# 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.

# 3's check up

This morning I went to the doctor for my monthly check on # 3. Everything looked great: I had finally gained 1/2 lb (which they were excited about; I told them not to worry it would come in month 5 & 6!), had a healthy heartbeat in the 150's and I got my flu shot!

We go back in two weeks for our ultrasound and it's currently still our plan to NOT find out what this baby is and be really surprised on the big day.

Now we just need to get Brian a flu shot and we'll be set (on that front at least)!

Naylor's 2 year well-check

Monday morning we loaded up for Naylor's 2 yr check with the pediatrician and we got a clean bill of health. Dr. Artman joked that I was a glutton for punishment when I told him we were expecting one more; he may be right! ; )

He is doing everything he should and Dr Artman was pleased with his speech progress and was hopeful that it would correct itself before we got in to therapy (we are having an ordeal scheduling sessions...). He got a couple of shots and a flu shot and did really well with those. Even Lalon got a surprise flu shot (under 1yr they have to get it in 2 doses), so she'll get the second dose at her 1yr appt in just a month!

Here are his stats - we go back in a year for his 3yr check... hopefully no reason to return before!

26 lbs, 6.4 oz - 30% for weight

33.25" - 20% for height

48.9 cm head circumference - 55%

Naylor is 2!

Sunday was Naylor's second birthday and we celebrated from the minute he got up until he went to bed and I think he thoroughly enjoyed himself! Brian had very carefully pieced together Naylor's train track the night before so that when he came down in the morning he could check it out and play. I had the Flip set up and the faces he makes are just hilarious! Needless to say, we hit a home run with the train set.

After playing for just a bit, we loaded up for breakfast out at IHOP. We were headed to McDonald's, but decided to run a few errands while we were out and about, so IHOP it was. I'm beginning to notice a trend when we are out at restaurants, actually at home too, hmmm... anyway, I'm always between the kids and Brian is on the far corner just out of reach! Naylor had some pancakes and then when my plate arrived, he enjoyed my hashbrowns and bacon. Lalon is coming along with her table food too and kept pulling food off of my plate - she had eggs, hashbrowns and pancakes. Mind you, all this time, Brian is still safe in his corner eating his breakfast in peace... I need to take lessons from him! After IHOP, we split up - Naylor and Brian to Lowe's and me and Lalon to do some returns.

Once we were home, it was getting close to nap time, but we took a few minutes to play some more with the train and to open the big box from Grandpa Pat, Grandma T and Aunt Kerri. What a fun box!! Trying to remember as I jot this down, but I know there were some sweet tennis shoes (which Naylor has only taken off for bed, absolutely his favorites!), a Mr. Potato Head Family (which was Brian's favorite, he did share with the kids though), a train, some fun books, a pair of boots for Lalon... something else I think, I can't recall this minute - sorry! Then it was down for nap time - I was expecting a challenge with all of these new toys, if he'd even sleep, but he eventually did!

When Naylor woke up from his nap, Annie & Pa, Aunt Christie, Uncle Jamie, Anna and Ava James were all here to help celebrate! Aunt Amanda and Uncle Robert came over to hang out too. The kids had a great time playing together and Brian grilled up some hamburgers and hot dogs while we all hung out. After we ate, we had cake and ice cream and more presents if you can even believe it! He got a really cute patio table and chairs that is perfect for our new deck, some really cute outfits for next summer and another real winner was a transfer truck who's sides lift up and were filled with cars and trucks!

It was a super fun day and I know Naylor loved every minute. I do think he was pretty pooped after it all though because he climbed up into his big boy bed without any hesitation! I was just worried that he'd wake up Monday morning expecting the same business - ha! It has certainly been a fun two years and I can't imagine anything better than having these children in our lives. We have been truly, truly blessed and I will always be grateful!

A few pics here, but the play-by-play pictures are on Facebook... it takes too long to upload so many onto this blog.

Curtains for # 3's room

My wonderfully talented neighbor, Michelle, took a very small crib sheet and even smaller baby quilt and made 4 of these curtains for the baby's room. I LOVE them!! It was a few extra pieces from the bedding that I knew we wouldn't need and she amazingly made it into a masterpiece!

Here are a few pics of the curtains and then a reminder of the bedding... now I have to do my part and get to cleaning that room out - yikes!

Silly Naylor

Last night I went in to check on the kids before I went to bed like I do every night.

When I went into Naylor's room, this is what I found.

After a momentary freak out, I look over and see this and then just laughed.

He looks real comfortable, doesn't he?!