Snow Day!

Well, it's been one heck of a snow day!

As with basically every other location on the Eastern Seaboard, Clinton got a good dose of snow - 8 - 10"! We've done a whole bunch of nothing all day and just laid around, played some games and the boys went out in the snow for a bit (along with Anna). Naylor did get out with Brian for just a bit and took a look around.

Looks like the guys' pheasant hunt has been cancelled, but we'll be here in Clinton at least another two days due to the weather and being able to get home safely. By all the Facebook reports, looks like we got about the same amount in Apex.

What a beautiful winter wonderland!

Happy 19th Birthday Robert Ashley!

Last night I headed down to Clinton to celebrate 19 years of Robert in our lives. It was a small affair with just the family, with fun and lots of food just the same. I think he had a pretty fun time and did get some great gifts! Then he headed out to celebrate with some friends and I headed back to Apex.

I remember it was a Sunday morning when he was born and the same day as the Naylor Reunion. Ma Ma and Pa Pa took us to the hospital before the reunion so we could meet him and see Mama and Daddy. He was able to come home on Christmas Eve - what a great present for us all!

Now today it's Grandpa Pat's birthday - hope it's a great one!!

Higgins Christmas

Great Grandma Reba, Lalon, Kerri and Naylor (Lalon LOVED Grandma's necklace!)

Kerri, Naylor, Lalon, Grandpa and Great Grandma Reba - 4 generations of Higgins

Lalon with her Great Grandma Reba

Naylor, Grandma T, Lalon and Aunt Kerri

Lalon with Grandpa

Uncle Kevin, Naylor, Aunt Kerri and Lalon goofing around!

Kevin, Kerri, Lalon, Grandma Reba and Brian playing cards - Higgins favorite pastime!

Grandma T, Aunt Kerri and Lalon

Grandpa Pat, Grandma T, Aunt Kerri and even Great Grandma Reba made it up to NC for a really great Christmas visit. Uncle Kevin was able to come for a bit, as well as Aunt Amanda too! We did a whole bunch of nothing, but had the best time doing it! The kids (although both have bad colds) were for the most part on their best behavior and loved playing - especially chase with Grandpa Pat! Naylor was really doing great with everyone's names and in the mornings when we'd come downstairs he'd be calling for Grandpa! That was the name he definitely has down the best - T sounds a little more like 'tease' and Kerri more like 'terris' and Kevin is 'tevin' and Amanda is 'manda', but he's getting there and knows who each person is. Lalon was her usual charming self, doling out smiles the entire visit - she's either going to be a politician or a beauty queen... maybe both!

The kids got some really fun toys which they have not seemed to put down since they opened them, so I'd say they would definitely give the Higgins Clan 4 thumbs up in approval! Both kids got a pillow pet; Naylor a monkey (that he calls hoo-hoo because that's the sound a monkey makes) and Lalon a bee (which she loves to just pet, it's really cute). Naylor also is very fond of his new dump truck - I'm not sure it's left his side more than 20 minutes other than bedtime and Lalon the cutest little purse, which she knew exactly how to play with! It was so cute watching her put on the bracelet and pretend to put on lipstick! A few pics here, but the full documentation of the long weekend is on Facebook if you have time to check them out.

We are off to a great Christmas so far and looking forward to more time with family. Grammy's flight was delayed yesterday, but she should be arriving today as long as the weather and airports cooperate.

Also, a big HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY to Uncle Robert - hope it's a great one!

Lalon update

Well, she has started the walking process and each day she'll go a little further, a little more often. She's also slowly working on standing herself back up without having to pull up on something, so she's making great strides! Her talking is really coming along too. Some things she just uses the same intonation as when I say it, but others are definitely words used appropriately. Seems like over the past month she's just hit a developmental growth spurt - which is great!

Here are some of her latest words; I know there are more that I'm forgetting at the moment:

• Mama
• cat
• uh-oh
• thank you
• all done
• Da-da (daddy)
• hi
• bye
• go (if you say 1, 2, 3 - then she'll say go!)
• okay
• keys

Fun visit

Our friend Stacy (that lived across the street from us until last Spring) came down for a visit with Luke and Max (who is now 5 months old) this week. On Monday we had an "old school" play date - back in the day (a little over a year ago) it was just 4 boys and 4 moms... we've grown over the past year! And in a just a few months we'll have two more babies - wow! The moms met for brunch yesterday morning and got to catch up without all the kids in tow (just Lalon and Max attended).

