could just sit on the beach and sip margaritas while our kids entertain themselves.  How far away is that???

Both kids did GREAT and were really happy the whole time - AND they both slept through the night!  As challenging as it is with two kids sometimes - I think we have it pretty good.

Soooo behind....

Just thought I would start off with a cute pic of Kylie and Ainslee playing dress up the other day.  I wish I could have video taped their conversation at the table during lunch.  Out of the blue Ainslee said "Kylie, I just love you" and Kylie looked at her for a second and said "I love you so much too".  Awwwwwwww!  If only we were all so quick to speak such sweet things to the people we love.

And, since I haven't done it for a while - a little comparison.  Kylie and Jake at 4 months old.  His 4 month appointment is Wednesday and I'm convinced he's over 17 pounds already!

And finally, a picture from the Spring Fling at Kylie's school.  Her class (the 2 year old pandas) performed two songs.  This was "I'm a Little Teapot" - and Kylie is the third teapot from the left.  It was ADORABLE!  Total chaos of course - but adorable none the less. 

Stay tuned for some Beach Vacation pictures!

Something profound

This was the conversation:

Kylie: Is it the end Mommy?

Mommy: End of what?

K: Is it the end of the day?

M: Yes

Pause

K: Will there be another day?

Pause

M: Yes

K: And another day?

M: Yes

These are the kind of conversations that REALLy make you think about life.  I mean, how do I know if there will be another day?  But, of course I HAVE TO tell her there will be another day - and another, and another, and another.  It made me realize the omnipotent power we have (as parents) to shape our children's view of the world, at least during these younger years.  On a deeper level, it made me think "what if I die tomorrow?".  Have I done everything right, have I lived my life to the fullest, do I REALLY appreciate the day I'm living right now?  I find solace in the fact that I know I'm doing the best I can.  I have two healthy, happy children and a husband who loves me more than I can explain.   If I stop to think of anything else I need or want - there is nothing.  Well, maybe just more time in a day.... :)

And so, the last word of the conversation was from Kylie:

K: ok

(If only she accepted everything I told her that easily!)   :)

Now, on to the pictures.  I decided to take Kylie outside and let her paint since we rarely do any "messy" arts & crafts around here.  Once again, I was reflecting on my parenting style and wondering if I let Kylie "explore and create" enough.  Jeff and I could be called clean freaks - not in the "clean house" sense, but in the "clean hands and face" sense.  I think we are both a bit neurotic about wiping hands (during and after meals), wiping noses, dirty faces, etc.  But I will say that Jeff is worse than me (sorry hun), often hovering over Kylie while she eats something that could spill and make a *gasp* mess!  This was no different.  I didn't really tell Jeff my thought process before we got the project out - and he did not disappoint.  He immediately huffed and puffed at the droplets of WASHABLE paint on the deck (which, by the way, is being replaced in a few weeks anyway).  Then he proceeded to tell Kylie there was too much paint on her paint brush.  I'm not trying to make fun of him, because I would have done the same thing had I not already made a conscious decision to try NOT to control the situation.

And so, with a little coaxing, our Kylie bear got her hands dirty with some paint and we all had a nice time on the deck!  :)

And Jake had fun watching too.  :)

On to the Jakester..... he reached a milestone for sure.  I predicted he would be a thumbsucker and look at this - he found it!  I could post several more pictures just like this (in different locations) but I figured one shot would do.  Plus, this gives a good perspective of his SIZE!

He smiles all the time - and talks (LOUD) to anyone that will listen.  I am definitely wrapped around his finger already.   He's still sleeping 12 hours at night - but his naps are rarely more than 30 minutes at a time.   I'm thinking I will have to get strong and put him in his crib for naps in a few weeks.  But, how can I leave this cute little face to cry.....   :(

His most surprising new skill is THIS!  He tries to sit up all the time.  If you put him in the swing or the bouncy seat, he is constantly raising his head as if trying to escape!   It's CRAZY!

And this was today.  Kylie was taking pictures of Jake and I, then Daddy came upstairs so I had him take a picture of all three of us.  I'll have to put this picture on my desk to remind me of how sweet they are -- especially on days like today - when I'm hanging on by a thread....  

Happy Mother's Day

Just a quick post before I go to bed.....

What a FABULOUS day!  I am so grateful for my children, my husband and my wonderful friends.  Can it really be possible that we gave BIRTH to all of these little people?  :)

Had to add this picture so we can do a comparison in the future.  All three babies were born within 10 weeks of each other.   And yes, Jake was first and just happens to be the biggest!

The Best Day I Ever Had!

That was the quote from Kylie bear while we were driving to the park this afternoon.   I think she was just practicing the use of the word "best" because she followed that with, "are we going to the BEST park"?  But hey, after you've spent all day with two kids, sometimes you need a friendly reminder of how great life really is (even if it's exhausting). 

I'll start off the pictures with one for Liz - BELIEVE IT BABY!  I told her I cut my hair SHORT and she said she would believe it when she sees it.....  

Next up - Kylie's new favorite dining spot.  Very cozy and romantic.

Ahhh, the Jakester.  He can sit in the bumbo seat for a few minutes now.  He is just so BIG!  I can't wait until he can sit up a little better - and see the world without being held.  My arm is killing me!  ;) 

I think he is trying to make up for lost time because he REALLY doesn't want to sleep during the day.  Today he took about 5 "cat-naps" of 30-45 minutes each.  I know I shouldn't complain since he's sleeping 12 hours at night - but it's just hard to manage.  Hopefully his daytime sleep will organize in the coming weeks.  And by the way - that is a 12 MONTH SIZE ONESIE he has on!  It's a little wide but just the right length.  CRAZY!  

Last up - our accomplishment of the day!  I bought some frames about a year ago that have tormented Jeff (because they were stacked behind a chair in the playroom) and we finally hung them up!  Making a picture wall is just so overwhelming - but I'm glad it's done.  Well, almost done.  We still have to hang the two large 16x20 picture frames on each end (to replace the flowers) AND I need to fill them with pictures -- but we all know that shouldn't be a problem!

teaching mommy a lesson

So, Jake has been a little testy the last couple days.  Yesterday he had a hard time napping and he seemed gassy (maybe it was the broccoli??) and last night he cried (screamed actually) for the first time in a week when I put him down for bed.  Jeff and I tried to distract ourselves by cleaning the kitchen while Jake screamed for what seemed like FOREVER (only 8 minutes) and then fell asleep until 7:30am.  I keep telling myself, "he needs to sleep, he's okay, he needs to sleep" - but today it didn't work.  Jake is starting to fight sleep and he's having a hard time napping in his swing or car seat so I put him in his crib this morning.  But, even I couldn't hold out after ten minutes of blood curdling screams.  When I picked him up he was so upset, sweaty, and red faced, I was convinced he had the swine flu -- or at the very least, the stomach flu.  No joke, the thought crossed my mind.  I mean, why was my sweet little boy crying so hysterically? There MUST be something wrong -- right?  Wrong.  After changing his diaper and doing a quick nursing session, he fell fast asleep in my arms and is now quietly sleeping on my bed.  I guess Jake was trying to teach me a lesson - COME WHEN I CALL YOU!!  :)

The second-guessing of motherhood never ends does it?