Kellan-20 months

It's hard to believe Kellan is only 4 months away from turning 2!! Where has the time gone?? He continues to grow and develop with each passing day-over the past few weeks his vocabulary has really exploded, so it's been fun to hear him communicate more! Here's what he's up to at 20 months:

-He LOVES trains-likes to say "train" and "chugga-chugga" and "choo choo". Along with kicking and throwing balls, trains is probably his next favorite thing! He still loves running and dribbling a ball with his feet. He loves to say soccer ball, but it comes out sounding like "soppa ball".

-He's started to say more words, and he's learning to use them in the appropriate settings, like stuck, push, pull, open, close, up, down. He likes to talk about cars and trucks, loves to read books, and LOVES playing with his big sister. Just the other day he started calling me "jenn" if I didn't answer to "mommy"--now he thinks it's funny to call me Jenn. He follows Marlon and I around constantly saying "mommy" and "daddy" over and over again to get our attention. Yesterday he really seemed to pick up counting--he's gone from saying no numbers at all to counting to 8 on his own, and I think he'll probably be counting to 10 within a few days at this rate! We're working on colors and the ABCs, too.

-He still loves to dance. He still enjoys when Marlon turns on the I-Pod and plays music--the two of them dance around the family (sometimes Alex and I will join in!)

-He's still a good eater, although he has stopped drinking a lot of milk. He loves orange juice, and has recently started enjoying raisins. He likes eating the gerber graduates ravioli, and he loves Yobaby 3 in 1 yogurt meals. He loves pineapple and has started enjoying scrambled eggs. He continues to not be a very big fan of bread. He won't eat toast or sandwiches either.

-He loves going to the park and playing outside. He loves bubbles and his current favorite book is "I Know a Rhino" (a book his sister also loved!).

-He has such a sweet personality but is sometimes too aggressive when he plays (he likes to throw toys around the room and they sometimes hit other people!), so he is learning to say "Sorry".

-He will say "Bye" and "Love You" when we leave, and he will give hugs and kisses.

-He still loves his "lovie", and now also likes to carry around another stuffed toy (we call him lovie's friend) and a blanket. He still sucks his thumb when in bed to help himself fall asleep-we are seeing the first signs of his poor thumb being cracked and red from all the sucking he's doing!

He is a sweet boy and we're enjoying watching him turn into a little boy--Alex is loving having a companion to play with (except for when they're fighting!).

family visit

A few weeks ago Jon, Renee, Nolan and Mia came out for a visit and I'm just now getting around to posting a few photos. The cousins had fun playing, as they always do!

Mia and Alex were being taught to curtsy by Aunt Nay Nay, while dressed up as princesses of course!

Princess Mia, wearing Alex's Snow White costume. What a beauty!

The girls getting all dressed up

Alex and Nolan giving Uncle Jonny a hair cut using plastic knives and forks

I wanted to end with a quick photo of father and son--getting Kellan started early with video games!

Carter's Homecoming

After 4 long months, my nephew Carter is now HOME from the hospital! 2 weeks ago the kids and I traveled back to NJ to celebrate Carter's homecoming. He is such an amazing little boy--he's taken all the craziness in stride and continues to be happy and laid back throughout all of this. I know his family is so glad to have him back at home again, while they continue his rehabilitation. We look forward to seeing him running around again and playing with his cousins--until then, we are just so grateful he is ALIVE and doing well!

Jon, Lauren, and Carter-together as a family again at last!

Rebecca and I with the youngest kids-Kellan and Gabby (we couldn't get our older ones to sit still for a photo!)

The kids and I

Pierre and cousin Matt

Kaylee's Rodeo Princess Party!

I am seriously behind on my blogging (sorry Mom!). I have had great intentions of sitting down and catching up, but it just seems like there are so many other things to do! We've continued to have a busy fall. A few weeks ago we celebrated my niece Kaylee's 2nd birthday with a Rodeo Princess Party! I'm glad we were able to make it out for the big event, which included miniature horse rides and a hay maze (built my my creative and oh-so-talented SIL, who has been planning this party for the past year-NO JOKE!). Here are a few pics of the party to share!

Kaylee-The Birthday Girl!

