We've got a CRAWLER on our hands!

It's official! We have a crawler! At 8 1/2 months Kellan started crawling this evening after his bath--he is exactly the same age his big sister was when she began to crawl. Just in time--we put our christmas tree up yesterday so this should be interesting! A new world has opened up for our little guy who has been desperately trying to get around for weeks and weeks! Since he has never really been a little boy who would happily sit and play in one place anyway, I don't feel like I'll be missing much--I'm just hoping instead of fussing every time someone walks out of the room he can now be thrilled that he can just follow behind!

We had a wonderful thanksgiving with my parents--no pictures to post yet since most are on their camera. I have some more pics to post but don't have the energy to do it now...just wanted to highlight this important evening for our little "bubba". Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Kellan is 8 months old

Our (not so little) guy is now 8 months old! He's a little under the weather today (either a cold or teething--not sure which one yet-maybe both!) but otherwise doing well. At 8 months Kellan:

-Rolls over like crazy to get himself somewhere.

-Can stand up on all fours when attempting to crawl--he just needs to learn to move his arms with his legs and he'll be on his way!

-finally got his first 2 teeth (within a few days of each other!)-I have a feeling more are on the way!

-likes to click his tongue and stick out his tongue while blowing (like a "raspberry" but with his tongue out--not so fun when eating!)

-is figuring out how to clap-he loves to watch us clap, and he now "claps" his hands too!

I will post pictures of my little man later, but I want to post on something else weighing on my heart. I came across a blog recently off a link from the Bring the Rain site that I often read. I just started reading Adrienne's blog yesterday and if ever I've asked, "Why, God?" it's after reading her story. I don't know anyone personally going through the pains of trying to adopt a child when you cannot carry one of your own, and to read what she has just experienced really is hard to imagine. I have prayed for her a lot over the past 24 hours, and I will continue to keep their family in my prayers, knowing that God has a different path for them that they may not yet understand. I ask that you say a prayer for Adrienne, Jim, and little Owen today. It really reminds me how much I take for granted--just being blessed to have 2 of my own children who are healthy. With Thanksgiving approaching, you can bet I will be counting my blessings this year.

Around home

Here are some recent pics of the kids. I had some quality bonding time with both this week as Alex was off from school for Veteran's Day, then I kept her home again yesterday for fear that she had pink eye (she doesn't!). Kellan is soon to be 8 months, and I can see already that he is going to be a handful once he starts officially crawling. You can see how badly he wants to get around--he will roll to get somewhere, crawl backwards, whatever he can do to get around. When you pick him up he's already starting to push away from you as if he wants to get down--I'm not sure where he thinks he wants to go but he already seems to have the urge to be on his own! :(
He gets up on all fours and tries to figure out where to go from there--I think it's only a matter of time before the crawling begins! I'm trying to cherish these remaining moments of little boy who is content to stay where I put him on the floor and play with toys!

Kellan practicing his crawling

A Happy girl before her dad's last home soccer game of the season

Big changes

So I've been wanting to post about this subject for a while but I needed to wait until the time was right. As many of you know the travel demands of my job have increased over the years and with 2 children it has made it even more difficult to give 100% to being a mother and 100% to my job. Many months ago we decided that I would be quitting my job by the end of the year and plan to stay at home, at least until the kids are off to school, then I will decide where to go at that point. I arranged to take Kellan out of daycare, effective today, and we plan to continue allowing Alex to attend preschool since she loves it and really has a great experience there. Well, my plan was fast forwarded a few weeks when I was laid off today since my company had to cut back a bit due to the difficult economy these days. It's actually a blessing because it is a better situation from a financial standpoint then if I had left on my own, so for that I am grateful. So beginning Monday I am a stay-at-home mom with time to do nothing but take care of my family and my house! Although this is very foreign thing for me since I've always worked, I'm looking forward to giving it a try. I'm thankful that Marlon's job has finally given me this opportunity to not have to work for a while--I really believe it's right for our family, so I'm going to embrace it! So that's the big news of the day--fun things to come!

Halloween and more

A little belated, here are a few pics of the kids from Halloween. Alex had a parade at school, where she was able to re-use her ladybug costume from last year (it was more weather appropriate and it still fit!). I was able to go with her on her parade since I was given the day off from work in honor of the Phillies winning the world series (the perk of having my home office in Philly!).

Alex and her BFF Sophia

My little man in the Giraffe costume that Alex wore on her first Halloween (it was a bit more snug on Kellan for sure!)

The giraffe and Snow White

Snow White getting ready to go trick-or-treating (thanks to Aunt Nay Nay for the outfit!!)

I had to add this cute photo of Alex. She was eating some Taco Soup (shocking for those who know her?! It was only a few bites but she sure looked excited to try it!)

The above photo was followed by Daddy making her eat a grape in the pic below (you'd think we'd fed her brussel sprouts by the look on her face!) For those who aren't aware, she is a very picky eater and hates just about all fruits due to their juicy, mushy texture but we continue to try and get her to try different things regularly in the hopes that her eating habits will change!

Kellan enjoying playing in a laundry basket. Why hadn't I put him in here before?

Kellan hanging out in his activity center (since he usually isn't smiling in his photos I wanted to include a happy one!)

Kellan is finally having his first tooth break through, and he is showing the same symptoms that his big sister did when she was teething...flushed cheeks, runny nose, excessive drooling. I also think he's fighting a cold (as both Alex and I are) so that definitely doesn't help with the extra congestion and watery eyes! He's also slowly becoming more mobile--even though he still doesn't roll over regularly, we know he can. He likes to be on his belly and scoot backwards across the room, and he lifts himself on all fours and tries to catapult himself forward or sideways. It's pretty funny to watch--you can tell he wants to get moving but just isn't sure how! His daycare class is filled with a bunch of early crawlers so he's surrounded by his "friends" who are all on the move--guess he's getting some good motivation!