It was a fun visit and really cute to see all the kids together again.

Lunch time!

Trying to get a picture of everyone - Naylor was not interested!

Lalon, Naylor, Hayden, Noah, Luke and Max

Lalon, Hayden, Noah, Luke and Max - Naylor had better things to do than get his picture taken!

Walking Lalon!

# 3 update - in our 3rd trimester!

It's been a while since I've mentioned # 3 and since he/she is kicking up a storm right now and not letting me sleep, I figured it's as good of a time as any to give another report.

Last Monday I went to the doctor for another monthly check along with my glucose screening. I haven't received a call from the dr, so no news is good news on the glucose front! Which is awesome because I didn't "pass" the first time with Lalon and had to do it again and thought I would die from the double dose of pure sugar they make you drink!

Also, since I haven't gained any weight to date (lost 4 lbs originally in early, early stages), but have maintained since then - they were really on me to gain some pounds... Luckily (or not?!?) this appointment was the Monday after Thanksgiving and fret not - I had done my due diligence in eating as much pie as possible to pass my homework assignment! Drum roll please.... I officially have now gained 2 lbs - Dr. Mong was pleased. (I gained 32 lbs with Naylor; 16 with Lalon).

Baby # 3 is still measuring right on track and doing everything it should be such as growing, stretching and kicking / hitting me, along with making sure to practice his / her jumping on my bladder.

Tonight I was looking at my list of things to do to prepare for our Christmas visitors as well as things around the house to wrap up prior to # 3 arriving and almost had a mini stroke. I'm now 28 weeks along, which means we're in the 3rd trimester (and starting to feel like it a bit too). I don't feel badly, just everything is a little more labored due to the belly - like bending over and such. The mini stroke occurred once I realized that if this baby is like it's big sister Lalon, we could have a newborn in our house within about 6 weeks - 6 WEEKS!?!?!?! I can't think about that right now, however, I did make a note on my to-do list to start packing the hospital bag and fill out my pre-registration papers for my next dr visit on the 30th.

Another observation, this just began this week... if you go by the old wives tale of heartburn = a head full of hair, as of today, I'd put this baby as having more than Naylor, but less than Lalon. Heartburn just kicked in this week, so Tums are my new best friend, but seriously, if that's the worst thing I have going throughout this whole pregnancy; I'd say I'm more than lucky!

My goal is to keep this little girl / guy in until 37 weeks... everyone cross your fingers and say an extra prayer that we can make it that long! (Lalon was born at 35; Naylor at 36 - full term is 40).

Outing to Marbles

So, I am totally stealing this entry from Meghan's blog, but she had already done the leg work, so what the heck... Thanks Meghan! :)

Since it’s been so cold here lately, our playgroup thought that we’d take the kids to the Children’s Museum for the morning. It was a nice little outing and a great way to keep the kids (and moms:) active.

Noah, Naylor, Lalon and Hayden

Weekend Getaway!

Sidney Lowe and Brian on King St in Charleston!

Naylor and Lalon enjoying dinner with Ava James Friday night!

Beautiful Live Oaks lining the drive of Boone Hall Plantation.

Dan our carriage tour horse; a Belgian Draft horse.

Me and # 3; 6 months pregnant

Brian and I just before we left Charleston.

***DISCLAIMER***

I got a bit long winded on this entry, but wanted to cover it all - enjoy!

Brian and I (well, honestly, probably a little more me, but he didn't disagree or stop me!) have been talking for a while about taking a weekend away from the kids to do something fun just us before Baby # 3 gets here. Well, all this talking, talking, talking and time is quickly passing us by; when I looked at the calendar, suddenly we're in full blown holiday season and then come January I'll be bigger (and less likely to risk accidentally sending myself into an early (ier) labor). So, after a few quick phone calls and bribes, we decided to take off this past weekend.