The cousins-all sitting still at the same time-a rare event!

Kaylee making a funny face while riding the horse

Nolan enjoying the maze

Kellan enjoying the maze

Alex enjoying the maze (notice her holding her nose? She didn't like the smell of the hay, so she held her nose!)

Alex riding the horse (Kellan rode too and kept saying "Whoa!" but I guess I didn't get any pictures of him)

Mia and her "horse"

My little cowboy on the farm

Granddad capturing a photo

The birthday cake, created by Kendy

fall activities

We've been busy around here these days--we're all having a great time but time is flying by! I've got a bunch of random pics to post about what we've been up to recently.


For starters, two weekends ago Josh, Kendy and Kaylee came out for a visit. We had an adventure-filled weekend that made some wonderful (or at least "memorable"!) memories! We ventured out to the Buckwheat Festival on Saturday, a yearly event out here in good ole' WV. We had never gone before but I wanted to give it a chance and see what it was all about--they serve buckwheat pancakes and sausage--thus the name. The forecast for Saturday was calling for rain, but when the rain had not arrived we decided to venture out and give it a try around lunch time. We went with my neighbor Desiree and her daughter Adelaide (and my bro and fam). Of course once we made the 25 minute drive there, got the kids out of the car and started walking to the fairgrounds, the skies opened up. It began to pour, and we were less than prepared. We ran to a barn, looked at a bunch of farm animals, then tried to figure out how we were going to feed 4 hungry kids in the pouring rain. It was amusing--the kids were very well behaved considering the circumstances--we ended up running from vendor to vendor collecting food for the kids...corn on the cob, corn dogs...then ran back to the car, opened up the trunk, peeled wet clothes off the kids, and tried to give them some food. I did not take any pictures but I think Josh did--hopefully I will get some to post. We didn't even get to try the famous buckwheat pancakes and sausage--maybe next year!

Aunt Dee Dee teaching Alex the art of playing dress up, complete with fake accents!

Josh, Kendy and Kaylee were able to make it to a soccer game on Sunday afternoon as well. My neighbors came and set up the first ever (for us) soccer tailgate. We have awesome neighbors and they have really jumped on the soccer bandwagon this year and consistently come out to show their support. It's great having more company at the games with the kids and I! We had all the neighbors over after the game to finish up the leftover tailgate food--fortunately the team won so it was somewhat of a celebratory meal!

This past weekend I got to go out with the girls for a birthday dinner to my favorite restaurant. Marlon was out of town on my birthday, so I was able to get a baby sitter for the kids and enjoy a night out with 6 friends. I'm so thankful for such great neighbors and friend! On Sunday my neighbor and I took our kids to a local Kids Day at the farm. They have some farm animals, a small pumpkin patch where the kids get to pick a pumpkin and paint it if you want, a hayride, a bounce house, and some other small kiddie rides. It was a cool but sunny day and the kids had a really good time!

Kellan enjoying the bounce house

Painting pumpkins--messy but fun!

Kellan testing out the "cars" (they were pulled behind a tractor)--he was giving them all a try while no one else was on them!

Kellan driving a bulldozer

Alex and our neighbor Adelaide

Last but certainly not least, a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my husband! He is heading out of town tonight for a game so we won't be able to celebrate with him but we hope he comes home with a win--that's probably the only gift he wants! The kids and I love you!

Cousins, Cousins, and Great Granddad!

A few weeks ago we got to head back to Phila/NJ and visit family--lots of family!

We started out by going to visit my nephew Carter in the hospital--both the kids came with me and got to spend some time with Carter, Aunt Lauren, Uncle Jon, Nana, and Pop-Pop. Carter (and Lauren) are doing very well, and Carter is due to be released in the next few weeks! It's been a long 3 months for Carter's family, and it is such a blessing that he will be getting to go home! We look forward to spending more time with him once he gets released.

Pop-Pop and Alex

The kids and I with Carter

Carter eating a lollipop-he hasn't been wanting to eat anything recently (thus the feeding tube)--even the lollipop didn't work! After a few licks he gave it up.

