|
| 09 Apr 2011 07:37:04 am |
 Spring is here |
|
|
It's been a long time since we posted anything! It seems Facebook has kind of replaced our blog and photo gallery. But lots has gone around here!
Since the last post, Mara turned two; Nana and Papa and Aunt Katie and Uncle Berry visited for Christmas; the kids have been doing well in swimming; Graham is doing excellent in school; Mara is still potty training! Mara is growing so fast and loving her swimming, her school and most of all playing with her brother. She's mastering shapes and colors and loves singing. She's very adventurous and seems to have no fear at all. We took the side off her crib, and that was as good to her as having a "big girl bed." Graham is already reading at first grade level, and is doing great in all other areas of school as well. He's in kung fu and swimming and he just started t-ball, with his first game today! Next month, he does a six-week chess academy so he can join chess club next year (they must be in first grade to join). So it's never a dull moment around here.
Graham also reached an important milestone this week: he lost his first tooth! He was over the moon about it, even though it happened as he face-planted on our hardwood floor. But thankfully he had no major injuries and was able to collect some cash from the tooth fairy! Now he can't wait for his new tooth to come in, though we've tried telling him it might take a while. In the meantime, he's enjoying sticking his tongue in the empty spot and sucking applesauce and milk through it. He was also relieved it didn't affect his new-found ability to whistle.
While spring has really just started, we're looking forward to so many things ahead. We have a camping trip to Detroit Lake for Memorial Day weekend; we're going to FL in June the day after school gets out; and Aunt Katie and Uncle Berry get married in Erie in August. For now, we're going to conquer a busy Saturday of swimming, t-ball and a birthday party for our four-year-old friend, Cate!
Scott will have to update the photo gallery soon so you can see some photos from Christmas and winter, as well as new spring photos. |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea |  Comments [0] |  Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 30 Oct 2010 03:09:15 pm |
| Happy Halloween! |
|
|
It's been a long time since the last update, and so much has happened! We had TWO Star Wars parties for Graham's birthday, one at home and the other in Erie. Both were tons of fun. We had a great time on our vacation, too. Nana and Papa came up for the party and the Brubakers drove over from the other side of PA. The weather was great and we even had a chance to hit the beach. On Graham's actual birthday, we went to Waldameer Park and had a blast.
September was a busy month, too. Buddy turned 11 on the 8th and Graham started kindergarten on the 11th. He's doing great in his class, making new friends and learning so many new and interesting things. His reading and writing is really taking off, and we're so proud of him. He also takes Kung Fu after school on Fridays and really loves it. The school is only six blocks away from our house, so it's been a great chance to meet more friends in our community.
Both kids started swimming lessons earlier this month. Mara seems like she was born to swim, and Graham—who took a brief hiatus from the water after he turned three—is king of the pool. With Mara's second birthday approaching, October was her last month in the Jr. Toddler program at her daycare. She'll now be moving to Graham's old school (same organization, different campus) where she'll be until she goes to kindergarten.
Mara and Graham are growing like crazy. Both hit growth spurts, requiring some unplanned clothes shopping excursions. But thankfully we haven't had any bad cold or flu symptoms so far this fall. Mara has also become quite the chatterbox, talking almost constantly now. She continues to learn more and more words as well as use more proper sentences. She's even counting and learning shapes and colors. She also enjoys treating Nana and Grammy to some quality time on the phone.
The kids are excited for Halloween! We had a fun pre-Halloween part at Graham's friend Fletcher's house last weekend. Both kids had school parties yesterday; last night was Graham's school carnival; today is trick-or-treating at the businesses on Woodstock Blvd. So the kids will have several wearings of their costumes before it's even Halloween tomorrow! I'm going to take Graham around the neighborhood while Mara stays home to cheer on the Steelers with Dad (and hopefully give out candy).
Happy Fall! |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 25 Jul 2010 10:14:49 am |
| Summertime |
|
|
Summer has been treating us well, mostly. The kids are doing well and Scott has been working really hard around the house, getting it primed and working on the yard. Graham "graduated" from preschool and is enjoying his summer at school with his friends before they part ways for different kindergartens. Mara is using more and more words every day, and is moving more frequently to short two- or three-word sentences.
Buddy has been better, but things are looking up. He got a parasite several weeks back and we had to rush him to the vet just before July 4th. But he responded quickly to the medication and rebounded fast. Two weeks later, I brought him in for a long overdue teeth cleaning, and he had three teeth pulled. So it's softened food for him for another week. But he takes it in stride. We just have to keep a good eye on him when he's outside so he doesn't snack on anything inappropriate.
Graham and I went up to Aunt Katie and Uncle Jeremy's without Dad and Mara for July 4th, so they could look after Buddy. We had a great time on the 4th, with the Kirkland parade in the morning and a bbq that evening with Katie and Jeremy's good friends. I also watched Katie try on some wedding gowns (wee!) and we all saw Toy Story 3. So Scott, Mara and Buddy missed out, but Graham and I are glad we went.
In just a couple of weeks, Graham will be five! We'll have a party here next weekend with friends, then we head to Erie for a family party and a nice vacation. Even Nana and Papa are making the drive up for the party, so we're looking forward to it.