Friday afternoon, I loaded up the car with bags, pack n plays, booster seats and kids and Brian and I were off to beautiful Charleston via Clinton. Christie and Jamie were getting the kids for the first part of the weekend and Annie and Pa were lined up for duties throughout. Too bad for Christie, we literally dumped them out, threw a few bags in the door and were on our way after a very quick visit. We made great time though and rolled into Charleston around 9pm. We agreed on the way down to have a light snack (luckily I had packed a bunch) and push through to get there and eat something local instead of McD's on the way! After checking in and a quick re-fresh, we walked over to Hank's where we had dined with a friend before and had a great meal (including the deepest / tallest pecan pie I'd ever laid eyes on). Then, with me being pooped and full, we headed back to the hotel to crash.

Saturday was a day of adventure. We've been to Charleston a couple of times and decided this time to visit a local plantation as well as walking the Market area downtown and taking a carriage ride. I'm glad that we went to the plantation house, the trees lining the drive were beautiful (think Twelve Oaks from Gone with the Wind, which we later found out were actually painted glass all made in Hollywood), but other than that we were a little disappointed. However, it was something we wouldn't ordinarily do and I'm glad we tried something new. So back to Charleston it was and Brian is on the edge of his seat driving as he's seeing the NCSU v UNC-CH game score tied in the first few minutes. Once back in downtown, we decided to find a quick bite to eat at a local place a friend suggested that should have the game on. As we're making our way, Brian sees Sidney Lowe (NCSU's basketball coach) on the street just inside a store and freaks out. So we go back, he says hello and gets his picture with him - on Cloud 9! Then we learn from Sidney that "all of us" (meaning a ton of NCSU folks) were at the bar we had just walked past, so we went back. It was packed full of State fans and every tv in the place was tuned to the game. Brian did his thing and we found a small place to sit with some nice folks, we got some sandwiches and almost had several heart attacks watching that game; I once thought I may go into labor... WHAT A GAME!! If Brian were typing this, he'd be sure to mention 4 yrs in a row that we've beaten Carolina, so B, that's for you. :) After the game, we learn that just by chance, we had come to Charleston the same weekend of a bball tournament that NCSU was playing in - small world. So the remainder of the weekend was filled with random high-fives and "Go Pack!" as we walked around. Afterwards, we headed for our carriage tour with our horse Dan and a quick peek in the Market (most of it was closing up by the time we finished our tour) and then to the room for a rest. As much as I had hoped to sleep in, I guess I'm trained to be up early now, because I was wide awake around 7.30 am, but unlike other days where I can nap when the kids do as needed, we were going, going, going so by 7pm I was like the walking dead! The baby quickly corrected our downtime though and reminded me we needed to eat (the appetite is full on just in the past week, I'm sure my weight gain is more where the doctor's have been wanting it by the time I go to my appointment next Monday), so we changed and headed back out. Another great dinner experience, this time at Magnolias where the food was divine - best part for me was the mixed berry cobbler (oh yeah, I boxed up my dinner so I could have dessert, don't worry!). Then again to the room to crash.

Sunday morning I was able to "sleep in" until about 8.30 and it was quite delightful. After leisurely getting ready and packed up, we headed just a block down for breakfast at Joseph's (which has been featured on Rachel Ray's Food Network show?!). While waiting for our table, we're talking with some NCSU fans that were also waiting and then I realize - hey, we sat next to you at the bar watching the game - crazy! Two real nice guys from Wilmington. We then proceeded to eat and I had, without a doubt, the largest portion of French toast known to man... and it was perfection! Brian did help me out and we almost finished it... I'm going to attempt to duplicate at some point. Then a little more walking about the shops and Market and we were ready to hit the road to see the kiddos. We did drive down to the Battery and walked around there before we left too.

Sounds like the kids had as a good of a weekend as we did. I know Naylor had fun with his cousins because all morning today he's been calling for Anna (I guess maybe he thinks she's upstairs or something, because he keeps yelling for her!). On the way home last night he said "Pa, Robert, trucks, dogs" almost the entire ride... From our quick report, Naylor got to go with Annie & Pa to Phil Hudson's Farm Day (a neighboring farmer) and see tons of cows, horses (he has those huge Draft horses) and ponies and even got to go on a pony ride! Lalon and Ava James stayed home for naps and Anna was at clogging, but Anna did get to go later in the day. They played with Annie's dogs (she has 2 new CUTE Yorkie pups that are adorable and they are blonde!); they saw the cows a couple of times (I understand this was Lalon's favorite part, almost jumping out of her seat she was so excited) and playing outside. I think Naylor is definitely ready to head back down for Thanksgiving and see the cows some more. After the reports we were getting via text while on our trip, I told Brian that they wouldn't want to come back home with us!