While we were staying at my parents' house, MY grandpa was in town visiting from Illinois, so it was really special that the kids were able to spend some time with Great Granddad. Alex asked a lot of questions about him before he arrived..."What does he look like?" "What color hair does he have?" "Does he like to play with little kids?" She was very interested in "meeting" (she hadn't seen him since she was much younger) Granddad's daddy, and it was great to see them interacting. Alex used Jenga blocks to build towers with him (and was quickly bossing him around a bit, telling him how she wanted the blocks stacked!), and in the morning she looked for him, wondering when he would be up to hang out with. Even Kellan wasn't overly fearful of him, which was pretty good considering how wary he is of strangers these days!

Great Granddad and Alex building towers with Jenga blocks

We also got to celebrate my nephew Nolan's 4th birthday! He had a train party (of course, because the boy LOVES his trains!) and all 5 cousins were there (and got to spend the night!). The kids had a great time riding a train in the backyard and playing with each other. There are so many great pictures of the kids so I will try to share a few of my favorites.

The excited birthday boy BEFORE his party!

Alex and Nolan waiting for the train track to be assembled

We got to go to one of Nolan's peewee soccer games, and the kids got to spend a beautiful evening outside running around Jon and Renee's backyard at their new house--they enjoyed kicking balls, throwing grass at each other, and having a lot of fun!

Mia and Alex playing at Nolan's soccer game (while Kellan looks on)
These pics are all taken outside while the kids were playing in the grass--I love the late summer/early fall!

Kaylee

Mia--love her expression!

We made our trip home by stopping at Josh and Kendy's new house, since we hadn't been there yet, then eventually made our way back home. The kids and I were tired after a long ,eventful weekend, but it was well worth it!

Kellan---18 months

This little guy is now 18 months old!

Here's what Kellan is up to these days...

-He loves his big sister and they really enjoy playing together, tackling each other on the floor.

-He continues to learn new words and follows directions (most of the time!), like "Put that toy in the bucket" or "Go give this to your sister".

-He loves to brush his teeth (he has a mouthful now--not sure how many but he's got a ton of molars and a bunch of other teeth--unfortunately he has now started drooling AGAIN--soaking shirts every day--when will it end??!!) and practice using the potty.

-He enjoys using a straw and eats well (has done this for a few months now) with a spoon and fork.

-He loves popsicles (we'll be sad to see summer go!), lollipops, and graham crackers (when he says crackers, it comes out sounding like "brackee".

-Aside from kicking a soccer ball around, his next favorite thing to play with is probably cars and trains. He loves the train table and geotrax that my mom has at her house (guess what someone is getting for christmas?!) and that his cousin Nolan has. He really is ALL BOY!

-He is dealing with separation anxiety/stranger anxiety a lot these days. He takes a while to warm up to new people, people he doesn't see frequently, and is more intimidated by males than females. Once he feels comfortable, though, he's becoming quite the ham. He loves acting goofy, being silly, and running around like a crazy kid.

-He has known how to say "NO" for a while, and he's really starting to use it! If you try to take something from him, he will say "Uh-Uh" or "No" while shaking his head.

-We're dealing with the issue of him throwing toys--not in a mean or angry way, but as a form of play. He loves to fling toys across the room--big ones, small ones, hard ones, soft ones...you have to stay clear to avoid getting hit. I'm continuously telling him "No throwing" and "Be Gentle" but although he says OK (pronounced "UUUUHH-k"), he continues to do it. I don't know how to get through to him--I'm going to attempt trying timeouts with him, although I don't know how well he will understand them quite yet. I really don't think he's doing it to be defiant, I think he's just all boy and seems to have a bit more of an aggressive style of playing!

-He loves to take baths (and to say "bath") and loves to play with bubbles and balloons.

-He goes for his 18 mo. appt. next week so I will update you with his weight and height, but he's still definitely on the short side! He fits in his current age for clothes (has been wearing 12-18 months for a while, and wears a lot of 18 month shirts and shorts).

-He loves to hang on the couch with his daddy--he and daddy have a special bond, and he will sit happily with him for a long time while watching tv or resting--he never does that with mommy--with me, he just wants to go, go, go!

He continues to be a sweet, fun-loving boy--we just can't get enough of him!