Graham has been taking lots of pictures with his own camera, so look for that album soon! |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 19 Jun 2010 10:13:05 am |
| Happy Father's Day! Happy Summer! |
|
|
Happy Father's Day to Papa, Grampy and, of course, Scott! Hopefully it will be a relaxing one!
Summer is taking its time getting here, weather-wise, but we're ready. Our Memorial Day weekend camping trip was mostly a soaker, but we all had a great time and made new friends. We were able to go for bike rides and take some scenic walks and rides to the beach and the old military fort, so we made the most of it.
Graham and I participated in our first ever Rose Festival event a couple weeks back, when we went to the Starlight Parade downtown. Graham had a great time watching the bands and floats, and he got to stay up way past his bedtime. Next time we'll have to try the Grand Floral parade.
Scott has been back to work on getting the house scraped and primed for painting. We're also doing our best to keep the weeds under control. I just wish they wouldn't grow back when you pull them out.
Last night was Graham's Pre-K graduation! He and his class did a great job with their song performance, and he was so proud to walk across stage and get his "difloma." There was a little party afterward and he feasted on snacks, played with his friend Tille and had his face painted like a monster. Pictures are in the gallery now!
We have lots to look forward to, like July 4th weekend at Aunt Katie and Uncle Jeremy's, and our August trip to Erie. We have to try to fit in another camping trip before we go to PA, and I have to plan two birthday parties for Graham, so he can have one here with friends and on with family in Erie. |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 02 May 2010 12:19:57 pm |
| Gearing up for summer |
|
|
We set a record number of rainy days this April in the Portland area, so we're looking forward to the "May flowers" part now. Let's see, April wrap-up: We had a great Easter weekend with Auntie Katie and Jeremy. The following weekend was Amy and Mark's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony, fun night and a great weekend with Nicole (and baby Zoe), Lanya and Tyler in town for the festivities. As always, the fun times went by too fast.
We have lots to do in May, though. Scott's 35th is this week, then we have Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekend. We're excited for our first camping trip of the year, to Astoria. We'll just beat the Goonies anniversary party.
The kids are still growing like weeds! Mara is going on 18 months and Graham cannot wait for his fifth birthday this summer. He's already making big plans for a Star Wars party, so we'll see what happens. Mara is speaking new words every day, though it seems "no, no, no" is just about her favorite right now.
Spring pictures are posted! More later. |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 07 Mar 2010 02:36:02 pm |
| We love "almost spring!" |
|
|
We've had a really easy winter and, while I'm sure that means summer will stink, we're enjoying the long preview of spring. Scott's been working in the yard, we've been slowing getting stuff out of the basement for donations and, oh yeah, the kids are growing like weeds.
Graham will officially be attending Woodstock Elementary School come September. He and I attended Kindergarten Round-Up last Tuesday and we turned in his registration forms Friday. We're so lucky that our neighborhood school is one of the best in the district. And it's a beautiful old school to boot—lots of dark wood wainscoting and high ceilings. He's pretty excited. And after a meeting with his pre-k teacher a couple weeks ago, we know he's ready and will do just great.
Mara would probably love nothing more than to go with Graham to kindergarten in the fall, but she's going to stick to the toddler stuff. She's sprouting the last of her teeth, "talking" like crazy and getting more and more curly hair every day. She uses some words (doggie, banana, hat, hi and bye) and understands lots of stuff we talk about. She inherited her brother's love of books, which is great. I also managed to get her weaned last month.
We've had lots of illnesses over the past few months, but everyone (knock on wood) seems to be doing great now. We have lots to look forward to this month and next. We're going to Seattle for Easter, then Amy and Mark's wedding is the following weekend. We're so excited to party with old friends! Lots of birthdays and fun stuff, too.
We have pictures to post to the gallery from late winter, so look for those soon. |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 24 Jan 2010 01:05:19 pm |
| Bye-Bye Brace! |
|
|
Mara had a checkup at the bone and joint clinic on Friday. We didn't get to see her usual doctor, though, because he decided to travel to Haiti. He's a great doctor, so I'm sure he's doing all he can to help. The other doctor we saw was great, and gave Mara the "all-clear" to ditch the brace! Yahoo! We have to go back in four months to see her usual doctor, but her x-ray looks perfect and she's developing just as she should.
The little lady is getting all kids of teeth. Her molars are in, and she's filling in the gaps between those new molars and her existing front teeth. There's lots of drooling and biting going on, but she likes using her toothbrush, so that's good.
Speaking of teeth, Graham and I went in for our winter cleanings this week. The dentist said Graham's teeth are looking good and he's doing a good job brushing. But we're still waiting for him to kick the habit of sucking his fingers. We've tried a few things that haven't worked, but Dr. John said he's not worried; Graham will grow out of it.
Mara started at a new daycare at the beginning of the month. It's a different campus of Graham's same school. The building is brand new and they did a really nice job with lots of woodwork and beautiful murals. There are lots of kinks with the new infant program, but we're hanging in there. Mara's doing great and all the teachers like her lots.