A fun trip all around and it was great for me and Brian to have a quick get away to one of my favorite places! BIG THANKS to Christie, Jamie, Annie & Pa for tag teaming and keeping the kids safe and happy for us - we knew they were in great hands. Now they can all have a small break before they end up tag teaming again (at least for a few days) when # 3 gets here... I didn't mention that part to them when they signed up for this past weekend - ha!

New layout of downstairs

This is a random post, I'll admit, BUT (!!) one that I am so excited about! You can walk in our house now and for a minute almost think that adults live here - hooray! We no longer look (at first glance at least), like a full time daycare facility and nothing at the moment could make me happier. Now, if you stand back and take a minute, you'll see young ones are absolutely present by the amount of sippy cups and milk spots littering the floor - don't be fooled; they are still here!

We've turned our downstairs office into a play room. When we bought the house, of course Brian was working from home for IBM... that no longer being the case and having two toddlers and one more on the way, I needed the real estate for the overwhelming amount of gear these two have collected. Nevermind the endless stuff that will come back out of hiding once # 3 gets here (bouncy seats, swings, etc...). So the office is on a guesstimated 2-3 year hiatus to the 3rd floor and we now have a play room.

So far, the kids really love it and go in there and really play, which is awesome. We had an extra tv, so it's in there for them too, along with their chairs, train table, storage and house. It's perfect. And for me, at the end of the day when I want to just sit down, I can relax in a den that looks like a den. I found a leather coffee table ottoman at Sam's Club for a great deal, so that is our coffee table for now and works great. We do still have our really nice one, but I'd like to keep it really nice, so for the next few years it will stay in the attic storage where it is safe from little, sticky, harmful hands.

Minor changes in the scheme of things, no real purchases to make it happen, but a great transition for my sanity! Thanks to Brian and a slew of good friends that helped move everything since I'm temporarily incapacitated from doing such.

I've made great strides in the nursery too. It may not appear that way if you were to walk in, but the dresser has been cleaned out, the closet cleaned out, baby clothes sorted by gender / size, and all things baby are in that room. Over Thanksgiving, I hope to bribe and/or con Uncle Kevin into helping Brian move the tv and stand from the nursery to the 3rd floor and then we'll be as done as we can be until after the Christmas holiday when all of our house guests have departed.

Luckily, we have everything we could possibly need (and probably a little more) other than diapers of course! In January, I plan to put all the pieces in "place" and begin washing a few of the gender neutral clothes to have ready for Baby Higgins once he or she arrives. Oh, and no... we have not even really talked about a name; we've been too busy moving furniture! :-)

Practice Run for # 3

Today Naylor, Lalon and I watched Michael Jr. for Candice and Michael - what a fun treat! He is now about 10 weeks old and just as precious as he can be. Unfortunately I had my hands full with 3 and didn't think to get the camera out, which is a shame since they were all so cute together!

Naylor showed interest in a baby for the first time and was very helpful and attentive to Michael Jr. When I was fixing Lalon's milk, Naylor gave MJ about 10 kisses and tried to give him his pacifier and told me that MJ needed juice (while holding his bottle). Naylor also told Lalon "shhh" with his finger over his mouth when MJ was "night, night". It was really sweet and gave me some hope that things will go that smoothly when # 3 gets here. Lalon didn't show much interest in general. She did crawl over and check him out when he got here, but other than trying to steal his pacifier was content with him just being around.

Tonight after MJ left, Lalon was checking out the bouncy seat and when I wasn't looking crawled up in there and was turning it on and off - here's just a quick cute picture of her.

Lalon's 1yr photo proofs

Our sweet little angel!

They are online for viewing for the next week. www.MichelleStudios.com click "Client Slideshow" and the password is lalon (case sensitive).

Brian!

