Lalon Hope Higgins

Day 2 and Lalon is getting stronger. She's still in the Special Care unit and will remain there a little longer - right now the doctor thinks another 7 - 10 days until she can catch up. Although she's weak and a bit behind, it's all "normal" for a baby born at this stage and while being precautious, there isn't any grave concern other than letting her get up to speed.

Naylor had a fun night with Annie and Pa and visited just a little while ago with Annie, Aunt Christie and Ava James. Due to the flu precautions at the hospital, no children under 12 are allowed in right now so we all visited in the vestibule!

Looks like I'll be released to head home tomorrow sometime and we'll just rest up and hang out until Lalon can join us at home. More updates to come as we have them.

She's Here!

Baby Girl arrived quickly this morning at 7.53 am... needless to say, we just like to have babies early and fast around here! :)

Everything is going well - she's had a little difficulty breathing simply because she came out so quickly and is a bit early, but nothing life threatening or create too much caution. She's in the Special Care unit now just so they can keep a closer eye on her, but all seems to be well.

Sweet Naylor gave me a big smile and kiss before we left this morning and was off to spend the day with his buddy Luke across the street. A big THANK YOU to the Fogg's for having Naylor for the day and a big THANK YOU to Annie & Pa for keeping Naylor while we are in the hospital! (I'm not sure they know what they are getting in to)! :)

Sweet little girl weighed in at 5 lbs, 8 oz and 19" with TONS of black hair. We're working on a name - thought we had a little more time to talk that out... maybe tomorrow will be the big day to reveal it to the world!

General update...

Guess I haven't really posted since Naylor's birthday and sadly enough, he'll be 13 months in less than a week!

He's doing great and we've been having lots of fun. He's really becoming his own little person, generally happy, but when he isn't, watch out! We've been having more playdates with the boys on the street, which is great for Naylor and me. Last weekend we headed out to the pumpkin patch to get ready for Halloween - that was fun and he loved banging on all of the pumpkins, but was easily distracted by all of the cars driving by, he's already acting like a boy watching cars and trucks. Later that afternoon we headed to the NCSU game and had a good time (except maybe Brian due to the terrible playing by the team). Naylor had his first Chik-fil-A and is no doubt a huge fan, much like his Daddy.

We're working on walking and talking - Brian and I are trying to be much better about pointing out and naming things and each night we work on some walking. Just the other night Naylor took one teensy tiny step from me to Brian; it was pretty much accidental, but I'm counting it for now!

Baby Girl is growing along - we're now 34 weeks and all is well. Went for another check-up this morning and everyone is great... now just in the hurry up and wait stage!

We're trying to get some loose ends wrapped up before she gets here in preparation... Kitty and Rudy are at the vet right now getting their shots updated and overall check; Brian and I are going this week to get our flu shots (Naylor has had his); and the painter is coming by tonight to check the room and give us a quote. If I can just get the nursery painted, I'll feel much better about things. I'm starting some Christmas shopping too... figured it will be easier on the pocket book to pick up things here and there as well as easier to do it with just one kid in tow rather than two!

Baby Girl update

Another dr visit today and all is well... have only gained 1/2 lb since last time, so that's good for me! We're now 32 weeks and she's head down and getting ready for her debut I suppose. Go again in two weeks and will get my flu shots then. Naylor has had round 1 of his and we finish them up this Saturday. Hopefully this preventative care will keep us all healthy this season!

Learning to discipline...

We've entered the stage of no-no's; not sure how that's going just yet! Naylor definitely recognizes what no means though, because if you say it he'll shake his head back and forth. Or even sometimes as he approaches something he knows is a no-no he'll shake his head before you can even say it... silly boy.

Yesterday was Ava James' baptism, so we all went to church and Ava James did great! It was a perfect day all around and we got home in time for dinner and bed.

Now we're starting another week already and it's going to be a big one - I am leaving Naylor for the first time this week and Brian will be alone with Naylor for the first time! I'm heading to Asheville with Annie for two days; hopefully we will all survive. :)

Oh yeah, according to our countdown ticker we have 56 days to go; I visit the doctor tomorrow for another routine check.

1 yr check-up

We went this morning for Naylor's 1 year check and all is well. He weighs 21 lbs, 12 oz (48%) and is 28.5" tall (25%). Doing all the things that he should be developmentally with goals for his 15 month appointment. He did have to get 4 shots, which was upsetting, but just briefly - then all was well with the world again.

Afterwards, we got to hang out with some of the neighborhood boys to play and now down for a much needed nap! Hopefully he'll sleep well since he missed his morning nap.

Happy 1st Birthday Naylor!

Today is Naylor's 1 year birthday and it's been a fun day so far! He woke up a happy boy (as usual) and after his milk we came downstairs to open some presents. He loved them all and was probably not sure which to play with first. We then had some birthday pancakes that he gobbled up; played with the new building blocks with Daddy (we need to teach Daddy to share better) and took a good long nap.

We made it to the NCSU game today too and Naylor did great. We got lots of pictures by the statues at the Murphy Center, got to hang out with Uncle Kevin, Aunt Amanda and Uncle Robert at the game and we even got to see his name on the big scoreboard for his birthday. NCSU was winning at halftime when we headed home - it was a good day!

Once we got home, he had a quick dinner and a birthday cupcake - he loved that too... I think he could get used to eating cupcakes if we let him!

All in all, it was a great birthday for us all. We're heading to Clinton tomorrow morning for church and then some good eats with Pa, Annie and the gang.

Pictures from the day to come later on...

Also, his 1 yr picture proofs are ready: check them out at www.MichelleStudios.com click Client Slideshow and password is naylor (case sensitive).