Mara also seems to be rebounding from her low weight. Her appetite has improved and she looks a little rounder in the tummy. I haven't weighed her, but I have to turn her car seats around anyway because she's too tall to be rear facing. I wanted to do that this weekend, but ended up with a case of strep throat and a nice ear infection. It's always something around here! |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 03 Jan 2010 05:57:37 pm |
| Happy New Year! |
|
|
It was a wonderful Christmas this year! We were home, with no visitors, but Santa was good to us all.
We got a babysitter for an evening out to Scott's work Christmas party, then Graham came with me to my work party. It was at a bowling alley, and was Graham's first time bowling. Not only did he do great, he never got tired of it—even bowling for other kids and adults when they didn't want to!
Scott made us a delicious Christmas Eve feast of cornish game hens, then we set off to Peacock Lane. When we got home, we had our annual viewing of Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Christmas morning, Mara slept in a little bit, so Graham had the living room to himself for a jump start on opening his gifts. He was thrilled to get the pirate sword he asked Santa for and was delighted by the other goodies (tool belt/construction set, doctor kit, Hot Wheels, etc., etc.) When she awoke, Mara wanted nothing more than to pull crumbled up wrapping paper out of the recycling box. We hung out, playing in our jammies until the late afternoon, when we headed to the Schotlands for a family dinner. We had a great meal, and a nice time visiting with the Jayme family. That night, Graham slept with the pirate sword under his pillow!
Graham got a nice treat from Dad when they went to a Blazers game Monday night. They stayed only the first half (Graham didn't want to leave) and Graham's been asking for a Blazers jersey ever since. Too bad they ended up losing to A.I. and the Sixers. Oh well.
We had a crazy winter storm earlier this week, and Graham was so excited for the snow. As usual, it snarled up traffic on our ways home from work but it was gone within a day. Don't know if that was all we'll see of the snow this winter, but it would be nice to actually get to enjoy it for once.
New Year's Eve, we had a nice dinner out at the Old Spaghetti Factory. They have a huge light display outside, and one of the best kid's menus (Graham and Mara ate up all the mac and cheese). Scott and I tried to stay up until midnight, but gave in and opted for sleep instead.
We're excited about 2010, with so much to look forward to. Mara should be able to ditch her brace by the end of the month. She starts at a new school tomorrow (a new campus of Graham's school which accepts infants and young jr. toddlers).
Holiday pictures are now posted in the gallery.
Happy New Year! |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 20 Nov 2009 02:52:56 pm |
| Skinny lady |
|
|
Yesterday was Mara's one-year check-up. She endured four shots and had blood drawn for lead testing (since our house is so old) and was a brave little lady. She measured 30-1/2" (90th percentile) and weighs just under 18lbs. She's only 8th percentile for weight. Yikes! The pediatrician said she's not concerned, given Graham was a light baby and is a skinny kid, but said we could slip some butter into her veggies and give her more fatty meats to up her calories. So come Monday, she'll be on the food they serve at school—which we've previously avoided—to feast on mac and cheese and green beans with bacon. Yum!
Tomorrow she'll be able to enjoy Sandy's beautiful and delicious birthday cookies and maybe a cupcake (if I decide to make some) at her rescheduled birthday party!
I was hoping to turn her car seats around this weekend, but it looks like she won't reach 20lbs. any time soon. |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
|
| 16 Nov 2009 02:45:52 pm |
| Mara is a year old! |
|
|
Yesterday was Mara's first birthday! We still can't believe how quickly it's gone by, or what a big girl she is.
We had planned for a small party with friends on Saturday, but have postponed it a week due to Graham coming down with a mystery illness (ear infection?) that was giving him a low fever for a few days. We have some adorable #1 cookies special ordered from Sandy, which are waiting patiently for the party.
The birthday weekend was not to be ruined. Graham rebounded and Auntie Katie came down anyway. We opened presents from family in the morning. Mara got lots of adorable clothes, a couple teethers and toys. We watched some video from the day she was born then had a nice dinner, including Charlie. We celebrated with some cake, which Mara seemed to enjoy almost as much as the rest of us.
She has a check-up on Thursday, so I'll report how she's growing after we get her height, weight and all that good stuff. She's eating all finger foods now, as she's been refusing the spoon for a few weeks. It makes for messy mealtimes, but she likes it just fine. She's down to one long nap after lunch and is sleeping well at night again. Most exciting is that she's taking lots and lots of steps. She's not exclusively walking, but is very close. She's still in her brace at night until January, but she slept without it last night, as a nice little birthday present!
After I find out her weight, I think we can turn her car seats around to forward-facing. She has to be one year and 20lbs. But she was just under 17lbs. at her nine-month check-up, so I'm not sure she'd have gained three pounds by now. Scott is anxious for this milestone so he can get some legroom back in the passenger seat of my car. I also need to adjust the straps on Graham's booster in my car, because he's now big enough to use the seat belt instead of the harness. Big kids!
Pictures from Mara's birthday to be posted soon! |
|
| |
Category : General
| By : andrea | Comments [0] | Trackbacks [0] |
|
| |
| 1 2 3 ...12 13 14 Next |
|
|