Naylor's newest trick started over the weekend... He now occasionally will yell out, "Brian!" instead of Daddy if he sees that Brian isn't responding to his Daddy name. I didn't notice it at first, but Saturday we were in the bedroom getting ready and Brian heard it and stopped in his tracks. Then later that day, Naylor was looking out the kitchen window at Brian on the back porch, so he knocked on the window and yelled Daddy a few times, but when Brian didn't answer he screamed, "Brian!".

Yesterday morning he was walking around with the play cell phone talking away and I asked him who he was talking to and he responded, "Brian" and went back to the play room to continue talking!

Miscellaneous Update

Lalon went for her 1 yr photo shoot last week (proofs will be ready for viewing within 2 weeks, will keep you posted), as well as her 1 yr well check. She passed everything with flying colors and sadly had to get 5 shots, but she was a champ! Dr. Artman was very pleased with how far she's come since those days of being 5 1/2 lbs and 9 days in the NICU - you'd never know it by looking at her now! She weighed in at 21 lbs, 14 oz (60th percentile) and I don't remember the height, but it was 35%.

I think it is safe to say that her first official word is "uh-oh" - last week she started using it when she'd drop something and has continued to do so. She will babble ma-ma, da-da, but doesn't use it for us specifically and she's really using uh-oh as appropriate, so I think it wins out. Also, if you ask her what the cow says, she'll respond, "moo". I guess she just picked that up from us doing it with Naylor because it isn't something we've actually "worked" on, but she definitely has it down!

I went to the dr yesterday for a check-up on # 3 and got another good report. I think there may have been just a little too much excitement and jumping at the NCSU game on Thurs, because Friday and over the weekend I've had a few Braxton-Hicks contractions, but if I take it easy for a while, they'll go away. The dr said for now it's fine, but if they increase to come in to the office as a precaution given my history. There is definitely a belly now - will need to take a picture soon for the baby's book, but still haven't gained any weight, but the dr said that was okay for now too because baby was growing on track still.

Naylor is still doing his thing and will be starting a part time pre-school in January. He has thoroughly enjoyed the back yard (as have I!) since it has been fenced in - and it's great for wearing him down for bedtime!

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Brian!

Fred and Wilma at the Bennett's Halloween Party Saturday night

Two little monkeys trick-or-treating!

This has been a weekend of fun! For the first time in a LONG time, we (and by we, I mean Brian) haven't had to work on the back yard, so we've had fun doing nothing! We had a Halloween party at the Bennett's on Saturday night, so Brian got to sleep in on his birthday and then we had a cookout with the neighbors today. There were games for the kids including eating a donut on a string, pie eating, a bounce house and a pumpkin carving contest. It was a lot of fun and we had a huge crowd. Kevin joked that he was going to rename our street Wisteria Lane... it is a lot like a tv show or movie around here sometimes.

We took the kids to just a couple of houses to trick-or-treat, got a token picture and then headed back. Brian and Kevin headed down to help Blake scare the poop out of all the neighborhood kids as they dared to enter the Tunnel of Terror! I'm sure there will be lots of screaming coming from that direction soon.

It was a fun day all around and I think Brian had a great birthday. Happy Birthday Daddy - we love you!!

Happy 1st Birthday sweet Lalon!

Woke up happy and ready to celebrate officially being 1!

Pancake breakfast!

First time in her new big girl car seat.

She didn't seem to mind it, she fell asleep immediately both times!

One of many sweet, new outfits

Getting ready for the presents!

She loved riding the wagon with Ava James

Cake! Although she was distracted by something...

Party hat that she wasn't too interested in.

Hanging with Daddy and her first baby doll... I don't think the thumbs up is intentional, but still pretty cute.

How quickly time can pass us by when we are having so much fun!

I know folks always say it, but it's truly hard to believe that it's already been a year that we've had Lalon in our lives. And even more, how far she's come since her 9 day stay in the NICU at Rex Hospital. Of course, that wasn't the start to her life that I had imagined, but they were so great and our family and friends were so supportive, it was over and she was home before we knew it... and now to see her so grown up, I really have a hard time remembering that teensy tiny 5 1/2 lb baby! I've been sorting through baby clothes and just found some of the preemie pj's that Lalon had; holding them up it's hard for me to remember how tiny she had to have been and with most of the outfits, they were too big at the time!

We celebrated her birthday Sunday afternoon with family, playing in the back yard, dinner and of course, cake! I think she had a great time playing with her cousins and riding in the wagon with Ava James. She got tons of great gifts too... don't worry, she is properly spoiled around here. She got her first collection of baby dolls (which Naylor loves to give them "juice" and make them go "night, night") and a superb winter wardrobe. She enjoyed the singing and cake and Naylor helped blow the candle out to show her the ropes.

Yesterday, on her actual birthday, we went for her 1 yr photos. Brian and Naylor joined us at the very beginning for a family shot that I hope turned out. We'll have those proofs in about 2 weeks. I take her tomorrow afternoon for her 1 yr well check and I'm excited to see her latest stats. She'll also get a few shots and her second flu shot, so we should be good to go after that... well, we still have to get Daddy's flu shot - he may be worse than the kids!

It was a wonderful day of celebration and we are so grateful to have both of these healthy, happy kids blessing our lives each day. God is good.

Completed Yard Project

Brian gets MAJOR points and gold stars for all of his work on the back yard project. With the exception of installing the fence, he's done it all on his own (with lots of help from friends and neighbors), but no "hired" help. By the way, we have a long line of favors we owe now, so if you want to start your requests you may want to submit them now!

The fence was installed on Thursday and Naylor and I LOVE it! He's able to run around like a mad man and I can relax a bit that he isn't running towards the street. You can see in the pictures from the assortment of toys, he's already having a great time. There are 3 gates in the fence, one to the left of the screened porch, a double gate at the end of the driveway and one leading into the woods (eventually, the kids will walk through the woods to the school that's right there).

You'll see straw in the pictures and that's where Brian took that huge pile of clay and leveled the yard out. Next spring we'll hope to have some grass in it's place and some nice trees along the fence line on the driveway side of the house.

Thanks Brian for making our back yard a fun, entertaining and SAFE haven for me and the kids - you are awesome.

Park at West Lake Halloween Festival

Our HOA hosted a really nice Halloween festival in our neighborhood today and the kids got to try out their costumes. They had some games and hot dogs, but a lot of it was a little "old" for our young kids, so they just literally ran around for about 30 minutes with their friends and then we headed back to the house for tacos.

It was a fun treat and we appreciate the hard work our Board members put into the event - thanks guys!

NC State Fair

We've continued our tradition and going to the fair, but it's definitely a different experience than when Brian and I first got married! Actually, it was this weekend last year that we went to the fair on Friday (just the 3 of us) and on Monday morning we had a little girl in our family.

Both the kids loved the animals, food, people watching and the lights from the rides. Naylor and Brian went on the carousel and through the fun house and had the best time.

We went through the weigh booth with the kids too and Lalon weighed in at 22 lbs 8 oz and Naylor was 28 lbs 3 oz - that was after the food!

Hill Ridge Farms Trip

Last week, Brian and I took the kids (along with our street buddies) up to Hill Ridge Farms for a morning of fun! There was so much to do: animals to see, slides, hay jump, train ride, corn house, and a few mazes. The weather could not have been any better and I think everyone had a great time. We got a few pumpkins as a token as well. Lots of pictures on Facebook, but here are the highlights.

Lalon's first NCSU game

Naylor and Carson giving rides in to the stadium.

Lalon just hanging out...

Last Saturday we tried our first adventure in taking both kids into the NCSU game and everyone lived through it (including me)! This was Lalon's first game she's attended and we figured it's Naylor's 4th game. The kids did super well and I couldn't have asked for any better weather to have them there; it was an all around fun day. We only stayed through halftime, although I think the kids would have lasted, I'm not sure I would have... I was pooped! Here are a few pics of their short tailgating experience; unfortunately I forgot to take the camera into the game, so we didn't get any good pics of us all together.

In other Lalon news...

• She's officially waving bye-bye now and loves to do so!
• She's standing on her own more and more and likes to 'walk around' holding on to your hands.
• She's started drinking a little bit of real milk this week. As her formula is running out, I'm starting to introduce the real milk... so far, so good!
• More and more real food these days! She does still eat some stage 3 foods, but that's sometimes more for my convenience... she's doing really great.
• Our next big step this month... forward facing car seat. Yay!

Ultrasound for # 3

Today was the big ultrasound day and I held out... # 3 will be a surprise to us all! Everything measured right on track (about 8 oz in weight) and all vital organs were present and functioning. To date I still haven't gained any weight really, but we all know around 5 1/2 - 6 months I tend to put it on fast, so I'm still not worried about that part. Dr. Flanagan was also fine with it since the baby is continuing to grow on track. Another strong heartbeat today, so that was good too!

Here's a profile picture of # 3. Still no name, we haven't really discussed that part too much. Guess I'll dig out my family name lists so we can start getting some more ideas!

# 3

I realized last night that I hadn't updated everyone on # 3's latest trick... the night of Naylor's birthday when all the partying was over, I felt him kick for the first time. Over the past week he's been moving it up and becoming more active. Well, technically I guess he's just bigger so I feel the activity!

We go Monday for our last ultrasound - hopefully we'll have some good pictures!

(I go back and forth on saying he / she - we still don't know and hope to not find out)

Great news for Naylor

Brian took Naylor to his cardiology appointment today and got a great report.

Dr. Milazzo could still hear the murmur and so they did an ultrasound on his heart. After checking it out further, he saw that it has closed significantly and for now, still no need for great concern. Brian asked what our chances of surgery were at this point to correct it and Dr. Milazzo said from his experience, less than 1% for one that has self healed to this stage.

So, we are grateful for that good news and just have to go back for another check in 2 years.

11 month old Lalon

Lalon turned 11 months on Sunday and had a new trick when I got home! She's growing so quickly and just itching to catch up and do what Naylor is doing; she's very motivated. Here are a few of her newest "tricks" - she's still the happiest little girl in the world and has the most contagious smile.

• Standing on her own, not for long periods, but she'll do it up to a minute and a half.
• Cruising, slowly. For now, she'll only cruise up and down the couch, hasn't applied this skill anywhere else yet.
• Eating a few more solids each day - so far we haven't tried anything that she doesn't like.
• In addition to her two teeth on the bottom, she has two that have just barely cut through on the top - both of her 'fangs'. I told Brian if they drop down in time for Halloween, we may have to change and make her a vampire! ; )
• Loves to stand in her crib! Luckily, her mattress is all the way down, so no current chance of her climbing out, but she can peek over the railing now.
• She's sleeping more lately, but I'm not confident that it's an official thing yet... could be teeth and / or a cold - the timing is suspicious, but I'll take it!

Hard to believe that our sweet "little" Lalon will be 1 year old in less than a month... makes me sad, except to think about her being in a big girl car seat and drinking real milk, then I get excited!

Fun weekend away (for Mama at least!)

Meghan, Robin, Rikki and Stacy on our way to dinner in Little Italy

Robin, Stacy, Meghan and Rikki at Inner Harbor

Friday, my good friends Meghan, Rikki and I loaded up and headed north to Baltimore to see our friend Stacy - you may remember Stacy and Luke who lived across the street and moved at the end of April.

We had a great trip up, no traffic and got there in good time. After checking in to the hotel, Stacy met us out for dinner and catching up; she headed home afterwards and we to bed. Saturday morning, we made our way to breakfast and Stacy met up with us again, this time to stay! We had such a wonderful time of doing pretty much nothing but talking, eating and walking around enjoying the city... we did take a break from all of that eating to get our toes done. After a dinner out in Little Italy, we went back to the hotel and talked until we fell asleep. Sunday morning Stacy headed back home and after getting dressed and packed checked out ourselves.

On our way out of Baltimore, we stopped by Stacy and Travis' to see Luke, meet Max and check out their new home - every bit was perfect! Luke has grown up so much in the past few months and was excited to see us, although I don't think he remembered us. Max is the sweetest little baby and is Luke's mini-me - amazing how much they look alike. The house is amazing with tons of great open space, which is perfect for two boys - or actually any kids!

We then hit the road home and after hitting two bouts of traffic and some good rain, we made it back to Bedford Ridge. It was such a wonderful weekend away with the greatest friends and was just what the doctor ordered for us all! We've decided we must do a girls weekend yearly and head to some neat cities that we can drive to and check out.

A BIG shout out to all the dads for stepping up and allowing us to take a weekend off without having to worry about our babies. Brian did a great job with the kids (his first time alone with them both really) and I got the greatest welcome when I walked in the door last night from them all. It was good for the soul, but good to be home too.